Message from Lt. Col. Wellman from the 101st Airborne, Ft. Campbell, KY

Lt. Col. Wellman | 10-27-04 | Public Affairs, Ft. Campbell

[doug from upland]

NOTE: I phoned this morning to the Public Affairs office at Ft. Campbell, KY, home of the 101st Airborne. The following was sent to me via email after my discussion with Lt. Col. Wellman in the afternoon.
===============================================

US Department of Defense
Talking Points – Oct. 27, 2004 – Al-Qaqaa Weapons Facility

Following are talking points on the 2003 timeline regarding U.S. and Iraqi military activities in the vicinity of the former Al-Qaqaa military facility.

According to the Duelfer report, as of mid-September 2004 Coalition forces have reviewed and cleared more than 10,000 caches of weapons.
- This includes 240,000 tons of munitions that have been destroyed and another 160,000 tons secured and awaiting destruction.
- The 377 tons of munitions from the Al-Qaqaa facility is less than 1/10th of one percent of the 400,000 tons of total munitions Coalition forces have destroyed or have lined up to destroy.

On March 19, Operation Iraqi Freedom was launched.
- Shortly before that date the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had left Iraq.
- The initial goal of Coalition forces was to collapse Saddam’s regime and go after its command and control elements. This was done with an emphasis on speed in order to minimize the loss of life.

The 3-15th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division arrived as part of the Coalition push to Baghdad on April 3-4.
- Their mission was to secure the bridge crossing site so follow-on troops from the 3rd ID could continue to cross the bridge and move into Baghdad.

The Al-Qaqaa facility is one of dozens of ammunition storage points the 3rd Infantry Division encountered on its march toward Baghdad from the Iraq-Kuwait border.
- Former chief weapons inspector David Kay noted on Oct. 26, 2004, “The Iraqi behavior when they believed they were going to be attacked would be to empty the bunkers and scatter the material around the site.”
- U.S. troops reported hundreds of caches of weapons from Kuwait to Baghdad.
- U.S. forces discovered dispersed weapons in countless locations, including schools, mosques and hospitals and even zoos.

When the U.S. forces arrived, the Al-Qaqaa facility was not secure.
- Fedayeen Saddam, Special Republican Guard and other Iraqi military units were at the facility defending it.
- These enemies were firing from inside the facility. The 3-15th engaged them and found that the gates to the facility were open.

IAEA acknowledged in January 2003 that it could not account for 32 tons of HMX.
- The IAEA apparently accepted Saddam’s contention that the missing explosives were used for industrial purposes.

[SandRat]

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[doug from upland]

When the U.S. forces arrived, the Al-Qaqaa facility was not secure.

[demnomo]

Wow, Doug--you're the best! Thanks for the info. I, like just about everybody else on this forum, have been going crazy about this non-story. The MSM are truly desperate if these UN/Kerry/McAwful lies are all they can come up with. What a pathetic "October Suprise."

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

And Hanoi Kerry still blames US troops in IRAQ
for not guarding something that wasn't there.

Hanoi Kerry : Apologize to US Military in IRAQ NOW!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1258150/posts

[Soaring Feather]

bump

[Mudboy Slim]

"When the U.S. forces arrived, the Al-Qaqaa facility was not secure."

There is no evidence whatsoever that these 380 tons of explosives were still in Al Qaqaa when we overtook the city...the DemonRATS are in the process of hoisting themselves upon their own petard...MUD

[MEG33]

I have watched Kerrry and although I am completely biased the man looks to be mad with venom and I am not certain even his dem lukewarm supporters will rush to the polls after watching his vitriol about the missing weapons.

[oyez]

facility was not secure.

A another case of the media wanting a story to have a different ending and reporting it as fact. Our country dosen't deserve this..

BTW, A short while back I had the extreme privilege of attending a seminar put on by the 101th. These guys are absolutely first rate.

[2111USMC]

Doug,

Please forward this on to Drudge.

The last few days, the conservative news sites and radio stations have been paying extra attention to his postings.

Thank you for your efforts!

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

When the U.S. forces arrived, the Al-Qaqaa facility was not secure. - Fedayeen Saddam, Special Republican Guard and other Iraqi military units were at the facility defending it. - These enemies were firing from inside the facility. The 3-15th engaged them and found that the gates to the facility were open.

IAEA acknowledged in January 2003 that it could not account for 32 tons of HMX. - The IAEA apparently accepted Saddam’s contention that the missing explosives were used for industrial purposes.

So the IAEA is covering their own butts. Or did I read this too fast. Or was that Captain Obvious? LOL

[doug from upland]

I can't believe Drudge doesn't have it already. The Lt. Col. told me it was their official press release. They had to be very careful because it is such a political hot potato. I will pass it on the Drudge.

[Irish Eyes]

Thanks for posting the e-mail. This has to be heard far and wide.

[MEG33]

Thank you.

[MEG33]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1259467/posts

[international american]

Let the reprobates hang themselves!!

[Irish Eyes]

WOW....Thanks

[2111USMC]

Thanks!!!

[JLO]

Also, earlier tonight on Hannity & Colmes (should be repeated later tonight, I believe). A soldier from the 101st (Dixon I think his name was) was interviewed. He is since now out of the service and can talk about it I guess.

He was there and toured the area by vehicle. 'Didn't see nothin of them' {paraphrasing}

Colmes hammered on him, as to no surprise. He kept his story straight though, right on through. Hannity kept bringing up the point though, that Kerry keeps putting down our troops and has for 30 years.