Iraq IED/EFP Attack: July 16, 2005 (Marines - United States Marine Corps, USMC)

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

All documents, reports, files, and messages related to the July 16, 2005, Improvised Explosive Device (IED)/Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) attack against US Forces in Iraq (operating in the CENTCOM area of responsibility) that occurred at Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) geocoordinate 38RQA016233.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

David Scantling

Mr. Benavidez,

According to CENTCOM, this was the first confirmed Iran-linked Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) attack against Coalition Forces during the Iraq War.

Per your request, the following might help with the FOIA records search:

1. Alternate MGRS: 38RQA0162330000;
2. Nearest City: Amarah, Iraq;
3. Nearest Coalition Forces Base: Camp Condor (UK)/Amarah Air Base;
4. Iraqi Province: Maysan;
5. Date-range limitation for the FOIA document search: July 16, 2005, to September 30, 2005.
6. Network limitation for the FOIA document search: Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET); including applications, databases, electronic-mail servers and file servers connected to SIPRNET.
7. Suggested FOIA document search terms:
Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP);
Directional Improvised Explosive Device (IED);
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps–Quds Force (IRGC-QF);
Abu Sheibani;
Badr Corps;
Multi-National Forces-West (MNF-W);
Message from the United States to the Government of Iran (dated July 19, 2005);
Hezbollah;
Ramazan Corps;
Multi-National Forces-South East (MND-SE);
Major-General James Dutton, UK Royal Marines;
Camp Condor (Amarah Air Base);
Battle Update Assessment (BUA);
Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD);
Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell (CEXC);
Iraq Threat Finance Cell (ITFC).

Please let me know if you have any questions, or require additional information.

Regards,

Dave

David Scantling

Dear Mr. Benevidez,

Per your request, I've attached [sent via my g-mail account] the relevant CENTCOM information regarding EFP attacks against Coalition Forces in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OND) (noting the 16JUL05 EFP attack as the first one in Iraq documented by CENTCOM).

Please let me know if you have any questions, or require additional information.

Regards,

Dave