FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Iraqi Security Forces and Marines with Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment conducted a raid at a local business here April 17.The team detained nine individuals and confiscated a weapon, along with several forms of anti-Coalition forces propaganda.“We went in on patrol this morning to get some individuals inside the building,” explained 2nd Lt. Joseph W. Davis, 3rd Platoon’s platoon commander. “We found the guy we were looking for.”The 26-year-old Lebanon, Va. native added that after conducting a detailed search, the troops found a pistol and anti-Iraqi propaganda in the form of DVDs, pamphlets and cassette tapes. Residents here are prohibited from possessing these the anti-Iraqi propaganda items.“Initially, the guys we detained said there were no weapons here,” the 2002 Tusculum College graduate continued. “That’s when we knew they were lying and trying to hide something.”Davis added that Iraqi Security Forces personnel were instrumental in the raid’s success.“They did a great job. They went in with my 3rd squad, and were the first guys inside. When I got up there, they already had people down on the deck (floor.)”Davis added that aside from helping American forces conduct raids such as these, Iraqi soldiers also accompany Marines on every patrol, and assist them with their knowledge of the local culture.“On patrol, they might point out some (anti-Coalition forces or Iraqi government) graffiti.”Additionally, Davis said the local forces provide front and rear security for the patrols, help direct city traffic away from the troops, and assist the Marines in communicating with Fallujah’s residents by providing basic translations.According to Davis, small scale joint Iraqi and American operations, such as the raid today, are eroding away the remaining insurgency here.“There’s not one big, fell swoop operation that we do to take out all the insurgents in Iraq. It’s sort of like being a police officer; you take one guy out, and he can no longer sell weapons on the streets. Our ECPs (Entry Control Points, stations set up outside Fallujah to regulate incoming traffic) are keeping insurgents out of the city, so little by little, they’re running out of places to hide.”