If you missed the annual Fur Rondy Parade last week in Anchorage, Alaska, here's a photo of a Stryker rolling down 5th Avenue.
Photo by Percy Jones
[Link to Full Article] with photo
by 1Lt. William O'Neal, HQ Co., 172nd SBCT
FORT WAINWRIGHT- A military organization is more effective when its members effectively communicate with other elements.
The reconnaissance platoon and the intelligence section of 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry regiment took the initiative to better understand how other Soldiers operate and how each unit supports the task force.
On Feb. 16, the two sections began the day with a seven-kilometer cross-country ski at Birch Hill, each Soldier with a 5l-pound rucksack.
Provided below are links to in-depth analyses of recent events in Iraq.
Link to Full Article
by Michael Peck
The Army Stryker brigade now fighting in Iraq will be first in line to receive a new radio-frequency kit that allows soldiers to detonate mines from several kilometers away.
The technology, called “Matrix,” essentially turns old-fashioned mines into standoff munitions. It was developed by the Army’s Picatinny Arsenal, in New Jersey, to meet growing base-security needs in Iraq. “Matrix allows them to cover their flanks and protect their base of operations with fewer soldiers,” said Maj. Joe Hitt, the project lead.
Link to Full Article
By William M. Welch, USA TODAY
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Jeremy Harrison sees the warning signs in the Iraq war veterans who walk through his office door every day — flashbacks, inability to relax or relate, restless nights and more.
He recognizes them as symptoms of combat stress because he's trained to, as a counselor at the small storefront Vet Center here run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He recognizes them as well because he, too, has faced readjustment in the year since he returned from Iraq, where he served as a sergeant in an engineering company that helped capture Baghdad in 2003.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 28, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces detained a total of 23 individuals suspected of insurgent activity during operations in northern Iraq yesterday.
Troops of the 102nd Iraqi Army detained 15 individuals suspected of insurgent activity during cordon and search operations outside of Al Hawd. Suspects are in custody with no ISF injuries reported.
Army Cpl. Torria Maynard of the 1-24 INF is pictured in this DOD photo taken in Mosul on Feb. 24, 2005.
Photo by Spc. John S. Gurtler
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 27, 2005) – For the second time today an insurgent attack killed and injured a number of Iraqi citizens in northern Iraq.
Four Iraqi citizens were killed and another two were injured during a drive-by shooting in northwestern Mosul. This was the second attack of the day in which Iraqi citizens were targets. The first insurgent attack of the day occurred just outside Mosul in Hamam Al Alil. The injured citizens were taken to a local hospital.
The 133rd supported both deployed Stryker Brigades over the past 12 months. This long article is worth reading in its entirety.
Link to Full Article
By Bill Nemitz, Blethen Maine Newspapers
FORT DRUM, NY - The projects are all behind him now. The high-level briefings, the countless convoys, the days that blurred into night - all memories at last.
Yet even late last week, as the Maine Army National Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion embraced the bitter cold of upstate New York like a long-lost security blanket, Lt. Col. John Jansen shook his head at the suggestion that his mission to northern Iraq was finally over.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 27, 2005) – An insurgent attack killed and injured a number of Iraqi citizens in northern Iraq today.
An explosion detonated by insurgents in Hamam Al Alil killed eight and injured at least another two Iraqi citizens. The injured citizens were taken to a local hospital.
Insurgents continue to recklessly disregard the safety of their fellow citizens during their attacks. Insurgents have killed ten and injured at least 22 Iraqi citizens during attacks in northern Iraq in the last week.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 27, 2005) – Multi-National Forces discovered two large weapons caches in northern Iraq yesterday.
Multi-National Force Soldiers discovered a large weapons cache during a cordon and search operation in western Mosul. The cache included rocket propelled grenades, hand grenades, mortar fuses, blocks of TNT, other explosives, and thousands of rounds of various ammunition. The weapons and ammunition were confiscated for future destruction.
Link to Full Article
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Brig. Gen. Carter Ham’s first and only assignment at Fort Lewis didn’t last long. He was here four months before the Army shipped him off to Mosul, Iraq, last January.
