Articles 1.18.2005
The Chester Daily Local, PA, has an article on Spc. Michael J. Smith, of the 1-503rd, who was killed in Ramadi on 1.11.2005. Spc. Smith's family has a long record of military service: "A grandfather was in World War II; one uncle served in Vietnam; another in Beirut; and [his step-brother] was stationed in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War." Spc. Smith's wife, Oksana, a Russian citizen, is flying to the U.S. today, and will meet his family for the first time. They married one month before his deployment to Iraq.
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KRNV TV, Las Vegas, has an article on the funeral services for Pfc. Daniel Guastaferro, of the 1-503rd, who died in a vehicle accident in Ramadi on 1.7.2005. He was eulogized as a "shy and compassionate man determined to make the world a better place". Outside of the Army, Pfc. Guastaferro "was passionate about customizing cars, and he enjoyed camping, bowling and fishing." He was 27 years old.
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The Merrillville Post-Tribune, IN, has an article on a 2nd BCT soldier who visited a school during his 2-week R&R leave. Pfc. Matt Shahbaz, who's unit isn't given beyond the 2nd ID (but a google search indicates he is from the 1/9th) and his family (including his wife, Krista, who is also an Army medic) visited an area Middle School class that had sent him packages in Ramadi. Pfc. Shahbaz, a medic with a mortar platoon, gave a slideshow presentation on the daily life of soldiers in the area. He returns to Ramadi on 1.19.2005.
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The Stars & Stripes has an article on the 2nd ID in Iraq. Reporter Joseph Giordono appears to be embedded with the 2nd BCT in Ramadi after spending time with a Marine battalion. He reports on the changes the 2nd BCT has seen over the 4 months they have been in Ramadi. Key observations:
- over the past 4 months, the brigade has sought more interactions with locals to improve the relationship between citizens and U.S. forces, which has led to an observed change in sentiments in the region.
- 2nd BCT Commander Col. Gary S. Patton cites two recent examples of improving relations resulting in better intelligence. Last, week a tip led to the arrest of "20 named targets" in a single raid. A few weeks before, units were able to stage ambushes from people's houses, which was previously not possible.
- The brigade "has completed $1.5 million worth of civil projects during that time and helped create 800 new jobs."
- At least 36 soldiers from the brigade have been killed, and "dozens more have been seriously wounded."
- The brigade operations officer, Maj. Steve Alexander, indicated that attacks on US forces peaked during the Ramadan period last fall, and included 18 suicide attacks. Attacks appear to be increasing before the election. "Patrols have come under fire nearly every day, mortars have been shot at bases and a crowd of children threw rocks at one unit last week."
- "For the elections, the brigade has received a special battalion of Iraqi commandos who have fought alongside U.S. units from Mosul to Fallujah. The key, said Maj. Robert Proctor, the brigade’s Iraqi Security Forces development officer, is that the commandos are not from the local area." The commando battalion has already started patrols with the 1-503rd in downtown Ramadi.
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A Multi-National Force Iraq news release reports that soldiers and marines of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, which includes the 2nd BCT, "detained 81 suspected insurgents and seized several weapons caches during operations throughout Al Anbar Province over the last 72 hours." The release also lists hundreds of munition items found in the weapons caches.
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Other articles from the region:
- Knight Ridder: In Iraq, fear of the vote - and of its outcome
- Chicago Tribune: U.S. troops prepare for violence during Iraqi elections
- Reuters: Iraq to shut borders for election
- LA Times (reg req'd): U.S. Will Shift From Fighting to Training
- LA Times (reg req'd): Technology Cuts 'Friendly Fire'
- Washington Post (reg req'd): A Tug of War Ahead of the Iraqi Vote
- Christian Science Monitor: Threats hinder Iraqi candidates
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KRNV TV, Las Vegas, has an article on the funeral services for Pfc. Daniel Guastaferro, of the 1-503rd, who died in a vehicle accident in Ramadi on 1.7.2005. He was eulogized as a "shy and compassionate man determined to make the world a better place". Outside of the Army, Pfc. Guastaferro "was passionate about customizing cars, and he enjoyed camping, bowling and fishing." He was 27 years old.
==============
The Merrillville Post-Tribune, IN, has an article on a 2nd BCT soldier who visited a school during his 2-week R&R leave. Pfc. Matt Shahbaz, who's unit isn't given beyond the 2nd ID (but a google search indicates he is from the 1/9th) and his family (including his wife, Krista, who is also an Army medic) visited an area Middle School class that had sent him packages in Ramadi. Pfc. Shahbaz, a medic with a mortar platoon, gave a slideshow presentation on the daily life of soldiers in the area. He returns to Ramadi on 1.19.2005.
==============
The Stars & Stripes has an article on the 2nd ID in Iraq. Reporter Joseph Giordono appears to be embedded with the 2nd BCT in Ramadi after spending time with a Marine battalion. He reports on the changes the 2nd BCT has seen over the 4 months they have been in Ramadi. Key observations:
- over the past 4 months, the brigade has sought more interactions with locals to improve the relationship between citizens and U.S. forces, which has led to an observed change in sentiments in the region.
- 2nd BCT Commander Col. Gary S. Patton cites two recent examples of improving relations resulting in better intelligence. Last, week a tip led to the arrest of "20 named targets" in a single raid. A few weeks before, units were able to stage ambushes from people's houses, which was previously not possible.
- The brigade "has completed $1.5 million worth of civil projects during that time and helped create 800 new jobs."
- At least 36 soldiers from the brigade have been killed, and "dozens more have been seriously wounded."
- The brigade operations officer, Maj. Steve Alexander, indicated that attacks on US forces peaked during the Ramadan period last fall, and included 18 suicide attacks. Attacks appear to be increasing before the election. "Patrols have come under fire nearly every day, mortars have been shot at bases and a crowd of children threw rocks at one unit last week."
- "For the elections, the brigade has received a special battalion of Iraqi commandos who have fought alongside U.S. units from Mosul to Fallujah. The key, said Maj. Robert Proctor, the brigade’s Iraqi Security Forces development officer, is that the commandos are not from the local area." The commando battalion has already started patrols with the 1-503rd in downtown Ramadi.
==============
A Multi-National Force Iraq news release reports that soldiers and marines of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, which includes the 2nd BCT, "detained 81 suspected insurgents and seized several weapons caches during operations throughout Al Anbar Province over the last 72 hours." The release also lists hundreds of munition items found in the weapons caches.
==============
Other articles from the region:
- Knight Ridder: In Iraq, fear of the vote - and of its outcome
- Chicago Tribune: U.S. troops prepare for violence during Iraqi elections
- Reuters: Iraq to shut borders for election
- LA Times (reg req'd): U.S. Will Shift From Fighting to Training
- LA Times (reg req'd): Technology Cuts 'Friendly Fire'
- Washington Post (reg req'd): A Tug of War Ahead of the Iraqi Vote
- Christian Science Monitor: Threats hinder Iraqi candidates
posted by Ryan Kirk @ 6:08 AM
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