October 04, 2008
World War II Band of Brothers Meets Operation Iraqi Freedom Band of Brothers
Members of the 4th Sustainment Brigade, who provide escort security for convoy missions, pose in front of a M1151 gun truck with WWII vet Don Malarkey, 87, who was featured in the HBO mini-series “Band of Brothers.”
From left, Forrest Guth, Clancy Lyall and Amos “Buck” Taylor, WWII veterans and members of Easy Company as featured in the TV series “Band of Brothers,” pose for photos and sign autographs for troops during a week-long visit to the Middle East.
World War II Band of Brothers Meets Operation Iraqi Freedom Band of Brothers
By Maj. Carol McClelland
1st Theater Sustainment Command,
Public Affairs
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait
Six World War II veterans featured in the TV mini-series “Band of Brothers” visited Camp Arifjan recently where they encountered a team of Operation Iraqi freedom soldiers eager to show off their “office.”
Former Easy Company Soldiers visited to meet and greet troops and sign autographs. Spc. Matt Klinkenberg and some of his buddies wanted to meet the men they saw in the 10-part series that chronicles the experiences and stories of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.
“We’re hearing the stories from them in person that were portrayed on the show,” said Klinkenberg, a member of the 129th Transportation Company. “It’s cool meeting actual war heroes. It’s amazing.”
During the community center visit, gunner and truck commander Sgt. Daniel Moore and his buddies decided to act on an idea they had.
“At first we thought how cool it would be to get an M1151 gun truck up here with the .50-caliber machine gun on it. But then we remembered the arms room was not open, so we just brought the truck,” said Moore, a 23-year-old Chillicothe, Mo. native who’s assigned to 6 Transportation Battalion.
Thinking of the 80-plus-year-old war veterans navigating over gravel, the team drove the tactical truck to the fence closest to the building then arranged to have the fence unlocked driving it even closer. Eighty-six-year old South Philadelphia native “Wild Bill” Guarnere, who lost a leg in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, said he appreciated the gesture and complimented the growing crowd for their military service.
“We wanted them to see what 60 years difference in Army equipment brings and how we do things,” Moore said. The crew, who commonly spend seven hours a day for six to eight days inside the vehicle, showed off its up-armored protection platform that’s pre-manufactured to handle the warfighter’s defensive needs.
“Back home, we’d never get to meet these guys,” said 40-year-old Spc. Jeffrey Noble from Bloomfield, Iowa.
Spc. Deigo Dela Vega, a 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry, Ohio National Guardsman from Lima, Ohio, agreed.
“This is a really cool day for me.”
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"Wild Bill" Guarnere, Edward "Babe" Heffron, Forrest Guth, Don Malarkey, Amos "Buck" Taylor and Clancy Lyall visit service members stop at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Sept. 19, 2008 during their six day tour to visit deployed service members.
"Wild Bill" Guarnere, Edward "Babe" Heffron, Forrest Guth, Don Malarkey, Amos "Buck" Taylor and Clancy Lyall visit service members stop at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Sept. 19, 2008 during their six day tour to visit deployed service members.
“Band of Brothers” Travel to Kuwait
Six members from the “Band of Brothers” visited service members in Kuwait, during a tour hosted by the United Services Organization Sept. 14-19, 2008.
The men, who served together in E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during World War II, traveled 12 hours from the U.S. to thank deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines for their service to our country.
The members were “Wild Bill” Guarnere, Clancy Lyall, Amos “Buck” Taylor, Forrest Guth, Edward “Babe” Heffron and Don Malarkey.
They were scheduled to make a stop at Camp Buehring, Kuwait to meet with service members before moving forward to meet with troops in Iraq.
They began their tour at the Camp Buehring stage, but when it came time to move forward, they were not able to make their trip north due to inclement weather.
However, that did not keep them from fulfilling their goal of meeting with troops to show their appreciation for their service. Instead of going into Iraq, the USO made it possible for them to make various stops around military camps in Kuwait to talk to servic emembers.
“They are happy as long as they are seeing troops,” said Dana DePaul, tour producer, USO.
“It’s an honor to come and visit,” said Lyall. “We wanted to boost the morale and show that we care.”
Although it has been over a half century since these men made their contributions to the 101st and World War II, which were made famous through the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers,” their stories and experiences are not much different from service members who serve in the military today.
“I am no different from any Soldier here,” said Lyall. “We just have good P.R. people,” he added jokingly.
Much like today, each servicemember served and fought for their country during a time of war. Some volunteered for different reasons and others were drafted.
But war-fighters of both eras faced their own unique challenges.
During World War II, some of the challenges lay in the fact that the fighting conditions were different, the climate was cooler and the technology was not as advanced.
Many challenges that today’s war fighters face involve improvised explosive devices and concerns of suicide bombers who threaten the lives and safety of service members and civilians.
These six men of E Company made the trip to show their appreciation for service members who are involved in the current war on terror and to let those service members know they understand some of the challenges that they face.
“We had an enemy,” said Guarnere, a staff sergeant with the unit. “Here, you don’t know who the enemy is.”
He also spoke of how, although it was extremely cold when they fought at Bastogne, he was amazed that service members fight in the hotter climates of the Middle East.
“The heat, the heat,” he said in an expression filled with much animation. “How you do it, I don’t know.”
During one of their final stops, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, many excited service members waited in a long line to shake hands, take pictures and show their appreciation for these six men.
“I think it’s amazing getting a chance to see real life heroes in person,” said Staff Sgt. Jarod Perkioniemi, public affairs, and a Farmington Hills, Mich., native. “It’s just a tribute that they came out to see us Soldiers.”
But these men were just as excited to see the troops who are currently making the same sacrifices they made over 60 years ago.
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Wild Thing's comment.............
It is always an honor and privilege to post stories and photos of our troops serving our country. And to be able to post about the Band of Brothers trip to meet up with our troops is so very special.
Where the article speaks about “Wild Bill” Guarnere, who lost a leg in the Battle of the Bulge. I said an extra prayer for of thanks too for one of my Uncles that also lost his leg in the Battle of the Bulge. I wonder if they knew each other or if they ever met. The others in my family and Nicholas served in other conflicts and they would love this story too.
God bless all of these people and prayers for our country that these men and women are making so many sacrifices for each day.
Posted by Wild Thing at 04:55 AM | Comments (14) | TrackBack
Brothers Meet at 20,000 Feet
Maj. Eric Moraes, B-1B Lancer pilot for the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, sits in the cockpit of his aircraft. Moraes was recently reunited with his brother at 20,000 feet over Afghanistan during a combat sortie Sept. 10, 2008. His brother, Capt. Jason Moraes, 380 AEW, flew the KC-10 Extender aircraft that refueled the B-1B. The brothers had been apart for a year when they met in the skies above the AOR for the 10-minute reunion.
Brothers Meet at 20,000 Feet
By Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin
379th Air Expeditionary Wing
Public Affairs
Family reunions are always special, but for two brothers stationed at different bases in Southwest Asia their meeting at 20,000 feet over a combat zone is even more memorable.
During the encounter Sept. 10, Capt. Jason Moraes, a KC-10 Extender pilot for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, refueled his older brother's B-1B Lancer aircraft from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.
"It's a very rare event to join up with your brother at 20,000 feet over Afghanistan," said Maj. Eric Moraes. "In the area of responsibility you're never quite sure which tanker will refuel you due to the fluidity of operations on the ground. To be more efficient and effective, the [Combined Air and Space Operations Center] is usually moving players around to best support the ground commanders."
The reunion occurred on Captain Jason Moraes first combat sortie in the AOR, and his brother's last.
"I was supposed to go home in July, but they kept extending me," said Major Eric Moraes, who has been deployed since June. "If I had left then I would have missed this opportunity."
His younger brother called him the weekend prior to the flight upon his arrival to the AOR. During the conversation Moraes said he was flying Sept. 10, 2008. He didn't realize at the time how his brother would use that information.
"I told the schedulers that my brother is flying Wednesday night and I would like to be on the sortie that is supposed to refuel a B-1," said Captain Moraes, deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "I have to thank the KC-10 schedulers. They did an awesome job coordinating it."
The major did not know his brother had coordinated their rendezvous, but knew there was a chance they could meet.
"When I went to mission planning I saw there were two KC-10s we were going to rendezvous with," said the bomber pilot. "I thought 'I wonder if he is on one of them?' There was no time to call or e-mail him, so I thought 'I guess I'll find out.' We came up to our first tanker kind of at the beginning of our time in country. It wasn't him. When it came time for our second tanker, we made an initial call about 30 minutes out to get everything straight - altitudes, air speeds, rendezvous point. Low and behold there's my little brother on the radio. It was a pretty proud moment for me. There is my little brother flying over Afghanistan."
The moment was also exciting for his younger brother.
"I recognized my brother's voice instantly," he said. "It was pretty sweet to hear him on the radio."
Once the aircraft were joined for refueling, the brothers who had been apart for about a year were able to talk for about 10 minutes over an interphone between the aircraft.
"Being spread out makes family reunions kind of tough," said Major Moraes, deployed from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., "but when we do get together it's always good."
Reunions become more difficult to plan with the third sibling of the family also flying tankers for the Air Force. The oldest brother, Maj. Steven Moraes, flies KC-135 Stratotankers for the National Guard's 108th Air Refueling Wing at McGuire AFB, N.J. His service impacted his brothers' career choice.
