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| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
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Bob Babcock - "Deeds not Words"
President, Americans Remembered, Inc. - http://www.americansremembered.org
President, 22nd Inf Regt Society - http://www.22ndinfantry.org
Past President/Historian - Nat'l 4th Inf Div Assn - http://www.4thinfantry.org
babcock224@aol.com
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U.S. Captures 6 'Closely Tied' to Saddam
By CHRIS BRUMMITT
.c The Associated Press
TIKRIT, Iraq (AP) - U.S. forces on Friday captured six people "closely tied'' to Saddam Hussein and his regime for suspected anti-coalition activities including attacks on helicopters, a U.S. commander said......
The raids around Saddam's hometown of Tikrit were targeting Iraqis suspected of involvement in attacks on U.S. troops and helicopters, said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, a battalion commander in the 4th Infantry Division.
"The individuals are closely tied to the Saddam family and the former regime. They represent some of the last of the main network that we have been targeting for many months,'' Russell said without providing details.....
02/06/04 07:28 EST
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.
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Hotels/Motels in Killeen/Fort Hood Area:
Many of you have emailed or called me wanting to know about hotels and motels in the Killeen/Fort Hood area. I'm still trying to get a complete list from the Chamber of Commerce or some other official source. In the meantime, I did a search on Google.com and found the following web site which appears to have a good cross section to choose from: http://www.haveanicestay.com/hotels/Killeen/TX/US/
This is not a complete list and I don't recommend or not recommend any of them. It's provided here just to give you a headstart if you want to start making your reservations for the welcome home ceremony on April 22, or for when your individual unit returns in March/April. Stay tuned and I'll try to have a complete list to include within the next week or two.
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>From CentCom news release on 2-5-04:
101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION TRANSFERS AUTHORITY TO TASK FORCE OLYMPIA
MOSUL, Iraq – As hundreds of regional Iraqi leaders and Coalition partners looked on, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) transferred authority and operational control of Ninewa, Irbil and Dahuk provinces to Task Force Olympia today at the palace headquarters complex in northern Mosul.
Task Force Olympia is a sub-element of I Corps headquarters based at Fort Lewis, Wash. The unit includes representatives from all three components of the United States Army (Active, Reserve and National Guard) as well as United States Marine Corps and Australian officers. Task Force Olympia’s subordinate units include the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), from Fort Lewis, four Iraqi Civil Defense Corps battalions, three Iraq Border Police battalions and several thousand members of the Iraq Facility Protection Security Forces and will soon include an Iraq Armed Forces battalion.
The ceremony marked the culmination of several weeks of transition operations and regional handovers in Tall Afar, Qayyara and Mosul, as many units under the operational control of Task Force Olympia worked in conjunction with 101st Airborne Division soldiers to ensure a seamless transition of authority.
The 101st Airborne Division redeploys to Fort Campbell, Ky. after a yearlong deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since April, the 101st has worked in tandem with the Iraqi people to improve the security, infrastructure, economy and government in the Mosul region.
“We have shown that there is nothing that can’t be achieved when we all work together,” said Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, commanding general, 101st Airborne Division.
Task Force Olympia intends to continue the progress made by the 101st’s Screaming Eagles.
“We owe you, our nation and the people of Iraq our best effort every day and that is what you shall get,” said Brigadier Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander, Task Force Olympia.
Shortly after the ceremony, the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division boarded UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for a short ride to Mosul Airfield, where military transport awaited for their trip back to Fort Campbell.
Task Force Olympia continues to work with the citizens and leaders of Iraq to make it a safe, prosperous, and democratic nation.
(Editor's Note - Great news, redeployment is running as expected. We should be reading before too much longer about TF Ironhorse turning over responsibility to TF Big Red One (or whatever they call that task force led by the 1st Infantry Division). You will recall that the Stryker Brigade was under operational control of TF Ironhorse when they first arrived in Iraq, before they moved up to take over the 101st area of responsibility).
