Shinedown performs for hundreds of service members at Camp Taqaddum, Iraq, Nov. 11. The band had four performances on their United Service Organizations-sponsored tour and spent time with service members before and after their shows. “It’s been amazing seeing you guys in action … (and it’s important for us) to give you guys a little release, a break from everyday life,” said Jasin Todd, guitarist for Shinedown.Photo submitted 11/27/2006 Taken by Lance Cpl. Ben Eberle

U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment wait for word to proceed on their cordon and search mission in Hawijah, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Guillory

Iraqi army soldiers from 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division kick in a door as U.S. Army soldiers from Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment stand by during a cordon and search operation in Hawijah, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Guillory

Iraqi army soldiers from 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division and U.S. Army soldiers from Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment are looking for insurgents, unauthorized weapons and materials for constructing improvised explosive devices in Hawijah, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Guillory

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Coriey Burkman, of Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, and an Iraqi army soldier from the 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division clear the roof of an Iraqi home during a cordon and search operation in Hawijah, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Guillory

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Rettig, from 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, attempts to coax an Iraqi child to go to her parents while soldiers search her home during a cordon and search operation in Hawijah, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Guillory

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jerald Harris, of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, attached to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, and his military working dog Carlos search a home during a cordon and search operation in Hawijah, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Guillory

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jerald Harris, of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, attached to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, and his military working dog Carlos search a home during a cordon and search operation in Hawijah, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Guillory


This and more photo essays at DefendAmerica

Street patrol
Airmen from the Detachment 7, 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron conduct a mission brief at the Hy Al-Amil police precinct Nov. 23 in Baghdad, Iraq. Airmen from from the unit deploy into the city streets of Baghdad assisting Iraqi police in achieving self-sufficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Steve Cline)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Centella, mortar section sergeant, Company C, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and two of his Paratroopers pull up rugs in search for weapons during a raid in Bayji, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua R. Ford




By U.S. Army Spc. Joshua R. Ford

BAYJI, Iraq, Nov. 27, 2006 — Eight armored vehicles crept through the narrow city street in Bayji searching for the objective. More than 20 Paratroopers would storm, secure and search the site for their target.

“That’s it. Let’s move,” the platoon sergeant calmly said over the radio.

Immediately the element dismounted their vehicles and raced toward the target house.

Troops placed ladders and hurled themselves over the cement wall into the courtyard.

Once the courtyard was breached, the Paratroopers entered the house and found multiple small arms. They also detained one man linked to an insurgent cell.

“It was exciting,” said Staff Sgt. Mica Snell, fire support sergeant, Company C, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. “You fight everyday, and when your spirits are getting low and you find (an insurgent), it brings them back up.”

Since the beginning of November, scenarios like this have been an almost everyday occurrence for the Paratroopers of Company C.

“We have caught a lot of the major players from multiple insurgent cells, providing a lot of useful information leading to the capture of more insurgents and the discoveries of their hideouts and weapons caches,” said 1st Sgt. Micheal Green, Company C.

One of the biggest cache sites discovered was found on Bayji Island. The site included hand grenades, rocket-propelled-grenade launchers with multiple rounds, small arms, mortar tubes, mortar rounds and bomb-making material.

The find came after a unit called for support while detaining 11 individuals linked to an anti-Iraqi forces cell. The Paratroopers of Company C searched it and found a cache site that stretched across Bayji Island, said Green.

There were so many weapons and so much ammunition that the ordnance disposal team ran out of explosives while destroying the contents of the cache site.

The remaining weapons were taken back to Forward Operating Base Summerall to be destroyed.

Green added that after finding the cache there were no insurgent attacks in the area for more than 36 hours.

Later in the week, coalition and Iraqi forces conducted a raid based off intelligence from the coalition intelligence informing the Paratroopers of a terrorist cell that trademarks themselves with black uniforms.

When they searched the house, they found multiple black jumpsuits neatly hanging on a wall. Surrounding the uniforms was a scattered assortment of small arms and ammunition.

The “black jumpsuit” insurgent cell was shut down and out of commission in Bayji.

While raiding houses, Green says that the people understand why the coalition forces are there. They are very cooperative with the troops and often thank them for what they are doing for their community.

“When you are raiding a house in the middle of the night and the children run up and give you a hug you know you are making a difference,” said Green.

