TNT Outlines Stryker Role in Iraqi Elections
South Sound soldiers work behind the scenes in election - The News Tribune
American troops should be out of sight from polling places today as Iraqis elect a parliament for the second time since the fall of Saddam Hussein. But Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers are working behind the scenes throughout the country.From Baghdad to Basra to Diyala, many of the 12,000 troops from Lewis-McChord have trained Iraqi soldiers to secure today’s polling. They also will provide support and remain on call to intervene in any attacks.
For many troops, the majority of whom arrived in Iraq last year, today’s election is the climactic event of their 12-month deployment.
Recent Stryker Articles on DVIDS
DVIDS has a number of recent article re: the Stryker Brigades.
- Signal Soldiers Provide a Different Type of Communication
- Small Gift Creates Hope for a Better Future
- Signal Soldiers Have Unique Opportunity
- Security paved way to successful Iraqi elections; leaders pleased
- Frontline Soldiers operate Warhorse Woodshop
- 296th Brigade Support Battalion Holds Mass Graduation
- 1-38 provide defensive support for Iraqi elections
- Raider Brigade witnesses hard work pay off as Iraqis head to polls
On Point: 3/2 SBCT Newsletter
"On Point" is a monthly newsletter produced by the 3/2 SBCT, which is currently deployed to Iraq. Read the March edition here: On Point.
Task Force Wings Conduct a Large-scale Partnered Air Assault
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – By 7:50 a.m. helicopters inserted the last of more than 300 Iraqi security forces and U.S. Soldiers into the morning's objective – four towns along a seam of territory spanning Iraq's northern provinces of Diyala and Salah ad-Din.
Five hours later, the combined air assault, Operation "Tomahawk Condor," was mission complete having confiscated six illegal weapons and detaining four suspected terrorists.
Approximately 100 Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 19th Iraqi Army Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, and more than 200 Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, conducted the Iraqi-led air assault mission from Contingency Operating Location Grizzly, Diyala province, Iraq, Feb 17.
Combat Outpost Cobra
Another article from The News Tribune re: the 3/2 SBCT, Primitive outpost gets some upgrades.
COMBAT OUTPOST COBRA, Iraq – As the American military shutters bases across Iraq, one outpost in northwestern Diyala province will double in size over the next few months.Combat Outpost Cobra was scheduled to close when soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment arrived in August. But the squadron – part of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division – has been given the assignment of joint American-Arab-Kurd security checkpoints designed to ease ethnic tension.
Construction crews are adding space for another 700 service members and contractors at the maze of Hesco barriers and run-down concrete buildings. But brigade officials face a tall task in building up Cobra: The unit’s preventive medicine officer warned against major potential health risks in a September assessment, and the outpost’s infrastructure is years behind its larger counterparts.
Winding Down in Iraq
From The News Tribune, Closing shop in Iraq: A long mission in itself.
FORWARD OPERATING BASE GRIZZLY, Iraq – This American military base has garnered the reputation as one of the best-kept secrets in Diyala province, with only 1,000 soldiers but the amenities of a larger base.Grizzly’s days, though, are numbered. At some point this year American military officials will close the base, one of hundreds across the country to be shuttered as the United States’ presence inside Iraq shrinks.
So when soldiers from Lewis-McChord’s 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment arrived in August, its logisticians began clearing out shipping containers, vehicles and other equipment. Today, the battalion’s commander says, soldiers are prepared to leave Grizzly within 48 hours of receiving notice.
Run Is Just One Way to Refresh Awareness
Story by Pvt. Zach Zuber
DIYALA, Iraq – As the sun rose over Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Soldiers from the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, gathered on the basketball courts in front of the Sallie Gym to take part in a 5K run/walk. While the run itself is not necessarily out of the ordinary, the reasons for it are.
This event was organized to increase sexual assault awareness for the Arrowhead Brigade.
"The run was recommended by I Corps, and was done by everyone in the division, which is a great deal," said Sgt. 1st Class Tammy Greene, a deployed sexual assault response coordinator for 3-2 SBCT.
Tomahawks' Hard Work Provides Bright Future For Iraqi Children
Story by Pvt. Zach Zuber
DIYALA, Iraq – Classrooms in the Khalis Secondary School have been a bustling place during the first two weeks of February. The traffic is not what most people would expect for the school, but rather a dedicated team of about 40 Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23 Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
Members of the 1/23 Inf., the Tomahawks, have been working with great fervor to perform a makeover modeled after the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition television program that is popular among many American families. The project, deemed the Extreme Tomahawk School Makeover, was created to refurbish a school that has lived through its share of strife during the past few years and to provide hope and opportunity to children of the community.
Soldiers worked for at least nine hours a day, with the final stretch carrying through the night, to complete the overhaul of every foot of the school. They assembled new desks, painted the walls, installed windows and air conditioners, and provided new textbooks and bags to the students.
"This was a huge challenge for us to get done on time," said Spc. William Chanda of Bridgeton, Maine, a forward observer for 1/23 Inf. "I am still catching up on sleep from the last push, but it was definitely worth it."
Stryker Continue to Train Iraqi Counterparts
The News Tribune team is home, but they continue to publish new articles from their time in Iraq.
In dozens of interviews with soldiers of myriad rank and responsibility, American troops appear to view the Iraqi army as increasingly capable of doing independent operations. But the Iraqis are held back by several problems: a laissez-faire work ethic, fluid scheduling, inconsistency of skill level among units and, on a larger scale, the inability to train and supply themselves.The 2009 security agreement between Washington, D.C., and Baghdad stipulates that all missions must include Iraqi security forces. American service members must remain outside cities and towns unless explicitly allowed in by the Iraqis.
Soldiers who have made repeated deployments to Iraq say their counterparts’ improvements in recent years have been vast – despite differing views about whether the Iraqi army could secure its country without U.S. support.
From My Family to Yours
Story by Pfc. Adrian Muehe
DIYALA, Iraq – The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season in the United States is a popular time for donating and reaching out to those less fortunate families. However, for U.S. Soldiers stationed in Iraq, the giving season extends to all year around.
It is very rare to find a Soldier in 4th Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, without candy or pens in their cargo pocket to hand them out to the hoards of children that tag along during community patrols or whom gather around during combined Iraqi and U.S. civil affairs projects.
While working with their Iraqi police partners in Wasit, Iraq, Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Wolaver, platoon sergeant for 4th Platoon, has repeatedly noticed a child playing on the very same street corner with no clothes. Being his second deployment, Wolaver has interacted with many Iraqi children before, but this was the first time he's ever seen one run around nude.
Knowing he wouldn't want see his own boy like this, Wolaver decided that he had to help.
"I have a soft spot for kids," said Wolaver, Covington, Ohio ,native. "I called my wife and my mother-in-law, and asked them to send me some clothes for a two year old boy."
War Games
In a war zone, taking a virtual shot at the CO helps to ease the stress - The News Tribune
Bowman, a fire support specialist with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, finally dropped his Xbox 360 controller, stepped out of his living trailer to light up a cigarette. The Stryker soldier took a few drags, bragged about his kills and snuffed it out.Another game of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 beckoned.
“We play Modern Warfare 2 pretty much every night here,” Bowman said. “It helps us vent our frustrations a little bit, to be honest.”
Service members across Iraq spend countless hours playing first-person shooter video games, but perhaps none take it to the level of the soldiers of 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment.
A Second Time Around in the New Iraq
Story by Pfc. Adrian Muehe
DIYALA, Iraq – "This is way easier than my last deployment," said Sgt. George Applegate, from Evergreen, Colo., a fire team leader for 2nd Platoon, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, while pulling security beside his Stryker vehicle that was staged next to the headquarters of the Iraqi Police's 7th Battalion Emergency Reaction Force in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, on the night of Jan. 31.
Applegate, and the rest of 2nd Platoon, conducted a night patrol in Muqdadiyah, searching for possible improvised explosive devices.
A couple years ago, Applegate wouldn't have been engaged in such a casual conversation while pulling security, because the threat of violence was much more prominent.
"This country differs greatly," said Sgt. Applegate, who was last deployed to Iraq from Aug., 2006 to Nov. 2007, with the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and was stationed just south of Baghdad.
On his last deployment, Applegate operated as part of a combat force in a light infantry unit, encountering violence on a regular basis. There were no combined operations back in those days.
"We were basically a quick reaction force for the entire country," said Applegate. "We were able to be deployed anywhere in a heartbeat."
On Point: 3/2 SBCT Newsletter
"On Point" is a monthly newsletter produced by the 3/2 SBCT, which is currently deployed to Iraq. Read the February edition here: On Point.
Arrowhead Soldiers Keep Archery Skills Sharp
DIYALA, Iraq – Every forward operating base has firing ranges of some sort, but there is one at FOB Warhorse that is unique. It is the archery range. Standing atop a shipping container at one end, some people may not recognize what the small area is used for. Sixty yards away, there are four target stands. The first two hold up pieces of foam, the third cardboard and the fourth contains tightly-packed wool blankets.
Though it may seem like a simple thing, for Soldiers of 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, it is an oasis for relaxation and preparation before going home after deployment.
"It's real peaceful down there, you can just relax for a little while," said Sgt. Christopher Velez, a medic with 5/20 Inf. "We go down, shoot for a while, take a break to rest our eyes and then shoot some more."
Besides recovery time, the range gives Soldiers the convenience to hone their skills before bow season opens once they return stateside.
"Having our bows here gives us the opportunity to prepare on our own time and get everything ready so we don't have to rush when we get home," said Spc. Curtis Gamble, a vehicle commander with 5/20 Inf.
The range provides the same liberties to any soldier stationed at FOB Warhorse.
"Before we started we checked with the Mayor Cell to see what we needed to do to use the range and they told us it was open," said Gamble.
"Having the open range allows us to get out there whenever our schedules work out, so we follow safe range practices and go have a good time," said Velez.
The only thing they would like to improve upon is the amount of people that can shoot at once.
"Right now only two people can shoot at a time, but we would like to get more so that we can set them at different ranges and allow more people to shoot together," said Gamble. "We can really only use the one target because arrows just go straight through the foam ones and break coming out of the cardboard."
Velez, who has begun learning archery since arriving at FOB Warhorse, the skills he is learning will help him accomplish his exciting future plans.
"We are planning to get together as a group when we get home to go on hunts," Velez said. "I want to get a big elk, even if I have to buy a new deep freeze."
(via DVIDS)
Arrowhead Soldier Selected for Audie Murphy Club
Story by Pvt. Zach Zuber
DIYALA, Iraq – An examination board composed of senior non-commissioned officers reviewed six NCOs from 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, who were nominated to become members for the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club. The club honors the achievements of the most decorated soldier of World War II.
Of the six NCOs, the board chose to recommend one for induction, Staff Sgt. Joseph Spicer, senior Human Intelligence Collector for Bronco Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment.
During World War II Audie Murphy received every medal available in the U.S. Army at that time, to include the Medal of Honor, the Army's highest award for valor, as well as three Polish medals and a French one. He reached the rank of staff sergeant before being discharged.
"This is definitely a culminating event," said Spicer, a native of Baltimore, Md. "There was a lot of stuff to learn, but now that it's done there is no more pressure."
Soldiers Field New Vehicle, New Technology
Story by Pvt. Zach Zuber
DIYALA, Iraq – Innovative technology has inspired people around the world to change their lifestyle. Modes of transportation and the transfer of information, has evolved over the past 10 years. Today, Soldiers, are not only able to communicate face to face with loved ones while deployed, but now have non-lethal capabilities to respond to demonstrations and protests without leaving their vehicle.
The 3rd Platoon, 66th Military Police Company, attached to 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, is employing two new Strykers which will change the way they do their jobs every day.
"The Strykers have a full-spectrum effects package," said James Yeiser, field service representative for the FSEP. "It is an escalation of force defense system designed to keep the Soldiers out of harm's way."
This will be especially helpful during the upcoming elections where security a primary concern for the MPs. Each FSEP Stryker is operated by four Soldiers, each having their own television screen with real-time video feed streaming from cameras located outside the vehicle.
"These are good for a lot of things, even outside the MP world," said Sgt. Blake Jones, a vehicle commander for 3rd Platoon, 66th MP Co. "My favorite features are the 360 degree cameras that allow the vehicle commander to see everything that's going on."
"Hailstorm" Soldiers Roam at Night With Iraqi Forces
Story by Pfc. Adrian Muehe
DIYALA, Iraq - On the night of Jan 21, residents of Muqdadiyah, Iraq, were soundly asleep in their beds, completely oblivious to the "hailstorm" that was outside. No ice fell from the sky, just the "Hailstorm" Soldiers of 4th Platoon, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, doing their part in a joint combat patrol with their partners in the Iraqi army and Iraqi police.
The Soldiers of 4th Platoon, Company C, 2/3 Inf., rolled out late at night to meet up with soldiers of 3rd Company, 1st Battalion, 20th Brigade, 5th IA Division, and members of the Muqdadiyah IP Emergency Company Special Weapons and Tactics Team at the IP compound in Muqdadiyah.
After linking up, Capt. Laith Muhammad Nagen, commander of the IP SWAT team and Capt. Zehid Muhammed Shmiel, the commander of IA 3rd Company, provided 2nd Lt. Nicholas Beazley, from Roanoke, Va., platoon leader of 4th Platoon, with intelligence about people they were looking for and identified key points along their designated route where they observed suspicious activity.
Around midnight, the Soldiers of 4th Platoon, along with their IA and IP counterparts, set out on foot to patrol the streets of Muqdadiyah. The patrol, which consisted of about 60 people, marched on with night optical devices and a few flashlights. The city was so dark that one would have to use a flood light to see everyone involved. Communication was done through radios and low volume talking amongst Soldiers close to each other. If anyone looked out their window, they would have had no idea how many troops were out there.
FOB Tacoma - A different Iraq
ARMY LIFE SUPPORT AREA, Kuwait – Joe took this photo of rusty bullets while riding in a Humvee with soldiers from Fort Lewis’ 17th Fires Brigade. As we prepare to leave the Middle East after more than six weeks, I think this photo represents the Iraq war, circa 2010: The potential for great violence abounds, but the country has quieted.
Joe and I visited two Stryker brigades, an intelligence brigade, an artillery brigade and I Corps during our time in Iraq, and without question we witnessed a different war than others from The News Tribune who have previously embedded. Soldiers place premiums on meeting with local leaders. Troops need to discuss infrastructure projects with the same expertise as battle tactics. The 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division has dedicated an entire battalion to supporting the State Department-led Provincial Reconstruction Team. American soldiers sit in the operations center of Iraqi units, and Iraqi soldiers sit in American TOCs. And on the few offensive operations local soldiers still plan, Iraqi soldiers are involved throughout.
All that leads to that box of bullets rusting away. Most soldiers I talked to hadn’t shot once since they arrived, save for days at the range.
Read full article at The News Tribune
The team from The News Tribune reflects on its recent trip to Iraq.
Video: Arrowhead MP's Field Stryker Prototype
Package of Arrowhead Military Police fielding a prototype Stryrker vehicle called a Full Spectrum Effects Platform (FSEP), which includes remote fired weapons, infrared cameras, foreign language commands and a non-lethal crowd control device. Produced by Sgt. 1st Class JD Phippen.
Nothing like a fight to prepare for war
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq – Spc. Patrick Bowman leaned against a rolled-up wrestling mat, gasped for air and tasted the blood trickling from the cut on his bottom lip.
And yet, the Fort Lewis soldier insisted, taking blows to the face and returning the favor is the ideal way to spend an afternoon.
“There’s no feeling like punching and kicking someone – and getting kicked and punched,” said Bowman, a human intelligence collector with 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. “It gets that blood pumping. It gets that adrenaline flowing.”
In Iraq, two soldiers call their wood shop home
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq – Sgt. Douglas Lambe spent two deployments in Iraq as a combat engineer. Months on the road searching for bombs gave him plenty of time to think.
“I knew if I kept on doing that,” the Fort Lewis soldier said, “I’d die sooner or later.”
But the 27-year-old Richland native likely didn’t envision spending his third deployment working alongside a Stadium High School graduate in the wood shop at a military base in Iraq’s Diyala province.
Lambe and Spc. Charlie Wells work and live in a building crammed with scraps of wood, hacksaws, table saws, other tools, cans of paint and jugs of varnish.
They create tables, plaques, podiums and signs – pretty much anything required by their Stryker comrades in the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
New article from The News Tribune.
Milestone: Arab-Kurdish-American checkpoints
QARA TAPA, Iraq – The historic significance of the joint Arab-Kurdish-American checkpoint was lost on the driver of the black Kia sedan. The hassle was not.
“I work for the Interior Ministry!” he yelled, digging into his pocket and flashing his government badge to Fort Lewis troops, Kurdish peshmerga and Iraqi army soldiers. “Look at my ID! Why was I pulled over for inspection?”
The outburst – fairly typical for any government bureaucrat in Iraq – was about the most conflict troops witnessed on Jan. 13, the first full day of trilateral checkpoints that officials hope will defuse tensions among the military forces in disputed Diyala province.
New article from The News Tribune team in Iraq.
Related: Three Forces Come Together for Checkpoints - DVIDS
Palm Groves Provide Cooperative Clearing
By Pvt. Zachary Zuber
DIYALA, Iraq – While working to increase security in the town of As'Sadiyah, members of 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division assisted the Iraqi army in clearing a series of palm groves and orchards. For added support they brought out a military trained K-9 unit to help search the area.
"Today we are checking the palm groves, for any kind of caches of weapons or explosives that could be hidden in here," said Lt. Haidar Abid Ali Jassan, 2nd Brigade Iraqi Army.
The patrols cover the palm groves, where the land is also used as orchards for local orange crops, and the streets immediately around them.
"We have done searches like this about six times since August, trying to show that we are here and show the community we are looking for anything," said Jassan.
Cooperative efforts like this patrol is the norm, as 1/14 Cav. often works with their Iraqi army counterparts to ensure that they become more capable and confident in their abilities.
"We go out about three times a week on average," said Sgt. Dan Boley, a squad leader for the mortar platoon, Charlie Troop, 1/14 Cav. "There is a difference you can see since we got here. They have learned tactics and formations to use during missions."
Providing support for operations in the area allow the Iraqi soldiers a chance to increase their support from the community.
"By coming out on missions we can show everyone that we are working together and can go anywhere at any time to provide security and protection," said Jassan.
DVIDS Images: Playground Opens in Tahrir After a Rough History
First Sergeant Thomas Pickerel, first sergeant of Company B, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, pulls security in the Tahrir neighborhood of Baquba, Iraq, Jan. 17. Soldiers from Company B, 5/20 Inf. were a part of a joint force with Iraqi Police to secure the area for the opening ceremony of a new playground in a neighborhood with a history of violence. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Adrian Muehe)
U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers Bond Through Training
By Pfc. Adrian Meuhe
DIYALA, IRAQ – There are values shared by all militaries which enable Soldiers to find a common ground with each other. In Iraq, U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers are finding this true as friendships have formed through training and working together daily.
Soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, taught M-16 weapon maintenance to 10 Iraqi army soldiers Jan. 11 in Diyala, Iraq.
The training was conducted to teach IA soldiers how to maintain the weapons that they will soon receive.
"We will be issued M-16's within the next month," said Capt. Yasir Dir, 2nd company commander, 1st Battalion, 19th Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division.
They learned how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble the rifle. They were also taught how to perform a functions check to ensure the weapon is operational.
"It's an important class because M-16's need to be cleaned and maintained more often than the AK-47's they currently use," said Staff Sgt. Gabriel Trollinger, 1st squad leader, 2nd platoon.
This is only one of the many times Apache Soldiers have worked with this IA Company. They have trained with them on various other soldier skills such as basic rifle marksmanship, infantry tactics, and have planned and executed joint operations.
"We have received a lot of training from the U.S. forces," said Dir. "We have learned a lot and built a good working relationship."
The IA soldiers of 2nd Company have been so appreciative of their training, that they have invited Apache Soldiers to different events.
"We've been invited over for dinner multiple times," said Rochester, N.Y., native, 1st Lt. Terrence Nolan, platoon leader. "This is a good company that we have a great relationship with."
The IA have made significant progress with the help and training offered by Apache company.
"The training is vitally important. When we leave, they will have the means to perform their soldier tasks," said Nolan.
Building Up Iraq From a Local Level
135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
DIYALA, IRAQ – Entrepreneurship is on the rise, especially for new business owners receiving the first installment of their micro-grant payment.
2nd Lt. Tyrell W. Denton, a fire support officer with 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, spoke with and handed out 23 micro grants to business oriented citizens at the Dali Abbos town hall.
The micro grants provide financial support for local businesses to purchase resources so that they can upgrade their business. These can be used to buy shelves, refrigerators, display cases, or other materials they may need. If these store owners can upgrade their shops, they can also strengthen their business.
Denton issued out the equivalent of $49,000 in Dinar, with individual grants ranging from $750 to $5,000 in Dinar, depending on their needs. The types of businesses also varied, from grocery stores to cattle farms.
The money Denton issued out today was not the full awarded grants. Only 50 percent was given to them to start their improvements. In approximately two weeks, Soldiers from 1/23 Inf. will conduct assessments on these businesses to ensure that they are purchasing the items they claimed they needed to enhance their place of business.
This money is not just handed out; there is a lengthy application process. It took two months to review the 35 applications from Dali Abbos and only 23 of these were accepted. The applications asked how much money was needed and what these funds would be used to purchase. If these entrepreneurs do not follow through with what they promised to do, they will be held accountable by not receiving the second half of the grant. After the applications were turned in, they underwent background checks.
They were screened through the Biometric Automated Toolset System, before being approved by the brigade, said Denton.
"We've already inspected and photographed their shops," said Denton. "I'll know if they've made improvements just by walking into their stores again."
Helping with the process is the local government and councilmen, who were present when the grants were issued out. They will also be visiting the shops to see how business is growing.
"The goal is to provide economic stimulus to the community," said Cpt. Klint Kuhlman, the Comanche company commander, 1/23 Inf.
(via Digital Video & Imagery Distribution System)
Building a Bridge With the Iraqi People
Story by Pvt. Zach Zuber
MUQDADIYAH, Iraq – Imagine being a farmer and having to walk 24 miles just to get to the nearest market to sell your crops or livestock. Then, whether they are sold or not, making the same trip back again. Or needing to get food and supplies for your family and although you have a city across the river where all those things can be found, you still have to make such a long trek.
Iraqis in the Muqdadiyah area face this dilemma daily. The Diyala River currently splits villages in the area from the markets of the city.
Members of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and the 20th Iraqi Army Brigade have collaborated together to develop a plan to fix this problem. The project calls for a bridge to be built over the river and the roads leading up to it to be expanded for use by local citizens.
"The bridge and road will allow people in the area villages to come in to the markets which will help increase our economy," said Zaid Abrahim Hassan, mayor of Muqdadiyah.
Brig. Gen. Pat Donahue, deputy commander of United States Division North, visited the location for the bridge to evaluate the assistance needed for completion of the construction.
"By coming out here I can see how important this project is to the community and report the value of it based on what I'm hearing," said Donahue.
This is also a sign of the great progress being made in the area.
"We are building confidence between our forces and the people in the area to build one team," said Lt. Col. Haban Khalil Hassan, commander of the emergency response force, 10th Battalion Iraqi Army. "This shows that everything is going well while we are working hard every day to keep the city secure."
Building this bridge can help the community move into other projects as well.
"This gives us a big chance to start other new projects also," said Mayor Hassan. "We want to begin work on a purification plant for water, a sewage plant, and improvements to our health facilities and electricity."
All these things show the great progress that is being made as a result of the partnership between U.S. and Iraqi forces.
"Iraq passed through a difficult time," said Mayor Hassan. "With the help of community organizations and coalition forces we are able to create things like this bridge that increase our security and our economic stability."
(via DVIDS)
Extreme makeovers in Iraq
KHALIS, Iraq – Lt. Col. Chuck Hodges has a plan. His Fort Lewis soldiers have spent weeks renovating a crumbling school, and the students will see it for the first time a few weeks from now.
Hodges envisions Iraqi kids giddy with anticipation, smiling and fidgety. They’re standing behind a Stryker and an Iraqi army vehicle.
Finally, the moment they’ve all waited for: Hodges, the commander of 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, gets on a bullhorn and yells, “Move that Stryker!”
The vehicles roll away. The students sprint toward the building, where their teachers are waiting to show them around. At Al Rowid school, the kids will enjoy a U.S. investment of new paint, wiring, plumbing, windows, air conditioning and bathrooms.
New article from The News Tribune regarding the 3/2 SBCT.
Photos: Soldiers Conduct Joint Live Fires Exercise
On Patrol With the 1-23 INF
The News Tribune covers a recent patrol in Iraq by the 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT.
The battalion – part of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division – is on its third deployment to Iraq and is operating in a country seeing its lowest levels of violence since the American invasion in 2003. Monday’s operation was only the fourth for the battalion’s Comanche Company since it arrived in August.In past years, Fort Lewis Stryker soldiers were often the ones interacting directly – sometimes intensely – with the locals, aided by Arabic language interpreters. Now, in the midst of the U.S.’s phased pullout from the country, Iraqi soldiers take the lead.
Much of the 1-23 battalion’s deployment has been spent meeting community and tribal leaders and training the Iraqi army in Diyala province, the northern region historically rife with Sunni-Shia and Arab-Kurd tensions.
“This is definitely a change of pace for guys who have deployed before,” company commander Capt. Clint Kuhlman said. “It’s just a different assignment nowadays.”
Stryker Articles from The News Tribune
The News Tribune has a number of new articles and blog entries regarding the Ft. Lewis Stryker brigades.
- Soldiers face enduring threat of IEDs
- Fort Lewis mourns its latest loss in Afghanistan
- It's like an anti-MRAP
- Among the people
The News Tribune in Iraq
The News Tribune has a few new articles and blog entries from its team in Iraq.
- Social media sites a new tool for deployed troops
- FOB Tacoma - Coming home is never easy
- FOB Tacoma - Happiness for the neediest
On Point: 3/2 SBCT Newsletter
"On Point" is a monthly newsletter produced by the 3/2 SBCT, which is currently deployed to Iraq. The brigade forwarded a copy to us so we can share it here: On Point.
Brothers Reunite for Christmas
Story by 1st Lt. Joshua Risher, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
BAGHDAD—Wartime service often separates soldiers from their families during the holidays, but when family members serve near each other in the war zone, holidays can still be family time. Two brothers, assigned to Multi-National Division - Baghdad and Multi-National Division - North spent Christmas together in Iraq after their units coordinated the family reunion.
It was not the first time that Capt. Jordan Enger, commander of A Troop, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division got to see his younger brother during this tour. The armor officer from Houston, Texas, flew from Joint Security Station Istiqlaal to Combat Outpost Cobra Oct. 18 to administer the oath to his younger brother, Spc. Jared Enger, a cavalry scout in Troop C, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division who reenlisted for six more years of service.
"I'm really proud of him and what he's accomplished," Capt. Enger said of his younger brother. Spc. Enger feels the same towards his older brother. "I think he's a good commander, he really looks out for his soldiers."
With both brothers serving their second tour in the Global War on Terror, their family is evenly split for the holidays. They have no other siblings, and their parents back in Houston are glad that the brothers saw each other during Christmas.
"The Squadron commander and command sergeant major really worked hard to get him out here to JSS Istiqlaal," Capt. Enger said as the two brothers worked together on Christmas Day.
His participation in the squadron's activities did not end there, though. On his first night at JSS Istiqlaal, Spc. Enger accompanied his brother to the station's firebase, where he hung rounds with the mortar section during the unit's final planned fire mission of the deployment. The next day he boxed alongside other Troop A soldiers in the squadron's boxing tournament.