But he played a major part in the fortunes of Fort Lewis troops, thousands of whom worked under his leadership in northern Iraq the past 13 months.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 26, 2005) – Multi-National Force (MNF) Soldiers detained a total of 15 individuals suspected of insurgent activity during operations in Mosul yesterday.
Iraqi Security Forces backed by Multi-National Forces continue to put pressure on anti-Iraqi Forces. In recent weeks barely a day has gone by without insurgents being killed or captured.
Multi-National Forces stopped a vehicle driving past curfew with three individuals with no weapons or identification, one with a gunshot wound in his chest. While MNF Soldiers were treating the individual a second vehicle was observed. MNF Soldiers pursued the second vehicle which fled to a nearby house. After following the passengers of the vehicle into the house MNF Soldiers detained 15 individuals suspected of insurgent activities and confiscated various weapons. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.
Getty Images has about 60 photos taken in Tal Afar between late Dec. and Jan. 18th that I just discovered and don't believe we've posted. I must warn you that the first photos on the first page might be upsetting. They concern Iraqi civilians that were accidentally killed. Start here and scroll down to the bottom of the first page where you will begin seeing photos of 1-25 SBCT soldiers. Also look at pages 2 and 3. I believe these are photos of the 2-14 CAV, though only a few are identified as such.
Here are two more 1-24 INF photos from Mosul (one, two) that were posted on Army Images and the DOD Image Gallery.
Photos by Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson and Spc. John S. Gurtler
3-21 INF soldiers can be seen in each of these photos (one, two) of Iraqi Intervention Forces, giving us some insight into 3-21 operations in Mosul. They were posted on the DOD's Image Gallery and Defense Visual Information Directorate.
Photos by Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson
Major George Schneider, USAF, Retired, attended the memorial service yesterday at Ft. Lewis. He shares his thoughts and photos in this moving entry.
Related Entries: In Memoriam, the Wreath and it's Heraldry, In Memoriam, continued from Mosul, Iraq, In Memoriam, a poem for Adam, In Memoriam: Sgt. Adam J. Plumondore, USA
Link to Full Article
By Hal Bernton, Seattle Times
FORT LEWIS — Master Sgt. Cheryl Kirk's cellphone wakes her late at night. These calls bring bad news as she learns of yet another soldier's death from the Iraq-based 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.
"When my cellphone rings, my heart stops," said Kirk, who has remained behind at Fort Lewis as the top enlisted officer in a 1st Brigade support unit of some 300 soldiers.
Link to Full Article
By Hal Bernton, Seattle Times
FORT LEWIS — Aaron Moore and his buddy Sgt. Adam Plumondore saw plenty of combat as they patrolled the streets of Mosul, which now rank among the most violent in Iraq. But they shied away from talking about death. Only once, Moore recalled, did they touch on it. They pledged that if either one should perish, the survivor would not cry or join in a sad memorial.
"I'm sorry, Adam. I broke that promise," Moore said yesterday in a tear-choked tribute to the 22-year-old Plumondore, who died Feb. 16 in a car-bomb explosion.
Link to Full Article
By MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Tributes to the three most recent Fort Lewis soldiers to fall in Iraq reminded Army chaplain Daniel Petsch of a passage in the Book of Genesis about giants who roamed the earth.
The men, remembered together at a memorial service Thursday, were “three modern day giants,” Petsch observed. “Mighty men. Men of renown.”
Link to Full Article
by Bill Nemitz, Blethen Maine Newspapers
FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Bean of Freeport stood in line Thursday alongside his comrades from the Maine Army National Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion, waiting his turn to give up his weapon.
"I'm going to miss it," Bean said, hefting the spotless M-16 rifle one last time. "It's been with me all year. Everywhere I go. Everywhere I sleep. I'm going to feel naked without it."
Link to Full Article
By David Ignatius, Washington Post
BAGHDAD -- Let's call it the "Adnan and Jim Strategy." These two soldiers exemplify the new U.S. plan to stabilize Iraq by training Iraqi security forces and embedding U.S. combat advisers with them. If their success can be multiplied many times over, then the Iraqi government should, over time, be able to contain the insurgency. But But that's a big "if.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 25, 2005) – Multi-National Forces killed two insurgents following an attack on their convoy in northern Iraq yesterday.
