I went to Cleveland Air Show today. It was great and I'm very sunburned. Hopefully; I will have pics uploaded tomorrow. I'm running on 4 1/2 hours sleep and don't feel like posting anything else today.
Of course I had to gloat about "That Team Up North" losing to Appalachian St. 34-32.
Time for bed!
Chances are, most of the 110,000 fans at the Big House had no idea exactly where Appalachian State is located.
By the time they saw a blocked field goal in the final seconds, this much was certain: The little Mountaineers pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college football history.
Appalachian State 34, No. 5 Michigan 32.
The team from Boone, N.C., took the lead with 26 seconds left when Julian Rauch kicked a 24-yard field goal. Corey Lynch blocked a 37-yard try on the final play, and the Mountaineers sealed a jaw-dropping upset that might have no equal.
GO BUCKS!!!
Wounded Paratrooper receives Purple Heart and re-enlists
TIKRIT, Iraq – An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper re-enlisted for four additional years of service from his hospital bed Aug 28, 2007, at Contingency Operations Base Speicher, Iraq, one day after a rocket-propelled grenade blast left him with two broken legs and shrapnel wounds to his back.
Spc. Clayton Allison, a fire support specialist, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and native of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc., was injured when an RPG hit a bongo truck several meters from his patrol in Samarra.
Col. Bryan R. Owens, commander for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, re-enlisted Allison and presented him with the Purple Heart hours before he was transported to Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center in Germany for further recovery treatment.
MND-B Apache crews destroy enemy transport truck
CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Multi-National Division-Baghdad attack helicopter crews destroyed an insurgent vehicle in south Baghdad at approximately 2 p.m. Aug. 29.
The Apache crews from the 4th “Guns” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, responded to a call from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, to engage the vehicle.
The Apache crews observed several men around the vehicle flee when the aircrews arrived. The aircrews were cleared to fire by the ground unit and engaged the vehicle, destroying it.
Coalition targets al-Qaeda leadership; 7 suspected terrorists detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured two key suspects and five alleged associates during operations Thursday targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq along the Tigris River.
Coalition Forces detained a suspected senior terrorist facilitator and one other individual during two coordinated raids near Samarra. The alleged facilitator also accompanied Coalition Forces to a prayer room next door to search for additional targeted terrorists. The ground forces took great care while searching the area and departed without disturbing the prayer room.
In the second raid, intelligence reports indicated a senior leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq was hiding in a nearby mosque, which was still under construction. Coalition Forces entered the mosque without using force and took great care in securing the building. One individual in an adjacent building was detained for his suspected association with the targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq leader.
Farther north, Coalition Forces captured an individual believed to be a former terrorist emir from the Baghdad area allegedly working with senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq to strengthen terrorist control in Bayji. The ground forces detained four additional suspects for their alleged involvement in Bayji’s al-Qaeda in Iraq network.
Two terrorists killed, 29 suspects detained; Coalition disrupts al-Qaeda ops
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed two terrorists, including a terrorist leader, and captured two other suspected terrorist leaders during raids Thursday targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq operations network.
During an operation south of Tarmiyah, Coalition Forces killed the military emir of Tarmiyah, who was responsible for directing attacks against Coalition Forces and Iraqi civilians in the area. When the ground forces moved toward the target building, they observed an armed man in a neighboring house maneuvering into position to engage the assault force. Responding in defense against the hostile threat, Coalition Forces engaged the man, killing him. Another armed man moved to the roof of the target building, where Coalition Forces responded to the hostile threat by engaging and killing him. The terrorist on the roof was determined to be the terrorist emir targeted in the operation. The ground forces detained 11 individuals with suspected ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.
Operations in Baqubah and Mosul targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders to disrupt their attack networks. Coalition Forces captured an individual in Baqubah who is believed to conduct operations to incite sectarian violence, provide weapons to al-Qaeda in Iraq and attack Coalition Forces. The ground forces detained nine additional suspects for their ties to the terrorist network. In Mosul, Coalition Forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who recently fled to the northern city and is believed to provide financial support to al-Qaeda in Iraq, facilitate the movement of foreign terrorists and control terrorist operations in an area south of the Baghdad airport. Coalition Forces detained seven of his suspected associates as well.
Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain 16 al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists
BAGHDAD – Members of the Iraqi Security Forces detained five suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists in an intelligence-driven operation Aug. 29 in Muelha.
Reports indicate the suspected terrorist belong to a cell of more than 100 men suspected of attacking Coalition and Iraqi Forces in the village south of Baghdad.Additional intelligence shows the cell members conduct these indirect and direct fire attacks with improvised explosive device, mortar and vehicle-borne explosive attacks.
One of the terrorists is allegedly involved in two specific IED attacks that seriously wounded multiple U.S. Army Soldiers, to include kidnapping and murdering local civilians in Muelha.
In a second operation, Iraqi Army Forces conducted an intelligence driven helicopter assault raid detaining 11 suspected insurgents west of Taji.
Scouts from the 1/7th Iraqi Army Brigade raided a series of targets and detained the primary suspect believed to be an al Qaeda in Iraq member and allegedly involved in supporting a sniper cell operating within the Karmah area.
After detaining six additional suspects, it was discovered that individuals fled from one of the targeted locations into a nearby mosque. U.S. Special Operations Forces provided external security while Iraqi Forces conducted an internal search of the mosque and detained four more suspected insurgents.
During the operation five AK-47 assault rifles, numerous identification cards and a rifle scope were seized.
In addition, five rocket propelled grenades, two high explosive hand grenades, fuses and several containers of homemade explosives were destroyed on sight by a controlled detonation.
Concerned citizen leads Coalition Forces to large cache of nitric acid
NIAM MASHAWN, Iraq — Coalition Forces, acting on a tip from a local concerned citizen, discovered a large cache of nitric acid buried in drums near the town of Niam Mashawn, Aug. 28.
Soldiers of 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), out of Fort Drum, N.Y., received a tip that there was a large quantity of nitric acid near a checkpoint on Route Tampa, a major Iraqi highway. The cache site is located about 15 kilometers west of Baghdad International Airport.
The man who reported the cache helped the Soldiers dig up 411 plastic jugs.
