Good News from Iraq: 1 Dec 2007

From MNF-I, Hawr Rajab Concerned Local Citizens turn in explosives cache to new unit.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – As a new unit transitions in, Hawr Rajab Concerned Local Citizens continue to provide Coalition Forces with a helping hand in providing security for their city.

The Concerned Local Citizens turned in a cache at Enduring Checkpoint 20 in Hawr Rajab Nov. 27 consisting of seven blasting caps, 13 pressure plates, two fire extinguishers and 28 two-liter bottles filled with homemade explosives.

An explosive ordnance disposal team safely destroyed the contents in a controlled detonation.

Earlier this month, Soldiers of the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., began replacing Paratroopers of the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th BCT (Airborne), 25th Inf. Div., Fort Richardson, Alaska, who are redeploying home after a 14-month combat tour.

Capt. Greg Curry, Troop A commander, 6-8th Cav. Regt., said he hopes to continue the positive relationships set by the 1-40th Cav. Regt. and build on their hard work.

Curry, a Walnut Creek, Ohio, native, said his Soldiers are committed to the Hawr Rajab people and will maintain a 24-hour presence in the city, and will continue to build security sites to prevent insurgents threatening the local population.

The same day in Hawr Rajab, seven Iraqis suspected of insurgent activities were detained during a 6-8th Cav. Regt. operation.

The detainees were brought back to FOB Falcon for questioning.