TROOP SCOOP

   

Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,
I've included a story that's sad but inspiring at the same time, about a Marine that gave the last measure of his life for his Country and for his fellow man.  It also looks like we're beginning the push into Mosul, the last stronghold of al Qaeda.
Joanna
____________________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 31, 2008

Helipad named after fallen Marine

By Army Sgt. Laura M. Bigenho
28th Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD - A helipad was renamed and dedicated in memory of a Marine killed in action in Baghdad during a ceremony at Camp Victory Jan. 31.
Marine Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec was killed May 11, 2007, while leading an Iraqi military unit in the Iraqi capital.  He was an infantry officer who was on his fourth tour in Iraq.  Friends and fellow service members  paid tribute, braving cold and wind to listen as others spoke fondly of the fallen warrior.
Marine Maj. Gen. John Paxton Jr., MN Force-Iraq chief of staff, said Zembiec represented the traits, characteristics and principals of a leader - discipline, endurance and reliability.  Paxton said beyond those traits, Zembiec realized leaders needed to do 3 things:  train the team, step forward and lead the team. "He realizes that before that team goes into the fight, he has 2 personal responsibilities.  He has to be able to step forward at the darkest hour in the darkest times and make the toughest decision.  When he's made that hard decision, he knows that the ultimate challenge of a leader is to be at the front - to say 'follow me.'"
Paxton also said that Zembiec's wife, Pamela, is one of many links in the cable that will keep his memory alive.  Paxton added that she has a heart like her husband - the heart of a lion - adding that Pamela is not alone. "She has over 183,000 Marines on call," he said. "He has become a legend of the Corps."
A friend of Zembiec, Marine Maj. Thomas Presecan, MNF-I Coalition ops officer, choked up as he recalled memories he and Zembiec shared as cadets in 1995. "Doug lived for the challenge," Presecan said. "He made those around him better. He never surrendered to temptation or shortcuts. You could trust him with anything."
Army Gen. David Petraeus, MNF-I commanding general, said it was fitting to dedicate his helipad to the memory of Zembiec.  Petraeus described him as a truly special person who made an impact not only on those who knew him, but also those who have read stories about the man nicknamed the "Lion of Fallujah."  "He will be remembered as an American who answered the nation's call to serve again and again, who fought to bring freedom to the Iraqi people, and who gave the last full measure of devotion in the performance of his duty," Petraeus said.
Petraeus also said Zembiec will live on as a legacy and part of the new greatest generation, a generation which has answered the nation's call selflessly and courageously. "We will remember and honor those qualities that make him special forever."
The ceremony closed with a ribbon cutting and presentation of a memorial plaque.

Army Gen. David Petraeus and Marine Maj. Gen. John Paxton Jr., unveil a memorial plaque during a dedication ceremony at Camp Victory Jan. 31.

A formation of Marines stand on the newly renamed helipad.

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MND-N Soldiers work with Iraqi Police in Mosul

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Ford, platoon sergeant for 1st Plt, 552nd MP Co, throws a strap across a pile of barrier materials after unloading supplies at an Iraqi Police (IP) station in downtown Mosul Jan. 30.  U.S. military police are working to help build police stations and the IP force in Mosul.

Soldiers, based out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, unload barriers, sand bags and concertina wire.

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Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,
Some really high level extremists have been captured, and hopefully will have much to say.  The last story on unmanned aircraft changing the battlefield is so interesting.  The money that goes into research to advance technology makes us strong and saves lives.
Joanna
______________________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 30, 2008

Soldiers arrest eight alleged Sunni extremists

BAGHDAD - MND - Baghdad Soldiers arrested 8 suspected extremists during a raid in the northwestern part of the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital Jan. 28.  Two of the arrests had warrants with the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and 5 others wanted for various criminal activities during the op in Furat.
This is part of MND - Baghdad Soldier ongoing offensive ops in support of Op Phantom Phoenix.

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Coalition Forces capture high-value individual

ABU GHRAIB - Soldiers from 1st Bn, 21st Inf, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt, MND - Baghdad detained an individual suspected of facilitating IEDs and possible vehicle-borne explosive devices for al Qaeda in Iraq. Jan. 26.
Two other individuals suspected of facilitating IED activity in Abu Ghraib were also detained.

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TF-Rogue troops capture AQI cell member as part of Phantom Phoenix

BAGHDAD - MND - Baghdad Soldiers arrested a terrorist suspect during a raid in the Andalus neighborhood of Baghdad Jan. 29.
Troops with the Scout Recon Plt of HHC, 1st Bn, 64th Armor Regt, operationally attached to the 2nd BCT, 101st Abn arrested the middle-aged man after receiving reports he was in the area of ops in east Mansour earlier that day. The man is believed to be a leader of al-Qaeda- in-Iraq from the Iskandariyah and Haswah area.  He is suspected of targeting and attacking Coalition and Iraqi SF south of Baghdad.

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Unmanned aircraft systems transforming today's combat ops

By Spc. Jason Jordan, 1/10th Mtn. Div.

KIRKUK - They are known as the 'commander's eyes on the battlefield.'  CF have used them to discover IEDs, track the movement of enemy personnel, clear routes planned for convoy movement, and locate key targets; all without having to leave the relative safety of their bases.
They are known officially as Unmanned Aircraft Systems - remote and satellite-controlled miniature aircrafts that are used for Recon, Surveillance and Target Acquisition missions in combat zones.
Soldiers from the 10th Mtn Div's, 1st BCT have been using the most popular UAS, the Shadow, as a way to monitor the battlefield since their arrival to the Kirkuk province of northeastern Iraq in October 2007.
"The Shadow has been a tremendous asset to our brigade's combat ops," Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Thornthwaite, 1st Bde, 10th Mtn. Div.'s, Special Troops Bn, UAS plt sergeant said. "We have been able to get a picture of the battlefield before we send our troops outside the wire."
The 10th Mtn. Soldiers complete rigorous maintenance and performance checks before each launch of the Shadow, sometimes taking the system completely apart and putting it back together, in order to ensure the machine is operational. The Soldiers lock onto the Shadow's frequency using a satellite, manned from a ground control station, where the system is monitored and controlled. The system transmits the captured images, in near real time, and Soldiers view the footage via television sets and computer monitors.
On 2 different occasions, the 1st BSTB UAS operators located enemy personnel planting IEDs, and tracked their movement using the Shadow; allowing Soldiers to not only safely dispose of the IEDs, but capture the culprits as well. "With these systems, we are able to stay on top, stay observant.and keep an eye out," said Sgt. Josh Nelson, UAS Training, Knowledge and Standardization Operator. "We are similar to a TV crew, but with a much bigger mission."
"These systems have undoubtedly helped saved lives.  When we discover an IED using the UAS, that is one less IED that can kill an American Soldier," Spc. William Arms, 1st BSTB UAS operator said. "These systems give us a much needed advantage.  We are in the enemy's backyard and we are unfamiliar with this terrain.  Using the Shadow allows us to 'look around the corner' without having to walk around out there. The guys on the ground still do the work; they have the tough job.  We are here for them - we do our job for them," Arms said.  "They are out there protecting us, and we are just trying to protect them, too."

Pfc. Jan Gaboury, an air vehicle operator monitors the flight of the Unmanned Aircraft System, Shadow.

Sgt.1st Class Nicholas Thornthwaite, a crew chief, conducts maintenance checks on the Unmanned Aircraft System, Shadow.

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Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,
Our troops have been busy.  We have so many interesting stories taking us on missions, along with pictures that give us a feel for what it's like for our troops.  Fast rope training is another story that gives us insight into what troops need to go through to be the best.  Caches and insurgents captured and killed rounds out our stories. Special kudos to our Marines of RCT-6 for a job well done.
Joanna
_______________________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 29, 2008

Coalition Forces detain one extremist following a rocket attack

BAGHDAD - CF detained a suspected extremist Jan. 29 after rockets were fired from a soccer field near Sadr City.  CF detained the suspect who matched a description of a known terrorist and secured a homemade rocket launcher.
CF will continue to aggressively and relentlessly target, capture and kill terrorists and other extremists who are a threat to the security of the Govt of Iraq or the safety of its citizens.

Rocket launcher

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VBIED discovered, two detained

BAGHDAD - A VBIED was destroyed by an air weapons team Jan. 27 in Arab Jabour.  Soldiers from Scout PLT, HHC, 1st Bn, 30th Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 3rd ID, from Fort Stewart, Ga., discovered the vehicle after a report from Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs).
Scout platoon, plt. Sgt. 1st Class Ramone Manzano, said his Soldiers acted on intel from CLCs in the area who reported stopping 2 men driving a potential VBIED.  Manzano said he opened the driver-side door and noticed 2 wires running underneath the seat leading toward the truck's engine block.  Suspecting a VBIED, he separated the men and questioned them.  The pair's stories about what they were doing did not match up, Manzano said.  Both matched the unit's intel descriptions of potential insurgents and tests concluded that both men had explosive residue on them.
The suspects were detained for questioning, while Soldiers called in an air weapons team of Apache helicopters, which destroyed the vehicle with a Hellfire missile and 100 rounds of 30 mm munitions.  Describing the find as a big event, Manzano said this was the first time his Soldiers have actually encountered a VBIED.  The CLCs have done a lot to make the area safer, Manzano said. "They play a big role in our effort. They help us (identify) al-Qaeda and point out the bad guys."

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Operation Iron Boston targets al-Qaeda hideout

BAGHDAD - Iraqi Army Soldiers detained 24 individuals Jan. 27 during the joint air assault op, 'Iron Boston', with CF in the Sa'id Abdullah Corridor.    
Iraqi Army (IA) and Soldiers from Co C and D, 3rd Bn, 187th Inf Regt, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn Div (Air Assault), conducted a daytime air assault into the area.  Keeping the enemy guessing is exactly what Capt. Michael Starz, com. of Co C, wanted to do. "Every air assault we do is different," Starz said. "There's not a single time that we do a big op that it looks the same to the enemy. We never want to be predictable."
Five of the men were detained after IA discovered them hiding in a hole.  Starz described the hole as being well constructed, deep and big enough to fit 10 men.
Kiowa helicopters provided close-air support to ensure the area was safe for U.S. and Iraqi troops.  While ground forces moved in and out of houses, the Kiowas made low-level passes and fired rockets to deter any would-be attackers. Insurgent activity has been prominent in the corridor. "The Sa'id Abdullah Corridor is where all the al-Qaeda groups in this region were controlled from," Starz said.  "It's where their leadership was present, where their logistics occurred - basically they controlled the movement of foreign fighters into the area from this
location."
Historically, the Sa'id Abdulla Corridor has been the borderline between operating environments for CF and Iraqi SF.  Being on the border may have led insurgents to believe they could avoid detection.
Starz said his unit communicates closely with 3rd Bn, 320th FAR, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT), the neighboring bn to 3-187th Inf. Regt.  "Between all the Coalition and Iraqi SF operating in the area, it's no longer a safe haven for them."

A Kiowa helicopter provides close-air support.

Soldiers from Company C, clear a courtyard in the Sa'id Abdullah Corridor.

Cpl. Joseph Konieczny provides security while occupants of a home are escorted outside before their house is cleared.

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CLC turns in weapons cache

FOB LOYALTY - CLCs turned in a cache of rockets to CF in the Rusafa Security District of eastern Baghdad Jan. 28.
Soldiers from Co C, 1st Bn, 504th PIR, reported the cache contained 10 rockets and handed it to the explosive ordnance detachment personnel at Bab al Sheik Joint Security Station for disposal.

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Iraqi, U.S. SF detain extremist leader, terrorist financier in separate ops

BALAD - Iraqi SF, advised by U.S. SF detained an extremist leader and a terrorist financier in separate ops Jan. 27.
In Safwan, Iraqi and U.S. Forces detained the leader of an extremist group believed to be responsible for mortar and explosive projectile attacks.  According to intel reports, the group is also responsible for weapons smuggling and attacks against Iraqi citizens.
In Mosul, Iraqi and U.S. Forces detained a terrorist financier believed to be involved in several attacks.  Additionally, 3 persons of interest, believed to be associates of the terrorist financier, were detained.

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1-30th Inf. Regt. completes Operation Browning

By Sgt. Luis Delgadillo, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

FOB KALSU - For 3 days, CF weathered harsh cold and deadly pressure plate IEDs to secure a foothold in southern Arab Jabour, beginning with an air assault Jan. 20.
Infiltrating areas dominated by al-Qaeda-in-Iraq, Soldiers of Co A, 1st Bn, 30th Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 3rd ID began their push through the farm fields.  Capt. Neil Hollenbeck, Co A com., and his Soldiers were initially cut off from ground supply lines.  They had to pack enough food and water to sustain themselves for 3 days while arrangements were made to have supplies flown into the territory, which had never seen a sustained CF presence.
Hollenbeck's first and third platoon, a team of snipers, an Army explosive ordnance disposal team, a dog team, and a tactical psychological ops team made up the assaulting force.  CLCs, acting as guides for the troops, were from the area and had been driven out of their homes by al-Qaeda insurgents.
One platoon built-up defensive positions, while another cleared buildings and investigated a report of 2 insurgents killed by an air weapons team earlier in the day.  Staff Sgt. Nicolaas Koomen, inf squad leader with 3rd Plt, said the 2 were on the battalion's most wanted list.
Since their arrival to Arab Jabour last June, 1-30th Inf. Regt. has pursued insurgent leaders in an effort to eliminate AQI's intimidation and influence of the farming community's residents. With the assistance of CLCs, 1-30th Inf. Regt. was able to dominate northern Arab Jabour and other surrounding areas, effectively eliminating AQI's ability to blend in with the local population.  This brought about a wave of change, resulting in people taking responsibility for their own security in the area.
Insurgents fled south and re-established defensive perimeters consisting of PPIEDs, house-borne IEDs, and various other explosive traps for CF troops.  "This is the place where we've pushed all the al-Qaeda to," said Sgt. Walter Wood Jr., an inf team leader with 3rd Plt.  "They have no place to go but across the river."
Searching nearby homes, CF found only a handful still occupied.  According to the remaining residents, insurgents had come through and told them Soldiers would destroy homes and kill families when they arrived.  The few families who did remain, though cautious at first, warmed up to Soldiers of Co A, and volunteered info on locations of lethal traps left behind by insurgent forces.
Over the next 2 days, with the assistance of their supporting elements, Soldiers found a weapons cache and a total of 12 IEDs consisting of various victim-operated initiating devices.
The air drop of food and water came the night of Jan. 21, and the ground assault convoy consisting of other headquarters elements made its way toward the troops.
The headquarters elements were led by a route clearance team of Soldiers from Co E of the 1-30th Inf. Regt., who had been clearing roads to the Soldiers for days.  "I'm very pleased with the outcome so far," Hollenbeck said. He attributes much of the success to intense methodical planning, the experience and expertise of his Soldiers, and the contributions of vital enablers such as EOD and military working dog teams.  With much left to do in their efforts against AQI influence in Southern Arab Jabour, Hollenbeck and his Soldiers have now dug in. They've established a base of ops and are ready and able to project the necessary combat power needed to deal with areas still occupied by AQI. 
Op Browning is a division-level effort in support of the country-wide Op Phantom Phoenix.

Soldiers of Co A move over terrain in southern Arab Jabour Jan. 21 during Op Browning.  They
air assaulted into the region to track down insurgents cells and help residents establish CLC checkpoints.

Sgt. Lauren Hoeppner and Spc. John Cook, snipers with HHC, scan for enemy activity.

Pfc. Matthew Workman (left), a forward observer, with Co A  pauses with his fellow Soldiers during a security halt while on patrol.

Pfc. Alfred Gallegos and Sgt. Brian Fullbright, both infantrymen in Co A, pull security from the stairwell of a roof.

Shortly after air assaulting into a farm field, Pfc. Kenneth Armbrister, an infantryman with Co A,  scans for enemy activity.

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ISOF conducts fast rope training

An Iraqi Special Ops Forces Soldier posts security while his team conducts "fast rope" training in Baghdad Jan. 22.  Fast roping is a method of quickly inserting troops into an area from a helicopter.  It demonstrates an advanced operational technique employed by ISOF.

Iraqi Special Ops Forces Soldiers watch another trainee descend a rope.

An Iraqi Special Ops Forces Soldier gives trainees last minute instructs on the proper way to exit an aircraft.

An Iraqi Special Ops Forces Soldier practices how to break.

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Mayor declares 'year of peace' for Mahmudiyah Qada

Capt. Allison Flannigan, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT)

BAGHDAD - The four nahias that comprise the Mahmudiyah Qada Council came together Jan. 15 to discuss progress in the qada and talk about future plans. 
Lt. Col. Daniel Dolwick, deputy com. officer of 3rd Bde, 101st Abn Div (Air Assault), Maj. Robert Bertrand, bde civil military ops officer and members from the 4 nahias of Lutifiyah, Mahmudiyah, Yusufiyah and Al Rasheed, attended the meeting. 
Mahmudiyah Mayor  al-Kilabi began the meeting by describing the responsibilities councilmen have to constituents in their respective nahias.  "This will be the year of peace and development," al-Kilabi said. "Security is strong and it has been relatively strong for some
time now. It's time for the people of Iraq to see their govt stand up and start governing." 
The chairman,  Al-Dulaymi, echoed the mayor's sentiments and encouraged the nahia leadership to provide essential services to the people of the qada.  He congratulated the local populace on their victory over al-Qaeda and encouraged them to continue their recent progress. 
Bertrand said the Mahmudiyah Qada has seen relative peace for the last six months, lending hope to the people and the govt of Mahmudiyah. "It's impressive to see the council members beginning to cut ties with American funding and go to their own govt to solve their own problems," Bertrand said. "This inspires the CF to work even harder to help the Iraqi govt to achieve their own independence." 
Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 and the development of the insurgency, the Mahmudiyah qada became known as the Triangle of Death, where Sunni insurgents fought both CF and Shia citizens.
In these recent months of peace, the qada council, local citizens and their leadership have begun referring to this area as the "Circle of Peace" as they begin their road to reconciliation.

Iraqi citizens and Soldiers from 3rd BCT, listen as the Mahmudiyah Qada Council discusses
progress Jan. 15.

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Scouts recover weapons cache in Narwhan

By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

FOB HAMMER - Scouts from Troop B, 3rd Sqdrn, 1st Cav Regt uncovered a large cache near the home of a recently captured individual in Narhwan Jan. 25.
Troop B, currently attached to the 1st Bn, 10th FAR, apprehended the high-value target two days earlier in a night-time raid.  The individual was wanted for allegedly smuggling large amounts of weapons and ammo through Narhwan.  "The suspect was connected to attacks on CF and local citizens," said Capt. Jared Albright, com. of Troop B.  "He has also bragged about having a sniper rifle and threatened local citizens with it."
The cache contained 8 rocket-propelled grenades, 20 OG rounds, 30 RPG expellant charges, 3 RPG launchers, a tactical vest, 3 AK-47 magazines, 5,200 rounds of small arms ammo and one PKC machine gun.
Soldiers from the 789th Ordnance Company (EOD), from Ft. Benning, Ga., recovered the enemy cache and transported it back to FOB Hammer for analysis. "It is great to finally put our hands on these weapons," Albright said. "We have been working hard to get them and the insurgents in this area.  We know that they are out there and feel it's just a matter of time before we get them all.
   
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RCT-1 takes command in Al Anbar

CAMP FALLUJAH - Regimental Combat Team 6 officially transferred authority of its area of ops to RCT 1 during a ceremony aboard Camp Fallujah, Jan. 27.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with the Marines of RCT 6 for the last 13 months," said Col. Richard L. Simcock II, com. officer, RCT-6.  "Our Marines have faced many challenges but have also made immense progress in bringing stability and security to the region."
RCT-1, commanded by Col. Louis A. Craporatta, was handed a region in transition. Great strides in IA and IP readiness and cooperativeness with CF were made during RCT-6's tenure in Al Anbar province. Craporatta said his 1st Marine Regt is intensely focused on perpetuating the standard set by its predecessor.
"Over the past year, like thousands of other Marines, I watched with great pride, the success of RCT-6 and [II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)].  I'm hopeful that we can maintain the momentum and continue progress that will eventually lead to a stable and prosperous Al Anbar."
The command and control provided by RCT-1 and the tactical abilities of each of the subordinate units combine to provide the security and resources necessary to transition responsibilities to Iraqi Police and Army units.