Multi-National Force Soldiers were patrolling in eastern Mosul when their convoy was attacked by insurgents firing from a moving vehicle. MNF Soldiers returned fire killing two insurgents. No MNF injuries were reported during the incident.
Iraqi Security Forces continue to work together with Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom, leaders and citizens of Iraq to help build and maintain a prosperous and democratic nation. Anyone with information on anti-Iraqi insurgent minority activities should call the Joint Coordination Center’s telephone numbers at 513462 or 07701623300.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 25, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces detained a total of 35 individuals suspected of insurgent activity during operations in northern Iraq today.
Troops of 102nd Iraqi Army detained 13 individuals suspected of insurgent activity during a cordon and search operation in a village south of Mosul. Iraqi Commandos and Multi-National Force Soldiers detained seven individuals suspected of insurgent activity during a cordon and search operation in southeastern Mosul. Iraqi Intervention Force troops and Multi-National Force Soldiers detained four individuals suspected of insurgent activity during a cordon and search operation in eastern Mosul. Suspects are in custody with no ISF or MNF injuries reported.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 25, 2005) – Multi-National Forces were able to defuse an improvised explosive device due to a tip provided by an Iraqi citizen in northern Iraq yesterday.
An Iraqi citizen informed Multi-National Force Soldiers of an IED placed along a highway in western Mosul. MNF Soldiers were able to defuse the IED. No MNF or Iraqi citizens were injured during the operation.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 25, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces detained 18 individuals suspected of insurgent activity during operations in northern Iraq yesterday.
Iraqi Intervention Force troops and Multi-National Force Soldiers detained ten individuals suspected of conducting a car bomb attack during cordon and search operations in western Mosul. Suspects are in custody with no ISF or MNF injuries reported.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 25, 2005) – The number of troops ready to provide security in northern Iraq increased yesterday with the arrival of new Iraqi Security Force troops.
Over 500 new 3rd Division Iraqi Army troops arrived in Al Kisik training base following the completion of basic training. The number of ISF troops continues to rise with the growing number of Iraqi citizens ready to help keep their country safe and secure from terrorists.
Iraqi Security Forces continue to take the lead in security and are conducting numerous independent operations. ISF have performed many successful operations due to the increase in information being provided by Iraqi citizens about insurgent activity, the increase in effectiveness of ISF, and the increase in their operations.
The 276th Engineer Battalion supported the 3-2 and 1-25 Stryker Brigades.
Link to Full Article
BY MATTHEW LAKIN, BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
RICHLANDS – Sgt. Kyle Wright walks with a cane now.
"I bought it as a souvenir," he said. "I never thought I’d have to use it."
The former coal miner brought home another souvenir from his service with the 276th Engineer Battalion – a limp in his right leg from the December suicide bombing that sent him flying across a chow hall tent in Mosul, Iraq, and killed a man sitting beside him.
FORT POLK -- Brigadier General Michael D. Barbero, commanding general of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, will host a monument dedication ceremony honoring the Troopers and the families of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment for their dedicated service and support as the Regiment ends its duty at Fort Polk.
The ceremony is being held today, Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m., at the 5ID Memorial Park located across from Fort Polk's Main Post Chapel.[...]
The Regiment's Colors are being moved to Fort Lewis, Washington, where the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light) will re-designate to the 2d Cavalry Regiment Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) as part of Army transformation. [...]
by CPT Andy Hierstetter
Effective 14 February 2005, Task Force 2-1 of Fort Wainwright adopted the special designation "Arctic Legionaries," replacing "Cold Steel," a nickname dating back to Vietnam. An official special designation is a "nickname," granted to a military organization authorized by the Center of Military History and is recognized through a certificate signed by the Secretary of the Army. TF 2-1 Infantry is the only full strength, active duty unit of the 1st Infantry Regiment which is one of the oldest Army Regiments, originating in 1791.
by 1LT Nathaniel Way, Bravo Company, TF 2-1
The quiet village sat nestled in the snow, and all seemed peaceful. At 0230 in the morning, the sleeping insurgent forces were probably dreaming of the day they would remove American forces from their homeland. However things were about to change when the soldiers of 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, TF 2-1 Infantry pulled up, dropped ramp, and started clearing the buildings.
