Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14077&Itemid=21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070918-01
September 18, 2007
Marne Husky ends with capture of insurgent
Multi-National Division – Center PAO
BAGHDAD — During the final air assault of Operation Marne Husky, Soldiers detained an insurgent and discovered bomb-making materials along the western bank of the Tigris, 20 miles south of Baghdad, in the predawn hours of Sept. 15.
The detainee, who had high-level contacts in a local al-Qaeda cell, was wanted for IED manufacturing and weapons transport.
“His story kept changing, so we brought him in,” said Capt. Pete Peters, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade’s intelligence officer. “Once he was at our detention facility, three sources positively identified him as an al-Qaeda guy.”
Another man was detained after troops found IED components in his house.
During the operation, four Apache attack helicopters circled overhead, firing hundreds of 30mm cannon rounds at the insurgent positions.
Over the past month, Soldiers from Company B, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divison, teamed up with aviators from 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and conducted seven air assaults in the Tigris River Valley.
Operation Marne Husky disrupted insurgents who fled the towns of Salman Pak and Arab Jabour in front of earlier U.S. offensives, said Lt. Col. Robert Wilson, 3rd CAB’s executive officer.
“We were able to use our combined-arms capability to insert forces into areas that the enemy previously thought were safe havens,” Wilson said. “By disrupting and capturing insurgents in this area, we set the security conditions for Baghdad.”
From Aug. 15 to Sept. 15, troops from 3rd CAB and Co. B, 3-509th PIR, captured 80 suspected insurgents and killed another 43. Pilots flew 420 hours during Marne Husky.
The mission was unique for Multi-National Division – Center, in that the unit primarily responsible was the aviation brigade. Typically an infantry brigade or battalion would control the ground and artillery forces.
“It’s a great opportunity for us,” said Wilson, from Dalton, Ga. “Baker Company is a well-led, very dynamic unit. Their experience in air assault operations made them a great selection to work with us.”
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14080&Itemid=21
OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070918-05
September 18, 2007
Senior al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist detained near Taji during Iraqi Scout, U.S. Special Operations Forces mission
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO
FALLUJAH – Iraqi Army Scouts, with U.S. Special Operations Forces as advisers, conducted a series of helicopter assault raids near Taji Sept. 16, resulting in the detention of a senior Al Qaeda in Iraq member of the Abu Ghazwan network.
He is suspected of conducting attacks that target local citizens in the Tarmiyah area who join the Iraqi Police or Iraqi Army forces. His cell has attacked the Tarmiyah Regiment of the 9th Iraqi Army division, the 9th Oil Protection Division, guards at the Al Karkh water treatment plant and Coalition Forces in the Taji area. The cell is also suspected of distributing propaganda and installing illegal check points.
This terrorist is additionally suspected of being the second in command to Abu Ghazwan’s network and the gatekeeper for access to Abu Ghazwan himself. This criminal network is known to commit robberies, kidnappings, murder, and is responsible for the Sept. 6, 2006 attack against a British Contractor convoy near Tarmiyah.
This terrorist network is believed to be linked to the kidnappings of employees from the Nasr Industrial Plant and is known to stage attacks from a local mosque. The cell provides salaries and materials for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices to be used in the Baghdad area. The cell is further suspected of storing and supplying weapons such as surface-to-air missiles, mortar rounds, mortar launchers, and heavy machine guns to be used in future terrorist attacks.
Iraqi soldiers raided a series of residences in a remote area northwest of Taji, detaining the alleged terrorist, two snipers, and 15 additional suspects. Three AK-47 assault rifles, three tactical assault vests and various explosive components were seized during the operation.
No Iraqi or U.S. Forces were injured during this operation.
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