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NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

August 23, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-49


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONFISCATED, DESTROYED WEAPONS EQUAL SAFER IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq-Coalition forces continued to confiscate and destroy weapons and ammunition in Iraq on Aug. 22.

Acting on a tip from a local source, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) captured enemy equipment and detained suspected enemy personnel in East Mosul on Aug. 21. The confiscated weapons included three Russian machine guns, one 60mm mortar tube, two AK-47s, 50 AK-47 magazines, 3,500 rounds of small arms ammunition, one protective mask and various communications equipment.

In an unrelated incident, acting on a tip from a local source, the 101st AD detained one individual for making counterfeit Iraqi Dinar. The 101st confiscated rolls of magnetic security bands, three sheets of 10,000 Iraqi Dinar, an automatic number machine, a press machine and a computer with money software loaded on it.

Fourth Infantry Division soldiers on patrol discovered a weapons cache near some old fighting positions just south of Tikrit. The cache consisted of 200 pounds of propellant, 80 rounds of 14.5mm machine gun ammunition, one loaded AK-47 and one rocket-propelled grenade. An explosive ordnance detonation team will dispose of the weapons.

During an aerial patrol north of Khan Bani Said in Diyala province, an OH-58 D, Kiowa Warrior helicopter discovered a weapons cache consisting of four D-20 towed artillery pieces and 200 artillery rounds. Additional weapons and ammunition seized in other patrols include 50 artillery rounds, 104 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, four rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 22 mortar tubes, 48 high explosive anti-tank 100mm rounds, two claymore mines and six AK-47s.

In the last 24 hours, coalition forces conducted 21 raids, 922 day patrols and 645 night patrols. The units also conducted 233 day patrols and 159 night patrols jointly with Iraqi police.

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