Odyssey of Frustration
In Search for Weapons, Army Team Finds Vacuum Cleaners

By Barton Gellman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 18, 2003; Page A01 

BAGHDAD -- For once the team found a building intact.

The low stucco structure, one of several walled off from the street, was 
the 17th target of the war for Army Lt. Col. Charles Allison and the 
special weapons hunters under his command. Heavy crossbars sealed 
the doors. That, at least, was encouraging. There would not have been 
much left to lock if looters got here first.

U.S. intelligence called this place "Possible SSO Facility Al Hayat," 
after the Special Security Organization of President Saddam Hussein. It 
ranked No. 26 on a U.S. Central Command priority search list. Allison's 
team pulled up in six Humvees, not long before noon on May 1, to scout 
for biological and chemical arms.

"Go get the breach kit," ordered Army Maj. Kenneth Deal, second in 
command. A soldier returned with bolt cutters, a crowbar and a 
sledgehammer. Deal carried a digital camera. Army Sgt. 1st Class Will 
T. Smith Jr. and Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Shawn Anderson wielded 
chemical sensors that looked like oversized power drills.

Smashing padlocks and deadbolts, the men checked for booby traps as 
they felt their way by flashlight from room to room. They reached a 
murky stone passage, smelling of mold. Cement covered its windows. 
Steel doors, a dull orange, lined the hall.

Interrogation cells? Munitions vaults?

One last bolt snapped. The door creaked open and Deal stepped 
through. There, in the innermost chamber, he found a cache of vacuum 
cleaners.

[snip snip snip]

Full article at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4450-2003May17.html


Cheers, Steve...

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