Forty-seven days on the ground. Thirty-nine days since the transfer of authority. Your Soldiers have conducted daily patrols and missions throughout our operational area. Each day they put relentless pressure on the enemy denying them safe havens to hide, locate their weapons caches, and intercept their movements. Each day our Soldiers work with the Iraqi Army and Sons of Iraq in order to strengthen security. Each day they meet someone new...a student, a shop keeper, a barber or a farmer. I ask so much of them every day and they perform amazingly. Regardless of what training that they have received, nothing can really prepare you for what happens here. Our Soldiers have to think, act and make decisions within seconds. Decisions that could possibly have global repercussions. Not just the leaders, but the youngest most inexperienced Soldier. They all perform amazingly, day in and day out. I am proud of them and what they are accomplishing.
I would like to mention and thank our Translators. These men spend their time away from their families as we do, share the dangers and hardships, and perform an invaluable function...they allow us to talk to Iraqis. Without them we would not be able to be as effective as we are. They not only translate our words but help us with the culture so that we can avoid making mistakes and they teach us the language. Being able to say good morning and ask someone how they are in their own language makes a lasting impression. They have different reasons for being here. The money is great, they like the adventure, or they want to help their country. I am glad that they are here.
Apache 6
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Veterans and Dust
Good news, the expecting mother and child are stable and are doing well from what I hear. Hopefully the little guy stays put and goes to full term, lots of growing yet to do, please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers. The Soldier has returned to us and is back with his platoon.
All of the platoons have been out in sector every day engaging the population with dialogue, eroding the insurgents ability to conduct operations, and working side by side with Iraqi Security Forces. We have partnered with a new Iraqi Army unit recently and we are looking forward to conducting successful joint operations with them. The old Iraqi unit had been here for quite some time and is rotating home for a well deserved rest and refit cycle. The Government of Iraq regularly moves units around the country. I am unsure of their reasons but I have my suspicions.
1st Platoon has developed an appreciation for unique Iraqi perfumes recently. Ask them for details.
3rd Platoon welcomes a new platoon sergeant to their ranks. He was already in the platoon but stepped up to fill a recent vacancy.
4th Platoon are becoming widely known as the local coffee conesouers. So if you can't think of anything to send them, anything to do with coffee would do fine.
Company Headquarters continues to go about their daily routine supporting the company. Some items that the platoons need are easy to get or fix while others are an insurmountable obstacle.
All of your Soldiers are now officially veterans. On their right sleeve they now sport the shoulder sleeve insignia - former wartime service a.k.a. combat patch of the 28th Infantry Division. The 28th ID is the oldest serving Army Division and the 111th Regiment is the 7th oldest regiment in the United States. Congratulations to them all.
The weather has been warming up and causing regular dust storms. Dust is absolutely everywhere. The Soldiers work hard at keeping their equipment and weapons free of it but it seems like an impossible task at times. We have certainly breathed in several pounds of Iraq over the last month.
Everyone, except the mail clerk, would like to thank you for all of the packages sent from home, please keep them coming because they are a real morale booster.
Apache 6
All of the platoons have been out in sector every day engaging the population with dialogue, eroding the insurgents ability to conduct operations, and working side by side with Iraqi Security Forces. We have partnered with a new Iraqi Army unit recently and we are looking forward to conducting successful joint operations with them. The old Iraqi unit had been here for quite some time and is rotating home for a well deserved rest and refit cycle. The Government of Iraq regularly moves units around the country. I am unsure of their reasons but I have my suspicions.
1st Platoon has developed an appreciation for unique Iraqi perfumes recently. Ask them for details.
3rd Platoon welcomes a new platoon sergeant to their ranks. He was already in the platoon but stepped up to fill a recent vacancy.
4th Platoon are becoming widely known as the local coffee conesouers. So if you can't think of anything to send them, anything to do with coffee would do fine.
Company Headquarters continues to go about their daily routine supporting the company. Some items that the platoons need are easy to get or fix while others are an insurmountable obstacle.
All of your Soldiers are now officially veterans. On their right sleeve they now sport the shoulder sleeve insignia - former wartime service a.k.a. combat patch of the 28th Infantry Division. The 28th ID is the oldest serving Army Division and the 111th Regiment is the 7th oldest regiment in the United States. Congratulations to them all.
The weather has been warming up and causing regular dust storms. Dust is absolutely everywhere. The Soldiers work hard at keeping their equipment and weapons free of it but it seems like an impossible task at times. We have certainly breathed in several pounds of Iraq over the last month.
Everyone, except the mail clerk, would like to thank you for all of the packages sent from home, please keep them coming because they are a real morale booster.
Apache 6
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The heat is definitely on it's way. It is still relatively cool at night but we are sweating through our Army Combat Uniform (ACU) jackets under our body armor during the day. Soon everyone will look like they were pushed into a swimming pool after a few hours on patrol. You would be amazed at how much bottled water you can drink in a day. Thankfully we are well supplied with drink packets to give it some flavor. We also get in regular shipments of Gatorade, sodas, juices and other drinks.
