3-1-7 Iraqi Army Discovers Large Weapons Cache in Western Ramadi

By Sgt. 1st Class Richard Scaricaciottoli

RAMADI, Iraq - Soldiers from 3rd Brigade 1st Battalion 7th Division Iraqi Army discovered a significant weapons cache on March 1, 2006 in the Western area of Ramadi.

The cache was comprised of numerous Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making materials that included explosives, detonation cord, wireless phone stations and batteries. Also found at the cache site were surface to air missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, rockets, mortars, and mortar tubes, as well as computers and CDs containing anti-coalition propaganda.

"This is a great example of the professionalism that the Iraqi Army shows on a daily basis in Ramadi. They were responding to human intelligence that lead to such a significant amount of weapons and IED making material. This is also a great example of the cooperation between the 3-1-7 Iraqi Army and the 172nd Armor," said Col. John L. Gronski, Commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division.

Acting on information from citizens of Ramadi, the Iraqi Soldiers planed and conducted a raid on a factory complex located inside the city. As they conducted a search of one of the buildings inside the complex, a false floor was discovered that contained the cache.

The 3-1-7 IA also detained 6 suspected terrorists and a car that was located at the cache site.

"The Iraqi Army has been given a lot more responsibility in recent months. They have become more capable and more effective as a result," said Maj. Edward Little, the 2 / 28 BCTs chief planner.