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I might have a new item to look for on Ebay.
[Link to Full Article] (Photo included)
By Luke Baker
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqis used to dance to his tune, but in Baghdad toy shops a chubby, gun-toting Saddam Hussein doll now wiggles his hips to the "Hippy Hippy Shake."
Toy stores around Baghdad are doing a quick trade in dancing Saddam dolls -- foot-high battery-powered puppets of the former president, kitted out in full insurgent regalia, who swing their hips to cheesy pop music at the flick of a switch.
Dog Sitter linked to an article last weekend that mentioned the upcoming effort to collect donations at a local Safeway supermarket. The items collected will be included in care packages for Jake Herring's 5-20 INF platoon. If you recall, Jake was killed on April 28. Susan Sutter, Jake's mom, came up with the idea as a way to recognize the soldiers in his platoon.
I provided additional details on the bulletin board, but thought it would be useful to include them here as well. If you live in the Puget Sound region you can visit the Rose Hill Safeway (map & driving directions) this Saturday, July 3rd from 9 AM to 5 PM and make a donation. If you don't live in the area, but would like to help out, Susan has agreed to accept monetary donations via snail mail. Monetary donations will purchase Safeway gift cards for families to use for parties or BBQs when the platoon returns. Send me an email (todd at strykernews.com) and I can provide you with a mailing address.
We missed this one originally. Thanks to Kathy for the link.
[Link to Full Article]
By Christopher Munsey, Army Times
LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, Iraq First light illuminates the 60 or so 18-wheelers sitting bumper to bumper in a line that stretches long across this Army outpost, about 50 miles north of Baghdad.
The convoy’s objective is Combat Support Center Scania, about 160 miles away, south of Baghdad, near the town of Ash Shawmali.
TNT reporter Adam Lynn has an interesting article describing the living conditions at LSA Anaconda. You can read an archive of his articles regarding the 81st BCT here.
[Link to Full Article]
ADAM LYNN; The News Tribune
BALAD, Iraq - The heat is bad. The bugs are bad. The dust is just plain awful.
But the men and women of the U.S. military assigned to Logistical Support Area Anaconda, including about 1,400 members of the Washington National Guard's 81st Brigade Combat Team, are doing what they can to make themselves comfortable during their deployment.
Amy Ridenour occasionally posts emails she receives from Joe Roche, a soldier with the 16th Engineers (1st Armored Division). The unit was directly involved in the battles against Muqtada Al-Sadr. His most recent correspondence is worth reading in full, as it describes the conflict with a level of detail I haven't seen elsewhere. An archive of his emails can be found here.
From the Christian Science Monitor.
When correspondent Ann Scott Tyson returned to Iraq this week for the first time since last August, she was immediately struck by how much less freely US forces were moving about and interacting with Iraqis. In a city such as Mosul, where soldiers once made frequent foot patrols and even dined in local restaurants, today almost all patrols are by vehicle, with only brief stops. Along with an escalation of violence, the distance is due to a shrinking in the size of the US force here as well as a conscious decision to pull back from the city and hand off duties to Iraqi forces.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 30, 2004) – Soldiers of the Iraqi National Guard prevented a improvised explosive device attack Tuesday and soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division detained three individuals in the past 24 hours suspected of criminal and terrorist activity.
Iraqi national guardsmen identified an IED located on the railroad tracks between Hammam Al Allil and Qayyarah Tuesday. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team responded to the site and removed the explosive from the tracks without causing damage to the tracks. No guardsmen were injured during the operation.
Albertsons Brings 4th of July Closer to Home for Thousands of Deployed Americans
185 Computers Sent to Camp Anaconda Improves Troops' Access to Email
BOISE, Idaho, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Albertson's, Inc.
announced today that it is shipping 185 computers to Camp Anaconda in Central
Iraq to connect family and friends with deployed loved ones in a contribution
linked to celebration of 4th of July weekend. The donation comes in response
to the US Army's concern that too few computers were available at Camp
Anaconda, the main Army base camp in Iraq. This situation has resulting in
limited Internet access and hundreds of troops in line, at any given time,
waiting to communicate home.
Hopefully CSM will publish a few more articles about the brigade's activities while its correspondent is in Mosul.
[Link to Full Article]
By Ann Scott Tyson, Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
MOSUL, IRAQ – With its 15-month occupation now history, the 138,000-strong US military force in Iraq is attempting to sharply lower its profile, scaling back offensive operations and narrowing target lists while encouraging Iraq's fledgling forces to take the lead.
Top US commanders have acted immediately to minimize the visibility of their forces. In a very public statement that Iraqis are now in charge, they have ordered US Army convoys as well as low-flying helicopters to move at night whenever possible. And symbolically, in a break with the occupation, the military "coalition" became "multinational forces" upon the June 28 transfer of power.
Joe Katzman has a good summary of reactions from Iraqi bloggers regarding the transfer of power to the interim government.
[Link to Full Article]
By NADIA ABOU EL-MAGD; Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Saddam Hussein will be transferred to Iraqi legal custody and face charges in an Iraqi court this week -- but he won’t go on trial for months and he will stay in a U.S.-run jail because the country doesn’t have a suitable prison, the prime minister said Tuesday.
Prime Minister Iyad Allawi promised an open proceeding when Saddam faces war crimes charges, including genocide.
Here's another story about a Task Force Olympia soldier home on R&R.
[Link to Full Article]
By MICHELE BESSO, Staff reporter
Staff Sgt. Adam Colby, in tan fatigues and military boots, walked out of the gate at Philadelphia International Airport and did a double take at his waiting wife.
"My God, are you pregnant?" he said, putting his hand on her stomach and pulling her into a kiss. "You sure there's only one baby in there?"
Lt. Gen. Metz describes what the transition will mean for U.S. troops in Iraq.
[Link to Full Article]
By Master Sgt. Karen Petitt
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, June 28, 2004) – Leading more than 127,000 U.S. troops through a transition of authority from Coalition forces to the Interim Iraqi Government is more of an art than a science says the commanding general for Multinational Corps-Iraq.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 29, 2004) – Iraqi police officers prevented a improvised explosive device attack Monday and soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained two individuals today wanted for anti-Iraqi forces activities.
Mosul police discovered an improvised explosive device 500 meters west of Ninevah Bridge Monday. Officers secured the scene and the department’s explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the explosive. No officers were injured during the operation.
CNN provides a summary of today's transer of power.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq's interim government was sworn in Monday after the United States returned sovereignty to the nation two days ahead of schedule.
The official handover of sovereignty occurred at 10:26 a.m. (2:26 a.m. ET), when former coalition civil administrator L. Paul Bremer gave interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi a leather-bound transfer document. [...]
Winds of Change has published its most recent Iraq Report, with links to news and analysis of recent events.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (May 27, 2004) – The first International government donation since the June 24 attacks in Iraq, comes in the form of 10 fully equipped Toyota Ambulances from Japan. The ambulances will help facilitate Mosul’s left bank Emergency Medical System (EMS).
“Mosul currently has a total of 160 primary healthcare and hospital facilities with less then 80 working ambulances to facilitate emergency and patient transfer needs,” said Ameem Hosiin, the assistant director general of health in Mosul. “These 10 brand new ambulances will help us have a reliable resource for transferring patients in need of medical care.”
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 28, 2004) – Iraqi Security Forces and soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained 27 individuals wanted for anti-Iraqi forces activities and collected numerous weapons and munitions in the past 24 hours.
Iraqi police and Coalition soldiers stopped and searched two vehicles yesterday in the neighborhood of Al Aktissdyeen. Iraqi police searched the vehicles and collected one machine gun, a pistol, two AK-47s, three hand grenades, assorted fuses and various ID cards. The suspects are in custody and no officers or soldiers were injured during the search.
