Duncan Hunter, The Patriot's Best Friend
Friday, January 18, 2008
Utah Company Deploys Nat'l Guardsmen On A 7 Day Trip To Bermuda
Stampin' Up, a Utah scrapbook company donated 85 cruise cabins to members of the Utah National Guard. I don't scrapbook, but if I did, I would definitely buy products from them as a thank you.
The CEO of a Utah company surprised some lucky Utah National Guard members with a special "tour of duty": a seven day cruise to Bermuda.
The Utah-based scrapbook company Stampin' Up donated 85 cruise cabins to the guard to thank the soldiers for their service.
The unsuspecting winners received the good news today. One guardsman felt overwhelmed by the unexpected gift. "This has been kind of a dream come true. We've been married 22 years and I've been trying to get my wife on a cruise, just a three- or five-day cruise," Lt. Col. David Osborne said.
Many of the guard members selected for the cruise have served multiple tours of duty overseas.
The Wheels Fall Off Ron Paul's Campaign
Ok, not really, but the wheel did fall off the Ron Paul limo.
Charles Tyler’s mobile 55-foot tribute to presidential candidate Ron Paul was afflicted with a problem the congressman’s grassroots campaign is unlikely to face.
It lost its bearings.
Tyler is the driver of a stretch limousine adorned with images and slogans of the Lake Jackson lawmaker, promoting Paul’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination. He was driving Wednesday through Houston when the wheel literally came off.
Good News From The War On Terror 1/16
Coalition forces degrade al-Qaeda networks; three terrorists killed, four detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained four suspects today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
During an operation west of Muqdadiyah, Coalition forces targeted a known al-Qaeda in Iraq meeting location for the network operating in the northeast Diyala River Valley region. As the ground force arrived in the target area, an armed terrorist engaged them from a building the rooftop. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged and killed him.
Continuing to clear the target area, the ground force entered one of the buildings and encountered two armed men. Coalition forces engaged the perceived hostile force, killing the terrorists. Inside the building, the ground force discovered a weapons cache which included several machine guns and magazines, grenades, a mortar and military style assault vests. Coalition forces assessed the building to be structurally unsafe and destroyed it, along with the weapons inside, to prevent further use for terrorist activities. Two suspected terrorists were also detained during the course of operations.
In Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist who is reportedly an associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq car bomb cell leader in Karkh. The cell leader allegedly was involved in the manufacture of a car bomb that was used in an attack in Baghdad Dec. 20 that resulted in two Iraqi civilians being killed. During the operation, the wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained.
The al-Qaeda in Iraq network in the capital city, including Karkh, is operating in a degraded state following recent Coalition operations in the region. These operations resulted in the capture of a suspected key leader for the al-Qaeda in Iraq network south of Baghdad, who was detained Jan. 10, and several suspected Karkh network leaders, who were detained Dec. 7 for their alleged role in planning a spectacular suicide car bomb attack in the city.
During an operation farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member believed to be associated with senior leaders of the terrorist network in the eastern part of the city. Several of the suspect’s associates reportedly have direct ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader, Abu Ayyub al-Masri. The operation builds on several recent Coalition successes which have degraded the network in Mosul, to include operations Dec. 14 and Jan. 6, which resulted in the detention of several key senior leaders in the network.
Iraqi Police capture suspected terrorists (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Police officials caught and detained three local Iraqi suspected terrorists in the Iraqi capital Jan. 3.
The suspects had falsified Ministry of Interior badges, videotape footage of Coalition Forces, a sniper rifle with a night-vision scope, a pistol, cell phones and a video camera in their possession.
All three suspected terrorists tested positive for gunpowder and explosive residue.
Iraqi Police officials detained the suspects in Al Rashad National Police Station. Soldiers from 95th Military Police Battalion provided security around the station and Soldiers from Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, transported them for further questioning and processing.
Operation Phantom Phoenix: U.S. Soldiers find cache, given warheads (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers found a cache of explosives and were given a bag containing warheads by an Iraqi citizen in the Rashid district Jan. 14.
