On December 15, 2003, the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division launched Operation Panther Backroads in Ar Ramadi. The operation's objective was to put a halt to smuggling activities and deny freedom of movement to enemy forces. Soldiers set up approximately 25 checkpoints and searched over 1300 vehicles.

CENTCOM announced that soldiers seized 15 Ak-47s, two rifles and a number of small munitions. 13 enemy personnel were also taken into custody.