Night Vision...

Evening all - hope your week has been a good one. Have you heard from your warrior? I hope and pray you have. We received an email from Chris today - more on his words in my next blog.

The ability to conduct combat operations in the dead of night...to see in the dark. Think its important to our warriors in the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment to own the night? You bet it is...

The photo above is a look at U.S. Soldiers from Nemesis troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd SCR, as they search a house. Look easy? Take a look at the photos below to get a taste of night time operations conducted recently by the 2nd SCR.

Could you do it with the right training? Urban warfare is tough enough during daylight hours. What about urban warfare with...blind alleys, hidden entry ways, endless corners in the pitch black of the night. Sure, we have great night vision device technology which gives us an edge...but how much of an edge?

How much courage does it take to move into a home during the night? Have you been set-up? Are you walking into an ambush or will the house turn out to be empty? Will your heart beat a little faster as you go through the door?

Think about it...I imagine our heroes do every night they put the body armor on and move out on a mission hunting insurgents, IED factories and surveying the local population...

This is not kids play...

Staff Sgt. Abraham Bitolas, of Los Angeles, Calif., a squad leader with the Vilseck, Germany-based 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, covers his Soldiers' backs as they move down an alleyway during a late night raid targeting suspected improvised explosive device-makers in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood, Oct. 28.

Bonnie Lake, Wash., native, Sgt. Mark Brasel (left) a team leader with the Vilseck, Germany-based 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, pries open a locked gate while Staff Sgt. Abraham Bitolas, of Los Angeles, Calif., watches his back during a late night raid on the homes of suspected improvised explosive device-makers in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood.


Bonnie Lake, Wash., native, Sgt. Mark Brasel, a team leader with the Vilseck, Germany-based 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, rushes into a courtyard after his team breached the gate during a late night raid on the homes of several suspected improvised explosive device-makers in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood.

U.S. Soldiers from Nemesis troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, search a house before asking the owner to participate in a survey, Oct. 29, Baghdad, Iraq. The survey is compiled of basic questions relating to the residents quality of life.

Owning the night...it takes more than technology...

Chris, I love you son and I am so proud of you and the entire 2nd SCR...push on and be safe!

v/r,
- Collabman