Thread: Operation Iraqi Freedom/Multi-National Force

This is Great News!
10 suspected VBIED network operatives detained


Sunday, 08 July 2007
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Multi-National Force - Iraq
703.343.8790

July 8, 2007
Release A070708a

10 suspected VBIED network operatives detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 10 suspected terrorists during operations Sunday targeting the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device network in Baghdad.

During two coordinated raids on the west side of the city, Coalition Forces targeted a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq operative believed to facilitate the movement of foreign terrorists for suicide bombing operations by providing fake documents. The ground forces detained seven suspected terrorists during the operations.

In southwestern Baghdad, Coalition Forces targeted a terrorist cell leader allegedly involved in VBIED attacks against the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces. Coalition Forces detained three individuals for their suspected ties to the cell leader.

“Eradicating the bomb network in Baghdad is a high priority for us,” said Maj. Marc Young, an MNF-I spokesperson. “The people of Iraq deserve a future free of murderous bombings and attacks.”

Multi-National Force - Iraq - 10 suspected VBIED network operatives detained

IA, IP discover IED factory near Mosul
By Multi-National Division

North PAO
Jul 8, 2007 - 3:37:48 AM

Iraqi Army soldiers and Iraqi police officers discovered and improvised explosive device factory and two weapons caches near Mosul July 7. The factory contained homemade explosives and other IED making materials.
Blackanthem Military News, TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers and Mosul Police officers discovered an improvised explosives device factory and cache near Mosul July 7.

Soldiers from the 2nd Iraqi Army Division in coordination with Iraqi Police officers found approximately 10,000 pounds of ammonia nitrate and other bomb making materials in a complex that included a building, a warehouse and a storage container. They also discovered a tunnel system connecting all of the buildings.

Also near Mosul, Coalition Forces Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, discovered a weapons cache containing homemade explosives and mortar rounds. In addition, the Soldiers found a military grade bunker system nearby, which had been used as an insurgent safe house.

All three sites were destroyed by precision guided munitions.


Iraqi Army soldiers and Iraqi police officers discovered two weapons caches near Mosul July 7. The caches contained rifles, mortar rounds, mortar tubes and other weapons.




Coalition Forces Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment discovered a military bunker system near Mosul, Iraq, July 7 that had been used as an insurgent safe house. Pictured here is the entrance to one of the bunkers.


Coalition Forces destroyed multiple caches and a military bunker system near Mosul with precision guided munitions July 7. The caches and bunkers were discovered earlier that day by Iraqi Army soldiers, Iraqi police and Coalition Forces Soldiers.

IA, IP discover IED factory near Mosul

13th MEU finds more than 17 metric tons of explosives

By Multi National Force - West
Jul 7, 2007 - 8:54:14 PM


Blackanthem Military News, CAMP AL TAQADDUM, Iraq – Marines from Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, discovered more than 17,000 kilograms of explosives in a series of weapons cache finds northeast of Thar Thar Dam July 4-6.

A homemade explosives factory and nearby weapons cache discovered July 6 by Weapons Company, BLT 3/1, contained more than 6,000 kilograms of homemade explosives, 8,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, a common HME component, and the equipment to mix, manufacture and transport large quantities of the explosives.

Company I Marines found three separate weapons caches July 5 north of Karmah containing the following:

nearly 10,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate
200 jugs of nitric acid, each approximately 30 kilograms
125 kilograms of homemade explosives
3,500 kilograms of fertilizer
250 kilograms of chlorine

On July 4, Marines from Weapons Company discovered a cache east of Lake Thar Thar that contained 4.5 kilograms of homemade explosives, (12) 155mm projectiles, (8) 120mm mortars, (4,700) 14.5mm rounds, (752) 25mm rounds and an assortment of other weapons and ammunition.

The cache containing the nitric acid, homemade explosives and chlorine was destroyed by an F/A-18 Hornet air strike. All remaining caches were destroyed by Combat Logistics Battalion 13 Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams.

