NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
September 12, 2004
Release Number: 04-09-36
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLE DESTROYED IN ATTACK
BAGHDAD, Iraq- A Multi-National Force Bradley Fighting Vehicle was destroyed during an attack this morning at approximately 6:50 on Hayfa Street near the International Zone in Baghdad.
The Bradley and its crew were en route to assist a small unit under fire when it was hit by a car bomb and was rendered inoperable.
Two of the Bradley crewmen were wounded in the attack.
While evacuating the vehicle, the crewmembers came under attack by hand grenades, rocket propelled grenades and small-arms fire, further wounding four more Soldiers.
Soldiers kept an eye on the vehicle from a safe distance ensuring that sensitive equipment and weapons were not taken.
Air support was called, and as the helicopters flew over the burning Bradley they received small-arms fire from the insurgents in vicinity of the vehicle. Clearly within the rules of engagement, the helicopters returned fire destroying some anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of the Bradley.
Air assets fired upon the anti-Iraqi forces and the Bradley preventing the loss of sensitive equipment and weapons.
As the helicopters made their final pass, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle was on fire and a crowd was gathering around the vehicle. The air crew could not discriminate between armed insurgents and civilians on the ground and did not reengage. U.S. forces did not engage the crowd of civilians that gathered around the vehicle.
An unknown number of insurgents and Iraq civilians were wounded or killed in the incident. The incident is currently under investigation.
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