Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15828&Itemid=21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071213-06
December 13, 2007
CLCs provide vital information on insurgents, weapons
Multi-National Division – Center
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Using information provided by Concerned Local Citizens, Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion,15th Infantry Regiment, killed two insurgents, seized a weapons cache and destroyed an enemy stronghold during a nighttime air assault in Al Bawi, a small village outside of Salman Pak, Dec. 11.
The cache contained mortars, grenades, improvised weapon making materials and an unknown explosive compound.
“The Soldiers performed well,” said Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Blount, from Hampton, Va., the scout platoon sergeant, Headquarters Company, 1-15th Inf. Regt. “They executed the plan as we rehearsed it. The biggest part of this and every other mission is the rehearsal. I tell my guys, ‘This isn’t our first air assault, but treat it like it is. Every mission is different. Don’t get complacent’.”
Insurgents had been using the farmhouse of a displaced family to stage attacks on Coalition Forces and rival insurgent factions. At the direction of the Company B commander, Capt. Rich Thompson, from West Palm Beach, Fla., Soldiers from Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, fired three 210mm rockets from an M270 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System to destroy the building with the cache inside. The 2-4th FA is out of Fort Sill, Okla.
“This air assault helped us support the Concerned Local Citizens, and will help them occupy check points,” said Capt. Todd Barrett, from Huntington Beach, Calif., the scout platoon leader in Headquarters Company, 1-15th Inf. Regt. “These checkpoints will help control extremist activity.”
Battalion leaders expressed their satisfaction with the successful mission.
“Our operations are having a profound impact on our area of operations and the extremist who try to operate within the area,” said Maj. Steven Delgado, from Los Angeles, the 1-15th Inf. Regt. executive officer. “We have greatly reduced the number of IEDs (improvised explosive devices) within Task Force 1-15’s area of operations, detained or killed many extremist leaders, market areas are thriving and people are no longer afraid to leave their homes.”
The 1-15 Inf. Regt. is part of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.
-30-
Note: The following text is a quote:
Title:
IRAQI FORCES, U.S. SPECIAL FORCES DETAIN SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA IN IRAQ LEADER
Release Date:
12/12/2007
Release Number:
07-01-03P
Description:
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist cell leader who is believed to command more than 300 terrorists during a raid near Karmah Dec. 11.
The suspected terrorist leader is reported to be responsible for numerous IED and mortar attacks that have killed and wounded several Iraqi and Coalition Forces. The suspect is also believed to be responsible for the kidnapping and killing of three Iraqi National Guard Soldiers.
During the course of the operation, a space heater was knocked over, causing a fire on the second floor of one of the target buildings, which was immediately put out.
Additionally, during the course of the operation, an Iraqi male received a minor gunshot wound when he exited his house to observe Iraqi Forces operating in the vicinity. The man was treated by U.S. medical personnel and was not detained.
No Iraqi or U.S. Forces were injured during the operation.