US launches REALLY BIG air assault in Samara

Fox TV | March 16, 2006

[prairiebreeze]

I'd like to see David Gregory in a room with your son and his buddies too SE Mom. I'd very much like to see that.

:^D

[MozartLover]

Their audacity is beyond belief.

[immigration lady]

Is this bug-eyed dude in Samarra?

Bye - bye...

[Allegra]

If it was done to stop or prevent a civil war that's as good a reason as any.

It wasn't. There is no civil war in Iraq. There is no imminent civil war in Iraq. Iraq is not "on the brink of a civil war."

That's ALL media hyperbole and they bring the civil war one out, dust it off and take it for a spin every chance they get.

This was NOT done to prevent a civil war because there wasn't one to prevent.

[Drammach]

Well, that's it for me..

I've got to get out of here..

I'll keep track with the news and stuff..

Got pills to take and things to get done for today..

God Bless the Troops and all of you and yours..

[afnamvet]

Thank you very much. It is always nice to hear those kind words.

[AmeriBrit]

I received this in an email but wasn't given a source.

---

This was the news 31 minutes ago and has since been removed by the source.


BAGHDAD, Iraq Mar 16, 2006 (AP)— U.S. forces, joined by Iraqi troops, on Thursday launched the largest airborne assault since the U.S.-led invasion, targeting insurgent strongholds north of the capital, the military said.
The military said the operation was aimed at clearing "a suspected insurgent operating area" northeast of Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, and was expected to continue over several days.

"More than 1,500 Iraqi and Coalition troops, over 200 tactical vehicles, and more than 50 aircraft participated in the operation," the military statement said of the attack designed to "clear a suspected insurgent operating area northeast of Samarra," 60 miles north of Baghdad.

The province is a major part of the so-called Sunni triangle where insurgents have been active since shortly after the U.S.-led invasion three years ago. Saddam Hussein was captured in the province, not far from its capital and his hometown, Tikrit.

Waqas al-Juwanya, a spokesman for Iraq's joint coordination center in nearby Dowr, said "unknown gunmen exist in this area, killing and kidnapping policemen, soldiers and civilians."

Near the end of the first day of the operation, the military said, "a number of enemy weapons caches have been captured, containing artillery shells, explosives, IED-making materials, and military uniforms."

It said the attack began with soldiers from the Iraqi army's 1st Brigade, 4th Division, the U.S. 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade conducting a combined air and ground assault to isolate the objective area.

Air power backed the operation and delivered troops from the Iraq army's 4th Division, the Rakkasans from 1st and 3rd Battalions, 187th Infantry Regiment and the Hunters from 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment to multiple objectives.

The military said forces from the 2nd Commando Brigade then completed a ground infiltration to secure numerous structures in the area.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press.

[Steve_Seattle]

"W's biggest mistake was letting the Left politicize Iraq."

And how could he have prevented that? The Left politicizes EVERYTHING.

[Flavius Josephus]

Right. Well, the military folk among us are saying we're settling in for the night, that may be why. Also, the less desirable moon phase may confirm that this is aimed at a target of opportunity. A longer planning frame would have chosen a new moon.

[blu]

Thanks for that. Wonder why it was removed?

[Flavius Josephus]

downplay the obvious

Anything that is obvious and doesn't fit the agenda is something nuanced and counterintuitive that we just can't expect to understand. Like probation for kiddie-rapers.

[Flavius Josephus]

rappelling

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From a different source:

US Launches Major Offensive Against Sunni Insurgents (largest Air Offensive since 2003 invasion)

Bit more detail too...will check AP sources for more detail.

[blu]

rappelling

Thanks! :)

[AmeriBrit]

Looks like my post # 547 came from here:


http://www.airforcetimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1603831.php

[RightWhale]

This is part of the continuing dialog with the Baathists.

[AGreatPer]

"That's ALL media hyperbole and they bring the civil war one out, dust it off and take it for a spin every chance they get."

You are so down to earth and refreshing with your on the spot comments. Sure wish I could hear one MSM face say what you say.

Thank you.

[wideminded]

Thanks for the story. I enjoyed reading it.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Latest AP story with considerable detail and some pictures:

U.S., Iraqis Launch 'Operation Swarmer'(detailed report)