Posted on 02/22/2004 2:06:53 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
2nd BCT convoys through Iraq
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Two Soldiers from 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Rgt. provide security atop a HMMWV during a convoy stop north of Baghdad Feb. 5. Story by Spc. Sean Kimmons, 25th ID (L) Public Affairs KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (Light) convoyed more than 500 miles in a four-day period before arriving at their command posts in Northern Iraq. The convoys, dubbed Operation Koa -- the Hawaiian word for "Warrior," which is the 2nd Brigade motto -- were successfully completed by Saturday. About 600 vehicles made the journey from Kuwait to Kirkuk and arrived safely with all personnel and equipment. Task Force Gimlet -- comprised of units from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Bn., 11th Field Artillery Rgt., 125th Signal Bn., 125th Military Intelligence Bn., 25th Military Police Company, 225th Forward Support Bn., 1st Bn., 62nd Air Defense Artillery, 556th Personnel Service Bn., 65th Engineer Bn., 25th FA Detachment and Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 2nd Bde. -- began their convoy to Kirkuk Air Base Feb. 3. Lt. Col. Mark Dewhurst, commander of 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Rgt. commended the Soldiers for the fact that no member of Task Force Gimlet was injuried on the convoy from enemy contact. "The convoy was better than what could be expected," he said. "The biggest reason for that was every Soldier, non-commissioned officer and officer involved with our convoy were on top of their safety and security." "All in all we did not receive any enemy contact. I think a lot of it was well organized serials with combat power focused throughout the serial and the intimidating force we presented at every stop." Task Force Gimlet, Task Force Golden Dragon, which departed Feb. 2, and Task Force Wolfhound, which departed Feb. 4, each convoyed about 200 vehicles that were separated into five serials. None of the serials sustained injuries from enemy contact. Serial 3 of Task Force Gimlet was one of the safe and fortunate serials. It faced the same hazards as the other serials, but only encountered the problem of several flat tires. The possibility of hazards along the route wouldn't have stopped any serials from convoying, since convoys are the best solution to haul vehicles and equipment to forward operating bases. Convoys also give Soldiers a taste of what's to come during their deployment. "The convoy proved to be a positive experience for us to get out and actually conduct a real world convoy that didn't allow Soldiers to relax. That could help them prepare for their upcoming rotation," said Capt. Celester Thomas, Serial 3 convoy commander. Staff Sgt. Craig Andrews, senior treatment NCO for HHC, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Rgt., also felt the same, saying that the convoy "put me more in the mindset of being in a combat area. It was the first experience of actual combat with the fear that you could be attacked at any moment," he said. Andrews drove a Field Line Ambulance during the convoy and knew he could count on the Soldiers in his serial to provide security for him if he had to perform his job. Dewhurst's driver, Spc. Joel Angle from HHC, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Rgt., thought the differences from the way media has portrayed Iraq and its people to what really goes on was eye opening. In fact, during most of the convoy he received a sense of welcome from the Iraqi people. "I was really encouraged at the amount of support I felt driving along the streets," Angle said. "It seemed like everyone came running to the side of the street to wave when we passed by." Soldiers throughout the serials said they were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response from the Iraqi people along the convoy route. "It was exhausting because you were constantly concentrating on your surroundings by keeping your distance from the other vehicles, looking on the roadside for IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and being aware of people on the side of the street. By the end of the day you are ready to rack out," Angle said. Throughout the convoy, Soldiers witnessed what the destruction of three wars in two decades could do to a country. There were Iraqi children begging for food, one-room houses made from mud, destroyed Iraqi tanks and armored vehicles abandoned and buildings demolished by powerful explosives. One thing that was not a grim sight to the Soldiers were etched out pictures of Saddam Hussein seen in Baghdad and Tikrit, Hussein's birthplace. With the convoys behind them, the 2nd BCT is preparing to begin the second rotation of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Kirkuk Air Base, Soldiers of the 2nd BCT are in place with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The focus of their operations will be the city of Kirkuk. "We're doing our effort to support the global war on terrorism -- to defeat the terrorists that are still here who wish to do us and the Iraqi people harm, and to help rebuild Iraq so we can give the country back to its people," Dewhurst said. Other Soldiers from the 2nd BCT, along with their combat support assets, will also operate in the vicinity of Kirkuk. Additional 25th ID (L) and U.S. Army, Hawaii units have also arrived safely at their destinations in Iraq. The 1st Bn., 25th Avn. Rgt. is operating at Baghdad International Airport, the 540th Quartermaster Company is operating in Mosul and the 40th Quartermaster Company is operating in Al Taji.
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KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (Light) convoyed more than 500 miles in a four-day period before arriving at their command posts in Northern Iraq.
The convoys, dubbed Operation Koa -- the Hawaiian word for "Warrior," which is the 2nd Brigade motto -- were successfully completed by Saturday (Feb. 7). About 600 vehicles made the journey from Kuwait to Kirkuk and arrived safely with all personnel and equipment.
.....Soldiers throughout the serials said they were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response from the Iraqi people along the convoy route.
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Operation Koa - Warrior -4ID's doing some "base" improvements before their replacements arrive.....a good PX...+ extra showers in time for sandstorm season.
Please thank your son for me, and let him know we're praying for him.
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