Release A051101b

U.S. Soldiers clear junkyard of bomb-making ammo

Multi-National Force-Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- More than 2,400 rounds of unexploded ordnance were discovered and destroyed in a 12-day operation in rural east Baghdad.

Soldiers from Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, and up to 45 Iraqi contractors were involved in the operation Oct. 9 through 23 to deny terrorists the use of bomb-making material.

A scrap-metal junkyard was cleared of unexploded ordnance, which included 1,135 mortar rounds, 632 artillery rounds, 195 rockets, 22 mines and six bombs.

“The operation takes possible improvised explosive devices off the streets,” said Sgt. Frank Neal, the small-arms master gunner for the troop.

Neal said the operation to destroy the ordnance was completed with a focus on safety and that none of the Soldiers or Iraqi contractors who helped collect the munitions suffered any injuries during the controlled detonations.

-30-

TO OBTAIN THE PHOTOS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RELEASE CONTACT

SGT. FIRST CLASS DAVID ABRAMS AT: DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL

(Cutlines)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A Soldier from Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team prepares a pile of munitions for demolition in rural east Baghdad. A scrap-metal junkyard was cleared of unexploded ordnance, which included 1,135 mortar rounds, 632 artillery rounds, 195 rockets, 22 mines and six bombs. (U.S. Army photo)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqis look over a pile of unexploded ordnance collected during a 12-day sweep of a junkyard in rural east Baghdad. Task Force Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi contractors cleared the junkyard of munitions which included 1,135 mortar rounds, 632 artillery rounds, 195 rockets, 22 mines and six bombs. (U.S. Army photo)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Soldiers from Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team prepare a stack of munitions for demolition in rural east Baghdad. The Task Force Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi contractors cleared a scrap-metal junkyard of unexploded ordnance, which included 1,135 mortar rounds, 632 artillery rounds, 195 rockets, 22 mines and six bombs. (U.S. Army photo)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Soldiers from Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team sort through a pile of munitions in rural east Baghdad. A scrap-metal junkyard was cleared of unexploded ordnance, which included 1,135 mortar rounds, 632 artillery rounds, 195 rockets, 22 mines and six bombs. (U.S. Army photo)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A pile of munitions in rural east Baghdad explodes in flames during a controlled detonation. A scrap-metal junkyard was cleared of unexploded ordnance, which included 1,135 mortar rounds, 632 artillery rounds, 195 rockets, 22 mines and six bombs. (U.S. Army photo)

-30-

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE TASK FORCE BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS PLANS AND OPERATIONS NCO, SGT. FIRST CLASS DAVID ABRAMS AT: DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL