First In...

Just as I published my last blog the info hounds pushed an interesting article Major Offensive Targets Insurgents, courtesy of the Washington Post.

What caught my eye was 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment is once again right in the middle of the fight in the Bread Basket.

In fact, they were the first unit in based on this article...

But Lt. Col. Rod Coffey, 45, of Anne Arundel County, who leads the squadron that first attacked the area, said initial reports from villagers indicated that many of the Sunni insurgents, fearing a U.S. offensive, had left more than a week ago. He estimated that 50 to 75 fighters remained.

"They created a sharia anti-state that terrorized the Iraqi citizens here," Coffey said in Zahmm, a village where he and his men spent the night in a crumbling, unoccupied house enclosed by a mud wall.

Coffey's unit, the 3rd Squadron of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, entered the Bread Basket at 3 a.m. Tuesday, but other units had been laying the groundwork for weeks. Early Monday morning, Special Operations forces started moving in from the northwest as two battalions began to circle the area like a closing noose.

To our warriors in the 3rd Squadron, be safe guys and press on. We are all praying for you...

v/r,
- Collabman

In the Bread Basket...

The information and photos are breaking at a rapid clip. If you haven't seen the news, there are a series of joint Iraqi and Coalition operations, under the larger umbrella called Phantom Phoenix, that are underway to pursue and neutralize Al Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgent elements.

Where? All reports seem to point to northern Iraq. Note this quote from an Agence France-Report report tonight... "The location of the operation was not identified, but US commanders say Al-Qaeda fighters have shifted to northern Iraq, especially Diyala and Nineveh provinces, after being chased out of Baghdad by a "surge" of American forces.

Here are just a few of the articles that describe the op that is going down:

U.S. Attack in Iraq Is No Surprise to Many Insurgents -- NY Times

Phantom Phoenix Takes Aim on Al Qaida in Iraq -- Stars and Stripes

US-Iraqi forces launch assault against Qaeda fighters -- AFP

US, Iraq Launch Anti-Extremist Operation -- Associated Press

The Multi-National Corps release looked like this:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASE No. 20080108-03 January 8, 2008

Multi-National Corps – Iraq commences Phantom Phoenix
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Multi-National Corps – Iraq, today announced the beginning of Operation Phantom Phoenix.

The operation is a series of joint Iraqi and Coalition division- and brigade-level operations to pursue and neutralize remaining al-Qaeda in Iraq and other extremist elements. Phantom Phoenix will synchronize lethal and non-lethal effects to exploit recent security gains and disrupt terrorist support zones and enemy command and control.

“Working closely with the Iraqi Security Forces, we will continue to pursue al-Qaeda and other extremists wherever they attempt to take sanctuary,” Odierno said. “Iraqi citizens continue to reject extremist elements. We are determined not to allow these brutal elements to have respite anywhere in Iraq.”

The Iraqi people have played and will continue to play an important role by standing up against terrorist elements.

“Iraqis are not passively allowing extremists to conduct their criminal activities,” Odierno said. “We are continuing to see citizens joining Concerned Local Citizen groups, provide tips for criminals and weapons and ammunition caches, and cooperate with the Government of Iraq. This is another step aimed at providing Iraqis long-term sustainable security.”

The non-lethal aspects of this operation are designed to improve delivery of essential services, economic development and local governance capacity.

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It is pretty clear...a division and brigade-level operation is underway with some of the forces targeting the Bread Basket, the nickname for the fertile northern Diyala River Valley.

For those units from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment that are involved, we are praying continuously for you guys - stay strong and take it to them.

For Chris and others who are taking care of business elsewhere in the Baghdad area - stay with it and keep the pressure on. Your area of ops is no less important than any area...

I love you Chris and really enjoyed the call last night - thanks for making my night!

Be safe!

v/r,
- Collabman

p.s. Here is a map, courtesy of the LA Times, to help orient yourself to the area of ops along with one other photo taken during a Diyala raid:

A U.S. soldier adjusts his night-vision goggles while searching a home.

(Marko Drobnjakovic / Associated Press)

January 8, 2008

Open to All...

Evening! Another work week begins and with each day, we get a little closer to November. For my family, we are already back into the work routine. How about you all?

Today was my birthday and what better present than a phone call from Chris! He sounded strong and indicated he was doing well. A new pair of combat boots, Christmas cookies from Mom and a new laptop on the way - no wonder ;-)

Chris spoke of the nights/mornings being pretty cold but he was staying warm. When I think of Iraq, cold weather just does not seem right but it is. His Squadron is staying busy and of course he (and all of us) is looking forward to May and 18 days of R&R...there is just something about hearing his voice that makes things better. As a parent or a loved one, I am sure you can identify ;-)

On to tonights blog...

I am always fascinated by the different work that is performed by the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. The work our warriors perform day in and day out runs the gamut of jobs...from combat ops to restoring clean water. I think I have seen quite a variety of missions since they hit the ground in Baghdad. How 'bout you?

