9/3/2023 0 Comments Operation phantom fury 759th"We will make sure that what goes in is genuine humanitarian supplies and is not contraband or munitions or things that may be used against us. "Nothing goes into that city without being inspected," the colonel said. "We have the most important part of this operation," he said, "which is the humanitarian part of the effort and to help the people of Fallujah have their city given back to them after it's been liberated of the terrorists."įormica said security will play a significant role in bringing aide into the Fallujah area. "What we can destroy or capture here will ultimately lead to better circumstances in Baghdad proper."Īs the brigade keeps the cordon around Fallujah, they are helping to usher in a new phase of operations there. We have seen, historically, the enemy moves from west to east into the capital," he said. "What happens in Fallujah, I believe will have a direct effect on Baghdad. Insurgent forces who manage to escape Fallujah are likely to move to Baghdad, according to Formica. They are holding the line to enable this attack and final operations to be completed." "They have been there 24-7 for the last ten days. "We had to spread 1-5 Cav across 55 kilometers and they are doing a fantastic job," the Pennsylvania native said. The 2BCT 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry's combat power has since been stretched, Formica said. Three days into the operation, 25th Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment had to leave the Black Jack cordon mission. But as multinational forces round up insurgent hardliners still in Fallujah, 2nd BCT will remain to keep the cordon around the city. "Surround the town, keep them in, and keep them out so the 1st Mar Div could attack the enemy."īlack Jack's commander said many of the attached units who assisted his brigade's cordon mission during the initial assault, which began early November, have since relocated. "The mission here was to isolate Fallujah so the enemy could not reinforce his positions," Formica said. The primary 2BCT mission continues outside the city, taking care of the insurgents who try to escape, the colonel explained. "The enemy was trying to get out of the city, but when he couldn't he returned fire then we had an opportunity to defeat him." "They fought us pretty much straight up: a staunch opponent. "This enemy is well equipped, apparently well trained and well organized," Formica commander said. Having the cavalry in the attack was a necessity in Fallujah because the type of enemy they fought here, he said. Second Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment was logistically attached to 2BCT for the operation, and brought cavalry power to the fight in the city. Units assigned to the combat team for the operations included many elements outside 2BCT such as 25th Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion from 2nd Marine Division and 759th Military Police Battalion. "We will continue to track him down and kill or capture him. Many of them died in the city, but some may have left, and at this point we are denying him sanctuary," Formica said. "This brigade will have a prominent role in what we consider in cavalry terms, a pursuit operation," he said "We will hunt down the enemy and destroy him before he can reestablish operations. He said the Black Jack mission now is truly cavalry: noting the fact that his team is tracking down the remaining enemy forces. The key piece we brought was precision combat power with our Abrams and Bradleys." "We could penetrate inside the city with the tanks and the Bradleys, take the sniper fires, take the fires and destroy the buildings with direct fire. "We brought the armored protection and mounted combat fire power to the fight," Formica said. The cavalry brigade's combat power was needed in the 10,000-troop assault on Fallujah named "Operation Phantom Fury," according to 2nd BCT "Black Jack" commander, Col. FALLUJAH, Iraq - Even with the majority of combat operations over and victory declared, elements of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in Fallujah remain persistent in dealing with the aftermath.
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