"They all want to secure their neighborhoods"

If you have been following developments in the Iraq war from alternative sources, you are familiar with the trend of Iraqi citizens working with US troops to help fight Al Qaeda in Iraq. Here is a story about a citizens' group (Concerned Local Citizens), in uniform and carrying arms, involved in groundfire alongside US troops.

During the mission, the CLC received small arms fire from insurgent forces, pointed out several improvised explosive devices and scouted out sites along the route to place future checkpoints."The mission was successful on multiple levels," said Capt. Steve Hemmann, from Des Peres, Mo., the executive officer of Company B. "To have over 200 citizens show up on time and in the proper uniform was a great start and made a great statement. We have been building up the (CLC) here in Al Ja'ara, and they all want to secure their neighborhoods.