Vacation is over

I'm back after a many month hiatus.

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Coalition forces target Special Groups leader, 49 criminals killed

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Oct. 21, 2007

Coalition forces were engaged in a heavy firefight this morning killing an estimated 49 criminals during operations in Sadr City.

The operation’s objective was an individual reported to be a long time Special Groups member specializing in kidnapping operations. Intelligence indicates he is a well-known cell leader and has previously sought funding from Iran to carry out high profile kidnappings.

Upon arrival, the ground force began to clear a series of buildings in the target are and received sustained heavy fire from adjacent structures, to include automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades, or RPGs. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged, killing an estimated 33 criminals. Supporting aircraft was also called to engage enemy personnel maneuvering with RPGs toward the ground force, killing an estimated six criminals.

Upon departing the target area, Coalition forces continued to receive heavy fire from automatic weapons and RPGs and were also attacked by an improvised explosive device. Responding in self-defense, the ground force engaged the hostile threat, killing an additional estimated 10 combatants.

All total, Collation forces estimate that 49 criminals were killed in three separate engagements during this operation. Ground forces reported they were unaware of any innocent civilians being killed as a result of this operation.

“We continue to support the Government of Iraq in welcoming the commitment by Muqtada al-Sadr to stop attacks and we will continue to show restraint in dealing with those who honor his pledge. We will not show the same restraint against those criminals who dishonor this pledge by attacking security forces and Iraqi citizens,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Coalition forces will take the necessary action against these criminals to protect the Iraqi people against future terrorist acts.”

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq

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General Petraeus congratulates Bronze Star recipient

General David H. Petraeus, Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq recently congratulated Army SSG Donald J. Harris II, 32nd Transportation Company, 541st CSSB following an Awards Ceremony in Bagdad. SSG Harris was awarded the Combat Action Badge and The Bronze Star. This highly decorated soldier is nearing the end of his second tour in Iraq, and will be returning with the rest of his unit to Fort Carson, Co. following a 15 month deployment supporting OIF. I am extremely proud of all our Soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, but SSG Harris stands out in my mind. Because he is my son. God Bless them all.


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Missing weapons recovered near Iraqi home

Sgt. 1st Class Angela Mckinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – October 11, 2007. Weapons that once belonged to a missing Soldier and two others who were killed in action were recovered outside of an Iraqi’s house in Fetoah Village, Iraq Oct. 9.

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., followed Concerned Local Citizens to the cache site just seven miles north of where 2ndBCT Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment were killed and kidnapped May 12.

The cache consisted of 28 blasting caps in their original packaging, 50 pounds of home made explosives, three 60mm mortar rounds, an AK-47 and matching rigged pouch, two U.S. M-4s (one with a M-203 grenade launcher attached), a single M-203 and a M-249 squad automatic weapon.

After finding the M-4s and the M-203, analysts checked each of the serial numbers to identify to whom they belonged.

The M-249 belonged to Spc. Alex Jimenez Jr., who was abducted by terrorists after his position was attacked May 12 in Qarghulli Village.

Currently, Jimenez and Pvt. Byron Fouty are classified as missing-captured.

One of the M-4s with the M-203 attached to it belonged to Sgt. Anthony Schoeber, who was killed in the same attack.

Another M-4 belonged to Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr., a Soldier who was classified as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown for 11 days after the May 12 attack until he was found dead near the Euphrates River.

The Soldiers’ identification cards and wallets were found in an al-Qaeda safe house in Samara, Iraq, in Multi-National Division –North’s area of operations, but these weapons are the first piece of physical evidence in the 2nd BCT’s area of operations.

During the search, Soldiers also discovered a man-made hide site near the house that the weapons were discovered.

During this latest search, nine locals who were in the area were detained and are being held for questioning.

The weapons that were found will be turned over to the Criminal Investigations Department for fingerprints and DNA samples.

2 BCT Soldiers will continue to patrol the area of operations in search of more evidence that can lead them to the missing Soldiers or the attackers.

