Wednesday, June 06, 2007

There's a Reason They Are Called ATTACK Helicopters

Here'a couple of press releases from MNC-I that you won't see too many places...just so you know there are successes among the IED's over here.

The following is available HERE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070603-18
June 3, 2007

MND-B Apaches disrupt enemy attack on aircraft
1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Multi-National Division-Baghdad attack helicopter crews
killed four insurgents and destroyed five enemy vehicles carrying heavy antiaircraft
weapons systems May 31 in Baghdad.

Four Apaches from the 1st “Attack” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st
Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, destroyed bongo trucks that were
mounted with heavy anti-aircraft machine guns, and one truck carrying what
appeared to the aircrews to be a man-portable air defense system.

“This battle, on a well defended terrorist position proves the awesome
lethality and agility my crews display every day with every mission supporting
Coalition Forces,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Walach, commander, 1-227th
Aviation Regiment. “In a short period, the enemy just could not react to the
Apache Longbow crews’ quick actions, superior aerial skills, team work and very
accurate and lethal fires all under heavy enemy fire. These aircrews’ actions …
contributed significantly to preventing future attacks on Coalition aircraft and
Coalition ground units.”

A team of two Apache helicopters were on an area reconnaissance
mission at about 6:30 p.m. May 31 while en route to Baghdad International
Airport when they noticed vehicles quickly leaving the road after seeing the
aircraft. The occupants left the vehicles and hid in nearby ditches.

Coming under fire from three to four heavy machine guns, the crews
returned suppressive fire. One vehicle moved near a house, where the Apache
crews fired at it, killing one.

The Apache crews saw three of the trucks fleeing the engagement area
and observed muzzle flashes from the machine guns mounted on the trucks. The
crews engaged the trail vehicle.

The crews fired again and disabled the lead vehicle. The crews continued
engaging the vehicles – disabling the three gun trucks and killing three more
enemy gunmen.

The crews returned to the truck at the house and destroyed it. A fifth truck
carrying a probable MANPAD system was engaged and also destroyed.

Four insurgents were killed and five vehicles destroyed in the
engagement.



And then there is this one available HERE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070603-17
June 3, 2007

Rocket attack foiled
Insurgent rocket team engaged, four killed, six captured
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — Attack helicopter crews from the 1st “Attack” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, in a coordinated operation with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, killed four terrorists, apprehended six suspects and destroyed one van and multiple rockets that were aimed toward the International Zone in eastern Baghdad June 2.

The Apache helicopter team was alerted to the area when terrorists were spotted setting up multiple rocket firing positions aimed at the International Zone.

“This operation against an enemy rocket team shows the awesome capability and lethality my aircrews display every day,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Walach, commander of the 1-227th Aviation Regiment.

In all, four terrorists were killed, one vehicle destroyed and 10 rockets destroyed in the Apache Longbow engagement. There was no collateral damage observed during the engagement.

Following the destruction of the equipment by the attack helicopters, Soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team pursued six suspects observed fleeing the scene of the foiled rocket attack. They tailed the suspects to a residence inside Sadr City and apprehended them.The six suspects were then transported to the nearby Sadr City Joint Security Station for questioning.

“These intelligence-driven raids by the Coalition are designed to go after extremists responsible for indirect fire attacks in Baghdad against innocent civilians in recent months,” said Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl, spokesman for Multi-National Division – Baghdad.






Who says there's no good news?

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