The 40th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron operation dropped the wanted poster leaflets in 10 designated drop zones in Iraq. Officials say the initiative is an effort to urge local citizens not to harbor the three militia leaders, who are suspected of using improvised explosive devices among other attacks on coalition forces.

"Within hours of the drop, reports were received of individuals arriving at Iraqi police stations with leaflets in hand," Air Force Lt. Col. Elizabeth Kavanagh said in a statement. "Iraqi citizens are calling the tip lines with information about planted IEDs and suspected local militia members. Through this feedback, we know that these leaflets worked, and we hope that efforts by the local populace will continue in the months to come."

Officials say the U.S. Air Force and Army use leaflet drops in Iraq and Afghanistan as a way to make mass contact with locals.

"The simplest things, such as a picture and basic information, get the meaning across very quickly and increase the probability of contacting a large portion of the populace in the targeted area at one time," Kavanagh said.