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.

 

[Travis McGee]

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.

WTF?????

Are these being "donated" by Iraq or Russia to use as anti armor missiles??

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Travis, our enemies - Saddam and pals - filled schools, hospitals, warehouses and homes across Iraq with mountains of weapons for the Iraqi people to use against us - within easy reach of even the children. Over 24 million Iraqis said, "NO" to Saddam - even knowing the risk to their lives from Saddam loyalists stationed in their communities to enforce control. They've been pointing out weapons caches - and bad guys - training and patrolling with us for months. It's a miracle what DIDN'T happen, what COULD have happened.

We're going to be hunting the Rats for a time. There are fewer of them today than there were yesterday - and far fewer than there were last February.

Are these being "donated" by Iraq or Russia to use as anti armor missiles??

Yep. Not often, and seldom ever again. The news accounts of US casualties rarely mention the fate of the attackers.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Good question, Chad. In my more generous moments, I blame press laziness. If reporters link on to CENTCOM news, they see a list of headlines that do seem to appear bleak. Each attack, each mishap and casualty rates a separate story and headline, while CENTCOM lumps all the daily humanitarian and security successes together on two different reports only. Each report could be broken down into dozens of separate positive stories. The list would then appear far different daily for the inquiring and careless press. Of course the Dems would then accuse the DoD of minimizing the casualties. The truth is just the opposite!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Are these being "donated" by Iraq or Russia to use as anti armor missiles??

Man, I misread the question. Yes. Somewhere on the OIF threads, I transcribed some of Ollie and Rick Leventhal's reports from Baghad - northward to Tikrit, post Baghdad liberation. Ollie was especially incensed by the crates of RPGs, ETC., they found - marked Made in France, Russia - ammo from Jordan. Black market - or not - the force against us was (and IS) international (and domestic: pro-EU-UN-DNC).

[Travis McGee]

You can bet the Russians are eager to pay us back for the Afghanistan stinger missiles we provided in the 80s.

The French...ugh...

[america-rules]

yes

[Marie Antoinette]

WOW! Great post! I listen every morning to NPR (the only talk radio available on my way to school) and you'd think we're getting our behinds kicked around if that's all you every heard. Thanks for posting all this, it's very eye opening.

Bump

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You are welcome. Unlike Vietnam, we have people on our side on the ground in Iraq with laptop computers - and daily briefings on the net from the DoD and military news sources, shared e-mail from friends and family serving. The power of the mainstream media to intentionally undermine a war and a President for partisan sake is eye-opening - and scandalous.

The first two links - the CENTCOM security and humanitarian logs - list the daily, detailed good works of the troops. The briefings from CENTCOM and DoD usually debunk most of the week's previous press stories...and reassure the country that we have adults of awesome character running the war.

*COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE

*COALITION EFFORTS AID IRAQ'S RECOVERY

*CENTCOM BRIEFINGS

*PENTAGON BRIEFINGS

[RobbyS]

The alliance between the American elite and the European elite is becoming ever more evident. This can be seen not only in the opposition to the war but in recent supreme Court decisions. The elite in the United States is far more liberal than the mass of the people. Take for instance the issue of religion. Americans are among the most religious people in the eorld; our elites are not. Someone has given the example of India being ruled by Swedes. The Republican party is one of the few national institutions not ruled by liberals and even it has a significant liberal minority.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I know Robby. Both Clintons are regularly undermining the Bush administration. Both recently came back from Europe where they both undermined the current CIC foreign policy with sitting leaders of socialist nations that opposed our war in Iraq.

It is a major scandal by any reasonable measure.

*Hillary Clinton Attacks Bush, U.S. Intelligence Services in Overseas Interview

*Hillary: "New Political Icon" Clinton's European Triumph

*Clinton: NATO should intervene in Iraq - AFP ^ | July 12, 2003 | AFP

*Clinton urged to head NATO  - Aftenpost (Norway) ^ | Tuesday 17 June 2003

*Democrats Use Bastille Day, Internet Activism to Bash Bush

[UCANSEE2]

That we are in a war against terrorism, most know.

