82nd Airborn Helps Rebuild Iraq TASK FORCE “ALL AMERICAN” CARRIES OUT RAIDS AND PATROLS AR RAMADI, Iraq - Task Force “All American” continued to conduct operations in order to bring peace to Iraq and assist the reconstruction efforts. These missions will continue to move Iraq toward becoming a free and independent nation. During the past 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units have conducted 19 offensive operations, including 16 raids and three cordon and searches. Soldiers also conducted 155 patrols, including 6 joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi police. During these operations, 37 enemy personnel were captured and there were no U.S. soldiers wounded. In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area of operations, elements conducted a raid in eastern Ar Ramadi to apprehend individuals suspected of an attack on the family of the Ar Ramadi Police Chief two weeks ago. The information was acquired by the investigative efforts of the Ar Ramadi Police Special Response Team. The operation was conducted without incident and three individuals were captured. This event highlights the growing cooperation between the local police and coalition forces in the area. In addition, elements of the 1-5 Field Artillery conducted a cordon and search in Ar Ramadi and apprehended Fowaz Khalaf, a suspected Mujahadeen cell leader who is reported to have facilitated the trafficking of foreign fighters into and out of Iraq. Fowaz Khalaf is also suspected of providing weapons and other aid to anti- coalition elements in the Al Anbar region. At Trebil on the Jordanian border, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment refused entry to 173 personnel because they had no passports or documentation. Operation Rifles Blitz continued with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment establishing eight traffic control points and conducting precision raids on 15 separate locations resulting in the capture of 11 personnel. Each of these missions incorporated the Iraqi police and recent Iraqi Civil Defense Corps graduates. Civil affairs teams working with 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, met with officials from the Fallujah Brick Factory to make final preparations for the installation of two prime power generators. Once installed, they will provide additional power to the production lines and help employ approximately 700 workers. In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area, Civil Affairs teams met with local officials in Khalidiyah to review the status of police station renovations. Repairs to the police station began on 20 November and are estimated to conclude around the 30th of December at a cost of $15,000. Local citizens have expressed their appreciation for the coalition’s efforts. Civil Affairs teams with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment met with officials in Ar Rutbah to review the status of repairs to an electrical sub-station. Repairs began on the 10th of November and are scheduled for completion by the 10th of December at a cost of $5000. Once complete, it is estimated that these repairs will affect 25,000 residents. Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Infantry Division, and 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment remain committed to helping rebuild Iraq and to end violence throughout the Al Anbar province. From the Central Command Web Site Monday December 01, 2003 January 9, 2004 Release Number: 04-01-21 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UH-60 RECOVERY EFFORTS CONTINUE, WEAPONS AND MUNITIONS CAPTURED RAMADI, Iraq - During the last 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and attached units, also known as Task Force "All American" conducted 199 patrols, including 13 joint patrols and conducted six offensive operations. Task Force "All American" had nine contacts initiated by the enemy; three improved explosive device attacks, three rockets propelled grenade attacks, two direct fire engagements and one mine strike. None of the attacks were effective. The task force discovered and disarmed two IEDs before they could be detonated against us. Task Force "All American" forces captured 38 enemy personnel while suffering no coalition casualties. Recovery of the UH-60A Blackhawk crash site continued today south of Fallujah. Investigations continue to assess what brought the aircraft down. This morning at 9:17 a.m. 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division's area of operation, soldiers were engaged with five RPGs and small arms fire northeast of Habbaniyah. The unit immediately returned fire. They established a cordon of the area, responded with ground quick reaction forces, and cleared the area resulting in the capture of 12 enemy personnel. They found ten fighting positions and recovered 50 RPGs lying on the ground. This morning at 11:15 a.m. 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's area of operations, elements of 1st Squadron conducted a raid on a business in Husaybah that was suspected of storing weapons and munitions for use against coalition forces. The operation was conducted successfully and resulted in the capture of 17 personnel and the confiscation of 22 RPG-7 rounds, four RPG launchers, one RPG sight, five grenades, two pre-made IEDs, one remote detonator, 7.62mm ammunition, and two radios. Interrogation on site led to the identification of a nearby cache that contained four 81mm mortar tubes, two 60mm mortar tubes, and four 81mm rounds. Task Force "All American" continues operations to root out enemy personnel and weapons that bring violence and instability to the Al Anbar province.

Updated May 29, 2005