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DESERT SCORPION OPERATIONS SUMMARY - IRAQ
June 20, 2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Nine raids yielded five detainees as Coalition Forces continued to isolate and defeat non-compliant forces throughout Iraq, while delivering humanitarian aid as part of Operation Desert Scorpion.
Actions are:
- The 1st Armored Division conducted four searches in Baghdad, which led to the capture of five detainees. Five rifles, nine pistols, one 125mm artillery round, and three automatic rifles were also seized in the searches. One box of grenades was turned in by an Iraqi citizen.
- Humanitarian aid included repairs to electric power infrastructure, gas and repair assessments of local schools and to the water system by the 3rd Infantry Division.
- The 101st Armored Division continued to distribute food.
- World Food Program and humanitarian food convoys were escorted from Jordan to Iraq by the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
The mission of Operation Desert Scorpion, which started June 15th, is to prepare the foundation for Iraqis to form a new self-ruled government and provide a safe and secure environment to live and work.
June 19
Samarra Civil Military Ops Center Hit by Mortar Round
BAGHDAD, Iraq — A Civil Military Operations Center (CMOC) in Samarra was hit by an 82mm mortar round June 18, killing one Iraqi and injuring 12 other Iraqis.
Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division reported hearing three explosions and contacted the Samarra police station to investigate the incident, according to U.S. Central Command officials. Samarra police reported finding those injured and killed in the attack.
Soldiers were unable to respond or find the perpetrators. This is one of numerous incidents recently where Iraqi resistors have attacked Coalition forces or Coalition Provisional Authority locations and injured or killed Iraqi citizens.
The mission of the CMOC is to coordinate the military and civilian aspects of the humanitarian assistance effort by providing the linkage between the military commander and the other governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations in Iraq.
No U.S. troops were injured during the attack. The incident is still under investigation.
One U.S. Soldier Killed, Two Injured in RPG Attack
BAGHDAD, Iraq — One 804th Medical Brigade soldier was killed and two injured in a rocket propelled grenade attack on a military ambulance June 19 in an area north of Camp Dogwood in the town of Al Iskandariyah.
The ambulance was enroute to the 28th Combat Army Support Hospital transporting a patient injured in an unrelated incident.
The identity of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Operation Desert Scorpion Continues To Breakdown Resistance
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition forces continue to defeat remaining pockets of resistance throughout Iraq, in efforts to provide a secure and stable environment for the Iraqi citizens.
Operation Desert Scorpion is designed to identify and destabilize terrorist organizations, criminal elements, and non-compliant forces throughout the country while improving the quality of life for the Iraqi people.
Some actions taken by Coalition Forces include:
The 4th Infantry Division located in north central Iraq conducted six raids and captured 29 detainees. The raid in Tikrit captured $8 million (U.S.), millions of Iraqi dinar, and a large sum of British pounds, British sterling and Euro.
The 1st Armored Division in Baghdad, conducted seven raids and captured nine detainees.
The 3rd Infantry Division conducted a reconnaissance mission at an ammunition storage facility and Wadi complex.
The 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment set up traffic control points and recovered two rocket propelled grenade launchers, one rocket, two grenades, five identifications, and a large amount of cash.
Humanitarian assistance efforts also continued:
The 3rd Infantry Division continued to pick up trash and delivered medical supplies to Al Fallujah General Hospital and a local clinic. They also installed 70 windows in one school, and assessed three others.
The 1st Armored Division delivered gasoline, repaired pipelines and roads. The division is also working to get 170 school teachers paid.
The 101st Airborne Division made payments to civil employees, distributed food, and facilitated shift of authority and security to Iraqi officials.
The 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment is repairing a bridge and working with the World Food Program to distribute food.
June 18
Violent Demonstration Leads to Two Deaths
BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.S. forces from the 204th Military Police Company responded in self-defense to a demonstration outside of the Office of Coalition Provisional Authority compound this morning when it became violent, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
A military convoy was entering the compound when demonstrators began throwing rocks. One demonstrator pulled out a weapon and began shooting. U.S. Forces responded killing two of the demonstrators.
The two Iraqis were evacuated to 1st Armored Division Battalion Aid Station and confirmed dead.
The demonstration, at a site of regular gatherings, was being held to protest the lack of jobs.
One Killed, One Wounded in Attack
BAGHDAD, Iraq — A 1st Armored Division soldier was killed and one wounded in an shooting attack this morning at a petroleum gas distribution plant in Baghdad, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
The soldiers were evacuated to the 28th Combat Army Surgical Hospital.
