| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq |
| TASK FORCE âALL AMERICANâ DISCOVERS WEAPONS CACHES |
| 2003-12-17 |
| Task Force âAll Americanâsâ 1st Brigade Combat Team conducted a route reconnaissance east of Ar Ramadi when they noticed freshly dug earth. Upon further investigation, they found two substantial caches. Discovered were three SA-7 launchers, 11 SA-6 warheads, 15 SA-6 fuel rods, 203 artillery and mortar rounds of various calibers, 41 rocket propelled grenade (RPG) rounds, 10 RPG launchers, 24 62mm high-explosive rockets, 57 anti-tank (AT) mines, miscellaneous bomb-making materiel, and a pre-made improvised explosive device (IED) consisting of six 152mm artillery rounds wired together. All ammunition, except ten RPGs, was destroyed in place. In 3rd Armored Cavalry Regimentâs areas of responsibility, elements were led to a cache by a local tip. The source stated he knew where an IED was located in Hit and led forces to it. At the site, 200 anti-tank mines and 70 mortar rounds were discovered. In addition, five individuals were captured at the site and are being questioned at a nearby base. |
| Posted by:Chuck Simmins |
| #8 Neat. Thanks, Old Patriot. |
| Posted by: (lowercase) matt 2003-12-17 11:39:35 PM |
| #7 Question: how does this work? Sometimes it's a hands-and-knees job, sometimes you can use small excavators, other times you drop in a charge and get somewhere safe before detonating it. Depends on what you think you've found. Whatever is used, it's usually nerve-wracking, and you use someone specially trained in Explosive Ordinance Disposal to do the work. When a contractor discovered a dozen unexploded bombs at Lindsey Air Station, they sealed off the corner where the work was being done, sent in some experts who "safed" the weapons, hauled them out, and let the construction crew go back to work, all in the same day. Most of the folks at Lindsey didn't know about it until the next day, when there was a story in Stars 'n Stripes. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-12-17 7:43:40 PM |
| #6 Question: how does this work? I assume it's not as simple as, "hey, freshly dug earth, you guys grab some shovels." How are such caches safely excavated? (Expected answer: "very very carefully") |
| Posted by: (lowercase) matt 2003-12-17 3:22:55 PM |
| #5 Sounds like they kept the 10 RPG launchers, perhaps they will be "customized" and remarketed at a profit to the US (in more ways than one). |
| Posted by: Shipman 2003-12-17 2:03:06 PM |
| #4 If they are self propelled, they might just take off when you blow them up. |
| Posted by: Grunter 2003-12-17 1:24:58 PM |
| #3 Kept for testing purposes? QA? As evidence? |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2003-12-17 11:29:21 AM |
| #2 "All ammunition, except ten RPGs, was destroyed in place" Don't know quite what to make of this piece of the article... |
| Posted by: snellenr 2003-12-17 11:23:02 AM |
| #1 With all that material, you could have one hell of an Iraqi wedding party. |
| Posted by: Baltic Blog 2003-12-17 10:21:33 AM |