Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071102-14
November 2, 2007

Iraqi citizen leads Coalition Forces to EFP factory

Multi-National Division – North PAO

HUSSEINIYAH, Iraq – A citizen of Husseiniyah led Coalition Forces to a building where explosively formed penetrators and improvised explosive devices were being constructed Oct. 31.

Soldiers of Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., discovered a large cache of explosives at the home, including about 10 fully assembled EFPs of various sizes including one 12-inch EFP – the largest found in Iraq – approximately 90 copper plates of various sizes, more than 200 pounds of C-4 explosive, other explosive materials including TNT and numerous other materials used in manufacturing EFPs.

“In our area of operations the EFP threat is significant, and there was enough material there to make 150 EFPs, so we may have saved the lives of 50-75 people over two months,” said Lt. Col John Drago, 2-12 FA, 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd Inf. Div. commander, noting that the discovery would not have been possible without Iraqi help.

“The cache was found based on the tip of a local citizen, which is significant because it shows the population is supporting our efforts to provide for their security.

There is no doubt in my mind that the information about this find will be well received by the local population and further their willingness to support Coalition and Iraqi Security Force efforts.”

On Oct. 23, another 4-2 SBCT unit discovered the largest EFP cache ever found in Iraq in Sa’ada village, near Khan Bani Sa’ad, Iraq.
 
That cache included over 120 fully assembled EFPs, over 150 copper disks, 600-plus pounds of C4 and other explosive materials, about 100 mortar rounds of various caliber, more than 30 107mm rockets, two mortar tubes and about 20 claymore-type mines.

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