Good News From Iraq

Release A060511d
Large cache found in eastern Baghdad
FOB LOYALTY, Iraq – Elements of the 6th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, and 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, seized a large cache of deadly explosives in a residence in eastern Baghdad at approximately 4 p.m. May 10.

The search in the New Baghdad neighborhood by the national police and Soldiers resulted in the discovery of 142 land mines, 58 blocks of C4 explosives, approximately 8,000 feet of detonation cord, 107 fuses, 22 rocket-propelled grenades, a launcher, 59 mortars, 40 pounds of mortar propellant, four shape charges, 43 blasting caps, explosive-formed projectile materials, two gas masks, six two-way radios, multiple mortar launching tubes, maps of Baghdad and Iraq, and anti-Iraqi force literature.

The precision operation took place with no rounds fired and no injuries.

Three men were detained in connection with the cache. One female was detained and then released to a local leader under house arrest. A group of more than 300 residents gathered in the area. A local Imam and civic leaders ensured that the group demonstrating did not turn violent.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel removed and destroyed the explosives from the house.

IPs keep rolling along

Story by Spc. Rodney Foliente
4th Infantry Division
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi police and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers presented wheelchairs to wounded Iraqi policemen during a ceremony at the Baghdad Police Directorate headquarters April 25.

The wheelchairs were donated by Free Wheelchair Mission, a non-profit organization based in Costa Mesa, Calif., to help support medical needs in Iraq.

Twenty wheelchairs were presented to the policemen, bringing the number of wheelchairs distributed by the organization to Iraqi Security Forces and civilians since 2005 to nearly 615, according to the organization’s count. The distribution was handled by members of the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion.

According to Lt. Col. Ricardo Arispe, deputy chief of the battalion’s public health team, the wheelchair distribution is an important project and works toward providing medical support for the people of Iraq.

Lt. Col Arispe said he worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for more than 18 years as a civilian, and recently extended his deployment for another year for the specific purpose of continuing the project.

“Resources (here) are extremely limited,” he explained, but said he hopes the program will expand.

Sadam, a wounded policeman, said he received a bullet wound almost three months ago that broke his femur, which is currently secured together with a collection of metal rods jutting out of the side of his leg. The 25-year-old said he has hobbled on crutches for months and might not be able to walk for another five months.

“The wheelchair will be helpful, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Sadam through a translator.

According to Free Wheelchair Mission, the Orange County, Calif. based organization started in 2001, and has distributed more than 70,000 wheelchairs worldwide. The wheelchairs are shipped as a kit and put together on site. They are compact, lightweight and often referred to as a “lawn chair wheelchair” since the seat resembles a standard plastic lawn chair mounted on bicycle wheels.

Insurgents target civilians

BAGHDAD, Iraq (May 11, 2006) – Coalition and Iraqi Army forces and Iraqi emergency services personnel responded immediately to a bomb detonated by anti-Iraqi forces May 9 in Tal Afar. The blast left at least 16 Iraqi civilians dead and 134 others injured.

Iraqi Army units and Tal Afar emergency services responded and began transporting victims to the Tal Afar Hospital . As the numbers of casualties mounted, the overflow was diverted to Coalition medical facilities.

Task Force Band of Brothers Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division treated more than 60 of the victims.

Twenty-four of the 60 victims treated by U.S. medics were critically injured and were flown by Coalition aircraft to the combat surgical hospitals in Mosul and Tikrit for more advanced care.

As anti-Iraqi forces struck in Tal Afar, units from the 2nd Iraqi Army Division successfully wrapped up Operation Cool Spring VIII May 9 in a wide area south of Mosul , capturing suspected terrorists and displaying an increasing capability to take security responsibility for the area.

Troops from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division planned and led the operation which included Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Band of Brothers.

Three men on the IA's most wanted list were detained as part of the operation. The suspects were previously identified by the unit as possibly being in the area and having connections with known terrorist organizations. The three men are currently in an Iraqi detention facility.

Iraqi Army gains experience capturing anti-Iraqi forces

The Iraqi brigade demonstrated their military planning skills by formulating the mission, issuing appropriate orders to its subordinate units and watching the conduct of the operation. The brigade's planning efforts resulted in the unit coming closer to its goal of stopping terrorists in the region, reinforcing security and gaining more brigade-level command and control experience.

One of the most successful outcomes was the confidence that was built in both the Soldiers and the citizens. Seeing the Iraqi Army on patrol providing increased security to the area gave residents an increased sense of security.

Brigadier Gen. Ali, commander, 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division reported that on numerous times during the operation, villagers approached him and his men with offers to contact them if they detected any terrorist activity. The citizens thanked the Soldiers for their service and willingly took Ali's phone number in order to make the reports.

According to a Multi-National Division - North press release, Iraqi Army units in the MND-N area of operations are improving their ability to plan, lead and conduct security operations independently. To date, 16 Iraqi Army battalions and three brigades have taken the lead from Coalition Forces in security operations.

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