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PFC Mendoza is another Task Force Freedom soldier that could use our suport and encouragement as he recovers at Walter Reed.
Link to Full Article
By STEVE MURPHY, BLADE STAFF WRITER
FOSTORIA - Army Pfc. Jay L. Mendoza lost his gallbladder, adrenal glands, and part of his intestines after being struck by a mortar round in Iraq.
But the 19-year-old Fostoria resident's family is relieved that his injuries from the attack weren't worse.
The following article profiles the organization TAPS, which Riikka Jacobsen is associated with.
Link to Article
By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 28, 2005 – As a slide show of her husband and children flashed across the screen, a tearful Riikka Jacobsen, told stories of the family's happier times together.
In the photos were her husband, Army Capt. Bill Jacobsen, and their four children: Billy, 8; Sedric, 7; Yonah, 5; and Avalon, 2.
This is a good article outlining recent operations by the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery.
Link to Full Article
By Alex Neill, Army Times
TALL ABTAH, Iraq — Striking back at a recent surge in car bombings, soldiers with the U.S. and Iraqi armies conducted a predawn raid on this rural town, detaining 30 suspects and rooting weapons and potential bomb-making materials out of homes, animal pens and crude mud huts.
After shutting down roads in and out of the town of several thousand residents, more than 725 soldiers — 550 Iraqis and 175 Americans — poured into the dusty streets Wednesday morning in up-armored Humvees, Stryker combat vehicles and the small pickup trucks used by Iraqi forces. Apache helicopters circled the village and a pair of F-16s sliced the sky.
Soldiers' Angels and the Wounded Warrior Project sent out the following alert regarding pending legislation. If you're willing and able, please make a phone call, or send a letter/fax/email to the appropriate committee member.
We will keep this entry at the top of the page today, so scroll down for newer entries.
An unidentified soldier from Company B, 2-14 CAV, watches out for insurgents in Sinjar, Iraq in this Army Images photo.
U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Jory C. Randall
Here are two new photos (one, two) of the 2-8 FA operating in Tall Abtah, Iraq. These are from today's edition of Frontline Photos.
Here are three new photos (one, two, three) of the 1-5 INF conducting operations in Mosul, courtesy of Army Images and the DOD Image Gallery.
Photos by Tech. Sgt. Mike Buytas, U.S. Air Force and Spc. Jory C. Randall, U.S. Army.
The 2-8 FA is again featured in today's edition of Frontline Photos.
Paul Bublis II was seriously injured in the same attack that took the life of SGT Davis. According to the article he is expected to recover. Our thoughts are with him and his family as he starts down the long road to recovery. Updates will be posted at the end of this entry.
Link to Full Article
By Michael Hines/Times Record News
Leisa Fudge was still wearing her light blue bathrobe Monday afternoon.
The Burkburnett resident hadn't changed clothes since 8:10 a.m. Sunday when she learned her son had been severely wounded by a bombing in Iraq.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 26, 2005) – Over 450 new Iraqi policemen crossed paths as new recruits flew off to the Jordanian Police Academy and newly trained policemen arrived in northern Iraq Monday.
Several photos of the 2-8 FA can be seen in today's edition of Frontline Photos. They are conducting a joint operation with the Iraqi Army's 102nd Battalion near Achura, Iraq.
Getty Images has 10-15 new photos of the 1-5 INF in Mosul since the last time we posted this link.
Link to Full Article with photo
Capt. Michael Blankartz
172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team
FORT WAINWRIGHT – Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team conducted Information Operations training in preparation for their upcoming mission-readiness exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. and planned deployment this summer.
Here are two recent photos (one, two) of the 2-1 INF, 172nd SBCT, training at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska.
Link to Full Article with 7 photos
Story and photos by Percy Jones
Congressional Liaison Office
FORT RICHARDSON – As the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team loaded more than 1,000 Stryker Infantry and support vehicles April 5 for shipping to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana and then to Iraq, one may ask, “What’s left?” For the Blackhawk Soldiers of Company B, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment what was left was more training to close with and defeat the enemy.
In true infantry fashion, the 4-23 Soldiers immediately refocused their sights on the mission at hand: combat and combat-related operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Greetings everyone,
Sorry I have been remiss at posting updates lately. Things have been very hectic around here since our return from Colorado. Michael is out on the town with Cindy and Bryant Jacobs and his girlfriend Alicia. They had breakfast with the dolphins at the aquarium this morning and I hope to post some pics later.
