Charlie Wilson's War? Uh, No

Typical Hollywood Crap

Hollywood would have us believe that Democrats defeated the evil empire in Afghanistan, and that President Reagan played only a minor role and even helped pave the way to 9/11. If you think Hollywood's idea of a Christmas movie being one about the Soviet defeat in Afghanistan is strange, even stranger is the plot line. "Charlie Wilson's War," which opened Friday, manages to reduce the president who won the Cold War to a background footnote. Charlie Wilson was a pro-abortion, Equal Rights Amendment-supporting congressman widely known as "the liberal from Lufkin." To his credit, he did play a role in facilitating support to the Afghan mujahadeen. But it is he who should be the historical footnote. [...] So you have at least five players, including Reagan, involved — four of them Republican conservatives. Ikle notes: "Senior people in the Reagan administration, the president, Bill Casey, (Defense Secretary Caspar) Weinberger and their aides deserve credit for the successful Afghan covert action program, not just Charlie Wilson." So guess which one Hollywood makes a movie about? [...] Wilson's chief ally in the film is CIA agent Gust Avrakotos who, like Wilson, is portrayed as a enthusiastic supporter of providing the Stingers. But Ikle says, the CIA bureaucracy initially fought against the idea and that Wilson was lukewarm on the matter. Ikle says both came around only after the rebels actually started bringing down the Soviet helicopter gunships. The movie also perpetuates the left-wing myth that the covert operation funded Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida and ultimately led to the 9/11 attacks. Reagan-era officials such as Ikle say Osama never got funding or weapons from the U.S. and that he didn't launch his terror war until after U.S. involvement and the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

...to everyone.

Who's most excited about Christmas? The dog, who has been laying in front of the tree barking and whining for his presents. I wrap dog toys for him and he loves to unwrap them. He seen me bringing out the presents and he got all excited.

Tater (17mo) and Yam-Yam (5mo) are too young to understand Christmas.

NORAD Santa Tracker

Don't forget to follow Santa on his Christmas journey. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) once again, is using their radar to track Santa.

 

At 10:40AM EST, Santa is in Nepal.

Good News From The War On Terror 12/22

Iraqi Police uncover major weapons cache

KIRKUK, Iraq – Iraqi Police uncovered a major weapons cache in the Kirkuk province of Iraq Dec. 18. The discovery was made during a series of pre-dawn raids at suspected cache sites. Iraqi Police led the operation in the town of Ruwadah, approximately 25 miles west of Kirkuk City. The operation was named “Kura Azakan” (The Brave Men) by General Sarhadt, outer Hawijah district police chief, because Coalition Forces and Iraqi Police had not been in the area recently and because the Iraqi Police had gone in without Coalition presence. More than 300 Iraqi Police officers from Dibbis, Sagaron, Tarkalan, Altun Kopri and Schawn took part in the operation, which was conducted using 32 Iraqi Police vehicles. At one of the sites, Iraqi Police discovered one of the largest caches in recent Kirkuk province history. Included in the cache were approximately:  65 grenades, 83 rocket propelled grenades, 1,800 fuses, 1,060 mortar rounds, 250 various explosive projectiles, 3,000 small-arms rounds, 1,400 20 mm cannon rounds, and more than 1,000 pounds of explosives and improvised explosive device-making material. Coalition Forces from Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment and Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, along with explosives ordnance disposal team members, were called in to safely dispose of the ordnance.  In an extensive combined operation, Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces conducted a 13-hour clearing operation which resulted in the destruction of the more than 7 tons of deadly ordnance.

 

Terrorist technical advisor arrested

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers arrested an alleged terrorist technical advisor and an improvised explosive device cell leader during two raids in the Doura neighborhoods in the Rashid District Dec. 17. Soldiers from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., arrested a man believed to be an al-Qaeda technical advisor for an IED strike that killed nine Soldiers. The suspected terrorist, who has multiple sworn statements against him, was taken to a Coalition Forces detention facility for further questioning. Also that day, Soldiers of Co. C, following numerous tips, arrested the suspected leader of an IED cell during a cordon and knock operation.

 

ISF arrest al-Qaeda operative

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Volunteers arrested a suspected al-Qaeda operative and handed him to the ‘Warriors’ of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Inf. Div., attached to Task Force Dragon Dec. 18 in Doura. In a separate incident, Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers arrested an alleged member of an anti-aircraft cell in the Doura neighborhood of the Rashid District Dec. 17. Soldiers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division arrested the man who is believed to be a member of an anti-aircraft cell after receiving a tip the suspected terrorist from Arab Jabor was in their area of operations.

