Iraq commander lauds 56th Stryker Brigade efforts
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Forces—Iraq Commander, Gen. Raymond Odierno, praised the work of 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team Soldiers following a visit to the Taji region of Iraq, north of Baghdad.
Odierno met leaders of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Unit March 21, while also participating in a patrol conducted by one of the 56th SBCT companies in Tarmiyah.
Odierno took time at the conclusion of a daily morning briefing to laud the 56th, saying the brigade “has done a very good job of picking up the fight” from the unit it replaced in February – the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based in Hawaii.
“I found the brigade and the company that was in that area to be very aware of its surroundings and to be developing good relationships with the Iraqi Security Forces - specifically the Iraqi Army units there - as well as quickly bonding with the community,” Odierno said. “It was a very impressive visit and they are on the right track.”
2nd SCR Articles
Stars & Stripes has two new articles about the 2nd SCR.
- Vilseck's 2nd Cav regiment set to receive M-777 towed Howitzers
- Soldiers in Germany compete to earn silver spurs
Soldier Fundraiser
According to Asbury Park Press a local VFW is holding a fundraiser this Saturday for a former 2nd SCR soldier who lost both legs in Iraq.
It looks as if Iraq War veteran Sgt. Michael Minard is more than getting by with a little help from his friends.Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4247 are holding a fundraiser Saturday to help the Army veteran and Keyport native, who lost his legs in battle last year.
The event will be held at the VFW Post 4247 at Third Avenue and Waverly Street between 4 and 8 p.m.
Funds raised will be used to reconstruct Minard's home to make it more accessable for him to move around.
Strykers renew partnership with Panzer Brigade 12
By Spc. Jerry Wilson (2SCR Public Affairs)
AMBERG, Germany (March, 15, 2009) – Members of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment (2SCR) gathered alongside their brothers-in-arms from the Panzer Brigade 12 “Oberfalz” at the town Hall in Amberg Saturday to officially seal their partnership during the Panzer Brigade’s 50th anniversary celebration. As a symbol of this long planned connection, both Brig. Gen Lutz Nieman commander of the 12 and Col. James Blackburn, the commander of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment exchanged certificates of partnership which signified the close relationship of the two units as well as the two nations.
“This formal act is not only important for friendship and cooperation,” said Nieman as he presented Blackburn with the certificate, “but also an emotional desire to say thanks you.”
“Thank you to the U.S. Forces for what they have done, not just for us and Germany but for the whole free world,” he continued. “Here is to the start of an extraordinary cooperation and friendship.”
Iraqi Army assumes control of COP Ayres
Multi-National Division – North PAO
Diyala, Iraq – The Iraqi Army assumed control of Combat Outpost Ayres from 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division during a ceremony held March 19.
Capt. Matthew Caprari, commander, Apache Company, 3-21 Inf., the unit that had operational control of COP Ayres, signed control to Iraqi army commander Lt. Col. Khalil Malik Ahmed, commander, 3rd Battalion, 20th IA Brigade. The official documents were signed during a brief ceremony, presided over by Khalil and Lt. Col. James R. DeMoss, battalion commander, 3-21 Inf.
“Today is a significant day for the Iraqi and U.S. partnership,” DeMoss said. “It marks the recognition that the Iraqi Army, specifically, 3rd Battalion of the 20th IA Brigade, is increasingly ready to handle more and more security responsibilities.”
“Speaking for myself and all my officers,” Khalil said, “we are very thankful to the Coalition forces for all their efforts and giving us the opportunity to secure the area. Today we received this COP; it will be a good start for the IA to get ready to secure this area and our country.”
Khalil said there are still obstacles in the way, but with the help of Coalition forces, the Iraqi Army will be able to solve their problems and sees his country improving every day.
“For us,” Khali said, “we will continue this partnership by training and supporting; for democracy and for the new Iraq.”
Baghdad University Gets Spring Cleaning
Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell
BAGHDAD, Iraq – On the first day of spring, Baghdad University College of Agriculture in Abu Ghraib needed some cleaning. Instead of brooms and dustpans, Iraqi police and U.S. Soldiers used detection dogs, shovels and mine detectors to sweep for unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices and weapons caches March 21.
In preparation for University Day, April 5, troops from 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, received reports that the area needed to be cleared before it could open its doors to the public for Baghdad University’s annual event.
