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DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTY
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was
supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Jacob S. Fletcher, 28, of Bay Shore, N.Y., was killed on Nov. 13 in Samara, Iraq. Fletcher was riding on a bus when an improvised explosive device exploded. Fletcher died of his injuries.
Fletcher was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Camp Ederle, Italy (part of Task Force Ironhorse).
The incident is under investigation.
(Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and fellow soldiers of PFC Fletcher).
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>From Central Command news release on 11-16-03:
OPERATION IVY CYCLONE II
TIKRIT, Iraq – The 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse has launched a series of combined arms operations to include air and ground strikes against identified targets, along with precision raids against non-compliant groups and individuals focused on neutralizing paramilitary, former regime loyalists, foreign fighters and other extremist and subversive elements within task force area of responsibility.
Operation Ivy Cyclone II will utilize actionable intelligence combined with overwhelming combat power and precision strikes intended to isolate and capture non-compliant forces and foreign insurgents who are planning attacks against coalition forces.
The ongoing operation is to be conducted with an appropriate mix of combined arms power using close air support, Army aviation, armor, artillery, mechanized infantry and air assault operations to rapidly deploy dismounted infantry to secure their objectives. Coalition forces will continue to deploy sizable resources in specific areas that have been identified as platforms for coordination and control of enemy operations.
Extremist and insurgents commit violent acts against innocent Iraqi and coalition soldiers in an effort to weaken the resolve and strong relationship these partners in democracy share. The coalition and the citizens of Iraq will not succumb to these criminal acts. The blunt and important objective of this operation is to locate and destroy hostile factions.
Intelligence reports gathered from a variety of sources indicate former regime leaders, criminals and other subversive groups are operating in the areas of Tikrit, Ba’quba, Kirkuk and Balad. This operation directly targets those operations. The intention is to permanently disrupt their capability to plan attacks against coalition targets. Coalition members encourage the local Iraqi leadership to take the initiative and aid in the capture of subversive elements who attempt to hinder the rebuilding of Iraq.
Ivy Cyclone II, like previous operations Peninsula Strike, Desert Scorpion, Sidewinder, and Ivy Serpent will sweep the task force’s area of operations to root out elements attempting to undermine coalition efforts to restore stability in the region.
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U.S. Army Bombards Targets Near Saddam's Hometown
By Dean Yates
TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. troops fanned out around Saddam Hussein's hometown in Iraq overnight and unleashed mortar and tank rounds on various targets as part of a fresh military operation against insurgents.
Reporters with the 4th Infantry Division's 1-22 Battalion saw shells fired at positions from where commanders said insurgents had lobbed mortars or rockets at the division's base, inside one of Saddam's former palace complexes in Tikrit town.
The ground shook as rounds landed and flares continued to light up the night sky early Monday in an operation coordinated with other battalions in the division and backed by attack helicopters.
In one attack, four M1 Abrams tanks perched on top of a desert cliff fired rounds at a position in the fields below, from where American troops said insurgents had fired a rocket earlier in the day. Exploding shells fired by other units thudded in the distance.
"For us this is not a display, we want to get the enemy... The message is: 'Give up, it's over'," said 1-22 Battalion commander Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Russell, before the tanks opened up.
IVY CYCLONE TWO
The bombardment coincided with the launch Sunday of a campaign dubbed Ivy Cyclone Two, an operation aimed at insurgents in north-central Iraq.
President Bush declared an end to major combat in Iraq on May 1, but since then Iraqi insurgents have stepped up attacks on U.S.-led occupation forces.
The mounting U.S. casualty toll has prompted the U.S. military to respond with operations around Tikrit and in Baghdad. But that has done little to slow attacks on U.S. soldiers and other troops from the occupation forces.
As part of the new campaign, troops fired a satellite-guided missile for the first time since major combat was declared over, an army spokesman said.
Lieutenant-Colonel Bill Macdonald, spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division, said the missile with a 500 pound (225 kg) warhead was fired from a mobile launch pad just north of Baghdad Sunday.
He said it hit an insurgent training center on an island on the Little Zab river west of the northern city of Kirkuk.
He had no details on casualties or damage.
The first operation Ivy Cyclone kicked off earlier this month after insurgents shot down a U.S. Black Hawk helicopter near Tikrit, killing all six personnel on board.
