Shek

July 18, 2005
Iraqi Police working with MNF uncover large weapons cache
(TFF Press Release)

MOSUL, IRAQ (July 18, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom seized a large weapons cache, detained eight suspected terrorists, and killed five terrorists during operations in northern Iraq today and Sunday.

Iraqi Police with support of Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment seized a large weapons cache during a raid operation in western Mosul today. The cache consisted of over 1,000 mortar rounds, over 25 mortar firing systems, 150 rockets, 450 rocket propelled grenade rounds, 26 RPG launchers, numerous missile firing systems, shape charges, improvised explosive devices, and over 30 assorted rifles. The weapons were confiscated for future destruction.

In a separate operation Iraqi Police and Soldiers form the 1-24th detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a raid operation in western Mosul today. Suspects are in custody with no MNF or ISF injuries reported.

In other operations Soldiers from the 1-24th killed one terrorist and detained five other suspected terrorists during two raid operations in today. The 1-24th killed the terrorist after being attacked with small arms fire during one of the operations. Soldiers from 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment killed four terrorists setting up a mortar attack in Tal Afar Sunday. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment detained one individual suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation in eastern Mosul today. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.

Coordinated efforts of Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom are leading to the arrest of terrorists and criminals responsible for attacks against innocent Iraqi citizens. Anyone with information on anti-Iraqi insurgent activities should call the Joint Coordination Center’s telephone numbers at 513462 or 07701623300.

Shek

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/m...-4590656c.html

Soldiers of (good) fortune: Strykers find weapons cache

MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Published: July 19th, 2005 12:01 AM

Troops from the second Fort Lewis Stryker brigade, with their Iraqi counterparts, found an underground weapons stash in Mosul on Monday that might be the biggest since they arrived in the city 10 months ago, brigade officials said.
The find – it included thousands of mortars and artillery rounds and rocket-propelled grenades, as well as 26 shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles – was another instance of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division’s recent good fortune.

Things are going well for the Fort Lewis troops as they head into what will likely be the final two months of their yearlong deployment in Iraq.

More than any other measure, there’s this: It’s been 52 days since the brigade lost a soldier. But that’s not anything brigade leaders want to say out loud.

“We notice it, but we’re superstitious also, so we try not to recognize it,” said Lt. Col. Gordy Flowers, the deputy brigade commander. “It’s just so heartbreaking when we lose someone.

“We’re spending every day making sure we’re doing everything we can to keep every young soldier alive and bring them back to their loved ones,” he said.

Recent successes include the capture last month of Mohammed Shakara, also known as Abu Talha, al-Qaida’s leader in northern Iraq, and several of his lieutenants.

Troops also have made it tougher for insurgents and foreign fighters to move into and around Mosul by constructing a berm and beefed-up traffic checkpoints around the city of 2 million.

Flowers and others said Stryker troops have seen more success in their partnership with the Iraqi army and police. Flowers is two months into his second stay in Mosul. He was there 10 months last year as a battalion commander with the first Stryker brigade.

“The major change you see is the improvement in the Iraqi security forces,” he said.

Monday’s find – and two others over the weekend – were the result of tips to Iraqi police, brigade spokesman Capt. Duane Limpert said. On Friday, Iraqi police backed by Stryker troops rescued a kidnapped Mosul girl and captured her abductors.

Monday’s haul was sizable. In addition to the mortars, artillery rounds, rockets and missiles, troops found assembled roadside bombs and bomb-making equipment, anti-tank mines, 250 hand grenades, 1,500 blasting caps and more than 10,000 rounds of rifle ammunition.

Soldiers found most of it stashed in a bunker underneath a goose coop, accessible by a 2-foot-by-2-foot hole concealed by straw, according to brigade reports.

The brigade has benefited from its strengthened presence in Mosul. In May, it pulled virtually all its units in from around northern Iraq as other U.S. troops took over in the northwest sector of the country, including the troubled city of Tal Afar.

Limpert said the brigade’s 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment set up around the outskirts of Mosul to better control access into the city.

But now much of the cavalry and elements from the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry have been ordered 150 miles to the southwest to join a campaign along the Euphrates River near the Syrian border. Stryker troops fought insurgents over the weekend in the town of Rawah.

Limpert said plans are still on track for the brigade to return to Fort Lewis on schedule in September and October, although that could change. Iraq’s national constitutional referendum, scheduled for Oct. 15, is a potential delay.

“We all think we know when we’re going home, but we don’t want to get too excited because we know it could change,” Limpert said. “We’ll have a pretty good idea in the next three to four weeks.”

Shek

Security Forces detain 20, seize two weapons caches
(TFF Press Release)

MOSUL, IRAQ (July 19, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom detained 20 suspected terrorists and seized two weapons caches during operations in northern Iraq Monday.

Iraq Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division Iraqi Army seized a weapons cache during a search operation south of Mosul. The cache consisted of thousands of pounds of explosives. The munitions were confiscated for future destruction.

Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained 14 individuals suspected of terrorist activity during two separate operations in and near Tal Afar. Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity following an attack on a military base south of Sinjar. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity during operations in Mosul and Rawah. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity while patrolling in southern Mosul. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.

Soldiers from the 3-21st also seized a weapons cache during a search operation in northern Mosul. The cache included numerous explosives detonators and various artillery rounds. The weapons were confiscated for future destruction.

Coordinated efforts of Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom are leading to the arrest of terrorists and criminals responsible for attacks against innocent Iraqi citizens. Anyone with information on anti-Iraqi insurgent activities should call the Joint Coordination Center’s telephone numbers at 513462 or 07701623300.