J-10
06-30-2004, 04:40 AM
11 Wounded in Attack on U.S. Base in Iraq
Wednesday June 30, 2004 8:46 AM
AP Photo MAC101
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Insurgents fired at least 10 mortar rounds at a U.S. base on the outskirts of Baghdad International Airport on Wednesday, wounding 11 soldiers, two of them seriously, and starting a fire that burned for well over an hour.
Guerrillas hit the logistics base operated by the New Mexico Army National Guard's 515 Corps Support Battalion at about 8:15 a.m., said Lt. Col. Richard Rael, their commander.
``We're OK,'' he said. ``We'll get back to business as usual.''
A pall of black smoke hung over the airport for an hour after one of the 82 mm mortar rounds struck a petroleum products yard. There were no injuries from the fire.
The base has been subject to almost daily mortar attacks, but this was the first time the attacks caused significant casualties and damage.
The attack came only days after the U.S. coalition authorities handed over sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government. Despite the end of the occupation, about 160,000 foreign troops - most of them Americans - remain in Iraq to provide security and train Iraq's new security services.
American officials have warned that the transfer of sovereignty would not stop assaults.
guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4260868,00.html)
Wednesday June 30, 2004 8:46 AM
AP Photo MAC101
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Insurgents fired at least 10 mortar rounds at a U.S. base on the outskirts of Baghdad International Airport on Wednesday, wounding 11 soldiers, two of them seriously, and starting a fire that burned for well over an hour.
Guerrillas hit the logistics base operated by the New Mexico Army National Guard's 515 Corps Support Battalion at about 8:15 a.m., said Lt. Col. Richard Rael, their commander.
``We're OK,'' he said. ``We'll get back to business as usual.''
A pall of black smoke hung over the airport for an hour after one of the 82 mm mortar rounds struck a petroleum products yard. There were no injuries from the fire.
The base has been subject to almost daily mortar attacks, but this was the first time the attacks caused significant casualties and damage.
The attack came only days after the U.S. coalition authorities handed over sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government. Despite the end of the occupation, about 160,000 foreign troops - most of them Americans - remain in Iraq to provide security and train Iraq's new security services.
American officials have warned that the transfer of sovereignty would not stop assaults.
guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4260868,00.html)