During an early morning patrol, “Warriors’ of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, TF Dragon, found a cache of 16 sticks of plastic explosives, 17 blasting caps, three RPG boosters and five mortar fuses.
The cache was taken to a Coalition base for disposal.
At 11 a.m. a local national brought a bag of an unknown amount of rocketpropelled grenade warheads to “Cougars” of Company D, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Dragon.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel determined the warheads as too unstable to move and detonated them on site.
ISF, MND-N Soldiers kill seven extremists after attack (Mosul)
TIKRIT, Iraq – Seven extremists were killed Jan. 15 after they attacked Iraqi Security Forces in Mosul.
Multi-National Division-North Soldiers in support of ISF observed the extremists load a vehicle with weapons and then attack the ISF with small arms.
MND-N Soldiers engaged the vehicle, destroying it and killing an extremist.
The Coalition Forces cordoned the area and moved in to search a house the remaining individual ran into.
There they came under attack by small arms fire and hand grenades.
After an air weapons team engaged the house, MND-N Soldiers searched the building and recovered the bodies of three more extremists.
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained nine suspects Tuesday and today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
Intelligence reports led Coalition forces to conduct an operation Tuesday east of Samarra targeting alleged associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader involved in foreign terrorist facilitation and carrying out attacks against Coalition forces. Reports indicate the cell leader has ties to several terrorist leaders in the network and is associated with al-Qaeda leaders in Salah ad Din.
Coalition forces confirmed the presence of the wanted individuals in the target area and fired warning shots. The individuals did not comply and were observed attempting to reach for their weapons. Coalition forces fired more warning shots, but the men still did not comply and Coalition forces engaged. Three terrorists were killed during the operation, including the wanted individuals.
Today, reports led Coalition forces to an area northeast of Samarra believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq meeting location, and associated with nearby operations from yesterday. During the operation, the ground force detained four suspected terrorists.
Coalition forces captured a wanted suspect northwest of Taji for his ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader of the network west of Baghdad. The suspect and his brother are reportedly involved in the facilitation of foreign terrorists and weapons, as well as participation in attacks against Coalition forces. The wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained along with two additional suspects. Coalition forces also discovered a vehicle in the target area that was assessed to contain explosive materials, and it was safely destroyed on site.
West of Qayyarah this morning, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists while targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq member believed to be a close associate to several senior level foreign terrorist facilitators.
Soldiers capture High Value Target south of Baghdad
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division Center Soldiers, in support of Operation Phantom Phoenix, captured 15 suspected extremists, including a high-value target individual, during an air assault raid 25 miles south of Baghdad Jan. 14.
The HVT suspect is believed to be involved in planning attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces and for contributing to sectarian violence.
Fred Thompson, Flip-Flopper
I found this post about the only "Constant Conservative", Fred Thompson. I will run down some of the highlights of the post.
From 1995 to 2002, when Mr. Thompson was in the Senate, yields a total of five bills that became law for which he was the head sponsor.
The bills include the naming of a post office and courthouse in Cookeville, Tenn., a private bill that granted permanent residency status to a young Bolivian girl getting treatment for cancer and her family and several other minor pieces of legislation. A quick comparison with Senator John McCain, his rival for the Republican presidential nomination, for the same period turns up 17 bills that became law for which Mr. McCain was the lead sponsor.
Thompson, who likes to cast himself as a political outsider, earned more than $1 million lobbying the federal government for more than 20 years. He lobbied for a savings-and-loan deregulation bill that helped hasten the industry’s collapse and a failed nuclear energy project that cost taxpayers more than a billion dollars.
Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson gave no opinion Thursday when asked about efforts by President Bush and Congress to keep Terri Schiavo alive, saying he does not remember details of the right-to-die case that stirred national debate.
…”I can’t pass judgment on it. I know that good people were doing what they thought was best,” Thompson said. “That’s going back in history. I don’t remember the details of it.”