The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Iraqi Gen. Abid Hamid Mahmud Al-Tikriti Now in Coalition Custody
MACDILL AFB, FL — Gen. Abid Hamid Mahmud al-Tikriti is now in custody of Coalition Forces, according to U.S. Central Command officials. The general was Saddam Hussein ’s personal secretary and senior body guard. He was also the National Security Advisor.
He was captured by Coalition Forces June 16 in Iraq.
He is Number 4 on the U.S. Central Command “Iraqi Top 55 List”.
June 17
Desert Scorpion Moves Into Day Three
BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 17, 2003 — Coalition Forces continue to conduct raids and patrols in their areas of operation June 16, defeating areas of resistance and re-establishing a safe and secure environment during Operation Desert Scorpion, according to a U.S. Central Command news release.
The purpose of Operation Desert Scorpion, which started June 15, is to prepare the foundation for Iraqis to form a new self-rule government and provide a safe and secure environment to live and work.
Selected actions are:
The 101st Airborne Division conducted three raids and detained 12 individuals.
The 3rd Air Cavalry Regiment conducted 11 raids and detained 39 individuals. Among the detained individuals, four were on the local black list.
The 1st Armored Division conducted seven raids and detained 53 individuals.
The 4th Infantry Division conducted 43 raids and initially detained 288 individuals. Sixty-five of the detained are being held.
The 3rd ID conducted five raids. Seventy-four people were interrogated and 20 detained. The unit also seized 20 anti-tank rounds, three AK-47s, one rocket-propelled grenade and some C4 explosives along with detonators.
Humanitarian missions also continue to be a part of Operation Desert Scorpion. In the north, units helped to facilitate payment of civil workers and establish a police training academy. In Baghdad, units helped repair roads and pipelines. In the central regions, units continue to escort Humanitarian fuel convoys throughout the area of operation.
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TEMPO DOWN AS DESERT SCORPION CONTINUES
June 21, 2003 UPDATE - For Immediate Release
BAGHDAD, Iraq – The high level of activity of recent days reduced as Coalition forces continue Operation Desert Scorpion.
Scorpion Combat Operations are:
The 1st Armored Division executed offensive actions in Baghdad conducting six raids and detaining 22 individuals. The unit seized nine rifles, eight pistols, three knives, two boxes of grenades, one bomb and three 127mm rounds.
The 4th Infantry Division operating in an area ranging from Kirkuk in the north to Taji in the south conducted three raids and detained three individuals. The unit seized three AK-47s, one mortar site and one Dragonov night site.
Operation Desert Scorpion was created to neutralize non-compliant influences in order to create a secure environment and concurrently provide support to the local government and assist with the economic growth.
US Troop News from the Horn of Africa (HOA)
June 22, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-74
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ONE U.S. MARINE KILLED EIGHT INJURED AT GODORIA BOMBING RANGE, DJIBOUTI
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti -- One U.S. Marine was killed and eight other U.S. service members were injured this morning by an explosion that may have been caused by a bomb dropped from a B-52 Stratofortress that landed near forces at Godoria Range, along the northern coast of Djibouti. The names of the service members are being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.
Two service members received minor injuries, were treated by medical personnel at Camp Lemonier and returned to their units. The other six injured service members were transported to Bouffard Hospital in Djibouti for treatment. Two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters supporting the exercise and parked near the range were damaged in the accident.
Forces supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa were participating in a Supporting Arms Training Exercise (SATEX), part of routine training for personnel here.
The accident is currently under investigation.
More News from HOA
10th Mountain uses Know-How to Help CJTF-HOA Fight Terrorism
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – After a grueling month providing their combat skills in the mountains of Afghanistan, soldiers from the U.S. Army’s Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Regiment, 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y., are here supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with their counter-terrorism expertise.
According to Staff Sgt. Bryan F. Wells, squad leader and acting platoon sergeant, the light infantry company learned a lot from participating in Operations Anaconda and Polar Harpoon while in Afghanistan.
The purpose of Operation Anaconda was to destroy Taliban and Al Qaeda forces fortified in the mountains near Bagram.
“Our mission during Operation Anaconda seemed to change every hour,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Cloud. “We were inserted into our position by helicopter and established an overwatch position for our sister company (Co. A).”
While Co. A swept through the valley below, Co. C, positioned on top Takur Ghar Mountain, engaged the enemy forces operating in caves and dwellings.
Cloud added, “We received both direct and indirect fire and took several POWs (prisoners-of-war) during the eight days we were out there.”
After returning from the mission, the soldiers of Co. C embarked upon a secondary operation.
Both Companies A and C were tasked to clear Takur Ghar, towering more than 10,000 feet over Afghanistan, and Upper Shahikot Valley during Operation Polar Harpoon.
The operation was named in honor of 4th Bn., 31st Regiment’s nickname, “Polar Bears.”
