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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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Attack at Iraqi Base Kills 8 Civilians
By MATT MOORE
Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP)--Two trucks packed with explosives blew up Wednesday outside a Polish-run base south of Baghdad after coalition forces opened fire on the suicide bombers racing toward them. Eight Iraqi civilians were killed and at least 106 people were wounded, many of them coalition soldiers.
The two drivers also were killed, according to the U.S. military, but no information about their identities was available.
Also Wednesday, U.S. troops reported capturing seven suspected militants believed linked to al-Qaida in a raid in the central Iraqi city of Baqouba. Troops from the 4th Infantry Division carried out the raid targeting an "anti-coalition cell'' that may have ties to Osama bin Laden's terror group, a statement from U.S command said.
Seven suspects specifically targeted in the raid and 15 other people were detained, the statement said.
Baqouba is in the so-called ``Sunni Triangle,'' north and west of Baghdad, the heartland of anti-U.S. violence in Iraq...........
In the suicide assault, the Polish commander of the region, Gen. Mieczyslaw Bieniek, called the bombings near the base in Hillah, 60 miles south of Baghdad, a ``well-coordinated attack.''
U.S. officials have predicted an increase in attacks as the June 30 date for the transfer of sovereignty to Iraq approaches. Some insurgents fear their campaign could lose steam once power is returned to Iraqis, U.S. officials believe. However, major differences remain on how to choose a new government.
"The enemy's strategy is fairly clear,'' coalition military commander Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez told reporters Wednesday in Tikrit. "They plan to isolate us from the Iraqi people.'' .....
The violence also came as members of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council distanced themselves further from the U.S. idea of holding regional caucuses to elect an interim government after the planned June 30 handover of power.
In Baghdad, Mouwafak al-Rubaie, a Shiite Arab member of the Governing Council, said Wednesday that the idea of using caucuses was "gone with the wind,'' adding that the only solution palatable to Iraqis are general elections, as demanded by Shiite clerics.
"Anything else will make things worse and the results will be damaging to Iraq,'' he said. "Only elections will give the legitimacy needed for any future political process or body.''
Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday that the United States was committed to giving the Iraqi people control of their country by July 1 but remained open to ideas from the United Nations about how to choose the interim government. The world body is expected to give a report this week.
On Tuesday, the United States also unveiled a list of 32 wanted people, including suspected cell leaders, former members of Saddam's military and regional Baath leaders thought to be helping the insurgency.
At least seven of the names were former colonels or other high-ranking officers in Saddam's military who held important posts in the Baath party. Atop the list, with a $1 million reward, is Mohammed Yunis al-Ahmad, a former top Baath Party official. Rewards between $50,000 and $200,000 were offered for the others.
AP-NY-02-18-04 1445EST
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press.
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'Coulter’s Place' Remembers Fallen Soldier
By U.S. Army Spc. Benjamin R. Kibbey / 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
FORWARD OPERATING BASE IRONHORSE, Tikrit, Iraq, Feb. 18, 2004 — Since the beginning of Coalition operations in Iraq, there has been effort throughout the theater to improve the quality of life for soldiers, including providing such amenities as Internet and satellite phones.
Before he was killed by an improvised explosive device Nov. 17, Chief Warrant Officer Alexander Scott Coulter worked to provide that kind of communication to Soldiers in Task Force Ironhorse.
When the soldiers Coulter served with in the 124th Signal Battalion opened their own morale building - complete with Internet, phones and American Forces Network satellite TV - it only seemed appropriate to dedicate it to the memory of Coulter.
The 800-square-foot wooden structure consists of a TV room and cubicles dedicated for six phones and 18 laptop computers connected to the Internet.
The construction is plywood, with tin for the roof. On the front, to the left of the door, hangs a simple, yet well-made sign: Coulter’s Place.
“He gave his life to build these systems just like this all across the division,” said Maj. Doug Babb, the battalion executive officer, during the dedication ceremony Feb. 1.
Coulter did not work on the building because it was still in the planning stages at the time, but he set up many similar facilities around Task Force Ironhorse area, said Babb, a resident of Harker Heights, Texas.
