Posted on 11/02/2005 4:27:10 PM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD – After a rocket attack in east Baghdad Oct. 31 killed one Iraqi and wounded three others, U.S. Soldiers arrived at the scene to determine from where the rocket may have been launched.
Local Iraqi police evacuated the wounded and secured the site as Iraqi firefighters doused fires caused by the explosions.
Task Force Baghdad Soldiers investigated the scene and questioned local residents at the suspected launch site of the rockets.
“The Iraqi Police responded very quickly to this terrorist attack,” said Lt. Col. Edward Chesney, deputy commanding officer, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “It is impossible to know who the terrorists were targeting in this attack but in the end it does not matter – they murdered and maimed innocent civilians.”
A crater analysis team from 2nd BCT went to the site the next morning to verify the type of munitions the terrorists used in the attack.
The crater analysis team often deploys to the site of any indirect fire attack to verify what the fire direction computers tell the unit about the enemy fire.
“I am 100 percent confident that the rocket was 127-millimeter, due to the range it was fired from and the acquired acquisition,” said Chief Warrant Officer Chad Barrett, a radar technician and targeting specialist with 2nd BCT.
The crater analysis team uses well-proven devices and techniques to get their data.
“We use parachute cord to measure the intersection of the point of impact in the crater, a compass to discover the direction of where the round was fired and a Global Positioning System for confirmation,” said Sgt. Kenneth Sutton, a fire support NCO. Shrapnel discovered at the site will also provide information on what type of munitions were used, he said.
“I wish the terrorists would stop shooting indiscriminately into the city and killing innocent civilians,” said Sgt. 1st Class Chad Ullery, brigade targeting noncommissioned officer in charge. “As long as they do, I know I can use the art of crater analysis to help the Iraqi Security Forces and our maneuver battalions catch more terrorists in the act of shooting and help to save lives.”
(Editor's note: Maj. Russ Goemaere serves as the 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO, 3rd ID.)
3ID Rock of the Marne PING! aka Audy Murphy Div.
Thanks for the ping SandRat.
Not really indiscriminate. The terrorists know full well that many Iraqis blame the US and US troops for the slaughter.
Local Iraqi police evacuated the wounded and secured the site as Iraqi firefighters doused fires caused by the explosions.
BTTT
Thanks for the ping!
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