Col. Lewis A. Craparotta com. officer, RCT 1, addresses the crowd during the transfer of command ceremony.

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BAGHDAD - The four nahias that comprise the Mahmudiyah Qada Council came together Jan. 15 to discuss progress in the qada and talk about future plans. 
Lt. Col. Daniel Dolwick, deputy com. officer of 3rd Bde, 101st Abn Div (Air Assault), Maj. Robert Bertrand, bde civil military ops officer and members from the 4 nahias of Lutifiyah, Mahmudiyah, Yusufiyah and Al Rasheed, attended the meeting. 
Mahmudiyah Mayor  al-Kilabi began the meeting by describing the responsibilities councilmen have to constituents in their respective nahias.  "This will be the year of peace and development," al-Kilabi said. "Security is strong and it has been relatively strong for some
time now. It's time for the people of Iraq to see their govt stand up and start governing." 
The chairman,  Al-Dulaymi, echoed the mayor's sentiments and encouraged the nahia leadership to provide essential services to the people of the qada.  He congratulated the local populace on their victory over al-Qaeda and encouraged them to continue their recent progress. 
Bertrand said the Mahmudiyah Qada has seen relative peace for the last six months, lending hope to the people and the govt of Mahmudiyah.  "It's impressive to see the council members beginning to cut ties with American funding and go to their own govt to solve their own problems," Bertrand said. "This inspires the CF to work even harder to help the Iraqi govt to achieve their own independence." 
Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 and the development of the insurgency, the Mahmudiyah qada became known as the Triangle of Death, where Sunni insurgents fought both CF and Shia citizens.
In these recent months of peace, the qada council, local citizens and their leadership have begun referring to this area as the "Circle of Peace" as they begin their road to reconciliation. 

Iraqi citizens and Soldiers from 3rd BCT, listen as the Mahmudiyah Qada Council discusses
progress Jan. 15.

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Scouts recover weapons cache in Narwhan

By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

FOB HAMMER - Scouts from Troop B, 3rd Sqdrn, 1st Cav Regt uncovered a large cache near the home of a recently captured individual in Narhwan Jan. 25.
Troop B, currently attached to the 1st Bn, 10th FAR, apprehended the high-value target two days earlier in a night-time raid.  The individual was wanted for allegedly smuggling large amounts of weapons and ammo through Narhwan.  "The suspect was connected to attacks on CF and local citizens," said Capt. Jared Albright, com. of Troop B.  "He has also bragged about having a sniper rifle and threatened local citizens with it."
The cache contained 8 rocket-propelled grenades, 20 OG rounds, 30 RPG expellant charges, 3 RPG launchers, a tactical vest, 3 AK-47 magazines, 5,200 rounds of small arms ammo and one PKC machine gun.
Soldiers from the 789th Ordnance Company (EOD), from Ft. Benning, Ga., recovered the enemy cache and transported it back to FOB Hammer for analysis. "It is great to finally put our hands on these weapons," Albright said. "We have been working hard to get them and the insurgents in this area.  We know that they are out there and feel it's just a matter of time before we get them all.

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RCT-1 takes command in Al Anbar

CAMP FALLUJAH - Regimental Combat Team 6 officially transferred authority of its area of ops to RCT 1 during a ceremony aboard Camp Fallujah, Jan. 27.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with the Marines of RCT 6 for the last 13 months," said Col. Richard L. Simcock II, com. officer, RCT-6.  "Our Marines have faced many challenges but have also made immense progress in bringing stability and security to the region."
RCT-1, commanded by Col. Louis A. Craporatta, was handed a region in transition. Great strides in IA and IP readiness and cooperativeness with CF were made during RCT-6's tenure in Al Anbar province.  Craporatta said his 1st Marine Regt is intensely focused on perpetuating the standard set by its predecessor.
"Over the past year, like thousands of other Marines, I watched with great pride, the success of RCT-6 and [II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)].  I'm hopeful that we can maintain the momentum and continue progress that will eventually lead to a stable and prosperous Al Anbar."
The command and control provided by RCT-1 and the tactical abilities of each of the subordinate units combine to provide the security and resources necessary to transition responsibilities to Iraqi Police and Army units.

Col. Lewis A. Craparotta com. officer, RCT 1, addresses the crowd during the transfer of command ceremony.

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Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,
We have positive news of caches found, a major road re-opening, and a most interesting story of our Army and Air Force working together to get the job done.
Joanna
______________________________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 28, 2008

Soldiers find two caches in Doura

BAGHDAD - MND-Baghdad Soldiers found 2 weapons caches during dismounted patrols in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital Jan. 26.  Soldiers of Co D, 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Regt, 10th Mtn Div attached to Task Force Dragon, were patrolling a palm grove in Doura, when they found a hidden cache of assorted munitions.  After the initial find, Soldiers found another cache consisting of 24 mortar initiators, 3 rocket-propelled grenades, 4 sticks of plastic explosives, 7 blasting caps, detonator, 300 feet of copper wire, 2 rocket fins, 8 feet of detonation cord and 10 machine gun rounds.
This is part of the ongoing offensive ops in support of Op Phantom Phoenix to kill or capture Al Qaeda and Shia/Sunni extremists; to deny them rest and sanctuary in Baghdad and the surrounding rural areas. 

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Busy roadway reopens in Baqubah

BAQUBAH - A busy roadway was re-opened by the Iraqi govt during a ceremony in the Shifta district of Baqubah, Jan. 28.
Kharesan Street, a main roadway linking northern and southern Baqubah, was re-opened for use by civilian vehicles.  The roadway was closed due to numerous attacks against civilians, Iraqi SF and CF in the area, including IEDs and small-arms fire.
"We celebrate this day by opening this road," said Diyala IP Chief Gen. Al-Kurashi during a press conference before the ceremony.  "We thank the people for cooperating with the Iraqi Police, Coalition Forces, and the Iraqi Army."
"Opening this road helps the people get to the markets and will help the city become stable," said Mayor Ahmed.  "We are especially thankful for the Iraqi SF's and CF assistance."

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Army, Air Force work together to fight extremists

By Sgt. Jason Stadel, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

BAGHDAD - The U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force are two different military branches in the Department of Defense, but they share a common goal: defeat the enemies of the United States and their allies.
Op Marne Thunderbolt, MND-Center's ongoing op, highlights the partnership of both ground and air forces.
Heading the op is 2nd BCT, 3rd ID, from Fort Stewart, Ga., in areas south of Baghdad. Three large air strikes against al-Qaeda in Iraq, which targeted training areas, safe havens, IED locations and weapons caches, are a highlight of the ongoing mission, which is part of Phantom Phoenix.
In the brigade's tactical ops center, the Air Force mans a cell known as joint tactical air controller. Their mission is to advise and assist the Army brigade commander with integration of air support.
JTAC personnel are Air Force Airmen but air support coordination comes from many Coalition air assets including the Air Force, Navy, Marines and Great Britain's Royal Air Force.  "We control air to put the desired effects on the battlefield," said Air Force Maj. Bruce Munger, air liaison officer for 2nd BCT, 3rd ID.
"We give the Coalition air forces our targeting recommendations based off the desired effects and end state we want for each of the targets," said Chief Warrant Officer Houston Burke, 2nd BCT, 3rd ID targeting officer.  After Coalition air forces in Qatar receive target data, they give recommendations to the Army about the best possible targets based on the availability of aircraft, Burke said.
"The Coalition constantly has assets flying overhead," said Senior Airman Tim Johnson, who works in the JTAC.  "This allows us to act quickly and support the Army anytime they need us."
The combined efforts of the Air Force and Army have made Op Marne Thunderbolt highly effective and safer to local Iraqi civilians.  "We dropped more than 80,000 pounds of munitions and we had no friendly-fire incidents, no civilians or noncombatants were hurt, killed or had any other property damage," Burke said.
"Air Force tactical air control personnel are stationed with Army units in the states and deploy with the ground commander to ensure clear lines of communication are in place," said Munger.  "Without this level of communication, joint ops between the Air Force and Army would not be possible and the bombing campaign would not have taken place," Johnson said.
The cohesion between the two branches paid off during the air strikes.  Munger said the branches worked well together because the 2nd BCT, 3rd ID com. is a firm believer in air power.  "Colonel (Terry) Ferrell understands what we can bring to support the ground mission."
Johnson said working with the Army gives him the opportunity to see many different parts of Op Iraqi Freedom.  "If it were not for us working directly with the Army, we would be severely limited as to what we, as Air Force personnel, could bring to today's fight."

   U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tim Johnson coordinates with U.S. Army Master Sgt. Bobby Bennett prior to requesting aircraft to strike targets in southern Arab Jabour Jan. 20.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Houston Burke looks on as U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nathan Foley reviews his checklist to request aircraft to strike targets in southern Arab Jabour focusing on IEDs and caches.

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Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,
The big stories today are about the continued and ever increasing support given by the CLCs.  There are also nice photos of the commanders visiting the 10th Mtn Div to say job well done.
Joanna
_________________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 27, 2008

Sixteen IEDs, cache turned in by Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs)

2nd BCT, 3rd ID

BAGHDAD - CLCs turned in numerous IED components and a munitions cache to MND-Center Soldiers in Arab Jabour Jan. 25.
The CLCs approached Soldiers from Co B, 1st Bn, 30th Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 3rd ID from Fort Stewart, Ga., with 16 pressure plate switches and numerous blasting caps, then pointed out where the IEDs were found, allowing CF to safely eliminate the threat.
The CLCs also turned in a cache of weapons to the Soldiers, consisting of 340 57 mm projectile fuses, 3 57 mm projectiles and 500 DSHKA heavy machine gun rounds.

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CLCs contribute to finding enemy weapons

2nd BCT, 3rd ID

BAGHDAD - CLCs took weapons out of the hands of extremists Jan. 26 in Arab Jabour by discovering 6 IEDs and a weapons cache consisting of 30 60 mm mortars, 7 57 mm projectiles, 4 122 mm projectiles, 2 107 mm rockets, a 81 mm mortar, 5 jugs of homemade explosives, 2 57 mm mortars rigged as IEDs and 200 DSHKA large-caliber machine gun rounds.  The contents of the cache were handed over to Soldiers from Co D, 1st Bn, 30th Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 3rd ID.
Later, a group of CLCs handed over 3 IEDs to Co A.  Two of the IEDs were 57 mm mortars rigged with detonation cord and filled with HME.  The third IED was a 2-liter bottle filled with HME.  In a third find the same day, also in Co A's area of ops, CLCs discovered 3 more IEDs. They were 57 mm projectiles filled with unknown bulk explosive rigged with detonation cord.

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MND Soldiers, IP conduct combined op with CLCs in support of Op Phantom Phoenix

By Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd HBCT, 3rd ID

FOB HAMMER - Soldiers from Co A, 1st Bn, 15th Inf Regt, conducted a 2-day combined op with the Iraqi 3rd Bde, 1st NP Div and CLCs in Zelig, Jan. 20 and 21.
Thirteen insurgent fighters were killed, 2 enemy trucks destroyed and 14 IEDs were found during the combined op, which is part of the country-wide Op Phantom Phoenix.
Capt. William Clark, the com. of Co A, said CLCs took the lead in the op.  "Locals are coming out to help build checkpoints with the CLCs," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Jemison, a Soldier in 1-15 Inf Regt.  "The results of the op were very positive."
The 1-15 Inf. Regt is assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd ID, from Fort Benning, Ga.

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Iraqi civilians lead troops to explosives cache

RAMADI - Iraqi civilians helped Iraqi SF and CF discover numerous caches 60 kilometers northeast of Ramadi Jan. 24.
Acting on information provided by locals, the IA alongside Co B, 3rd Bn, 69th Armor Regt, discovered 4 caches, including the largest cache found in the Thar Thar region in 2008.
The combined 4 caches included 2,550 pounds of homemade explosives; 10 pounds of plastic explosives; 3 mines; 1,500 feet of detonation cord; 2 mortar tubes; more than 300 rocket propelled grenade warheads; 6 120mm mortar rounds; 4 107mm rockets; and a heavy machine gun.
One cache of RPG rounds and mortars was found buried in a large water container in an abandoned sheep pen.  Based on its location, the cache could have been used to supply insurgents in 3 provinces with munitions. "The cache provided bomb-making materials and RPGs for the Saladin, Baghdad and Anbar provinces," said Lt. Col. Michael Silverman, com. officer.  "It was big, new and the best attempt to hide them since I've been here."

More than 300 rocket propelled grenades were discovered in a buried water container.

Iraqi Army Soldiers remove rocket propelled grenades from a buried water container.

Members of Task Force Raider do inventory.

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10th Mountain Division commanders visits troops in Kirkuk

Maj. Gen. Mike Oates, 10th Mtn Div and Fort Drum com., along with 10th Mtn. Div. Com. Sgt. Maj. James Redmore, thank Soldiers of the div's 1st BCT for their hard work and dedication. The 1st BCT deployed to the Kirkuk province located in northeastern Iraq in September 2007 for a 15-month deployment.  Oates and Redmore visited Soldiers throughout the 1st BCT, Jan. 24 and 25; recognizing their efforts and informing them on the state of the division.

Com. Sgt. Maj. James Redmore, jokes with 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Burke, about the strength and combat skills of Army Rangers.

Maj. Gen. Mike Oates, scans the horizon at ReTrans-South, an outpost in northeastern Iraq.

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Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,
We have another Iraqi Police success story, with training by the CF making a difference.  There is also a fascinating story about the poultry industry coming back in Iraq, thanks to a strong commitment from our civil affairs specialists.  Any farmers out there will especially appreciate this story.  There's so much more to the story of success in Iraq, and it's exciting to see it unfold.
Joanna
_________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 26, 2008

Abu Ajeel's Iraqi Police come back strong

By 2nd Lt. Jody Holeton
728th MP Bn, 18th MP Bde

TIKRIT - The Abu Ajeel Highway Patrol Station IP, with help from Soldiers of the 56th MP Co, 728th MP
Bn, 18th MP Bde, have come back strong during months of training after a devastating VBIED attack in June 2007 destroyed their station and killed numerous policemen.
A Police Transition Team (PTT) from the 56th MP Co. and Abu Ajeel IP have teamed up to conduct intensive training in recent weeks to ensure they can protect local citizens. They focused on room clearing procedures, proper weapons handling and basic law enforcement skills.
"Before the PTT's interaction, the Abu Ajeel IPs refused to do anything inside the village out of fear they would be killed by extremists ... now, they want to be trained and out in their community," said Sgt. Jenifer Lamere, MP team leader, 56th MP Co.
The Abu Ajeel police department continues to be a success story.  It is evident that the IP value their positions, displaying commitment through extra training and working with the CF, Lamere said.  The Abu Ajeel IP want to patrol their village and show the citizens that they are a trusted and confident organization that can bring peace to neighborhoods throughout their city, Lamere added.

An Abu Ajeel Iraqi Police captain leads officers through a room clearing exercise.

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MND-North Soldiers uncover large caches west of Bayji

BAYJI - In the desert area west of Bayji MND-North Soldiers uncovered 2 large caches after a helicopter spotted multiple white bags being covered by tarps and blankets Jan. 25.
When Soldiers arrived at the location, they discovered 2 different sites where tarps were being used to cover the caches. The first contained approximately 60, 50- kg bags of a substance used in the making of homemade explosives and the other had 9 of the 50-kg bags. The other site also housed various types of plastic explosives, anti-tank mines, an improvised platter charge, a suicide vest packed with TNT and miscellaneous detonation wire and remote detonation devices.
"This is a huge find. There was enough explosive material to fill up half a dump truck," said Maj. David Jones, 1-327th ops officer.  "There is no telling how many lives were saved by taking this cache away from the enemy extremists."
After detonating the bags, the result of the hole was much larger than the EOD personnel had calculated.  According to the EOD personnel, this may have been a result of more bags being buried underneath the discovered cache.

CF found more than 3,000 kgs of homemade explosives, several mines, and other munitions.

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MND-Center Soldiers work with poultry growers to revitalize chicken industry

By Tim Kilbride

BAGHDAD - With nearly 5 years of war taking a toll on Iraq's domestic poultry industry, overall chicken and egg consumption is down in the country, while 40 percent of the commercial eggs consumed in Baghdad are imported.  With recent security improvements, achieved through the cooperation of local residents and a counter-insurgency strategy implemented by CF, an opportunity has been gained to resume production.
In Mahmudiyah, an agricultural community south of the Iraqi capital, and a traditional hub of Baghdad province's poultry industry, some of the most violence of the war effectively halted production of a variety of poultry, broilers and eggs.
As part of a wider economic revitalization and job-creation program taking place across provinces south and east of Baghdad, civil affairs specialists with the U.S. military's MND-Center are now taking steps to make Iraq's poultry growers competitive again within the domestic market.
The military is working hand-in-hand with agricultural experts from a U.S. State Department-led embedded provincial reconstruction team (ePRT) to identify poultry farmers and band them together into a form of regional cooperative.  They named the cooperative the Mahmudiyah Poultry Association.
The military branded its own efforts more creatively:  "Operation Chicken Run."  A large percentage of chicken consumed in Iraq now comes from imports of frozen meat.  Making Iraqi-grown chicken and eggs competitive in domestic markets will require economies of scale. Thus the need for pooled resources and a regional poultry association to act as a coordinating body, said Maj. Jessica McCoy, an Army veterinarian based in nearby Yusufiyah and a member of Baghdad's ePRT #4. The team is embedded with the 3rd BCT, 101st Abn Div (Air Assault), from Fort Campbell, Ky.   McCoy is joined in the effort by Capt. Paul Hester, an ePRT agri-business specialist who worked closely with farmers' assns. and co-ops in the United States.  Hester noted that Iraqi farmers are familiar with the principles behind the co-op, and had similar arrangements in place in the past, but require coaching to move beyond their experience under the former state-controlled system and into a free market.  "The Iraqi farmer has the basic knowledge of the association process from his past.  Under Saddam, the industries were often integrated, but the control was with the govt," Hester said. "With the formation of the Mahmudiyah Poultry Assn. we are putting the knowledge of the farmers, both in farming practices and working in an integrated system, to work for them, not for the govt," he explained.
Hester and McCoy met and interviewed more than 100 broiler growers to get a baseline feel for capacity and requirements before advancing with their plan to link the farmers. "We are assisting them to increase their abilities and profits by working together, buying from each other, and developing items such as breeding stock, feeds and markets," Hester said.
The system McCoy and Hester envision involves Iraqi farmers supporting other members of the assn. by buying chicks and feed from their partners, selling grown chickens to other partners, and in turn, processing the meat or selling live chickens at market.  Under that system, the Coalition's primary role would be to have the association and its members running before handing off mgt. responsibility.
"Already we can see a rejuvenation of this industry here.  In the next year this district's industry will employ an estimated 1,300 people, compared with 50 today," McCoy said.  "Six months ago, there were 4 active broiler farms in operation in our district.  Today there are 7.  In 12 months we anticipate there will be more than 50," McCoy observed.
Another unexpected benefit, McCoy noted, is that economic cooperation serves to bridge the sectarian divide that has emerged between Sunni and Shia communities in Iraq.  "Already we have 14 tribes represented, and they have all agreed to work together to make this happen," McCoy said.
One Mahmudiyah farmer, Sheik Suleiman, provided a more direct account of the changes he envisions for his community as a result of the undertaking.  "This farmers' assn. will bring people together.  If any
one of us fails, we all fail.  This will force linkages among area farmers, those that run the hatcheries, feed mills and the processing plant with the growers.  It will bring people together regardless of their background - Sunni or Shia, Anbari or Zobai.  We are farmers" Suleiman said. "I fought al-Qaeda with bullets before you (Americans) were here.  Now I fight them with chickens."
McCoy provided another motivation for her and Hester's work with the farmers.  "As people realize the close association between security and increased standard of living, they will reject al-Qaeda," she said.  "When that happens, the security becomes self-sustaining and we can all come home."