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Please pass this on to all who believe and support us.
SOLDIERING
5 February 2004
Most would say that the Army wins the war. Actions of the soldier who fight the battles - be it the supply sergeant, the mechanic, the grunt or aviator win the war. This is a large part of any battle. Well, let's look at what makes soldiers do what they do. Basic training and advanced individual training play a small roll. Is it when they move on to their first duty assignment, is this where the real training begins? What is it that makes a person a true and complete soldier? Could it be that the individual has heart, guts or just being tough? Maybe. Could it be one is a soldier because of the uniform or that he or she took an oath?
Well, all of this is a large part. Maybe it is because these young people are ordered to different countries to do various tasks make a soldier, this is true as well.
As a soldier, I want to let you all in on the secret of being a soldier. It is having heart, being tough, taking an oath (and living it), and going to many countries, basic and advance training. This is all true.
What motivates a soldier most of all, in time of war, is the people of our great nation. They may not agree with the war or the policies set by the President. But they, the American people, have and continue to support the Soldier. This in its self is probably the most important factor that drives these men and women to do what they do without hesitation. This is why, when one of our brothers or sisters perish in the line of duty, we continue on. We cannot and will not be defeated.
Only the citizens of America can stop us. It’s their support and faith in us that will render the enemy helpless and make us the victors.
If you have wondered why I took the time to write this, well, I really don’t know. Maybe it’s the honor of being a Soldier. If you all can watch, as I have, the transformation of young people; sons, daughters, husbands and wives. The transformation from civilian to soldier. Well, it is a feeling of honor and pride by being associated with them. But most of all it’s you all who support and believe in the soldier. This is why they believe in what they do, because you all believe.
I can continue on about soldiers. The few words above can give the idea on how I feel. But if you don’t see what I was really saying here, well I guess I am saying thanks to you. My soldiers have echoed this to me on several occasions.
From the soldiers of the
“HUNTER PLATOON”
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Commentary: Some Soldiers missed Super Bowl
By Lt. Col. Andrew Straw
February 4, 2004 WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 4, 2004) -- At kickoff, I was touching up the shine on my combat boots. I thought of calling my wife in Charlotte, N.C., but she had already gone across town to a Super Bowl party.
As I left Washington for the drive to the airfield, the first half was winding down and the score was still 0-0. I couldn’t find the game on the car radio and forgot about football for the next 30 minutes.
I arrived at Davison Army Airfield to find the eight young Soldiers from the Honor Guard, also dressed in camouflage fatigues, sprawled out in the small passenger lounge. They were ogling the halftime show on TV and wisecracking back and forth just like thousands of other groups of young guys across the country at that moment. I learned that the score was 14-10, Panthers behind.
The general arrived five minutes later, just as the pilot stepped in to say the aircraft was ready. Anita called from Charlotte on my cell just as I was walking out the door—“Can’t talk, gotta go.” On the TV behind me, play was just beginning for the second half.
The ten of us followed a sergeant through the darkness from the near-deserted terminal to the waiting helicopter. As we carefully tiptoed across patches of ice on the apron, one of the Honor Guard soldiers whispered something about Janet Jackson.
Another Soldier beamed with adventure as he climbed in, “It reminds me of the first time I rode a tractor!” I was beaming too. It would be my first ride on an Army Blackhawk.
I was warned in advance that Black Hawks had no heaters, and had bundled up with two layers beneath my uniform. The night was clear. We flew to Delaware at low altitude over beautiful snow-covered scenery. We landed at Dover Air Force Base 45 minutes later, and parked near a huge C-141 cargo plane with Air Force Reserve markings. The rear doors and ramp were open, and light spilled from the huge cargo bay.
I followed the general as he was quickly ushered into a small, neat passenger lounge. Coffee? Water? The game was on TV; the score was 22-21. A half dozen others in various uniforms were waiting. I introduced myself to a major from New York City -- a forensic dentist in the Army Reserve, called up to help out for a 30-day tour. A Methodist minister serving as an Air Force chaplain bragged about the support his wife gives him while he is recalled to active duty.