Macdonald said the training center was "pretty substantial," and was used by some mid-level leaders involved in plotting attacks. He said it was also a base for financing attacks.
The latest operations would include a series of air and ground strikes in north-central Iraq, which includes the hotbed of anti-U.S. sentiment around Tikrit, 175 km (110 miles) north of Baghdad.
The United States blames Saddam loyalists or foreign Islamic militants who have slipped into Iraq for the attacks.
11/16/03 21:03 ET
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited.
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>From Central Command News Release - 11-16-03:
Update to Release 03-11-23:
17 KILLED, 5 WOUNDED IN BLACK HAWK CRASHES IN MOSUL
MOSUL, Iraq - Two UH–60 Black Hawk helicopters assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) crashed in western Mosul at approximately 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15.
All soldiers involved in the accident were accounted for. Seventeen soldiers died in the crash and five were wounded. The casualty information in this release is an updated version of CENTCOM Release 03-11-23.
The wounded soldiers were evacuated to the 21st Combat Support Hospital at the Mosul Airfield.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
The soldiers’ names are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
(No 4ID soldiers were involved in this. Our prayers go out to the soldiers' families and to their fellow soldiers.)
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Iraqi insurgents work in cells, move freely - US
By Luke Baker
TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) - Raids around Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit have uncovered evidence of a sophisticated Iraqi insurgency under a tightly controlled chain of command, a U.S. official said Friday.
U.S. Maj. Bryan Luke said it appeared guerrillas were moving freely from Falluja, at the southwestern tip of the so-called Sunni Triangle, the area of most intense anti-American activity, east to Baghdad and up to Tikrit, the northern point of the triangle.
He said the guerrillas operated in cells of up to 12 people, broken down into groups of four with a strict chain of command.
"I think they're moving more and coordinating their movements more precisely between those cities," said Luke, a senior officer in the 1/22 Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division.
"Whenever we go to detain someone in Tikrit, the relatives always say they're either in Falluja or Baghdad."
He said there was also evidence the guerrilla cells were using satellite phones, walkie-talkies and even low-range mobile phone networks to communicate.
"In the case of the Black Hawk attack, it looks like they had spotters on the banks of the Tigris in communication with those who fired the weapon at the helicopter," Luke said of an attack earlier this month on a U.S. helicopter that killed six people.
U.S. forces have conducted a series of raids around Tikrit to hunt down the perpetrators of the Black Hawk attack and an assault on a Chinook transport helicopter -- two of the worst attacks on American troops since the war to topple Saddam Hussein was launched in March.
The Chinook was brought down in a missile attack near the town of Falluja, west of Baghdad, 12 days ago with the loss of 16 soldiers, while the Black Hawk was shot down near Tikrit.
In a flash operation in the early hours of Friday, a U.S. taskforce raided four houses in Tikrit and seized four men believed to be involved in both attacks.
"We were looking for four specific individuals and we found all four ... I would call it a very successful operation," Lt. Col. Steve Russell, the commander of the 1/22 regiment, told reporters after the raid.
Less than 48 hours earlier, Col. James Hickey, the commander of the 1st Brigade of the 4th Infantry, detained 36 men on another raid near Tikrit, including two he believed were also involved in bringing the Black Hawk down.
The increasing sophistication and coordination of the insurgency forces was noted by Gen. John Abizaid, the head of U.S. Central Command, in a speech in Washington Thursday.
Abizaid said Iraqi resistance forces now numbered around 5,000 people, including Saddam loyalists, criminals paid to stage attacks, a small number of foreign fighters and some Shi'ite militants.
"The goal of the enemy ... is not to defeat us militarily," he said. "The goal of the enemy is to break the will of the United States of America."
11/14/03 11:40 ET
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited.
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany's Hurtgen Forest:
15 November 1944 - D+163
The Division obtained 27 Medical Department enlisted men. This was the last large shipment of medical personnel received during the month. This was only about half the number of men needed to fill existing vacancies. Throughout the month, the problem remained acute.
The enemy defended its same front line with heavy artillery and mortar fire. A total of 35 shellings were reported by division units. The largest weapon employed was 210 mm. It appeared that most of the shellings were directed just behind our front lines and in the division rear areas (among them, the CP of the Division but without casualties), using this means to prevent our organizing an attack while the enemy probed our lines with patrols.
