Stryker Brigade News

PFC Erin L. McLyman

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Erin L. McLyman, 26, of Federal Way, Wash., died March 13 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked her base with mortar fire. She was assigned to the 296th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lews-McChord, Wash.

Election success a credit to Iraqi soliders, Diyala citizens

The News Tribune carried a report on the recent elections written by Col. David Funk, commander of the 3/2 SBCT.

Make no mistake. The security for this election was an ISF show. Our brigade was an interested observer, providing aerial coverage and bomb disposal support. We also assisted with training and rehearsals before the big event.
But out on the ground where it mattered most, where citizens were braving lengthy walks to polling sites, where the enemy did his best to threaten and intimidate, the ISF were the only uniformed personnel in sight.

They reacted magnificently. Throughout the entire week preceding the election, each explosion was an opportunity for the ISF to either shrink from their duty or to embrace it. They did the latter. Their quick and brave responses had a palpable effect on the citizens here, solidifying their new-found reputation as dedicated, professional patriots.

The elections succeeded for another reason. No amount of security would have resulted in success unless the citizens of Diyala wanted – indeed demanded – to stake a claim in their future. With more than 60 percent of eligible Diyalans participating in the electoral process, it is clear they have staked this claim.

2nd SCR Training Videos

DVIDS has three new videos featuring soldiers from the 2nd SCR training for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

Fire Base Operation

Mission Readiness Exercise

2 SCR Key Leader Engagement Scenario

Successful Elections Prove Progress In Iraq

Story by Pvt. Zach Zuber

DIYALA, Iraq – On March 7, Iraqi citizens in Diyala province proved their desire for democracy and chose to ignore threats of violence and harm. Iraqi security forces showed they know how to plan and execute successful security operations to allow this democratic process to happen. They demonstrated what they have learned and what they have always been capable of, all in one day.

At the Diyala Provincial Joint Coordination Center, leaders from the Iraqi security forces came together to manage efforts to keep their people safe as they voted for the leaders they support during the Iraqi parliamentary elections.

"We are happy for our success but also sad because one civilian died," said Brig. Gen. Kamal Issah Mustafa. "This was a success for democracy that we consider a step forward in our future."

The day proved a step forward because of the process involved in creating a secure voting environment.

"For approximately a month we have been holding conferences and lectures, creating plans to prepare for the elections," said Mustafa. "We were able to preserve lives and make the voting process much easier."

Another equally significant factor in this process was that there was almost no involvement by members of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, who are the main operational United States Forces-Iraq unit in the province.

Arrowhead Soldiers throughout the province were stationed strategically to be available if needed, but that situation never arose.

"Our mission was to provide support for our ISF counterparts, and be quickly available if requested," said 1st Lt. Brett Sim, the fire support officer for the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3-2 SBCT. "Today was a test for the ISF if they could secure their cities for a free democratic election."

"They have proven themselves not to us, but to the people, that they could plan and execute their security missions throughout elections."

This day did not just provide proof of the ISF's success, but also successes of the training and cooperative work done by the 3-2 SBCT with their Iraqi counterparts since their arrival in Iraq.

"The partnerships that the company commanders and platoon leaders have developed over the past six months helped make yesterday's election successful," said Lt. Col. Mitchell Rambin, the 5/20 Inf. commander. "Through those partnerships, we have modeled professional behavior as well as trained ISF police and soldiers how to search individuals and vehicles. "

Another product of the partnership was the sharing of information between all security forces, not only US Forces and ISF but between the Iraqi army and Iraqi police."

As the process of collecting and counting the votes continues, 5/20 Inf. Soldiers will continue to make themselves available if needed.

"We are currently enhancing the security posture at the ballot storage warehouse and the Baqubah Library where the Diyala province ballots are being counted," said Rambin. "This is in response to a request from the Independent High Electoral Commission for all of Iraq. The ISF in Diyala are currently more than capable of providing the necessary security at these two sites."

The work they have done in preparation, combined with the successes on election day, provide the leaders of both forces with an opportunity to look at what the country and security forces can do in the future.

"These elections are a tremendous sign for the future of Iraq; the security forces performed magnificently," said Rambin. "They had a very good plan that they executed, resulting in a successful election. It was very good to see the progress they have made over the past 4-5 years."

"We helped ourselves to get rid of a dictator, so now each citizen can vote freely for the member of parliament that they prefer," said Mustafa. "Half of the success belongs to the efforts of coalition forces, and we thank our brothers for supporting us."

(via Digital Video & Imagery Distribution System)

4-2 Legal Office Settles Old Debts

Story by Sgt. Bryce Dubee

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – As U.S. forces proceed on course with the responsible drawdown of forces in Iraq, Soldiers in the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division legal office are working hard to set things right and tie up loose ends among Iraqi citizens who are owed compensation from the U.S. government.

The Army has programs in place designed to address any claims filed by Iraqi citizens, including property damage, injury or loss of life, and even paying landowners lease payments for land used by the U.S. military.

For example, if a 20-ton Stryker accidentally backs into an Iraqi citizen's car, the drivers can't exactly exchange information and let the insurance companies take care of it.

Instead, the citizen can file a claim with the military, which is then processed and paid out by military legal professionals.

On March 10, members of the 4th SBCT legal team travelled to Abu Ghraib near Camp Liberty to pay claims they had received and pick up new claims that had been filed.

That day, the legal Soldiers were especially excited because, in addition to regular claims payments, they had a chance to do something that hadn't been done in a while.

"We've gone out on numerous claims missions," said Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Neal, the brigade legal office non-commissioned officer in charge. "What makes this one special is that this is the first time we've actually gotten to pay a lease claim for land that we've occupied and have a lease for, for the time period that we've occupied it."

When U.S. forces launched the 2007 "Surge" offensive, aimed at rooting out insurgents across Iraq, the increase in forces and expanded U.S. presence meant the Soldiers had to set up combat outposts and joint security stations in new areas, oftentimes taking over homes and property owned by Iraqis with the agreement that they would reimburse the property owner at a later date.

"We have the ability to help others," said Capt. Alex Arca, the brigade claims, contract and fiscal law attorney, who explained that the average damage claim takes about two to four weeks to process, while claims for land leases can take more than a year.

This was the first time in several years that the Army has paid out land lease claims to Iraqi landowners, with the 4th SCBT legal team paying out roughly $225,000 out to claimants. And while some of the lease claimants expressed frustration in the length of the process, most appeared happy to finally be receiving payment and left with a smile on their face.

"It's a great accomplishment for us personally to actually be able to pay these people out," said Sgt. Corbin Reiff, the claims NCOIC. "Us – the legal office of 4-2, was able to get something done that no one had been able to get done before, which is something that makes you feel real proud."

The legal office set a goal of trying to process about 25 claims a month, not an easy task when they are responsible for nearly all of western Baghdad to Fallujah, and north past the city of Taji.

"We are the largest intake point and the largest purveyor of money when it comes to claims," said Reiff proudly. "No one's bigger than 4-2 SBCT."

Securing funding to pay for the leases was the most time consuming part of the entire process, said Scott Mason, the acting chief of real estate for the U.S. Forces-Iraq J-7, who also travelled out to Abu Ghraib to assist in processing the lease claims.

Mason praised the 4th SBCT legal office and said he was truly impressed by their hard work and dedication to processing the lease claims.

"Everyone said it would take six to eight months, but Sgt. 1st Class Neal and his guys did it in a little over a month," he said. "Whoever follows behind me need to see this is how it should be done."

Neal took the praise in stride, saying that even though his shop may have the largest claims mission in Iraq; it is all part of the job.

"It is quite the workload," he said with a smile. "But that's what we're here for."

(via Digital Video & Imagery Distribution System)

Times UK Reporter Embedded With Strykers in Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Dodging the bombs - Times Online

I am embedded with the US troops of Alpha Company, the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, who operate in a Stryker brigade along a 37-mile stretch from combat outposts with names such as Ramrod and Terminator, on the border between Kandahar and Helmand provinces. As their unit’s name indicates, the soldiers patrol the road in Stryker vehicles — armoured troop carriers — acting as part attack force, part highway patrol.
“Our primary role is to secure the route and to provide freedom of movement for the Afghan people,” says First Sergeant Kevin Floyd from Perkasie, Pennsylvania. “This road is vital to the whole country, it’s the only route that runs east-west and everything that moves does so on this route.

