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I guess I know where I'll make my next sporting goods purchase.
LAKEWOOD, Wash. -- A soldiers-and-family fund at Fort Lewis will receive a $10,000 donation from G.I. Joe's stores.
The check will be given to the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division's soldiers-and-family fund in a ceremony at the Lakewood G.I. Joe's store.
Additional information from The News Tribune
Dave Doyle has posted a dispatch from his friend, who happens to be a sergeant with the 1/25 SBCT, on his website. Apparently this might be a recurring feature, so we'll keep an eye out for new entries.
Link to Full Article
By Jim Maceda, NBC News
QAYYARAH, Iraq — On a recent day, some of the 2,000 soldiers of the 1st Iraqi Army Brigade patrolled a violent neighborhood in West Baghdad, while more than 200 miles to the north, soldiers of the 1,500-strong 3rd Iraqi Army Brigade were on a raid near Mosul.
They represent two different Iraqi units and both are backed by the U.S military. The 1st Iraqi Army Brigade works with the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division in Baghdad and 3rd Iraqi Army Brigade trains and works with U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division near Mosul. [...]
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 29, 2005) – Four Iraqi civilians, including one child, were killed and another 21 injured when terrorists conducted a mortar attack on a neighborhood in Tal Afar Tuesday night. The injured civilians were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Terrorists continue to disregard the health and safety of Iraqi citizens. A number of terrorist attacks over the past three days have killed 22 and injured another 32 Iraqi civilians in northern Iraq. These attacks have directly targeted and disregarded civilian lives.
Link to Full Article with 2 photos
Link to a third photo
John Pennell
Fort Richardson PAO
ANCHORAGE – Thirty-three 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment Soldiers volunteered to go the distance in this year’s Mayor’s Midnight Sun Marathon, a grueling 26.2-mile race from Bartlett High School across Anchorage to the finish line at West High School. Thirty-two Soldiers finished the race June 18 – five finished in under four hours.
Link to Full Article with Photo
PAO staff report
WASHINGTON – The Army announced the 172nd Brigade Support Battalion Forward Distribution Point as the winner of this year’s Chief of Staff, Army, Combined Logistics Excellence Award, in the category of Supply Excellence. The FDP competed in the large warehouse category against warehouses all over the Army.
Fox News will broadcast its second story from Mosul featuring 1-24 INF tonight during the Special Report program. The segment discusses the training of the Iraqi Army, and will air sometime during the 6 PM EST (3 PM PST) hour. It will be replayed 8 hours later in all time zones.
UPDATE: We changed the broadcast time listed above - it is now correct. Additionally, the replay might be on at a different time in your area. As always, it is probably best to check your local listings.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 27, 2005) – Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom killed one terrorist, injured two terrorists, detained 11 suspected terrorists, and seized three weapons caches during operations in northern Iraq today and Sunday.
Soldiers from 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment were attacked by terrorists with small arms fire while patrolling in Tal Afar today. They returned fire killing one terrorist and injuring another two. The injured terrorists will be detained following treatment.
There are two Iraq news summaries worth browsing this morning.
Soldiers from the 3/2 & 1/25 SBCTs are featured in the following article from Michael Gilbert.
Link to Full Article
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
New recruits are hard to find, but the Army is having no trouble persuading the soldiers it already has to stick around.
They’re re-enlisting at rates well above the Army’s goal for this fiscal year, attracted by a mix of tax-free bonuses, educational opportunities and other benefits. Many are re-upping under stability plans that allow them and their families to stay at one installation for several years, rather than cope with the constant moves that typically are part of military life.
There are two new entries at the 1/25 SBCT Life in Mosul, Iraq blog.
The TFF public affairs team has published its June edition of The Freedom Post (PDF file), which includes a variety of articles. It has also posted a number of video stories online as part of The Stallion Report.
Embedded reporter W.S. Wilson has published the following interview with COL Robert Brown, commander of the 1/25 SBCT in Mosul.
BY W.S. WILSON, Editor, The Sentinel
Col. Robert Brown, a strapping West Pointer, is in charge of U.S. Army operations in and around Mosul, Iraq. The Indiana National Guard 113th Engineering Battalion is one of the units he directs.
