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IRAQ NEWS from Centcom
July 1
Operation Sidewinder Nets 11 Iraqi Regime Suspects
BAGHDAD, Iraq - The 4th Infantry Division has conducted 25 raids in support of Operation Sidewinder resulting in 25 detained individuals including 11 that were on the targeted list, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
Confiscated weapons include six AK-47s, two machine guns, five rocket-propelled grenade launchers; one crate of rocket-propelled grenades, three rocket-propelled grenade sights and other assorted ammunition and military equipment.
In another security operations, the1st Marine Expeditionary Force in An Najaf arrested the mayor Abu Haydar Abdul Mun’im police chief and 60 other individuals. The formal charges being brought against Mun’im include public corruption, unlawful detention of persons, and battery. Each of these charges carries severe criminal penalties under Iraqi law.
In Baghdad, the 1st Armored Division secured 260 sites and detained 128 individuals.
Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 1,123 day patrols and 821 night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 178 day patrols and 118 night patrols. On their own, Iraqi Police conducted two day and two night patrols. The total patrols resulted in 248 arrests for various criminal activities including one for murder, five for burglary and 11 for looting.
U.S. Forces Not in Area of Mosque Explosion
BAGHDAD, Iraq -U.S. forces had no involvement with an explosion, which destroyed a building in a mosque courtyard on June 30. Third Infantry Division soldiers responded to the scene after notification from a U.S. aircraft that spotted the explosion.
The incident is being investigated by the Fallujah Police and coalition forces.
Coalition Forces Assist in Humanitarian Food Program
BAGHDAD, Iraq - The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment working in partnership with the World Food Program provided food to area hospitals feeding the sick, wounded, women and children. Units of the 3rd ACR delivered a total of 23,000 meals to six area hospitals.
In other humanitarian operations:
In Makhmur, 101st Airborne continued to conduct two police academy training classes with 135 candidates in Hammani Al Alil and Al Hadr in an effort to produce well-trained professional police officers.
In Baghdad, the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade delivered medical supplies to the new Baghdad Public Health Clinic #1 in the Karadah municipality. The supplies meet the immediate needs of the clinic to conduct operations.
In Fallujah, the 3rd Infantry Division’s engineers worked on improvements to Al Fallujah Hospital’s electrical and water chlorination systems.
July 2
Coaliton Forces Not Responsible for Explosion at Mosque
An investigation conducted by Coalition forces and Fallujah police into the explosion at the Al Hasan Mosque in Fallujah yesterday has determined that Coalition forces were in no way responsible for the explosion.
The explosion was apparently related to a bomb manufacturing class that was being taught inside the mosque.
Coalition forces continue to be respectful of Muslim tradition by not entering the mosque while continuing to assist Iraqi police with the investigation.
One Marine Dead, Three Injured in Mine Explosion
KARBALA, Iraq - A Marine from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force died and three were injured here at approx. 2 p.m. July 2 while conducting mine-clearing operations, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
An Iraqi fire department technician accompanying the Marines was also injured.
All individuals were taken to a nearby medical facility. The names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Coalition, Iraqi Firefighters Battle Blaze Together
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi and Coalition firefighters, along with engineers from the 101st Airborne Division, battled to control a fire at the Misraq State Sulfur Plant, 20 miles south of Mosul, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
The firefighters doused flames and cooled the ground enough to allow the engineer to drive dump trucks and bulldozers close to fire, in an attempt to extinguish the flames with tons of dirt.
U. S. Army Col. Benjamin Hodges, commander of the division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, said he estimated the fire will consume the remaining sulfur and burn itself out in a few days.
The toxic smoke affected the cities of Qayyarah, Al Shurah and Makhmur, along with approximately 25 surrounding villages, according to an Iraqi cultural adviser.
Soldiers evacuated civilians in the vicinity of the fire, as well as areas downwind from the fumes. A shelter was established in Qayyarah for displaced individuals.
According to division medical personnel, the sulfuric smoke is a danger to all people, especially to the elderly, asthmatic and young children. The smoke has caused two deaths; an elderly woman and a small child. Many others have shown similar symptoms and were treated by brigade medical personnel.
A thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. Damages and clean-up costs have yet to be determined.
