SOLDIERS FIND WEAPONS CACHES, TERRORISTS ON ISLAND

November 30, 2005
Release Number: 05-11-138


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



BAGHDAD, Iraq — Task Force Baghdad Soldiers found multiple weapons caches on an island in the Euphrates River Nov. 28.

Military officials had been monitoring suspicious activity near the Euphrates River southwest of Baghdad for a couple of weeks. When conditions were right, Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division were ready to spring into action.

Soldiers from 2/101st’s 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment secured the objective and discovered three significant weapons caches.

Soldiers also searched surrounding homes and facilities, detaining two suspected terrorists.

In total, the Soldiers uncovered 11 500-pound bomb shells, C4 explosives, welding equipment, mortar rounds, miscellaneous bomb-making material, 57 mm rockets, 40 bags of fertilizer, 12 directional charges, five 155 mm rounds, 100 feet of detonation cord, three rocket-propelled grenades, eight bags of 20 mm rounds and other munitions and explosives.

An explosive ordnance disposal team was called to the site to conduct a controlled detonation of the caches.

ZAIDON, Iraq - A Marine with 1st Platoon, E Company , 2d Battalion, 2d Marines stands guard over a local Iraqi awaiting questioning during Operation Trifecta. 2d Marine Division is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to conduct counter-insurgency operations to isolate and neutralize anti-Iraqi forces; support the continued development of Iraqi Security Force; support Iraqi reconstruction and democratic elections; and to facilitate the creation of a secure environment that enables Iraqi self-reliance and self-governance. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel D. Corum, 2d Marine Division Combat Camera) (Released)

A cannon crew from the 4-1 Afghan National Army Battery stands ready to conduct a live fire of a 105 MM Howitzer, Nov. 19, 2005, during Operation Atal Wali at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Caldwell

Afghan soldiers from the 4-1 Afghan National Army Battery run a crew member drill on a 105 MM Howitzer, Nov. 19, 2005, during Operation Atal Wali conducted at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Caldwell

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HIDDEN WEAPONS � U.S. Army Pfc. Eric Alfredsen scans the area prior to linking up with the Iraqi army to conduct a joint patrol to show presence in Shumait Village, Iraq, Nov. 27, 2005. Alfredsen is with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne, Fort Campbell, Ky. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway

HUSAYBAH MARKET �U.S. Marines drive past the marketplace in the town of Husaybah, Iraq, after dropping off supplies to a forward operating base, Nov. 11, 2005. The people of Husaybah have started returning to their homes after Marines cleared the city of insurgents during Operation Steel Curtain. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ronna M. Weyland

HEROES

By Spc. Carlos Caro
1st Battalion, 87th Infantry
BAGHDAD �HEROES At least one Iraqi police officer owes his life to a U.S. Army medic who treated his wounds even as terrorists were firing on their position during an Oct. 10 incident.
�I didn�t have time to think about it. I just knew I didn�t want that guy to get hurt even worse. I just reacted,� said Spc. Andrew �Doc� Suchanek, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).
While on a routine patrol in west Baghdad, Suchanek and other Soldiers of Company C, 1st Bn., 87th Inf. responded to assist Iraqi police who had come under fire from automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.
Encountering a critically-wounded IP, Suchanek began immediate life-saving treatment.
Suddenly, a terrorist fired an RPG at the two of them.
Without hesitation, Suchanek threw himself on the police officer, shielding him from danger.
The grenade exploded harmlessly and Suchanek continued treatment to save the life of the IP officer.
As his fellow Soldiers secured the area, Suchanek coordinated evacuation for his patient to a local hospital.

Troops Find Car Bombs, Detain Suspects

American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2005 – Soldiers from the 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, discovered three car bombs and detained nine possible terrorists west of Rawah today after their patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber, military officials reported.
Two cars approached the mounted patrol at about 1 p.m. local time. One vehicle sped off while the other stopped and waited for the soldiers to investigate. The driver of the stationary vehicle blew up himself and his car. There were no casualties or damages reported as a result of the attack.

Soldiers then pursued the second car until they found it abandoned. In a search of the area, three other car bombs were discovered and nine suspected terrorists were detained.

In other news, Iraqi and coalition forces detained several insurgents throughout Iraq on Nov. 28.

Troops from the Iraqi army's 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Division, detained a military-aged man during a house search conducted near Ramadi. He had a 9 mm pistol, Iranian currency, an Oman license plate and a wireless phone base station.

During a vehicle search northeast of Ramadi, Iraqi troops from the same unit detained two more men who had an AK-47 assault rifle with two full magazines and a 9 mm pistol with a full magazine.

In a joint operation with coalition forces, troops from the Iraqi army's 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, and coalition forces detained two men with possible ties to an insurgent propaganda cell north of Husaybah. One military-aged man was detained because he was on a "persons-of-interest" list for being a possible member of an insurgent propaganda cell. The second man is the brother of another person on that list who also is wanted for being a member of the cell, officials said.

East of Husaybah, members of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Intervention Force, apprehended three men on motorcycles. The men matched a description given to the troops by a farmer who said they were seen planting roadside bombs in the area. The men on motorcycles were seen watching a cache site that was discovered earlier in the day. They were interested in coalition forces' actions, officials said.

North of Karmah, troops from the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Intervention Force, and coalition forces detained a man and seized weaponry during a house search. The items seized included an AK-47 with two magazines and a 155 mm artillery fuse.

All suspects and seized weapons were turned over to authorities pending further investigation.

Elsewhere, members of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Intervention Force, found two weapons caches north of Dadah on Nov. 28.

The first cache consisted of six 57 mm anti-tank mines, a 20-pound bag of propellant, two boxes of 20 artillery fuses, one 50 round box of 14.5 mm ammunition, 200 loose rounds of 14.5 mm ammunition, a small bag of mortar propellant, three Chinese fragmentation grenades, two 14.5 mm guns with spare barrels, a 14.5 mm twin gun mount, a 12.5 mm gun mount and seven 82 mm mortar rounds.

The second cache contained two AK-47s and three AK-47 magazines, five bags of artillery propellant, four boxes of artillery fuses, a grenade, a mortar charge, an anti-tank mine, 10 82 mm mortar rounds, 13 rocket-propelled-grenade rounds, a box of 12.5 mm ammunition, five 100 mm artillery shells, seven 160 mm high-explosive shells, a three-foot tube with propellant sticks, a Syrian-made long-range phone base, a Nokia telephone and a washing machine timer with batteries.

An explosives team destroyed both caches.

North of Sadah, troops from the Iraqi army's 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Division, and coalition forces discovered two more caches the same day.

One cache contained four artillery shells, a remote detonating kit, an AK-47 with two magazines and 50 14.5 mm shells. Another cache found nearby included one 120 mm mortar round, five boxes of blasting caps, a fragmentary grenade and six sticks of PE-4 explosive.

Both caches were being guarded until an explosives team could destroy them.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq news releases.)

U.S. Army Pfc. Brock Schild shovels out hay looking for weapons during a joint foot patrol with the Iraqi army in Shumait Village, Iraq, Nov. 27, 2005. Schild is with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Balttalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne, Fort Campbell, Ky. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway

In addition to being a corpsman, 21-year-old Navy Seaman Jonathan R. Rodriguez is also one of his company's primary coxswains, an operator of a small, lightweight, inflatable, rugged boat also known as a Combat Rubber Raider Craft. Photo by U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Mark P. Ledesma

A U.S. Marine assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, looks around the corner for suspicious activity while on a security halt during Operation Trifecta in Zaidon, Iraq, Nov. 17, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Emishell Martinez, assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, scans the outlying area with his scope for suspicious activity during Operation Trifecta search operations in Zaidon, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Lowell Williams, assigned to 1st Platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, points to the next building he wants his Marines to search, looking for insurgents, firearms and anti-coalition material during Operation Trifecta in Zaidon, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul S. Mancuso

