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Operation Panther Backroads
During the past 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units conducted 25 tactical checkpoints and eight cordon and searches. Units also performed 169 patrols, including 13 joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi police. These operations resulted in the killing of three and capture of 16 enemy personnel while suffering one U.S. death.In 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Divisionâs areas of responsibility, paratroopers began Operation Panther Backroads â an operation to interdict anti-coalition and smuggling activities in order to deny enemy forces freedom of movement. Units throughout the Task Force participated in the establishment of 25 tactical checkpoints and the execution of eight cordon and searches. The brigade searched 1351 vehicles and confiscated 15 AK-47s, two Enfield rifles, and other miscellaneous weapons and ammunition. The operation was successful and resulted in the capture of 13 enemy personnel. Paratroopers on a patrol were engaged by small arms fire from four enemy personnel. The group returned fire, killing two enemy personnel and wounding two others. Although one of the wounded enemy personnel evaded capture, the patrol captured the other wounded individual and confiscated four AK-47âs. No friendly forces were injured during the engagement. In addition, a reconnaissance engaged four armed enemy personnel northeast of Fallujah with small arms fire killing one. The remaining enemy personnel fled into a nearby house that was later searched by U.S. forces. The search resulted in the capture of four Iraqi males as well as the confiscation of two AK-47s, seven bolt-action rifles, and various kinds of ammunition. In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Divisionâs area of responsibility, a patrol was ambushed with rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and small arms fire near Ar Ramadi. The unit returned fire killing one enemy personnel and recovered a RPG launcher with ammunition. Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2003-12-15 |
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