U.S. forces find, destroy several large weapons caches
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers found several weapons caches during combat operations Nov. 3-4 in and around Baghdad.
The stockpiles of weapons and munitions—now taken out of terrorists’ hands—include rockets, homemade bombs, mortars, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, grenades and ammunition.
Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division discovered the largest cache west of Baghdad shortly before noon Nov. 3.
The cache included 2,000 7.62-mm rounds, 15 RPG rounds, three 57-mm rockets (and a launcher), eight 80-mm rounds, two mortar base plates, a mortar sighting device and an 18-inch homemade bomb.
Soldiers also discovered a second cache, which consisted of 33 81-mm rounds, 26 RPG rounds, 17 60-mm rounds, eight 57-mm rounds, three mortar base plates, two fragmentation grenades, two 120-mm rounds and about 300 7.62-mm rounds.
An explosives ordnance disposal team destroyed both caches through controlled detonation procedures.
In southeast Baghdad, Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team noticed five suspicious individuals near a banana factory around 7 p.m. Nov. 3. During a search Soldiers found 19 grenades, 11 AK-47 assault rifles, eight RPG rounds, five sticks of dynamite, four blasting caps, three pistols, two RPG launchers, two RPK machine guns, a sniper rifle, detonation cord and a mortar sight. The five terror suspects were detained for further questioning. An EOD team recovered the cache.
Northwest of Baghdad, a patrol from 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division discovered a cache of 10 200-pound bombs, 25 152-millimeter rounds, three 122-millimeter rounds and a 130-millimeter round. The munitions were destroyed in a controlled detonation by an EOD team.
Around 7 a.m. Nov. 4 another 3rd Bde., 1st Armored Div. patrol found a cache in west Baghdad. This cache included 76 .50-caliber bullets, four rocket launchers, five mortar tubes and a sniper rifle.
U.S. and Iraqi forces launch Operation Steel Curtain
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – Approximately 2,500 Marines, Sailors and Soldiers with Regimental Combat Team-2 and 1,000 Iraqi Army Soldiers began Operation Al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain) in western Al Anbar Nov. 5.
The objectives of Operation Steel Curtain are to restore security along the Iraqi-Syrian border and destroy the al Qaeda in Iraq terror network operating throughout Husaybah.
The operation follows on the heels of Operations Iron Fist and River Gate. During Operation Steel Curtain, elements of the 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division and specially trained scout platoons recruited from the Al Qaim region will take part in this operation.
Since early summer, the combat capabilities of the Iraqi forces have grown in Al Anbar province. Iraqi security forces now include almost two full infantry divisions of Iraqi Army Soldiers. During the past six months, two division headquarters have formed in the province, four brigade headquarters and ten infantry battalions have deployed to the Al Anbar to join the fight against al Qaeda in Iraq led insurgency. Operation Steel Curtain marks the first large-scale employment of multiple battalion-sized units of Iraqi Army forces in combined operations with Coalition Forces in the last year in al Anbar Province.
Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists have used the region’s porous borders to smuggle foreign fighters, money and equipment into the country to be used in their ongoing attacks against the Iraqi people and Coalition Forces. Terrorists continue to influence the local population of Husaybah through murder and intimidation and have vowed to prevent the citizens of Western Al Anbar Province from participating in the democratic process.
The offensive is part of Operation Sayaid (Hunter) designed to deny al Qaeda in Iraq the ability to operate in the Euphrates River Valley and to establish a joint permanent security presence along the Syrian border. By eliminating terrorist influence in and around Husaybah, Coalition and Iraqi security forces are providing a safe and secure environment to allow the Iraqi people in that region to vote in the upcoming Dec. 15 national elections.
Additional information concerning the progress of Operation Steel Curtain will be provided as it becomes available.
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