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FERRIS, Iraq - Explosive ordnance disposal technicians neutralized a potential insurgent threat after receiving a tip from villagers, Feb. 20.
The five-man team uncovered and detonated four 120 mm mortars, four 68 mm rockets, a 125 mm projectile and an improvised rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, after locals told a neighboring unit about the cache.
The team operates from Forward Operating Base Blackhawk and covers more than 100 square kilometers south of Fallujah, directly supporting security elements from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
"Blackhawk EOD" is part of 3rd Platoon, 2nd EOD Company, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, currently under 1st MLG, and responds whenever Marines with Weapons Company encounter unexploded ordnance, weapons caches and potential improvised explosive devices.
One of Blackhawk's EOD technicians said the increase of cooperation from the local population has made their job easier.
"We've seen a definite shift in their personalities and temperaments," said Sgt. Peter K. McKinney, 25, from Greenwood, Ind.
"When you can establish a good working relationship with the locals in the area and they feel safe around you, they start telling you ... where caches and (improvised explosive devices) are located," he said.
The "Anbar Awakening," a phrase coined after coalition forces started gaining support from a majority of Sunni tribal leaders and sheiks in the Anbar province, has coincided with the increase of cooperation from Iraqi civilians. Service members find themselves relying less on show-of-force tactics and more on diplomacy.
Along with gainful employment of Iraqi security forces, the outlook here is starting to improve.
"I hesitate to use the word 'safe,' but it's become a lot more relaxed as far as the local populace is concerned," McKinney said.
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2008 10:39 |
| Story ID: | 16782 |
| Location: | FERRIS, IQ |
| Web Views: | 249 |
| Downloads: | 228 |
This work, EOD team comes up big, by Ben Eberle, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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