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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. Soldiers Arrest Iraqi Extremist
By MATT MOORE
Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP)--U.S. soldiers and Iraqi police arrested 14 Iraqis, including a militant suspected of leading a terrorist cell made up of followers of the extremist Wahhabi sect of Sunni Islam, the military said Thursday.
Sami Ahmed and the others were captured late Wednesday near Baqouba, a hotbed of anti-coalition activity in the Sunni Triangle, north of Baghdad, said Maj. Josslyn Aberle of the Tikrit-based 4th Infantry Division.
Five Iraqi police were wounded in separate attacks in northern Iraq. And a U.S. Army spokesman said a rocket struck the green zone in Baghdad where the headquarters of U.S.-led occupation authority is located after five large explosions rumbled through the center of the capital late Wednesday. No injuries or damage were reported.
A roadside bomb went off as a U.S. military vehicle passed in the town of Hadid, north of Baghdad, wounding a 4th Infantry Division soldier, said Master Sgt. Robert Powell, an Army spokesman. U.S. soldiers arrested one Iraqi in relation to the attack and are searching for a second man who fled the scene on a motorcycle.
Insurgents fired a rocket-propelled grenade at U.S. soldiers guarding a building where U.S. officials were meeting Thursday with city council members in the city of Fallujah, witnesses and police said. The Americans arrested one Iraqi after storming a building from where the insurgents were firing, the witnesses said.
In Ramadi, where nearly 1,000 people rallied to condemn Tuesday's bombings at Shiite shrines, clerics and political leaders raged against the blasts, which threatened to turn Shiites against Sunnis if the bombers were found to have been Iraqi Sunni extremists. No group claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, Gen. John Abizaid, said Wednesday that there was evidence that al-Qaida-linked Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was behind the bombings.
An insurgent group in Fallujah, however, circulated a statement signed by the ``Leadership of the Allahu Akbar Mujahedeen'' claiming that al-Zarqawi was killed in northern Iraq ``during the American bombing there.'' The statement did not say when al-Zarqawi was supposedly killed, but U.S. jets bombed strongholds of the extremist Ansar al-Islam in the north last April as Saddam Hussein's regime was collapsing.
``The truth is, al-Qaida is not present in Iraq,'' the Mujahedeen statement said. Though many Arabs entered the country to fight U.S. troops, only a small number remain, the group said.
A coalition spokesman told The Associated Press the claim of al-Zarqawi's death was patently false.
Separately, insurgents struck an Iraqi police station and a police patrol in and around the northern city of Mosul on Thursday, wounding five policemen, including an officer, according to police and hospital officials.
U.S. and Iraqi officials disagreed over how many people died in Tuesday's bombings in Baghdad and Karbala--the deadliest here since the fall of Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi Governing Council said Wednesday that 271 people were killed. U.S. officials put the toll at 117.......
AP-NY-03-04-04 1045EST
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press.
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>From Central Command news release on 3-4-04:
4ID AND TF IRONHORSE OPERATIONS UPDATE
TIKRIT, Iraq - 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse conducted 196 patrols and four raids and captured 13 individuals Tuesday and Wednesday.
Twenty-eight of the patrols were joint operations conducted with the Iraqi police, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and Border Guard.
Weapons and equipment confiscated in raids and patrols throughout the Task Force Ironhorse area of operation include two AK-47 assault rifles, two machine guns, 370 mortar rounds, 85 fuses, 2,000 rounds of 14.5 mm antiaircraft ammunition, one rocket and four improvised explosive devices.
4th Infantry Division soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment conducted a raid Tuesday southwest of Abu Sayda. The raid was to capture an individual responsible for sniper attacks against coalition forces. The soldiers captured the individual along with two others, but discovered no weapons.
The Iraqi Police discovered an IED south of Baqubah Tuesday. The IED was a series of four partially buried 152 mm artillery rounds and was wired in a "daisy chain" for remote detonation. The police secured the area, and Iraqi Explosive Ordinance Detachment with Task Force Ironhorse soldiers from 558th Engineer Group disarmed the IED and removed it for later destruction.
Task Force Ironhorse aviators observed two individuals attempting to loot a weapons storage site Tuesday. The individuals were contained by the flight of OH-58D Kiowa Warriors until a combat patrol from 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment captured them. While on the scene, the soldiers discovered a cache of expended mortar rounds, 50 high-explosive mortar rounds and 21 mortar fuses. The cache was destroyed in place and the captured individuals were turned over to the Iraqi police.
A 4th Infantry Division, 4th Engineer Battalion combat patrol discovered a weapons cache west of Abu Shakur Tuesday. The soldiers secured 2,000 14.5 mm antiaircraft rounds and transported them to a secure location where explosive-ordnance-disposal personnel destroyed them.
