Saddam Hanged

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Saddam has been Hanged today for all the Death, Destruction, Pain, and Sorrow he has personally caused to be inflicted on the good people of the World. Good riddance to a thorn in the side of decency. I will sleep better tonight knowing a evil demon has met his reward.

Welcome Home Son

My Son Donnie (SSG Harris) arrived home to hugs and kisses from his wife and children last night to celebrate Christmas and take a timeout from his duties in Baghdad and the surrounding hostile areas of Ramadi, Baji, and who knows where. He is about a third of the way through his second tour. Although I can't be with him personally, he is home in Colorado Springs and I in my home near Tampa, the relief knowing he is safe from the War makes for a great nights sleep. Unless you have a family member or close friend in harm's way, you can only imagine the weight that jumps off your shoulder when your phone rings and you hear "Dad, I'm home". Merry Christmas everyone. There is a Santa!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Pa

Merry Christmas

We pray for our Servicemen and women all over the World who have given up their Christmas with their Families so we may enjoy the Freedom to be with ours.

God Bless you all

Donnie (Pa)

Lisa

Alexia

Christopher

Suicide truck bomber hits U.S. patrol in Mosul, IED factory destroyed in Tikrit

BAGHDAD, Dec. 7 (Xinhua News) -- A suicide truck bomber struck a U.S.patrol in northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Thursday, damaging two U.S. Humvees, local police said.
"A suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden refrigerator truck into a U.S. patrol at about 8:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) in the Muthanna neighborhood in eastern Mosul City and detonated it," a well-informed police source in the city told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The U.S. troops cordoned off the area, preventing the local police from approaching, said the source, adding that two U.S.Humvees were totally destroyed.


IA, CF discover, destroy IED factory
Dec. 9, 2006 TIKRIT, Iraq – While conducting a series of cordon and knocks throughout Baqubah Friday, Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Iraqi Army, with support from 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered an improvised explosive device factory inside a house. The factory contained more than five rocket-propelled grenades, small arms munitions, 1,000 pounds of fertilizer, blasting caps and timers, fuel containers, several hundred feet of detonation cord, two compressed air tank IEDs and other IED-making materials. “It is believed that the IED factory used by the terrorists was intended for attacks on Iraqi Security Forces and local citizens based on its proximity to other recent attacks in the area,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander and senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala province. “The terrorists are using these materials to kill those that desire a safe and secure Iraq. Their goals have no political, economic or religious objectives – only death,” Sutherland added.Upon discovery, the unit requested support from a coalition forces explosive ordinance disposal unit. The EOD unit determined the material was too unstable to move and conducted a controlled detonation on site.Before the controlled detonation, the Iraqi Army soldiers, with support from Coalition Forces, went door to door to ensure the community was informed about the IED factory and cleared from their homes. Multi-National Division – North PAO

American & Iraqi Forces fighting insurgents

Thursday 7 December 2006


Iraqi Police detain suspects during raid in Tall Afar -- BAGHDAD – Iraqi Police forces, with Coalition advisors, conducted a raid Dec. 6 in Abdan, near Tall Afar, to capture an insurgent associated with al Qaeda in Iraq, detaining seven suspects during the operation.The insurgent is believed to be responsible for supplying weapons to AQI and providing them with funding and a safe house for carrying out attacks against Iraqi Security Forces in the Tall Afar area.

Iraqi Army captures insurgent sniper during raid -- BAGHDAD – 4th Iraqi Army Division forces, with Coalition advisors, captured an insurgent sniper Dec. 6 in Bayji believed to be responsible for direct and indirect attacks targeting Coalition forces. He is also allegedly involved in improvised explosive device and car bombing attacks in the Bayji area.The insurgent sniper is associated with other insurgent cells within Iraq. Iraqi forces also detained an additional suspect during the raid.

Five Task Force Lightning Soldiers killed -- TIKRIT, Iraq – Five Task Force Lightning Soldiers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, were killed Wednesday as a result of an explosion near their vehicle while conducting combat operations in Kirkuk Province.


Friday, 08 December 2006


Roadside bomb strikes joint patrol, kills one Soldier -- BAGHDAD – An improvised explosive device detonated near a Multi-National Division - Baghdad patrol, killing one Soldier in the Iraqi capital Thursday. The combat patrol was conducting joint operations with the Iraqi Army to prevent sectarian violence in a western neighborhood of the city when the bomb exploded near one of their vehicles.

