101st Airborne Pounds Insurgents with Iron Hammer

1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Soldiers, along with Soldiers from the 4th Iraqi Army Division prepare to extract from an objective along the Hamrin Mountain Range during Operation Bulldog Hammer. Photo by Spc. Rick Rzepka, 101st Airborne Division

Dispatches from the Front:

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SUMMERALL, Nov. 24, 2007 -- 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division troops recently completed their first major offensive operation in the Salah Ad-Din province, since their arrival in theater in early October. Operation Bulldog Hammer, part of the larger Operation Iron Hammer, was designed to stifle al Qaida insurgents in cities like Bayji and Suniyah and to promote the continuing reconciliation effort here.

Various elements of the storied "Bastogne" Brigade along with their counterparts from the 4th Iraqi Army Division and Iraqi Police, conducted a series of simultaneous, combined operations, to disrupt terrorist activities in the largely Sunni area just north of Tikrit. Operations included raids on suspected insurgent safe-houses, as well as exhaustive searches for weapons caches and bomb-making materials.

“The operation went well,” said Cpt. Michael Sykes, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, who attributed the success to the effectiveness of Iraqi Security Forces working along side Coalition forces. “We worked well together and they took the ball and ran with it,” he said.

“Every time we go out and we work together, it boosts their confidence, they learn from us and gain experience,” said Infantryman Spc. Wesley Dobbs, an Infantryman with Abu Company, 1/327th. “It's a lot of help to have them out here, because they can interact with the locals better than we can,” he said.

“We appreciate your help,” said Iraqi Army Col. Hamid, 4th Iraqi Army Division. “This is our country and we will rebuild it again.”

An array of weapons were confiscated during the offensive phase of Iron Bulldog which was kicked off with a Screaming Eagle style air-assault that saw Iraqi Security Forces actually outnumber their U.S. partners.

The Iraqi Security Forces now have the capability to reach out and touch the bad-guys in remote locations, said Maj. Brad Mock, operations officer, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.

“During the length of the operation ISF along side our Bulldog Soldiers have conducted multiple operations targeting specific threats to the security of this area,” said Mock. “With the ISF in the lead and our Soldiers there supporting them, we have made an impact on securing Bayji and its surrounding communities.”

Three caches were discovered, which included (21) mortar rounds, three landmines, eight hand-grenades and materials used to make improvised explosive devices.

Bulldog Soldiers along with their Iraqi counterparts also snatched nearly (50) AK-47 assault rifles off the streets during raids conducted on individual homes.

“Anytime we find that stuff, we save lives,” said Sykes, “American and Iraqi.”

ISF and 1st BCT troops also detained (43) suspected insurgents and discovered (23) IEDs during the (10)-day operation.

“The real long term success of the operation comes from the Iraqi people stepping up to the plate,” said Sykes. “Currently there are more than (600) ‘Concerned Local Citizens’ (CLC) in 1st Brigade’s area of operations who serve in a sort of neighborhood watch capacity, keeping cities like Bayji and Suniyah safe for the local citizenry.”

During the operation, more than (230) local Iraqi citizens volunteered for the CLC program which has been an effective deterrent against terrorist violence in the area.

“Strengthening local ties is important to fighting the terrorists here,” said Sykes. “They (Iraqi citizens) are finally starting to realize that they outnumber the handful of bad guys in their town, and they're starting to do something about it,” he said.

Col. Hamid agrees. “The citizens of Bayji are honorable people. There are two ways that men can go here. They can either be good guys, or they can be killed. We must wait and see.”

(Story by Spc. Rick Rzepka, 101st Airborne Division)

Related: Combat Camera: Forces Pound al-Qaida in Operation Iron Hammer

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Troops Raid al Qaeda Media Network in Iraq

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2007 (AFPS) -- Coalition forces in Iraq detained seven suspects today in three coordinated operations targeting al Qaeda's media network southeast of Samarra.

One of the targeted buildings is believed to be used as a propaganda production facility and meeting location for senior leaders, officials said.

"These operations are another step on the road to a peaceful Iraq, where innocent civilians can live without fear of terrorist attacks," said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "Defeating al Qaeda's propaganda networks undermines their fundraising and recruiting."

