| Operaton Iraqi Freedom Updates |
December 10, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-24
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN” CAPTURES SPANISH ATTACKERS
LUTAFIYAH, Iraq – At 2:00 am this morning, paratroopers from 3rd Brigade, 82d Airborne
Division with the assistance of Iraqi police conducted Operation Panther Squeeze, a
series of 18 raids in Lutafiyah to kill or capture individuals believed to be responsible for the
attack against Spanish forces on November 29th. The cooperation efforts between the
coalition forces and Iraqi police contributed to the great success of this operation.
During the raids, 15 primary targets were captured with a total of 41 enemy personnel
taken for questioning. Those captured included the cell leader Abu Abdullah, an intelligence
officer, financier, and a doctor who treated terrorists so they can avoid treatment at local
hospitals, and the actual attackers.
A vehicle was also confiscated that may have been used in the recent assassination of the
Lutafiyah Police Chief.
Since November 29th, we have been able to gather a significant amount of human intelligence
in Lutafiyah. Intelligence collection in the area prior to the attack against the Spaniards was
very difficult, but now there are indications that terrorist activities are no longer tolerable to the
average citizen there.
December 11, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRO-COALITION DEMONSTRATION HELD IN AR RAMADI
AR RAMADI, Iraq – Iraqis of the Al Anbar province gathered December 10th for an
anti-terrorist demonstration at the provincial council headquarters in Ar Ramadi.
Approximately 200 men, women and children gathered with banners to chant slogans
condemning terrorism. Ar Ramadi, a former Ba’athist stronghold located approximately 60
miles west of Baghdad, has been a site of persistent anti-Coalition activities since post-war
reconstruction efforts began.
Speakers expressed disapproval of terrorist actions and urged Iraqis to take action against
anti-Coalition Forces. This outward display of support demonstrates increased cooperation
between local Iraqis and Coalition Forces, resulting in increased information provided by
tipsters and clearly showing the Iraqis’ desire for a safe and secure environment.
December 11, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOCAL TIPS SUCCESSFUL FOR TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN”
AR RAMADI, Iraq – The 82nd Airborne Division and attached units, also known as Task
Force “All American,” continued operations within the Al Anbar Province to provide
security and assistance to the Iraqi people.
During the past 24 hours, the Task Force has conducted 25 offensive operations, six cordon
and searches and 19 raids. Soldiers also conducted 178 patrols, including seven joint patrols
with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi Police.
Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade conducted a cordon and search in Fallujah to capture Ali
Jassam Mejbil and Mahamed Jassam Abad – criminals responsible for financing and
conducting improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and trafficking weapons in the area. The
operation resulted in the capture of both target individuals and four other terrorists.
In addition, paratroopers were escorting the Fallujah Liaison Team to a meeting at the
mayor’s office when they were attacked with an IED east of Fallujah. The blast wounded
one soldier and damaged an up-armored High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV).
The wounded soldier, a gunner in the HMMWV’s turret, was evacuated to the 28th Combat
Support Hospital.
The 1st Infantry Division’s Hurricane Base was attacked with three mortar rounds.
There were no injuries to personnel or damage to equipment from the attack. A Quick
Reaction Force (QRF) was dispatched to the point of origin. When they arrived local civilians
took them to the launch site and stated that three males fled on foot after the attack. The
patrol confiscated various mortar ammunition and components at the location. The
assistance from the local citizens in Ar Ramadi highlights a growing cooperation between
Coalition Forces and the people in Al Anbar.
In 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s areas of responsibility, soldiers conducted a raid against
possible weapons dealers in Hit. The operation was conducted based on locally generated
intelligence and was a success. Three criminals were captured, including the primary
target. Also confiscated at the house were various mortar rounds.
Assistance from the local population continues to benefit Task Force “All American” as
it continues to capture anti-Coalition operatives who wish to disrupt the progress established by
U.S. forces and the Iraqi people.
December 11, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-27
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
101ST DONATES MORE THAN 230 COMPUTERS TO MOSUL CITY HALL
MOSUL, Iraq – A 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) program to provide
computersto the employees of Mosul City Hall made its final contribution Thursday,
bringing the total number of computers donated to more than 230.
The project has been in effect since September, and the last of the 233 computers were
installed Thursday by Chief Warrant Officer Carrie McLeish and Master Sgt. Paul Franks,
automation technicians for the division’s G-6 office. The team has been in charge of installing
new computers and the Internet in several buildings in Northern Iraq, including the University
of Mosul and the Oil Ministry of Nineveh Province. Coalition Forces have spent more
than $150,000 on the project.