"I decided to become a pilot since my older brothers enjoy being Air Force pilots," said Captain Jason Moraes. "Their stories on what they have done motivated me to become a pilot. From listening to their experiences, I wanted to follow in their footsteps."
The youngest brother said the best part of them all being pilots is the advice.
"I still look up to them, not only as my brothers, but as trustworthy pilots from whom I can gain experience and knowledge," he said. "Also, having Eric as a bomber pilot, I can hopefully get debriefed on what the tanker does well and what it needs to work on so I can pass along the information to my crew and fellow tanker pilots. I will also pass along the tanker community's way of thinking so that he can get a better idea of my side of the house. This will hopefully ensure that we are finding the niche to make sure operations go as smoothly as possible."
Both Major and Captain Moraes are proud to be serving in the Global War on Terror.
"I want to support the combat aircraft and the combat troops on the ground," said the younger brother. "I know I do not drop bombs or provide close air support, but I feel I am a key player by providing the gas for those, like my brother, who do. My brother, as well as the other fighter, attack and bomber pilots, plays a pivotal role in allowing the troops on the ground to do their jobs."
Their service to the troops on the ground provided them a rare opportunity for the unusual reunion.
"Being able to be refueled by my brother over the skies of Afghanistan had to be one of the highlights of my 12-year career," said Major Moraes.
Wild Thing's comment............
These brothers will remember this for the rest of their lives. I am so glad they got to meet like this. God bless our troops, they deserve the best Commander In Chief possible. I pray they are never exposed to the likes of B.Hussein Obama that has no concept of what our military is about, his vote against the war and his attitude toward General Petraeus is unforgivable.
Posted by Wild Thing at 04:44 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Reestablishing ‘rule of Law’ in Al Akad Neighborhood
Iraqi contractors conduct a site survey of the landscape at the Al Akad station build site, Sept. 27, 2008. The station, which is in the process of being rebuilt, was destroyed by criminal attacks in past years. Iraqi police and coalition force Police Transition Teams are in the process of reestablishing law and order in the area to protect the citizens within the Al Akad neighborhood.
Reestablishing ‘rule of Law’ in Al Akad Neighborhood
By Sgt. Daniel Blottenberger
18th Military Police
BAGHDAD – A black kite rises to the sky off in the distance as a convoy of military police Soldiers travel down one of the most dangerous routes in Baghdad.
“They know we are here,” said Staff Sgt. Darrell Bamberg, a squad leader with the 340th Military Police Company, 18th Military Police Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, as his eyes scanned through his Gumvee window, Sept. 27, 2008, at the black kites with the assumption criminal groups were signaling the arrival of coalition forces along the route as they entered the Al Akad neighborhood.
“The guys over here don’t like us at all,” said Bamberg, referring to the criminal groups in the area of the proposed building site of a new IP station.
The surveying of a new IP station in the Al Akad neighborhood was the squad’s mission for the day, as well as escorting an Iraqi police general and several contractors to a new station build site in northeast Baghdad to conduct a site survey.
As the squad traveled the route, more black kites popped up parallel to their position and went down as they passed by en route to their destination. The squad is part of the 340th MP Co., and is an Army Reserve unit based out of New York.
“There are a lot of reports of criminal groups in the area,” said Bamberg, a native of the Bronx, N.Y., referring to an area that borders Sadr City where much of the violence that was once contained in Sadr City has crept into.
Upon arriving at the future build site, the Soldiers were met by many children – some asking for water and candy. Soldiers, with comforting smiles, handed out as much as they had available.
As the children smiled and ran away, two more children approached and set sail to a black kite that was within viewing distance of the convoy, which was parked at the remains of a former IP station.
The unit’s plan is to rebuild the Al Akad station to establish an IP force in the area, which will help to reestablish and provide rule of law for the citizens against criminal groups suspected of moving into the area.
“Our goal is to make this area secure for the citizens of Al Akad,” said Maj. Lawrence Clossum, commander, 340th MP Co., who is a native of St. Louis. “We are beginning the process of rebuilding a new station in Al Akad that will provide rule of law for the citizens of Al Akad.”
The Al Akad station existed at one point but was destroyed by criminal group attacks on the station in earlier months.
“We will have to level what’s left of the place and rebuild the station from scratch,” said Clossum, looking at the remains of the perimeter of the former IP station.
The station would be a symbol of perseverance to the criminals in the area, he added, and will demonstrate that the IP forces have the capability to protect its citizens and not back down to anyone as they rebuild their nation.
“We cannot let the criminals think they have won the fight here,” said Clossum. “It will take some time, but we will rebuild this station.”
The construction evaluation crew gathered the needed information at the site and the group loaded back into the humvees and journeyed back from where they came leaving the black kites waving in the sky behind them.
The mission was completed for the day, which signified one of the many opportunities for the Iraqi police and coalition forces as the combined forces strive to reestablish the police forces in the area to help rid the neighborhood of crime.
Wild Thing's comment...........
“We cannot let the criminals think they have won the fight here,” said Clossum. “It will take some time, but we will rebuild this station.”
I agree we cannot let them win or even think they have won.
Posted by Wild Thing at 04:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 30, 2008
Combat Helicopters
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Wild Thing's comment................
Thanks to all our troops, this is an excellent video of the conbat helicopters and I wanted to show it to you.
Posted by Wild Thing at 04:48 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
September 25, 2008
Marine Plans To File Slander Suit Against Murtha
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There's a two and a half minute video at link...HERE........ with the below story
EXCLUSIVE IN THE HADITHA CASE!
Former Marine lance corporal, Justin Sharratt, files suit against Congressman John Murtha
Second defamation suit to be filed by a Marine who Murtha said "murdered innocent civilians in cold-blood". Sharratt is a constituent of Murtha in Pennsylvania's 12th District. Press conferences tomorrow.
Marine Plans To File Slander Suit Against Murtha
WASHINGTON, PA (KDKA) ― A local Marine cleared in the deaths of civilians in Iraq says Congressman John Murtha made public comments that were unproven, untrue and unfair.
Now, Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt is planning to file suit in federal court against Murtha on Thursday morning.
The suit accuses the congressman of slander and violating the Marine's right to a fair trial and due process.
Sharratt was one of eight Marines charged after 24 Iraqi civilians were killed in Haditha. He was charged with three counts of unpremeditated murder.
It's alleged in the lawsuit that before the outcome of the case, Congressman Murtha made slanderous comments.
Three years after the deaths, seven of eight Marines have been cleared, including Sharratt. There's now a website, JustinSharratt.com, to let the world know that he has been cleared.
The eighth Marine is still waiting for his day in court.
KDKA contacted Murtha's office for comment on this suit but there's no word back from them yet.
Wild Thing's comment...........
OUTSTANDING!!! I hope there are six more lawsuits lined up and ready to go.
Jack Murtha, you are truly treasonous scum. I hope more news like this brings Murtha's detestable, treasonous words and actions back to the forefront of voters' minds.
And let's not forget Lt. Col. Bill Russell's who is running against Murtha!
"We now know that Congressman Jack Murtha's long, public indictment of American Marines was factually wrong. Instead of "cold blooded killers," court rulings reveal a dramatically different story of personal courage under fire. True heroism.
Lt. Col. Bill Russell's grassroots campaign is setting the record straight. By standing up for fellow veterans, military personal and average taxpayers, he's taking on one of Washington's most entrenched powerbrokers in what columnist Michelle Malkin calls a "David versus Goliath" contest.
A survivor of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Pentagon, Bill's campaign is a call to conservative reform and patriotic action."
Posted by Wild Thing at 03:47 AM | Comments (5)
September 13, 2008
Deep Purple, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC and Quiet Riot Bands Visits CAB, Rocks Camp Taji
The classic rock 'n' roll band Big Noize played to a standing room only crowd their brand of 70's and 80's hits for service members and civilians on Camp Taji, Sept. 11, 2008.(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt, CAB PAO, 4th Inf. Div.,
1st Sgt. Rodolfo Lopez, Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad from Torrance, Calif., talks with Phil Soussan, bass guitarist for the classic rock 'n' roll band Big Noize, while he sits in the cockpit of a AH-64D Apache helicopter on Camp Taji, Sept. 11, 2008. The band, comprised of members from Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, AC/DC and Deep Purple visited the 4th Inf. Div.'s CAB to see the aircraft they use in the Global War on Terrorism. Later that night, the legendary ensemble band from the 70's and 80's played a standing room concert for more than 300 screaming Soldiers, Airmen and civilians who work and live on Camp Taji.
Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Band Visits CAB, Rocks Camp Taji
By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt
Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
In an effort to increase morale and bring the gift of music to Soldiers serving in Iraq, a rock ‘n’ roll band comprised of top-notch acts from the ‘70s and ‘80s visited Soldiers from the Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and performed a live concert on Camp Taji, Sept. 11, 2008.
The members of Big Noize, a band consisting of members from Deep Purple, Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot and AC/DC, were provided first-hand knowledge during the day on combat aviation operations throughout MND-B by Soldiers from the CAB.
Later that evening, the band provided everyone working and living on the camp first-hand knowledge on how to rock.
“I got this project together, named Big Noize, and this is a perfect mixture of guys,” said Joe Lynn Turner, lead singer for the band who also sang for Deep Purple and Rainbow. “This is something we wanted to do – to help the guys [service members stationed in Kuwait and Iraq]. Also, we wanted to show the people back in the U.S. and the whole world all the great things going on over here.