“It’s almost like a college day open house back home,” said Mifflintown, Pa., native Staff Sgt. Robert Welfley, the private security detail noncommissioned officer in charge, assigned to the “Strykers”. “They think there’s UXO out in the fields and we need to clear it before University Day.”
Soldiers Don Keystone Combat Patch
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, marked another milestone in its yearlong mobilization, train-up and deployment to Iraq – receipt of the order for Soldiers to place the brigade’s combat patch on their uniforms.
The Pennsylvania National Guard brigade arrived here in late January and will be in Iraq through the summer. The Soldiers will wear a black “Keystone” patch on their right sleeve for the rest of their deployment. The patch mirrors the division’s Keystone worn by all 28th Inf. Div. Soldiers. Once awarded, Soldiers are authorized to wear the combat patches they earn for the rest of their careers.
“You should be very proud of what you’re doing here. Congratulations on earning this combat patch,” Brig. Gen. Jerry G. Beck Jr., 28th Inf. Div. commander, told Soldiers during a ceremony in which he placed patches on several soldiers.
Keystone Troops Get Out on Patrol
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, conducted a presence patrol in the Al-Faris area, southwest of Tarmiyah Friday, March 13.
“We were basically patrolling the area, showing our presence, letting the people in that neighborhood know we’re there to protect them,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Mergott, a platoon sergeant from Ridley, Pa.
“From my perspective, I thought the patrol went well. I’m a vehicle commander, so I was in the vehicle providing over watch and could see what was taking place.”
Prior to the patrol, Soldiers stopped by traffic control points manned by their Iraqi army counterparts. Company C Soldiers and Iraqi army soldiers routinely patrol through the village, providing security for residents and giving Soldiers the opportunity to learn about resident’s concerns. Staff Sgt. Michael Brown, of Exeter, Pa., said the Al-Faris residents have spoken to patrolling Soldiers about how conditions have improved.
“We did a presence patrol in the neighborhood to talk to some of the local nationals, to see what they need overall in the neighborhood,” Brown said. “Each time we’re there, it’s just getting better.”
Brown said many of the Al-Faris residents had relocated to the area from Baghdad, because of previous insurgent activity there. Brown said the Al-Faris residents who had relocated want only to start over and live quietly.
Tomahawks Train in SoCal
The Northwest Guardian provides an update on the 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT as it trains in California.
There are few places Soldiers can train that offer the realism of what it is like to walk through the neighborhood streets of Iraq. One place that does provide troops that heightened sense of anything can happen at any time is the Southern California Logistics Airport, formerly known as George Air Force Base.And 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, in combination with training at Marine Corps bases at Twentynine Palms and Camp Pendleton, took advantage of the vacant base during a three-week training event.
George AFB opened in 1943 and remained a vital base for Air Force training until it fell victim to the mass closures of military installations in the early 1990s.
Washington Times journalists train Diyala journalists
Multi-National Division – North
Baqubah, Iraq – Addressing complex issues ranging from journalistic license to the independence of the press, Mr. Richard Tomkins recently gave a media class to local journalists at the Diyala Governance Center in downtown Baqubah, the capital city of Diyala province, March 11.
A veteran journalist currently writing for the Washington Times, United Press International, and the Middle East Times, Tomkins has a career that spans more than 36 years, four continents, and a multitude of different publications across the globe.
Recently, while embedded with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, in Diyala, Iraq, Tomkins indicated that he would be interested in giving some media training to many of the province’s journalists.
Small-Scale Diplomacy
The Patriot News has a nice feature on Sgt. Frank Dubeck of the 56th SBCT.
Sgt. Frank Dubeck is practicing small-scale diplomacy through arm wrestling.The Penn State student from Harrisburg, who is serving in Iraq with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade, was surprised when he was challenged to an arm-wrestling match by the son of Sheik Nadeem, a local Iraqi leader. At first he thought the Iraqis were pulling his leg. But a group of U.S. soldiers and Iraqis gathered in a circle to watch, cheering and laughing.
After Dubeck won, there were hugs all around, he said.
"I think it was good for our relationships with the Iraqis, and it was a break in the monotony," he said by phone Thursday from Camp Taji, north of Baghdad.
End to Stop Loss Announced
The Department of Defense announced today a comprehensive plan to eliminate the current use of Stop Loss, while retaining the authority for future use under extraordinary circumstances. This is an important step along the path in adapting the Army into an expeditionary force.
