CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES

November 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-11-13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1st ARMORED DIVISION STRIKES BACK IN OPERATION IRON HAMMER

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Task Force 1st Armored Division kicked off “Operation Iron Hammer” Nov. 12 with two separate actions on enemy forces.

The first strike occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. in the vicinity of Abu Ghuraib. A van suspected of launching mortar attacks against Coalition sites was given chase by ground forces. The van made stops at several sites. Aerial support followed the van out of the village and an AH-64 Apache helicopter conducted an attack on the vehicle. The attack resulted in 2 KIA, 3 WIA, and 5 individuals captured. At a search of the first site where the vehicle stopped, 1st Armored Division soldiers recovered one 82mm mortar launch tube. A search of the other sites is ongoing.

The second strike occurred at approximately 9 p.m. in the vicinity of Al Sadia when an AC-130 Spectre Gunship targeted an abandoned warehouse suspected by intelligence reports to be used to plan and launch attacks on Coalition Forces in the vicinity. There are no reports of personnel in the vicinity of the warehouse at the time of the attack. The building was destroyed.

Operation Iron Hammer is a joint operation to target enemy operating areas, deny the enemy the opportunity to stage weapons for use against Coalition Forces and the citizens of Baghdad, and destroy enemy forces conducting enemy mortar attacks against Baghdad.

Operation Iron Hammer is ongoing.


November 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-11-15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRAQIS LEAD 101st SOLDIERS TO IEDs, WEAPONS TURNED IN

MOSUL, IRAQ– Iraqi children led soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to two improvised explosive devices in Mosul Nov. 11, and soldiers discovered a third device before it exploded.

In the first incident, two children led members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team to two IEDs near the Qayyarah Civil Military Operations Center at about 7 p.m. Nov. 11.

In the second incident, a patrol from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team found an unexploded IED in Mosul near one of the five major bridges at about 8:15 p.m.
In an unrelated incident, a civilian turned in 68 rocket-propelled grenades, 96 anti-tank RPG warheads, 16 anti-personnel RPG warheads, and 107 RPG propellant charges to the Division Headquarters in Mosul.

Additionally, soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team discovered 100 rounds
of 82mm mortar in east Mosul at around 10:45 a.m. Nov. 12.

The continued efforts of the citizens of Mosul to turn in weapons and identify hostile areas to Coalition Forces help maintain stability and security in the area.