October 7, 2007

Operation Rock Drill uncovers weapons cache in Muradiyah

Multi-National Division – North PAO

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers and Coalition Forces, acting on tips provided by local citizens, discovered a large weapons cache in the village cemetery and detained two men during Operation Rock Drill in Muradiyah, south of Baqouba Oct. 5.

“The IA was definitely in control; they had the larger force and cleared all the culturally sensitive sites such as the mosque and the cemetery, finding the cache in the cemetery,” said Capt. Duane L. Bailey, commander, Bayonet Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

The cache, discovered by the 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th IA Division, consisted of six automatic weapons, four two-way radios, two rocket-propelled grenades, two anti-tank mines, two rifles, large quantities of ammunition and both electronic and print al-Qaeda propaganda.  In addition, two IEDs were discovered nearby the cemetery.  

South of Muradiyah, a Coalition Force vehicle participating in the operation was struck by an IED, resulting in no injuries to the crew and minor damage to the vehicle.  A command wire was discovered and traced, resulting in the detention of two individuals.  Both men tested positive for traces of explosives on their hands and were subsequently turned over to the IA.

“The outcome of this mission demonstrates that the people are beginning to feel more secure and have confidence in the Iraqi Army.  They came to the IA with information, the IA acted on it, which resulted in the destruction of the weapons cache and increased security for the citizens of Muridiyah.  This is a sign of progress,” stated Maj. Raul Marquez, public affairs officer for 3rd BCT, 1st Cav.

Link

October 7, 2007

MND-B troops find EFP cache
Multi-National Division – Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers seized an explosively formed penetrator cache during operations in the eastern portion of the Rashid District Oct. 5.

Troops from the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment “Wolfpack” found the cache while conducting clearing operations in the southern Baghdad neighborhood.

The cache consisted of three explosively formed penetrator containers with copper lining, a PG-7, a fire extinguisher filled with explosives, one cooking pot full of extracted cast explosive, four 82mm mortars, three empty propane tanks prepped for explosive loading, seven electric detonators, one block of C4 plastic explosive, two grenades and a container loaded with explosives.  

The explosives were cleared by an explosive ordnance disposal unit for destruction.

Link

Bump.