This interview was conducted in Brown’s office, located in one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces. The U.S. Army now calls the complex Forward Operation Base Courage.
Sentinel editor W.S. Wilson spent three weeks embedded with the 113th, which is based in northern Indiana and about halfway through what is expected to be a year-long tour of duty in and around Mosul.
For those of you that were unable to see the documentary Gunner Palace in the theater, it will be available on DVD this Tuesday, June 28th. To learn more about the film you can read some of our previous entries.
We received notice that Fox News will broadcast a story from Mosul featuring Alpha Company, 1-24 INF during the 7pm EST (4 pm PST) hour tonight. The story is called "Operation Blackhills". If you miss the story it will be repeated again 8 hours later in all time zones.
Jane, a Stryker mom, sent the following photos and description of her boyfriend's race car that she decorated to honor her son and his fellow soldiers deployed to Iraq. Thanks!
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 23, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces detained nine suspected terrorists during operations in northern Iraq today.
Troops from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division Iraqi Army alongside troops from 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade Iraqi Intervention Force and 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade Iraqi Commandoes detained seven individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation in western Mosul. IA troops from the 2nd Brigade also detained one individual suspected of terrorist activity during a raid in central Mosul. IIF troops from the 1-3rd detained one individual suspected of terrorist activity during a raid in western Mosul. Suspects are in custody with no ISF injuries reported.
Concerned Iraqi citizens continue to provide valuable information leading to the detention of terrorists. Coordinated efforts of Iraqi Security Forces are leading to the arrest of terrorists and criminals responsible for attacks against innocent Iraqi citizens. Anyone with information on anti-Iraqi insurgent activities should call the Joint Coordination Center’s telephone numbers at 513462 or 07701623300.
After a year in war-torn Iraq as an international police liaison officer, Manteca resident Gerald Krein came home with a civilian version of a Bronze Star for valor and a Purple Heart.
Cold comfort for saving the lives of more than three-dozen American soldiers and Iraqi police officers from a crazed suicide bomber in Mosul in an incident that happened just last month.
And colder comfort still for the memory of seven American soldiers from Ft. Lewis, Wash., who have protected him while he was there and whom he had befriended. Six of them perished in one of the deadliest suicide bombings that rocked Iraq during the months leading to the elections in January when a suicide bomber blew himself up inside a military mess hall in Mosul where American and Iraqi solders were getting ready to eat. The seventh soldier from the same military outfit lost his life in January.[...]
TFF Press Release
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 23, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom detained 21 suspected terrorists and seized two weapons caches during operations in northern Iraq Wednesday.
Troops from 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade Iraqi Intervention Force detained eight individuals suspected of terrorist activity during two operations in western Mosul. Suspects are in custody with no ISF injuries reported.
Winds of Change has published a number of recent entries that might be of interest to you:
The 1/25 SBCT Life blog posted a number of new entries today.
Link to Full Article
By Lara Brenckle
CENTRE HALL -- In the alternate reality that is Iraq, Army Spc. Christopher Swales knew everything was OK if he could hear bullets zinging and guns firing as he patrolled the northern city of Mosul.
"It's when you don't hear it that you worry," Swales said.
The bullet that pierced his leg during an insurgent attack that thundered around him one March day was silent.
It didn't even hurt, Swales said. He looked down in time to see his left leg split open. "Oh, that's not good," he thought.
Link to Full Article
MATT MISTEREK; The News Tribune
MOSUL, Iraq – A convoy of Strykers was making a beeline for one of the busiest crossroads in the city, rushing to the aid of some cavalrymen who’d hit a roadside bomb near the infamous Yarmouk Traffic Circle.
But the explosion was small, and by the time Capt. Scott Cheney and his soldiers arrived, the cavalry vehicle had already started back to base.
After a busy morning, Cheney’s troops were ready to turn around and head home, too – until they spotted a black column of smoke rising about 500 meters west of the traffic circle.
A fuel tanker was on fire, the second of the day and the third in two days.
