 “That is the number one, bottom-line up-front, in-your-face, task and purpose.”

Approximately 2,000 American combat soldiers, with an additional 4,500 American support troops located on F.O.B.Warhorse, An Iraqi Army Brigade, 500 Iraqi Police officers, 155 mm Howitzer Field Artillery support, an almost continuous Apache attack helicopter presence, American and British close air support, Stryker and Bradley Fighting Vehicles, took part in Arrowhead Ripper.“One of the keys as we initiate combat actions and operations here is the newly formed Diyala Operations Center,” Bednarek said.