Coalition Kills Two Terrorists, Captures Nine in Iraq

American Forces Press Service

Nov. 25, 2008 - Coalition forces killed two terrorists and captured nine additional suspects today and yesterday during operations targeting terrorist networks in Iraq. Coalition forces killed two terrorists while striking an al-Qaida in Iraq foreign terrorist network yesterday southwest of Mosul.

When coalition forces approached a vehicle with a suspected terrorist inside, two men got out and attacked the soldiers with small-arms fire. Coalition forces returned fire, killing the men. One of the attackers was later determined to be a wanted man.

In the vehicle, coalition forces found multiple rifles, three rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 12 grenades and a suicide vest.

Today, coalition forces netted two men believed to be associated with the leader of Mosul's bombing network. Coalition forces also captured two men while targeting al-Qaida in Iraq senior leadership in Baghdad. North of Baghdad, forces captured two men believed to be associates of a senior courier in al-Qaida in Iraq's Diyala network.

Yesterday, coalition forces captured a wanted man believed to be a terrorist cell leader in Beiji, south of Mosul. North of Baghdad, forces captured two suspects believed to be associated with a car-bomb cell leader in Tikrit.

In other operations:

-- Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces arrested a man believed to be a leader in an Iranian-backed illegal militia along with two other suspects Nov. 21 in Qurna in central Iraq. The leader is suspected of having worked with Iranian intelligence for three years, helping to smuggle weapons, money and information into Iraq to facilitate enemy activities, officials said.

-- Iraqi and coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist Nov. 21 believed to have ties to the al-Qaida in Iraq and Islamic State of Iraq terrorist groups while targeting terrorist leadership in northern Iraq's Ninevah province. The man is suspected of facilitating foreign fighters, displaced insurgents and equipment through Mosul, officials said.

-- Iraqi soldiers arrested a man Nov. 21 believed to be trained to assassinate Iraqi special forces officials.

-- An Iraqi special weapons and tactics team arrested a suspected criminal Nov. 21 during a raid to disrupt criminal operations in central Iraq's Babil province. The SWAT team detained another suspect in Hayy Askari, also in central Iraq, believed to have ties to transporting weapons, kidnappings and roadside-bomb attacks against Iraqi special forces.

-- Iraqi soldiers captured a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist Nov. 20 in northern Iraq's Farhatiya area. The man is believed to have aided foreign fighters, officials said.

-- Iraqi special operations forces captured a suspected criminal during an operation Nov. 20 in Baghdad's West Rashid district.

Other recent operations resulted in seizure of enemy weapons stockpiles:

-- Multinational Division Baghdad and Iraqi soldiers seized a weapons cache south of Baghdad yesterday consisting of artillery rounds, 57 mm rockets, boxes of 25 mm and 30 mm ammunition and other military equipment. Later, a tip led Iraqi soldiers to a cache hidden in front of an apartment building. The cache included two mortars, a fuse and an illumination round.

-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers confiscated a weapons cache north of Baghdad yesterday consisting of anti-aircraft guns and other military equipment. Lst night, soldiers seized a weapons cache that included machine guns, rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, RPG warheads, RPG boosters, RPG sights, half-loaded AK-47 assault rifle magazines, AK-47 ammunition, MK-19 rounds, professional-grade TNT, two improvised explosive devices and other military equipment.

-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers confiscated a weapons cache northwest of Baghdad yesterday consisting of a 120 mm mortar round, 60 mm mortar rounds, anti-aircraft guns and other military equipment. Later, Iraqi soldiers seized a munitions cache north of Baghdad that included high-explosive projectiles and a blasting cap.

-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers seized a weapons cache northwest of Baghdad Nov. 23 that consisted of a 127 mm missile motor and a machine gun. Later that day, soldiers seized another weapons cache consisting of 155 mm projectiles, SA-7 rocket, 60 mm mortar, 130 mm rockets, 130 mm rocket warheads, 100 mm projectiles, land mines and other military equipment.

-- An Iraqi special weapons and tactics team discovered a weapons cache in northern Iraq on Nov. 20 that included bomb-making materials.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

Coalition Forces Capture Wanted Men, Additional Suspects

American Forces Press Service

Oct. 30, 2008 - Coalition forces further debilitated al-Qaida in Iraq networks during operations yesterday and today, capturing four wanted men and detaining six additional suspects, military officials reported. Today in Sadiyah, northeast of Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted man assessed to be associated with al-Qaida weapons and foreign terrorist facilitation networks in the region. One additional suspect was detained for further questioning.

Two more wanted men were captured by forces operating in Baghdad today. One of the men, believed to be an al-Qaida financier, surrendered to coalition forces and turned in his associate.

Forces in Mosul targeted al-Qaida's communication lines yesterday. A wanted man believed to be an al-Qaida courier associated with multiple regional leaders was captured along with three suspects during the operation.

Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained two suspected criminals during combat operations yesterday in southern Baghdad's Rashid district.

In the Jihad community, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, detained and transported a suspected criminal to a nearby combat outpost. The suspect allegedly is responsible for indirect-fire and small-arms attacks, weapons trafficking and murder.

After receiving a tip from a local citizen, 4th Infantry Division soldiers from Troop C, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, detained a suspected criminal in the Abu Tshir community. The patrol seized 81 mm mortar rounds, rocket-propelled grenades and rifles from his vehicle. The patrol returned with the detainee to a combat outpost for questioning.

In operations Oct. 28:.

-- In an operation in Khatoon, an Iraqi special weapons and tactics team captured a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq cell leader believed to be responsible for planning and coordinating attacks against Iraqi security forces. He also is suspected of providing financial backing, logistical support, and safe haven for al-Qaida fighters in Khatoon.

-- In Salamiyah, southeast of Mosul, Iraqi special operations forces arrested a suspected leader of an Islamic State of Iraq terrorist organization cell responsible for murdering many Iraqi police in Mosul. The suspect reportedly commands insurgents in the village.

-- Acting on a citizen tip, Iraqi National Police officer seized a munitions cache in eastern Baghdad. The cache consisted of three 81 mm mortar rounds, three 60 mm mortar rounds, four RPG launchers, five RPG warheads, three RPG fuse assemblies, about 400 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and a Dragonov sniper rifle.

-- In Rashid, Iraqi special operations forces arrested a suspected criminal military cell leader on an Interior Ministry warrant.

In operations Oct. 27:

-- The Iraqi SWAT team in Kut detained two suspected criminal cell members. One of the individuals is said to be a facilitator who supplies weapons and provides financial support and a safe house, officials said. The other individual is believed to be an active member of a sniper cell.