Iraqi Army, Coalition forces detain three suspected Anti-Iraqi Forces -- TIKRIT, Iraq – Three suspected insurgents were detained and three vehicles were destroyed by Iraqi and Coalition Forces after being observed conducting an indirect fire attack on Forward Operating Base Gabe and endangering local civilians in Baqubah Wednesday. CF reconnaissance observed insurgents fleeing the scene of the indirect fire attack in a vehicle. The insurgents began driving erratically around the city, firing small-arms fire and machine guns at innocent civilians. The insurgents stopped at an abandoned building where they cross loaded weapons and equipment with two other vehicles. “This is another example of the terrorists’ and violent insurgents’ disregard for the welfare and safety of all the people of Diyala,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala Province. “Their hatred is spread through the streets with no regard for those that respect peace,” he said.An air weapons team engaged and destroyed two vehicles as they attempted to flee, before returning to the abandoned building and destroying the third vehicle. Air reconnaissance observed secondary explosions from the first two vehicles. Iraqi and Coalition ground forces conducted a search of the abandoned building and detained three suspects. The detainees were taken to a secure location for questioning.

MND-B Patrol finds IED, suspected bomb-maker -- PATROL BASE DRAGON, Iraq – Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), detected an improvised explosive device south of their patrol base on the bank of the Euphrates River, southwest of Baghdad, at approximately 1:20 p.m., Dec. 5. Upon examination of the IED, the Soldiers began searching the surrounding buildings in the area, looking for the terrorist suspects connected to the bomb. Within the bedroom of a nearby house, a bag with IED making materials that matched the found IED was discovered. The patrol arrested the owner of the house and confiscated the rest of the IED making materials. The suspect was detained for further questioning.


Seven suspected terrorists detained; weapons cache destroyed -- BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained seven suspected terrorists and destroyed a building containing a weapons cache Friday morning near Fallujah.Intelligence reports indicated terrorist activities in the targeted area. When ground forces searched the targeted building, they discovered a weapons cache consisting of multiple weapons and improvised explosive device making material. Most of the weapons material was buried in the floor throughout the house. Due to the amount of weapons material and the safety considerations, Coalition Forces destroyed the building containing the buried weapon cache.

Roadside bomb hits dismounted patrol, kills two MND-B Soldiers -- BAGHDAD – An improvised explosive device detonated near a Multi-National Division – Baghdad patrol, killing two Soldiers south of the Iraqi capital Dec. 7. The Soldiers were conducting a dismounted patrol responding to a possible IED, south of the city, when a roadside bomb detonated, killing two Soldiers and wounding two others.

Multi-National Forces Baghdad

War update Sat. Dec. 2 to Tues. Dec. 5

Tuesday, 05 December 2006


Insurgents attack MND-B patrol, killing one Soldier -- BAGHDAD – Insurgents attacked a Multi-National Division - Baghdad patrol Dec. 4, killing one Soldier and wounding five others.
The patrol was conducting operations to deny enemy movements and enforce curfew restrictions in a northeastern neighborhood of the city when it was attacked.


Coalition forces capture suspected insurgent leader in Baghdad raid -- BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured six suspects Dec. 4 during a raid in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad.One of the suspects captured is believed to be an insurgent with ties to the Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist network. He is a local tribal leader who is believed to have ordered attacks against Iraqi civilians and Coalition forces.

Insurgents attack MND-B patrol, killing one Soldier -- BAGHDAD – Insurgents attacked a Multi-National Division - Baghdad patrol Dec. 4, killing one Soldier and wounding five others. The patrol was conducting operations to deny enemy movements and enforce curfew restrictions in a northeastern neighborhood of the city when it was attacked.


Monday, 04 December 2006


Iraqi Police, Army team up with paratroopers, discover threeweapon caches -- FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraqi – Iraqi police and Iraqi armytroops teamed up with paratroopers from 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25thInfantry Division, to discovered three large weapons caches Dec. 3.The first cache was discovered in the town of Bahbahani, Iraq, outside ofMusayyib. It contained 15 rockets, 30 mortar fuses, one sniper rifle, 15 rocket-propelledgrenades, one rocket propelled-grenade launcher, one tripod, one mortar tube, and two60mm mortar rounds.
Once the joint patrol discovered the cache, they halted the patrol andimmediately cordoned off the area. An explosive ordnance disposal team was alertedand destroyed the cache.The second cache was discovered north of Karbala. It contained two mortarfuses, two mortar charges, one machine gun with one belt of ammo, one sub-machinegun with seven magazines, several grenade fuses, artillery fuses, blasting caps, and skimasks.The third cache was uncovered south of Baghdad and contained 100 mortar rounds.