 

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda propaganda and finance operations, six suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained two wanted individuals and four additional suspects during operations today targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. During an operation in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq associate allegedly involved in facilitating finances for the terrorist network in Arab Jabour. Reports indicate the wanted individual is associated with senior terrorists in the network responsible for numerous attacks against Coalition forces. The Arab Jabour network is operating in a degraded state following recent Coalition forces success in the region, to include an operation Dec. 15 that led to the detention of another wanted individual suspected of being involved in the network (see MNF-I press release A071215a, “Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda operations; four terrorists killed, 18 detained,” dated Dec. 15, 2007). Also in the capital city, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be involved in al-Qaeda in Iraq media and propaganda operations. The wanted individual is allegedly a close associate of three suspects, also involved in al-Qaeda media operations, who were detained by Coalition forces during operations last week. Farther north in Mosul, four suspected terrorists were detained during an operation targeting an associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the city.

 

Iraqi Army, CLCs and MND-Center Soldiers remove al-Qaeda from Busayefi

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – The combined combat power of the 3rd Infantry Division and the Iraqi Army was illustrated Dec. 21 during a major operation in the city of Busayefi. Operation Athens cleared a known al-Qaeda stronghold and was conducted by Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team; 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team and the 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division. Concerned Local Citizens also participated in the operation, providing actionable intelligence and identifying terrorists. Throughout the operation the three units conducted direct fire, indirect fire, attack aviation and directed close air support from the Air Force. The operation resulted in the deaths of five al-Qaeda members. Ten men were also detained by MND-C Soldiers after being identified as al-Qaeda by the CLCs. Soldiers also eliminated 13 improvised explosive devices and discovered two weapons caches, which contained six 23 mm rounds, 69 mortars and a bag of unknown bulk explosives. All ordnance was disposed of in controlled detonations. Additionally, An AH-64 Apache attack helicopter engaged a vehicle-borne IED with a hellfire missile. A second vehicle was also destroyed by the AWT. The vehicle was parked outside a known al-Qaeda meeting house

 

Dec. 21 airpower summary

A Different Christmas Poem

I got this in an email today. I thought I would share it.

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

You Can't Have It Both Ways; Either Religious or Not

A mother pulls her children out of religious & moral education classes, then complains because they are excluded from the Christmas party. Despite what some may have you believe, Christmas is the designated day for the birth of Christ. I know this may be a shock for some since it has almost become a crime to mention the word Christmas.

A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy was banned from his school Christmas party because he does not believe in God. Douglas Stewart was asked to stay at home while his classmates were treated to jelly and ice-cream, followed by a visit from Santa and presents. Douglas's mother, Dawn Riddell, was informed that he was unwelcome at the celebration because she had withdrawn him from religious education classes at Cluny Primary School, in Buckie, Banffshire, earlier in the school term. Ms Riddell, 38, said the headteacher, Ian Davidson,had told her that as the youngster had no interest in religion, he could not celebrate the birth of Christ. She said yesterday: "It doesn't make any sense to me. "I've helped out at the Christmas party before and it's got absolutely nothing to do with Jesus. It's all about the kids getting excited about Santa and enjoying themselves. "Douglas was heartbroken that he couldn't go. It was cruel. There was no reason for him to be excluded." Ms Riddell explained that her family has no religious beliefs and she decided to withdraw her children from religious and moral education classes when they began to study Bible stories earlier this year. She wrote to the school asking for the boys to be exempt from the lessons, but was contacted by Mr Davidson and warned that the children could miss out on fun activities. On the day of the end-of-term party, Ms Riddell was again contacted by the headteacher to say that Douglas could not attend. She said: "Douglas had come home to get changed for the party. No-one had said anything to him, so as far as he knew he was going. "He was really upset when I told him he couldn't go back to school. He just lay on the rug and cried. It was such a shame, but there was nothing I could do."

Good News From The War On Terror 12/21

Coalition forces capture two Special Groups leaders, detain three other suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured two suspected Special Groups leaders and detained three other suspects during operations to disrupt criminal element networks early this morning in the Al Mashru area, south of Baghdad and the Kadhimiyah area, west of Baghdad. The targeted individual reportedly trained criminal splinter group elements to perform attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces. He allegedly facilitated the training of numerous criminals in the use of explosively formed penetrators and improvised explosive devices. The targeted individual was also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they captured the wanted individual and detained one other suspected criminal without incident. In another operation, Coalition forces targeted a separate individual located in the Kadhimiyah area, who was a suspected Special Groups criminal element senior leader. He was allegedly responsible for facilitating the supply of explosives for use in explosively formed penetrator attacks. The wanted individual reportedly controlled a group of criminal element cells operating in Baghdad. He was also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they captured the wanted individual and detained the two other suspected criminals without incident.

