Stryker Brigade News

Interview with Michael Yan/Fox

Freelance photographer, Michael Yan, talks from Mosul to a Fox news reporter in New York about photographs he took of Major Mark Beager (1st Battalion, 24th Regiment) holding a wounded Iraqi girl. He also talks about insurgents attacking the regiment's Stryker, which was near playing children at the time of strike. Video from 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

[Correct spelling is Michael Yon and Major Mark Bieger - Strykernews]

Stryker Testimonials

Several Soldiers from 3/21 Infantry, and 1/24 Infantry, of the 1/25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (Fort Lewis, WA) give testimonials about the Stryker combat vehicle's ability to save Soldier's lives. Soundbites from 1) Sergeant First Class Robert Bowman, 2) Specialist Michael Braskett, 3) First Lieutenant Michael Lueckeman, 4) Sergeant Hector Matos, 5) Lieutenant Colonel Eric Kurilla, 6) Sergeant First Class Pablo Coronado, 7) First Lieutenant John Bourque, 8) Sergeant Joshua Tatum, 9) Staff Sergeant Michael Randolph, 10) Captain Christopher Hossfield, 11) Staff Sergeant Duane Kohlman, 12) Major Mark Bieger, 13) Lieutenant Colonel Michael Gibler, 14) Sergeant First Class Robert Ercolino, 15) Captain Bradley Warr, 16) Sergeant Jeffrey Reynoso, 17) Chief Warrant Officer Third Class Joseph Deblois, 18) Specialist Jerry Abriam, and 19) Specialist Dustin Buyatt. Video produced by Sergeant First Class Lance Milsted, 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Mosul, Iraq.

Sappers Lounge

The 73rd Engineer Company, 1st Brigade, 25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (Fort Lewis, WA) like to take it easy at the end of the day, so they gather around a fire to share stories, have friendly conversations, laugh with each other, and smoke cigars. They call this place the 'Sappers Lounge,' "a place to decompress." Soundbites from Staff Sergeant Jesse Grandinetti, Specialist Joseph Hillard, Staff Sergeant Chester Wall, Specialist Bobby Doucat, and Sergeant Roy Freeman. Video produced by Sergeant First Class Lance Milsted, 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Mosul, Iraq.

IED Hunters

The 73rd Engineer Company, 1st Brigade, 25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (Fort Lewis, WA) has the important job of searching for, identifying, and disposing of improvised explosive devices before they can do any damage. Soundbites from platoon sergeant Staff Sergeant Jesse Grandinetti, and medic Staff Sergeant Vincent Sandoval. Video produced by Sergeant First Class Lance Milsted, 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Mosul, Iraq.

Al Kasik Interviews

Four Soldiers from the 98th Division (Rochester, NY) talk about a recent weapons cache found near Al Kasek, Iraq. 1) Major J. B. Smith talks about this being the first Iraqi Army operation involving two independent units, as well as being the first time that they've operated under black-out drive. 2) Staff Sergeant Rick Avery comments about some odd metal found in a field. 3) Captain Carl Bronson gives in formation about the ammunition that was found buried at the site. And 4) Master Sergeant John DeMarco explains that the arms dealer got away. See also " Al Kasek Weapons Cache" package and b-roll in the Iraq section. Video from 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Mosul, Iraq.

Interview With SPC Swab/KTVQ

Specialist Charlotte Swab talks from Mosul to reporter at KTVQ in Billings, Montana about her duties in the post office, and how she is dealing with separation from her husband and home. Video from 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

Interview With 1SG Watkins/KING TV

First Sergeant Kevin Watkins talks from Mosul to reporter at KING TV in Seattle, Washington about recent violence in Mosul. He says the level has risen recently but is only ten percent of the amount of violence experienced around the January elections. He also tells how he keeps his Soldiers focused on the mission during their last few months of duty. Video from 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

Interview with SSG Mitchell

Staff Sergeant John Mitchell(Hometown: Tacoma, Wa) talks to a reporter at KIRO, Seattle, about his job in Mosul. SSG Mitchell helps keep the local population informed about the Military's efforts. Video by the 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. (USAR)