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Op flows well
By Capt Michael Brooke
Edition 1173, August 23, 2007 |
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WHEN Overwatch Battle Group (West) 3 troops were tasked with securing the new water treatment plant in the town of Ash Shatrah in southern Iraq they braced themselves for a potentially hostile reception from militants.
There had been reports that militants had fled to Ash Shatrah after being expelled from the provincial capital of An Nasiriyah.
The Battle Group Reserve, under the command of Capt John van Hattem, and elements of OBG(W)3’s Combat Team Sabre took part in Operation Silver Faucet, which involved securing the plant for an inspection by coalition and Iraqi officials.
The new plant is part of a $208 million coalition project that will provide clean drinking water to the people of southern Iraq.
The Battle Group Reserve was inserted by Merlin helicopter, while elements of CT Sabre were positioned to the west as a Quick Reaction Force, during the operation on July 19.
Capt John Van Hattem said the soldiers were fully aware of the challenge of securing the water treatment plant north of Ash Shatrah, a town of some 120,000 people located about 50km north of the Australian Camp Terendak at Tallil Air Base.
“We were not sure what to expect, or what the reaction of the security guards would be as they had come under small-arms fire from militia in recent weeks,” he said.
The Australians’ interpreter opened meaningful dialogue with two of the security guards.
“Thanks to the professionalism and awareness of our soldiers we were able to posture in a way so to deal with any scenario, while not looking overly threatening,” Capt van Hattem said. “Our interpreter also managed to gain permission for our soldiers to take up positions in the guard towers, which helped secure the facility.”
The officials – who included a US Army general and the Provincial Governor of Dhi Qar province – arrived by helicopter and were escorted by Australian soldiers on their inspection of the water treatment plant. After the VIPs left, the OBG(W)3 soldiers returned to Tallil Air Base by helicopter.
“Despite the threat posed by militants, the operation went according to plan and concluded without incident,” Capt van Hattem said. |
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