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This story includes an interview with COL Robert Brown, Commander of the 1-25 Stryker Brigade.
Link to Full Article
ADAM LYNN AND MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
In his normal life, Leigh McCombs works as a roofer in Spokane.
On Monday, the Army National Guardsman helped raid what U.S. forces believe to be a car bomb factory in Mosul, Iraq. The mission netted explosives, weapons and a handful of suspected insurgents, McCombs said by telephone this week.
“I feel good about being able to bring a little bit of democracy up here to Iraq,” said Spc. McComb, a member of the 81st Brigade Combat Team.
He is one of nearly 10,000 soldiers with Washington state ties who are trying to provide a safe environment in which Iraqis can cast ballots in the nation’s parliamentary elections Sunday.
Nearly 6,000 active-duty troops from Fort Lewis – including Stryker soldiers with the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division – are in the country, as are another nearly 4,000 National Guardsmen from the state. That includes about 3,200 members of the Camp Murray-headquartered 81st Brigade.
The job is tense, especially as Sunday approaches, but satisfying as well, several soldiers said this week.
“I’m not typically excited about being in Iraq in general, but we’re being a part of history here,” 81st Brigade Capt. Adam Iwaszuk said Monday during a telephone interview from Mosul. “It’s a big milestone for the Iraqis.” [...]
Intense security measures also are under way in Mosul, where insurgent violence has increased this month, said Col. Robert Brown, commander of the 1-25.
Brown’s Stryker troops and the additional units, including about 300 soldiers from the 81st Brigade, have set up in 16 or so combat outposts across the city. Some are in areas where there’s been heavy insurgent activity. [...]
“It’s definitely very hard. Very, very tough,” Brown said. “But at the same time, it makes your resolve even greater to not let those guys have died in vain.”
Brown said his line commanders get mixed reports from local leaders about turnout for Sunday’s election.
“Some days, it’s, ‘I’m going to vote no matter what,’” Brown said. “Other days they’re telling me there’s not enough security. It will be secure enough for them to vote.
“We’re doing everything we can to make it as secure as we can. Now it’s up to them to go out and vote.”
And what comes next?
“Who knows? I’m ready for anything. In some ways even if the elections are a success, the enemy is going to want to make a statement. We’re ready for whatever happens,” Brown said. “I’d like to be bored for a while. That wouldn’t bother me a bit.”
Comments For "Nearly 10,000 soldiers with state ties in the middle of history":
Here in the states many Iraqis are celebrating their chance to vote and they are taking it quite seriously. They will play music, maybe heve a party and the will select their candidate and support him.May the better men win and may they be capable of working together to usher in a new Goverenment...This is for the future of your children.Best WisheS
Posted by: John Dolan | January 28, 2005 7:57 PM