Because Company C has treated the Iraqis with dignity and respect, they have been able to get more information from the people of Bayji leading to the company’s success, which has created a safer and more secure area for the Bayji citizens, said Green.

“As we have worked through this area the people have grown more confident that we are actually here to help them, not only to get the bad guys out of Bayji, but to also help them in the situations the country has found itself in,” said Green.


U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Centella, mortar section sergeant, Company C, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, observes an intersection while pulling security for his comrades searching a house in Bayji, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua R. Ford

ROADSIDE CHECKPOINT — U.S. Army Pfc. Kyle Mitchell of Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment uses the scope on his M4 rifle to scan the distance at a roadside checkpoint in the Hawijah district of Kirkuk province, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Guillory

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Biden sets benchmarks for Iraq study group
Iran says will do all it can to help Iraq - Video
Iraq militants claim downing F16: Jazeera TV
U.S. says Iraq in "new phase" but denies civil war
Bush broadens diplomatic efforts on Iraq
Mortar rounds lead to Iraq facility fire
Britain may start pulling out of Iraq
Saddam Still on Trial

Operation Enduring Freedom
Blast in Afghanistan kills two Canadians - Video

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Phil Donahue Makes Anti-War Film
'All Clear' After Anthrax Scare at Lincoln Memorial

Mid-East Ceasefire / Hamas Rising / Israel at War
Israel says ready to free prisoners - Video
Olmert reaches out to Palestinians

Religion of Peace??
Security Tightened for Pope's Visit to Turkey

Worldwide Wackos
Chavez Vows to Beat 'Devil' In Upcoming Re-Election Bid
Chavez challenger urges fair Venezuelan vote
Chile's Pinochet again put under house arrest

Politics / Government
Likability poll bad news for Kerry

NSA / CIA
Justice Department eyes spy program

Science / Nature
Forest fragmentation hurts Amazon biodiversity

Oddities
Partridge in a Pear Tree Will Co$t Plenty
Say What? Exotic Pet Threat Rivals Terrorism
Fortune 500 CEO in Sex Extortion Case
"Chunder Down Under" for ailing Elton
Ho-ho-hoping for more Santas..

Other News of Note
Spy Probe Finds 2 Nuke Hot Spots - VIDEO
Report: Dead Former Spy Had Russian Oil Secrets
Britain tracing poison that killed spy
Officials ID 3rd Woman Found Dead in Atlantic City

Fox News
Criminal Probe Launched in Deadly Group Home Fire - VIDEO
Black Leaders Call for War on N-Word
Video: Jesse Jackson Reacts to Michael Richards' Apology
NYC Mayor Says Groom Shooting 'Disturbing'

Reuters: Top News
Kidnappings, violent crime surge in Haiti
Congo Supreme Court declares Kabila president
Berlusconi kept in hospital after heart scare
Flat-screen TVs, game consoles top holiday list
Smokers must quit, not just cut down, study finds
Scan could do away with mammogram pain
Pamela Anderson, Kid Rock to divorce
Stocks mark worst drop in months
Palm cuts forecast on Treo delay
Airline shares weaker on rising oil prices
Dollar slides versus euro; near 20-mth low - Video
Oil up $1 as Saudi suggests another OPEC cut
Heavy spending and Amazon
Falling dollar may benefit some firms
Nasdaq secures over $5.8 bln financing for LSE bid
Ford plans to secure $18 bln in financing
Investors wait to see if busy stores mean profits
Delta retired pilots to get $800 mln in claims
Falling dollar may benefit some firms
Palm cuts forecast on Treo delay

AP World News
NYC mayor disturbed by deadly shooting
Doctors test implant to block strokes
Online shopping season begins with deals
AP: McGwire may fall short in Hall vote
Wall Street has worst day in 4 months
Bama sees Crimson, fires coach Shula
EU says more than half e-mails are spam
South Korea to kill cats, dogs
Dantonio hired as Michigan State coach
Correa looks toward reforms in Ecuador
Mother in trial in kids' bay deaths
S.C. cops chase murder suspect in school

Military.com
Podcast: Go Big, Long, or Home?
Op-ed: The New Groupthink
Blog: Single Digit Midget
'Tis the Season to Kit Up!
DT: Axe on the Buffalo
Advisors: Fight Holiday Weight Gain

