Tiger Stripes, Fall 2006

Transcription

TIGER
STRIPES
BLOOD ON THE AXE!!!
2BCT/ 1ID
U.S. ARMY
NOVEMBER 2006
NEWSLETTER
TIGER STRIPES
STEEL TIGER
MAILING ADDRESS:
Soldier’s Name
Unit, TF 1-77AR
APO AE 09396
Steel Tiger Combat Patch Ceremony, November 11.
TIGER 6 NEWS FROM THE FRONT
LTC Miciotto O. Johnson
Check us out on the
web:
http://www.177ar.2bct.1id.army.mil
Greetings to all our family members and STEEL TIGERS
around the world as we enter the festive time of the year. Yes, the Holiday Season is once again upon us, and we too are preparing for it here
on Camp Ramadi. On Thanksgiving, the Dining Facility served a treInside this issue:
mendous spread, with all the traditional trimmings and a few new ones.
Tiger 6
2
Everyone had a chance to enjoy Thanksgiving
meals, including Team Predator (B/1-18 IN) and
Tiger 7
3
Team Bushmaster (B/1-26 IN) as they manned
Tiger Shepard
4
positions throughout our Area of Responsibility.
As this is our second edition of the newsletter, I
HHC/ 1-77AR
5
would like to continue to encourage your feedback
6
on how we can make it better and more informa- B/ 1-18IN
tive. Our continued thanks go out to spouses and B/ 1-26in
7
families world–wide who support us and our misC/ 1-77AR
8
sion on a daily basis. We wish you all a joyous
and happy holiday season.
C/ 9E
9
As I visit our Soldiers across the Battlefield, I am not amazed, but inBirthdays &
10
creasingly confident that I am blessed to lead the most competent and
Promotions
proficient warriors ever. Their professionalism and work ethic is unsurpassed, and for that, I am thankful. On Thanksgiving, I was able to
Jokes
11
visit Team Bushmaster; they are doing well and making a difference
Editor: 1LT Trevor Chambers
every day. Continued next page…
[email protected]
NOVEMBER 2006 NEWSLETTER
Page 2
The populace of Ramadi is truly safer, because CPT Calihan and the boys are in town. That
day, I also had the honor of having dinner with Team Predator at Combat Outpost STEEL.
As I sat there and talked to the Soldiers, and listened to their jokes; the camaraderie and
holiday sprit was evident. Even in the middle of a combat zone, our Soldiers have found joy, friendship and esprit de corps, as we continuously conduct operations. The galvanization of Task Force
STEEL TIGERS has never been stronger.
This month, we increased combined operations with our Iraqi partners from the Iraqi Army
and Iraqi Police. Their proficiency is continually improving as we work together to bring stability
to western Ramadi. Infrastructure improvement projects continue to gain irreversible momentum,
as we also maintain an environment which is conducive to governmental and economic affluence.
The move is complete and we are now in our permanent living and offices spaces. However, we will
continue to exploit every opportunity to improve our foxhole. Speaking of foxholes, from mine, the
FRG and Rear-D (TF Sentinel) continue to do a GREAT JOB taking care of our families and us. I
know I am joined by every Soldier in saying thank you for your efforts and unconditional / neverending support.
Of course, there is a cost for freedom and prosperity, and on November
14, 2006 CPL Eric Giovanni Palacios-Rivera of Bravo Company, 1-18 IN, paid
the ultimate sacrifice. While leading from the front, as he so often did; he was
fatally wounded. He was an outstanding leader who had so much more to offer
and was loved by so many. I dedicate this edition of TIGER STRIPES to the
memory of our brother, CPL Eric Giovanni Palacios-Rivera. We know that he
is now watching over us, and our thoughts and prayers remain with him and
his family.
Until next time, BLOOD ON THE AXE!!
V/R
MICIOTTO O. JOHNSON
LTC, AR
Commanding
CPL Eric G.
PalaciousRivera
From left to right: 1SG Morris, CPT Dick, 1SG
Gear, SFC Aceves, and CPT Bickley serve soldiers their Thanksgiving meal at the DFAC.
The Steel Tiger band performs here during the
Marine Corp Birthday Celebration.