[Link to Full Article]
By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Before the first cup of coffee, there were signs the news conference suddenly convened Monday morning was more than advertised - a simple briefing by U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer.
Journalists were caught by surprise when they finally realized what was up - the formal handover of sovereignty from the U.S.-run occupation to the Iraqis two days earlier than expected.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 28, 2004) – Iraqi police from the Mosul area received 2,000 vests with protective plates Friday. The vests were given to them by Coalition forces as part of a contract with the Office of Security Cooperation to ensure the safety of Iraqi security forces while they are protecting the local citizens.
There are approximately 8,870 police working in the Mosul area. Previously, Coalition forces donated almost 700 vests to the Mosul police. The 2,000 additional vests are part of an ongoing plan to provide the area security forces with the protection they need to do their jobs safely.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 28, 2004) – The final donation of care packages to the families of Iraqi police officers killed in action took place June 26 at One West police station in Mosul. Boxes containing toothbrushes, soap, detergent, candy, food and clothing items were given to local families who have lost loved ones fighting terrorists in Iraq.
Sgt. 1st Class Dana Lockhart, the non-commissioned officer in charge of Task Force Olympia’s Provost Marshall’s Office, handed out the boxes of donations sent from police officers and their families in California, Canada, Washington and New York.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 27, 2004) – Members of the local Iraqi security forces destroyed two more improvised explosive devices yesterday in the Mosul area, helping to make the streets safer for all citizens.
One suspected roadside bomb was found by Iraqi police at a major intersection on the east side of Mosul and another was found by Iraqi National Guard soldiers southwest of Mosul. In both incidents they were able to secure the site and destroy the device with no injuries or damage to property.
The membership of the John B. Handte American Legion Post 89 of Vestal thanks all of the students, parents, teachers and staff of the Vestal/Apalachin schools, businesses, people and communities of this valley for their overwhelming and generous donations in support of the Iraqi children and the soldiers of the 37th Field Artillery Battalion, Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
The DOD has confirmed the indentity of the Task Force Olympia soldier killed yesterday as Staff Sgt. Charles Kiser of the Army Reserve’s 330th Military Police Detachment. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. We will add any subsequent articles we find to this entry.
(TFO press release from Thursday morning. I forgot to post this item yesterday.)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 24, 2004) – Ambassador Paul Bremer visited Mosul Wednesday to say farewell to the citizens of Ninevah Province and to assure them that the partnership between the Iraqi people and the Coalition forces will carry on after the transfer of sovereignty June 30.
The most recent edition of The Coalition Scimitar is available online. There were a few articles about Task Force Olympia included.
Yesterday's events prevented me from posting a few other links of interest. Here they are in bullet form:
Iraq Report 6/25 - Winds of Change publishes it's latest collection of news links.
Good News From Iraq, Part 4 - Chrenkoff publishes his fourth collection of good news stories from Iraq. Keep in mind that this was written before yesterday.
Sgt. Hook has two great entries, Thanks for the Help and Tight. He knows how to tell a good story.
"Army unit claims victory over sheik" - Published in the Washington Times, this article examines how the coalition effectively neutralized Muqtada al-Sadr. While many observers are unhappy with how the situation in Fallujah was resolved, there's little doubt that Operation Iron Saber was a success.
Speaking of Fallujah, The Atlantic Monthly's correspondent, Robert Kaplan, was embedded with the Marines during the intial battles in the city. You need to purchase the magazine for his full report, but this interview with the author provides some good insight into his experience.
Finally, on a lighter note, the Army is developing some new versions of the Meal Ready to Eat (MRE). 24 new menus are currently being "tested". One tester concluded, "It looked good when I first saw it, but everything tastes the same, honestly...Tabasco helped." Oh well.
[Link to Full Article]
By Fred Zimmerman, Stars and Stripes
QATAR — For troops throughout Central Command’s area of operations, staying in touch with loved ones can be tough. Often there are no phones to pick up or computers with Internet access to fire off e-mails.
[Link to Full Article]
JOHN HENDREN; Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has asked the Army to consider shorter tours of duty for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, while his choice for a new commander in Iraq acknowledged Thursday that the military might seek 25,000 additional troops there.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 25, 2004) – The Iraqi Security Forces in the Ninevah Province increased their ability to protect Iraqi citizens and to react to emergencies, when they opened the first Joint Coordination Center in northern Iraq June 23. All security operations will operate from the Mosul JCC where a representative from every security force element will be stationed to facilitate coordination.
Representatives from the Iraqi National Guard, Iraqi Police, Facility Protection Services and Iraqi Armed Forces will be stationed at the JCC to efficiently fight crime and terrorism.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 25, 2004) – A series of attacks in Mosul on June 24, that included four or five car bomb explosions and a rocket-propelled grenade attack resulted in a “hardening of wills” by many senior Iraqi government and security force leaders, according to Brig. Gen. Carter Ham, commander of Task Force Olympia.
“The response to these attacks was almost entirely Iraqi – Iraqi Police, Iraqi National Guard, explosive ordnance disposal, ambulances, fire stations and medical teams,” said Ham. “The first responders did a great job. I am very happy with their performance under very dire circumstances” Ham added.
This article by Michael Gilbert details a little more about yesterday's events.
[Link to Full Article]
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Mosul, where 4,200 Fort Lewis soldiers are headquartered, bore the brunt of Thursday's wave of bombings and ambushes across Iraq that killed more than 100 Iraqis and wounded another 300, officials said.
At least 62 were killed, including one U.S. soldier, and more than 220 wounded in a series of car and truck bombings Thursday morning at police facilities and at a hospital in the northern city.
[Link to Full Article]
172nd Stryker Brigade US Army Alaska web site
It looks like we may need to add another category.
By Elictia Hammond
Its been a long time coming, a year to be exact. But finally part of the US Army Alaska's Stryker Family of vehicles have arrived. Its low hum when cranked up gives off a deceiving air. The vehicle is just shy of 20-tons, it's 24 feet long and over 10 feet tall, it can cross an opening gap or ditch that is 6-feet long, and the most amazing thing it can hit speed of up to 60 mph. The Stryker has finally made it to the last frontier,...
While the DOD has yet to identify the TFO soldier killed today, The Associated Press has confirmed his name - Sgt. Charles Kiser of the 330th MP Division. The news organization received confirmation from his relatives late today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
[Link to Full Article]
TERRY KINNEY, Associated Press
CINCINNATI - A U.S. soldier who was a champion high school sprinter while growing up in southwest Ohio has been killed in Iraq, his family said Thursday.
Army Sgt. Charles Kiser, 37, was killed outside Mosul, his family said.
"We received word this afternoon," said Kiser's brother-in-law, Bill Grannen.
As we struggle to make sense of the news today from Iraq, and Mosul in particular, our first thoughts are for the soldiers that were killed or injured and their families. The death toll continued to rise throughout the day and now stands at 100 plus, with 300 plus injured. The majority of those fatalities - 62 as of this afternoon - occurred in Mosul. One Task Force Olympia soldier was among those killed, and three more were injured. Terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which appear to have been concentrated on government and police facilities in six separate cities.
What does all this mean? Is this a prelude to additional attacks as June 30 approaches or is it a last gasp? I certainly don't know, but The Belmont Club and Lt. Smash both attempt to put recent events in perspective, concentrating on Zarqawi and his organization.
In the midst of the difficult news from Iraq today comes this story.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 24, 2004) – A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday to celebrate the completion of renovations to the Ibn Alathyr Hospital in eastern Mosul.
The hospital, which specializes in maternity and pediatric care, treats approximately 600 patients each day and has about 300 beds for inpatient care. Recent renovations include improvements to the laboratories and teaching facilities and the installation of air-conditioning for the comfort of the patients.
