Beads of Sweat...

A sniper team with Eagle Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment scans a river bed adjacent to two Iraqi villages being cleared during Operation Cougar Storm, June 23. The goal of the mission was to sweep out Al-Qaida and establish an Iraqi army presence in the area. (Spc. Ryan Elliott, 14th Public Affairs Detachment)

Evening...

Well, my three day holiday is quickly coming to an end. Where did the days go?

It was great to hear from Chris and see the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment mentioned in national news reporting. I also enjoyed seeing the photos of our warriors. Another weekend gone...another day closer to having them home.

The info hounds provided a number of interesting articles and photos early this morning but my honey do list was a tad bit long - so those items came first this afternoon.

Let's begin tonight with some photos of 1st Squadron warriors being recognized for their outstanding work in Sadr City, Iraq.

Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, the commanding general of Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division, presents a Bronze Star Medal with ‘V’ Devise for Valor to SGT Aaron Lopez, a native of Anchorage, Alaska, with the 3rd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division., MND-B, on July 4. SGT Lopez led his team in battle during the fight for the Sadr City district of Baghdad. (Spc. Benjamin Crane, MND-B PAO)

SFC Eugene Kuban (left), a native of San Diego, who serves with Recon Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with ‘V’ device for Valor by Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, the commanding general of Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division. SFC Kuban lead his team in battle during the fight for the Sadr City district of Baghdad. (SPC Benjamin Crane, MND-B PAO)

Next item...

Remember a blog in late June on the 2nd SCR and Operation Cougar Storm that contained a couple of video clips courtesy DVIDS? Here is another article describing in pretty good detail the successful op and its impact.

By Spc. Ryan Elliott
14th Public Affairs Detachment

BAQOUBA - With beads of sweat rolling down their neck Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, labored away alongside members of the Iraqi army and Sons of Iraq sweeping suspected Al-Qaida forces out of two separate villages south of Baqouba during Operation Cougar Storm, June 23.

The operation was designed to deny Al-Qaida forces a place to stage Improvised Explosive Device attacks along key routes that coalition forces and Iraqi civilians use, as well as establish an Iraqi army presence in the area, said 1st Lt. Fernando Pelayo, a platoon leader with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

The 2nd Squadron Soldiers along with Iraqi forces were successful in their mission of secured Mullaid and Naquib, two small Iraqi towns just south of Baqouba.

“2nd Squadron cleared Mullaid and Naquib in order to protect the population and reestablish Iraqi security forces and Government of Iraq authority and legitimacy,” said CPT Daniel Eickstedt a Fire Support Officer with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

The success of Operation Cougar Storm was an important step in expanding the Government of Iraq’s legitimacy and authority in the area.

“The operation was a success. In addition to clearing the villages of Al-Qaida and expanding GOI authority to the south, over 10 Improvised Explosive Device’s were found and safely detonated on Route Lime. This will give coalition forces and Iraqi security forces greater Freedom of Maneuver in the area,” Eickstedt said.

Another measure in which the operation was a success was how the Iraqi army and Sons of Iraq took the lead in both clearing and securing the Iraqi villages.

“The Iraqi forces performed very well, they were very eager to get into it,” Pelayo said. “It was their operation entirely we were in an over-watch position for the most part.”

“The Iraqi army performed extremely well. Iraqi army soldiers took the lead in clearing both areas. One IA Soldier lost his life to a House-Borne IED, but the Iraqi army soldiers were not deterred. Their country should be proud of their efforts,” Eickstedt went on to say.

Over all the mission was a success, the coalition forces accomplished their mission of providing support and leadership to the Iraqi security forces.

“As always the coalition forces performed above and beyond what was expected of them,” Pelayo said. “They were dedicated, motivated and kept their minds focused on the mission at hand” Pelayo went on to say.

Coalition forces were able to conduct a truly combined operation using multiple assets and enablers to achieve success, Eickstedt said.

“This will expand the Government of Iraq and Iraqi security force’s authority southward in the Cougar Area of Operation. This will take away some traditional Al-Qaida support zones and is another step in bringing true security to the Diyala province. It is all part of the clear, hold, build strategy. Clear the area of Al-Qaida, hold the area using Sons of Iraq and ISF, and build up the quality of life for the local population. Step one is complete. The next step will be to hold and encourage the population to return,” Eickstedt said.

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Finally, the work in the Diyala province, still considered one of the most dangerous areas in Iraq, is far from over...note the discussion at the end of this article: More Than a Dozen Die in Bombings, Violence in Iraq

Chris, we love you buddy - be safe!

v/r,
- Collabman