“But it’s equally important to the Taliban, who are actively targeting coalition convoys and the Afghan army. They use the road to move weapons and fighters west, and opium east down to Pakistan. When we got here they were placing some massive IEDs [bombs] in the culverts under the road, but we’ve been blocking those with concertina wire, so recently they’ve been placing smaller pressure-plate IEDs on the side of the road.”

US soldier in Afghanistan has a dream

US soldier in Afghanistan has a dream - The Associated Press

BADULA QULP, Afghanistan—He proposed to her on Oct. 6, and she made him say "Will you marry me?" over and over because she liked the sound of it. He proposed again on her birthday four days later, and this time he got down on one knee with a diamond ring. His mother was on the phone, listening in as a witness.
It all happened in Mount Holly, North Carolina. Now, U.S. Army Pvt. Mark Goodwin is in Afghanistan and his fiancee, Jillian De Voe, is waiting back home. They have spent a month of their lives together, and they say they plan to marry on July 4, a year after they met. They are young—he is 21, she is 23—but their tale of lovers separated by war is an old one, known by many across generations.

Goodwin is the lowest-ranking soldier in Alpha Company of the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment of the 5th Stryker Brigade, but he doesn't worry about status. He missed a promotion because he missed a plane—"I slept in"—while heading back to his unit from leave after he proposed. It was a "nice little fiasco," he said, but it meant more time with De Voe.

Latest Michael Yon Dispatch

The Bridge is Yon's most recent dispatch from Afghanistan.

Supplies shipped by sea to the port of Karachi flow through two major arteries into Afghanistan. In the north is Torkham, near the famous Khyber Pass. In the south is Spin Boldak, a border town located between Quetta in Pakistan, and Kandahar in Afghanistan. Kandahar, with its critical airfield, will be a major locus for the upcoming offensive, making route security crucial to US/NATO plans.
Stryker Brigade Combat Team 5/2 (SBCT) is responsible for security at the Spin Boldak point of entry and has deployed the 8-1 Cavalry squadron to live in and patrol the area. Just north of Spin Boldak, in the wilds along the border, are known enemy safe havens that were used during the Soviet war.

The Stryker Brigade is also tasked with a Freedom of Movement (FOM) mission that extends from Spin Boldak along Highway 4 past Kandahar Airfield (KAF), which is literally one of the busiest airports in the world. According to AFCENT, during FY09 there were 184,095 tower movements at KAF, which explains why it’s so loud there. Highway 4 passes the eastern end of KAF’s single runway. About three miles beyond the runway, Highway 4 crosses over the Tarnak River Bridge, one of a number of crucial chokepoints, on the road north to Kandahar.

Gates Visits Soldiers at Sharp End of Conflict

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FRONTENAC, Afghanistan, March 9, 2010 – A white-painted blast wall standing in front of the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry, headquarters here bearing the names of 22 fallen soldiers was a sobering reminder to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates of the cost of the war.

Gates is visiting Afghanistan to get the “ground truth” directly from the soldiers at the sharp end of the spear. He visited with soldiers at this base and also traveled to Now Zad to visit Marines who are liberating Helmand province from the Taliban.

The 17th Infantry is part of the 2nd Infantry Division’s 5th Stryker Brigade based at Fort Lewis, Wash. The unit was supposed to deploy to Iraq, but President Barack Obama ordered more troops to Afghanistan, and the mission shifted. The soldiers arrived in July as the first Stryker brigade to deploy here.

And the soldiers walked into a buzz saw. The area around Frontenac was a Taliban stronghold. In their first 100 days at this former Canadian camp, 300 “significant activities” took place, covering the gamut from mines to roadside bombs to indirect fire to direct fire.

“You came into an area that was totally controlled by the Taliban,” Gates said to about 200 soldiers at the battalion headquarters. “You fought for critical battle space, you bled for it, and now you own it. And you demonstrated extraordinary courage and determination in making that happen.”

