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1-24th soldiers didn't have to wait long to see combat in Iraq

Nov- 9-2004 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

Good photos included as well.

[Link to Full Article]
By Juliana Gittler, Stars and Stripes

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — After less than a month in Iraq, nearly every unit in the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment has seen action.

Several 1-24th soldiers, members of the 25th Infantry Division’s Stryker Brigade Combat Team, will get Purple Hearts, and hundreds already have qualified for the Combat Infantryman Badge.

A few weeks ago, less than 5 percent of the battalion’s light infantry soldiers had any combat experience. But an abrupt and forceful introduction to life near Mosul, a city in northern Iraq, caused that percentage to grow exponentially.

A few days after arriving, a mortar slammed through an aluminum trailer where a soldier lived. Fortunately, the soldier was not in it.

Mortar rounds continue to hit the small camp daily. Outside the wire, explosives have engulfed vehicles and gunfire has sprayed around soldiers on patrol.

Still, they seem unruffled in their new environment.

“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” said Spc. Steven Chelossi, a Stryker driver for Company C. “I didn’t expect full combat, but I was expecting more fire. I was expecting a lot more action.”

Mortars landing 100 yards away scarcely raise an eyebrow these days.

“We really did a good job of preparing everyone before coming over here,” said battalion commander Lt. Col. Erik Kurilla. “For six months we talked about it.”

The previous battalion sent updates and experiences along with mission briefings so the 1-24th soldiers back in Fort Lewis, Wash., could train with real-life scenarios.

The article continues...


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