This page www.a-1-8.org: /Docs/activeunit/12-05hearing.php last modified on April 12, 2005 10:42 AM
| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
Active Unit News
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
Click to Send us your news
Another day with relatively little news on the 4ID - and none of it is bad news. As we go into another weekend, I'll be rooting for Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game and Georgia in the Southeast Conference title game. And I had another great Instant Message chat yesterday - this time with an A/1-8 Infantry soldier in Balad, Iraq, who is from Chipper Jones' home town in Florida. As always, I am very impressed with the positive attitude and pride our soldiers have in what they are doing. Among other things, we discussed our mutual pride in having earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
As is my practice for the past two months, there will not be an update this weekend, next one will be on Monday, December 8. Have a great first weekend in December.
========================
U.S. Seeks to Cut Off Money to Guerrillas
By JIM KRANE
.c The Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP)- The U.S. military has begun staging raids on Iraqi smugglers to cut the cash pipeline to Iraqi insurgents who are believed to pay attackers for bombings and strikes against U.S. troops.
U.S. military strategists believe that in just over a month, the insurgency will face a financial crisis when old Iraqi dinar notes bearing the face of Saddam Hussein will be worthless. The military wants to deepen the crisis by launching raids on black marketeers thought to be funding the guerrilla movement.
``If we can stop the money, we can stop the insurgency,'' a coalition military official in Baghdad told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Many strikes are carried out by hired attackers, he said Thursday, so the United States is going after the ``paymasters.''
The insurgency's need for funds was highlighted by coordinated attacks in the northern city of Samarra, where bands of guerrillas lay in wait at two banks awaiting the delivery of dinars - setting off firefights with U.S. troops that claimed dozens of Iraqi lives.
The guerrillas are thought to be funding the insurgency with the former regime's stockpiles of old dinar notes, or by counterfeiting the relatively simple Saddam notes, which are now being exchanged for new, Saddam-free notes.
As the currency approaches expiration on Jan. 15, at least four U.S. Army units have either started or plan to launch new operations targeting the guerrilla financiers.
At the same time, insurgent groups have shown an increasing desperation for hard currency.
U.S. military officials have said individual payments for attacks have risen in past months, and now range from $150 to $500 per attack, making financiers scramble for funds.
U.S. military convoys supplying banks with new Iraqi dinars have been ambushed on six occasions - a sign of the insurgency's increasing desperation for money to fund its fight, according to military officials in Baghdad and Washington.
The military is launching a series of counter-funding moves targeting ``paymasters'' who finance bomb workshops and hire mercenaries.
Earlier this week, Brig. Gen. Mark Hertling of the Army's 1st Armored Division said the unit would soon embark on Operation Iron Justice, an anti-smuggling and corruption drive aimed at breaking financial links to Baghdad's insurgent groups. Hertling said 1st Armored would aim at smugglers of gasoline, cooking fuel and other items.
``Our human intelligence suggests a link between price gouging and the financing of these networks,'' division commander Brig. Gen. Martin Dempsey said.
The Army's 4th Infantry Division will soon launch a similar effort, dubbed Operation Ivy Cyclone II, while the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment is readying Operation Bayonet Lightning, the coalition official said. The Army's 173rd Airborne (part of TF Ironhorse) also launched raids this week seeking rebel financiers.
The U.S.-led raids have seized more than $100 million since the end of major combat May 1, the coalition military official said.
Many of the foreign fighters coming into Iraq are joining the guerrillas simply as paid mercenaries, the coalition official said.
``The 'rat lines' are generally bringing in foreign fighters to fight for money,'' the official said. They're ``not the ideologues that many back in (Washington) D.C. suggest.''
Military officials have not said whether they've developed a plan to thwart insurgents from simply exchanging old dinars for new currency. The Washington defense official said anybody exchanging large amounts of old cash should raise a red flag, as with narcotics traffickers in the United States.
The currency exchanges have safeguards that can be used to delay exchanges of more than 5 million dinars at a time while authorities are contacted, said Karen Triggs, a Coalition Provisional Authority spokeswoman.
She said many of the exchange points are guarded by Iraqi police and coalition troops, and bank tellers are able to call on them in the event of suspicious transactions.
``Coalition security services are watching the bad guys known to them very carefully throughout the dinar exchange,'' Triggs said.
Associated Press Writer John J. Lumpkin in Washington contributed to this report.
12/05/03 03:32 EST
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.
==================
I don't know for sure but I suspect that Oliver North may be featuring the 4ID and 3-66 Armor on his Sunday night "War Stories" show on Fox News cable channel. He recently returned from another trip to Iraq that was spent very much with 4ID and 3-66 Armor.
townhall.com
Mainstream media madness
Oliver North
December 5, 2003
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When I returned from Iraq last spring, President George W. Bush was being pilloried in the so-called mainstream media for landing on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln and congratulating the crew for their 10 month deployment in the Persian Gulf. As I stowed my backpack at home after being embedded for months with our troops, Sen. Robert Byrd was on television castigating the commander in chief for being a "deskbound president who assumes the garb of a warrior" and accusing President Bush of "flamboyant showmanship" and "self congratulatory gestures."