TWO TERRORISTS KILLED, SIX DETAINED IN N. BAGHDAD RAID -- BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed two terrorists, detained six suspected terrorists, and destroyed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device during a raid Monday morning in northern Baghdad.
Intelligence reports identified the location of a suspected terrorist with ties to the al-Qaida in Iraq network and the production of VBIEDs.
As ground forces entered the targeted buildings, they were confronted by two armed terrorists. The ground forces killed both terrorists.
While clearing the buildings, ground forces discovered a VBIED and they destroyed the vehicle on the scene so it could not be used by terrorists. They also seized a cache consisting of numerous types of ammunition, including 13 artillery rounds, several AK-47's, and small arms ammunition.
Before leaving the scene, ground forces detained six suspected terrorists.

Two Soldiers killed, two others wounded -- TIKRIT, Iraq - Two Task Force Lightning Soldiers, assigned to 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, were killed and two others were wounded from an explosion near their vehicle that occurred while they were conducting operations in Multi-National Division – North, Dec. 3.The two wounded Soldiers were transported to Coalition Forces' medical treatment facilities.

Soldiers unearth weapons cache on outskirts of Baghdad -- BAGHDAD – A large weapons cache was discovered Dec. 2 at a farmhouse in the neighborhood of Bayaa on the outskirts of Baghdad by Soldiers from Co. A, 9th Engineers, part of Task Force 1-18, currently attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. The Soldiers were conducting a routine patrol of the area when their lead vehicle hit a roadside bomb. None of the Soldiers were injured during the explosion, and while they were clearing the area, they came across a wire which led them to a small farmhouse and the weapons cache. After following the wire back to the farmhouse, the engineers focused their attention on three vehicles parked in the yard. According to Coos Bay, Ore. native, Sgt. David Baker, the engineers quickly discovered that the cars contained explosives, and it was when they took cover in the nearby building, that they discovered the first of what turned out to be a large cache of weapons. “There was one false wall that contained a lot of munitions but other than that everything was strewn around inside the house,” Staff Sgt. Edward Simon, a platoon sergeant from Pensacola, Fla. explained of the scene. Among the weapons found were two surface-to-air missiles, five improvised rocket launchers, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 18 hand grenades, more than 140 mortar rounds, three heavy machine guns, two sniper rifles, five AK-47 rifles, three car bombs in various stages of completion, small arms munitions, various bomb-making components, and documents. The executive officer for Task Force 1-18, Maj. Scott Nelson, said that he wasn’t surprised by the discovery of the cache. “We know there are foreign fighter and al-Qaeda cells that are operating in this area,” the native of Columbia, S.C. said. “I think we were able to significantly disrupt al-Qaeda and anti-Iraqi forces operations in this particular sector of Baghdad,” Nelson added. In cooperation with the Iraqi National Police, the Soldiers cordoned off the area for nearly 30 hours while explosive ordinance disposal teams were brought in to assess the situation, along with heavy equipment to further excavate the land. “The INP are helping to jointly secure the outer cordon of this sensitive site and will assist in conducting some more cordon and search operations in the area,” explained Nelson. Throughout the day, police officers from the INP’s 7th Brigade, 2nd Division searched nearby houses before detaining an individual for further questioning.Lt. Col. Ali Hesen Al-Qurishi of the INP said his greatest concern was for the safety of the people, an opinion shared by the Soldiers. “Getting this stuff out of the hands of the insurgents makes a big difference,” said Simon. “It makes it safer for the Iraqi people and our Soldiers.”


Iraqi girl killed in attack on Coalition forces in al Doura -- BAGHDAD, Iraq – During an attack on Coalition forces and national police in the al Doura district Sunday, a 5-year-old Iraqi girl was shot and later died of her wounds. The girl was taken to a military hospital in the International Zone by U.S. Army medics after the Soldiers saw she was wounded. The 1st Cavalry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team Surgeon, Maj. Bruce Rivers, said medics treated her on the scene and then transported her to the Combat Surgical Hospital. Once there, Rivers said the girl received further treatment but died from the wound.

Weapons cache discovered west of Baghdad -- BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division-Baghdad troops discovered a weapons cache west of the Iraqi capital Sunday. Soldiers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division uncovered a cache consisting of four 155mm artillery rounds; two 120mm mortar rounds; six 60mm mortar rounds; one 32mm round; one 25mm round; one 12.7mm upper receiver; five rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers; 14 RPG rounds; three RPG propellant sticks; and 500 rounds of machine gun ammunition. An explosive ordnance team was called in to the site and destroyed the weapons and munitions.


Sunday, 03 December 2006

Soldier killed by roadside bomb -- BAGHDAD – A Multi-National Corps – Iraq Soldier died from injuries sustained whenthe convoy he was traveling in struck an improvised explosive device near Taji, Iraq, atapproximately 8:30 a.m. Saturday.