In operations yesterday in Iraq:

• Iraqi soldiers and concerned local citizens in Hawr Rajab, repelled an attack by about 15 members of al Qaeda in Iraq, killing two terrorists and wounding an unreported number. Al Qaeda began the attack with small-arms fire and mortars early in the morning, targeting an Iraqi army checkpoint. Small-arms fire continued throughout the morning. Coalition forces supporting the Iraqi army called in helicopter support from 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade. The attack helicopter crews killed two al Qaeda members and wounded two others. Then deployed a U.S. Air Force F-16 dropped a 500-pound bomb on a van that was transporting weapons, destroying it and all of its contents. Though they suffered casualties during the defense of their checkpoints, the Iraqi army and the concerned citizens group stood their ground, officials said. The attackers broke off after being unable to overrun the checkpoints.

• Coalition forces targeted al Qaeda propaganda cells during operations in Samarra. As the ground force approached the targeted building, they called for the building's occupants to come out, but no one complied. One individual took a defensive position by the door and engaged coalition forces. Responding in self-defense, the ground force returned fire, killing the terrorist. While securing the area, the ground force detained two suspects and found a weapons cache, which was safely destroyed by a coalition air strike.

• In Hawija, coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be the foreign terrorist leader in Arab Jabour, and who allegedly is associated with senior terrorist leaders in Baghdad’s southern belt. The wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was detained, along with one other suspect.

• In Mosul, coalition forces targeted a northern al Qaeda in Iraq security leader believed to be involved in kidnappings and assassinations. They detained two suspects. Coalition forces also detained four suspects during operations targeting associates of a former al Qaeda media leader near Khan Bani Sad.

• An Iraqi emergency response unit, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained five suspected extremists during an early morning operation in Daghgharah. The operation, conducted north of Diwaniyah, targeted an extremist cell reportedly involved in improvised-explosive-device attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces in Diwaniyah and Hillah. This cell also is believed to gather intelligence for attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces and to transport and store weapons and IEDs, officials said. The capture supported the 8th Iraqi Army Division's Operation Lion Pounce, an ongoing operation to disrupt extremist groups operating in Diwaniyah and the surrounding region. No Iraqi or U.S. forces were injured during the operation.

In operations Nov. 21:

• Soldiers of the 3rd Iraqi Army Division uncovered a large weapons cache during a routine patrol northwest of Tal Afar. The cache included 4,200 pounds of homemade explosives, four sets of Iraqi military uniforms, 12 82 mm mortar rounds and 10 hand grenades.

• Soldiers of the 5th Iraqi Army Division and U.S. forces came under sniper fire while attempting to clear terrorists from villages near Abu Khamis. Iraqi and U.S. forces responded to the attack, killing two terrorists. In the course of the operation, three Iraqi soldiers were injured.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

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Iraqis Taking Back Streets from Extremists

Mahamad Maheadi, an Iraqi Security Volunteer in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah District, Shabatkar neighborhood, checks the motor of a car for possible security threats. The ISV program allows volunteers from local communities to join and provide security in their own neighborhoods. US Army photo by Spc. Elvyn Nieves, 113th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGHDAD, Nov. 23, 2007 -- Iraqi citizens are taking back their streets from extremists by taking security into their own hands.

The Iraqi Security Volunteer program, an Iraqi project funded by the government of Iraq, allows volunteers from local communities to protect their own neighborhoods.

The ISVs receive a three-day training program at Coalition Outpost War Eagle where they learn some basic vehicle checks and how to conduct themselves on the streets, as well as weapons training with an AK-47.

“When you have local citizens patrolling their own streets, they have a sincere interest in keeping it safe,” said 1st Lt. John Suh, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment.

According to Suh, a native of Harrington Park, N.J., these volunteers are residents of the neighborhoods they have been tasked to provide security to, and that’s precisely the advantage when hiring local residents.

“People are staying out longer at night and the stores are remaining open longer,” he said. “Thanks to this program, people are feeling a sense of security.”

According to Suh, the program overall has proven to be a success in Adhamiyah District.

“This is a short-term fix,” said Suh. “The ultimate goal is to transition these ISVs into Iraqi Policemen. So, a few months down the road, we’re trying to place them in the Iraqi Police Academy. In the end, this short-time initiative will create sustainable security solutions by transitioning them into IP.”

For Asef Abd Hadi Mosa Al Jabori, an ISV in Shabatkar neighborhood, being in this program gives him the opportunity to serve his community and he enjoys it.

“Become a police officer in the future is something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.

