ISF, coalition forces discover caches, nab 24 insurgents

Blackanthem Military News, BAQUBAH, Iraq, May 11, 2006

Caches consisting of money and munitions were discovered near Baqubah, Iraq, May 9 by members of the 5th Iraqi Army Division and the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers. Additionally, 24 detainees were apprehended by coalition and Iraqi security forces.

The 2nd Brigade, 5th IAD as well as 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd HBCT conducted joint operations in villages around Baqubah to limit the insurgents’ abilities to harm the Iraqi security and coalition forces.

"We’re working to establish conditions to get more control of the region," said Maj. John DiGiambattista, operations officer, 1-68 CAB. "The ISF is working the lead to provide security in the Baqubah area."

The force, which conducted simultaneous cordon, knock and search operations, confiscated 12-120 mm rounds, eight 60 mm rounds, 20-82 mm rockets, 22 mortar fuses, three Katusha rockets, four launcher pipes for Katusha rockets, 12-57 mm surface-to-air rockets, one 60 mm mortar system, one 82 mm mortar system, 100 meters of detonation cord, 600 meters of copper wire, $4,000 in U.S. currency and Russian literature during the early morning mission.

Removing munitions and insurgents, no matter how many or how few, affords the force a feeling of accomplishment and a bit more safety in this region.

"When you can take them out it disrupts operations," DiGiambattista said. "We want to bring them to justice for trying to kill ISF."

By Sgt. Zach Mott
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office