3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team
Task Force Band of Brothers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 31, 2006

PR# 073106-40

MUQDADIYA, Iraq (July 30, 2006) – A joint operation with 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division and Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment attached to 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, recovered a cache, freed one hostage and detained 16 suspected anti-Iraqi forces, Sunday.

The cache of IED making materials was located inside a mud structure in the center of a palm grove. Along with the IED making materials were several AIF propaganda CDs, as well as a new laptop computer and camera.

Near the site a local national being held hostage was also found blindfolded with his hands bound behind his back. His capturers had fled the area when the Iraqi Army and coalition forces arrived there. He was taken to Forward Operating Base Falock where he was reunited with his family members and spoke with the Iraqi media. He expressed his thanks to the IA saying he was just one day from being “judged” by his capturers.

In total, 16 suspected AIF were detained and taken to FOB Falock for questioning. Other coalition forces were called in to destroy the cache.