U.S. shifts offensive to north Iraq

Los Angeles Times ^ | June 20, 2007 | Alexandra Zavis and Julian E. Barnes

[patriciaruth]

Map

BAQUBAH, IRAQ — Troops in armored vehicles swept through this city north of Baghdad on Tuesday as the U.S. military launched a major offensive as part of a significant shift of focus from inside the capital to surrounding areas.

American commanders say the offensive, which involves about 10,000 U.S. troops in Baqubah and other parts of Diyala province, is designed to stop the flow of bombs into Baghdad.

[patriciaruth]

The 3rd Stryker Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division out of Ft Hood, Washington, is leading the assault.

[GideonOfWar]

you mean ft. hood texas?

[patriciaruth]

Our adopted Stryker company is leading the assault. Please pray for them.

[patriciaruth]

Have I gotten my Forts mixed up?

These soldiers are from near Seattle.

[SierraWasp]

Could it also have something to do with the threat of the Turks coming down after the Kurds to have their whey with them?

[patriciaruth]

No, they’re clearing out the evil ones who fled just north of Baghdad (since we started cracking down in Baghdad) and have been making their car bombs and IED’s up there, and terrorizing the local people, demanding they follow all their strict religious laws.

[cookcounty]

"The 3rd Stryker Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division out of Ft Hood, Washington, is leading the assault."

Hard to keep track of these assignments, but IIRC, they are now out of Fort Carson.

The Hood Canal is Washington, and the 2nd ID (or part of it) was out of Fort Lewis WA. Part (or all?) of the 2nd is now out of Fort Carson.

[patriciaruth]

The 2-3 is out of FT LEWIS, WASHINGTON!

Thanks for catching that. I had guys from Ft. Hood also, but not at the moment.

[SierraWasp]

Well I sincerely hope they terminate all the bad people with extreme prejudice!!! We don't need no more danged "prisoners" for the stupid ACLU to fret over!!!

May God and their buddies keep them all safe from any harm!!!

[patriciaruth]

You may be right about their new location, but they came from Ft Lewis a year ago. They got a 4 month extension of their tour last month.

[patriciaruth]

Those are dead hajis.

[fanfan]

May our good men prevail.

They are in my heart.

[Paperdoll]

Fervent prayers going up immediately for God’s protection of our troops, and the demolishing of their enemy.

[SierraWasp]

"Those are dead hajis."

I'm so sick of yet another "Politically Correct War" being run by pussyfootin politicians who won't turn the generals loose, or fire them when they try to do nothing but "play it safe!" Dang it!!!

[stefanbatory]

I just got done reading michael yon’s latest dispatch about Iraq and he writes quite extensively about this op...

[elhombrelibre]

2ID is out of Korea, amigo.

[patriciaruth]

Where’s a nice fuel air bomb when you need one?

[Yardstick]

Michael Yon, the embedded reporter in Iraq, wrote about this yesterday on his blog. Apparently it’s a pretty big deal.

[patriciaruth]

Could you link Michael’s article here?

[mathluv]

Hi patty. Ft. Hood is in the center of TX - north of Austin.