Posted on 01/04/2005 5:57:07 PM PST by airborne
"it is about them and they are what is important."
That's her outlook. It's never about her, it's about her group, or her unit, or the troops. But, isn't that what makes a soldier? It's not about you, it's about the mission and your fellow soldiers, she instinctively knows that.
Then she has a Warrior's Heart, she is what makes the journey bearable and that heart is what will bring them back with more integrity and character then they ever imagined. The true American Patriots......Pray that they have leadership worthy of that character and I will agree with you.
"The true American Patriots"
I've studied the American Revolution. I've read things about women during that time. I can see her spirit in those women, (I'd be one of them) only now women can be officially in the military. I know many don't like it. But, it's an option for women, they don't have to register for the SS, yet many want to serve. Some are over the top with there feminism, but she's comfy, not bitching and moaning about not being able to drive a tank, most women are just trying to help our country.
January 12, 2005
Iraqi boy helps lead troops to diffusion of roadside bomb
(TFO Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (January 12, 2005) – Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) were able to defuse a roadside bomb after an Iraqi boy provided them with information about the bomb in northern Iraq January 10.
Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment were on patrol in Mosul when an Iraqi child informed them of a roadside bomb in the area. The tip led to the diffusion and destruction of the bomb. No injuries were reported and the child was compensated for his service.
I thought you two might have some interesting stories to share.
Thank you for the invite. I am the proud father of a 21 year old combat medic who is now part of the 1-25th Stryker Brigade Support Battalion. She arrived there on Christmas Eve as replacement. Sounds like some here may have loved ones at the same base (FOB Marez). She (we) are two weeks into this and I haven't adjusted as yet, but she is loving it and proud to be where she is. Her time is spent working in the TMC by day and guard towers by night. She has commented that she is amazed at the quality of people around her, and bet she is speaking of some of those already mentioned on here. I will enjoy checking in.
He's with Co. C of the 1-25th Stryker Brigade.
I wouldn't be surprised if they run into each other.
If he finds himself at the TMC, hopefully for no more than aspirin or something, tell him to ask if any of the medics are Okies.
January 12, 2005
ISF and MNF increase in number as elections near
(TFO Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (January 12, 2005) – In an effort to provide enhanced security and stability for the January 30 elections Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces have increased the number of troops in northern Iraq.
Over the past month the number of Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces has increased greatly in the Mosul area to include the activation of Iraqi National Guard units, Iraqi Regular Army basic training graduations, and Coalition Forces moving more troops into the area.
The increase in Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces will provide additional security to allow the citizens of Iraq to vote.
Medic earns combat badge
Monday, January 10, 2005
JEREMIAH STETTLER
THE SAGINAW NEWS
Neither bullets nor fear had time to hit a Saginaw native as his armored vehicle came under fire in the streets of Mosul, Iraq.
Spc. Michael Wachowicz, a U.S. Army medic, received the Combat Medical Badge this month for weathering an attack in which small-arms fire peppered his Stryker vehicle.
Wachowicz, 23, said the attack left little time for panic.
"You are so hyped up and caught up in the moment that all you can think of is getting out of there," Wachowicz told his wife. "It's a life-or-death situation."
Wachowicz's unit returned to camp intact.
The Arthur Hill High School graduate joined fellow medics in the 1st Brigade 25th Infantry Division in receiving the Combat Medical Badge -- an award given to medical personnel involved in ground combat while serving with the infantry.
Wachowicz joined the Army in October 2002 to pursue a medical career. He hopes to become an operating room technician.
Today, he is serving a one-year tour in Iraq as a medic. His wife and three young children are stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.
"We're thankful every time we hear from him," said his wife and high school sweetheart, Natalie Wachowicz, 22.
In the weeks after her husband's deployment to Iraq in October, Wachowicz recalled scouring television news around the clock, looking for any indication about how her soldier had fared in the insurgent-fraught city of Mosul.
She admittedly watches less television these days, but still perks an ear when Mosul is mentioned.
More than anything, Wachowicz fears another attack like the mess hall bombing that killed 14 U.S. soldiers and three American contractors outside Mosul in late December. Her husband had dined at that hall just days before.
"He always bragged that he never missed a meal," Wachowicz said.
Wachowicz said her husband continues to send electronic messages two or three times a week. She said he remains upbeat, even after the attack on his vehicle.
Iraqi Army finds large weapons cache, detain two
(TFO Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (January 14, 2005) – Iraqi Regular Army confiscated weapons, ammunition, and bomb equipment and detained two individuals during operations in northern Iraq yesterday.
Soldiers of the 101st Iraqi Regular Army discovered a cache of weapons and ammunition at a house in northeastern Mosul during cordon and search operations. The cache included 24 rocket propelled grenade warheads, rocket propelled grenade launchers, 18 sticks of dynamite, 10 mortar rounds, 120 mortar fuses, 200 blasting caps, detonation cord, hand grenades, and other bomb making equipment. The 101st also detained two individuals at the scene suspected of being associated with the cache. The suspects are in custody with no Iraqi Army injuries reported.
