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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070912-07
September 12, 2007

Lightning Hammer II exposes VBIED factory
Multi-National Division – North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq – Task Force Lightning Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 4/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, uncovered a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device factory in southern Diyala Province, Monday, as part of their continuing Lightning Hammer II Operation.

The VBIED complex consisted of six separate buildings, each apparently used for a different purpose in building the VBIEDs.  For example, in one building, CF discovered ready-to-use vehicles prepared with initiation wires.
 
In another building, significant amounts of home made explosives were found in 5 gallon jugs and 100-lb bags. There were also car batteries and numerous vehicles in various stages of being prepared for transformation into VBIEDs.
 
In total, 13 vehicles were discovered in different stages of preparation.  All the vehicles and the buildings were destroyed by USAF close air support air strikes. 
 
“This mission will save countless lives in Iraq.  The discovery and destruction of these VBIEDs, along with the production complex, prevents 13 vehicles and perhaps many more, from attacking our Soldiers and from terrorizing the Iraqi citizens of northern Iraq and Baghdad,” said Col. Gary S. Patton, Chief of Staff, 25th Infantry Division and Task Force Lightning.
 
Since the beginning of Operation Lightning Hammer II, at least 58 al-Qaida operatives have been killed, 369 have been detained, 50 weapons caches have been discovered, 80 IEDs found and cleared and 24 VBIEDs have been destroyed.
 
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