Iraqi children smile and wave to U.S. Marines assigned to 1st Platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines during Operation Trifecta in Zaidon, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul S. Mancuso

Iraqi soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade of the Iraqi Intervention Forces, secure and search the mosque for insurgents, firearms, and anti-coalition material during Operation Trifecta in Zaidon, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul S. Mancuso

OPERATION TRIFECTA � An AH-64 Apache helicopter patrols the skies, providing aerial coverage for U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, while they search buildings, looking for insurgents, firearms and anticoalition material during Operation Trifecta in Zaidon, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul S. Mancuso

Weapons and bomb-making materials are on display after soldiers from B Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, discovered a cache in a chicken coop behind a farmhouse in Abu Ghraib Nov. 27. U.S. Army photo

IRAQI SECURITY FORCES ALONG WITH MULTI-NATIONAL FORCES CONTINUE PARTNERSHIP TO FIND ANIT-IRAQI FORCES

MOSUL, IRAQ (November 28, 2005) � Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom detained 50 suspected terrorists, killed seven, and seized multiple weapons caches during operations in northern Iraq Nov. 19-26.
Iraqi Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division along with Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained five individuals suspected of terrorist activity while conducting joint operations east of Tal Afar Nov. 20-25. Iraqi Army Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade along side Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd ACR detained one individual suspected of terrorist activity and seized a weapons cache during operations in Tal Afar Nov. 20. Iraqi Army Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade along side Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 3rd ACR detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activity during operations near the Syrian border Nov. 20.
The Iraqi Police, with assistance from Soldiers Stryker Brigade Combat Team soldiers killed seven terrorists during a raid in Mosul Nov. 20. Iraqi Army Soldiers from 3rd Division detained one individual suspected of terrorist activities during operations east of Mosul Nov. 22. Iraqi Army Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division along with 2nd Squadron, 3rd ACR detained one individual during operations Nov. 23. in Tal Afar. Iraqi Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade in conjunction with 2nd Squadron, 3rd ACR detained two individuals Nov. 25 while conducting joint operations in Tal Afar.
Iraqi Army Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade 3rd Division detained one individual during a successful cordon and search in Tal Afar Nov. 23. Seized in the operation were a rifle and RPK rounds. Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 3rd ACR detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activity during operations near the Syrian border and seized a weapons cache consisting of 86 122mm rounds in Tal Afar Nov. 19-23. Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd ACR detained four individuals suspected of terrorist activity and seized a weapons cache during operations near the Syrian Boarder Nov. 21.
Soldiers from the172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activity during separate operations in Mosul Nov. 20-21. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment detained one individual suspected of terrorist activity in a successful raid in western Mosul. During the operation, Soldiers confiscated 30 boxes of explosive material, a timing device and a bundle of wire. Soldiers of 1-17 Infantry detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search of a residence in western Mosul Nov.22. Soldiers from the 65th Military Police Battalion detained one individual and seized a weapons cache consisting of rockets, mortars, and grenades in Mosul Nov. 24. Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 23rd Infantry Regiment detained 11 individuals while conducting operations Nov. 25 in Mosul. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment detained seven individuals while conducting operations in Mosul Nov. 25. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activity during operations Nov. 24, east of Mosul.
Iraqi Soldiers from 3rd Division detained an individual suspected of terrorist activity during a search Nov. 22. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment detained 15 individuals suspected of terrorist activity and seized a weapons cache during operations in Tal Afar Nov. 19-21. Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd ACR detained one individual and seized a weapons cache during operations in Tal Afar Nov. 21. Soldiers of 113th Engineer Battalion discovered an ordnance cache consisting of a number of mortar rounds in Der Umtutha 23 Nov. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion 180th Field Artillery detained two individuals attempting to enter FOB Marez under false pretenses Nov. 22.
Soldiers from 2nd Squadron 3rd Armed Cavalry Regiment detained two individuals for questioning after they were pointed out by informants in Tal Afar Nov. 26. 1st Squadron 3rd ACR Soldiers detained five individuals at a traffic control point Nov. 26. The individuals were turned over to Iraqi Police.
Iraqi Security Forces supported by Multi-National forces continue successful operations aimed at defeating terrorists in an effort to provide safety and security to the citizens of the region.
Anyone with information on anti-Iraqi-insurgent activities should call the Joint Coordination Center�s telephone numbers at 513462 or 0770163300