Military officials have said although the Mosul area is not completely safe, with each seizure and removal of dangerous weapons and detention of anti-Iraqi insurgents the situations is becoming safer. Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces have detained 97 individuals since January 5.
Project to ease overcrowding in Dahok
By Nicole Dalrymple, Gulf Region Northern District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
MOSUL, Iraq -- The construction of four brand-new schools for the children of Iraq’s northern-most province, Dahok, began in early January.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with local government officials, awarded $1.3 million for the construction of two 12-room two-story schools, one six-room kindergarten, and one nine-room secondary school on Dec. 28. All work will be done by Dahok province contractors.
Several of Dahok’s schools were constructed in the late 70’s and early 80’s through a United Nations program. Since then, the schools have deteriorated due to lack of funds and resources for maintenance. Many have leaking roofs, inoperable plumbing, no potable water, no windows and no heat.
About 100 Dahok schools are getting much needed renovations under separate contracts, but an even greater need remains. For several months the Dahok government has asked repeatedly for new schools, not just renovations. The school system currently supports approximately 200,000 students, said Anwer Mohammed Hassa, head of planning for the Ministry of Education.
“We have about 200,000 kids in the province and that includes kindergarten, primary and secondary schools,” he said. “New schools are very important.”
Classrooms can be filled with as many as 60 to 80 students at a time, said Mike Posovich, program manager for the Corps’ Northern District’s Building, Health and Education Sector. Some schools run three separate shifts of students daily to handle the need.
The problems with the schools have been growing over the years, said Hameed Salih, public relations representative for Dahok’s governor.
“Dahok was never considered part of Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s reign,” he said. “The province was completely neglected in the 70’s and 80’s.”
In 1988 when Hussein ordered the use of chemical weapons on the Kurds, many fled Iraq but others were forced to leave their villages and move into the cities, he said. The cities have become very overcrowded and the schools face severe shortages.
Following the Gulf War in 1992, the Kurds established their first local government, and although their capacity to do reconstruction was limited, they made efforts toward improvements.
“At the time we were under double sanctions,” Salih said. “The UN had sanctions against Iraq, and the Iraqi government had sanctions against the Kurds. It has been a very slow process.”
Now that Saddam is gone, the Dahok government wants to encourage its people to return to their villages. But, that is challenging.
“Many people have been living in the cities for over 20 years now,” Salih said. “To make them willing to move back, we know we need to provide the same services they’ve grown accustomed to in the cities. The focus right now is on schools, health care, water projects and electricity.”
In addition to these four schools, the governorate has 90 schools under construction. Fifteen have already been completed.
End of the year funds and a lot of hard work and dedication helped make the four schools a reality. Back in October Corps representatives from the Northern District visited the director generals in all seven provinces within its area of responsibility: Dahok, Diyala, Irbil, Kirkuk, Ninewa, Salah Ad Din and Sulaymaniyah. It was at this meeting that Dahok officials explained their desire for new schools to the Corps.
“It has taken a lot of effort to get these four schools,” Posovich said. “It has been very important to involve the local officials and have their approval. Up to this point we haven’t been able to deliver the government’s most pressing needs. But now with these new schools we are helping them address a real serious problem. When the end of the year funds became available we saw the opportunity to make things happen for Dahok. The ministry already had plans and specs on the shelf so that helped us move forward quickly.”
The bid process was accelerated to meet the required end-of-year start date. The initial proposals of work were sent out on Dec. 23 and bids were opened on Dec. 25. In order to compete, all vendors had to be from Dahok province, as well as members of the contract union. The bids received were disappointing. All but one of the bids came back twice as high as the reasonable estimate.
“The bids were as high as $900 thousand for one school,” Posovich said. “The vendors were unwilling to reassess their bids and the government suspected collusion. All but one of the vendors was disqualified by the governor.”
The proposals were re-advertised in hopes that more reasonable bids would be received. Bids from 21 vendors were opened on Dec. 28 and, thanks to more realistic bids, all four schools were awarded. The contracts were signed and a preconstruction meeting was held that evening.
The process was a success thanks to cooperation between the Corps, local Project and Contracting Office representatives, U.S. Army Civil Affairs personnel in the area and Dahok officials.
It was important we involve the local officials in the selection process, Posovich said. Earlier this year an Arab contractor was brought in to do renovations on the Kurdish province’s schools. Work was stopped because the contractor did not have local support. We needed their approval to move the process forward. The government also has experience working with these contractors and their input is extremely valuable.
“It took a long time to translate promises into action,” Salih said. We are all happy to see progress being made. Very soon our people will have new schools.”
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