Stryker Brigade News

Sons of Iraq discover, turn in large cache

Apr- 3-2008 » Filed Under: 2/25 SBCT

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

TARMIYA, Iraq – In cooperation with the local sheik, Abna al-Iraq members, or Sons of Iraq, notified Multi-National Division – Baghdad of a substantial munitions cache northwest of Baghdad April 1.

The Soldiers from 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team searched the area and discovered the cache consisting of more than 100 68 mm rockets, rocket fuses, helicopter rockets, 82 mm mortars, and mortar fuses. The cache also contained more than 500 artillery fuses, empty rocket bodies, 155 mm artillery shells, 75 boxes containing hundreds of 14.5 mm heavy machine gun ammunition, and nine large boxes containing loose 14.5 mm heavy machine gun ammunition. Fifty plastic green tubes containing an unknown substance, M-88 anti-tank mines attached to detonating cord, rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47 magazines, numerous loose small arms rounds and one copper cone-shaped charge were all found in the large cache.

An explosive ordnance disposal team evaluated the find and assumed control of the munitions cache.

“The Abna al-Iraq are the heroes of the day. They found this very large cache and took it out of the hands of the terrorists,” said Maj. Al Hing, a 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team spokesperson. “Looking at the sheer amount of munitions that will not be used against Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition forces and the people of Iraq, terrorists are going to have a harder time doing their ugly business. The partnership that worked together to remove this cache makes for a safer and more stable Iraq.”