“This is a life-changing experience for us, and we want to let people know all the sacrifices you are making for world peace,” he said. “Most people don’t realize – ‘To have world peace, you have to make sacrifices.’ With all the rebuilding going on in this country, it is unbelievable. You are doing a great, great job. You guys are the real rock stars.”
During the day’s events, the band was escorted to the Camp Taji Airfield where Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, showed off one of the AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.
Then after spending more than an hour taking turns sitting in the cockpit and being shown how the combat aircraft operates, the band was whisked to the Apache helicopter simulator, where each rocker took turns flying combat missions in the high-tech piece of equipment.
“This [the simulator] is way harder than I thought it was going to be,” said Carlos Cavazo, lead guitar player for the band who also was one of the founding members of the ‘80s rock band Quiet Riot. “There is so much to think about when you are flying in the simulator.
“I’ve always wanted to be an Army guy, and being here for ten days gives me a brief chance to do that,” said the head banger, whose classic songs include “Metal Health” and “Come on Feel the Noize.” Quiet Riot was an American Band whose success in 1983 and 1984 contributed to launching the glam metal scene during the ‘80s.
During their visit, Big Noize visited service members stationed in Kuwait and Iraq for ten days and they put on five electric guitar-pumping shows. The band consists of Turner’s lead vocal talents, Phil Soussan, who played bass guitar for Ozzy Osbourne, Cavazo and Simon Wright, who played drums for AC/DC and Ronnie James Dio.
Camp Taji was the last gig on the bands world wind tour, where the group belted out heavy metal classics to a crowd of more than 300 screaming Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and civilians working on the dusty camp surrounded by Iraqi farmlands.
Some of the hits performed by the group were “Crazy Train,” originally sung by Osbourne, “Smoke on the Water,” originally performed by Deep Purple, “Hells Bells” originally performed by AC/DC, and “Holy Diver,” originally sung by Ronnie James Dio.
“I grew up on classic rock, and this concert is the biggest morale booster since I’ve been here,” said Pfc. Johnathan Shufeldt, 23, Company G, 2nd Bn., 4th Avn. Regt., CAB. “My favorite songs they performed were by Ronnie James Dio. They rock, and I love Dio. These types of events definitely help you blow off steam from the long work days.”
Wild Thing's comment.........
Thank you to Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt for a great write up and photos.
I just love how the bands talked about our troops and what it meant to them ( the bands) to be able to go there and meet our soldiers. There are some wonderful quotes on how they felt about it that mean a lot.
God bless our troops!
Posted by Wild Thing at 03:45 AM | Comments (6)
August 23, 2008
A Glimpse At Airevac
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Click HERE: SFGate Single Title Player Video
This is a really good video showing something few get to see about our Military Airevac.
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....Thank you Tom for sending this to me.
Posted by Wild Thing at 03:48 AM | Comments (6)
August 16, 2008
Pool opens in Adhamiyah, Iraq
Col. John Hort (center) along with members of the Iraqi Army and the Adhamiyah District Advisory Council, cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the Adhamiyah Community Pool.
by Sgt. Zach Mott
For most people in Iraq, a dip in the local watering hole is either impossible, or involves tempting fate in the ancient Tigris or Euphrates rivers.
“This is the only swimming pool in Adhamiyah district. All of the children go to the river and that’s very dangerous for them,” said Muhtad Hasan, a member of the Support Council of Adhamiyah who works with youth and education.
The project to refurbish the pool and recreation complex began in March under the direction of the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. That unit recently completed its 15-month tour in Iraq and was replaced by the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, who oversaw the project’s final days.
The $150,000-venture helped reopen the pool after violence and the subsequent damage from criminals left the facility uninhabitable more than three years ago.
During the opening festivities, children ran around the deck with smiles and happily showboated acrobatic feats to gain the attention of the ceremony attendees.
“It’s really money well-spent when you look at the thrill that it’s given these kids,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Barnett who commands 1st Squadron, 2nd SCR, which is currently attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
The adjoining recreation center has a boxing ring, a weight room and wrestling mats for children to practice their specific sport of choice.
“It’s an ongoing project,” Barnett said. “One of the first things they asked for, as far as community projects, was to get this pool re-established so the kids didn’t have to swim in the river.”
Temperatures in Iraq historically surpass 130 degrees during the unrelenting summer.
For the Soldiers who patrol these streets in northern Baghdad, the pool is a welcome sight to help the people they’re here to protect.
“This is a good example of what cooperation with the local government officials, the Iraqi Army, with the Coalition Forces -- what we can all do together to improve the quality of life here,” Barnett said.“Every time a Soldier walks by on a patrol here he’s going to say, ‘Hey, you know, we helped facilitate that. We helped make a difference.’ ”
Wild Thing's comment..........
"Hey, you know, we helped facilitate that. We helped make a difference."
I hope and pray these soldiers know how much we appreciate all they do, and we know just as the Iraq's do too, that our troops make a huge difference in people's lives.
Posted by Wild Thing at 02:45 AM | Comments (4)
August 03, 2008
“Out guerilla the guerillas” Tiger Force, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Uncommon Valor, Uncommon Bond - The Tiger Force - From Viet Nam to Iraq
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Above photo: Vietnam era Tiger Force Soldiers circa 1968. Top row, second from left, MoH recipient
SSG John Gertsch and Hank “Doc” Ortega.
Story and Photos by Spc. Rick Rzepka
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (AA)
Uncommon Bond
Tiger
This ain’t your father’s Army. Some say it’s a kinder, gentler Army, wary of political correctness and public perceptions. Some say that this has caused Soldiers to lose touch with their roots, to disconnect themselves from the past.
But for one Infantry platoon, at the heart of the fight in Iraq, some things never change and they are neither kind nor gentle.
Somewhere, in the dusty expanse of the Salah ad Din province in Iraq, the Tigers are lurking. They patiently wait for their prey in the city and in the desert. They are keenly aware, not only of their immediate surroundings, but of their heritage as well. They know they have some big boots to fill.
Tiger Force, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), is the most highly decorated platoon sized element in the U.S. Army. Over the past 48 years, Tiger Force Soldiers have earned two Medals of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, numerous Silver Stars for valor and countless other commendations. Names like Hackworth, Gertsch, and Gardner are synonymous with the Tiger legacy, which began in the sweltering jungles of Vietnam.
“Out guerilla the guerillas”
In 1965, as the Vietnam War picked up steam, Army brass recognized a need for more unconventional, guerilla style warfare. A young Lt. Colonel in the 101st Airborne Division named David Hackworth proposed that by utilizing small, highly trained units, Vietcong tactics could be effectively countered. The brass liked what they heard and the Tigers were born through highly experienced, hand selected volunteers from the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.
Their mission: “To out guerilla the guerillas,” according to Hackworth, or as MoH recipient Staff Sgt. John G. Gertsch said, “how to really be there, but not be there.”
“During the Vietnam years, Tiger Force went through many changes in the full spectrum,” said Hank “Doc” Ortega, who served as a Tiger Force medic in 1968. During their time in Vietnam, Tiger Force Soldiers ran the gauntlet of small unit operations, from scouts, ready reaction and long range reconnaissance. “We were basically the eyes and ears of the battalion commander,” he said.
“Here is a platoon deep-rooted in history and tradition,” said Lt. Col. Peter Wilhelm, “Above the Rest” Battalion Commander. “A platoon that I reserve for the best of the best,” he said.
Tigers today, still serve at the behest of the battalion commander in the surly
terrain of the Salah ad Din province. To pigeon hole the Tigers, would be to say that they simply serve as the battalion’s sniper and recon asset, but like their predecessors in Vietnam they have found themselves covering down on a wide array of missions and have been instrumental in taking high-value targets, weapons caches and IEDs off of the streets, as well as conducting various
non-lethal operations.
“We do what is necessary in the area of operations to defeat Improvised Explosive Devices, secure high –value targets and support the division’s effort,” said Sgt. Josh Smith, Tiger Force sniper section team leader. “Today’s
battlefield requires so much more out of every element,” he said. “There’s no
arguing that what we are doing today is the graduate level of warfare. You’ve got to think outside the box or wind up in a box.”
The Bond
For Smith and other Tiger Force Soldiers, preserving the Tiger’s legacy is an important part of the job. “We do everything with the past in mind,” said Smith. “The bond that the current members have with the past members is unbelievable,” he said.
During a 101st Airborne reunion event dubbed “Week of the Eagles”, in the summer of 2000, Ortega and other Tiger Force veterans returned to Fort Campbell, KY, to give young Soldiers a glimpse into their past and have been dropping in on the Tigers ever since.
“We gave these young men back their history,” said Ortega. “We brought names like James Gardner and John Gertsch to life because we knew these men and served with them,” he said. “They are not just names on a wall to us, and the young guys deserve to be connected to that history.” In garrison, it is not uncommon for an old Tiger to stop by the battalion to see how the platoon is coming along.
During these visits, tales are swapped and the vets get a chance to check out the newest tools of the trade. “Back in the day they were using M-14 rifles with big old Starlight scopes and they were really impressed with the new gear,” said Smith. “They get a kick out of it and we get a kick out of doing it because it’s just old meets new.”
In today’s rapidly evolving force, Soldiers often overlook the history of their units and have little or no link with the warriors who came before them.
“I would say it’s very rare,” said Smith. “I’m in touch with at least a dozen Vietnam-era, Tiger Force vets, and a few in between,” he said. “We are very much a big extended family.”
Veterans of Tiger Force send care packages and essential items to their deployed brethren in Iraq and have acted as a support system through the hard times.