Opportunities to see each other have not been frequent. Both have now served in the Army, at different duty stations for several years. During their first tour, they only saw each other in Kuwait as they passed through the theater gateway, one heading into combat, the other on the way back to the United States. They are both optimistic, though, that the relatively small size of the armor branch will give them opportunities to serve near each other in the future.
(via DVIDS)
Task Force 296 Providing Security at Iraq's Border
Story by Spc. Anthony Jones, 145th MPAD
DIYALA, Iraq – Task Force 296 conducts a vast array of missions across Iraq's Diyala Province to keep its parent unit, the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, in operational readiness.
The Battalion completes missions covering every aspect of operations, from providing combat repair teams to each battalion under the Brigade to conduct the daily combat logistics patrols; moving troops and vital supplies throughout the province.
One of the least known tasks, Soldiers of the 296th Brigade Support Battalion perform, is providing protection to the Soldiers of Border Transition Team 4130 and the civilian contractors living and working at Forward Operating Base Edge. The FOB is located on the grounds of the Muntheria Port of Entry, a landlocked border crossing between Iraq and neighboring Iran in north east Diyala province.
"Most of the Soldiers provided by the 3rd Stryker Brigade are here for force protection, we also have one dining facility manager as well," said Lt. Col. David Sigmund, commander of Border Transition Team 4130 and FOB Edge.
The Soldiers of the guard force are critical to supporting the mission of the Border Transition Team said Lt. Col. Sigmund.
"It is absolutely essential to have the guard force Soldiers here. We as a team, the 11 of us, could not possibly provide all the force protection, secure the FOB or complete our advise and assist mission," said Lt. Col. Sigmund.
Iraqi Army Leads Combined Humanitarian Aid Mission
Story by Spc. Anthony Jones, 145th MPAD
DIYALA, Iraq – Soldiers of the Iraqi Army's 20th Brigade, 5th Division took the lead in planning and conducting a combined humanitarian aid delivery to displaced persons living in the village of Sudoor, Diyala province, Iraq, Dec. 18.
The supplies were delivered to Sunni Arabs who were removed from their homes in the predominately Kurdish city of Khanaqin in 2003 and are now living in an abandoned hotel.
Colonel Wadau, the executive officer of the 20th Brigade said, "These people have been displaced for six years and they are in need of help." He added the Iraqi government is making plans to move the people to new homes.
The drop was, conducted by 20th Brigade Soldiers and members of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. They provided each of the approximately 20 families with one 50 kilogram bag of rice, a 50 kilogram bag of flour, four bags of sugar, four bottles of cooking oil and four cans of tomato paste.
During the drop Soldiers of the 2/3rd Inf. provided assistance to their Iraqi counterparts by providing security and vehicles to move the supplies. They also took time to interact with the local residents who came to receive aid.
"Arrowhead" brigade medical officers were also on hand to discuss medical and preventative medicine with local elders.
The Soldiers also handed out schools supplies donated by various organizations from the United States.
There is no doubt these people need whatever support we and our Iraqi partners can provide, said Maj. John Walton, operations officer, 2/3rd Inf. "Operations like this really show that the Iraqi Security Forces cares about the populace."
(via DVIDS)
Holiday Hiatus
I plan on taking the next week off due to travel plans for the holiday. In my absence be sure to check the following sources for news regarding the Stryker troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- FOB Tacoma - Two journalists from The News Tribune are in Iraq to cover soldiers from Ft. Lewis.
- Northwest Military - JM Simpson is with the 5/2 SBCT in Afghanistan.
- Michael Yon - Independent journalist currently embedded with the 5/2 in Afghanistan. Also check his Facebook page for micro-updates.
- DVIDS - Here are the search results for Stryker-related stories, photos and videos from public affairs units across both fronts.
- SBN Facebook Page - the fans of our page do a great job of posting any stories that we might miss.
Happy Holidays to all of you. Check back in a week or so for updates.
Todd
TNT Arrives in Iraq
The crew from The News Tribune has traveled north from Kuwait and arrived in Baghdad.
Video: Train the Trainer Program
Video about Soldiers from the 3rd Stryker Brigade conducting a "Train the Trainer" course for soldiers of the 19th Iraqi Brigade.
TNT Heading Back to Iraq
The News Tribune confirmed today that reporter Scott Fontaine and photographer Joe Barretine are headed to Iraq to cover the 12,000 Ft. Lewis troops currently serving there, including the 3/2 & 4/2 SBCTs.
U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers Take Part in Combined Mortar Training
Story by Spc. Anthony Jones, 145th MPAD
DIYALA, Iraq – In the open desert north of Forward Operating Base Grizzly, Iraqi and U.S. soldiers gathered together to hone their mortar skills, Dec. 3.
U.S. Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division conducted the training where they instructed their counterparts from the 19th Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division on the operation of the 81mm mortar system.
"Today has been the 'live fire' culmination of three months of hard training with our counterparts," said Lt. Col. Chuck Hodges, commander, 1/23 Inf. "Every single day we need to find a way to make our Iraqi partners better and enable their skill sets and today is an attempt by us to help them train and be more competent and able to protect and defend Iraq."
According to 1st Lt. Michael Oh, mortar platoon leader, 1/23 Inf. the program was created at the request of the Iraqi army.
On Point: 3/2 SBCT Newsletter
"On Point" is a monthly newsletter produced by the 3/2 SBCT, which is currently deployed to Iraq. The brigade forwarded a copy to us so we can share it here: On Point.
Videos: UAV's at Warhorse
DVIDS has a series of video segments featuring soldiers from the 3/2 SBCT who operate the brigade's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). All six clips are embedded after the jump.
Iraqi Army, U.S. Forces Work to Build Better Security
Story by Spc. Anthony Jones, 145th MPAD
DIYALA, Iraq – The Iraqi army with the help of U.S. Soldiers and contractors placed two large concrete towers and several concrete blast walls near the Diyala province, Nov. 14.
"The towers will go a long way in helping the Iraqi army provide better security for the Iraqi citizens," said 1st Lt. Jacob Magill, a platoon leader with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
The first of the two towers was erected near the village of al Sada, where al- Qaeda has been moving, according to 1st Lt. Haider Maher Ali, executive officer for 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion, 20th Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division.
"We are placing these towers here in order to control the northern sector and deter al-Qaeda movement in the area," said Haider, who added he joined the IA to help build a better Iraq and make it a peaceful area.
The tower had to be erected on site, and was delivered and constructed by civilian contractors from Kellogg, Brown and Root with the aid of an Iraqi contractor and a large crane to lift the heavy sections of tower and the multiple blast walls placed around the tower.
"Working with the Iraqi contractor and IA shows our commitment to the security agreement," said Magill. "It was also good for the Iraqi citizens to see the Iraqi civilian crane operator working with the Iraqi army, working with the U.S. forces and showing a good, combined operation on all fronts."
After the first tower and blast walls were in place, Haider, who personally led the placement of the tower and accompanying walls, ensured his Soldiers would be able to utilize the tower for its intended purpose.
Once the first tower was placed the U.S. forces escorted the contractors through the desert to the second site where it could be used for over watch.
"We will work with U.S. forces as one team to help make this area safe and to secure the people from the bad people whether it be al-Qaeda or any terrorist organization as we build a new Iraq," said Haider.
(via DVIDS)
"Camera Boy" Book Signing
Last night I had the pleasure of attending a reading and book signing by Fred Minnick, author of Camera Boy: An Army Journalist's War in Iraq
I've corresponded periodically with Fred, but never had the chance to meet him in person until last night. His reading opened with the following quote from General George Washington.
The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. - George Washington
This set the stage for the book passage he subsequently read, which described a series of post-deployment events that slowly and painfully made him realize that he needed help to deal with the PTSD he was suffering from. That was four years ago. Minnick made it clear that writing the book and speaking about it are part of the continuing healing process. I'm looking forward to reading the book.
Fred's book tour will take him to Springfield, MO, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK this week. Definitely attend a reading if you're in the area.
Related:
- Buy Camera Boy: An Army Journalist's War in Iraq
- Visit Fred's website
- Become a fan on Facebook
SSG Amy C. Tirador
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Amy C. Tirador, 29, of Albany, N.Y., died Nov. 4 in Kirkush, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. She was assigned to the 209th Military Intelligence Company, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Related:
Soldier dies on her second Iraq tour - TheNewsTribune.com
On Point: 3/2 SBCT Newsletter
"On Point" is a monthly newsletter produced by the 3/2 SBCT, which is currently deployed to Iraq. The brigade forwarded a copy to us so we can share it here: On Point: Arrowhead Arrives in Diyala.
Advances in Prostheses
Christian Hill of The Olympian profiles two 3/2 SBCT soldiers who were determined not to let serious injury stop them from leading active lives.
A doctor posed a simple question to Army Maj. A.J. Tong during his recovery from severe injuries in Iraq.“What do you want to do?” the doctor asked.
“Everything I did before,” Tong recalls responding.
Life had irrevocably changed for Tong, 33, who lives in Yelm. An especially lethal kind of roadside bomb hit him on a road to Baghdad on Aug. 18, 2007, blowing off his right leg below the knee and nearly killing him.
Engineers save trapped accident victim
Multi-National Division – North PAO
DIYALA, Iraq – Soldiers of 18th Engineer Company, Task Force 296, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division assisted in the rescue of a local man who became trapped in the truck he was riding in after being involved in a collision west of Jalula in Diyala province.
While conducting a convoy, the Soldiers noticed multiple Iraqi Police vehicles near a truck that looked to be damaged.
A medic in the convoy was dispatched to the victim to provide a medical assessment and aid. It was then determined that the victim was pinned into the vehicle at the waist by the cab of the truck.
Using a Stryker vehicle and tow strap, the Soldiers were able to separate the cab far enough to free the victim.
After the victim was freed, the Iraqi Police and locals thanked the Soldiers for their assistance.
“This is a great example of the cooperation being seen around Diyala province,” said 2nd Lt. Jennifer Palmeri, the spokeswoman for 3/2 SBCT. “Though U.S. Forces were not contacted to go to the scene for help, they saw a situation in which they could be of aid, and they worked with the Iraqi Police at the scene to get the incident resolved quickly and safely.”
Bridging the Divide
Stars & Stripes has an article and photo gallery featuring the 1-14 CAV, 3/2 SBCT as it operates in northern Iraq.
Khamees’ Kurdish counterparts then jumped in and the meeting descended into chaotic bickering, the cross talk growing so loud and rapid-fire that the interpreter stopped trying to translate. The meeting abruptly broke up, and the Arab and Kurdish factions ate lunch separately at the base dining hall.It was a stark reminder of the monumental task the U.S. faces in trying to mediate what so far has remained an intractable land dispute.
Nearly two months after Gen. Ray Odierno, the top commander in Iraq, announced plans to establish trilateral patrols and checkpoints manned by U.S., Arab and Kurdish forces to relieve tension in areas claimed by both Arabs and Kurds, negotiations are moving slowly and communities in the region that would benefit from increased cooperation and trade continue to languish.
3/2 SBCT Operational Update
Scott Fontaine of The News Tribune caught up with officers from the 3/2 SBCT via telephone.
Fort Lewis’ 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division is seeing far less violence and conducting fewer operations on its third deployment to Iraq.The Stryker brigade of about 4,000 soldiers is running American military operations in Diyala province. For many who fought amid the daily chaos of two years ago, the difference is stark.
“Most of us are going through a real culture shock,” Maj. Matthew Holly said in a telephone interview from his office at Forward Operating Base Warhorse. “It’s an almost 180-degree turn in Baqouba than two years ago.”
Partnership Social Brings Diyala Leaders Together
A luncheon brought together members of the government of Iraq and Iraqi security forces with members of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Oct. 7.
The event, named "Partnership for Success", served as a celebration for the future partnership in Diyala province.
The event was attended by the deputy provincial governor of Diyala and the director of police for the province, along with many other local officials and shaykhs.
"Events like this showcase the strong bonds that make the partnership in the province work so well. Our ability as partners to come together to simply socialize really helps make this relationship one of comrades and friends," said 2nd Lt. Jennifer Palmeri, spokeswoman for 3/2 SBCT.
Culture Shock
Scott Fontaine of The News Tribune conducted a telephone interview with leaders from the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq.
Fort Lewis' 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division is witnessing far less violence and conducting fewer operations on its third deployment to Iraq. [...]"Most of us are going through a real culture shock," Maj. Matthew Holly said in a telephone interview from his office at Forward Operating Base Warhorse. "It's an almost-180-degree turn in Baqouba than two years ago."
Photos: 5-20 INF Joint Patrol
DVIDS has a new album featuring soldiers from the 5-20 IN, 3/2 SBCT conducting a joint patrol in Iraq.
Ft. Lewis Based Soldiers Take Over West of Baghdad
Story by Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth
BAGHDAD – Col. John Norris took the reins from Col. Joseph Martin in a transfer of authority ceremony, Sept. 28, at the Camp Liberty Field House.
Soldiers of the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, arrived in Iraq earlier this month and, following the transfer of authority ceremony, assumed responsibility for operations in the country to include providing security and strengthening the Iraqi government and its security forces.
In his outgoing speech, Col. Martin, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, thanked his Soldiers for their dedication and hard work and ended with his confidence in the abilities of the incoming troops based out of Fort Lewis, Wash.
"The "Raiders" of the 4th Brigade will serve with distinction and achieve great progress while deployed in Baghdad," he said.
3/2 SBCT Medic Saves Iraqi Boy
Stars & Stripes has an article featuring soldiers from the 3/2 SBCT who went to the aid of a young boy.
According to O’Krent, an Army medic, and other soldiers on the scene, a patrol of Strykers was rounding a corner onto a normally busy street in Biwaniya on Sept. 20 when they noticed an unsettling absence of people outside.Someone had just commented that something seemed amiss when the crack of small-arms fire broke the silence and the soldiers saw dust kicked up by the bullets next to the Strykers. But they couldn’t see the shooter.
"We thought we were in an ambush," said 2nd Lt. Terrence Nolan, 23, of Rochester, N.Y.
A boy on the street stumbled face-first to the ground. O’Krent heard Staff Sgt. David Hill yell for him and he grabbed his bag of medical supplies.
Weapons caches found in Diyala
Multi-National Division – North PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, BAQUBAH, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, working alongside Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, discovered three caches while conducting reconnaissance near Al Byaa in Diyala province, Sept. 25.
The three caches consisted of 108 mortar fuses, six mortar boosters, an 82mm mortar body, a 62mm mortar body, a rocket-propelled grenade booster, an explosive charge with blasting cap and initiator, a mortar sight, a dushka round, a tail fin, a damaged M-67 hand grenade and an oxygen tank.
“The discovery of these caches prevented violence in Diyala province,” said 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division spokeswoman, 2nd Lt. Jennifer Palmeri. “The ISF and U.S. Forces partnership continues to refine the skills and tactics of the Iraqis to enable them to provide lasting security for the population.”
National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic
Long time readers will appreciate this story. Scott Thorne, who was seriously injured in Iraq in 2004, recently participated in the 2nd annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic.
Former Army cavalry scout Scott Thorne, 30, of Escondido hasn't had a lot to get stoked about in the five years since an enemy bullet bounced off his radio and ripped a groove through his skull. He was injured when his foot patrol was ambushed in Mosul, Iraq.Thorne lost part of his vision and had to relearn how to speak. His marriage crumbled under the stress of his long recovery.
Yesterday, Thorne looked and felt triumphant as he successfully rode 12 waves in 15 attempts.
“He was coming out of there like a rock star,” said his instructor, James Sampson.
Related:
Photo: Scott Surfing - The Union Tribune
Photo: Scott Biking - DVIDS
Photo: Profiles in Courage - Sports Illustrated
Stryker Soldiers Mourned
The News Tribune was there as Ft. Lewis held two memorials for Stryker soldiers from the 3/2 SBCT and 5/2 SBCT.
The true toll of a Stryker rollover in Iraq earlier this month was two lives ended, but countless others impacted.Staff Sgt. Todd W. Selge and Sgt. Jordan M. Shay died in the accident on Sept. 3. Selge leaves behind a widow and two sons; Shay, a fiancée whom he planned to marry when he returned from Iraq next year.
And the death shook many members of Fort Lewis' 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, which avoided losing any of its soldiers through the first month of its yearlong deployment to Iraq. Many of them gathered Thursday afternoon at the Main Post Chapel on Fort Lewis for a memorial ceremony honoring the lives of Selge and Shay.
First Lt. David T. Wright II taught fellow soldiers what he learned from years of martial arts and collegiate track and field. Sgt. Andrew H. McConnell was known for his high-intensity attitude, no matter what the situation.Both left impressions of being leaders among their peers, but now their colleagues in the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division must continue the mission of battling the Taliban in southern Afghanistan without them. The two soldiers were killed Sept. 14 when a roadside bomb detonated near their Stryker vehicle.
Hundreds gathered at Fort Lewis’ North Fort Chapel on Thursday to pay respects to the two soldiers, assigned to the brigade’s 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment. Commanders delivered speeches, friends eulogized the fallen and tears flowed during the final roll call, rifle salute and playing of taps.
U.S. forces save life of local child
Multi-National Division – North PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, BAQUBAH, Iraq – An Iraqi child was treated by U.S. forces Sept. 20, after the boy was injured by small arms fire from an unknown source in Little Biwaniyah, Diyala province.
Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, was conducting a counter-indirect fire patrol when Soldiers heard approximately five rounds impact the road. U.S. forces did not identify a source and did not return fire.
Soldiers discovered the young boy by the side of the road, bleeding from wounds to his upper right shoulder and left pelvis. A U.S. medic dismounted the Stryker vehicle to treat the child.
Once the child was stabilized, the boy and his father were taken to a medical center at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.
The child’s life-threatening injuries made it necessary to transport him by helicopter to the U.S. hospital at Joint Base Balad.
Changing Role in Iraq
The News Tribune describes how the 3/2 SBCT's role in Iraq will be much different during this deployment.
Two Fort Lewis Stryker brigades totaling nearly 8,000 soldiers will be serving in Iraq by the end of September, and a key clause in the security agreement signed in 2008 between the United States and Iraq means their year-long deployments will be far different than previous ones.The status of forces agreement required all U.S. combat forces to withdraw from cities and towns by June 30. Since then, American troops are keeping a lower profile and increasingly staying on bases while their Iraqi counterparts lead missions in urban areas.
Darrell Griffin Featured on CNN
Darrell Griffin Sr.'s story, which is chronicled in the book Last Journey, is the top feature on CNN.com right now (see screenshot below).
When the news came, Darrell Griffin hurled the phone.Then he got in his car and navigated the madness of Los Angeles highways, thankful only for the time it gave him to think about what he would say to his family. Later, consumed with the grief of losing a son, Griffin drew the drapes in his bedroom and made his world mimic the darkness in his heart.
After he buried Darrell "Skip" Griffin Jr. and after the sympathy calls faded, the elder Griffin, like every American who has ever lost a beloved soldier, struggled to resume life's normal rhythms.
But this is where Griffin's journey veered from others and took a twist so unique that it made the U.S. Army bend its rock-hard rules. The 55-year-old accounting consultant, who opposed Vietnam and had never served in combat, traveled to the epicenter of the Iraq war. There, he would trace his son's last days.
1/25 SBCT Hands Over Diyala to 3/2 SBCT
Multi-National Division – North PAO
DIYALA, Iraq – With a combined Iraqi – U.S. color guard and leadership from the Iraqi Security Forces, Diyala Governance and U.S. Forces present, the responsibility for the partnership and security of Diyala Province was transferred from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, “Arctic Wolves”, to the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, “Arrowhead” in a transfer of authority ceremony held on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Sept. 12.
“Today marks the official day of transfer of authority between two great, battle-tested brigade combat teams. Both units have great and storied traditions and I could not be more proud of both of them,” said Maj. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., Commander, Multi-National Division – North.
“The ‘Arctic Wolves’ deployed out of the frozen tundra of Alaska to enhance peace and stability in the extreme heat here in Iraq; while the ‘Arrowheads’ left the great Pacific Northwest to join this cause and run the anchor leg of our mission in Diyala,” he said.
After spending 11 months in Diyala province, the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division relinquished control of the province where the “Arctic Wolves” patrolled, fought and shed blood. Taking control of the province is the 3/2 SBCT, based out of Fort Lewis, Wash. which is beginning its third deployment to Iraq and second to Diyala province.
“Col. Burt Thompson and Command Sgt. Maj. Cervantes have guided and challenged their 5,600 Soldiers of the ‘Arctic Wolves’ to remarkable achievements this past year. We have all watched with pride and appreciation as the ‘Arctic Wolves’ exceeded all expectations in this ever-changing environment of Diyala province,” said Caslen praising the 1/25 SBCT, adding that the adaptability of the Soldiers was key during to the successful transfer of responsibility with the Diyala Security Forces and the change of mission as U.S. forces moved out of cities and villages as part of the security agreement.
Col. David Funk, Commander, 3/2 SBCT, thanked the leaders and Soldiers of the 1/25 SBCT for their work forming partnerships, operations they performed and projects they completed in Diyala.
“I must also thank the citizens and leaders, both civilian and military, of Diyala province. You also have sacrificed so much to see freedom and democracy to take hold,” said Funk. “Your courage is and inspiration to all of us. We thank you for your commitment to peace and the principals of freedom.”
During his comments, Funk promised the Diyala leaders his units would maintain and build upon the relationships developed by the “Arctic Wolves”.
“To the warriors and leaders of the Arctic Wolves, those remaining to the end and those already at home or en route, I thank each of you for your dedication, discipline, compassion, sacrifice and selfless service,” said Col. Burt Thompson, Commander, 1/25 SBCT. “Along side your Iraqi partners you never failed, you never faltered, you never wavered from the goals we established and for that I am eternally grateful.”
SPC Jordan M. Shay
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Jordan M. Shay, 22, of Salisbury, Mass., died Sept. 3 in Baqubah, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. Shay was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Related:
I had been following Shay's updates on Twitter and his blog, Through Amber Lenses. Folks have been leaving messages in the comments section of his last entry.
Fellow blogger and former 5/20 INF soldier Alex at Army of Dude knew Shay and has posted a nice tribute to him titled, Through Amber Lenses, A Light.
Amesbury soldier killed in Iraq - - BostonHerald.com
Soldier recalled as 'ray of sunshine' - - NewburyportNews.com
North Shore soldier dies in vehicle rollover in Iraq - The Boston Globe
Two from Fort Lewis die in vehicle rollover - The News Tribune
Soldier killed in Iraq coming home - BostonHerald.com
Communities salute as Amesbury's Sgt. Jordan Shay laid to rest - EagleTribune.com
Friends, families mourn fallen 3/2 soldiers - FOB Tacoma
SSG Todd W. Selge
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Todd W. Selge, 25, of Burnsville, Minn., died Sept. 3 in Baqubah, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. Selge was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Related:
Two from Fort Lewis die in vehicle rollover - The News Tribune
Burnsville soldier killed in Iraq; 'gung-ho about the military' - - TwinCities.com
Burnsville soldier dies in Iraq on second tour - StarTribune.com
Fort Lewis Stryker soldier killed Thursday was a husband, dad and gung-ho G.I - The News Tribune
Burnsville soldier remembered as a patriot - TwinCities.com
Friends, families mourn fallen 3/2 soldiers - FOB Tacoma
Testing New Technologies
The News Tribune reports on new communication systems being used by the 3/2 SBCT and 4/2 SBCT in Iraq.
Gunmen fire on American troops in Iraq. The soldiers pursue, but they can run into problems if the terrain is unfamiliar. Landmarks are confusing. They focus on the wrong building. Or they get turned around in the urban setting.Now, a communications system that two Fort Lewis Stryker brigades are fielding in Iraq aims to provide leaders with more real-time information – and a better chance of tracking insurgents.
The Tacticomp system can link soldiers on the ground with commanders back at the operations center, using troops’ geographical coordinates and live video from cameras soldiers carry or from drone aircraft circling overhead.
3/2 Deployment Ceremony
The Northwest Guardian has a nice article covering the deployment ceremony of the 3/2 SBCT that took place on July 24th.
At the cutting edge of war-fighting methods and technology since its inception, a Fort Lewis-based unit again broke new ground last week.The 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division was the Army’s initial Styker brigade to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in November 2003, and the first to return for a second tour in June 2006.
On July 24, the brigade again cased its colors on Watkins Field, the only Stryker brigade to deploy a third time in support of OIF.
Awards Finally Arrive
The Northwest Guardian reports that the 3/2 SBCT finally received the awards it earned during its previous deployment.
After the inspection of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Soldiers in formation July 24 and before casing the colors, the six battalions and 10 other subordinate units, assigned or attached during its second deployment, received a flood of unit awards.The brigade adjutant read citations for 15 Valorous Unit Awards and 11 Meritorious Unit Commendations.
“That’s how we did it last time, too,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Bjerke, the brigade senior NCO. “We got our awards and put them on (at) the deployment ceremony.”
Book Signing: Last Journey
Darrell Griffin Sr. will be signing copies of his new book, Last Journey, at Ft. Lewis today. We're still trying to get details on where/when.
Update: Darrell confirms it is from noon-2pm today PST.
3/2 SBCT Deployment Ceremony
Provided below are links to stories covering Friday's official deployment ceremony for the 3/2 SBCT.
- 'Band of brothers' off to Iraq for 3rd time - KOMO News
- 4000 Fort Lewis soldiers to head to Iraq - Seattle Times
- Going to a changed Iraq - The News Tribune
Labor of Love
The Northwest Guardian also has a nice piece on the upcoming release of the book "Last Journey" by Darrell Griffin Sr.
The bond between a Fort Lewis Soldier and his father has survived death and become tangible in a unique book. The volume will soon join the growing number chronicling Iraq combat experiences, but “Last Journey: A Father and Son in Wartime” is different.The author sets the accounts of his son’s concurrent military, intellectual and internal lives in the biography of a truly exceptional Soldier, adding his own narrative to his son’s original e-mails and journal entries.
In a literal labor of love, Darrell Griffin Sr., the father of a former 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division staff sergeant, finished the book he started in collaboration with the son he lost in Iraq. For his research and seeking closure for his grief, he made an improbable trip to Iraq to the Sadr City street where his son died. Atlas & Company Publishers will release “Last Journey” Monday, co-authored by Griffin Sr. and his son, Skip, who was killed by a sniper’s bullet March 21, 2007. He was riding air guard in the rear hatch of his Stryker vehicle when he was struck from behind, between his Kevlar helmet and the top of his flack vest – a tragically perfect shot.
Related:
Last Journey - Book website
Simulated Training
The Olympian has a bit more on the new Stryker simulator used to train troops from the 3/2, 4/2 & 5/2 SBCTs.
FORT LEWIS – A $1.1 million simulator will help soldiers assigned to the three Stryker combat brigades based here make the most of their time before they deploy to combat by this fall.To train on the Mobile Gun System – the behemoth of the 10 variants of the armored, eight-wheeled vehicles – gunners and vehicle commanders trekked over to the Yakima Training Center, an area both large and isolated enough to fire off the system’s 105 mm cannon. Now they can step inside a trailer parked behind the Battle Command Training Center, the post’s center for virtual training, saving them time, money and ammunition.
Related:
Stryker unit gives new gunnery training system first Armywide test run - Northwest Guardian
Preparing to Deploy
The Seattle Times visits a fair sponsored by Ft. Lewis to prepare military families for upcoming deployments.