Current operations are underway in an effort to disrupt enemy activities and locate such weapons caches north of Fallujah and Karmah, an area in which Coalition Forces have not frequently operated.

Headquartered at Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq, the California-based Marine Air-Ground Task Force began operations June 15 as part of the troop surge in support of Operation Phantom Thunder.

13th MEU finds more than 17 metric tons of explosives

Seven insurgents suspected of killing Coalition Forces captured


Sunday, 08 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070708-08
July 8, 2007

Seven insurgents suspected of killing Coalition Forces captured
1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — In an effort to find those responsible for recent attacks against Coalition Forces north of Baghdad, Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers captured seven suspected insurgents during a major operation northwest of Taji, Iraq which began in late June and ran through July 5.

Soldiers from the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conducted “Operation Iron Blitz,” a series of air assault and ground raids into a rural area capturing all seven insurgent suspects. The suspects are believed to be directly responsible for an improvised explosive device attack on June 23, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack on a Coalition Outpost in Tarmiya, Iraq Feb. 18 and a car bomb attack on a bridge May 11.

“Operation ‘Iron Blitz’ is our focused targeting effort against IED and VBIED networks,” said Lt. Col. Peter Andrysiak, deputy commander for the Ironhorse Brigade. “The results from these particular raids are extremely satisfying. We know they (the suspects) were directly responsible for taking the lives of our troops.”

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Seven insurgents suspected of killing Coalition Forces captured

Diyala deputy governor tours Baqouba


Sunday, 08 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070708-07
July 8, 2007

Diyala deputy governor tours Baqouba
Multi-National Division – North PAO


BAQOUBA, Iraq – The Deputy Governor of Diyala province, Iraq, toured Baqouba July 5 to meet residents and discuss infrastructure issues in the city.

Deputy Governor A’wf traveled through Baqouba with members of the Diyala Provincial Council to hear first hand the concerns of the citizens there. They addressed issues such as water and electricity services and what the government is doing to meet the needs of the people.

Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces Soldiers provided security for the deputy governor throughout the day.

The Deputy Governor’s tour of Baqouba comes three weeks after the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, a major operation by Iraqi Security Forces and CF to root al-Qaida and other insurgents from the capital of Diyala.

The government recently relaxed travel restrictions in the area to allow pedestrian traffic in the streets of Baqouba from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. Vehicular traffic in the city is still prohibited.

Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, at least 60 al-Qaida operatives have been killed, 155 have been detained, 53 weapons caches have been discovered, 122 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed and 22 booby-trapped structures have been destroyed.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Diyala deputy governor tours Baqouba

Soldiers uncover cache in Hor Al Bosh mosque following attack


Sunday, 08 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070708-01
July 8, 2007

Soldiers uncover cache in Hor Al Bosh mosque following attack
1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO


CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Iraqi Army troops searched a mosque in Hor Al Bosh, Iraq after receiving small arms fire from the building July 5, uncovering a cache of small arms and ammunition and detaining one suspect.

During a combined patrol with Coalition Forces, Iraqi troops from 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) spotted someone, who had been firing a weapon, running into the Houda Mosque in Hor Al Bosh. Following the suspect, the Iraqi troops entered and searched the mosque after receiving the permission.

Inside, the Iraqi troops found 100 9mm rounds; seven AK-47 assault rifles, 50 7.62mm rounds, 30 AK-47 magazines, 300 AK-47 rounds and improvised explosive device-making materials. They detained one suspect. An investigation is being conducted to determine who else may be associated with this cache.
As the mosque was being searched, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment remained outside, providing security. No U.S. personnel entered the mosque during the patrol. The search was completed without incident.

“The Iraqi Army did an excellent job in quickly reacting to the situation and taking weapons off the streets that may have been used to harm innocent civilians, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces,” said Lt. Col. Peter Andrysiak, deputy commander, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “The Iraqi soldiers and our troops worked together to ensure all steps were taken to respect the integrity of the mosque.”

