Dear Interested Friends,
There are stories heavy into seizing many large weapons and munition caches, and detaining many criminals and terrorists across Iraq. Meanwhile, North Babil Tribal Council met to discuss security and the SoI program. IP establish presence during Op. Pell's Point. Our soldiers demonstrate combat vehicles for possible purchase by GOI.
Joanna
__________________________
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
NBTC meeting held at Babylon Ruins
FOB KALSU - Iraqi SF and the Babil Provincial governor hosted a North Babil Tribal Council (NBTC) meeting Sept. 16, at the Babylon Ruins in al-Hillah.
Approx. 100 members of the ISF, provincial govt, tribal leaders and CF attended the meeting to discuss the current security situation and the SoI program.
"You have helped us fight al-Qaeda in the Babil province and helped minimize the sectarian violence in the province," said Iraqi Brig. Gen. Abdul Amir, cmdr.
Participants discussed the current security situation and the role the SoI have played in securing the province. Leaders also discussed the upcoming transition and transfer of the SoI program from Coalition payment control to Iraqi payment control, said Col. Thomas James, cmdr. of 4th BCT, 3rd ID.
"The people depend on us to provide a safe community, and because of the people sitting in this auditorium, we have been able to do that," said Maj. Gen. Fadil, IP chief for Babil province.
Also pointed out during the conference by Salim Almosalemawi, the governor of Babil province, was the fact that more families are returning to their homes. Following a briefing by the governor and ISF and Coalition leadership, tribal leaders were given an opportunity to address the group with questions and concerns.
Col. Thomas James, cmdr. of 4th BCT, 3rd ID, talks with a local sheikh prior to the meeting.
(Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis)
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ISF, CF dispose of almost 1,000 various munitions
FOB KALSU - In the Husiniyah area, Sept. 15, IA soldiers and Karbala EOD team, assisted by the 760th Ordnance Co, disposed of the munitions and unknown bulk explosives. The munitions were recovered by ISF throughout the past several months.
"The (disposal) op went well," said Capt. Moyad, Karbala EOD team chief. "We have a good partnership with the CF, and we want to get more experience by working with them. We're one team working together to get things done; we help them and they help us."
In all, 18 100-pound bags of flake TNT, 17 M6 fuses, 60 23 mm projectiles, 2 mines, 37 PG7 rockets, a 160 mm mortar, 44 PG7 motors, 11 120 mm mortars, 51 81 mm mortars, 17 60 mm mortars, a 2.75-inch rocket, a 107 mm rocket, 95 100 mm projectiles, 412 122 mm projectiles, 156 130 mm projectiles and 47 152 mm projectiles were disposed in the controlled detonation.
The Kalsu EOD team also recovered more than 100 additional empty projectiles, which were taken to FOB Kalsu for disposal. "(This op allows) the ISF to help get rid of all these explosives and secondly, get trained," said Maj. Ciro Stefano, 33rd MiTT ops officer and senior maneuver trainer, which is co-located with the 33rd IA Bde.
SSgt. Gabriel Cottorone, 760th EOD team leader, inspects munitions prior to them being disposed of. (Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis)
Sgt.1st Class Floyd Bennett (left) with 4th Bde Special Troops Bn, 3rd ID, and Sgt. Jay Bales, 760th EOD, prepare the munitions for disposal.
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MND-C Soldiers demonstrate vehicles to IA
FOB HAMMER - U.S. Soldiers and IA leaders gathered for a combat vehicle demo Sept. 13, at the Besmaya Range Complex in Mada'in Qada.
Soldiers from the 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Div, highlighted the use and capabilities of an M1A1 Abrams tank, an M2 Op Desert Storm Bradley Fighting Vehicle and an M113A3 armored personnel carrier to leaders of the 9th IA Div.
The crews effectively fired the M240 and .50 caliber machine guns, as well as the 25mm chain gun mounted on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle at pop-up targets and a disabled SUV during the demonstration.
"The demonstration went very well," said MSgt. Wilmer Morales, master gunner and plans NCO-in-charge for the 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div. "All the necessary moving parts were there."
