ONE DAY IN IRAQ

CENTCOM, various ^ | July 7, 2003

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

ONE DAY IN IRAQ

 

(June 10, 2003 - but any day will do)

***  ONE U.S. SOLDIER KILLED, ONE WOUNDED IN BAGHDAD ATTACK  ***

---

 

What you probably didn't hear on the news June 10:

 

CENTCOM released more than a casualty report on June 10.

 

On June 10 - Saddam's bad guys killed one of our brave soldiers and wounded another.

On June 10 - their fellow Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Guard - men and women in uniform - did this to Saddam's bad guys:

 

COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE (June 10, 2003)

 

Coalition Activity:

The 4th Infantry Division continued in its efforts to locate remaining pockets of paramilitary forces and Ba’ath party loyalists to create a secure and stable environment north of Baghdad. Three hundred eighty-four people have been detained for interrogation, 30 are confirmed as pro-regime. Twelve individuals attempted to escape by boat, but were captured. Four soldiers were wounded, though none of their injuries were life-threatening.

Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division (ID) conducted a raid on a house believed to hold the individuals responsible for an attack on Coalition Forces on June 7. They detained two individuals and were informed four more were at a local hospital. Upon inspection of the hospital, soldiers detained two other individuals. The 4th ID also conducted a raid in at a weapons market in Tayji, detaining three individuals selling detonation cord and explosives. They also conducted a raid on a suspected arms cache in Baqubah, where they detained 31 individuals, and confiscated 13 rocket-propelled grenades and various small arms. Finally, they raided a site in Taji, detaining six people, seizing 40 grenades, 90 rocket-propelled grenades, four boxes of anti-tank mines, and associated small arms.

Looters traveling in seven vehicles fired at a 4th Infantry Division patrol in Bayji. The patrol returned fire, and captured one vehicle, while the other six vehicles attempted to escape. The fleeing vehicles were located by an AH-64 Apache helicopter, and a flash checkpoint was established which captured the remaining vehicles, detaining nine individuals, and seizing anti-tank mines in their possession.

Forty Seersucker anti-ship missiles were discovered and confiscated by 1st Armored Division (AD) forces in a Baghdad suburb. Coalition personnel will destroy the missiles.

101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division soldiers investigated possible mortar fire in Mosul, and subsequently discovered and seized a 120mm mortar with 39 rounds, and a number of enemy fortifications. Soldiers also received small arms direct fire while traveling in a two-vehicle convoy passing through a Mosul traffic circle, slightly injuring one soldier. A patrol searched the site, and detained two Iraqi gunmen armed with five AK-47s, and two rocket-propelled grenades.

101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division soldiers conducted a cordon and search of a suspect weapons market in Mosul, where they detained five personnel and confiscated two 9mm Sub-machine guns, approximately 6,000 rounds of ammunition, numerous magazines, and approximately 1,434,400 Dinar.

Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:

Coalition Forces conducted 11 raids and a total of 2,444 patrols throughout Iraq. 250 were joint Iraqi and Coalition patrols. They also detained or arrested 189 individuals for a variety of criminal activities including looting, curfew violations, weapons violations, theft, larceny and dealing drugs.

Recent Police Activity:

U.S. military police in east Baghdad noticed six males carrying weapons. The patrol stopped the individuals and confiscated three AK-47s. The individuals were transported to the Althawra Police Station for questioning.

U.S. forces detained 52 people in northwest Baghdad for attempting to loot a local warehouse and storage complex thought to contain munitions. U.S. forces on the scene reported receiving fire from a crowd of approximately 300 people. Although the situation was volatile, there were no reported injuries. Explosive ordnance specialist determined that all the munitions at the complex were harmless.

A murder suspect was apprehended and taken to the Al-Kerreda police station by a joint police patrol. An AK-47 bayonet and 29 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were seized during the search of the suspect's residence.

