Statement by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez

DoD ^ | Dec. 14, 2003 | Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, Commander, Joint Task Force Seven

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Statement by U.S. Army  Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez   Commander, Joint Task Force Seven   Baghdad, Iraq, Dec, 14, 2003   "Today is a great day for the Iraqi people and for the Coalition. Last night at approximately 8:00 p.m. local, forces from the 4th Infantry Division commanded by Major General Ray Odierno together with Coalition Special Operations Forces conducted Operation Red Dawn to capture the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. This was done during a cordon and search operation at a remote farmhouse near the city of Tikrit. "There were no injuries, and in fact not a single shot was fired. Saddam Hussein, the captive, has been talkative and is being cooperative. "At this time I would like to provide you with a brief overview of the operation that led to his capture. "For orientation purposes this is a general map of the region showing Western Iraq, the location of the city of Tikrit, and the location of the town of Abduar in the vicinity of which Saddam Hussein was captured. "For the last several months a combination of human intelligence tips, exceptional intelligence, analytical efforts, and detainee interrogations narrowed down the activities of Saddam Hussein. This effort led us to conduct this raid last night on this rural farmhouse where we apprehended Saddam. "At about 1050 hours yesterday we received intelligence on the possible whereabouts of Saddam Hussein. Two likely locations were identified near the town of Abduar and for operational purposes these locations were identified as Wolverine I and Wolverine II. "The 1st Brigade Combat Team from the 4th Infantry Division was assigned the mission to kill or capture Saddam Hussein. "The forces involved, approximately 600 soldiers from the Raider Brigade, the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 4th led by Colonel Jim Hickey. The 4th included cavalry, engineers, artillery, aviation, and Special Operations Forces.

"At about 1800 hours last night under the cover of darkness and with lightening speed the Raider Brigade forces were positioned and began movement toward the objective northwest of Abduar. "At about 20 hundred hours Coalition forces assaulted the two objectives, but initially did not find the target. As a result, the 1st Brigade Combat Team elected to cordon the area and begin an intensive search. Coalition forces subsequently found a suspicious location to the northwest of Wolverine II. "The area is a small walled compound with a metal lean-to structure, a mud hut, and during the search, a spider hole was detected. The spider hole's entrance was camouflaged with brick and dirt. After uncovering the spider hole a search was conducted and Saddam Hussein was found hiding at the bottom of the hole. "The spider hole is about six to eight feet deep, and allows enough space for a person to lie down inside of it. Saddam was captured without resistance. "At about 2115 hours last night Saddam Hussein was moved to a secure area and a further search of the hole and surrounding area was conducted. "Results from the raid include confiscation of two AK-47s, a pistol, 750,000 U.S. dollars in 100-dollar denominations, and a white and orange taxi. Two other Iraqis affiliated with Saddam Hussein were also detained. Saddam Hussein is currently under Coalition custody and at an undisclosed location. "The capture of Saddam Hussein is a defining moment in the new Iraq. I expect that the detention of Saddam Hussein will be regarded as the beginning of reconciliation for the people of Iraq and as a sign of Iraq's rebirth. "Just as importantly, this success brings closure to the Iraqi people who now have final resolution. Saddam Hussein will never return to a position of power from which he can punish, terrorize, intimidate, and exploit the Iraqi people as he did for more than 35 years. The chapter of Iraq's history that was filled with Saddam Hussein's reign of terror is now closed forever. Briefing Transcript     Briefing Slides

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

"The First Brigade Combat Team from the 4th Infantry Division was assigned the mission to kill or capture Saddam Hussein.

"The forces involved, approximately 600 soldiers from the Raider Brigade, the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 4th led by Colonel Jim Hickey. The 4th included cavalry, engineers, artillery, aviation, and Special Operations Forces.

"At about 1800 hours last night under the cover of darkness and with lightening speed the Raider Brigade forces were positioned and began movement toward the objective northwest of Abduar.

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The briefing, with link to slides.

Fourth Infantry Division, ping!  
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[ladyinred]

Fourth Infantry Division

Heroes one and all!

We love you!

God Bless you!

God Bless America!

Great post !

[blackie]

Fourth Infantry Division ~ Bump!

[anymouse]

4ID, hoo-yah!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

If you ever left a message on an answering machine you can do this!
It's really that simple. AND It's a Toll Free Number !

You can leave one or more new messages each day.

Send deployed troops message on SoldiersRadio.com

SoldiersRadio is again this year providing a way to let you tell Service members worldwide that you care and are thinking about them during the Holidays.

You can do an Audio Post Card simply by calling 1-800-330-5090.
Your recorded personalized message will be played back on www.SoldiersRadio.com.

You can record a short message (30 seconds) to friends, family members or just a random message of good will. SoldiersRadio will then take your message and put it on the radio Web cast throughout the Holiday Season. Its very simple to do and works both ways ... from the field or to the Service member.

AnyServiceMember.org is also promoting the call-in holiday service in hopes of reaching a large group of people who would like to send a message to Soldiers serving away from home.

The cut-off date for the call in is tomorrow,
Monday Dec.15.
SoldiersRadio.com

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

WOO HOO
Karen's 4th ID got this creep!
AND Karen gets 2 weeks R&R from Iraq starting Dec 22nd.

[fatima]

68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub,So proud of all our troops,special Wahoo 4th ID,and Karen ,my granddaughter is in 4ID,supplies.They got him and she gets to come home on Dec.22nd for 2 weeks.We are going to have the biggest party. :)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Karen ,my granddaughter is in 4ID,supplies."

Without supplies the job could not have been done.
Just by being in Iraq she risked her life for our Freedom.