CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES

September 12, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4 ID CONTINUES TO CAPTURE FORMER REGIME LOYALISTS
TIKRIT, Iraq – Fourth Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse units conducted a series of successful raids and patrols throughout the Task Force area of Operations targeting former regime loyalists suspected of selling weapons and planning attacks against Coalition forces on Sep. 11.

They conducted more than 280 patrols and seven raids. Additionally, 63 joint patrols were conducted with the Iraqi police, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, and Border Guards. Twenty-three individuals were detained including seven targeted individuals.

In a raid near Taji, two individuals were detained on suspicion of planning attacks against coalition forces. Confiscated weapons included five AK-47s, two rifles, one .38 caliber pistol, one 9mm pistol, one night vision scope for a rifle, nine electronic triggering devices, thousands of rounds of ammunition and 700,000 Iraqi Dinar. No injuries or damage to equipment were reported during the raid.

In another raid near Samarra, a tip from a local Iraqi citizen helped to detain two former regime loyalists suspected of planning attacks against coalition forces. The individuals were apprehended along with 12 grenades. The individuals were detained without incident.

In additional raids and patrols, Task Force Ironhorse soldiers seized eight AK-47s, three rifles, six rocket-propelled grenade launchers, five rocket-propelled grenade rounds, five pistols, two bayonets, 10 grenades, two 155mm artillery rounds, 150,000 U.S. dollars, various documents, 27,000 Iraqi Dinar, 100 uniforms, multiple gas mask and various other weapons parts.


September 12, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION SUPPORTS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION DAY

BALAD, Iraq – Medical personnel from units attached to the 4th Infantry Division helped Iraqi medical personnel administer vaccines to children during Iraqi National Immunization Day, which is held the 22nd day of each month to vaccinate children and provide supplemental vaccinations to immunized adults against preventive diseases.

The immunizations were given at Balad General Hospital.

Iraq’s practice of preventive medicine should reduce the need for long-term patient care and allow for a healthier population.

Coalition forces’ participation in this monthly event demonstrates the support the Coalition gives for the restoration and normalization of Iraqi society.


September 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRAQI CITIZENS' TIPS AID COALITION FORCES

MOSUL, Iraq - the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division detained an Iraqi man and his brother on Sep. 11 for violating Coalition weapons laws.

A walk-in source said he knew where an individual lived who was hiding a weapons cache. Second Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment immediately sent a quick reaction force to the location of the house. The soldiers confronted the man, asking whether he had any weapons in his house. He responded affirmatively and brought out a rocket-propelled grenade.

Suspicious, the QRF then went into the house and found two RPGs with boosters, 25 rounds of 14 mm anti-aircraft ammunition and six AK-47 magazines.

The 101st Airborne Division encourages local citizens to cooperate with authorities in identifying those who would upset the peace and stability of northern Iraq. In most cases a monetary reward is paid for information that proves accurate.


September 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHECKPOINT GUNFIRE LEADS TO WEAPONS CACHE

MOSUL, IRAQ – Six Iraqis were detained after they attempted to run a checkpoint near the towns of Saff At Tuth Isfia and Talul An Nasir in the 101st Airborne Division’s area on Sep. 10. Subsequent operations resulted in the discovery of a large weapons cache in one of their homes.

Soldiers of 1st Brigade Combat Team fired warning shots when a van and motorcycle refused to slow down and began speeding through a checkpoint. The van stopped and the motorcycle crashed into concertina wire. No one was hurt. After the soldiers found an AK-47 in the van, all six were taken to a holding cell at Qayyarrah West Airfield.

During interrogation, the individuals gave conflicting stories, but revealed the names of their hometowns, Saff At Tuth Isfia and Talul An Nasir. A Muktar, or town leader, of Talul An Nasir showed U.S. forces where two of the individuals lived.

Soldiers searched their home and found two AK-47 rifles, a mortar sight, three loaded magazines, a periscope, two gas masks, a mine detector, two camouflage jackets, a pistol belt, an improvised detonator, a box of shotgun flares, a flare gun, and a 4-barrel anti-aircraft gun.

Also found were three Ministry of Defense identification cards, one passport, and 5,250,000 Dinar.

One individual was seen leaving the house as soon as the element pulled up. Soldiers pursued the individual, but were unable capture him. The brigade immediately launched more operations to search the homes of the other detainees.


September 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION HELPS RECONSTRUCT ROADS IN BAGHDAD

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces are working to make Baghdad city streets safer places to travel and a visible sign of progress in Iraq. The 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, an Army Reserve unit based in Riverdale, Md., and part of Task Force 1st Armored Division, recently assessed various road construction sites in Baghdad as part of their road maintenance program.

The Civil Affairs started the program in April, after finding the streets of Baghdad in poor condition. During the first phase of the project, the 354th CA Brigade selected six major roads within the city for improvements. During the first phase, the Iraqi construction crews widened the streets, built center medians, posted signs and fixed streetlights.

Phase two of the road maintenance program entails a more detailed approach, including resurfacing the roads, ensuring guard rails are placed along critical points and proper signage is placed throughout the city. This is expected to be the longest phase of the project as such efforts entail “catching up” for the lack of maintenance during the previous regime.