Every computer in Mosul City Hall donated by the 101st was also hooked to the
Internet, offering better global communication than the workforce there has ever had
access to. The project consequently will also allow Coalition Forces, as well as leaders from
smaller cities and villages outside Mosul, to communicate with the governor of Nineveh
Province, Ghanim al-Basso, whose office is in the city headquarters.
“This will allow Coalition Forces to communicate with the governor of Nineveh and it
also allows the governor to communicate with citizens outside Mosul,” McLeish said.
Soldiers also installed Microsoft XP and Office XP to each computer.
“Microsoft XP is a lot better than [Microsoft 2000] in its Arabic translation,” McLeish said,
“So it’s pretty useful to a lot of the workers here.”
Concurrent with the donation of computers and software, soldiers have also been training a
group of Iraqi citizens to maintain the computer system after the division redeploys. McLeish
said the three main targets for training are web page upkeep, basic computer skills and
networking proficiency.
“We want to educate people on what Coalition Forces are doing here in Iraq,” McLeish
said. “We want to stop misinformation about what our goals are here and provide Iraqis with a
bigger picture. This is a big step.”
December 12, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4TH ID REPORTS ACTIVITIES
TIKRIT, Iraq – 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse has, over the past 24
hours, conducted 190 patrols, six raids and captured 22 individuals. Thirty-five of the patrols
were joint operations conducted with the Iraqi police, the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and
the Border Guard in order to continually improve the safety and standard of living for the
Iraqi people.
Weapons and equipment confiscated in raids and patrols throughout the Task Force
Ironhorse area of operation include nine AK-47 assault rifle, three pistols, two machine guns,
one rocket propelled grenade launcher, two 60mm mortar systems, one 120mm and one
82mm mortar tube, nine mortar rounds, 11 rocket propelled grenade, 65 grenades, two mortar
rounds, 250 grenade fuses, 100 helicopter rockets and 13 improvised explosive devices.
November 29, 2003
Release Number: 03-11-51
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN” CARRIES OUT RAIDS AND PATROLS
AR RAMADI, Iraq - Task Force “All American” continued to conduct operations in order
to bring peace to Iraq and assist the reconstruction efforts. These missions will continue to
move Iraq toward becoming a free and independent nation.
During the past 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units have conducted
19 offensive operations, including 16 raids and three cordon and searches. Soldiers also
conducted 155 patrols, including 6 joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi
police. During these operations, 37 enemy personnel were captured and there were no U.
S. soldiers wounded.
In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area of operations, elements conducted a raid in
eastern Ar Ramadi to apprehend individuals suspected of an attack on the family of
the Ar Ramadi Police Chief two weeks ago. The information was acquired by the
investigative efforts of the Ar Ramadi Police Special Response Team. The operation was
conducted without incident and three individuals were captured. This event highlights the
growing cooperation between the local police and coalition forces in the area.
In addition, elements of the 1-5 Field Artillery conducted a cordon and search in Ar
Ramadi and apprehended Fowaz Khalaf, a suspected Mujahadeen cell leader who is
reported to have facilitated the trafficking of foreign fighters into and out of Iraq. Fowaz Khalaf
is also suspected of providing weapons and other aid to anti-coalition elements in the Al Anbar
region.
At Trebil on the Jordanian border, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment refused entry to
173 personnel because they had no passports or documentation. Operation Rifles Blitz
continued with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment establishing eight traffic control points and
conducting precision raids on 15 separate locations resulting in the capture of 11 personnel.
Each of these missions incorporated the Iraqi police and recent Iraqi Civil Defense Corps
graduates.
Civil affairs teams working with 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, met with officials
from the Fallujah Brick Factory to make final preparations for the installation of two prime
power generators. Once installed, they will provide additional power to the production lines
and help employ approximately 700 workers. In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area, Civil
Affairs teams met with local officials in Khalidiyah to review the status of police station
renovations. Repairs to the police station began on 20 November and are estimated to
conclude around the 30th of December at a cost of $15,000. Local citizens have expressed
their appreciation for the coalition’s efforts. Civil Affairs teams with the 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment met with officials in Ar Rutbah to review the status of repairs to an electrical sub-
station. Repairs began on the 10th of November and are scheduled for completion by the 10th
of December at a cost of $5000. Once complete, it is estimated that these repairs will affect
25,000 residents.
Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Infantry Division, and 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment remain committed to helping rebuild Iraq and to end violence throughout the Al
Anbar province.
