Home » Archives » "Strykers keep fighting for Iraq"

Strykers keep fighting for Iraq

Oct-23-2006 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

By Margaret Friedenauer, Daily News-Miner

BAGHDAD — If nothing else, the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team’s move to Baghdad has put the first 12 months of deployment into perspective for some battalions.

“You don’t realize how successful we were up there until you come down here,” said Capt. Dave Bedard of Anchorage, with the 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment of the Stryker Brigade.

“Up there” is where the 4-11 was stationed before the brigade’s extension, about 60 miles south of Mosul. The unit was responsible for 4,700 square miles of battle space. Now it patrols about 500 square miles in an area around Taji, just north of Baghdad.

And it does so with a distinction unique in the 172nd Stryker Brigade: The 4-11 is built around the Humvee rather than the highly regarded Stryker vehicle, making it the one combat battalion in the 172nd that does not use Strykers. Yet its personnel patrol in largely the same manner and face the same military, human and social obstacles while making their rounds through their area of the Iraqi capital.

New vehicle, same attackers

Near Taji, the 4-11 has seen as many attacks from insurgents during its first month here as it did the entire 12 months up north. The 4-11 and other U.S. forces in the area saw a spike in attacks in September surrounding the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and a video released from al-Qaida leaders.

But in October, soldiers said attacks have dropped in this specific area by more than half, even though overall in Iraq the month has proved exceedingly deadly for the U.S. military.

“We weathered that storm for those two weeks,” said Col. Scott Wuestner, speaking from the passenger’s seat of a Humvee, leading three other vehicles along a four-lane main route through Taji dubbed Tampa. [...]


Comments For "Strykers keep fighting for Iraq":

Keep up the good work guys!!! Be safe and GOD BLESS YOU!!!! I am praying for you to hurry and get home safe.

Posted by: TE [TypeKey Profile Page] | October 23, 2006 10:58 PM

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by a site administrator before your comment will appear. We appreciate your patience.)

Advertisements