Operation Sidewinder And Coalition Security Efforts Continue
BAGHDAD, Iraq - The 4th Infantry Division conducted five raids in support of Operation Sidewinder resulting in three detained individuals. Confiscated weapons include 28 hand grenades, three AK-47s, five mortar fuses, and one crate of rocket-propelled grenades, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
Operation Sidewinder has detained 20 high-value targeted individuals so far. These individuals consist of former Ba’ath Party leaders and members, former Fedayeen leaders and a former Iraqi Military Intelligence Officer.
In another routine patrol in a city approximately 20 kilometers east of Al Taji, the 2nd Battle Combat Team discovered a substantial weapons cache containing 200 rocket-propelled grenades. The 2nd BCT also discovered another cache containing 10 rocket-propelled grenades and 25 105mm rounds at a site approximately five kilometers away.
The 101st Airborne Division competed training of 21 facility protection service force personnel and 13 university security guards. The three-day training class covered military ethics, medical skills, crowd control and weapons proficiency skills.
Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 1,184 day patrols and 940 night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi police by conducting 186 day patrols and 177 night patrols. On their own, Iraqi Police conducted eight day and six night patrols. The patrols resulted in 120 arrests for various criminal activities including one each for murder and kidnapping, three for car jacking, four for aggravated assault, and 20 for looting.
Coalition Continues Effort to Rebuild Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A youth center was the main effort yesterday of Coalition forces helping to rebuild Iraq through reconstruction and humanitarian aid, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
The Al Mothana Youth Center in Mosul is the focus of the 101st Airborne Division efforts to regenerate youth activity in the town. It was previously occupied and damaged by Saddam Fedeyeen but has now been returned to the Mosul community and will soon feature Olympic parks and an arts and crafts facility.
The 3rd Infantry Division’s engineers along with local trash collection services removed approximately 1,300 truckloads of garbage from Fallujah area from June 10-29.
In Baghdad, the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade distributed 10,000 trash bags to the Abu Deshir community to have local Iraqi residents take part in clean up efforts.
U.S. Army Soldier Dies From Wounds
BAGHDAD, Iraq – A U. S. Army 352nd Civil Affairs Command soldier died of wounds received July 1, when his convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
The soldier had been transported to the 28th Combat Support Hospital, where he was receiving treatment but died despite efforts to save him.
The name of the soldier is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
July 3
Coalition Continues Effort to Rebuild Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Irrigation water in sufficient quantity reached Tala’a, a small village near Al Hillah in southern Iraq, for the first time in three years according to the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
In the An Najaf area, two hundred one facility protection service guards graduated from security training. Sixty-seven guards will work at oil and gas facilities and 134 will work at hospitals. While in the Fallujah area, Coalition forces transferred authority and responsibility for the security of the power substation to the local police.
Coalition forces continued to clean sewer pipes in different cities and towns throughout the country to minimize sewage back up and reduce the chances of a health epidemic. Five septic trucks were provided to Baghdad’s Al Schweb neighborhood to relieve a serious emerging sewer problem.
Three doctors from Korea Food for the Hungry International (KFHI) and Global Care working with Coalition forces completed the recreation of disabled veterans’ medical records.
Soldier Dies in Non-Combat Incident
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A soldier attached to the 1st Armored Division died of a gunshot wound in a non-combat incident July 3 in Baghdad, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
The name of the soldier is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
The incident is under investigation.
3 U.S. Soldiers, 3 Iraqis Wounded in Two Incidents
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Three soldiers from the 1st Armored Division were wounded when a rocket-propelled grenade hit their three-vehicle convoy in Baghdad’s Sheikh Marus neighborhood. The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. (local) July 3, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
The soldiers were taken to a military hospital.
In a separate incident, at approximately 11 a.m. (local) a red Mercedes approached a Coalition checkpoint at a high rate of speed. The soldiers manning the checkpoint signaled for the vehicle to stop. The driver failed to follow instructions and increased the car’s speed.
In response, the soldiers fired at the vehicle, wounding three adult occupants. A young male passenger was not harmed. The wounded were taken to a local hospital. A search of the vehicle did not produce any weapons.
Soldier, Iraqi Boy Wounded in Patrol Attack
BAGHDAD, Iraq – A 1st Armored Division soldier and a 6-year-old boy were wounded during a firefight in the Kadhimyah neighborhood at about 2:30 a.m. July 3, according to U.S. Central Command officials.