The demo showed off the tactical abilities to Maj. Gen. Qassim, Cmdr. of the 9th IA Div., as well as other guests in attendance. "Maj. Gen. Qassim was very impressed with the Bradley (Fighting Vehicle), its firepower and mobility," said Morales. "He also said he was greatly impressed by the professionalism of the Soldiers and their knowledge of their equipment."
The IA is evaluating U.S. equipment for possible future purchases by the GOI.
An M1A1 Abrams tank prepares to fire while on a training range.
(U.S. Army Photos by Pfc. Michael Schuch)
An M2 Op Desert Storm Bradley Fighting Vehicle demonstrates its 25 mm chain gun.
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IPs establish presence in Albu Issa during Op Pell's Point
CAMP STRIKER - IP and CF conducted Op Pell's Point, a combined air assault to establish IP presence, in Albu Issa, Sept. 17.
"The purpose of the mission was to facilitate IP, (SoI) and sheikh engagements so that when the area of ops is transitioned to the IPs, they have seen, met and established relationships with everybody in Albu Issa," said Capt. Nathan Raymond, cmdr. of Co A, 3rd Bn, 187th Inf Regt, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn Div (AASLT).
"We have been well trained and are ready to assume responsibility of Albu Issa," said Muhamed Abd Khader, Albu Issa IP. "The people have faith in our ability to continue providing stable security to the area."
This was the first time the IP from Albu Issa conducted an air assault mission. "The biggest planning factor was getting an IP station established in Albu Issa, which happened about 2 weeks ago. We had been working on it for about 6 months," said Raymond. "When they were finally able to generate enough combat power to establish their station, we began talking to them about this op."
A total of 22 IP joined 66 Coalition Soldiers for the mission. "The mere fact they are able to show up with 22 men and control that large of an element shows that this group of IPs has leaders who are both capable and motivated," Raymond said.
"They have been doing excellent," said Sgt. Tomas Montoya, Co. A., 3rd Bn, mortars base gun gunner. "Every time I have seen them or worked with them, they have done the right thing. "I have all the confidence in the world for these guys," Montoya said. "They'll complete the mission, just as we have for the past year."
An Albu Issa IP provides security as a Soldier with Co A walks into an Albu Issa residence to help establish IP presence in the area.
(Army photo by Pfc. Christopher McKenna)
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SoI foil IED emplacers
Sept. 22, 2008
TIKRIT - SoI manning a checkpoint discovered a mobile cache in Salah ad Din province, September 20.
The vehicle carrying the explosives was designed for emplacing roadside bombs from within the interior. The cache included 18 RKG-3 anti-tank hand grenades, 15 RKG-3 fuse handles, a tin of RKG-3 detonators, and a 107mm rocket.
"These weapons are usually thrown into crowds of people and end up injuring innocent civilians. We are working hard to get these off the streets, and it's great these heroes...these patriots have done so much to help us and help Iraq," said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, spokesperson for MND - North.
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ISOF, ISWAT operations in central Iraq round up criminals, kill one
BALAD - Iraqi SOF and Iraqi SWAT teams captured 8 suspected criminals and killed one during separate ops in central Iraq, Sept. 16-18.
In an operation Sept. 18, Hillah SWAT arrested a suspected criminal cell leader while serving an Iraqi Ministry of Interior warrant in the Hamza area. The criminal is suspected of small arms fire attacks, and is said to be a specialist in constructing electrical components for IEDs and EFPs.
While searching for another individual named in the warrant, SWAT detained 3 men in a home where they uncovered home-made explosives including a wooden crate wired to explode. U.S. SF, who assisted in the op, entered another home when they came under fire from within the house. They returned fire, killing the suspect.
In a separate op Sept. 18 in New Baghdad, ISOF captured a suspected criminal leader of a cell that conducts IED attacks against Iraqi and CF.
In Amarah Sept. 18, the newly-formed Amarah SWAT captured a suspected criminal cell leader and weapons facilitator of Iranian lethal aid to other criminal groups in Iraq.
