FORWARD OPERATING BASE HUNTER, Iraq - Iraqi and American troops found a weapons cache during 'Operation Chattahoochee,' a cooperative effort to search Maysan Province by ground, water and air for illegal munitions March 18.
The 2nd Battalion, 41st Iraqi Army Brigade, with assistance from Battery A., 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, located a collection of rocket fuses, electronic timers and printed technical data for launching rockets during the operation.
"This is a big find for the Iraqi Army," said Staff Sgt. Richard Butler, a platoon sergeant with Battery A and a native of Vidor, Texas. "They (10th IA) were ahead of the game and had this stuff located before we were on site. I was impressed."
Criminals in this area have previously launched rockets toward FOB Hunter and other nearby bases. Coalition Forces responded by conducting a full-scale operation with various modes of travel to cover as much terrain as possible.
"We have brought the rocket firing to a standstill," said an Iraqi Soldier. "The criminals fear us."
The search incorporated unmanned spy planes and manned Longbow Apache attack helicopters to seek out any would-be rocket firers in the area.
The troops also spent time asking local farmers for information about any unusual activity in the area and gathering valuable information for future operations.
This operation demonstrated the improving capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces and the strides they are making in keeping their country safe while leading the way in missions.
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