Soldiers were conducting a routine nighttime patrol in a rural part of Baghdad when an Iraqi man attacked the patrol, shooting one of the soldiers. The soldiers returned fire in self defense, killing the gunman and wounding a boy who was with the gunman.
The soldier and boy have been evacuated to the 28th Combat Support Hospital and are in stable condition.
Operation Sidewinder and Coalition Security Efforts Continue
BAGHDAD, Iraq – The 4th Infantry Division conducted six raids in support of Operation Sidewinder in the past 24 hours resulting in 32 detained individuals, according to U.S. Central Command officials. Confiscated weapons included four rocket-propelled grenades, two pistols, two AK-47s and one shot gun. Additionally, 4th ID confiscated an undetermined amount of Iraqi Dinar.
In other activity, units of the 101st Airborne Division detained ten individuals who were attempting to loot a wheat factory. Two vehicles used in the looting attempt were confiscated.
The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force detained an Iraqi man and woman for possession of four AK-47s and four rocket-propelled grenades. The 1st MEF received information that the detained individuals were collecting weapons for an attack on Coalition forces.
Coalition forces continued patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 11 raids, 1,236 day patrols and 925 night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 185 day patrols and 172 night patrols. On their own, Iraqi Police conducted 17 day and six night patrols. The total raids and patrols resulted in 294 arrests for various criminal activities including two for murder, four for car jacking, two for aggravated assault 16 for burglary, and one for looting.
July 4
IRAQI DETONATES BOMB NEAR CIVIL MILITARY OPERATIONS CENTER, KILLS SELF
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- An Iraqi civilian attempting to place a bomb near a center for humanitarian assistance in Ba’qubah died July 3 when the device detonated. The blast also injured three Iraqis, who were taken away by other Iraqi civilians.
Iraqi police responded to the incident, but were chased from the scene by a crowd. The attack is evidence of opposition attempts to deny assistance to Iraqis and further stabilize the country.
Soldiers from 2nd Brigade responded to the site and dispersed the crowd without incident.
The Civil Military Operations Center acts as a central point for coordinating humanitarian assistance with governmental and nongovernmental organizations and suffered minor damage as windows were broken.
COALITION FORCES SEIZE ILLEGAL HAUL
BASRAH, Iraq - In the early hours of July 4, British Coalition Forces' troops carried out the latest in a string of successful operations against criminal elements in the southern Basrah region, seizing cash and significant quantities of suspected drugs.
Acting on information from a local source, soldiers from the 40th Regiment, Royal Artillery, carried out a shock raid on a house in Khor Az Zubayr, in the south of the province. They arrested three suspected drug dealers and seized 33 million Iraqi Dinar, $11,000 (U.S.), forgery equipment, some suspected cannabis resin and two bags of pills. The three men, all brothers, were immediately handed over to the Iraqi police.
“This operation shows the commitment of the Coalition Forces to work with the Iraqi people to stamp out criminality and lawlessness,” said Lt. Col. Richard Nugee, the commander of the British forces who mounted the raid.
The operation comes at the end of a very successful week for the Regiment’s soldiers who have also seized a number of road tankers involved in the smuggling of oil, arresting those involved.
All those detained are being processed by the Iraqi judicial system.
TF 4-64 IMPROVES CONDITIONS AT KHALDIYAH CLINIC
AL FALLUJAH, Iraq – As the rebuilding of Iraq continues, so do the daily missions of supply distribution throughout the country.
Hospitals and medical clinics were looted and ransacked during the war are now operating with greater resources than before the fighting began.
In 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division’s area of operation, greater Fallujah, medical facilities have received supplies and services from the brigade and its task forces on a daily basis.
A Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, continued the distribution effort July 3 at Khaldiyah Medical Clinic.
Part of Task Force 4-64, A Company, 3-7 Infantry, delivered and installed five air-conditioning units, shelving units, waiting room chairs, toilets and washbasins, a safe, and a refrigerator in the clinic.
This marked the task force’s fourth visit to the clinic. Previous visits included assessments, medical supply distribution and salary arrangements.
“Based on what the local residents have said, the clinic has never been as nice as it is now,” said Maj. Mark R. Rasins, TF 4-64 executive officer. “A majority of the effort that has been put into the clinic is based on what the people have said they need.”
“We were able to get (KMC) two dental examination rooms, complete with chairs, lights and all the fixtures that are necessary to make them fully operational,” Rasins said. “(The clinic) hired local contractors and residents to assemble the rooms.”
