CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES

September 5, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION FORCES CONFISCATE, DESTROY WEAPONS

BAGHDAD, Iraq- Coalition forces continued efforts to prevent possible attacks by finding, confiscating and destroying caches of weapons on Sep. 4.

In an area northeast of Ba’qubah, Task Force Iron Horse soldiers detained a taxi driver who was acting in a suspicious manner. A search of the taxi resulted in the confiscation of one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, 12 RPG rounds, one AK-47 and one MP-5 submachine gun.

Fourth Infantry Division soldiers discovered a large cache of weapons in an area northwest of Tikrit. The cache consisted of one RPG, three 82mm mortar rounds, three 60mm mortar rounds, 88 fuses for 60mm mortar rounds, and one 82mm mortar tube. An explosive ordnance disposal team was called to destroy the weapons.

In the past 24 hours, coalition forces conducted 20 raids, 715 day patrols and 483 night patrols. The units also conducted 198 day patrols and 174 night patrols with Iraqi police.


September 6, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3rd ACR PATROLS NET BIG WEAPONS HAUL

AL FALLUJAH, Iraq – In recent weeks, 2nd Squadron (Sabre), 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment soldiers conducted raids of possible safe houses and dwellings of suspected former regime loyalists and other subversive elements in Al Fallujah and in surrounding areas.

Together with patrols and sweeps, these raids have netted over ten thousand artillery and mortar rounds, mines, other ammunition, small arms and hand grenades as well as nearly two dozen missiles.

These operations represent a proactive effort to root out elements that are sabotaging Coalition Force’s reconstruction effort.

The Regiment has been concentrating efforts on rooting out these former regime loyalists and eliminating stockpiles of weapons and munitions.

Confiscated weapons included (1,080) 122mm artillery rounds, 928 mortar rounds, 8,991 rounds of 23mm, 28 AK-47s, two pistols, 10 anti-tank missiles, 45 anti-tank mines, eight surface-t-air missiles, four kegs of gunpowder, 300 rounds of 130mm high explosive ammunition, three boxes of hand grenades, 20 high explosive anti-tank munitions, (125) 100mm tank rounds, 134 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, two sniper rifles, 30 rounds of 37mm anti-aircraft ammunition, one improvised explosive device and one SA-7 system.


September 6, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEAPONS CACHE DISCOVERED IN 3rd BRIGADE AREA

MOSUL, Iraq - The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is making significant progress to find and destroy weapons caches in the 3rd Brigade area of operations.

Local sources led 2nd Battalion soldiers to an enemy weapons cache south of Bajar. The cache consisted of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, four AK47s, one 9mm pistol, one assault rifle, 38 RPG booster rockets, 500 rounds of machinegun ammunition, 21 loaded AK 47 magazines, and 12 boxes of 12 gage shotgun shells.

People in and around the 3rd Brigade area of operations continue to come forward and inform soldiers of weapons cache locations.

The division’s 3rd Brigade, known as “The Rakassans” are responsible for the area west of Mosul extending to the Syrian border.


September 6, 2003
Release Number: 03-09-06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRAQI WORKERS, COALITION SOLDIERS RESTORE MOSUL’S ZOO

MOSUL, Iraq – Quartermaster soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) along with 42 Iraqis have taken on the mission of restoring the Mosul City Zoo.

Although the unit’s primary mission is to issue bulk fuel to the 101st Airborne Division, the soldiers of the 102nd Quartermaster Company, with the help of Iraqi citizens have cleaned up the grounds in and around the zoo.

The project gives the Iraqi workers, many of whom are former soldiers, a way to support their families while empowering them to get involved with rebuilding their community. As the Iraqis and 101st soldiers work together to clean the grounds and cages they share their experiences, allowing the opportunity for cultural exchange.

The Mosul Zoo had fallen into severe neglect with more than half of its animals dying due to lack of food, water and care. The primary water source for the zoo is an antiquated well, which became contaminated when the remains of a horse fell into it. Undergrowth surrounded the cages, which became littered with dead animals, dirt and debris. Weather, neglect and looters caused degradation to the electrical wiring and lighting fixtures leaving the overall facility’s condition in shambles.

Now that the grounds are cleaned, major repairs are underway. These include cleaning and sanitizing the old well, digging a new well and installing a new water distribution system. Wiring and lighting will be next and then the buildings will receive a fresh coat of paint.