Troops of the 8th Infantry continued construction and improvement of shelters and protective covering. The 12th Infantry continued to improve positions, fields of fire and main supply road. Installations of mines and booby traps were completed. The 22nd Infantry put emphasis on discussion and studying of maps and aerial photographs and coordination of all attached and supporting units.
(Fasten your chin strap because over the next three weeks you're going to be reading about the fiercest fighting the 4ID has ever been engaged in - in a place called the Hurtgen Forest in November 1944).
16 November 1944 - D+164
The enemy fiercely resisted our advance by employing well located machine guns, small arms, and concentrated barrages of 80 and 120 mm mortar. Several log pillboxes with excellent fields of fire were encountered. The advances to each enemy position were well supplied with mines, both antivehicular and antipersonnel. In addition, barbed wire, sometimes consisting of 3 row concertina, made any attempt to take the positions almost futile. 28 enemy artillery shellings were reported.
The 4th Infantry Division launched a coordinated attack to the northeast beginning at 1245 in the direction of Duren with three regimental combat teams abreast and prior to 1800, had succeeded in advancing through heavily wooded terrain approximately 1500 meters.
The 8th Infantry began movement at 0830 with the 2nd Battalion. The 1st Battalion moved forward to occupy the positions previously occupied by the 2nd Battalion at 0830 and closed at 1050. The attack was preceded by an aerial bombardment at 1115 and H-Hour was set for 1245. The 2nd Battalion jumped off following the artillery preparation and under heavy mortar fire, advanced slowly, Companies F and G abreast, until they reached a band of triple concertina wire covered by small arms and mortar fires. Due to the failure of the Bangalore torpedoes to function, the battalion was ordered to prepare its defense for the night. At 1355 the 1st Battalion received orders to move two companies forward to a hill previously occupied by two assault companies of the 2nd Battalion. This attack was initiated at 1540 but had to be terminated by 1625 and coordination effected for the night.
The 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, left its assembly area at 1145 and together with the 3rd Battalion attacked one hour later. Small arms, mortar, machine gun and artillery fires were received immediately and the advances of both battalions were impeded by extensive mine fields. Heavy opposition continued throughout the day. Only the 2nd Battalion successfully negotiated the mine field confronting it and continued its advance to within 400 yards of its objective.
The 22nd Infantry attacked at 1245 and the main opposition encountered was in the form of heavy mortar concentration and prior to the end of the day, considerable gains had been made over rough terrain.
17 November 1944 - D+165
The primary problem was the requisition and delivery of replacements to the regiments. The fighting was so intense and deadly that daily requisitions were necessary. The replacement system could not supply an adequate number of new men and the result was that the strength of all three regiments decreased steadily until at the end of the month the three regiments were very low in fighting strength. Both battle and non-battle casualties were extremely high. The thick woods, the continuous rain, plus the fact that the majority of replacements were not furnished with overshoes, caused a great number of cases of trench foot. Battle casualties were high due to the great number of mines and booby traps, and to the tree bursts from German artillery and mortar fire. No one was spared. The infantry soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division will always remember the hell of the Hurtgen Forest.
The highest percentage of casualties suffered was among the leaders. A good soldier might start an attack as a rifleman and by the time the objective was taken find himself acting squad leader. In order to control and employ his squad he must move about among his men and the result was that he became a casualty himself in a short time. At this rate of attrition, the capable men in some companies were soon gone. This critical situation was alleviated to some extent by a small shipment of squad leaders, platoon sergeants and 1st sergeants. Being confined to a quota by the 12th Army Group, the number of awards was necessarily lower to the high standard previously attained.
The enemy employed a well dug in position which covered the approaches through the woods along the firebreak and the few poor roads. Thickly concentrated barbed wire and mines were noted. The enemy probed our lines with patrols and in at least three instances counterattacks were received by our forces, the largest consisting of a force of 80 men.
The 8th Infantry attacked in a column of battalions at 0800 with the 2nd Battalion in the assault. Due to the heavy mortar fires received at H-Hour, and the heavy casualties suffered in the previous day's operations, this battalion was unable to advance beyond the concertina wire previously mentioned. An attack of the 1st Battalion was ordered but never initiated. Before the troops could begin passing through the gap, the enemy launched a counterattack. This attack was repulsed and fifteen prisoners taken. The 1st Battalion was ordered to consolidate on its old position for the night.
