MNF-I

Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists and found several caches of weapons during an operation Sep. 16-17 to boost security in the northern belt around Baghdad.

In the two-day operation west of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces discovered a cache of explosive materials containing hydrochloric acid and 19,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate. Other hidden caches contained reinforced bunkers, mortar rounds and other small arms. One cache of uniform items was booby-trapped. Coalition forces called in an air strike to destroy the caches.

Local Iraqis led ground forces to two vehicles with blacked-out license plates and rear windows, which they said were owned by al-Qaeda in Iraq members. A Coalition forces air strike destroyed the two vehicles. Three suspected terrorists were detained in the operation.

MNF-I

Iraqi Army Scouts conducted a series of intelligence-driven helicopter-assault raids Sept. 18, resulting in the destruction of an insurgent weapons cache southwest of Taji.

During the raids, an insurgent weapons cache was discovered with more than 100 containers of nitric acid, eight anti-aircraft weapons, and improvised explosive device materials. The cache was destroyed in place using close air support. Three individuals, including a purported al Qaeda in Iraq sniper team spotter, were detained.

During a concurrent operation, members of the Emergency Response Unit detained an al Qaeda in Iraq Emir and two cell members Sept. 18 in the al Adhamiyah area of Baghdad.

The Emir and his cell members are suspected of conducting IED and indirect fire attacks against local citizens and Coalition Forces. The cell also kidnaps and murders Iraqi forces and Sunni citizens who stand against their criminal activities.

The extremists are linked to a May 3, 2007 IED attack that killed several civilians, as well as several attacks in March 2007 against an Iraqi National Guard facility and Coalition forces in the al Kadhamiyah area.

In October 2006, they were linked to an attack that killed several Iraqi National Guardsmen and found to be responsible for detonating an IED against a U.S. military convoy. In July 2005, they were suspected of murdering a female college student attending the IBN al Haythm College.

In a separate raid, Iraqi Army Reconnaissance Soldiers detained a suspected extremist Sept. 18 in the Taji area. The suspected extremist leads a company who is responsible for conducting multiple attacks using IEDs and explosively formed penetrators along main supply routes including an August 22, 2007 attack using an EFP against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

U.S. Special Operations Forces were advisers during these operations and there were no Iraqi or U.S. Forces injured.

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Coalition forces captured a suspected Iraqi terrorist linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps – Quds Force network and two others during an operation early Tuesday in Baghdad.

The operations were targeting a Special Groups criminal that is believed to be a leader of an improvised explosive device network and is also believed to have close ties to the production and distribution of explosively formed penetrators (EFPs).

Reports indicate the targeted individual has been involved in the procurement of weapons and the facilitation of foreign terrorists in order to target Iraqi and Coalition security forces.

Information from concerned citizens in the neighborhood led the assault force to a local facility, where the suspected Special Groups officer was also working as a security guard. The forces apprehended the man there without incident after close coordination with Iraqi police.

Marines from the Kingdom of Tonga sing a war song on Camp Buehring’s Udairi Range in Kuwait Sept. 10. Singing occupies a large part of Tongan life and tradition. The Tongans are training in battlefield survival skills and tactics before going to Iraq to augment force protection personnel there. The Kingdom of Tonga sent the Marine contingent to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

DoD
By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service
Photographer: Sgt. 1st Class Paul Tuttle, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) Public Affairs

NUKUALOFA, Tonga, Sept. 17, 2007 – Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating arrived here today at the capital of this 17-island archipelago to thank its people for setting the example for other countries around the world as they support the war on terror.

Keating, on his first visit here since taking command of U.S. Pacific Command in March, said he wanted to express firsthand the United States’ appreciation to Tonga, which recently sent its second contingent of troops to Iraq.

Fifty-five of Tonga’s 450-member Tonga Defense Service deployed Aug. 18 to provide security at the Multinational Force Iraq headquarters at Al Faw Palace. The deployment represents the first time a non-U.S. force has taken on the mission.

Before deploying to Iraq, the Tongan troops trained at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and in Kuwait to ensure they were prepared for the mission, officials said.

Keating, who observed the Tongan troops during a Khaanquest training exercise earlier this summer in Mongolia, said he has no doubt of their capabilities. “They’re very tough,” he said. “They’re not just very good; they’re first class.”

Tonight, at a military retreat ceremony and dinner at Togalevu Naval Base featuring the Tongan army band, Navy marching corps and native musicians and dancers, Keating said Tonga’s contributions go far beyond numbers alone.

“What this country is doing is huge,” the admiral said, particularly in light of Tonga’s total military size and population. “Size is not as important as commitment,” he said. “And the commitment seen in this country is huge.”

Brig. Gen. Tau’aika “Dave” Uta’atu, Tonga’s chief of defense, cited a statement by Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that no country is too big or powerful not to need other countries to defend itself, and no country is too small to make a contribution to security, he said.

