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MNF Press Release
TIKRIT, Iraq – Heads up patrolling and attention to detail aided 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team troops in capturing a pair of anti-Iraqi Forces cameramen in Mosul April 28.
The troops noticed the two men video taping their convoy as they conducted a security patrol in the city. As soon as the Soldiers began to move towards the camera crew, the two individuals scrambled in an attempt to flee. Effective maneuvering allowed the troops to box in the men without incident.
Written by Spc. Richard Vogt. 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq - Capt. Ainico Martinez of the Brigade Support Medical Company, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team wants to make sure that Iraqis have clean drinking water.
He and his team visited the water pump station in Bartalah April 21 to see if any upgrades can be made to the facility and if it has any force protection vulnerabilities.
Written by Spc. Yolanda Moreno Leon, 138th MPAD
MOSUL Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces received armored Humvees from Coalition Forces in April 2006 on Forward Operating Base Courage, Mosul, Iraq.
The vehicles are on loan to the ISF to help them succeed at their mission and to build the confidence of their Soldiers to effectively patrol the streets of Mosul.
Written by Spc. L.C. Campbell, 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq -Soldiers from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery celebrated an injured Soldier’s birthday with a day of fun and exciting events at Logistical Support Area Diamondback, Mosul, Iraq.
Corporal Frank Sandoval, 2nd Platoon, Btry. B, 2-5 FA, was injured by an improvised explosive device in August 2005, and is currently recovering in Palo Alto, Calif. Sandoval’s former Battery Commander, Capt. Tom Caldwell, Btry. B, 2-5 FA, put together a day of commemorative events to include a five-kilometer run, flag football, basketball, dodge ball, and a barbeque.
Written by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle
MOSUL, Iraq - Iraqi police officers learned the basics of searching and clearing houses on Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq from Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
The IP who will be patrolling the streets of Mosul are first-line security and most likely the first to search for anti-Iraqi forces and squash crime.
Written by Staff Sgt. Steve Duga, 138th MPAD
For Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Courage in Mosul, Iraq, it is not always easy to find ways to keep in touch with loved ones.
Being thousands of miles away from home is hard enough, which is why many Soldiers make keeping in touch with loved ones back home their second most important mission while serving here in Iraq.
Written by Staff Sgt. Steve Duga, 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq (April 21, 2006) – Stryker maintenance at Forward Operating Base Courage in Mosul, Iraq is more than just a common, everyday occurrence because of the rugged terrain and high optempo.
In an open-air Stryker motor pool with only a tin roof canopy to shield the mechanics from the Iraq sun, Pfc. Michael Wilson, a Stryker mechanic, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and native of Covington, Ga., works to keep Strykers running.
Written by Staff Sgt. Steve Duga, 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq - Leishmaniasis, a sand fly parasite that could have drastic effects on Soldiers at the Forward Operating Bases in the Mosul, Iraq region, but can be prevented with proper procedures prescribed by local Medcoms.
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the protozoa of the leishmania species, which is transmitted by the bite of a female sand fly.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Raymond L. Henry, 21, of Anaheim, Calif, died on April 25 in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Henry was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers. We will add any subsequent articles we find to this entry.
Written by Spc. L.C. Campbell, 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq - Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team started teaching the Iraqi Basic and Advanced Marksmanship Course at Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq.
The seven day class educates Iraqi Security Forces on marksmanship fundamentals so they have more confidence and continue their mission with little support from U.S. forces.
Link to Full Article
By CHRIS TALBOTT, Staff Writer
A roadside bomb killed a U.S. Army soldier based at the Fort Wainwright Army Post during a patrol in Iraq, according to the military.
The soldier was a member of the 172nd Stryker Combat Team, but his name and unit were withheld and won't be released until this afternoon.
Written by Spc. L.C. Campbell, 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq - Soldiers deployed to Mosul, Iraq are documenting their deployment through the use of digital cameras on Forward Operating Base Courage.
Capt. Joe Vanty, Platoon leader, Company C, 2nd Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, has discovered the importance of documenting his deployment.
SGT Joseph Sanchez used to provide us with daily press releases from Mosul as part of Task Force Olympia. He recently conducted an interview with CBS Radio that was broadcast nationally. In it he talks about his time in Iraq.