The 12th Infantry attacked with the 2nd Battalion at 0840 and shortly encountered machine gun fire covering the mine fields. Work was continued under fire with an effort to clear the mines and booby traps while numerous patrols sought alternative routes. No gains were in evidence at the end of the day.
The 22nd Infantry was subjected during the early hours of the morning to extremely heavy artillery concentrations, casualties included the 1st and 3rd Battalion commanders. This resulted in a delay but the attack was initiated at 0945 against heavy mortar, machine gun and small arms fire. Two light tanks were knocked out by mines and those remaining were unable to proceed because of the denseness of the woods. However, by 1300 the 3rd battalion had advanced and formed a defensive flank to the north. At this time, the 1st and 2nd Battalions were again ordered to attack. The virtually impassable terrain and the enemy infiltration in the rear of the 2nd Battalion hampered the advance and after reaching dominating position on the main north-south road, the advance was halted and positions consolidated for the night.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Son is with HHC, 3/66 AR in Bayji and has been able to send email about once a week for the past 3 weeks. Had email this morning with a request for a heavier blanket (in the mail today) and for more A-1 sauce. Guess he puts it on anything they may call meat! He says he's busy as vehicle commander and that the platoons have been issued pistols, which I thought would make them less intimidating, but have found out that having a pistol makes them more intimidating to the Iraqis. He tells me now they can "clear a room faster and shoot while they drive." This mother preferrred to know how he did his laundry! He is taking movies with camcorder (early Christmas present) and is mailing tape home. All in all, his attitude is good and that's what counts most.
2) Just wanted you to know that my husband, at Camp Scunion, C/1-67 AR, said of the internet there, that because of the security on their connections, not to send attached pictures in the email to them. It tends to lock up the computers.
3) My husband (1/68 AR) called yesterday from Qatar. He'll be there til Monday so we're really hoping our son is born while he's there so he can "talk" to him before he has to go back (he's now 3 days overdue). He was really excited about being able to drink a beer-or three-and teased me because he's able to do something I'm not. He's headed to the "mall" (sounds interesting) for Christmas presents today. Can't wait to get a phone call again today!
4) In regards to the Article mentioned in a recent update (11-12), about 2/8 in Muqdadiyah : The town of Muqdadiyah, according to my wall map (a gift from a friend) is about 50 miles northwest of Baquba, and houses a very few of our soldiers at Camp Normandy. My husband is one of them. The conditions at this camp are considerably more austere and primitive than the conditions most of our 204th FSB and 1/67 AR soldiers are living with at Camps Scunion and Warhorse in Baquba. I hope this will ease fears and worries a tiny bit for some who read that article. I couldn't even finish it in one sitting myself.
5) Hello, My fiance is in B 2-8 IN out of Ft Hood. He came home on the 29th of October for his Mid tour leave. I was so excited to see him and so were our children. When he left, our daughter was only three and a half months old and she could fit in your hand. Now she is 11 months old and is 26 pounds, so that was a big difference for him. We had a great time. Just wanted to let everyone know that the mid tour leave is a great thing and if you get it, to use it. I felt really disconnected from him only because when I hear from him we get 4 minutes on the phone and I get a call when ever. There are no set times for it either. When he was here he could not keep watching the news, he could not believe all of the horrible stuff they show. If you watch it, they never show good, they always show bad. I LOVE HIM AND I AM PRAYING FOR EVERYONES SAFE RETURN
6) We were waken up at 2:00am on Friday with a phone call from our son! It had been just about a month since we last heard from him.....it was just wonderful hearing his voice! He is with A-Co 1-22. He sounded great....I still can't get over how well he sounds. He said they have been very busy with raids and OP at the entrance to Owja, which is where his compound is located. They built the structure around the town...he said that was really something else!. He said it is really cold, especially at night, after they have all become accustomed to the 130 degree heat.... No mid tour leave for this young man.... Again, he amazes me with his strength and fortitude. I am so very proud of my son, my hero. God bless all the troops and their families. I know this is going to be a difficult Christmas without my son at home, and I know a lot of families are facing the same situation. You know what they say, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. If we can all get through this with our soldiers, we will all be better people.
7) I am emailing trying to find out if you or any of your readers can refresh the information about the under armor clothing that is made of a special fabric. I thought I remembered someone saying it was available on the AAFES website, but I am having trouble finding it. I thought this type of shirt would be comfortable for our troops as the cold weather sets in for the cold months. (Editor's Note: I remember this from back in the summer - maybe someone knows where to find it so I don't have to dig through the old issues to look for it).