“December was a bad month for us,” said Smith. On Dec. 4,
2007, Tiger Force lost its Platoon Leader, Capt. Adam Snyder
and two fellow Soldiers, Sgt. Eric Hernandez and Pvt. Dwayne
White to an IED attack. The loss was devastating to Tiger
Force Soldiers both young and old.
“When we lost men on Dec. 4th of 2007, it felt the same to us vets as when we lost those we served with exactly the same,” said Ortega. “These young guys are our brothers.”
Tiger Force veterans were in attendance at each fallen Soldier’s funeral services and were there to provide support to loved ones. “They got in touch with the families, made trips for support and basically did everything they could to make them as comfortable as they could be in their time mourning,” said Smith. “You’re not going to see that level of dedication, 40 years later, in may other places,” he said.
For Ortega, supporting the Tigers isn’t a random act of kindness, it’s fulfilling the oath of honor and country.
“For my own part, my wife and I spent almost two months at Fort Sam Houston at the bedside of a Tiger who was wounded, assisting him and his family with his recovery,” said Ortega. “I would work in the aid-station if I
could.”
“Doc” Ortega’s selfless-service to his country and to the Tigers is the model upon which the latest generation looks up to.
“All I can hope for is that the new Tigers are as receptive to the older guys as we are,” said Smith. “They go so far above and beyond. So many people get out of the Army and leave it all behind,” said Smith. “They are who
we are.”
Ortega would like to see more of these uncommon bonds forged between warrior generations. “I think that more and more Vietnam-era veterans, especially of combat units, are making an effort to relocate their buddies and as a part of that effort, they are sometimes making contact with their younger counterparts at the reunions,” said Ortega.
“We need to make this sort of contact and support far less unusual.”
For Smith and the rest of the Tigers in Iraq, bridging the generation gap has bred a sense of respect and admiration to the Tiger name. “We’re just proud to know them, you know? “The best thing for us is for them to feel like
they’re still part of the team.”
Wild Thing's comment........
Great write up and thank you to all Tiger Force, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division !
Our military is soooo awesome! Thank you Veterans and our troops today.
Posted by Wild Thing at 03:44 AM | Comments (4)
Sisters Pilot Afghan Skies
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Army Chief Warrant Officer Lacey Smith smiles in the cockpit of a UH-60 Blackhawk. Her sisters, Army Chief Warrant Officer Amber Smith, an OH-58 Kiowa pilot, and Air Force Capt. Kelly Smith, a C-130 pilot, had overlapping deployments to Afghanistan. Chief Lacey Smith will overlap with Chief Amber Smith when her unit replaces her sister's in Afghanistan this fall.
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Army Chief Warrant Officer Amber Smith (left) and Air Force Capt. Kelly Smith (right) celebrate at a graduation for their younger sister, Army Chief Warrant Officer Lacey Smith (center). All three Smith sisters are pilots in the armed forces.
Families ‘tied’ by War: Sisters Pilot Afghan Skies
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Rachel M. Martinez
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan
They never planned on being pilots and Afghanistan was the last place they expected to see each other, but that’s just what happened for two sisters from White Salmon, Wash.
Air Force Capt. Kelly Smith and Army Chief Warrant Officer Amber Smith grew up in a family rich with aviation ties. Their grandfather flew in the Army Air Corps as a lieutenant colonel during World War II and a commercial pilot after that. Their grandmother and mother were flight attendants. Multiple others in the family became commercial pilots, including their father, uncle and a few cousins.
“Just growing up around it so much, I think we all loved airplanes,” Capt. Smith said. “We loved being around airplanes, going up in airplanes, hearing about them.”
However, both went off to college with no intention of going into aviation. Capt. Smith studied English and journalism at the University of Arizona and Chief Smith became a cheerleader at the University of Washington.
“I think each of us, at one point, started to rebel,” said Capt. Smith. “I know I did. I said I wasn’t going to be a pilot.”
That quickly changed. During her freshman year, Capt. Smith began to notice the A-10s and C-130s flying into Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
“It looked interesting and at that point I decided I didn’t want a desk job,” she said. “So, I started flying my dad’s little Cessna 150 when I was home the summer after my freshman year. After I soloed, I decided this is really fun.”
Capt. Smith transferred to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and became a flight instructor after graduating.
Chief Smith turned to aviation after two years of college.
“It came to a point where I had to declare my major and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” Chief Smith explained. “Flying had always interested me so I went and got my private pilot’s license in a fixed wing.”
Their father had encouraged them to look into the military for flying opportunities. Capt. Smith jumped first, enlisting in the California Air National Guard shortly after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.
“[Sept. 11] hit me pretty hard because I had been planning on going to the airlines and interviewing that December,” she said. “I’ll never forget looking up with all my friends and seeing all our flights cancelled. It was almost like seeing my career go up in smoke.”
After graduating from basic military training at Lackland AFB, Texas, Capt. Smith was selected for the pilot board, got her commission and became a
C-130 pilot for the 146th Airlift Wing in Channel Islands, Calif.
“I always liked the C-130s,” she said. “I happened to meet this girl whose father is one of the colonels in our unit. He introduced me to everyone in the unit and I got to see all the planes. I thought it was really cool – I decided that was what I wanted to do. I had discovered something that I was really excited in.”
In 2003, knowing that she wanted to fly, Chief Smith enlisted in the Army. She chose her airframe, the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, almost by chance.
“I think you should pick an aircraft based on the mission, but I didn’t really know much about any of the missions,” she said. “I actually liked flying the TS-57 [in Army flight school] and thought helicopters would be similar – little did I know. I ended up getting Kiowa, which was probably the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I’m really glad I got it – it has an awesome mission.”
Fully qualified on the Kiowa, Chief Smith was stationed with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky. In late 2007, her unit deployed to Forward Operating Base Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Not long after deploying, Chief Smith began to receive e-mails from her sister, Capt. Smith – whose unit would be deploying to Bagram Air Field. They would be in different services, different locations, assigned to different units, but they found a commonality in their mission in Afghanistan – aiding troops on the ground.
“We have two completely different missions, but we both take care of the ground troops,” said Capt. Smith. “The C-130s do a lot of airdrops and it’s fulfilling because you are getting the beans and bullets to the guys on the ground.”
Chief Smith agreed.
“I love [the Kiowa] mission because we work in direct support of the ground units,” Chief Smith explained. “It’s awesome to help them because they are the ones with boots on the ground.”
Although not at the same base, the two sisters got the opportunity to see each other in May when Chief Smith’s commander allowed her to fly to Bagram for a two-day visit.
“I loved the day that Amber came to visit,” Capt. Smith said. “She came and got me up in the morning, we walked to the PX [post exchange] and got coffee, pizza, and massages. When you’re back home, you can have girls’ day – it was kind of like that, but Bagram style.”
Capt. Smith also got the chance to see Chief Smith when she flew C-130s down to Jalalabad. Their favorite moment came out of one of these trips.
“We were taking off out of Jalalabad, Amber was on approach and we heard each other on the tower radio,” Capt. Smith recalled with enthusiasm. “That was the coolest thing.”
“I thought, how often in our lives is that ever going to happen – in combat,” Chief Smith said.
Fellow pilots soon heard about the sisters.
“Everybody I work with knew my sister was here so whenever they would hear a female voice on the radio they would tell me that they heard my sister on the radio,” Chief Smith said.
“Me too,” added Capt. Smith. “Whenever guys in our unit would fly down to Jalalabad and hear a woman on the radio they would tell me they heard my sister. I have to tell them that there are other female pilots out there – we aren’t the only ones.”
Good news came for the two when Chief Smith’s unit relocated to Bagram. Although Capt. Smith redeployed back to California in mid-July, the sisters spent a few weeks together.
“The past two weeks that I’ve been here we have probably seen each other more than we have in the past five years,” explained Chief Smith. “We are hardly ever together – it seems like somebody is always gone.”
Capt. Smith and Chief Smith have each deployed twice and both agree it is easier being deployed together. Chief Smith went to Iraq in 2005 and Capt. Smith to southwest Asia shortly after.
“Here, we are both pilots and have the same type of intel,” explained Capt. Smith. “It was harder for me being home when she was in Iraq because I didn’t know what was going on. I had never been deployed, and that’s scary. I can see why family and friends worry because they don’t hear about stuff.”
As the older sister, Capt. Smith, 31, added that she doesn’t worry about her little sister, 26-year-old Chief Smith too much.
“Here, I get worried, but Chief Smith is a really, really good pilot – you can just tell she is,” said the proud older sister. “There is always that lingering fear – when things happen and I haven’t heard from her. But it’s not like I’m constantly worrying. I think I would be even more worried if I was stuck at home without a clue as to what was going on.”
Despite the fact there have been a few days the sisters have not been able to see each other or talk to each other because of work, they both agree having each other makes it easier.
“Just knowing that you have that other person who is here for you – not just a friend, but family is really nice,” Capt. Smith said.
It may be easier on them, but it’s not easier on their parents.
“I think they are handling this deployment better than the last one,” said Chief Smith. “Last time, none of us had deployed before, so it was like their first deployment too. They are doing better with it, but they’ll be excited when we are all home. They always say, ‘Be safe and we can’t wait to see you,’ but they are very supportive about it and very practical.”
Capt. Smith agreed.