 

Al-Qaeda networks disrupted; one terrorist killed, 19 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 19 suspected terrorists during operations Wednesday and today targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. During coordinated operations in Baghdad Wednesday and today, two wanted individuals were detained for their involvement in the al-Qaeda in Iraq media and propaganda network. The individuals are also reportedly associates of a suspected terrorist, who was detained by Coalition forces Dec. 9 for his role in the same network. The ground force discovered caches of media and propaganda materials during both operations. In addition to the wanted individuals, the ground force detained four suspected terrorists Wednesday. During an operation in Tarmiyah today, Coalition forces detained a wanted individual believed to be closely associated with an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the network operating north of Baghdad. The wanted individual is reportedly responsible for facilitating the flow of information to senior terrorists in the network, which is responsible for car-bombing and improvised explosive device attacks, as well as extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained one suspected terrorist on site. Coalition forces conducted an operation in Kirkuk today targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader for the network operating in the city. The targeted individual is reportedly involved in the planning and execution of terrorist operations in the province. Reports also indicate he is associated with Abu Harith, the former leader of the Kirkuk terrorist network who was killed during a Coalition forces operation Nov. 21. During the operation, an armed man emerged from the target building and displayed hostile behavior. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged, killing him. The engagement resulted in an explosion, indicating the individual may have also been armed with explosive material. One suspected terrorist was also detained on site. In Mosul, Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists today while targeting an individual believed to be involved in an illegal terrorist court system and responsible for facilitating the storage and maintenance of weapons caches in the area. During an operation south of Hawijah Wednesday, Coalition forces detained three suspects while targeting associates of the terrorist network in Kirkuk.

 

Coalition forces capture Special Groups leader, disrupt criminal element network

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader during operations to disrupt criminal element networks early Monday in the Baghdad area. The targeted individual reportedly trained criminal elements to perform attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces. He allegedly facilitated the training of criminals in activities including explosively formed penetrators, improvised explosive devices, operational security and computer security training. The individual was also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. Intelligence led ground forces to the target area, where they captured the targeted individual without incident.

"Dingy" Harry Reid-Flip-Flopper

Mr. "The War is Lost" Reid, the man who proclaimed the troop surge failed, has now changed his mind. He now says the "surge has helped".

The president said, "Let's send some more troops over there, and that will give the Iraqis the time to take care of themselves." We sent other troops over there, and there are a lot of reasons the surge certainly hasn't hurt. It's helped. I recognize that.

So which is it Harry Reid? Did the surge fail, or did it help? Or, are you just too stupid to know the difference?

SecDef Gates Criticizes Congress On Lack Of War Funding

This nonsense with war funding is getting old. As soon as the Dems realize we are not pulling out of Iraq, the easier it will be for them. We have troops in a war zone and the idiots in Congress want to play games with them.

Gates also criticized Congress' choppy funding for the wars. He said while the Pentagon welcomed the recent appropriation, it is less money than needed. He said no furlough notices for Defense Department employees will be issued, a possibility that loomed until Congress passed the spending bill. But Gates said that prospect will reappear in a few months unless Congress supplies more money. He said the military may run out of money by spring. That "requires us to make short term plans and short terms solutions," he said. "I hope we don't have to have a replay this spring," Gates said. Paying for the wars in Iraq in Afghanistan in fits and starts undermines military planning and risks the gains made by American troops over the past year, he said during a Pentagon news conference. Congress recently provided $70 billion for combat operations, only half of what the President requested. On Iraq, Gates was cautiously optimistic about further troop reductions beyond those already planned, but he declined to attach a specific number to that projection. "We obviously want to sustain the gains that we have already made," Gates said.

Oldest U.S. WWI Veteran Dies At The Age Of 109

J. Russell Coffey was one of only three WWI veterans still alive; until Thursday. I bet he would be an interesting person to have a conversation with. I appreciate hearing stories from people that have lived a long, full life.

My great-grandfather was a WWI vet, but he died when I was about 8 years old. During WWI, he had not been drafted, so every month he would go to the local draft office and ask why he hadn't been drafted yet until finally they took him. That was definitely a different time.

