Block by Block...

Spc. James Lyons takes cover behind a wall to observe a street as an Iraqi youngster and two Iraqi women approach him during a patrol in the Suleikh and Qahira neighborhoods of Baghdad April 1. Lyons serves with 4th Platoon, Company A, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, which is attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad. (Photographer: Spc. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo)

Evening!

Lots to cover tonight on the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment operating in and around Baghdad...let's get to it.

First off, 3rd Squadron continues work in the Diyala province as they uncover more killing fields. Call it what you will but these are sights and sounds that will last for quite some time for these warriors...maybe a lifetime. As in my previous blog on this subject, the article is not for the faint of heart - fair warning. Graves found in Iraqi pomegranate grove

If you haven't seen the CBS News interview with LTC Dan Barnett, Commander, 1st Squadron, 2nd SCR, on the fight in/around Sadr City - spend some time with it. I was impressed with the poise and patience of LTC Barnett and how he handled the questions...especially the one regarding the Iraqi civilian loss of life.



In addition to the video on 1st Squadron, DVIDS posted more photos of 4th Platoon, Company A, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in action...

Pvt. Axel Marson, a native of Lewiston, Maine, scans his sector as it is reflected on his eye protection during a patrol in the Suleikh and Qahira neighborhoods of Baghdad April 1. Marson serves as a mortar infantryman with 4th Platoon, Company A, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. (Photographer: Spc. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo)


Sgt. Christopher Taylor, a native of Green Bay, Wis., leads the way while crossing a street in the Suleikh neighborhood as an Iraqi woman walks by and Soldiers from the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion follow. The patrol was conducted in the Suleikh and Qahira neighborhoods of Baghdad April 1 and consisted of gathering information from residents and observing Iraqi army checkpoints. Taylor serves as a sniper with 4th Platoon, Company A, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. (Photographer: Spc. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo)


Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Oliver, a native of West Mansfield, Ohio, smiles after an Iraqi child made some facial gestures during a patrol in the Suleikh and Qahira neighborhoods of Baghdad April 1. Oliver serves as a platoon leader with 4th Platoon, Company A, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. (Photographer: Spc. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo)


Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers from Company A, 4th Platoon, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, patrol the streets of the Baghdad neighborhoods of Suleik and Qahira April 1. (Photographer: Spc. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo)


Pvt. Axel Marson, a native of Lewiston, Maine, takes cover behind a wall as an Iraqi youngster looks on during a patrol in the Suleikh and Qahira neighborhoods of Baghdad April 1. (Photographer: Spc. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo)


Iraqi army Lt. Col. Yahyea Rasoull Abdallah al-Zubadie (left), the commander of 3rd Battalion, 42nd Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division; along with Lt. Col. Michael Pappal (center), commander, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division; and Lt. Col. Dan Barnett (right), 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, both of whom are battalion commanders in Multi-National Division – Baghdad, rehearse operations, April 3, at the 11th IA Div. headquarters in Adhamiyah. The commanders study a combined operation in the Sadr City District of Baghdad to secure the population from special groups that have terrorized the district. (Photographer: Maj. Michael Humphreys, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs)

--------------------------

Chris, I love you son! We can't wait to see you in May...

v/r,
- Collabman