Stryker Brigade News

Dogs of War

The Daily News-Miner has another article from the NTC. Excerpt:

FORT IRWIN, Calif. — By now, most people in Fairbanks have heard that the more than 4,000 men and women who make up Fort Wainwright’s 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division will go to Iraq for a 12-month tour of duty this fall.
But what most people might not know about is the 16 dogs that will accompany the Strykers to Iraq to sniff out bombs and track targets.

Sgt. Nathaniel Epps, of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, was among those selected to work with one of the dogs.

Ghost Rider Company finds cache in cemetery

Multi-National Division – North PAO

DIYALA, Iraq – Soldiers from Ghost Rider Company, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, found three weapons cashes in Al Ujami July 20, one disguised as a grave site in a children’s cemetery and two more in the Palm Groves.

The caches consisted of AK-47 rifles, belts of automatic machine gun ammunition, 12.7 mm rounds, more than 100 7.62 rounds, anti-aircraft guns, an 82 mm mortar system, various mortar system parts and more than 200 anti-aircraft rounds.

“These cache finds will disrupt the terrorist networks in Diyala Province and will prevent the terrorists from conducting indiscriminate attacks against innocent civilians,” said Maj. Jon Pendell, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment spokesperson. “This demonstrates that the terrorists will violate the dignity of, and will not respect, innocent Iraqi families by using a burial site of innocent children to hide weapons.”

MND-B Soldiers seize weapons caches in Baghdad

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi National Police and Iraqi Army soldiers working to secure the area in Baghdad seized weapons caches July 21-22.

Acting on a tip, police with the 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division and Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division seized 13 improvised explosive devices with blasting caps attached and 300 PKC machine gun rounds at approximately 10 p.m. July 21, in the New Baghdad district of Baghdad.

At approximately 11 a.m. July 22, Soldiers with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division seized a cache northwest of Baghdad. The munitions included 50 25 mm rounds; two rocket propelled grenades; 2,000 7.76 rounds; 150 14.5 mm rounds and three pounds of unknown powder.

“In conjunction with our Iraqi brothers-in-arms, we will not relinquish the offensive, nor momentum achieved through our blood, sweat and tears,” said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman for MND-B and the 4th Infantry division. “Our commitment to both the Iraqi and American people is to remain steadfast and loyal in our fight against criminal elements.”

Operations in Diyala

The Long War Journal has a lengthy update on the situation in Diyala Province, where the Iraq Army is planning a major offensive against insurgents. The 2nd SCR operates in that area. Excerpt:

Iraqi security forces are massing more than 30,000 soldiers and police for an upcoming operation against al Qaeda and the Mahdi Army in the eastern province of Diyala, according to police and military officials. [...]
The US currently has a brigade based in Diyala. The 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment is operating in northeastern Diyala and has been conducting operations against al Qaeda strongholds along the Iranian border.

Wolfhounds, GoI Work to Rebuild Education

By Staff Sgt. J.B. Jaso III, 2/25 SBCT

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The schoolhouse is run down.

Water leaks through numerous cracks in the roof and air conditioners do not operate, effectively causing temperatures inside the building to climb to unbearable lengths.

The walls covered with mold, no doors to the classrooms, broken windows, and cracks in the walls large enough to see the surrounding farmlands.

Despite all this, approximately 600 students at the Al Abbas primary school, located in northwest Baghdad’s remote New Taji Nahia, continued to study and garner their education despite these difficult conditions.

Capt. Shaun Wheelwright, a Pinetop, Ariz., native, first visited the school in February and said he was saddened to see the conditions of the school. Wheelwright, the former executive officer for Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, saw that more than half of their desks were broken, without desktops or seats, and each desk was used for six or more students.

Wheelwright said he wanted to help in any way that he could.

That help began after he told his wife, Keri Wheelwright, about the poor conditions. He said she was also saddened to hear about the conditions and decided to help in anyway she could. She then contacted a Hawaiian-based company, Oils of Aloha, for assistance.

The first donation of school supplies reached the students, April 26. Wheelwright led the “Wolfhounds” and Iraqi army soldiers to the school to hand out the much-needed supplies which were sent by Oils of Aloha.

The Hawaiian-based company sent more than 20 large boxes of supplies, which included pencils, paper, notebooks, rulers, and more.

“We are very happy and grateful,” said Braheem Ahmed Hamid, the school’s headmaster, after receiving the school supplies, April 26. “We are always in short supply of school supplies.”
Wheelwright knew the supplies were a start, but it would not be enough.

Immediately following that visit, the Wolfhound leadership worked with the government of Iraq and applied for funding for reconstruction of the rickety schoolhouse.

The project was approved utilizing Iraqi Commanders Emergency Relief Program and government of Iraq funding resulting in over $260,000 rewarded in June.

“The Al Abbas school was the least functioning school in the area,” said Capt. Brian Sweigart, a San Antonio, Texas, native. Sweigart was the commander for Company A, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Regt., and his unit was responsible for the area which the school was in. “It looked miserable. Mud was everywhere and it looked like it was falling apart. It was a very poor study environment.”

The poor educational environment did not deter the children from furthering their education.

“The kids wanted an education, and they had no other choice,” Sweigart said. “Three schools in the area were destroyed by terrorists some time ago, and now the Al Abbas school is the only school in the area.”

Sweigart relinquished command of Co. A in April, then assumed command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Regt., and took the lead of the battalion’s embedded Local Reconstruction Team. He is now responsible for acquiring funds, and recommending projects such as the Al Abbas school.

One of his new duties includes inspecting the progress of the reconstruction projects. While traveling to the Al Abbas school to see the finished project, June 17, Sweigart rode in the back of a Stryker armored vehicle with a smile on his face, looking eager to see the school. As the Stryker ramp was lowering, Sweigart yelled, “I’m excited!”

Sweigart wasn’t the only one excited.

Sheik Yasin Muhammad Hussein al Halbusi, and Sheik Noori Athiyah Albu Regehba, the tribal sheiks for the area, where present to meet Sweigart and the “Wolfhounds” to walk through the school.

Sweigart, who hasn’t seen the school since April, walked through the newly refurbished school with the sheiks. The courtyard and classrooms that were previously muddy are now cemented.

The cracks in the walls were fixed, and the school was resurfaced and painted.

Artwork adorned the exterior of the classrooms, including a map of the region. Environmental control units were installed, desks repaired, and restrooms built. The school looked new.

“I’m impressed,” Sweigart said as he walked through what was previously the worse school in the area. “They did a good job [reconstructing the school]. It is above standard.”

Muhammad couldn’t stop thanking the “Wolfhounds” for their efforts in focusing on this school. “Children from three villages attend this school, as this is the only school in the area. It is serving all the families and children in this area,” he said.

“Kids are happy that the school is rebuilt,” Noori said. “Kids use to be full of mud before. Now they can go to class with clean shoes.”

The “Wolfhounds” are no stranger to this excitement over schools. They have already completed construction of six schools in the area, and are currently assisting in the construction of eight others.

“Education is the foundation for any country,” stated Capt. Mark Weber, a Montrose, Penn., native, and effects coordinator with 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Regt. “Providing an environment where the students are able to concentrate on their studies will develop the next set of leaders for Iraq.”

1/25 SBCT at NTC

Chris Freiberg of the Daily News-Miner has another article from the National Training Center. Excerpt:

Like the rest of Fort Wainwright’s 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team of which it is a part, the 1/24th is finishing up a month of training at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., before heading to Iraq this fall for a 12-month deployment.
The 1/24th has had it especially tough since training kicked into high gear, however.

The unit went on three consecutive patrols Sunday, and when it returned to camp outside the police station in the fabricated town of Medina Wasil, it went through the streets of the village for a fourth patrol.

By noon Monday, most soldiers had been awake for 24 consecutive hours — or more.

296th BSB Artwork

Mike Gilbert at FOB Tacoma has details regarding the sale of prints of a new painting commissioned by the 296th BSB, 3/2 SBCT to commemorate its recent deployment.

56th Dedicates New Facility

The 1-112th INF, 56th SBCT recently dedicated a new facility to house the unit. Provided below are two articles covering the ceremony.

National Guard officially dedicates $19.5M center - Meadville Tribune
Center saluted - GoErie.com

Smiley Wins ESPY

CPT Scott Smiley won an ESPY as Best Outdoor Athlete at last weekend's awards show. His hometown paper, the Tri-City Herald, has a nice write up. Excerpt

Army Capt. Scott Smiley was named the best outdoor athlete Sunday in ESPN’s 2008 ESPY awards after climbing Mount Rainier despite being blinded by a suicide blast in Mosul, Iraq, in 2005.
Smiley, who wrestled and played football at Pasco High, didn’t start mountain climbing until after he was injured. But when he was stationed at Fort Lewis with the 25th Infantry Division, he used to stare at Mount Rainier in the distance and think about climbing it one day, according to the Army News Service.

1/25 at NTC

Chris Freiberg with the Daily News-Miner has two new articles from the National Training Center where the 1/25 SBCT is training right now.

Strykers are latest in long line of soldiers to visit remote training center

FORT IRWIN, Calif. — It’s a long and lonely drive to Fort Irwin and the National Training Center. A simple green sign off I-15 in Southern California between Los Angeles and Las Vegas points the way to the base, but there’s no indication of the 30-mile trip to come or of the premiere training facility that lies at the end of the road.
At the off-ramp there are a few houses and at the end of the road there is a truck driving school.

In between is only desert and sky as far as the eye can see.

Fort Wainwright Strykers arrive at National Training Center

FORT IRWIN, Calif. — First Lt. Caitlin Ebbets has spent nearly as much time at the National Training Center as at Fort Wainwright.
The Colorado native asked to be transferred to Fort Wainwright after her previous assignment — in Korea — ended. She moved to Fairbanks in hopes of trying cross-country skiing, but she barely had time to get to know her new home in the Arctic before she and the 4,000 other men and women of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team were shipped to the California desert for training.

“It was hot the first week, but it’s amazing how fast you get used to it,” she said.

New Leader Supports SOI Program

By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield, 2/25 SBCT

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – During the past few weeks there have been several transitions and changes, not only with coalition forces, but the Iraqi forces as well.

There are rumors circulating the Soldiers from 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division are moving into the Tarmiyah area. This rumor is not true, however the 37th Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, who currently operate in Tarmiyah are being replaced by the 36th Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division.

Leaders of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” 25th infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad met with leaders from both IA units as well as Iraqi police and Sons of Iraq (Abna al Iraq) at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, July 14.

The groups met to iron out the issues and address concerns about the flourishing SoI program in efforts to help in a smooth transition of forces.

There is concern on how this transition is going to affect the SoI program and whether or not the 36th Bde. will be as supportive as the 37th Bde.

“The 37th Brigade has worked very successfully with the SoI and the people,” said Capt. Calvin Kline, native of Cincinnati, and planning officer for 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, “Golden Dragons,” 2nd SBCT. “They have made a significant effort to connect with their local populous.”
During the past few months there has been a noticeable decline of insurgency activity, due to the efforts if the Iraqi security forces.

IA Staff Brig. Gen. Hussein, commander of the 36th Bde., 9th IAD was welcomed to the meeting, and he presented himself as a very prominent leader instilling competence in all that he is supportive of the mission to provide security to the local populous and in turn, he will support the SoI.

“[Staff Brigade General] Sa’ed did his best to support you and I will do my best to support you as well,” Hussein said to those in attendance of the meeting.

He also encouraged the people to vote and have say in their future.

“Gen. Hussein was very comfortable with the SoI and handled them with political savvy, while the SoI seemed to accept Hussein as a leader that will continue to support them,” said Kline.

Hussein was not the only one with encouraging words. The meeting ended with a final commentary by Col. Todd McCaffrey, native of Hudson, Ohio, commander of 2nd SBCT, 25th Inf. Div. “There is no issue that can’t be solved without cooperation,” he stated. “The Iraqi army is the legitimate security authority for the area and coalition forces will continue to support them as they need our support.”

MND-B Soldiers detain key suspected criminal in Taji

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained a highly sought after suspected criminal in Taji, northwest of Baghdad, July 18.

Soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, detained the suspected Special Groups criminal, accused of supporting the insurgency in Iraq by supplying intelligence reports with the means to target U.S. installations with rockets.

“We will continue to hunt down these suspected criminals and bring them to justice,” said Maj. Al Hing, spokesperson for 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. “Our Soldiers will continue to target those criminals who pose a threat to Iraqi security and disrupt their networks.”

MND-B Soldiers seize munitions in Baghdad

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi National Police, and Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers continued seizing weapons caches in Baghdad July 19.

Soldiers with the 24th Brigade, 6th Iraq Army Division seized 56 AK-47’s, two SKS rifles and two pistols in the West Rashid district of Baghdad at approximately 8:45 a.m.

Soldiers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in a combined patrol with police from the 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division, found a cache containing 10 AK-47’s in an abandoned house in West Rashid at approximately 9 a.m.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., Soldiers with 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division found a cache northwest of Baghdad consisting of four 57 mm rockets, an RPG launcher and two 155 mm mortar rounds.

Soldiers with the 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraq Army Division found a cache in the Kadamiyah district of Baghdad at approximately 12:00 a.m.. The munitions included three rocket propelled grenade launchers, five rocket boosters, two homemade improvised explosive device tubes and four RPG rounds.

A concerned citizen turned munitions in to 2nd SBCT, 25th Inf. Div. Soldiers north of Baghdad at approximately 3:30 p.m., July 18. The munitions included a 122 mm artillery round, a 105 mm artillery round and three 57 mm projectile rounds.

SSG Jeremy D. Vrooman

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

Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Vrooman, 28, of Sioux Falls, S.D., died Jul 15 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated while his unit was conducting combat operations in Kn'an, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers.

Related:

Official DoD Announcement

South Dakota soldier died from wounds from improvised explosive - Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Sioux Falls soldier killed in Iraq - Sioux Falls Argus Leader

South Dakota soldier killed in Iraq - The Associated Press

MND-B Soldiers seize multiple caches in Baghdad

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers seized weapons caches in Baghdad July 15.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., Soldiers from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division found seven 155 mm artillery rounds, 26 120 mm mortars, two PG-7 machine guns, a PG-9 machine gun, a 57 mm rocket, a 2.75 inch rocket warhead, a five-gallon can of UBE explosive material, 22 100 mm mortars and 26 82 mm mortars north of Baghdad.

Later, Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division found ten mortar fuses at approximately 10 p.m., in the West Rashid area of Baghdad.

Soldiers from the 18th Military Police Brigade found five one pound blocks of C-4 explosive material at approximately 2 p.m., in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.

“Since May 20, in full partnership with Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Soldiers in Baghdad have seized more than 450 weapons and munitions caches,” said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman, MND-B and the 4th Inf. Div. “Dubbed Operation Ironhorse Tempest, we have seized 275 explosively-formed penetrators, 336 improvised explosive devices, 245 rockets, 478 artillery rounds, 2,159 mortar rounds, 972 rocket propelled grenades and 5,320 rifles – a very significant achievement and good news for both the Iraqi and American people.”