Photo By Samantha Treadway | Various types of munitions were discovered by members of Iraq's 2nd and 3rd...... read more read more
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by Staff Sgt Samantha M. Stryker
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BIAJ, Iraq -- Members of the Iraqi Army uncovered a large weapons cache near a small town north of Tal Afar, Nov. 14. It was the largest cache found in the town in nearly a year.
With minimal assistance from U.S. forces, Soldiers from the Iraqi Army's 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, discovered a collection of weapons, ammunition and bomb-making materials in a house northeast of Biaj, a suspected meeting place for terrorists.
During a joint Iraqi and U.S. operation called Operation Safe Streets, IA Soldiers detained 18 suspected insurgents, who in turn disclosed the location of the cache.
"We want to send a message to the bad guys, that wherever they are, we will find them," said Capt. Adam Dilshad, an intelligence officer for 2nd Bn., 3rd Bde., 3rd IA Div. "They can not defeat the Army. We are smarter and more clever."
Operation Safe Streets was conducted in response to the frequent attacks on the Iraqi post of Nissr, located near Biaj. The attacks were originating from within the Biaj area, according to military sources.
The detainee informed Iraqi personnel about the home, which was being used by local insurgents to hide weapons. Iraqi military leaders informed U.S. Army personnel of the suspected hide out, but did not ask for assistance in the seizure.
The Iraqi forces surrounded the house and waited for someone to arrive before searching the home, with members of Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, guarding the perimeter.
The Iraqi Soldiers discovered two machine guns, a mortar tube, 14 rocket propelled grenade launchers, various ammunitions, 33 mortar fuses, 42 blasting caps, 31 wiring mechanisms used for IEDs, two rolls of detonation cord and two radios with a charger. The items were hidden in a 55-gallon barrel placed under the floor of one room.
After verifying the inventory with the Iraqi military, U.S. soldiers soon realized that the IA had delivered a serious blow to anti-Iraqi forces operating in the area.
"This discovery will disrupt the AIF operations for months," said Capt. Samuel Benson, commander of Trp. B, 3-4 Cav.
Members of Benson's unit are hoping the success of the mission will reinforce what they've been saying about the 3rd IA Div.—that its members are capable of taking the lead in providing security in the area.
"It was textbook, from the planning to the execution, from detainee questioning to the record-keeping," said 2nd Lt. John Garcia, Trp. B, officer in charge of operations and intelligence.
According to Iraqi Army and Police officials, Iraqi leaders want their success to reach the population and provide them the motivation drive the terrorist from their towns and villages.
"We want to send a message to the civilians: IA can do the job and protect them," said Dilshad.
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 12.04.2006 09:27 |
| Story ID: | 8463 |
| Location: | BIYAJ, IQ |
| Web Views: | 233 |
| Downloads: | 165 |
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