Al Qaeda in Diyala
Bill Roggio at The Long War Journal has a long analysis of the current situation in Diyala titled, "Al Qaeda establishes 'a haven in Diyala'". Since the 4/2 SBCT is in charge of the province this is well worth reading in full. Excerpt:
With al Qaeda in Iraq's bases of operations dismantled in the central Baghdad regions, Diyala province has emerged as the primary battleground between Iraqi and Coalition forces and the terror group. As the concurrent combat operations against al Qaeda in Baghdad and the Belts regions peaked during the summer and fall, al Qaeda in Iraq attempted to re-establish its bases in the northern provinces of Salahadin, Ninewa, Tamin, and Diyala. In the region northeast of Miqdadiyah, al Qaeda in Iraq has gains some traction. [...]But Diyala province has emerged as one of the most dangerous regions in Iraq, Rear Admiral Gregory Smith, the director of communications for Multinational Forces Iraq said today in a press briefing in Baghdad. Al Qaeda in Iraq has "found a haven in Diyala," Smith noted. The Concerned Local Citizen and Awakening movements, the tribal groups and former insurgents that have banded together to fight al Qaeda in Iraq, will be a primary force against al Qaeda in Iraq in Diyala province.
Soldiers Provide Humanitarian Aid for Iraqis in Need
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq – The Soldiers of 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., have seen their share of combat since deploying to Iraq in April. Raids, clearing operations and air assaults are what these combat Soldiers have prepared for and are executing daily in their new area of operation, Diyala province, Iraq.
But the Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment played a different role, Dec. 11, at Forward Operating Base Warhorse during a humanitarian aid mission to assist the citizens of northern Hashmiyat.
“This was the first humanitarian mission my platoon has run,” said Sgt. 1st Class Keith Sekishiro, 2nd Platoon sergeant, Troop C, 2-1 Cav. “We have been doing a lot of missions lately with the Iraqi army and Iraqi Police; not necessarily humanitarian missions, but assisting them in providing their own security in their towns and villages.”
Operation Raider Reaper Concludes With Tribal Reconciliation
BAQUBAH, Iraq – A reconciliation meeting between the tribal leaders of Khalis and Hibhib in Diyala province was held at the Governance Center in Baqubah, Iraq, Dec. 27.
The meeting marked the end of Operation Raider Reaper, a month-long campaign conducted by the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and several companies of the Iraqi army 5th Division. The operation’s focus was to clear al-Qaida and insurgents from Diyala province. The meeting focused on keeping the peace post Raider Reaper, ending sectarian violence and finding a means to bring displaced families back to their homes.
Operation Raider Reaper Clears Iron Triangle
HIBHIB, Iraq – Operation Black Hawk Reaper was a part of several operations that were conducted simultaneously. It was designed to clear an area of three villages, Hibhib, Al Hudayd and Khalis, known as the “Iron Triangle.” The operation included the Concerned Local Citizens program, an Iraqi police emergency reaction force and three companies of Iraqi army working with 2-1 Cavalry, 1-38 Infantry and Special Forces elements. This joint effort was dubbed Raider Reaper. Objectives were to clear the Iron Triangle of AQI presence, weapons caches and improvised explosive devices and leave the Iraqi police and the Concerned Local Citizens program in control of the area.
Helmets fixed with night vision devices roving left and right are silhouetted against the glow of night through the circular windows of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The high pitched screams of engines are heard over the rhythmic beating of the rotors, vibrating and shaking the helicopter during flight.
Operation Rock Reaper Clears Al-Qaida Strongholds
Story by Pfc. Kirby Rider
HADID, Iraq – A dim blue light pierced the darkness as someone yelled “one-minute out,” but the voice was drowned out by noise from the rotating blades of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
The helicopter, carrying Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, approached its landing zone near the town of Hadid, 65 miles northwest of Baghdad.
3 bodies discovered near Baquba, more suspected
4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq – Responding to a tip from an Iraqi citizen, Coalition Forces discovered a body buried approximately eight miles northwest of Baquba Dec. 28. Several days before, Iraqis had dug up two skeletons at the same location.
The body discovered by CF was shot in the head, and his hands were tied in front of him. It appeared that he had been in the ground at least a month.