ALI BASE, Iraq -- The sun sets behind Staff Sgt. Bud Sommerville and his C-130 Hercules on the on the aircraft ramp here. Sergeant Sommerville -- of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron -- went up the step latter to install an inlet plug in the transport's engine housing. This base's 407th Air Expeditionary Group operates C-130 Hercules and trains more than 100 Iraqi Airmen on how to maintain and fly the cargo airplanes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Nov.27 Iraq update

November 27, 2005
Release Number: 05-11-122


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


BUSY DAY FOR IRAQI, COALITION FORCES

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi and U.S. forces continued the fight against terrorists operating throughout the north central region of Iraq Saturday.

Sixteen suspected terrorists, including one female, were captured in a series of unrelated events.

In an early morning cordon and search mission near Baqubah, Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers detained nine suspected terrorists and seized fuses used for detonating explosives along with several anti-aircraft artillery rounds.

Police in Samarra investigated an explosion that occurred at a gas station southeast of the city Nov. 26 at about 11:30 a.m. Four 155mm artillery shells, converted into IEDs, detonated before they could be moved out of the station, killing nine suspected terrorist and injuring four others. The four injured suspects were detained by the Samarra Police.

In the nearby city of Balad, U.S. Soldiers detained a suspect at a checkpoint after he attempted to avoid questioning. A search revealed that he was carrying more than $3,000 in U.S. currency.

To finish off the day, U.S. troops conducted a clearing operation in Baqubah the evening of Nov. 26. The Soldiers detained a man and a woman after discovering them with eight blocks of C-4 plastic explosive, an AK-47 with several hundred rounds, blasting caps and various other IED-making materials.

News Photo Home

Iraqi sheiks stand and U.S. Army soldiers salute as the Iraqi National Anthem is played during the Iraqi flag raising during turnover ceremonies at the former Forward Operating Base Danger in Tikrit, Iraq, on Nov. 22, 2005. Coalition forces are transferring the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's palace in Tikrit to the new Iraqi government. DoD photo by Spc

News Photo Home

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Hector Figueroa takes up a position in a doorway while Marines and Iraqi Army soldiers search for weapons during operations in Zaidon, Iraq, on Nov. 15, 2005. The Marines of the 2nd Marine Regiment and soldiers with the 1st Division of the Iraqi Army are conducting operations in Zaidon to clear out insurgent forces and to prevent them from using Zaidon as a staging area in the future. DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison,

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Army Sgt. Weston Berg watches flight crew members in his mirror as he steers an LP-12 well rig into a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, on Nov. 22, 2005. Berg and his water well drilling rig from the Army's 747th Engineer Detachment are deploying to Gode, Ethiopia, to drill four wells that will bring fresh water to the area residents. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Stephen Schester, U.S. Air Force. (Released)

Abdullah Hussein, deputy governor of Salah Ad Din Province, raises the Iraqi flag in a symbollic moment in history as the people of Iraq took control of Forward Operating Base Danger in Tikrit Nov. 22. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dallas Walker)

The U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, talks to a reporter from SD TV at the transfer ceremony in Tikrit Nov. 22. Khalilzad was one of many distinguished guests at the ceremony that relinquished control of Forward Operating Base Danger from coalition forces to the Iraqi people.
24 November 2005

FIRE POWER � U.S. soldiers, assigned to Battery A, 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, practice firing their M-198 howitzers at Q-West Base Complex, Iraq, Nov. 22, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ashley N. Rice

