[2] The army said the documents surprised them, showing that the insurgents had a "pretty robust command and control system".

[2] The first phase, scheduled from January through March 2006, focused on isolating American targets by attacking supply convoys, destroying bridges and restricting the ability of helicopters to provide support.

[2] On 7 January 2006, a two-page memo suggested that those insurgents who had infiltrated American bases be asked to reconnoiter the physical area and send back reports to help select potential targets.

However, the second phase of Operation Desert Shield led to more detailed reports and better training for future al-Qaeda soldiers.

New recruits receive a much more advanced level of training which includes but is not limited to topics such as: hand-to-hand combat, outdoor survival, advanced weapons systems, improvised munitions, night operations, risk and threat assessment, along with a 36-week history course on past skirmishes and battles that al-Qaeda has won or lost throughout its existence.