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TASK FORCE IRONHORSE LAUNCHES OPERATION SIDEWINDER - IRAQ NEWS
June 29, 2003
OPERATION SIDEWINDER BEGINS
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces launched Operation Sidewinder which is the third in a series of operations focused on rooting out various subversive elements attempting to undermine coalition efforts to restore basic infrastructure and stability in Iraq as Operation Scorpion comes to a close. Operation Peninsula Strike was the first operation.
On the first night of Operation Sidewinder, Coalition forces conducted 23 raids resulting in 61 individuals being detained. Confiscated weapons include 14 AK-47s, two shotguns and assorted ammunition.
During Operation Desert Scorpion which lasted from June 15 to June 29, the 4th Infantry Division and the 1st Armored Division conducted multiple raids resulting in 1,330 individuals being detained. Confiscated weapons include 497 AK-47s, 235 hand grenades, 124 rocket-propelled grenades, 22 machine guns, 130 pistols and 100 rifles and 8,122 rounds of ammunition. The division also confiscated $9,463,000 in U.S. dollars, 1,557,000,000 in Iraqi Dinars, 1,071 bars of gold and 52 vehicles.
Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols and raids throughout the country over the last 24 hours, conducting 1,317 day patrols and 1,053 night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 213 day patrols and 161 night patrols. The total patrols and raids resulted in 128 arrests for various criminal activities including one murder arrest in Baghdad.
The raids target former Ba’ath Party loyalists, terrorists suspected of perpetrating attacks against US forces and former Iraqi military leaders, and to locate weapons and ammunition caches. The nexus of paramilitary activity in central Iraq is located along an approximate stretch of the Tigris River from Samarra to Baghdad, and is the location of several destabilizing influences in the region.
No coalition forces casualties were reported in the raids. Sidewinder is an ongoing operation. More details will be released as they become available.
COALITION CONTINUES EFFORTS TO REBUILD IRAQ
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces continue to help rebuild Iraq through reconstruction and humanitarian aid. Some of the tasks accomplished in the last 24 hours:
The 418th Civil Affairs Battalion completed the Tikrit Women’s College project. The unit provided the college with paper, light bulbs, ceiling fans, a refrigerator, two safes, several calculators and school supplies.
The 1st Armored Division humanitarian activities included meeting with artist and vendors to discuss the opening of the Baghdad Zawra Park Zoo. The division’s major ongoing projects include monitoring fuel distribution, solid waste collection, salary payments, medical supply distribution, food distribution and coordinating supplies for the upcoming student exams.
The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment continued to issue Humanitarian Daily Rations from the World Food Bank Organization to the people of the Al Anbar Province, Trebil and Ar Ramadi. The 3rd ACR engineers collected in the area of operation, 111 truckloads of trash and debris for a total of 1,588 truckloads to date.
A unit of the 101st Airborne Division continues the major endeavor of fighting the massive fire at the sulfur plant utilizing 21 bulldozers, eight dump trucks and one loader.
Task Force Pothole laid three tons of asphalt, repairing 14 potholes in Mosul.
June 28
COALITION CONTINUES EFFORTS TO REBUILD IRAQ
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces continue to help rebuild Iraq through reconstruction and humanitarian aid. Some of the tasks accomplished in the last 24 hours:
In As Sulaymaniyah, the Coalition completed a project to purchase $1,500 worth of medical supplies for the municipality of Bayinjan. The supplies will last for four months in the Bayinjan Clinic.
In Al Fallujah, the Coalition delivered basic school supplies to area schools and distributed 3,000 gallons of potable water to the city.
The Coalition started a Free Fuel Push, distributing approximately 5,000 gallons of fuel to hundreds of Iraqi citizens in Al Fallujah.
The enormous fire at the sulfur plant in Mosul remains the Coalition’s main effort as it continues to burn. They are utilizing 16 bulldozers to assist the local firefighters in containment of the fire and allowing the fire to burn out.
