Marines and ING uncover weapons cache

[USMC5831]

Marines, ING uncover weapons cache
Aug. 26, 2004

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq -- Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and members of the Iraqi National Guard uncovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition today during a joint raid in central Iraq.

The Marines involved are from Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, and 2d Force Reconnaissance Company.

The MEU currently has five suspected militants in custody pending questioning related to the find.

A preliminary estimate yielded the following among the uncovered weapons and munitions:

· (132) 107 mm rockets
· (7) 57 mm rockets
· (10) AK-47 automatic rifles
· (7) 125 mm tank rounds
· (5) rocket-propelled-grenade launchers
· (124) RPG Rounds
· (200) mortar rounds
· Bomb-making materials
· Improvised explosive devices

The 24th MEU assumed operational control of Northern Babil province July 29. The MEU’s mission is to assist Iraqi authorities in fostering security and stability for the nearly 900,000 citizens of the province.

For more information, contact Capt. David Nevers (neversde@24meufwd.usmc.mil) or visit the unit's Web site at www.24meu.usmc.mil.