Release A050915b

Operation Flea Flicker sweeps through Zafaraniya

Multi-National Force-Iraq

ZAFARANIYA, Iraq -- U.S. and Iraqi forces searched houses and fields during Operation Flea Flicker in Zafaraniya Sept. 14.

The operation—conducted by Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team and Iraqi Public Order Brigade—was designed to disrupt anti-Iraqi activity in the area in preparation for the Oct. 15 constitutional referendum.

The joint force swept through neighborhoods during the early-morning mission, searching for illegal weapons, propaganda and other contraband.

Troops discovered several minor weapons violations, and detained a man with a 60 mm mortar round in a plastic bag under his bed.

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CUTLINES:

THIS STORY HAS ACCOMPANYING PHOTOGRAPHS. TO RECEIVE THE PHOTOS, CONTACT THE TASK FORCE BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS PLANS AND OPERATIONS NCO, SGT. FIRST CLASS DAVID ABRAMS AT: DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL.

ZAFARANIYA, Iraq – Sgt. Shaun Mance, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, and a Chicago native, hands out T-shirts to Zafaraniya children during Operation Flea Flicker Sept. 14. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ben Brody, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO)

ZAFARANIYA, Iraq – Sgt. Shaun Mance, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, and a Chicago native, inspects a mortar round found in a Zafaraniya residence during a search Sept. 14 as part of Operation Flea Flicker. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ben Brody, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO)

ZAFARANIYA, Iraq – As an AH-64 Apache flies overhead, Public Order Brigade troops pull security during Operation Flea Flicker in Zafaraniya , Iraq , Sept. 14. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ben Brody, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO)

ZAFARANIYA, Iraq – U.S. Soldiers and Public Order Brigade troops search houses in Zafaraniya , Iraq , as part of Operation Flea Flicker Sept. 14. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ben Brody, 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO)

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE TASK FORCE BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS PLANS AND OPERATIONS NCO, SGT. FIRST CLASS DAVID ABRAMS AT: DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL.