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Operation Eagle Ares brings 46 into custody
Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers nabbed 46 men suspected of involvement with al Qaeda affiliated terror networks July 12 under the cover of darkness, east of Lutifiyah, Iraq.Troops of the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., air assaulted in the area, and then began searching reeds along canals for weapons caches. The combined air assault detained 29 men on the Iraqi armys list of persons of interest, and 14 others who were identified by sources as terrorists. Three other men detained were taken for questioning on suspicion of terrorist activity. Air assaults are critical in the 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div.s area of operations, said Maj. Kenny Mintz, a native of San Diego, Calif., and the brigades operations officer. The terrain here is dominated by canals, which makes it difficult to get around, explained Mintz. Some of these canals are more like rivers. An air assault allows us to get around quickly and decisively. Using helicopters avoids the hazards both natural and manmade. Its also faster, and seconds count, said Mintz, when in pursuit of terrorists who can disappear into tall vegetation in the lush Euphrates River valley. Use of helicopters also allows Soldiers with their heavy combat loads and armor to move farther and faster in the summer heat, the San Diego native said. With daytime temperatures that top 110 degrees Fahrenheit, Soldiers rapidly exhaust the supplies of water they can carry. By flying, rather than walking, to an objective, the troops can function much longer, he added. The detainees were taken to FOB Mahmudiyah for questioning. Posted by: Fred 2007-07-15 |
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