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| Iraq |
| U.S. troops shut down major bomb-making facility in Tikrit |
| 2003-08-17 |
| By Hrvoje Hranjski, Associated Press, 8/17/2003 11:24 TIKRIT, Iraq (AP) U.S. troops shut down a major bomb factory near Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit on Sunday and arrested two people in connection with bombing activities here, a U.S. Army commander said. Only 2 - sounds like only the guys guarding the stash. In a raid on a village north of Tikrit, troops from the 4th Infantry Division seized C-4 plastic explosives, plastic caps, detonation switches and fragmentation shrapnel used in bombs, said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, commander of the 4th Infantry’s 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment. Ah, LtC Steve, again - his folks are sure bizzy in the Triangle! "We definitely shut down a major operational and bombing site,’’ Russell told The Associated Press. ’’There are still individuals we are looking for." I’ll bet... Also seized in Sunday’s raid was a 60mm mortar, seven rounds of ammunition, three grenades and four AK-47 rifles, he said. No shots were fired, there was no resistance from those detained and there were no U.S. casualties, he said. "Soldiers are still at the scene searching the area," he said. Fast, clean, and a good haul. Intel must be getting better. Saddam loyalists and remnants of the former regime have been using homemade bombs, often detonated remotely, against U.S. patrols and convoys. On Aug. 5, three 4th Infantry soldiers were killed in one such attack. Troops have been discovering improvised explosive devices almost every day, increasingly with the help of the local population, military officials said. Local help is what has been missing. If the Iraqis start taking an active hand in their own peace and security, things will change fast. Russell said the troops in Sunday’s raid acted on a tip from residents, calling the cooperation "a very good sign." Absolutely. He said the weapons and ammunition were hidden in trash pits on a field next to a residential complex, and the explosive was seized in houses. Detainee body cavity searches to follow... The exact location of the raid and identities of those detained were not immediately identified. Excellent news. LtC Steve and his crew are doing a great job - and toughing it out for the Iraqi’s sake, not their own. The locals’ changing attitude is most welcome news. |
| Posted by:.com |
| #1 LtC Steve is on a fast track to full bird and a star after that. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-8-17 8:16:12 PM |