CENTCOM: News Releases
FOUR CIVILIANS INJURED IN RAMADI

IRAQI SECURITY FORCES SECURE OIL PIPELINE FIRE SITE

USJFCOM
Exercise preps 82nd Airborne Division staff for Afghanistan deployment
Milestone reached in development of Cross Domain Collaborative Information Environment - podcast
Liveblogging: Unified Endeavor 07-1
Omni Fusion ties Army into UR 2015 - podcast

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
Abizaid: Bigger Problems Await if Extremists Hold Sway on Region - Story
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
Troops in Iraq Face 'Observant, Adaptive Enemy' - Story
Iraqi Trainees Learning Urban Combat Skills - Story
U.S. Units Steadily Secure, Rebuild Afghanistan - Story
Military Missions Change as Afghan Army Evolves - Story

IN IRAQ
U.S. Soldiers Work to Fortify Afghan Army
Soldiers in Baghdad Partake in Holiday Feast
U.S. Troops Share Thanksgiving With Iraqis
Preparation Provides Key to Turkey Day in Iraq
Army’s BOLT Helps Secure Iraqis Future
New Iraq-Zakros Primary School to Open in Kirkuk

IN AFGHANISTAN
Gainey Visits Deployed Troops for Thanksgiving
Top Afghan Enlisted Soldier Helps NCO Corps
Training Center Prepares Future Afghan Soldiers

BACKGROUND
IRAQ
Renewal In Iraq
Iraq: Security, Stability
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Army Casualties - Story

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

National Hurricane Center

Today in History
1520 - Ferdinand Magellan begins crossing the Pacific Ocean.
1795 - The U.S. pays $800,000 and a frigate as tribute to Algiers and Tunis.
1853 - Olympia is established as the capital of Washington Territory.
1861 - The Confederate congress officially admits Missouri to the CSA.
1871 - The Ku Klux Klan trials begin in a South Carolina Federal District Court.
1895 - America's first auto race starts; 6 cars start out on the 55-mile course; the winner averages 7 MPH.
1908 - 154 men die in a coal mine explosion in Marianna, PA.
1919 - The American-born Lady Astor is elected as the first female member of the British Parliament.
1922 - In NYC, Captain Cyril Turner of the RAF gives the first skywriting exhibition; he spells out "Hello USA. Call Vanderbilt 7200" - 47,000 do.
1929 - Admiral Richard E. Byrd first flies to the South Pole.
1942 - In Boston, MA, nearly 500 die in a fire that destroys the Coconut Grove nightclub.
1943 - FDR, Churchill and Stalin meet at Tehran to map out their strategy.
1958 - Chad, the Congo, and Mauritania become autonomous within the French Community.
1964 - Mariner-4 is launched; it will be the first probe to fly by Mars.
1966 - A coup in Burundi overthrows the monarchy; a republic is declared.
1979 - An Air New Zealand DC-10 crashes in Antarctica killing 257
1983 - The 9th Space Shuttle Mission-Columbia 6-is launched
1986 - The Reagan administration exceeds the SALT-II arms limitations for the first time.
1987 - A South African Airways Boeing 747 crashes into the Indian Ocean, killing 159.

Birthdays
1628 - John Bunyan, English cleric/author (Pilgrim's Progress)
1785 - Achille-Charles duc de Broglie, French PM (1835-36)
1810 - William Froude, English engineer, naval architect
1820 - Friedrich Engels, German social philosopher; Marx's collaborator
1936 - Gary Hart (Sen-CO)

Passings
1262 - Shinran, founder of Japan's True Pure Land Buddhist sect
1939 - James A. Naismith, creator of basketball
1971 - Wasfi Tal, Jordan's PM, assassinated
1987 - Choh Hao Li, bio-chemist professor (isolated growth hormones)

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Reynolds, Jon A., USAF (DE); released by DRV February, 1973 – retired as a Brigadier General - alive and well as of 1998

Rutledge, Howard E., USN (CA); F8E shot down, released by DRV February, 1973 – deceased in 1984

1966
Hoeffs, John H., US Army (CA); Killed while swimming when a wave swept him out to sea, body not recovered

1970
Smith, Ronald E., US Army SF (IN); KIA, body not recovered

1972
Earnest, Charles M., USN (AL); A6A shot down (pilot), KIA, body not recovered

Harvey, Jack R., USAF (ME); F4D shot down (w/Jones)

Jones, Bobby M., USAF (GA); F4D shot down (w/Harvey)