Bandit Troop uncovers explosive remnants of war

Courtesy Photo | An explosive ordnance disposal team member evaluates explosive remnants of war to safely and securely move the ordnance to an appropriate place for disposal. Soldiers from B Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division discovered an old, abandoned, Iraqi artillery firing point containing multiple artillery rounds and approximately 50 fuses, during a routine patrol Sept. 5. The ordnance was later disposed of by the explosive ordnance disposal team. (U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Stuart White, 6th Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt., 3rd AAB, 1st Cav. Div.)  

AL KUT, IRAQ

09.05.2011

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

By 2nd Lt. Stuart White

AL KUT, Iraq – During a routine patrol Sept. 5, 1st Lt. Christopher Morrow, a native of Austin, Texas, and a platoon leader with B Troop, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, spotted ordnance on the side of the road, outside of Al Kut, Iraq.

Upon investigation, the soldiers in the platoon discovered an old, abandoned, Iraqi artillery firing point containing multiple artillery rounds and approximately 50 fuses.

However, the soldiers didn’t have the equipment necessary to dispose of the unexploded ordnance, which is a potential risk to civilians and could also be used by insurgents to harm both U.S. soldiers and Iraqi security forces. Because of this risk the platoon returned with an explosive ordnance disposal team to dispose of the artillery rounds and fuses.

When explosives or potential weapons are found, EOD is called to follow platoons into the various sectors around Iraq to analyze and safely dispose of them. EOD refers to these rounds as explosive remnants of war.

These explosive remnants of war are dangerous because it is unknown when the shells were made, what they are made of, the condition of the fuses, who left them, or how long they have been there. Patrolling platoons take explosives like these very seriously and treat each one as a potential threat.

“Even though there was no evidence of terrorist activity around the old firing point, disposing of leftover ordnance keeps the Iraqi civilians and U.S. soldiers safer, so finding any small amount of explosives is important,” said Morrow.

Along with EOD, the platoon partnered with Iraqi army soldiers to secure the site. Working with their Iraqi army partners is a part of every mission the squadron executes. The Iraqi army facilitates all operations and works with U.S. soldiers to accomplish each mission.

“Executing the mission is always our first priority, but a key element of that mission is working with the ISF because they are ultimately in charge of security in Wasit province.” said Sgt. 1st Class Dallas McKay.

The soldiers and their Iraqi army partners escorted an EOD team to the old Iraqi firing point and then secured the area for EOD to gather the explosives.

The soldiers spread out over a large area and began clearing several old firing points, uncovering several high explosive, illumination and white phosphorus rounds as well as numerous fuses.

“Every mission is designed to prevent terrorists from harming innocent people or attacking soldiers. [The] platoon showed a lot of awareness finding these rounds, and it supports our mission.” said Lt. Col. Cameron Cantlon, 6th Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt. commander and a native of Ettrick, Wis.

EOD gathered all the explosives took them back to Contingency Operating Base Delta, and disposed of them using a controlled detonation.

• Date Taken: 09.05.2011
• Date Posted: 09.25.2011 14:55
• Story ID: 77564
• Location: AL KUT, IQ