Sons of Iraq
Additionally, the brigade followed up on previous clearing operations in the Baqubah region by seizing additional areas from Al Qaeda's control. In December 2007, elements of 2–1 Cavalry, 1–38 Infantry and the 5th Iraqi Army Division executed Operation Raider Reaper in the "Iron Triangle" region northwest of Baqubah. This operation freed several villages from Al Qaeda control and allowed for the standup of Sons of Iraq groups. The brigade then shifted focus to the "Bread Basket" area of the Diyala River Valley between the major cities of Dali Abbas and Muqdadiyah. The deliberate clearing of the "Bread Basket" – Operation Raider Harvest – saw 2–23 Infantry and 2/3 Armored Cavalry conducting shaping operations while 3/2 Stryker Cavalry and 5th Iraqi Army Division assets conducted clearing. This operation drove Al Qaeda from the area and freed dozens of villages from terrorist control. The Brigade followed up the success of Operation Raider Harvest with additional operations to clear the regions south of Buhriz and in the Turki region south of the city of Balad Ruz. The brigade further supported Iraqi Army operations to open Route Vanessa in between Baqubah and Khan Bani Sa’ad, a route that had been impassable to security forces.