Procreate101's Blog

RELEASE No. 20070924-08
September 24, 2007

RELEASE No. 20070924-06
September 24, 2007

Citizens guide Soldiers to homemade explosives
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

HAWR RAJAB, Iraq — A weapons cache including homemade explosive was found and destroyed with the help of local concerned citizens.

The operation was a foot patrol conducted by Troop A, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

The leader of the Hawr Rajab concerned citizens guided Soldiers to the cache. The cache included three five-gallon jugs of homemade explosives, three 57mm rockets, one oxygen tank believed to be filled with explosives, and a 130mm artillery round.

The 130mm artillery round was attached to a pressure plate and command wire.

An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the cache in a controlled detonation.

RELEASE No. 20070924-03
September 24, 2007

More tips lead to weapons supplier
Multi-National Division – North PAO

ARAB JABAR, Iraq – A suspected al-Qaeda weapons supplier was captured by Coalition Forces near Sheik Hammad Village, Iraq, in Baghdad province, Sept. 20.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, detained four additional men, along with the weapons supplier, during Operation “Viking Snatch,” following tips received by local citizens.

The supplier was providing machine guns, ammunition and improvised explosive devices to insurgents in northern Baghdad province.

“The capture of these weapons suppliers, financiers and accomplices degrades al-Qaeda’s ability to coordinate and sustain attacks against Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces,” said Maj. Mike Garcia, spokesperson for 4th SBCT.  “The removal of these weapons and explosives saves potentially dozens of lives.”

A cache was also discovered containing two AK-47s, four magazines and two pistols with two magazines.

RELEASE No. 20070924-02
September 24, 2007

Iraqi Army Soldiers discover large weapons cache in western Nineveh
Multi-National Division – North PAO

AL NUR, Iraq – Iraq Army soldiers discovered a large cache of weapons and military equipment in the village of Al Nur, located northwest of Tal’Afar, in western Nineveh province, Sept. 21.

Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division discovered the large cache using information from four enemy fighters who were captured the previous night by Coalition Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment.

“This discovery by the IA is a direct result of good tactical questioning of enemy fighters and good exploitation of the intelligence they received from them,” said Maj. Mufu Taiwo, executive officer of the 1-9 Cavalry.  “They found out where the weapons were stored and moved in to confiscate them, denying their use by enemy fighters.”

Upon entering the village, the cache was discovered split into three parts.

Approximately 40 assorted mortar rounds were found buried in a deep freeze freezer, while a mortar tube, six rocket-propelled grenades, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, one PKC machine gun, four AK-47 assault rifles and almost 40 magazines of ammunition were located in two large barrels, all of which were buried in the ground.

Additionally, the IA soldiers found military tactical vests and a fully-automatic M-16A1 rifle.

All of the weapons and munitions were removed from the site and consolidated by the 3rd IA Division soldiers who discovered them.

RELEASE No. 20070923-09
September 23, 2007

ISF thwart mass kidnapping in Nineveh province
Multi-National Division – North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces prevented an attempted hijacking by terrorists who targeted two buses filled with passengers in Nineveh province Sept. 22.

After receiving initial reports, Mosul Iraqi police informed 2nd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division of the attempted hijacking and a company of Soldiers immediately responded and engaged the terrorists, killing one and injuring another. The remaining individuals fled while IA recovered the buses without injuring any of the passengers.

“The swift coordination and response by Iraqi Security Forces prevented the kidnapping of these passengers,” said Col. Stephen Twitty, commander, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “Their actions ensured the safety and security of these innocent civilians.”

The two buses were enroute to Syria from Kirkuk. The passengers and buses were taken to a nearby combat outpost.

“These attacks during Ramadan show the lack of respect for the beliefs and traditions of the community during a time of peace for Iraqi people,” continued Twitty. “ISF showed their determination to end the violence and chaos caused by these senseless acts of terrorism.”

RELEASE No. 20070923-11
September 23, 2007

Iraqi Army captures improvised explosive device maker
Multi-National Division – North PAO

BUWAYR, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers acted on tips received from the local populace captured a suspected improvised explosive device maker in northern Iraq’s Ninewah province, Sept. 20.

IA soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division raided the residence of the suspected IED-maker in the village of Buwayr.

“The Iraqi Army forces here are having a great deal of success in exploiting intelligence and acting quickly on tips and information,” said Maj. Lance Varney, executive officer, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment.  “We share information and when it’s time to execute the mission, they lead the way.”    

Upon entering the house, IA forces captured the suspect and proceeded to search the residence and surrounding area.

Approximately 200 pounds of nitrates, used in homemade explosives, were discovered buried in the yard.  In addition, a propane tank, pre-wired with detonation cord, ready to be employed as an IED and several electrical components, including remote controls, cell phone components, and a video camera, were also found.

All items were confiscated by the IA and removed from the site. The propane canister IED; however, was determined by Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal specialists to be unstable and could not be safely transported.  It was destroyed in place by controlled detonation.

From Sept. 16 to 20, ISF and CF have killed 20 enemy fighters, captured more than 100 suspected enemy fighters, and seized numerous caches of small arms, ammunition, explosives, and IED-making materials in operations conducted across Nineveh Province.

 

Operation Gecko III A continues
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq — Soldiers from the 8th Iraqi Army Division and Paratroopers with Company B, 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division continued their efforts to support concerned citizens of Jurf As Sukhr during Operation Gecko III A, Sept. 21.

During the operation, attack helicopters conducted a precision air strike and killed one al-Qaeda militant as he attempted to flee from combined forces.                                                
                                                    

A weapons cache was also discovered during the operation which contained two hand grenades, one 105mm artillery round, one 81mm mortar round, one PKC machine gun, one Dragunov sniper rifle, one DISHKA heavy machine gun, three AK-47 assault rifles, two ammunition vests and other paraphernalia.

The cache was destroyed on scene.