Nitric acid is often used in making fertilizer and homemade explosives, commonly found in improvised explosive devices.
The containers of acid were collected and removed to a secure location.
ANSF find, destroy second insurgent-run opium lab near Musa Qalah
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by Coalition forces, found and destroyed an insurgent-run drug lab after a brief fight with Taliban fighters in Khyajehdad Village, Musa Qalah District, Helmand Province Aug. 29.
The opium lab was the second of its kind found in the past four days in the Musa Qalah area. A large, insurgent run heroin lab was also discovered less than 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) away Aug. 26. The lab found yesterday is located in a compound initially defended by insurgents before being routed by ANSF.
The ANSF and Coalition forces have been conducting combat patrols in the region for the past week.
11 Insurgents killed in direct attack on Firebase Anaconda
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Elements of the 1st Brigade, 205th Afghan National Army Corps, along with Coalition forces, repelled a direct attack on Firebase Anaconda, Oruzgan Province, today.
Insurgents attacked the base from multiple directions with 72mm rockets, small-arms and heavy machine gun fire. Coalition close air support conducted precision air strikes successfully destroying the enemy fighters.
This was the fourth attack on Firebase Anaconda this month. An estimated 74 insurgents were killed in the previous attacks on the firebase.
The recent probing attacks have reinforced credible intelligence gathered by Coalition forces of a planned, large-scale attack on Firebase Anaconda.
More than a dozen insurgents killed in failed Taliban attack near Regay
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, advised by Coalition forces, defeated an insurgent attack Aug. 30 near Regay Village, on the east side of the Musa Qalah Wadi, Helmand Province.
The combined force was on a combat patrol when an unknown number of insurgents attacked from multiple compounds and trenches using small-arms fire, 82mm mortars and RPGs.
The ANSF repelled the attack with accurate small-arms fire and artillery. When the insurgents reinforced their fighting positions with additional fighters, the ANSF requested Coalition close air support. Coalition aircraft performed precision air strikes on the insurgents, killing a number of fighters and destroying a truck that was being used as reinforcement transport. Several more insurgents were killed by direct fire during the engagement.
NO AIRPOWER SUMMARY
The WWE has been under a microscope since the Chris Benoit incident. They apparently thought it was time for a PR move. They suspended 10 wrestlers for violating a "wellness policy". Many of them are big name wrastlers.
The move comes as investigators from the Albany, N.Y., district attorney's office have been gathering information about steroid use by WWE wrestlers as part of a wide ranging investigation into online pharmacies and the doctors who write prescriptions for them.
WWE did not release the names of those suspended. A source close to the investigation said that WWE was told that the following wrestlers were among the clients of one of the pharmacies under investigation, Signature of Orlando: Shoichi Funaki, Dave Bautista, Adam "Edge" Copeland, Chris "Masters" Mordetsky, John "Johnny Nitro" Hennigan, and Shane Helms. Chris Benoit, the wrestler who killed his wife and son before hanging himself in June, was also a Signature client, as were two other wrestlers who recently died, Eddie Guerrero and Brian "Crush" Adams.
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s on Afghanistan National Army vehicles that were being looted by insurgents in Tarin Kowt. The aircrews also hit an enemy compound with GBU-38s. The aircrews then targeted the insurgents with a GBU-31 and GBU-12s. Later, one of the F-15Es dropped a GBU-12 on an enemy camp. The engagements were reported as successful.
Also in Tarin Kowt, other F-15Es dropped GBU-38s on an enemy vehicle and a machine gun position. The aircrews also attacked with GBU-31s and GBU-12s a sniper position and enemies fleeing previous attacks. Theses engagements were reported as successful as well.
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped general-purpose 500-pound bombs and GBU-12s on an enemy firing position in Orgun-E. The pilots also strafed the position with cannon rounds.
An Air Force B-1B Lancer provided successful shows of force and presence to ward off enemy attacks in areas near Ganjabad.
A-10s strafed enemies in Asadabad with cannon rounds. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the rounds hit their intended targets.
F-15Es dropped GBU-38s and a GBU-31 on enemy firing positions around Gardez and Asadabad. The weapon drops were considered successful by the JTAC.
Other F-15Es also hit targets with GBU-38s and GBU-12s in Asadabad and Asmar.
F-15Es and an A-10 provided successful shows of force with flares over enemy positions in Gereshk, Garmsir and Kajaki Dam.
In total, 47 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.
Nine Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.
In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons used GBU-38s to destroy a weapons cache in Salman Pak. The pilots also watched over a coalition raid.
Also in Salman Pak, an F-16 destroyed a weapons crate using a Maverick missile. The pilots observed insurgents digging up the weapons crate and loading it onto a truck. Once the crate was unloaded, one of the pilots destroyed it with the missile. Then, the F-16s strafed the truck that had moved the crate with cannon rounds until it stopped. One of the F-16s also provided a show of force for convoy freedom of movement. The convoy moved through smoothly after the show of force.
Continuing the engagement in Salman Pak, another group of F-16s fired cannon rounds at the truck that had moved the weapons crate. The F-16s also hit a weapons storage area with GBU-38s as well.
An Air Force MQ-1Predator fired a Hellfire missile at a mortar team in Balad. The Predator followed the group that was carrying a tube. Eventually the team launched a projectile, confirming the tube was a weapon. Then the Predator engaged the team.
F-16s provided shows of force over locations around Karbala.
Other F-16s patrolled other areas of Samarra and Tikrit looking for suspicious activities and improvised explosive devices.
In total, coalition aircraft flew 50 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.
Seventeen Air Force, Navy and RAF ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.
Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 160 airlift sorties were flown, 400 tons of cargo were delivered and approximately 3,400 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 44,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.
Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Iraq and Japan flew in support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
On Aug. 27, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 55 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.1 million pounds of fuel to 285 receiving aircraft.
If you haven't seen it, here it is:
She has become the official spokesperson for MapsForUs.org. So check it out. It's funny.
"Because the children of America need maps"
Concerned citizens root out terrorists
ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq – The citizens of Iraq are fighting back against terrorists in one Sunni dominated area south of Baghdad.
