Dear Interested Readers,
We have pretty intense coverage of the clearing ops in Mosul, with lots of pictures.  Hopefully someone else will recognize a loved one.  Huge weapon caches continue to be discovered as well as key AQI criminals captured.  The non-hardcore terrorists are being re-educated, and given job training to return as productive citizens to Iraqi society. 
Joanna
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

April 4, 2008

Iraqi citizen tip leads to large cache discovery

KIRKUK - An Iraqi citizen's tip led to a large cache discovery for CF Soldiers in Ta' Mim Province, April 3, consisting of more than 60 mortars and 6 rockets.
Since January, there have been nearly 550 cache discoveries in northern Iraq.

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Tribal leader's brother released in spirit of reintegration

TIKRIT - A Kirkuk Provincial Council member and tribal leader tearfully reunited with his brother for the first time in 8 months April 1.  His brother was released after being detained on suspicion of supporting insurgent activity in the province.  His release was facilitated by the 1st BCT, 10th Mtn Div, in support of the reconciliation/reintegration efforts in the area.
The sheikh's brother was one of 10 detainees recently released. More than 200 detainees in the Ta Mim Province are being processed through the provincial judiciary system. In the coming weeks, 127 of the 200 detainees are scheduled to be released to their families.
Following the brothers' reunion, a provincial judge administered an oath to the Skeikh's brother, outlining his obligation to maintain the peace and not to support violent activities or people who do.  "Reconciliation is an opportunity for those who have made mistakes in the past to rejoin Iraqi society," said the judge.
The 1st BCT, 10th Mtn Div cmdr, Col. David Paschal, was on hand and witnessed the release.  "I thank Col. Paschal for his efforts in securing my brother's release and for the forward progress in the province.  He and his soldiers are our brothers," said the Sheik. "This is a new province, and we're in full cooperation with its security forces."

Kirkuk Provincial Council member and tribal leader, hugs his brother after his release.

The recently released brother signs a contract to maintain peace, April 1.

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Sons of Iraq discover, turn in large cache

TARMIYA - In cooperation with the local sheik, SoI notified MND-Baghdad of a substantial munitions cache northwest of Baghdad, April 1.
The Soldiers from 14th Inf Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT searched the area and discovered the cache consisting of more than 100 68 mm rockets, rocket fuses, helicopter rockets, 82 mm mortars, and mortar fuses.  The cache also contained more than 500 artillery fuses, empty rocket bodies, 155 mm artillery shells, 75 boxes containing hundreds of 14.5 mm heavy machine gun ammo, and 9 large boxes containing loose 14.5 mm heavy machine gun ammo.  Fifty plastic green tubes containing an unknown substance, M-88 anti-tank
mines attached to detonating cord, rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47 magazines, numerous loose small arms rounds and one copper cone-shaped charge were all found in the large cache.
"The SoI are the heroes of the day. They found this very large cache and took it out of the hands of the terrorists," said Maj. Al Hing, a 2nd Stryker BCT spokesperson.

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MND-B Soldiers seize weapons cache

BAGHDAD - While conducting a patrol in southern Baghdad, April 2, Soldiers from 2nd Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt, seized rocket-propelled grenade warheads, 81 mm mortar rounds, 60 mm mortar rounds, dozens of hand grenades and hundreds of 7.62 mm ammo in southern Baghdad's Abu T'Shir neighborhood.

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Informant leads Soldiers to multiple caches

FOB KALSU - IA Soldiers assisted by Soldiers from 2nd BCT recovered 5 weapons caches in Kutimiyah, north of JSS W-1, April 2.
At the site of a farm, Soldiers found 45 rocket propelled grenades, 300 PKC heavy machine gun rounds, 37 mortar and projectile fuses, a DSHKA .50 caliber machine gun with 500 rounds of ammo, an anti-personnel mine, 2 81 mm mortar tubes, a 55 gallon barrel containing a PKC machine gun and 2000 PKC machine gun rounds.

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1-15 Inf. Regt. operation snatches key suspect

BAGHDAD - An early morning op April 2 in Salman Pak by Co A, 1st Bn, 15th Inf Regt led to the detaining of a MND-Center key suspect.
A neighbor of the suspect came forward and helped MND-C Soldiers identify the individual.  The suspect was number two on the 1-15 Inf. Regt's list of suspected criminals and number four on the MND-C list.

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IA and CF clear Mosul neighborhood after car bombs an IA COP

First Lt. Donald Maloy, 1st Plt leader of Co D, 1st Bn, 8th Inf Regt from Fort Carson, Colo., communicates his next move to Iraqi Army Capt. Hasaal, during an IA led op in a Mosul neighborhood April 1.

An IA soldier scans his area from the turret of his vehicle, providing security for IA and CF soldiers.

Spc. Jimmy Marble (front) and Pfc. Adam Devries move through the streets of Mosul during a clearing op as a Bradley Armored Personnel Carrier (BAPC) rolls by, providing security for the dismounted soldiers.

Capt. Alexander Rasmussen, cmdr. of Co D, peers through a small garage door, checking on his clearing team.

An IA soldier pries open the door in the al-Sinaa neighborhood of Mosul. The op led to the discovery and destruction of a car bomb factory, several bags of homemade explosives and bomb making materials.

Sgt. James Crawford III, an infantryman in 1st Plt, searches the rooftop of a business.

Soldiers stand in the rubble ridden streets.

1st Lt. Donald Maloy, 1st Plt leader communicates through his radio while a BAPC provides cord-on security.

Spc. Vencent Hashimoto, an infantryman in 1st Plt, patrols the streets.

Soldiers of 1st Plt, move to clear a complex in Mosul after a BAPC providing security in the area, breached the wall. Several bags of homemade explosives, bomb initiators and other suspicious items were found.

Soldiers of 1st Pln lift a door for Petty Officer 3rd Class Josh Raymond and his MP dog after searching the building for explosives.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Josh Raymond, an MP and his explosives sniffing dog Rattler, take a break.  The dog confirmed several bags of homemade explosives during the op found in a car bomb factory.

Pfc. Adam Devries patrols the streets with members of his company, as a BAPC moves along side providing security.

Spc. Damon GrayEagle moves up the stairs of an Iraqi mechanics shop.

Spc. Mark Ramire works to negotiate a locked door.  A car bomb factory, several bags of homemade explosives and bomb making materials were found and destroyed.

Soldiers of 1st Pln take a knee and pull security.

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ISF, advised by U.S. SF, detained 1 suspected insurgent, discover cache site in separate ops

BALAD -  April 2, In al-Qaim, the al-Qaim Iraqi SWAT Unit detained a suspected criminal leader who is reported to be responsible for IED and indirect fire attacks.  Intel reports have linked him to the kidnapping and murder of ISF officials, tribal leaders and businessmen throughout al-Qaim.  He is also believed to be providing intel reports to foreign fighters.  Three other suspects are being held for further questioning.
In another op in the Dur an Naft district of Basra, an Iraqi Emergency Response Unit conducted an op to locate and eliminate a suspected IED weapons cache.  During the op, the assault force discovered a cache site which contained an 82mm mortar round, a 12-inch explosively formed projectile, 7 rocket propelled grenades, 3 RPG launchers and hundreds of rounds of AK-47 assault rifle ammo.

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