Maj. Jessica McCoy holds up a young chick belonging to an Iraqi poultry farmer.

Thousands of baby chicks, one of the first steps in the renewed poultry and egg industry sit in warming shelves.

Eggs sit on incubator shelves.

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Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,
Iraqi citizens continue to step up to assist the CF, and important training of Iraqi National Police  continues.  Our last story shows the compassion of our medical soldiers, with pictures to match.
Joanna
___________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 25, 2008

CLC provides tip to cache, roadside bomb

ABU GHRAIB - MND-Baghdad Soldiers, attached to the 2nd Stryker Cav Regt, found a cache in an abandoned building approx. 20 km. north of the Abu Ghraib district Jan. 18.
The cache consisted of .50 caliber small arms rounds, 70 mm rocket warheads, a rocket launcher, a surveyor's tripod, a motor base plate, other small arms munitions and various grenade parts.
Soldiers from Co B, 1st Bn, 21st Inf, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID acted on a tip from a CLC, and found a deep buried IED in the same area Jan. 19.

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Iraqi citizens' tips lead Iraqi SF, U.S. SF to 2 weapons caches

BALAD - Iraqi SF, advised by U.S. SF, uncovered 2 weapons caches during separate patrols Jan. 24. An Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team from Al Kut was conducting a patrol with U.S. SF near Badrah.  At a stop in one village, a group of Iraqi civilians informed Iraqi and U.S. Forces of a possible munitions cache.  Iraqi and U.S. Forces discovered and secured a cache consisting of 321 anti-personnel mines, 2 155mm artillery rounds and a 120mm mortar round. 
In the village of Shawq Sha Alan, Iraqi Soldiers and U.S. SF recovered a cache after receiving a tip from an Iraqi citizen. The cache 150 DSHK heavy machine gun rounds, 800 PKC rounds, 250 AK rounds, two boxes of propellant charges and other weapons.   

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Extremist sniper walks into Coalition hands

BAGHDAD - MND-Baghdad Soldiers were given a gift when a sniper walked into their control during a small arms engagement in West Rashid, Jan. 22.
"Black Lions," of Co B, 1st Bn, 28th Inf Regt, were hunting for 3 men believed to have been firing at them, when 2 men attempting to flee the cordon entered a house occupied by MND-B Soldiers.  One of the men was positively identified at the scene as a known sniper, while the other is an alleged extremist.
This is part of MND-Baghdad Soldiers' on going offensive ops in support of Op Phantom Phoenix.

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30 Iraqi National Police (INP) graduate from armorer's course

BAGHDAD - More than 30, "shurta" or Iraqi National Policemen, graduated from the Armorer's Maintenance Course in a ceremony held at Joint Security Station Jazeera, in eastern Doura, Jan. 19.
The course, which taught the shurta how to maintain an AK-47 and how to properly organize an arms room, was instructed by members of Co B, 610th Bde Support Bn, 4th IBCT, 1st ID., and the 7th Bde, 2nd Iraqi Army Div NP Transition Team.
"We thank all who participate in these courses and help its successes," said Iraqi Brig. Gen. Karim, 7th Bde., 2nd NP com., speaking to his troops during the ceremony.  "A few months ago, we passed through a very hard situation in fighting al-Qaeda criminals, and some of our weapons and vehicles were destroyed.  However, we can say that we improved the security by 80-90 percent in this district, and that what is now required is maintaining our weapons, cleaning our guns and vehicles, and organizing our bases.
"This course is very important," said Pfc. Jose Molina, a 25-year-old small arms repairman with Co. B, one of the instructors during the course. "It helps get them up to speed.  We taught them how to maintain their weapons and arms room safely."
The other instructor for the course said he agreed with Molina. "It is very important," said Staff Sgt. William Brewster, an armament maintenance supervisor with Co. B.  "First we want to help them keep track of their weapons, second to help them organize the arms room and also how to properly clean their weapons."  Brewster said the students were fairly attentive and most could recite almost verbatim what was taught, but the best part of teaching the course for him was the graduation ceremony.  "It was really special seeing the looks on their faces when they received their certificates," said Brewster, a father of two.

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Weapons cache found during Operation Yukon

FOB KALSU - CF and CLCs found a large weapons cache in southern Baghdad during Op Yukon, part of the country-wide Op Phantom Phoenix, Jan 20.  The cache contained more than 100 various munitions.  Soldiers from 2nd Bn, 502nd PIR were able to find the cache with the help of local residents.
"The residents are moving back to the area and giving us info, because they feel safe now," said 1st Lt. Daniel Stephens.  "They see that CLCs and U.S. troops are staying in the area to rid it of al-Qaeda."
The troops are working closely with local sheiks and CLCs to maintain security in the area.

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Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs) work to rid their areas of IEDs

By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

FOB HAMMER - CLCs in Sabbah Nissan, a village southeast of Baghdad, led Soldiers from Batt A, 1st Bn, 10th FAR to a weapons cache near the group's HQ, Jan. 15.
Soldiers from the 789th Ordnance Company (EOD), from Ft. Benning, Ga., were called out to destroy the munitions along with remnants of an earlier cache turned in by the CLCs.
"It's great to see the citizens of Iraq stepping up and taking charge," said 1st Sgt. Michael Parker, first sgt. of Batt A.  The effectiveness of the CLCs in Sabbah Nissan has allowed Batt A more opportunities to provide water, food and school supplies to the 11 villages that the group represents and protects.
The cooperation between CLCs and Batt A is one of the reasons the area around FOB Hammer is secure, said Capt. Chas Cannon, com. of Batt A.
"The CLCs provide us the ability to rid the roads of IEDs," Cannon said. "They have expert knowledge on their neighborhoods and have prevented munitions from falling into the hands of extremist."

CLCs in Sabbah Nissan prepare to lay out extremist munitions for disposal Jan. 15 at a remote site near the group's headquarters.

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Iraqi and Coalition troops provide free health care to Iraqi citizens

Iraqi men stand outside a local medical clinic during a combined medical engagement near Baquba, Jan. 25.

Maj. William Bimson, battalion surgeon for 2nd Sqdrn, 1st Cav Regt, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID from Fort Lewis, Wash., uses a stethoscope to check the heart rate of an Iraqi girl.

Maj. William Bimson jokes with an Iraqi child after examining a rash on her stomach.

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Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,
Operation Phantom Phoenix continues its success with the destruction of quantities of IEDs and the capture of more insurgents.  The ongoing training of the Iraqis is paying dividends, while Op Destroyer Hammer 13 takes us on a mission to Kirkuk, complete with pictures.
Joanna
______________________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 24, 2008

Haditha SWAT detains four suspects

BALAD - The Haditha Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT), trained by U.S. Special Ops Forces, conducted its first solo op in Barwanah Jan. 21, detaining 4 suspects, and confiscating material used to make IEDs.
"This is a great example of the govt of Iraq reestablishing security using training provided by U.S. Special Ops Forces," said the com. for Special Ops Task Force - West. "Their operation was a huge success and is a step in the right direction for the people of Iraq securing their country."

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30 IEDs discovered

CAMP VICTORY - Through the combined efforts of CF and Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs), MND- Center safely discovered and destroyed 30 IEDs Jan. 21.
The air strikes were in support of Op Phantom Phoenix, which is aimed at destroying AQI safe havens.  Among the IEDs found, 16 were pressure-plate activated, 7 were command-wire activated, 1 was an explosively-formed projectile, or EFP, and one was a multiple-array, consisting of various explosives.
In addition to the IEDs discovered, 11 caches were found; several were reported by CLCs.  One cache reported by CLCs contained 20 IEDs.  A total of 83 57 mm rounds were discovered as well as 70 60 mm rounds.  Additional caches contained various munitions ranging from 57 mm rounds to 125 mm artillery rounds as well as IED-making materials.
The Jan. 20 air strike was the third in the area, with prior strikes on the 10th and 16th of January. "The air strikes show we're committed to pursuing and destroying al-Qaeda," said Maj. Charles D. Krumwiede, chief of ops, 3rd ID.
Both Iraqis who are part of the CLC program and those who are not see this commitment at a level not seen before and in a part of Iraq not seen before, said Krumwiede.  He added the relation between yesterday's discovery of IEDs and recent air strikes is clear.  "The bomb strikes are related to the IEDs and caches found lately, because the locals are matching our commitment and of the ISF (Iraqi Security Forces)," said Krumwiede.

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Iraqi Army, MND-North Soldiers open key route between Baghdad and Baquba

4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID

BAQUBA - Iraqi Army and MND-North forces cleared a key route between Baghdad and Baquba of IEDs this month in Iraq.  This was done as part of the countrywide offensive Op Phantom Phoenix, during the div's Op Blackhawk Harvest.
Iraqi Soldiers supported by 2nd Sqdrn, 1st Cav Regt cleared 30 IEDs on and around the road that Iraqis call Sabh Nissan.
Lt. Col. Marshall Dougherty, 2-1 Cav. com., was impressed by the performance of the Iraqi Army during the op. "This was a hugely successful bde-level op planned and led by the Iraqi Army," Dougherty said. "The IA com. laid out his plan and asked us to provide assets to support his effort such as helicopters, close air support and artillery."
In addition to the route-clearance mission, IA and CF cleared al-Qaeda-in-Iraq from many of the route's surrounding villages and engaged the enemy in Khan Bani Sa'ad.
Ongoing ops in the area include continuing to clear AQI, crater repair on the highway and standing up CLC groups to provide for their own security.  "This is another example of the Iraqi Army (IA) increasing their capacity and taking the lead in making their country safer," Dougherty concluded.

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18th MPs work ePTT systems with Baghdad IP Headquarters

Capt. Vaughan Byrum, (left), a member of the 18th MP Bde's Enhanced Police Transition Team (ePTT) and Lt. Col. Thomas Lombardo, (right), ops officer, discuss enhanced ePTT methods with Brig. Gen. Safaa, (center), dep. com., Iraqi Police Patrol HQ, Jan. 24 at the Baghdad IP HQ.  ePTT systems have been introduced to the IPs at all levels of the Police organization in the past month to further the self reliance in their systems.

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Op Phantom Phoenix nets 3 suspected IED emplacers

Spc. Christopher Schmidt, Delta Co, 2nd Bn, 22nd Inf Regt, 10th Mtn Div assists a member of the Iraq Police's Emergency Service Unit scale a wall while conducting joint cordon and search ops during Op Destroyer Hammer 13 in Dibbak Tappa Village, Kirkuk, Jan. 22.  Destroyer Hammer 13 is part of the Iraq-wide Op Phantom Phoenix. The effort netted 3 suspects responsible for planting IEDs along a major route in northeastern Iraq.

An Iraqi sheepherder guides his livestock as Soldiers from Delta Co and Kirkuk Police's Emergency Service Unit, conduct a cordon and search.

Policemen from Kirkuk's Emergency Services' Unit, climb into their vehicles after completing Op Destroyer Hammer 13.

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Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,

Read with pride of our Marines saving the life of a 3 year old girl, and stories of more terrorists captured.  We're also taken on a heroic mission that rescues 5 of our soldiers.  Our last story is about the success of Operation Gratitude, just one of many organizations across the country, dedicated to supporting our troops, with the help of all Americans. 

Joanna
__________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 23, 2008

Marines launch rescue effort to save Hadithah girl

CAMP FALLUJAH - Marines operating in Al Anbar Province airlifted a young Hadithah girl in desperate need of a life-saving surgery, and her mother to the Jordanian border Jan. 22.  They were met there by a team of medical professionals who will escort them to Nashville, Tenn., for open-heart surgery.
Amina Al'a Thabit, a three-year-old who suffers from a congenital heart defect, was discovered by Marines assigned to 3rd Bn, 23rd Marine Regt, which is now part of Regimental Combat Team 5, patrolling the area as part of their daily interaction with the populace.
The battalion surgeon diagnosed her condition, and recognizing the gravity of the situation, coordinated arrangements with doctors in the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University who agreed to perform the surgery at no cost to the family.
The Marines, in concert with numerous govt agencies, initiated a coordinated effort to transport Amina and her mother from their home in the Hadithah region to Nashville for the procedure.  Travel costs and incidentals were financed by private donors.

Amina, pictured above with her father Fattah Al'a Thabit.

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MND-B Soldiers detain suspected extremist cell leader

2nd BCT PAO, 82nd Abn. Div.

BAGHDAD - MND-Bagdad Soldiers detained a suspected extremist cell member for involvement in the detonation of an explosively formed penetrator device in northeast Baghdad Jan. 18.
Soldiers from 1st Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cal Regt, working with 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn Div, received intel on an EFP cell and immediately responded to detain the individual, along with 5 of his associates. 
"We have evidence this individual has killed innocent women and children," said Maj. Ed Brouse, effects coordinator for 2nd BCT.  "Thanks to the hard work of the War Eagle Squadron, this killer and his fellow thugs are no longer on the street intimidating the Iraqi people."

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Iraqi SF, U.S. SF detain suspected terrorists in separate raids

BALAD - Iraqi SF, advised by U.S. SF, detained a suspected terrorist leader, a suspected terrorist
facilitator, and 3 other suspects in raids Jan. 20 and Jan. 22 in Balad and Hawija.
The suspected terrorist and his cell are believed to be responsible for mortar and IED attacks against
CF as well as the kidnapping of innocent Iraqi civilians. In addition, he is believed to have provided safe houses, weapons and financing for terrorist operations in the region.      
A suspected terrorist facilitator and 2 others suspects were detained during a raid in the vicinity of Hawija, in the Kirkuk province, Jan. 20.  According to intel reports, the 4 suspects are members of an Al Qaeda-in-Iraq cell that facilitates terrorist attacks.  The suspects are believed to provide medical care, financing and safe havens for terrorists.

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MEDEVAC crews brave enemy fire to save Soldiers

BAGHDAD - Aero-medical evacuation crews from Task Force Marne faced down enemy gunfire to deliver 5 injured Soldiers to safety north of Baghdad, near the Tigris River Jan. 18.
The MEDEVAC crews from Co C, 2nd Bn, 3rd Aviation Regt, CAB, 3rd ID, were called in when a patrol of Strykers from 2nd BCT, 25th ID was attacked.  The Black Hawk helicopters flew to the site only to find that the easiest place to land, the road the Stryker vehicles were on, had not been cleared of possible IEDs.   After circling, scouting for a place to land, the crews landed in a field adjacent to the road, said Capt. Samuel Fricks, ops officer for Co C.  Fricks was a pilot in the second of the 2 MEDEVAC aircraft.
"After landing my medic, Staff Sgt. (Robert) Congdon, departed the aircraft and linked up with ... Staff Sgt. (Aughe) McQuown," Fricks said. The two medics went to the site of the attack and soon returned to the helicopters with 3 injured Soldiers.  As they returned to the Stryker for the remaining 2 injured Soldiers, Congdon said, they began taking fire.  "I just grabbed the patient and grabbed McQuown and we went into the Stryker," said Congdon.  Bullets struck the Stryker and around them as they went for the cover of the armored vehicle.
When the call came over the radio that his medics were taking fire, Fricks was not sure what to think.  He did not know where the fire was coming from, but he thought that since the helicopters were down below the level of the road in the field, he was not in too much danger.  "The only thing we knew was that Staff Sgt. Congdon was taking fire," Fricks said. 
As they waited for the 2 medics to come back with the remaining patients, a third medic, Sgt. Donald Dedmon, in training as a flight medic, ran back and forth between the two aircraft to treat the injured Soldiers already on board.  Dedmon was midway through his training to be certified to operate as a lone medic on a MEDEVAC when he found himself suddenly responsible for patients on two different MEDEVAC aircraft.
Back at the Stryker, Congdon and McQuown were attempting to get back to the aircraft with their patients. "We lowered the ramp (of the Stryker) to get out and be able to get to the aircraft and (the sniper) started shooting," Congdon said.  McQuown, picked up one patient while Congdon and an infantry Soldier helped the other patient and they broke for it.  "It was a combination of, they ran out of litters and the guy was shooting at us," Congdon said. "The longer we wait on the ground the worse it is on the patient, so at some point we had to just leave and get the patients to the hospital."
"The five patients we hauled all survived," Fricks said He said watching the two medics struggling to bring their patients to safety was almost like something you'd see in a Hollywood production.  "I just thought it was awesome."

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Operation Gratitude gives Jeep to Soldier in Iraq

4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID

BAQUBA - Operation Gratitude, an organization that sends care packages to deployed service members, surprised a Soldier with a 2008 Jeep Liberty at FOB Warhorse, Jan. 22.
Spc. Michael Gallagher from Co A, 2nd Bn, 23rd Inf Regt, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID from Fort Lewis, Wash. was the recipient of Op Gratitude's special care package.  The new car was the 300,000th "package" Op Gratitude has sent to servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"When my commander ordered me to show up to this ceremony, I thought it was just another care package and they were making a big deal about it because it was the 300,000th one," said Gallagher.  "When I
opened up the envelope, (containing the keys to the jeep inside) it completely blew my mind."
The care package contained other various gifts from U.S. citizens and companies that generously support the operation, including letters from local schools and four cigars from Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Jeep was donated by Chrysler Jeep.  In a letter addressed to an "American Hero," Chrysler officials said it was an honor to do something special for both a great organization and for the Soldiers in Iraq.
"I would like to thank (Operation Gratitude) so much for supporting the troops and giving them an opportunity to show that people actually care," Gallagher said.

Spc. Michael Gallagher reads a letter from Jeep.

Spc. Michael Gallagher reads a letter written to him by a second grade class.

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Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,

Kudos to RCT2 for a most successful mission in Iraq, and more on the dividends of our continued success on the ongoing Op Phantom Phoenix.  It's wonderful to see the pride on the faces of the Iraqi soldiers, so shared by our own.

Joanna

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

RCT-5 takes the reins in western Anbar

CAMP AL ASAD - Regimental Combat Team 5 relieved Regimental Combat Team 2 in a ceremony at Camp Ripper Jan. 22.
"As we pass the torch from RCT-2 to RCT-5, it's an honor to welcome Col. Pat Malay and RCT-5 back to Al Anbar," said Brig. Gen. Mark Gurganus, the Multi-National Force-West ground combat element com. "Many challenges remain, but the people of Al Anbar, you have my word that the men and women of RCT-5 will continue to stand with you in the days ahead.
Today, one only need walk through the streets of Husaybah, Karabilah, Rawah, Anah, Hadithah, Hit, Barwanah, Baghdadi to see what a difference a year can make," Gurganus said. "And citizens now gather on street corners and in cafes that were once battlegrounds.  Maj. Gen. W.E. Gaskin, the com. gen. of MNF-W, attended the turnover, as did prominent sheiks and mayors from the region.
Last deployed for a year-long tour in the greater Fallujah area in 2006, RCT-5 is no stranger to Anbar and returns with combat-tested leadership.  Malay commanded 3rd Bn, 5th Marine Regt during Op Al Fajr (The Battle of Fallujah) in late 2004, and Lt. Col. Bob McCarthy, the exec. officer and second in command of the regt, orchestrated the birth and development of a formidable Iraqi Police (IP) force out of nothing in the former British outpost of Habbaniyah.
"We've seen enough violence here," Malay said. "Now is the time to build; now is the time for rule of law; now is the time to put those pieces in place which will ensure peace and prosperity for Iraq."

Regimental Combat Team 5 relieved Regimental Combat Team 2 in a ceremony at Camp Ripper Jan. 22.