After thieves cut buried wire, the Coalition restored power in Al Karma June 27. They also received 25 electrical safety helmets to give to the electric department.
As a part of Operation Desert Scorpion, the Coalition delivered one and one-half field ambulances worth of medical supplies to the medical warehouse in Ar Ramadi for distribution among local hospitals.
Third Infantry Division Support Command assisted in the restoration of clean water to the towns of Al Janabai and Al Qaqaa providing water to more than 2,200 families. They also aided in plumbing repairs and construction of new fences at an elementary school and middle school.
Third Armored Cavalry Regiment engineers removed 100 truckloads of trash and debris from Al Fallujah.
Numerous assessments and reviews were conducted for future reconstruction projects at water, sanitation, medical facilities and schools throughout the country.
June 27
One U.S. Soldier Killed Near An Najaf
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.S. soldier attached to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force was killed in an ambush attack near An Najaf June 26 while investigating a car theft.
Medical evacuation was immediately called but the soldier died prior to its arrival.
The name of the soldier is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The incident is currently under investigation.
Two Soldiers Missing, Search Ongoing
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A search is currently underway to locate two U.S. soldiers, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Seven, who were reported missing June 25 from their post approximately 40 kilometers north of Baghdad.
The soldiers were discovered missing when they failed to respond to a communications check. Upon arriving on location, a search patrol found no trace of the soldiers or their high mobility multi-wheeled vehicle (HMMWV).
Ground patrols along with aerial assets are actively searching the area and surrounding vicinity where the soldiers were last seen.
June 26
Coalition Continued Efforts Help Rebuild Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces continue to help rebuild Iraq through reconstruction and humanitarian aid. Some of the tasks accomplished in the last 24 hours:
In Dahuk, UNICEF gave the Dahuk Health Department a year’s supply of immunizations. The vaccines included DPT, polio, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, measles and tetanus.
The coalition continued working on sewage removal in Ghazaliya and Shula. They dispatched four trucks and picked up 16 loads of sewage.
In Baghdad, approximately 45 Iraqi citizens and the Coalition worked together to paint and clean up trash at Ma’ Alla’ School.
The World Food Program completed the June food distribution yesterday in Ad Diwaniyah.
Approximately 200-250 immunizations were given to children in Karbala as part of the first National Immunization Day since the war began.
Numerous assessments, reviews and plans were conducted for future reconstruction projects at water, sanitation and medical facilities and schools.
Coalition Forces Continue Patrols
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the past 24 hours, conducting 1,185 day patrols and 975 night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with Iraqi Police conducting 199 day patrols and 122 night patrols. On their own, Iraqi police conducted 14 day patrols and 40 night patrols.
Operation Desert Scorpion continued with three raids conducted by the 1st Armored Division and the 4th Infantry Division resulting in nine individuals being detained. Confiscated weapons consisted of seven AK-47s and one flare gun. Additionally, Iraqi citizens voluntarily turned in five pistols, seven assault rifles, four machine guns, and one mortar.
In other activity, the 101st Airborne Division Mine Action Group conducted controlled detonations at the Q-West Airfield located approximately 25 kilometers south of Mosul, clearing two of five unexploded ordnances.
In the 4th ID area of operations, the first 74 officers for the border guard force were hired and 10 customs officers for use in the new border guard force arrived.
The 3rd Infantry Division Military Police issued identification cards and uniforms and delivered a newly painted police car to Habbaniyah’s police force. Meanwhile, 50 officers continued police training classes in Fallujah. Also, the 3rd ID cleared five unexploded ordnance sites for a total of more then 6,000 pieces removed from the area.
June 25
Coalition Continued Efforts Help Rebuild Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces continue to help rebuild Iraq through reconstruction and humanitarian aid. Some of the tasks accomplished in the last 24 hours:
In Al Fallujah, Iraqi citizens are watching television from their homes, again. The local television station is now working, which will allow residents to watch Al-Jazeera and ABC broadcast television.
