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In Iraq, war marked by endless contrasts

Apr-13-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

Here is an article featuring the 416th Civil Affairs battalion and the National Guard's 115th Signal Battalion. I believe both units support Task Force Olympia.

[Link to Full Article]
By Jenn Buck, The Dartmouth Staff

ERBIL, IRAQ -- April has been the deadliest month of the war for American troops in Iraq, with a reported 73 deaths from hostile fire.

Close to 20 hostages have been captured by militant groups in recent weeks, including one American, three Japanese, 11 Russians and two Arab aid workers. [...]

In the northern Kurdish city of Erbil, however, coalition troops enjoy relative peace.

"I feel lucky," said Spc. Shaun Chandler of the 416th Civil Affairs battalion. "I think we're the luckiest soldiers in Iraq to be working in Erbil rather than Fallujah."

There is a feeling of solidarity on the Kurdish base, though, as soldiers keep misty eyes fixed on television news broadcasts when casualty reports come in. The troops in the north enjoy their calm and the good work that they are able to do in the community, but said they are ready to do battle if necessary.

The American troops in Erbil are part of a larger battalion whose home base is in the city of Mosul, which lies right along the Kurdish border.

Home to large Kurdish and Arab populations living side-by-side, Mosul is a hotbed of terrorist activity. The troops exercise caution every time soldiers have to use the highway between the two cities.

Last week a convoy of U.S. troops traveling between the two cities was hit by an improvised explosive device planted in the ground in the median of the highway.


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