While the general got a briefing on the mission details, an Air Force colonel gathered the rest of us together, and we marched out to the C-141. I followed him up the ladder into the cargo bay. It was empty except for the three oblong boxes in a perfect row down the center. Two loadmasters were adjusting the ramp in the rear of the aircraft, and several others were carefully arranging U.S. flags over each of the boxes. A congenial major explained the proceedings to follow the way a priest leads a family through a wedding rehearsal.
I line up with the flight crew along the fuselage, facing the caskets. Attention! The Honor Guard marches in silently; wearing white gloves with their camouflage uniforms now. The General marches up the ramp with the Air Force wing commander, a colonel. The chaplain says a prayer with all the right words: fallen warriors…the Army family…selfless service…the price of freedom.
Nobody is thinking about football. Nobody. The young Soldiers from the Old Guard are standing smartly, solemnly, expressionless. No slouching or snickers now, only the serious task at hand. Ready…Down! Ready…Up! Ready…Face! Forward…March! They move to the measured commands with astounding precision.
In the cold dark night, there are fewer than two dozen of us present. No outsiders are watching, but those young men give a TV-quality performance, as if their burden was a fallen president. Present Arms! We salute as the first remains are marched off the plane under the watchful gaze of the general. He salutes.
We do it again for the second set and the third. The unmarked, clean, white truck then drives off very slowly with its red, white, and blue-draped cargo. The Honor Detail marches behind it. The General dismisses us.
Back in the small lounge, the game is still on, eight seconds left. I watch the unfolding excitement numbly.
Welcome home, fallen sergeant, corporal, and private first class.
You missed the Super Bowl. The Patriots won.
Thank you.
(Editor’s note: Sgt. Eliu Miersandoval, 27, Cpl. Juan Cabralbanuelos, 25, and Pfc. Holly McGeogh, 19, of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, died Jan. 31 in Kirkuk, Iraq, when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device during convoy operations. Lt. Col. Andrew Straw is an Army Reserve officer from Charlotte. He has been serving on active duty at the Pentagon with the Army’s G3 since October 2002.)
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>From the Lompoc, CA Record:
Home from Iraq - feeling like a girl again
By Janene Scully -- Staff Writer
2/5/04 Home from Iraq for some rest and relaxation, Army Pfc. Michelle Perez is relishing doing girl stuff.
Such as getting a manicure.
Going for a pedicure. And having her hair done.
Perez, the daughter of Kathy and Jerry Tully of Guadalupe, leaves Saturday to re-join colleagues with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade after two weeks home on the Central Coast.
"I've done everything to feel like a girl again," she said with a laugh. "I haven't had any of that done for a year so it's been nice."
"It's great (to have her home)," said her mom. "It's going to be really hard to let her go, but she has to go."
Perez, 20, also reunited with friends, spoke to a school class and gave a talk to Guadalupe's American Legion Post. And, she set aside one day to simply lounge around and watch television.
Being home also has meant getting to wear civilian clothes.
"You miss the little things like privacy," she said, explaining that she lives in Iraq in a three-room trailer with two others soldiers.
"It's good to come home and not have to deal with the stress," she said......
After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and advanced training at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., she headed to Fort Hood, Texas. Five days later she deployed to the Middle East. After a year in Iraq, Perez and others in her unit will return to Fort Hood in April.
Work in Iraq means 12-hour shifts, and she sometimes pulls night shifts.
Even in the war zone, they celebrated holidays with special meals, and she got a personalized cake on her birthday. An Internet cafe and phone center lets soldiers keep in contact with home.
But Perez said the worst part is "not knowing if you're going to come back".
Her two weeks home have been great, but she's equally eager to return to rejoin her troop near Tikrit, and her job as an intelligence analyst.