 

---

 

CENTCOM also released this report on June 10:

 

 

June 10, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-39

TASK FORCE "IRONHORSE" LAUNCHES OPERATION PENINSULA STRIKE

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- During the early morning hours of June 9th, Task Force Ironhorse soldiers conducted a series of raids to eradicate Ba’ath Party loyalists, paramilitary groups and other subversive elements located on a peninsula along the Tigris River, northeast of Balad, Iraq. The raids signaled the start of Operation Peninsula Strike.

The operation took place in two major stages. The first stage of the operation involved moving soldiers and equipment into strike positions, intelligence gathering, and coordination with local police. During the second stage, raids were conducted within the area of operation via land, air and water to capture or destroy subversive elements. Air assault teams, ground attack squads, raid teams, river patrol boats and local security combined forces to block off escape routes and operate check points to ensure the operation’s success.

Operation Peninsula Strike's joint, combined arms team is comprised of U.S. Army infantry, armor, artillery, aviation, and engineers, and U.S. Air Force aviation elements.

So far, Operation Peninsula Strike has resulted in the capture of 397 suspects and the seizure of numerous weapon systems and ammunition. A 10:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M. curfew has been implemented on the peninsula for the safety and security of civilians and Coalition forces. Task Force Ironhorse continues to seize illegal weapons in support of the National Weapons Policy implemented on June 1, 2003.

As the operation continues, specially trained soldiers are screening the detainees to determine who may be released and who will be retained for further questioning. These soldiers are also processing information which can be used in the apprehension of hostile groups who continue to try to harm Coalition forces and innocent Iraqi people. The information gathered will also assist Coalition forces in providing a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people.

Task Force Ironhorse remains resolute in its commitment to work with Coalition forces and the local citizens to stop subversive groups that seek to hinder rebuilding efforts. The success of Operation Peninsula Strike will help move the Iraqi people one step closer to a safe, secure and free country.

---

 

CENTCOM also released this report on June 10:

 

What our troops do pretty much daily:

 

COALITION EFFORTS AID IRAQ'S RECOVERY (June 10, 2003)

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait – Coalition Forces continue to assist in developing a safer and more secure environment in Iraq through the following activities.

NORTHERN AND CENTRAL IRAQ

Coalition Forces recently:
• Reported an all-time high of 14,140 bottles of propane were processed at the propane plant and also reported the Baghdad-Basra pipeline is operational.
• Reported a total of 35 humanitarian shipments crossed into Iraq from Syria in the last 24 hours, and received 217 benzene and 46 propane trucks from Turkey.
• Delivered 3K gallons of water to villages in the Tall Afar area and 4K gallons of water to the Sununi area.
• Reported the Rabi’ah granary is nearly full from the harvest, and that the locals are opening another facility to store the overflow wheat and barley.
• Reported the UN World Food Program distributed four shipments to Habbaniyah and 47 shipments to Ar Ramadi.
• Observed the lawyers’ assembly election in Mosul, where 52 candidates vied for 10 positions. It was reported that about 800 hundred lawyers turned out to vote. The results of the election are not yet known.
• Delivered medical supplies to a medical clinic in Ad Duluyah, and will coordinate for additional supplies to be delivered.
• Met with the Mosul Director General to develop a plan to source new administrators at the outlying hospitals, in particular Sinjar and Al-Baaj hospitals.
• Received a train schedule from Baghdad with proposed arriving and departing trains for final approval, which will significantly improve public transportation within Iraq.
• Attended a meeting at the Grain Board Office and report the barley harvest in Northern Iraq is 70% complete and wheat harvest is 10% complete. Both harvests are going well.
• Placed information boards at the Civil-Military Operations Center, UN compound and World Food Program warehouses in Baghdad to assist in informing locals of pertinent dates and locations for registration and distributions, in an attempt to assist internally displaced persons in Northern Iraq.
• Facilitated acquisition of chemicals needed for mosquito/fly control with Fallujah Health Department's Communicable Disease Center. Enough supplies exist for the current mosquito season; more supplies will be needed for spraying in Oct-Nov.
• Reported that the Baghdad Airport is due to open to commercial traffic in mid-July.
• Identified a clogged underground sewer pipe in Baghdad and began trenching in preparation for the laying of new pipeline for the city.
• Met with Red Cross representatives to discuss the plan for nursing reform in Iraq, and coordinate assessments of nursing skills and nursing capabilities at different geographical areas within the country.
• Continued to coordinate for emergency start-up funds for (state-owned) passenger and cargo companies throughout Iraq.
• Met with U.S. Treasury officials and members of the Supreme Audit Board to discuss the acquisition of the most recent financial statements of the Central Bank and the Ministry of Industry and Minerals.
• Conducted meeting with UNICEF and U.N. to discuss the future of orphanages and children’s programs in Iraq, and agree upon the process for assessment and implementation of short- and long-term programs.

SOUTHERN IRAQ

AL KUT
• Received a translated report of 22 capital projects from the engineers with the Ministry of Interior for prioritization, and will coordinate with appropriate NGO’s to screen them for possible submission to international or local contractors or other entities as necessary.
• Met with Iraqi ministry officials in Baghdad to assess on-hand medications, vaccines, and develop a plan to address possible shortages.
• Reported 8,515 propane cylinders were filled and distributed throughout Al Kut and surrounding areas of Wasit Province.

UMM QASR
• Provided emergency medical treatment to 12-year-old child and her mother, who were burned by a propane stove in Khor Zubayr, and also coordinated transportation of the child to the Spanish Hospital ship.
• Continued to coordinate with Customs and Immigration teams to establish processes at Umm Qasr port in preparation for the re-opening of the port to commercial traffic, scheduled for mid-June.

AN NASARIYAH
• Reported the food distribution warehouse is functioning at a level that exceeds prewar standards, and that no shortages are being experienced.

AN NAJAF
• Completed six of 17 clinic assessments for the An Najaf Governate.

AD DIWANIYAH
• Began payment of $1.6 million in U.S. currency to the pensioners on Monday.

AL HILLAH
• Continued to assist in efforts to establish the Interim City Council, elect 10 more judges, and execute the National Payment Plan.

KARBALA
• Reported a new Karbala newspaper is expected to print its first edition next week, and that Human Rights Foundation will also begin publication of a magazine, “Human Rights” as a means of educating the population on their newly won rights and how they should treat one another.
• Met with the Chief Judge concerning collection of dates to determine the disposition of residences that were confiscated by the prior regime in the late 70s and early 80s, and develop a long-term reclamation process for citizens.
• Coordinated for structural experts to assess the Al-Hussein Water treatment facility, and continued to develop a funding proposal and a health assessment for the facility.

---

On June 10, one brave US Soldier was killed and another wounded - the result of hostile fire. On the same day, over 146,000 US troops  worked at undoing SADDAM's regime across Iraq. That's one day in Iraq.

 

* CENTCOM released over 45 progress reports: Coalition security and stabilization successes - in the last 30 days alone. These include reports on the massive caches of bad guy weapons, millions of bad guy $$$, and lots of bad guys taken out by Coalition troops (often with the help of the Iraqi people) - including detailed reports on the three major aggressive June campaigns to root out Saddam loyalists (resulting in return fire, but far more enemy destroyed) - and the massive, cooperative rebuilding and humanitarian efforts - daily progress throughout Iraq. 

 

CENTCOM reported it. The press ignored it.

 

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

After three months of daily chicken little press coverage on Iraq:

• The good guys (troops and leadership) are under fire from those who want to see AMERICA - and freedom - fail (yet, many of these critics claim to care about our troops). 

• By replaying Saddam propaganda tapes, the press continues to incite fear in the Iraqi population. The tapes were formerly used to terrify and control the Iraqi people - backed up by actual torture and murder. According to Emad Dhia, director, Iraqi Reconstruction and Development Council, Iraqis responded recently to Al Jazeera's playing such a tape: "We really hate this tape; why you played it?  It's really hurt our feeling to listen to it.  We don't want to hear this guy again.  We despise him.  We hate him." The frightened Iraqi people in areas near remaining Saddam loyalists are understandably afraid to stand up for their own rights, or to help our troops in the new Iraq - giving the bad guys (unwarrented!) status and (never gonna happen!) hope for a future in Iraq (yet, the press claims to care about our troops).