[Link to Full Article]
(Capitol Hill-AP) June 24, 2004
The Senate has given late-night approval to a $447 billion defense spending bill for the next fiscal year. It's similar to one that cleared the House a month ago, including a 3.5-percent pay hike for military personnel.
Provided below are additional articles from local papers outlining the transition from one Stryker Brigade to the other.
"More Stryker troops going to Iraq" - Seattle P-I
"Second Stryker brigade ordered to Iraq" - The Olympian
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 24, 2004) – At 11:20 a.m., in response to reports of terrorists taking over the Sheikh Fatih police station in southwestern Mosul, Iraqi Security Forces moved to secure the site and were fired upon by Anti-Iraqi forces who were shooting from the Mohammed [Al Noory] Mosque across the street from the police station. Coalition forces moved to the site to support the Iraqi Security Forces and were fired upon from the Mohammed Al [Noory] Mosque as well.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 24, 2004) – Two Iraqi citizens were killed and one Iraqi police officer was wounded in two separate incidents last night, while Iraqi Police Services and Coalition forces continued to search for those who threaten the safety and security of the Mosul area.
Anti-Iraqi forces conducted a drive-by shooting in the Al Dawasa neighborhood, wounding one Iraqi police officer who was taken to Mosul General Hospital and later released. Iraqi Police Services detained one individual in connection with this incident.
CNN has an article describing the events throughout Iraq today. Mosul was definitely one of the cities hardest hit. More news to follow.
UPDATE: Army Times also carries an article from The Associated Press that has additional information on Mosul.
(TFO press release)
By Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 24, 2004) – At 9:05 a.m., three car bomb explosions occurred at different locations in western Mosul. The explosions occurred at the Iraqi Police Academy, at the Al Wakas Iraqi Police substation, and near the Al Jamhori Hospital. One Task Force Olympia Soldier was killed, three Task Force Olympia Soldiers were injured, and five Iraqi Police officers were wounded in this series of attacks.
At 10:10 a.m., a private security company came under small arms fire in west Mosul. One security guard was killed and another was injured. The injured guard is at the Army Hospital in Mosul.
At 10:15 a.m., an explosion of unknown type occurred in the vicinity of the Sheik Fatih Iraqi Police Station. No casualties are noted at this time.
The following is an expanded version of the article we posted yesterday by Michael Gilbert.
[Link to Full Article]
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
The Army's second Stryker brigade is bound for Iraq later this year, but it will leave its namesake vehicles home at Fort Lewis.
Instead, soldiers will fall in on the 310 or so Strykers and hundreds of Humvees and trucks their Fort Lewis comrades from the first Stryker brigade are using now across northern Iraq, officials said.
In anticipation of increased news coverage of the upcoming deployment of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (1-25), we have added a new category called 1-25 Brigade News (how original!). Additionally, all of the stories regarding the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division can still be found in the 3-2 Brigade News category.
Finally, if the demand is there this site will support the 1-25 during its deployment.
News Tribune reporter Adam Lynn and photographer Peter Haley have landed in Kuwait and will meet up with the 81st Brigade Combat Team in Iraq in the next few days. They are the first journalists to embed with this Washington National Guard unit, and they'll be on the ground for six weeks - including when control is returned to Iraqis next week.
The full archive of stories will be located here. Additionally, Lynn will be maintaining a weblog ("blog") while he's in Iraq. Well add both to our Links Page.
This should make the logistics of deployment and re-deployment a bit easier.
[Link to Full Article]
Michael Gilbert; The News Tribune
Soldiers from the Army's second Stryker brigade will replace their Fort Lewis comrades from the first when they deploy to Iraq in October, the Army announced Wednesday.
One more 416th CAB article.
[Link to Full Article]
By Spc. Blair Larson
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq (USASOC News Service, June 21, 2004) — Soldiers from the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army reserve unit from Norristown, Pa., are using their civilian skills to train and outfit Iraqi firemen.
The Battalion’s public safety team is made up of Soldiers who are paramedics, emergency medical technicians and vehicle rescue technicians in the civilian world.
Another article about the 416th CAB.
[Link to Full Article]
By Spc. Aaron Ritter
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
DAHUK, Iraq (USASOC News Service, June 21, 2004) — Coalition Soldiers of the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion provided police officers in the Dahuk Governorate much needed equipment May 5 to better prepare the police department to protect its citizens from crime and to continue the rebuilding of Iraq’s infrastructure.
It looks like there is a public affairs detachment visiting the 416th CAB right now.
[Link to Full Article]
By Spc. Blair Larson
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq (USASOC News Service, June 21, 2004) — When the second wave of troops came to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, there was concern over how so few people would be able to take the place of so many. For 20 Soldiers from the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion, replacing 200 Soldiers has been a challenging, but rewarding task.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 23, 2004) – One Iraqi National Guard (ING) soldier was killed today when a roadside bomb exploded on an ING patrol in southern Mosul at approximately 11:55 a.m. Reports confirm that at least four other soldiers wounded in the attack have been evacuated to a military hospital in Mosul, while an unconfirmed number of ING soldiers have been taken to a local hospital.
Iraqi National Guard soldiers assist other local security forces in Mosul in maintaining peace in and around the city. This is yet another example of Anti-Iraq forces attacking Iraqi security forces who are working to improve conditions in Iraq and facilitate the transfer of sovereignty on June 30. The terrorists have no regard for the lives of those who are helping to maintain security in the country as they continue to directly oppose the success of a democratic and free Iraq.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 23, 2004) – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained another suspected weapons dealer and destroyed an improvised explosive device over the past 24 hours in northern Iraq.
Early this morning, soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment conducted a cordon and search operation in Mosul’s 7 Nissan neighborhood and detained one individual positively identified as a suspected weapons dealer. The individual is in custody and no soldiers were injured during the search.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 23, 2004) – Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of Multinational Force-Iraq, visited Mosul Monday to discuss the upcoming transfer of sovereignty on June 30 with Iraqi security officials from throughout Iraq’s three northern provinces – Ninevah, Irbil and Dahuk.
Leaders and officials of the Iraqi Security Forces to include the Iraqi National Guard, the Iraqi Police, the Iraqi Border Police, the Iraqi Armed Forces, Facilities Protective Services, and other civil defense leaders came from Dahuk, Irbil and other cities to discuss security needs and concerns with Sanchez at the new Joint Coordination Center in northern Mosul.
The following story describes the homecoming of two soldiers on R&R. One is the son of a regular visitor to this site. Here is a photo too.
[Link to Full Article]
By PATRICK SULLIVAN, Record-Eagle staff writer
TRAVERSE CITY - Angela Rapmund tried to look calm as she held her 5-day-old daughter at the arrivals section of Cherry Capital Airport, but her hand quivered slightly when she lifted it.
Angela, 20, had learned earlier Tuesday that her husband, Jeremiah, had been given a two-week leave after his deployment with the Army in Iraq eight months ago.
The following is a Letter to the Editor written by a Captain with the SBCT regarding the incident involving Jed Berman.
I recently read your article on U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jed Berman. I was stationed in the same squadron as Sgt. Berman and knew him quite well. I pray daily that he recovers and am thankful that he wasn't killed. There were some issues brought up in your article that I would like to address. One issue was that he was traveling in a FOX armored vehicle and not a Stryker. He did have the protected body armor that has proven itself extremely effective. [...]
Some good news.
[Link to Full Article]
By Patricia Henley Assistant News Editor
6.22.04 - Army Staff Sgt. Jed Berman, a former Sonoma Valley resident who was seriously wounded in Mosul, Iraq, on May 29, has been moved out of intensive care and into a standard ward at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
"He is out of the woods and now begins the long road to recovery," said his father, Jon Berman.