Provided below is a link to an .mp3 audio file. The best way to listen is to right-click on the link and select "Save Target as..." from the menu. This will save the file to your computer.
SGT Sanchez Interview (.mp3 file, 3.5 MB)
Link to Full Excerpt
By Scott R Gourley
As of early March 2006, General Dynamics Land Systems had delivered over 1,497 Strykers to the US Army with 2,575 vehicles funded.
In addition to three Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) combat deployments to date, 21 Stryker vehicles are now in test (10 configurations at two test sites) and low-rate initial production has been approved for the final two variants: Nuclear, Biological and Chemical [NBC] Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBC RV); and Mobile Gun System (MGS).
Link to Full Article
By John Schneider, Lansing State Journal
The temperature in Rawah, Iraq, routinely climbs past 120 degrees these days.
Add another 30 or 40 degrees to the interior of Sgt. Larry VanderMolen's Stryker, a tank-like battle vehicle.
It's no wonder VanderMolen sent his mother, Julie Innes of Owosso, this urgent plea last week:
Link to Full Article
JOHN MILBURN, Associated Press
FORT RILEY, Kan. - Joseph Powers was a typical Army brat. Born at Fort Knox in Kentucky, he moved as his father transferred from post to post in Georgia and the Carolinas until, he says, he covered most of the South.
Such constant address changes are well-known for taking a toll on soldiers and their families.
Now 37, Powers is a first sergeant, a medic with the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry and a potential symbol of a new Army policy aimed at allowing Powers and soldiers with families to focus on moving troops and equipment for air assaults instead of loading furniture into the back of a rental truck.
Written by Maj. David Albano, 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq (Apr. 18, 2006) - Soldiers of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team are currently distinguishing themselves as part of America’s premier fighting force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Colonel Michael Shields, Commander of this elite unit is a no-nonsense soldier who lives the warrior ethos and demands the same of his soldiers. He has proven that the brigade motto “Strike first, strike hard” doesn’t always mean by force. His soldiers know how to use force, when to use it, and the appropriate proportion of force that the situation calls for.
Written by Maj. David Albano, 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq (Mar 29, 2006) - After a twenty minute-wait at Forward Operating Base Courage, Strykers pull up and Staff Sgt. Eric Shadowens, broadcast journalist, 138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment climbs inside and wedges himself between eight other Soldiers.
The door closes and someone turns on the music box. The angry music of “Rage Against the Machine” blares and the Soldiers head’s bob up and down in rhythm to the music.
Winds of Change has published its weekly Iraq Report, with links to news and analysis of recent events.
By Susy Raybon
In December 2005, Stryker News published the story of First Lt. Brett Phillips (1st BN, 17th INF) at FOB Marez and SSG William Verble (278th Regimental Combat Team, formerly of FOB Cobra, Tennessee National Guard) handing out small dolls of color in the Mosul and Baghdad regions of Iraq. Both soldiers are medics and gave out the dolls while on medical screening missions.
On a recent medical mission, 1st Lt. Phillips, of Fairbanks, said there was a comment from a grandmother who had brought her granddaughters to one of the medical screenings for treatment: “Oh, the dolls have the same skin as Iraqi’s. That is so nice.” In Brett’s words, “It was pretty cool that she picked up on it. You always wonder but never know. “ A bond was forged.
Story by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle and Spc. Richard Vogt
Photo by Spc. Leigh Campbell
138th Moblie Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq (April 13, 2006) -The 101st Airborne Division hosted the first-ever Northern Governor’s Conference at the Palace of Spears at Forward Operating Base Courage, Apr. 12 for civil and military leaders in the region. Iraqi leaders discussed security and economics affecting the region.
“This is a unique opportunity for us to have the Provincial Leaders and Iraqi Security Force Leaders in one quorum to discuss issues about their individual regions,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Turner, commander of the 101st Airborne Division and Task Force Band of Brothers.
USARAK provides us several stories, with photos, of the 172nd SBCT in Iraq, in this Alaska e-post Iraq Update.
By Army Sgt. Dennis Gravelle
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq, (April 11, 2006) - Soldiers of 172nd Brigade Support Battalion, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, remembered Spc. Dustin Harris at a service on Apr. 11, at Forward Operating Base Marez.