Peggy Baker from Operationfirstresponse.org stopped by again today. We had a nice chat and she met some of the new members of the POWr. (Prisoners of Walter Reed) ;-) Some of the guys have patches made up since they have been here so long. Peggy has been so helpful to so many soldiers and their families, it is a blessing for us all. I feel very fortunate to have met her and Cindy during our time here. Most of you have read that Cindy is now an .ORG and will be able to help even more families now. Check out operationsecondchance.org for more info.
Link to Full Article
By Julian Nettlefold
Recognizing the urgent need to control the “jungles of spaghetti” in heavily wired modern command posts, the Army is moving ahead with the Command Post Platform (CPP) development and integration program. Valued at up to $400 million over the next five years, the award to prime contractor Northrop Grumman includes an initial $26 million contract for the design and construction of 10 prototype command posts.
Link to Full Article
By William L. Miller
With voice communications over closed IP-based networks already being transmitted under battle conditions, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology is poised to transform military telephony.
This growing communications technology from the commercial sector, transplanted to the defense world, works more efficiently to take advantage of common infrastructures and adds advantages of share applications, ensuring that needed information is provided to all layers of end users. Its ability to scale and agile footprint work in concert with legacy applications to protect current mission-critical applications while paving a way for future evolution.
Please read the entire entry for updates.
Link to Full Article
By SHAWBONG FOK/Democrat Staff Writer
Woodland resident Sgt. Brandon Huff has been severely injured by an explosive while serving in the Stryker Brigade in Mosul, Iraq.
Brandon was injured on Wednesday by a hidden electronic explosive that went off while his platoon was checking out a reported car bomb. He lost his left leg above his knee and had shrapnel throughout his body.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 23, 2005) – Col. Khalid Najim Abdallah, Director of Corrections for Ninewah Province, was assassinated by terrorists in Mosul Friday. His vehicle was stopped by terrorists who shot and killed Abdallah and wounded his wife and child.
There is a brief update in the following article regarding the group's efforts in Mosul.
USAID and the US Army have completed work to rehabilitate Mosul's water treatment and sewer systems. In support of the Army's efforts to install diesel generator systems and rehabilitate Mosul's six water treatment plants and eight pump stations, USAID worked to clear the city's sewer and storm-drain systems and provided trucks and other equipment including pumps and pump control systems, valves, penstocks, pipes, spare parts, tools, and electrical equipment. USAID also provided welding training to water treatment plant operations and maintenance staff. With the completion of this project and the re-commissioning of the elevated tanks, Mosul will have 24 hours of water available.
Several photos of the 2-8 FA and one new photo of the 1-5 INF are contained in today's edition of Frontline Photos. The 2-8 FA photos are the last ones in the gallery.
A nice story profiling a dedicated group of volunteers in Bangor, Maine.
Link to Full Article
By Tony Perry, Times Staff Writer
BANGOR, Maine — Tired and bleary-eyed, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, based at Twentynine Palms, Calif., were finally back on U.S. soil after seven months on the front lines in Iraq.
But they were still many miles and hours from their families and the homecoming they longed for. Their officers told them they would be on the ground for 60 to 90 minutes while their chartered plane was refueled.
The 366th MPAD has added a number of new videos to the TFF PAO website. There are a number of new personal video messages (Shout Outs!), and a variety of news related segments (The Stallion Report).
Recent editions of Frontline Photos have featured both the 3-21 INF and 1-5 INF in Mosul. Check out the links below. As always, page forward to see all photos.
April 21, 2005 edition includes 1-5 INF photos
April 20, 2005 edition includes 3-21 INF photos
April 19, 2005 edition includes 1-5 INF photos
We are very excited to announce that Cindy McGrew has formalized her mission to assist wounded service men and women through the creation of a non-profit called Operation Second Chance. She and her group of volunteers have done so much to help the wounded at Walter Reed, including many Stryker soldiers. If you have been following the stories of Michael Oreskovic, Scott Thorne and Travis Majors, then you know what Cindy has done for them and their families.