The clinic has also received ceiling fans, and 15 fluorescent lights and fixtures, as well as much needed medical and surgical supplies in previous weeks.
The reception they receive now is a far cry from that of the first two visits, according to TF 4-64 physician’s assistant, U. S. Army 1st Lt. John Frasure.
“The first time we came here, we received some very unpleasant looks,” he said. “And the second time, (the residents) threw rocks at us.”
Another area of initial resentment came from doctors at the hospital.
“When we pulled up (for the first two visits), patients mobbed us, wanting us to diagnose and treat them – the doctors just stood and watched this,” Frasure said. “We were finally able to convince them that we couldn’t provide any better treatment than the Iraqi doctors – the expertise doesn’t vary.”
As the amenities continue being delivered to KMC, and with a fully functional generator already in place, the clinic is well on its way to becoming an efficient medical facility, according to Rasins.
U. S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Dunkleman, TF 4-64 intelligence analyst, has provided the handyman skills necessary to install air conditioning units and a new circuit breaker, as well as rewiring electricity throughout the clinic. “I enjoy getting out and doing this for the communities,” he said. “Most of the time I get help from the staff and locals.”
It is the increasing motivation of the local populace and their ever-warming reception to American soldiers that is making the TF 4-64 job easier to do.
“We’ve done a lot to win over the hearts and minds of Iraq,” Rasins said. “And the soldiers deserve all the credit. It’s phenomenal – they’ve gone from ‘see it and shoot it’ to handing out soccer balls with a smile. They’ve done an amazing job.”
July 5
EXPLOSION KILLS SEVEN IRAQI POLICE RECRUITS
AR RAMADI, Iraq – Seven Iraqi police recruits were killed and 13 were wounded in an explosion outside the city police department in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on July 5.
The newly trained city police recruits were attending their graduation ceremony when the explosion occurred. Investigation by 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment explosive ordnance specialists state the cause of the explosion was a command detonated device usually set off by an electronic component like a garage door opener.
No Coalition forces were present at the time of the explosion. The 3rd Armory Cavalry Regiment dispatched a Quick Reaction Force team to the site and a Coalition forces explosive ordnance detachment, which later investigated the scene, confirmed the cause of the explosion.
The incident is currently under investigation by Iraqi Police and U.S. military authorities.
July 6
SOLDIER DIES FROM GUNSHOT WOUND
BAGHDAD, Iraq – A U.S. soldier from the 1st Armored Division died as a result of a hostile gunshot wound received on July 6, while guarding the Baghdad University.
The soldier was evacuated to 28th Combat Support Hospital, where he was medically retired. He subsequently died from his injuries.
The name of the soldier is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
OPERATION SIDEWINDER CONCLUDES – NETS RESULTS
TIKRIT, Iraq – During the seven days of Operation Sidewinder, conducted by the 4th Infantry Division, which concluded July 5th, 282 individuals were detained and a variety of weapons were seized. These included 96 AK-47 rifles, 3 heavy machine guns, 217 rocket-propelled grenades, 33 grenades, 200 60mm-mortar rounds, and other military equipment, documents, weapons and ammunition. In addition, $5000.00 U.S. cash and approximately 11 million Iraqi Dinar, or about $6000.00 U.S. dollars, were seized.
Over the seven days of Operation Sidewinder and other supporting tasks, there were 30 casualties from Iraqi non-compliant forces and 28 coalition forces injuries. No coalition force soldiers were killed during the seven days of the operation.
Operation Sidewinder was the third in a series of operations which began with Peninsula Strike and Desert Scorpion. The objective of the operation was to sweep through the task force’s area of operations and root out elements attempting to undermine coalition efforts to restore basic infrastructure and stability in the region. The nexus of paramilitary activity in central Iraq is located along a stretch of the Tigris River from Bayji to Baghdad, and is also the location of several destabilizing influences in the region.
By using combined arms operations with overwhelming firepower, the raids targeted former Ba’ath Party loyalists, subversive elements suspected of perpetrating attacks against U.S. forces, and former Iraqi military leaders. The raids also assisted in locating weapons, ammunition caches and other illegal contraband.
Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse will continue to conduct active patrols to locate any pockets of isolated resistance and destroy or capture the remnants of the former regime and other hostile forces operating in its area to improve the safety and quality of life for the people of Iraq.