Great story. There's a photo of Logan in our gallery.
by Sgt. Fred Minnick
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq – If the Army had an adopt-a-child program, Logan Omar Sahle would be the poster child. For more than a year, the 13-year-old boy, who contends he’s 13 and a half, has lived and worked with Coalition forces Soldiers at a forward operating base in Mosul. The boy speaks four languages and his official title at the FOB is translator and supervisor, but he is a Coalition forces Soldier at heart.
by Sgt. Fred Minnick
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
QAYARRAH, Iraq – Sgt. Jessy Johnston is rebuilding the Iraqi army one soldier at a time. In Qayarrah, Iraq, south of Mosul, the 2000 Merriville High School graduate is a primary instructor for soldiers in the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps.
“Part of rebuilding Iraq is rebuilding Iraq’s military,” said Johnston, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team).
I'm not sure if anyone has noticed recently, but we haven't linked to a CPA briefing lately - there haven't been any. The organization obviously wanted to lower it's profile after the interim Iraqi leaders were chosen. The following article provides a few parting thoughts by Paul Bremer.
[Link to Full Article]
By Kathleen T. Rhem, American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 21, 2004 – As he prepares to leave Iraq after the handover of sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government, the American who has led the country since the end of major offensive operations looked back and detailed what he believes are the three greatest accomplishment there to date.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 22, 2004) – The Dean of Law at Mosul University, Dr. Layla Abdullah Saeed, was found assassinated outside her home this morning, in the Kuwait neighborhood in southern Mosul. Her husband, Moneer Yahya Ali Al-Khairo, was also killed in the attack. Mosul police discovered the bodies and are currently investigating.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 22, 2004) – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) conducted a cordon and search operation in the Al Arabe neighborhood of Mosul early this morning and detained three individuals suspected of planning and conducting anti-Iraqi activities. The suspects are in custody and no soldiers were injured during the search.
As of today, there are 8 days until the transfer of Iraq’s sovereignty to the Iraqi people. Iraqi security forces, government officials, Coalition forces and the people of northern Iraq will continue to work together to demonstrate to the rest of the world that Mosul is different.
[Link to Full Article]
By Joe Burlas
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 21, 2004) -- Program Manager – Stryker just got an award normally given to Army installations.
Lt. Gen. Joseph Yakovac, military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics and Technology, presented the Secretary of the Army Environmental Excellence Award in a Pentagon ceremony June 17.
Ladymaine found this great photo. The caption reads:
A Soldier with 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), greets Iraqi children during a routine patrol at Iraqi police checkpoints in Mosul, Iraq, June 13, 2004.
Sorry if this is completely unrelated, but I thought this was very cool.
[Link to Full Article] (Photos included)
By Leonard David, Senior Space Writer
MOJAVE, CALIFORNIA – The first non-governmental rocket ship flew to the edge of space today and was piloted to a safe landing on a desert airport runway here.
Civilian test pilot, now turned astronaut Mike Melvill brought SpaceShipOne down to the Mojave Airport tarmac after flying to 100 kilometers (62 miles) in altitude, leaving the Earth’s atmosphere during his history-making sub-orbital space ride.
[Link to Full Article]
By Jeff Jacoby
TO HEAR the media tell it, virtually nothing in Iraq is going right. Suicide terrorism, Abu Ghraib, sabotaged pipelines, swelling anti-American sentiment -- the coverage has focused on almost all bad news, almost all the time.
But don't be fooled. There are plenty of good-news stories in Iraq, too. Here are half a dozen.
Ok, the title of the article is a bit dramatic, but it contains some interesting information about the development of the Iraqi security forces.
[Link to Full Article]
By BY VIVIENNE WALT / BAGHDAD
Lieutenant General David Petraeus has just returned to his office in Baghdad's Republican Palace from visiting a close friend — a tribal sheikh he had come to know well during his 10-month command of the 101st Airborne Division in the northern city of Mosul. As is often the case, Petraeus is one lucky man: His friend, Sheikh Ghazi Yawar, was appointed as Iraq's new president three weeks ago. And Yawar's most critical priority is the one Petraeus is now charged with overseeing: getting Iraq's military and police forces up and running. "It was wonderful to see him," gushes the 51-year-old general about his friend from Mosul. Another key relationship could be about to pay off big.
[Link to Full Article]
By Sheila Flynn, Associated Press
GRAPEVINE, Texas — Once Spc. Rick Aul saw his daughter for the first time, he didn’t see much else.
After landing at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Wednesday following three months in Iraq, he plowed through a crowd welcoming the returning soldiers, kissed his wife, took 2-month-old Rowyn into his arms and quietly hugged her for several moments.
I missed this article when it was originally published. Mike Gilbert explains the origin of the "Ghost Rider" nickname.
[Link to Full Article]
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
It's a long way from Fort Lewis to the White House, and presidents don't make the trip often - not in 59 years, to be exact.
But Friday, President Bush was profuse in his praise for the local soldiers fighting the war on terror and for their families who support them back home. [...]
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 21, 2004) – Four Iraqi citizens were killed at approximately 9:35 a.m. when a roadside bomb exploded on their convoy approximately 50 kilometers south of Mosul. Three other Iraqi citizens in the same convoy were wounded. All three wounded Iraqis have been evacuated to a military hospital in Mosul.
The Iraqis were employed by a private company working in Northern Iraq. This is yet another example of Anti-Iraq forces attacking Iraqi citizens who are working to improve conditions for their families and all of Iraq. The terrorists have no regard for innocent lives in their attacks on the country. Anti-Iraq forces directly oppose the success of a democratic and free Iraq, and are continuing to kill and wound Iraqi citizens as the country moves closer to sovereignty on June 30.
UPDATE: Additional information below.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 21, 2004) – Four Iraqi citizens were killed at approximately 9:35 a.m. when a roadside bomb exploded on their convoy approximately 50 kilometers south of Mosul. Three other Iraqi citizens in the same convoy were wounded. All three wounded Iraqis have been evacuated to a military hospital in Mosul.
The Iraqis were employed by a private company working in Northern Iraq. This is yet another example of Anti-Iraq forces attacking Iraqi citizens who are working to improve conditions for their families and all of Iraq. The terrorists have no regard for innocent lives in their attacks on the country. Anti-Iraq forces directly oppose the success of a democratic and free Iraq, and are continuing to kill and wound Iraqi citizens as the country moves closer to sovereignty on June 30.
UPDATE: Additional information below.
(TFO press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 21, 2004) – One Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team member was wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated early this morning in the Al Shefa neighborhood of Mosul. Iraqi Police had identified the IED and cordoned off the area, and the EOD team was determining how to destroy the device when it detonated. The injured team member was treated and returned to duty.
Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained a total of nine people wanted for anti-Iraqi activities over the past 24 hours in northern Iraq.
[Link to Full Article]
By Bradley Graham, Washington Post Staff Writer
TIKRIT, Iraq -- U.S. military commanders here are calling it Operation New Dawn.
Starting July 1, with the transfer of limited sovereignty to Iraqi authorities, military helicopters will switch to flying "friendly approaches" instead of menacing ones, U.S. soldiers will go on patrol only when accompanying Iraqi security forces, and any shooting of U.S. weapons meant to harass or interdict will require higher-level approval than before, military officers here said.
(Task Force Olympia press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 19, 2004) – Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) reported being attacked with an improvised explosive device yesterday while on patrol in the Al Hadba neighborhood of Mosul. A ten-year-old Iraqi boy was injured, suffering lacerations to the leg, and was taken to the local hospital. One U.S. soldier was also slightly wounded in the attack but has since been returned to duty.
Another patrol from 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Regiment reported finding an IED in the Rashidiya neighborhood. The Iraqi Police responded and an explosive ordnance disposal team successfully destroyed the device with no injuries or damage to property.
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 18, 2004) -- Army senior leaders have the same concerns of Soldiers about multiple and long unit deplolyments, but they’re letting Soldiers know that changes to lessen those concerns are on the way.