TIGER STRIPES
Page 3
TIGER 7
CSM ERNEST EDWARDS
Family and friends of the Steel Tigers,
Your Soldiers continue to receive accolades from the leadership at the highest level. Command Sergeant Major Mellinger CSM of Iraq Multi National Forces, visited the Steel Tigers this
past month. We were also visited by our very own Command Sergeant Major Fortune, 2BCT.
Your Soldiers have impressed all with their professionalism and dedication to duty.
Congratulations to the following members of the Steel Tiger Task Force who were selected for
promotion to Master Sergeant, SFC Almario of B Co. 1/18th IN, SFC Heikkinen of B Co.1/26th IN,
SFC Rebolledo of HHC 1-77th AR, selected for promotion to SSG; SGT Heetderks of HHC 1/77th
AR.
The following Steel Tigers are to be Congratulated and Commended for reenlisting the past
two months.
SSG Davis
HHC
SSG Stark
HHC
SSG Lopez
B Co.
SSG McCarthy B Co.
SSG Kelly
1-7
SSG Morgan
C Co.
SGT Davis
HHC
SGT Roberts
C Co.
SGT Martin
HHC
SGT Reynolds HHC
CPL Hicks
CPL Quinteros
SPC Phillips
SPC Purdy
SPC Tran
SPC Cohn
SPC Quay
SPC Stoy
SPC Aten
SPC Grace
9th Eng
9th Eng
HHC
HHC
A Co.
C Co.
HHC
A Co.
A Co.
HHC
During the past month we have also seen some trying times, but we have found strength
in each other. We are truly a Band of Brothers, each one looking out for the other. We shall not
fail those with whom we serve or those we love.
V/R
Ernest Edwards
CSM, AR
CPL Hicks, from C 9E takes his oath of enlistment in
the hours of darkness at Camp Ramadi.
SFC(P) Heikkinen is frocked to 1SG.
TIGER STRIPES
Page 4
Tiger Shepard
CH Doug Downs
With the passing of
Thanksgiving and the soon arrival of Christmas, I’m sure
most of us find ourselves entrenched in a variety of
thoughts, memories, and images of holidays past as we
miss not being able to spend
these current holidays with our
families. Holiday time during
a deployment has a way of doing that.
Some of my most treasured memories of holidays celebrated with Debbie and our
children are centered around
some of our half hazard attempts to do the traditional
Christmas kind of things like a
big traditional meal with all
the trimmings and an ornately
decorated, tall beautiful
Christmas tree that everyone
gawks at, and aspires to do
next year. You would think
the preacher and his family
would be “that family” who has
the picture perfect Christmas
“leave it to Beaver” (yes I did
grow up watching the originals
before Nick at Night re-runs)
family traditions. I will likely
disappoint you by revealing the
deep dark Downs family
Christmas secrets. Our typical
Christmas dinner usually is
pork chops and chicken breasts
on the back yard grill with
fixings like home made fries
made in the old iron skillet.
Our most memorable Christmas tree was when I was still
in seminary and was not planning to have one for financial
reasons. While I was working
out my guilt and shame for being a dead beat provider, I happened to be trimming a tree in
our yard. Our then 9 year old
son Luke looked at the
branches on the ground, looked
at me, I looked at him, and we
said, “It will work.” We took
the tree branch into the house,
planted it in a bucket, decorated it, and proudly displayed
it in the picture window.
Holiday time is about
family memories and holiday
images, but it’s also about a
gifts. These memories and images are indeed wonderful
gifts, but the most supreme gift
is not one that we have given
to others, but one God has
given to us. That most precious
gift is the “only begotten Son“
and Prince of Peace whose
name is Immanuel, God with
us. The holiday season is a
time to, as the song says,
”count your blessings see what
God has done.” Yes, this year
the holidays will seem strange
and will be difficult being separated from family. But the
holiday season is about taking
the focus off our problems and
looking at what God has given.
It is a time to thank God for all
his gifts, material, familial and
spiritual. The images and
memories of fun and good times
with family are wonderful because I know that the giver of
those memories is the one who
provides for all our needs and is
indeed the gift of hope and
peace to our world. My prayer
for soldiers here and families at
home is that God will fill you
with that hope and peace.