While working as a lobbyist that same summer, Thompson helped brief John Roberts about the case for his Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
His assistant campaign manager, Spencer Abraham, is an open-borders/Hezbollah sympathizer. His campaign co-chairman, Phillip Martin, is a felon and was a drug dealer. Mr. Martin resigned from his post after the story broke.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Good News From The War On Terror 1/15
Coalition forces detain two suspects, disrupt criminal networks
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained two suspected criminals early today during operations to disrupt criminal element networks in the Suwayrah area, south of Baghdad.
Coalition forces were targeting an individual who reportedly received mortar and rocket propelled grenade training for use in attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces. The wanted 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 location where they detained the two suspected criminals without incident. The identity of the suspects is still being determined.
Tip leads MND-North Soldiers to extremist car bomb factory and large cache
SAMARRA, Iraq – Multi-National Division – North Soldiers discovered a car bomb factory, terrorist command cell and large cache in the western desert of Salah ad Din province Jan. 8 as a result of tips from local citizens during Operation Phantom Phoenix, a countrywide effort to kill or capture al-Qaeda and other extremists.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) found an extensive enemy training camp, training manuals, video equipment, four vehicle-borne IEDs, 1,000 pounds of homemade explosives, 30 pressure plate road bombs and multiple mortar rounds.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Good News From The War On Terror 1/14
Operation Phantom Phoenix: Pursuit of al–Qaeda continues
TIKRIT, Iraq – Operation Iron Harvest – a division-level operation in support of Multi-National Corps – Iraq’s Operation Phantom Phoenix – continues to pursue al Qaeda across four provinces of northern Iraq.
Within the first week of the operation, Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces have detained 193 suspected extremists, killed 60 suspected extremists and found 79 weapons caches. These caches included over 10,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, over 2,000 heavy machine gun rounds, over 4,000 pounds of home-made explosives, over 300 pounds of TNT, approximately 100 improvised explosive devices in various stages, over 300 blasting caps, over 50 pressure plates, over 2,000 feet of detonation cord and many other items.
Finding these caches continues to reduce extremists’ ability to attack CF, ISF and Iraqi civilians. The discovery of 4,000 pounds of homemade explosives takes away the enemy’s ability to build eight more massive vehicle bombs of the type that have been destroying Iraqi infrastructure and killing innocent Iraqis.
Coalition forces disrupt foreign terrorist facilitation networks, eight detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
During an operation in Samarra, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist believed to be associated with a senior level al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist facilitator. Reports indicate the suspect is tied to a terrorist network responsible for the flow of foreign terrorists, as well as the facilitation of money and weapons into Iraq. The suspect is also allegedly a relative of a terrorist who was killed by Coalition forces during an operation Oct. 6. The wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained with two other suspected terrorists.
Coalition forces captured another suspected terrorist tied to foreign terrorist facilitation networks during an operation in Tikrit. The suspect is reportedly involved in the facilitation network operating between Tirkit and Samarra, and is believed to be a direct associate of an individual who uses his residence as an al-Qaeda in Iraq safe house for foreign terrorists. The suspected terrorist also allegedly has close ties to numerous terrorist leaders involved in the al-Qaeda network in Samarra.
During another operation targeting foreign terrorist facilitators, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists south of Bi’aj in northwestern Iraq. During the course of operations, a civilian was wounded, treated on site, and transported to a military medical facility for further care.
Near Tarmiyah, Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq member believed to be involved in attacks against Iraqi citizens for not following Sharia law. The targeted individual is allegedly a close associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader for the network north of Baghdad, which is responsible for improvised explosive device attacks, extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists.
During a separate operation nearby, the ground force detained another suspect while targeting associates of the same network.
Concerned Local Citizens turn in large cache to Iraqi Army soldiers (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD – Members of a Concerned Local Citizens group from the Karkh district in the Iraqi capital turned over a significant weapons cache they discovered to an Iraqi Army outpost there Jan. 12.