Tonga knows it has no excuse to say it’s too small or too far away from places where terrorists have struck to get involved in fighting terror, Uta’atu said. “We live in a global village, and we firmly believe that Asia and the Pacific are not immune from the threats,” he said. “And even though Tonga is very small, we believe in the principle that we can contribute to regional and international security.”

The Tongan troops currently in Iraq represent the kingdom’s second troop rotation there. The first, in June 2004, included 45 soldiers who provided security at Camp Blue Diamond in Ramadi, Iraq. There, they worked under the operational and administrative control of the U.S. 1st Marine Division.

Uta’atu noted that the 1st Marine Division and Tongan military first served together during World War II, when they fought the Japanese together during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Marines from the Kingdom of Tonga sing a war song on Camp Buehring’s Udairi Range in Kuwait Sept. 10. Singing occupies a large part of Tongan life and tradition. The Tongans are training in battlefield survival skills and tactics before going to Iraq to augment force protection personnel there. The Kingdom of Tonga sent the Marine contingent to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“The history of our relationship with the United States military didn’t happen by accident,” Uta’atu said.

The relationship between the two countries is based on their shared commitment to defending freedom and liberty and their belief that in helping each other, they’re enhancing their own freedoms, he said.

When it comes to standing up to defend its liberties, “Tonga doesn’t just talk about it,” he said. “We act upon it.”

Tonga previously announced plans to send a third rotation of troops to Iraq when those already there complete their six-month deployment.

“In working together, we believe we are helping to make the world a safer place,” Uta’atu said.

Tonga’s efforts demonstrate the importance of international cooperation in Iraq, Keating said. “It is a coalition effort, and we are intensely interested in other countries participating,” he said. “Tonga is an example of that important participation.”

As he travels throughout Asia and the Pacific encouraging greater contributions toward the effort in Iraq, Keating said he can point to Tonga for the example it has set.

“They’re giving a lot to help ensure a more peaceful and stable world,” Keating said. “That’s why I’m here. I wanted to come renew that commitment and say thank you.”

DVIDS
By Maj. Sean Ryan, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs

When Soldiers from Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, based out of Colorado Springs, Colo., needed a third Husky driver, one of the most critical jobs for clearing the streets of Baghdad, they used the old fail-safe method to determine the next operator: rock, paper and scissors.

Despite the stiff competition, Sgt. Nicholas Denning overcame the odds and won the job. While it may sound like a joke, Company A has so many qualified Soldiers to do the job, since so many are on equal footing.

But make no mistake, the company nicknamed the “Assassins” takes its trade very seriously and definitely walks the walk, as they lead all companies in Baghdad with 48 improvised explosive devices found, more than doubling up their closest competition.

Denning, from Keokuk, Iowa, peruses the streets of Baghdad looking for the evil that has been responsible for nearly 70 percent of the casualties within his brigade’s area of responsibility – improvised explosive devices. To date, Denning has found an amazing 22 IEDs, saving countless lives — U.S. troops, Iraqi security forces and innocent Iraqi civilians.

The seven-year veteran is no stranger to the streets of Baghdad, as he first started working as a Buffalo operator, another type of mine-clearing vehicle. Denning has well over 300 missions under his belt and is on his third deployment, two on active duty and one with the Iowa National Guard.

“The success comes from paying close attention to detail and never underestimating the enemy,” Denning said. “It is also comes from knowing your equipment, the threat and great leadership.”

Despite his personal success, Denning is far from boastful and quickly points out it is a team effort and due to the constant training his platoon and company receives from his leadership, which ensures every Soldier knows and understands the battlefield.

“It’s also about not being afraid to stop the entire convoy if you think you see something,” he said. “Sometimes it’s worth the wait, but you can’t expect to find something every time.”

Capt. Robert Gordon, the Company A commander, called Denning “an outstanding Soldier and his vast background from previous deployments is different from everyone else’s.” Gordon agreed that the company’s success comes from a team effort.

“The Soldiers can tell you everything about the vehicles’ capabilities and what to look for on the streets,” said Gordon, a resident of Colorado Springs, Colo., “On some levels, Sgt. Denning is no different than any Soldier we have. Everyone has to pay attention to detail. But, he is the lead guy and has a lot of pressure on him to navigate, push traffic (and) keep everyone else aware. I’m very happy we have such seasoned NCOs. His record of finding IEDs speaks for itself.”

Indeed, the job of looking for bombs on a daily basis is no easy task. Despite the risks of his work Denning said having the support of his family back home helps, and so does having great equipment.

“My family is real supportive and happy for all of our successes,” he said. “Without a doubt, the Army has supplied us with great equipment and the opportunity to save lives by conducting route clearance.”