Please follow the link above to learn more about her new organization, or to offer a donation. We will be adding the site to our Links Page as well.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 20, 2005) – Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained two suspected insurgents during operations in northern Iraq today.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment detained an individual suspected of insurgent activity at a traffic control point south of Qayyarah. Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment detained an individual suspected of insurgent activity during a cordon and search operation east of Tal Afar. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.
Coordinated efforts between Iraqi Security Forces, Multi-National Forces and concerned citizens who provide tips for Security Forces have resulted in a trend toward improved security. Anyone with information on anti-Iraqi insurgent activities should call the Joint Coordination Center’s telephone numbers at 513462 or 07701623300.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 19, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained two suspected insurgents and seized a number of weapons during operations in northern Iraq today and Monday.
Iraqi Police discovered a cache of weapons while patrolling in Al Hadr south of Mosul today. The cache included gun powder, ammunition, and several mortar rounds. The weapons and ammunition were confiscated for future destruction.
A number of new photos of the 1-5 INF can be seen at Getty Images, a few at Yahoo! News Photos and one at Army Images.
Army Images photo by Tech. Sgt. Mike Buytas, U.S. Air Force
The 3-21 INF is again featured in today's edition of Frontline Photos. Page forward through the gallery to see each image.
A few links of interest.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 17, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained eight suspected insurgents and seized a number of weapons during operations in northern Iraq Saturday.
Troops from 23rd Battalion, 6th Brigade Iraqi Intervention Force detained three individuals suspected of insurgent activity during a raid in Mosul. Suspects are in custody with no ISF injuries reported.
SSG Curtis Chekel is pictured in this 1-5 INF photo, posted on Army Images.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mike Buytas, U.S. Air Force
The 3-21 INF is featured in this edition of Frontline Photos, which includes a glimpse of baseball in Mosul.
I think we might know at least one soldier who attended this event.
Link to Full Article
By Brian Padden, VOA
Neither a severely injured leg, nor the fear of falling, will prevent Rosetta Floyd from learning to ski. She says it was scary at first, but it didn’t hurt her.
In August of 2004, Specialist Rosetta Floyd was injured in a mortar attack in Baghdad while serving as a U.S. Army medic. She recounts the experience, "So I heard somebody say, 'Grab her foot. It looks like its about to fall off' and I'm freaking out. I blacked out while I'm hearing this." [...]
The 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment has posted a number of videos from Mosul on the DVIDS site (approx. 60 so far). Rather than post individual links we thought it would be easier to send you to their site, where you can browse the entire list.
Link to Full Article
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Over the last 30 years, the Army has had units it called “cavalry” travel to the fight by helicopter, tank, Humvee, armored personnel carrier and even parachute.
So what’s the big deal now that they’re putting The Cav in Strykers?
No problem at all, said retired Maj. Gen. Robert Wagner.
Here are two new photos (one, two) of the 1-24 INF conducting operations in Mosul.
U.S. Army Photos by Pfc. Jory C. Randall
The last few days have produced a number of new photos of the 1-5 INF in Mosul. Check the following links to view them all. At Frontline Photos you must page forward through the galleries to find them.
Frontline Photos - April 13 edition
Frontline Photos - April 14 edition
Getty Images
Yahoo! News Photos
Link to Full Article
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
CAMP DUBLIN, Iraq — He was a soccer star in a previous life, the one untouched by war. He was famous among his fellow Iraqis, as soccer players usually were.
But now, he lives a life in obscurity — his face hidden behind a black ski mask when on the job. It’s too risky for the 24-year-old soccer star-turned-cop to reveal to the world his life as a member of the Emergency Response Unit, an elite part of the rebuilding Iraqi police force.
He prefers his new life.
The following letter was written by the aunt of SGT Adam J. Plumondore, a soldier with the Stryker Brigade who was killed on February 16th, 2005. She originally shared this on our bulletin board, but agreed to let us post it here as well. I know that many of the emotions she expresses so well are shared by other military families.
Thank you Aunt Lisa!
CENTRE HALL -- Army Spc. Christopher Swales has been upgraded from critical to stable condition at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, according to patient information available from the hospital.
Swales, 29, was injured in late March when Iraqi insurgents attacked members of the 25th Infantry Division's Stryker Brigade during routine vehicle inspections.