COALITION CONTINUES EFFORTS TO REBUILD IRAQ
BAGHDAD, Iraq – The Combined Joint Task Force-Seven Beanies for Baghdad Program delivered more than 7,000 Beanie Babies and more than 1,000 school supply items to local neighborhoods, hospitals children’s ward, dental care units, communities rebuilding projects, and community children centers in efforts to help bring smiles, to children, who have endured pain and suffering under the rule of a ruthless dictator.
The program is run by U. S. Army Staff Sgt. Kirk E. Wallace, CJTF-7 chief of staff executive administrator who said: “I know that life giving supplies are important, but so are life lifting supplies. The American Spirit is reflected in the smiles and bright eyes of the Iraqi Children that receive these small tokens of joy.”
In Kirkuk, the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion attended a United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) coordination meeting and assisted with delivering test taking supplies to the technical institute and the technical college to help ensure students obtain skills employers demand in the modern workforce.
A new police station opened in Mokakaha on July 5 with 36 graduates from the Veteran’s Affairs Office and eight Mosul University security officers ready to stabilize their neighborhood and make a difference in deterring crime. In addition, the correctional facility graduated 70 correctional officers.
In Mosul, the Coalition delivered up to 4,000,000 liters of benzene to Ninewa Province yesterday on July 5.
In Baghdad, the City Advisory Council selected 36 of the 37 members vetted. This is progress toward Iraqi citizens establishing their own government.
The 1st Brigade Combat Team and the 101st Airborne Division continued to fight the sulfur plant fire in Mosul. The units are utilizing 22 bulldozers, 16 dump trucks, five loaders, and six scrapers in addition to 57 Iraqi Firefighters and 50 civilian volunteers. The fire is nearly extinguished and progress is being made by pushing berms from the north and south. Another 5,000 gallons of foam has been requested to add to the initial 8,000 gallons.
Editor’s note: For more information on the Beanies for Baghdad program please visit www.beaniesforbaghdad.com.
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US Military Activities - Horn of Africa (HOA)
Coalition ensemble with US
July 6, 2003
Submitted by Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, Story by Sgt. Bradly Shaver
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti -- Officers from six different countries, along with U.S. officers, are currently sharing ideas, providing insight and forging a coalition partnership while serving valuable roles in the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's mission of detecting, disrupting and defeating transnational terrorism in the region.
Being a coalition force headquarters supporting the Global War on Terrorism in the Horn of Africa region, CJTF-HOA makes good use of its coalition expertise to support accomplishment of its counter-terrorism mission.
French Lt. Col. Philippe Blondy, Deputy Director, Combined Joint Staff, stated coalition forces are in Djibouti to help integrate coalition capabilities and knowledge. They reinforce legitimacy of CJTF actions within the Combined Joint Operation Area.
"The Coalition military here is great in coordinating and working as a liaison between the different forces," said Marine Lt. Col. Kenneth Punter, training and exercise officer for CJTF-HOA. "It makes it much easier when you have an officer who can speak the language and understand how other forces operate."
The eleven officers currently serving on the CJTF staff are from Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Romania, South Korea and France. They come from all services: Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force and are working in various specialized areas to maximize the unique capabilities each brings to the operation. Previously, officers from Yemen, Italy and Spain have served with the coalition force as well.
"The coalition are professional and work very well with us," commented Punter, who has been working with coalition forces here for more than two months. "We utilize their experience and knowledge as fully as possible."
The CJTF range planning and management officer hails from the Korean Marine Corps. Having initially served in the operations section while aboard USS Mt. Whitney, supporting activities at Camp Lemonier from off the coast of Africa, Maj. Byounghyen An, from Seoul, South Korea, admits the work load increased significantly when he arrived at Camp Lemonier three months ago.
"I am very glad to contribute to the mission accomplishment of CJTF-HOA," said An, who serves with the Joint Chief of Staff in Korea. "I am very fortunate to have this opportunity."
Because their countries are included in the CJTF-HOA operations area, Ethiopian and Kenyan representatives provide first hand knowledge and experience on host nation issues and serve as key links with their Armed Forces counterparts. Their presence on the CJTF staff is a key element in establishing trust and building relationships with coalition and test host nation military leaders throughout the East African region.
