Small Rewards Program pays big dividends in insurgent weapons finds

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (April 18, 2008) - An Afghan man assisted Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces in uncovering more than 325 pieces of ammunition when he led them to a weapons cache in a cave in Northern Afghanistan, April 13.

According to a Coalition soldier who participated in the ANSF-led mission, the cave was "very effectively covered up" and required a great deal of digging to get to the entrance. Inside, the cave opened up to reveal neat stacks of unburied munitions in almost pristine condition. The combined force confiscated some of the munitions and destroyed the rest in place.

The man will receive a monetary reward for the information he provided, as part of the Small Rewards Program.

ANSF-led forces have had considerable success with the SRP. Approximately $65,000 has been paid to individuals who have provided information resulting in locating and destroying weapons caches throughout Afghanistan.

With the help of intelligence reporting and local villages, the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, Afghan Commandos and Coalition forces have been able to locate or destroy more than 7,000 enemy weapon systems, including rocket-propelled grenades, land mines, rifles and various types of ammunitions.