FORT LEWIS — Inside a huge white tent staked out in the forest alongside Interstate 5, the Army is holding a fair.There are no carnival games or rides. Instead, soldiers who will soon head to Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families, visit booths that offer information about child care, art programs, high-interest savings accounts and other support services. [...]
This year, some 18,000 Fort Lewis soldiers — more than half the 30,000 soldiers stationed at the post, and a peak since 9/11 — are scheduled to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
That compares with the previous peak of roughly 12,000 soldiers two years ago.
Remembering Her Brother in Marez
(Found this story via FOB Tacoma)
Story by Pfc. Amanda Tucker, 3rd Sustainment Command
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – She fidgeted with her black bracelet showing a black and white portrait of a man wearing dark sunglasses inscribed with a date and some words. Underneath her uniform, she wears a cross concealing within it, a vial of ashes. She smiled as she said, "I am a walking memorial of my brother."
Capt. Linda A. Bass, a support operations resource plans officer for the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), began her deployment hoping to visit Forward Operating Base Marez; where a street was named after her little brother, Sgt. 1st Class Richard Henkes, who died in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Sept. 2006.
"He had just been promoted ... and this was his first time being a platoon sergeant, a "platoon daddy" as he liked to call it, and he was very excited about it," Bass said.
Henkes was assigned to 2nd Battalion,3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Inf. Division, Fort Lewis, Wash., when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations.
Book: Last Journey
SSG Darrell Griffin was KIA in March 2007 while serving with the 2-3 INF, 3/2 SBCT in Iraq. He was in the process of writing a book about his experiences and his father, Darrell Griffin Sr., planned on helping him with the project upon his redeployment. Darrell Sr. decided to finish the book as a tribute, and even traveled to Iraq as part of the process.
The result is a book titled "Last Journey: A Father and Son in Wartime", which will be released in June, but can be pre-ordered now at the book's website. The website is also full of supplemental materials such as photos and videos - well worth a visit. Here is the description of the book from the website:
Staff Sergeant Darrell “Skip” Griffin, Jr. was killed in action on March 21, 2007, during his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Valor for dragging a comrade to safety through enemy gunfire. He was also in the middle of writing a book. Tentatively titled The Great Conversation, it was an attempt to describe and make sense of the terrible violence he'd witnessed in Iraq. His father, Darrell Griffin, Sr., was going to help him finish writing it when he returned home.In the face of Skip’s death, Darrell, Sr. vowed to finish the book himself. He traveled to Iraq, observing the war close up and meeting his son's comrades. Driven by a conviction that Americans do not know enough about the war they have been fighting for the past six years, Last Journey is a gripping account of everyday life for soldiers in Iraq; it’s also an intimate portrait of a lost son, a meditation on faith, and finally a tribute to the lively philosophical debates the Griffins used to share. Included is email correspondence with Skip during the weeks before he died as well as original photographs from the frontlines. Passionate and inspiring, Last Journey serves as a tragic reminder of the human cost of war.
Related:
Stryker Brigade News: SSG Darrell R. Griffin Jr.
Stryker Brigade News: Father's journey to Iraq chases son's ghost
Stryker Brigade News: E-Mails Reveal a Fallen Soldier's Story
Update: General Lee
Michael Yon revisits the story of the Stryker vehicle dubbed "General Lee" by its crew. Great story.
Recently, I got an email from a high ranking soldier along with some photos of the General Lee. One of the photos included civilians who keep the Strykers rolling. And so I contacted the now Captain Brad Krauss (promoted from lieutenant) asking if he would write a few words about his crew and the General Lee.
Related:
Stryker Brigade News: The General Lee Comes Home
Stryker Brigade News: General Lee Comes Home, Part 2
Stryker Brigade News: One year later, General Lee rides again
'Independence' Individual Ready Reserve Soldiers Answer Call
Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell
BAGHDAD – After spending a year in Iraq with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from 2003 to 2004, Specialists Wayne Mason and Ronnie Whitehurst finished up their time on active duty as infantrymen and transitioned to the Individual Ready Reserve and civilian life.
Everything was going fine. They each had families to take care of and never thought they'd see each other again. Until one day a few years into their IRR commitment when they each received FedEx packages.
"I was scared for real, to be honest," said Mason, a native of Columbus, Ohio. "I didn't want to come back to Iraq. I could've got out of reporting, but I have the mentality of a Soldier. I love this country."
"At first, I was debating on what would happen if I didn't show up," admitted a soft-spoken Whitehurst of Pensacola, Fla. "'Cause I really didn't know the consequences."
Both Soldiers swallowed hard and left their families for Iraq again. This time as members of C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 56th "Independence" Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
First Pitch
The Northwest Guardian has a nice article about SSG Daniel Deen, a soldier with the 1-23 INF, who threw out the first pitch at a recent Seattle Mariners game.
SEATTLE — The pitch brought to mind Jamie Moyer rather than vintage Randy Johnson, but it got the job done.When Staff Sgt. Daniel Deen’s right-handed soft toss from in front of the mound at Safeco Field settled into the glove of Seattle Mariners pitcher Shawn Kelly, Deen had successfully performed his part in Saturday’s 7th Annual Boeing Salute to Armed Forces Night.
Deen, a member of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, represented the Army as I Corps and Fort Lewis NCO of the Year. He joined service members from the Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard in throwing out ceremonial first pitches.
Conservation Corps
An article from the Seattle Times describes how a former Stryker Brigade soldier enrolled in a program to transition veterans to civilian life.
COVINGTON — At a subdivision in Southeast King County, nine people wield shovels, picks and machetes to hack down blackberry thickets that have overgrown a tiny wetland.Hour by hour, they clear more of the brambles, revealing cedar and other native plants that had been enveloped by the thorny bushes.
Every person on this crew is a military veteran, most of whom served in Iraq or Afghanistan. All are hoping to forge new careers through the Veterans Conservation Corps, a state-financed program that helps them tackle two big challenges of civilian life — finding new employment and coping with the psychic battle scars of war.
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.
Legacy of Words
Former 3/2 SBCT soldier Brian Turner continues to receive high praise for his collection of poems, Here Bullet.
Turner will read from Here, Bullet, which includes "2,000 lbs," and other collections Monday in Reynolda House, as part of the Dillon Johnston Writers Reading series at Wake Forest University. A reception and book signing will follow the reading, which is free and open to the public. [...]Turner, who lives in Fresno when he isn't on tour reading his poems, said that journalists "create this idea of objectivity and they pressure their language" to conform to it. When war coverage sticks so closely to the facts, he said, "one of the losses for a person back home is … some of the emotional content."
"We need to know the human content, what is being lost," he said. "The emotional content is really important. If we don't connect to that part, then how informed are our decisions?"
Street Named After Fallen Soldier
The Daily News reports that a street in his hometown was recently named after CPL Juan M. Alcantara, a member of the 3/2 SBCT who was killed in 2007.
The sign at W. 185th St. and Wadsworth Ave. in Washington Heights now reads: "Corporal Juan A. Alcantara Way."It's a small token for the family of Alcantara, who was killed in combat in Iraq nearly two years ago.
But it's a lasting one.
"People are going to walk by and ask, 'Who is Cpl. Juan Alcantara?'" said his sister Fredelinda Lena, a 27-year-old NYPD officer. "I want people to remember that behind that plaque is pride, honor and heroism."
National Training Center Warm Up
The Northwest Guardian has a nice article outlining a recent training exercise conducted by the 2-3 INF, 3/2 SBCT as it prepares to head to the NTC.
The engagement at Leschi Town and the resulting raid on Beiji Village, Jan. 27, was the culminating exercise of “Operation Patriot Punisher,” a company-level situational training exercise for the Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment. The exercise spanned the course of a day and incorporated three smaller objectives before a final midnight assault based on acquired intelligence.The battalion exercised its three line companies, its headquarters company and incorporated the 18th Engineer Company, a unit with whom they will deploy, during the two week operation. The large scale multi-echelon training aimed at refining command and control at both the company and battalion levels. It integrated logistical, resupply and air assault operations, and involved leadership at every level of the 2-3 Inf.’s war fighting capabilities.
Being the third in a series of situational training exercises that 2-3 Inf. has conducted since Lt. Col. Adam Rocke took command, he saw it as the culminating company-level event before brigade level training at NTC.
Air Assualt Exercise
The Northwest Guardian has a article describing a recent air assault exercise conducted by soldiers from the 2-3 INF, 3/2 SBCT.
Aviators from the the 4th Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Regiment assisted Stryker Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment Jan. 20 with aircraft familiarization and other aviation-related tasks.In the crisp morning air, Soldiers from B Company hastily exited a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with weapons at the low ready securing an area that could possibly be crawling with enemy insurgents.
Although just a field exercise, the training the Soldiers received will prepare them for upcoming missions.
Soldier Profile
The Northwest Guardian has a nice profile of Capt. Chris Hallows, an officer with the 2-3 INF, 3/2 SBCT.
Saying Capt. Chris Hallows is an accomplished runner is to understate his achievements as such, especially since his arrival on Fort Lewis in February 2008.He has won every post race he has competed in, including the Pride Week 10K run, the Army Half Marathon, the Turkey Trot and the Santa Shuffle. He was also part of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment’s Super Squad team that won the military portion of the Sound to Narrows run last June.
In December, Hallows, 2-3 Inf.’s C Co. commander, placed eighth overall in his age group while running on the Fort Lewis 10-Miler team in Washington, D.C., that finished in second place by a mere five seconds.
Snowball Express
The News Tribune has a nice story about the nonprofit, Snowball Express, that sends the families of fallen soldiers on holiday trips to Disneyland. A Stryker family is a regular participant.
Talking and playing with other children in a similar situation has also helped the children of Staff Sgt. Christopher Bunda, a Fort Lewis Stryker Brigade soldier who died in January 2004 when a police boat capsized in the Tigris River.Bunda’s widow, Michele, is making her third Snowball Express trip with 11-year-old daughter, Chrizchele, and 8-year-old son, Christian. The family lives in Bremerton.
“It was tough” for the kids after their father died, Bunda said. “And this made it easier on them.”
Update: CPT Patrick Horan
CPT Horan, a member of the 3/2 SBCT, was seriously injured in the summer of 2007 and has been recovering ever since. According to his brother, "Patrick and his wife Patty were recently interviewed on a national talk show for Veterans Day and below are a couple of links to the video from the show on youtube."
General Ham Interview
FOB Tacoma points us to an article last week in USA Today featuring General Carter Ham, who was the commander of Task Force Olympia in Mosul during 2003-2004. Ham, who now commands all American forces in Europe, talks about his decision to seek counseling for PTSD.
"You need somebody to assure you that it's not abnormal," Ham says. "It's not abnormal to have difficulty sleeping. It's not abnormal to be jumpy at loud sounds. It's not abnormal to find yourself with mood swings at seemingly trivial matters. More than anything else, just to be able to say that out loud."The willingness of Ham, one of the military's top officers, to speak candidly with USA TODAY for the first time about post-traumatic stress represents a tectonic shift for a military system in which seeking such help has long been seen as a sign of weakness.
It's also a recognition of the seriousness of combat stress, which can often worsen to become post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mental Health Resources
Over the weekend The Olympian and The News Tribune published a series of articles on the difficult subject of suicide in the military. This also provides an opportunity to pass along the suicide hotline number if you or someone you know is in crisis: 1-800-273-TALK.
The Army and the VA have redoubled their efforts to prevent suicides. Both have expanded services and launched initiatives aimed at suicide prevention.The Army is hiring dozens of counselors and has developed an interactive video so soldiers can identify warning signs and help a distraught colleague through various scenarios. The Army and the National Institute of Mental Health recently announced a five-year, $50 million research program into the factors behind soldier suicides.
The VA, meanwhile, is taking steps to improve its screening among veterans diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and increase training so chaplains can look for warning signs. In July 2007, it launched a national suicide hotline, which receives thousands of calls each month, Blow said.
Military Technology
FOB Tacoma linked to a story from the Army Times that discusses new technology the 56th SBCT will be taking with them to Iraq. He also features a small robotic vehicle the 3/2 SBCT has been training with.
Stryker Soldier Recovers
The Northwest Guardian profiles a 3/2 SBCT soldier who is finally easing back into family life after two difficult deployments.
Looking back, Andrew can see clearly how important family was to his recovery.“I didn’t want to talk to anybody, but when you have a wife and kids, you have no choice,” Andrew said. “They’re right there, 24/7. So it makes it easier, because you have to interact.”
Andrew began telling his wife about his experiences in Iraq.
“It’s a lot easier to be able to talk to your spouse about things that you don’t tell your friends,” Andrew said. “You have that bond that’s greater than a friend or a best friend, because you share everything intimately.”
Buzzell on CNN
Colby Buzzell, a former 3/2 SBCT soldier who gained notoriety for his blog and subsequent book, appears in the following story on CNN.com (includes video). I wish I had taken a screen shot b/c for a brief time the article was the featured story on the CNN homepage.
When U.S. Army machine gunner Colby Buzzell began blogging about his combat experiences from a military base in Mosul, Iraq, he wasn't looking for attention or trouble. Buzzell just wanted a way to chronicle what he saw and did and felt during the Iraq war.But his visceral, first-hand accounts were a bracing antidote to dry news reports and bloodless Pentagon news releases. In the first major war of the Internet age, Buzzell and other soldier bloggers in Iraq offered readers around the world unfiltered, real-time glimpses of an ongoing conflict. [...]
Since leaving Iraq, Buzzell collected his wartime blog posts and journal entries into "My War," which was published in 2005. Excerpts from his Iraq blog also appeared in the Oscar-nominated documentary "Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience."
The war cost Buzzell his marriage and left him with post-traumatic stress disorder, a diagnosis that helped him avoid being redeployed to Iraq last spring. Now 32, he contributes regular features to Esquire magazine and hopes to write another book, the contents of which he's not ready to discuss.
Soldiers Become Citizens
Soldiers from the 3/2 SBCT and 5/2 SBCT were among those granted US citizenship at a ceremony yesterday.
They entered the room "green card soldiers" from nearly every branch of the armed forces, men and women serving the United States in wartime though they were not U.S. citizens.Within an hour, the platoon-size foreign legion of 41 was leaving with relief, smiles and in the arms of family and friends, having taken an oath and validation as newly minted U.S. citizens.
A Cuban man and a South Korean woman, a Kenyan chaplain who is a captain in the Army and more, representing 29 nations around the world, took the oath of allegiance Thursday at the all-military Veterans Appreciation Naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration District 20 offices in Tukwila.
Operation Tomahawk Shock
The Seattle P-I has an article describing the same training exercise covered by The News Tribune.
The platoon of about 40 troops from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division spent Sunday night and most of Monday on the exercise, called "Operation Tomahawk Shock." It was named for the infantry battalion at the center of the action -- the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Tomahawks.The entire 3rd Brigade is getting ready to make its third deployment to Iraq next year.
The soldiers of Comanche Company made the most of their chances to react to realistic situations. Their guns fired blank ammunition with lasers recording hits. Role players filled in as Iraqis, both friendly and hostile.
Blogging a Training Exercise
Scott Fontaine of The News Tribune is blogging while embedded with the 3rd Platoon, C Company, 1-21 INF, 3/2 SBCT during a training exercise. Just visit the FOB Tacoma homepage and check for updates.
Related:
Troops get dress rehearsal for Iraq - The News Tribune
Record Number of ‘Warriors’ Choose to Remain Army Strong
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division, have reenlisted to “stay Army” at record rates during fiscal 2008.
In fact, so many Warriors committed to remaining with the team, they broke the U.S. Army’s reenlistment record for Soldiers in a deployed brigade.
The brigade’s Soldiers kicked off the deployment strong as Soldiers began lining up to reenlist when they arrived in Kuwait in December. By the end of the fiscal year, 1,263 Warriors had reenlisted to remain part of the Army’s Team. The previous record had been 1,253 reenlisting Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, which is based out of Fort Lewis, Wash.
Distinguished Service Cross
The Olympian is reporting that 3/2 SBCT soldier, Spc. Christopher Waiters, will be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in a ceremony at Ft. Lewis on Thursday. The award is second only to the Medal of Honor.
A soldier who went to school in Lacey and was formerly assigned to a Stryker brigade at Fort Lewis will be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor in recognizing combat valor.This week’s ceremony will mark the first time since the start of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that a soldier from the local Army post has been awarded this honor.
Spc. Christopher Waiters, a graduate of Timberline High School in Lacey, had just finished a long shift in Iraq on April 5, 2007. He had just gone down for sleep inside his armored Stryker vehicle when he heard an explosion. An urgent message followed: A car packed with explosives had struck and destroyed an armored Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The wreckage was on fire. U.S. soldiers were trapped inside.
Updated 10/25/08: Provided below are a few stories covering the ceremony.
Bullets, bomb no match for bravery - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Lacey Army medic honored for heroism - Seattle Times
For soldier, heroic act was just part of his job - The News Tribune
Soldier earns rare honor for heroic actions in Iraq - Northwest Guardian
Medic 'a true hero' on battlefield - Northwest Guardian
1-37 FA Tests New Howitzer
The Northwest Guardian has an article describing a new weapon system being field-tested by the 1-37 FA, 3/2 SBCT. Excerpt:
Seeing how 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery has already established itself as a unit willing to step into the unknown and try new things, it make sense the unit became the first on Fort Lewis to fire the M777 155 mm howitzer Sept. 26.The firing of the new weapon system marked the end of a two-week training session in which a NET team from Fort Sill taught 1-37 FA Soldiers everything from maintenance to what each Soldier’s job in each section is.
“We went from zero to 100 in two weeks,” said battalion fire control officer Capt. Rick Helton. “We had no experience on the guns whatsoever.”
DVIDS Stories
We got a bit behind in posting stories from DVIDS about the 2/25 SBCT, 3/2 SBCT & 2nd SCR. Rather than try and post them all now I'll just provide links the stories on their site so you can browse through them yourself.
- Motor Pool Soldiers Keep the Infantry Fighting
- Former MLB Players Boost Morale
- Gimlets, IA Act With Kindness During Ramadan
- Army Private Put Navy Dad ‘through Hell’
- Soldier Turns Passion Into Army Career
- 32 Soldiers Participate in Honolulu Century Ride in Iraq
- Soldiers Work to Power Sab Al Bour
- Iraq Ministry of Agriculture Conference at Forward Operating Base Warhorse
- Fourth of July Festivities on Forward Operating Base Warhorse
Deployment Announcements
The DoD just announced the next units scheduled to deploy to Iraq - both the 3/2 SBCT and the 5/2 SBCT are on the list. These deployments will begin in the winter and extend into the summer of 2009. There was no specific indication when each unit will leave. This will be the first deployment for the newly formed 5/2 SBCT and the third for the 3/2 SBCT.
Related:
Surprise surprise: Fort Lewis units to Iraq - FOB Tacoma
Army sending 10,000 Fort Lewis soldiers to Iraq - Seattle Times
Area troops ordered to Iraq - Seattle P-I
End of an Era
Mike Gilbert, the military reporter for The News Tribune, announced he was leaving the paper after 21 years. For my money he has been the best reporter covering Ft. Lewis and its Stryker Brigades. I hope you join me in wishing him the very best. Thanks Mike.
Strykers in Germany
Stars & Stripes has another article describing the training exercise elements of the 3/2 SBCT are participating in. Excerpt:
Training with an Afghan scenario, with coalition partners in Germany, is an interesting experience for the Strykers, who got back from Iraq in September last year and are waiting to find out what their next assignment will be, he said."Any time we can work with the nations we are going to work with downrange is a bonus. Our [allies’] armies tend to be similar to us in structure, but there are a lot of small things that, if you are not familiar with them, can create problems," he said.
The U.S. Army says it is unlikely that the Strykers will head to Afghanistan, but Goodine said they would have not a problem operating there if the call came.
Australian troops clear buildings in 'Cooperative Spirit'
HOHENFELS, Germany (Army News Service, Sept. 17, 2008) -- A quiet still encompassed the room of a remote building. Only the sound of fresh rain water falling from the roof could be heard through the calm. All of a sudden, the loud bang of a door being forced open echoed across the dwelling.
Soldiers poured into the building one by one with their weapons drawn as they searched for hostile targets. The loud pop of blank rounds being shot off reverberated across the room as Australian Soldiers took out their targets.
The military operations in urban terrain, or MOUT training, was part of "Cooperative Spirit 2008," a month-long exercise in Germany involving American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand ground forces. About 1,800 troops from the five nations in the ABCA Armies Program are participating in the exercise that began Sept. 12. It will focus on the interoperability of equipment and the exchanging of tactics.
2-3 INF Training
The Northwest Guardian reports on a recent training competition called the Patriot Challenge. Excerpt:
In their ongoing mission to prepare and train for deployment overseas while also raising morale, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment leaders challenged their Soldiers to a squad-level competition Sept. 12.Dubbed the Patriot Challenge, the event was modeled after the Best Ranger Competition, and was designed to both assess team leaders and develop a tighter, stronger unit.
“Sergeant Major (Timothy Dotson) and I talked, and we wanted to do something to continue to build a team here,” said battalion commander Lt. Col. Adam Rocke, “continue to make it physically demanding and strenuous and something to have a reward, a benefit for exerting all their energy, and I think that’s what we did.”
That reward was a post-challenge battalion barbecue.
Five nations begin 'Cooperative Spirit' in Germany
(Here's an official press release re: the training exercise we mentioned previously involving elements of the 3/2 SBCT.)
BY Staff Sgt. Tony White and Spc. Opal Hood
HOHENFELS, Germany (Army News Service, Sept. 16, 2008) - American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand ground forces held an opening ceremony for "Cooperative Spirit 2008" Friday at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.
The ceremony signaled the start to the ABCA Armies' month-long training exercise. About 1,800 troops from the five nations are participating in a variety of training, including cordon and searches, downed aircraft recovery, provincial reconstruction team operations and live-fire scenarios. Officials said Cooperative Spirit will primarily focus on the interoperability of equipment and the exchanging of tactics and procedures between the five-nation coalition.
"Interoperability, in my mind, is the ability of all of us to look each other in the eye to make orders and directives and to understand one another and to go out and complete missions together," said U.S. Army Col. David Funk, commander of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. "Our Army continues to fight ... and we don't fight it alone."
Although goals for all the nations are the same, there are still trials that must be overcome.
War Gaming
Some 3/2 SBCT soldiers are in Germany right now to participate in a multi-national military exercise. Excerpt:
ABCA Armies — an organization that promotes interoperability between the five nations — is overseeing the exercise, which involves almost 2,000 personnel and runs until Oct. 8.During the training, soldiers from the Fort Lewis, Wash.- based 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and the other ABCA nations will conduct operations as if they are in Afghanistan and respond to simulated attacks conducted by 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment soldiers playing the role of Taliban insurgents.
The five ABCA nations have troops serving in Afghanistan and all have had troops in Iraq in recent years.
Oreskovics on C-Span
Long-time visitors will be familiar with the story of Michael Oreskovic, who was seriously injured during the 3/2 SBCT's first deployment in 2003-2004. During his recovery at Walter Reed he was interviewed by C-SPAN in 2005. The network recently decided to visit all of the veterans they interviewed back then to see how they were doing. Michael's follow-up interview aired Monday night on C-SPAN, but is now available online. The interview includes a segment with his father Mike, who was one of the founders of this site. Summary from C-SPAN:
Michael Oreskovic was born in Medford, Oregon in 1981. He attended high school in Eugene, Oregon, graduating in 2000. He joined the Army in 2001. As part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, he fought in both Afghanistan and Iraq. On his last mission in Iraq, he was injured when a car bomb went off while he was on patrol in a stryker vehicle. He lost his left arm. Michael Oreskovic recuperated at Walter Reed for 13 months before returning to his home in Oregon. He retired from the Amy in November 2005. He is currently attending Lane Community College working towards a master's degree in education. He plans to become a middle school history teacher.
Mosul Update
The Iraqi city of Mosul is where many of the Stryker Brigades operated during their first deployments. You don't hear much about the city in the news, but The Long War Journal has a lengthy update on the current situation there that many long-time visitors might find interesting. Excerpt:
MOSUL, IRAQ: The Battle for Mosul over the past several years has worked as a microcosm for the larger Iraqi conflict, with Coalition and Iraqi forces successfully imposing their will only after al Qaeda and other insurgent groups held large parts of the city and region for long periods. Control over the city of 1.9 million people and the surrounding Ninewa province has been lost to Coalition and government forces twice since 2003. A successful security operation in May brought attacks to their lowest recorded levels since the conflict began. [...]“The fight in the North is still on-going. It’s a balanced fight, pursuing insurgent on the one hand and doing reconstruction and supporting Iraqi government activities,” said Major General Mark Hertling, commander of Multinational Division North and the US 1st Armored Division in an interview on July 22. “When you talk about the growth of security, you have to mention that the government is getting stronger.”
296th BSB Artwork
Mike Gilbert at FOB Tacoma has details regarding the sale of prints of a new painting commissioned by the 296th BSB, 3/2 SBCT to commemorate its recent deployment.
Additional Promotions
Mike Gilbert at FOB Tacoma notes that two more former Stryker Brigade colonels were recently promoted to brigadier general.
Ham Gets Fourth Star
Mike Gilbert at FOB Tacoma alerts us that Lt. Gen. Carter Ham, who commanded Task Force Olympia in Northern Iraq when the 3/2 SBCT was on its first deployment, was just nominated for his fourth star. If confirmed he will lead US Army forces in Europe.
Sec Def Visits Ft. Lewis, Strykers
Mike Gilbert has a nice write-up in The News Tribune about Secretary of Defense Robert Gate's recent stop at Ft. Lewis. Excerpt:
Making his first public visit to Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with Army Rangers and military spouses over two days.He lunched with airmen, checked out the Strykers and got his picture taken with newborn babies and their moms at Madigan Army Medical Center. [...]
It was the first local visit by a defense secretary since Donald Rumsfeld came to Fort Lewis in April 2002.
Related:
Gates at Fort Lewis - FOB Tacoma
Gates Visits Troops in Washington State - AFPS/NW Guardian
Photos: Gates Visits Fort Lewis, Washington - US Department of Defense
Stryker Soldier Featured in Documentary
Mike Gilbert at FOB Tacoma received word that CPT Patrick Horan will be featured in a new documentary called "Wounded Warriors" on the Military Channel. Head over for the details.
Memorials for Dolan & Pursel Unveiled
The Hilltop Times has a very nice story covering the dedication of bronze statues honoring three Utah soldiers killed in Iraq. Two of those soldiers, SPC Daniel G. Dolan and CPL Michael A. Pursel, were members of the 3/2 SBCT. Excerpt:
Friends and family of the fallen soldiers paid homage to their memory and witnessed the unveiling of the bronze likenesses of their personal heroes. Among the crowd were six special guests -- the platoon-mates of Dolan, flown in from Fort Lewis, Wash., with the help of Lt. Col. Jeremy Horn and Lidia McClung of Hill Air Force Base. Horn, McClung, members of the American Legion Post 134 and other volunteers arranged for the fallen soldiers' platoon-mates to fly into Hill AFB and stay at hotels without cost."It takes away a lot of the barriers, and it gives closure for the troops," said Horn, who helped arrange for a C-17 to fly the platoon-mates out of McChord Air Force Base, Wash.
Thanks to Tim Dolan, Daniel's father, for sending us this article.
Update: Baqubah DVD
The Northwest Guardian explains why the DVD they mentioned last week, Lessons of Baqubah, is not available to the general public.
Found: Memorial Bracelet
Mike Gilbert of The News Tribune is allowing us to re-print this entry from his site in the hope that the rightful owner of this bracelet can be located. Mike's email is mike.gilbert@thenewstribune.com.
