Dear Interested Readers,
Ops around Iraq netted many criminals, including a high level AQI in Mosul. IP take the lead in making Falluja's Khadairy District more secure. Making us proud are our own troops giving their blood to save the life of an Iraqi.
Joanna
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
June 25, 2008
MND-B Soldiers detain suspected criminal
BAGHDAD - June 24 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, while conducting a combined patrol in the Zubaida neighborhood, Soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID and Iraqi NP, detained an individual wanted for aiding in mortar attacks against CF.
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Iraq Army detains 44, seizes cache
FOB KALSU - In the Hillah area, June 22, Iraqi Soldiers detained 44 suspected criminals during ops in an-Neel, al-Imam, Jabella and Diyara, as well as a small weapons cache.
"This is part of a larger op across the 31st IA Bde's area to increase presence in built-up areas in order to target suspected criminals and get them off the streets," said Maj. Mike Crane,an ops officer for the 4th Brde Special Troops Bn, 3rd ID. "There are warrants out for most of those who were detained and the rest are suspected of criminal activities. This was a successful op for the Iraqi SF, clearly demonstrating their effectiveness to keep their area safe for its citizens."
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Tuesday, 24 June 2008
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Al-Qaeda leader killed in Mosul
BAGHDAD – One senior-level AQI leader was killed and a dozen suspects were detained when CF conducted ops striking terrorist networks around Iraq on Tuesday.
CF killed the AQI “emir” of Mosul as they continued to disrupt terrorist ops there. When they reached the target building, the force was confronted by several terrorists committing hostile acts and exhibiting hostile intent, and they were forced to respond, killing 1 terrorist who reached for a pistol, 1 who attempted to detonate his suicide vest, and one female terrorist who tried to detonate the dead terrorist’s suicide vest.
A suspected terrorist facilitator with international ties was captured with 1 additional man in Tikrit. During an op in a remote area southwest of Mosul, CF detained 2 suspects while targeting terrorist facilitators who conspire with AQI senior leaders.
In Baghdad, CF detained 5 suspected terrorists while targeting a senior terrorist leader in the area.
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Iraqi Police Lead the Way in Fallujah’s Khadairy District
By Cpl. Chris Lyttle
Co K, 3rd Bn, 6th Marines assist IP in searching a house in a rural area of Fallujah, June 17. The company recently detached from a JSS in the Khadairy district to make way for the transition of security to Iraqi Police. CF continue to provide an overwatch role for Iraqi missions.
FALLUJAH — The Joint Security Station (JSS) in the Khadairy District of Fallujah is now home solely to Iraqi Police, as Company K, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, detached from the station in a step toward transitioning security to IPs.
IPs will continue their daily tasks here on their own as part of the transition of security from CF. “We really didn’t ‘de-militarize’ it, we more or less unpartnered,” said 1st Lt. Cory Colistra, plt cmdr., 3rd Plt. “We left the station intact. It’s an IP station now instead of a JSS. We continue to work with them every day. The mission is to transition provincial Iraqi control, and this is a physical example of us being one step closer to mission accomplishment. The idea is that the Iraqis are taking over and we’re there as a backstop to support their ops. Doing that allows the IPs to directly provide security and stability while the Marines indirectly influence that end state.”
“The mission and ops don’t change, but our method has transitioned to more of a support role,” Colistra said. “The Marines will advise the IPs on certain tactical issues, but it is the IPs who are running their own show. We will be in that overwatch position and step up when needed. This builds confidence for both the [Iraqi SF] and the local nationals, and that’s all they need. We’re slowly taking a step back, allowing the ISF to step up and they’re gaining control of their city one day at a time. I would compare it to turning my battle position over to another Marine plt, but (in this case) we’re turning it over to the IPs,” Colistra said.
The IPs must work in their district without the constant presence of their Marine counterparts and be ready to operate on their own. Colistra said there is no better time than now. With the local government’s support, IPs are building on their successes and Marines’ assistance is needed less with time.
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U.S. Blood Saving Iraqi Lives
By Cpl. Tyler B. Barstow
1st Marine Logistics Group
Cpl. Taylor C. Kennedy, an aviation electrician technician with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Sqdrn 367, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fills out a patient info form before having his blood drawn. "I (gave blood) in high school but it means more here," said the 20-year-old . Photo by Cpl. Tyler Barstow.
CAMP TAQADDUM — Servicemembers from across Camp Taqaddum rushed to help save a life during a “walking blood bank," June 19.
The day was coming to an end for most service members when the call for B positive blood came, but for the staff at Camp Taqaddum Surgical, it was just beginning. They rushed about organizing a “walking blood bank” while they stabilized an IP that was injured by an IED.
“We’re here to save life, limb or eyesight,” explained Lt. j.g. Lindsay M. Touchette, a nurse with TQ Surgical, 1st Supply Bn (Reinforced.) The surgeons performed damage control to help stabilize the patient and refilled him with the blood he needed before he was shipped out.
This is where the donors came in. Service members from across the base came to resupply the patient’s lost blood. The fresh supply provides the necessary blood particles to handle the situation, without taking from the reserves stored at TQ Surgical. Rather than providing specific components, such as blood platelets or blood plasma, a transfer of one unit of blood (about a pint) from a donor to the patient is the best for everyone.
Sailors, Soldiers and Marines filled the narrow hallway waiting to do their part and give some of their own supply of blood to someone in need.
This is the third time this week donors were needed to save the lives of their Iraqi counterparts. Earlier this week, 2 IPs were injured and relied on the “walking blood bank” provided by TQ Surgical to get the care they needed. With the help of willing donors and the capable staff, they were all stabilized before being transferred for further care.
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