Friday, August 03, 2007

Marines, Seals launch new desert operation in Anbar

Above: A CH-53E Super Stallion unloads Marines and detainees during an operation out of Combat Outpost Rawah in June.

COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, Iraq — U.S. Marines traveling in fast-moving armored columns launched a new raid into a remote stretch of desert in western Anbar province Wednesday.

The drive is a fresh effort to trip up any insurgent attempt at mounting a summer offensive.

The raid, which also includes a special operations element of U.S. Navy SEALs, aims to scout a large tract of desert in the northwest of Anbar, to a point near the Syrian border, said Marine Lt. Col. Kelly Alexander, commanding officer of Task Force Highlander. A company of the Iraqi Army’s 7th Division is also taking part.

The raiders will hunt for insurgents and their weapons caches, training sites and safe havens.

Read the rest at Stars and Stripes