The actual structure was built by a group of soldiers from the 124th known as Lightning Tiger, said Staff Sgt. C.W. Anderson, a Jackson, Miss. native who designed the building and helped construct it.
The work began in late November, and was completed by the end of January, with a small crew working throughout the day, rain or shine.
“At any given time, there was only three of us here,” said Spc. Laura Gauthier, a Brasher Falls, N.Y. native assigned to the 124th.
“You had the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker,” she joked, noting that one of the other workers, Spc. Marty Neofotist, a member of the 234th Signal Battalion - an Iowa National Guard unit attached to the 124th - actually is a butcher in his civilian job in Monticello, Iowa.
Others from the battalion helped to put on the finishing touch, a three-sided sandbag wall to protect against mortars, said Neofotist.
Those three Lightning Tiger members, who were present for the ceremony, helped to cut the ribbon on the building along with 4th Infantry Division Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Fuss.
Once the ribbon was cut and the cloth that had draped the sign memorializing Coulter was removed, members of the battalion streamed through the door, ready to try out this latest connection to their loved ones back home.
With the sound of American Forces Network in the background, and the next room buzzing with the activity from the phones and electronic gear, Babb noted the lasting impact of the work Coulter did for fellow soldiers.
“We dedicated the building to him because of the impact he had on the entire unit,” he said. “This building is an ongoing legacy to him and his life.”
(Spc. Benjamin R. Kibbey is a member of the 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, an Army Reserve unit from Columbus, Ohio. He is currently deployed to Southwest Asia with the 4th Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom)
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/feb2004/a021804b.html
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U.S. flag insignia to be worn by all
By Sgt. 1st Class Marcia Triggs
February 17, 2004 WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 17, 2004) -- All Soldiers can now wear the U.S. flag insignia on the right shoulder of their utility uniform, as a continued reminder that the Army is engaged in a war at home and abroad.
“The flag has been around for years to identify deploying troops. Now based on the Army’s joint expeditionary mindset, the flag represents our commitment to fight the war on terror for the foreseeable future,” said Sgt. Maj. Walter Morales, the uniform policy chief for G1.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker approved the uniform item Feb. 11, and all Soldiers have until Oct. 1, 2005 to get the insignia sewn on their uniforms.
A message on the uniform policy went out to the force Feb. 14, announcing "the current policy of deployed Soldiers wearing the U.S. flag on utility uniforms is expanded to include all Soldiers throughout the force regardless of deployment status."
Currently there are not enough flags in the inventory, which is why Soldiers have a substantial amount of time to get the flags sewn on, Morales said. Deploying troops have the priority. Everyone else will have to wait until the Defense Logistics Agency has more in stock, he said. An estimated 30 million flags need to be procured, he added.
Enlisted Soldiers will not have to purchase the flags. They will be issued five flags from their assigned unit, and commanders will make arrangements for getting the insignia sewn on, Morales said. However, if Soldiers purchase the flags on their own, they will not be reimbursed, he added.
When purchasing the flag, the only ones authorized for wear on the uniform is the reverse field flag in red, white and blue. Subdued flags and those in other colors are in violation of U.S. code, Morales said. Individuals should comply with Army Regulation 670-1, Wear and Appearance of the Army Uniform and Insignia.
The regulation still states that Soldiers are not authorized to wear the full-color cloth U.S. flag replica upon their return to home station. However, the latest change will be added to the regulation when it is revised sometime this year, Morales said.
Nothing has changed regarding the placement of the flag, Morales said. It is sewn ½ inch below the shoulder seam. If a combat patch is also placed on the right shoulder, the flag is sewn 1/8 inch below the combat patch.
“The flag is worn on the right shoulder to give the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward,” Morales said. “This will serve as a vivid reminder that our nation is at war.”
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A reminder on an important project that one of our TF Ironhorse wives has tackled:
LADIES OF THE IRONHORSE
I have been recieving wonderful articles from you. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to send something. It is still not too late to send in your submissions. Please remember that this project is geared toward what has encouraged soldier's families. Our part of the battle is to keep things going at home so that our soldiers can do their jobs. I would really like to see this project become something to
encourage other families who will soon be facing similar circumstances. The information is still the same. Send your submissions to rheggle@yahoo.com. In the subject box please put "Ironhorse Project" so I know that it is valid mail. If you have not heard from me please send me your submission again. I either did not get it or
else I did not open it because I was not sure if it was legitimate e-mail. Thanks again for those of you who have taken the time to write something.