-- In Baghdad, Iraqi soldiers captured a suspected Kataib Hezbollah militant said to have ties to an improvised rocket builder and facilitator. The individual is believed to be responsible for a rocket-assisted mortar attack on a joint security station in July. The suspect's cell also reportedly participated in RPG attacks in April and June. Kataib Hezbollah, also known as Hezbollah Brigades, is a terrorist group believed to receive funding, training, logistics and material support from Iran to attack Iraqi and coalition forces using what the military calls "explosively formed penetrators," or EFPs – roadside bombs designed to pierce armor-hulled vehicles – and other weapons such as rocket-assisted mortars.

-- Baghdad National Emergency Response Brigade captured a suspected facilitator for the militant Kataib Hezbollah's improvised rocket-assisted mortars cell.

-- Iraqi special operations forces captured six suspected al-Qaida in Iraq cell members northwest of Mosul in Barzan. The cell members are suspected of bombing the Barzan police station earlier this month and attacking the Badoush Prison in March 2007.

-- A Tal Afar SWAT team captured four suspected al-Qaida members in the village of Ibrat Najar. The individuals are suspected of providing supplies to other al-Qaida terrorists in Mosul. Three Katusha rockets were found north of the village and were destroyed.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

Coalition Forces Detain Six Suspects in Iraq

American Forces Press Service

Oct. 16, 2008 - Coalition forces continued to drive al-Qaida in Iraq out of the country yesterday and today, targeting terrorists during operations in Mosul and Baghdad, military officials reported. During two related operations in Mosul ending yesterday, a wanted man and an additional suspect were detained by coalition forces. The wanted man is believed to have associated with a terrorist killed Oct. 5, officials said. The other detained man allegedly has ties to senior al-Qaida leaders.

Two more suspected terrorists were detained by coalition forces today during an operation targeting regional al-Qaida leadership in Mosul.

Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained two suspected members of an Iranian-backed illegal militia early yesterday in Baghdad's Rashid district.

Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, detained another suspected Iranian-backed militia member in the Abu Tshir community. The suspect allegedly is responsible for torture activities and roadside-bomb attacks in the Hurriyah area, officials said. The patrol took the suspect to a coalition force base for additional questioning.

Later, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, detained a suspected Iranian-backed militia member in the Hadar community. The patrol moved the individual suspected of making car bombs for attacks against Iraqis to a coalition combat outpost for further processing.

In operations Oct. 14:

-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers attached to the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team captured two suspected Iranian-backed militia members in eastern Baghdad's New Baghdad district. One of the men reportedly is an illegal militia leader in Kamaliyah.

-- Soldiers serving with the 4th Infantry Division's Company E, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, seized a munitions cache in Baghdad's West Rashid district. The munitions included an eight-inch armor-piercing projectile, two improvised rocket rails, a smoke grenade, a 60 mm mortar round, two AK-47 assault rifle magazines with armor-piercing rounds, two AK-47 magazines with ball ammunition, 300 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 1,000 rounds of linked 7.62 mm ammunition and various bomb-making materials.

-- Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division's Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, reported finding a 75 mm rocket-propelled grenade with a homemade launcher and improvised explosive device-making materials after searching an area in the Furat community of West Rashid based on a tip from a concerned citizen. The soldiers turned the materials over to a coalition forces explosives ordnance disposal unit and continued on their mission.

-- Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's Troop C, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, discovered two improvised claymore mines in Abu Tshir while investigating an abandoned house based on a tip from a concerned citizen in southeastern Rashid.

-- Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, seized an RPG, an RPG launcher, an AK-47, 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition and blasting caps while searching an abandoned house in the Hayy Furat community of southern Baghdad's Rashid district. The patrol notified an EOD unit to handle the weapons cache.

In operations Oct. 13:

-- In Sharqat, Iraqi soldiers captured two suspected 1920 Revolutionary Brigade terrorist group leaders active in the Tigris River Valley. One of the individuals is believed to be providing funding to terrorist organizations, officials said.

-- In Ayn Alwah, an Iraqi special weapons and tactics team detained a suspected IED and indirect fire cell leader. During the operation, SWAT confiscated an IED and a pressure-plate IED initiating system.

-- An Iraqi emergency response brigade detained seven suspected al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists in Taji Shores. One of the men is said to be a military leader within the al-Qaida wing that operates in Taji Shores.

-- In Kaira, Iraq soldiers captured a suspected weapons smuggler. The individual, said to have been an armorer in the Iraqi army during Saddam Hussein's time, is believed to be fixing and stockpiling weapons for future operations, officials said. Iraqi soldiers confiscated several items and weapons components that indicate he is repairing weapons.

-- In Mosul, Iraqi special operations forces captured three brothers believed to be responsible for planting roadside bombs.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases

Four Iraqi Citizens Killed, 18 Injured in Terrorist Bombing in Mosul

American Forces Press Service

Oct. 10, 2008 - Iraqi citizens were killed and 18 wounded today when a roadside bomb exploded near an Iraqi police mounted patrol in the northern city of Mosul, military officials said. Two Iraqi police also were wounded in the attack, they said. The bombing followed several days of military operations in the area in which coalition and Iraqi forces targeted terrorist networks. Today, those operations led to the capture of 10 suspected terrorists, including three men wanted in connection with al-Qaida in Iraq activity in the area, officials said.

Also today, coalition forces in Ijhalah Gharbi, about 44 miles south of Mosul, captured another wanted man believed to have ties to AQI regional leadership, as well as five other suspects, officials said. The alleged terrorist identified himself to forces during the operation, they said.

In other operations today, coalition forces detained five insurgents in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, officials said.

Earlier this week, Iraqi security forces killed three armed insurgents and captured 13 suspected terrorists believed to have launched recent attacks against coalition forces in Diyala and Baghdad, officials said.

One, a former Iraqi national police officer, is said to have conducted intimidation attacks and engaged in kidnapping for ransom, theft and robbery to supply money, weapons and vehicles to other criminal elements in Khalis, officials reported.

In other operations reported by coalition forces this week:

- Iraqi soldiers Wednesday captured two alleged members of the Jaish al-Islam terrorist cell operating in the Balad area. A third suspect, identified as a member of Hamas in Iraq, was killed after trying to attack Iraqi soldiers. The association of the insurgent groups indicates the possible convergence of terrorist groups, officials said.

- During a separate operation Wednesday in Khan Bani Said, Iraqi Security Forces captured six suspected AQI terrorists. During the operation, Iraqi Security Forces killed two of the suspects who showed hostile intent as they pointed weapons toward the SWAT members.

- Also Wednesday, Iraqi police and coalition troops discovered several weapons caches in the Abu Ghraib area of Baghdad that included homemade bombs, 270 122 mm rockets and 200,000 heavy machine gun rounds. The find was based on citizens' tips.