According to Al Jabori, though ISVs have been successful providing security, they still need the help of Coalition Forces.

“We need them to stay here a little longer until our skills and knowledge match our present need for security,” he said.

(Story by Spc. Elvyn Nieves, Multi-National Division – Baghdad)

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Combat Camera Video: Thanksgiving 2007 With the Troops

Video: Thanksgiving Prep at LSA Anaconda
B-roll of cooks decorating the dining area at LSA Anaconda for Thanksgiving. Scenes include interviews with Soldiers about how the decorations are created and assembly and display of various decorations.
Video: Thanksgiving Day Dinner
Service members prepairing a holiday dinner for hundred of hungrey toops. Produced by AFNI PAO.
Video: Turkey Trot
B-roll of soldiers participating in a fun run for the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Produced by AFNI PAO.
Video: Thanksgiving Day Soccer
B-roll of soldiers playing a game of soccer with local Iraqi children. Produced by AFNI PAO.
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Combat Camera: Thanksgiving 2007 Aboard USS Kitty Hawk

USS KITTY HAWK, at sea, (Nov. 22, 2007) Sailors from USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in one of five dinning facilities, serving more than 5,000 Sailors aboard the 47 year old carrier. Kitty Hawk operates from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. The squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 operate from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. U.S. Navy photograph by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle Gahlau (Released)

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2007) Capt. Stephen Vissers, executive office aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), helps serve Thanksgiving dinner to the crew in one of five dinning facilities, serving more than 5,000 Sailors aboard the 47 year old carrier. Kitty Hawk operates from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. The squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 operate from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. U.S. Navy photograph by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle Gahlau (Released)

News in Balance:

China reversed its position Thursday and said the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk would be allowed to dock in Hong Kong for the Thanksgiving holiday reports UPI.

At a regular Beijing news conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said issues of sovereignty had been involved in reversing the decision, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

"Such a decision is ... decided on a case-by-case basis," Liu said.

The carrier and five supporting vessels were originally scheduled to dock Wednesday to give the crew of 8,000 four days shore leave for the holiday.

Liu gave no explanation behind the original refusal to allow the ship in, Xinhua said.

The Kitty Hawk is the Navy's oldest ship in active service. It was commissioned in 1961 and will return to the United States next year to be decommissioned.

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Entire F-15 Fleet Returns to Flight

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles cover the skies over Southwest Asia. F-15Es provide close-air support for Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force photo.

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Nov 22, 2007 (AFPN) -- Gen. John D.W. Corley, commander, Air Combat Command, sent a message Nov. 21 to F-15 pilots, weapons systems officers and maintenance professionals outlining the actions the Air Force has taken following the Nov. 2 F-15C Eagle mishap that resulted in the loss of the aircraft.

The message reads:

Airmen

On 2 November, the Air Force experienced an F-15C mishap resulting in the loss of the aircraft. The circumstances of the mishap indicated catastrophic structural failure. On 3 November, the Air Force grounded its F-15 fleet. This decision was not made lightly. It was the right thing to do based upon the nature of this mishap.

Grounding a fleet of nearly 700 front-line aircraft has significant operational impact. Total force, joint and coalition partners were able to mitigate that impact.

The cause of the mishap remains under investigation. Air Force maintenance and operations professionals and industry experts are working with the accident investigation board to examine all aspects of the mishap. At the same time, structural engineers have conducted in-depth technical reviews of data from multiple sources. We continue to proceed in an inclusive and transparent fashion to derive, as best as humanly possible, the cause of the mishap.

We evaluated the grounded fleet. First, we focused on the F-15Es. They are the newest F-15s and have been exposed to less stress. They are structurally different than the A-D models. Problems identified during years of A-D model usage were designed "out" of the E-model. Given these differences, and after consultation with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center and the AIB, we returned the F-15E fleet to flying status following successful inspections.

Next, we concentrated on the remainder of the grounded fleet. The AIB is now focused on the area just aft of the cockpit and slightly forward of the inlets. Warner Robins ALC mandated a thorough inspection and repair of all structural components in this area. I have directed each F-15 aircraft be inspected and cleared before returning to operational status. Today, ACC issued (a flight crew information file) and Warner Robins ALC issued an Operational Supplemental Tech Order to further direct and guide your pre-flight and post-flight actions.

