General Media Quotes

"During the push through Fallujah, also known as Operation Al Fajr, the Marines of Battery M, 4th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, shot off 1,742 rounds from Nov. 8 to Nov. 19, in support of the Marine and Army infantry units in the city."
- USMC.mil, "Cannoneers Provided Fire During Fallujah Push," Jan. 12, 2005 

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The following excerpts are from American Forces Press Service, "Army Artillerymen Support Marines, Others in Operation Al Fajr," Nov. 16, 2004.

"While the battle against terrorists and insurgents moved from house to house through the streets of Fallujah, Iraq…Artillerymen of the 1st Cavalry Division's Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, fired roughly 1,600 rounds against enemy targets during a two-week period. Supporting Operation Al Fajr, the field-artillery soldiers provided indirect fire support with their M-109 Palladin 155 mm self-propelled howitzers to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, fellow soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division, Iraqi forces and other coalition troops."

"'We've had very good results. Our fires have been very effective, and I'm glad we've been able to make a contribution to this important fight,' said Army Capt. Michael Burgoyne, Battery A commander...'We've turned out to be a good team, working here with the Marines,' Burgoyne said. 'They are very professional, and we were able to accomplish the mission together.'"

"'They called in our fire on the enemy positions, and we accomplished the mission,' Burgoyne said. "The enemy was very close to the Marines, but they were eliminated, and the Marines were able to get out of that trench and drive on with their mission.'"

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The following excerpts are from Washington Post, "Artillerymen Clear Path for the Infantry," Nov. 11, 2004

"'It's made everybody get out of town,' said Zawistowski, 30, of Cleveland. Alpha Battery's two artillery pieces have fired more than 300 rounds in the first three days of the battle. The Marines' Mike Battery 414, which has six big guns at the same military outpost, has launched more than 500 rounds."

"Alpha Battery's two artillery pieces have fired more than 300 rounds in the first three days of the battle. The Marines' Mike Battery 414, which has six big guns at the same military outpost, has launched more than 500 rounds."

"'We do this to support our troops on the ground to move faster,'" said Marine Capt. Kirk Parsons of Atlanta."

"'It's a great thing blowing stuff up,' said Sgt. Fladymir Napoleon, who has been in Iraq for nine months. 'We're getting the city free, back to democracy. I'm feeling pretty good. We play a big role in the battle.'"