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Operation Wadi Aljundi Receives Support of Iraqis

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HIT, Iraq - Iraqi soldiers and U.S. Marines are continuing Operation Wadi Aljundi (Koa Canyon) along the Western Euphrates River Valley today to locate insurgents and their weapons caches with the assistance of local Iraqi citizens.

"People have been really friendly and cooperative," said Capt. Andrew Pushart, the assistant aviation officer with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Command Element. "As we move into towns they are welcoming us and offering food. On numerous occasions, the locals are leading us to weapons caches and unexploded ordnance."

The Iraqi soldiers and Marines have found more than 400 pieces of ordnance and other weapons during the operation. Of note, the majority of items found have been large caliber artillery rounds and rockets, typically employed by insurgents in improvised explosive devices in attacks on civilians, Iraqi Security Forces and other Coalition troops.

Operation Wadi Aljundi (Koa Canyon) began Jan. 15 in an effort to capture or kill insurgents and to locate and destroy their weapons caches in the Western Euphrates River Valley region between the Jubbah/Baghdadi area and Hit.

This combined operation involves the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division, and elements of the 22nd MEU (SOC), who together are conducting counterinsurgency operations in Al Anbar province under the tactical control of the 2nd Marine Division.

For more information on the 22nd MEU (SOC) visit www.22meu.usmc.mil.

Source: USMC