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Arab media cover Iraqi Army's Operation Harvest Heroes

4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID

HIMBUS - Op Phantom Phoenix success in the area of the northern Diyala River Valley known as the "Bread Basket" allowed members of the Iraqi press to visit the area for the first time in recent memory Jan. 21.
The area had been a stronghold and safe haven for al-Qaeda in Iraq for several years. However, earlier this month Coalition and Iraqi Forces (IF) cleared AQI from the Bread Basket making it safe enough for Iraqi media to see it for themselves.
Several of the major Iraqi TV networks made the trip, including al-Jazeera International, al-Iraqia, al-Sumareyai, and al-Salam.  The media witnessed the Iraqi Army provide humanitarian aid to the people of Abu Mousa, conduct a medical engagement with the citizens of Himbus and distribute kerosene to the people of Taiha.   Iraqi Soldiers and U.S. Soldiers from 3rd Sqdrn, 2nd Cav Regt provided security for the media.
"I have been reading about Diyala lately, but I haven't really had a chance to see it, and you got a real sense that there is much improvement," said Huda Had al-Hamed, a reporter with al-Jazeera International. "The Iraqi Army was very proud to be here and to be able to do this.  They were extremely professional.  There is a way out of the madness and violence in Iraq. I think the way is long and complicated, but when you see days like this, you realize that there is a way out." 

Al-Sumareyai TV reporter Jabir gets a close-up shot of an Iraqi Army Soldier in Abu Mous

Iraqi media interview Iraqi Army Gen. Salim Kareem, com. of the 5th Iraqi Army Bde.

A cameraman with al-Jazeera International films a humanitarian aid drop.

A news crew from al-Jazeera interviews Salman Wees as his three-year-old son sits on his shoulder in Himbus.

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Iraqi Emergency Response Unit reinforces Iraqi Security Forces in An Nasiriyah

BAGHDAD - An element of the Iraqi Emergency Response Unit, a specially trained police unit, was sent to An Nasiriyah in southern Iraq Jan. 19 to assist provincial SF in re-establishing security and conduct follow-on security ops against extremist forces there.  The deployment, requested by the governor of Dhi Qar province and directed by the prime minister of Iraq, is in response to a series of clashes between Iraqi SF and extremist forces within An Nasiriyah. 
The deployment of the Baghdad-based unit demonstrated the increased ability of the Iraqi govt to quickly move specially trained counter-terrorism forces within Iraq to aid provincial SF. 
Accompanying the ERU is a small number of U.S. SF advisers.

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MND-C Soldiers find 2 caches in 2 days

Story by Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

BAGHDAD - Soldiers of Co D, 1st Bn, 15th Inf Regt, found 2 separate caches with 75 120 mm mortar rounds, a bag of mortar propellant and a bag of mortar fuses Jan. 17 and 18 near Jisr Diyala, south of Baghdad.
Co D Soldiers responded to 2 similar reports from CLCs, according to 1st Lt. Daniel Bell,  exec. officer for Co D.  "We have good people in the area that are very proactive in finding things that they know need to be cleared out of their communities.  They are not just doing it for themselves. They are doing it for the betterment of their country."
Co D, 1-15 Inf. Regt. is attached to the 3rd Sqdrn, 1st Cav Regt and is assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd ID from Fort Benning, Ga.

Soldiers from the 789th Ordnance Company (EOD) pose for a picture with a cache of 120 mm mortars.

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Dear Friends, Family and Interested Readers,
We have stories of extremists captured, and weapon caches destroyed, but the most moving story to me is the rescue of 2 Iraqi males from an al Qaeda prison.  It gives us an insight of the risks taken by the Iraqis in helping the CF, and the courage and determination of a people that just wants to enjoy the same freedoms we too often take for granted.

Joanna
_________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 21, 2008

NPs (National Police) detain two suspected extremists

BAGHDAD - Iraqi SF, responding to the sounds of rockets launching, arrested 2 suspected extremists in West Rashid, Jan. 19.
Iraqi policemen arrived at an indirect fire launch site and briefly engaged 3 men with small arms.  One suspected extremist fled in a vehicle; the 2 others were detained.  It is believed the men are connected to an indirect fire attack on the International Zone.

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MND-B Forces seize enemy caches

BAGHDAD - MND-Baghdad forces uncovered a terrorist cell's weapon reserve during a combat patrol in West Rashid, Jan. 20.
Co A, 1st Bn, 28th Inf Regt, 4th IBCT, 1st ID seized a cache consisting of 76 mortar rounds of various sizes, 4 rocket-propelled grenades, 4 bottles of home-made explosive, 9 fuses, 2 hand grenades and an unknown number of blasting caps in the Rashid District's Aamel neighborhood during an afternoon raid.
Late Jan. 19, "Black Lions" of Co A, 1st Bn., 28th Inf. Regt., found 2 Dragonov sniper rifles, an M-4 carbine with optics, an AK-47 and AK-74 assault rifle, 20-30 magazines and a case filled with roughly 400 million Iraqi Dinar.
This is part of MND-Baghdad Soldiers ongoing offensive ops in support of Op Phantom Phoenix to kill or capture al-Qaeda and Shia/Sunni extremists to deny them rest and sanctuary in Baghdad and the surrounding rural areas.  AQI terrorists and other extremists are the root cause of the most horrific attacks against Iraqi civilians, SF and coalition troops.

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Soldiers seize two caches, detain two

BAGHDAD - MND-Baghdad Soldiers found 2 caches during combat op in the Doura neighborhood of the Iraqi capital, Jan. 18.
Soldiers of Co A, 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Regt, 10th Mtn Div, attached to Task Force Dragon, found the first cache in an abandoned building during a late afternoon patrol.  After receiving a tip about a weapons cache in a home, Co. D, 2nd Bn, found among other weapons an RPG launcher and 200 .30-06 cal. rounds.  MND-B Soldiers arrested 2 men found in the home.
Under Iraqi law, families are allowed to keep one AK-47 assault rifle and one full 30-round magazine in their homes for protection.
This is part of MND-Baghdad Soldiers' ongoing offensive ops in support of Op Phantom Phoenix.

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Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Operations Forces detain 5 terror suspects

BALAD - Iraqi SF, advised by U.S. Special Ops Forces, detained 5 terror suspects and destroyed a suspected terrorist safe house in separate ops in Iraq Jan. 18 and 19.    
Near the city of Taji, Iraqi and U.S. SF detained 2 members of a terrorist cell specializing in suicide bombing attacks, during a Jan. 19 raid. The suspects are believed to be responsible for coordinating and providing supplies for several attacks.
In a separate op Jan. 18 in the town of Rutbah, an Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics Team, advised by U.S. Special Ops Forces, detained 3 members of an al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist cell.  According to intel reports, the suspected terrorists are responsible for coordinating attacks, as well as the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi citizens.  The suspects are also believed to be involved in providing weapons and funding for terrorist attacks.
In another Jan. 18 op, Iraqi and CF destroyed 2 empty structures used by terrorists in Diyala province.  One of the buildings was believed to be a terrorist safe house and the other was a small storage facility.  They were destroyed after it was discovered that the structures had been rigged with explosives.

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MND-North Soldiers liberate 2 from al Qaeda prison during Op Phantom Phoenix

BAQUBA - CF liberated 2 Iraqi males with signs of torture from an al-Qaeda prison near Arab Jabar, south of Baquba in the early morning hours of Jan. 20.
Soldiers of 2-1 Cav, 4th Bde, 2nd ID from Fort Lewis, Wash., discovered the building, which was closed off by a heavy, deadbolt-locked door. The Soldiers were clearing the area of AQI in support of Op Raider Harvest, the Diyala province portion of Op Phantom Phoenix.
"We could hear voices inside the room," said Spc. Christopher Nollenberg, a cavalry scout with 2-1 CAV., who was one of the first to enter the chamber. "They called out for help and told us they were prisoners."  Inside were 2 adult male prisoners.  Both were contracted by CF as electricians to install power lines.  They had bruises on their backs and legs.  Soldiers found braided wire cords, cables and a strap hooked to the ceiling used to hold the prisoners while they were beaten.
"These people (AQI) don't deserve to live," said one victim.  "I will remember for the rest of my life the day that the CF gave me a second chance to live."

 

  A liberated prisoner from an al-Qaeda in Iraq prison is reunited with his family Jan. 20 at FOB Warhorse, Iraq, after 11 days of confinement and torture.

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Night air raid drops 19,000 pounds of bombs, destroys 35 targets in Arab Jabour

BAGHDAD - More than 30 targets were hit during a nighttime air raid on suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq safe havens in Arab Jabour Jan. 20.  Thirty-five bombs were dropped with a total weight of 19,000 pounds in support of the countrywide Op Phantom Phoenix.
Col. Terry Ferrell, 2nd BCT, 3rd ID com., said that IEDs and weapons caches were targeted in order to reduce AQI resources in the area "that will allow us to get our ground troops further into the zone," Ferrell said.  "These targets, the IEDs specifically, are designed as part of the defensive belt to prevent our forces from entering into areas that we have not been before."
The joint op involved precision air strikes by F-18 fighter jets and B-1 bombers, including Air Force, Navy and Marine aircraft.  The Air Force and Soldiers of the 2nd BCT, 3rd ID worked in coordination to prevent collateral damage and use of any area for attacks on CF.
The raid follows the Jan. 10 and Jan. 16 air strikes in the same region.  Including the Jan. 20 strike, a combined total of 99 targets have been hit, with a total weight of 99,000 pounds of bombs.
"We're working to establish the opportunity for the Iraqis in southern Arab Jabour ... not to be under the veil and the fear of (AQI) ... They need to know they can come out," Ferrell said. "As we go now to areas that we have not gone before, we need to do these strikes to reduce the risks to our Soldiers.  So, as we enter in to establish their programs, to work with them to get their governance up and running, to work with them on the Concerned (Local) Citizen programs (CLCs), we've got to allow a path for that to happen and that's what these strikes are for," Ferrell said.
The raid was in support of Op Phantom Phoenix, the overarching op that Marne Thunderbolt falls under.  Marne Thunderbolt is focused on pursuing the enemy and flushing out remaining extremists operating in southern Arab Jabour.

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Iraqi and U.S. Forces target extremist networks in Baghdad, killing extremist commander

BALAD - An extremist bde com. was killed Jan 21 in the Aamel neighborhood of Baghdad during an Iraqi Special Ops Forces op to disrupt extremist networks operating in Baghdad.
(ISOF) Iraqi Special Ops Forces, with U.S. SF advisers, conducted the op to detain a reported extremist commander who controlled the violent and criminal activities of 10 extremist groups operating within Baghdad.  The extremist leader and his criminal op are implicated in attacks, murder, kidnappings and criminal activity.  Credible intel indicates he and his group are responsible for the sectarian murder of several hundred Iraqi civilians in the past year.
The extremist is reported to have established a special extremist group that collects info which is used to target Iraqi SF personnel for attack.  In the course of his capture, the man was killed after he attempted to grab a weapon. The man was later identified as the wanted extremist commander.

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Dear Friends, Family, and Interested Readers,

We have so many varied stories and many wonderful pictures.  Our top story is the humanitarian aid brought into Mansuriah and Muqdadiyah.  Op Phantom Phoenix continues its successful missions making areas safer.  What a shame that not one of these stories will be found in our newspapers.  Enjoy!

Joanna
___________________________________

January 20, 2008

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

Coalition Forces resume air assault on al-Qaeda targets

BAGHDAD - CF resumed the aerial bombardment of an al-Qaeda-in-Iraq sanctuary in Arab Jabour Jan. 20.
The precision air strikes targeted suspected AQI safe havens as part of Op Marne Thunderbolt, which is part of the country-wide Op Phantom Phoenix.
The raid follows the Jan.10 and Jan.16 air strikes in the same region which hit a combined total of 64 targets with a total weight of more than 80,000 pounds of bombs.
Additional information will be released as story develops.

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New Brigadier General in Iraq

Task Force Iron and 1st Armored Div. com., Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, right, administers the oath of office to newly promoted Brig. Gen. Raymond Thomas, Task Force Iron assist. div. com. for support Jan. 19 at Contingency Ops Base Speicher. The Thomas family was able to witness the event via video teleconference.

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Tips lead to detention of 10 AQI during Op Phantom Phoenix

TIKRIT - CF detained 10 suspected al Qaeda in Iraq operatives during a raid in an Al Ali village, in the northern Diyala River Valley area, known as the bread basket, Jan. 17. 
The successful raid was part of Op Raider Harvest, which is part of Op Phantom Phoenix - a countrywide operation to eliminate AQI and other extremists in Iraq.
Working off tips from local Iraqis, Soldiers from 3rd Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt detained the suspects at 7 different locations in the village.  One of the detainees is a suspected AQI company com., 4 are suspected AQI fighters, 2 are suspected IED emplacers and 3 are suspected AQI informants.
"With the detainment of this cell, the residents within this area will be more inclined to help CF and Iraqi SF in identifying remaining AQI," said Capt. Samuel Davis, 3/2 SCR Intel officer. "With the detention of the majority of the members of this cell, insurgent activities within the area will be severely decreased, and increase the likelihood of being able to establish a Concerned Local Citizen (CLC) group or neighborhood security."
Since Jan. 8, with the start of the clearing phase of Raider Harvest, CF and ISF have detained 70 suspected AQI in the AO, killed 4 and wounded 4 more.  In addition, 25 IEDs have been found and cleared, along with 8 vehicle-borne IEDs, 6 house-borne IEDs and 30 weapon caches.
At the same time as the ongoing mission of clearing AQI from the bread basket, CF, ISF and CLCs are also conducting humanitarian aid drops, providing medical aid, delivering fuel, establishing security checkpoints and building Joint Combat outposts. Op Raider Harvest is not only designed to clear AQI from the bread basket, a former AQI stronghold and safe haven, but also ensure that they are unable to return.

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Cavalry troops fuel up Mansuriah during Op Phantom Phoenix

MANSURIYAH - After going without kerosene for several months, the Diyala Provincial Govt organized a fuel drop to the citizens of Mansuriyah Jan. 17.
Located just outside of Muqdadiyah, hundreds of Mansuriyah citizens lined up to receive 20 liters of kerosene per person from G Troop, 2nd Sqdrn, 3rd Armored Cav Regt, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID, Task Force Iron.
The event is one of several missions 2-3 ACR has conducted in the area since the beginning of Op Raider Harvest, a brigade-level op in support of Op Phantom Phoenix.
"CF, Iraqi SF and Muqdadiyah Iraqi Police (IP) all helped achieve our goals in taking back the Bread Basket," said Muqdadiyah Mayor Ahmed through an interpreter.  "After clearing the area controlled by terrorists, we provide services, food and kerosene for villages that have been isolated.  Mansuriyah is one of these villages. They have been selected by the Diyala provincial govt and CF to receive these services and kerosene."  Other such services include food drops, medical missions and the rebuilding of schools.
"We will be renovating a boys' school and girls' school starting tomorrow hopefully," said Capt. Jonathon Norquist, a civil affairs officer for 2-3 ACR.  "We did a walk through yesterday and we're discussing price quotes with a local contractor today.  We have been creating projects on the fly.  Soon we will provide 400 people here with jobs clearing the canals of vegetation to improve water flow through the area.  We want to improve our relations with the Iraqis here and build trust."
Men, women and children of all ages showed up for the fuel drop, most to collect their rations, others to observe the CF in their neighborhood.  "The security situation was very bad; the drivers were scared to bring kerosene to us," said Mansuriyah citizen Habas Ahmed. "This help is very important because in the raining season we cannot live without kerosene. The security situation has gotten a lot better.  Some of the citizens are scared of the CF, because al Qaeda tells them U.S. Army Soldiers are killers and their helicopters destroy our houses.  But when they see the truth, when they see the reality, they will be very, very friendly with CF."

Capt. Jonathon Norquist shows 3 Iraqi girls the picture he snapped of them while their families receive kerosene rations.

Soldiers of Troop G pour kerosene into jugs.

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MND-North Soldiers work to help residents of Muqdadiyah

Sgt. Casey Enos, platoon sgt. of the Personal Security Detachment, HHC, 2nd Bn, 23rd Inf Regt, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID from Fort Lewis, Wash., stands guard outside the Muqdadiyah Government Center, Jan. 15. 

Spc. Jeremiah Webster, an infantryman in HHC, provides security.

Sgt. 1st Class Ronald McKamy, a medic in Co C, 431st CAB, 4th Stryker BCT, provides security.

Lt. Col. Mark Landes, com. of 2nd Bn, speaks with Mayor Ahmed.  CF are working closely with governmental leaders to help ensure that Muqdadiyah and the surrounding area is tied back into the Diyala provincial govt and federal govt. This part of the northern Diyala River Valley had been shut off from the rest of the province for many years due to a strong al Qaeda presence.  Operation Phantom Phoenix is successfully clearing AQI from the area.

An Iraqi Army Soldier prepares several platters of flatbread for a lunch for Muqdadiyah govt officials and CF at the Muqdadiyah Government Center.

Soldiers of Co E, 202nd Bde Support Bn entertain Iraqi children in Muqdadiyah, Jan. 13, while filling a fuel truck with kerosene to be distributed to the people of the northern Diyala River Valley.

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MND-N Soldiers prep for Op Fulton Harvest

M119 A2 Howitzer Section Soldiers from A Batt, 2-320th FAR, 1st BCT, 101st Abn Div (Air Assault) prepare their 105 mm artillery rounds for the next mission in Op Fulton Harvest, Jan. 12.  Part of this op netted an extremist hideout camp, vehicle-borne (VB) explosives and 30 pressure-plate explosives.

Gunners from A Co., 2nd Bn, 327th Inf Regt, 1st BCT,  provide perimeter security.

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Dear Friends and Family,
We have many positive stories of extremists and caches captured, a milestone story of our Army Reserves celebrating their 100th Anniversary with 100 reenlistments, and a story about a sewer project helping nearly 100,000 Iraqi residents. 

Joanna

_____________________________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 19, 2008

Concerned Local Citizens defend checkpoint

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

FOB HAMMER - Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs) manning a checkpoint in the village of Al Quali, outside of Combat Outpost (CO) Cahill, killed 2 extremists and detained one after being attacked during a routine vehicle search Jan. 16.
According to 1st Lt. Matt Barwick, fire support officer for Co B, 1st Bn, 15th Inf Regt, approx, 5 CLCs stopped a white truck, with 3 individuals inside, at a checkpoint.
After searching the vehicle, the team discovered IED materials in the bed of the truck. The CLCs were attempting to detain all 3 suspects when one of the men pulled a grenade out of his pocket and threw it at the CLCs, Barwick explained.
The CLCs retaliated with small-arms fire, Barwick said.  Approx. 35 CLCs from surrounding checkpoints heard the incident and ran to help.  2 of the 3 extremists from the truck were killed.
3 of the CLCs were treated by 1-15th Inf. Regt. medical personnel for minor injuries obtained during the attack.
Barwick said the event is significant because the CLCs took complete charge of the situation. Since the CLC group was established in the area, they would call Company B and identify extremist activity, but would not directly approach suspects.  "It wasn't until (now) that the CLCs volunteered to detain extremists in their own village," Barwick said. "The fact that CF reacted so quickly shows the CLCs they have the support to continue to protect their communities."
Barwick said the event also sends a message to extremists.  "It shows that the CLCs aren't afraid to police their own villages," he said.  "Every time they get someone, they are more
motivated to clear out the bad people in their communities."

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One suspect detained in early morning search operation

By Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

FOB HAMMER - Scouts assigned to Troop C, 3rd Sqdrn, 1st Cav Regt detained a suspect and confiscated a small amount of contraband during an early morning search Jan. 17 in Jurf Al Nadjaf which cleared 22 buildings.
"The reason for the mission was to search for extremists," said 1st Lt. Timothy Smith, fire support officer for Troop C. "We caught 2 extremists who lived there last week and wanted
to come back and do a follow-up. We didn't find any explosives or IEDs, but we let the extremists working in the area know we were there."  Smith explained that the people in the area are much more comfortable working with them since the arrest of the 2 extremists last week.  "It was important that we got out and talked to them to let them know we are there to keep the area safe," Smith said.
Sgt. Kenneth Storts, a scout in Troop C, agrees with the assessment and believes last week's arrest will lead to even more cooperation with the residents of Jurf Al Nadjaf.  "The people here were very scared of those 2 guys," he said.  "We know they were responsible for planting 2 IEDs along the main route here."
The 3-1 Cav. Regt. is assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd ID, from Fort Benning, Ga.