Paratroopers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, are now fighting the enemy with information from hundreds of citizens who have pledged responsibility for the security of their neighborhoods.
The Concerned Citizens Program is similar to an all-volunteer Neighborhood Watch. During a recent operation to in Jurf as Sakhr, concerned citizens led Iraqi Soldiers and U.S. Paratroopers to a stronghold where five al-Qaeda members were killed after Paratroopers called in precision air strikes from helicopter gunships and U.S. Air Force fighter jets to destroy the building.
This has been the first attempted attack by al-Qaeda and other extremists since the Concerned Citizens Program began almost two months ago.
There are now more than 500 registered members of the Concerned Citizens Program who have volunteered to protect their villages and roads while they await training for the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police forces.
At least 300 concerned citizens have already been accepted into the Iraqi Army. Moltz estimates another 300 people will register for the Concerned Citizens Program in the next few weeks, and that the Iraqi Police will begin to accept the concerned citizens into their ranks within the next month.
Jurf as Sahkr has long been one of the most hostile and dangerous areas of Iraq.
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Scouts, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained three suspected al Qaeda in Iraq leaders, including the al Qaeda in Iraq Emir for operations in Samarra, during an intelligence driven operation Aug. 28 in Tikrit.
The three suspects are linked to the Mosul-based Islamic State of Iraq, an organization established as a front for Al Qaeda in Iraq. Intelligence indicates the three are linked to an attack on Coalition Forces Aug. 26 in Samarra that killed two Coalition Soldiers and two innocent civilians. Coalition Forces repelled the attack, killing at least a dozen insurgents and capturing 14 others.
One of the other detainees is reportedly an al Qaeda in Iraq military coordinator for operations around Samarra while the third detainee is believed to be a local facilitator for al Qaeda operations in Tikrit. Reports indicate all three individuals had recently arrived in Tikrit from Samarra.
Coalition Forces target terrorist leaders; 2 terrorists killed, 22 suspects detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained 22 suspected terrorists during operations in central and northern Iraq Wednesday targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and their networks.
South of Baghdad, Coalition Forces killed two terrorists as they targeted a Syrian-based explosives expert who facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists in Iraq and is tied to several senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq. As the assault force approached the target building, they observed a terrorist armed with a rocket-propelled grenade and determined the area was hostile. The ground forces fired on the armed terrorist but could not assess if he was killed. Another man emerged from the target building and refused to comply with the interpreter’s instructions. When he made threatening movements toward the assault force, Coalition Forces defended against the hostile threat by engaging and killing him. The assault force also encountered an armed man outside a nearby building, and when the man drew his weapon on them, Coalition Forces responded in self-defense, engaging and killing him.
In three related raids around Tarmiyah, Coalition Forces continued to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq’s networks and leadership, targeting the emir of the northern belt around Baghdad and his associates. The ground forces captured the alleged administrative emir of Tarmiyah and six individuals suspected to be part of the terrorist network that attacks Coalition Forces and Iraqi civilians.
Coalition Forces conducted two raids in the northern Tigris River Valley targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and captured a suspected close associate of a regional terrorist emir. The ground forces detained 14 additional suspects for their alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq’s networks in Bayji and Mosul.
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained a suspected battalion commander of a rogue element of the Jaysh al Mahdi militia and one suspected insurgent during an intelligence-driven operation in Baghdad Aug. 27.
The suspected Shi’a extremist operates in Qhadirah, an area in Baghdad. Reports indicate he directs a group that targets Iraqi citizens for kidnapping and extrajudicial killings. The alleged leader also maintains connections to insurgents in the Hayani area, Baghdad and Basrah.
Intelligence indicates the targeted individual’s group is also responsible for emplacing explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, in Sadr City targeting Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
The men are currently being detained for questioning for their involvement in criminal activities and the deaths of local citizens.
Four suspected insurgents captured in eastern Baghdad
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Soldiers from the Multi-National Division-Baghdad and Iraqi Security Forces captured four suspected insurgents and recovered a small weapons cache during a security operation in the Karadah District of eastern Baghdad Aug. 28.
The operation, carried out by Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and the 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, was part of an ongoing effort to clear insurgent strongholds in the area.
The four suspects detained are now being held for further questioning. The troops uncovered two AK-47 assault rifles, one spotting scope, and three eye pieces in the operation.
It was yesterday. I was too busy to post anything about it. I had more important things to do like update news from the War on Terror. I wouldn't be able to write anything more about Hurricane Katrina without my blood pressure rising to unseen proportions anyway. So I will just leave links to my previous posts about the Hurricane. This blame game is totally reasonable since you know a hurricane is going to hit you and have reasonable time to prepare.
THE FAILURES OF LOUISIANA OFFICIALS
THE FAILURES OF LOUISIANA OFFICIALS, PART DUH
***NOTE***
They look different from my current posts because, at the time, I was using a blogger add-on for Microsoft Word. I could upload directly from Word. Now I use Windows Live Writer Beta. I like it, but it could be better. The best thing about it is that it does a lot of the HTML for you and pings search engines.
Here we go again with the woulda, coulda, shoulda blame game.
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Tech officials may have been able to save lives if the campus warning system had been implemented more quickly, a panel said in a report issued Thursday.
But the panel also found that the failure of the state's mental health system and the school's lack of information about the shooter's mental health also played a role.
"The dots were not connected, the signals were missed at Virginia Tech," said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine at a press conference Thursday.
I'm assuming that the school was basing their decisions on previous incidents. I'm sure there have been other students shot on and off campus. The shooter(s) usually doesn't stick around and wait for police. They flee immediately. So in 99.9% of the shootings, the shooter(s) is no longer on campus, thus, why the need to shut the school down?
I agree that students should have been notified of the initial shooting earlier in the day. But, you have to think, would it have made a difference? The school would still be open, classes would continue, and doors would remain open. The only way they could've prevented this was shutting the entire campus down and arranging for nearly 30,000 students, faculty, and employees to not come on campus.
The state mental health system should be blamed more than anyone else. They knew he was a danger to himself or others. He was ordered to undergo some type of evaluation, but never showed. I'm not a lawyer, but that seems to be contempt of court and he should have arrested and either put in jail or mental health facility.
