U.S. begins Offensive by Angelo P

The United States along with…(ahem) Iraqi Security forces launched the biggest air assault campaign against Insurgents, Terrorists and Al-Qaeda, since the beginning of the war. The marketing dept at the Pentagon named the operation: Swarmer, after the largest peacetime military maneuvers that occurred in 1950.
Participating in this massive assault, the largest air campaign since "Shock and Awe" are nearly 1,500 coalition troops, supporting them will be 200 tactical vehicles and over 30 aircraft. The United States 101st Airborne Division will also be mixed in the fray.
The objective is aimed at clearing out a suspected Insurgent operating area Northeast of Samarra and is expected to continue over the next few days.
Samarra is part of what is now known as the Sunni Triangle, Insurgents have been active in the area since the beginning of the American invasion nearly 3 yrs ago. In fact Uncle Saddam was captured here, not far from his hometown of Tikrit.
The assault according to Iraq's interim foreign minister is necessary to prevent the insurgents from establishing a stronghold much like Fallujah. As you recall Fallujah was bombed right back into the Stone Age.
According to local residents the operation was taking place near the four villages of Jillam, Mamlaha, Banat Hassan and Bukaddow. These villages are located roughly 20 miles North of Samarra. Locals have complained of loud explosions and large groups of Coalition forces, no doubt keeping them awake at night. More to follow stay tuned.