The F-15 is a formidable war fighting aircraft and workhorse for our Air Force. I applaud each and every Eagle pilot, WSO and maintainer for the meticulous and disciplined way you approached this challenge. Mission accomplishment entails risk. Together, we must remain vigilant and focused on operational risk management to mitigate this risk. Airmen speak up when they see something wrong. I rely on you to ensure all operations and maintenance parameters are in order before flight. The F-15 community can take great pride in the fact that you have met this challenge. We must deliver air power on time, on target given our overriding duty to defend our Country.

There are nearly 700 F-15s in the Air Force inventory. As of today, 219 of the 224 E-models and 294 of the 442 A-D models in the inventory have been inspected and cleared for flight.

In releasing the F-15 fleet to fly, General Corley said the Air Force was accepting a degree of risk.

"We accept this risk because of our overriding duty to provide unrivaled combat air power for the defense of our Country," the general said.

(Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service.)

Also see: Air Force Grounds F-15 Fleet Following Crash

Related: F-15 Eagle

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Traditional Holiday Meal Replaces Field Rations for Many Troops

Service members and civilian defense workers enjoy Thanksgiving dinner last year. Defense Supply Center Philadelphia's Subsistence Division is responsible for making sure each dining facility has all the food it needs to provide a traditional holiday meal. Photographer: Samantha Quigley, Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs.

Thanksgiving Meal at Striker Cafe - Spc. Nickolias Sauceda, Troop B, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and his wife Tracey, both Lansing, Mich., natives, are served a Thanksgiving meal by, from left, Capt. Michael Forbes, commander, Troop B, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry, Lt. Col. Monty Willoughby, commander, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry, and Command Sgt. Maj. Miles Wilson at the Striker Cafe in Fort Carson, Colo. The cafe served the traditional meal Nov. 21 to members of the Fort Carson community. The parent unit of the Striker Cafe the 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., is preparing to deploy to Iraq in the coming weeks. It is customary for the leadership of a unit to serve a holiday meal for Soldiers and their families to enjoy. Photographer: Sgt. Zachary Mott, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs.

Troops Bring Thanksgiving to Honduran Villagers - About 70 servicemembers from Joint Task Force Bravo at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, begin a 5.5 mile hike up the mountain at La Sampedrana, to deliver more than 600 pounds of food to local villagers Nov. 17. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Sonny Cohrs, November 21, 2007.

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2007 (AFPS) -- When troops stationed in the Middle East sit down to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, the turkey won't come in a brown field rations pouch.

Thanks to the efforts of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia's efforts, troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Dubai and Djibouti will enjoy a traditional holiday meal.

"Historically, Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most family-oriented meals that there is," said Ray Miller, director of subsistence for DSCP, the agency that supplies meals to the military worldwide. "When you are deployed and you're not with (family), ... it's a taste of home wherever you are."

Hundreds of thousands of troops will dine on turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, assorted pies and more. While this all sounds very "Norman Rockwell" normal, there's nothing normal about the amount of food needed to feed that many troops.

The employees sent 342,382 pounds of turkey alone. More than 15,000 containers of stuffing mix and about 13,000 containers of white potatoes will join nearly 120,000 pounds of shrimp and a combined total of 249,357 pounds of ham and beef, as well.

"It would be like 100 tractor-trailers pulling up outside your house to deliver Thanksgiving dinner," Miller said, describing just how much food was sent to the Middle East for the dinner.

And at the back of the very last tractor-trailer would be the one thing needed to finish the meal in fine holiday tradition: nearly 163,500 pies.

As for those with no access to a dining hall, they're not destined to eat the same old everyday field rations. They, too, will get a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day.

"We ... have provided a special ration meal called an URG-E (unitized group ration – express)," Miller said. "It won't be the turkey, but it'll be a turkey meal. It's our attempt to at least try to get something to the folks that are on the far end of the supply chain."

That effort doesn't stop with the supply center personnel. The dining facility staffs go above and beyond, often working on their own time, to make decorations to ensure the day is as special as possible.

"Each dining facility has its own theme chosen by the manager," said Army Sgt. Maj. Terry L. Stewart, a Bridgehampton, N.Y., native and food service sergeant major for Multinational Division Baghdad.

Adding a competitive element to the decorating helps to reward the DFAC workers for the time and effort they spend preparing their crafts. Each command with a dining facility judges the decorations, and medals are awarded.

Sharing a traditional holiday meal that's usually a family affair can bring service members closer together Stewart noted.