Wells, of Chicago, explained, “We were involved in Operation Polar Harpoon for two or three days. We did a lot of patrolling in the mountains looking for the enemy.”
Encountering hostile forces was not the only concern the companies faced.
“When we were climbing the mountain, the soldiers were experiencing shortness of breath. The altitude was hard to adjust to at first,” he said.
However, that didn’t stop them from finishing the job.
The companies were triumphant in capturing and destroying enemy weapons, munitions and equipment as well as clearing several caves and bunkers.
“It was hard to determine if we were successful or not while we were out,” Wells added, “but once we got feedback on what we actually did, that’s when we were able to say that we had accomplished the mission.”
More than a year later, Co. C is back in action aiding in the Global War on Terrorism here for a period of six to 12 months. Its mission is to provide light infantry support to CJTF-HOA in order to defeat transnational terrorism in the Horn of Africa region. This support ranges from a quick reaction force to providing security to the camp if need be.
This time the company is better prepared than prior to the fighting in Afghanistan, according to Spc. Jacob H. Brown, rifleman.
The Saint Elmo, Ill., native went on to say he learned a lot from his time in Afghanistan, including to have faith in his leader’s judgment.
“If they say to do something, I’ve learned not to ask why. I just do it. There’s no need to ask why because they know what they’re doing,” he said.
The company is building upon what they found out in previous assignments in the Global War on Terrorism.
“Since we’ve been in Djibouti, we’ve had a lot of time to train. When we were in Afghanistan, we didn’t,” he said. “We’ve done raids, MOUT (Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain) training, battle and weapons proficiency drills.”
Cloud affirmed if the time comes for his soldiers to participate in any number of missions while supporting CJTF-HOA, they would be more than ready.
“We hope to engage terrorists while we’re here,” he said. “Until that time, we’re going to prepare.”
W. Ross. chemical officer 2-505th, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Story and photos by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald
Greece seizes explosives ship (Apparently bound for Africa) - 6/22/03
News from Afghanistan
June 20, 2003
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — Task Force Devil medical and civil affairs personnel, conducted a cooperative medical assistance visit to the village of Nageel Abad, south of Kandahar, in Kandahar province yesterday. They treated 133 individuals, 74 male and 59 female, and distributed 100 pounds of personal hygiene kits.
Seven rockets impacted in the vicinity of the firebase at Orgun-E last night. There were no casualties or damage to equipment.
Afghan Military Forces turned over 74, 107mm rocket rounds and 54, 107mm rocket fuses to coalition forces in Asadabad, Wednesday. The rockets and fuses were recovered during an Afghan Military Forces sweep of the Shahkahul area, east of Asadabad. The rockets and fuses will be destroyed at a date to be determined.
June 19, 2003
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - A military police patrol, supported by the Task Force Devil civil affairs section, distributed 100 humanitarian rations and approximately 150 pounds of personal hygiene supplies to three villages in the vicinity of Kandahar Wednesday. They went to Zarak Kalay, Din Mohammad and Habib Bullah Kalay. All three villages expressed appreciation for the aid and their support of the coalition.
Special Operations Forces took 15 persons under control Tuesday night when they assaulted a compound on the Helmund River north of Deh Rawood, in Uruzgan province. No coalition or enemy casualties were reported. As a matter of policy and individual protection, coalition forces will not discuss any details regarding persons taken under control.
Special Operations Forces recovered a weapons cache in the vicinity of Khowst on Tuesday. The cache included: seven 107mm rockets and two 82mm mortar rounds.
June 18, 2003
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - A German delegation performed a feasibility assessment to establish a German-sponsored provincial reconstruction team in Herat, in Herat province yesterday. The provincial reconstruction team director, civil military operations commander and civil affairs team leader met with the delegation in a round table discussion. Topics included the security situation, logistics, water quality and the delegation's schedule there. A decision by the German government to accept the PRT mission or not is forthcoming.
A Special Operations Forces vehicle in a convoy was damaged when an improvised explosive device exploded as it passed by the device approximately four kilometers outside of Asadabad in Kunar province yesterday. The convoy then received small arms fire from an unknown sized element. The unit broke contact, departing the area safely, returning to the firebase at Asadabad. There were no casualties and minor damage to the one vehicle, which was drivable.
June 17, 2003
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - An AH-64 Apache on a medical evacuation mission made a precautionary landing due to transmission problems 30 kilometers southeast of Kabul yesterday. Neither of the two pilots was injured. A downed aircraft recovery team prepared the aircraft to be sling-loaded back to Bagram Air Base this morning. The Quick Reaction Force from Bagram Air Field secured the site and remained with the aircraft overnight. Two individuals were spotted in the vicinity of the aircraft later and dropped two items after they were spotted. The quick reaction force recovered and destroyed the items: one AK-47 and one rocket propelled grenade launcher.
