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
January 9, 2004
Release Number: 04-01-18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TASK FORCE "ALL-AMERICAN" AND ICDC OPERATIONS PROVIDE SECURITY, ICDC GRADUATES
FALLUJAH, Iraq - The 82nd Airborne Division and its subordinate units, also known as Task Force "All-American," continued missions over the last day to bring peace and prosperity to the residents of the Al Anbar province.
During the last 24 hours, Task Force "All-American" conducted 191 patrols, including 11 joint patrols with the Iraqi Police and Border Patrol Guards, and conducted six offensive operations. Soldiers of the task force denied entry to 50 people at the border crossing at Trebil because they lacked passports.
Paratroopers from 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, while conducting a patrol, identified a vehicle and two individuals emplacing an improvised explosive device (IED) along the road. Soldiers engaged the enemy with direct fire, killing one, wounding the other, and destroying the vehicle. The wounded individual was evacuated for treatment and is in stable condition. Paratroopers found a large propane tank with wires protruding from it. An explosive ordnance detachment secured the device.
In the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade area of operations (AO), paratroopers engaged one enemy carrying a burlap bag as he neared Forward Operating Base St. Mere. The unit fired several warning shots and then engaged with aimed fire, wounding the individual. The wounded man was carrying a bag that consisted of one155-millimeter artillery round and 13 90-millimeter recoilless rifle rounds. He also was carrying wire cutters. The wounded person was evacuated for medical treatment with non life-threatening injuries.
Paratroopers also conducted a cordon and search near Nassir Wa Al Salaam to kill or capture members of a Former Regime Element (FRE) cell operating in the area. The operation was successful and resulted in the capture of six of the eight primary targets and numerous small arms weapons.
Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC) in Ar Ramadi continue to conduct independent combat patrols to disrupt enemy activity and prevent enemy forces from emplacing IEDs and selling black market fuel along Highway 10 east of Ar Ramadi. Yesterday, ICDC forces detained one Iraqi for violation of the current weapons policy. This operation will continue for several more days and they will begin to conduct limited visibility operations.
An ICDC class of 168 graduated this morning and another ICDC class of 487 recruits will graduate tomorrow. We also graduated 220 border police candidates today at Al Asad.
Together, ICDC and Task Force "All-American" will continue providing security for the ever-increasing stability progress of the Al Anbar Province.
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