In Tikrit, the first 1,000 copies of “Salah Ad Deen” newspaper went out to the public, enabling many citizens to stay up-to-date on current news and events in the area.
In order to aide in preventing accidents and saving lives, the Coalition continued to repair damaged guard-rails, traffic lights and signs to ensure safe roadways for Baghdad citizens. The project includes guard-rail replacement, road repair and re-striping of the roadway.
In Baghdad, Coalition forces continued a sewage and garbage removal project with two bucket loaders and six dump trucks in the Al Furat area. Iraqi citizens and the Coalition worked together to grade soccer fields and replace soccer goal nets, which allows citizens to enjoy outdoor recreation. For a local school, they rebuilt 20 desks, installed lights and painted parts of the school. Vaccinations were also given to students, who were not up-to-date on vaccinations.
The Public Safety Team hosted a police convention for the Karbala Police Department and the Karbala Traffic Police at the Karbala University. Seminar topics included ethics, human rights training, accountability and the new Iraqi Police Force.
In An Nasiriyah, the International Medical Corps continued to support the local orphanages. Showers and sinks were installed.
British Army Trains U.S. Trainers in Peacekeeping
BAGHDAD, Iraq – British Army begins train-the-trainer course for U.S. Army command elements on June 25 on internal security, counter-terrorism and peacekeeping support operations.
The team was invited to train the American soldiers by the Combined Joint Task Force-Seven commanding general based upon their extensive experience in other counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operation, according to task force officials.
Fourteen British soldiers from the Operational Training and Advisory Group (OPTAG), based in the United Kingdom, will travel throughout Iraq to four U.S. Army units, which are currently providing security to Iraq.
The three-day training will cover: tactics, command and patrol searching. The course will benefit junior officers and senior noncommissioned officers will routinely conduct patrols in an urban environment. The patrol searching, designed for junior noncommissioned officers, focuses on all aspects of patrol search such as rummaging, route checks, vehicle and personnel searches.
The goal for both courses is for attendees to take the lessons learned and teach all soldiers in the units.
OPTAG trains all British Army soldiers prior to deploying on counter-terrorist, internal security and peacekeeping support operations worldwide. It trains up to 25,000 people annually.
The team will return to the U.K. by July 25.
June 24
Coalition and Iraqi Police Work to Make Iraq Secure
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces continue aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours, conducting 1068 day patrols and 837 night patrols, according to U.S. Central Command officials. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 188 day patrols and 111 night patrols. On their own, Iraqi police conducted 16 day patrols and 14 night patrols.
A U.S solider was wounded in a small arms firefight at a checkpoint in Ar Ramadi on June 24. The soldier was evacuated and treated at a military medical facility. Three Iraqis were killed and two wounded in the incident.
Two Iraqi civilians were injured by a hand grenade that was meant for Coalition forces outside the Al Daura Police Station on June 23. The grenade was thrown at a military police vehicle and bounced off the side of the vehicle and rolled under a civilian vehicle where it subsequently exploded. The two injured Iraqis were treated by U.S. soldiers and released.
Operation Desert Scorpion continued. Thirteen raids were conducted by the 1st Armored Division and the 4th Infantry Division resulting in 34 individuals being detained. Confiscated weapons consisted of two AK-47s, one rocket-propelled grenade, three pistols, two rifles and 100 hand grenades. Additionally, Iraqi citizens voluntarily turned in four pistols and four automatic rifles.
In other operations, the 1st Armored Division continues to enforce the weapons and curfew policy. Additionally, the 1st Armored Division is prepared to receive and integrate a Coalition platoon into fixed site security when they arrive in Baghdad later this month. A unit of the 4th Infantry Division arrested 1 Iraqi male for selling propaganda tapes allegedly showing U.S. soldiers being executed during the 1991 Gulf War. The 3rd Artillery Cavalry Regiment conducted a reconnaissance mission of a glass factory in the Ar Ramadi area to ensure there were no weapons or contraband within its boundaries.
