“Operation Ithaca” Surprises, Pummels, Al Qaeda Forces
Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthogs,” Army attack helicopters, and Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters fired on the insurgents from the air.
Salem-News.com
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - By: Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service
American and Iraqi military forces broke up al Qaeda operations in the Diyala River valley during “Operation Ithaca,” conducted July 12th, a U.S. military officer said today.
Operation Ithaca targeted Sunni-backed al Qaeda forces in and around the villages of Haimer, Abu Nasim and Jamil, located about 20 kilometers north of Baqubah, the capital of Diyala province, said Army Lt. Col. Andrew P. Poppas, commander of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division’s 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, which took part in the anti-insurgent offensive.
The operation was a great success and caught al Qaeda “completely by surprise,” Poppas said, noting U.S. ground troops were inserted into the battle space at multiple landing zones by helicopter.
Meanwhile, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthogs,” Army attack helicopters, and Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters fired on the insurgents from the air, Poppas said. Unmanned aerial vehicles kept an eye on insurgent movements during the battle, he added.
Each of the aircraft was assigned “very specific, detailed areas” for engaging the al Qaeda forces, Poppas said. In this way, he noted, the enemy lost the ability to control the battle and was blocked by coalition air or ground troops at every turn.
“In a direct firefight, American soldiers are going to win every time,” Poppas said, noting there were no U.S. casualties during the operation.
Twenty-nine al Qaeda operatives were killed and 23 others were captured during the operation. Also, three enemy weapons caches were discovered and a safe house was destroyed. Additionally, eight Iraqis who’d been held hostage by the insurgents were freed.
Local Iraqis fed up with al Qaeda had delivered hand-written maps and other information about the enemy that were used during pre-operational planning, Poppas said.
“We had some very specific intelligence that was provided to us from the local populace,” Poppas said. Unmanned aerial vehicles and other means were used to confirm the information.
Ongoing surge operations in and around Baghdad are putting the squeeze on al Qaeda and other insurgents, causing them to flee Iraq’s capital city to places like Baqubah to the north, Poppas explained.
The insurgents “have got to go somewhere” out of Baghdad, Poppas continued, noting his forces were positioned to intercept and deal with such relocations.
Poppas said his troops have worked closely with 5th Iraqi Army Division soldiers.
“We do all of our patrols combined,” Poppas said of his unit’s relationship with local Iraqi troops. “My experience with the Iraqi army units that I have fought alongside personally (with) is excellent.”
Poppas said his soldiers’ morale is excellent, citing their “impressive” and “phenomenal” performance during Operation Ithaca. Their battlefield prowess is the result of training as a unit for more than two years, he said.
“You deny the enemy’s ability to react to you, because you’re on top of them,” Poppas pointed out.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Of course, you’ll never hear about this in the MSM. It’s all a quagmire, just like in Vietnam.
July 17th, 2007 at 12:40 pm[…] and the Main Stream Media we’ve already lost Iraq. It’s a Quagmire just like Vietnam. Here is one of those things that you aren’t going to see in the MSM. Let alone the fact that the troop surge actually […]
July 17th, 2007 at 1:38 pmI Googled “Operation Ithaca”. So far, no MSM links on the first page. Here are the results, edited for context:
“Operation Ithaca” Surprises, Pummels, al Qaeda Forces - Salem …American and Iraqi military forces broke up al Qaeda operations in the Diyala River valley during Operation Ithaca, conducted July 12th, a US military …
www.salem-news.com/articles/july172007/us_operation_071707.php - Jul 17, 2007 - Similar pages
Terrorist Death Watch : Operation IthacaOperation Ithaca. As far as I can determine, these deaths have not been previously reported here. Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces, using tips from local …
terroristdeathwatch.com/?p=78 - 25k - Cached - Similar pages
Freedom will be defended - daily military newsWASHINGTON, July 17, 2007 – American and Iraqi military forces broke up al Qaeda operations in the Diyala River valley during “Operation Ithaca,” conducted …
darkblueworld.info/milnews/ - Jul 17, 2007 - Similar pages
White Rose’s Adventures29 terrorists killed, 23 detained, 8 hostages released during Operation Ithaca Multi-National Division – North PAO. BAQOUBA, Iraq – Soldiers from 1st …
blog.cindyiniraq.com/ - Jul 16, 2007 - Similar pages
BLACKFIVEA joint US and Iraqi army operation, dubbed Operation Ithaca, is targeting al Qaeda cells in the villages of Haimer, Abu Nasim, and Jamil. …
www.blackfive.net/main/ - Jul 17, 2007 - Similar pages
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.Operation Ithaca - The Fight 04:05. Added: 2 hours ago Views: 26. Operation Ithaca - Interview · Operation Ithaca - Interview 07:59. Added: 2 hours ago …
youtube.com/blackfive - 67k - Jul 16, 2007 - Cached - Similar pages
DefenseLink News Article: Iraq Raids Net Terrorists, Weapons …Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted Operation Ithaca, targeting al Qaeda operatives near the villages of Haimer, Abu Nasim, and Jamil. …
www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46727 - 58k - Cached - Similar pages
Iraq Raids Net Terrorists, Weapons; Sheiks, U.S. Leaders Meet“We’re continuing to conduct operations that target specific links in the al Qaeda …. 1st Cavalry Division, conducted Operation Ithaca, targeting al Qaeda …
July 17th, 2007 at 1:55 pmwww.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2007/07/mil-070715-afps01.htm - 26k - Jul 15, 2007 - Cached - Similar pages
its nice to see we are catching the enemy by surprise.