Last week, I returned from another trip to Iraq for FOX News, and as I made my way home, the barons of bombast in our Fourth Estate were blasting President Bush -- this time for his secret Thanksgiving trip to Baghdad where he served dinner to the troops he leads. Once again, the rhetorical assault ran the gamut from merely mean-spirited to downright vicious. His visit to those serving in harm's way was variously described as "an unnecessary risk for a campaign photo-op," to "lying to the press regarding his whereabouts," all the way to the ludicrous claim that he went all the way to Baghdad to "upstage Sen. Hillary Clinton."
Thus far, the White House has largely refused to dignify these political and media jibes with a wholesale counterattack. "President Bush," one senior aide assured me, "has the hide of an armadillo." The president's father even went so far as to present Ted Kennedy with a "humanitarian award" after the Massachusetts liberal described Operation Iraqi Freedom as "a fraud cooked up in Texas."
But this isn't just a matter of hurt feelings in the Oval Office. These political and media attacks are part and parcel of a pattern that goes well beyond any legitimate critique of policy to an assault on the personal motivations of the man responsible for protecting the nation -- and the safety of more than 130,000 young Americans fighting a war far from home.
During World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, there were frequent heated debates over the wisdom of certain strategies, resource allocations, troop levels, the national debt and even postwar reconstruction. But none of it was aimed at the motives of Presidents Wilson, Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy or Johnson in prosecuting the wars that occurred during their tenure. Even the volatile clash that led to President Nixon's resignation wasn't focused on his handling of the Vietnam War -- but on his re-election activities.
That's not the case today. After two trips to Iraq this year and listening carefully to those who go to work wearing camouflage, flak jackets and ballistic protective helmets, it's clear that the media's unabated animus and hyperventilated political hostility aimed at President Bush is now adversely affecting the outcome of the war on terror. It hasn't diminished our troops' morale or their affection for their commander in chief -- but it has encouraged our enemies.
The Baathists, who pay to build Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), provide RPGs to fire at convoys, orchestrate mortar and rocket attacks, and finance Jihadist-suicide bombings, know American politics better than they know military tactics. They watch American television on their pirate satellite dishes and read American newspapers online. They know that when they kill an American soldier, blow up a Humvee or even shoot down a U.S. helicopter, the action is militarily insignificant. But they also believe, based on what they see, hear and read in our media, that the U.S. public has a very low threshold for pain and that their nemesis -- George W. Bush -- is vulnerable.
The Baathists don't want the people of Iraq to go to the polls and vote -- but they know we are going to have an election next year. Captured "former regime loyalists" smugly tell interrogators that their goal is to simply "hang on" until the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2004. Then, they are convinced, "anybody but Bush" will move into the White House, and the United States will pull out of Iraq.
Remarkably, the deluge of negative commentary from opposition politicians and the press has done little to dampen the esprit of our troops. From the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, to the PFCs of the 3rd Battalion 66th Armor, with whom I lived and interviewed, they all know they are doing a tough job well. Re-enlistment rates, the surest barometer of military morale, remain at record high levels in all the units I visited in Iraq.
And for those in the press and politics who denigrate the commander in chief for his Thanksgiving Day trip to Baghdad, I offer this assessment, excerpted from an email I received from one of the warriors I came to know in Iraq:
"When the President stepped from behind the camouflage netting, the mess hall actually erupted. Troops bounded to their feet and began cheering with all their hearts. The building actually shook. I was absolutely stunned. There he stood, less than 30 feet away from me! Soldiers were hollering, cheering, and there was not a dry eye at my table. I could clearly see tears running down his cheeks. Here was this man, our president. He came all the way around the world, spending 17 hours on an airplane and landing at the most dangerous airport in the world, where a plane was shot out of the sky not six days before, just to spend two hours with his troops. Only to get on a plane and spend another 17 hours flying back. ... He looked me in the eye and said, 'How you doin', Captain?' I smiled and said, 'God bless you, sir,' to which he responded, 'I'm proud of what you do, Captain.'"
Enough said. How could the media have missed this?
Oliver North is host of Common Sense Radio with Oliver North and founder and honorary chairman of Freedom Alliance. Both are Townhall.com member groups.
©2003 Creators Syndicate, Inc.
=================
What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Bob, I just wanted to take a minute and thank all for sharing their news. My soldier was home for two weeks, arriving one week early and surprising me. He looked so much older and wiser in the eyes. He was very restless for about 9 days. By time the 10th day of the visit actually came he finally seemed to be able to relax. I did not ask him about Iraq. I was a good mother and only let him tell me what he wanted to when he wanted to. He made the most of his visit. He and his wife (they got married in Feb. right before he left in April) took a couple of days and drove down to Texas from IN and checked on their apartment, and he got his winter BDU coat to take back. All in all we had a good visit. I know not all the soldiers will get to come home for the two weeks and I will pray for peace in all of them. I feel fortunate that ours got to come home. Just one word to all who do have a soldier come home. Don't pressure them to tell you anything. It seems if you just give them time, they will eventually be able to relax and tell you what they want to. In a way they are still trying to protect us by not telling us of all the ugliness that war is. May God Bless all of Us and Protect all Our Soldiers. (No Unit Given)
2) At 2 am November 18th I was awakened by the sound of my doorbell. I ran down stairs thinking of course something bad had happened only to open the door to my husband. I can't tell you how many times my heart skipped a beat. It was a total surprise. We were able to go to Kentucky and surprise my mom on her birthday and then on to his family's for Thanksgiving. I was able to keep it a secret from them which was a job in itself. It truly was a wonderful time to give thanks. We had a busy fun filled 2 weeks which flew by. He left Tuesday night heading back to Iraq. It was much harder to watch him leave the second time but as we reminded each other we are on the down hill slide now. He left on my birthday (April 3rd) so that is my projected date of his return. He is with HDC 4th FSB 4ID in Tikrit. Proud Army Wife in Fort Hood Texas.