Chaplain Doug Downs
Tiger Shepherd
“...the holiday season is about taking the focus off our
problems and looking at what God has given.”
TIGER STRIPES
Page 5
HHC/ 1-77 AR
CPT Jabari Miller, 1SG John Gear
Greetings to all Hellcats!
As the Holiday Season comes upon us,
we wanted to take a moment and update you
on what has kept us busy and what looks to
keep us even busier. These past few weeks
have proved to be extremely challenging for
all us in so many ways; some for better and
some for worse. In any case, please take a
minute to remember those who have given all
for the greater benefit of our great nation. We
thank them for their sacrifice, and we are forever indebted to them.
While times have been hard, the Hellcat HQ Platoon has kept their spirits up
SPC Brooks , Maint., poses with satisfied Iraqi Police
during a night time barrier mission.
through outstanding camaraderie, hard work
ethics, and the celebration of the Marines
231st Birthday! We’ve never returned to the
FOB in such a timely manner as that day. The
platoon has been busy supporting multiple
logistical and supply missions throughout the
Steel Tiger area of operations; but rest assured this just keeps us all out of trouble and
focused on the job at hand.
We wanted to take a minute and thank
you for the Thanksgiving banner (Mrs. Gear,
it made it here) as it adds a lot of warmth to
the company command post. We are also very
grateful for the presents, gifts, and donations
that many of you have sent, as your support is
PVT Bodrick and PFC Hawk, Maint., change the fluids in order
the lifeline of this company.
Finally, the next few weeks should see to keep this HMMWV fully mission capable.
the Hellcats continue to accomplish great
SPC Gimont,
things throughout the Ar Ramadi area. With
PVT Schurr and
the weather becoming gradually cooler, and
SPC Snyder
rain ever present, it is truly looking to be a
perform maintevery Ramadi Holiday Season!
nance on their
Very Respectfully,
weapons upon
Jabari M. Miller
CPT, Armor
Commanding
returning from a
nighttime
security mission
with C/9E.
TIGER STRIPES
Page 6
B/ 1-18 IN
CPT Adam Rudy, 1SG Jerry Almario
To the Predator Families and Friends,
The company continues to do well here in Ramadi. We suffered some very
emotional blows this month but the Soldiers have faced these tragedies and are persevering in their mission.
This has been a tough month for the Predators. PFC Jace Badia
was severely injured when the vehicle he was driving was hit with an
Improvised Explosive Device. He was evacuated to Walter Reed Medical
Center in Washington D.C. and is recovering after his left leg had to be
amputated from the injuries. We were still recovering from the shock of
PFC Badia’s departure when we lost CPL Erik Palacios-Rivera to enemy
fire while he was on a dismounted patrol. He was known for his smile,
and his platoon made it clear with a heartfelt tribute at his memorial
ceremony just how much he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers
are with these soldiers and their families during these difficult times.
Things continue to improve here in our part of Iraq. We are able
SSG Jarris in the gunners hatch of to make small improvements every day, slowly but surely improving the
his HMMWV.
security in our sector so that our counterparts in the Iraqi Army and
Iraqi Police forces will play an increasing role in the city. We are realizing that the population here is very weary of the destruction and poverty that has resulted from the prolonged insurgent activity here. Many just want a safe place for their families and are willing to provide bits
and pieces of information that is very useful to us in our day-to-day activities.
The soldiers continue to make improvements to their living
space and overall quality of life. I see a lot of Soldiers with Play Stations, X-boxes, Laptops, and DVD Players to use in relaxing when not
out on a mission. Some of the guys have managed to get themselves a
good feed from the AFN satellite. Each platoon has their living area set
up differently, but everyone seems to be comfortable where they’re at.
I’m sure it won’t be long before the Christmas decorations are up.
I would personally like to thank all the families and volunteers
who send packages and help to bring a piece of our normal lives to us
here in Iraq. The little things truly do make a difference. We celebrated
Thanksgiving on Thursday when we were able to find time to do so.