Allie Krizmanich of Raleigh, N.C., is hoping the readers might be able to help.She was in Chicago this week for work and during her off time, went to the beach on the shores of Lake Michigan. There, sticking out of the sand, was one of those memorial bracelets, the kind people wear to remember a fallen soldier or one who is MIA.
"I nearly stepped on it," Krizmanich said.
It was inscribed with the name of Cpl. Billy Farris, a 20-year-old scout with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment who was killed Dec. 3, 2006, at Taji. He was part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Strykers from Fort Lewis.
Farris was from Bapchule, Ariz., where he grew up in the Gila River Indian Community. He also attended school in Salem, Ore., and left an infant son. There's a tribute to him here.
Krizmanich figures whoever lost the bracelet in the sand probably wants it back. Her brother, Gregory, served a tour in Iraq with an Army Reserve unit and she is grateful that he came home safe and sound.
That his name isn't on one of those bracelets.
If this is your lost bracelet please send me a note and I will put you in touch with Allie. Feel free to repost this item if you think it might help.
Lessons of Baqubah now on DVD
By Don Kramer, Northwest Guardian
For most of Sykes’ Regulars, Baqubah was the source of their greatest pride and their worst nightmares.
The battle for the capital of Diyala Province during the U.S. troop surge of 2007, is already a topic of discussion among military analysts and historians.
“Baqubah was arguably the most significant campaign of the war in Iraq after the initial invasion was completed,” said Dr. Bill Reeder, the chief of leader development at the I Corps Battle Command Training Center.
Army’s No. 2 general visits Fort Lewis
MICHAEL GILBERT, The News Tribune
The Army’s No. 2 general hooah’d his way through one more visit to Fort Lewis this week.
Gen. Richard Cody, completing his term as vice chief of staff, presided over promotions, awards and re-enlistments and delivered the keynote speech at Thursday night’s Army birthday ball.
The 57-year-old helicopter pilot is retiring after 36 years in the Army, to be succeeded by Gen. Peter Chiarelli.
One year later, General Lee rides again
Found this article via Michael Yon's website. We've mentioned the General Lee before here and here.
By Spc. Lindsey M. Bradford, I Corps Public Affairs Office
A little more than a year after the anti-tank guided missile Stryker dubbed General Lee was retired from Operation Iraqi Freedom, it made its return to Fort Lewis where Soldiers from 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division had been eagerly awaiting its arrival.
General Lee once belonged to Soldiers from 2nd Platoon, C Company, 52nd Infantry Regiment (Anti-Tank), 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. But on April 15, 2007, while conducting operations just south of the Shiek Hamed village in Iraq, the Stryker was hit by a deeply buried improvised explosive device.
Although the General had survived previous blasts in Iraq it was no match for the DBIED, and after returning its crew home from one last mission, it was retired and sent to Balad, where it was later shipped to General Dynamics, in Alabama, to receive some much-needed work.
“I actually processed (the General Lee) when it was at Balad,” recalled Joe Griffiths, material fielding manager for the Stryker program at Fort Lewis. “This thing was completely blown on its side. It needed new armor, a new engine and a good cleaning.”
General Lee arrived in Aniston, Ala., on May 17, 2007, and on May 21, 2008, it was inventoried and handed off to Soldiers in 2nd Squad, A Company, 52nd Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. [...]
Infantry Soldiers gather to honor fallen comrades
By Rachel Young, Northwest Guardian
President Abraham Lincoln once said that any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure. With that in mind, Soldiers, families and friends of the Arrowhead Brigade gathered May 22 to pay tribute to their fallen brothers and sisters in honor of Memorial Day.
The ceremony centered around recalling the 91 Soldiers of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division who died while assigned or attached to the unit.
“Today we gather to honor our fallen comrades,” said Maj. Elisabeth Crooks, brigade adjutant and narrator for the ceremony. “These men and women gave their lives in order to protect our nation, our values and our ideals.”
A son’s star
3/2 SBCT soldier profiled.
By MIRIAM MOELLER, The Mining Journal
MARQUETTE —Northern Michigan University President Les Wong carefully and protectively picked up a quarter-sized bronze star attached to a red, white and blue striped ribbon.
“Right now it’s typically on my dresser,” he said. “I look at it every day.”
The medal is a Bronze Star — the country’s fourth-highest combat medal, awarded for “meritorious” service while in combat in the United States Army — once belonged to Les’ son Brian, 27.
Training period begins for Arrowhead Brigade
By Rachel Young, Northwest Guardian
The Arrowhead Brigade is reset — and ready to roll.
The reset period has drawn to a close for 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and the training period has begun in earnest. For the last several months, 3rd Bde., 2nd Inf. Div. has been “rebuilding the foundation,” according to Col. David Funk, brigade commander. What the Army calls the reset period, Funk prefers to call a “regeneration” because it better describes the complex period.
With that in mind, he chose the theme of rebuilding the foundation because he likens the reset period to building a house. “If you want to go out and build a house, you can go ahead and throw your walls up, and put the roof on, and put pretty shutters on it, and paint it up really nice, but the first stiff wind that comes by, that thing is going to collapse on you,” Funk said. “You always start out with the foundation.”
Future Ft. Lewis Deployments
Mike Gilbert at The News Tribune takes a look at the recent rotation announcement and suggests what this might mean for future 3/2 and 5/2 SBCT deployments.
A new source of mental health care for veterans
By MICHAEL GILBERT, The News Tribune
A group of mental health care providers in Washington is offering free help to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families who either can’t or don’t want to go through traditional channels for care.
The Soldiers Project Northwest is modeled after a similar effort in Los Angeles, where volunteer therapists since 2004 have seen clients without charge for help with their war-related problems.
“The war just feels so big. The problems of the country feel so big. This is something that I can do,” said Tim Mallon, a University Place mental health counselor who is taking part in the Northwest effort. “I’ve got the training to do it, and the need is there. It’s pretty simple, really.”
Blogger & Author Gets Recalled
Those of you who have been following this site for a while no doubt remember Colby Buzzell. Buzzell deployed with the 3/2 SBCT in 2003-2004 and received a fair amount of notoriety for maintaining a very candid blog during his deployment. Following the brigade's redeployment he went on to pen a book ("My War: Killing Time in Iraq") that expanded on those original writings. Via an editorial he wrote last week in the SF Chronicle ("Return to Sender - Iraq Veteran Gets the Call Again") we learn that he has been recalled to active duty and will be heading back to Iraq.
Thanks to Mike for the link.
Fort Lewis fixing up old barracks with $2.8 billion
By DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP, Associated Press
Soldiers at Fort Lewis live in buildings that date back as far as 1927, but base officials say an ambitious barracks construction and renovation project is keeping soldier housing entirely hospitable.
Fort Lewis, base for about 28,924 soldiers, has been building new barracks and upgrading old ones for the past seven years, mostly to accommodate population growth as new Stryker brigades are formed or moved to Washington state.
Pride Week at Fort Lewis puts soldiers to the test
FORT LEWIS — Pride Week traditionally has involved soldiers cleaning the post and removing debris from training areas.
Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., commanding general of Fort Lewis and I Corps, expanded this year's weeklong event to celebrate what soldiers have done and can do together.
For the first time, Pride Week includes unit-sponsored competition, including marksmanship, boxing and weightlifting, in an effort to build camaraderie and morale.
Books of Interest
Two recently published books have connections to the Stryker brigades.
- Moment of Truth in Iraq
, by Michael Yon: Yon has embedded with numerous Stryker brigades.
- I Lost my Love in Baghdad
Fort Lewis preparing for summer population surge
This summer, post exchange and commissary patrons may find the stores a little more crowded, traffic may be a little thicker and unit operations officers may have to plan a little further ahead to use high-demand training facilities on post.
That’s because Fort Lewis will welcome about 6,500 Soldiers home from deployment between May and September, hiking the post’s troop population to almost 29,000 in what many are calling the “summer surge.”
But Fort Lewis garrison officials have been hard at work for eight months, planning to accommodate the returning units with many new unit buildings, facelifts for existing barracks and facilties, and and a delicately crafted plan to ensure Soldiers, families and units get the support they need during the surge.
3rd Stryker Brigade soldiers compete in skill tests
More than a dozen soldiers from a combat brigade that returned from Iraq last fall are competing this week at Fort Lewis to find out who’s the most skilled.
The top soldier and noncommissioned officer from the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, will join their peers from across the post for the corps-level competition, which runs from June 2-6.
“It’s friendly competition,” said Master Sgt. Mickey Robinson, who has competed in similar events in the past. “You end up getting bragging rights.”
Wounded Soldiers return to lead
Great article from the Northwest Guardian re: two 3/2 SBCT soldiers.
By Don Kramer, Northwest Guardian
Two Soldiers deployed to Iraq from Fort Lewis and returned with broken bodies.
One lost his right leg and the other, his spleen and sections of other internal organs.
But facing punishing physical therapy and uncertain futures in the Army, the junior officer and senior NCO set the same goal to once again lead Soldiers. They turned what for many is a sad, not uncommon story of struggle against challenges into an inspirational one of achievement and hope.
During the first week of February, Capt. Damon Armeni and 1st Sgt. John Blue put on green leadership tabs as a cavalry troop commander and an infantry company first sergeant in 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. For Armeni, it was almost four years after his Stryker vehicle was hit by a modified rocket-propelled grenade. For Blue, only a year had passed since his Stryker hit an improvised explosive device.
Army poet inspired by service in Iraq
Jay Kirschenmann, Argus Leader
War poet Brian Turner wrote secretly during his stint near Mosul while in the Army in Iraq.
Some fellow soldiers with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, knew he had a master's degree, but no one ever asked him what it was for. His answer would have been poetry, from the University of Oregon.
"It's hard to be hard-nosed if you're writing poetry," Turner has said, so he didn't advertise his talent.
Documentary: Bad Voodoo's War
UPDATE 4/2/08: The full video is now available for viewing online.
Along the left-hand side of the site you will likely see an advertisement for the upcoming Frontline documentary on PBS called "Bad Voodoo's War", which is set to air on Tuesday, April 1, 2008. What I didn't know originally was that there is a connection to the Stryker Brigade, specifically the 3/2 SBCT.
At the center of the documentary is SFC Toby Nunn, who is currently serving with a CA National Guard unit in Iraq, but first deployed with the 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT during OIF I & II. According to a recent article Nunn was also good friends with SGT Jacob Demand, who was killed during 3/2's first deployment. Long time readers will also know that SGT Demand was killed in the same incident that wounded Scott Thorne and Travis Majors, whose recoveries have been chronicled on this site. Nunn also chronicled his deployment with the 3/2 SBCT in a book titled Northern Disclosure.
Check your local PBS listings if you're interested in watching the show.
Medals go to heroes of Iraq rollover
MICHAEL GILBERT, The News Tribune
More than four years after the fact, the Army got around to decorating two men who saved the lives of five fellow soldiers – and spared the Army’s first Stryker brigade from further calamity on its combat debut in Iraq.
At Fort Lewis on Monday, Staff Sgt. William Rose and Brett Moore were each presented with the Soldiers Medal for heroism for rescuing their comrades from a Stryker that flipped into an irrigation canal near Samarra.
The 4,000 U.S. casualties in Iraq “would likely be 4,005 if not for the heroic actions of our honorees today,” Col. David Funk, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division commander, said at the presentation.
"Brothers For Life" Remember Slain Soldier
Follow the link for audio as well.
Cami McCormick joined more than a dozen soldiers in Tacoma as they remembered the death, and celebrated the life of their "brother", Army Cpl. Brian L. Chevalier.For one group of young soldiers, most of whom were seniors in high school when the U.S. invaded Iraq, the 5th anniversary is not about numbers, political speeches or military strategy.
More than a dozen troops based in Tacoma, Washington gathered recently to commemorate a very personal milestone of the war.
During their 15 month deployment to Iraq, the Bravo Company, 5/20 Infantry Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade out of Ft. Lewis was stationed first in Mosul, and then moved to Baghdad as the U.S. troop surge got underway.
News Tribune on 5th Anniversary
The News Tribune has a number of items related to the 5th Anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.
- The Iraq conflict five years later: A look back and ahead as war rolls on
- A Fort Lewis & Washington timeline of the Iraq war
- More comments on the 5th anniversary - Views from the paper's readers
- Five years from Tacoma to Iraq - Multimedia presentation posted on YouTube
Five years later, soldiers reflect on casualties
Follow the link for video as well.
By Keith Eldridge, KOMO 4 News
FORT LEWIS -- This base is 6th on the list of military bases with the most casualties in the war in Iraq. But the soldiers at Fort Lewis say they want to make sure each and every soldier is honored for their supreme sacrifice.
When the fighting in Iraq began, it was everyone's hope that the U.S. could get through the conflict with very few soldier deaths, and have it be over and done with quickly.
That was five years and 179 Fort Lewis casualties ago.
Time and again, soldiers, their families and friends have gathered to pay honor to those who've fallen.
On this 5th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, the soldiers and their commanders say the deaths that happen today are just as hard to take as those back in 2003.
[...]
Fort Lewis sees growth, change
FORT LEWIS — Before bombs dropped on Baghdad in 2003, Fort Lewis already was on the forefront of change in the Army, developing and fielding a new, cutting-edge combat brigade.
And little around the installation has remained the same since.
Like other military posts, Fort Lewis has adjusted to the demands of fighting two protracted conflicts five years in Iraq and nearing seven in Afghanistan. Those demands include improving the care of wounded soldiers and increasing the number of services and programs available to families to help them through the stress of long periods of separation.
Some changes are unique to Fort Lewis, including an assessment program to ensure that any lingering effects from combat aren't ignored. The war has accelerated the development of the Stryker combat brigades; three of the Army's seven Stryker brigades are based at Fort Lewis.
[...]
Ex-Fort Lewis chief predicts tough spring for U.S. troops
Dubik was the top commander at Ft. Lewis until his recent assignment in Iraq.
FORT LEWIS, Pierce County — For three years, thousands of Army soldiers from this Western Washington post patrolled the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. More than 40 lost their lives.
With the security situation improved, the last of three Fort Lewis Stryker brigades withdrew in mid-2006, but during the past year, as U.S. forces clamped down on al-Qaida activities farther south, Mosul has once again emerged as a violent center of insurgent activities, a key U.S. commander said on Thursday.
The experience in Mosul offers a cautionary note as the U.S. military nears the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war amid a drawdown of American troops.
GH man trades in his paintbrush for Army rifle
Found this article via Mike Gilbert's blog.
Enlisting in the U.S. Army was not a decision that came lightly to Ezra Suko. In early February, the 26-year-old painter signed up for a three-year tour in the infantry with his 19-year-old brother, Elijah. As Suko tells it, he had been considering entering the military since August 2005. That was when his brother-in-law, Gabe DeRoo, was killed while serving in Iraq.
“The way he lived … he was an inspiration to us; definitely an inspiration,” Suko said. “I never thought of going in to the military before (his death).”
For most of his life, Suko did not see himself as the kind of man who would fight a war. A son of Discovery Baptist Church Pastor Mark Suko and a painter since he was 14, he described himself as “not the type to start conflicts.”
House OKs naming post office in honor of Harkins
By Harris Blackwood, Gainesville Times
The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to name the Cleveland post office in honor of Sgt. Jason Robert Harkins, who was killed in Iraq.
Harkins was a member of the U.S. Army, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis, Wash.
While serving his second tour of duty in Iraq, Harkins, 25, was killed on May 6, 2007, by a roadside bomb, along with five other members of his platoon, during combat operations in Baqouba, Iraq.
SPC Kevin Mowl
Friends of Spc. Kevin Mowl let us know that he passed away yesterday at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. An entry at the CaringBridge website maintained by his family confirmed his passing. Mowl, 22, of Pittsford, N.Y., was injured by an IED attack in Baghdad last August and was receiving treatment for his injuries at Bethesda. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (SBCT) based at Ft. Lewis, WA.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers.
Soldier is forever changed
By Jennifer Phillips-Holden, Daily Press
Larry Clark is a changed man after being caught in a roadside bombing last spring in Iraq.
"I take things a lot more seriously now," he said. "I realize that there was no way I could have seen the device."
Clark is a 27-year-old specialist in the Army. He survived the roadside bombing while assigned to Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, but his seven friends with him were all killed.
3/2 SBCT Memorial
Mike Gilbert of The News Tribune has a nice photo and brief overview of the final version of the 3/2 SBCT's memorial for the soldiers who died during its two deployments to Iraq.
Michael Yon: Dinner with General Dubik
Journalist Michael Yon recently sat down with General Dubik in Iraq. Dubik was the top commander at Ft. Lewis while the first Stryker brigades were being formed there and is now in charge of the coalition effort to train Iraqi Security Forces. One of the topics of their conversation was the Stryker concept. Excerpt:
Years ago, LTG Dubik was chosen to form the first Stryker brigades from scratch. The Stryker has been a subject of controversy. I’ve spent about eight months on combat operations in Strykers, and perhaps a year in other modes of transportation such as Humvees, Bradleys, and boots. Over the course of that time, I became a firm believer in Strykers because what a lot of Stryker critics don’t seem to understand—presumably because they have spent little time in combat with numerous units—is that it’s not all about the vehicle. Yes, the Stryker itself is fantastic. (History might be less kind to the new MRAP.) But the biggest factor in its effectiveness is not in the vehicle, but in the way that soldiers who use it have learned to fight. The critiques I read all focused on the Stryker vehicle and totally missed the fact that Stryker brigades fight Kung Fu-style, while Humvee fighting is more like street brawling. Stryker brigades fight faster and with greater agility. Soldiers have more information. As a consequence, decision-making is distributed and responsibility pushed farther down the chain of command during fighting.
Hopes, fears run high for Fort Lewis troops who served in Mosul
By Mike Gilbert, The News Tribune
Fort Lewis soldiers and their families could be forgiven for feeling uneasy about the news lately out of Mosul. They made a steep investment in whatever security and stability has taken hold in the northern Iraqi city of 1.8 million.
Thousands of Fort Lewis soldiers have served there; 700 members of a helicopter squadron are stationed in and around the city now.
And of the 176 who have died in Iraq since the war’s beginning, more fell in Mosul – 46 – than anywhere else.
Thanking the veterans
It's great to have an update on Michael Oreskovic. You can read much more about his story here. His father, Mike, was one of the founders of this site.
By Rebecca Taylor, The Register-Guard
Five young veterans injured in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq stood before a small gathering on Wednesday and heard two words they don’t hear often enough: Thank you.
“We’re here to say thank you to these young men today because they laid it on the line, as have veterans of other generations,” said Richard Casey, district commander for the American Legion and a veteran of the Korean War. “These young people are members of a very large organization — American veterans.”
Casey presented the men with American Legion membership cards and $500 checks, courtesy of the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping seriously injured veterans of the war on terror. The group awarded 1,000 grants to disabled veterans across the country on a first-come, first-served basis.
Soldier Update
Mike Gilbert of The News Tribune has a nice update on his blog about CPT Damon Armeni, a 3/2 SBCT soldier who was seriously wounded during the brigade's first deployment in 2003-2004. Congratulations! Here are a few stories we've linked to previously regarding CPT Armeni.
Soldier injured while saving comrade
Heroic acts by soldiers can happen off of the battlefield, too.
Staff Sgt. Larry Teakell will be honored at a ceremony today for saving the life of another soldier when she was engulfed in flames during a generator refueling accident.
Teakell will be awarded the Soldier's Medal, presented to any U.S. service member for heroism not involving combat.
He was nominated for the award for his actions on July 18 in Iraq.
[...]
State Senate honors Stryker brigade
BY CHRISTIAN HILL, THE OLYMPIAN
The state Senate unanimously passed a resolution today honoring the bravery of a Fort Lewis-based Stryker brigade that served 15 months in Iraq.
Col. David Funk, commander of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and six of the 10 soldiers who received the Silver Star for heroic acts during the deployment were honored guests in Senate chambers as the resolution was read.
Sen. Rosa Franklin, a Tacoma Democrat and a sponsor of the resolution, said this is the first time in her memory that the Senate has “recognized these brave men and women in this way.”
“This day is long overdue,” Franklin said. “We want to thank you for your service.”
[...]
Winlock Grad Awarded Silver Star
TACOMA -- Staff Sgt. Jon Hilliard, a Winlock native, was one of two Fort Lewis soldiers awarded the Silver Star medal Wednesday afternoon in a ceremony in the base’s Sheridan Gym. They will be honored again Friday in ceremonies at the state capitol.
Hilliard, 26, and Sgt. 1st Class Ismael Iban were given the award for combat action while serving with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division in Iraq. The 3rd Brigade returned from Iraq in September of 2007.
The Silver Star is the nation’s third-highest military award for combat heroism, and is inscribed on the reverse with the phrase “for gallantry in action.”
According to information from Fort Lewis, on the morning of March 24, 2007, Hilliard, a weapons squad leader, was in a Stryker combat vehicle patrolling Baqubah when the vehicle was attacked by a powerful improvised explosive device. He was thrown onto the roof of the vehicle by the force of the blast and, in spite of multiple injuries to his left leg, he exposed himself to enemy small arms and machine gun fire to free a machine gun and ammunition from the burning wreckage.
[...]
Two Stryker soldiers honored for heroism
Here's another article regarding the recent announcement of two additional Silver Stars being awarded to 3/2 SBCT soldiers.
MIKE GILBERT; The News Tribune
The deep buried bomb hit the Stryker so hard it blew off the back ramp and sent Staff Sgt. Jon Hilliard flying out of his hatch, shot like a cork from a bottle.
“You’d think that something like that would’ve hurt,” the 26-year-old infantryman recalled Wednesday. “But actually it was almost serene.
“I remember feeling weightless, and then there was a bright yellow light at the bottom of my feet and I was flying through the air,” he said. “The next thing I know I’m looking up at the sky and ... it’s on fire.”
2 Fort Lewis soldiers earn Silver Star
Two more Fort Lewis soldiers will be awarded the Silver Star today for acts last year during a 15-month deployment to Iraq.
That brings to at least 10 the number of soldiers assigned to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) who have received the nation's third-highest award for combat valor.
The nearly 4,000 soldiers assigned to the brigade returned home in late September.
The soldiers receiving the award today are Staff Sgt. Jon Hilliard and Sgt. 1st Class Ismael Iban.
[...]
Stryker Reset
Both The News Tribune and The Olympian have stories regarding the ongoing repair work for the 3/2 SBCT's Stryker vehicles.
- Army spends $43 million to reset strykers An important makeover - The News Tribune
- More on the Stryker reset - FOB Tacoma
- What it takes to repair Stryker brigade’s vehicles - The Olympian
Soldiers come back for more
MICHAEL GILBERT, The News Tribune
While he was in Iraq, the re-enlistment sergeant for the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, kept a competitive eye on his counterpart from another brigade.
That unit was racking up impressive numbers – so much so that by the time it returned home last month to Fort Richardson, Alaska, it had the highest re-enlistments of any combat brigade in the Army.
But only in terms of percentages.
Soldier no longer faces foreclosure
I'm grateful that Mike Barber followed up on this story.
A Fort Lewis soldier who returned from stresses of war last year to the face the subprime mortgage mess threatening to foreclose on his family's dream home is now in the clear.
Sgt. Marcus Barton said some encouraging readers of a P-I story on him last month provided moral and financial assistance to keep creditors at bay.
Instead of facing foreclosure and broken finances, Barton, his wife, Sarah, who is expecting their third child, and their two sons will be able to sell their North Tacoma house to break even and later this year move to new quarters on the Army post.
Michael Yon on Iraq
Michael Yon has just published an entry worth reading called "Moment of Truth in Iraq" where he looks back at events in Iraq during 2007, part of which he spent with the 3/2 SBCT.
UPDATE: The entry also includes information on Yon's upcoming book, which will hopefully document some of his time with the 3/2 SBCT.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A ‘fallen angel,’ then a Silver Star
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
The soldiers of Charger Company were rehearsing for another mission at their base near Iskandiriyah, south of Baghdad, when they got the call the afternoon of Jan. 28.
There was a “fallen angel,” a downed U.S. military aircraft, near Najaf, about 60 miles away. Get there as soon as possible, they were told, and secure the crew and the wreckage.
The Charger soldiers and their commander, then-Capt. Brent Clemmer, thought they’d be back to base by midnight.
David Hardt Column
3/2 SBCT solider David Hardt recounts the week before he ran the Seattle Marathon in honor of his fallen comrades from the brigade.
Silver Star Awarded to Stryker Soldier
Maj. Brent Clemmer with the 3/2 SBCT will be awarded the Silver Star today in a ceremony at Ft. Lewis. The following articles provide more details regarding the circumstances of the award.
- Silver Star for Clemmer - FOB Tacoma
- Fort Lewis officer to receive Silver Star - Seattle P-I
- http://www.theolympian.com/breakingnews/story/284340.html">Fort Lewis soldier awarded Silver Star - The Olympian
Soldier's message finds an audience
Jerry Brewer has posted a post-race update of his column on David Hardt. Congrats to David on finishing the race in honor of his fallen comrades.
By Jerry Brewer, Seattle Times
David Bruce Hardt had never run a marathon like this before. He usually hates the day of a race, because he's too focused or too sore, and his competitiveness overwhelms his joy.
On Sunday, however, everything felt different for the Iraq War veteran. Eighteen miles into the Seattle Marathon, his tribute to 48 of his fallen comrades, Hardt recognized just how widespread his message of remembrance had become.
The crowd began cheering him loudly. People extended their hands to offer thanks. Others wanted hugs, and Hardt was happy to break his stride to give them. A little girl even kissed his cheek, just as an Iraqi girl had done several months ago in an alley in Baghdad.
Stryker Brigades: Where Are They Now?
Mike Gilbert of The News Tribune has a nice summary of where each Stryker Brigade is right now (deployed/dwelling), and when each might be called on again to head overseas.
Soldier gives thanks for medics who saved his life
LACEY — After being wounded in three life-threatening explosions that finally sent him home from Iraq in mid-September, Sgt. Gregory Rayho is most grateful this Thanksgiving for the combat medics who "go through hell to get to you and heal you," he said.
"They are the real armor," said Rayho, 30, a team leader with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment of the Fort Lewis-based Stryker brigade. "We have thick metal plates on our vehicles, and we wear 40 pounds of armor, but I'd take all that off to have the combat medics behind us."
3rd Stryker Brigade's 'trail party' now home
FORT LEWIS -- Long after the emotional homecomings and festive, parade-ground ceremonies that took place when the 3rd Stryker Brigade returned in September from its 15 months in Iraq, the unit's last detail of soldiers is finally home.
Army Spcs. Sam Patrick, 22, of Hinesburg, Vt., and Adam Morehouse, 20, of Brant Lake, N.Y., were among five soldiers who caught the last ship home, bringing back the brigade's vehicles and equipment this month. They arrived not to bands but to anti-war protests.
Running in Remembrance
A Seattle Times columnist profiles David Hardt, a soldier with the 3/2 SBCT who wrote a regular column for The Ft. Lewis Ranger newspaper while deployed. He is also competing in the Seattle Marathon this Sunday in honor of the 48 soldiers the brigade lost. Best of luck, David!
By Jerry Brewer, Seattle Times
On this sleepless night, David Bruce Hardt started seeing things. They were real, not imaginary, and he felt ignorant he hadn't noticed them before.
He walked through the barracks in Iraq last July and made some stirring observations. Spc. Hardt, a Fort Lewis soldier, saw a board with all the names of his lost comrades, resting just above the door he exits through to go run each day. Hardt trudged down the hallway with his head down. He then looked up and saw a picture of a sergeant in a wheelchair, a white bandage covering his amputated leg. And he read a letter from a captain's wife, updating her husband's recovery from a devastating spinal injury.