3) Our grandson (HHB 3-29 FA - Fort Carson) in on his way home for his two week leave - we'll have Christmas early and celebrate his 20th birthday late and his sister's 16th birthday. Oh what a wonderful holiday season - God has blessed us!!!! When he called he said that he wanted to sleep!!! We'll discuss other activities after he has rested!!! So many want to see him plus he wants to spend time with his buddies from high school. He can do whatever he wants. I already feel how hard to it is going to be to put him back on that plane to Iraq. We'll keep all the troops and families in our prayers this holy season.
4) I just got off instant messenger with my son, B CO, 1-67 AR, Camp Scunion, it is quite amazing after so many months with limited or no phone and only snail mail to depend on. He said he needed 2 things, which I had not heard before, coat hangers, since now they have permanent spaces (containers) and are building closets and also Scotch Guard (rainproofing spray) as the rains are heavy and long and they are out doing patrols of course. He will not be coming home until they all get to come back, I am so happy for all the families that get to have their soldiers home, but especially for the soldiers. I would love to know that my son got 1 day off to sleep!! God Bless them all and thank you for all the news.
5) My husband is a contractor currently stationed with the 4th Id in Tikrit. He has been there since March. I wanted to let you know that I sent him 3 packages with Christmas presents on November 13th and he actually received them before
Thanksgiving! I know a lot of people are concerned about the soldiers getting things in time for the holidays. The people who are working with the mail are doing a fabulous job. I have sent over 30 packages in the last 9 months and every single one has reached him just fine.
6) We finally got an email from our son who is a medic from the 1-10 Cav, 4ID. They are outside the Tikrit area, and he said they have been so busy running raids. He said he has seen more things than he cares to talk about. But on the good side, he said there were three things that were absolutely beautiful over there. He had gone into Tikrit to one of the palaces where the headquarters is, and looking out from the palace window over the Tigris, he said was absolutely breathtaking. Another is the sunrises and the sunsets. The last and most phenomonal, are the stars at night. Because there are no big city lights to dilute the darkness, he said the stars "twinkle and sing" from one horizon to the other. He said he had no idea they were that bright. It has caused me to stop and think, and to be grateful for the beauty of the creation God has given us..........and to be thankful, yet another day, for the safety of all of our soldiers. (Editor's Note: I have never seen stars so beautiful as I did from the jungles of Vietnam, I can identify with what this soldier has described).
7) Bob--we are so excited! Right now we are sitting in our son and daughter-in-law's home in Killeen, TX. He (E/1-10 CAV) got to come home on R/R Dec. 1. We came yesterday from AR and are keeping our five yr. old grandson and 22 mo. old granddaughter while their parents have some time alone together. What a priviledge to be able to be here. Our son looks and acts great. We are incredibly proud of him and all the others in Iraq who have and still are sacrificing so much for us. Our other son (101st) will not be able to come home on R/R or things would really be great! BUT---we are thankful for the blessings our family has and continues to receive. These daily updates have been such a help to us. We are grateful for your time given to all of us. At this most holy of seasons it seems right that our soldiers are going to continue in their pursuit of peace on earth. God Bless them all.
8) Our son (HHC/1-12/3BCT) phoned early Wednesday morning using a voice-over-internet phone connection. The clarity was excellent (best yet). He says that his location now has shared internet access for all soldiers there, including phone and IM capability, and that this has been a great morale booster for everyone. We agree. We like getting letters from him but the thrill of real time, "live" communication via phone or IM can't be beat. As more lines get set up, hopefully all soldier families will experience the same benefit. The weather is colder and wet. He thanked us for the sleeping bag and closed cell foam pad we sent.
9) My son is a medical specialist attached to the 4-42FA he has been with them since June of last year when he came back from 14 months in Korea, there he was with the 2nd Inf...that was his first duty station after he graduated AIT...so as you can see most of his Army life so far has been spent overseas.....not quite what he or us expected but that is how it is. But he did tell me today that he is with them on all of the raids that they go on....I didnt even realize that they went on raids until I read your update today....we don't really get any official information from his group..the first commander they had when they first went to Iraq would update us but only a few months after they were there they had a change of command so anytime I see a post from a family or anything in your update on them it is great to hear what is going on with them..
=====================
Back to Active Unit Main News Page