Stryker Brigade News

Interview with SPC Rogers

Interview between Specialist Heath Rogers in Mosul and KOMO in Seattle. They talk about improving weather, his duties as a combat medic, and limited contact with Iraqis. He says the morale is really good and he's proud to be in Iraq doing his part. He's from Clinton, Missouri. Says his advise to soldiers coming in would be to keep chin up, that expectations are worse than actual situation. Talks about working with wounded soldiers, cultural differences, paying attention to surroundings, not being nervous. Says majority of Iraqis are happy to see Americans here, that it's an important humanitarian mission, and that initial perceptions change after 10 months on the ground. Feels that he and comrades have not waivered in doing the job and are proud to be here.

Interview with SGT Cripe

Interview between Sergeant Crystal Cripe in Mosul and KOMO in Seattle. She's from a town outside Boise, Idaho, and now on her third deployment. Talks about living on a pretty nice camp with flowers and beautiful buildings. She's a medic - talks about daily missions, family back home, and getting to use her skills everyday. Says she's glad to feel needed and doing a job she's trained to do. They do what they need to do day to day and take care of each other. Talks about missing family, coming home, liking uneventful days, not thinking about unknowns.

Interview with SSG Caldwell

Interview between Staff Sergeant Caldwell in Mosul and KOMO in Seattle. He's a diesel mechanic from North Carolina. Talks about daily mission and general impressions of Iraq. Says people are friendly and encouraging.

After-Work Greetings

12 National Guard soldiers working to rebuild parts of northern Iraq send a message home to their loved ones back. All of these soldiers are with C Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion: 1. Specialist Robert Martell; for Auburn, ME 2. Specialist Christian Duchette, for Turner, ME 3. Sergeant Gene Lord, for Denmark, ME 4. Specialist Greg Vaillancourt, for Mechanic Falls, ME 5. Sergeant Randy Jones, for West Paris, ME 6. Sergeant Robert Smith, for Mechanic Falls, ME 7. Specialist Sonie Wesley, for Rumford, ME 8. Sergeant Shawn Coffin, for West Paris, ME 9. Specialist Bryan Finch, for Fayetteville, NC-Port Crane, NY 10. Specialist Jessica Tripp, for Oxford, ME 11. Specialist Richard Hovey, for Turner, ME 12. Sergeant First Class Todd Thompson, for Skowhegan, ME

Engineer Interviews

Two soldiers talk about the recent projects they have completed in northern Iraq. (1) Army Captain Dean Preston, A Co Commander(from Pembrook, ME). He talks about repairing a main roadway in the northern town of Diyanah. Local officials, including mayor, were very happy this high-impact project was done. Says his Soldiers worked for the people and got to know them while working very hard. More about the great impact of this project. (2) Sergeant First Class Todd Thompson, Project Leader (from Skowhegan, ME). Talks about finishing a school construction project in Diyanah, servicing close to 500 children. Took two months and lots of logistics coordination. Says this community is very family-oreiented, so this was a worthwhile project.

Interview with MAJ Bennett

Interview between Major Bob Bennett in Mosul and KOTV in Tulsa, OK. Says the most memorable times of this tour have been meeting Iraqi residents and children in the villages and raising more than two battalions of the Iraqi National Guard - watching them take a stake in their future. He then talks with his parents in the hometown studio - says soldiers can stay in touch using the phones on the base camps. He's scheduled to be home in time for the holidays, but says they're focused on getting the work done first. He says things are working out pretty well, and although it's easy to look at the flashpoints, a lot of good work is happening. Iraqi soldiers and leaders are taking control and stepping up and American soldiers are making it happen. Says everyone should be proud and he's humbled to be a part of it.

Engineer Messages to Home

14 members of B Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion, who are working to repair a village in northern Iraq, send a message home to their loved ones. 1. Specialist Lonnie Atkins, for Hollis, ME 2. Specialist Alex Adams, Kennebunk, ME 3. Sergeant Christopher Noyes, Portland, ME 4. Specialist Stephen Dee, New Glaouscter, ME 5. Specialist Jacob Thich, Old Orchard Beach, ME 6. Sergeant Andrew Marquis, Lewiston and South Portland, ME 7. Sergeant Leo Bouley, St. Agatha, ME 8. Sergeant Kameel Farag, Damariscotta, ME 9. Sergeant Karl Bowers, Old Town, ME 10. Private First Class Josh Slater, Hancock, ME 11. Sergeant Michael McCormick, Scarborough, ME 12. Sergeant First Class Michael Mowry, Saco, ME 13. Specialist Kim Purington, Buckston, ME 14. Second Lieutenant Adam Cote, Portland, ME

Interview with SFC Walsh and 2LT Cote

Two Interviews; one with Sergeant First Class Kevin Walsh and Second Lieutenant Adam Cote speak about how they are working to rebuild the Hamzan Village in Northern Iraq. They also describle how they feel about making a change in the lives of the Iraqi people.

Interview with SPC Lane

Specialist Mark Lane speaks with his wife and child via a video link-up. They talk about what has been going on at home.

Interview with SPC Shaw

Interview between Specialist William Shaw(from LaGrange, Maine) in Mosul and WABI in Bangor, Maine. He speaks about the his job in Iraq. He also speaks about the weather in the area and about voting overseas.

Interview with SPC Hutchinsin

Interview between Specialist Desman Hutchinsin (from Bucksport, Maine) in Mosul and WABI in Bangor, Maine. He speaks about the relations between the Soldiers and Iraqi People. Also speaks about voting overseas and the language barrier.

(via DVIDS)