Operation Dealer Discovers SVBIEDs, Large Weapons Cache in Western Ramadi

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory

Oct. 13, 2006
RAMADI, Iraq – Soldiers detained 15 suspected insurgents, discovered two vehicles being fitted as suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, and found a significant weapons cache during Operation Dealer, Oct. 12, in the Ta’meen area in western Ramadi.
Based on a tip from a local resident, Soldiers from Task Force 1-35 detained 15 individuals who were identified as suspected terrorists. According to CPT Matt Graham, Commander, Bravo Company, 2-6 Infantry, “This is a great example of the cooperation and support of the local residents in the task to rid their neighborhood of anti-Iraqi fighters.”
During Operation Dealer, the task force captured two stripped-down vehicles in the process of being converted to VBIEDs. Additionally, four individuals were detained in connection with the operation.
The large found weapons cache consisted of four rocket propelled grenade launchers, 34 155mm artillery shells, 13 60mm mortar rounds, eight AK-47s, a PKC machine gun, a Dragonov sniper rifle with scope, three pounds of high explosives, 400 pounds of detonation cord, 48 blasting caps, eight radio controlled IED initiators, four pressure activated IED initiators and more than 600 rounds of small arms ammunition. Several smaller caches and additional munitions were found during the course of Operation Dealer.
Operation Dealer was a combined operation with Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police, and Coalition Force units involved. The Iraqi Police assisted by establishing vehicle check points at critical intersections and conducted vehicle searches in order to deny insurgent forces the ability to evade the combined Iraqi and Coalition force operation.
The 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division, with elements of 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th IA Division, conducted house-to-house searches to help establish a new combat outpost.
“This was truly a joint operation. I had U.S. Army Soldiers, Marines and Airmen alongside Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police units. It shows what great effects can occur when each of these units bring their special capabilities to the fight,” said Lieutenant Colonel Tony Deane, TF 1-35 Commander. “Each unit did what it does best, and the results speak for themselves.”
“Ta’meen has been identified as an area where Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces still faced a great deal of resistance. Operation Dealer was undertaken to establish a combat outpost in this area,” according to Col. Sean MacFarland, Commander, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. “Local residents were cooperative and individuals who were displaced in the establishment of the new combat outpost received immediate initial compensation and will be provided full compensation through the civil-military operation center.”