The Army sent out 100,000 compact disks with multimedia briefings known as the Army Campaign Plan to inform active-duty, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers, and their families, that the Army is significantly changing while it is at war.
Defend America has a photo essay of the President's visit to Ft. Lewis. One of our contributors, rowEn, was there and has some photos of her own.
(Task Force Olympia press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 19, 2004) – Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) conducted a cordon and search operation in the Al Kahira neighborhood in northeast Mosul early this morning, where they detained one individual wanted for weapons dealing and holding anti-Iraqi Forces meetings. No soldiers were injured during the search.
As of today, there are 11 days until the transfer of Iraq’s sovereignty to the Iraqi people. Iraqi security forces, government officials, Coalition forces and the people of northern Iraq will continue to work together to demonstrate to the rest of the world that Mosul is different.
(Task Force Olympia press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 18, 2004) – Soldiers from Task Force Olympia were just settling in for a briefing Friday night at their headquarters in Mosul when a shout proclaimed, “turn on the T.V.” President George W. Bush was addressing Soldiers back home at Fort Lewis, Wash., and with that, the evening meeting was delayed.
More than 50 Soldiers stared at the screen at the front of the battle coordination center, or BCC, listening intently to the President’s words, some hoping to recognize a Soldier in the crowd behind the President.
HERMITAGE, Pa. — Four members of the 107th Field Artillery Unit of the Pennsylvania National Guard based here have been awarded Purple Hearts for injuries suffered in fighting in Iraq.
The unit is serving as a military police unit in and around the city of Mosul.
Spc. Dale Lunn of Slippery Rock, Spc. Dane Morningstar of Greenville, and Spc. Jonathan Brown and Staff Sgt. Theron Robbins of Jamestown were awarded the Purple Heart Medal in separate ceremonies in Iraq held by Brig. Gen. Carter "Cory" Ham, commander of Task Force Olympia, which includes the 107th.
[Link to Full Article]
By NICK ROGERS, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
When Radio TFO-FM 94.6 signed on for broadcast at Camp Freedom in Mosul, Iraq, most of the American troops stationed there thought it was a joke.
Brian Pierce and Kellie Michaels, morning DJs on WNNS-FM 98.7, took to the lunch-hour airwaves Friday to show their seriousness for sending soldiers songs of the '70s.
Well, here's a weird story for you.
[Link to Full Article]
By DOUG ESSER, ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
SEATTLE -- President Bush sounded an off note during his visit to Fort Lewis when he said "Iraqis have taken to calling the Stryker brigades the 'Ghost Riders,' two Mideast experts said.
"It seems odd to me," said Ellis Goldberg, director of the Middle East Center at the University of Washington. "It sounds more American, from the song 'Ghost Riders in the Sky,'" a country music song about cowboys from hell.
Link to News page containing PDF files.
The web site has some news in pdf format dated June 14th. Check it out.
In addition, our second Stryker Brigade, 1st-25th Lancers, have their recent newsletter posted on the Family Focus web site. May and June's newsletters in PDF format are available.
The DOD has identified the soldiers killed in the mortar attack at LSA Anaconda on Wednesday. Even though official confirmation did not come until today, Stars & Stripes published an article yesterday about one of soldiers killed that will break your heart. Peace be with the families and friends of those we lost.
[Link to Full Article]
By Rick Scavetta, Stars and Stripes
CAMP ANACONDA, Iraq — After a year in combat, Sgt. Arthur Mastrapa was waiting outside the post exchange Wednesday when an enemy rocket ended his life. He was supposed to fly home Thursday.
Provided below are excerpts from President Bush's speech today at Ft. Lewis. You can read the entire transcript by following the link below.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. It's great to be here in the state of Washington. (Applause.) I think the Senator would say it's great to be out of Washington -- the other Washington. (Laughter.) We're honored to be in your presence. We're honored to be with the soldiers who proudly wear our uniforms. (Applause.) And we're honored to be here with the families that support them. (Applause.) [...]
[Link to Full Article]
OLYMPIAN STAFF, NEWS SERVICES
It's been 62 years since a U.S. president visited Fort Lewis, but George W. Bush arrived there Thursday night with plans to address soldiers today.
It's a visit some soldiers and their families see as a convenient morale-boosting stop he couldn't pass up.
Liz Jackson is back from her cross country trek with her son Bo. She covered 9,000 miles in three weeks to kick off the 2005 Hero to Hero pledge drive. Read her trip summary and take a look at a few photos (more to follow).
Sgt. Hook, currently deployed in Afghanistan, has decided to start a shoe drive for kids in that country. If you have any extra shoes that might otherwise go to the Goodwill, head over to Hook's place for the details.
While you're there be sure to read this story.
There is some interesting information at the bottom of this article regarding the mission of Task Force Olympia after the June 30 handover.
[Link to Full Article]
By Kathleen T. Rhem, American Forces Press Service
LAKE DOKAN, Iraq, June 17, 2004 – Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz visited several areas of northern Iraq today, spending time with U.S. military commanders and local leaders.
At Logistics Support Area Anaconda in Mosul, officers of Multinational Brigade North briefed Wolfowitz on security issues facing the area, relationships with the local population, and the performance of Iraqi security forces.
Here's an article describig some of the convoy escort operations. There are some great photos included as well.
[Link to Full Article]
Story and photos by Harry Gerwien, Soundings Staff
Convoys in Iraq need protection, especially when they consist of cargo and fuel to outlying bases. All the convoys for central and northern Iraq come from Camp Anaconda, in Balad, Iraq. It’s 65 miles north of Baghdad. Eventually, it will be a permanent base and has an airport. Early convoys were protected by humvees and 5-ton trucks. As the threat of insurgents has become more dangerous, the forces are also guarding convoys with the new Stryker teams.
[Link to Full Article]
LES BLUMENTHAL; The News Tribune
WASHINGTON - The House Appropriations Committee approved $950 million Wednesday to create another Stryker brigade - a move that could ensure the two Stryker brigades based at Fort Lewis would not be transferred to Europe. [...]
The Pentagon has been considering reassigning to Germany one of the six Stryker units now based in the United States or on the drawing boards. Two of those units are based at Fort Lewis, and the others will be stationed in Alaska, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Louisiana.
[Link to CENTCOM Press Release]
Story by Spc. Blair Larson
MOSUL, Iraq-- Education is an important factor in shaping the future of Iraq, but according to studies by the United Nations, one in every four children in Iraq today do not attend school.
Coalition forces are working with leaders of the district of Seran in Irbil Province to change this by improving schools that are in disrepair and building new schools in areas where there are none.
[Link to CENTCOM Press Release]
Story by Spc. Blair Larson
MOSUL, Iraq-- Soldiers from the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion’s higher education team are working to improve security around Mosul’s schools. The team handed out $10,000 worth of security equipment, such as body armor, megaphones, flashlights, reflective vests and metal detectors to the security guards from Mosul University on June 9.
The 416th, an Army reserve unit based in Norristown, Penn., arrived in northern Iraq in February and is working with the Iraqi people to improve living conditions in the local area.
[Link to Full Article]
By HOLLY YAN / The Dallas Morning News
After months of anticipation, Sgt. Nicole Santoriello finally planted the kiss.
About 7 in the morning at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the New York City resident bent down and placed her lips on the pale blue carpet at Gate 33B.
"I'm just so happy to be home," said Sgt. Santoriello, a member of the Army's 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, who served in Iraq analyzing intelligence.
This is one of the profiles I referred to from The Coalition Scimitar. The story in the Scimitar is longer, however.
Pfc. Husam Razaq Almusowi, who was born in Iraq and raised in Dearborn, Mich., is now serving with the Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Iraq.
On many occasions, Almusowi is the lead interpreter for important meetings between Coalition leaders and top Iraqi government officials.