"I'm kind of ready to go back because I feel bad leaving everyone over there," she said, adding that they look out for each other. "It's a big family over there -- all 500 of us."
Leaving home Saturday will be hard, but she knows she needs to return to colleagues.
'It'll be harder on my parents because I know that I have to go back," she said. "I know that everybody's still over there. We need to come home so it'll be good to help."
Staff writer Janene Scully can be reached by e-mail at janscully@pulitzer.net.
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A Few Words From Bob:
I had a special lunch today at Houston's on the north side of Atlanta. The fiance of one of our soldiers in Iraq contacted me a few weeks ago after he saw in the update that I live in the Atlanta area, as he does. His choice of restaurant was good - the last time I ate at that restaurant was when Jan and I met Chaplain and Mrs. George Knapp, chaplain of the National 4th Infantry Division Association (and D-Day veteran who landed with the 12th Infantry Regiment in WWII) there right after Christmas. That restaurant now represents to me a meeting place for all generations of 4ID vets and families.
After doing these updates for so long, it is always great to actually spend time with family members who have soldiers in Iraq. We had a great conversation and will do it again before the troops get home. It is especially interesting to hear the perspective of a man whose fiance is in Iraq. It also pleased me when the man parking my car recognized my 4ID cap and told me he had served with HHC/1-67 Armor at Fort Hood in the late 1990's. Of course I made sure he knew that it was the 4ID who had captured Saddam.
I'm looking forward to meeting many more of you at Fort Hood on April 22.
A New Addition to the Babcock Family
At noon on Wednesday, Jan blessed me with a new 58 pound addition to our family. I was busily working on the update, talking to our daughter, when Jan came in and sat on the floor beside my desk. I kept working and talking, not really paying much attention to what was sitting in front of her. I finally realized that there was a big black and brown rotweiler puppy (seven months old) that I'd never seen before.
So, as you dog lovers know, you can never go very long after you dog dies before you get another one. "Ruth Ann" is a great puppy and gets along well with our other two dogs and cat, our grandkids, and makes me smile every time I look at her and her puppy ways. Jan knows it is easier to get forgiveness than permission, not even I could ever send that puppy back. To make it even better, she got it from a "Rottie rescue" home. Don't ask me why she named her Ruth Ann..... whatever happened to real dog names?
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany:
6 February 1945 - D+246
Against CT 8, the enemy defended particularly from crossroads employing infantry weapons supported by self-propelled guns, rockets and mortar fire. Shortly before first light, a counterattack of 400 enemy hit elements of CT 22 in Brandscheid. This attack was repulsed and 160 prisoners of war were taken. CT 22 continued the attack to the east clearing Hontheim, Sellerich and Herscheid against strong enemy delaying action.
The 8th Infantry Regiment maintained defensive positions with the 1st Battalion. The 2nd Battalion advanced without resistance approximately 1500 yards. The 3rd Battalion cleared all enemy in its zone and set up a defensive position at the crossroad.
The 12th Infantry remained in division reserve.
Before the relief of the 3rd Battalion of the 22nd Infantry Regiment could be effected, the enemy launched an attack against Brandscheid in an attempt to retake the town. The 3rd Battalion suffered heavy casualties but was successful in repulsing the enemy. It was finally relieved at 1430. The 2nd Battalion jumped off in the attack at 1205 against light resistance and captured Hontheim at 1745. The 1st Battalion jumped off in the attack at 1200 against light resistance and captured Sellerich, Herscheid and the high ground.
7 February 1945 - D+247
A special quota of one officer and four enlisted men was received from VIII Corps. This officer and enlisted men were to be returned to the United States on detached service for sixty days in the purpose of touring war materiel production plants and informing workers of the vital need for their continued all out efforts. LT Col Thomas A. Kenan, 22nd Infantry was selected. The enlisted men selected from the 4th Division Artillery was a member of the 29th FA Battalion. This soldier was the only remaining artilleryman who fought in WW I with the 4th Infantry Division.