You may have seen the Stars & Stripes article about celebrating at
COP Steel. The Steel Tiger Command Group came out bringing
Thanksgiving in the DFAC.
Thanksgiving dinner that included turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing,
and fresh pie. The rest of the company partook of the lavish spread at
the Camp Ramadi DFAC. Everyone took a little time to think about
home and reflect on all the things in their life they have to be thankful
for.
On behalf of 1SG Almario and the rest of the company, I hope that all the Predator families and friends
had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving. Our next newsletter
will be the Christmas edition and we’ll be one holiday and
one month closer to coming back home to Schweinfurt.
PREDATORS!
CPT RUDY
COP Steel Thanksgiving.
TIGER STRIPES
Page 7
B/ 1-26 IN
CPT Chris Calihan, 1SG Jody Heikkinen
Our brothers from B/1-26 IN remain on the edge of the frontier in
Ramadi. They continue to disrupt enemy activity through constant engagement and patrols. Every Soldier relayed their thanks through me to the
families, FRG, and Rear D for your support and packages. Next edition, I
will get you more pictures of your heroes in action.
V/R
Tiger 6
The Bushmaster’s call “COP Eagle’s Nest”, home.
CPT Calihan at COP Eagle Nest.
SGT Thomas & SGT McGruder wake up to another
glorious day at COP Eagles Nest
SGT Vo puts on his gear before heading out on
another patrol.
TIGER STRIPES
Page 8
C/ 1-77AR
CPT Ian Lauer, 1SG David Pitts
Once again, greetings friends and families of the Steel Tigers and
Charlie Company:
We have settled into a battle rhythm here in Ramadi and the
Soldiers of Charlie Company are now fully engaged in this noble endeavor. In the past month we
have shared numerous experiences, across a spectrum of emotions, which many us would have otherwise never experienced in our lives; all the while
growing stronger as an organization. The Soldiers
have developed the necessary street smarts that will
keep them safe while allowing them to execute their
missions professionally. I am very proud to watch
this incredible organization adapting to this new environment while maintaining the panache of the armor community and the unique character of the
House of Pain.
Our operations have been both humanitarian
and offensive in nature as we support the development of Iraqi governmental institutions in the area.
With your support, we have been able to distribute
SGT Shawn Roberts re-enlists atop an Iraqi Police
toys and candy to children, while at the same time
Station as a symbolic gesture of the commitment
that both he and the Iraqi Police have made to the preventing munitions from being employed against
Soldiers or the populace. Soldiers work long hours,
cause of Iraqi freedom. In the background SPC
Troy Langley and Sam Hackwell proudly hold the but their dedication and sacrifice is indispensable.
American Flag.
On behalf of all the Soldiers in Charlie
Company I want to extend to you our greatest
appreciation for the sacrifices you are making.
While keeping the home-fires burning, you still
find opportunities to send us a note, even when
time does not afford us the luxury of reciprocating. The kindness and thoughtfulness that accompanies every care package and postcard sent
echoes in the Soldiers’ dedication to their mission. DUTY FIRST! BLOOD ON THE AXE!
HOUSE OF PAIN!
Here you see Charlie Company in its element. The
awesome presence of this tank prevents enemy forces
from moving freely across open desert roads.
TIGER STRIPES
Page 9
C/ 9E
CPT Carl Dick, 1SG Michael Morris
There are many names we could have called this month, like “How to build a COP
in 4 days” or “There’s no more traffic problem at the University Now.” I had the
opportunity to work with and to command Seabee Sailors, Marines and additional
Sapper Platoons as we became the main effort and constructed a Combat Outpost
in the city of Ramadi. The Marines that now live at the 17th Street Security Station are well protected due to
the hard work from the Dawg’s of War Sappers and others involved. These Sappers have conducted improvements at three Iraqi Police stations as well as completing drastic improvements at the nearby University. The
force protection structures that we built have already stopped VBIEDs, small arms rounds and have deflected
RPGs that have saved the lives of Soldiers, Marines and Iraqi civilians alike. One of our own, SSG Michael
Reed, was wounded while building a sniper screen for a Marine company. Our thoughts are with him and his
family as he recovers at Walter Reed Army Hospital.