July 17th, 2007 at 1:56 pmGreat job guys! Keep it up.
July 17th, 2007 at 2:09 pmTo General Petraeus:
C H A R G E ! !
From the U.S. of A.
Keep fighting to win the War!!
After the War, maybe YOU can run for the Republican candidacy for President in 2012!
You can be the Eisenhower 2.0!
July 17th, 2007 at 2:36 pmThis news is power, political power, and a great lever if a conservative politician would learn how to use it.
This is great news!
Armed service personel; Congratulations. Great job! You are the American spirit personified. My family and friends are in awe of what you young people are accomplishing, even while being stifled in the MSM. Keep up the momentum, it is working!
July 17th, 2007 at 2:39 pmI love it! They got to save some Iraqi lives too!
July 17th, 2007 at 2:46 pmnice battle nice post
July 17th, 2007 at 3:06 pmMy first post. I’ve been reading Pat’s blog for a few weeks. Being from NY I was curious about “Operation Ithaca”. I don’t recall any other operation named for a local. Ithaca means towards the sunset” as meaning “farthest of all towards the north. (I looked it up). Is it because the operation was north of Baquban which is north of Baghdad or because one of the officers is from the Ithaca area. Just curious.
July 17th, 2007 at 3:28 pmHi,
A lot of great news coming out of iraq!
Dem’s in congress are only doing their “BS All nighter” because we are starting to win in Iraq and they see the tide turning… If we win in Iraq…or the normal everyday American knows we are winning in Iraq…
None of the dems in congress will be able to get elected to their own kids PTA board.
Pure and simple…
And you thought their main concern was the welfare of our troops? yea right!
Peace,
Dan
–
The Truth Of Iraq And How America And Iraq Are Winning The War
July 17th, 2007 at 6:14 pmhttp://iraqsinconvenienttruth.com/
Pat,
I found myself yelling yes (as one would do while watching a football game) reading this post. This is the kind of combat and victory that we are capable of any day of the week! To all you servicemen that took part in Operation Ithaca if I ever see you on the streets, I’d like to buy you a drink.
bd, your Ike 2.0 comment had me laughing out loud!
July 17th, 2007 at 6:39 pmAlmost 9 hours since I last googled Operation Ithaca and STILL no MSM coverage on the internet…not even freakin’ Fox News. Oh, the shame.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:47 pmhere’s some vid….http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7ab_1184642937
July 17th, 2007 at 7:34 pmI wonder what Kipp is going to bitch about now.
July 17th, 2007 at 7:39 pmvery nice, i love to read about victory!!! especially when it comes to laying an ass whoopin on those islamic pukes. Semper Fi usmc 1/5 92-95
July 17th, 2007 at 9:00 pmThe icing on the cake is double flavored. No Coalition casualties and rescued the hostages. This is something that should be put out in a daily White House Press Conference by the Secretary of Defense and JCS. Good work fellas. Keep it up.
July 17th, 2007 at 9:51 pmOUR MILITARY KICKS ASS!!!!
WE NEVER SAY NEVER
WE NEVER SURRENDER
WE NEVER QUIT
GO GET’EM
…and remember there are alot of people like me who are praying for those who defend our country’s freedom, even if it means giving the ultimate sacrifice on foreign soil.
God bless the troops and God bless the U.S. of A.
July 17th, 2007 at 10:19 pmAnd while we are kicking butt, what are our legislators doing? Take a look…
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0707/4985.html
July 17th, 2007 at 10:46 pmradgy,
excellent video of ithaca operations. that one iraqi looks like he received a hell of a beating from alqaeda.
July 17th, 2007 at 11:38 pmthe ithica I remember is the name of a shotgun with a pump action holding 11 up the tube, and that of a huge jail in NY somewhere.
July 17th, 2007 at 11:50 pmEither way a great name for geat operation and I CONGRATULATE the military of the timing and the result of the operation. May there be may be many more until the US congress realises that the surge is working.We in aussie see this, the reports are positive here.All power to the troops in Iraq.
I get my news here anyway.
July 18th, 2007 at 2:10 am