Link to Full Article
CHRISTIAN HILL, THE OLYMPIAN
FORT LEWIS -- It has waged war in nearly every U.S. military conflict, from fighting Indians on the Western plains to assisting the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
But the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, the longest-serving regiment in the U.S. Army, isn't resting on its storied laurels as it's welcomed back to Fort Lewis on Thursday. It was stationed at the Army post for a year in 1992-93.
Here are two new photos posted on the Defense Visual Information Directorate web site. A Stryker vehicle from the 1-5 INF is pictured in the first photo, while a 1-24 INF soldier with a combat camera photographer are pictured in the second photo.
Photos by Tech. Sgt. Mike Buytas, U.S. Air Force and Spc. Jory Randall, U.S. Army
I forgot to mention earlier that Steve Thorne sent a few pre and post operation photos of Scott and his family. He assured me that none of the more "graphic" photos taken by the surgeons are included. Gotta' love that smile.
Bobby Sr. (MSgt Rosendahl) has been posting updates on the condition of his son, PFC Rosendahl, in the comments section of a previous entry. The following is the most recent update I received via email. Bobby Jr. can certainly use our continued prayers and well wishes.
Here's an April Fool's joke involving the Stryker vehicle that Steve Thorne sent to me. Meet the M1126A Fryker Armored Combat Deep Fryer.
Here are two recent photos from Alaska:
The newly fielded Anti-Tank Guided Missle Stryker and Strykers shipping out at the Port of Anchorage
Photo by MSG John Pennell
A VA-based Army reserve unit is preparing to depart for a year in Mosul.
Link to Full Article
By ROB DAVIS, The Free Lance-Star
A Culpeper-based Army Reserve unit is deploying to Iraq to help train Iraqi army recruits.
Seventy to 75 soldiers in the 3rd Battalion of the 317th Regiment got their orders Friday. They will spend a year in Mosul, Iraq, about 250 miles northwest of Baghdad.
Link to Full Article
By EDWARD HARRIS, Associated Press Writer
MOSUL, Iraq (AP) - The command-center call crackles out of a radioman's set, sending U.S. soldiers racing for their Humvees: A suspected roadside bomb concealed in a green sandbag is in the streets of Iraq's main northern city and three cars filled with gunmen are circling nearby.
The troops speed to the site with guns trained on Mosul's traffic - a typical day's work for U.S. soldiers battling militants who have launched what officers call a northern front far from Iraq's restive, central Sunni Triangle.
Link to Full Article with photo
Submitted by
4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment
FORT BLISS, Texas –The Soldiers of Troop A, 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, known as the Assassins, did not endure another long cold winter in Fairbanks this year. They were busy training and executing their reconnaissance skills.
For two months they, along with the other troops of 4th Sqdn., 14th Cav. and supporting elements of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, screened the international border of the U.S. and Mexico in New Mexico. This mission was done in support to Joint Task Force North and to help reduce the illegal entry of transnational threats and drugs into the U.S.
This was a mission of many firsts for Assassin Troop, 4-14 Cavalry and JTF-N. This was the first time 4-14 deployed and conducted a mission with all of its subunits since it was activated in November 2003.
Link to Full Article with photo
Maj. Richard Rouleau
4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment
PLAYAS, N.M. – In mid-January, the Soldiers of Assassin Troop, 4th Battalion, 14th Cavalry Regiment occupied their first Forward Operating Base in a little place called Playas, New Mexico.
Playas is much like any subdivision in America except that it is not attached to a larger city. It was built by a mining company to house its work force and their families, so it has all the amenities that one would expect – a post office, a community center, a clinic, bowling alley, churches and ball fields.
What it is missing is the people; almost all of the residents of Playas moved away simultaneously when their employer’s business shut down. The structures themselves and a few nice people from New Mexico Tech, who now own the facilities, are now all that is left to run the town. To the Soldiers of Troop A, this became their new home away from home as they conducted training.
Plenty of information regarding recent events in the following entries:
Pfc. Joshua Pol of 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1-5 INF is pictured in this photo, posted on Army Images.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Mike Buytas, U.S. Air Force
Yahoo! News Photos and Getty Images have several new photos of the 1-5 INF in Mosul since the last time we posted these links.
Here are three new photos (one, two, three) of the 1-5 INF conducting operations in Mosul. These are from the DOD Image Gallery.
Photos by Tech. Sgt. Mike Buytas, U.S. Air Force
The following article regarding the transformation of military logistics was written and submitted by officers with the 25th Brigade Support Battalion, which is part of the 1st Brigade (SBCT), 25th Infantry Division.