Release Number: 03-12-24
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN” CAPTURES SPANISH ATTACKERS
LUTAFIYAH, Iraq – At 2:00 am this morning, paratroopers from 3rd Brigade, 82d Airborne
Division with the assistance of Iraqi police conducted Operation Panther Squeeze, a
series of 18 raids in Lutafiyah to kill or capture individuals believed to be responsible for the
attack against Spanish forces on November 29th. The cooperation efforts between the
coalition forces and Iraqi police contributed to the great success of this operation.
During the raids, 15 primary targets were captured with a total of 41 enemy personnel
taken for questioning. Those captured included the cell leader Abu Abdullah, an intelligence
officer, financier, and a doctor who treated terrorists so they can avoid treatment at local
hospitals, and the actual attackers.
A vehicle was also confiscated that may have been used in the recent assassination of the
Lutafiyah Police Chief.
Since November 29th, we have been able to gather a significant amount of human intelligence
in Lutafiyah. Intelligence collection in the area prior to the attack against the Spaniards was
very difficult, but now there are indications that terrorist activities are no longer tolerable to the
average citizen there.
December 11, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRO-COALITION DEMONSTRATION HELD IN AR RAMADI
AR RAMADI, Iraq – Iraqis of the Al Anbar province gathered December 10th for an
anti-terrorist demonstration at the provincial council headquarters in Ar Ramadi.
Approximately 200 men, women and children gathered with banners to chant slogans
condemning terrorism. Ar Ramadi, a former Ba’athist stronghold located approximately 60
miles west of Baghdad, has been a site of persistent anti-Coalition activities since post-war
reconstruction efforts began.
Speakers expressed disapproval of terrorist actions and urged Iraqis to take action against
anti-Coalition Forces. This outward display of support demonstrates increased cooperation
between local Iraqis and Coalition Forces, resulting in increased information provided by
tipsters and clearly showing the Iraqis’ desire for a safe and secure environment.
December 11, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOCAL TIPS SUCCESSFUL FOR TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN”
AR RAMADI, Iraq – The 82nd Airborne Division and attached units, also known as Task
Force “All American,” continued operations within the Al Anbar Province to provide
security and assistance to the Iraqi people.
During the past 24 hours, the Task Force has conducted 25 offensive operations, six cordon
and searches and 19 raids. Soldiers also conducted 178 patrols, including seven joint patrols
with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi Police.
Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade conducted a cordon and search in Fallujah to capture Ali
Jassam Mejbil and Mahamed Jassam Abad – criminals responsible for financing and
conducting improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and trafficking weapons in the area. The
operation resulted in the capture of both target individuals and four other terrorists.
In addition, paratroopers were escorting the Fallujah Liaison Team to a meeting at the
mayor’s office when they were attacked with an IED east of Fallujah. The blast wounded
one soldier and damaged an up-armored High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV).
The wounded soldier, a gunner in the HMMWV’s turret, was evacuated to the 28th Combat
Support Hospital.
The 1st Infantry Division’s Hurricane Base was attacked with three mortar rounds.
There were no injuries to personnel or damage to equipment from the attack. A Quick
Reaction Force (QRF) was dispatched to the point of origin. When they arrived local civilians
took them to the launch site and stated that three males fled on foot after the attack. The
patrol confiscated various mortar ammunition and components at the location. The
assistance from the local citizens in Ar Ramadi highlights a growing cooperation between
Coalition Forces and the people in Al Anbar.
In 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s areas of responsibility, soldiers conducted a raid against
possible weapons dealers in Hit. The operation was conducted based on locally generated
intelligence and was a success. Three criminals were captured, including the primary
target. Also confiscated at the house were various mortar rounds.
Assistance from the local population continues to benefit Task Force “All American” as
it continues to capture anti-Coalition operatives who wish to disrupt the progress established by
U.S. forces and the Iraqi people.
December 11, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-27
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
101ST DONATES MORE THAN 230 COMPUTERS TO MOSUL CITY HALL
MOSUL, Iraq – A 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) program to provide
computersto the employees of Mosul City Hall made its final contribution Thursday,
bringing the total number of computers donated to more than 230.
The project has been in effect since September, and the last of the 233 computers were
installed Thursday by Chief Warrant Officer Carrie McLeish and Master Sgt. Paul Franks,
automation technicians for the division’s G-6 office. The team has been in charge of installing
new computers and the Internet in several buildings in Northern Iraq, including the University
of Mosul and the Oil Ministry of Nineveh Province. Coalition Forces have spent more
than $150,000 on the project.
