Najaf

Reports coming from Iraq over the past couple of days indicate coordinated resistance against coalition troops. It seems like the radical terrorists types have joined forces with former Saddam regime members in an attempt to disrupt the peace process.

During the force movements from Mosul to Najaf a lead element of six Strykers encountered an ambush by Iraqi militia at a bridge crossing. The Strykers began to take fire from positions along the road. In the meantime other Iraqi militia moved vehicles on to the road behind the Strykers to block any attempts by the Strykers to retreat. This forced the Strykers to move forward and race across the bridge - concerned that the bridge could go at any moment.

Stryker Ghost Soldiers dismounted and engaged the enemy positions on the far side of the river while the Stryker's 50 Caliber Machine Guns provided covering fire. The resistance was quickly broken and the Strykers secured the bridge for following troops.

There were no reports of US injuries from this engagement. There are also no reliable reports of enemy causalities.

Lead elements of a troop movement like this are generally scout troop platoons - Stryker Brigade's Scout Troops are members of the 1-14 Cav. Our Soldier is in Bronco Troop of the 1-14.

Pray for our troops.