Now the governor feels the need to throw his two cents in, "The dots were not connected, the signals were missed at Virginia Tech." It's an educational institution, not the FBI. What dots were they supposed to connect? Most of the time, the "dots" can't be "connected" until after the incident. Once you know the person, you can trackback from there and find the "dots". Seung Hui-Cho had not done anything besides being a weirdo previous to the shooting.
If the university had knowledge of a hit list, or something from Cho saying he was going to kill students, then yes, the university would be at fault for not taking the proper precautions.
They were actually found Aug. 24th, they didn't learn until today what the chemical was. It's comforting to know that the U.N. is storing dangerous chemicals in the United States and yet have no idea what they're storing.
Vials of dangerous chemicals found by weapons inspectors in Iraq more than a decade ago were discovered Thursday in a United Nations office building near the world body's headquarters in the heart of New York City.
No evacuations were ordered, and there was no immediate danger to the public, a U.N. spokesman said.
Hazardous materials personnel and the FBI were reported at the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission offices at 48th Street and 1st Avenue in Manhattan. The commission's offices are on the building's third and sixth floors.
The material was phosgene, a chemical warfare agent, U.N. spokeswoman Marie Okabe told a hastily gathered news conference.
The inspections unit said in a statement that the chemicals had been found last Friday as weapons inspectors were closing their offices, said Ewen Buchanan, a spokesman for the inspectors.
Phosgene was used during World War I as a choking agent, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Cache uncovered thanks to tip from residents
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team recovered small caches in two separate operations Aug. 27 in eastern Baghdad, one based off a tip received at their joint security station.
Soldiers with Company D, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment discovered an explosively-formed penetrator while on a clearing mission in the Karadah District. An explosive ordnance disposal team was called in to stabilize the EFP.
Meanwhile, Soldiers with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Battalion uncovered a cache in the New Baghdad District, based off a tip from residents. The cache consisted of one 60mm mortar; one rocket-propelled grenade launcher; one explosively-formed penetrator; five RPG grenades; one hand grenade; 20 shotgun shells; one bayonet; and eight mines. The troops also recovered wire and identification cards.
The recovered caches come as U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces continue to drive into insurgent strongholds.
This has included setting up combat outposts and joint security stations as part of the Baghdad Security Plan to pacify the capital. The recovered weapons demonstrate to neighborhood residents that Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces are there to protect them.
8 terrorists killed, 11 suspects detained in Coalition operations
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists and detained 11 suspected terrorists during raids targeting leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and their networks Tuesday in central and northern Iraq.
During operations southeast of Kirkuk, Coalition Forces targeted a regional emir of al-Qaeda in Iraq and one of his operatives, both of whom are believed to facilitate the movement of foreign terrorists in Iraq. As the assault force approached the target site, they observed two armed men in tactical fighting positions waiting for them. Responding to the hostile threat, Coalition Forces called for close air support, which engaged the two armed terrorists, killing them. Once the assault force was at the target location, four armed men attempted to maneuver around them into tactical positions, but Coalition Forces responded to the hostile threat and engaged them with fire from the supporting aircraft. Ground forces assessed four armed terrorists were killed. Once the location was secure, the ground forces surveyed the area and found weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, an RPG sight and a suicide vest. An explosives team safely destroyed the materials on site.
Two coordinated operations straddling the provincial borders of Salah ad Din and at Tamim northeast of Tikrit targeted a senior-level al-Qaeda in Iraq advisor operating primarily in the Kirkuk area. The targeted individual is believed to be tied to the international terrorist Khalid al-Turki, who was killed in an operation Jun. 23, and several other al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders in the area.
As soon as Coalition Forces arrived at the first location, they received small arms fire from a nearby rooftop. Coalition Forces responded to the enemy fire by calling for close air support to engage two armed men identified on the roof. The two terrorists were killed. When Coalition Forces secured the building, they discovered two women and a boy who were injured in the engagement. The assault force treated the three civilians on site and transported them to a military medical facility for further treatment. Six suspected terrorists were detained during the operation. At the second location, Coalition Forces detained two suspects for their alleged ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq advisor.
Al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders associated with the car-bombing network in southern Baghdad were the target of a Coalition Forces raid there. The ground forces captured three alleged members of the cell with ties to both its current leader and a suspected former leader detained in an operation May 5.
Iraqi Army Scouts, U.S. Special Forces detain suspected terrorist assassin
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Scouts, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, conducted an operation Aug. 27 near Tikrit, detaining a suspected terrorist cell leader believed to be responsible for kidnappings, assassinations and brutal attacks in the area.
The alleged cell leader is suspected of advising senior terrorist leaders in the Heychel District. He is also believed to be responsible for the May 13, 2007 suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack on the Kurdish political Headquarters in Makmoor, the Feb. 13, 2005 attack that killed three Iraqi National Guard Soldiers, the June 16, 2004 assassination of a sheik in northern Heychel and the May 14, 2004 assassination of the Governor of Ninewa Province.
During the operation, in Mashat Village, Iraqi Army members identified enemy fire originating from the rooftops of nearby buildings. The forces engaged the enemy with well-aimed, proportionate fire, deterring the threat.
Wiring materials, electronic switches, CD’s and other electronic equipment were seized.
33 insurgents killed, Khalis waterway open
DIYALA, Iraq – 5th Iraqi Army Division partnered with Coalition Forces conducted an air assault into the town of Gobia to restore essential services to Khalis, Aug. 27.
The pre-dawn assault, involving several hundred Iraqi and Coalition Forces, defeated numerous small-arms attacks throughout the day resulting in a combined 13 insurgents killed.
CF attack helicopters and close air support supported the ground forces, killing 20 more.
The objective of the mission was to open the spillway, which regulates water flow to the town of Khalis, restoring the essential service of water.
The action by the IA and CF termed “Operation Church” also netted three caches containing 150 lbs of home-made explosives, two 130mm rounds, a ZU-23 with 2,000 rounds, a rocket-propelled grenade with eight rounds, a PKC, and seven AK-47s.
Three detainees were captured at one of the cache sites and water is currently flowing unimpeded to Khalis.
Iraqi and Coalition forces capture a suspected distributor of Iranian weapons
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition forces captured a highly-sought weapons facilitator before dawn Tuesday in Baghdad.
Iraqi and Coalition Forces conducted a raid to capture a suspected weapons distributor connected to the Special Groups network. The suspected senior weapons facilitator is responsible for distributing weapons and other forms of lethal aide smuggled from Iran into Iraq. The individual is also suspected of distributing explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs. The weapons distributor is also suspected of having direct ties to other senior commanders in militias operating in and around Baghdad.
Two others detained during the raid are also suspected of distributing weapons smuggled into Iraq from Iran. One of the buildings searched during the raid produced currency and identification documents confiscated for further analysis and evaluation.
Iraqi Army Soldiers kill, capture several attackers, eliminate VBIEDS
MOSUL, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces repelled a series of attempted insurgent attacks, destroying vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, capturing small-arms and rocket-propelled grenades, and killing or capturing insurgent gunmen attempting to target ISF in Nineveh province, Aug. 26.
ISF stopped two separate VBIED attacks south of Mosul. Both drivers were taken into custody however, one of the truck bombs prematurely exploded, injuring three Iraqi soldiers.
At about the same time, an Iraqi Army patrol intercepted a motorcycle SVBIED in eastern Mosul. An IA soldier engaged the motorcycle, killing the bomber when the SVBIED prematurely detonated.
The IA patrol discovered unknown gunmen in the area attempting to set an ambush however, the IA forced the insurgents to flee the area. The patrol found two additional VBIEDS nearby, which were safely destroyed.
Another IA patrol on the west side of Mosul killed four unknown enemy gunmen in two vehicles, recovering assault rifles and RPG launchers with rockets from the vehicles.
Big surprise here. Hillary would never skirt around campaign finance laws *cough-cough*. Of course, those dem's that took money from him are refusing to return it. Let's say a Republican would do the same thing...oh, the outrage.
The crazy thing about this is the LA Times is reporting it!
The Los Angeles Times will report on this website later tonight and in Wednesday's print editions that a major Democratic Party fundraiser named Norman Hsu is wanted by authorities for skipping out on an agreement to serve up to three years in prison after pleading no contest to grand theft swindling charges.
In an exclusive story by Chuck Neubauer and Robin Fields, The Times will report that for three years Hsu has been carving out a place of political and financial influence by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions into Democratic Party coffers, much of the money earmarked for Sen. Hillary Clinton. He has earned the ranking of Hillraiser for pledging to raise at least $100,000 for her.
In just the last 36 months Hsu has been involved in raising more than $1 million for Clinton and other Democrats. Howard Wolfson, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, confirmed today that Hsu had been a "longtime and generous supporter" of the party including Clinton. "We have no reason to call his contributions into question or to return them," Wolfson added.
Hsu has developed a specialty of bundling hefty campaign contributions from obscure citizens who live modest lives and have never before given money to campaigns. Many are not even registered to vote.
Over the years other recipients of Hsu donations have included Sens. Dianne Feinstein, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Edward Kennedy.
***UPDATE 08/29/07***
The dem's had a change of heart and decided that maybe they shouldn't keep the donations from Norman Hsu. This is quite a change since yesterday.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton will give to charity the $23,000 in donations she has received from a fundraiser who is wanted in California for failing to appear for sentencing on a 1991 grand theft charge.
The decision came Wednesday as other Democrats began distancing themselves from Norman Hsu, whose legal encounters and links to other Democratic donors have drawn public scrutiny in the past two days.
Al Franken, a Senate candidate in Minnesota, Reps. Michael Honda and Doris Matsui of California and Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania said they would divest their campaigns of Hsu's donations.
Hsu is a fundraiser for Clinton and is described as a devoted fan of the presidential candidate and New York senator. He had planned to co- host a money event for Clinton on Sept. 30. In a statement Wednesday, Hsu said he believed he had resolved his legal issues, but said he would halt his work raising political money.
Two suspected insurgents detained in raid of extremist safe-haven
BAGHDAD — Task Force Marne Soldiers executed a raid on an extremist enemy safehouse in Suwayrah Aug. 26, detaining two suspected insurgents.
Paratroopers from 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, were inserted into the target area by helicopter air as part of Operation Marne Husky. Suwayrah, a known enemy safe-haven, is located about 25 miles southeast of Baghdad.
The troopers’ main goal on the operation, dubbed Falcon Fury III, was to disrupt extremist enemy activity in Suwayrah and prevent the group from attacking civilians and Coalition Forces.
Two men were detained during a sweep of the target buildings while searching for illegal weapons or other accelerants. The detainees are being held for further questioning.
Concerned citizens, Coalition Forces destroy weapons cache, insurgent safe houses
ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq — With help from the concerned citizens of Jurf as Sakhr, Iraqi and Coalition Forces identified and destroyed an enemy fighting position and safehouse Aug. 25 as part of Operation Gecko.
Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division acted on a lead from a concerned citizen on a known enemy fighting position suspected of containing a mortar tube with ammunition.
Once the location was identified, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters engaged the location with one missile, rendering the position useless to the enemy, and the Paratroopers of 1-501st Abn. destroyed the remains of the bunker.
Continuing to follow the lead of the concerned citizens, Paratroopers were then taken to an al-Qaeda safehouse where five armed terrorists were hiding. The location was marked and destroyed with a 1,000-pound bomb, killing the five al-Qaeda militants.
Operation Gecko is systematically cleaning up the area, removing deadly roadside bombs and capturing or killing the terrorists and militiamen responsible for the violence and chaos that had blanketed the region.
Coalition Forces disrupt al-Qaeda; 8 terrorists killed, 16 suspects detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists and detained 16 suspected terrorists Monday during operations targeting key leaders and facilitators in the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in central and northern Iraq.
During a raid west of Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured an individual believed to have worked with a terrorist killed Aug. 26 to coordinate the employment of three suicide bombers for an upcoming attack in an unknown location. As the assault force approached the target building, they received small arms fire from adjacent buildings. Three armed men ran out of the adjacent building toward the assault force. Coalition Forces responded in self-defense, killing the three armed men. Three more armed men ran from another nearby building toward the ground forces’ security element. Coalition Forces again responded by killing the three attackers.
