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I will be offline from Saturday, August 28 until Monday, September 6 and will not be updating the blog during that time. I'll try to do a recap of the stories missed when I return.
This entry is post-dated, so check below for a few new items that I will try and post before tomorrow.
Thanks,
Todd
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Pfc. Justin B. Shoecraft, 28, of Elkhart, Ind., died Aug. 24 at Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device at Kakarak, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.
Related:
Frustration, pride in a year of danger by Seattle Times reporter Hal Bernton is a stellar overview of one unit's year in Afghanistan.
And it was from these orchards that the soldiers of the 1st Battalion waged some of their most turbulent battles as they sought to control the Arghandab during a pivotal time for American forces.
The 1st Battalion sustained one of the highest casualty counts of any similar-sized Army unit in the nearly nine-year conflict in Afghanistan. By the time the battalion headed home this summer, 22 soldiers had died there and more than 65 had been wounded.
This is the story of the battalion's year in Afghanistan, as soldiers struggled with their mission in the conservative Islamic region. These strains reflect broader tensions within the U.S. military and among civilian leaders about the conduct of the war: how to balance battling the Taliban with winning the trust of Afghans.
Lots of coverage of the 4/2 SBCT as it redeploys as the last combat brigade in Iraq.
Story by Sgt. Gerald Wilson
ZABUL, Afghanistan- It was shaping up to be a routine Tuesday morning, August 10th, for the Regimental Personal Security Detail of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. It was convoy trip with the regimental commander and command sergeant major to survey the damage caused by recent flooding to several bridges within the Zabul province. As the convoy approached bridge 1018 they encountered a rather interesting situation.
A local truck driver was transporting a load of almonds to market. While attempting to take the bypass road near bridge 1018, the truck hit a soft patch of dirt and overturned on the embankment. As the convoy pulled to a halt, several Afghan locals could be seen carrying large sacks of almonds up from the ravine to another truck waiting nearby. That was when the Dragoons quickly assessed the situation and decided to lend a hand.
“It was the perfect opportunity for us to engage with the population,” said the 2SCR Regimental Command Sgt. Major Mark Morris, “showing them that our mission is about helping people that is what coalition forces are here to do.”
Story by Spc. Audrey Glynn and Sgt. Gerald Wilson
ZABUL, Afghanistan- Governor of the Zabul province, Al-Haj Mohammed Ashraf Naseri, stood alongside representatives from 2nd Squadron , 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, the Provincial Reconstruction Team, and coalition partners from Combined Team Zabul Friday, August 6, as they walked through the small village of Shinkay to survey the damage caused by the recent storm.
According to local government reports, hundreds of citizens have been adversely affected by the flood waters. The effects of the recent storm could be seen most at the Shinkay Bazaar. The bazaar is an economic lifeline to the district. Many people from outlying villages gather at the bazaar to conduct business. The most damage could be found on the north side of the bazaar where entire sections of walls had collapsed. Approximately 70 percent of the shopkeepers reported losing some or all of their merchandise. Since most shopkeepers are renting space at the bazaar, this loss will make it difficult for them to pay their rent and support their families. Recognizing the needs of its people, the Afghan Government is working to provide the much needed supplies for the relief effort.
Story by Sgt. Gerald Wilson
ZABUL, Afghanistan- Medics from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment received some paws on training Thursday, Aug. 8 at Forward Operating Base Lagman from some very unusual instruction. The troopers received a class on how to administer basic first aid to the working dogs that help provide security for soldiers around the FOB.
Working dogs are used around the FOBs to detect explosives and other contraband that someone may try to sneak onto the post. Dogs are used to search vehicles and parcels coming onto the FOB since they are able to find things that could be overlooked by the human eye. This service is run by a civilian security firm that employs several highly trained professionals who have many years of experience working in a variety of canine units. Canine units are a critical part of stemming the traffic of explosives and illegal drugs, not only on posts, but in and around the province. These four-legged heroes provide a vital service in the ongoing mission to bring security to the people of Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Jamal M. Rhett, 24, of Palmyra, N.J., died Aug. 15 in Ba Qubah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with grenades. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Related:
Schofield soldier dies after Iraq grenade attack - Staradvertiser.com
Welcome home!
By Spc. Luisito Brooks & Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth
FORWARD OPERATING BASE CONSTITUTION, Iraq (Army News Service, Aug. 10, 2010) -- Two Iraqi and three American Soldiers marched crisply across a parade field here to a display where their unit colors and their nations' flags flew in the wind.
The U.S. Soldiers, members of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division "Raiders," knelt and removed the American flags from the display. After executing a left face, the detail marched off the field from the direction they came, with the 6th Iraqi Army Division and Iraqi Flag remaining on the field.
Gen. Raymond Odierno, commander of United States Forces -- Iraq, Abdel Qader Jassim, Iraqi Minister of Defense and other senior American and Iraqi leaders watched the event.
This gesture -- symbolizing the departure of the Raider Brigade and the commitment of Iraqi Security Forces to the people of Iraq -- brought the Soldiers of the unit one step closer to the end of their year-long deployment as the last combat brigade to depart Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.