Iraqi and Ironhorse Soldiers rescue French hostage

Photo By Spc. Jason Jordan | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- French foreign national, Bernard Planche, who was kidnapped several weeks while working as an engineer in Iraq, was found by U.S. Troops as they patrolled a neighborhood in Eastern Abu Ghraib. The Soldiers took him in, provided him with care, and began contacting his relatives and home country. Here, he is given the opportunity by the U.S. Soldiers to call his family back home. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Jason Jordan, 1/10th Mountain Public Affairs)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.09.2006

Courtesy Story

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1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division

BAGHDAD --Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Task Force Ironhorse Soldiers liberated a French Non-Governmental Organization hostage Saturday in the Abu Ghraib area.

The Iraqi Army Soldiers were searching farm houses for weapons caches while Soldiers from Task Force Ironhorse manned a checkpoint as part of an outer cordon. As the Iraqi Army closed in on their location, the kidnappers fled from a nearby farmhouse and left the French hostage. After the kidnappers fled, the hostage, Bernard Planche, a 52-year-old French NGO, ran up to a 2-22 Inf. checkpoint.

Planche was first reported kidnapped in western Baghdad on December 5.

Iraqi Army and Coalition forces are continuing to search the area for the kidnappers.

• Date Taken: 01.09.2006
• Date Posted: 01.09.2006 10:22
• Story ID: 5019
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