CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES

August 7, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOLDIER DIES AFTER SEIZURE

MOSUL, Iraq- A 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) soldier died at approximately 9:30 p.m. Aug. 6 after developing a seizure while performing duties here.

The soldier was evacuated to the 21st Combat Support Hospital.

The soldier's name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.


August 7, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWO SOLDIERS KILLED IN FIREFIGHT

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Two 1st Armored Division soldiers were killed and one wounded in a small arms fire fight in the Al Rashid district here at approximately 11 p.m. on Aug. 6.

The soldiers were evacuated to the 407th Forward Support Battalion medical facility. One soldier died on scene, the other died later from wounds received in the incident.

An interpreter was also wounded in the incident and received treatment at the medical facility.

The soldiers’ names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.


August 7, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION AND IRAQI PEOPLE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Weapons and information turned over to Coalition forces enabled the successful detaining of former regime loyalists and confiscation of weapons on August 6.

Iraqi police confiscated a weapons cache consisting of three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, six rocket-propelled rounds, three AK-47s with ammunition, one 60 mm mortar tube with five mortar rounds. The police turned the cache over to 4th Infantry Division troops at a base in the Ba’qubah area. An Iraqi who was afraid to turn them into Coalition forces directly for fear of arrest turned the weapons into the Iraqi Police. The Iraqi claimed the weapons belonged to former regime loyalists who no longer wished to participate in anti-Coalition activities.

1st Armored Division soldiers conducted a raid in Baghdad based on information from Iraqi citizens. Three individuals were detained and 32 fuses, six grenades and one rocket-propelled grenade were confiscated.

A former Iraqi Army general suspected as a leader of an anti-Coalition cell, along with nine other individuals were detained in a 1st AD raid on a house in Baghdad.

An Iraqi guard at a power station in Baghdad observed three individuals placing a burlap bag along the side of a road. 1st AD soldiers investigated and determined the bag contained an improvised explosive device. The IED exploded before the explosive ordnance team could detonate it.

In the last 24 hours, coalition forces conducted 18 raids, 965 day patrols and 722 night patrols. Of those, 164 day patrols and 181 night patrols were conducted with Iraqi police.

Since June 15, raids and patrols have resulted in 127 arrests for homicide, 26 for rape, 181 for robbery, 269 for aggravated assault, 43 for burglary, 292 for auto theft, 47 for kidnapping and 1,042 for weapons violations.



August 7, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TASK FORCE IRONHORSE ENGINEERS HELP IRAQI TOWN

TIKRIT, Iraq – The lives of Iraqi living in Al Asriya have improved thanks to the efforts of the 5th Engineers of Task Force Ironhorse.

The engineers adopted the poor rural village located approximately 15 kilometers northwest of Baghdad in early July and have completed a variety of projects to enhance living conditions.

After meeting with local leaders and elders, the soldiers brought in heavy equipment to tackle the massive amounts of trash and waste strewn throughout the village. All the debris was moved into impromptu landfills and a burn pit making the Al Asriya a cleaner place and also preventing serious health risks.

After touring three rundown schools, the engineers drew up a contract to begin repairs to the water and electrical systems. Projects are also underway to modernize utilities, since raw sewage currently flows out of homes into shallow trenches lining the roads and courtyards posing a severe health risk to villagers.

The improvements will also provide employment for residents due to the hiring of local contractors to assist with projects. The town of Al Asriya, meaning “model town,” during Saddam’s regime was called Al Faris, translated as “of the family of Saddam.” Village leaders restored the original name and Task Force Ironhorse soldiers helped erect new city signs along the highway into the village.