The 28-year-old officer from Lacey, suddenly thrown into the role of arson investigator, led his soldiers to the plume. They walked building to building in an industrial area, looking for witnesses while Iraqi fire crews doused the flaming truck cab.[...]
Link to Full Article
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Fort Lewis troops have captured one of the most wanted terrorist leaders in Iraq, officials said.
Muhammad Khalaf Shakara, also known as Abu Talha, directed hundreds of bombings and other attacks on American and Iraqi soldiers as well as on Iraqi government officials and facilities, Stryker brigade and other U.S. military officials said.
His capture Tuesday in a quiet neighborhood in Mosul is the biggest blow to the insurgency since U.S. troops killed Saddam Hussein’s sons Uday and Qusay in 2003, said Lt. Col. David Spencer, intelligence officer with the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.[...]
By Richard A. Oppel Jr. The New York Times
Link to Full Article
TAL AFAR, Iraq Nine months ago the U.S. military laid siege to this city in northwestern Iraq and proclaimed it freed from the grip of insurgents. Last month, the Americans returned in force to reclaim it once again.
After the battle here in September, the military left behind fewer than 500 troops to patrol a huge region. With so few soldiers and the local police force in shambles, insurgents came back and turned Tal Afar, a dusty, agrarian city of about 200,000 people, into a way station for the trafficking of weapons and fighters from nearby Syria and a ghost town of terrorized residents afraid to open their stores, walk the streets or send their children to school.[...]
TFF Press Release
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 16, 2005) – Seven innocent Iraqi civilians were injured when a suicide car bomber detonated near an Iraqi Army convoy in southern Mosul today. The injured civilians were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
In the past two weeks terrorist attacks in northern Iraq have killed over 20 and injured over 30 Iraqi civilians. Terrorists have either directly targeted or disregarded innocent civilians during their attacks.
TFF Press Release
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 16, 2005) – Iraqi Police seized a large weapons cache during a search operation south of Mosul today. The cache included 120 mm rockets, over 600 mines, thousands of fuses and blasting caps, and over 600 various type rounds of large ammunition. The weapons and ammunition were confiscated for future destruction.
Concerned Iraqi citizens continue to provide valuable information leading to the detention of terrorists. Coordinated efforts of Iraqi Security Forces are leading to the arrest of terrorists and criminals responsible for attacks against innocent Iraqi citizens. 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 (June 16, 2005) – An Iraqi judge and his driver were assassinated today in central Mosul.
Witnesses reported terrorists in a white pick-up truck approached a Mosul misdemeanor court judge, Salim Mahmood Ali and his driver and shot into their vehicle. Both men were wounded by gunfire and were taken to a local hospital, where they died of their wounds.
Acts such as these demonstrate the terrorist’s unwillingness to allow Iraqi citizens to live in peace and choose their own destiny.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The U.S. military on Thursday reported the capture of a man described as al Qaeda's leader in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Donald Alston identified him as Abu Talha -- whose actual name is Muhammad Kalaf Shakar -- and said he was captured on Tuesday.
"Talha has been one of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's most trusted operations agents in Iraq," Alston said. "This is a major defeat for the al Qaeda organization in Iraq."
Today is the 230th Birthday of the United States Army. Visit the DoD website created to mark the occasion.
Winds of Change has publsihed its latest Iraq Report, with links to news and analysis of recent events there. Included is a link to Arthur Chreknkoff's extensive summary titled Good news from Iraq, part 29.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 13, 2005) – Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) and Task Force Freedom detained nine suspected terrorists and seized a weapons cache in northern Iraq today.
Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained nine individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation north of Tal Afar. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.
Link to Full Article
Peter Thompson
CARSON CITY - It was 106 degrees in Mosul on Friday with forecasts predicting highs in the 120s for next week. The shops were open, the people were out and all in all it was a pretty typical day, though, says Sgt. Donny Jenkins of Carson City, "There really aren't any typical days around here."
High-tech weapons systems like unmanned aerial vehicles, GPS-guided bombs and the hybrid Stryker combat infantry vehicle have done wonders to win battles and steel troop morale during the war in Iraq, but for many of the 150,000 soldiers in the country, there's nothing quite like an Internet chat with a family member to get them through another day.
