iraqi civilians continue to step forward in war..

Citizens’ Tips Lead Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers to 11 Weapon Caches Tuesday, 26 February 2008 CAMP STRIKER — Local citizens gave information to Iraqi Army (IA) and U.S. Soldiers that removed hazardous materials off the streets near Janabi Village and Qarghuli, Feb. 22. The Iron Rakkasans of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), uncovered numerous weapon caches with their IA counterparts in the past week. “The capture of 11 caches this week is the strongest indicator that the Iraqi Army is mastering the principles of counterinsurgency,” said Capt. Michael Starz, commander of Co. C, 3-187th Inf. Regt. IA Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division turned over a cache from the Qarghuli area that contained various mortar and artillery rounds, rocket-propelled grenade components and rounds, rockets, more than 2,200 pounds of unknown bulk explosives, bulk ammunition and an improvised explosive device. Later in the day, a local citizen led Company C Soldiers to a site in the Janabi Village vicinity where seven cases of propellant, 15 rockets, mortar rounds, more than 300 rounds of ammunition and four bags of homemade explosives were found, among other items. Starz said the finds further solidify the partnership between IA and U.S. forces. “As our relationship with the Iraqi Army grows, so does our collective effectiveness,” he said. “The Iraqi Army continues to gain strength in this former insurgent stronghold.”