Coalition Efforts Help Rebuild Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces continue to help rebuild Iraq through reconstruction and humanitarian aid, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
Some of the tasks accomplished in the last 24 hours are:
In Al Fallujah, the Thunawait Al Fallujah Lilbenat Girls Secondary School received school supplies to include fans, blackboards, and stationery for the students. In addition, the Coalition installed fans at the College of Administration and Economics of Al Ansar, allowing students to continue classes despite hot temperatures.
Al Fallujah received 148,000 liters of benzene.
The Coalition met with Al Zahara neighborhood council in Baghdad and developed a garbage clean-up program to help clean the area of debris and trash.
The Ministry of Health supplied the vaccines administered to approximately 100 people at the Al Furat Health Center in Baghdad on June 23. The vaccinations included DTP, measles, mumps, rubella, and polio.
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US Military Activities - Horn of Africa (HOA)
Intel Troops Are 'Ears And Eyes' of Task Force
LEMONIER, Djibouti — They make up one of the largest sections of Combined Joint Task Force and provide the "ears and eyes" for the task force's area of operations (AO), which includes the airspace, land areas and coastal waters of Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya.
"They" are the airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines and Coalition personnel of the CJTF-HOA Intelligence Section, also known as CJ-2, who work day and night at the Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility here to gather up-to-date information about terrorist activity in the AO.
"Our mission in CJ-2 is to provide the CJTF-HOA commander and his staff with all sorts of fused intelligence," explained Marine Gunnery Sgt. Dewey L. Severs, CJ-2 analyst chief. "This basically means that we take raw data that we collect and develop it into one 'big picture-type' product. Once we get that raw data to make sense, it is called intelligence."
According to the Denver native, CJ-2 amasses information through a variety of outside sources, like the Internet, higher headquarters at U.S. Central Command and from person-to-person contact with the local citizens in the AO.
Members of Coalition militaries, who can speak the native language, collect most of the data gathered from host-nation citizens. This information could be in the form of signals and electronic monitoring, human reporting or photography.
After receiving the data, Severs and his team, ranging from junior enlisted to senior officers, analyze the information and decide whether it needs to be addressed by the task force's staff.
Cpl. Natalia Slain, CJ-2 productions chief and former Yemen analyst, explained, "We have country analysis teams that research the seven countries and turn in articles each day."
Slain went on to say that CJ-2 is not looking for just terrorists. "Our primary job out here is to track down terrorists, but we also maintain situational awareness. That means each of the country team analysts has to be extremely knowledgeable of the political and geographical situations of their countries."
After the articles are put together, Slain, of Carmel, Ind., uses them to make the "daily intelligence summary," which is briefed to the CJTF-HOA commanding general and his staff.
The data is then passed on to personnel monitoring and managing operations across the Horn of Africa region from the CJTF Joint Operations Center.
"We then provide the intelligence to the JOC so they can come up with ways to deal with anything that needs attention, whether that be monitoring terrorist targets or doing some sort of humanitarian mission." said Severs.
The action taken in response to credible intelligence could range from monitoring possible terrorist threats to actually sending troops into an area to eradicate a threat, according to Howard.
As Severs affirmed, there is a terrorist threat to U.S. and Coalition forces in the area and host nation peoples.
Therefore, a variety of operations, to include direct action to capture or kill terrorist targets, are always possibilities based upon the CJ-2 intelligence estimates and analysts.
Severs said, "As long as nothing bad happens to the members of CJTF-HOA, we know we're doing our job. To this point, we've been incredibly successful. The troops know the area of operations and continue to keep up-to-date to provide the task force's general and his staff the most accurate intelligence possible."
By Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald / U.S. Marine Corps
News from Afghanistan
June 28, 2003
U.S. SOLDIER DIES FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT
Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan – A U.S. Army soldier assigned to Task Force Devil died this morning at approximately 6:15 a.m. at Bagram Air Base. The soldier was medically evacuated to Bagram after the vehicle he was riding in overturned in a ditch in the vicinity of the firebase at Orgun-E, in Paktika province. The soldier was the gunner in a 2 1/2 ton light mobility tactical vehicle. The soldier’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
June 27, 2003
UPDATE: ONE SERVICE MEMBER DIED OF WOUNDS, 2 WOUNDED IN AFGHAN HOSTILE FIRE INCIDENT
BAGRAM Air Base, Afghanistan - Three special operations forces members were wounded during operations in the vicinity of Gardez, in Paktya province Wednesday. One of the three service members subsequently died of wounds in the Bagram Air Base hospital.
Names of the wounded servicemembers are being withheld for privacy. The name of the deceased service member is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
This is a correction to previous release 03-06-87 "ONE SERVICE MEMBER KILLED, 2 WOUNDED IN AFGHAN HOSTILE FIRE INCIDENT"
June 26, 2003
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — The first commercial airline flight carrying 109 passengers flew from Kabul International Airport, Kabul City, Afghanistan, to the airport at Kandahar yesterday. The goal was to test the capabilities and procedures to initiate weekly scheduled flights into Kandahar. The flight and route procedures will be reviewed before scheduling any regular flight service to Kandahar. Joint civilian and military use of the Kandahar airport is a priority in the effort to assist in the economic growth and stability of Afghanistan.
A local Afghan sanitation worker saw three men carrying rockets near Kandahar in Kandahar province yesterday. The three men dropped their 107mm rockets and fled when they were observed. Two men got away but coalition forces took the third man and the rockets under control.
An Afghan National Army major will be the first ANA officer to attend the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in the near future. Major Mohammad Farid Ahmadi, 30, is an instructor for the Brigade Staff Officer's Course, at Kabul Military Training Center where ANA officers, noncommissioned officers and enlisted soliders are trained. The U.S. Army college prepares captains and majors as future senior leaders in their respective militaries.
The future success of the ANA, and subsequently the stability of Afghanistan, depends on people like Major Ahmadi who play a key role in the future of Afghanistan.
June 25, 2003
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — The Combined Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force began a cooperative medical assistance visit to Mur Sekh village near Konduz City, in Konduz province yesterday. Approximately 75 soldiers working with local Afghan doctors, local officials and tribal elders are conducting medical screening, health care education, and medical and dental treatment for approximately 2,000 Afghans during the 4-day visit.
Coalition veterinary specialists will give basic care to approximately 1,500 head of livestock. The CMA will provide Level I health care during the visit. Level I health care consists of basic health screenings, preventive dental education, preventive medical assistance and herd health assistance.
The area Mur Sekh is in has had no significant previous contact with coalition and Afghan national government forces since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. During the Taliban period, the nationwide disruption of the human and veterinary health care infrastructure degraded the public health and agricultural capabilities in this area as well as the overall health status of the local inhabitants. Much of the population in this area has never been seen by or treated by a health care professional.
Livestock and animal-based food production has also been negatively affected due to the lack of veterinary care and government-sponsored vaccination programs.
The completion of this cooperative medical assistance visit will significantly demonstrate the intent of the interim Afghan government, in coordination with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Konduz and coalition care providers, to help the Afghan people and provide much needed healthcare that was denied by the Taliban.
The coalition will continue to support the citizens of Afghanistan through civil military cooperation and humanitarian assistance as they work toward a stable and secure environment.
A Task Force Devil element recovered a cache yesterday in the vicinity of the Neka Valley, in Paktika province. The cache consisted of: 122 82mm mortar rounds, 55 RPG-7 rounds, 61 boxes of machine gun rounds, one 82mm mortar, 150 mortar boosters, one unserviceable ZSU anti-aircraft piece, one ZSU mount and tripod, six claymore mines, 11 fuses, four mines, four delay fuses, five PK-1 with fuse, one roll detonation cord and 756 cases of mixed 12.7 and 14.5mm rounds.