The Army Reserve and Army National Guard will mobilize units without employing Stop Loss beginning in August and September 2009, respectively. The Regular (active duty) Army will deploy its first unit without Stop Loss by January 2010.
For soldiers Stop Lossed during fiscal 2009, the department will provide a monthly payment of $500. Until the department is able to eliminate Stop Loss altogether, this payment will serve as an interim measure to help mitigate its effects.
“Stop Loss disrupts the plans of those who have served their intended obligation. As such, it is employed only when necessary to ensure minimal staffing in deploying units, when needed to ensure safe and effective unit performance,” said Bill Carr, deputy under secretary of defense for military personnel policy. “It is more easily rationalized in the early stages of conflict when events are most dynamic; but tempo changes in this war have frustrated our efforts to end it altogether.”
The department intends to provide Stop Loss Special Pay to eligible service members until the point of separation or retirement, to include that time spent on active duty in recovery following redeployment. Stop Loss Special Pay will begin on the date of implementation, and will take effect for those impacted on or after Oct. 1, 2008.
Stop Loss Special Pay implements the authority granted by Section 8116 of the “Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriation Act, 2009.” The appropriation is available to secretaries of the military departments only to provide Special Pay during fiscal 2009.
Bronze Star for Stryker Soldier
Both the Honolulu Advertiser and the Honolulu Star Bulletin have articles regarding 2/25 SBCT officer CPT Logan Veath, who received the Bronze Star with Valor at the brigade's recent homecoming ceremony. From the Advertiser:
An ambush had been sprung, and enemy small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire rained in from multiple points.Capt. Logan Veath, a company commander with the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, helped pull out the wounded tank crewman, then saw his Stryker vehicle get hit.
"I started running toward my Stryker, saying a silent prayer, 'Please don't let my men burn up in there,' " the 31-year-old Veath recalled saying.
But Spc. Andrew Howard was on fire, screaming and running toward the enemy, according to accounts from the firefight.
Welcome Home!
The 2/25 SBCT had its official homecoming celebration at Schofield Barracks today. Congratulations!
Related:
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Comes Home - KHON2 News
Honoring success, losses (Includes photos) - Honolulu Advertiser
Community Welcomes Stryker Brigade’s Return From Iraq - 8th Theater Sustainment Command
1/25 SBCT Mission
Richard Tompkins with the Washington Times recently patrolled al-Abbara with elements of the 1/25 SBCT.
AL-ABBARA, Iraq | U.S. and Iraqi soldiers scouring the palm groves here for extremists' weapons caches during a recent patrol seemed to take in stride the announcement that the majority of U.S. troops will be withdrawn from Iraq within 18 months. [...]Added Army Specialist Steve Schumer: "I think there is still a lot of work to be done as far as leaving the country. I don´t know if they have the support structure to handle the country on their own. [But] with us now in more of an observation/support role we're in a position to train these guys a lot and pass on our knowledge more."
Sgt. Athab and Specialist Schumer are members of reconnaissance platoons that partner and operate south of Baquoba, the capital of Diyala province. The area is still a battle zone against al Qaeda and other extremist groups. The day before the president's announcement the two units were searching for arms caches and terrorist "spider holes" in deep and bone-dry irrigation canals near Baladrooz, where Iraqi and U.S. forces are conducting a major operation to root out al Qaeda and other terrorist cells.
Get Caught Up
We are just now realizing that we've missed a number of story from the DVIDS website regarding both the 1/25 SBCT and the 56yh SBCT. The best way to get caught up on everything is to head over there and work your way back through the Stryker-related stories. We're subscribed again to the correct content, so hopefully we'll catch everything going forward. While you're there be sure to browse the images, audio and video sections as well.
Tradition Lives On
Traditions live on in memory, by an act, a custom or handing down a meaningful item. Through the handing down of one particular rucksack, aptly named “True Blue Bobcat Cherry Lieutenant," 5th Infantry Regiment keeps the memory alive of the Soldiers who once served before them.
“I heard that 1/17 Inf. Reg. used a hat with horns and buffalo hair as their Lieutenant tradition,” said 1st Lt. Sean Raleigh, officer in charge, personnel officer, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Regiment. “I have heard of other traditions existing Army-wide but only have knowledge a few. There is evidence that this particular rucksack was first issued out in 1996, but the rucksack itself came with no written history inside it,” Raleigh stated. “It is possible that it is another version of an older rucksack that was retired or lost. The rucksack was found in a storage container late last year after the unit was deactivated.”