That many middle east countries were dominated by leaders who willingly supported terrorists, most know.

That some middle east countries were dominated by terrorists and their country's leaders were left no option but to pay tribute, and do their best to keep up a front of running their country, whilst mainly running, some know.

That terrorists have a new leader and organization to belong to, and want to take over one of the most powerful countries not in the middle east, few will acknowledge.

The new leader(s) are Bill and Hill. The organization is the dumbocaratic party.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Hope you don't mind my adding your awesome post to this thread. I've been mass e-mailing the link to neighbors, press and pols. Our troops deserve and need support from home - recognition of the important, dangerous and terrific job they are doing daily

A Brigade Commander's perspective of the situation in Baghdad as of July 14th

Posted on 07/15/2003 9:31 AM EDT by mark502inf

Greetings from Central Baghdad.

I took command of the 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division on 1 July; since then I have had two soldiers killed in firefights.

The Special Opns folks call my sector east of the Tigris River "The Hot Box," due to the number of engagements in it on a daily basis. This place reminds me of Max Max and the Road Warrior movies.

As predicted, I am living in interesting times, and am using every bit of the strategy education earned in ASAP and at the War College.

We are fighting former regime-backed paramilitary groups, Iranian-based opposition, organized criminals, and street thugs. We have stood up governing councils from neighborhood to district to city level.

We have conducted humanitarian action in numerous areas to include repair of electricity, water, sewer, hospitals, and schools; created refuse collection systems; and built numerous recreational facilities (particularly soccer fields). We have cleared hundreds of tons of UXOs and weapons caches.

I have already hosted Fox News, ABC, ITN, UP, Reuters, the New Yorker, and an Indian news service. On any given day I deal with the political realm of the Coalition Provisional Authority, the humanitarian realm of the NGOs, and the military realm of firefights/improved explosive devices/snipers/mortar attacks.

My BCT contains active duty, reservists, and National Guardsmen. The BCT has lost 4 soldiers since taking over the sector. The soldiers are staying focused and disciplined, and are getting more effective with each passing day. Our snipers have had some success of late - enough said.

Even though we are still being shot at daily, the vast majority of the population supports our objectives and just want to get on with their lives. We are doing some excellent humanitarian work, but it doesn't make the news because all the press wants to talk about is the attacks.

The infrastructure is up and running and the shortfalls in electricity, water, sewage, etc., are being addressed. We have local advisory councils of Iraqi citizens set up in Baghdad and a functioning city council.

The people we kicked out of power can't stand our success, however, and will do everything they can to try to make us fail. Thus the ongoing gun battles in the streets. There is also a lot of organized crime here. I have flashbacks to "The Godfather" all the time. As the military commander of eastern Baghdad, I feel like Don Corleone...or maybe a ward boss on the south side of Chicago.

The brigade was trained in high intensity conflict back in Germany, but quickly transitioned into urban combat operations once in Baghdad.

We had a visit from a team from the British Army experienced in operations in Northern Ireland, and we were already doing everything they talked to us about. In some cases, such as use of helicopters in conjunction with ground forces, we are ahead of them.

Special skills such as military police, civil affairs, psychological operations, EOD, and engineers are needed more in this type of operation. I have a reserve MP company out of New York working for me, and they are doing a fantastic job. The company commander is a New York City prosecutor in his other life.

It's 116 degrees here today, and I don't even get a cold beer - GO #1 strikes again. So yet another go-round with the extended Betty Ford clinic. At least I'm drawing combat pay.

I have a spare cot for you if you make it to Baghdad. My HQ is east of the Tigris River. Alcohol not allowed, but bring cigars. Otherwise, enjoy the summer and drink a cold one for me. Ready First! Pete

[america-rules]

Figures this thread died ?

[america-rules]

The thing is dead!

[america-rules]

ting