YUSUFIYAH, Iraq - Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers uncovered more than 1,100 81mm high-explosive mortar rounds at a cache near the main highway, Route Tampa, leading into the Iraqi capital Feb. 3.Troops from 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Troop B, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment "Wolverines," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), made the discovery during Operation Wolverine Alesia near Yusufiyah, Iraq, just 10 miles southwest of the capital. 1,129 Acting on a tip from a local resident, the troops conducted an intentional search of the area which resulted in the largest cache find in 2nd "Commando" Brigade's history.
In all, 1,129 mortar rounds were uncovered. The cache, which was buried in the dirt, was larger than expected. As the Soldiers continued to unearth more mortar rounds, it became evident that this was a major find.
"These mortars rounds are in the configuration to use as improvised explosive devises," said Lt. Col. Mark Suich, the 1-89th's commander and native of Redding, Pa. "The mortar rounds in this state cannot be used for indirect fire; they are fabricated and stored to be used against the coalition and sectarian enemies as IEDs."