Gates said he wants to make sure that servicemembers in the fight get the tools they need to do the job. He noted he has read a memo calling for improvements to the Stryker wheeled armored vehicle to make it more effective in Afghanistan, and he is overseeing the effort to get more all-terrain mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles to the fight. “There are 1,000 of these in theater,” he said. “In the next month or so, we should ramp up to 750 a month.”

Servicemembers in Afghanistan are getting a lot of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets and more capabilities to counter improvised explosive devices, the secretary said. He added that he’s paying special attention to ensuring wounded servicemembers are evacuated to a medical facility within an hour after they’re hurt, which statistics show greatly improves their chances for survival. “One thing that is especially important to me [is having] enough medevac that we come as close as possible to that Golden Hour,” he said.

Gates told the servicemembers he understands the stress their families face while they’re deployed, and that he appreciates their sacrifices and support.

Serving northeast of Kandahar, the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry, is going to play a large role in the campaign. “Once again, you will be the tip of the spear,” Gates said, “and I know you will bring the same courage and the same sense of duty to that effort that has already defined your deployment here.”

The secretary visited Regional Command South leaders before taking a V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft to Frontenac. At Kandahar, he awarded Silver Star medals to Army Lt. Col. John Morgan and Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Wooley.

(Source: Defense.gov News Article: Gates Visits Soldiers at Sharp End of Conflict)

Secretary Gates Visits Stryker Troops in Afghanistan

Decisive phase of Afghan war looms: Gates - Reuters

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told troops in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday they would soon be part of a "decisive phase" in the war -- an operation to impose control over the Taliban heartland of Kandahar province. [...]
"You all have had a very tough tour," Gates told troops with a Stryker brigade at Forward Operating Base Frontenac, about 48 km (30 miles) north of Kandahar city. Twenty-two troops have been killed and 62 wounded in the area since July last year.

"You came to an area that was totally controlled by the Taliban. You bled for it," Gates said.

"Here in the environs of Kandahar, you're in an area that once again is going to be an important part of the decisive phase of this campaign. Once again, you will be the tip of the spear," he said.

Video: Press Conference Discussing the 2010 Iraqi Elections

Lt. Col Darren Wright briefs the media on the role the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division had in the mission to integrate Iraqi security forces with U.S. troops to ensure safe elections. Parts 1 & 2.

TNT Outlines Stryker Role in Iraqi Elections

South Sound soldiers work behind the scenes in election - The News Tribune

American troops should be out of sight from polling places today as Iraqis elect a parliament for the second time since the fall of Saddam Hussein. But Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers are working behind the scenes throughout the country.
From Baghdad to Basra to Diyala, many of the 12,000 troops from Lewis-McChord have trained Iraqi soldiers to secure today’s polling. They also will provide support and remain on call to intervene in any attacks.

For many troops, the majority of whom arrived in Iraq last year, today’s election is the climactic event of their 12-month deployment.

Recent Stryker Articles on DVIDS

DVIDS has a number of recent article re: the Stryker Brigades.

SPC Anthony A. Paci

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Anthony A. Paci, 30, of Rockville, Md., died Mar. 4 at Gereshk, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered during a vehicle rollover. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Related:

Official DoD Announcement

Lewis-McChord soldier killed in vehicle rollover - The News Tribune

Army Set to Redesign Stryker

FOB Tacoma - V-shaped hull for Strykers

A change to the design of the Army's Stryker vehicle to make it more likely to withstand a blast from a roadside bomb should be coming soon, the service窶冱 chief of staff told lawmakers Wednesday.
Gen. George Casey told the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee that it窶冱 "probability more than a possibility" that Army will add a V-shaped hull to the bottom of the 20-ton vehicle. The shape of the hull would help deflect blasts from the Stryker窶冱 underbelly and is modeled from a similar design in the Mine Resistant Ambushed Protected class of armored vehicles.

"I can't take exactly how long it's going to take, because we're in the early design stages of it," Casey said. "But we are moving rapidly to get it built, tested and into the hands of the forces."