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Soldiers uncover cache in Hor Al Bosh mosque following attack

Soldiers spread word on rewards program

By Sgt. Luis Delgadillo, MND-C Public Affairs Office
Jul 8, 2007 - 3:48:15 PM


Staff Sgt. Shawn Wenninger, noncommissioned officer in charge of information operations for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart Ga., distributes leaflets July 6. The information circulated by Wenninger, a native of East Moline Ill., announces the details of a reward program. (Photo by Sgt. Luis Delgadillo)



Blackanthem Military News, FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Psychological operations Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team dropped leaflets from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for villagers in the vicinity of Arab Jabour Friday.

The information on the leaflets included announcements promoting a weapons reward program. Residents can utilize this program to help Coalition troops eliminate al Qaeda from Arab Jabour.

Maj. John A. Brock, 2nd BCT information operations officer, says that the intent of the reward program is to gather information that will lead to the seizure of weapons, explosives caches or high value target locations in exchange for monetary compensation or items of equal value.

Brock, a native of New Orleans, said that people in Arab Jabour can provide information through a tip line.

The program is part of a multifaceted effort taken by 2nd BCT Soldiers to root out al Qaeda resources and eliminate al Qaeda’s use of the region as a thoroughfare for weapons into Baghdad.

Other leaflets dropped included curfew notice reminders, the announcement of the capture of one of the 3rd Inf. Div.’s fifteen wanted individuals, and a warning to residents of Arab Jabour not to use the Tigris River.

Along with an information campaign, Soldiers of the Guardian brigade are also conducting patrols in the region, steadily denying safety to insurgents.

Brock said that the focus isn’t just on any one individual who might come forward with intelligence, but that the focus of the program is on the entire community.

“I think there are a lot of good people up there who want a good life,” he said.

Though success is not guaranteed, Maj. Daniel Canales, civil affairs officer for the 2nd BCT, says residents in the region are ready to be rid of al Qaeda insurgents.

Canales, who is originally from Point Pleasant, N.J., says the hope in Arab Jabour is that the program mimics the success of similar programs throughout Iraq.

“The key thing there is they’ve had some false starts before and they need an Iraqi government and a Coalition presence that stays for a while,” said Canales.



Soldiers spread word on rewards program

A Tale of Two Neighborhoods: Adversaries reach accord in Al-Fadhl

By Multi-National Division - Baghdad PAO
Jul 7, 2007 - 8:32:59 PM


Residents of the Fadhl area of eastern Baghdad help unload trucks July 5 that included hundreds of blankets, food packets for over 1,000 families, thousands of dollars worth of medical supplies, and a truck full of bottled water. Residents young and old, helped carry the supplies inside the medical facility. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Sean Ryan, 2nd IBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. Public Affairs Officer)

Blackanthem Military News, FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — On April 10, Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, along with their Iraqi counterparts, started clearing one of the neighborhoods in eastern Baghdad. It was, at first, a routine mission in the Fadhl area, but soon turned into a bloody firefight that lasted five hours, and resulted in 14 wounded U.S. troops and scores of unknown enemy dead and wounded.

The Fadhl area is one of the oldest and poorest neighborhoods in the Iraqi capital, with 300-year-old buildings still in use today. The narrow, twisting roads can be used as lookout points by insurgents to spot approaching vehicles or people, and were a breeding ground for snipers and militia activity.

But that was then. Just a few short months later, Soldiers from the 1st “Red Devil” Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment out of Fort Bragg, N.C., operating in eastern Baghdad as part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, drove into the heart of Fadhl July 5 delivering truckloads of food rations, medical supplies and water to the residents.

Soon after the April firefight, leaders from the Iraqi Army’s 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, called a meeting with Fadhl leaders, according to Maj. Mike Pratt, Red Devil’s operations officer.
The Bridgeport, W.Va., native said, “The IA asked the residents what they needed and how they can help, instead of constant fighting.”

Their requests were no different than most in Iraq, as they needed essential services. Pratt said, “They wanted their ho****al running, electricity, and jobs for the people.”