The Iraqi citizen reported the site contained approximately 20 bodies.
Three purple hearts, and now home, safe
OLYMPIA -- Three times the enemy bombs and bullets found Army Sgt. Greg Rayho.
Three times the combat medics did their work.
Three times at home in Olympia, his wife, Sue Rayho, felt the sick feeling of her adrenaline pumping as she received the news, willing herself, and him, to stay strong.
Rayho, 30, an infantryman with the 3rd Stryker Brigade who led a team of four to five soldiers in Iraq, is a rare recipient of three Purple Hearts, the revered military decoration for those wounded or killed in military action.
Rebuilding Iraq by Vehicle Demilitarization
By Maj. Charles Rote, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Public Affairs
BAGHDAD – The Regimental Support Squadron ‘Muleskinners,’ 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, made a small difference today to the economic well being of Iraq. Dec. 21, 14 Iraqi workers reported for work as part of an equipment demilitarization crew. They will work in the Defense Reutilization Material Office yard reducing damaged and unusable vehicles into scrap metal which will be sold to an outside business and eventually find its way into an Iraqi foundry.
Since arriving in theater the ‘Mule Skinners’ took an idea to put Iraqis to work, and in collaboration with the Iraqi Business and Industrial Zone as well as Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, it began to come together.
'Ironhorse' Brigade Officer Reflects on Progress in Iraq
The following in-depth article recounts the activities of the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division's during its time in Iraq. The 2/25 SBCT from Schofield will take over their area of operations, so it makes for interesting background reading. Additionally, the 1-37 FA of the 3/2 SBCT is mentioned since it spent some time attached to the brigade.
When the senior leadership and soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st "Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team arrived in Iraq nearly 15 months ago, the security situation here was quite different from the one they now experience as they patrol the streets throughout their area of operations.
According to Maj. Patrick Michaelis, the Ironhorse brigade's operations officer, the brigade has seen a "phenomenal change" from having 150 enemy attacks per week for the first seven to 10 weeks in theater to having only about 10 significant events per week, now mostly involving the finding of weapons caches and improvised explosive devices, with only isolated incidents of coordinated enemy attacks.
U.S. Defends Soldiers' Actions in Killing
Apparently soldiers from the 4/2 SBCT were involved in this incident. The official press release from the military is linked at the end of this article.
By Joshua Partlow, Washington Post
BAGHDAD, Dec. 26 -- Two Iraqi men killed by American soldiers north of Baghdad on Tuesday, including a member of a U.S.-backed security force, were shot after one of them fired on the soldiers and the other then attempted to pick up a weapon, according to an account of the incident provided by U.S. military officials on Wednesday.
Military officials also said the soldiers, after shooting the men, placed their hands in plastic cuffs to prevent them from setting off explosives in a possible suicide attack.
The killings have angered many residents of Baqubah, the capital of Diyala province, and threatened to sour relations between U.S. soldiers and the Sunni force of volunteers they have worked with to combat the insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Soldiers share best possible gift
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq — They are separated by a 30-minute helicopter ride but in this war-torn country it might as well be a continent away.
But Sgt. 1st Class Francisco Ramirez and his son, Spc. Donald Ramirez, were given a special Christmas gift — time with each other at dad’s place.
On Wednesday Sgt. 1st Class Francisco aRamirez, 11th Signal Brigade, and his son, Spc. Donald Ramirez, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, talk about their experiences of being deployed in Iraq. Spc. Ramirez, who is stationed at Baquba, Iraq, arranged to come to Camp Victory to visit with his father for a few days. Suzanne Cronn•Herald/Review
“He called me a day before (Christmas Eve) saying he was coming to visit,” said the 45-year-old father.
Donald, 21, said “It was my unit who was sending people on four-day passes.” Most headed to Qatar, but the younger soldier used the time to be with his dad.
Coalition forces target terrorists in Diyala, Tarmiyah
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained one suspect today, during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central Iraq.
In continued efforts to disrupt terrorist activities in the Diyala River Valley, Coalition forces conducted two coordinated operations north of Muqdadiyah targeting associates of the al-Qaeda network in the region. Intelligence reports indicate the individuals are associated with the group that was involved in several fire fights with Coalition forces during operations on Dec. 12 and 13.
During one of the operations, the ground force called for occupants to come out of the target area, but they did not comply. Coalition forces then approached the target area and were engaged by enemy fire. The ground force pulled back to a safe position and called for supporting aircraft to engage. Coalition forces assessed that two terrorists were killed from the strike.
Street Festival Celebrates Reconciliation
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
BAGHDAD – Local Leaders with Iraqi security forces and Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers held a reconciliation street festival in the Saha neighborhood of the Rashid District, Dec. 23.
Local Iraqis as well as Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, and policemen from 1st Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division attending the festival witnessed an impromptu signing of a reconciliation pledge by Sunni Sheik Faisal of northern Saha and Shia Sheik Ali from the southern part of the neighborhood.
“Today over 200 residents from Saha met to resolve their differences peacefully and pledge cooperation for the future,” said Lt. Col. Myron Reineke, 2nd Sqd. 2nd SCR commander. “This is an important step towards improved security and a better life for all Iraqis.”
The event, held on 30th Street, would not have been held had the security situation in Baghdad not improved over the past few months.
Col. Ricky D. Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div. and Iraqi Brig. Gen. Abdhul Kareem, commander, 7th Bde. 2nd INP Division, attended the event to show their support for reconciliation efforts in Saha and surrounding neighborhoods.
Prayers go out to troops
By Stephanie Innes, Arizona Daily Star
Each day, Bob Vielledent wakes before dawn, walks his dogs and then goes to Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church to light a candle for his son, 1st Lt. Marc Vielledent.
Vielledent has performed the same ritual for 260 days straight. He began the week before his son left for Iraq. [...]
Sergeant gets extra time with son
UPDATE 12/26: Good news - his leave was extended and his son is doing better.
CHICAGO – In what was either a Christmas Eve gift – or else the result of a logistical error – an Army unit in Iraq said Monday it had decided to extend the personal leave of a Fort Lewis sergeant whose son is in neonatal intensive care in Indiana.
Sgt. Chris Williams, 24, who has five months to go on his second tour in Iraq with 2nd squadron, 1st Cavalry regiment, part of the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. He now has until Friday to report for duty, and after that he will be shipped back to his unit in Diyala province near Baghdad.
He had made sure his 18-day leave to Crown Point, Ind., coincided with the due date of his son, Gabriel. But days after Gabriel was born Dec. 18, the 10-pound infant got a lung infection that requires a respirator and constant care. A hospital spokeswoman Munster Community Hospital in Munster, Ind., said it was unclear when the boy would go home.
No let-up for Christmas for U.S. troops in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Christmas Eve, late afternoon, and U.S. soldiers from 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment piled into their Stryker armoured vehicles for a patrol out on the streets of Baghdad.
This is the fifth Christmas that U.S. troops have been out in Iraq, and commanders say the best way to keep morale up is to keep moving.
There are special dinners, packages from home, religious services and decorations around camp, but no let-up in patrols.
Far away, but close at heart
Families of 4/2 SBCT soldiers are featured in the following story.
BILL HUTCHENS; The News Tribune
[...] Eva Hart is taking care of her 10-year-old granddaughter, Arianna Hart, while Arianna’s dad (and Eva’s son), Staff Sgt. Ben Hart, a Stryker soldier, is serving in Iraq.
Ben Hart is with the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and isn’t as easy to get in touch with as Jim DeLapp. Eva and Arianna have gone as long as a month without hearing from him, but Eva said he is generally able to get through about once every two weeks.
“It’s very sporadic,” Eva said. “He pays a friend to use his cell phone. As long as he can, he talks to his daughter. When he’s able to call, he tries to call her to wake her up in the morning and tell her to have a good day.”
Coalition forces target al-Qaeda networks in Diyala, 12 suspects detained
I would assume 4/2 SBCT soldiers were involved in this operation, although there is no confirmation of that in the following press release.
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 12 suspected terrorists today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in the Diyala River Valley region and northern Iraq.
Coalition forces conducted a series of coordinated operations north of Muqdadiyah targeting alleged associates of the network operating in the northeast Diyala River Valley region. One of the targeted individuals is believed to be involved in terrorist media and propaganda operations and a direct associate of senior leadership in the network.
