U.S. Soldiers Nab 43 Suspects South of Baghdad

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2005 - Task Force Baghdad soldiers detained 43 suspected terrorists during recent operations conducted to ensure a safe environment for Iraq's upcoming national elections, military officials in Baghdad reported today.

On Dec. 10, soldiers discovered a house containing an makeshift bomb and detained four suspected terrorists in separate incidents.

During a routine patrol of an area south of Baghdad, the Soldiers of B Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, inspected an abandoned house and discovered the bomb, which consisted of a 5-foot pipe filled with explosives. An explosives team detonated it.

Earlier in the day, soldiers from A Battery, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, detained two terrorists after searching their home. The soldiers found two AK-47 assault rifles with loaded magazines and a 12-gauge shotgun.

Soldiers from D Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, detained two more terrorists after an explosion was heard in their area of operation. Upon investigation, the troops discovered a bomb had prematurely detonated. They searched the area and detained two suspected triggermen.

South of Baghdad, soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, detained 28 suspected terrorists in two separate incidents during continuous operations Dec. 8 and 9.

The soldiers of C Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, nabbed 17 individuals Dec. 9 after an informant identified and associated them with terrorist activity. The capture began while the unit was conducting a cordon-and-search operation. Soldiers saw three suspicious men in a nearby field who appeared to be in an observation position. The suspects fled in two groups as a patrol approached to question them. Coalition forces engaged two of the men, killing them.

The third terrorist ran into a nearby house. Company soldiers immediately searched the home, capturing the individual, plus 16 more suspected terrorists.

In another incident, soldiers from D Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, detained 11 suspected terrorists after stopping two vehicles in the early evening Dec. 8.

The soldiers were patrolling south of Baghdad when they stopped two suspicious vehicles containing eight individuals. Upon investigation, the soldiers discovered multiple cell phones, AK-47s, and two 120 mm rounds rigged as bombs. Six individuals were detained, but two men ran into a nearby house.

The patrol conducted a cordon-and-search operation and found three more individuals in the house. Soldiers detained all five suspects discovered in the house.

An explosives team confirmed the cars were being used to transport and emplace makeshift bombs. The team destroyed one vehicle and the Iraqi army confiscated the other.

In the skies over Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 54 close-air-support missions Dec. 13.
U.S. Air Force F-16s and F-15s performed air strikes in the vicinity of Baghdad. The F-16s expended precision-guided munitions to successfully deny insurgents access to a bridge. The F-15s expended precision-guided munitions against an enemy bunker.

U.S. Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with insurgents near Balad.

Thirteen U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of Iraq operations. British Royal Air Force fighter aircraft also performed in a nontraditional ISR role with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward news releases.)

Related Sites:

Multinational Force Iraq [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/]

U.S. Central Command Air Forces [http://www.centaf.af.mil/]

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