Spc. Harris lost his life when an improvised explosive device hit his convoy.
“You have greatly made the ultimate sacrifice, and in my heart and mind there is no greater honor,” said Capt. Matthew Arbogast, company commander, 172d BSB. “You gave your life protecting your friends and serving your country, everyone here is proud of you and eternally grateful.”
Link to Full Article
By Christian Hill, THE OLYMPIAN
FORT LEWIS — Soldiers have welcomed the newest member of the Stryker family of vehicles.
The 2nd Cavalry Regiment recently received three vehicles that can detect radiation or biological and chemical hazards while keeping the soldiers safe inside.
Link to Full Article
By MEGAN BAEZA, Anchorage Daily News
A week filled with late-night campfires, torched marshmallows and ghost stories is the stuff of dreams for most children, but for the dependents of a deployed member of the military, it can be much more.
Operation Purple is a program of the National Military Family Association and offers a free, weeklong summer camp with a goal of giving military children who face their own battles with worry, fear and change the tools to face deployment challenges using positive outlets and camaraderie.
Link to Full Article
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Soldiers at Fort Lewis are learning to use the Army’s newest version of the Stryker armored vehicle, one that might be called on to protect troops from the nastiest of weapons.
The new Strykers are equipped with an array of sensors, collection tools and computers to detect and identify radiation and chemical and biological agents. Each vehicle’s crew of four soldiers, protected inside their pressurized truck, would go into potentially contaminated areas and warn others to stay clear.
Link to Full Article
By Matthew Cox, Army Times
The Army has fielded the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle — the latest variant to the Stryker vehicle series.
Soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash., received the first three NBCRV Strykers in February, according to an Army press release.
The NBCRV is designed to locate, mark and report NBC contamination on the battlefield. It can detect and collect contaminated material on the move and automatically transmit digital NBC warning messages to warn follow-on forces.
The NBCRV vehicle is the ninth Stryker variant to be added to the Army inventory.
Winds of Change has published its weekly Iraq Report, with links to news and analysis of recent events.
Link to Full Article
By Christine Morente, STAFF WRITER
MILLBRAE — On a quiet block of Banbury Lane, Donna Grogan sits filled with anxiety as her husband, Mike, awaits deployment to Iraq.
Across the street, Kari Macaulay is full of joy and relief as she welcomes home her oldest son, Kurt, a young soldier on a fortnight leave from Mosul, Iraq.
Link to Full Article
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — The first of 3,100 soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry (Stryker) Regiment and another 5,500 family members will arrive in Vilseck next month, the Army has announced.
The Stryker brigade, which the Army previously said would arrive some time over summer, is preparing to leave its base at Fort Lewis, Wash., with the advance party touching down in Germany in the second week of May, 2nd Cav public affairs officer Maj. Jon Pendell said Wednesday.
(TF BOB Press Release)
MOSUL, Iraq – Task Force Band of Brothers Soldiers discovered a large cache of weapons and IED making materials Thursday morning in Mosul based off a tip from a local citizen.
Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade seized more than 70 rocket-propelled grenade warheads, 26 mortar shells, more than 20 grenades, seven sniper rifles with scopes, and several thousand rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
The Soldiers also found 10 pounds of plastic explosive, detonation cord and various other components for constructing IEDs.
The confiscated items were transported to a secure location for disposal.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Kenneth D. Hess, 26, of Asheville, N.C., died in Rawah, Iraq on April 11, as the result of a suicide bomber attack while Hess was conducting a dismounted patrol. Hess was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends he leaves behind. This entry will remain at the top of the page today - scroll down for recent news.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Shawn R. Creighton, 21, of Windsor, N.C., died in Rawah, Iraq on April 8, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Stryker vehicle during patrol operations. Creighton was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
We'd like to offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends and fellow soldiers. We will include any future articles in this entry.
Link to Full Article
By J.E. Espino, Post-Crescent
TOWN OF MENASHA — At the McNamee home, tuning to television news for the latest developments unfolding in Iraq is secondary.
Because for real-time news and personal briefings, Lori McNamee and her two girls, Nikki, 11, and Liz, 7, can either exchange e-mails or do Instant Messaging and Webcam viewings with husband and dad, Maj. Dale McNamee.