J. Russell Coffey, the oldest known surviving U.S. veteran of World War I, has died. The retired teacher, one of only three U.S. veterans from the "war to end all wars," was 109. Coffey died Thursday at the Briar Hill Health Campus in North Baltimore, where he had lived for the past four or five years, said Gaye Boggs, nursing director at the nursing home. No cause of death has been determined, she said Friday. His health began failing in October. More than 4.7 million Americans joined the military from 1917-1918. Coffey never saw combat because he was still in basic training when the war ended. The two remaining U.S. veterans are Frank Buckles, 106, of Charles Town, W.Va.; and Harry Richard Landis, 108, of Sun City Center, Fla., according to the Veterans Affairs Department. In addition, John Babcock, 107, of Spokane, Wash., served in the Canadian army and is the last known Canadian veteran of the war. Coffey once confided to his daughter, Betty Jo Larsen, that he wished people would remember his contributions rather than his old age. "He told me 'even a prune can get old,'" she said last spring. She died in September. Coffey had enlisted in the Army while he was a student at Ohio State University in October 1918, a month before the Allied powers and Germany signed a cease-fire agreement. He was discharged a month after the war ended. His two older brothers fought overseas, and he was disappointed at the time that the war ended before he shipped out. But he told The Associated Press in April 2007: "I think I was good to get out of it." Born Sept. 1, 1898, Coffey played semipro baseball in Akron, earned a doctorate in education from New York University, taught in high school and college and raised a family. He delivered newspapers as a youngster and would read the paper to immigrants, his daughter said. "That was the beginning of him being a teacher," she said. Coffey returned to Ohio State University after he left the Army and received two degrees there. He said he loved teaching. "I could see results," he said. "I could see improvement." He taught junior high and high school in Phelps, Ky., and Findlay. He then taught physical education at Bowling Green State University from 1948 until 1969. He had a remarkable memory and was independent, his daughter said. He drove his car until he was 104, and lived in his own home until a year later. He was a swimmer and credited healthy eating and exercise for his longevity. His wife, Bernice, whom he married in 1921, died in 1993.

Good News From The War On Terror 12/19-20

Coalition forces capture Special Groups leader, disrupt criminal element network

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader during operations Wednesday in the northern Baghdad area. The targeted individual was the Special Groups criminal element leader for Diyala Province and oversaw logistics and operations in the area. He was reportedly responsible for storing weapons and procuring lethal aid, including explosively formed penetrators, to support Special Group criminal attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces. The targeted individual used funding and training to support the criminal activities he commanded. The suspected criminal is also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level Special Groups members from Diyala to Baghdad, who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces.

 

Coalition forces capture Special Groups criminal element leader, detain three suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a Special Groups leader and detained two other suspected criminals during operations to disrupt criminal element networks early Sunday in the Baghdad area. The targeted individual reportedly supplied various weapons, such as explosively formed penetrators, rocket propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices and mortars, to various Special Group criminal elements to aid in attacks on Coalition forces. He was coordinating criminal cells throughout the Diyala province. In addition, he was reportedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. Intelligence led ground forces to the target area, where they captured the targeted individual and detained the two other suspects without incident. During the operation, ground forces also discovered two assault rifles, two pistols, two machine guns, night vision goggles and large amounts of American and Iranian currency.

 

MND-N Soldiers find atrocity site, torture complex and weapons caches during Operation Iron Reaper

TIKRIT, Iraq – During Operation Iron Reaper, Multi-National Division – North Soldiers killed 24 extremists, detained 37 suspects, and discovered an atrocity site, torture complex and nine weapons caches north of Muqdadiyah Dec. 8-11. Intelligence provided by Iraqi tips led U.S. troops to a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq safe haven and operating bases. Evidence of murder, torture, and intimidation against local villagers was found throughout the area. During the operation, U.S. Forces and Iraqi Security Forces were involved in multiple engagements with groups of armed men. They discovered what appeared to be a detention facility. As they continued to clear the area, they found several bodies and eventually uncovered 26 human remains in multiple mass graves next to execution sites. In the same area a torture complex was found, consisting of three detention facilities with one doubling as both a headquarters building and torture facility. The buildings contained chains on the walls and ceilings, a bed still hooked up to an electrical system, and several blood-stained items. U.S. Forces also located and destroyed nine weapons caches anti-aircraft weapons, sniper rifles, more than 65 machine guns and pistols, 50 grenades, a surface-to-air missile launcher and platform, 98 personnel mines, 170 pipe bombs, 130 pounds of homemade explosives, 21 rocket propelled grenades, numerous mortar tubes and rounds.