We have another article from them that we will be publishing in the near future.
The following AFPS article highlights the efforts of an organization we recently added to our Links Page - GI-Bracelet.org. All proceeds from sales of its "For Those Who Serve" bracelets go to charitable organizations that support military members and their families.
Link to Article
By Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 6, 2005 – “Freedom isn’t free,” asserted San Diego-area businessman James Lee. That’s why, Lee said, he’s promoting the sales of G.I.-styled bracelets to assist families of servicemembers who’ve been killed or wounded while serving in the war against terrorism.
The silicon-rubber bracelets bearing the inscription “For Those Who Serve” go for $1 to $5 on Lee’s Web site. The bracelets are the color of the military’s Purple Heart Medal.
Link to Full Article
By Steve Fainaru, Washington Post
MOSUL, Iraq -- The two dozen Iraqi soldiers marched in formation into downtown Mosul, streets emptying in their path. The men trained their rifles on potential bomb threats: a donkey-drawn vegetable cart, a blue Opel sedan, a man with a bulge beneath his tattered gray coat.
Less than a month ago, U.S. forces patrolled these dangerous streets. But on this humid morning there were only the Iraqis and a lone U.S. adviser, Marine Staff Sgt. Lafayette Waters, 32, of Kinston, N.C., who blended unobtrusively into the patrol.
Greetings everyone,
Just a quick note to say hi and let everyone know that Michael and I are doing well in the high elevation. (those steps up the hills to get to the next building are killing me) LOL. Anyway, Michael skied yesterday for the first time and did real well. Tomorrow he hits the slopes again for his last training lesson before the races on Friday. (everyone one wins in these races, so speed is not an issue)
A memorial for SSG Ioasa Tava'e will be held Thursday, April 7th at the Main Post Chapel, Ft. Lewis. If anyone knows the time of the service could you please leave that information in the comments section?
UPDATE: 10:30 AM is the scheduled time.
Yahoo! News Photos has a number of new images of both the 1-5 INF and 1-24 INF in Mosul. These include photos of a Stryker damaged in a recent car bombing.
Getty Images has several additional photos, mostly of the 1-5 INF.
You can also view several of these same photos in today's edition of Frontline Photos. Start here and page forward through the gallery to find them.
The March 21, 2005 edition of The Freedom Post is available online.
You can also find older editions of the newletter on the archives page along with a variety of video clips.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Ioasa F. Tava'e, Jr., 29, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, died April 2, in Mosul, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Tava'e was assigned to the Army’s 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends SSG Tava'e leaves behind. We will add any additional articles to this entry.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 4, 2005) – One Task Force Freedom Soldier was killed, and another was injured by insurgent small arms fire in Tal Afar Saturday.
The injured Soldier was taken to a combat hospital for treatment.
The name of the Soldier killed is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The Soldiers of Task Force Freedom send their condolences to the family of the deceased.
A Stryker Brigade commander responds to an op-ed in the Washington Times with a letter of his own. This letter was originally published on February 14th, 2005, but I don't believe we've linked to it before.
I would like to respond to the opinions Col. Douglas A. MacGregor voiced in his letter to the editor ("Army transformation," Friday).
First, as a commander of a reconnaissance troop in the Stryker brigade, I do not view myself as the leader of a "SWAT" team, as Col. MacGregor describes Stryker brigades. No offense to the members of those great organizations, but the mission I am trained to handle is far more complex. I am charged with conducting "full-spectrum operations," meaning everything from peacekeeping to high-intensity conflicts. Stryker brigades demonstrated the capability to accomplish these missions on multiple occasions in Iraq.
Link to Full Article
MATTHEW COX, Army Times
SPRINGFIELD, Va. -- The Army's newest combat vehicle, the Stryker, is already being redesigned because of soldiers' complaints about its safety and performance, military officials said.
Several key systems are being redesigned to give future Strykers better mobility, increased protection and greater killing power, officials said.
Link to Full Article
By Steve Fainaru, Washington Post
MOSUL, Iraq -- Famished and sleep-deprived after a 48-hour combat mission, Spec. Rusty "Doc" Mauney shed his heavy body armor and headed for the chow hall. He was near the door when a booming voice halted him.
"Where's your headgear, soldier?" said the sergeant major.
