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Release A051102a

U.S. Soldiers locate source of deadly rocket attack

Multi-National Force-Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Task Force Baghdad Soldiers investigating a rocket attack in east Baghdad Oct. 31 that killed one Iraqi and wounded three others, arrived at the suspected scene to determine from where the rocket may have been launched.

Local Iraqi Police evacuated the wounded and secured the site as Iraqi firefighters doused fires caused by the explosions.

Task Force Baghdad Soldiers investigated the scene and questioned local residents at the suspected launch site of the rockets.

“The Iraqi Police responded very quickly to this terrorist attack,” said Lt. Col. Edward Chesney, deputy commanding officer, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “It is impossible to know who the terrorists were targeting in this attack but in the end it does not matter – they murdered and maimed innocent civilians.”

A crater analysis team from 2nd BCT went to the site the next morning to verify the type of munitions the terrorists used in the attack.

The crater analysis team often deploys to the site of indirect fire attacks to verify what the fire direction computers tell the unit about the enemy fire.

“I am 100 percent confident that the rocket was 127-millimeter, due to the range it was fired from and the acquired acquisition,” said Chief Warrant Officer Chad Barrett, a radar technician and targeting specialist with 2nd BCT.

The crater analysis team uses well-proven devices and techniques to get their data.

“We use parachute cord to measure the intersection of the point of impact in the crater, a compass to discover the direction of where the round was fired and a Global Positioning System for confirmation,” said Sgt. Kenneth Sutton, a fire support NCO. Shrapnel discovered at the site will also provide information on what type of munitions were used, he said.

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TO OBTAIN THE PHOTOS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RELEASE CONTACT

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

(Cutlines)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Chief Warrant Officer Chad Barrett, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, uses parachute cord Nov. 1 to measure the intersection of a point of impact at the site of a terrorist rocket attack in east Baghdad. Sgt. Kenneth Sutton, also with 2nd BCT, uses a compass to determine the azimuth of the Oct. 31 attack. (U.S. Army photo)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The 2nd Brigade Combat Team crater analysis team visits the site of a terrorist rocket attack Nov. 1 to discover where the rocket may have been fired from and what type of rocket it was. One civilian was killed in the attack and three were wounded. (U.S. Army photo)

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi firefighters finish putting out a fire after a terrorist rocket attack killed one civilian in east Baghdad Oct. 31. (U.S. Army photo)

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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