CENTCOM Roundup - Bluto's Birthday Edition

Since today is my birthday, I've decided to celebrate by posting a few stories today from CENTCOM that the mainstream media deems you have no need to know.

U.S. ARMY UNIT RESCUES KIDNAPPED IRAQIS FROM INSURGENTS:

CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq - U.S. forces rescued two Iraqis who were held captive by insurgents in the Euphrates River-city of Hit, Iraq, Wednesday.

Soldiers from the Friedburg, Germany-based 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division rescued the kidnapping victims after pursuing insurgents who were fleeing in three vehicles containing the captives.

In their escape, the insurgents fled on foot, abandoning their vehicles and victims.

The soldiers found the victims under a palm tree, handcuffed near the abandoned vehicles.

No one was killed or injured during the incident.

"This demonstrates Coalition forces' ability to quickly respond," said Col. W. Blake Crowe, commanding officer for the Twentynine Palms, Calif.-based Regimental Combat Team 7.

RCT-7 is the Coalition forces unit responsible for training Iraqi security forces and providing security in communities throughout more than 30,000 square miles in western Al Anbar Province.

A search of the vehicles revealed multiple weapons and munitions as follows:

* (7) RPGs
* (5) Hand Grenades
* (6) AK-47 Magazines
* (1) Draganov sniper rifle with magazine
* (1) 57 mm. Projectile
* (3) Mortar propellant

Further investigation revealed that the kidnapping victims were relatives of Iraqi policemen in nearby cities.

JOINT OPERATION NETS BOMB-MAKING EQUIPMENT, SUSPECTS:

MOSUL, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces led a joint operation with Coalition Forces detaining suspected insurgents throughout Ninewa Province during an operation that began Dec. 18.

Iraqi Army and police forces, in conjunction with 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and Task Force Lightning Soldiers, detained a total of 17 suspected insurgents during the three-day, increased-tempo operation.

A large amount of improvised explosive device-making materials were also discovered.

IA and CF maintained a continuous and visible presence, in order to provide the area with security.

The intent of this joint effort was to capture enemy insurgents, defeat the emplacers of IEDs planted by anti-Iraqi forces and deter terrorist activities within the city of Mosul and areas throughout the Ninewa Province.

IA CAPTURES AL QAEDA TERRORIST CELL LEADER:

BAGHDAD - Special Iraqi Army Forces, with coalition advisors, captured an Al Qaeda in Iraqi terror cell leader during operations Dec. 26 in Al Yousifiyah, south of Baghdad.

The terrorist is believed responsible for kidnapping two US Soldiers from a checkpoint in Yousifiyah in June, 2006. The Soldiers were later found tortured and murdered.

Recently, the terrorist was commenting on the kidnapping during the showing of a video CD at a Yousifiyah mosque. The CD reportedly showed the kidnapping of the US Soldiers. The terrorist is also suspected of perpetrating numerous kidnappings, murders and other violent crimes within the Yousifiyah area.

Iraqi forces conducted an air-assault operation and quickly captured the terrorist without incident. One other person detained was later released.

There was minimal damage done to the objective. There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

OPERATION IN BAGHDAD DETAINS 30 SUSPECTS:

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Soldiers from the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division detained 30 suspected insurgents along objectives in the vicinity of the CiCi Bar Canal, southwest of Mahmudiayh, Dec. 26.

Of the 30 men detained, 14 matched descriptions of wanted terrorists in the area.

The operation was planned to deny al Qaeda safe haven by detaining sympathizers, planners and facilitators in the targeted area. The operation included the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th battalions of 4/6 IA and cleared an area nine by four square kilometers, suspected as being an al Qaeda training ground.

The operation was planned and executed entirely by the 4/6 IA with U.S. advisers from the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment providing communication links with coalition forces.

The operation was deemed successful, as it was planned, coordinated and executed by the 4th Brigade. Every suspect was taken into custody without taking any casualties and operational security was maintained throughout the operation.

The detainees are being held for questioning by the 4th Brigade.

IA TARGETS TERRORIST TRAINING CAMP NEAR BAQUBAH:

BAGHDAD - 5th Iraqi Army Division Forces raided a suspected terrorist training camp, detaining 13 suspected insurgents, during operations Dec. 28 near Baqubah.

Iraqi forces, with coalition advisers, raided the training camp for an insurgent group allegedly responsible for attacks on Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces. The group is responsible for small arms and improvised device attacks. The group is suspected of using the camp as a weapons storage location.

The raid occurred without incident. Iraqi forces confiscated two heavy machine guns, two sniper rifles, and ammunition.
There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

IA CONDUCTS OPERATIONS AGAINST INSURGENT IED CELL, DETAINS 3 NEAR TA'MEEM:

BAGHDAD - 7th Iraqi Army Division Forces, with coalition advisors, detained three suspected insurgents during operations Dec. 28 near Ta'meem against an insurgent group responsible for multiple improvised explosive device and car bomb attacks against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi Security Forces.

The insurgent group is allegedly responsible for a car bomb attack against Coalition Forces in June 2006. They are also suspected of providing support to foreign fighters operating against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. The group is tied to al Qaeda in Iraq.

Iraqi forces confiscated numerous components used in manufacturing IEDs.

There was minimal damage done to the objective. There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

EASTERN BAGHDAD OPERATION CONCLUDES WITH CAPTURE OF 13 SUSPECTED INSURGENTS:

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq - Soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division wrapped up an operation in the eastern Baghdad district of New Baghdad Dec. 28.

The four-day operation, meant to disrupt insurgent activity in the area, resulted in the capture of 13 suspected insurgents and killing one more. The detained suspects are in U.S. military custody for questioning.

U.S. Soldiers also recovered several weapons, including five AK-47s, one bolt-action rifle, one 9mm pistol, 15 rocket-propelled grenades, four bayonets, 700 rounds of ammunition, two 9mm magazines and 18 AK-47 magazines. Besides the weapons, U.S. forces also seized identification cards, uniforms, and cash.