An improvised explosive device that failed to detonate was found last night by Task Force Phoenix personnel on Jalalabad Road west of gate one in Kabul Military Training Center. Kabul police removed the device. Details of the design are not available.
ISLAMABAD - Representatives of the governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States held today in Islamabad the first meeting of the Tripartite Commission.
The Commission, established by President Pervez Musharraf and President Hamid Karzai, drew together senior military and diplomatic officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States. The Tripartite Commission has been established to discuss and address issues of mutual concern.
The Commission will meet again in Kabul to resume its work.
June 16, 2003
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — Civil-Military Affairs in Kabul attended the opening of the Mahmood Hotaky School in the Kota Sangay School District in Kabul Saturday. The $38,000 school project serves 4,000 students in the area.
Two Afghan males of unknown age were medically evacuated from Orgun-E to Bagram Saturday afternoon with gunshot wounds. One had a wound to his abdomen, and the other had a wound to his left knee. It is not yet known how they received their wounds. They are in stable condition at this time.
An improvised explosive device found by Afghan border guards in a compound south of the firebase at Orgun-E, Saturday, was destroyed in place by a Task Force Devil element from Orgun-E.
A total of six rockets were fired at coalition forces compounds over the weekend. Yesterday afternoon one rocket was fired at the firebase near Asadabad, in Kunar Province. Four rockets impacted in the vicinity of the firebase at Deh Rawood, in Uruzgan Province early Sunday morning. An Afghan Military Forces patrol investigated the incident and found nothing. And, one rocket impacted in the vicinity of the firebase at Orgun-E, in Paktika Province Saturday night. There were no reported casualties or damage to equipment at any of the three locations.
Coalition forces did not observe where the rockets were fired from or who fired them.
By U.S. Army Col. Rodney Davis , CJTF-180
Casuality Identification List for the past week from the DoD
June 16 , 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today that Staff Sgt. Andrew R. Pokorny, 30, of Naperville, Ill., was killed on June 13, in Al Asad, Iraq. On the way back from patrol, Pokorny's M113 armored personnel carrier, threw a track causing the vehicle to roll over.
Pokorny was assigned to 3rd Air Defense Artillery, 3rd Armor Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo. The incident is under investigation.
The Department of Defense also announced today that Spc. John K. Klinesmith Jr., 25, of Stockbridge, Ga., was killed June 12, in Al Fallujah, Iraq. Klinesmith was last seen wading in the lake on the palace compound in Al Fallujah on June 12. A search was launched and Klinesmith's body was discovered at the lake.
Klinesmith was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. The incident is under investigation.
June 16, 2003
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today that Pfc. Ryan R. Cox, 19, of Derby, Kan., died June 15 as a result of wounds received from a non-combat weapon discharge near An Najaf, Iraq.
Cox was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. The accident is under investigation.
June 17, 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today that Pvt. Shawn D. Pahnke, 25, of Shelbyville, Ind., was killed on June 16, in Baghdad, Iraq. Pahnke was on patrol when he received a fatal gunshot wound.
Pahnke was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany.
June 18, 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Joseph D. Suell, 24, of Lufkin, Texas, was killed on June 16, in Todjie, Iraq. Suell died from a non-combat related cause.
Suell was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters and Service Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla. The incident is under investigation.
June 19, 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom:
Sgt. Michael L. Tosto, 24, of Apex, N.C., died on June 17, at Camp Wolf, Kuwait. Tosto died from a non-combat related cause. Tosto was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Smith Barracks, Germany.
Pvt. Robert L. Frantz, 19, of San Antonio, Texas, was killed on June 17, in Baghdad, Iraq. Frantz was on guard duty when a local resident threw a grenade over the wall. Frantz died of his injuries. Frantz was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Ray Barracks, Germany.
Pfc. Michael R. Deuel, 21, of Nemo, S.D., was killed on June 18, in Baghdad, Iraq. Deuel received fatal gun shot wounds while on guard duty at a propane distribution center. Deuel was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
June 19, 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today that Staff Sgt. William T. Latham, 29, of Kingman, Ariz., died of wounds on June 18, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, D.C. Latham was participating in a raid at a suspected arms market in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on May 19 when he was hit with shrapnel. Latham was evacuated back to the United States where he died of his wounds.
Latham was assigned to Troop E, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.
June 20, 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Paul T. Nakamura, 21, of Santa Fe Springs, Calif. died on June 19 in Al Iskandariyah, Iraq. Nakamura was part of an ambulance crew transporting an injured soldier when the vehicle was hit by an RPG.
Nakamura was assigned to 437th Medical Company, based in Colorado Springs, Colo.
 
  
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.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole! 