(Editor's Note: Purpose of this project is not a tribute to your specific soldier as some of you have sent - it is more general in nature of how you can help others with your experiences).
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany:
19 February 1945 - D+259
The enemy continued to employ harassing small arms, artillery and mortar fire. Noise of tracked vehicles was heard on the Weinsheim-Dausfeld road between 0300 and 0400.
The 4th Division continued on a defensive mission while the remainder of VIII Corps continued the attack against the Siegfried Line. Active patrolling was conducted by the infantry regiments and ambush patrols were established on the west bank of the Prum river.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) An amazing thing happened to me at work yesterday. I got an email from my son (3rd BCT, Fort Carson) asking when I'd be home because he had access to Yahoo messenger and "web cam". I jumped up and told my boss I was going home. When I arrived and logged on to my computer -- I received an "invite" to view his web cam...I clicked yes...and there he was! Oh my goodness, I can't even begin to tell you how quickly the tears started to flow. He looked so wonderful and yet so different too. I had read several times in your updates that loved ones were getting the opportunity to "chat" with their soldier and was always somewhat envious -- well, no more! We didn't talk about the redeployments...remember - loose lips....instead I just caught him up on everything going on at home. However, I did tell him that blizzards and hurricanes couldn't keep me away from Fort Carson -- I'll make that 19 hour drive just to be there to welcome him home!
2) Just wannted to tell you our Soldier of the 101st had an awesome welcome home from our town. Live band, beer, food, and fun. FOX19 was on hand to get the story and about 70 friends and family and our hometown American Legion #59 gave him an honorary membership from the commander and veterans there. We pulled off an awesome surprise for this soldier! Best of luck to all those planning and God Bless all our troops till we see them again. Thanks for your service, guys, we miss you but you are doing the country proud and the families stand behind you 101%! Go Screamin' Eagles and WELCOME HOME EVERYONE!
3) Hello Bob I have some wonderful news to share. Our son with 1-12th 3rd BCT Ft. Carson surprised me yesterday. I happened to walk past the PC and saw his name flashing... well guess what, he was able to let me view him on a web cam!! Oh what joy to see him in his vest and BDU's, looking so proud...with his usual charming smile. I was brought to tears by the sight. Then all of a sudden he said,"Hey Mom, can you let me see you?" I felt so silly, I never thought of showing myself to him. So he got to see Mom, too!. Wow, what technology we have. It was very short but so priceless. I also want to add I, too, would deeply appreciate any info about Ft. Carson redeployment news. I have talked to my son who really wants us to come. But being a mom and living far away from the area, news is sparse. I really don't know what to do. So I am hoping for any info that may come to you as well. WOW, 6 weeks sounds so beautiful!
4) I don't think I've made it through one of your updates without at least welling up with tears. Usually they end up streaming down my face by the time I get to this section. It's great to hear that other wives are going through the same things I am and since I chose to go back home to be close to my family, I didn't really have as much access to the FRG support as I wish I could have. Thanks to you and all the other family members for the stories and great advice. It's been a real learning experience. With that said, my husband (1-68AR, HHC Support), called today and was excited to tell me that they sent their advance party back to Ft Carson, so that
means they should be moving out to Kuwait in a couple of weeks. Yay! I'll be going back out there in mid March so I can square everything away before he comes home and so I can meet him with a great big, and long awaited, HUG! God Bless all of our Troops! A Proud Army Wife.
