U.S. SOLDIER STANDS GUARD DURING A RAID ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TIKRIT, 2003-09-27 (photo)

A U.S. soldier from the 1st battalion of the 22nd regiment of the fourth infantry division of the U.S. army stands guard during a search operation for arms and ammunitions at an orchard on the outskirts of Tikrit, about 110 miles (180 kilometres) northwest of Baghdad September 27, 2003. The U.S. troops unearthed a huge cache of arms and ammunitions, which included 23 SA7 missiles, four Rocket Propelled Launchers (RPG), 150 RPG rounds, 51 smoke pads, 40 mortar rounds, one 60 mm mortar tube, over 1000 pounds of plastic explosives, 1300 blasting caps and 443 hand grenades REUTERS/Arko Datta AD/WS