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.
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)
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.
--------------------------
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
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.
--------------------------
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
1 comment:
Chris's dad,
I just wanted to shoot you a quick email to let you know how much I appreciate your blog. I'm one of Strick's friends from back home and get to talk to him almost everyday but we usually keep the conversation to things other than the war.
I know whats its like to search the web for information on whats going on and that horrible feeling of not getting to talk to him for a few days. I'm currently in the Air Force ROTC at North Carolina right now and I love to drill the cadre who have just came from Iraq with questions of what its really like over there.
I've gotten to talk to Chris quite a few times and he is a great kid, I'm sure it is great knowing what an amazing son you have. Your dedication to him and the 2nd SCR as a whole is astonishing.
I actually just came upon your site for the first time today so I had a little catching up to do. Honestly, I think I cried the whole time I read "A letter to Chris.." Really, It was awesome.
Keep up the good work, I look forward to reading your future blogs. Thanks again!
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