Via Michael Yon who is imbedded with the troops:

“By the end of the first day (June 19), about 30 enemy had been killed, 1 U.S. killed and 5 WIA. At least two soldiers were heat casualties, including one who was with my group.

The combat has only just begun, and media has now figured out this is serious business. During the morning brief (June 20th), Major Robbie Parke mentioned that CNN, TIME, Reuters and some others, are trying to get out here now. Problem is space. Looks like Gordon and I are mostly alone for now. Others are said to be in Baqubah, but if they are here, they are missing some of the most important parts, and if they were at the important commander’s meetings, I would have seen them.

The heat is intense for the enemy and for us. Soldiers, during any chance, would lay-down during the heat of day, and in complete body armor and helmets, fall asleep in the dirt. I took photos of course. Our guys are tough. The enemy in Baqubah is as good as any in Iraq, and better than most. That‚Äôs saying a lot. But our guys have been systematically trapping them, and have foiled some big traps set for our guys. I don‚Äôt want to say much more about that, but our guys are seriously outsmarting them. Big fights are ahead and we will take serious losses probably, but al Qaeda, unless they find a way to escape, are about to be slaughtered. Nobody is dropping leaflets asking them to surrender. Our guys want to kill them, and that‚Äôs the plan.”

By the way, Mike’s mission is reader funded. If you haven’t please drop by and tip generously. If it weren’t for him the real story of how massive and successful this operation is going to be wouldn’t be getting out. Guarenteed that when CNN and especially Reuters get’s out there they won’t focus on anything but the civilian casulties and soldier deaths, which is sad because we are seriously kicking ass right now and our guys and gals deserve the press’s undivided attention.