Bush hails wounded Pittsford soldier
President Bush visited another 3/2 SBCT soldier during his visit to the National Naval Medical Center last week.
Bennett J. Loudon, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
(December 22, 2007) — The family of a Pittsford soldier seriously injured in Iraq is hoping a hospital visit by President George Bush will aid in his recovery.
Bush awarded a Purple Heart and a Presidential Medallion to Army Spc. Kevin Mowl at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., on Wednesday.
Mowl is the son of Harold Mowl Jr., the superintendent and chief executive officer of the Rochester School for the Deaf, and his wife, Mary Mowl.
Sunni, Shia Iraqis March Together in Baghdad
by Sgt. James P. Hunter, 101st Airborne Division Public Affairs
BAGHDAD — Approximately 1,000 Iraqi citizens, of both Shia and Sunni religions, joined together on the sectarian fault line in Rawaniyah, the Karkh District of Baghdad, to march with one another in what they called a “Peace March,” Dec. 19.
It was an Iraqi initiative to ease sectarian tensions, solely driven by Iraqi Neighborhood and District Advisory Council leaders and Sheiks from both religious sects in the area, said Capt. Marcus Melton, commander and native of Atlanta, Ga., with Pale Horse Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
J.M. Simpson Dispatch
Simpson has a brief dispatch from FOB Warhorse. Excerpt:
The other day at FOB Warhorse, a five-ton truck pulled into the compound outside of 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment’s tactical operations center. Inside the truck were literally hundreds of boxes and letters to be distributed.A couple of soldiers climbed up into the truck; others formed a chain; and the unloading of the truck began. Mail for HHC, Alpha Company, Bravo Company and Charlie Company began to stack up into small hills of boxes, many wrapped in Christmas paper.
You could feel the excitement; it was a little bit like the excitement of Christmas morning.
“Isn’t this great,” commented CSM Richard Leirdhal as he watched. “Not only do families and loved one send these guys mail, but ordinary Americans who don’t know a single one of these kids pack a box up, address it to ‘Any Soldier’ and send it here. I think that is just great,” he added.
Army to Get More Stryker Recon Vehicles
C. Todd Lopez, Army News Service
WASHINGTON - The Army now has authorization to purchase 95 more Stryker nuclear, biological and chemical reconnaissance vehicles, in addition to 10 already in Iraq and several others used for testing and training.
During a press conference Dec. 19 at the Pentagon, Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Spoehr, chief, U.S. Army Chemical Corps, said existing NBCRVs have proven important for Army commanders in the field and that the Army requested and received approval to purchase more of them.
"The Stryker NBCRV represents a powerful tool for commanders to protect U.S. interests from weapons of mass destruction," Brig. Gen. Spoehr said. "And this month, after careful consideration, the Department of Defense gave the authorization for 95 more Stryker NBCRVs."
President Visits Stryker Soldier
UPDATE 12/22: A local news station also has a nice write-up on the President's visit with CPT Horan.
CPT Patrick J. Horan's family let us know about this photo taken yesterday during the President's visit to the hospital. Caption:
President George W. Bush visits with U.S. Army Capt. Patrick J. Horan of West Springfield, Va., at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, after awarding Horan a Purple Heart medal and citation. Captain Horan is recovering from a head injury sustained in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
CPT Horan was previously featured in an article written by The News Tribune about injured soldiers from the 3/2 SBCT.
Fort Lewis to grow by about 7,000
LES BLUMENTHAL; The News Tribune
WASHINGTON – About 2,000 more active-duty soldiers will be stationed at Fort Lewis during the next five years as the Army increases its forces, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
Now, 28,000 soldiers are stationed at the post outside Tacoma. The additional troops and 5,000 more civilian personnel will bring the levels at Fort Lewis to about 35,000 by 2013.
“This is going to be big,” said Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, a senior member of the House defense appropriations subcommittee. “We always like to go in the plus direction.”
Strykers prep for September deployment
By Chris Freiberg, Daily News-Miner
The commander of the 1-25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team confirmed Tuesday that the unit likely will be going back to Iraq next year.
Speaking to the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, Col. Burt Thompson told the crowd of several hundred business owners that the Stryker Brigade, formerly known as the 172nd Infantry Brigade, is training for a September deployment.
“We won’t be celebrating Christmas here next year,” he said.
