Desert Rogues, Iraqi Army uncover large weapons cache

Photo By Dustin Gautney | Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 64th Armor, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division work jointly with members of the 2nd Division Iraqi Army to uncover the largest weapons cache uncovered in Ninewa province since 2003, several hundreds of munitions were found during the dig, Dec. 6.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

12.06.2009

Story by Spc. Dustin Gautney 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — Soldiers from 1st Battalion 64th Armor, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and members from 2-52nd Iraqi Army Brigade discovered a large weapons cache in Ninewa province, in northern Iraq, Dec. 6.

The weapons cache of 481 projectile explosives and 211 fuses was the largest found in Ninewa province since 2003.

Information of a possible weapons cache was given to 2-52 IA by a local informant that the weapons cache site was still active and has been in use for the past five years.

Major Gen. Nassir, commander of 2nd IA Division, stated that the munitions that were found were destined to kill Iraqi and American Soldiers. Based on the size of the cache, it was most likely to be used to disrupt the upcoming national elections.

"Our Soldiers finding this cache, in cooperation with the Iraqi army had undoubtedly saved lives and made Iraq safer to live. That is what we're here for," said Lt. Col. Ross Coffman, commander, 1/64th Armor, 2nd HBCT.

Upon arrival at the possible cache site engineers from 1/64th Armor discovered the suspected site and later found a second weapons cache that was originally thought to be a water pipe. Later it was discovered that there was a series of smaller caches located in a close area. The ordnance ranged from relatively new and recently hidden rounds to rounds that had been in the ground for an undetermined amount of time.

• Date Taken: 12.06.2009
• Date Posted: 12.12.2009 03:26
• Story ID: 42657
• Location: MOSUL, IQ