Operation Bayonet Lightning

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Operation Bayonet Lightning
Part of Post-invasion Iraq
Members of 173rd Airborne Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, pull security on the streets of Al Hawijah, Iraq, during Operation Bayonet Lighting.
Date December 2, 2003 Location Al Hawija, Iraq Result capture of suspected anti-coalition forces and weapons caches
Combatants
United States

Operation Bayonet Lightning was a military operation in Iraq designed to capture weapons, materials, and people that posed a threat against Coalition Forces. The joint operation, lasting about 16 hours, was conducted on December 2, 2003 by 1200 troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade and Iraqi security forces. The operation was concentrated on Al Hawija and the village of Rashad, 60 Kilometers (37 Miles) to the south of Kirkuk.

Soldiers located and confiscated 62 AK-47 assault rifles, 200 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, one rocket propelled grenade launcher and two improvised explosive device making kits.

Twenty six individuals were captured, including three targeted individuals: Saad Mohammed ad-Douri, the private secretary of Izzat Ibrahim ad-Douri, Hamid Saad, a senior official of Saddam Hussein's former ruling Ba'ath Party in charge of youth and student affairs, and a former general of the disbanded Iraqi Army.

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Followed Operation Rifles Blitz, followed by Operation Bulldog Mammoth.