"It humbles me," the sergeant major said. "Even though we are away from our families at home, those of us here are family, and we come together in fellowship and give thanks for being alive.

"It's especially rewarding to see the soldiers smile and the joy in their faces when they come through," he added.

The total cost of the Thanksgiving feast comes in at just under $5,410,000. The Christmas meal, which parallels the Thanksgiving menu, will cost about $300,000 less and already has been shipped to distribution points awaiting orders, which will start coming in during the first 10 days of December.

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia supplies $12.4 billion worth of food, clothing and textiles, medicines, medical equipment, construction equipment and supplies, and services to service members, their families and other federal customers worldwide. The center is a part of the Defense Logistics Agency.

(Story by Samantha L. Quigley, American Forces Press Service.)

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Where's the Turkey? Preparing for Thanksgiving in Iraq

Tuan Sinnen, food service contractor who hails from Sri Lanka, spreads on the finishing touches to his cornucopia for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner at the Pegasus Dining Facility at Camp Liberty in western Baghdad, Nov. 21. He said he hopes his efforts will bring a sense of home to the Soldiers who visit his dining facility this holiday season. (Photographer: Spc. Aaron Rosencrans, 27th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Santa Cruz, Calif., native, Pct. Pammela Aguilar, from the Headquarters Support Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, retouches a decoration for the Pegasus Dining Facility Thanksgiving dinner at Camp Liberty in western Baghdad, Nov. 21. She said Thanksgiving is this year’s last big holiday before the 1st Cav. Div. returns home from their deployment, so they are putting an extra bit of effort into the decorations to make it a special night. (Photographer: Spc. Aaron Rosencrans, 27th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Sri Lanka native Tuan Sinnen, a food service contractor, adds the finishing touches to his decorative masterpiece in preparation for the Pegasus Dining Facility’s Thanksgiving Day dinner at Camp Liberty in western Baghdad, Nov. 21. He said he hopes his efforts will bring a sense of home to the Soldiers who visit his dining center this holiday season. (Photographer: Spc. Aaron Rosencrans, 27th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Dispatches from the Front:

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq; Nov. 21, 2007 -- It can be hard for soldiers deployed in Iraq to remember what day of the week it is, much less which holiday might be right around the corner. On Thanksgiving Day, however, soldiers visiting the dining facilities here will be sure to know what day it is.

“The Thanksgiving Day dinner is the meal of meals for the Army,” said Philadelphia native, Chief Warrant Officer Shawn M. Malinowski, the food service advisor with Multi-National Division - Baghdad. “There is no money, no effort, nothing wasted on this day.”

While dining facilities feed a lot of mouths at every meal they serve, they can expect to see a significant increase in that number on Thanksgiving Day.

The Pegasus Dining Facility, near the MND-B headquarters, served approximately 2,500 people Thanksgiving dinner last year, when only 1,500 people were served at an average meal. This year the dining facility is serving approximately 2,500 people at an average meal, so it can be expected to serve anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 people for the holiday meal, Malinowski said.

Unlike the average Turkey Day dinner at home, where most families do not even begin thinking about meal preparations until some time in November, planning a holiday meal for thousands can take months. Preparations for this meal began in July and August, Malinowski said, and much of the food, including the turkey had to be ordered ahead of time.

“The DFAC employees are working on their time, after shift, in the back (of the facility) making decorations such as cornucopias, gingerbread houses and fruit carvings,” said Malinowski. “They will bring them all out and set them up the night before.”

In order to give direction to the holiday festivities, everybody focuses on one topic or theme related to Thanksgiving.

“Each dining facility has its own theme chosen by the manager,” said Sgt. Maj. Terry L. Stewart, a Bridgehampton, N.Y., native and food service sergeant major for MND-B. Adding a competitive edge to the decorating helps to reward the DFAC workers for the time and effort they spend preparing their crafts.

“We give medals sent from Fort Hood to each of the commands that has a dining facility and they judge the decorations in their dining facility,” said Malinowski. “Workers within each DFAC compete against each other.”

Being halfway around the world for a holiday traditionally spent at home around the family dinner table can bring soldiers closer together.

“It humbles me,” said Stewart. “Even though we are away from our families at home, those of us here are family, and we come together in fellowship and give thanks for being alive.”