The following is a great article about the relationship between COL Brown, commander of 1/25 SBCT, and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Link to Full Article
By Pete Thamel
When he hit the shot that beat Fordham in 1979, the former Army forward Bob Brown remembers, there was a sobering scene amid the postgame euphoria in the locker room.
As he was taking off his sneakers at his locker after the 71-70 victory, Brown looked up to see his coach, Mike Krzyzewski, glaring down at him.
Link to Full Article
BY MOHAMAD BAZZI, NEWSDAY
BEIRUT -- Iraqi and U.S. forces have come close to capturing Islamic militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi at least twice since mid-January, according to Kurdish intelligence officials.
In each case, Iraq's most wanted man escaped shortly before raids on his hideouts, the two officials said in phone interviews from Iraq. Even though al-Zarqawi fled, Iraqi and U.S. officials were pleased by the accuracy of the intelligence that led to the raids.
By BILL NEMITZ, Portland Press Herald Writer
FORT DRUM, N.Y. — The first wave of soldiers from the Maine Army National Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion returned to U.S. soil late Wednesday, ending a year-long deployment in the often-hostile city of Mosul, Iraq. "It's like a dream come true. It doesn't feel real," said Spc. San Pao of Portland moments after stepping off the chartered MD11 aircraft. "Hopefully we'll wake up tomorrow morning and it will still be real."
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 24, 2005) – Multi-National Forces were able to defuse an improvised explosive device due to a tip provided by an Iraqi citizen in northern Iraq today.
An Iraqi citizen call to the Joint Coordination Center hotline led Multi-National Force Soldiers to an IED in Tal Afar. MNF Soldiers were able to defuse the IED. No MNF or Iraqi citizens were injured during the operation.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 24, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces detained seven individuals suspected of insurgent activity during operations in northern Iraq yesterday.
Troops of the 104th Iraqi Army and Multi-National Force Soldiers detained six individuals suspected of insurgent activity during cordon and search operations in eastern Mosul. ISF also confiscated an AK-47 and ammunition for future destruction. Suspects are in custody with no ISF or MNF injuries reported.
Getty Images has a number of recent photos from Mosul. Many of these are images of the 1-24 INF, including several from the Feb. 22 memorial service for SGT Plumondore and SPC Gertson.
(TFO Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 20, 2005) – Multi-National Forces discovered four large weapons caches in northern Iraq today.
Multi-National Force Soldiers discovered three large weapons caches during cordon and search operations in southern Mosul. The caches included numerous artillery rounds and mortar rounds, rifles, explosive charges, rocket propelled grenade launchers, rockets, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The weapons and ammunition were confiscated for future destruction.
Greetings everyone. Longtime no report, things have been pretty busy around here lately and I have been pretty sick. It seems all I can do is keep up with his day to day routine and I am exhausted. Michael goes in for eye surgery in the morning so I thought I'd better post a few words to let everybody know how things have been going the last month or so.
Yahoo! News continues to post new photos of soldiers in Mosul. Most are members of the 1-24 INF.
Sergeant Adam Plumondore, Sergeant Frank B. Hernandez, and Specialist Clinton R. Gertson will be honored at a memorial service to be held in the Evergreen Chapel on Ft. Lewis at 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 24, 2005.
Because Fort Lewis is a closed installation, all visitors require a visitors pass to enter the Fort. Information on obtaining a pass can be found at this URL.
Link to Full Article
By Lady Hereford, Palm Beach Post
On a day when many were thinking roses and candy, students at Starlight Cove Elementary School were thinking patriotism and sacrifice.
At 1 p.m. on Valentine's Day, the student body covered the blacktop behind the suburban Lantana school in a sea of red, white and blue shirts. During a ceremony titled "Home Grown Heroes," students and teachers made a video greeting card for U.S. Army troops stationed in Iraq.
Link to Full Article
By CHRISTIAN HILL, THE OLYMPIAN
Sgt. Michael Fields can't drive by an abandoned car on the shoulder of Interstate 5 without thinking about the explosive devices planted in Iraq.
Insurgents regularly pack parked cars with explosives and detonate them as vehicles carrying U.S. troops drive by, the 27-year-old Fort Lewis soldier said. It's a makeshift weapon that has proven effective, killing several soldiers from the Army post and elsewhere in recent months.