- On Tuesday, an Iraqi SWAT team operating in Makariyim captured three suspected AQI terrorists believed to be involved in logistics. They are believed to be associates of cell leaders involved in murder, kidnapping, theft, torture and indirect fire attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces.

- Also Tuesday, in Sufayah Village, about six miles from the Syrian border, Iraqi soldiers uncovered a weapons cache of bomb-making materials.

(Compiled from Multinational Forces Iraq, Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

Troops in Iraq Kill Enemy Fighters, Detain Suspects, Seize Weapons

American Forces Press Service

Aug. 3, 2008 - Coalition forces in Iraq killed three enemy fighters, detained dozens of terrorism suspects and seized illegal weapons caches in operations over the last few days, military officials reported. In operations conducted today and yesterday:

-- In Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted man reportedly responsible for establishing a foreign terrorist facilitation hub in the city. Two additional suspects were detained.

-- South of Mosul, coalition forces captured a man believed to manage finances and logistics for al-Qaida in Iraq cells in the Hamrin Mountains region. An additional suspected terrorist was detained.

-- Coalition forces searched Bir Qassim, a village near the Syrian border that intelligence reports indicate is the location of al-Qaida foreign terrorist facilitation operations. During the sweep, coalition forces detained 10 suspected terrorists.

–- Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team detained two suspected roadside-bomb makers in the Saydiyah community of Rashid.

–- Coalition forces conducted a precision operation in Tikrit and captured the alleged al-Qaida in Iraq leader there, officials said. The wanted man reportedly keeps videos of terrorist attacks and is tied to other networks within al-Qaida in Iraq.

–- In Baghdad, coalition forces captured a man believed to be an al-Qaida in Iraq extremist with connections in Egypt. Officials said the wanted man solicited al-Qaida in Iraq members about starting terrorist training and helping the foreign terrorist network. Three additional suspects were detained in the operations.

–- Two suspected terrorists were detained by coalition forces near Balad in operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq leaders.

–- In Mosul, coalition forces targeted an associate of al-Qaida in Iraq senior leaders and detained five suspected terrorists.

–- Iraqi National Police turned over a weapons cache to soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team working at a joint security station in Rashid. The cache consisted of three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, two RPG rounds, a machine gun, 50 7.62 mm rounds, a claymore mine, a 60 mm mortar tube with mount and base plate, and two 80 mm mortar tubes.

In operations Aug. 1:

–- Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team detained a suspected criminal in the Jihad community of Rashid and delivered him to a joint security station for questioning.

–- Iraqi National Police seized seven rocket-propelled grenades, six RPG propellants, 200 PKC rounds and 50 7.62 mm rounds in the Aamel community.

–- Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team seized a weapons cache north of Baghdad containing a partial improvised explosive device with three tubes of explosive material, a 120 mm rocket, four 120 mm rocket warheads, three 107 mm warheads, four 120 mm mortars, an anti-tank land mine, 25 120 mm projectiles, three 155 mm projectiles and two 105 mm projectiles.

–- Members of a "Sons of Iraq" citizen security group turned in a weapons cache consisting of three 130 mm projectiles, two 155 mm projectiles and a 150 mm mortar to soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

–-Iraqi National Police turned in a recovered cache to a forward operating base in Baghdad's West Rashid district. The cache included seven rocket-propelled grenades, six RPG propellants, 200 PKC machine gun rounds and 50 7.62 mm rounds.

–- In Baghdad's East Rashid district, acting on a tip from a local citizen, Iraqi National Police recovered three RPG launchers, two RPGs, 50 7.62 mm rounds, a claymore mine, a 60 mm mortar tube with plate and mounts and two 80 mm mortar tubes.

–- The Iraqi special weapons and tactics team in Hillah detained a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member in Diyala province. The suspect allegedly is part of a cell responsible for ethnic violence, kidnapping and improvised explosive device attacks.

–- Iraqi special operations forces detained two suspected Iranian-backed "special groups" members in Qurna, southeast of Baghdad. Officials said the suspects allegedly lead one of the most effective enemy cells in Qurna.

–- Members of the Hillah SWAT team detained a suspected special groups member in Kalsu, south of Baghdad, and two others on an Interior Ministry warrant. The suspects allegedly are members of an IED emplacement cell.

In operations July 31, Iraqi soldiers operating in Salahuddin province during Operation Eagle Pursuit killed three al-Qaida in Iraq fighters as another detonated his suicide vest, killing himself, military officials said. The soldiers also detained nine suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

Coalition Troops Detain Suspects; Iraqi Police Seize Explosives

American Forces Press Service

Aug. 1, 2008 - Coalition forces captured 17 suspected al-Qaida terrorists during operations in Baghdad and Mosul today, while Iraqi police found an assortment of explosives in Baghdad, military officials said.
In today's operations:

-- Fifteen suspected terrorists were captured in a village southwest of Mosul.

-- In Baghdad, coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaida associate, as well as an additional suspected terrorist.

-- Iraqi police found nine roadside bombs designed to pierce armor-hulled vehicles, 10 1-pound blocks of explosive material, three 20-kilogram bags of explosives and bomb-making materials in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.

In operations yesterday, U.S. soldiers in Baghdad detained two suspected criminal for questioning. The operation resulted in the surrender of another suspect.

Also yesterday, Iraqi soldiers seized a sniper rifle, an AK-47 assault rifle, an AK-47 short stalk, a rocket-propelled grenade round, and two hand grenades in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.

During July 30 operations:

-- Iraqi soldiers detained a suspected al-Qaida financier during an operation in Sadiyah. Three other suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.

-- U.S. soldiers detained a suspected Iranian-backed "special groups" criminal near the Jihad community in Baghdad's Rashid district. Five other suspects also were detained.

-- U.S. soldiers detained a suspect after discovering possible bomb-making materials in his home in Baghdad's Risalah neighborhood.

-- Iraq security forces captured three suspected terrorists in separate operations: The Mosul special weapons and tactics team captured a suspected mid-level al-Qaida operative in Namrood; the Fallujah SWAT squad captured a suspected al-Qaida member during an operation in Fallujah; and to the north of Baghdad, Iraqi National police captured a suspected al-Qaida leader.

In July 29 operations:

-- An Iraqi special operations and weapons team from Haditha detained a suspected al-Qaida terrorist in Barwanah, northwest of Baghdad.

-- Iraqi special operations forces detained two suspected terrorists north of Baghdad.

-- Iraqi special operations forces detained four suspected al-Qaida members in Tahwila, northwest of Baghdad. One of the detainees is linked to coordinating the movement of weapons and people between the Diyala and Udaim river valleys.

In July 28 operations:

-- An Iraqi SWAT team detained a suspected al-Qaida operative and two other suspects in Mosul.