• The inaccurate press coverage effects troop morale. Troops call home - expecting praise and thanks from their communities for removing Saddam - only to hear worried loved ones and negative 'news' -  unlike their reality in Iraq. Friends back home don't know about the thanks they receive from the Iraqi people, their hard work, the progress they see daily in Iraq (yet, the press claims to care about our troops).

• While the negative news comforts our enemies and confuses the newly freed Iraqi people, it also threatens our national security. Our perceived weakness (BIGGEST LIE, YET) undermines our efforts to collect on promised international support in $$$ and replacement troops. Some of our troops will be staying on and policing the bad neighborhoods - risking their own lives to once again remind the bad guys who's boss - thanks to the press (yet, the press claims to care about our troops).

What if the people had been told the daily good news back in April? What if the press had gone to the primary news source on Iraq, CENTCOM, daily and brought our allies and enemies the progress reports - along with the negative reports we heard in our 'hometown' papers and TV news - day by day, week after week, thru April, May, June -> today?  We'd know that our troops are doing difficult work and doing it well.  We would have been celebrating our troops steady progress these past three months - and celebrating the hard won freedom for the Iraqi people. Our enemies would be looking for cover and cowering.

 

What if the press had thoroughly exposed  Saddam's brutal regime?  Would anyone dare shelter his loyalists? Would anyone dare claim that the Iraqi people were better off before our troops removed Saddam? Would Americans support our troops and our efforts in Iraq, no matter the difficulties?

 

We didn't have a national victory celebration for the troops after April 9. Our CIC was critized in the press for thanking the troops. We haven't really cheered our troops as a nation since. The nation of Australia gave their troops a ticker tape parade down the streets of Sydney. Our press gave our troops Hillary Clinton. Our press highlights casualties, critics and Saddam daily. They continue to follow the lead of the NY Times, and ignore CENTCOM (Check the accuracy records of both. March will do). The press is failing America, failing the troops.

 

On March 19 our troops went into Iraq - facing the unknown, knowing Saddam's history. They took out command and control, Saddam's Republican Guard, and were welcomed across Iraq by the vast majority of the Iraqi people. Over 24 million Iraqis - given mountains of weapons by our enemies - refused to use them against our troops. By April 9, the troops had liberated Baghdad. For the next three months, our troops have continued to "perform magnificently", in the words of Gen. Franks - steadily working to stabilize Iraq - after 30 years of oppression and terror and neglect under Saddam's regime. Three months - and the press is still asking "are we there, yet?"

 

Our troops volunteer. They serve in heat and sand far from home and family - on the hunt, and always watchful for the remaining desperate, dishonorable Saddam loyalists and terrorist-wannabes. Some give all.

 

On July 4, 158 Screaming Eagles reenlisted near the Tigris River in Baghdad - with comments like, "You get to reenlist in Iraq with the general, How cool is that?" and "I would have reenlisted anyway without the bonus," "She's glad I'm going to stay in." (wife back home with two children), "When we get back, I'm going to put in for Drill Sergeant," "I'm enjoying the daylights out of the Army. Everyone else should." 

 

To quote CNN's Martin Savidge, "Where do they get young men like this?"

 

Our press has already forgotten, it seems, the character of our men and women serving in Iraq. Our troops are not victims or fools. They know why they serve. While we mourn the fallen and remember their families and friends, we honor the fallen by celebrating the success of their comrades - reporting the daily good works of those 146,000 and more brave American military men and women and our Coalition allies who love freedom enough to risk their lives in Iraq for our liberty.

 

Saddam is NOT coming back.

 

Our troops rock!

 

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---

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[Burkeman1]

OK- OK- I am sending a check. These "Support Free Republic" posts work better than any pop up ad or telemarketer!

[Adrastus]

There's not a lot of excuse for the bottom feeders we call reporters to have failed to pass on any of this except it just don't fit. As the NYT banner says: "We print all the news that fits."

