Rockets Aimed at FOB Hammer Found, Neutralized

Rockets aimed at FOB Hammer found, neutralized
By Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs
Jul 15, 2007 - 6:20:57 PM

Blackanthem Military News, FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – After several rockets hit FOB Hammer on July 11, the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team maneuvered to find the source of the attack.

Early on July 12, the 3rd HBCT’s unmanned aerial vehicle, controlled by Sgt. Kenneth Hay, UAV mission commander, located 46 rocket launchers in the northern section of Besmaya Range Complex aimed at FOB Hammer. Thirty-four of the launchers were armed with Iranian 107mm rockets. The Besmaya Range Complex is adjacent to the coalition force base.

Soldiers of the 789th Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, currently attached to the 3rd HBCT, immediately responded to the site.

According to Capt. Justin Gerken, from Red Wing, Minn., commander of the 789th EOD team, 12 of the 46 rockets had already been used to attack FOB Hammer the day prior. EOD Soldiers were able to determine that the rockets originated from Iran after analyzing the unexploded ordnance.

The 789th EOD team was successful in neutralizing 33 of the 34 remaining rockets. In the disarming process, one rocket was launched and hit the base.

“Today was a success in that we disarmed 33 rockets,” Gerken said. “This allows for evidence collection to find out who is responsible for the indirect fire attacks on FOB Hammer.”