“We are very, very fortunate because our mom realized from the get-go that it would be harder on us to know that they are worrying about us all the time,” she said. “So she does a good job of reeling my dad in when he would start whining about how worried he was. That would make it harder on Amber, for example, when she’s not only worried about whatever her job is but she’s worried about making sure mom and dad are ok.”
Capt. and Chief Smith aren’t the only ones their parents worry about. Younger sister Lacey, 25, is an Army Chief Warrant Officer and flies the UH-60 Black Hawk. Her unit, A Company, 101st Aviation, replaces Chief Amber Smith’s unit this winter.
Chief Amber Smith expects a few weeks of overlap with Chief Lacey Smith, just as she has with Capt. Smith. This will be Chief Lacey Smith’s first deployment.
“Amber and Kelly have given me great info about what all the different places are like,” Chief Lacey Smith said. “I am really looking forward to our upcoming deployment.”
Like her sisters, Chief Lacey Smith looks forward to supporting the troops on the ground – and the flying.
“I chose Black Hawks because of their mission diversity,” she said. “I’m not one for shooting things up, but love to have guys like Amber buzzing around us. Plus I love being able to meet and help soldiers.”
Wild Thing's comment........
A special thank you to Air Force Staff Sgt. Rachel M. Martinez for this story. And another very specail thank you for your service to the Smith sisters.
Posted by Wild Thing at 03:40 AM | Comments (7)
July 23, 2008
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) "Night Stalkers Don't Quit"
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (160th SOAR (A)) is a special operations force of the United States Army that provides helicopter aviation support to general purpose forces and Special Operations Forces. Its missions include attack, assault, and reconnaissance, and are usually conducted at night, at high speeds and low altitudes, on short notice, and in secret. The force is headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
The 160th SOAR (A) is also known as the Night Stalkers and its motto is Night Stalkers Don't Quit (NSDQ).
More of the 160th -- God bless you all! Thank you! You guys ROCK! Their job is to take all our Special Forces to the Show, being their support, backup and rescue as needed. They have volunteered to be on a moments notice and go anywhere in the world to do the missions we never hear about. The Video is Great!, but only shows a small portion of their capabilities, because most are cutting edge.----- Wild Thing
Posted by Wild Thing at 01:50 AM | Comments (4)
July 22, 2008
When The Music Stopped
The National Anthem is played before every movie shown at a military theater.
From a Chaplain in Iraq :
I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3,' here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem the music stopped.
Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments; and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place. Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped.
What would you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter, as everyone finally sat down and expected the movie to start.
But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice,
then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:
'And the rockets red glare,
The bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free
And the home of the brave.'
It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq . I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here.
Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price.
Written by
Chaplain Jim Higgins
LSA Anaconda
Balad Airport in Iraq , north of Baghdad
....Thank you Chief for sending this.
Posted by Wild Thing at 04:44 AM | Comments (11)
July 20, 2008
Soldiers Recount Deadly Attack On Afghanistan Outpost
Spc. Tyler Stafford, 23, a soldier from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), recounts the hours-long fight that killed nine of his comrades as he recuperates at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
"Just hardcoreness I guess," he said. "Just guys kicking ass, basically. Just making sure that we look scary enough that you don’t want to come in and try to get us."
This is one of many things that makes American Soldiers special. God bless and protect them.--Wild Thing
First-hand account of heroic outpost defense in Afghanistan
On Sunday, July 13, a remote combat outpost near the village of Wanat in Afghanistan's rugged Kunar province on the Pakistan border was nearly overrun by a combined force of some 200 Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters. The outpost was manned by men from the 173rd Airborne Brigade and Afghan Army personnel.
The attack was well coordinated and designed for one purpose -- to overrun the outpost and kill everyone in it. No way were the outnumbered Sky Soldiers from 2nd Platoon, C Co., 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment going to let that happen.
Today's Stars & Stripes contains a stirring first-hand account by one of the men from Chosen Company that should inspire us and make us all thankful for their service and sacrifice. Here are the opening paragraphs, to give you a taste; read the whole thing.
That was what Spc. Tyler Stafford remembered thinking as he stepped onto the medical evacuation helicopter. The 23-year-old soldier would have been loaded onto the bird, but the poncho that was hastily employed as his stretcher broke. His body speckled with grenade and RPG shrapnel, the Vicenza, Italy, infantryman walked the last few feet to the waiting Black Hawk.
Sgt. Jacob Walker, 29, recuperating at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, was wounded in Wanat, Afghanistan, when the forward operating base came under attack early Sunday morning.
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Soldiers recount deadly attack on Afghanistan outpost
By Steve Mraz,
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, July 19, 2008
Everything was on fire. The trucks. The bazaar. The grass.
It looked surreal. It looked like a movie.
That was what Spc. Tyler Stafford remembered thinking as he stepped onto the medical evacuation helicopter. The 23-year-old soldier would have been loaded onto the bird, but the poncho that was hastily employed as his stretcher broke. His body speckled with grenade and RPG shrapnel, the Vicenza, Italy, infantryman walked the last few feet to the waiting Black Hawk.
That was Sunday morning in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province. At a forward operating base — maybe as big as a football field — established just a few days prior.
Outnumbered but not outgunned, a platoon-plus element of soldiers with 2nd Platoon, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team accompanied by Afghan soldiers engaged in a fistfight of a firefight.
After maybe two hours of intense combat, some of the soldiers’ guns seized up because they expelled so many rounds so quickly. Insurgent bullets and dozens of rocket-propelled grenades filled the air. So many RPGs were fired at the soldiers that they wondered how the insurgents had so many.
That was July 13. That was when Stafford was blown out of a fighting position by an RPG, survived a grenade blast and had the tail of an RPG strike his helmet.
That was the day nine Chosen Company soldiers died.
It was just days before the unit was scheduled to leave the base.
The first RPG and machine gun fire came at dawn, strategically striking the forward operating base’s mortar pit. The insurgents next sighted their RPGs on the tow truck inside the combat outpost, taking it out. That was around 4:30 a.m.
This was not a haphazard attack. The reportedly 200 insurgents fought from several positions. They aimed to overrun the new base. The U.S. soldiers knew it and fought like hell. They knew their lives were on the line.
"I just hope these guys’ wives and their children understand how courageous their husbands and dads were," said Sgt. Jacob Walker. "They fought like warriors."
The next target was the FOB’s observation post, where nine soldiers were positioned on a tiny hill about 50 to 75 meters from the base. Of those nine, five died, and at least three others — Stafford among them — were wounded.
When the attack began, Stafford grabbed his M-240 machine gun off a north-facing sandbag wall and moved it to an east-facing sandbag wall. Moments later, RPGs struck the north-facing wall, knocking Stafford out of the fighting position and wounding another soldier.
Stafford thought he was on fire so he rolled around, regaining his senses. Nearby, Cpl. Gunnar Zwilling, who later died in the fight, had a stunned look on his face.
Immediately, a grenade exploded by Stafford, blowing him down to a lower terrace at the observation post and knocking his helmet off. Stafford put his helmet back on and noticed how badly he was bleeding.
Cpl. Matthew Phillips was close by, so Stafford called to him for help. Phillips was preparing to throw a grenade and shot a look at Stafford that said, "Give me a second. I gotta go kill these guys first."
This was only about 30 to 60 seconds into the attack.
Kneeling behind a sandbag wall, Phillips pulled the grenade pin, but just after he threw it an RPG exploded at his position. The tail of the RPG smacked Stafford’s helmet. The dust cleared. Phillips was slumped over, his chest on his knees and his hands by his side. Stafford called out to his buddy three or four times, but Phillips never answered or moved.
"When I saw Phillips die, I looked down and was bleeding pretty good, that’s probably the most scared I was at any point," Stafford said. "Then I kinda had to calm myself down and be like, ‘All right, I gotta go try to do my job.’ "
The soldier from Parker, Colo., loaded his 9 mm handgun, crawled up to their fighting position, stuck the pistol over the sandbags and fired.
Stafford saw Zwilling’s M-4 rifle nearby so he loaded it, put it on top of the sandbag and fired. Another couple RPGs struck the sandbag wall Stafford used as cover. Shrapnel pierced his hands.
Stafford low-crawled to another fighting position where Cpl. Jason Bogar, Sgt. Matthew Gobble and Sgt. Ryan Pitts were located. Stafford told Pitts that the insurgents were within grenade-tossing range. That got Pitts’ attention.
With blood running down his face, Pitts threw a grenade and then crawled to the position from where Stafford had just come. Pitts started hucking more grenades.
The firefight intensified. Bullets cut down tree limbs that fell on the soldiers. RPGs constantly exploded.
Back at Stafford’s position, so many bullets were coming in that the soldiers could not poke their heads over their sandbag wall. Bogar stuck an M-249 machine gun above the wall and squeezed off rounds to keep fire on the insurgents. In about five minutes, Bogar fired about 600 rounds, causing the M-249 to seize up from heat.
At another spot on the observation post, Cpl. Jonathan Ayers laid down continuous fire from an M-240 machine gun, despite drawing small-arms and RPG fire from the enemy. Ayers kept firing until he was shot and killed. Cpl. Pruitt Rainey radioed the FOB with a casualty report, calling for help. Of the nine soldiers at the observation post, Ayers and Phillips were dead, Zwilling was unaccounted for, and three were wounded. Additionally, several of the soldiers’ machine guns couldn’t fire because of damage. And they needed more ammo.
Rainey, Bogar and another soldier jumped out of their fighting position with the third soldier of the group launching a shoulder-fired missile.
All this happened within the first 20 minutes of the fight.