[pierrem15]

All I can say is thank you for such a great post.

You are so right. The press is absolutely disgusting. I think they all saw the events of April 9th and said to themselves, "We have to do something, anything, to cut Bush down for the Democrats." And all they have done is grossly exaggerate the negative, hoping that they will break the faith of the American people in Bush's leadership and restore themselves as the arbitrators of American political life. May they rot in h---.

[happygrl]

FABULOUS POST!!!!!

Ernest, this deserves a MUCH wider read. Please ping your list !

All the wonderful daily good news that our press is NOT reporting !

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You are very welcome.

There are a few exceptions:

James Taranto, Best of the Web Today, Opinion Journal, July 9:

Good News From Afghanistan
You hear a lot of complaints from foes of the Bush administration to the effect that it's outrageous that in the three months since Saddam Hussein's fall, America has failed to transform Iraq into Norway. Now and again they also complain about Afghanistan, which hasn't even been transformed into Canada (which Reuters reports ranks a pitiful eighth on the U.N. quality-of-life index).

These criticisms are unrealistic; nation building takes time. A report in USA Today notes that things are in fact getting better in Afghanistan. A reporter visits Istalif, a "mountainside village 90 minutes north of Kabul":

Come on a warm, sunny Friday, the Muslim holy day. Stop at a picnic area in a wooded plateau with a commanding view of the Shomali Plain. Chances are, men such as Haji Zahir Kargar, 50, will be there with friends and family who also have driven up from Kabul.

"Often on Fridays now, we are coming here for picnics," Kargar, a clerk, says through an interpreter. "During the Taliban years? No!" Such entertainment was banned by the fundamentalist militia. . . .

It takes an Afghan, someone who knows that this country was one of the world's poorest and least-developed even before it was devastated by two decades of fighting, to see a picnic as a sign of something larger.

The paper quotes 50-year-old Abdul Qadeer: "I'm optimistic about the future of Afghanistan. Before, Afghanistan was gone. Now it is back."

[boxerblues]

good info bump

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, happy. It's easy to understand how "Uncle Walter" sold out America and the troops during the Vietnam War. My city has three local TV stations dedicated to local government, mostly public school info, yet we have no access to the live CENTCOM and DoD briefings. The left absolutely knows the power of the 'pen'. Thank goodness for FR and the internet.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

*A note of thanks to those who serve [9-11 widow in Iraq - moving!]
Air Force Link - thru DefendAmerica.mil ^ | 6/30/2003 | Christy Ferer

[pierrem15]

We always hear about the "warlords." But we don't hear much about the almost 2 million Afghans who voted with their feet and returned to home to Afghanistan.

Thanks to the US armed forces.

[prognostigaator]

BTTT

[MEG33]

If it isn't a slam against our military/President/country then why emphasize it?! ...Thanks to all who serve.

[Valin]

Well we can't have any good news in the mainstream media. No body would be interested in that. /sarcasm

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The DNC - Carville, McAuliffe, Daschle and Gephardt - wrote a talking points memo for the press PRE-WAR.

 

The Democratic Party members agreed.

 

The press then did the DNC'S bidding.

They still do.

 

The TRUE Capitol Hill Blue story the PRESS IGNORED:'Dems plan to undermine America to beat Bush'
FR - thru Capitol Hill Blue ^ | January 6, 2003 | DOUG THOMPSON

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well I missed this ping!

I have been kind of busy on other stuff but this is sure good stuff!

Bush Doctrine Unfolds :

To find all articles tagged or indexed using Bush Doctrine Unfold , click below:
	click here >>>	Bush Doctrine Unfold	<<< click here
(To view all FR Bump Lists, click here)

[BOBTHENAILER]

Post of the day, IMHO. Great job.

Too bad the lamestream press won't report the stunning efficiency our troops are using in eradicating the scum over there.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, Sir. This is for the troops. Forwarded to the press.

+ Americans who care.

[america-rules]

Thanks !

[ChadGore]

Thank you !! Why isn't the press reporting *any* of this stuff ?