Candy for Weapons

[AngelBear]

3/4 trades candy for weapons
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20053223138
Story by Lance Cpl. Paul Robbins Jr.

FALLUJAH, Iraq (Feb. 24, 2005) -- Terrorists pay large amounts of
money for the mortars, rockets and other explosives used against
coalition forces, but the going rate for Marines to find these items
in Fallujah, Iraq, is as little as a piece of chocolate.

As soon as 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat
Team 1, arrived in Fallujah in January, Iraqi children began guiding
patrols to unexploded ordnance and weapons caches within their
neighborhoods, expecting only chocolate in return.

"Our first patrols were swarmed by kids looking for chocolate," said
Cpl. Miles J. Smith, 21, a squad leader for I Company. "We just
handed it out for a while, then we started asking them to show us
the `boom.'"

The children of Fallujah were more than compliant, showing patrols
to a variety of UXO and weapons caches, said Smith, a native of
Paul's Valley, Okla.

In exchange for food, candy, water, or the occasional American
dollar, the children have helped Marines confiscate grenades,
mortars, heat-seeking rockets, plastic explosives, weapons and
ammunition, according to Smith.

"It has been one of our best sources of intelligence," said Maj.
Matt O. Watt, 33, the operations officer for 3/4.

The residents have an intimate knowledge of the area, and can direct
Marines to UXO and weapons without disturbing their homes or way of
life, Watt said.

The removal of these dangerous items benefits all parties involved,
helping remove the fear of attack from improvised explosive devices.

"When we get the UXO out of their neighborhoods, it keeps it out of
enemy hands and safer for (the people)," said Watt. "It's a win-win
situation."

The combination of humanitarian aid and the disposal of dangerous
items from the homes and streets of Fallujah's residents have
provided a valuable connection between Iraqis and Marines.

"Working with the residents to remove these threats has helped build
goodwill between us," said Watt, "and we'll foster that whenever
possible."

With the full support of the battalion, the Marines of 3/4 will
continue to work side-by-side with the residents of Fallujah in
removing these threats to their city.

"A lot of us are stocking our pockets for our next patrol into the
city," Allen said.

[goose0656]

One of the Sgts at the local recruiting office said he did that while he was over there, too. Give some kinds a couple pieces of candy, and they'd go retreive all kinds of crazy stuff.

[Hoss68]

Pretty cool! I just hope no civilians or Marines get hurt in the process of retrieving these things.