Stryker Brigade records successes in Operation Ivy Blizzard

CJTF7 ^ | Jan. 2, 2004

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

CJTF-7 Public Affairs
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Release #040102c

Stryker Brigade records successes in Operation Ivy Blizzard

TIKRIT, Iraq – The U.S. Army’s first Stryker Brigade Combat Team, a part of Task Force Ironhorse since early December, recorded numerous successes in Operation Ivy Blizzard, which began December 17. This is, the first major operation for the Stryker Brigade, which is also known as the Arrowhead Brigade.

One week after crossing into Iraq, the Arrowhead Brigade conducted immediate and sustained combat operations in Samarra to capture or kill non-compliant forces that continue to attack Coalition Forces and threaten Samarran citizens.

The Arrowhead Brigade conducted numerous raids, both day and night, over 13 days resulting in the capture of seven high value targets. Additionally, the brigade detained almost 50 others for contraband and possession of improvised explosive device (IED) making material, and discovered 26 major weapons caches plus various smaller ones.

The more significant caches include two Abablil al Fatah surface-to-surface missiles, 305 60-millimeter mortar shells, five 82-millimeter mortar tubes with 208 rounds, a 120-millimeter mortar tube with 10 rounds, 200 155-millimeter artillery shells, 228 AK-47s, 198 high explosive rocket warheads, 53 rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers with 143 RPG rounds, and a large amount of IED-making materials such as mortar fuses, blasting caps, and dynamite.

The brigade worked through its initial set of 24 targets in two days. Those searches led to subsequent target areas.

“We hit the big targets, but the follow-on searches required the Iraqi people to say ‘we understand why you're here and that what you’re doing is useful,’” said Col. Michael Rounds, Stryker Brigade commander.

Rounds credits the capture of many targeted personnel and the discovery of large caches to several Iraqi informants and cooperative Samarran citizens who did their part to help identify insurgent forces so they will no longer be a threat to their families and their town.

Throughout operations in Samarra, Stryker Brigade soldiers killed 15 enemy fighters.

There have been no Arrowhead Brigade fatalities from hostile fire. One soldier received a minor foot injury when his Stryker was hit by an IED on Dec. 14.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

TIKRIT, Iraq – The U.S. Army’s first Stryker Brigade Combat Team, a part of Task Force Ironhorse since early December, recorded numerous successes in Operation Ivy Blizzard, which began December 17. This is, the first major operation for the Stryker Brigade, which is also known as the Arrowhead Brigade.

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Stryker Brigade recap from CJTF7, ping!
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* Stryker Brigade prayer

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[Cannoneer No. 4]

Sniper SGT Davis, 5-20IN, got 8 of the 15 enemy KIA.

[theFIRMbss]

>Rounds credits the capture of many targeted personnel ... to several Iraqi informants and cooperative Samarran citizens who did their part

We've had a few threads
about cooperative
Iraqis, and I

haven't heard any
stories about insurgents
retaliating

against citizens
or their families like in
Vietnam. Is this

really going well?
Anyone hear stories of
retaliation?

[wny]

or as Maureen Dowd would say;

The U.S. Army’s first Stryker Brigade Combat Team...kill non-compliant...citizens. The Arrowhead Brigade...detained almost...50...Iraqi...citizens...so...they will...be a threat to their families...

The NY Times headline over her column will read "SOLDIER INJURED AS SEARCH FOR WMD COMES UP EMPTY"

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Lol! Dowdification, an unexpected benefit of the war in Iraq. (^:

[Khurkris]

...you writing haikus?

[blackie]

Stryker Brigade records successes in Operation Ivy Blizzard ~ Bump!

[windchime]

Bump!