Every computer in Mosul City Hall donated by the 101st was also hooked to the
Internet, offering better global communication than the workforce there has ever had
access to. The project consequently will also allow Coalition Forces, as well as leaders from
smaller cities and villages outside Mosul, to communicate with the governor of Nineveh
Province, Ghanim al-Basso, whose office is in the city headquarters.
“This will allow Coalition Forces to communicate with the governor of Nineveh and it
also allows the governor to communicate with citizens outside Mosul,” McLeish said.
Soldiers also installed Microsoft XP and Office XP to each computer.
“Microsoft XP is a lot better than [Microsoft 2000] in its Arabic translation,” McLeish said,
“So it’s pretty useful to a lot of the workers here.”
Concurrent with the donation of computers and software, soldiers have also been training a
group of Iraqi citizens to maintain the computer system after the division redeploys. McLeish
said the three main targets for training are web page upkeep, basic computer skills and
networking proficiency.
“We want to educate people on what Coalition Forces are doing here in Iraq,” McLeish
said. “We want to stop misinformation about what our goals are here and provide Iraqis with a
bigger picture. This is a big step.”
December 12, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4TH ID REPORTS ACTIVITIES
TIKRIT, Iraq – 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse has, over the past 24
hours, conducted 190 patrols, six raids and captured 22 individuals. Thirty-five of the patrols
were joint operations conducted with the Iraqi police, the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and
the Border Guard in order to continually improve the safety and standard of living for the
Iraqi people.
Weapons and equipment confiscated in raids and patrols throughout the Task Force
Ironhorse area of operation include nine AK-47 assault rifle, three pistols, two machine guns,
one rocket propelled grenade launcher, two 60mm mortar systems, one 120mm and one
82mm mortar tube, nine mortar rounds, 11 rocket propelled grenade, 65 grenades, two mortar
rounds, 250 grenade fuses, 100 helicopter rockets and 13 improvised explosive devices.
November 29, 2003
Release Number: 03-11-51
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN” CARRIES OUT RAIDS AND PATROLS
AR RAMADI, Iraq - Task Force “All American” continued to conduct operations in order
to bring peace to Iraq and assist the reconstruction efforts. These missions will continue to
move Iraq toward becoming a free and independent nation.
During the past 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units have conducted
19 offensive operations, including 16 raids and three cordon and searches. Soldiers also
conducted 155 patrols, including 6 joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi
police. During these operations, 37 enemy personnel were captured and there were no U.
S. soldiers wounded.
In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area of operations, elements conducted a raid in
eastern Ar Ramadi to apprehend individuals suspected of an attack on the family of
the Ar Ramadi Police Chief two weeks ago. The information was acquired by the
investigative efforts of the Ar Ramadi Police Special Response Team. The operation was
conducted without incident and three individuals were captured. This event highlights the
growing cooperation between the local police and coalition forces in the area.
In addition, elements of the 1-5 Field Artillery conducted a cordon and search in Ar
Ramadi and apprehended Fowaz Khalaf, a suspected Mujahadeen cell leader who is
reported to have facilitated the trafficking of foreign fighters into and out of Iraq. Fowaz Khalaf
is also suspected of providing weapons and other aid to anti-coalition elements in the Al Anbar
region.
At Trebil on the Jordanian border, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment refused entry to
173 personnel because they had no passports or documentation. Operation Rifles Blitz
continued with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment establishing eight traffic control points and
conducting precision raids on 15 separate locations resulting in the capture of 11 personnel.
Each of these missions incorporated the Iraqi police and recent Iraqi Civil Defense Corps
graduates.
Civil affairs teams working with 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, met with officials
from the Fallujah Brick Factory to make final preparations for the installation of two prime
power generators. Once installed, they will provide additional power to the production lines
and help employ approximately 700 workers. In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area, Civil
Affairs teams met with local officials in Khalidiyah to review the status of police station
renovations. Repairs to the police station began on 20 November and are estimated to
conclude around the 30th of December at a cost of $15,000. Local citizens have expressed
their appreciation for the coalition’s efforts. Civil Affairs teams with the 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment met with officials in Ar Rutbah to review the status of repairs to an electrical sub-
station. Repairs began on the 10th of November and are scheduled for completion by the 10th
of December at a cost of $5000. Once complete, it is estimated that these repairs will affect
25,000 residents.
Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Infantry Division, and 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment remain committed to helping rebuild Iraq and to end violence throughout the Al
Anbar province.
January 07, 2004
Around 100 of the 101st Airborne Division, "Screaming Eagles"came home today. They were
met by members of the press and their families. They were all very happy to be home. One
soldier said he hated leaving his friends but they would be home soon. They have been in the
middle east, first in Kuwait, then in Iraq, for over a year.
