In Operation Swarmer, described as the biggest helicopter-borne operation in three years when it began Thursday, the joint U.S.-Iraqi force captured six people, not further identified, allegedly responsible for the March 11 killing of Amjad Hameed, a journalist for the television network al-Iraqiya, and his driver, the government reported.
About 80 suspected insurgents overall had been detained as of Saturday, and 17 were released after questioning, said Lt. Col. Edward S. Loomis, a 101st Airborne Division spokesman. He said the search teams turned up 15 weapons caches containing 352 mortar rounds, 84 rocket-propelled grenades and a "significant amount" of material for making improvised roadside bombs, among other items.
I have to ask why so much attention is being directed at a fairly routine mission. Not to play down the simple technical aspects of carrying out a battalion-sized air assault, but there is not a major fight going on--or even much contact at all.
So are we doing something more significant under the radar elsewhere?
UPDATE: I read on Strategypage that the press attention is just the result of a slow news day. Nothing to report so make a lot about a routined operation. I must admit this explanation of press inadequacy rather than deep plans is much simpler.