The mail is certainly coming in now and many friends and families have already sent Christmas boxes. Our
thoughts and prayers are with you daily as we do our best to make Ramadi a little bit better. Happy Thanksgiving.
Very Respectfully
SGT
CPT Carl Dick
Butcher &
Charlie Company Commander
PFC MarSPC Mckinney and
SGT Danhof pull
security at
a recent
project site.
low prepare to fire
an AT-4
during
marksman
proficiency
operations.
Every Sapper in
Charlie Company
was presented with a 1st Infantry Division Combat Patch on 11 November 2006. Many of us already have previous combat tours, but it’s always a special occasion to receive one for the first time.
We have been busy as of lately and it seems to make the time go by fast for the guys. That is good on our end
but we all realize that time drags for most of you.
Thanksgiving has come and gone and all though we could not be with our loved ones to give thanks, every
Soldier here took some time out of their schedule to give thanks for all of you. Thanksgiving Dinner was quite
good. Myself and CPT Dick got to serve the dinner for about an hour to everyone on post which was a real privilege for us.
Congrats to our spouses on winning the Lady Sapper Day Competition. Way to take HHC to the cleaners. Not
only do we have the best Soldiers in the Battalion but we have the best spouses. Hoooooahhh Lady Sappers.
Christmas is fast approaching and though all the guys will not be able to be home for R&R leave during this
holiday our thoughts and prayers will be with you. We have a tree lighting ceremony here on the 1st of December and are in the process of making a little surprise for all the wives.
We’ll see you all soon. Talk to you next month.
V/R
Michael T. Morris
First sergeant
P.S. They have grapefruit juice
in the mess hall again.
SPC Mckinney
and SGT Danhof pull security at a recent
project site.
TIGER STRIPES
Page 10
November Birthdays
We would like to wish these Steel Tiger Soldiers a
Happy Birthday!!!
November 02
November 03
November 03
November 04
November 04
November 05
November 05
November 06
November 06
November 07
November 07
November 08
November 08
November 09
November 11
November 11
November 14
November 14
November 15
November 16
November 17
SPC
SSG
PFC
PFC
SGT
SPC
SSG
CPL
PFC
SPC
SGT
SGT
SPC
SPC
CPL
SGT
PFC
SPC
SSG
SFC
PFC
Hogan, John
Meehan, David
Rogers, Brandon
Carpio, Christopher
Gilbertson, Kevin
Martin, Antoine
Tiffany, Joshua
Hinote, Ricky
Purdy, Randy
Andersen, Matthew
Wilkins, Willie
Hameed, Omar
Olvera, Jesse
Gillett, Grant
Olsen, Stephen
Waters, Peter
Feathers, William
Leon, Elvis
Peoples, Demarcus
Tention, James
Fulforf, Justin
November 17
November 18
November 20
November 21
November 21
November 21
November 22
November 23
November 24
November 25
November 26
November 27
November 28
November 29
November 29
November 29
November 30
November 30
November 30
November 30
MAJ
PV2
SGT
SPC
SPC
PFC
PV2
SGT
PV2
SPC
SPC
CPT
PFC
PFC
SGT
PV2
SGT
PV2
SPC
SPC
Jacobi, Kevin
Wells, Tyrone
Grayson, John
Cohn, Michael
Wells, Ryan
Wilson, Courtland
Reed, Andrew
Thomas, Christian
Smith, William
Simeon, Erastus
Neureuter, Jeremy
Downs, Douglas
Dunn, Davian
Bowles, Dustin
Core, James
Hancock, Kevin
Dickerson, Jordan Sr.
Esposito, Samuel
Spears, Jared
Wells, Aric
November Promotions
Congratulations to these Steel Tigers for their hard work in being selected
for promotion during the month of November!!!
PV2 TO PFC
Clingerman, Christopher
Landon, Trenton
PFC TO SPC
Butin, Nicholas
Rogers , Brandon
Arviso, Adrian
Seymour, Robert
SFC TO MSG
Almario, Jerry
Heikkinen, Jody
Rebolledo, Danny
SGT TO SSG
Heetderks, Daniel
TIGER STRIPES
Page 11
Jokes
Murphy’s Laws of Armor
1. Just after you report “Redcon 1” for your qualification run,
you will realize that you desperately need to take a leak.