The Karkh cache consisted of 21 mines, two anti-tank rockets, two 53 mm rockets with launchers, two 152 mm artillery rounds, fuses and three boxes of TNT.
Helping remove unauthorized weapons and ordnance like this cache is an example of the effectiveness of Concerned Local Citizens to combat extremists and promote an end to violence by securing their neighborhoods.
A Coalition explosive ordnance team destroyed the cache.
This action is part of Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s offensive operation in support of Operation Phantom Phoenix to kill or capture al-Qaeda and other extremists in order to deny them rest and sanctuary in the city of Baghdad and the surrounding rural areas. AQI terrorists and other extremists are the root cause of the most horrific attacks against Iraqi civilians, security forces and coalition troops.
U.K. Tourist Pamphlet Features Nose Picking Girl
You would think they would check out the pictures before printing. They spent all that money printing those pamphlets only to have it feature a little girl picking her nose.
A council's attempt to promote a tourist attraction has been undermined by an unfortunate picture, say critics.
A leaflet extolling the elysian beauties of Thornham Walks - a 12-mile footpath network in Suffolk - has a picture of a young girl picking her nose.
Andrew Stringer, a Green councillor, says that "it does not represent our youth in the best light" and wants the "amateurish" pamphlet to be withdrawn.
A Mid Suffolk District Council spokesman admitted: "It's not the best photograph", but added: "They wanted a real picture, not a typical staged one.
"It's a real picture and shows children in their Easter outfits."
Al-Qaeda Threatens To Kill British PM Gordon Brown
Now that al-Qaeda has threatened to kill him, I wonder if he will take the War on Terror seriously now.
Intelligence services are investigating a threat on an Islamist website to kill Gordon Brown, adding credence to warnings by the US security chief about the rising danger from home-grown European terrorists.
Security experts fear the posting in Arabic on www.alekhlaas.net, referring to "the creation of the al-Qa'eda organisation in Britain", may be genuine.
The site, which has been visited by more than 17 million people, also urges young Muslim men to rise up against infidels such as "(Prime Minister Gordon) Brown and (Tony) Blair".
"You don't ignore this sort of thing," Pauline Neville-Jones, the former head of the British joint intelligence committee, told the BBC's Newsnight.
"It may not be a threat from an existing cell ... but it does represent a move in the propaganda game and the propaganda game is not something we should ignore. This is after all a struggle over ideology."
The warning comes as Michael Chertoff, the US head of homeland security, said he believed "terrorists are increasingly looking to Europe as both a target and a platform for terrorist attacks".
In an interview on the BBC's World News America, Mr Chertoff said the US was concerned that Islamic terrorists from Europe could exploit the country's visa waiver scheme to launch a follow-up to the 9/11 attacks.
Under the scheme, approximately 15 million people from 27 designated countries, including Britain, visit the US each year for up to 90 days without a visa.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Arizona Congressman JD Hayworth Endorses Duncan Hunter
VIA EMAIL
Congressman JD Hayworth, author of Whatever It Takes: Illegal Immigration, Border Security and the War on Terror endorses Hunter!
Hayworth bucks the milquetoast trend of the GOP party-establishment to marginalize the immigration issue and tuck it out of the way of the current crop of amnesty candidates.
Instead, he's voting for the last remaining border security hawk in the race: Duncan Hunter.
Congressman Hayworth writes:
"To base a primary vote on 'electability' instead of ideas and principles seems to me a reduction of your rights via rationalization.
No one will ever completely agree with every position that a candidate takes…as Sharon put it, 'there is no perfect candidate,' but I believe my vote should go to the candidate who comes closest to espousing the philosophy I share.
That brings me back to Duncan Hunter.
No, he won't be on the stage tonight in the South Carolina GOP Debate, and his name appears nowhere near the top of the polls…but he supported tax cuts, did a masterful job as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and stands for 'enforcement first' on illegal immigration.
That's why he'll get my vote and my support for as long as he is in it…even if he doesn't win it!"
