FIGHTING BACK

We are mounting Iron Hammer...and the Iraqis are helping.

Then, two deadly attacks set off a surge in tips from Iraqi citizens: the Oct. 26 insurgent rocket attack on Baghdad’s Al Rashid Hotel and the attack a day later on the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz escaped injury in the hotel attack, but an Army lieutenant colonel was killed.

“After that there was a spike in the walk-ins,” said Capt. David Gercken, the division’s chief spokesman, referring to the number of Iraqis offering tips. “‘Hey, this group of people is carrying out these attacks from near my house.’ So now, instead of the time-date on the map … you have a name.

“We’ve been doing the pattern analysis for a while; shows us where and when … and all of a sudden you get a flood of intelligence. … You combine the two, now you can put the names,” said Gercken.

By the way...it might interest you to note that you can frequently know who is doing what by the name of the operation. 1st Armored Division's nickname is "Old Ironsides". The "iron" in Operation Iron Hammer indicates it is a 1AD operation.

Similarly there is Operation Ivy Cyclone II. The 4th ID is the Ivy Division (Ivy - after IV...get it?). So you will know this is a 4th ID operation.

It doesn't always work this way....but frequently it does.