Iraqi Soldiers Capture Insurgents, Disarm Roadside Bombs
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2005 � Iraqi army troops from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, captured three insurgents Nov. 22 in Baghdad, military officials reported.
Officials said the military-aged suspects were apprehended after they threw a CD containing sniper video footage from their vehicle at a traffic-control point and tried to turn around and get away. Iraqi troops questioned the three men, who admitted attacking coalition forces in Baghdad, Fallujah and Najaf, officials said. The men and materials were taken into custody pending further investigation.
Elsewhere in Iraq, Iraqi troops from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, discovered two roadside bombs Nov. 22 near Iskandariyah.
The first bomb consisted of a 130 mm round with a three-foot detonation cord. The second bomb was found in a pre-existing hole with wires protruding from a 152 mm round and two propane tanks. The bombs were neutralized, and no injuries or damages were reported.
Task Force Baghdad soldiers detained three suspected terrorists during an early-morning Nov. 22 raid in southern Baghdad. Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, also found multiple passports along with an 82 mm mortar round while searching the house of the terror suspects.
A large amount of money and weapons were found when a joint Iraqi and U.S. force launched an offensive against a terrorist hideout near Bayji, Iraq, officials said today.
More than 30 suspected terrorists and a large cache of money, weapons and material were captured during the joint operation, which was launched Nov. 21 under the name of Operation Old Baldy. Participants in the operation included soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, and "Rakkasans" from the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
An air-assault mission was launched on Bayji Island, a 10-square-kilometer landmass splitting the Tigris River north of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown. The island has served as an isolated hideout for terrorists and criminals in the past, officials said.
"Bayji Island was a previously untouched area, and we wanted to send a clear message to the insurgents: There is no safe haven" in the Rakkasan area of operations, said Lt. Col. Randy George, commander of Task Force Leader.
George said the soldiers swept onto the island before dawn Nov. 21 in UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. Over the next 36 hours, the Iraqi and American soldiers conducted searches of the island, uncovering stores of enemy weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades and improvised-explosive-device-making material.
"This operation instilled confidence in our Iraqi counterparts, and served to further strengthen our partnership with the Iraqi Army," said George, referring to the Rakkasan partnership with 4th Iraqi Army Division soldiers.
In other news, nine terrorists were captured after a Nov. 22 roadside bomb attack near Balad that wounded a soldier from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The nine men were detained after two of them tested positive for explosives residue. The bomb was made from a 155 mm artillery round and was hidden alongside the road. The wounded soldier was taken to a local military medical facility. No report was available on the soldier's condition.
About 200 Iraqi army soldiers and 250 U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team attached to the 2nd Marine Division kicked off Operation Lions Nov. 22 in the Tammim area of southern Ramadi, officials said.
Operation Lions follows Operations Panthers and Bruins, both of which were conducted in different parts of Ramadi. "These operations involved Iraqi army and coalition forces clearing sections of the city in order to disrupt the insurgency and set conditions for successful elections on Dec. 15," a spokesman said.
"Terrorists operating in Ramadi continue to try and influence the local Iraqi citizens through murder and intimidation tactics," the spokesman said. "Terrorists linked to the Abu Musab al-Zarqawi network in Ramadi have vowed to prevent the local citizens from participating in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote."
Since Nov. 16, Iraqi and U.S. forces have killed 32 insurgents and seized and destroyed four large weapon caches. The caches included surface-to-air-missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, numerous rockets, mortar rounds, artillery rounds, hand grenades, landmines, small arms, small-arms ammunition and various IED-making equipment.
"The Iraqi army has been the main effort in many of our operations," said Col. John L. Gronski, combat team commander. "They continue to exhibit professionalism and resolve in securing their country."
Also, 84 detainees were released today from internment facilities after having their cases reviewed by the Combined Review and Release Board, officials said.
The Iraqi-led board, which was established in August 2004, consists of nine members -- two members each from the Ministries of Human Rights, Justice and Interior, as well as three senior officers from the multinational forces.
To date, the board has reviewed the cases of more than 21,700 detainees, recommending more than 12,000 individuals for release, officials noted.
In the air war, coalition aircraft flew 42 close-air-support missions Nov. 22, including support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities, officials said.
An Air Force Predator, an advanced-concept technology demonstration aircraft, provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with insurgents near Hit.
Officials said 10 Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq, Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq, Task Force Baghdad, and U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases.)