Monday, January 14, 2008
Good News From The War On Terror 1/13
Coalition forces targets foreign terrorists, propaganda and IED cells; 13 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 13 suspected terrorists Saturday and today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
During an operation north of Taji Saturday, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist believed to be associated with a senior level al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist facilitator. Reports indicate the suspect was heavily involved in the terrorist network operating that is responsible for the flow of foreign terrorists and the facilitation of money and weapons into Iraq. Additionally, the suspect is alleged to have close ties to the car-bombing network operating in the Karkh area of Baghdad.
The wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained, along with seven suspected terrorists. During a separate operation nearby, Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting an additional associate of the network.
Also Saturday, two suspected terrorists were detained in Baghdad during a Coalition forces operation targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq senior member of the terrorist media and propaganda network in the city.
In Mosul today, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting a suspected terrorist who is reportedly in charge of an improvised explosive device cell operating in the Risalah neighborhood. During the operation, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.
Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces uncover weapons cache
BALAD, Iraq – A Ninewah Special Weapons and Tactics Team, advised by U.S. Special Forces uncovered a weapons cache during a Jan. 12 operation in Mosul.
Included in the items found were 22 AK-47 magazines, 15 sticks of PE-4 explosive, two bags of explosive propellant, nine electric blasting caps, nine 60 mm mortars, a mortar bipod, seven RPG boosters, four RPG-7 rockets, two hand grenades, a bag of propellant pellets and an AK-47 assault vest.
CLCs, ‘Strike’ troops locate caches, mortar rounds
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from 3rd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, discovered a large cache while on patrol in the Mansour district of Baghdad Jan. 11 in support of Operation Phantom Phoenix.
The troops discovered approximately 1,860 items in the cache. Contents of the cache included such items as 1,000 blasting caps, 100 feet of detonation cord, machine guns, an assortment of 70 mortars, 316 hand grenades of various types, preassembled improvised explosive devices and unknown bulk explosives totaling 850 pounds.
In a separate incident Jan. 11, Concerned Local Citizens located six 107 mm mortar rounds in Ghazaliyah. Once they located these rounds, they immediately contacted troops from the 1st Battalion, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to come in and assess the situation.
An explosive ordnance detachment was able to successfully recover and destroy the contents of the cache and the mortar find. No injuries or damages came from either incident. The incidents are still under investigation.
ANP take ownership of security in Oruzgan
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Afghan National Police have increased security efforts in Oruzgan Province to decrease the number of insurgent support areas recently.
Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by Coalition forces, have driven out insurgents during multiple operations during the last few weeks.
The ANP established checkpoints and conducted security patrols to ensure the safety of Sha Mashad, Sakhar, Pasaw, Dosang, Doanne and Yakhdan villagers in the Shaidi Hasas District.
Many families have returned to villages recently suspected of containing insurgent activity.
The ANP patrols through the area have accomplished more than simply removing insurgents. The patrols have also given villagers a true sense of security and increased confidence in the Afghan government.
ANSF uncover caches, detain three in Nangarhar
JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army Soldiers detained three individuals after discovering two caches of munitions containing explosives, and other potential IED material in their residences late in the night Jan.10 in the Khogyani District of Nangarhar Province.
Acting on credible intelligence, the combined Afghan National Security Force element launched a patrol into the suspected area to investigate. Upon arrival, a search was conducted of two compounds resulting in the discovery of two separate caches. The caches included rocket propelled grenades, rockets components, artillery propellant, explosives, and other material that could be used in the construction of IEDs.
The suspects were taken into custody for questioning and are being held by the ANA awaiting transfer to ANP at this time.
Attention White People, Uncle Al-Qaeda Wants YOU!
Hating Jews and western democracies required.
Hundreds of British non-Muslims have been recruited by al-Qaeda to wage war against the West, senior security sources warned last night.
As many as 1,500 white Britons are believed to have converted to Islam for the purpose of funding, planning and carrying out surprise terror attacks inside the UK, according to one MI5 source.
