Friday, April 25, 2008

Next Mission...

A U.S. soldier from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment eats a local Iraqi meal in the house of a local tribal leader in Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad April 25, 2008. REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ)


Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again

Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me


(Casting Crowns - Who Am I)

Evening...

Happy Friday - ready for the weekend?

Tonight's blog is filled with a video package about two 7-10 cavalry commanders meeting Rashid district leaders along with the Dog Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment commander to assess the area of operations before assuming authority.

This caught my eye as D Co., 2-2 SCR is Chris' unit. Also, based on this video Chris' unit is handing the baton over to the 7-10 Cav and refitting for their next mission.

Please pray for D Co., 2-2 SCR as they make this transition...

And...

There are a number of photos out tonight on a 2-2 SCR unit operating in the Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad. Unfortunately, the actual unit is not identified so it is unclear which squadron from the 2nd SCR these warriors are from. Maybe you can identify them and their unit? Leave me a comment if you will...I am interested.

Maybe someone can identify the young warrior in the lead photo above?

Also, I included some more photos of the 1-2 SCR operating in and around Sadr City...

Finally, I spoke with Chris on Wednesday - he is doing well. We talked through the IED hit on their stryker. Needless to say, the stryker did its job, took the brunt of the explosion and protected all of the warriors inside. As a result, they all walked away...I am thankful to God for his hand of protection over the young men traveling in that stryker. For those who build these armored monsters - thank you!

Chris is anxious to get home and begin his R&R - its been a long time coming. Overall, he sounded good. I enjoyed hearing his voice and spending time on the phone with him. It helped calm the storm in me...

Chris, I love you son and think of you daily. Thanks for the phone call - I really enjoyed it!

v/r,
- Collabman




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A U.S. soldier from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment kisses a local leader in Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad April 25, 2008.
REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ)


An Iraqi translator (L) takes a picture of U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad April 25, 2008.
REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment take position outside the house of a local tribal leader in Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad April 25, 2008.
REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ)


A U.S. soldier from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment sits atop an armored vehicle in Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad April 25, 2008.
REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ)


Children walk with U.S.soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi soldiers in Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad April 25, 2008. REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ)


A U.S. soldier from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment stands guard near a poster of Shi'ite Mehdi army fighters killed during clashes, in Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad April 25, 2008.
REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment greet a local tribal leader in Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad April 25, 2008. REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ)


Children look at a U.S. soldier from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad April 25, 2008. REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ)


U.S. Army soldiers from B Company, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment patrol in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, April 25, 2008.
(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)


U.S. Army soldiers from B Company, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment patrol in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, April 25, 2008.
(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)


A U.S. Army soldier from B Company, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment patrols in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, April 25, 2008.
(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

3 comments:

Unknown said...

As I was reading your blog this morning I couldn't help but notice another transition that our soldiers are going through. At 4:20PM the temperature in Iraq is 104 degrees. As it gets hotter let's hope that our soldiers, along with the Iraqis that we are paying, are able to keep things cool.
As always, the safety of our soldiers is in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

I must have missed a post, because I didn't know Chris's Stryker had been hit. Thank God they are all safe.

Anonymous said...

What really stands out in these pictures are the smiles on everyones faces. Our soldiers have done their job well.

Good to know Chris and his unit are ok after being hit. God is good!!

Many prayers,
Terrie
Matt's Mom