A Special Operations Forces unit in Asadabad, in Kunar province, received a cache from an unknown source yesterday. The cache included: one serviceable ZSU 14.5mm anti-aircraft gun one serviceable anti-tank weapon, one 82mm mortar bipod, 68 82mm mortar rounds, 37 ZSU rounds and 41 unidentified rounds. The cache will be held pending a decision on its usefulness.
June 24, 2003
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — A Special Operations Forces team in the district of Day Chopan, in Zabul province, confiscated a cache yesterday from approximately 50 individuals carrying weapons. The cache was being protected by four air defense artillery pieces and 82mm mortar tubes set up and pointed in the direction of the approaching SOF element. The personnel were guarding a cache site containing: 10,000 23mm rounds, about 60,000 to 80,000 tracer rounds and 600 to 700 82mm mortar rounds. After discussing with the armed individuals on who would take control of the cache, close air support was called as a precautionary measure. The weapons and cache were then turned over to the Special Operations Forces unit for handling. There were no shots fired, no casualties, or damage to equipment on either side. It was not reported what group the armed individuals were associated with.
Italian soldiers of a Task Force Nibbio patrol found a cache yesterday 30 kilometers southeast of Khowst, in Khowst province. The cache included: 64 anti-tank mines. The patrol took the mines to the forward operating base at Khowst for later destruction. An Italian medical team also conducted a medical assistance visit there. They saw 52 patients, 30 male and 22 female. They also gave out 1000 liters of water, 200 liters of milk, 400 boxes of cookies and assorted school supplies and toys.
Two rockets impacted in the vicinity of the firebase in Orgun-E, in Paktika province last night. There were no casualties or damage to equipment.
By U.S. Army Col. Rodney Davis , CJTF-180
Casuality Identification List for the past week from the DoD
DoD Identifies Army Casualty - June 23, 2003
The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Orenthial J. Smith, 21, of Allendale, S.C., was killed on June 22, in Baghdad, Iraq. Smith was in a convoy that was ambushed by small arms fire.
Smith was assigned to Company A, 123rd Main Support Battalion, Dexheim, Germany.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty - June 26, 2003
The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Cedric L. Lennon, 32, of West Blocton,Ala., died on June 24, in Baghdad, Iraq. Lennon died from a non-combat related cause.
Lennon was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, La. The incident is under investigation.
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty - June 27, 2003
The Department of Defense announced today that Lance Cpl. Gregory E. MacDonald, 29, of Washington, D.C., was killed on June 25 in Iraq. MacDonald was killed when the light armored vehicle he was traveling in rolled over.
MacDonald was assigned to Bravo Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Frederick, Md.
DoD Identifies Navy Casualty - June 27, 2003
The Department of Defense announced today that Interior Communications Electrician First Class Petty Officer Thomas E. Retzer, 30, of San Diego, Calif., died of wounds received in action June 25 in Afghanistan.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty - June 27, 2003
The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Corey A. Hubbell, 20, of Urbana, Ill.,died on June 26 in Camden Yards, Kuwait. Hubbell died from a non-combat related cause.
Hubbell was assigned to Company B, 46th Engineer Battalion, Fort Rucker, Ala. The incident is under investigation.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty - June 27, 2003
The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Richard P. Orengo, 32, of Puerto Rico, was killed on June 26 in An Najif, Iraq. Orengo was shot and died of injuries he received.
Orengo was assigned to the 755th Military Police Company, Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
DoD Identifies Army Casualty - June 27, 2003
The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Andrew F. Chris, 25, of Calif., was killed on June 25 in Iraq. Chris was fatally wounded in combat operations in hostile enemy territory.
Chris was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
 
  
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.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole! 