5) My soldier son (1-22 Alpha Co) called last week and said he would be in the advance party coming home and should be home within 2 weeks. He had heard rumors that he would be leaving from Tikrit for Kuwait around the 15th. He called yesterday and said he was told he would have to take care of his medical records and then be home a few days after that. So...just to let you know what we are hearing from him but really are still "up in the air" on his arrival home. It is obvious he was not part of the advance party since they arrived yesterday (just part of advance party arrived yesterday, more is still to come). Surprisingly, this "not knowing" and being in limbo of his arrival home has become just as emotional, if not more, than when we were waiting on Turkey to let the 4th ID in, hoping beyond hope that they would not go at all. I might add that he got married just 2 weeks before he deployed and this mother, step-father, grandmother, grandfather, sister, and father WILL BE in Ft. Hood when that plane comes down on Texas soil (all the way from Florida!)
6) My Boyfriend is with HHC/1-67 at Camp Scunion. We have been so fortunate to be able to e-mail each other on a regular basis in the past two months and I think that I got spoiled. When I didn't hear from him for a few days, I started to get a little concerned. Within a day or so of my initial concern, I did receive a message that he was in Qatar for a well deserved "vacation". He sounded so excited describing getting a chance to take a long, hot shower, washing clothes in a real washing machine and getting to sleep in a real bed on a real mattress! His enthusiasm reminded me of a very excited little boy at Christmas receiving the one thing from Santa that he had wanted all year long!...He was able to sleep in, (all the way to 10:00) have a couple of cappucinos at his own pace and do a little shopping...or BIG shopping....he ordered a Harley-Davidson. (Now Bob....I know that you are against these big purchases following a re-deployment, have no fear,....he had been talking about this for a year before he went to Iraq)....He also ran into some college buddies at a restuarant. He was excited about that one! ....All in all a great break, he stated, and the perfect motivation that he neeeded to gear up for all the prep work that needs to be done to bring everyone home safely. ... Personal note, thank you for the cockroach analogy... It was a very motivating message that really struck a cord for me personally and professionally. Your advice is heard and will be followed.
7) My son is with the 588th eng. bn. bravo co. 4th I D in Baqubah. When he first left in early July it was very hard for us not knowing what was going on. My brother is a retired 1st sarg. from the 101st airborne, he gave me an old computer so I could email my son. He told me that the Army takes care of its own . That's a true statement if there ever was one. My brother's son is with the101st . He re-enlisted while he was over there. We hadn't seen any pictures of our son until a week ago. Our son told us to get a Nov. 24th issue of Newsweek magazine and look for the article ABOUT FACE IN IRAQ. I went to the library and found a copy, and sure enough there he was in the picture. It was so good to see him. I tell him he is a hero, but he says he is just doing his job. It's more than that. I grew up a military brat. The men and women that serve in the armed forces are true heros one and all and deserve the country's thanks. I pray God's Blessings on them and on you Mr. Babcock.
8) I had the greatest realization yesterday as I ran my errands, dragging my kids around... I GET TO GO GROCERY SHOPPING NEXT PAYCHECK FOR MY HUSBAND!!! Never did I think that I would be so excited to go grocery shopping. I haven't been able to shop for him for food that is going to stay in the house (rather then be sent in a package) in 330 days and I can't wait! I, of course, will wait to pick up those "big, fat steaks" and fresh fruit he has been craving until his arrival day, but come payday I will be running to get that 6 pack of Corona and limes! I know that the next big trip to the grocery store I will be beaming ear to ear knowing why this trip is more than just 'milk and bread' while I push my kids quickly down the aisles! See you soon 4ID!!! (Editor's Note: Hooah!!)
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Redeployment Tips:
1) From a Rear Detachment Commander: Vehicle Prep: Look at insurance policies and restore original coverage if you decreased the amounts during the deployment. I would use a date around 1 April (sooner or later based on individual expected return dates) to start the coverage back up. Check plates and registrations. Check your Texas state inspection. Check Post Stickers and renew. These are ankle biters that will make your spouses return far less stressful.
2) Not much information is out there yet but as it becomes available, the 4th Infantry Division web page at: http://pao.hood.army.mil/4id/ will be updated with redeployment news. It will include instructions on getting a car inspection and pass to get on post and other information that many of you are asking me. Currently there are links to the Chambers of Commerce for Killeen, Copperas Cove and other surrounding towns. That's a good source of locating hotels and start making your reservations. I'll include a notice in an update when more good information is out there on that web page, or you can just keep checking for yourself.
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