MGySgtSki
08-23-07, 09:05 AM
Iraqi Killed Saving U.S. Troops
************* | August 23, 2007
An Iraqi man saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight
civilians when he intercepted a suicide bomber during a
Concerned Citizens meeting in the town of al-Arafia Aug. 18.
The incident occurred while Soldiers from 3rd Squadron,
1st Cavalry Regiment, were talking with members of the
al-Arafia Concerned Citizens, a volunteer community
group, at a member’s house.
"I was about 12 feet away when the bomber came around
the corner," said Staff Sgt. Sean Kane, of Los Altos,
Calif., acting platoon sergeant of Troop B, 3-1 Cav.
"I was about to engage when he jumped in front of us
and intercepted the bomber as he ran toward us. As he
pushed him away, the bomb went off."
The citizen’s actions saved the lives of four U.S.
Soldiers and eight civilians.
Kane felt the loss personally because he had met and
interacted with his rescuer many times before the
incident.
"He was high-spirited and really believed what the group
(Concerned Citizens) was doing," Kane said. "I have no
doubt the bomber was trying to kill American Soldiers.
It was very calculated the way the bomber tried to do it.
If he hadn’t intercepted him, there is no telling how bad
it could have been."
Kane believes the citizen is a hero.
"He could have run behind us or away from us, but he
made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect everyone.
Having talked with his father, I was told that even if he
would have known the outcome before hand, he wouldn’t have
acted differently."
Capt. Brian Gilbert, of Boise, Idaho, the commander of
Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently
attached to 3-1 Cavalry, echoed Kane’s sentiment.
"I spoke with the father," Gilbert said. "He said he has no
remorse in his son’s death because he died saving American
Soldiers."
Later that night, the Concerned Citizens group contacted the
local National Police director, Lt. Col. Samir, with the
location of the al-Qaeda cell believed to be responsible for
the attack. The National Police immediately conducted a raid
that resulted in four arrests.
Despite the citizen’s death, Gilbert is encouraged by the
cooperation between citizens and the Iraqi National Police.
"The effort of the Concerned Citizens group has made the
area much safer," he said. "They are proud of who they are
and their area, and want to get rid of the terrorists in
their area."
Gilbert also praised the Iraqi National Police’s role in
eliminating insurgents in the area.
"The cooperation between them and the Concerned Citizens has
been key," Gilbert said. "The NP has done a great job of
responding to the tips they have been given by the group."
Gilbert said he believes the area is improving because of
the efforts of local citizens. The death, while unfortunate,
demonstrated how close many in the area have become with the
American Soldiers operating there.
"I consider many in the town friends, and I know they feel
the same," Gilbert said. "This is a tough situation, but we’ll
move on and try to prevent things like this from happening
again. I’ve talked with his family and told them how brave
their son was. This is a huge loss for everyone involved."
************* | August 23, 2007
An Iraqi man saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight
civilians when he intercepted a suicide bomber during a
Concerned Citizens meeting in the town of al-Arafia Aug. 18.
The incident occurred while Soldiers from 3rd Squadron,
1st Cavalry Regiment, were talking with members of the
al-Arafia Concerned Citizens, a volunteer community
group, at a member’s house.
"I was about 12 feet away when the bomber came around
the corner," said Staff Sgt. Sean Kane, of Los Altos,
Calif., acting platoon sergeant of Troop B, 3-1 Cav.
"I was about to engage when he jumped in front of us
and intercepted the bomber as he ran toward us. As he
pushed him away, the bomb went off."
The citizen’s actions saved the lives of four U.S.
Soldiers and eight civilians.
Kane felt the loss personally because he had met and
interacted with his rescuer many times before the
incident.
"He was high-spirited and really believed what the group
(Concerned Citizens) was doing," Kane said. "I have no
doubt the bomber was trying to kill American Soldiers.
It was very calculated the way the bomber tried to do it.
If he hadn’t intercepted him, there is no telling how bad
it could have been."
Kane believes the citizen is a hero.
"He could have run behind us or away from us, but he
made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect everyone.
Having talked with his father, I was told that even if he
would have known the outcome before hand, he wouldn’t have
acted differently."
Capt. Brian Gilbert, of Boise, Idaho, the commander of
Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently
attached to 3-1 Cavalry, echoed Kane’s sentiment.
"I spoke with the father," Gilbert said. "He said he has no
remorse in his son’s death because he died saving American
Soldiers."
Later that night, the Concerned Citizens group contacted the
local National Police director, Lt. Col. Samir, with the
location of the al-Qaeda cell believed to be responsible for
the attack. The National Police immediately conducted a raid
that resulted in four arrests.
Despite the citizen’s death, Gilbert is encouraged by the
cooperation between citizens and the Iraqi National Police.
"The effort of the Concerned Citizens group has made the
area much safer," he said. "They are proud of who they are
and their area, and want to get rid of the terrorists in
their area."
Gilbert also praised the Iraqi National Police’s role in
eliminating insurgents in the area.
"The cooperation between them and the Concerned Citizens has
been key," Gilbert said. "The NP has done a great job of
responding to the tips they have been given by the group."
Gilbert said he believes the area is improving because of
the efforts of local citizens. The death, while unfortunate,
demonstrated how close many in the area have become with the
American Soldiers operating there.
"I consider many in the town friends, and I know they feel
the same," Gilbert said. "This is a tough situation, but we’ll
move on and try to prevent things like this from happening
again. I’ve talked with his family and told them how brave
their son was. This is a huge loss for everyone involved."