NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Task Force Band of Brothers Soldiers seize weapons caches

TIKRIT, Iraq - Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers are continuing to have success uncovering weapon caches throughout north central Iraq.

Nine caches were uncovered during the past two days, including a huge cache of rockets found near Bayji.

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team removed nearly 1,000 rockets of various types and sizes from a cluster of three caches, which were discovered Dec. 20. More than 60 large mortar rounds, 79 detonating fuses, an anti-tank mine and a large amount of machinegun and small arms ammunition were also found at the site.

An explosives ordnance disposal team destroyed a large portion of the find Dec. 21 with a controlled detonation and is preparing to destroy the remaining weapons later today.

The other six caches, spread out from Kirkuk to Balad, yielded a wide variety of weapons, including more than 20 mortar rounds, four more rockets, and 15 rocket-propelled grenade rounds.

Additionally, more than 250 anti-aircraft artillery rounds and an anti-aircraft artillery gun were discovered, including 100 found by a patrol from the Iraqi Army's 1st Battalion, 4th Division near Ad Dawr Dec. 20.

Caches are normally destroyed where they are found, except in circumstances where a controlled detonation might endanger innocent residents. In those instances, the seized materials are normally moved to a safe location and then destroyed.

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq