Afghan-ISAF Kill, Detain Militants
By International Security Assistance Force
BAGRAM - Oct. 12, a joint SECFOR killed more than a dozen militants and detained a suspected militant after searching a mountainside compound in Kunar prov., known to be used by an al-Qaida cmdr and his element, believed responsible for the facilitation of foreign fighters and numerous attacks in Pech Valley. During the search of the compound located near Tantil village, NE of Jalalabad, the force received hostile enemy fire on 2 occasions and returned fire, killing the enemy militants. The joint force also found a number of RPGs, machine guns, multiple AK-47 rifles and other grenades.
In another op in Ziruk district, Paktika prov., a joint SECFOR detained several suspected militants today after searching a compound known to be used by a Haqqani facilitator and his element, believed to be responsible for financing and supplying weapons to other militants in the region. The joint force also found several grenades and a cache of small arms ammo.
In a 3rd op that marked one of the largest drug and weapons discoveries this year, a joint force found about 100 kilograms of heroin, 1,800 kilograms of opium, nearly 50 metric tons of opium seeds along with a morphine processing lab during a search in Kajaki district, Helmand prov., Oct. 6. The joint force killed multiple enemy fighters and detained several suspected militants.
The joint force, assisted by the Afghanistan Narcotics Interdiction Unit, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, and the U.S. FBI, coordinated and conducted the search to disrupt Anti-Afghan forces, and to set conditions for effective future security ops in central Helmand prov.
The force also found a weapons cache that included: 35 RPGs, 5 hand grenades, an 82mm recoilless rifle, 600 links of 7.62mm ammo, 4 sniper rifles, an RPG launcher, 15 blocks of C-4 explosives, 2 blocks of Semtex plastic explosives, 50 detonation cords, 2 landmines, a passive infrared initiator, 350 rounds of various ammo and 35 tons of ammonium nitrate—a chemical used to make roadside bombs. All drugs were destroyed on site, and weapons were either positioned for safe disposal or destroyed on location.
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Multi-National Division - North PAO Iraq
Stable security allows market to re-open in Mosul
MOSUL - Local vendors and key leaders from the Mosul city council, Ninawa PRT, and 3rd BCT, 1st Cav Div, gathered on FOB Diamondback, Oct. 3 to announce the reopening of Al Baraka Market in east Mosul.
The Ninawa PRT leader, Patrick Murphy, provided opening remarks at the celebration and recognized the agencies that helped revitalize the market.
"The IA and 3rd BCT, in particular the 2nd Bn, 82 FAR under the leadership of Lt. Col. Benjamin Matthews, were responsible for engaging vendors, assisting them in the economic revitalization of the neighborhood, and taking on the role of being responsible community leaders," said Murphy.
"With nearly 50 individual businesses encompassed in this market, this project is a huge win that provides enduring employment for over 100 individuals and returns a sense of normalcy to the community," said Capt. Joe Himpelmann, cmdr for B Btry, 2-82 FA.
Lt. Col. Hussein, said he was very glad to see this market reopen. He and his Soldiers partnered with 2-82 FA to help make the market opening possible. "God willing, the market opens; the people can reopen their business and make a living," said Hussein. "They haven't had this in many years, and it will make many people in the neighborhood very happy."
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Multi-National Division - North PAO
New bridge south of Mosul open for civilian traffic
U.S. Forces constructing the Munirah bridge to span the gap between the east and west bank of the Tigris River, allowing free flowing traffic for the local populous in Ninawa Prov.
MOSUL - ISF, U.S. and local provincial leaders came together to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Oct. 4 to commemorate the opening of the Munirah Bridge for civilian use. The ceremony began with opening remarks by Lt. Col. Michael Fadden, cmdr,1st Bn, 12th Cav Regt, 3rd BCT, 1st Cav Div, who is responsible for the construction and security of the bridge. His remarks were followed by speeches from the mayors of Ash Shura and Nimrud.
The completion of the Munirah Bridge provides a crossing-point across the Tigris River that will allow local citizens of Nimrud and Ash Shura sub-districts to travel shorter distance between both sides of the river, instead of having to travel south to the Qayyarah Bridge, or north to Mosul to cross the river. Local leaders stated that they planned to have the road on the bridges' eastern end paved so that it will support increased traffic in the future.
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Blackanthem Military News
Dragon Brigade Soldiers receive piece of history
By Spc. Shantelle Campbell
Command Sgt. Maj. Jefferson Moser, 701st BSB, 4th IBCT, puts the Big Red One combat patch on his color bearer during the patch ceremony at COB Speicher, Oct. 3.
COB SPEICHER, Tikrit - Since 1918, when the men who fought with the 81st Div during World War I donned an image of a wildcat on the sleeve of their uniform, U.S. Army Soldiers have bonded together through the history of their unit patch.