Link to Full Article
By Lara Brenckle
STATE COLLEGE -- A wounded soldier from Centre Hall was scheduled to be back on American soil Sunday night, days after his actions in Iraq reportedly saved the lives of several of his comrades.
Army Spc. Christopher Swales, 29, the was in critical but stable condition Sunday afternoon, hours before he was scheduled to fly from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 4, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained 16 and seized a number of weapons during operations in northern Iraq today and Sunday.
We've had quite a few new visitors to the site because of Michael's recent interview on C-SPAN. One commenter suggested re-posting the Michael Oreskovic Fund information, which we thought was a great idea. Follow the link to this previous entry to find out how you can support Michael and his family during his rehab.
[Link to Full Article]
By Mariam Fam
The Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Fatma peeked out the window of her Mosul home and saw masked men lobbing mortars at a nearby Iraqi army base for the third time. She decided it would be the last.
As she telephoned to report the men, Fatma became one of an increasing number of Iraqis tipping off the authorities. Officials say it's a sign the country's fledgling security forces are winning the trust of citizens, turning them against the insurgency.
Link to Full Article
By Monte Morin, Los Angeles Times
MOSUL, Iraq - Iraqi troops on patrol with U.S. forces had just captured and cuffed a sniper suspect in this northern city when a bomb hidden in a box of biscuits exploded under an Iraqi army pickup truck.
Screaming and shouting filled the air. Four soldiers were hurt. Then the insurgents opened fire.
Link to Full Article
BY DIONNE SEARCEY, NEWSDAY
Malcolm Mead was dashing through Kennedy Airport a few weeks ago when he glanced at a television showing yet another grim scene from the war in Iraq.
Link to Full Article
By Steve Fainaru, Washington Post
MOSUL, Iraq, April 2 -- An internal U.S. Army report detailing flaws in a new $11 billion armored personnel carrier known as the Stryker has come under criticism from soldiers who use the vehicle in combat.
(Email from Steve Thorne)
Dear Friends,
3/28/05. Not much happened on Monday. We pretty much just sat around and watched movies. Scott enjoyed being home, but was in some discomfort from the surgery.
MOSUL, Iraq (AFP) - At least one Iraqi was killed and five wounded when two car bombs blew up almost simultaneously in the path of US military convoys in the northern city of Mosul, witnesses and a local hospital said.
TFF Press Release
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 3, 2005) – One Iraqi citizen was killed and two were injured when insurgents attacked their vehicle in northern Iraq today.
The vehicle was traveling in western Mosul when insurgents approached shooting out the back window and throwing a hand grenade inside. The injured citizens were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
TFF Press Release
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 3, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained 24 suspected insurgents during operations in northern Iraq today and Saturday.
Troops from 103rd Battalion, 20th Brigade Iraqi Army detained ten individuals suspected of insurgent activity during a cordon and search operation east of Mosul Saturday. Troops from 104th Battalion, 23rd Brigade Iraqi Army detained five individuals suspected of insurgent activity during a cordon and search operation in eastern Mosul today. Troops from 24th Battalion, 6th Brigade Iraqi Intervention Force and Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment detained three individuals suspected of insurgent activity during a cordon and search operation in central Mosul Saturday. Suspects are in custody with no ISF or MNF injuries reported.
According to news reports, Ft. Lewis has identified the Task Force Freedom soldier killed on Wednesday as SGT Kenneth L. Ridgley. Ridgley was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fellow soldiers during this difficult time. We will add any subsequent articles we find to this entry.
Link to Full Article
CHRISTIAN HILL, THE OLYMPIAN
Challenges faced in Iraq by soldiers of a Fort Lewis-based Stryker brigade went beyond their namesake vehicles.
A classified report that was leaked and made public Thursday notes design flaws and other problems with the eight-wheeled, 19-ton vehicles. It also provides a glimpse into the struggles of a unit pushed to its limits while securing a foreign land populated by millions.
TFF Press Release
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 2, 2005) – A group of Sunni Arab clerics issued a statement on Friday urging fellow Sunni Arabs to join the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police.
The edict that was issued Friday was signed by 64 Imams and religious scholars was an unexpected turn around for the clerics who have lashed out at the army and police in previous sermons. Clerics hope that integrating more Sunni Arabs into the army and police, which is largely composed of Shiites, will help cut down attacks.