Why a rucksack some people may ask? Rucksacks are still used today by Soldiers just as it was when the Army was first established back in June 1775.
“I would assume [the rucksack] goes along with the foot marching traditions of the infantry,” Raleigh stated. “A rucksack being a vessel to carry many different items inside over time, it‘s like a mobile time capsule.”
Overview: Coalition Forces in Iraq
The Long War Journal has a very thorough overview of the coalition forces currently operating in Iraq, and how future reductions in combat forces will be made. Excerpt:
The number of US and allied combat brigades deployed in Iraq has been cut in half since the height of the "surge" in the summer of 2007, while the number of Iraqi security forces has nearly doubled during the same period of time.The US Department of Defense has announced the reduction of two more US combat brigades during 2009. The announcement also noted the withdrawal of the last non-US coalition combat brigade from Iraq. The UK 20th Armored Brigade starts its departure this month. The reductions will bring the total coalition forces in Iraq from 24 combat brigades at the peak of the "surge" to only 12 in the fall of 2009.
Iraqi Army uncovers weapons cache in Diyala
Multi-National Division – North PAO
DIYALA, Iraq – Soldiers from the 18th Iraqi Army Brigade, 5th Division, working alongside U.S. Soldiers with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, uncovered a weapons cache in Diyala province, Iraq, March 5.
The cache included 47 blasting caps, 36 pressure plates,10 pounds of homemade explosives, nine rockets, two bags of propellant, and two hand grenades.
The cache was discovered while Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces investigated a site where a cache was previously found.
“This discovery marks a significant step forward for the Iraqi Army,” said 1/25th SBCT spokesman Maj. Chris Hyde. “With every cache they find, Iraqi Security Forces become better and better at maintaining a consistent and comprehensive appraisal of their area of operations, particularly when monitoring historic sites for weapons caches.”
The Hunter, the Hunted
The hunt is on. An improvised explosive device detonates in the Diyala province of Iraq. No time for thinking or questioning, just training put into action. Without a second to lose Chapman calls his team to a halt, “turn it around,” he yells.
Sgt. 1st Class Brent Chapman, team leader, Thunder Troop, Company A, 5th Squadron, 1st U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and his team are hungry. Not hungry in the sense that they need sustenance but they are hungry to find the whereabouts of an IED blast site.
There are hunters and then there are the hunted, and these Soldiers are hungry. Today’s menu includes one IED blast site and one battlefield damage assessment by Thunder Troop.
“We got word from the Iraqi army or Iraqi police, I’m not sure which, that an IED went off and hit a civilian vehicle,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bland, squad leader, Thunder, 5-1Cav. “Even though the IA and IP are responsible for that - just to maintain situational awareness in our sector so that we have an accurate picture of what the threats are - we’ve sent an element to check it out and link up with the IP to find out what the deal is.”
Endgame
Col. Burt K. Thompson, commander of the 1/25 SBCT, is quoted in the following article from The New York Times regarding the situation in Iraq.
MAHMUDIYA, Iraq — As he returned to base here after a day patrolling a place once called the Triangle of Death, Capt. Landgrove T. Smith of the First Battalion, 63rd Armor, summarized the war in Iraq in a way that would once have been unthinkable.“We’re in the endgame now,” he said. [...]
More than 140,000 American troops remain in Iraq — more than the level before President Bush’s “surge” in 2007 — and the still unanswerable question is what kind of Iraq will be left behind when most of them are gone.
“What is good enough in Iraq, to say that we can pull out in 18, 19 months?” asked Col. Burt K. Thompson, commander of the First Stryker Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division at Forward Operation Base Warhorse in Diyala.
It's Official
The DoD just announced that the 4/2 SBCT our of Ft. Lewis, WA will deploy to Iraq next fall in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Department of Defense announced today that 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, based in Ft. Lewis, Wash., will deploy in the fall of 2009 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The brigade consists of approximately 4,000 personnel and will deploy as a replacement unit for a formation currently operating in Iraq. Its deployment will provide commanders in Iraq the flexibility to maintain the appropriate level of effort based on their assessment of the security situation on the ground.
Related:
Fourth Fort Lewis unit to deploy - KOMO 4 News
4th Brigade to deploy in fall from Fort Lewis - The Olympian
4000 from 4th SBCT to deploy to Iraq - Army Times
Preparing for Afghanistan - Northwest Guardian
4th Brigade’s deployment adjusted for early autumn - Northwest Guardian
