Sons of Iraq turn over suicide belt to Coalition forces

Courtesy Photo | Members of the Sons of Iraq recovered and turned in a suicide belt to Soldiers of Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, at Patrol Base Kelsey, Iraq, March 25.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

03.25.2008

Courtesy Story

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By 1st Lt. Marshall Tucker
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ISKAN, Iraq - Members of the Sons of Iraq recovered and turned in a suicide belt to coalition forces in the North Babil area of Iraq, March 25.

Soldiers of Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, stationed at Patrol Base Kelsey, spoke with the local residents who found it and immediately called an explosive ordnance disposal team for exploitation.

The find came amidst several reports regarding a possible suicide vest in Hanaswa, a neighboring region. The reports claimed that members of al-Qaida in Iraq were planning to detonate the suicide vest once a proper carrier was found. The SoI who found the belt said that it came from Hanaswa, confirming the recent information.

"The find is really an affirmation of the success we've experienced over the last couple months with security in our (area of operation)," said 1st Lt. Jon Cheatwood, a platoon leader in Company B. "It's more or less proof of the fact that citizens are now more concerned about their future and security."

The suicide belt appeared to be in working condition. It consisted of homemade explosives and was packed with hundreds of ball bearings for collateral effects. It was rigged to a pin from a hand grenade, so the user could self-detonate.

In the last several months, the SoI have turned in hundreds of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive device related materials.

• Date Taken: 03.25.2008
• Date Posted: 04.02.2008 09:51
• Story ID: 17984
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