Calling from the northern Iraqi city after a long day on patrol, Jenkins, 28, tells of how the comparatively simple technology of a web camera and e-mail account allows him to better focus on the military mission at hand.
By Ivonne D'Amato
Link to Full Article
CENTRE HALL -- A simple retreat into an air-conditioned room on a muggy day serves as a reminder of the little things to be grateful for as American soldiers battle scorching heat in Iraq, state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff said Saturday.
Benninghoff, R-College Township, spoke to a group of about 50 people who gathered to honor military members and veterans past and present at the Armed Forces Tribute at American Legion Post 779.
During the ceremony, post commander Carol A. Clark-Baney acknowledged post members who served in World War II and the Korean War and conducted a remembrance service for prisoners of war. Additionally, representatives from the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy recounted their war experiences.
"Our Stryker armored vehicle was hit by IEDs (improvised explosive devices) on a regular basis," Army Spc. Christopher Swales, 29, said of his recent experience in Iraq. "I had been hit several times and got scrapes and scratches. Each time I got hit and wasn't injured, I got more confident. I began thinking I was invincible."
Swales, of Centre Hall, was a member of the 25th Infantry Division's Stryker Brigade. In March, he was shot in the leg after his unit found a vehicle trafficking weapons during routine vehicle inspections.
The 1/25 SBCT public affairs blog has a new article describing a recent visit to an orphanage. Excerpt:
On 19 April 2005 one Platoon in 1/25 were tasked to perform an uncommon mission: to deliver several boxes of critically needed school supplies to an all girls orphanage school. My first impression after walking in was the look of surprise as the headmasters witnessed military vehicles, the big green fighting machines, drop ramp in front of their school. To any regular person, this would have left a very strong first impression. As the security perimeter was established, the men dismounted not to fight the enemy, but to make a connection with the children at the orphanage.
On June 17th Operation Homefront Washington and Sprint will be in front of the PX at Ft.Lewis from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. to offer to families and or spouses (in time for Father's Day) the opportunity to send a FREE 15-20 second video by email deployed hero overseas. There will be paper and crayons in case the kids would like to draw a Father's Day card to video or mail. There will also be candy and bottled water AND Seattle Mariners Ryan Franklin will be there in the morning. It will be fun and a great chance to boost the morale of your hero!
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 11, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained four suspected terrorists and seized two weapons caches during operations in northern Iraq today.
Local Sheiks turned over a terror suspect to Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment. This is the second time that Sheiks have banded together in order to turn in terror suspects to Security Forces.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lt. Col. Terrence K. Crowe, 44, of New York, N.Y., died June 7 in Tal Afar, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. Crowe was assigned to the Army Reserve's 10th Battalion, 98th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 98th Division, Lodi, N.J.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of LTC Crowe. We will add any articles we find to this entry.
Link to Full Article
MATT MISTEREK; The News Tribune
MOSUL, Iraq – It would have been so easy for Staff Sgt. Olene Togiailua to pull the trigger again and kill Abdullah Al Jabouri after the firefight was over.
Togiailua and his Stryker brigade buddy, Staff Sgt. Wilson Langford, spoke together that day in their native Samoan, adrenaline racing, both men struggling with the impulse to finish off the enemy fighter who lay on the ground with a bullet in his upper leg.
Link to Full Article with Photo
Melissa House
Army News Service
FORT BENNING, Ga. – Eye injuries represent almost 16 percent of all injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan since March 2003, according to statistics from the Office of the Surgeon General.
As a result, about 400 Infantry trainees and cadre are testing several different types of combat eye protection that might eventually be issued to all Soldiers.
Thanks to Jose Casillas for making us aware of the following event taking place this weekend in San Jose, CA. On Saturday, June 11th between 10am and 3pm at The Tech Museum of Innovation in Downtown San Jose, families of deployed service men and women will have the opportunity to create a free video message. The message can then be emailed immediately to their deployed loved one. You can find additional information online, and it is recommended that you register beforehand if you are interested.
We wanted to take a moment to recognize a few organizations that have been particulary generous to the soldiers in the Stryker Brigades, and their families. We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to visit their sites and learn more about the incredible work they do. Thank you.
