U.S. troops adapting to new rules in Iraq

On the trail of an insurgent
The first call to prayer in Tarmiyah began at a mosque as Works and the Iraqi lieutenant crouched down near the front gate of the home of the suspected insurgent. Nearby, American troops took positions behind Iraqi soldiers, who pushed open the gate and surrounded the house.

During the search, Loftis made a series of suggestions to the Iraqi lieutenant, who turned to him several times to report what his soldiers had found in the house and what the inhabitants had told them. American troops had accompanied the Iraqis through portions through the home.

The lieutenant's information helped Loftis determine what might be missing from the investigation, and what the Iraqis might want to consider looking for — such as a picture of the suspect.

A learning process
The Stryker platoon also worked with the Iraqis to gather evidence, providing biometrics and fingerprints of all the men in the house because the Iraqi army still lacks the ability and equipment to conduct their own forensic investigations. The tests were to determine whether any of the men might be the suspect.

"I don't know if I'd call it coaching as making recommendations," Loftis said. "There are things that we are learning from each other through this process."

In the end, they didn't get their man. But they did get a photograph.

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