In addition to the suspected suicide bomber coordinator, Coalition Forces detained three individuals for their alleged ties to the foreign terrorist facilitation network in the southern belts around Baghdad. The ground forces also found several munitions and bomb-making materials at the scene, which an explosives team safely destroyed.
Coalition Forces killed a leader of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell in the Arab Jabour area and one of his associates during an operation north of Salman Pak. When Coalition Forces secured the target building, surveillance elements observed two men moving into some reeds and taking up tactical fighting positions against the assault force. Iraqis in the target building warned Coalition Forces that the men in the reeds were armed. Coalition Forces, responding to defend against the hostile threat, called in close air support and engaged the armed men, killing both. One of the men was identified as the targeted individual, who operated an illegal terrorist court system, smuggled weapons, extorted money from local Iraqis and conducted bombing attacks against Coalition Forces.
Coalition Forces conducted three operations continuing to target senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq in north-central Iraq. Based on intelligence from an operation Aug. 18, Coalition Forces captured an alleged terrorist senior leader during a raid south of Kirkuk. The suspect is believed to have close ties to other senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and also is believed to facilitate the movement of foreign terrorists into the country. The ground forces detained six additional suspected terrorists during the raid.
During operations near Ba’ajah and Muqdadiyah, Coalition Forces detained five suspected terrorists for their alleged involvement with senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq. The ground forces found munitions and machine guns on the scene near Ba’ajah and safely destroyed the cache.
Samarra firefight leaves at least a dozen insurgents dead
TIKRIT, Iraq – Coalition Forces shut down an attack attempted by approximately 30 masked insurgents, killing at least a dozen insurgents and pursuing the rest in Samarra, Sunday.
Over the course of the morning, CF pursued and attacked the masked insurgents with ground forces, attack helicopters and U.S. Air Force close air support, which included a precision-guided bomb dropped on an insurgent getaway vehicle beneath a carport.
In addition to the insurgents who were killed, fourteen insurgents were detained along with the confiscation of four enemy AK-47s, one sniper rifle and one machine gun.
MND-B Apache crews engage roadside bombers
CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Multi-National Division-Baghdad attack helicopter crews killed four insurgents who were placing a roadside bomb in south Baghdad Aug. 26.
The aircrews from 1st “Attack” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, responded to a call from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, to engage the roadside bombers.
The ground unit positively identified the insurgents, and the aircrews observed the group placing an improvised explosive device.
After getting clearance to fire from the ground unit, the Apache crews engaged the insurgents, killing four and wounding at least one other.
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained the leader of a network of terrorist cells linked to the former regime of Saddam Hussein during an operation Aug. 26 in Tikrit.
The suspected leader’s network is reportedly financed by funds acquired through Raghid Hussein, daughter of Saddam Hussein and is linked to a series of attacks on Coalition Forces. They typically use rocket-propelled grenade and improvised explosive devices. These attacks have claimed the lives of numerous Soldiers and Airmen.
Iraqi and U.S. Special Forces have previously detained several leaders of this network who are responsible for attacks on Coalition Forces.
In a second operation, Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained a suspected al-Qaeda administrative Emir and planner for attacks using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices during an intelligence-driven operation Aug. 26 in Baghdad.
Intelligence reports suggest the Sunni extremist has been involved in organizing suicide bombers to attack in al Doura. Reports also indicate his recent activities include directing the administrative aspects of training and employing terrorists to attack Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
Iraqi Forces, U.S. Marines, Special Forces detain eight, kill three insurgents
BAGHDAD – Iraqi forces, U.S. Marines and U.S. Special Forces conducted a series of raids detaining eight suspected terrorists and killing three, Aug. 25.
During an operation in Husaybah, west of Al Qaim, Scouts from the 3/7th Iraqi Army Brigade and U.S. Marines detained three suspected insurgents believed to be linked to the al Qaeda in Iraq extremist organization.
One of the individuals is an alleged al Qaeda in Iraq leader and is suspected of overseeing the terrorist organization’s activities in the Al Qaim area. A second individual is allegedly involved in oil smuggling operations within the region. Islamic insurgent propaganda materials and identification cards were seized during the operation.
During two separate operations in Baghdad, five suspected terrorists were detained. One of the detained individuals is an alleged al Qaeda in Iraq Emir and is suspected of directing improvised explosive device and small arms attacks against U.S. and Iraqi forces. While leaving one of the targeted buildings in southwest Baghdad, ISOF and USSF began to receive enemy small arms fire. The team responded with well-aimed and proportionate fire, killing one insurgent.
In Al Kut, members from the 3/8th Iraqi Army Division killed two insurgents during an operation to detain terrorists responsible for recent improvised explosive device and small arms attacks in the area.
After clearing the exterior of the target location, a rocket-propelled grenade struck the roof of the building. The forces located the attacker and responded to the threat with well-aimed fire, wounding the insurgent. On-scene medics aided the wounded insurgent, but he later died.
As the forces departed the target location, they came under attack from small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. The team returned fire, killing another insurgent.
Coalition Forces detain eight suspected Special Groups terrorists
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained eight suspected Special Groups terrorists during pre-dawn operations Monday in Sadr City.
The individuals detained during the raid are believed to be members of the Special Groups terrorist network known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq into Iran for terrorist training.
No shots were fired as Coalition Forces conducted a precision raid during pre-dawn hours, detaining eight individuals for their association with the Special Groups terrorist network and the targeted individual. Coalition forces confiscated a number of documents, photographs and possible improvised explosive device components.
Intelligence reports indicate that the targeted individual is a Special Groups senior level facilitator with possible Iranian connections.
Three suspected insurgents detained
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team captured three suspected insurgents during a patrol in the Rusafa District of eastern Baghdad Aug. 26.
Soldiers with Company D, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, were monitoring the al Gailany gas station, where 20 insurgents had attempted to steal gasoline earlier in the day, when they came upon three men attempting to hide firearms, including a locked-and-loaded pistol. The weapons were seized and the men detained.
Things like assaulting and shooting at border patrol agents.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent's leg was injured when a suspected marijuana smuggler slammed into his patrol vehicle Sunday afternoon, officials said.