Lt. Col. Carl Alex, the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment commander, directed a three-week trash removal project in Fadhl that meant jobs for 200 people. The project has ended, but a three-month extension is in the works. In addition, at the Al Tawan Ho****al in Al Fadhl received a 250-kilowatt generator and 10 water drums have been installed to provide electricity and clean water for the ho****al’s activities.

Attitudes changed quickly among the residents after witnessing the changes in the nearby neighborhood of Ahdamiyah. The Ahdamiyah neighborhood was also in disarray, but once residents began working with Coalition and Iraqi forces, big changes took place. There was reduced violence, increased electricity and the return of essential services.

The leader of the neighborhood told Alex, “We didn’t play it right and made a mistake. Our people found themselves neglected by everybody and the improvements and partnership that Ahdamiyah now shares, is something we want, as well. This is a great lesson for us and we are now extending our hand, to shake the hand of the U.S. Forces to work together.”

The supplies dropped off to thrilled residents included hundreds of blankets, food packets for over 1,000 families, thousands of dollars worth of medical supplies, and a truck full of bottled water. Residents, young and old, helped carry the supplies inside the medical facility.

This was a significant step with the Fadhl residents, according to Capt. Thomas Delaney, the battalion S-5 officer.

“This is the first tangible aid the residents have ever seen,” he said. “The set of meetings really broke the ice and ever since, violence has decreased significantly. The generator will really help the people, as well.”

The neighborhood leader added, “We have already started a plan to distribute power equally to families and will nominate individuals to both protect the generator and start a small collection for fuel.”

The next step the residents of Al Fadhl want is to find jobs for the people. In the past, sectarian strife has limited the work force of Fadhl from looking for jobs outside their area.

The neighborhood has already re-opened shops and consumer goods stores located around the mosque, which were previously closed for security reasons.

This indeed is a tale of two neighborhoods: the old one fighting the Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, and the new one, buzzing with the genesis of electricity, less violence and the prospect of future jobs for the people.

A Tale of Two Neighborhoods: Adversaries reach accord in Al-Fadhl

200th Soldier reenlists with 209th Aviation Support Battalion
By Spc. Bryanna Poulin
Jul 6, 2007 - 8:37:02 PM

Blackanthem Military News, CONTIGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq -


Lt. Col. Bill Fisher, commander for 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade reenlists Sgt. Christopher Flindee with Headquarters Support Company July 6 at Contingency Operating Base Speicher. Sgt. Flindee is the 200 Soldier to reenlist with 209th ASB. Photo by Spc. Bryanna Poulin

Lt. Col. Bill Fisher, commander for 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and Sgt. Maj. Ricky Cooper, 209th battalion sergeant major gives Sgt. Christopher Flindee with Headquarters Support Company a battalion t-shirt for being the 200th Soldier to reenlist with 209th ASB July 6 at Contigency Operating Base Speicher. Photo by Spc. Bryanna Poulin

Photos : 200th Soldier reenlists with 209th Aviation Support Battalion

3-1 Cav. Soldiers complete Operation Safe Teach


Monday, 09 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070709-03
July 9, 2007

3-1 Cav. Soldiers complete Operation Safe Teach
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq — Task Force Marne Soldiers teamed with Iraqi Security Forces to provide security for Iraqi school children during Operation Safe Teach July 7 in Jisr Diyala.

Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, coordinated with the Iraqis to provide security for local students during national high school testing. The test is conducted annually to certify students’ technical proficiency and their suitability for advancement to the university level.

“The ability to safely test allows progress in the community,” said Capt. Tavares Tukes, from Savannah, Ga., a staff officer with 3-1 Cav. “Students were able to safely participate in the testing.”

Thirty-six students attended the testing. According to 3-1 Cav. leaders, their participation is evidence of the relationship growing between Coalition Forces and the local populace.

“Operation Safe Teach provided an opportunity for the students of Jisr Diyala to participate in end-of-year testing,” Tukes said. “It also afforded Coalition Forces the opportunity to demonstrate our willingness and interest to improve the Iraqi quality of life and education system.”

The 3-1 Cav is part of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Benning, Ga.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - 3-1 Cav. Soldiers complete Operation Safe Teach