 

Dec. 18 airpower summary

 

Dec. 19 airpower summary

Sr. Al-Qaeda Theologian Tells Followers To End Jihad

He even calls for a special Islamic court to try Bin Laden and al-Zawahri.

One of Al Qaeda's senior theologians is calling on his followers to end their military jihad and saying the attacks of September 11, 2001, were a "catastrophe for all Muslims." In a serialized manifesto written from prison in Egypt, Sayyed Imam al-Sharif is blasting Osama bin Laden for deceiving the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, and for insulting the Prophet Muhammad by comparing the September 11 attacks to the early raids of the Ansar warriors. The lapsed jihadist even calls for the formation of a special Islamic court to try Osama bin Laden and his old comrade Ayman al-Zawahri. The disclosures from Mr. Sharif, also known as Dr. Fadl and Abd al-Qadir ibn Abd al-Aziz, have already opened a rift at the highest levels of Al Qaeda. The group's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, a former associate of the defecting theologian in Egypt, personally mocked him last month in a video, remarking that he was unaware Egyptian prisons had fax machines. Meanwhile, leading Western analysts are saying the defection of Mr. Sharif indicates the beginning of the end for Al Qaeda.

Coming Soon!

Thanks to the inaction of our government regarding illegal immigration.

Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer

Indeed she did.

Penny Patch Produce & Garden Center had an intruder Monday morning. It was actually a doe - a deer, a female deer - that ran across Fleming Drive and jumped through the store's front window. "We've been here about 26 years, and we've had break-ins but never anything like this," said David Rakestraw, who owns the store with his brother. He said the deer hit their cashier, Carol Stroupe, who is somewhere in her 60s, as it crashed through the window. Stroupe was OK but a little bruised up. She went home early, but before she left, she told Rakestraw and his brother, Chris, she was going to tell her grandson, "Grandma got run over by a reindeer."

Good News From The War On Terror 12/18

Concerned Local Citizens turn over large cache

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Concerned Local Citizens handed over a large cache to Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment near Al Bawi, Iraq, Dec. 16. The seizure of the cache came just one day after Company A Soldiers and CLCs cleared the main route into Al Bawi from the north in a combined operation. “This cache find is another event that proves the Concerned Local Citizens are part of the team and willing to fight the fight to get rid of extremists,” said Maj. John Cushing, from Rochester, Mich., the operations officer for the 1-15th Inf. Regt. The cache consisted of 100 land mines, two 105 mm projectiles, two 120 mm mortars, two 120 mm projectiles, two 152 mm projectiles, 100 pounds of propellant, 7.62 mm ammunition and an explosively-formed projectile casing. Soldiers from Company A worked with CLCs to clear the main route into Al Bawi from the north Dec. 13 and 14. During the clearing operation, Soldiers helped the CLCs establish checkpoints along the route from which locals could maintain security in the region. Company A Soldiers were patrolling the newly cleared route and checking on their new partners when CLCs brought the contents of the cache to one of the recently established checkpoints. Capt. Will Clark, from Wheeling, Ill., the Company A commander, said the route was dominated by al-Qaeda in Iraq elements in the Al Bawi vicinity and the western side of the Tigris River that commonly fired upon the route with small arms and indirect fire assets.

 

Marne Roundup forces discover, destroy enemy tunnel network

BAGHDAD – A network of underground tunnels used by al-Qaeda in Iraq to store weapons, hide fighters and launch attacks against U.S. forces was discovered and subsequently destroyed by Coalition Forces Dec. 16. It was the first known find of a tunnel system in the Multi-National Division – Center area. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, found the tunnels as they were searching an area northwest of Iskandariyah, along the Euphrates River. Immediately prior, they discovered a cache of improvised explosive device components and were investigating when the tunnels were unearthed. The tunnels provided access to numerous al-Qaeda fighting positions. Inside the tunnels were several DSHKA rounds, leading troops to speculate the tunnels may have served as enemy firing positions for anti-aircraft guns, as well as hiding places for AQI fighters after they launched attacks. Soldiers called in Coalition air teams to destroy the tunnels. After an initial engagement with one Hellfire missile and three rockets, heavier air support was called in, and dropped two bombs on the target, completely collapsing the network. U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers are in the area as part of Operation Marne Roundup, the latest Coalition offensive to target extremists in MND-C. The operation launched the morning of Dec. 15.  As soon as the area is secured, U.S. troops will begin construction of a new security outpost, Patrol Base Khidr.

 

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain extremist leader and corrupt officer in separate operations

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained an extremist criminal leader and a corrupt Iraqi Police official believed to support terrorist activities in two separate raids Dec. 13. In Baghdad, Iraqi and U.S. Special Forces detained a suspected extremist believed to be responsible for improvised explosive device and explosively formed penetrator attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.  He is also thought to be involved in the targeting of Coalition informants for attack. In As Sadiyah, Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Special Forces detained an Iraqi Police Captain suspected of corruption.  The detainee is believed to support al-Qaeda in Iraq activities by facilitating early warning and intelligence operations for the terrorist organization.

 

Coalition forces target foreign terrorist facilitators; seven detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists during operations Tuesday targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. During an operation in Bayji, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual allegedly involved in a foreign terrorist facilitation network in the area. The wanted individual is reportedly a close associate of several senior facilitators, to include one who was detained Dec. 10 for providing supplies and finances for use in attacks against Coalition forces. In addition to the wanted individual, two suspected terrorists were detained on site. Coalition forces captured another wanted individual involved in foreign terrorist facilitation during an operation in Mosul. Reports indicate he is tied to numerous senior terrorists, including an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the network north of Mosul. The individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained. East of Samarra, three suspected terrorists were detained during an operation targeting al-Qaeda members associated with the network in Salah ad Din.

 

Coalition forces capture Special Groups leader, 12 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader and detained 11 other suspects during operations early today in the Aziziyah area, southeast of Baghdad. The targeted individual reportedly received special weapons training in order to train Special Group criminal element members for attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces. He is believed to have specialized in mortar and rocket attacks. The wanted suspect was also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they captured the targeted individual and detained the 11 other suspected criminals without incident.

 

Several militants killed during Afghan, Coalition forces operations in Helmand

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Several militants were killed during a precision-guided munitions strike Monday in Helmand Province targeting a Taliban command and control network. Coalition forces conducted a precision-guided munitions strike in the Kajaki District of Helmand Province targeting a Taliban commander believed to be facilitating the movement of foreign fighters and suicide bombers throughout the area.  During the course of operations, Coalition forces targeted several militants outside a compound and employed precision-guided munitions, which killed the militants, including one militant reported to be a Taliban commander.  In a follow-on operation, Afghan and Coalition forces conducted a search of compounds in the Kajaki District of Helmand Province for individuals reported to be associated with the militants targeted during the strike. While conducting the operation, Afghan and Coalition forces, using small-arms, killed several armed militants who posed a credible threat to the combined force.  During a subsequent engagement on the compound, the combined force was fired upon by a group of militants barricaded in a building. The combined force employed grenades, killing the militants barricaded inside. There were no immediate indications of injuries or deaths to civilians not taking part in hostilities. Continuing their search of the compounds, the combined force recovered several weapons and explosives, which were destroyed in-place to prevent further use by extremist forces.

 

ANSF stop insurgents placing IEDs in Kandahar Province

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, along with Coalition forces, neutralized a group of insurgents yesterday who were in the process of placing an improvised explosive device on a road near the village of Pada, Shah Wali Kot District, Kandahar Province. An Afghan National Army unit immediately responded when it observed a group of five insurgents placing the IED along the side of the road.  Upon receiving accurate, effective fire from ANA and Coalition force units, the insurgents immediately sought cover.  ANSF called for air support and dropped ordnance on the suspected IED location.  A secondary explosion, caused by the detonation of the IED, confirmed the weapon was set to injure or kill ANSF or civilians in the area who use the road between the villages of Lwar Byal, Hotak and Alekozi.  Insurgents were killed in the explosion. After ANSF cleared the area, they continued their reconnaissance patrol, discovering four additional roadside IEDs.  ANSF quickly neutralized the IEDs, making the area safe for residents in the area.

 

ANSF eliminates several insurgents in Oruzgan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by Coalition forces, engaged in a day-long battle eliminating several insurgents near the village of Deh Rawod, Tarin Kowt District, Oruzgan Province Dec. 17. The ANSF-led force was conducting a security patrol in the area when a group of insurgents attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.  ANSF quickly returned fire, putting the enemy on the defensive. Sixteen insurgents were spotted relocating to a nearby structure where they reengaged the combined force with small-arms and rocket fire.  The ANSF returned small-arms and mortar fire and called in close-air support, effectively eliminating the enemy fighting position.

 

 Dec. 17 airpower summary