-- Iraqi soldiers detained a suspected al-Qaida financier northwest of Mosul.

-- Muqdadiyah's Iraqi SWAT team detained a suspected al-Qaida financier.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

Schools as Terror Targets

On August 6, 2008, Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole will feature an interview of John Giduck on the Beslan School Seige. According to Esquire Magazine, “On the first day of school in 2004, a Chechen terrorist group struck the Russian town of Beslan. Targeting children, they took more than eleven hundred hostages. John Giduck is the author of Terror at Beslan: A Russian Tragedy with Lessons for America's Schools.

Program Date: August 6, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Schools as Terror Targets
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2008/08/07/Schools-as-Terror-Targets

About the Guest
John Giduck has a Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State and a law degree from the University of Denver. He also earned a Master’s Degree in International Affairs, specializing in Russian studies, from the University of Colorado, which included completion of the Russian Culture and Language Program at St. Petersburg State University in Russia. He has traveled extensively throughout Russia and the former Soviet Union, training with Russia’s elite Special Forces units for more than 10 years; and, is a certified instructor in Russian Special Forces hand to hand combat.

John Giduck has trained state and federal law enforcement officers and agents, including DEA, FBI, US Marshal’s Service, and SWAT teams throughout the US. He has served as a consultant on various international and terrorism subjects, and as a Russian Organized Crime instructor, for numerous federal and state agencies. He currently devotes his professional time to the Archangel Group, providing anti-terrorism consulting and training to U.S. law enforcement, government and military, part of which includes John serving as a civilian contract U.S. Army Special Forces hand-to-hand combat and firearms instructor. As well, he holds several black belts, is a multiple inductee into international martial arts halls of fame, and is a former U.S. national weightlifting champion.

John Giduck is a lifetime member of the Special Operations Association, Rocky Mountain Tactical Team Association, Russian Special Forces Brotherhood of the Red Beret Association, and is a lifetime executive member of the British Professional Bodyguard Association. He is a graduate of the FBI Citizen’s Academy and holds the highest level expert certification in Homeland Security through the American College of Forensic Examiners International, and is a former member of the Executive Advisory Board of the American College of Homeland Security and Police Marksman magazine. He is a current member of the Advisory Board of the College of Disaster Medicine and Management of Philadelphia University. In addition to other published materials and articles on terrorism, Russian organized crime and close quarters tactics, finished his book, Terror at Beslan: A Russian Tragedy With Lessons for America’s Schools, in 2005. His second book, co-authored with Green Beret Sergeant Major John Anderson, entitled The Green Beret In You: Living With Total Commitment To Family, Career, Sports and Life, was published in late 2007.

As part of his work with Archangel, John Giduck is also a scuba, tactical diving and CQB instructor, and teaches terrorist-hostage negotiations, narco-terrorism, terrorism and global organized crime, and Russian organized crime courses. He is now working on his doctoral dissertation on the global expansion of radical Islam through King’s College of London.

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2008/08/07/Schools-as-Terror-Targets

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

SWAT EXPO

The International Tactical Officers Training Association (ITOTA) is proud and excited to partner with ADS and host the 2008 SWAT Evolution Expo to be held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center located in Newark, New Jersey. The SWAT Evolution Expois scheduled for October 29th and 30th, 2008, and will be a first-class production with all levels of the law enforcement and military special operations community in attendance.

The ITOTA is an association designed to bring the international tactical community closer together through training and information sharing by focusing on the wealth of knowledge, experience and technology that exists in the global tactical community today. Our association scrupulously seeks out ways to meet the needs of our community and is ecstatic to partner with ADS. We are more than confident that this event will surpass our expectations in providing the most up-to-date, tactical, academic training and product showcase available today.

The SWAT Evolution Expo is based on the concept of how “fifth” generation warfare has pushed Tactical Operations and training into a new evolution bringing the civilian Law Enforcement and Military Special Operations communities closer together—SWAT Evolution. Military and Law Enforcement tactical concepts are advancing and merging together by utilizing the best from both worlds. This is happening as a result of the War on Terrorism and direct urban conflict.

The SWAT Evolution Expo was developed to provide a “main stream,” educational and interesting platform that meshes tactical skills, training and knowledge of both law enforcement and military special operations. You will hear from some of ITOTA’s finest international speakers and partners; from top U.S, Canadian and German Tactical Law Enforcement to U.S. Army, Navy and British Military Counter Terrorist Units. We are posed to provide the most innovative and main stream training and equipment solutions available.

The courses scheduled for the academic portion of the SWAT Evolution Expo are designed to show how tactics are evolving to generate enhanced results for the operator utilizing them. It’s about providing options and securing the homeland from within and abroad.

MORE INFORMATION
http://www.adstactical.com/lawenforcement/swat_evo_expo.htm

Iraqi SWAT Team Nabs Six Terrorists

American Forces Press Service

April 9, 2008 - A Baqouba-based Iraqi special weapons and tactics unit advised by U.S. Special Forces soldiers captured six terrorists in Iraq's Shilbah village yesterday. The SWAT team targeted al-Qaida in Iraq fighters in the village who were using the area as a base for bomb and small-arms attacks against Iraqi security forces and as a prison and meeting place.

In other Iraq operations, Iraqi special operations forces killed 14 and captured a dozen suspected terrorists and Iranian-backed "special group" members in Basra in the past week, military officials reported. The suspects reportedly are responsible for attacks against Iraqi security forces. During the operations, Iraqi special operations troops cleared more than 30 buildings and destroyed nine homemade bombs.

Also in Iraq:

-- Coalition forces found a homemade-bomb-making facility in Diyala province yesterday. A U.S. Air Force F-16 destroyed the facility with a 500-pound bomb.

-- Iraqi soldiers found a weapons cache holding nearly 300 mortar rounds near Rushdi Mullah on April 7. Forces recovered 60 mm, 120 mm and smaller mortar rounds, three rocket-propelled-grenade warheads, two cinderblock improvised explosive devices, and fuses.

-- U.S. Special Forces soldiers destroyed an al-Qaida in Iraq training camp and large weapons cache in operations last week in the Jazeera Desert. A former radar station was used for the site. The cache included more than 20,000 rounds of ammunition, surface-to-air missiles, machine guns, rockets, dynamite, suicide-vest charges, hand grenades, mortar rounds and tubes, one rocket-propelled-grenade launcher and warheads, and homemade explosives materials. Forces called for air strikes to destroy the compound and the cache.

(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq releases.)

SWAT Operations

April 7, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) The April 9, 2008, program of Conversations with Cops at The Watering Hole focuses on SWAT operations with guest Kevin Barrett.