Fields said he knows that abandoned cars here don't carry the same threat as they do in Iraq. But after living in that environment for a year, "it's not going to go away in a couple of months."
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 23, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces detained 11 individuals suspected of insurgent activity during operations in northern Iraq today and yesterday.
Troops of the 104th Iraqi Army detained two individuals suspected of conducting attacks against ISF and MNF during a cordon and search operation in central Mosul today. Suspects are in custody with no ISF injuries reported.
Link to Full Article
Associated Press, USA Today
MOSUL, Iraq (AP) — A car bomb killed two people and wounded 14 in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Wednesday, and a U.S. soldier was killed in a separate bomb attack north of Baghdad, officials said.
The violence came a day after Iraq's dominant Shiite political party chose Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the head of a religious party who fought Saddam Hussein and took refuge in Iran for a decade, as its candidate for prime minister — making him the overwhelming favorite for the post.
Wednesday's car bomb took place in western Mosul, said Essam Youssef of the city's Jamhouri hospital, where some of the casualties were brought. It was not immediately clear what the target of the bomb was. Witnesses said no U.S. or Iraqi forces in the area where the explosion took place.
A profile of COL Robert Brown
Link to Full Article
By Jim Young, News & Record
The player keeps by his side a copy of the Rudyard Kipling poem, "If," that his coach gave him a quarter-century ago.
The coach carries in his briefcase a small medallion, signifying his player's latest, most important, team.
The player keeps track of how his coach is doing by searching for bits and scraps of sports news wherever he can find it.
The coach follows his player's progress by making CNN a part of his daily routine.
It has been 25 years since Mike Krzyzewski and Col. Bob Brown shared the same bench on Army basketball teams from 1977 to 1980. Krzyzewski was a first-time head coach then, and Brown was a 6-foot-5 forward and a gifted scorer. But even now, as Krzyzewski guides his Duke Blue Devils toward another NCAA tournament and Brown commands 8,000 soldiers in northern Iraq, they still are inextricably linked -- the coach and the player. Only these days the inspiration flows both ways, from player to coach and back -- through e-mails, an occasional phone call and daily thoughts and prayers.
LTC Kurilla, commander of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, forwarded the following comments he will make during a memorial service for SGT Plumondore and SPC Gertson on Tuesday, February 22nd in Mosul, Iraq. As he said, "I share with you my comments only in the hope that it shows people a small glimpse of what incredibly wonderful soldiers, friends, heroes they both were." Thank you for sharing.
Link to Full Article
By SGT. KEVIN SCOTT/Special to the Daily Press
MOSUL, IRAQ — With the elections approaching and hostilities rising, the word came down: Get ready to move into the hotbed of Mosul and provide security for the January elections.
Before their month-long assignment was complete, High Desert soldiers had helped secure free elections. Company B, 1st Battalion, 185th Armor Regiment from Apple Valley was involved in more enemy contact than during its previous combined 10 months at Logistics Support Area Anaconda.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 22, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces detained 16 individuals suspected of insurgent activity and confiscated materials during operations in northern Iraq today.
Iraqi Intervention Forces and Multi-National Forces detained 14 individuals suspected of conducting improvised explosive device attacks against ISF and MNF during a raid in southwestern Mosul. ISF also confiscated IED making material during the operation. Suspects are in custody with no ISF or MNF injuries reported.
The article contains a photograph of a Stryker Brigade soldier.
Link to Full Article
By EDWARD WONG, New York Times
SULAIMANIYA, Iraq, Feb. 21 - Militant Islamist groups that originated in Iraqi Kurdistan are responsible for most of the attacks now taking place in the northern insurgent stronghold of Mosul, while activity by nationalist insurgents linked to the former government has slowed there, senior Kurdish officials say.
The Department of Defense has announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
SPC Clinton R. Gertson, 26, of Houston, Texas, died 19 Feb. in Mosul, Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy forces small arms fire. SPC Gertson was assigned to 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, Fort Lewis, WA.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones he leaves behind. We will add any subsequent articles we find below.
Here are three photos of soldiers in Charlie Company, 1-24 INF that I've not seen elsewhere. (one, two, three). They are from early Feb. and were posted on the DOD Defense Visual Information web site.
