Simmering...

The reflection of troops from Fox Company, 4th squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment is seen on the sunglasses of a soldier during an IED-clearing mission in western Baquba, 45 km northeast of Baghdad, on July 20. (AFP/File/Ali Yussef)

Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

Colin Powell

Evening...

Tonight's blog is simple...a look at the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment conducting operations northeast of Baghdad.

First, some shiny objects that caught my eye on the news wire...note the tipper on 1st Squadron, 2nd SCR - well done guys!

July 22 (Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq at 2115 GMT on Tuesday.

* DIYALA - A bomb attached to a tractor killed five people at a checkpoint manned by a neighborhood patrol group on Monday in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.

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Va. Guard soldiers return from Iraq

Approximately 105 Soldiers from the West Point-based 237th Engineer Company returned home Wednesday after serving in Iraq since September 2007.

The company has also been included in 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment’s (SCR) nomination for a Presidential Unit Citation, the highest honor a military unit can receive, for actions in Sadr City.

Pack your bags for Baghdad? Iraq looks to tourism

Finally, if you are interested...give Scott Hadley's On Patrol blog a read. It is a raw, unfiltered, up-close look at the 2nd SCR in action from the eyes of an embedded reporter. It is not for the squeamish. So, before you read it, note this from the site manager:

WARNING: Scott uses course language and profanity in the the email. And because he was dashing off a message to a friend, he didn't take his usual care with spelling and grammar. Both the profanity and spelling and grammar errors have been left alone.
Bruce McLean
Site Manager

Let me close with some photos...

Iraqi women hold their children as a US soldier from Fox Company, 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment guards the door during a mission in western Baquba, northeast of Baghdad. (AFP/File/Ali Yussef)


US soldiers from Fox company, 4th squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment search a house as Iraqi women and children sit in the living room during an IED-clearing mission in western Baquba, northeast of Baghdad, on July 20. (AFP/File/Ali Yussef)


Iraqi men suspected of violent crimes are led to a room for processing after a raid by U.S. troops and Iraqi police in a village in Muqdadiyah, about 90 kilometers (60 miles) north of Baghdad in Iraq's volatile Diyala province on Saturday, July 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)


Iraqi men suspected of violent crimes are led to a room for processing after a raid by U.S. troops and Iraqi police in a village in Muqdadiyah, about 90 kilometers (60 miles) north of Baghdad in Iraq's volatile Diyala province on Saturday, July 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Chris, we love you son and remember all you are doing every day! We could not be prouder of you and the entire 2nd SCR...

Be safe!

v/r,
- Collabman