That Look...

A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks past Iraqis during a patrol in Baquba in Diyala province August 15, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

"My ears were ringing and I had a slight headache. You know, I’m a soldier. I survived"

Spc. Casey Watson
84th Engineer Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment

Evening...

Ms. Collabman's phone came to life this morning...Chris! It had been a while since we had heard his voice so this was nice. First things first - he is well, though tired. I can't say I am surprised given the long days they have been putting in on patrol. He answered questions about his health, morale, preparing for his next promotion board and things about his future...what he wants to do next, where he wants to be in a year or two from now. He had seen my latest blog and expressed his pleasure over seeing his teammates in the photos.

I continue to be impressed with Chris' maturity and growth. He is growing up very quickly and it is all a wonderful thing to watch and sense, even if it is from a distance. I would imagine you have seen changes with your warrior too, yes?

As we knew going in, this 15 month combat deployment would be life changing...and it has been.

It has been a fairly quiet news day for the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. The embedded photographer from Reuters provided some shots of our warriors on patrol in Baquba. Is it just me or do the Iraqi's always seem to have that look...that look of disdain towards our warriors? What do you see?

However, the info hounds picked up an interesting article showing the work of combat engineers with the 84th Engineer Company, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and their use of mine clearing line charges. Take a look at the photos in the article - pretty cool.

Strykers use MICLICs for route clearance in Diyala

Also, this article involves 2nd squadron’s Palehorse Troop:

Fighting bombs with bombs

Chris, thanks for the phone call son. It was marvelous to hear your voice and spend some time talking with you from Iraq. We love you!

Be safe!

v/r,
- Collabman

A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks past an Iraqi girl during a patrol in Baquba in Diyala province August 15, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walk through a market during a patrol in Baquba in Diyala province August 15, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks through a market during a patrol in Baquba in Diyala province August 15, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walk through a market during a patrol in Baquba in Diyala province August 15, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks through a market during a patrol in Baquba in Diyala province August 15, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walk through a market during a patrol in Baquba in Diyala province August 15, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks past a destroyed building during a patrol in Baquba in Diyala province August 15, 2008.
REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)