US Army deploys 'non-lethal' Stryker in Iraq
The following is an article excerpt - you need to be a subscriber to get the full text.
The US Army has deployed a unique version of the Stryker armoured vehicle outfitted with an array of non-lethal technologies, Jane's has learned.
Don Jarosz, a spokesman for the service's TACOM (tank-automotive) Life Cycle Management Command, confirmed that the service sent three Full Spectrum Effects Platform (FSEP) vehicles to Iraq in October. The new vehicles are operated by the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division - a Stryker-based unit.
Fielding FSEP paves the way for future integration of non-lethal technology on combat vehicles. Among other things, FSEP is equipped with floodlights, laser dazzlers and a loudspeaker system. It is supposed to provide an alternative to lethal armament in 'escalation-of-force' scenarios around checkpoints and traffic control points. Jarosz said the FSEP would enable soldiers to accomplish their mission "without resorting to deadly force".
The US military has struggled to reduce civilian casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq, particularly around roadblocks and near convoys. Earlier in 2007, the Center for Army Lessons Learned at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, issued a new handbook on the application of graduated force at checkpoints. The service has also revised training procedures at places such as the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.
Iraq by the Numbers
The Long War Journal has a graph-rich analysis of the recent downward trend in violence in Iraq.
Soldiers Provide Humanitarian Aid in Diyala
BAGHDAD — The Soldiers of 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., have seen their share of combat since deploying to Iraq in April. Raids, clearing operations and air assaults are what these combat Soldiers have prepared for and are executing daily in their new area of operation, Diyala province.
But the Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment played a different role recently at Forward Operating Base Warhorse during a humanitarian aid mission to assist the citizens of Northern al Hashmiyat.
Home for Christmas
Army Staff Sgt. David Larson gave his mother the best present she could ever have this year, himself in one piece.
The twenty-five-old recently returned from a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq, including three months in Baqubah as part of the U.S. troop surge.
"Where haven't I been in Iraq?" Larson said, recalling his two tours with the Army's 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry regiment.
Study Faults Charities for Veterans
The bottom line from the following article? Do your research before making a donation to a charity organization, even if it's legit. One organization that I personally donate to is Operation Second Chance, which was founded by our friend Cindy McGrew.
By Philip Rucker, Washington Post
Americans gave millions of dollars in the past year to veterans charities designed to help troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, but several of the groups spent relatively little money on the wounded, according to a leading watchdog organization and federal tax filings.
Eight veterans charities, including some of the nation's largest, gave less than a third of the money raised to the causes they champion, far below the recommended standard, the American Institute of Philanthropy says in a report. One group passed along 1 cent for every dollar raised, the report says. Another paid its founder and his wife a combined $540,000 in compensation and benefits last year, a Washington Post analysis of tax filings showed.
Iraq vet ensnared in mortgage mess
This soldier is looking for advice - do you have any?
TACOMA -- Three months after he and other 3rd Stryker Brigade soldiers received a welcome home from their 15 months in Iraq, Sgt. Marcus Barton and his family might soon be losing theirs.
While he was away on his second deployment to war from 2006 to 2007, Barton, 34, his wife, Sarah, their two young sons and a third child on the way became caught in the subprime mortgage crisis.
Their small part of the American dream is a wood-frame $152,000 house bought three years ago for nothing down but with plans of fixing it up and reselling it. In the three months since he's returned home, the Bartons have been treading water while debt mounts and their credit rating plummets.
Stryker Soldier Awarded Distinguished Service Cross
Congratulations to SGT Williams. There's a related article linked at the bottom of this as well.
BY Spc. Vincent Fusco, Army News Service
FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska (Army News Service, Dec. 13, 2007) - A 1st Stryker Brigade Soldier who saved the life of his platoon leader was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Dec. 12 at Fort Wainwright for his actions during an ambush in Iraq.
Sgt. Gregory Williams received the Army's second-highest award for valor from Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. for what he did in a gun battle that ensued after an improved explosives device stopped his Stryker last year in Baghdad.
Photos: 4/2 SBCT
Blog-Ah! has a few new photos sent by J.M. Simpson, who is currently embedded with the 4/2 SBCT for the holidays.