Hardt grew angry, and once he relaxed, he made a declaration.
"On Nov. 25, 2007, I am running the Seattle Marathon," he said.
Baqubah Update
Michael Yon spent Thanksgiving in Baqubah and has a brief update on the situation there. Excerpt:
But I came across something today that might make veterans of the fighting in Baqubah proud. Back in May, just before operation Arrowhead Ripper, there were about 60 violent acts per day. Now there are about 6. The markets are opening and the streets are again filled with people. I thought the veterans of Baqubah might like to know that their efforts have made a tremendous difference for the people here. You fought hard. This writer saw it. Your sacrifices truly meant something.
Unit leaders say farewell
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
With everybody home from Iraq and all their gear and vehicles delivered via the Port of Olympia, the soldiers of Fort Lewis’ 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division finally get to enjoy a holiday and a month off, beginning today.
But first they assembled Wednesday to say farewell to the two men who led them – the Army’s original Stryker brigade – through 15 hard months in Iraq.
Col. Stephen Townsend and Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Du turned over the reins in a ceremony at Gray Army Airfield.
Injured soldier ready to move forward with family
The following story profiles a 3/2 SBCT soldier seriously injured in Iraq.
Editor's note: In a series of interviews over the past few months, Danielle Field and husband Brian, who lost both legs in Iraq, talked about the emotional and physical impact of the injuries on him and the family, the upheaval in their lives and their determination to live out their dreams for the future.
The morning the call came in, the children had eaten breakfast and walked off to school as usual, and Danielle Field was planning to spend the day pulling out sleeping bags and checking the supplies they'd need for an upcoming weekend at the lake with friends.
As she did every day, she thought of her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Field, in Iraq. She didn't know that the event that would change all their lives had already happened while they were sleeping in their home on the post at Fort Lewis in Washington state.
At 9 a.m. on that normal Friday morning on June 1, the phone rang and, at first, there was disbelief.
Towanda native decorated with Silver Star
The platoon sergeant went down from his injuries. But despite being shot twice, and with shrapnel embedded in his neck and his right soldier, McGuire, 33, took control.
"I was just trying to get people out of there," he said of the March 16 firefight.
The heroism earned him the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest decoration for combat valor.
McGuire was one of seven soldiers assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division who received the award after returning from the Iraq war. One soldier received the honor on behalf of Sgt. Jason Harkins, who was killed weeks after his heroic action.
More awards for the brigade are possible.
A specialist assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment has been nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest award for combat valor, said Major Jack Vantress, operations officer. The nomination is awaiting final approval. The cross has been awarded six times since the U.S.-led coalition invaded Afghanistan, according to the Home of Heroes Web site.
Soldier returns home to surprise celebration
By CATHARINE HADLEY, Port Clinton Herald
PORT CLINTON --U.S. Army Sgt. Travis McCleary might have expected a few friends and family members for his homecoming.
He did not expect two police cars, three fire trucks, an ambulance and a handful of other vehicles to escort his girlfriend's car from Ohio 2 to Perry Street, then Madison and Second Street Wednesday evening.
Brothers from Fontana go to Iraq
By PHILIP A. RUE, Fontana Herald News
Two graduates from Fontana A.B. Miller High School were the key speakers at the Fontana Rotary Club this past Monday, but instead of wearing cap and gown to denote graduation time, they wore instead their Advanced Combat Uniform (ACU), a camouflage outfit denoting membership in the U.S. Army.
They are brothers and they are soldiers -- Staff Sergeant Frank Verdugo, age 32, and his younger brother, Specialist Daniel Wibert, 21.
Verdugo had just returned last Saturday from his second tour of duty in Iraq.
Best Military Blog - 2007
Army of Dude, a milblog written by a soldier with the 3/2 SBCT, is a finalist in the 2007 Weblog Awards competition (Military category). He's currently in 2nd place and voting ends today at 2 PM PST. Please consider visiting the Weblog Awards website to cast your vote.
UPDATE 11/09/07: Army of Dude finished 2nd to Michael Yon...not bad company.
The hard road to recovery
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Hundreds of soldiers just home from Iraq with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division have felt the effects of mild traumatic brain injury.
A relative few – about 10 – survived more severe head wounds from blasts or gunshots and were flown to military hospitals in Germany and the United States, said Lt. Col. Michael Oshiki, the surgeon for the Fort Lewis brigade.
Capt. Patrick Horan is one of them.
‘Our nation has asked a lot of you’
By Don Kramer, Northwest Guardian
Their chain of command awarded the Regulars from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment 80 percent of the medals for valor received by Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in its recent deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On Monday in Sheridan Sports and Fitness Center, the commander of 3-2 Inf. Bde., Col. Stephen Townsend, began the process of pinning them on. He presented Bronze Stars and Army Commendation Medals, 13 with V-devices, along with 17 Purple Hearts and 46 Combat Infantryman Badges. The awards were shared among Attack, Battle and Hound companies; the fourth organic unit, C Company, was detached to 1-14 Cav. at the outset of the deployment.
Interview: David Hardt
Blog-Ah! has published a long interview with David Hardt, a soldier who served with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq and also wrote a weekly column for the Ft. Lewis Ranger newspaper.
Father finishing book by son killed in Iraq
Mike Gilbert at FOB Tacoma points to the following article in the LA Times regarding SSG Darrell Griffin and his father's promise to finish his book. You can read more about SSG Griffin in our archives.
By James Ricci, Los Angeles Times
Darrell Griffin Sr. has gotten down to work on his final collaboration with his son and namesake.
The book taking shape beneath his hands is a compendium. It will blend an account of a father's melancholy journey to Iraq with the dire experiences and searching meditations of a son, the latter written down by Darrell Griffin Jr. before a Sadr City sniper's bullet pierced the back of his head in March.
Darrell Jr. was an Army infantry staff sergeant, 6 feet 2 inches of muscled warrior. Married, with no children, he'd been an emergency medical technician in Compton before finding his life's work as a soldier.
NW Guardian
The NW Guardian is the official newspaper of the Ft. Lewis community, and they have consistent coverage of the various Stryker Brigades. We haven't done a very good job of featuring their stories, but we'll try and correct that in the future. Right now they have a number of stories online regarding 3/2 SBCT homecoming activities. Stop by their website, spend a few minutes browsing their content, and bookmark it for future reference.
Silver Star goes to seven from Stryker Brigade
Staff Sgt. Shawn McGuire and other soldiers from his engineer platoon were in the midst of recovering a Stryker armored vehicle damaged by in a bombing in narrow alley in Baquoba, Iraq, when all hell broke loose.
Two rocket-propelled grenades sliced through the air and exploded, wounding five soldiers. Gunfire erupted every which way.
The platoon sergeant went down from his injuries. But despite being shot twice, and with shrapnel embedded in his neck and his right soldier, McGuire, 33, took control.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a 3/2 SBCT soldier who just returned from Iraq. In this edition he reflects on the loss of a former officer, Drew Jensen.
Brigade pride, joy on display
The 3/2 SBCT was officially welcomed home yesterday. Mike Gilbert also has a piece on his blog regarding yesterday's ceremony, including an interview with COL Townsend.
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
The soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division got their formal welcome home Thursday at Fort Lewis in an emotional ceremony that saw dozens of their wounded rejoin the ranks, and seven of their heroes decorated for valor – one of them posthumously.
“I am as proud of these soldiers in front of you as anything I’ve been associated with in my life,” their commander, Col. Stephen Townsend, told several thousand friends and family members who attended Thursday’s celebration at Gray Army Airfield.
“I know you all are just as proud of them.”
Arrowhead Memorial
J.M. Simpson of the Ft. Lewis Ranger newspaper attended the unveiling of the memorial for the 3/2 SBCT. Excerpt:
Over 700 soldiers, family members and friends gathered at the headquarters of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division today for the unveiling of a statue honoring the brigade’s fallen soldiers since its inception in 1995.“These warriors gave the full measure,” said Col. Steven Townsend, the brigade’s commander, during yesterday’s unveiling of a statue honoring the brigade’s fallen warriors. “The work involved in creating this memorial is truly a work of love,” he added in a voice thick with emotion.
The majority of the brigade’s fallen warriors come from its two deployments to Iraq.
In Memorium
Today's front page of The Olympian newspaper is devoted to profiling the 48 soldiers of the 3/2 SBCT who did not return with their comrades.
Related Article:
Memorial to honor brigade's soldiers - The Olympian
Father's journey to Iraq chases son's ghost
This is one of those must-read articles. It discusses a father's journey to fulfill the wishes of his fallen soldier-son. You can read more about SSG Darrell Griffin, who has been mentioned here many times before.
By Brent Hopkins, Press Telegram
Darrell Griffin Sr. tensed with anticipation the moment the C-130 Hercules hit the tarmac.
As the noisy turboprop cargo plane's wheels rolled along the runway of Baghdad International Airport, the September heat felt like 140 degrees. Griffin Sr. stood up, shifting under the weight of 80 pounds of body armor and a Kevlar helmet.
The 55-year-old Van Nuys accountant grabbed his bags, stepped out the door and ran for his life toward the terminal.
Schools for military children respect their unique lives
FORT LEWIS -- In "Mr. T's" kindergarten class at Evergreen Elementary, 5-year-old Annika and her classmates are scribbling lines in their journals. The assignment is a daily question, and today's seeks a few thoughts about their favorite "math stations" exercise.
Annika, however, is more focused than most upon filling her page.
When her teacher, Jeff Thompson, reaches Annika and asks her to translate what she has busily used her pencil to create, Annika tells him about her favorite math station.
Then she reads for him about a more significant part of her life:
"My daddy, I'm missing him so much because he's in Iraq," she says, running her finger over penciled lines as she interprets them for her teacher.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a 3/2 SBCT soldier who recently returned from Iraq. Excerpt:
Back to the real world and the integration process. This process has gotten better, and I am adjusting every day. This run and this accomplishment provoked something in me that again has nicely changed things in my life. As I jumped in my jeep, I took out the paper I had written in high school. I looked at it and smiled. After almost 16 years, that speech had come true. I was a winner.
A band of survivors returns from Iraq
By Alexandra Zavis, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
BAQUBAH, IRAQ -- As darkness fell and mortar rounds thudded in the distance, the soldiers of Attack Company's 3rd Platoon fired up a barbecue, mixed some marinade in a cut-off water bottle and slathered it on pork ribs with a paintbrush.
Spc. Brant Fechter leaped on top of a concrete barrier with an acoustic guitar, teetered wildly, steadied himself and belted out, "I'm craaaaa-zy with a capital K!"
His buddies laughed as they cooked by the light of their headlamps.
"That's the second-funniest thing I've seen this deployment," said Sgt. 1st Class Corey Oliver, the platoon sergeant, setting off a spirited debate on what had been the funniest.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a 3/2 SBCT solider who recently returned home from Iraq. In this piece he talks about the difficulties of reintegration. Excerpt:
There are so many emotions you go through in the first 72 hours it’s not even funny, and I am almost ashamed to admit it. I tell myself I have done this before and I reintegrated just fine, but this time life and circumstances have dramatically changed.
The General Lee Comes Home
Michael Yon is back in Iraq after a brief break. I'm hoping he links up with Stryker troops on this visit as well. Regardless, he's re-published an article from Defense Daily on his site that talks about the Army equipment reset process. To illustrate the process the writer focuses on the journey of a single vehicle - the Stryker affectionately dubbed the "General Lee". Yon featured the General Lee in his dispatch titled "Superman". Excerpt:
By sea and by land, one of the Army’s war-battered Stryker vehicles known to its unit as the General Lee is coming home to Anniston Army Depot, Ala., where it was built, to be repaired and sent on to a unit in ready-to-fight condition.General Lee will be just one of the more than 300,000 major pieces of equipment the Army has spent $38 billion to repair to date under the process it calls reset, according to a September Congressional Budget Office report. The process is complex, involving a multitude of military organizations and contractors, hundreds of people and hours of work.
Time after time in Iraq, General Lee saved soldiers from improvised explosive devices, but an explosion in April left it unrepairable in Iraq and declared a battle loss.
Newlyweds in Iraq, typical couple in Lacey
Spcs. Gustavo and Katrina De La Victoria returned home to Lacey on Saturday after spending the first 15 months of their marriage in Iraq.
They’re eager to start a life together in a more relaxed setting – one without constant worry about the other’s safety.
“Privacy as a married couple: That’s the biggest thing we’re looking forward to,” said Gustavo De La Victoria, 24.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a soldier who served with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq. In this edition he recounts his trip home. Excerpt:
So I said my good-byes, closed my computer, grabbed my assault pack, and then made my way out the door. But before I did, I looked back at the room and took a visual picture of the life I had lived there, because when I get home and things get rough, all I will have to do is close my eyes and remember that room, and I am sure I will snap out if it. I made my way up the stairs where everyone else was getting their stuff. We grabbed our bags and went to load them on the truck and then marched down to where we would sign out. And just like we left in the middle of night to come to Iraq, we would start our journey back through the thickness of darkness.
Stryker Soldier Is Still “At Bat” After Three Strikes
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Imagine being a wife at home back in the states with your husband far away in a war zone. You go about your life filling every minute of your day with anything to keep your mind off of the inevitable, when suddenly you get a phone call. The voice on the other end says, “I’m at the hospital. I’ve been injured. Don’t worry I am fine.” Your heart sinks and you are helpless. There is no way to assure yourself that he is ok.
Sgt. Gregory Rayho’s wife has taken that dreaded phone call not once, but three times since July 2006.
Rayho, a team leader with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, received his second Purple Heart on Sept. 12. He is waiting to be presented with his third when he gets back to Fort Lewis some time later this month. He earned all three during his 15-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.
Hundreds of Fort Lewis troops home
Homecomings continue...
There are few certainties in life. Fewer in war. But for parents like Kevin and Julie Meadows of Whittier, Calif., prayers sometimes do get answered.
Their son, Spc. Garrett Meadows, 21, was among roughly 620 soldiers from Fort Lewis’ 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division who returned home Tuesday night from a 15-month deployment in Iraq.
“We prayed God would bring him home,” Kevin Meadows said.
Standing up the Concerned Citizens in southern Baghdad
The commander of the 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT is quoted in the following article.
By Bill Roggio, The Long War Journal
Camp Victory, Baghdad Province: With the surge in full swing in southern Baghdad province, the increase in US forces has been matched with an unexpected surge in Iraqi forces – local Iraqi residents who have organized to defend their communities from al Qaeda in Iraq and Shia extremist groups such as the Mahdi Army and the Special Groups.
In southern Baghdad province, the establishment of the Concerned Citizens, also referred to as Iraqi Police Volunteers, began to take hold in late spring. Initiated by tribal connections from Anbar province, the movement mimicked the rise of the Anbar Salvation Council in some respects, but differed in many ways. This bottom up process of local reconciliation consists of both Sunni and Shia tribes wishing to restore a measure of peace to the war torn regions south of Baghdad.
Open Thread: Re-Deployment Delays?
We've received numerous emails from both soldiers and concerned family members regarding reports that flights home for some units have been delayed. If true, this obviously creates problems for soldiers wanting to be home and family members planning homecoming trips on short notice.
We don't have any official information regarding flight manifests, and I would caution anyone against publishing that information here. However, it would be nice if someone from the brigade (rear detachment or FRG representative) could point folks in the right direction should they have questions.
Finally, we ask that you please do not comment on rumors, which, if untrue, can only serve to further confuse the situation.
Fort Lewis commander: Quick troop withdrawal may backfire
Follow the link for video.
By Keith Eldridge, KOMO 4 News
FORT LEWIS, Wash. -- A key commander from Fort Lewis said the U.S. should not be in too much of a hurry to bring the troops home from Iraq.
Cmdr. Col. Steve Townsend of the 3rd Stryker brigade spoke with KOMO 4 News via satellite from Iraq on Wednesday just as Congress is calling for a quicker withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published David Hardt's final column from the war zone. Hardt served with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq, and is on his way home soon. Excerpt:
I could write a review of the whole 15 months and absolutely bore you all to death. In this last article, I will briefly share with you what I learned and what I believe we could have done differently. This may be the most opinionated article I write, but I see it only fair that I share with my faithful readers what has been on my mind for some time.
Homecoming Photo
Mike Gilbert of The News Tribune has a nice homecoming photo on his blog, along with a few thoughts about the image.
Strykers return to love, tears of joy at Fort Lewis
FORT LEWIS -- On the day that the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq told Congress that more troops should be able to come home, a battle-weary battalion from this base did just that after 15 months at war.
The 260 soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment of Fort Lewis arrived home Monday night to sheer joy at the Sheridan Gymnasium. The soldiers are part of the 3rd Stryker Brigade, and the first main body of the brigade to come home.
Red Lions Head for Fort Lewis Home
Here's a nice article regarding the 1-37 FA, 3/2 SBCT - a unit we haven't seen profiled very often during its deployment.
by SSG Jon Cupp, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The 1st “Red Lion” Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment currently attached to the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Regiment will soon be “pulling up stakes” and leaving Iraq after 15 months in country.
The battalion, which is home stationed out of Fort Lewis, Wash., as part of the 3rd “Arrowhead” Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, spent two-thirds of its 15 in theater with the Ironhorse Brigade on Taji.
CPT Drew N. Jensen
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Capt. Drew N. Jensen, 27, of Clackamas, Oregon, died Sept. 7 in Seattle of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire during combat operations May 7 in Ba'qubah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
We wish to extend our condolences to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers.
More Stryker brigade members returning to Fort Lewis
FORT LEWIS, Wash. -- The Army says 260 soldiers from the main body of the Three-Two Stryker brigade (3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division) are returning to Fort Lewis from Iraq.
A welcome home ceremony with family and friends is scheduled Monday evening (at 6 p.m. at Sheridan gym).
The soldiers are from the main body of the brigade. An advance unit of 140 soldiers returned last week. The rest of the brigade's 3,800 soldiers will return in the next two weeks. They have been deployed in Baghdad and Mosul.
[...]
Troops say surge works, barely
By Sharon Behn, The Washington Times
BAGHDAD — Many U.S. soldiers on the ground in Baghdad caution that improved security in the capital city will last only as long as the surge. If American troops were to leave, they say, the insurgents could be back within hours.
U.S. forces broke up insurgent networks and curtailed the ability of terrorists to strike, said Sgt. Gregory Rayho, 30, of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the recipient of three Purple Hearts during his time in Iraq.
Stryker soldiers think of family as return begins
KAREN MCCARTHY; For The News Tribune
BAGHDAD – Sgt. 1st Class Jason Dalton looks forward to his December wedding, Sgt. Larry Clapper to seeing his 1-year-old son, Lt. Jacob Czekanski to kayaking with his wife.
Staff Sgt. James Jastrzebski wants to hit the track on his bike, and Sgt. George Hudgeons wants to “drive on roads that won’t blow up.”
The Strykers of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division are the local face of the U.S. troop surge that President Bush ordered in January. The Fort Lewis soldiers were already in Iraq at the time, but they moved down from Mosul to help secure the capital and then later back north to clear out enemy fighters who had fled to Baqouba.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq. Excerpt:
It has been a long time, and we have been through a lot. So when your boys hit the ground, I want you to know that these men know what the definition of “hell and back” really means. I hope that the comfort you bring them makes them feel like they’re in heaven. They deserve it. SEE YOU ALL SOON.
Parade honorary marshals help celebrate troops' return
LACEY — Two years ago, Army Maj. Brent Clemmer pushed his 8-month-old son Julian in a stroller as they joined hundreds of people at the Military Family Support March on a Saturday in early September.
When the fifth annual march occurs Saturday, it will have added significance for Clemmer, 34.
His unit, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) is ending a record-long 15-month deployment, and its 3,600 soldiers are on the verge of returning home. And Clemmer, 34, has been named one of five honorary grand marshals, all active-duty service members who have served in Iraq and are assigned to Fort Lewis.
Marathon deployment coming to a joyful end Strykers
FORT LEWIS — The doctor told Megan Edwards to stay in bed this week and marshal her strength for the imminent arrival of twins — a baby boy and girl.
But there was no way she was going to miss her husband's homecoming after he'd spent nearly 15 months in Iraq, on an extended tour that was part of President Bush's plan to increase U.S. troop strength.
So there she was Tuesday in the Sheridan gymnasium at Fort Lewis, seated on a folding chair, grimacing from frequent kicks. In the early afternoon, her face broke into a tight smile as her husband, Maj. Rich Edwards, walked into view along with 140 other returning soldiers from the 3rd Brigade 2nd Infantry Division.
Sweet homecoming for brigade
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
It has been the longest, and arguably the hardest, deployment of the Iraq war for any unit from Fort Lewis. But now it’s finally coming to a close.
An advance party of about 140 soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division arrived home Tuesday, marching into a gym on post to fanfare and hugs and kisses 15 months in the waiting.
The rest of the Stryker brigade’s 3,800 troops will return over the next couple of weeks, officials said.
Families together again
The following article also includes a nice photo gallery from the homecoming.
FORT LEWIS — Paul and Janine Barboza of Yelm had it all planned out. The staff sergeant would be home from his second deployment to Iraq in time to reacquaint with his two children and be present for the delivery of their third.
But when the Army extended by three months the tour of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), as well as other active-duty units serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, the expectant mother found herself in an unenviable position.
"Doing the pregnancy thing with two other kids by yourself is very hard," she said Tuesday.
Stryker Squadron Arrives in Support of Black Jack Brigade in Baghdad
The 2nd Stryker CR is starting to get some press as they begin to operate in country.
by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE PROSPERITY, Iraq – For many of the Soldiers in the "Saber" Squadron, this isn't their first tour in Iraq. Many remember the days they spent in Mosul and Tel Afar under much harsher conditions than what they found inside the walls of Forward Operating Bases Prosperity and Union III where the squadron will be headquartered.
Now they have begun another rotation into Iraq. The 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment has assumed responsibility from the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, currently attached to the 2nd “Black Jack” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, of the Karkh District area in Baghdad’s center, where heavy fighting against anti-Iraqi forces took place earlier this year.
1st wave of Stryker Fort Lewis soldiers comes home from Iraq
FORT LEWIS -- Tuesday’s homecoming for about 140 soldiers signaled the beginning of the end of the longest deployment for a Fort Lewis brigade that has served in Iraq.
The soldiers will ensure preparations are complete for the return of the 3,600 soldiers assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) after 15 months in combat.
The majority of the soldiers are scheduled to begin arriving on separate flights in a week or so.
Baqubah Produces Own Food
By Sgt. Patrick Lair, 115th MPAD
BAQUBAH, Iraq— Setting down their combat helmets in order to pass loaves of bread, Iraqi and American forces celebrated the reopening of a Baqubah flour mill on Aug. 21, nearly one year after Diyala government food production collapsed.
“Of all the things we’ve done here in Iraq, from Mosul to Baghdad to Baqubah, to help them make this bread is probably one of the most important things we’ve done,” said Lt. Col. Fred Johnson, deputy commanding officer of the 3rd Brigade Stryker Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, speaking to his troops at the mill. “Know that when you go back home, you’ve left something behind that means something.”
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a Stryker soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq. This might be one of his last columns before redeploying.
Dragons found house rigged to explode, caches
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers found a house rigged to explode during clearing operations in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital, Aug. 28.
In the early afternoon, Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, responded to a call from Joint Security Station Doura that a house was possibly rigged with explosives.
From fighters to family men
This is the first article I've seen mentioning the 2nd Stryker CR's presence in country.
By Sharon Behn, The Washington Times
BAGHDAD — Thoughts have turned to home and family for soldiers in the 2-3 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, one of the first units set to complete extended deployments ordered by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to meet demands of the U.S. troop surge.
The conversation in the evening darkness outside the soldiers' "hooches," or where they live, is focusing more on wives and children, buying new trucks and that first cold beer.
Wives ready Fort Lewis for troops' return
FORT LEWIS — Few get this excited about making a bed, never mind making more than 200 beds.
But these half-dozen wives had a spring in their steps Friday as they tucked corners and smoothed blankets and sheets, one of innumerable tasks both large and small under way to prepare for the return of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) after a 15-month deployment to Iraq.
"It's like the light at the end of the tunnel," Melissa Townsend, wife of Col. Steve Townsend, the brigade commander, said in an earlier interview. "You can put your hands on it."
Bravery in a time of war
By Brian Zanzonico, Herald Community
They while away precious minutes in the unlikeliest of places, using the lavatory not for its intended purpose but rather as a miniature break room. Civilian workers back home have their own places to catch their breath and collect their thoughts while on the job - a cafeteria to relax in, a truck to lean against - and members of the U.S. Army's Alpha Troop of the 114th Cavalry have theirs.
This is the way it has been much of the time for Pfc. Brian Buith, a Franklin Square resident who graduated from Valley Stream North High School in 2004, since he arrived in Iraq in June 2006: End the day, retreat to the comforting four walls of the port-a-john, be grateful you've made it through and dream about home. The plastic box offers a chance to escape the life-or-death challenges he faces every day.
Sinkhole erodes street, morale
By Sharon Behn, Washington Times
BAGHDAD — During two tours totaling 26 months, Maj. Alfred Williams has dealt with insurgents, terrorists and lawless militias. But a giant sinkhole in a main street of one of Baghdad's most dangerous neighborhoods has him stumped.
"When I look into the hole, I just want to shoot myself and fall into it," he said, frustrated beyond all measure.
It all started in July.
Iraq's 'Alamo' simmers
Via FOB Tacoma we found this story featuring the 2-3 INF, 3/2 SBCT.
BAGHDAD — Across the walls of a neighborhood that has seen better days, Sunni Arab insurgents splash slogans in black Arabic letters: "Death to America" and "Long Live the Resistance." U.S. and Iraqi forces black out the words and replace them with slogans of their own: "Long Live Iraq" and "No to Sectarianism."
The graffiti war, with its echo of U.S. ganglands, is a manifestation of a deadly confrontation that has played out for months in the vast southwestern section of Baghdad known as Dora. Sunni militants have chosen to make a concerted stand in Dora against U.S. troops -- their Alamo, as one American military official put it.
Baqouba takes major step forward, flour mill reopens
Multi-National Division – North PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – The Baqouba public flour mill began processing wheat Monday, after being closed for nearly a year, marking the local production of flour in the Diyala Province as a major step toward Iraqi self-sufficiency.
“This is one more piece to the larger puzzle of providing normalcy here,” said Lt. Col. Fred Johnson, deputy commanding officer of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. “It’s probably the most important thing we’ve done.”
Five-hundred and sixty tons of imported wheat arrived in a 21-truck convoy at the flour mill on August 16th from Baghdad.
The grain, imported from the U.S., will be cleaned in multiple processes and milled with a mixture of 25 percent locally-grown wheat. The product will then be sacked and distributed to the local population as part of the Public Distribution System, an Iraqi program dating back to the 1980’s. The distribution program largely collapsed after insurgent forces disrupted PDS operations in Baqouba last year.
The mill is expected to employ around 100 workers in addition to truck drivers. Its addition to the local economy is expected to help lower the price of bread for the people of Diyala province. The mill is capable of producing 200 tons of finished flour per day.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq. Excerpt:
The days are getting shorter, and the anticipation for coming home grows each day. I can’t wait to smell the fresh air and the freedom of America the great. Until then, I keep the hope.
The lifeline at Fort Lewis spreads joy, soothes souls
Throughout military history, those serving in the rear echelons could evoke derision from frontline combat veterans.
No more.
In a war in Iraq where there are no frontlines, at a time when soldiers' families are considered an integral part of the Army's success, the "rear detachment" is regarded as a lifeline, and one upon which the Army relies heavily, staffing it with some A-team troops.