Program Date: April 9, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: SWAT Operations
Guests: Kevin Barrett
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement

About the Guest
Kevin Barrett is the Chairman/CEO of the International Tactical Officers Training Association and SWAT Digest. Kevin is currently active duty [15 years] for a municipal police department where he is assigned to a special response team (SWAT) as a primary entry team member. Kevin’s past assignments include criminal investigations, drug task force and patrol. He has participated in hundreds of tactical operations and has specialized training and experiences in close quarter battle (CQB), counter terrorism, dignitary protection, SCBA and linear assault operations. He is a court certified expert in clandestine laboratory investigation and operations (DEA/ CLET certifications.) Kevin attended Indiana State University and is a certified instructor through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Coalition Forces in Iraq Kill 15 Enemy Fighters

American Forces Press Service

March 28, 2008 - Coalition forces killed 15 terrorists and detained 17 suspects during operations today targeting al Qaeda in Iraq elements in Baghdad and in central and northern parts of the country. They also killed or captured dozens of others in other recent operations, military officials reported.

-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers engaged and killed 13 terrorists in separate engagements in Baghdad. At about 4 a.m., terrorists using small-arms fire attacked soldiers from 237th Engineer Battalion in eastern Baghdad. An air weapons team responded, engaged the enemy forces and killed four terrorists.

-- Three hours later, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team positively identified men in a vehicle armed with rocket-propelled grenades in Adhamiyah, a district in northeast Baghdad. An air weapons team identified the vehicle and destroyed it, killing two terrorists.

-- At about 10 a.m., an M1126 Stryker vehicle of the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team struck an improvised explosive device in northeastern Baghdad. Soldiers observed the terrorist's spotter and killed him in an exchange of fire. No Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers were injured in the attack.

-- In northwestern Baghdad's Kadamiyah district at about 10:30 a.m., a terrorist attacked Iraqi and coalition forces with small-arms fire. Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team returned fire and killed the attacker. One soldier suffered minor wounds in the attack.

-- Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team killed five terrorists after an attack on their patrol by a rocket-propelled grenade at about noon in New Baghdad, a district in eastern Baghdad. "Along with our Iraqi security forces partners, we are targeting individual terrorists, extremists, criminal networks and anyone involved in violent crimes against the Iraqi people," said Army Col. Allen Batschelet, Multinational Division Baghdad chief of staff. "We will continue to conduct precision operations based on substantial evidence of terrorist or criminal activity."

-- Using intelligence gained from a March 18 operation, coalition forces targeted an al Qaeda in Iraq financial manager in Tuz Khurmatu. One man at the target building refused to comply with the ground forces' instructions and surrender. Coalition forces engaged the man, killing him. In the same area, an armed man barricaded himself in a building and engaged the ground force with small-arms fire. Coalition forces returned fire, killing the armed terrorist. Six suspects were detained during the operation.

-- In a related operation in Tuz Khurmatu, Iraqi and coalition forces caught a suspected leader of a suicide-bombing cell. The individual allegedly was planning attacks on "Sons of Iraq" groups of concerned citizens aiding the security effort near Baqouba.

-- In Baghdad, coalition forces conducted two precision operations, capturing a suspected car bomber and an individual allegedly tied to al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.

-- Coalition forces north of Beiji captured a suspected terrorist who allegedly coordinates and conducts bombing attacks. Intelligence reports indicate he and his associates are responsible for attacks in the Beiji and Sharqat areas.

-- In Mosul, coalition forces continued to target associates of al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders, detaining seven suspected terrorists during coordinated operations in the city.

"Al Qaeda in Iraq's indiscriminate violence is turning away even its most sympathetic former supporters," said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "With the help of local citizens, Iraqi and coalition forces will continue to locate and dismantle the terrorist networks through operations like these, improving security for all Iraqis."

In Iraq operations yesterday:

-- A coalition air strike killed seven terrorists after intelligence confirmed the location of a targeted individual reported to be the al Qaeda in Iraq leader of a local village operating in a remote area of the Hamrin Mountains southwest of Tuz. The targeted individual and six other armed men were observed conducting suspicious activities in the area.

-- Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 10 other suspects west of Samarra. The ground force was led to a building by intelligence reports and requested that occupants exit the building. Two men exited the building, but refused to follow coalition forces' instructions and demonstrated hostile intent. Coalition forces engaged one man, killing him. The other man then complied and was detained with nine additional suspected terrorists.

-- Two operations in the Mosul area targeted associates of al Qaeda in Iraq leaders. A precision operation in the city yielded the capture of a suspected terrorist believed to be associated with al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in the area. Southwest of Mosul, coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists during an operation targeting associates of al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.

-- Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, killed five terrorists and wounded an additional five after being attacked by small-arms fire while patrolling in Adhamiyah. The wounded were treated and detained by Iraqi National Police.

-- Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, killed two terrorists after receiving indirect fire, small-arms fire and rocket-propelled-grenade fire at a combat outpost in New Baghdad.

-- Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, came under a small-arms-fire attack while patrolling north of Baghdad. One terrorist was killed in the engagement.

-- Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, killed three terrorists in New Baghdad. The ground force was conducting a dismounted patrol when they saw the suspects, who were armed with illegal weapons. Perceiving hostile intent, the soldiers engaged the men, killing three.

-- Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, were attacked with small-arms fire by two terrorists while patrolling on the outskirts of Sadr City. An air weapons team in a rotary wing aircraft conducting surveillance positively identified the terrorists and killed them.

-- In Kadhamiyah, soldiers from 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, were attacked while manning a checkpoint in the area. An air weapons team in a helicopter was called in to assist the ground force. The team fired one Hellfire missile, killing three terrorists. Thirty minutes later, the checkpoint came under a second, heavier attack by terrorists. The air weapons team engaged with 30 mm rounds, killing an additional 10 terrorists.

-- Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, were patrolling in Adhamiyah when one of their vehicles was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. Five minutes later, the patrol was attacked by small-arms fire. The soldiers returned the attack with precision fire and killed one terrorist. One U.S. soldier received a minor wound, but continued the mission.

-- Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, killed two terrorists who engaged them with small-arms fire in Mansour.

-- A team from 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, engaged and killed a terrorist who was controlling indirect fire on the northern edge of Sadr City.

-- In New Baghdad, a vehicle from 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, was struck by an improvised explosive device at 5:20 p.m. The patrol positively identified the trigger man and engaged and killed the terrorist.

-- In Kadamiyah, soldiers from 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, reported a terrorist who fired an RPG at a building and set it on fire. As the soldiers moved in to investigate, terrorists fired an additional RPG round and small-arms fire at the patrol. Soldiers returned fire and killed three terrorists.

-- Iraqi security forces and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers killed eight militants after they were attacked at an Iraqi army checkpoint with RPGs and small-arms fire in northern Baghdad. A Multinational Division Baghdad aerial weapons team provided air support and engaged the terrorists, killing eight. One Iraqi army soldier was killed during the attack, and seven others were wounded. The wounded soldiers were treated at the scene and were evacuated to a local hospital.