Providing analysis, giving briefs and input on the surrounding area is what Kenyan Lt. Col. John Shungoh, intelligence officer, does here on a regular basis. "If a coalition staff department is going to succeed, we are going to be counted as part of that success," he said. "It is therefore imperative that we have to be able to work as a team. If the staff directorates and CJTF-HOA at large succeed, we have succeeded as coalition partners."
French officers assigned to the CJTF staff play an invaluable role in serving as the interface with French garrison forces assigned in Djibouti, who provide for the defense of the country.
"They are instrumental in keeping lines of communication open between CJTF, French Forces Djibouti and the Armed Forces of Djibouti," said Punter. "There are two French officers here and they put forth a lot of help and effort. They assist us with oral and written translations, which is a tremendous help in our daily tasks."
In order to plan various activities, especially in the field of training forces, coalition officers also provide access to shooting ranges and training facilities, according to Blondy.
Fighting terrorism requires an active, holistic strategy, bringing to bear elements of force, diplomacy, economics, education and information in an aggressive, coordinated effort. No one force or nation can win the war on terrorism alone.
CJTF-HOA, in fighting the war on terrorism in an area defined as the land, airspace and coastal waters of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, is drawing on the strength and skill of host nation and coalition partners to win this war.
Due in large part to coalition officer presence on the CJTF staff, a significant outcome of the counter-terrorism mission thus far is the establishment and reinforcement of strong relationships with many different nations, all aimed at dealing a crushing defeat to terrorism in the Horn of Africa region.
Link to story and additional pictures
News from Afghanistan - various sources
July 1, 2003
The Niswan Girls School opened June 30 in Gardez in Paktya Province. Costing over $12,000, Niswan currently has 800 students, in grades 1-12, attending the school. The school serves the greater Gardez area. School officials say the children are returning to school after decades of war. However, the quality of their education has been affected by the lack of classroom space. They also say attendance will rise from 800 to over 1,200 next year because of the increase in the demand of education in Paktya Province.
July 2, 2003 - no report
July 3, 2003
Jordanian engineers tested the Aardvark mine clearing machine yesterday in Kandahar after it had been inoperative for three months. The commanders of the Jordanian de-mining team in Kandahar said that they tested everything and are all ready to begin." The Aardvark machine is similar to a tractor, but has chains that beat the ground setting off mines instead of blades that till the earth. The driver sits in a booth that protects him from injury while running the machine. The Aardvark is highly effective in clearing large areas. The de-mining engineers will start clearing operations Saturday and will work five days a week until they are replaced by another team from Jordan in August.
Two U.S. Special Operations Forces soldiers were injured and medically evacuated to Bagram Air Base from Kabul Military Training Center yesterday after an explosion at a hand grenade range. One soldier is in stable condition and one is in good condition. The names of the soldiers are being withheld for privacy.
Special Operations Forces personnel collected munitions from three caches at a compound in the vicinity of Kabul. The first was at a rear guard shack behind the future Central Corps Headquarters. It contained: 40(+) x 73mm high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds of various types, 12 x RPG rounds of various types, seven x anti-personnel mines, 50(+) x 76mm high explosive fragmentary rounds, two x 107mm rockets, one x Case 30mm FRAG Projectiles, two x 75mm recoilless rifle rounds, one x 82mm HEAT round, two x 122mm artillery rounds and numerous 12.7mm & 14.5mm rounds.
The second cache was located in open ground near an area where munitions were having the explosives and powder stripped out so the metal could be sold as scrap. It contained the following: one x 120mm mortar, 15-20 x 73mm HEAT rounds, 5-10 x RPG rounds, four x 82mm mortar rounds and numerous 12.7mm and 14.5mm rounds.
The third site was located at the main AMF guard shack building. Items were found inside stacked under the stairwell and in one of the main rooms and included: 65-80 x RPG rounds and 120-150 x 75mm recoilless rifle rounds / 82mm HEAT rounds.
Additionally, USSF found numerous other 73mm rounds, various mortar rounds, and several more 107mm rockets scattered through out the other buildings that they took back from the AMF. All of these items were taken by either the ISAF EOD team that was assisting USSF personnel, or brought to Kabul Military Training Center. All of the items will be destroyed at a later date.
Jully 4 and 5 no report
July 6, 2003
Text: NATO Begins Troop Deployments to Kabul
(Will take over peacekeeping role from current Dutch-German force) (350)
The first NATO troops that will take over the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Kabul have started leaving Germany for Afghanistan, NATO officials announced on July 4.
