War News
27 More Terrorists Taken Out!!
27 More Terrorists Taken Out!!
Saturday, April 07, 2007 5:41 PM
Terrorists and Equipment Removed From The World
OPERATION NETS 27 INSURGENTS IN AD DIWANIYAH
AD DIWANIYAH, Iraq- Bomb-making materials and 27 insurgent suspects were seized during Operation Black Eagle, a combined operation headed by Iraqi Army troops supported by Soldiers and paratroopers from Multi-National Division-Baghdad and Multi-National Division-Center South.
“Fighting was steady throughout the first day,” said Maj. Eric Verzola, spokesman for MND-B’s 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. “Iraqi soldiers fought bravely alongside coalition forces throughout the day against the anti-Iraqi forces.” Verzola said three anti-Iraqi forces were killed and six others wounded during the operation. He said two Iraqi Army troops and one coalition Soldier were wounded. Troops swept into the city to disrupt militia activity and return security and stability of the volatile city back to the government of Iraq, Verzola said. Soldiers of the 8th Iraqi Army Division began Operation Black Eagle in response to the recent violence threatening to destabilize the region.
A facility was found where several explosively-formed projectiles were in several stages of production. Four EFPs were assembled in the facility and secured. EFP-making materials were also found and secured. Two other locations were found containing homemade explosives. Additionally, six AK-47s, two RPK machine guns and two pistols were found and secured during the operation.
And the above actions further enables the following:
Helping Their Own
BAGHDAD - Lt. Col. Ahmed, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st National Police Division handed out supplies to a pair of elementary schools in Southwest Rashid during a joint operation with Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, April 4. The mission was the first of its kind in the area by the NP battalion and its U.S counterpart. 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division out of Schweinfurt, Germany. The police commander not only took the opportunity to deliver supplies to the Arbid and Ibn Yakhdan schools, but made an assessment of the facilities and the surrounding communities as well.
“This is a good beginning, but I want you to know that we will make the area safe for the children. We want to help you to clean up the trash in this neighborhood and make the people proud to live here,” he told Ms. Noor, the headmistress of the Arbid school in Southwest Rashid. As he spoke, members of his battalion, wearing crisp new uniforms, and displaying a professional demeanor, carried boxes of supplies into the building. A new television set, water dispenser, computer and monitor, power supply and office furniture were brought in, all of which represented progress and hope for the children who will be able to make use of these implements to enhance their education.
“Thank you for helping to care for the children,” Noor said to the police commander during their meeting. “They are your key to safety for the future of Iraq.”
The battalion commander carried a notebook with him, asking what other things the schools needed for future deliveries, conducting a joint inventory with each headmistress to account for the supplies and touring the schools and meeting some of the children there. He walked into one classroom of young girls and was greeted with a chorus of cheers, as the young ladies serenaded the police commander with a traditional Iraqi greeting of respect. He returned the gesture by asking the students to honor their families and teachers, and to work diligently in their lessons.
Maj. Joe Pierce, the commander’s National Police adviser, said that the operation was a resounding success, and an indicator of better days ahead as the new NP unit begins operating in the area. ”He assured the administrators that in addition to securing the schools, he was concerned about securing the surrounding areas,” the native of Nashua, N.H. said. “This was a great chance to get to know the population.”
1st Lt. David Evetts, the company fire support officer from San Antonio, Texas, said, “It shows that we have good partnership- the National Police, coalition forces and NPTT teams — we all work together.”
For other U.S. Soldiers who participated, the successful operation meant a great deal more than just dropping off supplies. ”I think just getting school supplies to the kids shows them that we’re trying to help their education,” said Staff. Sgt. Jeremy S. Mutart, a native of Ketchikan, Alaska and a squad leader with 1st platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, whose unit is attached to Company A. “It also shows the American people that we’re not just trying to combat the terrorists here, but we’re trying to help rebuild Iraq from little kids, all the way up to the top.”
As the Iraqi and U.S. troops drove away from the schools, children waved from the windows, reminding everyone of the where real impact of the day’s activities lay.
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