Helping to make sure those serving their country have a pleasant memory of the Thanksgiving they spend in Iraq is important to Malinowski and Stewart, who plan to greet everybody who comes through the Pegasus Dining Facility this Thanksgiving.

“It’s especially rewarding to see the soldiers smile and the joy in their faces when they come through,” said Stewart. “They see the effort that the DFAC workers put into the meal.”

(Report by Pfc. April Campbell, 27th Public Affairs Detachment.)

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Iraqi Forces Nab 81 Suspected Extremists, Capture Weapons Caches

Dispatches from the Front:

CAMP ECHO, Iraq; Nov. 21, 2007 -- Iraqi Security Forces, assisted by Coalition Forces, detained 81 suspected extremists and confiscated several weapons caches in Diwaniyah, Iraq, during Operation Lion Pounce Nov. 17 to 19.

Maj. Gen. Othman Ali Farhood, 8th Iraqi Army Div. Commander, outlined the successes of Lion Pounce in a press conference at Camp Echo, Iraq, Nov. 19.

“The northeast quarters of Diwaniyah, where the operation was conducted, were under control of criminal and militant groups,” General Farrod said.

He further highlighted the IA’s success by stating there have been no casualties or equipment damage associated with the operation to date.

Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Buk, Multi-National Division – Central South Commander, said Operation Lion Pounce was the first large-scale operation led by an Iraqi Army general (Farrod), who commanded not only IA Soldiers, but also Iraqi Police units.

“The results of the operation show that it was well-planned and prepared,” said General Buk.

Sheikh Hussein Al Bderi, Chairman of the Provincial Security Committee, highlighted sound cooperation between local government, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces as key to the operation’s success.

He added that new security stations will be built to maintain order and security in the region upon the operation’s completion.

(Compiled from a Multi-National Division - Central South PAOC news release.)

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Troops Kill 4 Terrorists, Detain 4 in Iraq

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2007 (AFPS) -- Coalition forces killed four terrorists and captured four suspects during operations targeting al Qaeda in Iraq leaders conducted in central and northern Iraq today, officials reported.

Coalition forces killed four terrorists during operations north of Hawija. As the ground forces approached the target area, they called for the building’s occupants to come out, but they did not comply. The individuals were armed and attempted to fire on coalition forces. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged, killing four terrorists, including two wanted individuals. Reports indicate that an al Qaeda leader in Kirkuk and a car-bombing kingpin were among the terrorists killed.

During anti-insurgent operations west of Kirkuk today, coalition forces captured a wanted individual while targeting weapons and foreign facilitators. The wanted individual was associated with acquiring weapons and materials for attacks on coalition forces and smuggling foreign terrorists into the region. Coalition forces approached the target building and called for the building’s occupants to come out and they complied. The ground force detained four suspects without incident, including the wanted individual who identified himself to coalition forces.

Yesterday, coalition forces killed two wanted terrorists during operations south of Baghdad. Intelligence reports led coalition forces to the individuals’ location, and they called supporting aircraft to engage. An air strike killed the two terrorists, who were reported to be leaders in the Arab Jabour region and responsible for numerous attacks on coalition forces and maintaining weapons caches. During the operation, coalition forces detained six suspects and destroyed one vehicle.

“We’re bringing down al Qaeda’s networks across Iraq,” said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. “Iraqi and coalition forces are working together to dismantle al Qaeda and protect the Iraqi people from their violence.”

In other news from Iraq, Iraqi security forces, assisted by coalition forces, detained 81 suspected extremists and confiscated several weapons caches in Diwaniyah during Operation Lion Pounce, Nov. 17 to 19.

Maj. Gen. Othman Ali Farhood, 8th Iraqi Army Division commander, outlined the successes of Lion Pounce in a news conference at Camp Echo on Nov. 19.

"The northeast quarters of Diwaniyah, where the operation was conducted, were under control of criminal and militant groups," Farhood said. He added that no casualties or equipment damage had been associated with the operation to that point.

Polish Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Buk, Multinational Division Central South commander, said Operation Lion Pounce was the first large-scale operation led by an Iraqi army general who commanded not only army soldiers, but also Iraqi police units. "The results of the operation show that it was well-planned and prepared," Buk said.

Sheikh Hussein al Bderi, chairman of the Provincial Security Committee, highlighted sound cooperation among local government officials, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces as key to the operation's success. He added that new security stations will be built to maintain order and security in the region.