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Army Reserve celebrates 100th birthday with reenlistments

By Sgt. Abel Trevino
28th Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD - A mass reenlistment was held for 100 Reserve Soldiers at Camp Victory Jan. 18 in celebration of the U.S. Army Reserve's 100th birthday.
Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, com. gen. Multi-National Force-Iraq, presided over the ceremony and gave the oath of enlistment to Soldiers hailing from 47 units in both Iraq and Kuwait.
"Citizen-Soldiers, it is great to be here with you," Petraeus said in his opening remarks. "Reenlisting Soldiers is one of my most enjoyable duties, and it is a true honor to be able to reenlist 100 of you here today, as we also celebrate the Army Reserve's first century of
service.  In places like Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, the Philippines and Latin America, Army Reservists are bringing their warrior skills and their civilian trades to the fights," Petraeus said. "That combination is particularly effective in the exceedingly complex environments we face today."
   Sgt. 1st Class Annie Adams, of Balad's 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command said after 11 years in the Reserves, she loves being a Reserve Soldier and is proud of her service.  "I couldn't imagine not being in the Army Reserves."  Adams said being a part of the 100th anniversary of the Army Reserves and reenlisting in Iraq was memorable.  "It's an absolute wonder," she said. "It's tremendous to be a part of this; an opportunity of a lifetime and I'll never forget it."
To mark the occasion, the New England Patriots donated 2 footballs, autographed by all players on the roster for the 2007 season, for the event. Immediately following the event, attendees witnessed a videotaped statement from television personality Ben Stein thanking the Soldiers on their dedication and commitment. "I cannot tell you how indispensable you are," Stein said. "Everything we have, every right we have, every freedom we have, every gift, every blessing, everything we have is all thanks to you."

Gen. David Petraeus gives the oath of enlistment.

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Kamaliyah Sewer Project supports 80,000 East Baghdad residents

Col. Kasim, com., 1st Bn, 4th Bde, 1st National Police Div, talks to Al-Sumaria television about improved security in the southeastern Baghdad neighborhood of Kamaliyah. The security in the area has improved dramatically, due to the increased capability and presence of the Iraqi SF, to the point where attention can now be focused on essential service projects. One such project, the Kamaliyah Sewer Project, will support between 80,000 and 100,000 Iraqi residents
in a predominantly Shia area, where, dating back to the Saddam Hussein-regime, water, electricity and sewage systems have been largely ignored.

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MND-B Forces seize enemy rockets

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Div-Baghdad Soldiers, acting on a tip from a local national, seized a cache of rockets during a combat patrol in the western Rashid District of the Iraqi capital Jan. 10
"Black Lions," of Co B, 1st Bn, 28th Inf Regt, 4th IBCT, 1st ID, raided a house and found 10 107mm rockets.  The northwestern part of the district has historically been the origin of indirect fire on the International Zone and other CF bases in the southern part of the city.
Soldiers of 2nd Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt, 10th Mtn Div, attached to TF Dragon, detained 2 suspected insurgents in Rashid Jan. 10.  One of the suspected insurgents is believed to be a known extremist in Hadar.

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Iraqi Army Soldiers find cache in Saydiyah

BAGHDAD - Iraqi SF, working in conjunction with Multi-National Div-Baghdad Soldiers, found a weapons cache during a combat patrol in southwest Baghdad, Jan.8.
Additionally, CLCs in Doura handed over 8 82 mm mortar fuses to Soldiers of Co D, 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Regt, 10th Mtn Div attached to Task Force Dragon.

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MND-B Soldiers find cache, arrest suspected extremist

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Div-Baghdad Soldiers found a cache and arrested a suspected extremist during ongoing security ops in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital Jan. 16.
   "Warriors" of Co D, 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Regt, 10th Mtn Div, attached to Task Force Dragon, found a munitions cache in the Doura neighborhood.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel destroyed an 80 mm white phosphorus mortar round, a 57 mm rocket, 150 pounds of homemade explosives, 43 improvised hand grenades, and a 57 mm homemade rocket launcher attached to 2 cell phones and a 60 mm mortar at a CF base.
Additionally, numerous tips led "Raiders" of Bandit Troop, 1st Sqdrn, 4th Cav Regt, 4th IBCT, 1st ID, to an alleged extremist believed to be involved in various murders, intimidation of locals and placing an IED.

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MND-B Soldiers find two caches in Doura

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Div-Baghdad troops found 2 weapons caches and detained 3 suspected extremists during ongoing security ops in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital Jan. 16.
Following a tip from a local citizen, Soldiers of Co B, 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Regt, 10th Mtn Div, attached to Task Force Dragon, raided a home in Doura and arrested 3 men on suspicion
of extremist ties.
Additionally, Soldiers of Co. A, 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., found a weapons cache consisting of 6 improvised grenades, a UGO grenade, a 57mm projectile, 3 57mm rockets, 7 rocket-propelled grenades and an 86mm anti-tank mine.

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MND-B Soldiers discover EFP, arrest 3

BAGHDAD - Sources led Multi-National Div-Baghdad Soldiers to a weapons cache during a combat op in northwest Rashid Jan. 10.
During an early morning raid in the Aamel neighborhood of the city, "Black Lions," of 1st Bn, 28th Inf Regt, 4th IBCT, 1st ID, found a complete explosively-formed penetrator device ready for placement, a sniper rifle with 1,000 7.62mm rounds and other contraband.  Soldiers arrested 3 alleged extremists in the home believed to be connected to the EFP and sniper rifle.

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Iraqi Security Forces detain ten in separate operations

BAGHDAD - Iraqi Special Ops Forces, advised by U.S. SF, detained an IED cell leader and 6 other suspects in Mosul Jan. 15.
In a separate op, an Iraqi Emergency Response Unit with U.S. SF as advisors, detained 3 members of an al-Qaeda-in-Iraq terrorist cell during a Jan. 16 raid in Baghdad.  The suspected terrorists are believed to be responsible for purchasing weapons and IED materials.

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Dear Friends and Family,
Welcome to all our new folks who will have the opportunity to read about the real story of success out of Iraq. Today's Update tells of the capture of some high level insurgent leaders, caches found and a story of what our troops love best, and that's giving out toys to children.

Joanna

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 18, 2008

Iraqi Police, MND-N Soldiers kill insurgent leader during raid

MOSUL - One of the most wanted men in Salah ad Din province was killed Jan. 16 by Sharqat Iraqi Police and Multi-National Div-North Soldiers after the units came under attack by small arms fire.
The extremist leader was a planner, financier and IED facilitator and was a key target Iraqi Police and MND-N Soldiers have been aggressively pursuing, said Lt. Col. Thomas Dorame, com. for 1st Sqdrn, 3d Armored Cav Regt. "His capture eliminates one of the worst of al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders operating in southern Ninewah and the Sharqat Police District. His death damages the command and control structure of multiple terrorist IED cells in the area, disrupts the financing of terrorist activities in southern Ninewah, and sends a message to enemy forces that even the elite among them are vulnerable." Dorame said.
One other extremist was killed during the battle.

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MPs and IPs hand out toys in Khadra

Maj. Ogla, Khada Iraqi Police Station com., hands out wooden toys to the children at kindergarten class in Khadra, Jan. 15. The Khada Iraqi Police (IP) partnered with the 401st MP Co., 716th MP Bn, 18th MP Bde and handed out toys to the children as part of a community policing op to help establish better relationships between IPs and their local communities.

Sgt. Joshua Holland, 25, a member of the 401st hands out toys to school children.

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Iraqi Army raid leads to large cache

TIKRIT - A raid conducted by the 2nd Iraqi Army Div in Al Kussyat, netted a large weapons cache Jan. 16.
The raid was driven on info gathered from captured insurgents and resulted in the detention of 2 personnel. The cache consisted of 5 mortar systems, 300 mortar rounds, 500 lbs of TNT, 50 remote control devises, 26 Katusha rockets, 25 anti-personnel mines, 600 mortar charges and other various weapons including ammo, wires and office copy equipment.

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ISF, CLCs take lead in AQI clearing operation

BAQUBAH - Iraqi Army Soldiers killed an enemy combatant and detained 53 suspects during a joint op with Iraqi Police, Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs) and CF in the villages of Buhritz
Al-Abarra and Imam Ways, just south of Baqubah Jan. 14-16.
The op, dubbed Viking Harvest II by CF, which is part of Op Phantom Phoenix - a country-wide effort to eliminate al-Qaeda and other extremists in Iraq - also resulted in the clearing of more
than 30 IEDs, the reduction of 5 booby-trapped houses and the discovery of 2 weapon caches.
3 CLCs were killed and 7 Iraqi Police were wounded when a booby-trapped house they were clearing exploded Jan. 14.
The Iraqi SF and CLCs took the lead in the op, with U.S. Soldiers from 2nd Bn, 12th FAR providing support through blocking positions around the towns. "This op demonstrated the ISF's ability to fight and execute large ops on their own," said Maj. Harry Wakefield, 2-12 FA EO. "The success of this joint effort will degrade AQI and extremist ops throughout the immediate and surrounding areas, and make the area safer for all."
Now that AQI has been cleared from the area, many local Iraqis are now returning to the villages, according to Capt. Brent Hoops, acting com. of Battery B, 2-12 FA, who noted that 375 displaced persons have returned to their homes so far.
ISF and CFs are currently in the process of standing up more CLCs, creating checkpoints, and establishing a permanent IA checkpoint to ensure insurgents do not return.

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MND-North Soldiers capture Baquba extremist cell leader

BAQUBA - Multi-National Div-North Soldiers detained a suspected IED and suicide-bomb cell leader during a targeted raid in Baquba Jan. 16.
The suspect is linked to an extremist network spanning from Baquba to Samarra and his cell is allegedly responsible for recent IED activity in the Baquba market, Amin School, and the Jan. 9 house-borne improvised explosive device (HBIED) that resulted in the death of 6 U.S. Soldiers.
The suspect is also believed to be linked to a Syrian suicide-bombing facilitator and recent intel reports indicate he has requested suicide bombers from Mosul.
Soldiers from Co A, 4th Bn, 9th FAR, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID captured the suspect with an AK-47 and extended magazine. "(The suspect) is tied into the suicide-vest cell in old Baquba that we have been targeting, and this capture should lead to the arrest of several more members of this suicide cell," said Capt. Andy Padden, 2-12 FAR.

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Dear Friends and Family,
Operation Phantom Phoenix is continuing to have successful missions every day, alongside of the continued rebuilding of Iraq. The pictures of our troops at schools with the children has pride written all over them. Enjoy!

Joanna

_______________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

Op Phantom Phoenix air strikes take out al-Qaeda training area

By Sgt. Jason Stadel, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

BAGHDAD - Air strikes dropped 10,000 pounds of munitions Jan. 16 on bunkers in Arab Jabour used by al-Qaeda as training sites for new recruits.
Intel led the 2nd BCT, 3rd ID, Fort Stewart, Ga. to the location of the AQI bunkers. Air
Force B-1 Bombers dropped 19 GBU-31s on the site. "This op maintains the momentum of Op Thunderbolt by denying enemy sanctuaries and enemy caches, ultimately downgrading
their capabilities," said Maj. James Wilburn, daytime chief of ops. South of Zambraniyah, Soldiers from the 6th Sqdrn, 8th Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 3rd ID found 2 booby-trapped houses while on a foot patrol.
Air support was called by 6-8 Cav. to destroy the houses. Navy F-18 jets dropped a 500-pound bomb on each of the houses.
Op Marne Thunderbolt, a part of the country-wide Op Phantom Phoenix, continues to relentlessly pursue al-Qaeda and other extremists elements operating south of Baghdad.

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Local Iraqi farmer assists U.S. Forces

By Sgt. 1st Class Gary L. Qualls, Jr.
1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div.

BAGHDAD - U.S. Soldiers received a bag of weapons from a local farmer near Ad Diwaniyah Jan. 12.
Soldiers with Troop A, 3rd Bn., 73rd Cav. Regt., were patrolling when they were told to investigate a weapons cache. The Soldiers were shown a bag of weapons the farmer turned in, which contained a cache of explosive material, consisting of 17 sticks of commercial grade C4, several boosters, 2 propelling charges and 2 coolant units.

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Baquba celebrates reopening of local school

An Iraqi SF member watches over students at a newly reopened school before the official opening ceremony in east Baquba, Jan. 16.

Staff Sgt. Scharre Paul, 431st Civil Affairs, poses for a photo with students. Staff Sgt. Paul assisted with the reopening of the school for six months before a reopening ceremony.

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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 16, 2008

Subject: U.S. Special Operations Forces train Iraqi Security Forces

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. M. Erick Reynolds

BAGHDAD - 25 Iraqi SF students graduate from a U.S. Special Ops Forces led Special Security Training course Jan. 10.
The 2-week training course instructed Iraqis on the basic techniques of how to provide security that will increase the capacity of ISF to protect their leaders.
Sheikh Rahman sent a thank you to President George W. Bush before the graduation. "I want to thank President Bush for letting his Special [Operations] Forces teams train Iraqi Security Forces," he said.
During the graduation, instructors were thanked for a job well done and were told that because of their help, Iraq's leaders now have the best trained SF protecting them.

A U.S. Special Ops Forces team member demonstrates how to clear a weapon after a malfunction.

An Iraqi SF member applies techniques taught.

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Iraqi Soldiers graduate leaders' course

By Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft

FOB KALSU - 56 Iraqi Soldiers stood alongside 18 Multi-National Div Center NCOs, Jan 15.
The Iraqi Soldiers comprised the first group to begin training at the new Task Force Marne NCO Academy, and the first-ever group of Iraqi Security Forces (SF) to attend a leaders' course.
MND-Center Com. Sgt. Maj. Jesse L. Andrews Jr. welcomed the Soldiers with a short ceremony. "The two-week course that we have designed will teach you, the students, the basics in leadership and combat tactics, and enhance your procedural abilities to be able to train, teach, coach and mentor soldiers in your units,"
Andrews told the trainees through an interpreter. "For years, our NCO Corps has been called the 'backbone of the Army.' We want NCOs and leaders of the Iraqi SF to gain this same distinction - to become the backbone of the ISF." His words were met with enthusiastic applause from the Iraqis, who seemed eager to get started right away. "I'm very happy to be here," said Iraqi platoon leader Shanan. "All this training is going to make our NCOs stronger and more able to learn from our (U.S.) partners."
Staff Sgt. Deoneza Payne, the academy's NCO in charge of personnel, said she was looking forward to the course as much as the Iraqis were. "I see our Soldiers working together hand-in-hand with their Soldiers, learning from each other," she said. "This is a partnership - it's not only their school; it's our school, too."
"They're going to be armed with the right tools, the right skill sets to go out there to be able to make sound and timed decisions in this ever-changing combat environment that we're operating in right now," Andrews said.
Shanan, who has been in the Iraqi Army for nearly three years, added that his hope was for terrorism in Iraq to be wiped out during this generation, and sees the NCO academy as a stepping stone toward that goal. "I think -- no, I'm sure, that after this experience, our NCOs will be ready to stand in the Iraqi streets and follow their training to protect the people. Then we can have a normal life," he said as he marched his Soldiers off to their first class.

Attendees at a welcoming ceremony salute the flag during the Iraqi National Anthem.

Iraqi Soldiers attend their first class.

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Three IEDS found, destroyed in Adwaniyah

BAGHDAD -
While on patrol, Jan 16, Soldiers with 6th Sqdrn, 8th Cav Regt, 4th BCT, 3rd ID, currently attached to the 2nd BCT, discovered a pressure-plate IED consisting of 2 80 mm mortars and 3 three-liter bottles of unknown bulk explosives.
While investigating the IED, the team discovered 2 additional pressure-plate IEDs. Those IEDs were linked to a total of 4 57 mm mortar rounds.

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Fort Campbell MPs assume operations in west Baghdad

By Capt. Hilary C. Mann, 716th MP Bn. Adjutant

BAGHDAD - The Peacekeepers of the 716th MP Bn from Fort Campbell, Ky., took control of western Baghdad's IP training mission from the 92nd MP Bn during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Camp Liberty Jan 14. The TOA and uncasing ceremony marks the beginning of the latest call to service for the most decorated MP battalion in the world. "Warriors from our unit have fought valiantly in every jungle, on every beach, on every mountain required to defend our great nation . . . their performance for the next fifteen months in the deserts of Al
Anbar and the streets of Baghdad will be no different," said Lt. Col. Darryl Johnson, com., 716th MP Bn.
The Peacekeepers Battalion will continue to train the Iraqi Police (IP) into a competent force capable of providing security for the Iraqi citizens. The area of responsibility encompasses the greater part of a city of 7 million people, including the cities of Ramadi and Falujah, all the way to the Syrian border.
The 716th MP Bn., now under the command and control of the 18th MP Bde, is responsible for the more than 8
subordinate companies which includes an Air Force SF Detachment. This change brings a challenge to the Bn HQ. They must now command, control and support an unprecedented number of subordinate units.
Meanwhile, the 92nd MP Bn. prepares for a well-deserved journey home. "Looking back on our tour, I see progress that was made in our area of ops," said Col. Leonard Cosby, com., 92nd MP Bn. "We are part of history. We witnessed the 'Awakening' in Al Anbar province that resulted in the transition of Fallujah and Ramadi from lawless war zones to examples of cooperation and progress in Iraq."

Lt. Col. Darryl Johnson, (left), com., 716th MP Bn, assumes the mission of command.

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Soldiers capture HVT south of Baghdad

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Div Center Soldiers, in support of Op Phantom Phoenix, captured 15 suspected extremists, including a high-value target (HVT) individual, during an air assault raid 25 miles south of Baghdad Jan. 14.
The HVT suspect is believed to be involved in planning attacks and for contributing to sectarian violence.
Soldiers from Co C, 2nd Bn, 502nd Inf Regt,101st Abn Div (Air Assault), from Fort Campbell, Ky., currently attached to the 4th BCT, 3rd ID, captured the suspects based on a tip from a local citizen.

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Phantom Phoenix denies enemy sanctuary

BAGHDAD - Two weeks into Op Marne Thunderbolt, al-Qaeda in Iraq extremists are on the run. The op is targeting AQI sanctuaries and weapons stockpiles in southern Arab Jabour.
Marne Thunderbolt is part of Op Phantom Phoenix, a nation-wide sweep of Iraq, targeting AQI and other militant groups. The aim of Marne Thunderbolt is two-fold; to flush out remaining AQI elements and to create conditions for security and stability in the region.
More than 40 enemy targets were hit Jan. 10 during one of the largest U.S. air strikes since the war began. Targets included known weapons caches and improvised explosive device (IED) locations, hit by a bomb
blitz where more than 40,000 pounds of bombs were dropped in the first ten-minute wave.
The targets resulted from months of intel gathering. Much of the intel came from CLCs in the area,
"protecting their own, protecting their towns," said Col. Terry Ferrell, com. of the 2nd Bde, 3rd ID. Ferrell said the purpose of the strikes was to eliminate the enemy's "defensive belt" of buried IEDs and caches designed to deny
Coalition and Iraqi SF movement in the area. "We take this op and we continue to look for the enemy where he may want to move to; never giving him a chance to rest or believe that he has ground that he can say that he owns," Ferrell said. "As we expand with the Iraqi SF and the CLCs and we go into new communities, we will maintain a presence and we'll establish that presence," Ferrell said. "The key here is establishing that forward so that they, too, can grow and have the same successes ... that occurred in Al Buaytha, northern Arab Jabour, and
Hawr Rajeb and so forth."
More than 30 extremists are dead and 15 weapons caches have been found and destroyed during ops to date.

