CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES

July 14, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-49

UPDATE: ONE SOLDIER KILLED, 10 WOUNDED IN RPG ATTACK

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A soldier from 3rd Infantry Division was killed and 10 others were injured at approximately 7 a.m. July 13 when the convoy they were traveling in was attacked by multiple rocket-propelled grenades.

The convoy was returning from a routine patrol mission when it began receiving fire. An RPG hit the two-and-a-half-ton truck in the convoy. The RPG passed through the driver’s cab into the engine causing the vehicle to catch on fire. A second RPG hit the high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle in the side and passed all the way through the vehicle.

Ten soldiers were injured in the attack, three of them seriously. The soldiers were evacuated to the 28th Combat Support Hospital for treatment. Seven soldiers were returned to duty.

Both vehicles were destroyed in the ambush.

Names of the dead and injured are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

This release updates CentCom release #03-07-47.

July 16, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-50


MARINE DIES FROM FALL

AL HILLAH, Iraq - A 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Marine died here July 15, as a result of injuries received after falling from the top of a building where he was standing guard duty.

The Marine was immediately evacuated to a nearby military surgical unit where he died.

The Marine's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

July 16, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-51


ONE SOLDIER KILLED, THREE WOUNDED IN ATTACK ON CONVOY

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A soldier from the 3rd Corps Support Command was killed and three others wounded at approximately 9:55 a.m. today in a rocket-propelled grenade attack on their convoy as it was traveling near Abu Ghuraib prison in the western part of Baghdad.

The soldiers were evacuated to the 447th Forward Support Battalion for treatment.

The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

July 16, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-52


SODA MOUNTAIN CONTINUES TO SECURE IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The 4th Infantry Division continued to lead the way in Operation Soda Mountain with supporting operation, Operation Ivy Serpent, in order to create a secure environment in Iraq.

Since the beginning of the operation on July 12, the 4th ID has conducted 71 raids and detained 448 individuals, including 38 individuals identified as key former regime loyalists leaders. Confiscated weapons include 102 AK-47s, 387 125mm mortar rounds, and four 60 mm mortar tubes.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force discovered and destroyed eight SA-7 missiles located in the Muhawil ammunition supply point.

The 1st MEF came to the aid of an U. S. Army convoy that was attacked with an improvised explosive device in Babil. They later captured two of the attackers and confiscated a Dragonov rifle, AK-47s and ammunition. The attackers were taken for questioning.

The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment seized a weapons cache in a town north of Habinyah. The weapons seized consisted of 400 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 15 mortars with fuses and one anti-tank mine. A bunker complex was identified as well. An engineer unit demolished the bunker site

In other activity, a unit of the 101st Airborne Division secured the former Iraqi Military stipend payments paying 1,065 former Iraqi soldiers on the first day.

Elsewhere, Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 65 raids, 1,347-day patrols and 1,690-night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 172-day patrols and 216-night patrols. Independently, the Iraqi Police conducted eight day patrols and two night patrols.

The total raids and patrols resulted in 360 arrests for various criminal activities including four for murder, five for car jacking, 11 for aggravated assault, 11 for burglary, and 13 for looting.