On a Sept. 16 op, Diwaniyah SWAT captured a suspected criminal cell leader that conducts indirect fire attacks against CF in the Diwaniyah area.
This series of ops are directed toward thwarting criminal activities as the GOI demonstrates a determination to bring those operating outside the law to justice.
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ISF capture eight in separate operations
BALAD - Iraqi SF captured 8 suspected AQI terrorists in separate ops throughout the northern region of Iraq, Sept. 10-19.
In an op Sept. 19 southeast of Samara, Iraqi NP captured a suspected mid-level AQI leader of a network consisting of approx. 50 terrorists. The individual is suspected of organizing IED and VBIED attacks in Salah ad Din province.
In Baqubah on a separate op Sept. 19, Baqubah SWAT team captured a suspected AQI member allegedly responsible for tactical leadership, logistical support and providing a safe haven for terrorist fighters. He is also suspected of displacing and murdering local Iraqis.
In a separate op Sept. 16, Bayji SWAT team captured a suspected AQI financier and weapons facilitator. Reports indicate a new cell was forming in the area and preparing to conduct attacks. The individual was allegedly going to supply them with weapons and explosives.
On Sept. 15 in Mosul, Iraqi SOF captured a suspected AQI cell leader. The individual is said to have established the original AQI network from Tal Afar to Sinjar and was believed to have been reorganizing AQI in Sinjar prior to his capture. He is also said to be an expert in IED assembly and tied to a recent person-borne IED attack in Sinjar.
On Sept. 11 an operation was conducted to search for weapons caches believed to supply IED planters in Samarra and Jalaam desert region. Over 50 anti-tank mines and several mortar rounds were found and destroyed on site.
In a separate op Sept. 11 in a location 36 km north of Baqubah, the 5th IA Div captured a suspected leader of a Sunni extremist group allegedly responsible for numerous IED and indirect fire attacks against CF. The individual, said to have been a former AQI cell leader in Salah ad Din and Diyala, reportedly used the reconciliation process to avoid capture in order to continue attacks against Iraqi and CF.
In another op Sept. 11, the Baqubah SWAT captured a suspected AQI member who allegedly provides early warning and logistical support to other AQI members in the Bizayz Kharisan area.
In al Ali, Sept. 11, in a separate op, Muqdadiyah SWAT captured a suspected AQI emir allegedly responsible for murder, kidnapping, sectarian violence and attacks against Iraqi and CF. During the op, SWAT confiscated several high explosive mortar rounds, explosive compound and bomb-making materials.
In an op Sept. 10 in Mosul, the 2nd IA Div captured a suspected ISI cell leader that operates in Mosul along the Tigris River Valley. The individual is believed to have been involved in numerous IED attacks in Mosul and linked to multiple attacks that killed several CF soldiers. The suspect is also said to have recently killed 2 local Iraqis.
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Weapons cache discovered in Salah ad Din
TIKRIT - A SoI tribal leader led CF to a large cache in the Salah ad Din Province, Sept. 20. Included in the cache were more than 850 anti-aircraft rounds, a guided missile, 61 90 mm artillery rounds, 53 115 mm artillery rounds, 2 122 mm artillery rounds, a 155 mm artillery round, and a 130 mm artillery round.
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Two Special Groups criminals detained in southern Baghdad's Rashid district
FOB FALCON - Sept. 19, at approx. 6 a.m., Soldiers from HHC, 1st Bn, 22nd Inf Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, conducted a targeted raid using actionable military intel to apprehend 2 suspected SG criminals living in southern Baghdad. Two pistols were confiscated from the detainees, who are reputedly responsible for sectarian violence in southwestern Baghdad.
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IA, MND-C Soldiers find 100 pounds of TNT in raid
CAMP STRIKER - Iraqi Army and Soldiers with Co B, 1st Bn., 35th Armor Regt discovered an IED packed with homemade explosives and approx. 100 pounds of TNT near Namoor during a combined raid, Sept. 16.
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