In another incident Sunday night, unknown assailants fired on four agents near the Mexican border, they said.
Officials also said three bodies have been recovered in the desert since Friday.
The suspected smuggler, an illegal entrant, was arrested after evading Border Patrol agents for more than an hour, according to a U.S. Border Patrol press release. More than 1,100 pounds of marijuana were found in the stolen truck the man was driving.
[...]
Another agent who responded saw the truck and was about to begin a search on foot when the truck emerged from his blind spot, striking his patrol vehicle and injuring him.
The suspect was taken into custody after a pursuit on foot and a brief struggle.
In the shooting incident, agents were patrolling near Lochiel, about 20 miles east of Nogales, about 10:30 p.m. Sunday when someone fired four shots at them, said Agent Sean King, a Tucson sector Border Patrol spokesman.
The agents had responded after a sensor sounded an alarm at a Border Patrol station, King said. They left their vehicles and began to patrol on foot.
The agents had walked about one-quarter of a mile when three pickups began to approach their patrol vehicles. As they headed back to the vehicles, someone fired four shots at them and they took cover.
The agents were unable to locate a shooter, King said. They radioed for help and two Border Patrol helicopters and a special response team were sent to the scene.
In the meantime, three more shots were fired.
11 terrorists killed, six suspects detained in Coalition operations
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed 11 terrorists and detained six suspected terrorists during operations Sunday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and their networks in central and northern Iraq.
Coalition Forces killed a targeted foreign terrorist facilitator and five other terrorists during an operation west of Baghdad. Intelligence reports indicate the facilitator provided three suicide bombers to al-Qaeda in Iraq for an upcoming attack in an unknown location. As Coalition Forces approached the hostile buildings, they immediately received small arms fire and defended themselves by returning fire, killing one terrorist. Three armed men ran into a nearby palm grove, and Coalition Forces called in close air support to contain the hostile threat. Two of the armed men engaged the ground forces and were killed when Coalition Forces returned fire. The third terrorist was killed by fire from the aircraft defending the ground forces against the hostile threat.
When the assault force approached the target buildings, they saw two armed men inside. Responding to the threat, Coalition Forces engaged the two armed terrorists, killing them. The ground forces also discovered bomb-making materials, a bomb-making manual, extremist propaganda, Syrian money and weapons. An explosives team destroyed the bomb-making materials on site.
Two coordinated raids north of Taji targeted associates of the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the northern belts around Baghdad. Using information from an operation Aug. 6, Coalition Forces moved in on members of a terrorist operations cell there. As the ground forces secured the building, three men refused to comply with the interpreter’s instructions and maneuvered into a palm grove. Coalition Forces received small arms fire from the area and, responding in self-defense, returned fire and called close air support to help contain the enemy. One armed terrorist was killed by aircraft fire, and two armed terrorists were killed by ground fire.
In the second raid, ground forces moved to secure the target building and found the occupants uncooperative. When the assault force entered the building, a man appeared from beneath several blankets and lunged at the assault force. Coalition Forces, responding to the hostile threat, engaged the man, killing him. The ground forces detained one suspected terrorist for his alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.
Iraqi and Coalition Forces conducted an operation south of Hawija targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the area, who is believed to have ties to several terrorist groups and be responsible for attacks on Coalition Forces. Ground forces secured the buildings at the scene, but one man refused to comply with Coalition Forces’ instructions. The man approached the assault force and motioned as if he was reaching for a weapon. Coalition Forces, responding in self-defense against the hostile threat, engaged the man, killing him.
Another operation targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq occurred south of Baghdad. The ground forces targeted the terrorist leader of the Arab Jabour region and one of his associates who is responsible for car bombing operations in the area. Coalition Forces detained five suspects for their alleged ties to the terrorist leaders.
1-15 Infantry finds, destroys large enemy cache
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq — Task Force Marne troops conducted a mission to disrupt terrorist activity and succeeded by destroying a large cache of munitions and improvised explosive device-making materials Aug. 23.
The cache contained 268 bomb-making items, including four tubes of C4, a powerful, military-grade explosive. Also found in the cache were two five-gallon jugs of homemade explosive material; two mortar charges; five mortar fuses; 20 blasting caps; five pressure activators, crush-wire detonator switches; and 50 microchip transistors and 30 circuit boards.
Thompson said the discovery will adversely affect enemy operations in the Salman Pak area.
The 1-15 Inf. Regt. is assigned to 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.
On the one hand, you have Michael Vick and his wholesale killing of dogs, and on the other, you have PETA who thinks any animal that comes in contact with humans should be euthanized. Unfortunately; it's a lose-lose for the animal.
Today the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) ran a full-page ad in The New York Times highlighting the hypocrisy of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA's campaign against NFL quarterback Michael Vick is disingenuous given that PETA itself has killed over 14,000 more animals than the NFL star.
The text of the ad reads:
Who's killed more animals? Vick (8) or PETA (14,400): People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) loves to point the finger at others, when they should be looking at their own record of killing more than 90% of the animals left in their care. According to government records PETA has killed more than 14,400 animals since 1998."PETA has shamelessly used the horrific Michael Vick case to pad their group's coffers, even though their track record of slaughtering thousands of helpless, adoptable animals is far more damning," said CCF Director of Research David Martosko. "Americans need to be aware of how PETA treats animals in their care and reject the group’s overt hypocrisy."Documents obtained by the Center for Consumer Freedom from the Virginia State Veterinarian show that between 1998 and 2005 PETA killed more than 14,400 dogs, cats, and other animals.
In addition to the thousands of animals that were killed at their headquarters, two PETA employees in North Carolina admitted to killing dozens of dogs and cats in a roving "death van" and tossing their bodies into a trash dumpster.
"Instead of weighing in on the actions of others, PETA's leaders need to take a look in the mirror," Martosko concluded. "If their group is going to euthanize thousands of healthy dogs and cats each year, Americans will never take their criticism of Vick and others seriously."
Iraqi, Polish Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain extremist cell leader in Diwaniyah
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Scouts and Polish forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained two suspected extremist militant cell members in the town of Al Budayr Aug. 22.
