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Stryker chief: We’re ready

Dec-24-2006 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune

Fort Lewis Stryker soldiers have a new mission to go with their new home-away-from-home in Baghdad.

Unlike the six other Army combat brigades in the city, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division won’t be tied to a neighborhood or district.

Instead the Strykers will be on call for emergencies across the country, and will be a “strike force” to respond to hot spots as they flare up around the Iraqi capital, the brigade commander said in a phone interview late last week.

“That’s what they’re calling it,” said Col. Steve Townsend. “We’ll handle the tough problems.”

Townsend told The News Tribune the brigade faces different challenges in Baghdad than it did in Mosul. He said it’s a relief to be reunited with soldiers who’ve been split from his command the past five months.

And he acknowledged that he and some of the veteran 3rd Brigade soldiers had mixed feelings about leaving Mosul, the scene of so much hard work by Fort Lewis soldiers since the early days of the war.

But now he said everyone’s attention is fixed on the situation in Baghdad, where suicide bombings, kidnappings, crime and sectarian violence rage, despite the stepped-up efforts of the U.S. military since last summer.

President Bush, his new Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, and senior commanders are considering changes in strategy – perhaps a surge in the number of U.S. troops in Baghdad.

But the 3rd Brigade Stryker soldiers are there now.

“The soldiers certainly are not oblivious to the events going on around them in the news. They have Stars & Stripes, AFN (Armed Forces Network), CNN, Internet access. … They’re clued in to what’s going on,” Townsend said. “But I don’t really get the sense that anybody’s morale is affected by it at all.

“This is a life-and-death business we’re in, and you’ve got to be switched on every day when you go outside the wire,” he said. “People are very switched on.” [...]

The article continues.


Comments For "Stryker chief: We’re ready":

God bless our fine,brave and strong soldiers.May give them wisdom to fight our enemies. For us, We just pray and support them until the last one come home! God bless everyone... Eddie's dad 5/20.

Posted by: STRYKERDAD,PR [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 24, 2006 5:49 PM

Col. Steve Townsend - God be with you and your troops! My son is Scott Miller. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Wyoming!! May the angels of God spread their wings of protection over each of you! Stay safe... come home soon x0x0x Scott's mom.

Posted by: Miller [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 26, 2006 12:21 PM

My son Derek Durbin is in this unit and Hope him and all the men safety and hope that they all come home soon. I am proud of all of them and wish them all good fortune.

Posted by: Bob Durbin [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 26, 2006 1:37 PM

I pray for all of you daily. My son Matt Strong is in the 5/20. I'm so proud of him and all of you for the sacrifice you make daily. Take care and come home soon!!

Posted by: kblackwelder [TypeKey Profile Page] | December 26, 2006 6:42 PM

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