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A HOT EVAC

SUNNI TRASH

Assisting a Iraqi freedom fighter find his lost contact lens

A yellow bag party

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What does this remind you of?

Irag is going through living hell!

Allanon posing Chi-chi-the loco dog!

U.S. Army soldiers, assigned to the 173d Airborne Brigade, enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at Forward Operating Base Shkin, Afghanistan, Nov. 24, 2005, with the Command Sgt. Maj. Lunisolua Savusa, Combined Joint Task Force-76. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tara Teel

Command Sgt. Maj. Luniasolua Savusa, Combined Joint Task Force-76, takes a turn juicing the holiday pig at Fire Base Lwara, Afghanistan, on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tara Teel

U.S. Army soldiers, assigned at Forward Operating Base Shkin, Afghanistan, enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and a visit from Command Sgt. Maj. Lunisolua Savusa, Combined Joint Task Force-76, Nov. 24, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tara T

November 23, 2005
Release Number: 05-11-103


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


OPERATION LION BEGINS IN SOUTHERN RAMADI

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq � Approximately 200 Iraqi Army Soldiers and 250 Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (2-BCT) attached to the 2nd Marine Division, kicked off Operation Asad (Lions) Nov. 22, in the Tammim area of southern ar Ramadi.

Operation Lions follows Operations Panthers and Bruins, both of which were conducted in different parts of Ramadi. These operations involved Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces clearing sections of the city in order to disrupt the insurgency and set conditions for successful elections on Dec 15.

Terrorists operating in Ramadi continue to try and influence the local Iraqi citizens through murder and intimidation tactics. Terrorists linked to the Abu Musab Al Zarqawi network in Ramadi have vowed to prevent the local citizens from participating in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote.

Since Nov. 16, operations by the Iraqi Army and 2-BCT have resulted in 32 enemy killed and the seizure and destruction of four weapon caches, to include: surface to air missiles, rocket propelled grenades, numerous rockets, mortar rounds, artillery rounds, hand grenades, landmines, small arms, small arms ammunition and various IED making equipment.

�The Iraqi Army has been the main effort in many of our operations. They continue to exhibit professionalism and resolve in securing their country,� said Col. John L. Gronski, commanding officer, 2- BCT.

More information on the operation will be released as it becomes availab

Soldiers Say Weapons Caches Were ‘Like a Gun Show’

It was a mission that eventually rooted out not only hidden weapons in
quantities that resembled a gun show, but the terrorists themselves.

By U.S. Army Spc. Carlos Caro
1st Battalion, 87th Infantry
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Nov. 25, 2005 — When local residents provide information on where terrorists are hiding their weapons, Iraqi and American forces are quick to respond.


An anonymous tip prompted Iraqi soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and U.S. forces from D Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry to conduct searches in west Baghdad Nov. 20-21.

It was a mission that eventually rooted out not only hidden weapons but the terrorists themselves.

"It was a gun show with all the weapons, munitions, improvised explosive device materials and shoulder-launched missiles that were brought out from a hidden panel inside the bus, there were enough weapons to arm at least 30 men."

U.S. Army Sgt. Paul Casiano, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry

“The amount of weapons and munitions found (on the first day of searches) was enough to arm a small cell, maybe eight men,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Paul Casiano, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry.

The American and Iraqi forces turned up caches hidden inside four parked cars Nov. 20 and rounded up three suspected terrorists at the scene.

“The weapons inside the cars were enough to lay down some serious firepower, should they have been used,” Casiano added. “Luckily, the insurgents were discovered along with the cache.”

The caches included 10 assault rifles, six machine guns, six hand grenades, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers with eight rounds, a mine, and thousands of rounds of ammunition for the rifles and machine guns.

“I couldn’t believe that we found this many weapons in four small cars,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Cortez, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry. “It is really awesome that we found all these weapons and detained the suspected terrorists. All the hard work of gathering intelligence and gaining the trust of the local nationals has really paid off.”