At Fort Lewis, the "Rear D" of the 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, is the wizard behind the curtain, spending considerable energy recently coordinating memorial services for soldiers killed in Iraq, while at the same time preparing families and troops alike for the brigade's September homecoming.
Operation Lightning Hammer continues clearing Diyala
Multi-National Division – North PAO
TIKRIT, Iraq – Operation Lightning Hammer continued into its fifth day Aug. 18 as 16,000 Iraqi and Coalition Forces Soldiers worked to secure parts of Diyala province and bring food and medical aid to the people there.
On the evening of Aug. 17, Coalition Forces medics and a physician’s assistant from Troop C, 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, provided medical treatment for 30 families in the village of Abu Tina and distributed bags of rice and flour to each family.
Wesley Morgan Dispatch
Embedded reporter Wesley Morgan accompanied General Petraeus on a tour of the 4/2 SBCT's area of operations. He provides great insight on recent and potential future operations. Excerpt:
Next up was a briefing on the area of operations by Col. Jon Lehr, the commander of 4th SBCT, 2nd ID, and his staff officers. Again, it was for background only, but there were other media at this one. The brigade deployed from Fort Lewis to Iraq in April with four maneuver battalions: 2-1 Cav, and 4-9, 2-23, and 1-38 Infantry (also a field artillery battalion, the 2-12). Upon arrival in Iraq, 2-23 and 1-38 were peeled off and sent into east Rashid, in Baghdad, as reinforcements [...], while 2-1 and 4-9, along with the brigade headquarters, went to Camp Taji, the main FOB north of Baghdad, and were put under the operational control of Maj. Gen. Mixon and MND-North. During Operation Arrowhead Ripper, 2-1 Cav (a unit identical to 1-14, who I was with on Haifa Street) supported the Stryker units clearing Baquba with an air assault and blocking positions, but is now back in its main sector. The area of operations, Col. Lehr explained, is split into three parts: the west bank of the Tigris around Tarmiya, under 4-9, the east bank out to Bani Saad, under 2-1, and a southern sector bordering Baghdad around Husseiniya, under 2-12 Field Artillery [...]. Since 4th SBCT is one the “surge” brigades, its AO was never patrolled in any kind of strength before, allowing al-Qaeda to settle in pretty thoroughly in some villages.
Iraq Report
Bill Roggio at The Fourth Rail has published a new analysis of recent operations in Diyala, where elements of the 3/2 & 4/2 SBCTs are operating.
Haifa Street: The day after
Wesley Morgan has published another article while embedded with the 1-14 CAV, 3/2 SBCT. Excerpt:
In the morning (Wednesday, August 8), I geared up before first light. We were supposed to roll back to the forward operating base around 0600, but there was a delay: The cameras positioned on the perimeter of the outpost showed very few pilgrims. Apparently the holiday hadn't really started yet – the marchers last night had been Shia from southern Iraq who had arrived early. "Nobody knows when this damn holiday actually starts," Peterson told me in frustration – the terps, apparently both Sunnis, had no idea either.There was further confusion over a vehicle curfew that was supposed to coincide with the holiday; the Iraqi Army's jundis were enforcing it already, but the Maliki government had declared that it would begin in the evening. In the meantime, I sat around and talked with some of the soldiers from Peterson's security squad over Cocoa Puffs.
Finally, the colonel appeared again and gave the order to mount up. We threw on our armor, walked beyond the sandbags and concrete Jersey barriers to the Strykers, piled in, and were on our way. Because of the delay, we didn't have time to do another foot patrol, so the three Strykers just did a driving tour of the area of operations, with the colonel pointing out different areas and explaining their demographics to me, and returned to the FOB, just in time for a scheduled meeting with three officers from the Taji Counterinsurgency Academy.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq.
Operation ‘Lightning Hammer’ pounds al-Qaida in Diyala
Multinational Division North-PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Operation Lightning Hammer kicked off with a powerful barrage of artillery fires and air strikes on carefully selected targets in Diyala province, Iraq, Tuesday, sending al-Qaeda in Iraq a strong message that they have no safe haven there.
More than 300 artillery munitions, rockets and bombs were dropped throughout the night and into morning, blocking al-Qaeda movements and suppressing suspected al-Qaeda targets. This barrage set the stage for subsequent nighttime helo-borne and ground assaults into the Diyala River Valley by 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, and 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, respectively.
These forces combined with other units already conducting operation Lightning Hammer elsewhere in Diyala and Salah ad Din provinces, totaling approximately 10,000 Coalition Forces and 6,000 Iraqi Security Forces.
Haifa Street and the Seventh Imam March
Here's another article from Wesley Morgan, which covers some of the same ground as the dispatch we linked to earlier.
By Wesley Morgan, Public Multimedia Inc.
Tuesday evening [note: August 7], after a delicious local lunch in the café with a couple of soldiers, an Iraqi contractor, and a glamorous interpreter who I think hopes to marry her way out of Iraq (no cavalry troopers have taken her up on it yet), I attended a squadron battle update briefing, another briefing, and then got ready to roll out on my first patrol with the Strykers. At the first briefing, I was informed that since I would be hooked into the intercom on missions, I had a radio call sign: Harry Potter.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Peterson, who goes outside the wire at least once a day to feel the pulse of his area of operations, was leading the mission. We would drive to the bottom of Haifa Street, walk up its length to assess the Iraqi Army's security preparations for the Shiite pilgrimage to commemorate the martyrdom of the Seventh Imam, which was about to start, and then mount up again for the ride to COP Remagen, where we would spend the night with the soldiers living there. Peterson gave a mission brief, instructed a soldier to tell a joke, and gave the order to armor up.
Task Force 1-14 Cavalry
Wesley Morgan has published another embedded dispatch, this time with the 1-14 CAV, 3/2 SBCT. Excerpt:
Last week, I rolled on seven patrols with the cavalry troopers and infantrymen of Task Force 1-14 Cav. I rode in their Strykers, standing in the rear hatch hooked up to the vehicle comms. I trudged up and down Haifa Street with them, did overwatch from the roof of a high rise, helped the snipers search cars, listened to them bitch endlessly about their duties, and spent the night with them in their combat outpost. I clambered into and rushed out of their Strykers so many times that rolling down the streets standing in the hatch behind the machine gun, running foot patrols in the squalid back alleys, and being on the receiving end of the deadly glares of Mahdi Army loyalists all began to seem completely natural. On Friday, one unit, short on dismounts, rigged me up as their radioman, making me an honorary cav trooper for the day.
Michael Yon Dispatch
Yon has published a new dispatch on his website titled Three Marks on the Horizon, which discusses his visit to Mosul before he embedded with the 3/2 SBCT in Diyala.
Baqubah is still 'a work in progress'
By Alexandra Zavis, Los Angeles Times
BAQUBAH, IRAQ -- Iraq's deputy prime minister flew here Sunday under heavy guard with promises of food, jobs and cash for a city emerging from the sway of Sunni Arab militants largely driven out by U.S.-led troops. What he got was an earful.
Men in long white dishdashas pushed past the crush of bodyguards, soldiers, aides and journalists that surrounded Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih in a market street, demanding to know when food rations would arrive from Baghdad and when government pensions would be paid.
Baqouba Guardians help secure city
Multi-National Division – North PAO
TIKRIT, Iraq – A new neighborhood watch program established by local citizens has already made significant contributions toward efforts to secure the city according to Coalition Forces.
In late July, Col. Steve Townsend, the commander of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, met with local citizens interested in contributing to the future security plan for the provincial capital city of Diyala.
That meeting launched the Baqouba Guardians, which have been credited with the recent identification of several suspected members of al-Qaida and leading Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police to uncovering unexploded ordnance found in the city.
Stryker soldiers shift to reconstruction in Baqouba
KAREN MCCARTHY; For The News Tribune
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Stryker brigade leaders played a central role in organizing a key meeting of politicians, locals and military this week in an attempt to restore the political process and basic services to the Iraqi city of Baqouba.
Meanwhile, a peace accord was signed between 25 Sunni and Shiite tribal leaders who agreed to work together to keep al-Qaida in Iraq from returning to the city it once declared as its headquarters in the country.
The agreements might be one of the few pieces of good news coming out of Iraq as the Stryker brigade’s Baqouba operation, Arrowhead Ripper, moves toward its third month.
Security for a price in Baghdad
Despite its recent losses the 2-3 INF, 3/2 SBCT continues to make progress in its area of operations. We found this story via FOB Tacoma.
By Sharon Behn, The Washington Times
BAGHDAD — Residents and U.S. commanders agree that the streets of the al Doura neighborhood in southern Baghdad are safer than at any time in months, but the progress has come at a price.
As lucrative contracts are issued for Iraqi residents to begin repairing the neighborhood's dilapidated infrastructure, the Americans cannot be sure that some of the money isn't going straight to the enemy.
Task Force Warhorse
Embedded journalist Wesley Morgan takes a very detailed look at the activities of Task Force Warhorse, which is comprised of elements from 1-14 CAV and 5-20 INF, 3/2 SBCT. Excellent coverage. Excerpt:
In the tactical operations center here on Forward Operating Base Union III, a huge poster is emblazoned with the slogan “Army Strong – Cav Tough.” From what I’ve seen in the past few days as I’ve lived and ridden with the Stryker cavalry Task Force based here, called Task Force Warhorse, that slogan is true enough, but could just as well read “Army Strong – Cav Smart.” This unit – two cavalry troops and an infantry company, headquartered by the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry – has been in three different areas of operations in the past year and has been engaged in an enormous spectrum of operations, from neighborhood cleanup to a multiple-day, full-squadron assault on enemy positions.Yet in its current area, based around the notorious Haifa Street in Baghdad’s Karkh security district, it has managed, with few kinks, to transition from assault mode to classical-style counterinsurgency and counter-organized crime operations that require not force and firepower but finesse and an unbelievable amount of patience. How Task Force Warhorse and its commander, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Peterson, have conducted these operations should, from my perspective at least, stand as a model for the U.S. Army as it strains to apply Gen. David Petraeus’s “surge” strategy in central Iraq. But before diving into what I’ve seen here in Karkh, I should give a bit of background about the three main elements of the story: the area of operations, the unit, and the commander.
This report was published at The Fourth Rail, but Morgan also maintains a personal blog, Notes From Downrange, you might want to bookmark too.
Stryker Articles
The following stories are from local media outlets today regarding the 3/2 SBCT's recent losses.
- 4 more Ft. Lewis soldiers killed in Iraq - Seattle P-I
- Another hard loss for post - The News Tribune
- Ft. Lewis brigade loses 10 soldiers in a week - The Seattle Times
- 4 Fort Lewis Strykers killed in Iraq (view video clip) - KING 5 News
SPC Kareem R. Khan
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Kareem R. Khan, 20, of Manahawkin, N.J., died Aug. 6 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. Khan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
All of us here are deeply saddened by the loss of another Stryker soldier.
CPL Juan M. Alcantara
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Juan M. Alcantara, 22, of New York, died Aug. 6 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. Alcantara was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
All of us at SBN offer our sincere condolences to the Alcantara family, as well as his friends.
SGT Nicholas A. Gummersall
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Nicholas A. Gummersall, 23, of Chubbuck, ID, died Aug. 6 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. Gummersall was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones he leaves behind.
SSG Jacob M. Thompson
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Jacob M. Thompson, 26, of North Mankato, Minn., died Aug. 6 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. Thompson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers.
Statement from 2-3 INF Commander
Mike Gilbert of The News Tribune conducted a brief email interview with LTC Barry Huggins, commander of 2-3 INF 3/2 SBCT, regarding the battalion's recent losses.
Puppets Help U.S. Troops Reach Out to Children in Baqubah
By Sgt. Armando Monroig, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAQUBAH, Iraq – During a recent mission with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Soldiers in Stryker vehicles entered Buhriz, near Baqubah, Iraq, prepared for a firefight.
Two Stryker vehicles blocked the street. Soldiers scanned the vicinity, checked roof tops for signs of the enemy, and cleared the building before entering.
1SG Michael S. Curry Jr.
On July 25th, 2007 the Department of Defense announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
1st Sgt. Michael S. Curry Jr., 37, of Dania Beach, Fla., was killed July 23 in Sarobi District, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Curry was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.
Although Curry was not currently a Stryker soldier, he had a close connection to the Ft. Lewis brigades. According to a Major with the Stryker Program:
Michael Curry was the first NCOIC of the I Corps G3 Transformation cell responsible for coordinating the efforts to transform 3/2 and 1/25 into the first 2 Stryker Brigades. Unfortunately, he was killed last week in Afghanistan as part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. I would appreciate if you would post something to the site.
Godspeed 1SG Curry.
Michael Yon Dispatch
Yon has published a new dispatch on his website titled Bread and a Circus, Part II of II. Part I can be found here. Excerpt:
LTC Johnson bristled when he spoke to the collapsing convoy, telling them that that the future of Iraq would depend on the outcome of moments like this all over the country, where men either stand their ground, or run away and give the day to the terrorists. Johnson’s words carried particular weight because of an encounter earlier that morning.That morning, still in Baqubah and trying to get the convoy organized, a truck driver had approached us with intention in his eyes. LTC Johnson closed on the man whom he suspected was a suicide bomber. My video was running as Johnson drew his pistol. If a bomb had detonated, Johnson and a few others would have definitely been killed. I might have survived—although in no condition to write these words—but had I, it would have been solely due to Johnson and the others having closed space with the man. But they actually risked their lives not to save mine, but his: they could have shot him from a distance of perhaps even 10m farther, but it happened so suddenly they just moved straight in. That was courage.
As it happened, the man who had closed space with us was simply an Iraqi coming forward to help start the convoy rolling. The Iraqi man—I’ll call him “Tonto” because he’s still in the thick of the war—owned some trucks and wanted to get his business going. Guts and capitalism make an impressive combination.
Bombing in Iraq injures area native
In addition to the fatalities there were numerous soldiers seriously injured in the bombings last week. A local New York paper picks up the story of one soldier, Spc. Kevin Mowl. We will hope for a complete and speedy recovery for all of them.
By Greg Livadas, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
(August 7, 2007) — A Pittsford native has been injured in Iraq after a bomb exploded near his vehicle Thursday night.
U.S. Army Spc. Kevin Mowl, 21, suffered a brain injury and numerous fractures, family members said. He was flown to Washington on Sunday and underwent surgery Monday at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
His parents, Harold and Mary Mowl of Pittsford, and his sister, Carlene, spent time with Mowl at the hospital.
"He continues to be stable and has not been awake due to anesthesia," his father said.
[...]
SPC Eric D. Salinas
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Eric D. Salinas, 25, of Houston, Texas, died Aug. 2 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Salinas was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Everyone here at SBN would like to offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends and fellow soldiers.
SPC Cristian Rojas-Gallego
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Cristian Rojas-Gallego, 24, of Loganville, Ga., died Aug. 2 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Rojas-Gallego was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones he leaves behind.
SSG Fernando Santos
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Fernando Santos, 29, of San Antonio, Texas, died Aug. 2 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Santos was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
To his family and friends - please know that we are all keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Weeks Away From Going Home Cavalry Unit Maintains Its Focus
By Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav PA
BAGHDAD – From the markets of Al Doura to the streets of Al Rashid to the neighborhoods of the Karkh District, troops from the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment have found themselves in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the Iraqi capital.
After more than a year patrolling and surviving the mean streets, the squadron finds itself on the downhill slope toward their home at Fort Lewis, Wash. Although many of the Soldiers are counting down the last remaining days, they still patrol the streets of Karkh.
Tribal Leaders Continue Reconciliation Efforts Across Diyala
Multi-National Division–North Public Affairs
TIKRIT, Iraq – Eighteen paramount tribal leaders representing 14 of the major tribes in Diyala province, Iraq, swore on the Quran and signed a peace agreement unifying the tribes in the battle against terrorism during a meeting at the Baqubah Government Center Aug. 2.
The meeting, led by Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi, governor of Diyala; Staff Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem, commander of Iraqi security forces in Diyala province; and Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of coalition forces in Diyala, was attended by sheiks representing three Shiite tribes, 11 Sunni tribes and 60 of Diyala’s 100 sub-tribes.
PFC Alfred H. Jairala
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Alfred H. Jairala, 29, of Hialeah, Fla., died July 31 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
All of us here at Strykernews would like to offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends and fellow soldiers.
PFC Charles T. Heinlein Jr.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Charles T. Heinlein Jr., 23, of Hemlock, Mich., died July 31 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones he leaves behind. Please check back for any related articles we find.
SPC Zachariah J. Gonzalez
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Zachariah J. Gonzalez, 23, of Indiana, died July 31 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers during this difficult time.
IA, Stryker Leaders Assess Progress in Baqubah
By Sgt. Armando Monroig, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAQUBAH, Iraq – Leaders from the 5th Iraqi Army Division and the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, traveled together to assess progress in several neighborhoods of Baqubah, Iraq, July 31.
As Operation Arrowhead Ripper continues, the effort has shifted from combat operations to reconstruction and humanitarian missions. The Iraqi army, Iraqi police and provincial council members are leading the majority of the projects. Many residents have joined in to do their part to improve their city.
Baqubah Transitions to ‘Hold’ Status, Commander Says
By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2007 – Operations in Baqubah, Iraq, are transitioning to the “hold” phase of the “secure, hold, build” strategy, the commander of coalition forces in northern Iraq said today.
Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, commander of Multinational Division North, told military analysts that coalition and Iraqi forces are building joint security stations and combat outposts in the city. “We have a number of large operations planed over the next 30 days to address the threat in the city,” he said.
Soldiers hope the enemy of their enemy is their friend
(via FOB Tacoma)
By Mike Drummond and Hussein Khalifa, McClatchy Newspapers
BAQOUBA, Iraq — Several months ago, Abu Haider was aiming his weather-beaten AK-47 rifle at American soldiers. Now it pointed to the floor.
At a makeshift police station that once served as a farmer's union hall in Baqouba, the U.S. effort to enlist former Sunni Muslim insurgents in the battle against al Qaida in Iraq coalesced this week into an uneasy truce.
Abu Haider, as he called himself, and about 80 other mostly Sunni residents — some of them former members of the 1920 Revolution Brigades, a fiercely nationalistic insurgent group — had arrived to register as security volunteers. An American soldier photographed and cataloged the recruits. The result: a neighborhood watch program with ammo.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq.
Fort Lewis park will honor those killed in war
The names of eight members of the armed forces from Washington killed in Iraq in July will one day be inspiration for quiet thought at the 10-acre Reflection Park being created in the historic garrison section of Fort Lewis.
The names and dates of all the fallen from this state's towns and military bases, from every service branch in every war beginning with World War I, will be engraved on granite walls set amid the sound of trickling water.
IA, Stryker leaders assess progress in Baqouba
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Leaders from the 5th Iraqi Army Division and the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, traveled together to assess progress in several neighborhoods of Baqouba, Iraq, July 31.
As Operation Arrowhead Ripper continues, the effort has shifted from combat operations to reconstruction and humanitarian missions. The majority of the projects are being led by the Iraqi army, Iraqi police and provincial council members. Many residents have joined in to do their part to improve their city.
Mechanics Keep Strykers Rolling in Baqubah
By Sgt. Armando Monroig, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAQUBAH, Iraq – Strykers provide the U.S. Army with the means to project combat power anywhere throughout central and northern Iraq, but that capability would be impossible without the mechanics that maintain and repair the combat vehicles.
That’s where Soldiers of the 296th Brigade Support Battalion’s combat repair team come in. It is their job to make sure the vehicles keep rolling for members of the 3rd “Stryker” Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash. Their job has become even more critical since the 3rd SBCT began operations in Baqubah in mid-June.
Michael Yon Dispatch
Yon, embedded with the 3/2 SBCT, has published a new dispatch titled Bread and a Circus, Part I of II. Excerpt:
The people of Baqubah learned to hate and be terrified of al Qaeda. On the evening of the 18th, just hours before the attack scheduled for 0100 on the 19th, C-52 gathered around the back of the Strykers. Men and machines were loaded for toe-to-toe combat with al Qaeda. But they were not going in alone. Local enemies, who previously were deeply entwined with al Qaeda and had blown up and shot Americans, had turned on al Qaeda, and their help would lead to the death and capture of many of our now common enemy.The attack was on.
Jets, gun ships, helicopters and UAVs were in the air. A helicopter air assault was preparing to launch. Cannons steadied on their targets. Large MLRS rockets dozens of miles from Baqubah were dialed in. Special Forces, spies, lies and tricks of all sorts were arrayed against those who would stand and fight. And those who would stand had prepared massive ambushes for us.
Related Information: If you enjoy Yon's reporting be sure to check in with another independent journalist embedded in Iraq - Michael Totten. He's with the 82nd Airborne in Baghdad right now.
Former pilot now helps guide jets from the ground
By Jennifer H. Svan, Stars and Stripes
Capt. Pete Johnson used to spend part of his workday in the cockpit of an F-16, flying in the skies of northern Japan.
Now, he’s more likely to be holding a cup of coffee than a flight control stick while on the job. But his days are still long and arguably more intense.
Johnson, 27, is an air liaison officer in Iraq. His job is to advise Army brigade commanders on the use of close-air support, the kind provided to ground troops by F-16s deployed to Iraq from the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, and other aircraft.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its most recent column from David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq.
Michael Yon Dispatch
Yon, who is embedded with the 3/2 SBCT, has published a new dispatch on his site called Bird's Eye View. Excerpt:
The 3-2 is combat seasoned—many 3-2 soldiers have served three or more combat tours—but if such relaxed rules were extended to a brigade without a similar depth, the results might be muddier missions from commanders whose soldiers had either sticky trigger fingers, or were too quick on the draw. Either extreme could result in catastrophe.A week after serious fighting began on 19 June, I watched as Michael Gordon of the New York Times and Alexandra Zavis of the Los Angeles Times tried to tally civilian deaths. After being out and seeing the battle first-hand, Gordon and Zavis were a few feet away from me, talking with Major Robbie Parke and comparing notes, trying to figure out the civilian deaths, and finally arriving at a consensus of about 7. Their earnestness was not an agenda-driven hunt for collateral damage victims. A number that low—and five of those deaths were from a single explosion that locals said had come from a US bomb—is almost unbelievable, considering the amount of firepower that had been used. Except when commanders have made avoiding civilian casualties a primary part of the battle plan, which is a basic tenet of counterinsurgency warfare. It’s hard to build civic relationships out of body parts.
On Base, a Plea to Give Each Death Its Due
The debate over group vs. individual memorials at Ft. Lewis has reached the front page of the NYT.
By WILLIAM YARDLEY, The New York Times
FORT LEWIS, Wash. — Twenty soldiers deployed to Iraq from this Army base were killed in May, a monthly high. That same month, the base announced a change in how it would honor its dead: instead of units holding services after each death, they would be held collectively once a month.
The anger and hurt were immediate. Soldiers’ families and veterans protested the change as cold and logistics-driven. Critics online said the military was trying to repress bad news about deaths. By mid-June, the base had delayed the plan.
Five militia suspects detained in Karkh
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained five suspected militia members during a combined operation with Iraqi Security Forces in central Baghdad July 17.
Soldiers from Troop C, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, working with Iraqi troops from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division conducted searches of targeted homes in the central Baghdad Karkh District, detaining five suspected militia members.
Sheiks meet in reconciliation effort
by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI — Sunni and Shia tribal sheiks from Iraqi villages of Aqar Qaf, Bassam, Salamiyat and Fira Shia moved closer to reconciliation Monday here during a meeting facilitated by the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment.
The sheiks put aside their differences to end violence in their villages and met to discuss ways of starting neighborhood watch programs made up of volunteers to protect their communities.
According to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kenneth Kamper, commander of 1st Bn., 37th FA Regt., the sheiks are tired of attacks on innocent civilians and Coalition forces in their neighborhoods and want to put an end to the presence of al-Qaeda and other insurgent groups operating there.
Michael Yon Dispatch
Yon has published a new embedded dispatch with the 3/2 SBCT in Diyala. Excerpt:
Today marks D+30 since the start of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. The initial goal of Arrowhead Ripper was to clear Baqubah of al Qaeda, and then attempt to “jump start” the city back into civic life, which had all but ceased while the terrorists were in control. Though relatively minor clearing operations are still underway, there is little combat in the city.Today Colonel Steve Townsend, the American commander of the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, presided over a meeting with Iraqi Army officers and former insurgent leaders. The insurgent leaders who seem to be sincerely working toward peace are now collectively referred to as “the Baqubah Guardians.” I was allowed to attend the meeting, but was—understandably—not permitted to photograph or videotape the proceedings.
DoD News Briefing with Lt. Gen.Odierno
In a recent briefing from Iraq Gen. Odierno mentioned operations in Diyala (read full transcript). Excerpt:
Late last week while I was visiting Diyala province, a citizen in Baqubah relayed to Colonel Townsend, the Stryker Brigade commander there, "You have liberated us from the hold of al Qaeda." Baqubah joins a growing list of cities like al Qaim, Haditha, Hit, Ramadi, Habbaniya, Fallujah, Abu Ghraib, and Arab Jabour area that have been liberated from al Qaeda control over the past seven months. Additionally, as you see in the bottom left corner, greater than 50 percent of Baghdad is currently in control of coalition or Iraqi security forces. With Baqubah's liberation, I can think of no major population center in Iraq that is in an al Qaeda safe haven today. The Iraqi people are clearly rejecting the Taliban-like mentality that offers no hope to Iraqis or their families. In Mosul, Tall Afar and Kirkuk the Iraqi security forces are in charge of their security executing independent operation with coalition force oversight.
Making a difference: Soldiers get to know locals in Fira Shia
By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
FIRA SHIA — The Soldiers of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment are reaching out in operations to build relationships and trust with people living in the areas in which they patrol.
In one outreach project, the troops from the battery conducted a census to gather an accurate assessment of population size and statistics on the area while at the same time interacting with the local populace recently.
“We grew accustomed to doing these types of operations in our last area and now we’re in a place that is a farming village that hasn’t had a lot of direct coalition interaction,” said Capt. Robert Callaghan, the battery commander, who hails from Winterpark, Fla. He explained that interacting with the people of Fira Shia also helps in getting information that leads to finding insurgents as well as weapons caches. “We’ve been very successful in the area so far and the people have been very nice and cooperative.”
ISF, CF continue clearing ‘Old Baqouba’
Multinational Division-North PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition Forces continued operations in the eastern part of Baqouba, known as Old Baqouba, in renewed efforts during Operation Arrowhead Ripper July 18.
Throughout the day Soldier from the 5th Iraqi Army Division, along with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, and 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion made several arrests and discovered several weapons caches as they moved through the neighborhood.
In one incident, 5-20 IN Soldiers arrested a man suspected of being an improvised explosive device builder. A search of his home revealed various IED components and two other individuals were arrested at that location.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq.
Coalition Forces take offensive into eastern Baqouba
Multi-National Division – North PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces expanded their efforts to secure Baqouba by surrounding one eastern portion of the city and beginning a deliberate, house-to-house search there for al-Qaida operatives July 17.
Elements of the 5th Iraqi Army Division, along with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, and 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, are searching the neighborhood known as “Old Baqouba,” during this next phase of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, which began June 19.
