Operation Panther Backroads
Encyclopedia
Panther Backroads was a military operation
in Iraq
in 2003 designed to stop anti coalition and smuggling activities.
Within 24 hours starting on 15 December 2003, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units conducted 25 tactical checkpoints and eight cordon and searches. Units also performed 169 patrols, including 13 joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi Police. These operations resulted in the killing of three and capture of 16 enemy personnel while suffering one U.S. casualty.
In 3rd Brigade 82nd Airborne Division’s area of responsibility, paratroopers began Operation Panther Backroads - an operation to interdict anti-coalition and smuggling activities in order to deny enemy forces freedom of movement. Units throughout the task force participated in the establishment of 25 tactical checkpoints and the execution of eight cordon and searches. The brigade searched 1,351 vehicles and confiscated 15 AK-47 assault rifles, two Enfield rifles, and other miscellaneous weapons and ammunition. The operation was successful and resulted in the capture of 13 enemy personnel.
Paratroopers on a patrol were engaged by small arms fire from four enemy personnel. The group returned fire, killing two enemy personnel and wounding two others. Although one of the wounded enemy personnel evaded capture, the patrol captured the other wounded individual and confiscated four AK-47’s. No friendly forces were injured during the engagement.
A reconnaissance team engaged four armed enemy personnel northeast of Fallujah
with small arms fire, killing one. The remaining enemy personnel fled into a nearby house that was later searched by Coalition Forces. The search resulted in the capture of four Iraqi males as well as the confiscation of two AK-47s, seven bolt-action rifles, and various kinds of ammunition.
In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area of responsibility, a patrol was ambushed with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire near Ar Ramadi
. The unit returned fire killing one enemy personnel and recovered an RPG launcher with ammunition.
Cooperation efforts between Iraqis and Task Force “All American” continue to grow as Iraqis become more confident in controlling and providing a more stable environment for the Al Anbar Province.
Military operation
Military operation is the coordinated military actions of a state in response to a developing situation. These actions are designed as a military plan to resolve the situation in the state's favor. Operations may be of combat or non-combat types, and are referred to by a code name for the purpose...
in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in 2003 designed to stop anti coalition and smuggling activities.
Operation Details
The 82d Airborne Division and attached units, also known as Task Force All American, conducted continued security operations to improve safety within the Al Anbar Province.Within 24 hours starting on 15 December 2003, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units conducted 25 tactical checkpoints and eight cordon and searches. Units also performed 169 patrols, including 13 joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi Police. These operations resulted in the killing of three and capture of 16 enemy personnel while suffering one U.S. casualty.
In 3rd Brigade 82nd Airborne Division’s area of responsibility, paratroopers began Operation Panther Backroads - an operation to interdict anti-coalition and smuggling activities in order to deny enemy forces freedom of movement. Units throughout the task force participated in the establishment of 25 tactical checkpoints and the execution of eight cordon and searches. The brigade searched 1,351 vehicles and confiscated 15 AK-47 assault rifles, two Enfield rifles, and other miscellaneous weapons and ammunition. The operation was successful and resulted in the capture of 13 enemy personnel.
Paratroopers on a patrol were engaged by small arms fire from four enemy personnel. The group returned fire, killing two enemy personnel and wounding two others. Although one of the wounded enemy personnel evaded capture, the patrol captured the other wounded individual and confiscated four AK-47’s. No friendly forces were injured during the engagement.
A reconnaissance team engaged four armed enemy personnel northeast of Fallujah
Fallujah
Fallujah is a city in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar, located roughly west of Baghdad on the Euphrates. Fallujah dates from Babylonian times and was host to important Jewish academies for many centuries....
with small arms fire, killing one. The remaining enemy personnel fled into a nearby house that was later searched by Coalition Forces. The search resulted in the capture of four Iraqi males as well as the confiscation of two AK-47s, seven bolt-action rifles, and various kinds of ammunition.
In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area of responsibility, a patrol was ambushed with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire near Ar Ramadi
Ramadi
Ramadi is a city in central Iraq, about west of Baghdad. It is the capital of Al Anbar Governorate.-History:Ramadi is located in a fertile, irrigated, alluvial plain.The Ottoman Empire founded Ramadi in 1869...
. The unit returned fire killing one enemy personnel and recovered an RPG launcher with ammunition.
Cooperation efforts between Iraqis and Task Force “All American” continue to grow as Iraqis become more confident in controlling and providing a more stable environment for the Al Anbar Province.
American Units
- 82d Airborne Division and attached units
- 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division