Winds of Change has published its weekly Iraq Report, with links to news and analysis of recent events.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier, who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Dustin J. Harris, 21, of Bangor, Maine, died in Bayji, Iraq on April 6, when an improvised device detonated while he was conducting dismounted patrol operations. Harris was assigned to the 172nd Brigade Support Battalion, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers. We will add any subsequent articles we find to this entry.
By Sgt. Dennis Gravelle, 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq (April 2, 2006) - Col. Michael Shields, Commander, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team awards a Battalion coin to Maj. Sokoli and the Sixth Albanian Contingent for an outstanding job while deployed to Logistical Staging Area Diamondback, Mosul, Iraq.
The Sixth Contingent just finished a six month rotation that started in October and are handing over responsibility to the Seventh Contingent.
By Sgt. Dennis Gravelle, 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq (April 3, 2006) -- Saving lives is part of the job of the 47th Combat Support Hospital Medical Staff based out of Logistical Staging Area Diamondback, Mosul, Iraq.
Recently, after a suicide bombing at AL Kisik, their medical knowledge and skills were put to the ultimate test.
Written by Spc. Richard Vogt, 138th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq (March 22, 2006) -- Sgt. Eric Jackson, chaplain’s assistant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, has a passion for music.
He has a recording studio set up at Forward Operating Base Marez where he sings and writes his own music. He recently visited the town of Qara Qosh, Iraq, to advise the town on what style mixing board to buy.
TFBOB Press Release
TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Soldiers and police teamed up to rescue three Iraqi kidnap victims earlier today in Mosul.
A local citizen’s tip led Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, Iraqi police, and Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade to a house in Mosul. The combined force entered the house and found three local Iraqis chained to the wall of the basement. The joint force freed the hostages. No one was injured during the rescue.
Recent tips from Iraqi civilians have led to the discovery of kidnap victims, suspected terrorists, and weapons caches and have shown the increased trust and confidence in the security forces around northern Iraq.
Winds of Change has published its weekly Iraq Report, with links to news and analysis of recnt events.
Link to Full Article
By Charles Levinson, The Christian Science Monitor
MOSUL, IRAQ – Huddled around a map at an Iraqi Army base here, Iraqi and US officers hash out plans for an evening raid on the home of a suspected IED maker - the son of insurgent leader Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi's right-hand man, according to an informant.
The Iraqis are eager to lock, load, and get their target. They seem uninterested in planning. "We want to go now," says one Iraqi Army captain. "Or it will be too late."
Thanks to a current 1/25 SBCT solider, CW3 Matt Jones, we learned of the Hearts to Heroes 2006 motorcycle ride to support the troops held in Phoenix, AZ on March 25. He rode in the event and also alerted us to a special guest speaker, PVT Daniel Stackhouse of the 17nd SBCT. PVT Stackhouse was injured by an IED blast near his Stryker and is now recovering in the States. You can visit the ride homepage to learn more about the event and view a video profiling PVT Stackhouse.
Link to Full Article
By Paul Wood, The News-Gazette
A central Illinois soldier is in a hospital in Germany after a bomb went off near his head in Iraq on Tuesday.
Spc. Brock Siltman is undergoing surgery to remove shrapnel near his spine, an operation complicated by the wound's proximity to his jugular vein, said Joann Logsdon of Champaign, his great-aunt.
Because of the pending restructuring of Stryker units at Ft. Lewis, I'm not sure which SBCT is profiled in the following article. Thanks to Michael for the link.
Link to Full Article
By Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes
RODRIGUEZ RANGE, South Korea — Much of what the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team does would be familiar to soldiers from any infantry unit.
And the maneuvering and maintenance of the light-armored, speedy Stryker vehicles may seem old hat to soldiers with past heavy-armor jobs.
Link to Full Article
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
A lot of Fort Lewis units have made their way to Iraq and back, but none has endured as much pain – or attracted as much acclaim – as the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment.
The fortitude of its soldiers against a raging insurgency brought fame to the battalion known as “Deuce Four.”
On Friday the man who led the unit’s 800 soldiers through its trials in Mosul relinquished command.