Photos & Videos: Strykers in Action
News seems to be slow lately, but there are plenty of new photos and videos featuring Stryker soldiers at the DVIDS website. Just follow the links and work your way backwards through the search results.
Wainwright soldier to receive DSC today
Hopefully there will be a couple stories in tomorrow's papers covering the presentation today.
The Army’s chief of staff on Wednesday will honor a Fort Wainwright, Alaska, soldier with the nation’s second highest award for heroism in combat for fighting off an enemy ambush in Iraq last year.
Gen. George Casey will present Sgt. Gregory Williams of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, with the Distinguished Service Cross, according to a recent U.S. Army Alaska press release.
The prestigious award is second only to the Medal of Honor.
[...]
SPC Randy W. Pickering
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Randy W. Pickering, 31, of Bovey, Minn., died Dec. 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers.
Warfighters talk about what is, isn’t working in war on terror
Former commander of the 3/2 SBCT addresses intelligence forum.
FORT HUACHUCA — Intelligence providers and users gathered on the post last week to discuss what is working well and what needs improvement as the nation’s continues its war on terrorism.
Nearly 350 participants attended the two-day Intelligence Warfighting Seminar, formerly called the Senior Intelligence Leaders Conference. This year, the event was opened to other services and was attended by the Air Force and the Marines.
The Intelligence Center is interested in ensuring soldiers trained on the fort are providing what is needed by combat commanders, Col. Steve Townsend said.
Simpson in Iraq
Thanks to generous funding by Coinforce.com, J.M. Simpson of the Ft. Lewis Ranger newspaper has arrived in Iraq to begin his holiday embed with the 4/2 SBCT.
New crackdown planned in Diyala province
The 4/2 SBCT recently assumed control of the Diyala province.
By Lori Hinnant - The Associated Press
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s defense minister promised on Sunday to wage a new crackdown northeast of Baghdad in a volatile province where militants have been driven by the influx of U.S. troops to the capital.
Suicide attacks have killed more than 20 people in the last three days in Diyala province, a tribal patchwork of Sunni Arabs, Shiites and Kurds that stretches from Baghdad to the border with Iran.
Defense Minister Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi told The Associated Press that preparations had begun for a fresh military operation in the provincial capital Baqubah, about 35 miles from Baghdad.
“If we succeed in controlling areas of Diyala close to Baghdad, the rate of incidents in Baghdad decreases by 95 percent,” al-Obeidi told The Associated Press.
[...]
The comforts of home near Madigan
The following article profiles the Fisher House facility at Ft. Lewis. I know a number of Stryker families have taken advantage of the organization's housing at Ft. Lewis and elsewhere.
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Like a lot of Army spouses, Sora Oakes figured she’d be better off staying back home with her family while her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Don Oakes, was in Iraq.
So when he deployed in April, she and their son Connor moved out of their quarters at Fort Lewis and in with her folks in Tennessee.
That worked fine – until Oakes got hurt Nov. 9. He suffered a badly broken leg when a wall collapsed onto him during a mission in Diyala province.
Commanders Tell Gates Iraq Policy Working, Urge Vigilance
The Commander of the 4/2 SBCT is quoted at the end of the following article.
By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD - Field commanders deployed throughout Iraq gathered here today to tell Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates firsthand that the U.S. strategy in Iraq is working and to urge vigilance in seeing it through.
Gates called the commanders to Camp Victory, home of the Multi-National Force-Iraq headquarters, during his visit to hear about their operations. "I think he wanted to hear from us what we are experiencing out here, and I think each one of us told him we're having success in our individual areas," said Marine Col. Richard Simcock, commander of Regimental Combat Team 6. [...]
Reminder: DVD Giveaway
UPDATE: Deadline has passed. We have a winner.
This is just a reminder that the deadline to enter our DVD giveaway is 3 PM PST today (Friday). If you missed the original announcement you can review all of the details in this entry. Bottom line - we are giving away a copy of the new DVD Rescue Dawn.
First Impressions Are Lasting Ones
By Sgt. Mark B. Matthews, 27th Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – A new Soldier arrives with bags in his hands as he sits patiently, waiting for a representative from his new unit to arrive and integrate him into his new home away from home. Hours go by and he begins to wonder if anyone realizes he’s even here. From the beginning his first impression of the unit is one of doubt. One unit in Iraq, with a rich history in properly welcoming Soldiers with open arms continues the tradition and leaves no Soldier left waiting.
