Junkyard search turns up unexploded ordnance

Courtesy Photo | BAGHDAD -- A Soldier from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team poses with some of the unexploded ordnance collected during a sweep of Jisr Diyala Oct. 9. (U.S Army photo)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.11.2005

Courtesy Story

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Maj. Russ Goemaere

2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO



BAGHDAD -- Soldiers from Task Force Baghdad continued to deny terrorists access to unexploded ordnance during operations Oct. 9.

In a sweep of a junkyard in Jisr Diyala, Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team collected more than 135 rounds of unexploded ordnance ranging in size from small mortars to heavy artillery shells.

"We have conducted five of these junkyard sweeps in the last two months and have collected about 1,500 rounds," said Pfc. Brandon Hoffpauir, a member of the team that specializes in finding ordnance.

Missions to clear areas of unexploded ordnance are often based on information gained through interaction with the local population.

"The Iraqi people are very good about providing us information," said Hoffpauir. "In one case, they told us about an area where insurgents had buried some munitions. When we dug up the site, we found 130 57-millimeter rockets still in their original box."

As the Soldiers haul away the ordnance, they also believe they are winning the hearts and minds of the local population.

"We have very good relationships with the community," said Spc. Michael Darby a medic with the unit. "I treat the kids and adults and the people get to know me and seek me out every time I come by."

"The people like us," Hoffpauir added. "We help them with water and food whenever we can. They trust us."

• Date Taken: 10.11.2005
• Date Posted: 10.11.2005 16:01
• Story ID: 3266
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