B-1s along with coalition forces pound al-Qaida stronghold in Iraq Published Jan. 22, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Tara O'Brien Combined Air and Space Operations Center Public Affairs SALMANPAK, Iraq -- Aircrews of B-1B Lancers, Navy F/A -18 Hornet pilots, Army 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers and Iraqi forces cleared out an al-Qaida stronghold 30 miles southeast of Baghdad late night Jan. 20 and early morning Jan. 21. Coalition aircraft dropped more than 30,000 pounds of bombs on former al-Qaida territory in Salmanpak, Iraq. This was all part of the on-going Operation Marne Thunderbolt, which is part of Operation Phantom Phoenix, an overarching operation to defeat extremism throughout Iraq. This particular mission targeted an area where al-Qaida laid obstacles, in the way of improvised explosive devices, and took up safe haven at the same time. They also used the land to traffic weapons and send fighters up into Baghdad. Airmen and Soldiers teamed up with Iraqi forces to clear the area of IEDs and weapons caches in order to move ground forces into the area. "The enemy is back on their heels and the Army is chasing them north and south," said Col. Peter Donnelly, the 18th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group commander. "The Air Force is here to stay and clear the way for those Army troops on the ground as long as there is an enemy threat. F-16 Fighting Falcons out of Balad Air Base, Iraq, came in during the operation to take out several house-born IEDs in the area where al-Qaida is starting to focus their efforts in hopes of blindly attacking ground forces when they go in to clear and secure buildings. Air Force efforts eliminated this threat in the area. "The United States Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and coalition forces are keeping-up pressure on the enemy forces to meet (Multinational Force - Iraq Commander Army) Gen. (David) Petraeus' objectives to secure Iraq and set the conditions for freedom for the Iraqi People. Operation Marne Thunderbolt is one example of this," said Lt. Col. Joe Katuzienski, an air strategist deployed in the Middle East. The operation was specifically scheduled at night for a reason, Colonel Donnelly said. "This helps to reduce the potential for collateral damage, which is a top priority for the military, and since the locals adhere to a strict night curfew, this makes a night mission more safe and effective." With the area cleared, the 3rd Infantry Division and Iraqi forces can now move in and secure the land in order to set up a control base. "We want a permanent presence down there," Colonel Donnelly said . "We need to provide an environment that will lead to security in that region, which will assist in defeating al-Qaida and its objectives." Operation Marne Thunderbolt kicked off Jan. 1.