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Suspected al-Qaeda counterfeiter arrested

BAGHDAD - Tips led Multi-National Div - Baghdad Soldiers to an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq extremist in southeastern Rashid Jan. 14.
Soldiers of 2nd Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt, from Vilseck, Germany, attached to Task Force Dragon, arrested a man sources claimed was an al-Qaeda counterfeit ID maker during a raid in the Hadar neighborhood.

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Op Phantom Phoenix continues pursuit of extremists in northern provinces

TIKRIT - Op Iron Harvest, a div-level op in support of Multi-National Corps - Iraq's Op Phantom Phoenix,
continues to pursue the enemies of Iraq across Iraq's northern provinces to improve the lives of Iraqi citizens. The Coalition and Iraqi SF' op discovered a car bomb factory, terrorist command cell and large cache in the western desert of Salah ad Din province during Iron Harvest's first week as a direct result of tips from local citizens.
Also in Salah ad Din, CF and ISF finished a project to improve security of the populace in and around Samarra. The project helps control the flow of traffic in and out of Samarra to keep al Qaeda and other extremists from freely entering the city, while improving the city's access to commerce.
In Nineveh, Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Cav Regt detained a known al-Qaeda bomb-maker and IED cell leader, and one of his accomplices in the Tamooz neighborhood of Mosul.
Also in Nineveh, a joint CF and IP op uncovered a large weapons cache in the village of Aitha. The cache contained over 20 rockets.
U.S. and Iraqi Army Soldiers also met with sheiks north of Mosul to discuss improvements in infrastructure, security and economy. In related projects, American and Iraqi engineers worked together to install culverts in the village of Timarat near the city of Tal Afar. CF and ISF medical personnel provided free medical care in the town of Sinjar Domeez.
In Hawija, Kirkuk province, another large group of tribal members signed up for their "Isnad," the Arabic term for govt support movement. The Isnad is Kirkuk's Concerned Local Citizens' (CLCs) movement. More than 1,400 prospective CLC members have been screened on FOB McHenry. The additional CLC members will man checkpoints in the vicinity of Riyad, a particular contentious area within the Hawijah District.

Iraqi and CF Soldiers passed out book bags with school supplies to children at a girls' school in the village of Timarat near the city of Tal Afar, Nineveh.

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ISF, MND-N Soldiers kill seven extremists after attack

TIKRIT - 7 extremists were killed Jan. 15 after they attacked Iraqi SF in Mosul.
Multi-National Div-North Soldiers in support of ISF observed the extremists load a vehicle with weapons and then attack the ISF with small arms. MND-N Soldiers engaged the vehicle, destroying it and killing an extremist.
The CF cordoned the area and moved in to search a house the remaining individual ran into. There they came under attack by small arms fire and hand grenades. After an air weapons team engaged the house, MND-N Soldiers searched the building and recovered the bodies of three more extremists.

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MPs review pre-combat checks prior to a joint patrol

Sgt. Joshua Holland, a member of the 401st MP Co Police Transition Team, 716th MP Bn, 18th MP Bde, reviews how to properly inspect weapons with an Iraqi policeman before a joint patrol mission in Khadra, Jan 15. The 401st has worked at the Khadra IP station for 8 months and has seen vast improvements in community policing ops at their station.

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Operation Phantom Phoenix: U.S. Soldiers find cache, given warheads

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Div - Baghdad Soldiers found a cache of explosives and were given a bag containing warheads by an Iraqi citizen in the Rashid district Jan. 14.
During an early morning patrol, "Warriors' of Co B, 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Regt, 10th Mtn Div, TF Dragon, found a cache of 16 sticks of plastic explosives, 17 blasting caps, 3 RPG boosters and 5 mortar fuses. A local national brought a bag of an unknown amount of rocket-propelled grenade warheads to "Cougars" of Co D, 2nd
Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt, Task Force Dragon.
"We are proud of the Iraqis who are determined to make their communities safer by showing us these munitions," said Maj. Kirk Luedeke, Task Force Dragon spokesman.

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Tribal Sheik turns in two weapons caches

CAMP TAJI - Multi-National Div - Baghdad Soldiers from 1st Bn, 14th Inf Regt, of the 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID, and Iraqi Army Soldiers were directed to a weapons cache by a Tribal Sheik leader in Tarmiya Jan. 14.
Contents of the cache included a car bomb, 44 blocks of TNT, 4 122mm mortars and 7 large containers of home made explosives.
Sheik Jassim turned in another large cache Jan. 6 to U.S. and Iraqi Army Soldiers consisting of 100 anti-personnel mines, 20 anti-tank mines, 12 rockets and 12 155mm artillery rounds. "Terrorists only hurt us and we don't hurt anyone," Sheik Jassim said. "I want the people of Tarmiyah to live free and to be happy."

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Iraqi Police capture suspected terrorists

BAGHDAD - IP officials caught and detained 3 local Iraqi suspected terrorists in the Iraqi capital Jan. 3.
The suspects had falsified Ministry of Interior badges, videotape footage of CF, a sniper rifle with a night-vision scope, a pistol, cell phones and a video camera in their possession. All three suspected terrorists tested positive for gunpowder and explosive residue.
IP officials detained the suspects in Al Rashad National Police Station. Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Harris, squad leader, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 30th Inf, assisted in transporting them for processing and questioning. Harris has experience working with National Police (NP) officers, reviewing tactics, techniques and procedures and patrolling neighborhoods. He realizes the importance of NP, IP and CLCs working together to defeat terrorists and insurgents to ensure a bright future for Iraq. Harris said a local national trusted the IPs enough to inform them about suspicious strangers who were not from the area, just sitting on the side of the road.
Having deployed to Baghdad before, from May 2003 to July 2004 under the 1st Armored Div, Harris has seen positive changes take place in the people here. "I see the locals caring more, wanting the violence to stop ...
and wanting to participate in stopping all this," said Harris. "It's tough. It's a tough job, but I still think we're making forward progress, so I think we need to just keep hacking at it."

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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 15, 2008

Op Phantom Phoenix allows Diyala provincial governor to visit Muqdadiyah officials

MUQDADIYAH - Diyala's provincial governor visited local representatives of qa'da, or county, govts located in and around Muqdadiyah, at FOB Normandy, Jan. 14.
The meeting brought Governor Ra'ad together with the provincial director generals for essential services, including water, electricity, health, education, municipalities and oil, and their municipal counterparts. The meeting gave local leaders a critical forum to voice the needs of their village to the Diyala provincial governor, said Maj. Nicholas Difiore, reconciliations engagement officer, 4th Stryker
BCT, 2nd ID, Fort Lewis, Wash.
In the past, the security situation did not allow meetings like this to take place. Op Raider Harvest, part of the country-wide Op Phantom Phoenix, is currently clearing the region of al Qaeda influence and providing stability to the area, which allowed the local leaders to meet face-to-face.
During Op Raider Harvest, Coalition Forces (CF) are providing security and rebuilding services for the northern Diyala River Valley. The meeting was aimed at transferring that responsibility to the Diyala provincial govt.
"Most of my support comes from CF whether it is morale, finance or military," Mayor Ahmed said. "CF continually support us with reconstruction efforts and programs throughout the qa'da. What the province has offered in the past has been very little in terms of support," Ahmed said, "but our hopes over the next few months are that this will change, we will integrate more into the province and we will gain more support from the provincial govt."
More meetings of the Diyala provincial govt and Northern Diyala River Valley Khada govts are in the works.

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Marine swords given to honor friendships, sacrifice

CAMP FALLUJAH - The Marine Officer's Sword was presented to 2 key sheikhs in Anbar by Multi National Force - West leadership Jan. 14 to honor the relationships developed and progress made over the last year. The gifts are to honor them for their tribes' dedication and sacrifice in fighting al Qaeda in Iraq, working with the local govt, and beginning the process of rebuilding the area..
The "Proclamation of Friendship" was read as the swords were presented: "We, the friendly CF, along with the great tribes and tribal leaders of Al Anbar, affirm the friendship that binds us, celebrate the alliance that unites us and commemorate the sacrifices of all Anbaris to achieve unity, security and prosperity for all the citizens of Al Anbar and the great nation of Iraq."
The traditional Marine Officer's Sword, originally presented to Marine 1st Lt. Presley O'Bannon in 1805 by Prince Hamet of Tripoli as a sign of friendship, will be presented to a number of sheikhs from across
Anbar to acknowledge their contributions and as a sign of continued friendship with CF.
Anbar province became a model for security and reconstruction in 2007. The Awakening movement, led by local sheikhs, spurred an influx of new Iraqi Police (IP) and Army soldiers. Partnered with a surge of CF and with the support of their community, Iraqi Security Forces (SF) drove terrorists and insurgents out of their cities. Senior tribal leaders who fled the violence returned and the national govt is working with the provincial leaders to help Anbaris rebuild their homes and businesses.

Sheikh Amer of the Dulaimi Tribal Confederation accepts a Marine Officer Sword from Maj. Gen. W.E. Gaskin, com. gen. of MNF-W.

Major Gen. John Allen (L), Sheikh Amer and Maj. Gen. W.E. Gaskin, pose with the Marine Officer Sword.

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Op Phantom Phoenix: Tip leads MND-North Soldiers to extremist car bomb factory and large cache

SAMARRA - Multi-National Div - North Soldiers discovered a car bomb factory, terrorist command cell and large cache in the western desert of Salah ad Din province, Jan. 8 as a result of tips from local citizens during Op Phantom Phoenix, a countrywide effort to kill or capture al-Qaeda and other extremists.
Soldiers from 2nd Bn, 327th Inf Regt, 1st BCT, 101st Abn Div (Air Assault) found an extensive enemy training camp, training manuals, video equipment, 4 vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), 1,000 pounds of homemade explosives, 30 pressure plate road bombs and multiple mortar rounds.

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Cavalry troops conduct humanitarian mission, part of Op Phantom Phoenix

MANSURIAH AL JABAL - Soldiers from Troop G, 2nd Sqdrn, 3rd Armored Cav Regt, conducted a humanitarian aid mission in Mansuriah al Jabal, Iraq, as part of Operation Phantom Phoenix, Jan. 13.
During the mission Soldiers passed out rice and flour to hundreds of Iraqis, mostly children, and asked questions about insurgency in the area.
Video and soundbites are available upon request from the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) by calling (678) 421-6604 or by accessing the DVIDS Web site at
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=33796

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Op Phantom Phoenix: Mosul residents reaps benefits of highway clearing op

MOSUL - As part of the country-wide Op Phantom Phoenix, Op Thunder Reaper is a route clearance op that has opened 15 kilometers of road on Highway 1 in Mosul. The road was largely unusable, but now is quickly being used again by local citizens. "Highway 1 has seen a large increase in usage from just 30 days ago," said Capt. Adam Cannon, Iron Hawk Troop com. for 3rd Sqdrn, 3rd Armored Cav Regt. "In order to move across town, most vehicles were forced to take smaller, more congested neighborhood
roads until recently."
The Iraqi SF and CF have been a constant presence on Highway 1 since the op started Dec. 12.
During that time they found and destroyed several dozen IEDs along the vital route. That is in addition to clearing debris and filling in craters from previous IEDs.
"The most profound gain is in the movement of commerce that can be seen utilizing the road. Trucks carrying construction supplies, produce, fuel and other commodities can be spotted on the road at any
time during the day," said Cannon. "The ISF and CF have worked hard to clear the road and the citizens have responded in the best way possible, by putting the highway to use in ways that ultimately benefit all,"
Cannon added.

Pfc. Devin McBride assigned to Iron Hawk Troop, provides security for Iraqi Soldiers (IS) as they put up posters providing contact info for Iraqi Govt and SF.

Two armored combat excavators from the 43rd Combat Eng. Co., work as a team to remove debris
from Highway 1.

An Iraqi Army Soldier stops to chat with a young girl in the al-Zeria neighborhood of Mosul.

Staff Sgt. Jason Heimbaugh, assigned to Iron Hawk Troop patrols the al-Zeria neighborhood.

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Dear Friends and Family,
Thanks to our many supporters who have sent me so many new addresses, more Americans can learn of how successfully Operation Phantom Phoenix is progressing. It's also comforting to see how involved Gen. Petraeus is with the troops. There is also a heartwarming story of the courage of the Iraqi interpreters who we couldn't do without, but risk death not only to themselves, but to their families. I always ask myself if we could be so courageous.

Joanna

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 14, 2008

Gen. Petraeus visits Combat Outpost 9

Gen. David H. Petraeus, com. gen. of Multi-National Force - Iraq, speaks with Paratroopers of the 1st Bde Special Troops Bn, 1st BCT, 82nd Abn Div, based out of Combat Outpost 9, Dec. 12.

Gen. David H. Petraeus speaks with Paratroopers about their equipment.

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Rakkasans uncover VBIED factory

By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT)

BAGHDAD - A routine gathering with local leaders resulted in the discovery of a VBIED factory near Hamid Shaban, Jan. 13.
Acting on a tip from an attendee at the meeting, Rakkasan Soldiers from Troop A, 1st Sqdrn, 33rd Cav Regt, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn Div (Air Assault), acted quickly and found what appeared to be a makeshift VBIED workshop about a mile away from the gathering.
"We came up with a quick plan and headed that way," said Staff Sgt. Adam McMurray, a platoon sgt who provided command and control for the mission. "The Soldiers had to find their way to the house, about a mile away, without detailed directions or a grid coordinate." Once at the location, the house was cleared by a team of Soldiers led by Sgt. Walter Nickel, from Pago Pago, American Samoa.
The most valuable find was in front of the house - 4 vehicles suspected to be used as VBIEDs. One vehicle had wires running from the inside to the trunk. The Soldiers found more explosives and a homemade rocket launcher.
"We found a bunch of paperwork ... a lot of explosives, mortar rounds and bomb-making materials and weapons," Nickel said. "There was stuff just ready to get hooked up to explosives. It seemed to me they were just getting ready to do something; they were just getting things
together."

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Iraqi Special Operations Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain terrorist cell leader

BAGHDAD - Iraqi Special Ops Forces, with U.S. SF as advisors, detained a suspected terrorist cell leader during a raid in Mosul Jan. 14.
According to intel reports, the suspect is responsible for numerous IED attacks. The terrorist cell that he is reported to lead, is involved in storing and emplacing IEDs and car bombs for use in attacks throughout Mosul. He is also believed to be involved in the kidnapping and murder of innocent Iraqi civilians.

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Car chase leads to two arrests near Jisr Diyala

By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT, 3rd ID

BAGHDAD - Soldiers from Troop C, 3rd Sqdrn, 1st Cav Regt, arrested 2 men following a car chase near Jisr Diyala, Jan. 11.
The 2 men were suspected of emplacing IEDs and are believed to be a part of an extremist group responsible for IED attacks. "The detention came about because my guys stopped to help out one of our contacts, whose car had broken down," said Capt. Darrell Melton, com. of Troop C. "They saw the guys we had been after and chased them down."
The day prior, Troop C, with Soldiers from 789th Ordnance Co, from Fort Benning, Ga., currently assigned to the 3rd HBCT, destroyed an IED found by Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs).
"Troop C, 3-1 Cav. Regt. and the CLCs continue to combine to decrease the IED threat along a major highway in the Mada'in Qada," said Maj. David Fivecoat, ops officer for 3rd HBCT. "These efforts are part of the reason why IED attacks have decreased in the qada by 32% since April."

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CLCs turn in large cache to Iraqi Army soldiers

BAGHDAD - Jan. 12
The Karkh cache consisted of 21 mines, 2 anti-tank rockets, 2 53 mm rockets with launchers, 2 152 mm artillery rounds, fuses and 3 boxes of TNT.
Helping remove unauthorized weapons and ordnance like this cache is an example of the effectiveness of CLCs to combat extremists and promote an end to violence by securing their
neighborhoods.
This action is part of Multi-National Div - Baghdad's offensive op in support of Op Phantom Phoenix to kill or capture al-Qaeda and other extremists in order to deny them rest and
sanctuary in the city of Baghdad and the surrounding rural areas. AQI terrorists and other extremists are the root cause of the most horrific attacks against Iraqi civilians, SF and coalition troops.

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Iraqi Soldiers detain suspected militia based on threats against CLCs

BAGHDAD - Iraqi soldiers detained 2 suspected members of an illegal armed group in a raid Jan. 10 in Baghdad's Adhamiyah district after receiving info that the suspects were planning an attack on members of the area's CLC group.
Iraqi Soldiers conducted the op to capture the 2 suspects shortly after midnight in the Qahira neighborhood of Adhamiyah. U.S. Soldiers from A Troop, 1st Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt supported the op by providing security to the raid site.
During the past week, the Baghdad neighborhoods of Qahira and Adhamiyah have seen an increase in intimidation attacks on members of the local volunteer security forces, known by U.S. military forces as CLCs.
The leader of the Sunni-dominated Adhamiyah CLC was assassinated by a suspected al Qaeda suicide bomber Jan. 7, and a prominent Shi'a CLC leader was assassinated by Shi'a extremist special groups Jan. 6. Additionally, members of the CLC have been threatened with death if they don't quit their jobs.
Numerous sources reported an impending attack on a checkpoint to kill CLC members who had not given in to their intimidation. The Iraqi Soldiers who has begun working closely with
the CLC group, responded quickly to prevent the attack from taking place.
In remarks last week, Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner, chief American military spokesman in Iraq, said the increased number of attacks against CLC members was "perhaps one of the clearest indications of the importance that these CLCs are having on improving the security situation in Iraq."
Lt. Col. David Oclander, EO for the 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn Division, the U.S. unit responsible for
security in Adhamiyah said, "The people who want a free and a safe Iraq are standing up, and
that is a scary thought to these terrorists, because what they thrive on is chaos, disorder and intimidation of the populace. It is clear the Iraqi people are rejecting these conditions." The events are part of MND-B's offensive ops in support of Operation Phantom Phoenix.

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Iraqi SWAT team and U. S. Special Forces investigate cache sites

A member of an Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics team surveys a farm in search of illegal weapons Jan. 10. The ISWAT team and U.S. SF conducted a patrol on the Muhallabiyah Ridge to investigate 3 reported cache sites and disrupt insurgent activity in western Ninewah.

An Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics team and U.S. SF find a cave with material to make IEDs.

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Black Lions detain hospital bombing suspect

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Div - Baghdad Soldiers, acting on a tip from a local resident, detained a man Jan. 11, on suspicion of involvement in the Jan. 3 bombing at the Furat Hospital in the West Rashid district.
"Black Lions," from Battle Co, 1st Bn, 28th Inf Regt, Task Force Dragon, arrested the alleged extremist after learning about his whereabouts from sources.
"We receive numerous tips everyday from locals telling us where suspected criminals may be operating," said Maj. Kirk Luedeke, Task Force Dragon spokesman. "We would not be as successful without the cooperation of courageous Iraqis who are taking a stand against the cycle of violence in their neighborhoods."
This and other offensive ops are part of MND-B's support of Operation Phantom Phoenix.

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Interpreters bravely support Iraqi national police

By Master Sgt. Robert Taylor
National Police Transition Team Ops

BAGHDAD - In an effort to effectively mentor, coach and advise the Iraqi National Police HQ leadership, the HQ National Police Transition Team must use interpreters to communicate with the National Police Com., Staff Major Gen. Al Awadi and his senior Staff Officers.
These iInterpreters live on FOB Prosperity, in order to support the transition team members with meetings or translate important documents so that both Iraqi and Coalition leaders fully understand each other. Interpreters also seek professional development in verbal, written and computer skills in order to become more proficient at their jobs.
Many of these Interpreters are married and have children. However, they leave their families where they live and create false identities or move the families to other countries when they go to work with the CF and National Police.
"The dangers that are associated with this type of job are beyond the average person's comprehension. If they are discovered, they or their families could be executed, as was the case earlier last year when one of the Interpreters was murdered," said Sgt. Maj. Fred
Nordstrom, HQ National Police Transition Team NCOIC.
Travel for family visitations is one of the most dangerous times for the Interpreters due to their vulnerability. They cannot carry their Coalition ID cards or be seen entering into one of the FOB gates. If they are observed, it could again lead to them or their families being executed, kidnapped and held for ransom, or coercion.
As one transition team interpreter stated, "My neighbors think that I am working as a contractor, and I leave all of my badges on the FOB so nobody knows what I really do."
The reasons and motivations that drive the interpreters vary. For one interpreter, improvements in the country are important to his serving. "I see our country getting better every day and want to see what will happen next."
"The bravery that these men and women demonstrate is uncanny, even when surrounded by battle hardened Soldiers. The courage they show in simply doing their jobs is truly heroic and should be recognized by all," said Maj. Jeffrey R. Nelden, HQNP-TT Ops Officer.