"Dragon" Soldiers of the 701st placed the historic Big Red One patch onto their right shoulder sleeves during a combat patch ceremony, held in front of the HQ building on COB Speicher, Oct. 3. "What makes you feel the most proud about wearing the patch is the associations affiliated with the Big Red One and the Soldiers themselves, of how much pride they take within the unit," said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael McCoy, the 4th IBCT command sgt maj.
For many Soldiers at the ceremony, the Big Red One patch is their first combat patch binding them to a history that includes World War I and II, the Cold War, Vietnam, Desert Shield, Desert Storm and OIF. "I feel honored and privileged to be wearing this patch, especially as my first combat patch," said Spc. Schennday Hansen, a supply clerk with HHC, 4th IBCT.
"With all the heritage and lineage that goes with the Big Red One, being the first - that's the key," said McCoy. "If you can't take pride in that then, what else can you take pride in?"
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Blackanthem Military News
ISF continue pursuit of ISI Mosul extortion network
By Multi-National Force - Iraq
BAGHDAD - ISF continued their search today for members of an Islamic State of Iraq extortion network based in Mosul. Accurate intel resulted in the arrest of 31 suspected terrorists Oct. 12, including the Mosul extortion emir and the southern Nineveh extortion emir.
The first half of the security op began shortly after midnight yesterday and continued into the early morning hours. Eighteen suspects were arrested during this phase. The 2nd half of the op took place Oct. 12, bringing the total number of suspected Mosul-extortion network members arrested to 49.
The IA, IFP and U.S. forces advisors stopped 2 vehicles and searched several buildings throughout Mosul for warranted extortion-network members. The suspects are part of an ISI-led terrorist group that extorts money from innocent people by threatening violence against them. People typically targeted by the extortion network include those who own or work at construction sites and local businesses, although individuals at their private residences have been victims as well. ISI extortionists then use the stolen money to fund terrorist attacks.
During one of the first ops of the day, the security team stopped a vehicle in eastern Mosul based on intel tips, indicating that high-ranking extortion leaders may be in the vehicle. Three suspects were arrested, 2 of them warranted extortion emirs in the Mosul area. In the same vicinity, another security team arrested 3 additional suspects in a 2nd vehicle stop, which was conducted based on credible intel tips as well.
Additional security teams subsequently conducted searches of several buildings for other warranted criminals related to the Mosul extortion network, netting 25 more arrests. All suspects were arrested without incident.
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MNF-I
Micro-grants make a big difference
Walter Koenig, PRT economic team leader, shakes hands with Nore, a member of the PRT's mentorship program and recipient of a U.S. micro-grant, in Basrah, October 2009.
(Photo by Spc. Maurice Galloway)
BASRAH — The 17th Fires Bde (FB) and the Basrah PRT recently presented a few Iraqi entrepreneurs with small business development micro-grants. After successfully completing an intensive PRT mentorship program designed to build strong business mgt skills, 30 entrepreneurs received micro-grants for the startup of new businesses, as well as the improvement of existing establishments.
"I'm so grateful for not only the money, but for the opportunity to improve my business with the knowledge I've gained from this program," said Novri Aeamish, a micro-grant recipient. "I'll use this grant money to buy tools, paint supplies, and a generator for my auto repair shop."
"This program's initiative is to cultivate an immediate impact for rapid business development," said E. Walter Koenig, economic team leader for the PRT. "It's going to take business developments like these, as well as the eventual development of a democratic system of open trade, to push Iraq on to the stage of global commerce."
The 17th FB has been evaluating areas in Basrah prov. that could benefit from assistance provided by the Cmdr's Emergency Response Program (CERP). Created as a financial resource for deployed U.S. military cmdrs, CERP is used to generate short-duration projects designed to alleviate urgent humanitarian need.
"We conducted several evaluations to determine the credibility of each and every business proposal," said Koenig. "We're investing a substantial amount of interest in the development of these entrepreneurs that doesn't just end with them receiving the funding to open these businesses. We're prepared to continue the necessary training and mentorship to make sure that these businesses succeed."
"We're proud of what we've accomplished with this program so far," Koenig said. "We hope to have more success in the future. The need is there, but more importantly, the desire and enthusiasm is there within the people of Basrah who want to be the leaders of tomorrow in the community and throughout the business world. "All we're doing is offering a hand up," he said. "How far 'up' depends on the men and women in this great city to decide for themselves."
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MNF-I
Euphrates Crossing and Surveillance
(Photos by Spc. Michael MacLeod)
Paratroopers with the 82nd Abn Div, Advise and Assist Brigade (AAB), return from a joint patrol across the Euphrates River with IP, Al Taqaddum, Oct. 5.
Sgt. Kevin Mikionis, 82nd Abn Div, AAB, launches a Raven UAV for surveillance over a bridge project along the Euphrates River, north of Al Taqqadum, Oct. 5, 2009.
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MNF-I
Sweet Tooth
(Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Kirk Worley)
Army Staff Sgt. Timothy Mills, 2nd ID, gives a child a piece of candy during a joint patrol with Iraqi Soldiers in Diayala Prov., Sept. 30.
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