Michael Yon Dispatch
Yon just published a new dispatch titled Superman. Excerpt:
Back in 2005, when I hardly knew the name “Stryker,” I came into combat with the 1-24th Infantry Regiment. I believe it was SFC Robert Bowman who told me that his soldiers so disliked the idea of the Stryker, that when they finally got Strykers at Fort Lewis, the soldiers tried their best to break the machines in training. SFC Bowman might refute this, and I’m not sure he was the man who told me, but Bowman is certainly the man who told me that all his soldiers were converts even before they finished training.Those soldiers learned that the human body is not tough enough to break a Stryker without destroying the people inside, too. The Stryker is just too tough, too well-designed and too well-built. Before long, many soldiers began naming their Strykers, though I’ve never heard of anyone naming a Humvee. Even an up-armored Humvee is just a machine, a necessary carapace. But a Stryker gets treated like a member of the platoon. Soldiers take extra care of them.
When a Humvee is badly damaged, it gets turned in to the mechanics with nary a further thought. But when a Stryker gets badly damaged, the soldiers visit it and hang around it and volunteer to help the mechanics and technicians nurse it back to life. I couldn’t make up anything this bizarre.
Photos: Recent Stryker Operations
Provided below are links to recent albums at DVIDS featuring Stryker Brigade soldiers.
- Soldiers Continue to Seal Off Baqubah as AH Ripper Continues (10 images) - 2-1 CAV, 4/2 SBCT
- Medic Treats Iraqi Child During Arrowhead Ripper (2 images) - 2-1 CAV, 4/2 SBCT
- Soldiers Push Supplies to Troops in Arrowhead Ripper (6 images) - 202 BSB, 4/2 SBCT
- Stryker Soldiers Cordon and Search, Protect Local Citizens (24 images) - 2-3 INF, 3/2 SBCT
- Stryker Brigade on Patrol (8 images) - 2-3 INF, 3/2 SBCT
- Cordon and Search (9 images) - 1-38 INF, 4/2 SBCT
Arrowhead Ripper update: Baqouba residents return to work
Multi-National Division – North PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Baqouba residents are returning to work and coalition and Iraqi ground forces continue to make significant seizures twenty-four days into Operation Arrowhead Ripper.
More than 100 workers and 50 security guards returned to work July 11 at Diyala Electrical Industry because of increased security. DEI repairs and manufactures a wide variety of products essential for power distribution and is Baqouba’s largest company, capable of employing nearly 3,000 people. The company has already repaired a generator for the local government to install and use.
Surge Progress May Lead to Troop Reductions in Northern Iraq
By John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 13, 2007 – Now at full strength, the U.S. troop surge in Iraq is showing “definitive progress” and the number of forces serving in Iraq’s Multinational Division North could be halved by summer 2009, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon said today.
A reduction of U.S. forces under the general’s command could begin as early as January 2008, he told Pentagon reporters via videoconference.
Mixon, commander of both Multinational Division North and the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division, is responsible for six Iraqi provinces in northern Iraq, including the city of Baqubah -- site of the ongoing Operation Arrowhead Ripper.
Photos: Baqouba Hospital Receives Supplies
Defend America has a new album featuring photos of the 3/2 SBCT delivering supplies in Baqoubah.
‘Arrowhead Ripper’ continues clearing out insurgents
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Army and Coalition Soldiers from Task Force Lightning continued offensive operations in and around the capital of Iraq’s Diyala province Monday, as Operation Arrowhead Ripper continues to deny resources to al -Qaeda terrorists in the area.
Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, and 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, discovered and disabled five vehicles being prepared as car bombs and caches containing pipe bombs, sniper rifles, and other explosives and bomb-making materials.
Week in Review
Here's a list of articles we missed during our absence.
- G.I.’s Forge Sunni Tie in Bid to Squeeze Militants - The New York Times
- Sister Stryker Brigade Secures Safe Passing for 3-2’s Route to Baqubah - 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
- Special salutes and prayers for injured platoon leader - Times Leader
- Gains made in Iraq, says commander - The News Tribune
- Airmen take the fight to the terrorists - AFPN
- Update on “Bless the Beasts and Children” - Michael Yon
- Baqubah Update: 05 July 2007 - Michael Yon
- Second Chances - Michael Yon
- Al-Qaeda on the Run: Feasting on the Moveable Beast - Michael Yon
'I could tell from his voice that something was wrong'
We'll keep Joe in our thoughts and prayers as he recovers.
By JUDY MASTERSON, Lake County News-Sun
WAUCONDA -- Robert and Melissa Cook had just begun to relax in the knowledge that their youngest son Joe, 22, was nearly done with an extended tour in Iraq -- 30 more days and he would be back on American soil after 15 long, dangerous months in the desert.
Then, last Wednesday, the young infantryman called.
"He said, 'Dad I've got some news,'" Robert Cook said. "I could tell from his voice that something was wrong. I said, 'How bad?' and he said 'Pretty bad. I lost part of my left leg and my foot.' And I said 'Can it be fixed? And he said 'No dad. It's gone.'"
Four-star boss calls on Fort Lewis
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
The day-to-day boss of the Army came to Fort Lewis on Monday to pump up the troops, listen to their spouses and check in on new measures aimed at improving care for wounded soldiers.
Gen. Richard Cody fielded tough questions from soldiers’ wives who are holding up despite extensions to their husbands’ combat tours. And he heard from wounded and injured soldiers who said they are still struggling with the bureaucracy of the Army’s disability evaluation system.
ISF, CF ensure Baqouba safe for local residents
Multi-National Division – North PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces continued to methodically clear booby-trapped structures on July 1st as Operation Arrowhead Ripper entered its 13th day.
As ISF and CF continue to clear al-Qaeda out of Baqouba, they have discovered many booby-trapped structures in the Mujema section of town that were left behind by al-Qaeda as they attempted to flee. These structures, many of which are houses, pose a great threat to the local residents and are too dangerous to be disarmed.
“The house-borne IED threat here is unlike anywhere else in Iraq at the present,” said Col. Steve Townsend, commander of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. “We have encountered 24 HBIEDs in the past 11 days.”
Photos: Stryker Operations
Provided below are links to recent albums from DVIDS featuring Stryker Brigade soldiers.
- 4th Stryker Brigade Soldiers Patrol Baghdad (4 images) - 4-9 INF, 4/2 SBCT
- Humanitarian Assistance in Baqubah (5 images) - 3/2 SBCT
- Operation Arrowhead Ripper, Day Four (6 images) - 3/2 SBCT
- 23rd Infantry Regiment Soldiers Support Operation Arrowhead Ripper (7 images) - 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT
- Arrowhead Ripper (12 images) - 4-9 INF, 4/2 SBCT
Government reinstates food distribution program in Baqouba
Multinational Division North-PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi government officials moved more than 60 truckloads of government food supplies from Baghdad to Baqouba June 29, while troops continued to clear the city of al-Qaida operatives during Operation Arrowhead Ripper.
The government food supplies, in addition to the humanitarian relief efforts provided by Baqouba based Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces, marked the beginning of a sustained food distribution program that should help alleviate future food shortages for Baqouba residents.
This delivery of food supplies reinstates a food rationing program by the Iraqi government, which was interrupted nearly 10 months ago by al-Qaida terrorists. The food distribution plan is being finalized by Diyala provincial officials.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq.
Video: Informants Help Troops In Iraq
CBS News has a video segment from Lara Logan featuring Stryker soldiers operating in Baqouba. Description:
Some Iraqis are tired of Al Qaeda's violent control and are coming forward at great personal risk to cooperate with U.S. troops. Lara Logan reports.
Baqouba operation moves to next phase
By Drew Brown, Stars and Stripes
BAQOUBA, Iraq - The cannister hit the ground and popped, spewing out a huge cloud of white smoke as U.S. and Iraqi troops sprinted from behind a mud-brick house to a mosque compound across the road.
Once inside, the troops began searching for anything that might link the mosque to al-Qaida fighters or other insurgent groups.
Intelligence reports had earlier indicated that the mosque was serving as a haven for enemy fighters. U.S. forces had already hit the compound with a precision-guided bomb when they launched a massive operation to clear Baqouba of insurgents 10 days earlier. The raid was meant to find any evidence that the intelligence had been correct.
OP Arrowhead Ripper Update
Multinational Division North-PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Lightning Soldiers continued clearing and securing Baqouba, while providing humanitarian aid to citizens there June 27 as Operation Arrowhead Ripper entered its ninth day.
Since the beginning of the operation, ISF and Coalition Forces have provided approximately 265,000 pounds of rice and flour to residents of Baqouba and handed out over 10,000 vegetarian humanitarian rations, and thousands of bottles of water.
Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, at least 60 al-Qaida operatives have been killed, 74 have been detained, 31 weapons caches have been discovered, 81 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed and 18 booby-trapped structures have been destroyed.
US foot patrols seeks to sidestep mines
By LAUREN FRAYER, The Associated Press
BAQOUBA, Iraq -- U.S. armored vehicles stand idle on the edge of western Baqouba's apartment blocks. The soldiers who normally ride in them have left on foot patrols - a simple, but apparently effective, tactic being used against insurgents planting increasingly large and devastating bombs deep underground.
Bringing troops onto the streets in bloody places such as Baqouba carries some new risks, including small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades that armored vehicles can usually repel. But it's designed to avoid a more serious threat: the buried explosives that can take out Humvees and the bigger Strykers that can hold up to 10 soldiers.
Getting up-close look, treatment in Baqouba
By Drew Brown, Stars and Stripes
BAQOUBA, Iraq — The day after U.S. and Iraqi forces launched a massive offensive last week to clear Baqouba of al-Qaida and other insurgents, a sergeant major from Multi-National Corps—Iraq showed up in a sector of the city controlled by Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
The sergeant major told the troops that he had come out to get a firsthand look at the fighting and to see how things were progressing for U.S. forces.
“Just act like I’m not here,” the sergeant major told the troops. “Treat me like you would any other rifleman.”
In Baqouba, help amid the chaos
(via FOB Tacoma)
By Drew Brown, Stars and Stripes
BAQOUBA, Iraq — Bombs were going off on one side of the street, while U.S. and Iraqi troops were distributing emergency supplies of food and water on the other.
It was the sixth day of a massive U.S. and Iraqi offensive to clear Baqouba of al-Qaida fighters and other insurgents.
As troops with the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team continued to press the fight in the section of town known as New Baqouba, other soldiers with the 296th Brigade Support Battalion and Iraqi troops handed out bags of rice, flour and crates of water to residents of Old Baqouba who had been caught up in the fighting.
Troops Take Embattled Baqubah Bit by Bit
(via FOB Tacoma)
By Joshua Partlow, Washington Post
BAQUBAH, Iraq, June 25 -- U.S. and Iraqi troops have "seized control" of the western side of the embattled city of Baqubah, but 100 or more insurgents remain in the city and at least that many likely escaped, the American brigade commander here said Monday. "We're on our way to securing the population of Baqubah, which is what we came here to do," said U.S. Army Col. Steve Townsend, the commander of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
At the same time, Townsend warned of coming attacks as the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq assesses the vulnerabilities of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, one of several operations U.S. commanders have launched in areas ringing Baghdad.
Militants' Baqubah fiefdom is liberated
(via FOB Tacoma)
BAQUBAH, IRAQ — For more than a year, hundreds of masked gunmen loyal to Al Qaeda cruised this capital of their self-declared state, hauling Shiite Muslims from their homes and leaving bodies in the dusty, trash-strewn streets.
They set up a religious court and prisons, aid stations and food stores. And they imposed their fundamentalist interpretation of Islam on a population that was mostly too poor to flee and too terrified to resist.
Plan to Capture and Kill Insurgents Fell Short of Goal, Officer Says
By MICHAEL R. GORDON, The New York Times
BAQUBA, Iraq, June 25 — One week after American forces mounted their assault on insurgent strongholds in western Baquba, at least half of the estimated 300 to 500 fighters who were there have escaped or are still at large, the colonel who is leading the attack said Monday.
Col. Steve Townsend told a group of journalists that his soldiers had wrested control over most of the area from Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, deprived the insurgent group of its nominal capital and made headway in protecting the residents from reprisals by militants.
For G.I.’s in Iraq, a Harrowing Day Facing a Trap
Gordon is still embedded with 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT.
By MICHAEL R. GORDON, The New York Times
BAQUBA, Iraq, June 25 — The enemy was a phantom who never showed his face but transformed a neighborhood into a network of houses rigged to explode.
And the soldiers from Comanche Company’s First Platoon confronted this elaborate and deadly trap.
The platoon’s push began shortly after 4 a.m. on Saturday, as American forces continued their effort to wrest the western section of this city north of Baghdad from Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. Tracer rounds zipped through the air as the soldiers fired antitank weapons, mortar shells and machine guns at the abandoned houses they planned to inspect across the street.
ISF, CF continue humanitarian aid to citizens in Baqouba
Multinational Division North-PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Lightning Soldiers continued delivering food and water to the people of Baqouba Monday as major operations to remove al-Qaida from the city entered their seventh day.
Since the beginning of the humanitarian effort, ISF and Coalition Forces have distributed more than 56,000 pounds of rice and more than 58,000 pounds of flour throughout the city and its surrounding area. They have also distributed thousands of bottles of fresh water along with the food.
“Now that we have begun to clear al-Qaida out of Baqouba, we can begin to place more effort into helping the people of the city,” said Col. Steve Townsend, commander, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. “The government is working to distribute these supplies as fast as they can, and the improved security in the area will help to make that possible.”
In Baqouba, help amid the chaos
BAQOUBA, Iraq — Bombs were going off on one side of the street, while U.S. and Iraqi troops were distributing emergency supplies of food and water on the other.
It was the sixth day of a massive U.S. and Iraqi offensive to clear Baqouba of al-Qaida fighters and other insurgents.
As troops with the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team continued to press the fight in the section of town known as New Baqouba, other soldiers with the 296th Brigade Support Battalion and Iraqi troops handed out bags of rice, flour and crates of water to residents of Old Baqouba who had been caught up in the fighting.
Drilling for Justice
Drilling for Justice is Michael Yon's latest embedded dispatch from Operation Arrowhead Ripper. Excerpt:
Although the battle is still unfolding here in Baqubah, Colonel Townsend reports that at least 50 AQI have been killed. Townsend’s subordinate commanders put the number as high as 100. More than 60 suspects are in custody, but Townsend is unsure how many of the suspects are truly AQI versus innocent men who will be released.American losses include one soldier killed in action, with 21 wounded. One Bradley and one Stryker have been destroyed. The low numbers of friendly casualties have been largely due to the slow, methodical clearing operation where success is not measured against the clock. In meeting after meeting, I have seen Townsend stress to his subordinate commanders the importance of moving deliberately and at their own pace. Given the massive amounts of IEDs that have been found, my guess is that we might have taken dozens more killed by now if the clearing operation had been rushed. Doubtless many American lives have been saved by locals just saying “stop,” and pointing to bombs.
ISF and CF deliver food and water to people in Baqouba
Multi-National Division – North PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Operation Arrowhead Ripper entered its fifth day Saturday, with Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Lightning continuing to conduct combined operations in and around Baqouba, Iraq, to rid the city of al-Qaida.
In addition to combat operations, Iraqi Security Forces and the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, delivered three truckloads of rice, flour and school supplies to Baqouba residents Saturday.
ISF, CF discover execution house, illegal prison in Baqouba
Multinational Division North-PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Lightning Soldiers discovered an execution house and an illegal prison in the Baqouba neighborhood of Khatoon Sunday during the sixth day of Operation Arrowhead Ripper.
The two buildings were in the same area as a torture chamber and illegal courthouse linked to al-Qaida, which were found on the fourth and fifth day of the operation.
Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment discovered the execution house using information from local citizens, who said it had been used by al-Qaida. Soldiers searching the house found five bodies buried in the yard behind the building and bloody clothes in several rooms inside it.
Generals doubt Iraqis can hold Diyala gains
By Lauren Frayer - The Associated Press
BAQUBAH, Iraq — The U.S. commander of a new offensive north of Baghdad, reclaiming insurgent territory day by day, said Sunday his Iraqi partners may be too weak to hold onto the gains.
The Iraqi military does not even have enough ammunition, said Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek: “They’re not quite up to the job yet.”
His counterpart south of Baghdad seemed to agree, saying U.S. troops are too few to garrison the districts newly rid of insurgents. “It can’t be coalition [U.S.] forces. We have what we have. There’s got to be more Iraqi security forces,” said Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch.
First phase of major Iraq campaign almost over -US
BAQUBA, Iraq, June 24 (Reuters) - U.S. forces believe the initial combat phase of a major offensive to clear al Qaeda from the Iraqi city of Baquba is nearly complete and any militants left could be confronted in the next 24 hours.
The operation in and around Baquba, capital of volatile Diyala province, is a major part of one of the biggest combined offensives by U.S. and Iraqi forces against the Sunni Islamist group in Iraq since the invasion of the country in 2003.
"We will either make enemy contact quickly, or we won't," Colonel Steve Townsend, commander of the 3rd Stryker Brigade, told Reuters and another news agency late on Saturday.
Battle for Baqouba a tough one
LAUREN FRAYER; The Associated Press
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Hundreds of U.S. and Iraqi troops, under cover of F-16s, fought their way into three neighborhoods of besieged Baqouba on Friday to help clear Diyala province of entrenched insurgents.
To the north of the city, American helicopters killed 17 al-Qaida gunmen trying to sneak past a checkpoint.
As the mission of 10,000 U.S. soldiers to take back the volatile and extremely dangerous province intensified in its fourth day, so have concerns about keeping al-Qaida fighters on the run. The terrorist fighters and their allies already have been run out of Fallujah and Ramadi in Anbar province, only to regroup in Diyala’s capital of Baqouba and surrounding districts.
U.S. forces tighten grip on Iraq city
BAQUBA, Iraq, June 23 (Reuters) - U.S. soldiers tightened their cordon around al Qaeda fighters holed up in the Iraqi city of Baquba on Saturday, advancing carefully through streets lined with roadside bombs and booby-trapped houses.
"We are enveloping the enemy into a kill sack," said Command Sergeant Major Jeff Huggins from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade.
Around 10,000 American and Iraqi soldiers are into the fifth day of a big push against al Qaeda militants in Diyala province just north of Baghdad. U.S. troops have killed dozens of suspected al Qaeda fighters. One U.S. soldier has been killed.
DoD Special Briefing with Lt. Gen. Odierno
Lt. Gen. Odierno briefed Pentagon reporters from Iraq today (full transcript). He briefly metioned the 3/2 & 4/2 SBCTs. Excerpt:
[...] In Multinational Division-North, we have three brigade combat teams conducting operations in the belts north and east of Baghdad, and three more brigade combat teams elsewhere in their area of operations. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Stryker began Operation Arrowhead Ripper four days ago in Baqubah, the capital of Diyala province, to defeat enemy in the city and secure the population conducting detailed and deliberate clearing operations. What we have found so far is a determined and entrenched enemy who's trying to stand and fight, and we have continued to use many joint fires, both close air support, artillery, and helicopter air weapons teams with success.Also noted that some of the senior AQ leadership in Baqubah abandoned their troops as they have in the past and left them to fend for themselves out of fear for their own safety. We've seen this many times before, specifically in Fallujah in 2004. This is a joint operation run out of the Diyala Operations Center with Iraqi security force involvement.
4th Brigade, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team is focused between Baghdad and Baqubah in the Tarmiya and Khambanisad (ph) area. In this area, AQI operates and Shi'a extremists seek to also gain control. Also, where we recently freed -- this is also an area where we recently freed several hostages from al Qaeda in Iraq training camp, and just yesterday, we killed 17 al Qaeda insurgents in southern Khalis.
[...]
‘Arrowhead Ripper’ continues to pressure al-Qaida
Multi-National Division – North PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces teamed with Task Force Lightning units, Thursday, to clear Baqouba and surrounding areas as Operation Arrowhead Ripper continued.
“We are shoulder-to-shoulder with Iraqi Security Forces in this fight,” said Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek, deputy commanding general, operations, and commander of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. “Specifically the 5th Iraqi Army Division led by Maj. Gen. Saleem Kariem Ali Alotbei, along with the provincial director of police, Maj. Gen. Ganim, have provided the Iraqi security forces to the fight.
The weeks ahead are absolutely key in not only holding and retaining the ground that is cleared in partnership with Coalition Forces, but also in building trust and confidence with the citizens of Diyala.”
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq.
U.S. Scours Iraq's Baqouba for Militants
By LAUREN FRAYER, The Associated Press
BAQOUBA, Iraq -- U.S. troops are searching houses and vehicles to root out hundreds of al-Qaida militants believed holed up in western Baqouba, which has become the center of a massive military offensive, a commander said Friday.
But more than three-quarters of the senior militant commanders escaped the city. Those who remain, one U.S. officer said, are a "hardline group of fighters who have no intention of leaving."
In Sweep of Iraqi Town, Sectarian Fears Percolate
Gordon is embedded with the 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT.
By MICHAEL R. GORDON, The New York Times
BAQUBA, Iraq, June 21 — After two days of clawing their way toward insurgent strongholds in western Baquba, American troops on Thursday began one of the most delicate phases of the operation: reintroducing the city’s residents to their own army.
For the first time since the assault began, Iraqi soldiers joined the operation in significant numbers. What made the task especially complex was that many of the Sunni residents had little trust for the Shiite-dominated army, a message that became clear during Company A’s sweep through the northwestern part of the city.
Arrowhead Ripper: Surrender or Die
Read Michael Yon's latest embedded dispatch with the 3/2 SBCT in Baqubah. Excerpt:
I am with 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team. I’ve run a few missions with them in Baghdad, and they have fought all over Iraq. This Brigade has much recent combat experience, and is expertly commanded. A person does not need to even meet the commanders (though I do each day) to know they are running a tight ship. The professionalism of 3-2 is particularly high, and they are very competent fighters who are maximizing their assets, including the incredible Stryker vehicles.
U.S. soldiers conduct sweep in Baqouba
Here's another report from embedded reporter Drew Brown.
By Drew Brown, Stars and Stripes
BAQOUBA, Iraq — The Iraqi teenager hesitated for a moment when he encountered the squad of soldiers standing at the top of a dusty, rutted dirt street that he had started to walk down.
He gestured at a house, as if to say, “I’m only going over there.”
“If you want to go, dude, that’s your choice,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Piehler, 25, of Spanaway, Wash., a squad leader of Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, motioning him forward. “But you may not like what’s coming in a few minutes.”
Odierno: 80% of al-Qaida leaders fled Baqubah
By Lauren Frayer - The Associated Press
BAQUBAH, Iraq — More than three-quarters of the senior al-Qaida leaders holed up in Baqubah escaped as American soldiers launched an offensive earlier this week, the U.S. ground forces commander said on Thursday.
During a one day trip to the battlefield where about 10,000 U.S. troops are fighting to oust suspected al-Qaida militants, Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno said: “We believe 80 percent of the upper level [al-Qaida] leaders fled, but we’ll find them.”
Diyala Updates
Both Mike Gilbert of The News Tribune ("More Arrowhead Ripper") and Bill Roggio at The Fourth Rail ("Operation Phantom Thunder") have operational summaries that include links to news articles I hadn't seen before.
Photos: Arrowhead Ripper
DVIDS has a couple photo albums featuring troops from the 3/2 & 4/2 SBCTs.
- Arrowhead Ripper (12 images) - B Co, 4-9 INF, 4/2 SBCT
- Operation Arrowhead Ripper (8 images) - Soldiers attached to 3/2 SBCT
The Battle of Iraq
The Fourth Rail has an excellent summary of the current offensive in Iraq. Arrowhead Ripper is one of many simultaneous operations occurring across the country. Excerpt:
Four days after the announcement of major offensive combat operations against al Qaeda in Iraq and its allies, the picture becomes clearer on the size and scope of the operation. In today's press briefing, Rear Admiral Mark noted that the ongoing operation is a corps directed and coordinated offensive operation. This is the largest offensive operation since the first phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom ended in the spring of 2003.
Strykers lead massive push in Iraq
By Alexandra Zavis, Los Angeles Times
BAQOUBA, Iraq — Under a starlit sky, soldiers poured out of Stryker armored vehicles and crept silently along a weed-choked canal. Attack helicopters circled overhead as tanks stood by.
At the first house, the troops startled a barefooted man in a traditional white robe out of his sleep. The man warned them the road ahead was riddled with bombs. At the next house, gunshots smacked against a wall the soldiers were using to take cover.
The troops were part of a massive push to clear an insurgent outpost in the heart of this city of 300,000, roughly 35 miles north of Baghdad. The 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, based at Fort Lewis, has taken the lead role in a major new offensive in Diyala province.
Stryker units combine muscle Fort Lewis brigades press offensive
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Operation Arrowhead Ripper, a major offensive that entered its third day today, has its place in the strategic big picture in Iraq.
It also has allowed Stryker commanders to bring relief to their Fort Lewis comrades who have been slugging it out with insurgents in Baqouba for the better part of three months.
The operation, led by the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, thus far has encountered lighter resistance than planners anticipated, according to reports.
Through Wednesday, the brigade had suffered 12 wounded, eight of whom were returned to duty. The other four were evacuated to the combat support hospital in Balad, a brigade spokesman said.
Michael Yon Dispatch
Yon, embedded with the 3/2 SBCT, filed a brief dispatch on his website today regarding the first day of Arrowhead Ripper.
Ft. Lewis Involvement
On his blog, News Tribune reporter Mike Gilbert has an excellent overview of the disposition of the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq. He spoke with brigade commanders who shared which elements of the unit are involved with Operation Arrowhead Ripper in Diyala.
Task Force Lightning continues Arrowhead Ripper in Baqouba
Multi-National Division – North PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Task Force Lightning continued offensive operations in and around the capital of Diyala province Wednesday, maintaining the pressure on al-Qaida operatives in the area.
Since Operation Arrowhead Ripper began early Tuesday morning, at least 41 insurgents have been killed, five weapons caches have been discovered, 25 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed and five booby-trapped houses have been discovered and destroyed.
U.S. troops take the offensive in Baqouba
Stars & Stripes reporter Drew Brown is embedded with C Co., 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT in Diyala.
By Drew Brown, Stars and Stripes
BAQOUBA, Iraq — American ground forces, backed by Apache helicopter gunships and fighter jets, launched a large-scale offensive Tuesday to clear al-Qaida and other insurgent groups from the capital of Iraq’s volatile Diyala province.
The offensive began before dawn, with ground elements of 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment and 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment moving in a pincer movement on the western half of the city. Other elements, including the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Task Force (1-12th Combined Arms Battalion), moved to secure the other half of the city, east of the Diyala River.
Mother of Fort Lewis soldier worries from afar
By Hal Bernton, The Seattle Times
In less worrisome times, Sheryl Thomas might have spent part of the last few summer days on the front-porch swing admiring her roses and oak-shaded lawn.
Instead, Thomas has been cloistered in her house in Moberly, Mo., glued to her television and computer in a round-the-clock quest for news of her son's Fort Lewis brigade in Iraq.
Operation ‘Arrowhead Ripper’ continues in Baqouba
Multi-National Division – North PAO
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Task Force Lightning continued its offensive operation in and around the capital of Diyala province, Iraq, today as part of a powerful crack down on al-Qaida terrorists operating in the area.
U.S. and Iraqi combined forces engaged and killed at least 30 al-Qaida operatives, and discovered four IEDs emplaced in houses, and 10 buried IEDs during the first full day of Operation Arrowhead Ripper.
U.S. shifts offensive to north Iraq
By Alexandra Zavis and Julian E. Barnes, LA Times
BAQUBAH, IRAQ — Troops in armored vehicles swept through this city north of Baghdad on Tuesday as the U.S. military launched a major offensive as part of a significant shift of focus from inside the capital to surrounding areas.
