Sons of Iraq Identify Weapons Cache in Tuwaitha

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, with assistance from the Sons of Iraq, found a weapons cache Feb. 23 in Tuwaitha.

The cache consisted of three 82 mm Chinese mortars, three PG-7 launchers, two 40 mm Iraqi OG-7 projectiles, one Bulgarian OG-7V projectile, one 70 mm USSR PG-7M projectile, one 85 mm USSR PG-7 projectile and one PG launcher trigger assembly.

Capt. Damond Davis, from Montgomery, Ala., fire support officer for 3-1st Cav. Regt., said the cache was found in an orchard that squadron leaders believe was formally used by al-Qaida to conceal weapons.

“The Sons of Iraq are doing great,” Davis said. “They are continuing to identify caches, especially in this area. They have identified more than eight caches in this past month.”

Since the SoI group began operating in Tuwaitha last fall, there have been no attacks on coalition forces. Security has improved, Davis said, bringing additional benefits to the community.

“Some of the people that have been displaced are moving back into their homes,” Davis said.

The 3-1st Cav. Regt. is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.