All of the platoons have been working really hard every day. There is always something to do here. Luckily we have a great gym here at the JSS and the Soldiers are taking advantage of it. We have 2 ping pong tables and there seems to always be a game or two going on. The SPAWAR phones and internet are the biggest morale booster we have here.
One of our Soldiers is back home on emergency leave right now. His pregnant wife was in an auto accident and is in the hospital. We are praying for a quick recovery for her and a healthy birth of their baby. The FRG has been aware of the situation.
Every day brings us a step closer to home. It's hard to believe that we have been here a month already. Time goes by fast because we stay so busy. Boredom is a condition that doesn't exist here at the JSS. The Soldiers get back to Taji on a rotating basis so they can get things done there but most would prefer to stay here.
Our Sympathies go out to the family and friends of Sgt. Jeffrey A. Reed of 3rd platoon 411th Military Police Company. SGT Reed was killed in action on 2 March 2009. He was not assigned to A Company, but he became one of our Soldiers that morning. we shall not rest.
Apache 6
All of the platoons have been working really hard every day. There is always something to do here. Luckily we have a great gym here at the JSS and the Soldiers are taking advantage of it. We have 2 ping pong tables and there seems to always be a game or two going on. The SPAWAR phones and internet are the biggest morale booster we have here.
One of our Soldiers is back home on emergency leave right now. His pregnant wife was in an auto accident and is in the hospital. We are praying for a quick recovery for her and a healthy birth of their baby. The FRG has been aware of the situation.
Every day brings us a step closer to home. It's hard to believe that we have been here a month already. Time goes by fast because we stay so busy. Boredom is a condition that doesn't exist here at the JSS. The Soldiers get back to Taji on a rotating basis so they can get things done there but most would prefer to stay here.
Our Sympathies go out to the family and friends of Sgt. Jeffrey A. Reed of 3rd platoon 411th Military Police Company. SGT Reed was killed in action on 2 March 2009. He was not assigned to A Company, but he became one of our Soldiers that morning. we shall not rest.
Apache 6
Thursday, March 5, 2009
I regret not having posted sooner but we have been quite busy over the last few weeks. Our Soldiers are either getting ready for a mission, on a mission, or getting back from a mission. As they get more familiar with the area they are becoming more effective at what they are doing. Each day offers new challenges and the potential to influence the local population in a positive way.
Everywhere we drive the children and teenagers hold their hands high above their head like they are holding a soccer ball. It is probably considered a national sport here. With the number of children in the area, any soccer balls that we had are quickly gone.
There is a not for profit organization called Kick for Nick . It was started by the family of PFC Nick Madaras after Nick was killed by an IED on September 3, 2006. Nick loved soccer and the children of Iraq and would give them every soccer ball that he could lay his hands upon. His family continues to honor him and his love by sending soccer balls to deployed Soldiers and they hand them out. It is a worthwhile cause and it helps build relationships between Soldiers and the local population.
Our Soldiers continue to improve their living conditions at the JSS. Not a day goes by that I don't see one of them with a hammer in hand building something. It isn't the Waldorf-Astoria but we like it. The cooks continue to serve some great chow. We are also getting some Soldiers back who were on medical hold.
Keep our Soldiers in your prayers and their families back home.
Apache 6
Everywhere we drive the children and teenagers hold their hands high above their head like they are holding a soccer ball. It is probably considered a national sport here. With the number of children in the area, any soccer balls that we had are quickly gone.
There is a not for profit organization called Kick for Nick . It was started by the family of PFC Nick Madaras after Nick was killed by an IED on September 3, 2006. Nick loved soccer and the children of Iraq and would give them every soccer ball that he could lay his hands upon. His family continues to honor him and his love by sending soccer balls to deployed Soldiers and they hand them out. It is a worthwhile cause and it helps build relationships between Soldiers and the local population.
Our Soldiers continue to improve their living conditions at the JSS. Not a day goes by that I don't see one of them with a hammer in hand building something. It isn't the Waldorf-Astoria but we like it. The cooks continue to serve some great chow. We are also getting some Soldiers back who were on medical hold.
Keep our Soldiers in your prayers and their families back home.
Apache 6
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
All of A Co Soldiers are doing well. We were able to link up Baby Z with Big Z this week.
Note: All postings are logged in on the Blogspot west coast server on Pacific Standard Time. I.E. an entry posted from Iraq at 10 AM on the 25th will time stamp from the server at 11 PM on the 24th, an 11 hour difference. I did not realize this and apologize for the confusion.
Note: All postings are logged in on the Blogspot west coast server on Pacific Standard Time. I.E. an entry posted from Iraq at 10 AM on the 25th will time stamp from the server at 11 PM on the 24th, an 11 hour difference. I did not realize this and apologize for the confusion.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sad news
On Saturday morning 21 Feb 2008, SGT Mark Baum of 3rd Platoon Bravo Company 1-111th IN was killed in action. SGT Baum's family has been notified through official military channels.
Please take a moment for SGT Baum, his family and the men of Bravo company.
Apache 6
Please take a moment for SGT Baum, his family and the men of Bravo company.
Apache 6
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