CT 8 encountered light resistance in attacking Warscheid. Resistance increased considerably in the vicinity of Gondenbrett. Enemy opposition to the advance of CT 22 was light, consisting of small arms, automatic weapons, artillery and mortar. At 1440, three separate counterattacks were launched by the enemy. The first attack consisting of tanks and infantry came from the vicinity of Niedermehlen and advanced toward Hill 553. Initially, our troops were forced from the hill but regained it late in the period. The second attack occured at 1450 when an unknown number of enemy attacked from Steinmehlen. This attack was repulsed by artillery. At 1610 an estimated company of infantry and three tanks attacked toward Obermehlen. At the close of the period our troops in the town had been reinforced by armor and the counterattack had been repulsed.
The 8th Infantry Regiment jumped off in the attack with the 1st Battalion at 0330. Initially only light resistance was encountered and the battalion advanced toward the town of Gondenbrett. The stiff enemy resistance in the town held our troops in the outskirts at the close of the day's fighting. The 2nd Battalion moved off at 0430 and succeeded in capturing Warscheid without opposition. The 3rd Battalion remained in regimental reserve.
The 12th Infantry remained in division reserve.
The 22nd Infantry jumped off in the attack to the southeast at 0425. Company E captured the hill and at 1445 received a counterattack from the vicinity of Wiedermehlen which forced them to withdraw approximately 400 yards. Company F immediately counterattacked and drove the enemy from the hill. During the counterattack, Company G moved forward and captured Obermehlen. At 1500, Company G repulsed a counterattack. The 1st Battalion advanced against light resistance to capture the high ground and at 1500, it repulsed a counterattack coming from the vicinity of Steinmehlen.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Today started off with a very special e-card from my husband, he is deployed in Iraq with HHC 1/66 Armor out of Ft. Hood, Texas. We are so glad that we only have 2 months to go till he comes home, it seemed like redeployment would never come. He seems in good spirits other than he is homesick and more than ready to pick up on "normal" life again. We were very lucky because he was able to come home on R&R during Christmas, although it was very tough when he had to go back. The moment my husband left, I went back to worrying about him, which is something I have become very good at during this deployment. He always makes it a point to tell me not to, but it is something that no one who has loved ones in combat can do. I would like to say that I am very proud of the job my husband has done, and I am very proud off the GREAT job the soldiers are doing. May God bless all; the soldiers coming home soon, those who are just starting out, and the families that are about to become separated from their loved ones and those being reunited.
2) Heard from my son who is with B Co 1-22 4ID. He said things were quiet there right now and that they all were looking forward to packing up and coming home soon. He said that he still dreaded the convoy trip back to Kuwait though and to keep the prayers going. He said that they had a memorial service there for PFC Dervishi and that he was a really good friend to everyone and a good soldier also. He also re-inlisted for 3 more years of service this week and although it worries me I couldn't be any prouder of him.
3) I heard from my husband last night (204 FSB). He said things are going good! He was still happy about the steak dinners from Outback (even days later), said it was the best meal in months! Thank you so much, Outback, for feeding our soldiers! Although he said, "I can't wait to come home and have home cooked meals, nothing will beat that!" Everyone remember - our soldiers will be home soon - don't be dissappointed that they can't tell us when - they will be here when it's time for them to come home - be patient and God bless!
