Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[hap0206]

Seems like the reporters could provide some background info on the scope of our operations -- but -- no -- who would believe them:
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Presenter: Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, Commander U.S. Ground Force in Iraq August 14, 2003

http://www.centcom.mil/CentcomNews/Transcripts/20030802.htm

Now, if I may, let me turn to the conduct of operations in the sector. Over the last week, we've conducted over 13,000 patrols, over 180 raids. And some of the successes in the last 24 hours, the 101st Airborne Division has confiscated a series of anti-aircraft guns that were armed. And also, we had some Iraqis interested in increasing the stability and security of the country have come in into the 4th IB CMOC in Tikrit and identified an ammunition cache of 98 rocket- propelled grenades. Also, in the 3rd ACR zone, we discovered a cache that was a significant cache. This included over 800 rocket-propelled grenades, the warheads. It had 920 120mm AT rounds; had over 300 illumination rounds in it; 120 -- 125 AT tank rounds. So, as you can see, a fairly big ammunition cache that could have been a source of improvised explosive device that has now been eliminated.

In the area of our Civil Defense Corps, extremely good response out in all parts of the country up to this point, and we've recruited over two battalions worth of Iraqis to serve in this force. And up in the north, in Mosul, they're already conducting operations. We had the first joint operation between the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and our forces up there. As you may recall, their duties will be as translators, drivers, route security, convoy security, and other small-level tasks.