Dear Interested Readers,
Agricultural growth goes full steam ahead, alongside clearing operations. On some of our troops' ops, I've kept the time frame, so you can have an idea of just how busy and how successful our troops are. An IP conference takes place at Camp Fallujah fine tuning ops. Terrorist cell leader captured as well as other criminals neutralized, and more weapon caches uncovered.
Joanna
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
April 22, 2008
Iraqi farmers association builds for future
AZ ZUBAYR - Rural Iraqi farmers here joining together for the future of farming in southeastern Iraq. Farmers in this small rural community southwest of Basra gathered for the grand opening of a new Farmers Cooperative Association Building, April 21.
Bob Haywood, the senior economic advisor to MND-Southeast presented the association with watermelon, tomato and cucumber seeds -- all crops that grow well in the region -- as a gift to the Iraqi community.
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MND-B Soldiers kill five criminals
BAGHDAD - In eastern Baghdad, April 21, an AWT engaged 2 criminals with RPG launchers at approx. 9 p.m. The AWT fired a hellfire missile at the criminals, killing them both and destroying the RPG launchers.
At approx. 10 p.m., Soldiers from 3rd BCT, 4th ID, conducting a route-clearing mission were struck with an IED, and then attacked with small-arms fire by criminals in the area. Soldiers returned fire and killed 3 criminals.
"We are not the aggressor, but we will defend ourselves and protect the Iraqi people from attacks such as these," said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman for the 4th ID and MND-B. "We will be relentless in our pursuit of those breaking the law. If these criminals continue to attack innocent Iraqis and CF, we will pursue them and bring them to justice. "We are building a safe neighborhood in conjunction with the Iraqi SF in order to provide immediate humanitarian alliance and restoration of the Jamilla market for the people, protecting them from those who care nothing for their welfare by conducting daily attacks causing the people to suffer."
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MND-B engage criminals, seize weapons in multiple operations
BAGHDAD - April 21, at approx. 8:40 a.m., Soldiers from 1st Bn, 66th AR were on patrol in New Baghdad when they were attacked by terrorists using small-arms fire and RPGs. The Soldiers returned fire and killed 3 criminals.
At approx. 9:45 a.m. in an area west of Baghdad, an Iraqi citizen discovered and turned in a weapons cache consisting of 42 82mm mortars, 2 120mm mortars, and 500 7.62 mm rounds to MND-B Soldiers.
An AWT observed criminals in a vehicle resupplying other criminals in New Baghdad at approximately 10:25 a.m. The AWT engaged the vehicle, and killed 2 armed criminals and destroyed the vehicle.
During a patrol in New Baghdad, Soldiers from 1-66 AR came under fire by criminal groups. An AWT was called to the scene, and engaged with a Hellfire missile at approx. 11:40 a.m., and killed both criminals and destroyed the shack they were using for concealment.
Approx. 30 minutes later, an M1A2 Abrams tank crew from 1-66 AR engaged a criminal rocket team in New Baghdad. The crew destroyed a rocket, a rocket sled and the vehicle carrying the illegal weapons.
At approx. 4:25 p.m. in Sadr City, 2 criminals attacked Soldiers from 2nd Stryker Cav Regt in an observation post with small-arms fire. The Soldiers returned fire and killed both of the criminals.
"We are establishing a safe neighborhood in southern Sadr City in order to restore stability and security to that threatened community that Special Groups cells used to fire rocket and mortar rounds from," said Lt. Col. Steven Stover. "Using barriers has been effective in other neighborhoods, markets and roads, allowing Iraqi Security and CF to control access and the movement of illegal material, and disrupting both AQI and Special Groups criminals. Security will lead to a return of Iraqi civilians, humanitarian assistance and, we hope, GoI-funded essential services," Stover said.
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Tip leads MND-C Soldiers to caches near Ci Ci Bar Canal
CAMP STRIKER - Acting on a tip from a citizen, Soldiers from Btry A, 3rd Bn, 320th FA, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn Div (Air Assault), located 2 weapons caches and a possible VBIED near the Ci Ci Bar Canal, April 20.
One cache, found in a spider hole, contained 22 120 mm mortar rounds, 560 artillery fuses, and 37 23 mm projectiles. The VBIED and a cache consisting of 3 IEDs were also found nearby.
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Iraqi Army captures suspected insurgent cell leader
BALAD - IA Soldiers, advised by U.S. SF, detained a suspected insurgent cell leader in an op in Ta'Mim province, April 20.
The IA conducted the op to capture the suspect and disrupt the activities of an insurgent network operating in the area. The suspect is accused of conducting IED and small-arms fire attacks against Iraqi and CF. He is also believed to be a weapons trafficker in the Hawijah area who terrorizes Iraqi citizens. One other suspect was detained for questioning.
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Coalition forces kill three criminals in precision strike
BAGHDAD - Coalition forces killed 3 criminals who were positively identified carrying weapons at a cache site in eastern Baghdad, April 20.
Soldiers from 3rd BCT, 4th ID, who were operating an UAV, engaged the criminals with a Hellfire missile, killing all 3 men.
Iranian-backed Special Groups and other criminal elements who refuse to honor the rule of law are directly responsible for the current violence in Baghdad, as well as the deaths of countless innocent civilians," said Lt. Col. Steven Stover.
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Al Anbar Iraqi Police converge on Camp Fallujah
CAMP FALLUJAH - Al Anbar Province's IP leadership assembled aboard Camp Fallujah to discuss security oriented issues, April 19.
Brig. Gen. Richard P. Mills, cmdr, Ground Combat Element, MND-West, and his staff coordinated the Provincial Director of Police and District Chief of Police Conference.
More than 20 Iraqi police chiefs attended the conference, participating in briefs and discussions regarding a number of issues, such as supply contracting, the "Sons of Iraq" and "Daughters of Iraq" programs, highway patrol development, police intel and the size of their police force.
The event concluded with open forums regarding police ops in various regions of Anbar Province.
Brig. Gen. Richard P. Mills, cmdr, speaks with Maj. Gen. Tariq Sa'doon, cmdr, before beginning the Conference.
Col. Lewis A. Craparotta, comm. officer, RCT 1, speaks with a Provincial Security Force major.
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