Secret News Stories

As part of my job, I'm subscribed to the Multi-National Force -- Iraq mailing list. here are just a few e-mails I got just yesterday. There are a few hundred more. Have any of you ever seen any of this in the news? BAGHDAD - Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces acting as advisers, detained a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi battalion commander Aug. 5 in Baghdad. The suspected Shi'a extremist is believed to command five companies of terrorists who conduct improvised explosive device, suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and mortar attacks against Iraqi Forces in the area. FALLUJAH - Iraqi Army Forces and U.S. Special Operations Forces detained five suspected insurgents believed to be part of a Thar Thar regional-Qaeda in Iraq cell during a helicopter assault raid Aug. 4. With U.S. Special Operations Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Soldiers detained the five persons of interest without incident at a residence located in a rural area west of Balad. Seven assault rifles, one shotgun, assorted ammunition magazines, compact discs and propaganda materials were also seized during the operation. The detainees are believed to be members of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell allegedly responsible for hijacking semi trailers, planting improvised explosive devices on Coalition Forces supply routes, and aiding foreign fighters. No Iraqi or U.S. Forces were injured during the operation. KALSU, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces and Paratroopers captured a suspected al-Qaeda terrorist wanted for a string of attacks against the security forces and citizens in North Babil during Operation Marne Avalanche, August 5. The Iraqi Army, police and Paratroopers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted an early morning raid in Snadeej near Jurf As Sukhr to capture the suspected insurgent. "More than 50 IPs, 20 IA soldiers and 50 paratroopers participated in the operation," said Capt. Henry Moltz, commander of Company A and Midlothian, Texas native. "The populace was very receptive to the ISF-led operation and a local source pointed the man out to us." Thanks to joint operations like this one, the Jurf As Sukhr area is on the road to security and stability, Moltz said "This operation marks 50 days in Jurf As Sukhr with no attacks, as compared to six months ago when there was at least one attack every day," Moltz said. FALLUJAH -- Iraqi Army Scouts and U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted a series of targeted raids in Western Iraq Aug. 5, resulting in the detainment of an individual allegedly responsible for running an extortion network. BAGHDAD - ORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - For a child in Hollandia, the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team and Coalition Forces have become the answer to his family's prayers. Sitting in the local health clinic with his father on a warm May morning, Ahaip Najim had no idea that hope would come walking through the door. That morning, members of the 97th Civil Affairs Battalion and 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, were assessing the town's needs. "They discovered him in the health clinic there and just gathered around him," said Capt. Jimmy Hathaway, commander, Headquarters Troop, 3-1 Cav, of Fort Benning, Ga. "They decided right there that they were going to do everything in their power to help him." At birth, Ahaip had an obstructed bowel that required emergency surgery. The surgery left the child's intestines outside his body. The doctor's plan was to reintroduce the intestines back into the body in six to eight years. However, according to a 97th Civil Affairs medic, from Fort Bragg, N.C., that option would leave the child at risk of infection or rupture. Cavalry and Civil Affairs Soldiers began to call around and use their contacts throughout the Army to find help for the child. "Finally, we were put in contact with the hospital in An Najaf, Iraq," Hathaway said. "They agreed to help us. It was a really good situation." The next stumbling block was finding a way to transport the child and his father to al Sadr Hospital. Pieces started falling into place after Multi-National Force - Iraq Commander Gen. David H. Petraeus visited FOB Hammer. "We briefed Gen. Petraeus about the situation," Hathaway said. "He asked if there was anything we needed. He said this is exactly the type of thing we needed to be doing and volunteered his own aircraft. The aircraft was provided by Multi-National Division - Center but Gen. Petraeus' offer really said a lot about how important this mission had become to everyone." The 3rd HBCT used a convoy to pick up Ahaip and his father and brought them to FOB Hammer. From Hammer, the pair traveled to al Sadr Hospital by helicopter. "We had two Blackhawks, two Apaches and a MEDEVAC waiting for us when we pulled up," Hathaway said. "The support we received was phenomenal." The flight was set, but the young patient wasn't so sure. "He was scared at first," Hathaway said. "We had to stop and refuel, and he seemed to relax after that. He just needed some time to get used to it. He seemed to be having a good time near the end." The child was expected to be at al Sadr Hospital for 10 to 14 days. Before attempting the surgery, doctors there wanted to run diagnostic tests. The surgery initially was expected to take place on June 4, but had to be pushed back due to the Ahaip's anemic condition. The first of two surgeries was finally performed on June 17. "The first surgery went well," Hathaway said. "The child is recovering. He currently is using a colostomy bag, but the second planned surgery will hopefully eliminate the need for that and let him lead a normal life." Ahaip's father has been able to remain with him throughout his hospital stay. "The hospital has been very supportive," Hathaway said. "They have given him a place to stay, given him meals and even washed his clothes. They have really done a great job helping this family out." The help Soldiers extended to the boy and his family has improved the Coalition's relationship with the town of Hollandia. "They are very pro-Coalition," Hathaway said. "They were very receptive and happy that we have helped. They all saw the coverage of this on Iraqi television and saw that we were trying to help. One man told me, 'You did what you said you were going to do. Thank you.' That means a lot. We go into the town now and people come out to see us. They laugh and joke with us. We feel very welcome there." BABIL PROVINCE, Iraq - With the help of 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Iraqis in Babil Province were able to open the second date processing plant in the area July 25. The opening was a success and many of the local leaders were there to witness it, including the Governor of Babil Province, Salem Al-Mesalmawi, and Lt. Col. Michael A. Iacobucci, commander of 3rd Sqdn., 73rd Cav. Reg., 1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. "It's a means of employment and a source of wealth for the economy," said Iacobucci.