United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
1st Marine Division
1stLt Nathan J. Braden

Contact: BradenNJ@1mardivdm.usmc.mil

Release # 0928-04-0816

SERIES OF OPERATIONS LAUNCHED AROUND RAMADI
Sept 25, 2004

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq -- Multi-National Force-Iraq began a series of clearing operations yesterday afternoon, Sept. 24, in a coordinated effort to detain Anti-Iraqi Forces and remove illegal weapons and ammunition caches in and around Ramadi.

Operations Longhorn, Predator and Marne involved Soldiers and Marines from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, currently assigned to the1st Marine Division.

“The 2nd Brigade Combat Team has seen some positive results with these operations,” said Col. Joseph F. Dunford, Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division. “In the past 24 hours they have been able to take a good number of bad guys and weapons off the street.”
The operations resulted in the detention of more than a dozen Anti-Iraqi Forces and the removal of significant weapons caches. The caches included rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank mines, large caliber rifles, more than 25 rockets of various size and bomb-making materials.

Multi-National Force-Iraq continues to make every effort to protect innocent civilians and minimize collateral damage effects while conducting operations. Multi-National Force-Iraq stands committed to assist Iraqi Security Forces in providing security to the people of Iraq.

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