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Operation Phantom Phoenix: Pursuit of al-Qaeda continues

TIKRIT - Op Iron Harvest - a div-level op in support of Multi-National Corps - Iraq's Op Phantom Phoenix - continues to pursue al Qaeda across 4 provinces of northern Iraq.
Within the first week of the op, CF and Iraqi SF have detained 193 suspected extremists, killed 60 suspected extremists and found 79 weapons caches. These caches included
over 10,000 rounds of small arms ammo, over 2,000 heavy machine gun rounds, over 4,000 pounds of home-made explosives, over 300 pounds of TNT, approximately 100 IEDs in various
stages, over 300 blasting caps, over 50 pressure plates, over 2,000 feet of detonation cord and many other items.
Col. John Lehr, com. of 4th BCT, 2nd ID, who commands the Brigade that is leading the efforts in Diyala Province, reported that he was "very thankful for the integration of 3rd Bde, 5th Iraqi Army into our operation. Upon joining us, they immediately discovered a major cache system, which will lead to other cache systems and the capture of other terrorists." In one particular find in Diyala in an area known as the Breadbasket, Coalition and Iraqi SF together uncovered a weapons cache in an underground bunker complex with several rooms.
"The Iraqi Soldiers made this latest find possible. They are making great gains headway against the enemy," said Brig. Gen. James Boozer, dep. com. gen. of Task Force Iron. "Their ability to turn human intel is significant because of the relationships they have made with the population in this short amount of time."

Iraqi SF and CF uncover an underground complex in Diyala during Op Iron Harvest. The op is part of Op Phantom Phoenix.

The inside of the underground bunker found in Diyala had places for sleeping and eating.

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Large cache, underground bunker system discovered during Op Phantom Phoenix

TIKRIT - CF discovered a complex cache site and underground bunker system inside a dense palm grove Jan. 12 near Esalwid, during Op Raider Harvest.
Soldiers of Co I, 3rd Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt, found the 70-meter complex, which included a sleeping building, a building for storing food and a building for constructing
IEDs, as well as 2 underground living bunkers.
Located at the site were numerous weapons and explosives, including various munitions, small arms, more than 10 IED cases, along with numerous other material for making IEDs, and various ammunitions and military gear.
CF also found several log books containing AQI members with their assigned weapons and a map of IED locations. A power line leading to the site was traced back to the home of a nearby villager, who was detained along with 5 of his military-age-male family members.

Soldiers of Co I, 3rd Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt and Iraqi SF found a 70-meter complex.

ISF soldiers search one of the two underground living bunkers during a joint search op.

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Iraqi National Police foil kidnapping

BAGHDAD - A high-speed chase ended in a life-saving discovery when Iraqi NP pulled over 3 extremists and found a kidnapping victim bound and gagged in the trunk of their car, Jan. 2.
The driver and 2 passengers in the car were arrested after they attempted to run a police checkpoint near Sadr City. IP Officers gave chase, and eventually forced them to a stop. When the NP approached the vehicle, they heard thumping sounds coming from inside the trunk. When they opened it, they found the victim inside. The 24-year-old college student, said the criminal militia had stopped him at an illegal checkpoint near the Al Shourga Market and demanded to know if he was Sunni or Shia. When he did not answer fast enough, they grabbed him. The victim was severely beaten.
When they were stopped, the militia members apparently tried to intimidate the police officers with their militia connections, said Capt. Michael Norman, a U.S. military advisor to the IP. The policemen ignored their threats and arrested them, Norman said. "This shows every law abiding citizen of Iraq - no matter what faith they are - can count on the protection of the Iraqi NP and the other Iraqi SF. And at the same time, it lets every criminal know that no one is above the law," said Lt. Col. David Oclander, EO for the 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn Div, the U.S. unit responsible for security in Sadr City and Adhamiyah areas.
These actions are part of Multi-National Div - Baghdad Soldiers offensive ops in support of Op Phantom Phoenix.

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Dear Friends and Family,
Operation Raider Harvest, part of the Iraq-wide Op Phantom Phoenix, continues as a major offensive mission. We are privileged to have many pictures of the Op, which gives us a good feel as to conditions our magnificent troops are facing. It's always interesting to see the equipment they are using. Our media is too busy with politics to be reporting this heroic mission.

Joanna

January 13, 2008

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

CLCs, 'Strike' troops locate caches, mortar rounds

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Div - Baghdad Soldiers from 3rd Plt, Co B, 1st Bn, 64th Armor Regt, discovered a large cache while on patrol in the Mansour district of Baghdad Jan. 11 in support of
Op Phantom Phoenix.
The troops discovered approximately 1,860 items in the cache. Contents of the cache included such items as 1,000 blasting caps, 100 feet of detonation cord, machine guns, an assortment of 70 mortars, 316 hand grenades of various types, preassembled IEDs and unknown bulk explosives totaling 850 pounds.
In a separate incident Jan. 11, Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs) located 6 107 mm mortar rounds in Ghazaliyah. Once they located these rounds, they immediately contacted troops from the 1st Bn, 75th Cav Regt, 2nd BCT, 101st ABN Div (Air Assault) to come in and assess the situation.
"Coalition and Iraqi SF continue to thwart the activity of insurgents who wish to bring harm to the citizens of Iraq," said Maj. Jose F. Garcia, spokesman for the 2nd BCT. Multi-National Div - Baghdad Soldiers continue offensive ops in support of Op Phantom Phoenix to kill or capture members of al-Qaeda and other extremists in order to deny them rest and sanctuary in the city of Baghdad and the surrounding rural areas.

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Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces uncover weapons cache

BALAD - A Ninewah Special Weapons and Tactics Team, advised by U.S. SF uncovered a weapons cache during a Jan. 12 op in Mosul.
Included in the items found were 22 AK-47 magazines, 15 sticks of PE-4 explosive, 2 bags of explosive propellant, 9 electric blasting caps, 9 60 mm mortars, a mortar bipod, 7 RPG boosters and 4 RPG-7 rockets.

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TIKRIT - Video is available of Iraqi forces, along with U.S. Soldiers with Troop F, 2nd Sqdrn, 3rd Armored Cav Regt, setting up a combat outpost in Abu Sayda.
CF, Iraqi Police and the Iraqi Army will use the new combat outpost as a base of ops during Op Raider Harvest which is designed to clear the northern Diyala River Valley of al-Qaeda in Iraq and keep them out. Raider Harvest is part of the Iraq-wide Op Phantom Phoenix.
The video is available upon request from the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) by calling (678) 421-6604 or by accessing the DVIDS Web site at www.dvidshub.net

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Army Material Command general visits Task Force Warrior Soldiers

Gen. Benjamin Griffin, com. gen. of Army Material Command, and Nelson Ford, asst. sec. of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller, listen as Lt. Col. Joseph Novack, com. of 1st
Bde, 10th Mtn Div, Support Bn, describes the duties of his Soldiers at the unit's motor pool at FOB Warrior, Jan. 10. Griffin and Ford toured northeastern Iraq during a fact-finding mission to evaluate and address supply issues affecting the unit.

Gen. Benjamin Griffin shakes hands with a 1st BCT Soldier.

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Photos: Iraqis stand up security forces during countrywide Op Phantom Phoenix

4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID

An Iraqi Soldier patrols a checkpoint while Iraqi Soldiers patrol providing security for Iraqi citizens in Abu Sayda, Jan. 11 during Op Raider Harvest which is part of the Iraq-wide Op Phantom Phoenix.

Soldiers from 2nd Sqdrn, 3rd Armored Cav Regt maintain a Personal Security Detail in Abu Sayda.

Soldiers from 2nd Sqdrn receive a mission brief.

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Op Phantom Phoenix Photos: Sappers clear essential route

4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID

Staff Sgt. Chad Jones, a combat eng. with 1st Plt, 38th Eng. Co, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID from
Fort Lewis, Wash., provides security during a route clearance mission in support of Operation Raider Harvest in the northern Diyala River Valley, Jan. 10.

An RG-31 vehicle from 38th Eng. Co., travels alongside a canal searching for mines and roadside bombs.

A Soldier with 1st Plt hands Iraqi children candy during a route clearance mission.

Sgt. James Bruce, a combat eng. in 1st Plt, provides security while members of his unit pass in
IED-detecting vehicles.

Soldiers of 1st Plt, search for command wire and indicators of IEDs.

A Soldier of 1st Plt, talks with an Iraqi Army Soldier.

Staff Sgt. Chad Jones (left), and Capt. Adam Harless, the 38th Combat Eng. Co. com., scan their sectors.

A Soldier of 1st Plt, ground guides an RG-31 vehicle as it moves obstacles from their path.

A Stryker vehicle moves a barrier.

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Dear Friends and Family,
Once again we welcome many new readers to our informative and positive updates. It's not hard to find successful stories, because they are happening every day. We have great variety and rewarding pictures. Those that use aol, and are having problems receiving pictures, please notify aol.

Joanna

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 13, 2008

Tips lead to destruction of booby-trapped houses during Op Phantom Phoenix

TIKRIT - Multi-National Div - North Soldiers destroyed 3 booby-trapped houses in Himbus, Jan. 11 during Op Raider Harvest, which is part of the country-wide Op Phantom Phoenix.
Local Iraqis told Soldiers of Co I, 3rd Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt the location of the buildings being used by al-Qaeda in Iraq. The Soldiers inspected the buildings and identified them as
booby-trapped. 2 of the buildings contained explosives and copper wire leading to all the doors. The explosives were arranged to collapse the buildings. The third building was in the process of being prepped as a HBIED.

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Op Raider Harvest holding phase begins

TIKRIT - Raider Harvest, an op designed to clear al-Qaeda in Iraq from the northern Diyala River Valley, and keep them out, will soon switch into the holding phase as part of Op Phantom Phoenix.
During the clearing phase, which began Jan. 8 and is currently ongoing, CF killed 4 enemy fighters, wounded another 4 and detained 24 individuals. In addition, CF also discovered and
cleared 13 IEDs, 10 vehicle-born IEDs, 4 house-born IEDs and 15 weapon caches.
The northern DRV area, know as the 'bread basket,' was a traditional safe haven for AQI in Diyala province. Raider Harvest is not only clearing the enemy from this area, but also ensuring that they are unable to return.
"Although decisive, the combat ops will likely not have as great of an effect as the next phases," said Lt. Col. James Brown, exec. officer of 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID, the unit conducting Raider Harvest. "The big part of it is that now the area will be tied to Muqdadiyah, its closest and largest urban center, and Muqdadiyah will be tied to the province, so the chain of communication between local villages and the Iraqi govt will be established. That chain was not there before, so the local people were ripe for AQI to fill that need for them. Now that the link has been established, the govt will be able to provide what the people need, which will end AQI's foothold in the area," Brown said.
"As we transition into the next phase, you will essentially see a planting of the Iraqi flag in the northern DRV," Brown continued. "You will start to see Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police, which up until this point, had not patrolled in this area, and here shortly, you will see the linkage between the provincial leaders and the local leaders."
One aspect of the next phases of the operation is the building of at least one Joint Combat Outpost in the area.

Staff Sgt. Chad Jones (left), a combat eng., 1st Platoon, 38th
Eng. Co., 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID from Fort Lewis, Wash., and 38th Combat Eng. Co. Com. Capt. Adam Harless scan their sectors.

A Bradley cav fighting vehicle from Troop G, 2nd Sqdrn, 3rd Armored Cav., provides security in support of Op Raider Harvest. Grim Troop and 2-3 ACR are currently attached to Regt, 4th
Stryker BCT, 2nd ID in Diyala province.

Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Co A, 2nd Bn, 23rd Inf Regt, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID surround a house in a village southwest of Muqdadiyah, Jan. 8, preparing to tactically clear it in search of insurgents.

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Key leaders discuss issues in southern region

By Spc. Jaime Avila 1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div.

CAMP UR - Col. Charles A. Flynn, com. of the 1st BCT, 82nd Airborne Div. met with Brig. Gen. Sa'ad Alherbaia, com. of the Iraqi Army 10th Div, 3rd Bde, and other key personnel in Coalition and Iraqi Forces.
They discussed a range of topics, including the security situation in Dhi Qar and improving the effectiveness of Iraqi SF. Additionally, they set a timeline for future meetings.
The main focus of discussion was the current situation of the Provincial Joint Communications Center. They said they believed with better communication between individuals with common goals, they could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the emergency responders in
Dhi Qar.
They also discussed the issue of having trained individuals investigate and gather intel in the Iraqi govt. CF agreed to discuss the issue at a later date.

Col. Charles A. Flynn and Brig. Gen. Sa'ad Alherbaia, met at Camp Ur Jan 7 to discus key issues in the Dhi Qar region.

Col. Charles A. Flynn and Dhi Qar Governor Aziz Ogeli discuss key issues.

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Paratroopers discover rockets thanks to tip

By Sgt. 1st Class Gary L. Qualls Jr.
1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div.

SUQ ASH SHUYUK - Paratroopers in HHC, 1st Bde Special Troops Bn, 82nd Airborne Div
discovered and thwarted 21 107mm rockets set to launch toward their command outpost - thanks to a tip from a local shepherd Jan. 6.
The shepherd told the paratroopers he heard and saw a rocket launch. The element found the rockets set to launch. The paratroopers were ordered to move back and engage the rockets with MK-19 rounds to knock them off their launchers and eliminate the threat to the combat outpost. Air support from an Air Force F-16 followed up, hitting the rocket site with 1,000 20mm rounds and a 500 pound GBU-12.
The incident is under investigation.

Troopers from 1st BSTB discovered 21 107mm rockets thanks to a tip from a local shepherd.

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Local Iraqi discovers explosive formed penetrator at major intersection

By Maj. Virginia A. McCabe 1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div.

SUQ ASH SHUYUK - A local Iraqi man reported a possible EFP to troops located near a combat outpost at a main highway intersection.
Soldiers from 1st Bde Special Troops Bn, 1st BCT, 82nd Airborne Div, with the help of the local Iraqi, found the device just south of the combat outpost. The bn's recovery security team cordoned the area. The device was confirmed as an EFP with a video recording device located in the surrounding area. The device consisted of one, 14-inch diameter EFP.

A local Iraqi man leads troops to an EFP.

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Gen Petraeus visits Camp Adder troops

Gen. David H. Petraeus, com. of Multi-National Forces - Iraq, tells Spc. Zachariah Estrada, Co D, 3rd Bn., 144th Inf. Regt., 82nd Abn. Div., he is on target during a visit to COB Adder Jan. 12. Petraeus was briefed on the current situation in Southern Iraq, had lunch with company commanders and presented coins to Soldiers during the visit.

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Iraqi Army Soldiers distribute wheelchairs

By Spc Grant T. Okubo
4th IBCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div.

FOB RUSTAMIYAH - Villagers gathered as Iraqi Army Soldiers distributed 50 wheelchairs to disabled Iraqi citizens in Schmook Village, Jan. 3, many of whom are military veterans injured in the Iraq-Iran war, said Maj. Steve Smith of the 1st Bn., 4th Bde., 1st IA Div. Military Transition Team.
As the Soldiers distributed the wheelchairs, U.S. Soldiers from the 5th Bn, 25th FAR, 4th IBCT, 10th Mtn Div who accompanied the IA troops said they saw many smiling Iraqi faces.
The wheelchair distribution in Schmook Village is the first of 2 such humanitarian efforts in the area. Another 50 wheelchairs will be given to villagers next week, said Smith. Another project is in the works to fix the local swimming pool, which has been out of use for about 3 years. "It's not only a swimming pool for the kids, but it is a therapeutic pool for the amputees," said Smith, adding that the Schmook villagers were "very grateful" to receive the wheelchairs.
The villagers in Schmook who needed and received the wheelchairs can thank Iraqi Army Col. Ahmed for the op, claimed Smith. "He provided security, he set up the locations for the chairs,
brought families forward and greeted them and ensured that everyone that deserved a chair got a chair," said Smith.

Lt. Col. Dennis Yates, bn com., 5th Battalion and Col. Ahmed (center), with 3 Baghdad residents.

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Dear Friends and Family,
We have a great story of tremendous progress in western Anbar, and an interesting story from Military.com on Gen. Petraeus' expectations of troop drawdown due to our successes and accomplishments.

Joanna

'New Dawn' helps Iraqis rebuild western Anbar

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 12, 2008

CAMP AL ASAD - Marines from Regimental Combat Team 2 launched Op Fajr Jadeed (New Dawn) in western Al Anbar province Dec. 21, to energize a return to normalcy across the region.
As Iraqi Police continue to expand their responsibilities in the cities and along major roads, the military is reducing its presence in those areas. CF and Iraqi Soldiers are removing barriers
and concertina wire. A number of small outposts and patrol bases were closed or turned over to local police to reduce the impact of the military presence on civilians. More than a dozen smaller posts will be deconstructed and the areas cleaned over the course of the op.
"The Iraqis are feeling secure enough to conduct business, go to school, meet openly and discuss their future, and live a life without fear of reprisal," said Col. H. Stacy Clardy III, com. of RCT-2. "They're tired of war, and adjusting CF visibility among the population is indeed progress towards a peaceful solution and normality."
Coalition training teams are partnered with the police in the cities. Marines and Iraqi Soldiers continue to support the police by targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq fighters away from population centers, in the desert regions where small pockets still attack civilians.

Lt. Col. J.J. Dill, com. officer of 1st Bn, 7th Marine Regt, stands next to Muhanad Zubar Mutlak, mayor of Baghdadi, during a recent ceremony here. Community leaders gathered to commemorate the deconstruction of the last Marine base within city limits. The Iraqi Police are now solely responsible for the security of their fellow citizens.

A young boy peaks out from between Lt. Col. J.J. Dill and Mutlak,

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(From military.com)
Iraqi Troops Ready for US Drawdown
Agence France-Presse | January 03, 2008

The impending drawdown of some 30,000 U.S. troops from Iraq will not disrupt the "relentless" pursuit of Al-Qaeda as Iraqis are ready to take their place, says U.S. com. Gen. David Petraeus. Washington has projected the withdrawal of five units by July, which would bring the number of American troops in Iraq down from a current 160,000 to about 130,000 -- the level before a "surge" was launched last February.

Speaking on Jan. 2 in Owesat village on the banks of the Euphrates, about 17 miles southwest of Baghdad near the town of Yusufiyah, Petraeus vowed no quarter would be given in the fight against Osama bin Laden's extremist network, blamed for much of the violence in Iraq. "We cannot let up -- they are much more on the defensive right now than they have been in years and that is where we have to keep them," Washington's top general in Iraq said as he declared the village of Owesat, just months ago a hotbed of Sunni insurgency, now secure. "This was a small Al-Qaeda sanctuary that offered an opportunity to go right across the river and right into Baghdad," he said. "Having this secured is very important to the overall security of the Iraqi capital."

He shrugged off concerns that the American troop withdrawals could see a reversal of gains made in the past six months, when according to U.S. figures, the number of attacks across Iraq has dropped by 62 percent. "It is very important to remember that our surge is dwarfed by the Iraqi surge that is taking place," said Petraeus, on one of his trademark "battlefield" tours, accompanied by a small group of reporters. "The official Iraqi security forces has increased by something like 110,000 or so in the past year -- during which (time) our surge was 30,000. There are also 70,000 plus Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs) who are now helping our forces and our Iraqi partners," he added, referring to members of powerful anti-Qaeda fronts being formed across the country by the U.S. military. "Because the Iraqi generation of additional army and police forces will continue throughout 2008, it allows us to hold an area that has been cleared and then we continue to move on farther with our Iraqi partners and the support of the locals," he said.