4) As I write this, my son is making final preparations to deploy from Vilseck, Germany, to Iraq with 1st ID. I know all family and friends, as well as the soldiers of the 4th are counting the days - the minutes - until they all get home! BUT - please, soldiers of the 4th, when my son, and all your replacements, come to relieve you, PLEASE help them with all the advise and preparation you can, so that they will survive. I read about the soldiers of the 4th getting ready to return, and it's bittersweet news, as my own soldier is about to meet you there, in Iraq..... On another note, I want tell you about a wonderful incident that I witnessed on Christmas Eve. I was at LAX, waiting for my son's flight to get in from Germany. My son has always been told not to wear BDUs and DCUs while traveling, for obvious reasons. Security had been extremely heightened during the holidays, and everyone had these fears in the back of their minds. Anyway, an International flight arrived before my son's, and I passed the time by watching all the arriving travelers come down the escalators and meet their families, etc. I noticed a tall, handsome young soldier disembark, wearing his desert DCUs (proudly, I am sure.) And he was met by his family, that all wore USA emblazened shirts, waving the American flag. They all cried and hugged and laughed, and you wouldn't believe it - ALL THE PEOPLE IN THAT WHOLE TERMINAL AREA (including many people from other countries, in all kinds of different native dress, etc.) BURST INTO SPONTANEOUS APPLAUSE AND CHEERS. It made me cry, not only because I, also, was meeting my soldier and could empathisize, and not only because it was a beautiful incident, but I remember meeting my soldier returning in 1971, when he was spit on and sworn at. I'm very thankful that times have changed. (I am not advocating for or against wearing your BDUs, or any military dress while traveling Internationally, you have to do whatever your commanding officers recommend.) But I thought you'd all be interested in this heart-warming story.
5) These updates have been so dear to me. Thank-you. I heard from my son today. Task Force Iron Horse, 4th ID, C/3-66. Attached to the 1-22nd. The connection was the worst ever. He re-enlisted today. I am so proud of him. I didn't want him to re-enlist. I wanted him home. But he is a grown man and is following his heart and that is big! So for that I am proudl. He is ready to come home. We are ssssooooo ready to see him. God bless our soldiers.
6) Just wanted to share with you that we heard from our daughter (Medic, HHC/1-4 Avn Regt) Monday morning and I was able to talk to her about 45 minutes. I wasn't expecting to hear from her until the first of March. She moved back to Balad Sunday and didn't know if she would have a means of communication. She had been in Balad until around Thanksgiving, then was moved to Tikrit. She was anxious to get back to her "boys" in Balad and make sure they were all right. She had told us she was up for a promotion to E4 but didn't know when she would be pinned. When they arrived in Balad her commander lined everyone up and they didn't know what was going on. He then began giving her orders for her promotion and pinning. When asked to make a speech, she was so excited she was speechless for the first time ever. She told me she couldn't have been more proud to have been pinned there at that time and place in front of her "boys". I will have to say I don't think we could have been more proud of her either. She added that she had only been in Balad three hours when the mortars hit. They were standing outside their tent and saw them hit. One hit the third tent down from them. They grabbed their medic bags and ran to them.... She will be in an advanced convoy going to Kuwait to help set up the medical aid station. This is something she is very excited about especially since it will be one big step closer to being home. I am one proud Army mom and I continue to ask God to bless all these soldiers that are guarding our freedom. (Bob, I think you might guess who our medic soldier is.) (Editor's Note: Yes, it's the soldier whose fiance I had lunch with today).
7) Thank you to the parent of the son who is with A Company, 1st Battalion of the 12th Inf. for the information on the Defend America site. My son is also with this unit. While I was unable to spot my son, I made copies of the photos for my son's scrapbook. I'm sure he knows the soldiers in those photos. A special thanks to you, Bob, for making this all possible, keeping us informed and helping us get through this. I truly feel a part of the 4th ID family. God Bless!
8) My husband, a SGT with 46th Chem/2nd Chem BN, is due home very, very soon. I was trying to find a quality banner to hang from our quarters for his return. I see a lot of handmade ones, and we plan to do that as well, but I wanted one to add to the keepsake box. I scoured the web and ultimately found this place. A $25 banner! You can’t beat it. BannersFast.com. They are great! I know my husband is extremely busy packing and taking care of what he needs to do over there and this is my little way of taking care of him when he gets home. I thoroughly enjoy reading everyone’s stories and notes and am glad we are finally nearing the end. Our 2 year old is, too! May He bless you all richly and get our soldiers home safely! It has been a long 306 days [for our unit] but we are almost there!
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