American commanders say the offensive, which involves about 10,000 U.S. troops in Baqubah and other parts of Diyala province, is designed to stop the flow of bombs into Baghdad. The need to do so was illustrated once again Tuesday when a massive truck bomb struck one of the capital's most revered Shiite Muslim mosques. The explosion killed at least 60 people and wounded scores more, the Interior Ministry said.
Fort Lewis units in the thick of big offensive
News Tribune News Services and Staff
BAQOUBA, IRAQ – In the first full day of a major offensive Tuesday in Iraq, thousands of Fort Lewis Stryker troops led the effort to capture or kill an estimated 300 to 500 enemy fighters holed up in the western part of Baqouba.
The plan is to contain and destroy the insurgents in the capital of Diyala province instead of dislodging them and letting them build up strength elsewhere.
“Rather than let the problem export to some other place and then have to fight them again, my goal is to isolate this thing and cordon it off,” said Col. Steve Town-send, commander of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division – one of two Stryker brigades from Fort Lewis now in Iraq.
U.S. Seeks to Block Exits for the Insurgents in Iraq
By MICHAEL R. GORDON, The New York Times
BAQUBA, Iraq, June 19 — In more than four years in Iraq, American forces have been confounded by insurgents who have often slipped away only to fight another day. The war in Iraq has been likened to the arcade game of whack-a-mole, where as soon as you knock down one mole another pops up.
Taking the fight to insurgents from Al Qaeda did not so much destroy them in Anbar Province as dislodge them, prompting the fighters to build up their strength elsewhere, including Baquba, the capital of Diyala Province.
Major Offensive Begins
News reports indicate, and military press releases confirm, that the 3/2 SBCT is leading a major offensive against insurgents in the Diyala province. Elements of the 4/2 SBCT are involved as well. Independent journalist Michael Yon is embedded with the 3/2 SBCT, and his first dispatch with them is included below.
- Task Force Lightning strikes al-Qaeda - MNF-Iraq Press Release
- Be Not Afraid - Michael Yon cryptically outlines the current offensive.
- The Battle of Baqubah II - The Fourth Rail
- Major Assault Pressed Against Insurgents Near Baghdad - The New York Times
- US says 10,000 troops in major Iraq offensive - Reuters
- U.S. Army Begins Offensive Against Al-Qaeda in Iraq - Bloomberg News
- 10,000 U.S. troops begin raids - The Associated Press
Fort Lewis mourns nine fallen men
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
When they started planning it early this month, soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division didn’t intend that Thursday’s memorial to their comrades recently killed in Iraq would be Fort Lewis’ largest such ceremony of the war.
But with each grim new report of another loss, it became that.
Sgt. Chadrick O. Domino was shot in Baghdad May 31. Cpl. Romel Catalan died in a bombing two days later.
No easy job ahead for new chief
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. arrived Monday to take charge of Fort Lewis as it endures its most difficult months yet in the war in Iraq.
The 52-year-old Detroit native pledged at his assumption of command ceremony to support the families of deployed soldiers and the rear detachments of deployed units “as they truly shoulder the load during this tough fight.”
SSG Brian M. Long
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Brian M. Long, 32, of Burns, Wyo., died June 10 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an explosive ordnance.He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time.
PVT Scott A. Miller
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pvt. Scott A. Miller, 20, of Casper, Wyo., died June 9 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered from enemy small arms fire.He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
During this difficult time, we hope his loved ones can draw strength and comfort from those of us who hold you in our thoughts.
U.S. unit enters an alliance of last resort
Elements of the 3/2 SBCT were involved in the operations described in the following article.
By Joshua Partlow, Washington Post
BAGHDAD, June 8 - The worst month of Lt. Col. Dale Kuehl's deployment in western Baghdad was finally drawing to a close. The insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq had unleashed bombings that killed 14 of his soldiers in May, a shocking escalation of violence for a battalion that had lost three soldiers in the previous six months while patrolling the Sunni enclave of Amiriyah. On top of that, the 41-year-old battalion commander was doubled up with a stomach flu when, late on May 29, he received a cellphone call that would change everything.
"We're going after al-Qaeda," a leading local imam said, Kuehl recalled. "What we want you to do is stay out of the way."
"Sheik, I can't do that. I can't just leave Amiriyah and let you go at it."
Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column from David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq.
In Diyala, U.S. aligns with tribal leaders
U.S. military officials say they are making progress in negotiating with tribal leaders in a turbulent region north of Baghdad, using a formula that helped reduce violence in western Iraq.
“Within the last three or four months, we’ve seen a much greater interest in tribal reconciliation, and we’ve seen a shift in tribal attitudes,” Maj. Tim Brooks, a staff officer for the Army brigade based in Diyala province, said in a telephone interview from Iraq.
Photos: Various Stryker Albums
DVIDS has a number of recent photo albums featuring soldiers from both the 3/2 SBCT & 4/2 SBCT. All Stryker photos can be found by browsing these search results.
- Day-to-day Soldiers Maintain Presence, Build Trust (3 images), 4-9 INF, 4/2 SBCT
- Search Yields Explosives, Not Missing Comrades (10 images), 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT
- 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team Moves, Communicates (6 images), 4-9 INF, 4/2 SBCT
- Stryker Brigade Mission (6 images), 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT
- 4th Stryker Brigade Comabt Team Arrives in Iraq (4 images), 4-9 INF, 4/2 SBCT
- Stryker Unit Ready for Diyala Operations (4 images), 2-1 CAV, 4/2 SBCT
- Fort Lewis Soldiers on Patrol in Diyala (4 images), 2-1 CAV, 4/2 SBCT
- Soldiers Look After Iraqis Following Insurgent Attack (8 images), 2-12 FA, 4/2 SBCT
- Cordon and Search (11 images), 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT
SGT Andrew J. Higgins
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Andrew J. Higgins, 28, of Hayward, Calif., died June 5 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire.He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones he leaves behind.
SSG Greg P. Gagarin
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Greg P. Gagarin, 38, of Los Angeles died June 3 in Thania, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time.
SGT Robert A. Surber
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Robert A. Surber, 24, of Inverness, Fla. died June 3 in Thania, Iraq of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
All of us here are deeply saddened by the loss of another Stryker soldier.
SGT Tyler J. Kritz
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Tyler J. Kritz, 21, of Eagle River, Wis. died June 3 in Thania, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
During this difficult time, we hope his loved ones can draw strength and comfort from those of us who hold you in our thoughts.
SGT James C. Akin
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. James C. Akin, 23, of Albuquerque, N.M. died June 3 in Thania, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
All of us here would like to offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Golden Dragons, Strykers Clear Radwaniyah Area
By Spc. Chris McCann, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO
RADWANIYAH, Iraq — The area just west of Baghdad and the coalition forces’ Victory Base Complex is quiet – so quiet that the tiny villages south of Az-Zaidon get very little attention.
But there are fears that this area, just southeast of Fallujah, is a bit too quiet.
“It’s an intelligence gap,” said Capt. Josh Betty, a native of College Station, Texas, and the assistant plans officer for the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y.
Arrests and multiple caches seized in Rashid
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi
Security Forces continued clearing operations in the East Rashid security district
of southern Baghdad June 1-4, detaining four suspected insurgents, destroying
an improvised explosive device and finding 11 weapons caches. Two terrorists
were also killed in a small arms engagement June 2.
The operation, known as Dragon Fire East/Arrowhead Strike 11, includes
approximately 2,000 Coalition troops from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat
Team, 1st Infantry Division and 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry
Division. They are joined in the operation by Iraqi troops from the 7th Brigade,
2nd Iraqi National Police Division.
SPC Romel Catalan
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Romel Catalan, 21, of Los Angeles, died June 2 in Ameriyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time. We will add any subsequent articles we find to this entry.
The Fight Against IEDs
Baghdad - As U.S. forces surge into areas where insurgents have regrouped, soldiers are being increasingly hit by buried IEDs which cause devastating casualties by exploding through the underside of armored vehicles, commanders say.
The buried explosives are both more destructive than traditional improvised explosives devices often hidden in trash or disguised on the surface, and harder to find with current IED-clearing equipment.
On the Ground in Amiriyah
The following report includes a brief mention of the 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT.
Baghdad - The leader of the resistance movement in Amiriyah was ecstatic. Standing in a courtyard in the Sunni enclave in West Baghdad, surrounded by U.S. soldiers, he believed the Americans had detained three al-Qaeda leaders.
They told him they had let two of them go because they couldn’t identify them. “Next time we’ll take you with us,” they said.
U.S. military officials say cooperation from a so-far small group of imams, neighborhood leaders and even former insurgents trying to drive out al-Qaeda is a promising spark. But both U.S. and Iraqi military commanders are wary of fanning it out of control.
SGT Chadrick O. Domino
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Chadrick O. Domino, 23, of Ennis, Texas, died May 31 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he encountered enemy small arms fire while on dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time. We will add any subsequent articles we find to this entry.
Locals Rise Up Against al Qaeda -- at a Cost
By JANE ARRAF, IraqSlogger.com
Baghdad – They were still bringing in the wounded when we arrived at the mosque in southern Amiriya Thursday morning, racing from the armored vehicles surrounded by bursts of gunfire.
An American soldier was among the casualties – killed by small arms fire. His name is being withheld. His commanders said he was an exceptional young man who re-enlisted after surviving a mortar attack that killed his roommate.
David Hardt Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column by David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq.
Iraq takes heavy toll on state
The Seattle P-I takes a close look at the losses suffered by Ft. Lewis units during the month of May.
By MIKE BARBER, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
The previous 31 days broke tragic records and left broken hearts.
While May was the third-worst month for U.S. military deaths nationwide in Iraq with 122 U.S. deaths, it was the bloodiest ever for Washington members of the armed forces with 22 casualties.
As of Thursday, that was the toll of troops with state ties killed in Iraq for the month, all Army soldiers and most from Fort Lewis. It nearly doubles the previous worst month here, when 12 were killed in December 2004.
Press Briefing with Lt. Gen. Odierno
Recent comments by Lt. Gen. Odierno indicate that recent operations in Diyala are a prelude to a much larger offensive there. Elements of both the 3/2 SBCT and the 4/2 SBCT are involved.
DoD Press Briefing with Lt. Gen. Odierno from the Pentagon
[...]
Question: General, Bill McMichael with the Military Times papers. You mentioned that you're going to be moving some forces up toward Diyala in a couple of weeks. Is that in response to the request by your commander up there, who told us a couple of weeks ago that he needed more forces up there? How many forces are you moving up? And what are your concerns about the violence in Baghdad spilling over to Diyala and how intense that's become up there?
Fort Lewis rethinks end of individual memorials
Fort Lewis leaders are reconsidering a decision to end individual memorial ceremonies for soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A post spokesman said Thursday that Brig. Gen. William Troy, acting commander at Fort Lewis, has decided to review his decision to hold a single memorial once a month to honor soldiers recently killed in action.
Lt. Col. Robert Gilpin said Troy’s final ruling “will take into account the views of commanders, family readiness groups and our senior noncommissioned officers.”
PFC Charles B. Hester
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Charles B. Hester, 23, of Cataldo, Idaho, died May 26 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when the vehicle he was in struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones he leaves behind. Any articles we find will be added to this entry.
Soldiers Help Iraqi Doctor See Over 200 Patients
By Sgt. Armando Monroig, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAQOUBA, Iraq – During her first visit to the Buhriz Clinic, Capt. Jan Rose saw an empty medical facility with only the clinic director present.
“We were told there was a physician that was kidnapped by al-Qaida and later executed,” said Rose, a nurse with the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion, from Little Rock, Ark. “So, all the physicians were afraid to come back and work at that clinic. It was done as an example so the physicians would work with the terrorists – if they didn’t (cooperate), they would be executed.”
Fort Lewis Troops Set Up Combat Outpost
By Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
BAGHDAD – The troops from Task Force 1-14 Cavalry (1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment) operating in the Iraqi capital as part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, have had to go through many changes.
They moved from Forward Operating Base Falcon to FOB Union III after the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division showed up a few months ago from Fort Riley, Kan.
Memorial Changes
On his blog Mike Gilbert of The News Tribune discusses a new protocol for Ft. Lewis memorials honoring fallen soldiers.
Related Article:
Fort Lewis moves to monthly memorial - The News Tribune
No Time for Grieving in Iraq's Daily Grind
Jane Arraf reports from Diyala with the 5-20 INF, 3/2 SBCT.
Baquba - The tattoo circles his left wrist – “Our Fallen Brothers” – the ink etched into his skin almost the same color as the blue in Army uniform.
“I don’t like to wear jewelry,” says Sergeant Michael Alsip with one of those understated explanations common to soldiers.
For most soldiers deployed in what has become one of fiercest fights in Iraq, the names of fallen comrades hardly fit any more on the black metal bracelets some wear to commemorate them.
Three from family serve in Iraq
LACEY — As the wife, mother and mother-in-law of Fort Lewis soldiers headed to Iraq, Joyce Hawkins said her fair share of goodbyes to family members last summer.
But in an improbable twist, the soldiers didn’t have to bid farewell to one another.
Her loved ones all serve in the 296th Brigade Support Battalion, a subordinate unit of one of the two Stryker brigades serving in and around Baghdad.
Memorials for area troops bigger these days
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
With each announcement from the Pentagon that another Fort Lewis soldier has been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan, it’s usually just a few hours before a portrait of the life lost begins to emerge.
On the Internet, and in the 24-hour news cycle, stories come quickly about young men and women with hopes and dreams and people who loved them.
In past wars, a soldier’s death usually was reported in a two- or three-sentence news item played on an inside page in the local newspaper, often weeks after the fact.
Seven hostages rescued in Baqubah
BAQUBAH — Coalition forces rescued seven kidnapped victims during a three-day operation in Chibernat, a village north of Baqubah, Wednesday.
Coalition forces also discovered more than 10 caches, nine improvised explosive devices and detained 11 suspected insurgents throughout the course of the operation.
The caches consisted of rocket-propelled grenade munitions, small-arms weapon systems, approximately 200 loaded AK-47 magazines, IED-making materials, grenades, mortar rounds and a suicide vest.
SGT Iosiwo Uruo
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Iosiwo Uruo, 27, of Agana Heights, Guam, died May 24, in Buhriz, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Wash.
We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the loved ones he leaves behind. Any articles we find will be added to this entry.
Col. Ricky Gibbs Press Briefing
Col. Gibbs mentioned joint operations with the 3/2 SBCT in his briefing today.
DoD News Briefing with Col. Ricky Gibbs at the Pentagon
[...]
We are currently now in the middle of a combat operation called Operation Dragon Fire. Together with the 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division's Arrowhead Brigade, which is commanded by my good friend Colonel Steve Townsend, and our three partnered Iraqi security force brigades, we are clearing the areas in order to defeat those extremist actors and those criminals who are using the area as a safe haven to launch attacks against the peace-loving Iraqi people and coalition forces.
Just some of the significant results of this operation I'd like to highlight:
Soldier survives IED explosion that killed six of his friends
The following story also includes video.
A broken arm and a few scrapes and bruises are the only visible signs that Larry Clark was hurt when he drove over an IED and it exploded.
"Usually a stryker can handle IED's fairly well. Usually hardly anyone gets hurt," said the Army Infantryman from Yorktown. But the enormous blast killed six of his closest friends who sat just inches from him. Sgt. Jason Harkins, Cpl. Joel Lewis, Spc. Anthony Bradshaw, Pfc. Michael Pursel and Sgt. Vinchinzio Romeo were all killed May 6th, during the explosion.
'The Bradley, upside down, was on fire.'
A photo-journalist embedded with Stryker soldiers responds to an attack on a separate unit operating in the area.
We were in a private house in Amiriya, a Sunni suburb near Baghdad airport. The soldiers were talking to residents when we heard gunfire and an explosion. It was late afternoon Baghdad time, and my second patrol of the day. A call came through the radio - we headed to the scene.
The Stryker vehicle platoon I was with was acting as the Quick Reaction Force that day, supporting the US military and Iraqi army in the area. When you hear an explosion you don't know what it is. We arrived to find a lot of smoke and moved into a house to assess whether there was shooting still going on.
Photos: With the 3rd Stryker in Baghdad
A new album (5 photos) from the Army website. Description:
Soldiers from the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, search for weapons caches and insurgents during a clearing mission in Baghdad on May 6.
Diyala Updates
The Fourth Rail has another in depth analysis of the situation in the Diyala Province. Excerpt:
The province of Diyala, where al Qaeda has established its command headquarters over the past year, has been the scene of increased activity of the past several days. Al Qaeda conducted a sophisticated attack in a Kurdish village in the north, and a coordinated attack on a military outpost and a bank in Baqubah. The U.S. detained two al Qaeda leaders in a raid in the city, while the general commanding the 5th Iraqi Army Division was relieved of his command. The recent events signal the Diyala Campaign is on the horizon as both sides seek to consolidate their positions in the province.
Uncertain Allies In A Threatening Landscape
Baghdad, May 17, 2007 – The Army’s Stryker vehicles are meant to be fast and agile. But with an ever-changing array of dangers on the roads in some of Baghdad’s still-volatile neighborhoods getting there is half the battle.
So on Tuesday, as brigade commander Steve Townsend went out to check on his latest battalion to arrive in Iraq the Strykers slowed to a crawl through an area known as a zone for EFPs – explosively-formed penetrators – the roadside bombs that can penetrate a tank.
They’ve been found hidden in the debris along the sides of the road in pieces of foam and chunks of concrete.
Tips are many, facts are few
By Damien Cave, New York Times
RUSHDIMULLAH, IRAQ - The stories have come in by the dozen.
One man swore that he had personally buried two Americans. As soldiers quickly began digging, another man came up and asked why they were unearthing his cousin.
Other Iraqis have said they saw the Americans walking, encircled by their captors. And still more have fingered people who they thought might have something to do with the ambush on Saturday that killed four U.S. soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter.
Tributes From Comrades
Mike Gilbert shares tributes from a memorial held in Iraq to honor the six soldiers killed from 5-20 INF, 3/2 SBCT on May 10, 2007.
David Hard Column
Blog-Ah! has published its latest column form David Hardt, a soldier serving with the 3/2 SBCT in Iraq. He talks about the loss of the 6 soldiers on May 10, 2007, whom he knew personally.
Search Continues
The Fourth Rail has an extensive update on the search for the three missing soldiers, which has been joined by the 1-23 INF, 3/2 SBCT.
Rashid Clearing Continues
By Major Kirk Luedeke, 1st Inf. Div. PAO
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Security Forces, along with Coalition Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad continued clearing operations in southwestern Baghdad neighborhoods May 14 and 15, detaining two suspects believed to be involved in anti-coalition activities and seizing seven caches containing explosively-formed projectiles, artillery and mortar shells, weapons and other bomb-making materials.
Soldiers from the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, along with national police and Iraqi Army troops, continued Operation Dragon Fire/Arrowhead Strike 10 to rid the Rashid District of southwestern Baghdad of terrorists and criminals and protect the population.
Stryker Soldiers Clear East Side of Baqubah
By Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAQUBAH, Iraq - About a month and a half after entering the city of Baqubah, Soldiers of the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, completed clearing the east side of the city during a week-long operation in the neighborhood of Tahrir that began April 23.
The battalion encountered heavy resistance during the first two days of the operation, engaging insurgents in several firefights that lasted for hours.
Strykers Search for Missing Soldiers
Blackfive uploaded the following B-Roll footage of Stryker soldiers searching for the three missing soldiers. The raw footage can be found at DVIDS if you'd like to view or download the original file.
Too Hot for Mission
By Sgt. Nicole Kojetin, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
BAGHDAD – “Ugh! It’s real hot. It’s like being in an oven,” said Spc. Erik Gonzalez from Sun Valley, Texas, May 10, in a brief pause from guzzling water.
He was tucked under a little tree taking advantage the small amount of shade, not caring that he was kneeling right next to a thorn bush. Gonzalez and his comrades from Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division were on hour five of a clearing operation in Baghdad’s western Rashid District and were trying to take a break from the sun.
Coalition Forces Clear Outskirts of Baqubah
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAQUBAH, Iraq – U.S. troops and Iraqi soldiers hunted for al-Qaida in Iraq operatives as they moved through the outskirts of Baqubah, Iraq, May 6.
During the operation, members of 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, and Soldiers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash., focused on the villages of Abu Karuum and Abu Fa’ad, where they believed persons with ties to the terrorist organization were located.
Arraf Reports: Baghdad's Sectarian Fault Line
Baghdad – The U.S. military and the Iraqi police know this neighborhood and its abandoned houses pockmarked with bullet holes as one of the front lines in Baghdad’s sectarian war.
Azhar and her family know it as home.
This part of the Baya neighborhood on the south-Western edge of the city is one of the fault lines in Iraq’s sectarian war. Sunnis extremists to the south, Shiite militias to the north – both sides dart in to launch attacks and leave, the military says.
Which is why most of the people here left months ago.
Most of the neighborhood consists of dusty streets interspersed with streams of sewer water. Almost all of the shops are shuttered. A lone stray dog searchs vainly for garbage that isn’t plastic bags or soda cans. The soldiers also keep an eye on the garbage as we make our way through the streets – on alert for roadside bombs hidden in the debris.
Ft. Lewis Memorial
Ft. Lewis held a memorial this afternoon for the six Stryker Brigade soldiers killed on May 10, 2007. The following articles describe the event.
- Fort Lewis remembers soldiers killed in Iraq (includes video) - KING 5 News
- Fort Lewis remembers 6 soldiers killed in Iraq - The Associated Press
- Fort Lewis Remembers 6 Soldiers Killed In Iraq (includes video) - KOMO 4 News
- Fallen soldiers remembered at Fort Lewis memorial - The Seattle Times
- Somber farewell for six killed by bomb (audio slideshow included) - The Olympian
- Maj. Robert Bennett's Eulogy - As published by The Seattle Times
- A family of soldiers, shattered - The News Tribune
Michael Yon to Embed With Strykers
I recently had an email exchange with freelance journalist Michael Yon, who is currently in Iraq covering the Marines in Al Anbar province. He confirmed that he will be embedding shortly with the 3/2 SBCT, and will be covering them for the remainder of their extended deployment.
For those of you not familiar with Michael's work I strongly encourage you to visit his website and browse the "Michael's Most Popular" section at the bottom of the page. He was embedded for months with the 1-24 INF ("Deuce Four"), 1/25 SBCT in 2005 while they were in Mosul, and many of those dispatches are from that period.
As a freelance journalist (and former special forces soldier, btw) he relies heavily on donations to keep him in Iraq. If you value this kind of coverage I strongly encourage you to drop a few bucks in his tip jar. I made my donation yesterday. To learn more about Michael and why he's in Iraq, please visit his "Thank You For Your Support" page.
US soldier's Iraq frontline blog wins prize
An American soldier's graphic account of his deployment in Iraq, detailing the firefights and frustrations of frontline life, has won a prize for books based on blogs, organisers said Monday.
Colby Buzzell's "My War: Killing Time In Iraq", the winner of this year's Lulu Blooker Prize, grew out of an online journal which he started in 2004 while serving as a machine-gunner based in Mosul, northern Iraq.
US to send more troops to restive Iraqi province
BAGHDAD -- The US military said Sunday it will send 3,000 more troops to a violence-ridden province northeast of Baghdad following a plea for reinforcements from the senior US commander in the area.
"There is a recognition clearly that up in Diyala there has been an up-tick in the violence," US spokesman Major General William Caldwell said at a press conference Sunday.
Caldwell said the number two US commander in Iraq, Lieutenant General Ray Odierno, had decided to move an infantry brigade equipped with Stryker armored vehicles to Diyala province.
Stryker Losses in Iraq Raise Questions
The Stryker concept has been controversial since its inception, but the vast majority of first-hand reports have been very positive.
By Robert H. Reid and Anne Flaherty, The Associated Press
BAGHDAD — A string of heavy losses from powerful roadside bombs has raised new questions about the vulnerability of the Stryker, the Army's troop-carrying vehicle hailed by supporters as the key to a leaner, more mobile force.
Since the Strykers went into action in violent Diyala province north of Baghdad two months ago, losses of the vehicles have been rising steadily, U.S. officials said.
SGT Jason W. Vaughn
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Jason W. Vaughn, 29, of Iuka, Miss., died May 10 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.Vaughn was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow soldiers Vaughn leaves behind.
A Fort Lewis stalwart praised as ‘a great mentor and adviser’
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
These are tough times for Army spouses at Fort Lewis, even before this week’s tragic news that nine more local soldiers had died.
Most of the 10,000 Fort Lewis soldiers now deployed to Iraq left a wife or a husband back home. And most who are there have had their combat tours extended from 12 to 15 months.
So it might come as a little bit of a lift to learn that one of their own was chosen to represent all Army spouses Friday in a White House ceremony to mark Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
DoD Briefing with Maj. Gen. Mixon from Iraq
Mixon, who is in charge of all coalition forces in Northern Iraq, including the Diyala Provice where the 5-20 INF is operating, gave a press briefing from Iraq today. The full transcript is available. Excerpt:
GEN. MIXON: I have enough soldiers in my area of Nineveh province, Salahuddin province and also Kirkuk province to provide that security and to conduct operations with those divisions in that area and to move them forward. I do not have enough soldiers right now in Diyala province to get that security situation moving. We have plans to put additional forces in that area. I can't discuss the details of that. We have put additional forces in there over the last couple of months, an additional Stryker Battalion. But I'm going to need additional forces in Diyala province to get that situation to a more acceptable level so the Iraqi security forces will be able in the future to handle that.
(via FOB Tacoma)
Photos: Stryker Operations
Recent photo albums from DVIDS.
- Combined Cordon and Search in Ameriyah (16 images, 5/11/07)
- Cordon and Search (13 images, 5/10/07)
- Ameriyah Operations (27 images, 5/9/07)
- Dora Patrol (17 images, 5/9/07)
You can find many more older albums on DVIDS by browsing "Stryker" search results.
1-14 Cavalry Troops Take Over Operations on Haifa Street
By Sgt. Robert Yde, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE UNION III, Iraq – After spending the majority of the month of April providing assistance in Diwaniyah, Iraq, the Soldiers of 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, are back in Baghdad and focusing their attention on to their next mission – taking over operations in the Haifa Street area in Baghdad’s city center.
“It’s definitely a more challenging battlefield,” Troop A commander, Capt. Gerald Resmondo said of Haifa Street. “It’s probably the most challenging battle space or area of operations that we’ve operated in just because of all the built-up and high-rise buildings.”
E-Mails Reveal a Fallen Soldier's Story
SSG Darrell R. Griffin Jr., a soldier with the 2-3 INF, 3/2 SBCT, was killed in Iraq in March 2007. US News reporter Alex Kingsbury interviewed SSG Griffin at length when he was embedded with the unit. In the following article, which was just published, Kingsbury supplements that material by speaking with Griffin's family. The result is a must-read, and is certainly one of the most in-depth profiles of a fallen soldier that I have read. What is excerpted below is only one page of an eight page article.
By Alex Kingsbury, US News & World Report
Four days before his death, Army Staff Sgt. Darrell Ray Griffin Jr., an infantry squad leader in Baghdad, sent an E-mail to his wife, Diana. "Spartan women of Greece used to tell their husbands, before they went into battle, to come back with their shields or laying on them, dying honorably in battle. But if they did not return with their shield, this showed that they ran away from the battle. Cowardice was not a Spartan virtue ... Tell me that you love me the same by me coming back with my shield or on it."
A few days later, Diana replied. "Are you ok??? I haven't heard from you since Sunday and it is now Wednesday ... I know you said you were going on a dangerous mission ... I get so nervous when I don't hear from you ... phone call or e-mail ... I just hope and pray your ok honey ... "
It was an E-mail Griffin would never read.