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| Team destroys more than 6,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance with overall weight of 14 tons. |
| By Multi-National Corps, Iraq Public Affairs Office |
| CAMP ECHO, Iraq, March 1, 2007 -- In Asal Belly, east of Camp Echo, in Ad Diwaniyah, was a stash of Iraqi artillery placed during the last war. Sixteen square kilometers of the terrain was almost entirely covered in artillery ammunition, mortar grenades, anti-tank mines and aircraft bombs. A Bosnian and Herzegovina explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit set off to this dangerous place Feb. 28 to seek and destroy unexploded ordnance. It was a very crucial mission, because each piece of this ammunition could become a potential improvised explosive device and be used against Iraqis or Coalition Forces. Right after they reached the destination point, a maneuver group secured the area of operation. Professionals from the EOD unit started to identify the found ammunition. “The main priorities are ammunition with caliber over 120 mm, because it poses the biggest threat,” said liaison officer, 1st Lt. Samir Husanovic. “We are going to collect all these explosives in one place and destroy them.” This task was difficult. Some of the ammunition was rusted or damaged, and they could not move it. It was necessary to destroy them on the spot. |
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After this, they double checked whether all of the ammunition had been destroyed. A patrol went to the spot and did a thorough examination before returning to the Multinational Division Central South, Camp Echo. “Today we have destroyed 359 pieces of unexploded ordnance including 126 projectiles and mortar grenades of caliber 120 mm,” reported EOD Unit Commander Capt. Herman Jerman. “We have also destroyed over 6,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance with overall weight of more than 14 tons during the last week.” This day was a huge success and one step forward in the struggle against terrorism, he said. |
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