The next day proved even more productive, as the Iraqi and American soldiers turned up even larger caches on a large section of farmland that once belonged to Saddam Hussein.

Less than 20 minutes after beginning their mission, the soldiers found a mortar round hidden inside a bus parked in an old garage. Once soldiers began thoroughly searching the vehicle, they could barely believe their eyes.

Inside a hidden compartment was a large cache. The soldiers seized 37 blocks of explosives, 75 demolition charges, 400 feet of detonation cord, hundreds of blasting caps, 33 mortar rounds, 30 hand grenades, 29 RPG rounds, 20 hand-grenade fuses, 86 assorted radios, four night-vision devices, four light anti-tank weapons, three mortar fuses, two submachine guns, a sniper rifle, a video camera, a laser range finder, and several thousands of rounds for different weapons.

“It was a gun show,” Casiano said. “With all the weapons, munitions, improvised explosive device materials and shoulder-launched missiles that were brought out from a hidden panel inside the bus, there were enough weapons to arm at least 30 men.

Thankfully, the hard training of the Iraqi Army battalion allowed them to conduct the searches with success.”

However, the morning had just begun for these troops because less than a half hour passed before the Iraqi and American Soldiers found two more caches in the area.

These smaller caches contained 50 12.7-millimeter rounds, 18 rounds of linked 40-millimeter high-explosive grenades, dozens of mortar fuses, old Iraqi Republican Guard uniforms, five gas masks, five parachutes, two mortar rounds and two artillery shells.

The soldiers also discovered six already-prepared Improvised Explosives Devices waiting to be picked up and used against Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.

“I feel a considerable dent was put into the local insurgency,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Wilmott, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry. “With the December elections coming up quickly, it is a good thing to have the locals tip us off as to where weapons caches are located.”