-- Acting on a tip from a local Iraqi, Multinational Division North soldiers and Iraqi police officers discovered 37 bodies buried in a mass grave north of Muqdadiyah. All the bodies were badly decomposed and appear to have been there anywhere from two to eight months. Some of the bodies showed signs of torture. The bodies will be moved to a nearby cemetery.

In Iraq operations March 26:

-- Iraqi security forces and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers killed 24 terrorists in Baghdad during a series of precision, intelligence-based operations. These terrorists and militant elements were increasing their attacks against civilians, the government of Iraq, and Iraqi and U.S. security forces.

-- Hillah's Iraqi special weapons and tactics unit advised by U.S. Special Forces soldiers engaged Iranian-backed "special groups" criminals in Hillah, killing 14 and wounding 20. Criminal armed with AK-47 assault rifles, RPGs and automatic machine guns attacked two companies of Hillah SWAT as they were securing a road intersection. As a firefight developed, a U.S. Special Forces team arrived and began engaging the armed individuals. The criminal group broke contact and was seen by an air weapons team regrouping in three groups of 20 to 30 men near a mosque. The air weapons team, from 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, engaged the threat from the air. One Hellfire missile was fired, killing five. Nine Hillah SWAT team members were killed during the firefight. Two additional SWAT team members were injured and treated by a U.S. medic.

-- In Kut, an Iraqi special weapons and tactics unit advised by U.S. Special Forces soldiers conducted a patrol to counter recent violence in the area. The patrol took small-arms and RPG fire in the Old Izza and Karamiyah districts. Both times, the patrol returned fire, suppressing the enemy fighters. As the patrol left the districts, they linked up with Iraqi police and 8th Division Iraqi army scouts. The group then patrolled the Sharkiyah district, also receiving small-arms fire from a vehicle with four armed individuals. The patrol engaged the vehicle, killing two individuals. After eliminating the threat in the area, the patrol departed for the Kut SWAT headquarters and was attacked by an improvised explosive device. One vehicle was damaged, but the attacks resulted in no injuries. The Kut patrol killed 11 enemy fighters.

On March 25, Iraqi police officers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st National Police Brigade, led Multinational Division Center soldiers to two weapons caches near Muntadar, a small village east of Baghdad. Iraqi police, along with soldiers from 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, recovered both weapons caches, which contained more than 50 mortars and an artillery shell.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

Coalition Continues Pressure on Al Qaeda Leaders

By Sgt. Sara Moore, USA
American Forces Press Service

March 5, 2008 - As security improves across Iraq, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces are continuing to put pressure on the al Qaeda in Iraq network, specifically its senior leaders, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman said today. In recent weeks, Iraqi and coalition forces have captured or killed 26 senior al Qaeda in Iraq network leaders, Army Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner told reporters in Baghdad. Of the 26, eight were emirs who exercised responsibility for a geographic or functional area, five were cell leaders, and 13 were terrorist facilitators.

The emirs captured included the emir of Sharqat, who was wanted for attacks against Iraqi and coalition security forces and civilians; the emir of Tikrit, who led efforts to import foreign terrorists and to make and move weapons for terror attacks; and the military emir of Karkh, who coordinated and carried out car-bomb attacks in the western and southern areas of Baghdad.

Coalition forces killed Abu Yasir al-Saudi, also known as Jar Allah, who was the al Qaeda emir for southeastern Mosul and directed the terror network there, Bergner said. The coalition also killed Abu Hassam, who was the deputy military emir for Diyala province.

Bergner also highlighted several recent operations in Iraq, in which Iraqi and coalition forces detained numerous suspected terrorists. In an operation in western Ninevah province March 2, three members of the Tal Afar special weapons and tactics team were killed when their vehicle was hit by machine-gun fire as they were approaching a terrorist camp. The rest of the SWAT team responded, killing nine terrorists, wounding five enemy fighters, and detaining eight suspected terrorists who allegedly are responsible for planning and facilitating attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces, as well as setting up illegal checkpoints and conducting rocket attacks in Tal Afar.

Bergner attributed much of the recent success to the determination of the Iraqi people and security forces, who continually reject al Qaeda's violence and stand up for peace in their communities. He noted that even in the face of this rejection of violence, al Qaeda's second-in-command published a new message recently promoting violence.

"Despite al Qaeda's calls for violence, the Iraqi people are rejecting them on the very basis that the terrorists seek to legitimize themselves: violence," Bergner said. "We are heartened by the courage of the Iraqi people, who are restoring security to their communities, who are working closely with their security forces and the coalition, and who are standing up to threats and attacks from the extremists, including the perverse call from al Qaeda's foreign leaders."

Afghan Forces Take Lead to Secure Their Country

By David Mays
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 5, 2007 - Afghan soldiers and police are increasingly taking the lead to bolster security in their country, U.S. military commanders said today from the Afghan capital of Kabul during a conference call with online journalists and "bloggers." "The Afghans are a noble people who strongly desire to defend their own nation," said Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan. "Our job is to provide the coaching, teaching and mentoring, as well as the critical resources to make that a reality."

"We're just proud of everybody," said Army Col. Bill Wenzler, commander of Afghanistan Regional Integration Command East. "We're working hard to make sure that we get Afghan National Army and police working together, and they can get some primacy here, and we can all come home."

Both officers are assigned to assist Afghan security forces from their base at Camp Eggers in Kabul. Both praised the extraordinary discipline and ferocity with which Afghan forces operate.

"Most of these young soldiers grew up in families where fighting has been a part of their lives," Cone said. "They have a great deal of endurance ... a high amount of physical strength and, in fact, make very good soldiers."

Because it has performed so well in combat, the Afghan National Army is rarely engaged by Taliban insurgents, Cone said.

"Now they're gravitating toward the police," he said. "It's our responsibility to ensure that we provide adequate protection and adjust our tactics so that they can't pick off individual police districts out on the edges and peripheries of the nation."

The Taliban is increasingly turning to improvised explosive devices to attack Afghan patrols, according to both officers.

"I would say in our area they (insurgents) feel desperate," Wenzler said. "They feel like they're actually running for their lives there. They're trying to find places that they can get a big bang for their buck."

Afghanistan's geography has worked against Afghan security personnel trying to enforce the rule of law in remote regions, Cone said.

"The pattern that this enemy uses would be to identify geographically what is an isolated location where there might be a district police center," the general explained. "They'll show up and leave a night letter that tells the police they're coming the next day in great numbers. The police, probably wisely, cannot be reinforced, so they might leave their posts. And then what happens is they'll overrun the district center, burn the district center and use it as a photo-op and say they've overrun it. And then, by the time we can reinforce this some number of hours later, they're gone."