Platoon leader 1st Lt. Jonathan Brostrom and Cpl. Jason Hovater arrived at the observation post to reinforce the soldiers. By that time, the insurgents had breached the perimeter of the observation post. Gunfire rang out, and Rainey shouted, "He’s right behind the sandbag."
Brostrom could be heard shouting about the insurgent as well.
More gunfire and grenade explosions ensued. Back in the fighting position, Gobble fired a few quick rounds. Gobble then looked to where the soldiers were fighting and told Stafford the soldiers were dead. Of the nine soldiers who died in the battle, at least seven fell in fighting at the observation post.
The insurgents then started chucking rocks at Gobble and Stafford’s fighting position, hoping that the soldiers might think the rocks were grenades, causing them to jump from the safety of their fighting hole. One rock hit a tree behind Stafford and landed directly between his legs. He braced himself for an explosion. He then realized it was a rock.
Stafford didn’t have a weapon, and Gobble was low on ammo. Gobble told Stafford they had to get back to the FOB. They didn’t realize that Pitts was still alive in another fighting position at the observation post. Gobble and Stafford crawled out of their fighting hole. Gobble looked again to where the soldiers had been fighting and reconfirmed to Stafford that Brostrom, Rainey, Bogar and others were dead.
Gobble and Stafford low-crawled and ran back to the FOB. Coming into the FOB, Stafford was asked by a sergeant what was going on at the observation post. Stafford told him all the soldiers there were dead. Stafford lay against a wall, and his fellow soldiers put a tourniquet on him.
From the OP, Pitts got on the radio and told his comrades he was alone. At least three soldiers went to the OP to rescue Pitts, but they suffered wounds after encountering RPG and small-arms fire.
At that time, air support arrived in the form of Apache helicopters, A-10s and F-15s, performing bombing and strafing runs.
When the attack began, Walker was on the FOB. He grabbed an M-249 and started shooting toward a mountain spur where he could see some muzzle flashes. Walker put down 600 to 800 rounds of ammunition.
He got down behind the wall he was shooting from to load more ammo and was told they were taking fire from the southwest. He threw the bipod legs of his machine gun on the hood of a nearby Humvee. A 7.62-millimeter caliber bullet struck Walker’s left wrist, knocking him to the ground. A soldier applied a tourniquet to Walker and bandaged him.
Walker and two other wounded soldiers distributed their ammo and grenades and passed messages.
The whole FOB was covered in dust and smoke, looking like something out of an old Western movie.
"I’ve never seen the enemy do anything like that," said Walker, who was medically evacuated off the FOB in one of the first helicopters to arrive. "It’s usually three RPGs, some sporadic fire and then they’re gone … I don’t where they got all those RPGs. That was crazy."
Two hours after the first shots were fired, Stafford made his way — with help — to the medevac helicopter that arrived.
"It was some of the bravest stuff I’ve ever seen in my life, and I will never see it again because those guys," Stafford said, then paused. "Normal humans wouldn’t do that. You’re not supposed to do that — getting up and firing back when everything around you is popping and whizzing and trees, branches coming down and sandbags exploding and RPGs coming in over your head … It was a fistfight then, and those guys held ’ em off."
Stafford offered a guess as to why his fellow soldiers fought so hard.
"Just hardcoreness I guess," he said. "Just guys kicking ass, basically. Just making sure that we look scary enough that you don’t want to come in and try to get us."
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Wild Thing's comment.......
The Soldiers of Chosen Co. deserve to get their story out for the world to know what happened July 13, 2008. That was the day when Al Qaeda/Taliban learned no matter where, no matter how outnumbered, Americans will never never give in, will never never give up.
"Two hours after the first shots were fired, Stafford made his way — with help — to the medevac helicopter that arrived.
“It was some of the bravest stuff I’ve ever seen in my life, and I will never see it again because those guys,” Stafford said, then paused. “Normal humans wouldn’t do that. You’re not supposed to do that — getting up and firing back when everything around you is popping and whizzing and trees, branches coming down and sandbags exploding and RPGs coming in over your head … It was a fistfight then, and those guys held ’ em off.”
And cone again the quote where Stafford offered a guess as to why his fellow soldiers fought so hard.
“Just hardcoreness I guess,” he said. “Just guys kicking ass, basically. Just making sure that we look scary enough that you don’t want to come in and try to get us.”
God bless them all. Brave men doing what brave men do. How this country produces men like this is an amazing thing to behold. They most certainly carry the torch of their brothers before them in other wars.
And to B.Hussein Obama, who spent just a few hours in Afghanistan thinking, no hoping the world will now see him as a man with “Gravitas”. It's never going to happen!!!!
Posted by Wild Thing at 04:47 AM | Comments (7)
July 08, 2008
General Petraeus Draws Bigger Crowd Then Angelina Jolie
General David Petraeus beats megastar Angeline Jolie as Iraq crowd-puller
If Santa ever set up his Christmas grotto in a war zone, it might look something like this.
Hundreds of men and women, many of them armed, line up in a marble hall inside one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces, waiting patiently for more than half an hour for their hero to turn up.
The object of so much adulation is General David Petraeus, the 55-year-old commander of US and allied forces in Iraq. General Petraeus, widely credited with the military strategy that has clawed Iraq back from civil war to a semblance of stability, is in such demand for photographs that his aides have had to organise special mass photo-ops every six weeks inside the Green Zone and at the other huge US base at Baghdad airport.
“He's a real leader at a great time,” said Master Sergeant John Fife of the US Air Force, who had brought a group of comrades and local Iraqi staff across the vast fortified compound for the chance to have their picture taken with the general, who devised Iraq's counter-insurgency strategy.
It's like being at Macy's again when I was nine with the Easter Bunny,” the sergeant admitted. Beside him one of his Iraqi staff, who for security reasons identified himself only as Salaam, described the occasion as a great honour. “I just want to say, ‘Thank you.' This man has done great things for my country,” he said, although he confessed that for his own safety he would hang the picture on his office wall in the Green Zone, rather than in his house in the “Red Zone”, the military term for the rest of Baghdad.
Despite the progress Iraq has made under General Petraeus, Salaam said it would be a long time before he risked hanging such a memento at home; if neighbours knew he worked for the Americans he could be killed by militias or kidnapped by criminals.
The crowd of more than 500 people was a cross-section of life in the Green Zone, the complex that has occupied the heart of the capital for the past five years: American soldiers with assault rifles; British, Australian and Italian troops; security contractors in wrap-around sunglasses; embassy officials in suits; cleaners; men in running gear with .45 automatics on their hips; and a woman dressed as though for cocktail party. All file past the commander, who shakes their hands and poses for the army photographer.
General Petraeus has often said that he has no ambition to run for public office, but this would be perfect training for any campaign trail. His smile never wavers throughout the 45-minute ritual, which, with military precision, gets more than 500 people across the wooden podium in a cafeteria of the Republican Palace.
Only at the very end does he look slightly bemused, when he finds himself posing in a group photo with eight Sri Lankan waiters, far from home and looking for a little celebrity action to relieve the tedium of their daily grind.
Then he steps off the stage and marches briskly back to the business of running the war.
Wild Thing's comment.........
This cannot be!! LOL
Didn't that witch Hillary declare that listening to General Petraeus testify about US performance under the 'surge' required a "suspension of disbelief"?????
I want to see every vicious Rat-weasel traitor driven out of office forever. Too much to hope for, but I can dream can't I?
I posted before about how Angelina Jolie went to visit the troops and to thank them. How she is pro gun and also how she has donated $1 Million to help the Iraqi children. She seems to be a good person.
But the thing is for these men and women that get a chance to shake the hand of General Petraeus and have a chance to exchange words with him had to have been really something to look forward to.
Posted by Wild Thing at 02:45 AM | Comments (4)
July 07, 2008
Raider Soldiers Celebrating Independence Day
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Wild Thing's comment........
I am so glad our military does things like this for our troops away from home.
Posted by Wild Thing at 02:45 AM | Comments (4)
July 05, 2008
Gen. Petraeus and Independence Day Re-Enlistment Ceremony in Iraq
In Baghdad, General David Petraeus administered the oath of re-enlistment to over 1200 soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen in Al-Faw Palace, one of Saddam Hussein’s former cribs. This was possibly the largest re-enlistment ceremony in the history of our all-volunteer military.
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin L. Hill: These warriors are doing what they joined to do … They can see the fruit of their labor and see the fruit of the sacrifices of those who have gone before them. It makes them feel good about what they are doing.”
A 50-gun salute will honor of the nation’s birthday, and then all will sing “God Bless America.” The ceremony will end with a medley of service songs. [All of that inside one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces!!
General David Petraeus, head of the Multi-National Forces-Iraq, salutes with other service members
in the video below. I LOVE it!
Posted by Wild Thing at 03:45 AM | Comments (9)
June 30, 2008
Airmen Having Fun With Zero Gravity
Airmen having fun with Zero Gravity on quick Decent into Baghdad
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Wild Thing's comment........
I love our troops! It is so great to see them having fun when they get a chance.
Posted by Wild Thing at 02:45 AM | Comments (4)
June 28, 2008
The Democrats, Media and Our Troops
Our Media, Democrats and our Troops in Iraq
A combination of videos and photos showing the Democrat and the Media position on the war in Iraq as our troops become the victim of politics.
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Thie is a before and after video that Sean Hannity made about Democrats and Iraq.
