US, Iraqi troops uncover large weapons cache in Yarmouk neighborhood

Black Anthem Military News:
US, Iraqi troops uncover large weapons cache in Yarmouk neighborhood
By 1st Lt. Brian Cooke, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment
Jun 15, 2007

Blackanthem Military News, BAGHDAD, Iraq - Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers, working in conjunction with Iraq Army troops, uncovered a large cache of explosives and bomb-making materials in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Yarmouk June 13.

Iraqi troops from 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division initially discovered a weapons cache while on patrol in the Yarmouk neighborhood. The cache contained 113 land mines, 63 grenades, three rockets, three mortars, two gas masks, five washing machine timers, more than 2000 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and seven boxes of various electronics and other assorted explosives.

It is the largest weapons cache discovery by either U.S. or Iraqi forces to date in the Yarmouk area. The Iraqi troops quickly notified their liaison officer at the Joint Security Station Torch, where both Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces work and live together.

"This is just more proof to us that having the JSS and being out in the community is what's allowing us to work so effectively with the Iraqi Army," said Major Jim MacGregor, executive officer of 2-32nd FA.

The 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment received the report and sent a patrol to the site of the cache to assist the Iraqi troops. Upon arrival the U.S. patrol leader, 1st Lt. Nick Bell, received an update from the Iraqi battalion commander, Col. Ali Al-Obaydi.

Ali told the lieutenant that a gardener was trimming the bushes of an empty house for which he was the caretaker, and noticed several bags hidden behind the shrubs. Upon closer inspection, the gardener identified what he believed to be hand grenades and promptly called the Iraqi Army for help. Col. Ali responded to the call and then sent word for U.S. assistance to dispose of the explosives.

McGregor pointed to the tip coming from a resident as another sign of progress in Yarmouk.

"The people of Yarmouk are showing us that they are ready to stand up against violence and make their neighborhood's better places to live," he said.

Bell and Ali's troops set up a joint cordon of the area to secure the cache and ensure the safety of local residents. Once the area was secure, an explosive ordnance disposal team was called in to destroy the munitions.

US Army photos by 1LT Patrick Henson, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment