Taken Down...

Another work week gone - another day closer to seeing the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment on their way home. For me it was a quiet week that was punctuated with an early morning call from Chris on Thursday. One word on the phone call - wow! There is something really special when we hear his voice.

More about his call in a second...

Let's get started with an encouraging article about our warriors with the 2nd SCR and their work in taking down an alleged high-ranking leader of an extremist cell in Iraq. Anyone who is tracking their efforts can see...the 2nd SCR continues to make a difference in the Baghdad area...every day they work in high-threat, high-risk areas...every day they put their lives on the line...every day.

Enjoy the read and check the last sentence..."No U.S. Soldiers were killed or wounded during the operation."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071019-14
October 19, 2007

MND-B Soldiers capture alleged extremist cell leader

By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp
1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers captured an alleged high-ranking leader of an extremist cell along with three other suspected insurgents near Sab Al Bor, Iraq, Oct. 18.

During an operation to locate extremist members and gather information on the Al Qaeda in Iraq network, Soldiers from Battery C, Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and Soldiers from Troop A, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, worked in a concerted effort to capture the cell leader and three of his alleged accomplices.

Aviation assets from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cav. Div. assisted in the operation. When the operation began, the Battery C troops moved toward a house from which the cell leader and his accomplices were allegedly operating. As soon as the Battery C troops entered the house, two men ran from the building.

As this occurred, Troop A, 1-7 Cav. moved in and isolated the two men who were trying to flee. Shortly afterward, they were able to move into another nearby house and capture the cell leader and one other suspect.

The extremist leader is part of a cell which is allegedly responsible for numerous murders in the Sab Al Bor area; the making of improvised explosive devices and conducting kidnappings in the area. The cell has been known to launch attacks against innocent civilians as well as on Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.

“The combined efforts of the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police, U.S. Army with the attached Estonian Platoon, and citizens of Sab Al Bor and its adjacent villages over the past three months has led to the capture of a criminal gang leader who terrorized the citizens of Sab Al Bor on a daily basis,” said Lt. Col. Kevin MacWatters, commander, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment and a native of Mustang, Okla.

“His capture is another example of the continued progress of both Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces to bring criminal elements to justice and improve the security situation for the citizens of Sab Al Bor.”

No U.S. Soldiers were killed or wounded during the operation.

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The phone call from Chris? How is he doing? Here is how it played out as noted by "Chris' mom"...

We finally heard from Chris at 5:15 am Thursday morning. Of course I was sound asleep again, but believe me, I'm not complaining! It was great to hear his voice. I asked him if he was tired and he said no, not really.

He's always been one of those kids that could sleep anywhere. He said he knows David J., though he doesn't know him well. He said HHC comes in every now and then and checks things out. So I told him to see if he could talk to him next time he sees him and tell him that their moms are friends.

He said that most of their time lately has been spent in-processing the Iraqi army guys - entering stuff on the computer, doing retina scans. I'm amazed they have that kind of technology over there.

Chris said that the 2/2 has dismantled more IED's in the two months they've been there than the previous unit had done in the entire 15 months they were there. I don't know if this means that there are just that many more IED's there now or that they're doing that much better of a job finding them. Scary either way. If there are that many IED's out there, there are bound to be a few that they miss and I'm not going to let my mind go there . . .

He only had 6 minutes to talk - he had just gotten off the phone with a friend and he probably only had 6 minutes left on his phone card. I'm not complaining about that either since this friend is such an encouragement to Chris. So I didn't get to ask him if he had received the last two packages I had sent.

There are lots of other things I'd love to ask him but I guess it'll have to wait until next time. He did say that by next week they should have phones at the COP and that will mean lots more phone calls. I hope that's true. Two weeks seems like two years when you have a son over there, doesn't it?

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And so it goes...six minutes...oh how the minutes fly by. You want to grab each word and not let go but you can't. Eventually, the phone goes quiet and you ask to no one in particular - how long before the next call, email or instant message chat? Questions that seem to linger...and never fade...

I love you Chris. Mom and I are so very proud of you and all the warriors in the 2nd SCR. Stay strong and be safe...

v/r,
- Collabman