Good News From Iraq & Holy Goldfish

Release A060328a

Soldiers capture six insurgents and weapons cache near Samarra

TIKRIT, Iraq – Six insurgents were detained in a raid conducted by 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Soldiers near Samarra Monday.

The raid also uncovered a weapons cache that included three AK-47 assault rifles, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, one machine gun, two machetes, 21 bayonets, and one mortar sight. The cache was taken to a secure location for disposal.

The detainees were taken into custody for further questioning.

March 28, 2006
Release Number 03-28-01

U.S Air Force thrawts terrorists placing IED, joint, combined missions continue

SOUTHWEST ASIA — A U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator flying in Operation Iraqi Freedom identified terrorists placing an improvised explosive device near Balad Air Base. The aircraft successfully shot an AGM-114 Hellfire precision-guided missle against the enemy forces.

In other OIF action, United States Air Force F-15s and U.S. Navy F/A-18s provided close air support to Coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinities of Al Hawijah, Mosul and Tikrit.

In total, Coalition aircraft flew 46 close air support missions for OIF yesterday. These missions included support to Coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

In addition, 15 U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions to support operations in Iraq. Also, U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a non-traditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Afghanistan, Coalition aircraft flew 20 close air support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to Coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities, and route patrols.

Four U.S. Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

United States Air Force C-130s and C-17s provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa. About 160 airlift sorties were flown, almost 510 tons of cargo were delivered, and close to 2,950 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Japan and the Republic of Korea flew in support of either OIF or OEF.

Sunday U.S. Air Force tankers flew 25 sorties and unloaded more than 2.1 million pounds of fuel.

Iraqi Police learning basics

Story and photos by Sgt 1st Class David P. Benamati
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

QAYYARAH WEST BASE COMPLEX — U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph E. Evans of Columbus, Ohio, developed and runs an Iraqi Police basic skills training course, that brings recruits from across the country to Q-West.

Evans had experience in police training before he joined the Army.

“Before, Iraqi Police were just a reactive police force where they would sit in the police station and wait for something to happen,” said Evans. “Now we teach them to be a proactive police force, to go out into the community and to stop crime before it happens.”

With limited supplies and facilities, Evans has developed an 11-day course of basic police training. The recruits are taught first aid, Iraqi law, the Iraqi Constitution and prisoner handling.

“It used to be when someone wanted to become a police officer, they would be given a uniform and a handgun and told 'now you are a policeman, go get the bad guys,’” said Evans. “There are policemen who have been on the force for seven years and have never fired their weapon until yesterday at our range. They never took the weapon apart so they never were able to perform proper maintenance.”

Evans and his team teach handgun marksmanship and proper weapons cleaning and maintenance. The length of the next class will be extended to 21 days so the recruits can be given more in-depth training before they go to a police academy, whether it is the Jordanian International Police Training Center, the Mosul Public Service Academy or the Baghdad Police Academy.

“Our goal here is that they have the basic skills of a police officer and perform in an exercise and do well until they go to a police academy,” said Evans.

From 24dash and icLiverpool:

A pair of fish which appear to bear the words Allah and Mohammed were hailed as a "message from God" today.

The Oscar fish were spotted in a pet shop in Speke, Liverpool, by 23-year-old Ali Al-Waqedi.
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Long queues have been building up outside the terraced house in Mulgrave Street, Toxteth, where the fish are being kept.

Fish as messengers from god, just as strange as the rest of religion. Reminds me of that bit in the Life of Brian for some reason:

MAN #1:

I think it was 'Blessed are the cheesemakers.'

JESUS:

...right prevail.

MRS. GREGORY:

Ahh, what's so special about the cheesemakers?

GREGORY:

Well, obviously, this is not meant to be taken literally. It refers to any manufacturers of dairy products.

MR. CHEEKY:

See? If you hadn't been going on, we'd have heard that, Big Nose.

JESUS:

How blest are those who...

Hat tip to: drinkingfromhome
War on Terror
Operation Iraqi Freedom
MNF Iraq
Iraqi Army

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