In Nov. 19 Iraq operations, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. Special Forces captured six extremists during a series of early morning raids. In Rahmaniya, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. troops conducted a cordon-and-search operation targeting five extremists believed to be part of an improvised-explosive-device and weapons-facilitation cell. Five extremists were detained during the raid. In a separate operation, the Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics team and U.S. Special Forces detained an extremist suspected of being part of a cell responsible for attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces.

During operations Nov. 17-18:

• Iraqi and U.S. Special Forces troops captured seven extremists Nov. 18 during operations targeting illegal cells operating within Iraq. Five terrorist suspects were detained in an operation in the Samarra and Tikrit areas. Two more suspects were detained during other operations conducted near Diwaniyah.

• Acting on tips from Iraqi citizens, U.S. soldiers with the 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment “Tuskers” and Iraqi volunteers working in the Saydiyah section of West Rashid seized several caches of weapons and explosives Nov. 18. The caches contained a complete 82 mm mortar system, more than 40 pounds of homemade explosives, and several AK-47 rifles and some pistols.

• U.S. troops captured two individuals and seized a cache of explosively formed penetrators, rockets and other munitions during operations in southern Baghdad Nov. 17. Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment “Black Lions,” 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, launched the operation after some individuals were spotted fleeing after a rocket attack in the Aamel neighborhood of West Rashid. The two suspects were tracked to a house and detained.

A search of the building revealed the cache. The cache contained six complete explosive-formed penetrators, three 107 mm Iranian-made rockets, more than 30 mortar rounds of various calibers, 12 57 mm projectiles and other explosives and bomb-making materials.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

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'Awakening' in Iraq Brings Citizens' Rise Against al Qaeda

Command Sgts. Maj. James Daniels (left), the senior noncommissioned officer with the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and Neil Ciotola, the Multi-National Corps - Iraq command sergeant major, hand out toys to children in a western Baghdad neighborhood Nov. 13. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs.

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2007 -- Determined to rise up against al Qaeda terrorists, concerned local citizens, working together with coalition forces, have started neighborhood watch programs in this area of northern Iraq.

The citizens are calling the movement "Sahwa," an Arabic term that means "awakening."

The neighborhood watch programs were established Nov. 14, two weeks after local citizens approached soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, with the idea. More than 1,000 citizens showed up, ready to be recruited to take up arms in defense against the terrorists in the region.

The program provides the citizens with weapons and a regular paycheck and has the goal not only of providing employment, but also improving security throughout the region.

"This is the biggest thing going on (for the local Iraqis) ... because one, it's putting money in their pockets and stimulating the local economy, and two, these people really want to provide their own security," said Maj. John Allen, 1-87 Infantry operations officer.

These newly drafted members of the local Multaka Night Watch, as they also are known, will take to the streets as sentinels against terrorist activity while receiving salaries based on the effectiveness of their performance.

For example, for every roadside bomb attack that occurs in their neighborhood, a certain amount of money will be withheld from that pay period as a penalty, while consistent periods of tranquility will be rewarded with bonuses.

"What this program is doing is creating significant problems for the insurgents, because it drives a wedge between them and the populace," said Army 2nd Lt. Alan Finnie, 1-87 Infantry. "By taking away the one incentive advantage the insurgents had over the government, namely money, the people now have every reason to reject terrorist intimidation and embrace the responsibility of eliminating (al Qaeda in Iraq) influence in their communities."

As a result, coalition and Iraqi forces benefit from the increased freedom of maneuver provided by the citizens groups, allowing them to more effectively seek out and eliminate the terrorist threat, Finnie said, also noting that many recruits appeared quite enthusiastic.

"It was good to see regular people showing up in street clothes taking pride in their own area so they can stand on their own feet and provide their own security instead of relying on us to do it for them," said Army Cpl. Evan Siegrist, 1-87 Infantry Personal Security Detachment squad leader.

Such a show of force by Iraqi citizens willing to confront terrorists sends a message to insurgents that their destructive influence among the population will no longer be tolerated.

"Al Qaeda in Iraq is threatened by the Sahwa," Allen said as he described immediate intelligence reports of disrupted terrorist movements due to citizens group activity.

The success of this initial recruitment effort marks the beginning of a two week-long initiative to enlist volunteers for the program throughout the 1-87 Infantry Battalion's area of operation.

(Story by Army Capt. Johnny Giroux, Multinational Division North Public Affairs Office.)

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