Listen to the Democrats mislead, distort, and otherwise lie about the Iraq War. The party of appeasement and defeat eschews democracy in favor of hypocrisy.
Wild Thing's comment.........
The left, Democrats and the media are the scum of the earth. The things they have said and done should fall under treason to our country. Their aid to the enemy simply by the comments they have made has put our troops lives in additional danger then they already are and I pray there is some kind of karma that will get back at these people doing these things.
Yes one way is to vote them out of office, but that takes time. I wish for something faster then that. Damn the left!!!!
Posted by Wild Thing at 12:45 AM | Comments (8)
June 25, 2008
Fallujah Security Strengthen in Numbers
Fallujah Security Strengthen in Numbers
Cpl. Jonathan C. Austin, communications chief and convoy commander with Company B, Iraqi Transition Team 8, Regimental Combat Team 1, slaps an Iraqi child "hi-five" during a patrol through Fallujah June 9. Austin, a Lincolnton, N.C. native, took a few minutes with some transition members to play soccer with neighborhood childeren during the operation.
FALLUJAH, Iraq– Marines geared for war walk in tactical columns through the once mean streets of Fallujah, ready for what may lay around the next corner.
“Mister, mister shokalata! Shokalata!”shout exuberant children from a crowded neighborhood as Marines and Iraqi police pass out candy.
Marines with Company B, Police Transition Team 8, Regimental Combat Team 1, have been working diligently over the past few months to help train Iraqi police to take over their respective areas and become self-supportive in day-to-day operations in the city.
Recent increases in the number of Iraqi police have drastically subdued the violence in the city.
“These guys are going out on a daily basis by themselves and coming back with suspect arrests,” said Lance Cpl. Andrew L. Walker, a 20-year-old police transition team member from Crane Hill, Ala. “For the most part, they are doing a really good job with many of the issues going on here.”
Marines with the transition team spend time mentoring Iraqi police and work with them to control the Mauallimeen area. Joint patrols in the city work to strengthen relationships with the IPs and Marines, and offer Marines a chance to evaluate how the police operate in various situations.
Posted by Wild Thing at 03:45 AM | Comments (2)
June 24, 2008
101st Uncovers Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device Factory (VBIED)
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
1-33 uncovers VBIED factory
By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy
3rd BCT PAO NCOIC
A routine gathering with local leaders resulted in the discovery of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device factory near Hamid Shaban.
Acting on a tip from an attendee at the meeting, Rakkasan Soldiers from Troop A, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), acted quickly and found what appeared to be a makeshift VBIED workshop about a mile away from the gathering.
“We came up with a quick plan and headed that way,” said Staff Sgt. Adam McMurray, a platoon sergeant from Aydlett, N.C., who provided command and control for the mission.
The Soldiers had to find their way to the house, about a mile away, without detailed directions or a grid coordinate.
Once at the location, the house was cleared by a team of Soldiers led by Sgt. Walter Nickel, from Pago Pago, American Samoa.
“After the house was cleared, we noticed that the kerosene heater was still on, the Chai (tea) was still hot,” McMurray said. “I mean, we had just missed these guys.”
The most valuable find was in front of the house – four vehicles suspected to be used as VBIEDs. One vehicle had wires running from the inside to the trunk. McMurray said it was blatantly obvious the vehicle was intended to be used as a VBIED.
The Soldiers found more explosives and a homemade rocket launcher.
“We found a bunch of paperwork ... a lot of explosives, mortar rounds and bomb-making materials and weapons,” Nickel said. “There was stuff just ready to get hooked up to explosives. It seemed to me they were just getting ready to do something, they were just getting things together.”
“We feel great that we found something that could’ve caused a lot of damage to Coalition Forces,” said Sgt. Jose Rivas, from Nashville, Tenn. “It was a long day but it was worthwhile.”
Posted by Wild Thing at 02:45 AM | Comments (6)
June 23, 2008
4th Brigade Currahee Combat Team Says Jingle Air Is Key To Supplies
Jingle Air Supplies Isolated Soldiers
By Sgt. Charles Brice
382nd Public Affairs Detachment
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan
Imagine being a Soldier out on the border of eastern Afghanistan and the only connection to the rest of the world is a pallet of supplies on the back of a foreign helicopter. That is what it is like for coalition forces cut off and isolated throughout parts of Afghanistan. With the troops focused on combat missions, the Mesopotamia Group created Jingle Air to move cargo in-and-out of hard to reach locations.
Jingle Air offers helicopter services throughout Afghanistan.
The name comes from the popular jingle culture which resides in Afghanistan. People decorating with colors, ornaments, bells and paintings on just about anything they posses, including their transportation, the trucks of Afghanistan are the most ornamented of them all.
“Jingle Air is a key logistic enabler, which allows 4th Brigade, Currahee Combat Team to conduct counter-insurgency operations in a area roughly the size of West Virginia,” said Maj. Jon Beale of the 801st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, and Combined Task Force Currahee.
With a fleet of Mi-8 HIP heavy-duty helicopters and five flight teams, Jingle Air can move up to 3.2 million pounds of cargo throughout Afghanistan, said Capt. James E. Fager, officer in charge of transportation and logistical operations for the 801st BSB in Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan.
“Jingle Air’s track record speaks for itself,” said Fager, who explained the crew has conducted 20 emergency re-supply missions in conjunction with supporting many areas of operations.
Last month alone Jingle Air moved 1.53 million pounds of cargo to troops out in the field and to forward operating bases throughout Afghanistan.
“The pilots of Jingle Air are very motivated to fly and they take a personal interest in making sure the operations go well,” Fager said.
Jingle Air pilots hail from different countries and nationalities. Still, they all work together toward a common goal – to ensure the cargo gets to its destination.
“Jingle Air is a force multiplier and it allows us to move much needed supplies and equipment,” said Fager.
Posted by Wild Thing at 02:47 AM | Comments (2)
The “No Slack” Battalion The Screaming Eagle’s, Iraqi Volunteers and Iraqi Forces
Screaming Eagle’s, Iraqi Volunteers and Iraqi Forces Have Al Qaida Reeling
By Sgt. Rick Rzepka
1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs Office
Al JAZZERA DESERT, Iraq
“Yesterday some men tried to kill me as I was driving my car,” said the man with a reflective belt draped across his chest. “They say that if I stay with the volunteers they will kill me, but I don’t care about that,” he said as he lit one cigarette with the stub of another.
The man is part of an all volunteer force called the Concerned Local Citizens, or “Sons of Iraq” and he and his compatriots have had enough. The violence, the killing, the overall lawlessness that was a hallmark of Samarra a year ago, left these men to make a decision: apathy or action. They chose the latter.
Today, hundreds of volunteers, spread throughout the greater Samarra area have banded together to secure the once turbulent city and its people from enemy extremists. In doing so, they have allowed coalition forces to focus their attention on dismantling a waning al Qaida in Iraq.
“CLC leaders and IP leaders are taking care of a lot of the footwork in securing the population centers, which lets us take the fight to al Qaeda and their safe-havens,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Martin, Gator Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.
Martin and his Soldiers are part of the famed “No Slack” battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, which has a reputation for an intense work ethic and exceptional Soldiering.
Since arriving in Iraq in October of 2007, the battalion has seen the security situation in Samarra and its periphery go from fragile to firm due to greater cooperation and effectiveness of Iraqi Security Forces, the volunteers and Coalition forces.
“The last few months have been a huge change,” said Martin. “Between Iraqi police, Iraqi Army and CLCs, we’ve been able to push further, which has led us to more HVIs (high value individuals) and more caches.”
Martin said that in the last month alone, Gator company has unearthed five to six hundred military grade munitions including rockets, mortars and artillery shells, which are commonly used by enemy fighters to make improvised explosive devices.
Often times, villagers will walk Coalition and Iraqi Security forces right on to a cache site without fear, said Martin.
“What’s happening is the CLCs in the area have pushed out the major key leaders of al Qaida in the area out into the desert,” said Martin. “Now the villagers feel safe enough to say, hey look, these guys used to be here and they left this cache and Ill take you to it. They are huge caches, buried deep in the ground,” he said.
By manning checkpoints on the dusty roads outside of Samarra, the CLC volunteers are able to keep enemy fighters from permeating the population. They take pride in their work as protectors and are able to provide for their families as well.
“The CLCs in Samarra are the best CLCs in Iraq,” boasted one volunteer working a checkpoint outside the city. “We do it for our family and country,” he said.
“They are looking at the future. They are talking about schools for their kids and grandkids and they are starting to see the importance of that,” said Martin. “The hope is there and they are looking for results from their own government.”
The presence of CLCs and Iraqi security forces gives people the sense that Iraqis are securing themselves, said Spc. Mathew Gozalkowski, Gator company Soldier. “They know what right looks like,” he said. “They know where the insurgents might hide caches and possible safehavens and they know who belongs in their respective neighborhoods and who doesn’t.”
As the population continues to turn against extremists in the Samarra area, groups like al Qaida are unraveling quickly, said Gozalkowski. “The CLCs in the area have caught on like wildfire,” he said. “The people around the al Jazzera desert are standing up volunteer groups with out any contract,” he said, meaning that they aren’t getting the nominal fee of $300 per month that is typically paid to CLCs across Iraq.
“They are doing it because they are tired of seeing what the insurgents have done to their homes.”
Posted by Wild Thing at 02:45 AM | Comments (6)
June 20, 2008
General Pete Pace Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom
On the day he left his post as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace (USMC) went down the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and left three sets of his four General's stars on index cards with notes to each of the three men who died in the platoon he led in Vietnam.
