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
August 12, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPERATION IVY LIGHTNING
Tikrit, Iraq- The 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse has launched two precision raids which are the fifth in a series of operations focused on neutralizing paramilitary, former regime loyalists and other subversive elements within Iraq.
Operation Ivy Lightning is a surgical strike in the remote towns of Ain Lalin and Quara Tapa, located along the Jabal Hamrin Ridge, to isolate and capture non-compliant forces and former regime loyalists who are planning attacks against Coalition forces.
The lightning raids were conducted with the combined-arms power of attack aviation, armor, mechanized infantry and air assault operations to rapidly deploy dismounted infantry to secure their objectives. This is the first time Coalition forces have deployed a sizable presence in the isolated area, and operations will not cease until these hostiles are located and destroyed.
Intelligence reports gathered from a variety of sources indicate former regime leaders may have fled to the remote area after aggressive operations surrounding Tikrit, Ba'quba and Balad have disrupted their capability to plan attacks against Coalition targets. Coalition members encourage local Iraqi leadership to take initiative and aid in the capture of subversive elements attempting to hinder the rebuilding of Iraq.
Ivy Lightning, like previous operations Peninsula Strike, Desert Scorpion, Sidewinder, and Ivy Serpent, will sweep the task force's area of operations to remove elements attempting to undermine Coalition efforts to restore stability in the region.
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