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http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18294&Itemid=128

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080409-03
April 9, 2008

U.S. Special Forces destroy AQI training camp, find large weapons cache in Jazeera Desert (Balad)

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BALAD, Iraq – U.S. Special Forces destroyed an al-Qaeda in Iraqi training camp and large weapons cache during a multi-day operation April 2 to April 5 in the Jazeera Desert.

Acting on intelligence reports, U.S. SF Soldiers conducted the operation to verify enemy activities at an old radar station. The station was reportedly being used as an insurgent training camp and weapons cache site.

These forces secured the abandoned compound and cleared the site.

The cache included more than 20,000 rounds of 14.5 mm ammunition, SA-7 surface-to-air missiles, one SA-7 battery, 14.5 mm machine guns, 68 mm rockets, TNT, suicide-vest charges, hand grenades, 82 mm mortar tubes, 82 mm mortar rounds, one 120 mm mortar tube, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG warheads, and homemade explosives materials.

After the cache was secured, U.S. SF saw two white trucks approaching the compound. Each vehicle was visibly armed. The vehicles stopped short of the compound and one vehicle began a flanking maneuver.

Based on prior intelligence, the discovered cache, and the manner of movement by the vehicles, U.S. SF determined hostile intent and fired on the flanking vehicle.

The truck caught fire. The individuals inside the truck ran to the second truck and fled the area.

The U.S. SF called for Coalition airstrikes to destroy the training compound. Five of 18 structures were completely destroyed and the weapons cache items were either destroyed or transported away from the site.

“Iraqi Security and Coalition forces remain relentless in the pursuit of these al-Qaeda terrorists,” said Col. Bill Buckner, spokesman for Multi-National Corps - Iraq. “We will continue to hunt down terrorists who continue to put the Iraqi people in danger.”

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