Around 500 more "Screaming Eagles" should return home soon.
Welcome home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BREAKING NEWS
Thirty five soldiers have been wounded in one of the worst attacks on our troops since the
war began. More info as it becomes available.
January 08, 2004
At least six rounds of mortar fire were shot at a military base west of Baghdad, Iraq yesterday
killing one soldier and wounding 34 others.
A Black Hawk Helicopter was shot down today while on a medi-vac mission. All nine of the
crew were killed.
January 11, 2004
Release Number: 04-01-25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION SOLDIERS CAPTURE ANTI-COALITION SUSPECTS
MOSUL, Iraq – Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the Iraqi Civil
Defense Corps (ICDC) captured several anti-coalition suspects Jan. 10 and 11 in northern
Iraq.
The 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT) detained three individuals in a white Toyota, Jan.
10, near the southeastern corner of a U.S. compound west of Qayyarah. The vehicle matched
the description of one used by men who asked the leader of a nearby village where they could
set up rockets for an attack on U.S. forces.
During pre-dawn raids in Northern Iraq Jan. 10, the division’s 2nd BCT conducted a joint
cordon-and-knock operation with ICDC soldiers and detained an associate of a suspected
weapons dealer. In a cordon-and-search later that morning, 2nd BCT captured eight
suspected members of an anti-Coalition group involved in attacks on U.S. forces.
That evening, an unknown number of people fired small arms at ICDC soldiers on guard at
the Mosul airfield. The soldiers fired back and the enemy fled. The 2nd BCT responded
providing a cordon around the area where the attack originated. The ICDC charged in,
cleared buildings, and apprehended four individuals.
The 2nd BCT also reported that its soldiers detained a man in the vicinity of Bashiqah, a
small town near Mosul. The man was a suspected leader of a group promoting attacks on
Coalition Forces.
Also yesterday, the Coalition for Iraqi National Unity turned in five RPG launchers, 100
RPG rounds, five hand grenades, and one 60-millimeter mortar system.
The 101st continues to work with the citizens and leaders of Iraq to make it a safe,
prosperous, and democratic nation.
Around 100 of the 101st Airborne Division, "Screaming Eagles"came home today. They were
met by members of the press and their families. They were all very happy to be home. One
soldier said he hated leaving his friends but they would be home soon. They have been in the
middle east, first in Kuwait, then in Iraq, for over a year.
Around 500 more "Screaming Eagles" should return home soon.
Welcome home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BREAKING NEWS
Thirty five soldiers have been wounded in one of the worst attacks on our troops since the
war began. More info as it becomes available.
January 08, 2004
At least six rounds of mortar fire were shot at a military base west of Baghdad, Iraq yesterday
killing one soldier and wounding 34 others.
A Black Hawk Helicopter was shot down today while on a medi-vac mission. All nine of the
crew were killed.
January 11, 2004
Release Number: 04-01-25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION SOLDIERS CAPTURE ANTI-COALITION SUSPECTS
MOSUL, Iraq – Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the Iraqi Civil
Defense Corps (ICDC) captured several anti-coalition suspects Jan. 10 and 11 in northern
Iraq.
The 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT) detained three individuals in a white Toyota, Jan.
10, near the southeastern corner of a U.S. compound west of Qayyarah. The vehicle matched
the description of one used by men who asked the leader of a nearby village where they could
set up rockets for an attack on U.S. forces.
During pre-dawn raids in Northern Iraq Jan. 10, the division’s 2nd BCT conducted a joint
cordon-and-knock operation with ICDC soldiers and detained an associate of a suspected
weapons dealer. In a cordon-and-search later that morning, 2nd BCT captured eight
suspected members of an anti-Coalition group involved in attacks on U.S. forces.
That evening, an unknown number of people fired small arms at ICDC soldiers on guard at
the Mosul airfield. The soldiers fired back and the enemy fled. The 2nd BCT responded
providing a cordon around the area where the attack originated. The ICDC charged in,
cleared buildings, and apprehended four individuals.
The 2nd BCT also reported that its soldiers detained a man in the vicinity of Bashiqah, a
small town near Mosul. The man was a suspected leader of a group promoting attacks on
Coalition Forces.
Also yesterday, the Coalition for Iraqi National Unity turned in five RPG launchers, 100
RPG rounds, five hand grenades, and one 60-millimeter mortar system.
The 101st continues to work with the citizens and leaders of Iraq to make it a safe,
prosperous, and democratic nation.