NATO will take over full responsibility for ISAF operations from the current force of German and Dutch soldiers on August 11.
Following is the text of the July 4 announcement from NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE):
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Press Release
July 4, 2003
NATO Starts Deploying First Troops to Kabul
The first troops of the NATO force that will take on the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Kabul next month leave from Germany tomorrow. NATO will take command of the ISAF mission on August 11, but the first advance party from the Joint Command Centre in Heidelberg, Germany will set off on July 5 to prepare the handover from the current Dutch/German force that is running ISAF.
The NATO mission was authorised by NATO's decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, in April. Lieutenant General Götz Gliemeroth (German Army), Commander JCC and the appointed Commander of ISAF, will lead a multi-national force composed of about twenty NATO- and Partner nations. Force contributing nations will deploy their troops in due course to ensure a smooth hand-over of the ISAF operation to NATO. The change of command is planned for 11 August 2003 in Kabul.
The ISAF mission remains firmly anchored in the UN Security Council Resolutions and the Bonn Agreement that set the course for Afghanistan, and the mandate for the NATO force will remain the same. NATO's increased involvement demonstrates its continuing long-term commitment to stability and security in Afghanistan through assistance to the Afghanistan Transitional Authority (ATA). This support, consisting of strategic command, control, and coordination of ISAF will provide continuity in the operation.
NATO's Regional Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces North Europe, General Sir Jack Deverell, will have operational command for ISAF from his Headquarters in Brunssum, The Netherlands.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
Casuality Identification List for the past week from the DoD
June 30, 2003
DoD Announces Change in Army Casualty Status
The Department of Defense announced today a change in status of two soldiers listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown on June 25 to killed in action. The soldiers failed to respond to a radio check South of Balad, Iraq. The soldiers' remains were located on June 28 in Taji, Iraq. The two soldiers are:
Sgt. 1st Class Gladimir Philippe, 37, of Linden, N.J. and,
Pfc. Kevin C. Ott, 27, of Columbus, Ohio.
Both soldiers are assigned to Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Okla. The investigation is ongoing.
June 30, 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the identities of two soldiers who were killed while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Tomas Sotelo Jr., 20, of Houston, Texas, was killed on June 27 in Baghdad, Iraq. Sotelo was traveling in a convoy when a rocket propelled grenade struck his vehicle.
Sotelo was assigned to Headquarters Troop, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, La.
Sgt. Timothy M. Conneway, 22, of Enterprise, Ala., was injured on June 26 in Baghdad, Iraq and he later died of wounds on June 28. Conneway was traveling in a government vehicle when an explosive device detonated and struck the vehicle. Conneway was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Both incidents are under investigation.
June 30, 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today that Spc. Kelvin E. Feliciano Gutierrez, 21, of Anasco, Puerto Rico, was killed on June 28 in Orgun-E, Afghanistan. Gutierrez was a .50 caliber gunner on a vehicle that was returning from patrol when it veered off the road and turned over. Gutierrez suffered fatal injuries while trapped under the vehicle.
Gutierrez was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C. The incident is under investigation.
July 2, 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today that 1st Sgt. Christopher D. Coffin, 51, of Bethlehem, Pa., died on July 1 on Highway 8 in Iraq. Coffin's vehicle ran into a ditch while trying to avoid a civilian vehicle.
Coffin was assigned to the 352nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Riverdale, Md. The incident is under investigation.
July 3, 2003
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today that Cpl. Travis J. Bradachnall, 21, of Multnomah County, Ore., died on July 2 in Iraq. Bradachnall was killed in an explosion during a mine clearing operation near the city of Karbala.
Bradachnall was assigned to Combat Service Support Group 11, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
July 3, 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today that Pfc. Corey L. Small, 20, of East Berlin, Pa., died on July 3 in Iraq. Small died from a non-combat related cause.
Small was assigned to the 502nd Military Intelligence Company, 2 ACR, Fort Polk, La. The incident is under investigation.
July 4, 2003
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today that Pfc. Edward J. Herrgott, 20, of Shakopee, Minn., died on July 3 in Baghdad, Iraq. Herrgott died from a gunshot wound while on patrol.
Herrgott was assigned to the 1-36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Wiesbaden, Germany. The incident is under investigation.
 
  
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.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole! 
