3-1 Cavalry Destroys Barge To Interdict Smuggling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070620-04
June 20, 2007
3-1 Cavalry destroys barge to interdict smuggling
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq — Soldiers from the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment destroyed one barge on the Tigris River June 16 near Salman Pak to deter the smuggling of ammunition and bomb-making materials into Baghdad.

The boat ignored several warnings to stop and come ashore. Residents were warned to stay off the river during the operations.

Boats traveling near this area of the Tigris River are not used by local residents for fishing, said Iraqi officials. The qada, or county, mayor estimates that all boat traffic on the Tigris in that area is linked to smuggling, said the 3rd HBCT Deputy Commander, Lt. Col. Ryan J. Kuhn, from Clarks, Neb.

The 3rd HBCT Soldiers have witnessed individuals smuggling ammunition or bomb-making materials across the Tigris, according to the 3rd HBCT Executive Officer, Maj. Dewey Boberg, from Anaheim, Calif.

The 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, is part of the 3rd Infantry Division and Multi-National Division-Center. Elements of MND-C are currently executing Marne Torch, deliberate operations to deny insurgent and terrorist sanctuaries southeast of Baghdad. Operations are being conducted southeast of Baghdad, to include Arab Jabour on the west side of the Tigris and Salman Pak and Jisr Diyala on the east side of the river.