Lord Carlile, the Government's independent reviewer of anti-terrorism legislation, said many of the converts had been targeted by radical Muslims while serving prison terms.
Security experts say the growing secret army of white terrorists poses a particularly serious threat as they are far less likely to be detected than members of the Asian community.
Since the 7/7 and 21/7 London bombings, police and intelligence services have had considerable success in identifying, disrupting and stopping extremist plots. As a result, groups such as al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen have been forced to change tack. Converting white non-Muslims has been one response.
The trend is well established in the United States. American-born Adam Gadahn is one of the FBI's top 10 most-wanted terrorists after converting to Islam and rising through al-Qaeda's ranks to become a prominent spokesman.
Good News From The War On Terror 1/12
Coalition forces targets al-Qaeda networks in Baghdad, Mosul; 15 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists today and Friday during operations targeting al Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
In Baghdad today, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist reportedly associated with the facilitation of explosive materials, vehicles and suicide bombers for use in terrorist operations throughout the capital city. The individual is believed to be a direct contact of the suspect detained Jan. 10 for his role in the network and his association with foreign terrorist facilitators, and al-Qaeda in Iraq and Ansar al-Sunna leadership.
In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.
Farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces detained 12 suspected terrorists today and Friday during coordinated operations targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq media cells and senior leaders.
Iraqi Soldiers find weapons cache in Saydiyah during Operation Phantom Phoenix
BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Army, working with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, found a weapons cache during a combat patrol in southwest Baghdad Jan.8 as part of Operation Phantom Phoenix.
Iraqi Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division located a cache consisting of two 82mm mortars, a SVIP rocket, a 155mm rocket, a mortar tube, hunting rifle, 10-feet of wire and 44 mortars of various sizes, during a patrol in Saydiyah.
The munitions were taken to the unit’s headquarters for disposal.
Earlier that day, Concerned Local Citizens in Doura handed over eight 82mm mortar fuses to Soldiers of Company D 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division attached to Task Force Dragon.
Coalition forces find prison facility, weapons caches in Diyala; 15 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists during a multi-day operation Jan. 7 to 10 to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in the Diyala River Valley.
Coalition forces conducted operations in the Sherween Village area targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq networks associated with media and foreign terrorist facilitation networks. Reports indicate the region has become a safe haven for terrorists due to continued pressure from Coalition and Iraqi forces pushing al-Qaeda networks out of central portions of the country and into the Diyala River Valley. Recent operations in the Diyala River Valley have uncovered a significant amount of weapons caches, as well as execution sites, and torture and detention facilities.
With the help of numerous Iraqi local citizens, Coalition forces discovered four weapons caches, a former al-Qaeda in Iraq prison and torture facility, and an improvised explosive device-making facility during the four-day operation. Local Iraqis confirmed the use of the prison facility by al-Qaeda in Iraq, but said it had not been used recently due to the presence of Coalition forces in the region. In addition, Coalition forces also destroyed four buildings that were found rigged with explosives and a river-crossing point that was being used to facilitate the movement of terrorists.
During the four-day operation, Coalition forces also uncovered and eliminated several IEDs on various roadways.
Fifteen suspected terrorists were detained over the four days for possession of weapons, explosive materials, and confessions to being involved in terrorist operations.
Paratroopers discover rockets thanks to tip (SUQ ASH SHUYUK)
SUQ ASH SHUYUK, Iraq – Paratroopers in Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division discovered and thwarted 21 107mm rockets set to launch toward their command outpost – thanks to a tip from a local shepherd Jan. 6.
The shepherd told the paratroopers he heard and saw a rocket launch.
The element found the rockets set to launch. The paratroopers were ordered to move back and engage the rockets with MK-19 rounds to knock them off their launchers and eliminate the threat to the combat outpost. Air support from an Air Force F-16 followed up, hitting the rocket site with 1,000 20mm rounds and one 500 pound GBU-12.
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