To prevent such attacks, Cone's team is establishing a Special Forces-style Afghan army unit ready to deploy using recently-acquired MI-17, multi-role helicopters.

"This is the equivalent of a Ranger school-like experience in which we put together about 600 highly trained light infantrymen that are capable of conducting air assault operations," he said.

On the police side, a special SWAT-style unit is training to assist local police officers, Cone said. "We're getting ready right now to push those out to the field as reinforcement forces for the district police that might be in peril."

"Once we've gone in and we've taken care of business, then the bottom line is it's up to the police to stay there and enforce the law," Wenzler said. "It takes the police to connect that local community back to the government of Afghanistan, and that's critical."

"The key to our success in Afghanistan is enabling Afghans to take the lead in all aspects of their security," Cone added. "Afghans are stepping up all across this nation to the challenge of taking the lead in this fight."

(David Mays works at the Pentagon Channel.)

Coalition Trains Afghan Police in Special Weapons, Tactics

By Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Cohen, USN
Special to American Forces Press Service

June 18, 2007 – The battle against the Taliban is an ongoing fight throughout Afghanistan. One of the groups leading the charge against the terrorists and insurgents is the Afghan National Police. A new capability is being added to make the Afghan police an even stronger force. The Afghan National Civil Order Police will be an elite group of police officers filling a variety of roles.

Superintendent James Rainville, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, is assigned as a mentor with Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan and is in a lead role helping to develop the Afghan's police capabilities.

"These police officers have already finished basic training; some have been on the police force for a couple of years or more," Rainville said. "They recently completed a 60-day course in advanced police training and tactics focused on team building, unit cohesiveness and upgrading skills and abilities before becoming a fully operational unit."

The police officers undergoing Afghan National Civil Order Police training learn to work in small tactical teams, requiring dedicated professionals, said Rainville.

"These (police officers) are the cream of the crop," he said. "The police officers coming through this program are about 90 percent literate, which is very high for Afghanistan. They are eager to learn, and they are catching on very fast."

Coalition military and civilian mentors are instructing the 300 officers going through training here.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Warren Bockhol, an embedded trainer from Task Force Phoenix VI assigned to the Afghan National Army's 201st Corps, is working with the students to hone their skills.

"These guys are motivated and want to learn," Bockhol said. "They want to be here, and it shows."

The skills they learn, including techniques used by special weapons and tactics teams, will help keep them in the fight and establish dominance over their enemy.

"We are teaching them SWAT techniques. Some of these are very similar to infantry skills we use in the field," Bockhol said. "Cordon-and-search (operations) are things we do in an urban environment; these are things they will need to do, as well." Cordon-and-search operations involve clearing buildings and methodically making sure each room is secured and safe.

"We're teaching them how to go room by room, making sure it is safe to proceed," Bockhol said. "We are still in the 'walking' phase of instruction. They are learning the theory and application. By the time they finish this training, they will be effective operators."

Not every police officer will be in the SWAT unit.

"This is as much a selection process as it is training," Rainville said.

Those who do not make the cut for SWAT still will be part of Afghan National Civil Order Police, but will be used in other roles such as crowd and riot control.

"We are looking for people who can shoot accurately, think on their feet, take and follow orders," said Scott Hill, an Afghan National Civil Order Police training mentor with DynCorp. "We need them to be responsive and take in the situation and understand how it is developing."

Hill, a 13-year veteran of a U.S. sheriff's department, said it is not about shooting or hurting people.

"When a SWAT team enters a building, they are going in there to rescue people," Hill said. "The last thing they want to do is go in there, start shooting and kill the wrong person. Discipline is a key part to working in a SWAT unit, as is teamwork and communication."

Sgt. Abdul Shokoor has been an Afghan police officer for the past three years. He is motivated and is a standout among his peers, Bockhol said. Talking to him reveals a dedicated officer who wants to serve with the best Afghanistan has to offer.

"I want to serve my country and make Afghanistan safe for the people," Shokoor said. "Being part of ANCOP has given me the chance to learn new skills and serve with the best. The instructors are excellent and are willing to share their experience with us. They really make this training worthwhile."

Rainville said he is glad to see the progress in the overall training program.

"When these units go into the field, they will be on par with any police unit in the West," he said. "They will have the best training and the best equipment in Afghanistan and will be capable to carry out the tough missions with success."

These police officers will be assigned to Kabul, with future classes being stationed in other provinces throughout Afghanistan, officials said.

(Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Cohen is assigned to Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan Public Affairs.)

Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Terrorists

American Forces Press Service

June 13, 2007 – In operations throughout Iraq over the past three days, coalition and Iraqi forces killed nine terrorists and detained 76 suspected terrorists, military officials reported. During operations targeting al Qaeda in Iraq and the Baghdad car bomb network today, coalition forces killed two terrorists, detained 13 suspected terrorists and discovered a cache of weapons.

In an incident yesterday, coalition forces observed two terrorists emplacing improvised explosive devices in Baghdad and raided their bed-down location. As coalition forces approached the building, the two terrorists disregarded the interpreter's instructions and approached the ground force. Coalition forces engaged the two men, killing them.

Inside the building, coalition forces discovered a fully assembled IED. As they were disabling the IED, a person appeared and rushed toward them. Coalition forces, perceiving a possible explosive threat, engaged the individual with small-arms fire, killing her.

Also on the scene, coalition forces detained three suspected members of the Baghdad car bomb network, which is responsible for conducting attacks on Iraqi civilians, as well as Iraqi and coalition forces. The ground force also destroyed two vehicles at the site that the terrorists used to transport personnel and explosives.

Based on information from the suspects, coalition forces moved to a follow-on location and found a cache of weapons and explosives, including chemicals used to build IEDs. An explosives team safely destroyed the materials on site.

During two coordinated operations near Fallujah, coalition forces raided a series of buildings linked to the activities of al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. Eight suspected terrorists were detained for their connection to the al Qaeda senior leader network.

In an operation in Tarmiyah yesterday, coalition forces captured one suspected terrorist who is believed to be a personal companion of a religious emir within the al Qaeda network.

During a raid in Mosul yesterday, coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist for his ties to a suspected terrorist. Coalition forces tracked the suspected terrorist from after his accomplices where captured and he fled from Kirkuk to Mosul.

"We have disrupted the indiscriminate and deliberate attacks terrorists conducted against innocent Iraqis, and we'll continue to target al Qaeda in Iraq's leadership and operatives," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.

In another Mosul operation, coalition forces killed a senior terrorist leader yesterday morning while targeting the al Qaeda in Iraq network.