Link to Full Article
By AUDREY McAVOY, The Associated Press
HONOLULU (AP) — The father of slain Army 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe said a chance meeting with the nurse who treated his son when he died in Iraq was "like being struck in the chest."
Allen Hoe and the Army nurse, Maj. Paula Coughlin, told CNN in a joint interview Tuesday they were stunned and amazed by their Memorial Day encounter in Washington.
This site maintained by the brigade has a number of new entries highlighting recent operations in Mosul.
The Task Force Freedom public affairs website has added quite a bit of content recently. Browse the Shout Outs, Stories, and Stallion Report sections for new video and print stories.
Link to Full Article
BY JOE DARBY
c.2005 Newhouse News Service
FORT POLK, La. -- The angry young man began his protest by beating a stick against the front of the huge Stryker armored vehicle parked by American soldiers on the edge of his village, Wadi al-Tarif.
A soldier warned him away, gesturing and shouting, "Back off, back off!"
As today is the 61st Anniversary of D-Day, please feel free to browse our in depth coverage of the 60th Anniversary last year.
Link to Full Article
By MARGARET FRIEDENAUER
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS - Patrolling an Iraqi village where the residents were wary of U.S. troops, 1st Lt. Jeremiah Ellis approached a group of villagers and, with a few words of Arabic and the help of a translator, started a conversation.
The villagers were impressed with the Stryker Brigade member's Arabic and even more so with his penmanship of the language, which values elaborate and elegant script. He wrote "May your hand be blessed" on the hand of one of the villagers.
Winds of Change has published its latest Iraq Report, with links to news and analysis of recents events there.
Michael Yon has another entry on his site describing his recent visit to a village near Dohuk, Iraq.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 5, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) seized a number of weapons and defused an improvised explosive device following an Iraqi civilians tip during operations in northern Iraq today and Saturday.
Troops from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade Iraqi Intervention Force seized a number of weapons from a suspicious vehicle while on patrol south of Mosul today. The weapons were confiscated for future destruction.
By 1LT Dana Scott
2-8 FA, 1/25 ID
MAKMUR, Iraq – The monthly Makmur Area Security Council meeting took place on May 30th at the Makmur Iraqi Army (IA) compound. Topics covered during the meeting included security, power and water, among several other concerns.
Thirty-two local leaders were in attendance, with additional military and police personnel.
By 1LT Dana Scott
2-8 FA, 1/25 ID
JAGUAR SOUTH AMMUNITION STORAGE POINT, Iraq – Concerned citizens continued to lead the Iraqi Army (IA) to weapons caches throughout the month of May. 2/3rd IA Battalion, in conjunction with C/2-8 Field Artillery of Task Force (TF) Automatic, stored several collected weapons caches at Jaguar South, until TF Automatic’s Explosive Ordinance Detachment (EOD) could reduce them at a later date.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A suspected deputy of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been captured in the restive city of Mosul, the Iraqi military said Saturday.
Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition forces on Friday arrested Mullah Mahdi and five other suspected terrorists -- Mahdi's brother, three other Iraqis and a Syrian, Iraqi Maj. Gen. Khalil al-Obeidi said.
Here is a photo of some 172nd soldiers returning last week from JRTC training at Ft. Polk, LA.
Link to Full Article with 5 Photos
This is the third and final article in the Alaska Post's series on the 172nd SBCT's experience at JRTC.
by Brian Lepley
U.S. Army Alaska PAO
FORT POLK, La. – At Forward Operating Base Blackjack 1st Lt. Jeremiah Ellis is sweating and the muggy weather has little to do with it.
One had to look hard past his sincere eyes and academic demeanor to see his discomfort. Hurry up and wait was the current order at the home of 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment. Ellis reassures the men and the two journalists that the engineers are on their way.
(Email from Steve Thorne)
Dear Friends,
Here's the picture of Scott throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the 6/2/05 Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres baseball game. The photograph is not to be reprinted without the credit "Photo courtesy of the San Diego Padres." This picture will likely also be reprinted in newspapers on bases where he was treated and in civilian newspapers near those bases once I get all their e-mail addresses and write the blurb to go with it, etc.