Tonight, spend some time reading about the level 2 health care clinic at Camp Striker provided by the soldiers of the Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd SCR. They work in the shadows saving lives and healing the wounded - with an open to all who need care attitude.

A hearty well done and tip of the hat to the RSS, 2nd SCR...great job!

Spokane, Wash., native Sgt. Jonathan Weiser, a lab tech with Medical Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, draws blood from Dayton, Ohio, native Sgt. Brian Janek, combat medic with MED Troop, RSS, 2nd SCR. Soldiers working in the newly renovated Camp Striker TMC practice skills on each other when not with patients, to further their knowledge and provide better health care to troops in need of medical attention.
Photographer: Sgt. Mark Matthews
27th Public Affairs Detachment

Edwardsville, Ill., native Spc. Alyson Haynes, right, practices examination procedures on Augusta, Maine, native Spc. Lena Reichardt both from Medical Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment at the newly renovated Camp Striker Troop Medical Clinic. The Camp Striker TMC has recently received a major renovation and now offers troops a pharmacy, x-rays, labs, mental health and a medical storage facility.
Photographer: Sgt. Mark Matthews
27th Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Mark Matthews
27th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq —Every unit comes to theater with a specific mission. Some units clear neighborhoods of improvised explosive devices and weapon caches, some provide security for convoys carrying vital war fighting materials and others support their fellow troops by helping them stay healthy.

Soldiers with the Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment have continued to “improve their foxhole” since their arrival here in August. The evidence of all their hard work is visible with the recently upgraded Camp Striker Troop Medical Clinic.

“We got the mission in September to provide a level 2 clinic to support Camp Striker,” said Long Island, N.Y., native Maj. John McMurray, RSS, 2nd SCR, Medical Troop commander. “This TMC is a 24-hour medical treatment facility offering a pharmacy, x-rays, a lab, physical therapy, behavioral health and patient hold capabilities for all Soldiers.”

Since September, almost 16,000 patient encounters have been logged between all the departments in the Camp Striker TMC, which averages about 4,000 encounters a month.

Although the clinic is located at Camp Striker the facility is available to all Soldiers needing medical attention.

“We don’t care what patch you wear or what unit you’re with,” McMurray said. “We have an ‘open to all who need care’ attitude here.”

Although the building has been in existence for quite a while, only recently has it been transformed into the state-of-the-art medical facility it is today. The Camp Striker TMC staff seems proud of the hard work they have put into creating this clinic.

“The level 2 TMC allows the troop population on Camp Striker 24/7 access to world-class healthcare, similar to what they would get on any Army post back in the states,” said this home station Vilsek, Germany, native Lt. Col. Danny Tilzey, RSS, 2nd SCR commander. “There is an excellent team of medical professionals that continue to amaze me every time I see them in action.”

Although the troops have worked day in and day out to improve upon the TMC, everyone continues to come up with new ideas to maintain the progress of the clinic.

“Many of my junior troops lead the way with good ideas and better ways to do business,” Tilzey said. “It is great to see that everyone is excited and involved in their TMC. This sense of ownership instills a sense of pride and satisfaction in providing healthcare to their fellow troopers.”

Not only have the improvements and renovations helped fix issues such as patient flow, business hours and overall healthcare but it is also helping boost the local Iraqi economy.

“We are currently planning a major (renovation) of the interior and exterior of the building,” Tilzey said. “This is part of an initiative I have in the RSS, 2nd SCR to put local Iraqis to work, and in turn we get a clean, aesthetically-pleasing environment to conduct health care operations.”

In addition to the troops’ mission at Camp Striker, they also continue to support their regiment and Multi-National Division - Baghdad whenever needed.

“We are still supporting convoys with two or three medics per convoy,” McMurray said. “We are able to do a lot and still complete a dual mission.”

The RSS, 2nd SCR MED Troop Soldiers’ mission does not consist of only the TMC and convoy support, but they are also responsible for operating and maintaining a medical storage facility as well.

All the hard work the Soldiers with the Camp Striker TMC have put into providing quality healthcare to Soldiers at an impressive facility does not go unnoticed.

“The Soldiers are a well-trained group,” McMurray said. “They know they are held to a higher standard. They always build on their skills, and I’m very proud of them all.”

Although the Camp Striker TMC is fully functional and treating patients at a high volume, the troops continue to learn, improve and build upon their clinic to further support Camp Striker, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, the 2nd SCR and any Soldier needing medical attention.

“I am very proud of what they do everyday,” Tilzey said. “They all hit the ground running with a vision and they all work toward that vision every day. They will leave everything they touch in a much better state than when they left it.”

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Chris, I love you buddy! Thanks again for my special birthday present - your phone call.

We are praying for you daily. I remember you sacrifice every day...every day.

Be safe!

v/r,
- Collabman