Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070129-14
Jan. 29, 2007

Multi-National Division - North PAO

BAQUBAH, Iraq - While conducting a route clearance mission east of Baqubah today, Soldiers from the 72nd Engineer Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered an anti-tank mine after receiving tips from a local citizen within the area.

According to Sgt. 1st Class Sean Thomas, 72nd Engineer Company, the convoy was about to leave the village when a local citizen stopped them and gave them a "boom" signal. After talking with the townsperson, the Soldiers realized there was an anti-tank mine in the area.

"This means a lot to us," said Thomas. "It means they are trusting us and knowing that we are not there to bring them harm -- we are there to protect them."

"To me, they don't want the terrorists around," Thomas said. "They disrupt their business and their day-to-day lives.

The engineers conducted a controlled detonation with no damage or injuries to the forces or the local population.

"What we found today might have just saved some lives," he said.

"This is another example of the people of Diyala taking control of their lives and not allowing the terrorists' control over them," said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander and senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala province.

"We're seeing more and more examples of the people participating in the security situation. They're passing out flyers telling the terrorists to leave, and reports to the Provincial Joint Coordination Center, manned by the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police, have increased 133 percent over the past 45 days," Sutherland added.

As a result of these reports, the Baqubah Police were able to foil an attempted bank robbery approximately 20 terrorists Thursday night.

"This is an example of the improvements taking place throughout the Iraqi Security Forces," Sutherland said.