CENTCOM Roundup

Recent action in the War on Terror Via CENTCOM press releases. The mainstream media will undoubtedly focus only on the first story.

Oregon ANG Sergeant Honored

Sgt. Lindsey and his convoy were attacked when Taliban fighters set up a false checkpoint in Afghanistan on Sept. 9, 2006. The enemies hit the convoy with either a roadside bomb or a rocket-propelled grenade, and then opened up small-arms fire on the vehicles. Lindsey, a gunner who had recently switched from a desk job at a secure base in Kandahar to a job training Afghan soldiers, died in the attack. He had volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan after having already served in Iraq and

during Hurricane Katrina to protect an officer he had driven for since June 2004. Lindsey was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medals on Sept. 22, 2006.

Airstrike Kills Terrorists:

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A Coalition air strike killed a terrorist leader and his driver Wednesday in Eastern Ramadi, diminishing the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.
Rafa Abdul Salam Hamud Al Ithawi, also known as Abu Taha, was the Emir of Shamiyyah. He frequently harbored foreign fighters who entered Iraq illegally in order to assault innocent Iraqis and Coalition Forces.
Precision laser guided munitions were used to destroy the vehicle carrying Abu Taha and his driver.
This and other recent operations in the region highlight the deliberate, methodical dismantlement of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network and those who contribute to its illegal actions.

Assassin Team Killed

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq- An Al Qaeda assassination team was killed by Coalition Forces in Fallujah Tuesday. Coalition snipers heard gunshots and quickly responded to the murder of an off-duty Fallujah policeman by gunmen in civilian clothes. The Marines from 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5 immediately engaged the armed gunmen and killed two of them.

The third gunman was killed as he attempted to flee in a vehicle.

Iranian Munitions Intercepted

TIKRIT, Iraq – While on routine patrol in eastern Diyala Province, five kilometers from the Iraq-Iran border, Iraqi security forces intercepted six heavily loaded donkeys.

Upon investigation, the patrol discovered six donkeys carrying 53 anti-tank landmines and one anti-tank projectile.

Two men in the area fled and evaded capture. The donkeys were later released unharmed into the local area.

A coalition forces explosive ordnance disposal team was called in and transported all munitions to a safe area and disposed of them by detonation.

“This action by an alert Iraqi border patrol prevented dozens of very lethal munitions from being employed by terrorists,” said Col. Gary Patton, Task Force Lightning chief of staff.

The mines were found in good condition and determined to be Soviet (TM 62) and Italian (IT VS 2.2) made models. One of the mines was pre-rigged to be used as an IED.