He cited developments in the city of Fallujah in western Anbar province as further reason he is optimistic Iraq's SF can take over when U.S. troops begin withdrawing. "Fallujah, which used to be held completely by an Iraqi army brigade or more plus our marines or soldiers over time is now completely held by Iraqi police ... Our units and Iraqi army units have been able to move outside the city and pursue Al-Qaeda more to the north and south."

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Dear Friends and Family,
It looks like we're at the start of a major offensive against al Qaeda, but our media is too busy with politics. I'm in the process of trying to get the videos myself, or will direct you to where you can see them. Our prayers are with the troops for a successful mission.

Joanna

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

Video Available: Op Phantom Phoenix - MND-North Soldiers discover al-Qaeda tunnels

TIKRIT - In support of Op Phantom Phoenix, Soldiers from HHC, 3rd Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav
Regt, clear palm groves and houses in Bazul Jan. 9 during which they found al-Qaeda tunnels and hideouts. The mission was part of Op Raider Harvest, a Multi-National Div-North sub-op of
Phantom Phoenix, designed to clear out al-Qaeda fighters in the northern area of the Diyala River Valley known as the Bread Basket.

Video and Soundbites are available upon request from the Digital Video
and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) by calling (678) 421-6604 or by
accessing the DVIDS Web site at www.dvidshub.net.

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BALAD - Iraqi SF, advised by U.S. SF, detained 2 suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq IED specialists in separate raids Dec. 28.
The Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics team and U.S. SF detained a suspected AQI terrorist believed to be a primary facilitator of IED attacks. Additionally, the suspected terrorist is thought to have helped foreign fighters enter the country and facilitate suicide bombings in northern Babel province. He is also believed to be responsible for the murder of numerous Iraqi citizens.
Near the city of Balad, Iraqi Special Os Forces and U.S. Forces detained a suspected AQI terrorist who specializes in IED construction. He is also believed to belong to a terror cell that is
responsible for IED emplacement and weapons trafficking as well as the intimidation of Iraqi citizens.

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An M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams Tank from Troop G, 2nd Sqdrn, 3rd Armored Cav Regt, awaits orders to move to its objective in support of Op Raider Harvest near Mansuriyah al Jabal, Jan. 9. Raider Harvest is part of the Iraq-wide Op Phantom Phoenix. Grim Troop and 2-3 ACR are attached to 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID in Diyala province and is one of the first heavy cav units to employ this version of the Abrams tank, the newest in the U.S. Army's arsenal.

A Bradley crew from Troop G, negotiates their vehicle up a hillside to provide their unit security
overwatch.

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BAQUBA - CF killed 4 enemy personnel and wounded 3 more shortly after an engineer vehicle was hit by an IED during Op Raider Harvest, which is part of the country-wide Op Phantom Phoenix, Jan. 8 near Muqdadiyah.
Soldiers from the 38th Engineer Co, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID were struck by an IED while clearing a route in the Diyala province, a known al-Qaeda in Iraq safe haven. No CF Soldiers were injured in the attack.
An air weapons team operating in the area spotted several armed personnel running from the IED site into a nearby house. An air weapons team engaged the house with a missile. Based on the extent of the explosion caused by the missile, military officials assess that the house was being used as an al Qaeda in Iraq safe house and weapons cache.

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FOB KALSU - More than 40 targets were hit Jan. 10 after precision air strikes destroyed reported al-Qaeda safe havens in Arab Jabour. 38 bombs were dropped within the first 10
minutes, with a total tonnage of 40,000 pounds.
The precision air strikes supported Op Phantom Phoenix, the overarching op that includes Op Marne Thunderbolt.
A joint op between the Air Force and Soldiers of the 2nd BCT, 3rd ID required extensive planning to prevent collateral damage and to deny the use of the area for attacks into Baghdad and against CF.
Two B-1 Bombers and 4 F-16 fighter jets, directed bombs at 3 large target areas. Each bomber made 2 passes and the F-16s followed to complete the set. Coordination between the Army and Air Force was essential in making the op a success.
Op Marne Thunderbolt is an ongoing op aimed at flushing out remaining al-Qaeda extremists operating in the southern Arab Jabour area, and to create conditions for improved security.
Soldiers from 2nd Bde, 3rd ID will join Iraqi SF and Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs) to continue these offensive ops to keep pressure on the enemy.

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Dear Friends and Family,
I heard a politician say that reconciliation isn't working, and that the situation was hopeless. Obviously he hasn't been reading our updates. The Iraqi people and our troops certainly feel differently. Miracles are happening every day, and I hope our new folks will stick with us and be one of the informed.
Joanna
_____________________
Multi-National Corps - Iraq Public Affairs Office
Camp Victory APO AE 09342

January 8, 2008

BAGHDAD - Iraqi SF, advised by U.S. SF, detained 6 alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq members and 2 additional suspects in 2 separate ops Jan. 6. An Iraqi Emergency Response Unit detained 6 suspected AQI members who are believed to be responsible for a wide range of criminal activities, including kidnapping and murder, against Iraqi civilians, as well as IED attacks within Tarmiyah and Taji. Additionally, during a cordon and search op in Mashraf, 2 suspects were detained who are believed to be insurgents from the Saddam neighborhood in Mosul.

By Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles

214th FB

BAGHDAD - A cache of 1,369 unexploded ordnance was turned over to CF based at FOB Delta Jan. 3. Iraqi Civil Defense Corps personnel, an arm of the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior which handles explosives, delivered the unexploded ordnance and small arms cartridges to the Kazakhstani Soldiers, according to 1st Lt. Almaz Mukashev, the Kazakhstani liaison officer. Additionally, some of the ordnance were remnants of the Iran-Iraq War. The cache contained 1,255 57 mm mortars, 51 120 mm mortar mines, 14 152 mm artillery rounds, 33 60 mm artillery rounds, 15 155 mm artillery rounds, a 82 mm mortar and 1,071 20 mm small arms cartridges. "This is a significant cache of unexploded ordnance and fuses. This is just another indication of how serious Iraqis are about security and stability," said Col. Peter Baker, 214th Fires Bde com. "They're making the effort. They're turning them over to CF, and we are partnering with them in this effort. "These are the munitions used to build IEDs," Baker said. "Iraqis have taken over 1,300 IEDs out of the hands of criminals ... this is a wonderful way to start the new year. I congratulate the Iraqis for showing courage and the spirit of goodwill by turning in these UXOs (unexploded ordinance)." The Kazakhstani battalion provides UXO disposal support to FOB Delta.

By Sgt. Luis Delgadillo

2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.
BAGHDAD - In a vital and encouraging boost to the efforts against al-Qaeda in Iraq, local sheiks met with CF to discuss cooperation and future Concerned Local Citizen (CLCs) programs Jan. 4. Sheiks from areas surrounding Sayafia spoke with Multi-National Div - Center commanders Col. Terry Ferrell, 2nd BCT, and Col. Dan Ball, 3rd CAB, 3rd ID, Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. During the event, sheiks introduced themselves to Ferrell and Ball, relaying to both leaders some of the crimes and injustices that al-Qaeda had perpetrated. In one instance, an Iraqi man described being forced from his home and land by al-Qaeda, who now use his property as a safe house. Ultimately, he pleaded with both leaders to help him get his property back, to which Ferrell replied, "That's what I'm here to do." Ferrell went on to tell the sheiks that he hoped they were serious about their commitment to the area. The sheiks shared information with Ferrell regarding the whereabouts and strength of al-Qaeda forces. Ferrell emphasized to the community leaders that the most important thing they could do was to give him information on al-Qaeda forces. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of not having the sheiks arm their respective communities and rove around looking for insurgents. Ferrell said militias are illegal in Iraq, and the CLCs need to focus their efforts on providing info on terrorist activities in and around their homes and villages.
(1st photo) Col. James W. Adams, dep. com. listens to a sheik's concerns, while Staff Sgt. Shawn Wenninger, NCO in charge of info ops (center), takes notes. (2nd photo) Sheiks from areas surrounding Sayafia spoke with coms. Col. Terry Ferrell and Col. Dan Ball.

BAGHDAD - CF destroyed a house-borne IED in Busayefi with precision fires Jan. 2. Co B, 1st Bn, 30th Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 3rd ID, discovered command detonation wires leading from the house to a canal nearby. CLCs reported a separate IED north of the house made from 2 oxygen tanks with a crush wire detonator. Both the HBIED, and crush wire IED were engaged by the precision fires and destroyed.

CAMP TAJI - Local govt officials and tribal leaders from the northwestern Baghdad region, together with senior representatives from the Provincial and National levels of the Iraqi Govt and Iraqi SF, will meet with the incoming unit to the Taji area, the 2nd Bde, 25th ID and say goodbye to the outgoing unit, 1st Bde, 1st Cav Div, Jan. 10. The purpose of the event is to show the "Warrior" brigade's dedication to continuing the work of reconciliation and reconstruction in the Taji area. The primary topic of discussion will be the next step in the economic recovery of the northwestern Baghdad Region: the revitalization of essential services to people in the area.

(Joanna: The media is invited to come and witness this event. Will they report it to the American people?)

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Div - Baghdad Soldiers discovered a weapons cache during a patrol Jan. 2, while a joint patrol found another Jan. 1 during ongoing ops in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital. 'Warriors' from 2nd Bn, 4th Inf Regt, attached to the 4th IBCT, 1st ID, found a cache of explosives while patrolling eastern Doura Jan. 2. Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel detonated the cache which consisted of a 155 mm artillery round with detonation cord attached, 4 107 mm rockets, 3 pineapple grenades, 170 lbs. of homemade explosives, a satchel charge, 2 electronic initiators and 15 blasting caps. While patrolling Saydiyah, Iraqi Soldiers and 'Tuskers' from Co B, 4th Bn, 64th Armored Regt attached to Task Force Dragon, found a cache of five shotguns of various types, 2 black powder rifles, 14 flintlock pistols and 6 handguns, 6 knives of various lengths and sizes, a hatchet, a bow and 2 phone cards. Iraqi law permits home owners to own an AK-47 assault rifle and a full magazine for home defense.

FOB LOYALTY - Iraqi National Police officials arrested three suspected kidnappers and saved a university student near the Turakmen club in eastern Baghdad Jan. 1. Acting on a tip, National Police Col. Hasseeb Kareem, issued an order for officers manning National Police checkpoints to be on the look out for suspects in a green Toyota sedan with a possible kidnapping victim in their vehicle. Alert National Policemen at a checkpoint near the Turakmen club spotted the vehicle and forced the vehicle to halt when the driver refused to voluntarily stop the car. National Police officials detained and arrested the 3 suspected kidnappers, and freed a male university student who had been restrained and placed in the vehicle's trunk. CF officials believe the arrests will help to reduce kidnappings for ransom in the area, and will financially hamper the criminal element conducting such attacks.

Dear Friends and Family,
Extremists continue to be captured, as well as weapon caches, thanks to the heroism of the Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs) of Iraq. The last story is a reminder that freedom isn't free, but always worth the price. What is the alternative?
Joanna

________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 7, 2008

BAGHDAD - 2 Apache helicopter air strikes killed 3 suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq extremists near Maderiyah during Op Marne Thunderbolt on the night of Jan. 4 and the morning of Jan. 5. In the first strike Jan. 4, Soldiers from Batt B, 1st Bn, 9th FAR, 2nd BCT, 3rd ID, saw 2 suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq members digging and emplacing weapons caches in a canal. Batt B called for air support from 1st Bn, 3rd Aviation Regt, 3rd CAB. When the extremists heard the Apaches overhead, they fled to a nearby building. The helicopters engaged the extremists with machine guns. A recon of the area confirmed both extremists were killed. The following day, Soldiers reported another man digging in numerous spots in the same area on the canal. The man was identified as an extremist and was engaged by Apache helicopters. Hellfire missiles were fired, into the area where the extremist was digging, to destroy any possible caches or explosives buried beneath the ground. The missiles produced secondary explosions confirming that munitions were emplaced there.

By Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.FOB HAMMER - Concerned Local Citizens (CLCs) in Sabbah Nissan, a village southeast of Baghdad, turned in 123 20 mm rounds to Soldiers of Batt A, 1st Bn, 10th FAR, when they visited the CLCs headquarters Dec. 31. This was the fourth cache the CLC group has handed over to Battery A in the past 2 weeks. "The CLCs have been very focused on finding these caches and bringing them to us," said Capt. Chas Cannon, com. of Batt A. "We are very pleased with the success they are having getting these weapons out of the hands of insurgents attempting to operate in this area."

By Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.BAGHDAD - On Jan. 1 CLCs in Tuwaitha, a village southeast of Baghdad, discovered one of the largest weapons caches since the 3rd HBCT deployed to the Mada'in Qada 9 months ago. The cache consisted of 2 5-gallon jugs of homemade explosives, 7 85 mm rockets, a 73 mm rocket, 10 82 mm mortar rounds, 2 57 mm mortar rounds, 2 60 mm mortar rounds, 2 rocket-propelled grenade launchers and 2 40 mm explosive projectiles. "Every time a CLC brings in ordnance it saves Soldiers' lives," said Maj. Desmond Bailey, the ops officer for 3-1st Cav. Regt. "This demonstrates that more Iraqis are on the side of peace." Last fall, Co D conducted Op Tuwaitha Sunrise, which partnered the unit with CLCs in an effort to drive insurgents from the area. "The CLCs program is highly successful, which is clearly evident based on the amount of ordnance discovered by the Tuwaitha CLCs," said 1st Lt. Timothy Eng, an engineer in HQ Troop, 3-1st Cav. Regt.

FOB KALSU - A suspected distributor of car bombs and a weapons trafficker for al-Qaeda in Iraq was captured 25 miles south of Baghdad Jan. 1. The detainee is the 4th BCT, 3rd ID's No. 1 most wanted individual. Prior to the raid, Soldiers from Co B, 2nd Bn, 502nd Inf, part of Task Force 1-76 out of FOB Kalsu, watched the target for hours with a Predator drone and OH-58D Kiowa observation helicopters. Shortly after the individual stopped at his house, Soldiers from Co. B boarded helicopters and landed in a field next to the house. Within minutes, the target was in custody.

By Staff Sgt. Sean Riley
3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.
FOB HAMMER - Multiple weapons caches were seized and destroyed by the 3rd HBCT, 3rd ID throughout the Mada'in Qada Jan. 2. Soldiers of Co A, 1st Bn, 15th Inf Regt, secured a cache found by CLCs in the Al Bawi area of the Mada'in Qada. The Mada'in Qada is a portion of the Baghdad province and is home to almost 900,000 Iraqis. In a separate incident, the CLCs of Al Zatia informed Batt A, 1st Bn, 10th FAR Soldiers of a cache. In Jisr Diyala, an Iraqi citizen provided a tip to Iraqi SF at the Joint Security Site that led to the discovery of a cache near Al Arifiyah. "The CLCs in the Mada'in Qada continue to provide us with IED-making material on a daily basis," said Maj. Dave Fivecoat, the 3rd HBCT ops officer.

MUQDADIYAH - Iraqi Police discovered a weapons cache after receiving a tip from local citizens in Muqdadiyah Jan. 4. Thirteen mortars of various sizes, including 2 60 mm mortars, several rockets, ammo of different calibers, an anti-tank mine, initiators, propellants and other bomb-making materials were confiscated. The cache was found in a suspected extremist's home. Several makeshift attack, observation and sniper positions were found littered with shell casings. Upon further investigation of the area, several barrels were unearthed revealing more ammo and a machine gun. Soldiers of the 293rd MP Co, 728th MP Bn, 18th MP Bde, 3rd ID assisted the IPs in finding the cache and conducting searches of the area. "The mission today was a definite success," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Swilling, a squad leader in the 293rd MP Co. "We took these weapons off the street with no casualties. These (Iraqi) SWAT guys are well trained and are very proficient at performing raids and moving tactically."


(L) Iraqi Police SWAT members find a variety of weapons. (R) Iraqi and U.S. MP found an assortment of weaponry.

BAGHDAD - Key leaders from the Iraqi Army and the local volunteer security force in Baghdad's Adhamiyah neighborhood held a summit Jan. 3 to discuss the way forward. At the meeting, IA and ISV leaders were able to form a stronger relationship and resolve their differences, said Maj. Ike Sallee, ops officer, 3rd Sqdrn, 7th Cav Regt, the U.S. unit who operates in the area. "I think overall it was very positive," said Sallee. "Their relationship is stronger than ever." Sallee said the meeting was called in partnership to bring unity among the groups. The relationship between the ISV and the IA remains strong. Contrary to recent media reporting, no ISVs receive severance pay and all remain on the job. "What's encouraging is that, a few hours after an elevation of differences, the IA and the ISV were back out at joint checkpoints together," Sallee said. "The important thing is that every body is working towards the same goal - safety and security in Adhamiyah," he said.

BAGHDAD - A suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest after being subdued by 3 heroic Iraqi Army Soldiers outside the neighborhood advisory council building killing all 3 soldiers and 2 civilian bystanders in the Karadah district Jan. 6. "The selfless sacrifice of the 3 Iraqi soldiers should not be forgotten. These martyrs gave their lives so that others might live," said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman for Multi-National Div-Baghdad. "The valor and devotion to the mission displayed by these 3 Iraqi soldiers embodies the character of the Iraqi Army, especially on the Iraqi Army Day."

Dear Friends and Family,
We have many more newcomers to our Iraq Update mailings. We have over 3000 now on our mailing list, and if each one of you could send these updates to all on your mailing lists, think how many more Americans will be informed as to the real stories out of Iraq. Today's stories are of the successful capture of high level terrorists.
Joanna
______________________

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

January 6, 2008

BAGHDAD - Iraqi SF, advised by U.S. SF, detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terror cell leader, a suspected criminal weapons supplier and 2 suspected terrorists in separate ops Jan. 4 and 5.Iraqi Special Ops Forces detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader near the city of Balad Jan 5. The suspect is believed to lead a cell that is responsible for numerous mortar and IED attacks against Iraqi and CF stationed at Logistical Support Area Anaconda.The op was the latest in a series of ops over the last 40 days, targeting extremists and extremist cells that are responsible for indirect fire and IED attacks against LSA Anaconda. In all, 17 extremists have been detained and 2 have been killed during the ops, resulting in a decrease of indirect fire attacks against LSA Anaconda.In Diwaniyah, Iraqi Forces detained a suspect believed to have been transporting weapons and providing financing to extremists operating in the region.In Keshkul Kabir, near As Sa' Diyah, Iraqi Forces detained 2 suspected extremists and 6 other persons of interest. The op targeted an extremist network involved in kidnapping and IED attacks against Iraqi civilians in the Keshkul Kabir area.

BAGHDAD - Iraqi SF, advised by U.S. SF, detained 2 suspected extremists and 2 extremist cell leaders in separate raids Jan. 4.In Mahmudiyah, south of Baghdad, Iraqi Special Ops Forces detained 2 suspected extremists who are believed to be responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi citizens, weapons trafficking as well as attacks on Iraqi and CF.During the course of the op, the assault force received small arms fire from an individual near the target objective. Iraqi and U.S. Forces engaged the individual, killing him.In a separate op, an Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics Team from Ninewah detained 2 extremist cell leaders in western Mosul. The 2 suspects are believed to be responsible for financing and planning attacks against Iraqi and CF along with smuggling weapons for extremists in the region.

BALAD - Iraqi SF, advised by U.S. SF, detained 4 known extremists Jan. 3 in an op in Barrah.The extremists are said to be part of a counterfeiting and smuggling cell in and around villages near Barrah. They are reported to be involved in the smuggling and distribution of counterfeit U.S. and Iraqi currency, weapons and explosives, as well as reporting Iraqi Army and CF movements to foreign fighters. One other suspect is being held for further questioning.

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Joanna Fox