In part the edict stated, “because the police and army are a safeguard for the whole nation, not a militia for any special party, we have issued this Fatwa calling on our people to join the army and police.”
TFF Press Release
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 2, 2005) – Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) discovered a weapons cache yesterday in Mosul.
In a separate operation after a tip from a local national, Soldiers of the 3-21 IN discovered a cache including 11 crates of 14.5mm rounds. Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 21st Infantry Regiment discovered a weapons cache in western Mosul to include 25 60mm mortar rounds, 1,300 14.5mm rounds, 145mm barrel, two AK-47’s and seven magazines.
TFF Press Release
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 2, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces detained 34 suspected insurgents operations Friday.
Members of 102nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade Iraqi Army along with Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery conducted a cordon and search in northern Mosul resulting in the detainment of 24 individuals suspected of terrorist activities. Multi-National Forces (MNF) detained six individuals suspected of terrorist activities during a raid south of Mosul. Soldiers of the 1st 1-5 IN detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activities during a raid in eastern Mosul. Soldiers of the 1-5 IN also detained one individual during a cordon and search south of Mosul. All suspects are in custody with no ISF or MNF injuries reported.
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Soldiers from two Fort Lewis Stryker brigades rushed to the defense of their 19-ton vehicles this week, reacting to broad media coverage of a leaked Army report.
The performance of the wheeled infantry carriers in Iraq was just one part of the report on lessons learned by the Army’s first Stryker brigade. The 120-page document was based on interviews conducted in the six weeks before the unit came home last fall.
But news reports this week that focused on flaws in the $2 million Strykers provoked strong responses from soldiers who spend long hours inside them.
“I have watched this vehicle save my soldiers’ lives and enable them to kill our nations’ enemies,” Lt. Col Erik Kurilla wrote in a letter to The News Tribune this week from Iraq, where he’s serving with the second Stryker Brigade.[...]
Link to Full Article
BY Bob Brewin
A satellite communications system, which Army officials cobbled together from commercial components before the Army’s Stryker Brigade Combat Team departed for Iraq last fall, emerged as the brigade’s most valuable broadband tactical Internet asset, according to an Army study.
Greetings everyone,
Michael and I are off to Aspen in the morning so I thought I would post a short update. He received the fittings for all his arms this week and everything went well. (He even has one to use when lifting weights and working out) ;-) John J. is itching to get back into shape now that his profile has been lifted.
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
ENID, Okla., April 1, 2005 – This north-central Oklahoma city has shown for more than 60 years that it supports the men and women of the U.S. military. And it wasn’t shy about loudly expressing that support at a rally March 31 in which Enid joined the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program.
“Tonight is about one simple message: To all our men and women serving in our armed services … America Supports You,” Enid Mayor Ernie Currier said in welcoming the crowd of nearly 1,300. [...]
TFF Press Release
MOSUL, IRAQ (April 1, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained eight suspected insurgents and seized a number of weapons during operations Thursday and today.
Iraqi citizens’ tips produced two weapons cache finds in Mosul. Troops of the 106th Battalion, 21st Brigade Iraqi Army seized six artillery rounds west of Mosul Thursday after a citizen had approached them to inform them of the location of the cache. A Joint Coordination Center call-in tip led MNF Explosives Ordinance team to a weapons cache in central Mosul Thursday. The cache included hundreds of rounds of small arms ammunition, three rocket propelled grenade rounds, and two bayonets. All weapons and ammunition were seized for future destruction.
Troops from 107th Battalion, 22nd Brigade Iraqi Army and Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment detained two individuals suspected of insurgent activity during a cordon and search operation south of Mosul today. Suspects are in custody with no ISF or MNF injuries reported.
SEATTLE - The last major group of Washington National Guard soldiers assigned to the 81st Brigade returned to Fort Lewis on Thursday after a yearlong deployment in Iraq.
About 107 supply and maintenance soldiers with the 81st Brigade Combat Team flew into McChord Air Force Base, then in the afternoon were treated to a welcome home ceremony at the adjacent Army post 45 miles south of Seattle.
The soldiers are assigned to the brigade's Headquarters and Headquarters Company. While other units have been returning since February, these soldiers remained in Iraq to prepare heavy equipment such as trucks and tanks for transport back to the United States, Master Sgt. Jeff Clayton said.[...]