8) Hi I just wanted to say that my husband of 1/10 CAV 4th ID flies in on the 19th or 20th next week. I'm so excited I haven't slept at all. I've packed my bags and am on my way to FT.Hood then to Dallas to meet him. I can't believe it. It's like a dream come true. My soldier will be in my arms in a matter of days. The suspence is killing me. Happy holidays to all. God bless everyone.
9) We just got off the phone with our son (No unit given). Today is his birthday, his 25th. We were glad that he called so we could let him know we were thinking of him. He sounded good. He said the conditions at base continue to improve each week. He had access to his first hot shower just this week. Although they have the new internet/phone package, it wasn't completely installed yet. He was using the satellite phone. When the system is working they will have 16 computers and 8 phones. He said they had a military band there last night and today, which performed and they were very good.
Also, I have an idea to share with others wondering how to let their soldier know that family and friends are thinking of them during the holidays. This idea was given to me by a friend. We went to the toy store and bought a 100 piece puzzle. Just any puzzle that gives them a connection to home. We put each puzzle piece in a small, snack-size baggie. Then it can vary here, from just having the address inside the baggie to printing labels and or putting them on the envelope, so they are ready to go. Then just hand out the pieces to family members, friends, teachers, clergy, buddies, etc. with just 4 instuctions: write your name on the back of the puzzle piece, write a note of support, address the envelope and get it in the mail. This guarantees they will receive 100 pieces of mail from well wishers. My son has received 77 of the pieces with letters, cards, jokes, pictures, etc, (as varied as the 100 people from which they came). When they receive all the pieces, they have a two-sided puzzle, one of the picture you selected, the other, a listing of the 100 people who love them, support them and pray for them. How wonderful is that?
10) I too have been recieving e-mails from my son finally, Camp Scunion, Baqubah. He is with HHC 1-67. I had been asking him the what do I send for Christmas questions and the only thing was DVD's and poly pro's. Which we all knew about the dvd's, but the poly pro's (and to us new military folk) are the army's version of long johns. They are made out of polyester and they have to be tan. The shirt is $20 and so are the pants. Sorry, Walmart doesn't have them at falling prices. Finally got off all the Christmas stuff and realized after the hussle and bussle of getting it done by the 13th and the tears that were falling while packing it all up we are going to go through it again on Dec. 25th when we are still here and they aren't. Wow, we just keep having to be stronger and stronger. If I hadn't spent so much on postage this year I could have gone to Hawaii for Christmas 3 times....Kidding. Thank you Bob for keeping us all together. Better than Dr. Phil...Oh, my son also told me that he did a Happy Holiday's greeting for us at home but he didn't say which network it was who did it. If anyone knows who was there filming them let us know ...Baqubah. GOS BLESS OUR TROOPS. Proud Army Mom
11) WOW!!! My husband is in Alpha Co. 1-22 infantry and is in my house- safe and sound by God's will. I picked him up from the airport on Friday afternoon along with our 2 boys, one which he has not seen until now (2 months old). It's amazing that after almost 4 years of marriage he still puts butterflies in my stomach. Our 3 yr old son was soooo anxious to see him and has now attached himself to my husband's leg. We suprised his parents and sister this afternoon at her baby shower (she adopted!), we did not expect the reaction that was given to us, it was too overwelhming for my husband. He just wasn't ready for so much attention, he did not realize that it would be so dramatic. So anyone who has intentions of surprising family members please ask your soldier to consider it carefully. I'll let ya know how everything went in 2 weeks. God be with all the soldiers and their families.
12) Just a note to let you know that we have heard from our grandson (a SGT in HHC, 1-67 AR, 4ID) and since he has access to email we have visited with him three times today for a total of about two hours.... He has asked for Chocolate cookies with raisins and oatmeal and some rumballs. I suppose that he wants these to get into the Christmas spirit. He advised that it was 30 degrees F there this morning (11/15/03). Asked if he needed any winter clothing and he advised no.....He has applied for 50 or so scholarships/grants to help with college when he gets out of the Army in August 2004. Planning on going to Texas A&M. Needless to say we are proud of him. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL TROOPS TRYING TO DEMOCRASIZE THE WORLD, OR MAKE PEACE IN THE WORLD.
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