The 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment “Dragoons,” continues the long-standing tradition of the “School of the Trooper,” which properly greets and integrates new Soldiers into a unit. The program began in 1836 and has now made its way to Iraq and is ensuring no new Soldier is left in the dark.
Stryker soldier faces murder charge in shooting of leader
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
A Fort Lewis soldier has been charged with murder in the September shooting death of his platoon sergeant in Iraq, officials said today.
Cpl. Timothy Ayers, 21, is accused with killing Sgt. 1st Class David A. Cooper, Jr., a 36-year-old tanker and longtime Fort Lewis soldier who died Sept. 5 in Baghdad.
A Fort Lewis spokesman said Cooper’s death was the result of “a suspected negligent discharge.” At the time it was announced, the Department of Defense said Cooper died of a non-combat injury that was under investigation.
Scout Learns Arabic to Help Platoon, Mission
By Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
BAGHDAD – When Sgt. Jason Stisser, of Troop O, 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment found out he was coming back to Iraq, he quickly brushed up on his Arabic. That prior preparation has been benefiting both him and his platoon in their current duties.
Based out of Forward Operating Base Prosperity in central Baghdad, his unit, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, covers the Karkh District.
In a recent clearing mission dubbed, Operation Saber Sweep, the white and blue platoons of 4-2nd SCR, along with Iraqi army soldiers, went from apartment building to apartment building gathering census information on the area residents.
Explosions and rubble all in a day’s work
Be sure to click through to see the photos as well.
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
BAGHDAD — Trash, dead animals, concrete blocks and street rubble appear to fascinate soldiers from the 84th Engineer Company, 2nd Cavalry (Stryker) Regiment.
On daily route-clearance missions, the engineers roll out of Camp Liberty, part of a sprawling complex of bases connected to Baghdad International Airport, and drive for hours paying close attention to what they find by the side of the road.
“Was that Coke bottle there yesterday? How about that plastic bag? Is that a piece of wire running out of that hole in the ground? That’s really strange … weird. Let’s grid-reference that lump of concrete. Let’s take a closer look at that piece of half-buried metal,” the soldiers say as they make their way through traffic-clogged urban streets or along dirt back roads in search of roadside bombs.
Injured soldier marries in hospital
SMITHDALE --
A Mississippian who lost both legs in Iraq has married his girlfriend in a hospital-room ceremony.
Army Spec. Josh A. Wells, 21, married Brandi M. Clark, 19, in a Nov. 20 ceremony at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
Wells was injured in a Nov. 2 attack on the Stryker Light Armored Vehicle he was driving.
N.D. grad serving in line of danger
Robin Jack of West Fargo knows her son, Spc. Scott Coleman, is in an Army infantry unit in Iraq. But she suspects he doesn’t tell her some of the details about what he’s doing because he doesn’t want to worry her.
What she discovered the other day while searching military Web sites on the Internet might, however, make her worry a little more.
She came across photos of Coleman and members of his squad clearing apartments in Mujema, Iraq, searching for weapons caches and items used to make improvised explosive devices.
Stryker dad comes home to a big surprise
By Michelle Esteban, KOMO 4 News
LAKEWOOD, Wash. -- At first she couldn't get the furniture she paid for, but now, thanks to a call to the Problem Solvers, she has a living room full of new furniture and even more.
KOMO 4 News was there as a local military wife got a welcome home surprise for her soldier husband who's on leave from Iraq. It's the perfect surprise for his aching back.
Friday was delivery day at Alycia Anderson's home. A big mattress and box spring arrived. And the best part -- it was free. Anderson greeted the delivery with a huge smile.
The Desert Raider - December Edition
CORRECTION: The link we originally posted was to last month's edition. We corrected the link, which now points to December's.
The Desert Raider magazine is a monthly publication distributed by the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (SBCT) public affairs office. It features photos, articles and other items of interest to the 4/2 SBCT community.
Provided below is a link to the most recent edition. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to open the document, but it is available for free if you need it.
- The Desert Raider - December 2007 Edition (PDF, 3.47 MB)
