Operation Gecko: Concerned citizens lead Coalition Forces to cache, destroy militia safehouse

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Tuesday, 04 September 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070904-07
September 4, 2007

Operation Gecko: Concerned citizens lead Coalition Forces to cache, destroy militia safehouse
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq – Tips from concerned citizens of Jurf as Sakhr led Iraqi Coalition Forces to identify and destroy an enemy safehouse and discover a weapons cache Aug. 28 as part of Operation Gecko.

Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, following intelligence from concerned citizens, discovered a weapons cache containing 150 shotgun shells and 15 mortar fuses.

Their tips also led to the destruction of an enemy safehouse by attack helicopters that fired three hellfire missiles and 16 2.75-inch rockets.

In previous engagements during Operation Gecko, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters and Paratroopers destroyed another enemy fighting position and safehouse, killing five al-Qaeda militants.

Paratroopers and concerned citizens were also attacked by small-arms fire while moving though Jurf as Sakhr. Paratroopers returned fire, causing the enemy to flee.

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FOR QUERIES, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – CENTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT MND-CENTER_PAO@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL OR BY PHONE AT DSN 318-822-7482 OR COMMERCIAL 912-767-4114