Photos by Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson
The 1-24 INF is featured in three editions of Frontline Photos from the past week. They are the first few photos in each edition. Page forward through each gallery to find them.
Feb. 15 edition....Feb. 17 edition....Feb. 21 edition
The 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment will soon case its colors at Fort Polk, LA, and move to its new home at Fort Lewis. Upon arrival the 2nd ACR will be renamed, and will become the third SBCT to be based at Fort Lewis.
FORT POLK -- Brig. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, commanding general of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, will host a monument dedication honoring the Troopers and the families of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment for their dedicated service and support as the Regiment ends its duty at Fort Polk. [...]
The Regiment's Colors are being moved to Fort Lewis, Washington, where the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light) will re-designate to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) as part of Army transformation.
Related Article: Fort Polk honors 2nd ACR before departure to Lewis - Leesville Leader
The following article examines the various insurgent groups suspected of operating in the Mosul region.
Link to Full Article
By EDWARD WONG
SULAIMANIYA, Iraq, Feb. 21 - Radical Islamist groups that originated in Iraqi Kurdistan are responsible for most of the attacks now taking place in the northern insurgent stronghold of Mosul, senior Kurdish officials say.
The activities of the related jihadist groups, Ansar al-Sunna and Ansar al-Islam, have overshadowed those of the nationalist insurgent cells in Mosul led by members of the former ruling Baath Party, the officials say. The nationalist fighters have quieted down since December, when the Americans increased the number of troops in Mosul to clamp down on the insurgency in advance of the Jan. 30 elections, the Kurdish officials say.
Murdoc made the trek to the Chicago Auto Show, and has plenty of pictures of the Stryker on display.
Link to Full Article
By DOUG BEIZER
When U.S. tanks rolled into Baghdad during the invasion of Iraq, one of the command vehicles was outfitted with cyclone antennas to establish a link with orbiting satellites. The satellite connection gave life to an onboard collaboration system that let commanders in the tank share audio, video, data and applications with command centers just about anywhere.
"With that, they could share information back to Bahrain or all the way back to the Pentagon," said David Lind, defense sales manager for First Virtual Communications.
Link to Full Article
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
When Staff Sgt. Steven Bridges left for Iraq, he took a deck of his daughter Sarrah’s Spider-Man playing cards.
He promised he’d send home one card each week. That way, when Sarrah had close to a full deck, she’d know Daddy would be home soon.
None of the cards ever made it.
Bridges, 33, was killed Dec. 8, 2003, when his Stryker armored vehicle fell upside down into an irrigation canal. The driver, Spc. Christopher Rivera Wesley, 26, also died, as did Spc. Joseph Blickenstaff, 23, who was riding in another Stryker that rolled into the water at virtually the same moment.
Link to Full Article
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
The two vehicles that plunged into a canal Dec. 8, 2003, near Duluiyah, Iraq, weren’t the only Strykers to roll over during the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division’s deployment to Iraq.
The Army investigated at least five other rollover accidents involving Strykers during the brigade’s year in Iraq, according to the U.S. Army Safety Center.
They include the July 14, 2004, accident near Tal Afar that killed the driver, Pfc. Jesse Martinez, 20, and Cpl. Demetrius Rice, 24. Officials said Martinez swerved to avoid an oncoming water truck and rolled his Stryker down a roadside embankment.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (February 21, 2005) – Task Force Freedom recognized the departure of the Task Force Olympia Commanding General and welcomed their incoming Commanding General during a transfer of authority ceremony that took place in Mosul Feb. 19.
The ceremony acknowledged the departure of Task Force Olympia Commanding General Brig. Gen. Carter Ham and the arrival of Task Force Freedom Commanding General Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner. Multi-National Corps-Iraq Commanding General Lt. Gen. John Vines officiated the transfer of authority, spoke about the excellent performance of Task Force Olympia and welcomed the incoming Commanding General. During his address Vines challenged Task Force Freedom to build on the success of Task Force Olympia and expressed confidence that they would continue to support the Iraqi people and the development of democracy in the northwestern part of the country.
Task Force Freedom’s Command Staff is comprised of Soldiers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment from Ft. Erwin, Calif.