Dear Interested Readers,
Besides large weapon caches found, displaced people in Mosul are getting comfort and aid until better living conditions are found for them.  Our compassionate troops have taken a special interest, especially for the children.  We have 2 stories of this humanitarian effort.  In the Sadr City district of eastern Baghdad we've got an hourly description of several very close together ops.
Joanna
_______________________________

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

April 20, 2008

CF find and clear two AQI IED weapons caches in Jazeera Desert

BALAD - CF discovered and destroyed 2 AQI weapons caches during a recon patrol in the Jazeera Desert.
The 2 caches included more than 125 IED components, such as blasting caps, batteries, pressure plates, cordless phone chargers, IED trigger circuits, steel IED canisters, copper plates and springs.
These are the second and third weapons caches found in the Jazeera Desert in less than a month.

-30-

Large cache discovered in Ta'Mim

KIRKUK - CF discovered another large cache in Ta'Mim Province, April 18.
This find brings the overall total cache discoveries in the province this month to 17.  This cache included more than 300 mortar rounds in more than 8 different sized class from 152 mm to 60 mm.
"Kirkuk becomes more secure everyday. The recent cache finds help to solidify the overall security gains in the region." said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, military spokeswoman for Multi-National Division-North.

-30-

Iraqi internally displaced citizens receive aid from IA, CF Soldiers

An internally displaced Iraqi boy sees Iraqi and CF Soldiers visiting his camp to supply aid in Mosul, April 17. The boy received water, food and snacks from the Soldiers who visit the camp frequently, until better accommodations can be made for the people.

A young Iraqi boy hands his mother a case of water.

An Iraqi woman smiles as she carries a box of Meals Ready to Eat.

An Iraqi woman holds her child as she walks through the rubble at the displaced citizens camp.

An Iraqi Army soldier hands out stickers and info on the local IA units in the area providing security for the people in the area.

-30-

Iraqi Army, CF operations in Mosul build bonds between armies

Sgt. Alejandro Cruz scans the area after hearing small-arms fire during an op in Mosul, April 17.  Cruz is a tanker in the 3rd Sqdrn, 3rd ACR from Fort Hood, Texas.

First Lt. Peter Cacossa directs an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter from a rooftop towards the sound of small-arms fire.  Cacossa is a platoon leader with the 3rd Sqdr.

An OH-58 Kiowa helicopter moves to support a joint IA and CF op.

-30-

MND-B engage criminals, Soldiers seize weapons in separate ops

BAGHDAD - A MND-Baghdad AWT killed 7 criminals and Soldiers seized weapons in separate incidents in eastern Baghdad, April 19.
The AWT engaged the criminals with a Hellfire missile and killed both criminals transporting weapons at approx. 6:30 p.m. in the Sadr City district of eastern Baghdad. The AWT also destroyed 2 machine guns with the attack.
At approx. 8:27 p.m., CF were attacked by criminals with small-arms fire. They returned fire killing one.
At approx. 8:39 p.m., in another section of the Sadr City district, CF engaged attacking criminals, killing one.
At approx. 9:40 p.m., an AWT identified 4 weapons crates in an open field of the Sadr City district. The AWT engaged and destroyed all 4 weapons crates.
In a separate incident, 3 criminals with weapons were identified driving a truck at approx. 10:13 p.m. in the Sadr City district of eastern Baghdad.  An AWT engaged with a Hellfire missile, killing the 3 criminals.
At approx. 8:50 a.m., Soldiers from 2nd Stryker Cav Regt seized weapons in a fire station while conducting clearance ops in the southern portion of the Sadr City district. The weapons included more than a dozen AK-47 rifles with multiple loaded magazines, a PKC machine gun with magazines, more than 3,000 rounds of ammo, as well as various miscellaneous weapons parts.

-30-

IA and CF Platoons team up for a good cause

MOSUL - IA and CF Soldiers based out of COP Rat in Mosul, pooled their resources in a humanitarian aide effort on April 17, that provided water, drinks, food supplies, medical aid and gifts in an attempt to help the less fortunate citizens in the al-Mamoon neighborhood who have been displaced by AQI driven activities.
"Tents and food supplies were provided by the Red Crescent when they first arrived," said 1st Lt. Peter Cacossa of Heavy Co, 3rd Sqdrn, 3rd ACR.  "Now the IA has eyes on them, they have been dropping off necessities to them too.  Additionally, we have been working through our chain-of command to get them help on an official level."
The IA unit and 1st plt of Heavy Co., 3/3 ACR made a joint decision to help those who needed help more than any group they had come to know.  Soldiers from both units gathered all the supplies they could spare in addition to purchasing stuffed animals for the children.
"It has kind of become our personal quest to help take care of these people.  We like seeing the little kids," said Cacossa.  "A lot of the guys who have small children at home, they kind of take it to heart. Helping them makes us feel good at the end of the day too."

An IA soldier brings drinks into a tent for internally displaced citizens, April 17. The IA soldiers brought food from their own stores at COP Rat to help their fellow citizens.

Sgt. Michael McAlhaney provides medical treatment to a young man.

Spc. John Crosby assigned to the 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Task Force Iron, greets two young Iraqi boys.

-30-

Iraqi, MND-B Soldiers respond to gunfire during humanitarian aid mission

Iraqi children in the southern portion of the Sadr City district of Baghdad cheer as Sgt. Jake Veith, assigned to the 42nd Bde, 11th IA Div MiTT, provides security as IA soldiers hand out food products during a humanitarian aid mission April 17.

Capt. Will McNutt, assigned as the 2nd Bn, 42nd Bde, provides security from a building rooftop as IA soldiers battle armed criminals in the southern portion of the Sadr City District of Baghdad, April 17.

-30-