Six terrorists killed, foreign fighter safe houses destroyed -- BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed six terrorists and destroyed two known foreign fighter safe houses as they conducted a raid in Gharma Saturday night. Recent intelligence reports indicated the targeted building was being used to harbor foreign fighters. Intelligence reports also verified that several men were present at the targeted building during the time of the raid. Coalition Forces determined that the use of precision fires against the building provided the greatest safety measures for both the surrounding residents and friendly forces by avoiding the possibility of stray small arms rounds during a firefight. After the air strike destroyed the building, Coalition Forces were able to determine that five terrorists, along with two women and one child, were killed.Just before the air strike occurred, ground forces witnessed several terrorists moving to a nearby building. Coalition Forces were able to clear that building, killing one other terrorist and detaining three suspected terrorists. During a search of the building, ground forces found a weapons cache consisting of numerous small arms weapons and munitions. The cache was destroyed to prevent further use by terrorists.Local villagers expressed their gratitude to Coalition Forces after the raid for “ridding the area of terrorists,” whom they claimed had killed several of the men in their village. When asked the whereabouts of her husband, one 21-year-old single mother of five children said, “The terrorists killed him.”


Soldier killed in Baghdad -- BAGHDAD – A Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldier was killed during combat operations in the Iraqi capital Dec. 3.

Patrol finds weapons cache, detains three suspects -- BAGHDAD, Iraq – During an afternoon raid on a suspected sniper hideout, troops from Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, discovered a weapons cache and detained three men suspected of being connected to sectarian murders in the vicinity of the Furat neighborhood in western Baghdad Nov. 29.At approximately 6:15 p.m., Coalition forces were patrolling the neighborhood when a man waved their convoy down. The resident told the platoon leader that he’d been shot at by a sniper. The man pointed out the house where the shots came from, noting that there was a possible weapons cache inside.Upon entering the home, the platoon found more than 100 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, two AK-47s, sniper rifle ammunition, a rocket-propelled grenade, several other machine guns, four cell phones, 75 pre-paid cell phone cards, two wire spools and bombmaking materials.Three men found inside the house were detained for possessing illegal weapons. They are suspected of having ties with sectarian militias.


Saturday, 02 December 2006


Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces secure Baqubah -- BAQUBAH, Iraq – The 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army, with support from the 1-12Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, begancoordinated offensive operations against anti-Iraqi forces in Baqubah today.Acting on intelligence reports and tips, 2/5 IA, with support from coalition forcesbased in Diyala, commenced operations aimed at terrorist cells responsible for placingimprovised explosive devices, sniper operations, kidnapping and murder in Baqubah.“This is a great indicator of the commitment of Iraqi Army officers and Soldiers toprotect and secure the people of the province,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team commander and senior U.S. Army officer in Diyala. “These operations are intelligence driven and target specific terrorist cells that are attempting to destabilize the government and economic growth in the province. Some individual targets are also responsible for instigating the sectarian violence in the province,” he continued. This operation has been carefully planned between coalition forces and Iraqi Army leaders. The intent of this operation is to eliminate the terrorist cells that are operating in areas of Baqubah, and then allow the local Iraqi Police to enforce the rule of law. Iraqi Police are currently manning many critical check points; the Iraqi Army are manning several others, and another checkpoint is manned by both IA and IP in a joint effort. These check points are used to provide security and control movements within the city limits. “This military operation is designed to separate the terrorists from the honorable people of Baqubah, and better enable the Iraqi Security Forces to maintain a secure and stable environment,” Sutherland said.


Soldier killed in Al Anbar Province -- CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – One Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Armored Division died Dec. 1 from wounds sustained due to enemy action while operating in Al Anbar Province.


Cavalry Paratroopers find bomb-making materials and weapons in Hawr Rajab 4th BCT (Airborne), 25th I -- KALSU, Iraq – Paratroopers from the Apache Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division found ammunition and materials used in constructing improvised explosive device in a house near Hawr Rajab Dec. 1. The cache discovery came as part of Operation Artic Sunrise. The paratroopers found two weapons, ammunition, mortar and artillery ammunition fuses, ski masks and blasting caps. Part of the cache was found immediately outside the home.The weapons and munitions were destroyed in place by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

Iraqi, US forces combine to find cache, detain 12 suspects 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team -- FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – In a joint effort, the Iraqi Army supported by the 3rd Battalion, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, captured a weapons cache and detained 12 terrorist suspects Dec. 1 in Narwahan.The Soldiers were conducting a dismounted patrol to gain intelligence when they received a tip by a local resident regarding the cache. They discovered a weapons cache which included 10 AK-47 assault rifles, two machine guns, two mortar tubes including 70 60mm rounds, one illumination round, five cases of 12.7mm ammunition and 61 explosive primers. The 12 suspects were taken to a secure location for questioning.