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $74 million
delivery order as part of a $315 million contract for support of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). This contract calls for contractor logistics support, equipment and spare parts necessary to maintain the Brigade Combat Team's operational readiness.
[Link to Full Article]
By Marni McEntee, Stars and Stripes
LANDSTUHL, Germany — Sammy Davis leaned over 1st Lt. Dwight Mears, who lay nearly motionless in his Army hospital bed, and asked him to hold onto the Medal of Honor draped around his neck.
Mears did, and Davis said: “This medal honors everyone in uniform. I’m only the caretaker.” [...]
(Task Force Olympia press release)
Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 16, 2004) – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained seven people wanted for anti-Iraqi activities and confiscated two large caches of weapons and munitions over the past 24 hours in northern Iraq.
Early this morning, soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment conducted a cordon and search operation in the Tamooz neighborhood and detained two people suspected of assisting in the planning of attacks against Iraqi forces. The soldiers also confiscated a large cache of weapons and munitions including 2,900 7.62mm rounds, 50 20mm rockets, 25 14.5mm rockets, 67 rocket propelled grenade rounds, 19 RPG boosters, one RPG launcher, four AK47 rifles with six full magazines, one anti-tank mine and six live hand grenades. The suspects are in custody and no soldiers were injured during the search.
I missed this article when it was originally published. It was written by a major serving with the 81st BCT (WA National Guard) in Iraq. We'll try and post any articles we find regarding the 81st.
[Link to Full Article]
By Damon Hunt, Special to The Times
WITH THE 81ST BRIGADE, Iraq — At Logistical Support Area (LSA) Anaconda, north of Baghdad, the work never stops. Every day here is like two or three days back home. The main reason is that we run 24 hours a day.
It's always more exciting to read about the violence in Iraq than it is to read about the exploits of the ordinary, hard-working soldier. Although the 81st Brigade Combat Team, with which I'm serving as a major, may not be in the spotlight, we are accomplishing our assigned mission.
Did you know that the Stryker is an amphibious vehicle? Well, according to the caption on this photo it is.
Chrenkoff has published the third version of his Good News From Iraq feature. Be sure to read Part I and Part II if you haven't done so already.
In related news, the BBC carries an article about Iraqi blogs. One of the bloggers interviewed is Ali from Iraq the Model. (via Jeff Jarvis)
The most recent edition of The Coalition Scimitar is now available online. I noticed several articles regarding the SBCT and the Mosul region, including two profiles of Stryker soldiers.
Winds of Change has published two recent Iraq Reports (here and here) with links to news regarding the latest developments there.
(Task Force Olympia press release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 15, 2004) – For the five governorates of northern Iraq, the responsibility for distributing fuels such as propane, benzene and diesel has transferred to a group of Iraqi fuel representatives.
Upon their arrival in Iraq, Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division worked with a group of Iraqi fuel representatives to distribute the almost 15 million liters of fuel that comes from Turkey each day. The representatives meet each day to decide how much fuel will be distributed and where it will go based on the needs of the people.
(Task Force Olympia press release)
Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 15, 2004) – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained 14 people wanted for anti-Coalition activities Tuesday in northern Iraq.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment conducted a cordon and search operation in the neighborhood of Al Karama and detained two people suspected of planning and conducting attacks against Iraqi forces. The suspects are in custody and no soldiers were injured during the search.
[Link to Full Article] from the Jerusalem Post online
The army is to decide this month whether to purchase the controversial Stryker, the US Army's advanced armored personnel carrier that has had mixed reviews in action in Iraq, senior IDF officers say.
Today is the 229th Birthday of the United States Army. That's a lot of candles.
It's also Flag Day.
Parenting advice for those left at home.
[Link to Full Article]
Richard Hanlin is a North Beach landlord and the father of a paratrooper.
Somewhere there must be a parenting book with a section titled: "When Your Child Goes to War." In case one doesn't exist, I'll make a contribution. My credentials: Our son, Max, is an infantry officer with the Stryker Brigade in Mosul, Iraq, FOB (Forward Operating Base) Regular.
Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 11, 2004) – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained two people wanted for anti-Coalition activities, foiled an improvised explosive device attack and thwarted a possible sabotage attempt at an oil refinery Thursday in northern Iraq.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment conducted a cordon and search operation in the neighborhood of Ninava and detained one person wanted for planning and conducting mortar attacks against Coalition military bases. The suspect is in custody and no soldiers were injured during the search.
Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 14, 2004) – One Iraqi Police Services officer was killed last night when terrorists attacked an IPS station in the Al Tayaran neighborhood of Mosul with a rocket propelled grenade, followed by small arms fire last night. The attack occurred shortly after 10 p.m. The anti-Iraqi forces exited a vehicle and fired at the station, then fled the scene on foot.
Two Iraqi civilians were wounded and three vehicles were damaged when an improvised explosive device exploded near a bridge on the south side of Mosul at approximately 7:30 pm last night. Local IPS officers treated and transported the wounded to Mosul General Hospital. During the investigation of the scene unexploded ordnance was found and was detonated by the Iraqi Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
The Army today, on its 229th birthday, officially unveiled its new combat uniform designed with major input by the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Corps and enlisted Soldiers, and tested by Stryker Brigade Soldiers in Iraq since October 2003.
Army senior leadership introduced the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) during an Army Birthday Pentagon courtyard cake-cutting ceremony. Soldiers displayed and also suited-up in the wrinkle-free uniform with a digitized camouflauge pattern.
Here's a bit more info about the Stryker crew that participated in the pre-race activities at a recent NASCAR event.
[Link to Full Article] (Photos included)
TAMMY L. REED
Fort Lewis' Stryker crews have always been trendsetters for Army organization and equipment, but they took on a new role May 30, when they were the visible symbols for the Army in front of more than 100,000 spectators and millions on national television.
[Link to Full Article]
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Fort Lewis, especially lately, has become a regular stop for high-level VIPs.
The secretary of defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of staff of the Army, ranking members of Congress - they've all passed through during the past couple of years to check on the progress of the Stryker brigades.
[Link to Full Article]
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Fort Lewis, especially lately, has become a regular stop for high-level VIPs.
The secretary of defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of staff of the Army, ranking members of Congress - they've all passed through during the past couple of years to check on the progress of the Stryker brigades.
[Link to Full Article] Includes a picture.
CHRISTIAN HILL: THE OLYMPIAN
LACEY -- "Thanks for your bravery and courage in the face of great danger."
"We thank you and are praying for your safety."
"We miss you, Daddy."
Those were among the supportive messages residents wrote on a 20-foot banner that the City Council, acting on behalf of the community, presented Thursday to the Army's first Stryker brigade. The Fort Lewis-based unit has been in Iraq since November.
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 10, 2004) – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) and Iraqi Police detained four people wanted for anti-Coalition activities, foiled two improvised explosive device attacks and collected a variety of weapons and munitions Wednesday in northern Iraq.
[Link to Full Article]
A great story you don't always see on the news channels. Thank Jack C. for sending this our way.
by Maj. Rich Doyle
Air Force News
June 08, 2004
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Like many of my Air Force teammates, I recently returned from a four-month deployment to Iraq where we are helping to rebuild a nation ruined by a tyrant and to transform it from a bastion of terror to a free democracy.
I consider my experience supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom to be one of the most worthwhile endeavors of my career, so I was very surprised by the pessimistic attitude regarding OIF among my family, friends and co-workers.
MOSUL, Iraq (Army News Service, June 9, 2004) – A car bomb killed 10 Iraqi civilians in Mosul June 8, but Coalition forces in that northern Iraq city prevented another explosion near there June 7.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment discovered an improvised explosive device just west of Mosul along the side of a road. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called and they destroyed the device, which included a mortar.
