Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070725-10
July 25, 2007

MND-B disrupts attack on joint security station
Multi-National Division Baghdad PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Apache crews from Multi-National Division-Baghdad helped ground forces disrupt a small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade attack on a joint security station north of Baghdad July 23.
 
The attack began as an estimated five squads of insurgents began firing at the station with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
 
Apache crews from 1st “Attack” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, received clearance to lay suppressive fire in an open field in an attempt to disrupt the attack.  The insurgents fled the immediate area after the suppressive fire, and the Apache crews maintained contact with the enemy forces.
 
Approximately 30 minutes later, a Coalition Forces ground patrol was hit by a roadside bomb while en route to assist the joint security station’s Iraqi Army forces and began taking small arms and RPG fire. The patrol called for the Apache crews to engage a nearby canal to prevent an ambush in conjunction with the roadside bomb strike.
 
Ninety minutes later, while still providing a security presence, the Apache crews reported coming under fire from two rocket-propelled grenades fired from a house. One round passed in front of the aircraft and the other to the rear of it.
 
A ground patrol later detained four insurgents and confiscated nine handguns, ammunition and explosive making materials.
 
“There’s no better feeling for an Apache pilot than knowing that their actions resulted in the capture of enemy personnel,” said Fort Pierce, Fla., native Capt. Paul Daigle, one of the Apache pilots from the engagement. “Despite taking RPG fire and operating in unfamiliar surroundings with a very large number of (enemy forces), our (crews) were determined to stay on station until peace was restored … and friendly forces were no longer in danger.”

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