This find comes only weeks before the 2nd BCT will be replaced by the 3rd BCT, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky., who will continue the search for the missing Soldiers and their attackers.

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Operation Eagle Shiloh III results in detention of 17 suspected terrorists

MNF Iraq reports more Terrorists taken off the streets in Mahmudiyah.

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 17 suspected terrorists during a combat operation in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, Oct. 6.

Soldiers from Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., and the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division conducted Operation Eagle Shiloh III to capture an enemy 120mm mortar cell in the Said Abdulla Corridor, west of Mahmudiyah.

The mortar cell has been wanted for launching indirect fire attacks indiscriminately into the city.

Wanting to surprise terrorists, Soldiers air assaulted into the village and searched houses in the area.

While searching the houses, Soldiers detained 17 suspected terrorists and seized two AK-47s.

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Coalition Forces find cache near Euphrates

Multi-National Division – Center PAO

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — October 1, 2007. Coalition Forces operating on a tip from concerned local citizens southwest of Rushdi Mullah, Iraq, discovered a cache the morning of Oct. 1.

Soldiers of Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., searched the area based on the tip and found a cache.

The cache contained 53 82mm mortar rounds, four 60mm rounds, eight 80mm rockets, 26 68mm flechette rockets, an OG-7V rocket and 200 sticks of propellant.

The weapons cache was destroyed in a controlled detonation by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

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The Bird's The Word

I can't pass this up. Really neat video, and the song brings back some long ago memories when I was desert flying in a UH-1H (Huey).

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Dude where's Waldo?

Looks like a particular "Sniper" taking potshots at our Troops has been given a name. Certain soldiers south of Baghdad are looking for "Waldo", a wannabe terrorist. I don't think I would want to be one of Waldo's close friends unless my life insurance premium was paid up. Watch your back when Waldo is around.

"Dude Where's Waldo?"

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U.S. launches big operation south of Baghdad

I'm not very keen on quoting Reuters as I feel they promote terrorism (look at their Stringers), but I was drawn to this news item today. No doubt the "Surge" is working. America won't quit even though our Politicians surrendered a long time ago. "Get Some"

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Around 8,000 U.S. forces launched a fresh operation on Monday targeting Islamist al Qaeda militants in farmland south of Baghdad, the military said.

In pre-dawn raids, helicopter-borne troops swept into an area the U.S. military said was an al Qaeda safe haven around the Euphrates river valley, 35 km (22 miles) south of Baghdad.

The terrain, criss-crossed with an extensive canal system, has been the location of fierce fighting between U.S. forces and militants in the past and at least one air strike was called in during the early hours of the operation, a spokeswoman said.

Tens of thousands of U.S. and Iraqi forces are engaged in a series of security clampdowns in and around Baghdad to thwart sectarian violence pushing Iraq towards full civil war.

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I'm with Fred

I am an American. Not afraid to let my Grandchildren enjoy their youth.

I'm am doing something that never before crossed my mind. Openly supporting a Presidental Candidate. But, I strongly believe big changes need to be made to secure for our Children and Grandchildren the basic premises of America and protect the Freedoms we enjoy. For this reason I'm_with_Fred .

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MEMORAL DAY 2007

HONOR THE FALLEN
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

For today, we honor those who have stood in defense of our freedom; and, most of all, we honor those that fell so doing

An Important Observation

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His life may depend on it

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Remember our fallen Heros

Remember the families and friends of our Soldiers who died serving their country Saturday in Iraq. A truly sad day for all Americans and Freedom loving people. God bless them all

A Message toTerrorists ئثسسشلث فخ ،ثققخقهسفس

Terrorists need to go get a real job
Possibly Iran, Syria, and
maybe even N. Korea
are hiring

Opportunities for long term
employment in Iraq
are diminishing rapidly

Rules of Engagement

I watched the Presidents speech last night (I usually turn it off because he is not a very good orator). My hope from all this is maybe our troops can go in and get the job done without fear of going to jail with a murder charge for killing scumbag insurgents and their "human shields". It's time we fire the first shot.

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