The following is a column written by Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz. If you're like me and wonder, "what happens after June 30th?", this article is a good starting point. The article also provides some good statistics regarding the reconstruction effort.
[Link to Full Article]
BY PAUL WOLFOWITZ
After a suicide car bombing killed Iraqi Interim Governing Council President Izzedine Salim and eight others on May 17, one Iraqi put that act of terror into a larger perspective for those who wonder if democracy can work in Iraq. His name is Omar, one of the new Iraqi "bloggers," and he wrote on his Web log: "We cannot . . . protect every single person, including our leaders and the higher officials who make favorite targets for the terrorists--but we can make their attempts go in vain by making our leadership 'replaceable.' "
[Link to Full Article]
By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2004 -- Coalition forces rescued four civilian hostages today south of Baghdad, military officials reported.
Three Italians and one Pole were rescued, Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, Multinational Force Iraq commander, said during a Baghdad news briefing.
A soldier from the 101st Airborne has posted a photo gallery from her time in Iraq. There are a number of great shots of Mosul that might be of interest.
(via Beth)
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a resolution that endorses the June 30 transfer of sovereignty in Iraq and gives authorization for a U.S.-led multinational force.
President Bush said the vote was a "great victory for the Iraqi people." Pakistan's U.N. ambassador called it the "most significant" diplomatic step on Iraq since the 1991 Gulf War.
Provided below are a number of articles regarding Spc. Wiesemann. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Any additional articles we find will be added to this entry.
Many people have left personal messages on this entry as well.
UPDATE: We've added a number of recent articles so we wanted to move this entry back to the top. Michael's funeral will be held tomorrow.
I hope all the Strykers are this lucky when they get home.
[Link to Full Article]
By Bryan Johnson
PIERCE COUNTY - A civilian employee of the Department of Defense got back home from Iraq last Friday. John Hooker told KOMO 4 News he felt happy just to get home safe and sound.
Saturday he found out just how lucky he was.
Michael Gilbert reports on the condition of a Ft. Lewis chaplain seriously injured in an IED attack near Mosul on May 30th.
[Link to Full Article]
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Friends and colleagues are keeping vigil for a Fort Lewis chaplain who was critically wounded in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq.
The Rev. Tim Vakoc, 44, was in critical but stable condition Monday in the intensive care unit at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He suffered significant injuries to his head and left eye, and doctors have been keeping him in a chemically induced coma to allow his brain to heal.
Colorado Spings rolled out the red carpet for a contingent of Fort Carson soldiers that just returned from Iraq. This is wonderful to see, but hardly surprising for a city that's home to Fort Carson, NORAD, Peterson Air Force Base, Shriever Air Force Base and the Air Force Academy. I spent four years in the Springs going to school, so I know first-hand the respect the community has for our military men and women.
[Link to Full Article]
By JEREMY MEYER and SHANNON HOUGHTON
Tens of thousands of people filled downtown sidewalks Saturday morning, bellowing “thank you,” waving American flags and cheering for troops marching in Colorado Springs’ Welcome Home Parade.
Residents turned out en masse to celebrate its servicemen and women. Organizers estimated 80,000 people lined the streets for the two-hour parade through the heart of downtown.
Interesting reminder that Iraq was the cradle of civilization.
[Link to Full Article]
By U.S. Army Spc. Sean Kimmons / 25th Infantry Division
KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq, June 7, 2004 — Four and five thousand-year old artifacts from Iraq's multi-cultured past were discovered here when soldiers of Company B, 65th Engineer Battalion dug into a hill while gathering dirt for Hesco defense barriers in late April.
Capt. Nicholas Gianforti, an intelligence officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and an anthropology major from St. John Fisher University, was one of the first to respond to the archeological site after its discovery.
Here's another great event organized by the 5-20 Family Readiness Group. On June 26 it is sponsoring "The Race for Home", a Stryker Family Run at Ft. Lewis. The race includes a 5k and a 10k run/walk. This is only as competitive as folks want it to be - it is for runners, walkers, and couch-potatoes alike. Provided below is a portion of the race flyer with all the details. Time to pull those running shoes out of deep-storage.
Kim wanted to let Ft. Lewis families know about a summer reading program for kids of all ages at the Book Patch Library on base. Provided below are the details from the program flyer. This sounds like fun for the kids and might give some of you a little "alone time".
[Link to Full Article]
By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 7, 2004 — A federally funded program, Helmets to Hardhats, is making good on the military recruiters "selling" point that service members gain valuable skills they can apply in the private sector following their service.
The program helps service members and military veterans put their training to use as they transition to jobs in the building and construction trades.
[Link to TFO Press Release]
by Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 8, 2004) – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) foiled an improvised explosive device attack and collected a variety of weapons and munitions Monday in Northern Iraq.
Provided below is a press release from the Coalition regarding the bombing mentioned below.
MOSUL, Iraq - A car bomb was detonated in downtown Mosul several hundred meters from the City Hall around 9:15 a.m. June 8.
Initial reports indicated 10 Iraqi civilians were killed, and as many as 100 Iraqi civilians were injured. These numbers were initial assessments and the Ninevah Provincial Government's Chief of Staff now reports that nine people were killed and 25 Iraqi civilians were injured.
[Link to Full Article]
The Associated Press
MOSUL, Iraq (AP) - A roadside bomb Monday wounded three civilian security contractors working in northern Iraq for the London-based firm Global Risk Strategies, the U.S. military said.
The three were taken to a U.S. Army hospital, a U.S. military spokesman in Mosul said. No further details were immediately available.
Here are a couple noteworthy stories from this morning:
"Deal to disband Iraq militias announced" - CNN
"U.S. Troops Keep Low Profile In Iraq" - Associated Press
Sue sent us a link to a profile of the Stryker vehicle at Military.com that I hadn't seen before. We will add this to our Links Page as well.
[Link to Press Release]
June 7, 2004
Release Number: 04-06-16
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 7, 2004) –Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained four people suspected of anti-Coalition activities, while Iraqi Police identified and destroyed a land mine Sunday in Northern Iraq.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment conducted a cordon and search operation in a neighborhood on the north side of Mosul, where they detained four individuals suspected of conducting mortar attacks against Coalition forces.
We received this press release via email. I don't know the name of the person that sent it, but thank you!
STRYKER ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL: (U) (SAPA-SCD) The Stryker Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV) and 1/25 SBCT medics from Fort Lewis will be featured on the History Channel's Tactical to Practical, Jun 8. The segment will air footage filmed during the brigade's JRTC rotation in March 2004. The show will highlight SBCT medics in action, using some of the Army's newest high-tech medical equipment. Also featured will be the newly-fielded Battlefield Medical Information System Tactical (BMIST), a point-of-care hand-held device that enables military health-care providers to record, store, retrieve and transmit the essential elements of clinical encounters in an operational setting.
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of liberty loving people everywhere march with you...
I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944
And with those words Operation Overlord began. Provided below is our in depth coverage of the 60th Anniversay of D-Day.
Yahoo! News has two photos of Stryker soldiers today (one, two).
Thanks to Country Mom for the links.
Gunner Palace is the film project of Michael Tucker. He traveled to Baghdad numerous times to film a documentary about the 2/3 Field Artillery Battalion (part of the 1st Armored Division). If you recall, this was the unit featured significantly in Time Magazine's "Person of the Year" issue honoring "The American Soldier."
I have no idea if/when the documentary will be released, but you should visit the film's website to read the story and view a couple trailers. This clip titled Star Spangled Banner "Baghdad Style" blew me away. Caution - you really need a high-speed connection to play the trailers.
(via Blackfive)
A few stories summarizing recent developments.