The targeted terrorist, from the Al-Askari district of Diwaniyah, is allegedly responsible for producing explosively formed penetrators and executing improvised explosive devices attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in the area.
Further intelligence indicated that in February 2007 he used a local high school as a screen to launch Katyusha rockets at a Coalition base and is connected to another criminal cell that attacks local citizens who oppose the Shi’a extremists’ illegal activities.
ISOF, U.S. Special Forces detain nine extremist militants in Baghdad
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operation Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained nine suspected extremist militants in two early-morning raids in Baghdad Aug. 23.
In southern Baghdad, ISOF detained one targeted individual and three other suspected operatives. The targeted individual is a suspected militant company commander operating out of Hay al Aamel. He has allegedly conducted improvised explosive device attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces. Intelligence reports that he has participated in the rape and murder of local nationals.
Meanwhile, in the vicinity of Shula, soldiers from the ISOF Brigade raided a suspected terrorist cell, detaining two targeted insurgents and three others. The targeted individuals are considered to be assassination cell leaders. Three AK-47 assault rifles with magazines, Iraqi dinar, a computer and various documents were seized during the operation.
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security and Iraqi Army Forces, with U.S. Special Forces acting as advisers, detained two key al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and seven other suspected terrorists in two separate operations Aug. 24 in Baghdad and in the Za’ab Triangle.
During an intelligence driven operation in Baghdad, Iraqi Security Forces detained an Amir and an intelligence officer of al Qaeda in Iraq from the Abu Gharaib area. The Amir leads cell members who launch attacks on Coalition and Iraqi Forces with improvised explosive devices.
Reports indicate the suspected intelligence officer collects names of Iraqi Security Forces personnel and targets them for assassination by other cell members. He also conducts surveillance of Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces in the area.
In the second operation, Iraqi Army Forces conducted a successful air assault raid and detained seven suspected members of an al Qaeda in Iraq cell operating in the village of Jarnaf Gharbi in northwest Iraq. These individuals are believed to be responsible for attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces along the Tigris River Valley and the Za’ab Triangle.
Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces detain rogue Jaysh al Mahdi leaders
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Forces, with U.S. Special Forces acting as advisers, detained two leaders of rogue elements of the Jaysh al-Mahdi militia during two intelligence driven operations Aug. 24 in Baghdad and in Taji.
In the first operation, Iraqi Army Scouts detained a suspected Shi’a extremist responsible for directing a criminal network of individuals who routinely attack Iraqi and Coalition Forces with improvised explosive devices and explosively formed penetrators in the New Baghdad area.The leader is also linked to a Jaysh al-Mahdi cell responsible for extrajudicial killings of innocent Iraqis. The forces also detained a second suspicious individual during this raid.
In the second operation, members from the Iraqi Army 9th Division Reconnaissance team detained a Jaysh al-Mahdi company commander Aug. 24 in Taji.
Intelligence indicates that the suspected Shi’a extremist is responsible for emplacing explosively formed penetrators and improvised explosive devices to target Iraqi and U.S. Forces in the Taji area. The suspect is believed to be responsible for emplacing an EFP on July 26, 2007 that wounded 2 Coalition soldiers.
The suspect is currently being detained for questioning about additional attacks which resulted in the deaths of several Iraqi and Coalition soldiers.
Three terrorists killed, 17 suspects detained in Coalition raids
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed three terrorists and detained 17 suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq activities in the Tigris River Valley
Coalition Forces raided several buildings north of Muqdadiyah seeking the area’s al-Qaeda in Iraq media emir. As the assault force moved to secure the five buildings, they encountered three armed men, each in a different room, who drew their weapons on the assault force. In each case, Coalition Forces defended against the hostile threat and engaged the armed men, killing them. The ground forces also discovered bomb-making materials, which an explosives team destroyed on site. One suspected terrorist was detained.
Coalition Forces used information from operations Jul. 14 and Aug. 2 to capture a suspected terrorist financier northeast of Samarra. The individual is believed to provide money for weapons and other support to foreign terrorists in the Tigris River Valley.
Coalition Forces also captured a suspected associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in Salah ad Din province. Intelligence reports indicate the individual moved to Bayji to help al-Qaeda in Iraq set up operations there. Coalition Forces detained six more suspected terrorists during the raid.
Coalition Forces continued their assault against the bombing networks in Baghdad with two operations around the city. The ground forces captured an alleged terrorist cell leader in the Arab Jabour area, believed to oversee 20 explosives experts, and five of his suspected associates.
Based on information from operations on Aug. 15 and Aug. 24, Coalition Forces targeted a bomb maker during a pre-dawn operation in western Baghdad. When the ground forces requested for occupants to come out of the target building, two men exited and were taken into Coalition Forces custody. To secure the area, the ground forces entered the building, which was a Red Crescent facility. Inside, Coalition Forces took great care to protect the facility’s resources before determining the building was secure and leaving.
Execution site discovered, eight suspects detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces uncovered a terrorist execution site and a building suspected of being a car bomb factory during an operation Aug. 21-23 south of Baghdad.
As Coalition Forces entered the Arab Jabour area, they immediately received small arms fire. The assault force returned fire, killing one terrorist.
During the 24-hour operation, Coalition Forces discovered an area used by terrorists as an execution and dumping site. The ground forces found human skulls, decomposing bodies and bones wrapped in bloody clothes. Wild dogs were rampant around the area, which was characterized by a crater where most of the human remains were dumped. Inside a nearby building, the ground forces found blood spatter and other signs indicating executions had taken place there. In another building, Coalition Forces found several improvised explosive devices in the area and a weapons cache that included trigger wires.
Intelligence reports indicate that al-Qaeda in Iraq operates in the area, and weapons caches in the area contain materials used in the Baghdad car-bombing network. Local Iraqis helped Coalition Forces find a stash of homemade explosives and a building that was suspected of being a car bomb factory. Inside the compound, the ground forces found numerous items used to make and mix homemade explosives for use in car bombs. An air strike destroyed the explosives cache. Eight suspected terrorists were detained during the operation for their association with al-Qaeda in Iraq and conducting terrorist activities in the Arab Jabour region.