2. Tanks don’t float.
3. Attempting to help recover a mired tank will only result in
your tank becoming mired also.
4. The primary purpose of an operations order is to ensure
that all blame falls on the line units.
4a. For this reason, the staff will not publish an operations
Doc Gordon administers aid to a injured Iraqi
order until after the exercise is completed.
Policeman.
5. Night vision devices will only fail at night.
5a. They will function perfectly once the sun rises.
6. The dirtier and more tired you are, the less appreciative you become of “constructive criticism” from somebody in a pristine uniform.
7. The heater on your tank will fail in October. The part to repair it will arrive in April.
8. No matter how minor the ailment, a visit to the medics will result in an I.V.
8a. Arguing with the medics about this will result in your being evacuated in a neck brace and back board (in
addition to the I.V.).
9. When loading the main gun, remember: “pointy end first.”
10. The only times you will throw a track are: a. At night, b. in the rain, c. during the movement back to garrison, or d. one hour after you installed the new ones.
11. Your vehicle will go NMC right after the contact team leaves the AO.
12. All infantry fighting vehicles don’t look alike.
13. When you are told your engineer support was needed elsewhere, the bridge will be out.
14. If all else fails, shoot at the muzzle flashes — the larger ones are the dangerous ones, the smaller ones are
infantry.
15. “Rebel yells” are not proper FM radio procedure after a successful Table VIII.
16. Close air support is safest from far away.
17. Proving that three feet of frontal armor protection will defend against any threat is probably best demonstrated on someone else’s track.
18. Hearing an “Aw, shit” soon after an “on-the-waaay!”
means you’re probably not getting that promotion.
19. Tanks are very easy to see unless you’re dismounted
and they’re backing up.
20. “GUNNER, SABOT, SNIPER” is not an appropriate
use of ammunition.
21. It is cruel to tell NBC types “Damn, that Fox looks like
a BMP particularly when live rounds are being issued.
22. Unsecured turrets will only swing freely mid-way
through a rail tunnel.
23. When doing a gunnery, the tank is always operational
until you get to the ready line.
24. If you are promised “downtime,” what they really mean
is: You will be breaking track.
The Steel Tiger Soldiers have a good time during
the Marine Corps 231st Birthday.
TIGER STRIPES
Adopt a Steel Tiger Soldier
As a wife of a soldier in the Battalion, Cathy Jacobi started an “Adopt a Steel
Tiger Soldier” program. The purpose of the program is simple – to connect stateside Americans with soldiers deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The adoption is simple – Would be adopter’s send a monthly care package and or
letters of support to your soldier. These are soldiers who may or may not have an
extended family who can send the soldier the “Home Town” support that they so
need and deserve.
What is a care package you ask? – This is also very simple. Care packages are
boxes of “Creature Comforts” that a soldier may not have the access to or time to
obtain himself. These care packages are so important to a soldier. Many of our
troops who are fighting in Iraq often spend between 12 and 18 hours a day on
patrols in Iraq. At the end of their day they are tired mentally and physically.
When mail time comes for this soldier, it often is the best part of their day.
Receiving a note of encouragement, or a box full of “goodies” from his adopter makes
all the difference to these men. This one simple gesture of support on your part can
help keep up the morale of those who are making huge sacrifices for us.
Please be aware that there are items that you cannot send to your soldier by mail.
These items are forbidden by order of the military and by the U.S. Postal Service.
Fireworks; explosives; matches; lighters; alcohol, pornography or tobacco products
are against the law to send through the mail and/or to a soldier.
You can visit the web site of the U.S. Postal Service at www.usps.com to get a more
detailed list of prohibited items, and information about APO addresses, which is how
you will be sending your soldier care packages
If you are interested in participating in the program, please send your name and
contact information to: [email protected]
Cathy can also be reached via mail at:
Cathy Jacobi
CMR 464 Box 2350
APO AE 09226

Tiger Stripes, Fall 2006

Transcription

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