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NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 |
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Release Number: 03-11-50
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN” CONTINUES TO IMPROVE IRAQ
AR RAMADI, Iraq - Task Force “All American” continued to conduct operations in order to bring peace to Iraq and assist the reconstruction efforts. These missions continue to move Iraq toward becoming a free and independent nation.
During the past 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units conducted three offensive operations, including two raids and one cordon and search. Soldiers also conducted 206 patrols, including 15 joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi police. In addition, three improvised explosive devices were discovered and disarmed. There were three enemy contacts consisting of one RPG attack, one small arms engagement and one mine strike. During these operations, 15 enemy personnel were captured and two U.S. soldiers wounded.
Last night in Lutafiyah, a patrol from Task Force 3-505 identified a man walking along a road with an AK-47 rifle. As the unit approached, the individual fled into a nearby house. Inside the house, soldiers found various small arms including an M4 carbine pistol grip and four burned M4 magazines believed to have come from a vehicle destroyed in an RPG attack earlier this month. They also found various items used to construct IEDs. The unit captured four personnel and they remain in U.S. custody for questioning.
In the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment sector, no interdiction occurred along the Syrian and Saudi Arabian border. However, at Trebil, on the Jordanian border, they denied entry to 121 persons because they lacked passports or proper documentation.
Operation Rifles Blitz continued last night. Troopers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment conducted cordon and search operations involving 447 houses and captured 11 individuals. Over 20 small arms weapons were confiscated as well as 7 RPGs, 5 107mm Chinese rockets, and 4 155mm artillery rounds in various stages of IED preparation. Each of these missions incorporated Iraqi police and recent Iraqi Civil Defense Corps graduates. Civil affairs personnel continued to interact with the tribal sheiks and local populace in support of the operation and paid over $51,000 in compensation and reward payments.
This afternoon, a tank from 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, struck a mine while conducting operations along the Syrian border. The mine was buried in the road and caused moderate damage to the track and suspension system. Two soldiers were wounded in the incident; both are in stable condition and will return to duty later this evening.
Civil affairs teams working with 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, met with the Al Faris State Company to make final preparations for the installation of two 1 Megawatt generators. They will be delivered early next week and the additional power enables the company to hire approximately 800 additional employees in the Nassir Wa Al Salaam area. In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area, Civil Affairs teams made a final payment of $5,000 for the Al Taghwa Girls School in the Al Tash camp. These renovations will positively affect over 500 students in the Ar Ramadi district.
Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Infantry Division, and 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment remain committed to helping to rebuild Iraq and to end violence throughout the Al Anbar province.
AK-47
