EXCERPTS FROM CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES

The operation netted 215 illegal AK 47 assault rifles, 10 other types of military rifles, four machineguns, one shotgun, various weapons parts, nine assorted pistols and 10 hand grenades. An undetermined amount of ammunition, including some armor-piercing rounds, was also confiscated. Soldiers also seized 10 rocket-propelled grenade launcher sights, 12 mortar sights, a Soviet-made night vision device and four mortar aiming stakes. In addition to the weapons, the operation netted assorted electronic components, which could be used in making IEDs, three chemical protective masks, 24 individual body armor plates, assorted Saddam Hussein paraphernalia and 16 cases of U.S. meals ready-to-eat (MREs).

During the operation, a community resident tipped off the soldiers to the location of a weapons cache. Military Police found a bag of rocket-propelled grenade propellant, eight mortar fuses and 225 hand grenade fuses.

1st Armored Division’s Operation Iron Justice is ongoing and will continue to target criminal and enemy elements in the Baghdad area.



CELEBRATION BUILDS FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN COALITION, IRAQIS

HATRA, IRAQ – Coalition soldiers, local patrons and international media danced traditional dances, sang customary songs and ate a feast of both American and Iraqi food as the sun went down on this ancient city. The evening’s celebrations ended the Ramadan season and included presentations from Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, commanding general, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Hatras Mayor Nofil Hamade Sultan.

According to Petraeus, the celebration showed the friendship and working relationship between the Iraqis of Hatra and Coalition Forces. The general spoke about the progress the city of Hatra has made, adding that the people have grown because they opened their eyes to new cultures. Hatra, located southwest of Mosul, dates back to 300 B.C., and has recently re-opened to tourism after many years.