"These are yours- not mine!" Pace wrote.
"One of my great privileges as the President has been to meet so many outstanding Americans who volunteer to serve our nation in uniform. I've been inspired by their valor, selflessness, and complete integrity. I found all those qualities in abundance in General Peter Pace. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pete Pace was a skilled and trusted advisor in a time of war. He helped transform our military into a more efficient and effective force in America's defense.General Pace experienced the blessings America offers at an early age. He was born in Brooklyn to an Italian immigrant father who sometimes worked two or three jobs at a time to make ends meet. He was raised by a mom who instilled in him the sustaining power of faith. Together his parents raised four children who each went on to great achievements in their chosen fields. That childhood gave young Pete Pace an early glimpse of what he would later call "the incredible benefits that our nation bestows on those who come to our shores."
Pete Pace attended the Naval Academy, and as a young Marine soon found his way to Vietnam. The age of 22, he took command of a platoon engaged in heavy fighting against the enemy during the Tet offensive. Pete quickly won the respect and the trust of his unit and formed a bond with all those who served with him. That bond only strengthened throughout his military career.
He was the first Marine to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And he performed his duties with a keen intellect, a sharp wit, and a passionate devotion to our country. He won the admiration of all who knew him. And that includes a soldier in Afghanistan who came up to General Pace last year during his farewell visit to that country, and said simply: "Sir, thanks for your service. We'll take it from here."
On his final day in uniform, General Pace took a quiet journey to the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. He searched the names engraved in the sleek granite, and then found a spot where he placed his four stars that had adorned his uniform. Along with those stars he attached notes addressed to the men who died under his first command some four decades ago. The notes said: "These are yours -- not mine. With love and respect, your platoon leader, Pete Pace." General Pace ended his military career the same way that he began it -- with love for his country and devotion to his fellow Marines.
For his selfless service to his country, and for always putting the interests of our men and women in uniform first, I am proud to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to General Pete Pace."
Wild Thing's comment........
Thank you Gen. Pace and God bless you!
Last year, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid declared Pace, a four-star Marine general with 48 military decorations on his chest, to be “incompetent.” What incredible effrontery. Reid-who never wore the uniform-could have said he didn’t agree with Pace’s decisions or with the politically unpopular war in Iraq. He could have said he disliked the way Pace executed his responsibilities in advising the President. But incompetent? This kind of public disparagement of a military hero is disgraceful.
Posted by Wild Thing at 02:45 AM | Comments (4)
June 18, 2008
Charges Dismisssed Against Lt.Col. Chessani
Source:
Defend Our Marines
A military judge has dismissed charges against a Marine officer accused of failing to investigate the killings of 24 Iraqis.
Col. Steven Folsom dismissed charges Tuesday against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani after defense attorneys raised concerns that a four-star general overseeing the prosecution was improperly influenced by an investigator probing the November 2005 shootings by a Marine squad in Haditha.
The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can be refiled, but Folsom excluded Marine Forces Central Command from future involvement.
Chessani was the highest-ranking officer implicated in the case.
In a stinging rebuke of the government's handling of a high-profile war crime case, a military judge Tuesday dismissed dereliction of duty charges against the commander of a Marine squad that killed 24 civilians in the Iraqi city of Haditha.
The dismissal of charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani came after a finding that then-Lt. Gen. James Mattis was unlawfully influenced by a Marine attorney who participated in an investigation of the killings and then became the general's top legal adviser.
The ruling by Col. Steven Folsom, the judge presiding over Chessani's case, was a major blow to the government, which has seen charges against seven of the eight men accused with criminal wrongdoing in the 2005 killings dismissed or withdrawn. Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich is for now the lone Haditha defendant.
Folsom ruled the participation of Col. John Ewers as an investigator and report writer in the Haditha killings and his later appointment as Mattis' top legal aide constituted unlawful command influence.
Ewers' depth of involvement, he said, "tainted" the charges against Chessani beyond repair.
"Unlawful command influence is the mortal enemy of military justice," Folsom said. "The appearance of unlawful command influence is as devastating as actual manipulation of a trial."
A dismissal, he said, was necessary to maintain public confidence in the military justice system.
Prosecutors were given three days to appeal. If they choose not to but want to continue the prosecution, Folsom said, a new investigation must be conducted. Approval of any new charges must come from a senior Marine officer who has had no association with the case, Folsom said.
Chessani, who remained stoic throughout the hearings, showed no reaction when the decision was announced at the end of an hour-long session inside a small base courtroom.
The highest-ranking man charged in the Haditha killings had been scheduled to go on trial by court-martial on July 16.
After Tuesday's hearing, Chessani and his wife, Alissa, the parents of six young children, declined comment.
"We're cautiously optimistic the government won't refile the charges," said one of his attorneys, Brian Rooney. "We hope that it's over. It should be over. We believe it never should have got this far."
Chessani commanded Camp Pendleton's 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at Haditha.
Wild Thing's comment.......
Thank you Lord!! What a grave injustice the PC idiots imposed on this man, and all the other Haditha warriors!
Only Sgt. Wuterich left to be exonerated.
Please God, it would really be justice if Murtha was punished for what he did to these men.
Posted by Wild Thing at 05:50 AM | Comments (6)
June 15, 2008
Joseph R. Tomczak Cadet's Essay On Why Returning After Spring Break
First year cadets at the Air Force Academy are allowed to leave the Academy without penalty up through the end of first-year Christmas break.
Those who came back were assigned to write a paper on why they chose to return.
Here is one young cadet's masterpiece, which has begun to be widely publicized...
Why return to the Air Force Academy after Winter Break?
"So after our sunburns have faded and the memories of our winter break have been reduced to pictures we've pinned on our desk boards, and once again we've exchanged T-shirts and swim suits for flight suits and camouflage, there still remains the question that every cadet at U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs has asked themselves at some point: Why did we come back?
Why, after spending two weeks with our family would we return to one of the most demanding lifestyles in the country? After listening to our 'friends' who are home from State or Ivy League schools chock full of wisdom about how our war in Iraq is unjust and unworldly, why would we return?
And after watching the news and reading the papers which only seem to condemn the military's every mistake and shadow every victory, why would we continue to think it is worth the sacrifice of a normal college life?
Is it because the institution to which we belong is tuition- free? Anyone who claims this has forgotten that we will, by the time we graduate, repay the US taxpayer many times over in blood, sweat, and tears.
Is it because the schooling we are receiving is one of the best undergraduate educations in the country? While the quality of the education is second to none, anyone who provides this as a main reason has lost sight of the awesome responsibility that awaits those who are tough enough to graduate and become commissioned officers in the U.S. Air Force.
I come back to the Academy because I want to have the training necessary so that one day I'll have the incredible responsibility of leading the sons and daughters of America in combat. These men and women will never ask about my Academy grade point average, their only concern will be that I have the ability to lead them expertly; I will be humbled to earn their respect. I come back to the Academy because I want to be the commander who saves lives by negotiating with Arab leaders... in their own language.
I come back to the Academy because, if called upon, I want to be the pilot who flies half way around the world with three mid-air refuelings to send a bomb from 30,000 feet into a basement housing the enemy... through a ventilation shaft two feet wide. Becoming an officer in today's modern Air Force is so much more than just command; it is being a diplomat, a strategist, a communicator, a moral compass, but always a warrior first.
I come back to the Air Force Academy because, right now, the United States is fighting a global war that is an 'away game' in Iraq - taking the fight to the terrorists.
Whether or not we think the terrorists were in Iraq before our invasion, they are unquestionably there now. And if there is any doubt as to whether this is a global war, just ask the people in Amman, in London, in Madrid, in Casablanca, in Riyadh, and in Bali.
This war must remain an away game because we have seen what happens when it becomes a home game... I come back to the Academy because I want to be a part of that fight.
I come back to the Academy because I don't want my vacationing family to board a bus in Paris that gets blown away by someone who thinks that it would be a good idea to convert the Western world to Islam.
I come back to the Academy because I don't want the woman I love to be the one who dials her last frantic cell phone call while huddled in the back of an airliner with a hundred other people seconds away from slamming into the Capitol building.
I come back to the Academy because during my freshman year of high school I sat in a geometry class and watched nineteen terrorists change the course of history live on television. For the first ti me,every class currently at a U S. Service Academy made the decision to join after the 2001 terror attacks.
Some have said that the U.S. invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan only created more terrorists... I say that the attacks of September 11th, 2001 created an untold more number of American soldiers; I go to school with 4,000 of them. And that's worth more than missing a few frat parties.
Joseph R. Tomczak Cadet,
Fourth Class
United States Air Force Academy
(U..S. Senator Wayne Allard (R-Colorado) had Cadet Tomczak's essay read into the Congressional Record, and at
a meeting of the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors he presented Cadet. Tomczak with a framed copy of the essay.)
Wild Thing's comment........
Cadet Tomczak is the son of Retired Air Force Col. Robert J. Tomczak and Nathalie Tomczak of Tampa, Florida.
God bless our troops and those deployed and those waiting to be deployed.
....Thank you Mark.
Posted by Wild Thing at 02:47 AM | Comments (4)
June 14, 2008
Checking In With Our Troops In Pictures
PEARL HARBOR HOMECOMING - Friends and family members wave signs and shout to U.S. Navy sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee as she makes her way to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after a four-month deployment, June 7, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class James E. Foehl
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