Kirkuk citizens report IED before detonation

Editor's Note: The following press release was recently received from CPT Monte Hibbert, 116th BCT Public Affairs, serving in Iraq with the 116th Engineering Battalion of the Idaho National Guard. Some of the soldiers of that battalion are from the Orofino Armory.

FOB WARRIOR, Iraq - Observant citizens in Kirkuk, Iraq, potentially saved lives when they called local authorities upon seeing men drop a suspicious package on a roadside Oct. 17.

The locals observed two men waiting in the median for a taxi with what appeared to be bags or luggage. When a taxi arrived one of the individuals placed a bag next to the curb in the median, taking the other bag. The taxi, with the two individuals, then departed.

"Nearby residents observed this suspicious activity and called the Adalla police station to report what they concluded was an IED," said Capt. Corey Dahlquist, a Task Force 2-116 Armor officer. "When the Iraqi Police arrived the IED detonated but no injuries resulted."

Local authorities encourage all Iraqi citizens to report suspicious activity to their nearest JCC.

Helping Iraqi security forces take on full responsibility for the security and stability of the region is part of the 116th BCT's mission while deployed in north central Iraq. The unit's mission also includes assisting Iraq's new government, supporting economic development and facilitating communications.

The 116th BCT is comprised of headquarters and staff sections, two armor battalions, a mechanized infantry battalion, a support battalion, a field artillery battalion, an engineer battalion, and various intelligence, signal, and specialized units. The 116th BCT is one of several Army National Guard units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

Photo: An improvised explosive device (IED) reported by a Kirkuk, Iraq, citizen damaged this sidewalk when it exploded Oct. 17. Because it was reported before it detonated, Iraqi security forces were able to clear the area and no injuries or deaths resulted from the blast. (Photo submitted by Task Force 2-116 Armor)