3rd Infantry Division Operations - Fort Stewart - U.S. Army

68 3rd Infantry Division Operations
taken to face justice under Iraqi law.
Soldiers on the ground continued to uncover caches. Alpha
Company, 2-69 AR was attached to 4/25 BCT on October 17th.
It uncovered 100 copper discs, the material Iranian weapons
makers used to build Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFP), the
deadliest of IEDs. Nine days later a MiTT found more 107mm
rockets. Every time a cache was found, a smuggler was disrupted,
or an illegal entry was blocked, the Iranian influence
was reduced.
The continued effort to block extremist influences in Iraq
placed MND-C on the world’s stage in an international drama.
On one side was Iraq's oldest enemy – Iran and on the other, its
newest ally – the United States.
A Sadr declared cease fire, announced in September, remained
in effect. Sadr renewed his call for a cease fire in February
of 2008. That same month, millions of Shia pilgrims
trekked across Multi-National Division - Center’s area of operations
to the holy city of Karbala in celebration of Arba een. It
was a magnificent display of confidence in the Iraqi security
forces. Moreover, it was a demonstration of religious freedom
not seen prior to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s tyrannical
regime and the additional safety brought about by the surge.
Despite these achievements, the threat of Shia extremism and
criminal influence continued. In March and April of 2008, the
Government of Iraq launched operations across Iraq to eliminate
Shia militia threats. Task Force Marne provided MEDE-
VAC support to Iraqis who were injured as a result of battles in
the south. It used attack helicopters to strike militants armed
with mortar tubes and launch racks for rockets. The division
even provided a company team to support MND-B in battles
against Shia extremists inside Sadr City. The CAB struck extremist
rocket and mortar teams and IED planters throughout