5-7 Cav. Regt. works to erode insurgent resources

Courtesy Photo | Members of Troop C, 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, work with dog teams to find weapon caches in Al Sur.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

02.18.2008

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Nearing the end of their 15-month tour, Soldiers from Troop C, 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division continue to conduct patrols providing security to residents of Al Sur Village and the surrounding area.

The Crazy Horse Troopers have denied insurgent forces access to weapons, ammunition and explosives that target both Soldiers and civilians.

Prior to the arrival of the 5-7 Cav. Regt., Al Sur village was an insurgent safe haven. Extremist forces operated freely in the area, with multiple bed-down locations and numerous cache sites.

Both have drastically decreased due to the efforts of Soldiers working with local residents.

Local sources, recruited by tactical human intelligence teams, recently led coalition forces to known insurgent cache sites. The sites, located in orange and date palm orchards, contained multiple munitions and components for improvised explosive devices. Weapons found included several pipe bombs, AK-47s and ammunition, numerous rocket-propelled grenade rounds and launchers.

Two patrol explosives detection dog teams worked with the platoon to assist with the operation.

"The use of dog teams, in conjunction with local national informants, has allowed our Soldiers to find a number of large caches," said Capt. Melvin Lowe, Troop C commander, from Pittsburgh, Pa. "The capture of these munitions will greatly degrade the enemy's ability to conduct operations against us."

• Date Taken: 02.18.2008
• Date Posted: 02.18.2008 12:07
• Story ID: 16469
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