It's been a slow few days for CentCom press releases
Iraq
IRAQI SECURITY FORCES SOLDIERS STOP SUICIDE BOMBERS
BAQUBAH, Iraq – Iraqi soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, shot and killed a suicide bomber Saturday, south of Shakarat, Iraq.
Coalition Forces near the area where the incident occurred reported that the suicide bomber was running toward an Iraqi tactical check point, and after failing to obey several verbal warnings to stop, the IA shot him, which prompted the vest to detonate.
This is the second suicide bomber incident in two days in the Diyala province. Friday, a suicide bomber targeted the Balad Ruz Chief of Police during his visit at the Balad Ruz Hospital.
Iraqi Police reported that the suicide bomber was walking toward the hospital between the Iraqi Police’s posted vehicular security. The IPs warned the individual to stop, but were forced to engage him when he continued toward them. The vest detonated when the individual was shot, injuring three IPs on site.
“The terrorists are now seeing and experiencing the effectiveness of the Iraqi Security Forces,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander, and senior Coalition Force officer in Diyala province.
“This is why we are seeing an increase on audible attacks — attacks that are attempting to create fear within the local population.”
“I applaud the ISF members whose vigilance and attention prevented those suicide bombers from achieving their targets,” said Sutherland. “Those are the actions of a professional force, which is helping gain the support of their people.”
INSURGENTS CAPTURED, CACHE RECOVERED
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq - Soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division captured seven suspected insurgents and recovered a large weapons cache during a security operation on March 17 in eastern Baghdad.
The detainees are in U.S. military custody and the recovered weapons were seized by the Soldiers.
Recovered items included:
- 15 AK-47 rifles
- 2 body armor vests
- 5 107mm rockets
- 2 122mm rockets
- 50 full AK-47 magazines
- 100 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
- 4 grenades
- 1 grenade round
- 6 60mm mortar rounds
- assorted fuses.
The arrested insurgents bring the number of persons detained by the brigade in March to 87.
Iraqis and coalition forces continue a Baghdad security sweep aimed at reducing sectarian violence.
CAVALRY SOLDIERS DISCOVER WEAPONS CACHE
AL RASHEED, Iraq - Coalition forces discovered a weapons cache near Iraqi Highway 1, just south of Baghdad March 18.
Soldiers from Troop C, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) discovered the cache during a combat patrol.
In the cache was a 120mm mortar round, 42 82mm mortar rounds, 79 60mm mortar rounds and an anti-personnel mine.
The contents of the cache were destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by the explosive ordnance disposal team.
IRAQI POLICE, TRIBESMEN MAKE THEIR STAND
TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi police and local tribesmen killed or captured at least four heavily armed terrorists after the insurgents tried to attack locals and police Thursday, at the Hardinia police station near Balad, Iraq.
The group of insurgents parked their white sedan in front of the police headquarters around 7 a.m., and they immediately opened up with small-arms fire. IPs repelled the initial attack and moved toward the vehicle, which was actually a car bomb. One terrorist was killed when the car bomb prematurely detonated before he could flee.
The remaining terrorists fled the area as one individual killed himself by detonating a suicide vest during his escape.
“The people of this area have always known that the terrorists have very little to offer, but they’ve often been too afraid to take action on their own, preferring to leave it to the Coalition or Iraqi Security Forces,“ said Maj. John Throckmorton, operations officer, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
“In the past month, however, we’ve seen an increasing trend of neighborhoods standing up for themselves and against the terrorists,” he said. “There’s a sense that the extremist’s days are numbered. The terrorists are definitely being beaten back in this area.”
The attack resulted in three terrorists killed, two IPs wounded, one local national killed and one wounded. One terrorist was detained.
Afghanistan
30 AFGHAN PATRIOTS ADDED TO POLICE FORCE
JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The first 30 graduates from the new Afghan National Auxiliary Police training program in Jalalabad took their oath to defend and serve their country March 15 at a facility run by American military and DynCorp trainers.
The new ANAP program will serve the federal government in a capacity similar to that of current militia units. Although the new policemen have only been through a basic curriculum, their skills will be improved through quarterly training.
The program is intended help increase security throughout the region by adding 1,500 new policemen to the current force.
“The center helps provide more people willing to sacrifice and work for the future of their government and country,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. McGowan Anderson, an instructor at the facility. “One of the progress benchmarks of a government is how many people you have working in unison to improve the country and this program increases that number dramatically. It also demonstrates how many people have faith in the government and that is a dramatic change from when the Taliban was here.”
The effect of the increase is substantial in more ways than one, said Anderson.
“Security happens to be one of the priorities right now,” Anderson said. “This training program elevates the preparedness of people who wish to participate in that area. Having an auxiliary police force such as this allows the Afghan National Police to do their job while knowing they have a better support system.”
The commitment of the students was applauded by their American counterparts, including Army Lt. Col. Steven Anderson, Task Force Spartan’s deputy commanding officer.
“I would like to thank you for your commitment to the security of your country,” Anderson said. “Even though I haven’t met with you individually, I feel a bond with you. I am a Soldier, you are policemen, but we have both sworn an oath to defend our countries. Like you, we stand between our families and people who would hurt our families.”
Anderson also pledged TF Spartan’s continued support to the new lawmen.
“When you go out into your districts you will see Soldiers from our brigade,” he said. “Our Soldiers will face danger out with you in your districts to defeat the enemy together.”
The Jalalabad Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, Air Force Lt. Col. David Naisbitt, commended the students on the high standards they have set for those who follow them and asked the students to make a good reputation for themselves.
“I ask you to take what you’ve learned here and put in to practice what you have been taught,” said Naisbitt. “I ask you to always be professional and remember you represent your profession as a police officer, your country and your family.”
The new policemen saluted and reaffirmed their oath with pride after receiving their certificates.
“I am very proud to have received this training here,” said one of the graduates. “We will work hard for a bright future for Afghanistan. I used to be a farmer but I was inspired to work for my country and that’s what led me to become a police officer. I urge other people to come forward and work towards building Afghanistan’s future.”
ALL
ADMIRAL FALLON TAKES COMMAND
MACDILL AFB, Tampa, March 16, 2007 — Admiral William J. Fallon assumed command of U.S. Central Command from Gen. John P. Abizaid in a change of command ceremony held earlier today at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida.
General Abizaid will retire after serving with distinction and as the longest running commander to date since assuming the duties from Gen. Tommy Franks on July 7, 2003. He has played an instrumental role spearheading multiple operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.
The reviewing officer for the ceremony was Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates. He thanked Abizaid for all his hard work and dedication to the mission.
Admiral Fallon was the former commander of U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. He relinquished command on March 12. He will be the first U.S. Navy Admiral to serve in this position.
U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) is responsible for all U.S. military forces supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), along with humanitarian assistance in the Horn of Africa. Established January 1, 1983, USCENTCOM area of responsibility includes all the central states in the Middle East and Horn of Africa. Since Sept. 2001, over 60 countries have become coalition partners and provided support on the global war on terrorism.