"Iraqi PM Urges War on Sabotage, Zarqawi Aide Held" - Reuters
"U.S. submits new draft of Iraq resolution" - CNN
"New Iraqi leaders put into power" - The New York Times
"Top cleric endorses new Iraqi government" - Associated Press
Washington, DC, Jun. 4 (UPI) -- A Pentagon proposal to scale back the U.S. military presence in Germany could diminish U.S. influence in Europe, the International Herald Tribune reports.
The Pentagon wants to withdraw the two U.S. Army divisions stationed in Germany, replacing them with the U.S. Army brigade equipped with Stryker vehicles, a lightly armored wheeled vehicle suited to a highly mobile unit.
Yahoo News! has a photo of a soldier in Mosul. The caption reads as follows:
An unidentified U.S. soldier shows a picture of his child to a group of Iraqi school children during a visit to the Al-Zaitoon primary school in Mosul, Iraq.
The June 4 edition of The Coalition Scimitar is now available.
The Coalition Scimitar is a weekly paper published by the Multi-National Force - Iraq and Multi-National Corps - Iraq Joint Public Affairs Office. It is distributed throughout the Baghdad area inside the Stars & Stripes every Friday. It is also available here in PDF format.
I saw a number of articles about the SBCT and one profiling the 81st BCT (WA National Guard).
MOSUL, Iraq - Coalition soldiers questioned two news media cameramen and a reporter after a roadside bomb exploded near a Coalition convoy two kilometers north of Mosul June 3.
The media, who were at the scene prior to the attack, told soldiers at the scene they had received a tip to be at that location prior to the attack and they had witnessed the explosion.
Blackfive has posted a collection of stories and essays commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Normandy invasion, which takes place this Sunday, June 6. Read them all here.
We will have a long entry of our own covering the anniversary later this week.
This is not Stryker, or even Iraq related news, but I liked the story and thought I would pass it along.
[Link to Full Article]
By Scott Baldauf, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Haji Iqbal Rashidzada tees up for the first hole. It's a tricky shot. He stands on a bare patch of dirt on a small brick building, about a hundred feet above the green. To the left is a major hazard, a bombed-out building shot full of bullet holes. In between is about 371 yards of desert brush and thistle.
And the green, well, actually it's black: a large round patch of sand covered in oil to keep the sand from blowing away.
Lori sent us another photo from the Army website. The caption reads as follows:
Soldiers fight a fire caused by a mortar attack on Camp Freedom in Mosul, Iraq. The Soldiers are assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division's Task Force Olympia, deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo by Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson.
UPDATE: Here's another photo.
[Link to TFO Press Release]
by Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 3, 2004) – Iraqi Security Forces and Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained five people wanted for anti-Coalition activities and destroyed an unexploded ordnance Wednesday in Northern Iraq.
This is important information for military families with children.
[Link to Full Article] (Full text provided below)
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 2, 2004 – A major American corporation and a military-related nonprofit organization are partnering to send military kids to camp this summer.
The National Military Family Association and Sears, Roebuck and Co. are working together to make Operation Purple possible.
[Link to Full Article]
By Sgt. Fred Minnick
MOSUL, Iraq (Army News Service, June 2, 2004) -- In Qayarrah, a new group of recruits are training to be infantry soldiers in the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps.
The men were once farmers, taxi drivers and some even served in the former Iraqi army. No matter what their past was, these men took a vow to serve their country, under new leadership, and wear a uniform that symbolizes the future of Iraq.
[Link to Full Article]
By Carol Rock, Staff Writer
VALENCIA -- There are almost as many blue stars as there are green leaves in three trees next to Santa Clarita City Hall, thanks to the efforts of the Blue Star Mothers.
Laminated stars, emblazoned with the name, rank and service branch of each Santa Clarita resident currently in the service went up a year ago and have increased twice since that initial decoration. According to the group, there are more than 700 active military personnel who call Santa Clarita home.
Lori sent us a link to a great picture at Frontline Photos. The caption reads as follows:
Spc. Adrian Felder, left, stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., accepts a baseball from Seattle Mariners player Dave Hansen after Felder threw out the first pitch of a game between the Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays at Safeco Field in Seattle on Monday. Felder's wife, Spc. Tyanna Avery-Felder, was killed in Iraq on April 7 when the truck she was in hit a makeshift bomb.
[Link to TFO Press Release]
by Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 2, 2004) – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained five people wanted for anti-Coalition activities, and the Iraqi Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team destroyed three unexploded mortar rounds Tuesday in Northern Iraq.
[Link to TFO Press Release]
by Sgt. Joseph Sanchez
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 1, 2004) – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained 14 people wanted for anti-Coalition activities, foiled an improvised explosive device attack and collected a variety of weapons and munitions Monday in Northern Iraq.
A few people sent this link to us - I guess there's a new online video game featuring scenarios based on the experiences of the Stryker Brigade.
June 01, 2004 - Kuma\War, the revolutionary new online game service that allows players to experience re-creations of real world military events weeks after they occur via advanced gaming technology has launched Samarra Stryker Brigade, the company's third mission re-created from the military hotspot of Samarra, Iraq.
Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Pvt. Coleman. Provided below are a number of articles regarding Coleman. Any future articles we find will be added to this entry.
Susan sent us this article from her local paper. Great photo included.
[Link to Full Article] (Brief registration required)
By TERESA HICKS, Times-News
JOHNSON CITY - The world is not the same place it was a month ago. Not for Dr. Martin Olsen, at least. Olsen, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at East Tennessee State University, recently returned from a visit to Iraq, where he met with doctors in the northern Iraqi Kurdistan area.
He went there expecting to teach the Iraqi doctors how to reduce maternal mortality rates, but he wound up learning a lot more than he taught.
[Link to Full Article]
1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division’s Stryker Brigade Combat Team
By Spc. Lorie Jewell
June 1, 2004
CONCORD, N.C. (Army News Service, June 1, 2004) – Flying around a racetrack at speeds pushing 200 miles per hour, NASCAR driver Joe Nemechek paid special tribute to fallen Soldiers and those still serving.
On the dash of Nemechek’s Army-sponsored 01 Chevrolet was an American flag patch, placed there by Sgt. 1st Class Mark Mounce of the U.S. Army’s Accessions Command minutes before the start of NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 race at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway May 30. Nemechek finished the race in 14th place, while Jimmy Johnson took first.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pvt. Bradli N. Coleman, 19, of Ford City, Pa., died May 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained on May 29 in Mosul, Iraq, when mortar rounds hit his living quarters. Coleman was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and fellow soldiers he leaves behind.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. [...]
Pvt. Bradli N. Coleman, 19, of Ford City, Pa., died May 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained on May 29 in Mosul, Iraq, when mortar rounds hit his living quarters. Coleman was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Here's another article profiling a TFO soldier home on leave.
[Link to Full Article]
By BRIAN P. HEFFRON, Times Staff Writer
VARICK — A local man who flies Army helicopters in Iraq is heading home for a two-week leave.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Aaron E. Teichner, the son of Town Supervisor Joan Teichner and the late Dr. Herbert Teichner, was deployed to Kuwait in early November and to Iraq a few weeks later. For most of that time, he has been stationed at an air base about 40 miles south of Mosul in northern Iraq.
[Link to Full Article]
By Kris Osborn, THE WASHINGTON TIMES
TIKRIT, Iraq — Here in Saddam Hussein's hometown, the senior U.S. military officer says attacks on coalition forces are down and rebuilding efforts are looking up as the June 30 transfer of power to an Iraqi government approaches.
As commander of the 1st Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. John Batiste leads thousands of U.S. and coalition forces deployed in the northern half of Iraq, including Mosul, Tikrit and Baquba.
[Link to Full Article]
Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq - New Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said Tuesday that Iraq needs help from U.S. and other multinational forces to help defeat "the enemies of Iraq,"
The statement was seen as a prelude to the new government negotiating an agreement that would allow troops of the U.S.-led coalition to continue operating in the country.