FALLEN WARRIORS

NAVY
� A �
Cmdr. Joseph Acevedo, 46, Bronx, N.Y., April 13, 2003, Bahrain
Lt. Thomas Mullen Adams, 27, La Mesa, Calif., March 22, 2003, Over International Waters
Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson, 29, Cupertino, Calif, Remains located July 10, 2005, Afghanistan
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael C. Anderson, 36, of Daytona, Fla., May 2, 2004, Iraq
� B �
Petty Officer 1st Class Howard E. Babcock IV, 33, Houston, Texas, Oct. 13, 2005, Bahrain
Petty Officer 2nd Class Cesar O. Baez, 37, Pomona, Calif., June 15, 2005, Iraq
Chief Joel Egan Baldwin, 37, Arlington, Va., Dec. 21, 2004, Iraq
Petty Officer Third Class Doyle W. Bollinger, Jr., 21, Poteau, Okla., June 6, 2003, Iraq
Seaman Pablito Pena Briones, Jr., 22, Anaheim, Calf., Dec. 28, 2004, Iraq
� C, D �
Fireman Jakia S. Cannon, Baltimore, Md., Oct. 25, 2003, Persian Gulf
Petty Officer 3rd Class David A. Cedergren, South St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 11, 2004, Iraq
Petty Officer 1st Class Regina R. Clark, 43, Centralia, Wash., June 23, 2005, Iraq
Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher M. Dickerson, 33, Eastman, Ga, April 30, 2004, Iraq
Petty Officer 2nd Class Trace W. Dossett, 37, of Orlando, Fla., May 2, 2004, Iraq
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason B. Dwelley, 31, Apopka, Fla., April 30, 2004, Iraq
� E, F �
Petty Officer 2nd Class Alan M. Cundanga Espiritu, 28, Oxnard, Calif., Nov. 1, 2005, Iraq
� G �
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald A. Ginther, 37, of Auburndale, Fla., May 2, 2004, Iraq
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael J. Gray, 32, Richmond, Va., March 5, 2004, Kuwait
� H, J, K �
Petty Officer 3rd Class John D. House, 28, Ventura, Calif., Jan. 26, 2005, Iraq
Lt. Cmdr. Edward E. Jack, 51, Detroit, Mich., Jan. 29, 2005, aboard USS Bonhomme Richard
Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert B. Jenkins, 35, of Stuart, Fla., May 2, 2004, Iraq
Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Vann Johnson, Jr., 25, Little Rock, Ark., March 25, 2003, Iraq
Lt. Kylan A. Jones-Huffman, 31, Aptos, Calif., Aug. 21, 2003, Iraq
Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian K. Joplin, 32, Hugo, Okla., Oct. 4, 2005, Central Arabian Gulf
Hospitalman Aaron A. Kent, 28, Portland, Oregon, April 23, 2005, Iraq
Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric L. Knott, 21, Grand Island, Neb., Sept. 4, 2004
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Seaman Apprentice Robert D. Macrum, 22, Sugarland, Texas, Persian Gulf (lost at sea, Sept. 12, 2005)
Seaman Robert N. Martens, 20, Queen Creek, Ariz., Sept. 6, 2005, Iraq
Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott R. Mchugh, 33, of Boca Raton Fla., May 2, 2004, Iraq
Seaman Joshua D. McIntosh, 22, Kingman, Ariz., June 26 , 2003, Iraq
Petty Officer 3rd Class Fernando A. Mendez-Aceves, 27, Mexico City, Mexico, April 6, 2004, Iraq
Petty Officer 3rd Class David J. Moreno, 26, Gering, Neb., July 17, 2003, Iraq
Petty Officer 1st Class Michael J. Pernaselli, 27, of Monroe, N.Y, April 24, 2004, Northern Persian Gulf
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Petty Officer 3rd Class David Sisung, 21, Phoenix, Ariz., June 6, 2003, Persian Gulf
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Lt. Cmdr Keith E. Taylor, 47, Irvine, Calif., Jan. 29, 2005, Iraq
Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher W. Thompson, 25, N. Wilkesboro, N.C., Oct. 21, 2005, Iraq
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Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher E. Watts, 28, Knoxville, Tenn., April 24, 2004, Northern Persian Gulf
Lt. Nathan D. White, 30, Mesa, Ariz., April 2, 2003, Iraq
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeffery L. Wiener, 32, Louisville, Ky., May 7, 2005
Petty Officer 3rd Class Julian A. Woods, Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 10, 2004, Iraq
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Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis L. Youngblood, 26, Surrency, Ga., July 21, 2005, Iraq

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq � Marines with Engineer Support Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), repair a piece of heavy equipment on a road in Iraq Nov. 9. The roads here have seen the wear and tear of constant driving, improvised explosive device attacks and weather-related deterioration and this road crew comes in harms way to make the repairs. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Wayne Edmiston
hi-res

READY TO MOVE � Sgt. Adam D. Jamison gives the "thumbs up" for vehicles to be pulled up to his location at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, Nov. 16, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Segovia Hi-Res Photo

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Jeremy E. Murray, 27, of Atwater, Ohio, died Nov. 16 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the vicinity of Hadithah, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force

mujahideen/terrorist/freedom fighter/haji/sunni trash

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Scott Lorenzen talks with Iraqi Army Sgt. Mohomed Qassim during a joint security operation in Adwar, Iraq, on Nov. 15, 2005. Lorenzen is attached to the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, while Qassim is attached to the 4th Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade of the Iraqi Army. DoD photo by Spc. Jose Ferufino, U.S. Army. (Released)

Haji

Coalition forces attached to U.S. Marine Corps Regimental Combat Team 2 prepare for a major assault during Operation Steel Curtain in Al Qa'im, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jason D. Becksted

Iraqi army soldiers join with coalition forces attached to U.S. Marine Corps Regimental Combat Team 2 to prepare for a major assault during Operation Steel Curtain in Al Qa'im, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jason D. Beckst

Coalition forces attached to U.S. Marine Corps Regimental Combat Team 2 prepare for a major assault during Operation Steel Curtain in Al Qa'im, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jason D. Becksted