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Cash for Guns yields rewards for Cavalry
By Spc. Andy Miller
April 19, 2004
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, April 19, 2004) – Small arms, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades have been collected for destruction by the 1st Cavalry Division in a program that exchanges money for weapons and information.
Under this program, Iraqis don’t need to wait until a raid comes to their neighborhood to give up weapons to authorities. The money for weapons program was started by the 1st Armored Division at Forward Operating Base Thunder last year, and continues under the 2-12 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.
Owning a weapon is not illegal in Iraq. Local civilians are allowed to have one registered weapon. Anything more than one is illegal, and can lead to arrest.
Under the exchange program, however, Iraqis can provide illegal weapons to Soldiers at FOB Thunder during set times and dates, with no repercussions. In fact, turning in certain weapons, like SA-7s entitle civilians to monetary rewards. So does information that leads to the arrest of a person responsible for attacking coalition forces.
“I think it’s [a] very important [program]. Since I’ve been here, we’ve had people bring in grenades, RPGs, and mortars,†Staff Sgt. James Seginak an intelligence analyst with the 2-12 Cav said. “That right there is a lot less weapons that are being fired at coalition forces.â€
The program is intended to work for both the Iraqis and for Soldiers. Basically, when the insurgents don’t have access to weapons, there is less potential for violence on Baghdad streets.
“It’s safer for their country, for their neighborhood and for their kids,†Seginak said. “[There is also the] possibility of getting a reward for whatever type of weapon they bring in.â€
Though the program is working well, it is not without risk. Seginak said local Iraqis who come of their own free will to provide information or weapons face the possibility of being targeted by insurgents.
Likewise, the Soldiers at FOB Thunder face the possibility that an enemy will use the program as a disguise for an attack.
“We’re very cautious about when people bring things in, to make sure they are not handling the weapons,†Seginak said. “Usually, they are carrying them in a bag or a vehicle, and they just show them to us.â€
(Editor’s note: Spc. Andy Miller is a member of the 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/print.php?story_id_key=5859
By Spc. Andy Miller
April 19, 2004
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, April 19, 2004) – Small arms, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades have been collected for destruction by the 1st Cavalry Division in a program that exchanges money for weapons and information.
Under this program, Iraqis don’t need to wait until a raid comes to their neighborhood to give up weapons to authorities. The money for weapons program was started by the 1st Armored Division at Forward Operating Base Thunder last year, and continues under the 2-12 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.
Owning a weapon is not illegal in Iraq. Local civilians are allowed to have one registered weapon. Anything more than one is illegal, and can lead to arrest.
Under the exchange program, however, Iraqis can provide illegal weapons to Soldiers at FOB Thunder during set times and dates, with no repercussions. In fact, turning in certain weapons, like SA-7s entitle civilians to monetary rewards. So does information that leads to the arrest of a person responsible for attacking coalition forces.
“I think it’s [a] very important [program]. Since I’ve been here, we’ve had people bring in grenades, RPGs, and mortars,†Staff Sgt. James Seginak an intelligence analyst with the 2-12 Cav said. “That right there is a lot less weapons that are being fired at coalition forces.â€
The program is intended to work for both the Iraqis and for Soldiers. Basically, when the insurgents don’t have access to weapons, there is less potential for violence on Baghdad streets.
“It’s safer for their country, for their neighborhood and for their kids,†Seginak said. “[There is also the] possibility of getting a reward for whatever type of weapon they bring in.â€
Though the program is working well, it is not without risk. Seginak said local Iraqis who come of their own free will to provide information or weapons face the possibility of being targeted by insurgents.
Likewise, the Soldiers at FOB Thunder face the possibility that an enemy will use the program as a disguise for an attack.
“We’re very cautious about when people bring things in, to make sure they are not handling the weapons,†Seginak said. “Usually, they are carrying them in a bag or a vehicle, and they just show them to us.â€
(Editor’s note: Spc. Andy Miller is a member of the 122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/print.php?story_id_key=5859
