CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES

July 21, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-63

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TROOPS ENGAGE HOSTILE FORCES NEAR SPIN BOLDAK

Kandahar Province, Afghanistan – Special Operations Forces killed approximately 22-24 enemy soldiers when an unknown element attacked a coalition convoy in the vicinity of the fire base at Spin Boldak Saturday.

The coalition forces drove through the kill zone, requested close air support and engaged the enemy forces, killing approximately five enemy and pursuing the remaining forces into the surrounding hills.

AH-64 Apaches provided the air support, making several passes on the hill, killing approximately 17-19 more enemy.

There were no coalition casualties.


July 21, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-64

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONE SOLDIER KILLED, THREE WOUNDED IN BAGHDAD ATTACK

Please note: This relates to the entry of 21 July entitled "Oh Oh", involving the death of a 1AD soldier and his interpreter. - T

BAGHDAD, Iraq – One 1st Armored Division soldier was killed and three others wounded at approximately 10:30 a.m. July 21 when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device and was subsequently engaged with small arms fire in the As Sulaykh district of Baghdad.

An Iraqi interpreter working with Coalition soldiers was also killed in the incident.

The three wounded soldiers were taken to a nearby medical facility.

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


July 22, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-65

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONE SOLDIER KILLED, 1 WOUNDED IN RPG ATTACK

AR RAMADI, Iraq – One 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment soldier was killed and one was wounded when their vehicle convoy was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire in an ambush at approximately 9 a.m. July 22 on the road between Balad and Ar Ramadi.

The soldiers were evacuated to 28th Combat Support Hospital.

Names of the deceased and wounded soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.


July 22, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-66

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION AND IRAQIS TEAM UP FOR HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces and Iraqis have teamed up on a variety of initiatives in areas from higher education to security to improve the quality of life for the people of Iraq.

More than 80 percent of Iraq’s university students have returned to class thanks to the efforts of Coalition commanders who have been working with university administrators to let students know the schools are open and ready to accept enrollments.

Also, during the last 48 hours Coalition and Iraqi doctors in Baghdad teamed up to save a young girl’s foot. Doctors from the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Forward Surgical Team worked with two Iraqi doctors at Al Wasity hospital to repair the foot of an eight-year-old girl who severely injured her foot in a motor vehicle accident.

The team effort came about because the Coalition forward surgical team had the staff, location and equipment necessary to assist in performing the surgery to save the girl’s foot. Although the team’s primary mission is to treat U.S. soldiers injured in the line of duty, they also give medical care to Iraqi civilians when the needs are beyond the ability of local hospitals.

In Sulaymaniah, soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) completed the training of 327 Iraqi border guards. The training took place at a Kurdish Peshmerga compound.

During the four-day program volunteers from the area received training in conducting customs and security duties at border crossings with Iran. Now that classroom training is complete the border guards will begin on-the-job training under the supervision of soldiers in the 101st AAD.

In Mosul, the 101st AAD has hired nearly 4,000 Iraqis to help with key security and reconstruction programs in northern Iraq. The recent hiring helps restore order and repair infrastructure and also provides jobs for former government employees and former military personnel.

In addition, the injection of money into the local economies helps stimulate commerce and improves the overall quality of life in the region. The money used to pay the workers came from seized Iraqi funds and discretionary funds provided by the Coalition’s unit commanders.