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| Iraq |
| Senior al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist detained near Taji |
| 2007-09-19 |
| Iraqi Army Scouts, with U.S. Special Operations Forces as advisers, conducted a series of helicopter assault raids near Taji Sept. 16, resulting in the detention of a senior Al Qaeda in Iraq member of the Abu Ghazwan network. He is suspected of conducting attacks that target local citizens in the Tarmiyah area who join the Iraqi Police or Iraqi Army forces. His cell has attacked the Tarmiyah Regiment of the 9th Iraqi Army division, the 9th Oil Protection Division, guards at the Al Karkh water treatment plant and Coalition Forces in the Taji area. The cell is also suspected of distributing propaganda and installing illegal check points. This terrorist is additionally suspected of being the second in command to Abu GhazwanÂ’s network and the gatekeeper for access to Abu Ghazwan himself. This criminal network is known to commit robberies, kidnappings, murder, and is responsible for the Sept. 6, 2006 attack against a British Contractor convoy near Tarmiyah. This terrorist network is believed to be linked to the kidnappings of employees from the Nasr Industrial Plant and is known to stage attacks from a local mosque. The cell provides salaries and materials for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices to be used in the Baghdad area. The cell is further suspected of storing and supplying weapons such as surface-to-air missiles, mortar rounds, mortar launchers, and heavy machine guns to be used in future terrorist attacks. Iraqi soldiers raided a series of residences in a remote area northwest of Taji, detaining the alleged terrorist, two snipers, and 15 additional suspects. Three AK-47 assault rifles, three tactical assault vests and various explosive components were seized during the operation. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 This is from a coalition news release from 2004 on the rebuilding of the Iraqi Air Force: Helicopters: A squadron of six UH-1H Iroquois helicopters will be operational in July and stationed at Tadji Air Base. This fleet will increase to sixteen Iroquois by April of 2005. Each is manned by two pilots and capable of carrying 13-troops at 120-knots over a 180-mile range. Its main tasks are border and coastal patrol, troop transport and search and rescue duties. I expect it's been increased since then. |
| Posted by: Steve 2007-09-19 16:43 |
| #2 3dc - while there might be some of the Soviet helicopters around, most of the aerial sorties are flown by US choppers. The Iraqis had about 200 MI-6 "Hip" helicopters prior to the invasion, but I don't think there are any flyable aircraft remaining. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2007-09-19 13:02 |
| #1 Do Iraqi's have their own choppers that they fly these assaults with? If so US or ex-Soviet chopper types? |
| Posted by: 3dc 2007-09-19 01:55 |