The 101st's aviation brigade's commander, Colonel Greg Gass, told AFP that Iraqi weapons caches, anti-aircraft batteries and "military complexes" were destroyed in the attack.

He said the assault took the Iraqi forces by surprise. Gass said they were probably members of the battered Republican Guard, who are regarded as Iraq's best trained, best armed and most loyal forces.

US military officials have already said that the Medina, Baghdad, Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar divisions of the Republican Guard have been eradicated as forces or severely weakened during heavy bombing and infantry offensives south of Baghdad.

Military intelligence had suggested that the units targeted on Saturday were from the Hammurabi division, however Gass said this could not be confirmed because the Republican Guard was too severely battered.

"I think pretty much the Iraqi army is in disarray," he said at the aviation brigade's base near the central Iraqi city of Najaf following the attack.

"They lack organisation now so you are fighting pockets here and there."

The attack took place north of Karbala, which is 80 kilometres (50 miles) southwest of Baghdad. Gass would not give any more specific details about the location.

Gass and the aviation brigade's operation officer, Major Bill Gayler, said 101st Apaches and US air force warplanes, including F-18s, were involved in the attack, which began just before dusk and lasted for nearly two hours.

One of the main strategies involved Apaches calling in targets, with Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) launching their fearsome weaponry on the sites.

Military officials involved in planning the assault said the ATACMS can launch up to 950 grenade-type weapons at a time, which are capable of travelling long distances and blanketing a one-square-kilometre (0.38-square-mile) area.

Some of the Iraqi weapons destroyed included S60 57mm and D30 122mm anti-aircraft guns, Gass and other military officials said.

Gass and Gayler described the attack as a big success, with many targets taken out and no pilots injured despite their aircraft meeting some fire.

"It was important to us because it influences future operations," Gayler said. "It was very successful."

Gass said the attack was significant and a morale booster for the 101st, which has conducted a series of raids in support of forward troops looking to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

The 101st Airborne Division's infantry troops and helicopters have already secured Najaf for supply and communication routes, and began a similar operation for control of Karbala earlier Saturday, officials said.

SPACE.WIRE