What happened to 'Arrowhead Ripper'

[Superlative]

........Tens of thousands of US and Iraqi soldiers are continuing simultaneous operations in Baghdad and to the north, south and west of the capital under Operation Phantom Thunder, a new plan intended to root out al-Qaeda fighters and other militants.

The latest offensive comes after the US military completed the build-up of its forces in Iraq to 156,000 soldiers and sought to deny militants sanctuary in the farmlands and towns surrounding Baghdad.

"To the extent that you can eliminate them, we will," said US military spokesman Rear Admiral Mark Fox.

"(And) if you've got it properly cordoned then they're going to flee into somebody's arms. It's a trap."

Hard fighting was expected in the next 45-60 days, he said.

In the worst incident for the military in the past 48 hours, five soldiers were killed when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle in northeastern Baghdad overnight. Three Iraqi civilians and an Iraqi interpreter also died.

Another roadside bomb killed four US soldiers in west Baghdad yesterday. Such bombs are by far the biggest killers of US forces in Iraq.

Washington and US commanders say that some of the most sophisticated roadside bombs - "explosively formed penetrators", or EFPs - are still arriving in to Iraq from neighbouring Iran, a charge Tehran denies.

"I know that inside of my battle space, there are munitions clearly marked with Iranian markings, and I am losing many of my soldiers to EFPs," Major-General Rick Lynch, whose command stretches south from Baghdad to the Euphrates River and west to the Iranian border, said.

A total of 3545 US soldiers have been killed since the start of the unpopular war in March 2003.

On Baghdad's southern flank, the military said 60 suspected insurgents were detained, 17 boats used to transport bomb parts to the capital were destroyed, and weapons caches were seized.

To the north, 10,000 US and Iraqi troops continued assaulting al-Qaeda hideouts in an operation focused on Baquba, the volatile capital of Diyala province, that has killed 41 militants over the past three days, the US military said.

Rear Admiral Fox said it was too early to call Operation Phantom Thunder a turning point in the war but the military was stepping up the pressure on al-Qaeda.

"This is a military operation with clear objectives ... to set the conditions for the political and economic progress that the government of Iraq needs to demonstrate," Rear Admiral Fox said...........

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21948716-1702,00.html

 

[Bullypulpit]

Phantom Thunder and Arrowhead Ripper...You mean they aren't speed-metal bands?

 

[Superlative]

Phantom Thunder and Arrowhead Ripper...You mean they aren't speed-metal bands?

NO, they're Death Metal bands.

 

[Gunny]

What happened to 'Arrowhead Ripper'

Suppose YOU tell US since your linked article doesn't mention it that I see.

 

[Annie]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21948716-1702,00.html

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/Lists/Current Press Releases/DispForm.aspx?ID=5154

Title:
MNC-I CONDUCTS OPERATION PHANTOM THUNDER
Release Date:
6/20/2007
Release Number:
07-01-03P
Description:
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Corps-Iraq launched major offensive operations, Operation Phantom Thunder, June 16 in a powerful crackdown to defeat extremists in Iraq.

With the surge of U.S. forces complete, simultaneous operations throughout Iraq are focused on rooting out al-Qaeda terrorists and other extremist elements in order to provide security and stability for all Iraqis.

This coordinated effort includes Operation Arrowhead Ripper aimed at eliminating terrorists operating around Baquoba and the Diyala province. The operation has killed at least 30 al-Qaeda terrorists and netted numerous caches containing assault weapons, grenades, rocket launchers and large and small caliber ammunition and explosives.

Operation Fardh al-Qanoon in Baghdad continues to hunt elements of al-Qaeda and illegal militias. These missions are dismantling illegal support networks and capabilities that allow the enemy to move personnel and weapons into the city and stage attacks. This effort has also proven successful in the killing or capture of key leaders and cell members who belong to extremist groups.

To the southeast of Baghdad, Operation Marne Torch is focused on the clearing of extremist sanctuaries located in the Arab Jabour area. Four insurgents have been killed and more than 60 detained. In addition, 17 boats were destroyed, significantly disrupting insurgent operations on the Tigris River.

 

[Annie]

http://billroggio.com/archives/2007/06/one_week_of_operatio.php

...


The U.S. military commanders continue to state the operations will be ongoing through the end of the summer. The escape of Al Qaeda leaders and operatives from Baqubah and the southern belts will no doubt be touted as a failure in the plan, but this view demonstrates a lack of understanding of the fundamentals of warfare and the purpose of the operation.

First, no cordon is perfect, and the enemy has the ability to read the signs and act accordingly. It has been clear for months Baqubah would become a target of Coalition forces, and al Qaeda has its own sophisticated intelligence network that no doubt detected Coalition and Iraqi movements.

Second, the purpose of the Baghdad Security Plan and Operation Phantom Thunder is to deny al Qaeda Baghdad and the Belts, and to kill as many operatives and leaders as possible in the process. When al Qaeda attempts to regroup, it will be in the hinterlands, and in some cases, in regions less hospitable to its actions.
Tags:

* al-Qaeda
* Iraq

By Bill Roggio on June 22, 2007 9:38 PM |

 

[Superlative]

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom2/Lists/Current Press Releases/DispForm.aspx?ID=5154

Thank you.