Kamal Jalil Bakr 'Uthman, also known as Sa'id Hamza, was known to be the al Qaeda in Iraq military emir of Mosul. Intelligence reports indicate he planned, coordinated and facilitated suicide bombings in the Mosul area. Also, he facilitated the movement of more than 100 foreign fighters through safe houses in the area, and orchestrated attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces.

Coalition forces targeted 'Uthman yesterday as part of their operations to disrupt the al Qaeda in Iraq senior leader network in Mosul. As they entered his residence, 'Uthman rushed into another room and reached under a mattress. Coalition forces reacted to the hostile threat, engaged 'Uthman and killed him. The troops later found a suicide vest under the mattress.

Coalition forces had detained 'Uthman during an operation in August 2006. He was released from the Iraqi judicial system in April 2007, and intelligence reports indicate he was planning a six-vehicle suicide bomb attack to avenge his detention.

"We have taken another very dangerous terrorist off the streets of Iraq, and we will continue to deplete the senior leadership of al Qaeda in Iraq," Garver said.

Meanwhile, the newly formed Diyala Operations Command in Baqouba reported today that Iraqi Army troops and U.S. soldiers of the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, killed five extremists, wounded eight and arrested 15 others during operations throughout Baqouba yesterday.

The engagement in Old Baqouba also netted two caches and a car bomb.

Another gunman was killed when coalition forces engaged his sniper position in the neighborhood of Mufrek, in Baqouba.

The car bomb had a rocket-propelled grenade inside, and according to local citizens, was rigged to explode. Two extremists were arrested in the immediate area after testing positive for explosives.

Four other suspected insurgents were arrested June 11 by soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Divisions 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron. The individuals were trying to evade the coalition patrol when they were stopped and searched. Inside the vehicle, they had two AK-47s, one pistol and two full magazines, and could not produce permits for the weapons.

Elsewhere, Iraqi security forces successfully prevented a car bomb attack on a coalition forces combat outpost in Khan Bani Sa'ad, located in Diyala province, yesterday.

"I could not be more proud of the Iraqi security forces today," said Lt. Col. Marshall Dougherty, commander, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. "Troop B, 2-1 CAV lives and works in the combat outpost with the Iraqi army soldiers."

Iraqi soldiers received a tip and description of a potential car bomb and engaged the vehicle with small-arms fire as it approached the outpost, causing the vehicle to detonate prematurely before it reached the outer perimeter.

Two coalition soldiers received minor wounds and were treated at the scene. Immediately following the explosion, Iraqi troops worked with Iraqi police to secure the area and collect evidence.

In another operation, Iraqi forces detained 15 suspects linked to the terrorist criminal network of al Qaeda in Iraq June 11 in western Mosul.

Working on tips from local Iraqi citizens, Iraqi forces successfully raided the targeted buildings and detained the 15 suspects without incident.

Iraqi forces also seized three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9 mm pistol, 13 cell phones and 20 cases of hydrochloric acid.

In other developments, soldiers from the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, and the Iraqi National Police detained four men and confiscated bomb-making materials and rifles following a raid in northern Jisr Diyala June 11.

The 3-1 Cavalry's Troop A and Time Sensitive Target Platoon soldiers worked with an Iraqi National Police platoon, called the Lions of Wassit, to search locations insurgent forces were using as meeting sites and cache sites.

The unit conducted several raids to collect information and disrupt enemy activities preventing extremists from engaging Combat Outpost Assassin and Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah. The 3-1 Cavalry is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

A failed truck bomber, wounded in his attempt to destroy a coalition battle position, was treated, evacuated and is providing information to those he tried to kill, officials reported.

The driver of the truck bomb aimed at destroying Patrol Base Warrior Keep near Sadr al Yusufiyah on June 10 was wounded in the upper right leg, rendering him unable to activate his initiation switch or his explosive vest.

Alert soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, manning the weapon systems at the patrol base, determined his hostile intent and opened fire with an M-240B machine gun and M-4 assault rifles, foiling the attack.

Soldiers from the patrol base then detained the man. Seeing that the man was wounded, they rendered aid and evacuated him to the 31st Combat Support Hospital. Coalition medical personnel continue to provide the man medical care. The man will be held for further questioning and prosecution.

Meanwhile, insurgents detonated a car bomb, damaging a bridge north of Baqouba in Diyala province June 11, rendering it unusable.

The blast destroyed the east-bound lane of the bridge and left the west-bound lane standing, but impassable.

A Georgian unit was present in the vicinity of the attack, and one soldier suffered minor injuries. A coalition forces' explosive ordnance detachment cleared the area and determined the source of the explosion to be a car bomb with a large amount of explosives.

"This is another extreme act of hatred by terrorists intent on harming the people of Diyala province," said Lt. Col. Quinton J. Arnold, deputy brigade commander for 3-1 Cav. "Iraqi security and coalition forces will continue to work jointly with the citizens of Diyala to eliminate these cowardly acts of hatred."

In another act of terror, criminal militias, attempting to attack the district joint security station in Baghdad's Sadr City district with a 120 mm mortar round, missed and damaged a nearby apartment building June 11.

Iraqi police and coalition forces heard the explosion and quickly investigated to render aid to any victims of the attack. No one was injured in the blast, which damaged the roof of the building and landed in a room below.

"This is another example of why the people of Sadr City are tired of the criminal militias and the violence they bring in their homes," said Lt. Col. David Oclander, the executive officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, which operates in the area. "We are communicating daily with all residents of Sadr City to reject this violence, which only causes their own suffering."

Iraqi army forces have detained a suspected al Qaeda in Iraq sniper allegedly responsible for the death of a U.S. soldier and other attacks against coalition forces, officials reported.

With coalition forces present as advisors, Iraqi soldiers detained their primary sniper suspect in the Jolan district of Fallujah during a raid June 10. Insurgent propaganda and numerous identification cards were also seized during the operation.

The suspect, who is alleged to be a member of an al Qaeda in Iraq sniper cell operating out of Fallujah, is believed to have killed a U.S. soldier from a rooftop during a 2006 attack on coalition forces in Fallujah. He is also the primary suspect in a sniper attack against a coalition forces tractor-trailer that occurred in Fallujah earlier this year.

Elsewhere, paratroopers operating near the cities of Zukaytun, Iskandariyah and Musayyib south of Baghdad detained 24 insurgents and arrested three June 10 and 11.

Paratroopers from 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, also secured three AK-47s and 15 ammunition magazines, one 9 mm submachine gun, $2,000 worth of dinar, four sets of body armor, one bag full of numerous fake identification cards, various Iraqi police, Iraqi army, and Hillah SWAT camouflage uniforms, six cellular phones, one 9 mm submachine gun, 500 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, several sets of load-bearing equipment and two computers.

(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)

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