By 1LT Dana Scott
2-8 FA, 1/25 ID
ASH SHURA, Iraq – Concerned citizens continued to lead the Iraqi Army (IA) to weapons caches yesterday, May 29th. D/52 Infantry (IN) of Task Force (TF) Automatic, in conjunction with 1/3rd Iraqi Army Battalion from Misraq, uncovered two weapons caches near Ash Shura.
By 1LT Dana Scott
2-8 FA, 1/25 ID
UMM HAJARA, Iraq – On May 27th, the 1st and 2nd Iraqi Army (IA) Battalions of 3rd IA Brigade, conducted a combined operation in Umm Hajara, with Coalition forces from C/113 Engineers (EN), D/52 Infantry (IN), C/2-8 and HSB/2-8 Field Artillery (FA) Battalions, as well as the 2-8 FA TAC. Umm Hajara is located 45 kilometers southeast of Mosul.
Link to Full Article
By Carla Kelly, Times-Record Staff Writer
As his squad patrols in Iraq, Spec. Ebe Fornes, U.S. Army 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry (Light), spends his day at the office sitting inside a locked-down hatch.
He's the driver of a Stryker, an APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) that epitomizes the army's transition to a fast-moving, small-unit force - the kind of mobile army equipped to deal with insurgencies.
Link to Full Article
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
The U.S. Army had a lot invested in Spc. Phillip N. Sayles.
The 26-year-old infantryman from Jacksonville, Ark., was a smart guy with computers and was in at the beginning of the long conversion of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, to a Stryker brigade.
He took all the computer training and then taught others. He knew all the digital stuff and how to keep the networks running, and how to drive a Stryker and fight the 1st Brigade way.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 2, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained one suspected terrorist and seized a weapons cache during operations in northern Iraq today.
Iraqi Police led Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment to a weapons cache during a search operation northeast of Mosul. The weapons were confiscated for future destruction.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 2, 2005) – A number of innocent Iraqi civilians were injured during two terrorist attacks in northern Iraq today.
A motorcycle bomb detonated in central Mosul injuring a number of innocent civilians. The scene of the attack is still under investigation. A pregnant woman was injured when a terrorist pulled next to her vehicle and shot her in northern Mosul. All injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (June 2, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained four suspected terrorist during operations in northern Iraq today.
Troops from 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade Iraqi Army detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation in eastern Mosul. All detainees were taken into custody with no Iraqi Security Force injuries reported.
Embedded journalist Matt Misterek has a new entry on his blog. He's in Tal Afar with the 2-14 CAV right now.
Michael Yon has a new entry on his site, A Fork in the Road, describing a recent visit to Dohuk in Northern Iraq. There are a number of photos included as well.
(Email from Steve Thorne)
This just in...
Army Staff Sergeant Scott Thorne will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago Cubs v. San Diego Padres baseball game at PETCO Park in downtown San Diego on Thursday, June 2, 2005 at approximately 1900 hours (7 p.m.) PDT. The game will be covered by ESPN, Channel Four on Cox Cable in San Diego, via live webcast on MLB.TV (however you get on that) and possibly on WGN (Channel Nine) Chicago, which usually broadcasts Cubs games. There is no way to tell if anybody will show the first pitch ceremonies, as usually the sports talkers speak about the upcoming game through even the National Anthem, but if I get the chance, I'll try to talk them into being quiet for a few moments.
As I told my friends when Scott was deployed, "This gives the rest of the country the chance to be as proud of him as his parents are."
See you at the ballpark!
ST
Officers from the 3d ACR comment on the situation in Tal Afar. According to the article the 3rd ACR has taken operational control of the region from elements of the 1/25 SBCT.
Link to Full Article
BY TOM LASSETER, Knight Ridder Newspapers
TAL AFAR, Iraq - (KRT) - U.S. Army officers in the badland deserts of northwest Iraq, near the Syrian border, say they don't have enough troops to hold the ground they take from insurgents in this transit point for weapons, money and foreign fighters.
From last October to the end of April, there were about 400 soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division patrolling the northwest region, which covers about 10,000 square miles.