Marines uncover weapons cache near Fallujah

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Press Release
Public Affairs Office
1st MARINE DIVISION
1stLt Eric M. Knapp
Contact: KnappEM@1mardivdm.usmc.mil
Release # 0507-04-1404

Marines uncover weapons cache near Fallujah

April 19, 2004

AR RAMADI, IRAQ -- Marines from the 1st Marine Division uncovered a large weapons cache near Fallujah today.

Marines patrolling the vicinity of Fallujah made the discovery around 10 a.m. this morning. The weapons and munitions included the following:

75 30 mm rockets
25 82 mm mortar rounds
100 57 mm anti-aircraft rounds
Seven rocket-propelled grenades
One 12.7 mm machine gun
One mortar tube
Three 57 mm anti-aircraft guns

The munitions were destroyed on site.

Marines operating near Fallujah also found several anti-personnel mines emplaced near a Marine base there at about 10 a.m. this morning. Explosive ordinance disposal teams were called in and the mines were destroyed.

Marines maintain their defensive position in and around Fallujah and observe the suspension of offensive operations within the city. This, however, does not preclude Marines from taking defensive actions.

Last night, a shepherd reported to Iraqi Border Police that he had seen a rocket launcher staged near the Syrian border at about 8 p.m. An improvised rocket launcher, 12-volt battery and wiring harness were found. Explosive ordinance disposal teams were called in to destroy the weaponry.