4th Infantry Division aviators and soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team worked together using aircraft and a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle to observe six individuals attempting to emplace IEDs near Zaghiriyah Tuesday. An AH-64 Apache engaged the would-be attackers. Two individuals fled toward the town after the Apache broke contact. The TUAV provided surveillance over the site and observed one of the individuals who appeared to be wounded being helped into a vehicle by two others. Later the TUAV showed several individuals attempting to recover the remains of casualties from the site. An AC-130 gunship fired one round into the area and the individuals fled back to the town in vehicles. The TUAVs trailed the two vehicles to houses and soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment conducted a hasty raid on the residences. They captured five men, three of whom were wounded. One of the more seriously wounded was transported to the Baqubah hospital for treatment and is under guard by the Iraqi police. The others were taken to a nearby forward operating base for medical treatment and questioning.
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Article published Mar 3, 2004
Iraq Insurgents Launch Attack on U.S. Base
By PAUL GARWOOD
Associated Press Writer
TIKRIT, Iraq - Insurgents launched four mortars at the 4th Infantry Division's base in Tikrit on Wednesday, including one that landed near a dining hall during supper time. No one was hurt.
Five large explosions also rumbled through the center of Baghdad Wednesday night, and sirens sounded from the Green Zone where the headquarters of the U.S.-led occupation authority is located. The U.S. military press office said it had no information about where the blasts occurred.
In Tikrit, the 4th Division's commanding officer, Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno, told The Associated Press mortars were fired at the riverfront base from the opposite side of the Tigris River.
One of the mortars landed yards from the base's crowded dining facility but didn't explode. The other two exploded in unoccupied areas.
Bomb disposal soldiers defused the unexploded shell, along with another that failed to explode.
Soldiers saw three men running from the vicinity the mortars were fired from and into a house in a village near Ajiel, a town about a mile from Tikrit, according to Lt. Col. Steve Russell, commander of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division.
Soldiers surrounded the house but it wasn't immediately clear if any arrests were made, Russell said.
Tikrit is the hometown of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and is located in the Sunni triangle, a hotbed of anti-American activity.
The 4th Infantry Division, which has operated in Tikrit and throughout most of northern Iraq for about a year, has launched an aggressive campaign to root out insurgents and destroy stockpiles of weapons believed to be used in attacks against coalition soldiers.
The division is in the process of redeploying to the United States and is being replaced by the 1st Infantry Division, from Germany.
Copyright 2004. Associated Press.
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Thanks to FRG Leaders and Rear Detachment:
I am receiving lots of notes from our readers wanting to thank their specific unit FRG leaders and the Rear Detachment personnel for the excellent work they have done over the course of the last year.
The Rear Detachment soldiers have performed a thankless, but very important, job over the course of this deployment. They have been great help to me as I've done the updates, and to many of our family members as they've brought problems to them to help solve. We thank you for this great service you have provided to our soldiers and to their families. Without your great work, this deployment would have been much tougher than it was.
The Family Readiness Group (FRG) Leadership, and the many, many volunteers helping them are an absolutely phenomenal example of volunteerism in America. I could go on and on with examples of FRG leaders and volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help the families of their soldiers. One example comes to mind - one of our wives dropping everything and helping a soldier's wife who had fallen off a ladder and was unable to care for her young child (and this was a wife unknown to the FRG leader, not even in her unit - the injured wife had called me and I called one of the many ladies I knew that I could count on to help).
You ladies have done wonders over the past year - from dealing with the tragedy of casualties, to supporting each other, to communcating with extended families, to making banners, to handling the tough issues that inevitably come up, and the list goes on and on.
I salute you, our FRG and Rear Detachment leaders and volunteers - as do so many of our readers who have benefited from your hard work.
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany:
4 March 1945 - D+272
Enemy front lines were fluid and at the close of the period could not be definitely established. CT 8 advancing towards Gondelsheim met stiff resistance early in the period. At about 0330 the enemy withdrew all but a few men from the town. As a result of continuous pressure by CT 8, the enemy was forced to withdraw slowly, fighting a determined rear guard action. Throughout the rest of the Division sector, the enemy continued its delaying action while withdrawing the bulk of its troops and equipment across the Kyll river. Enemy artillery fire was light and the direct fire encountered during the previous day was absent. The enemy continued to hamper our advance by employing numerous types of antipersonnel and antitank mines, abatis and blown bridges.
CT 8 with elements of the 1st Battalion continued the attack throughout the night in an effort to clear the town of Gondelsheim but was unsuccessful until 1015 when, under cover of a heavy smoke screen laid on the town, Company B advanced into the village while the remainder of the battalion resumed its attack to the northeast along the edge of the wooded area. The 2nd Battalion resumed its attack to the northeast against an estimated force of three enemy companies. Opposition encountered throughout the day was extremely stiff and automatic weapons fire was heavy. Prior to the close of the period, the battalion was successful until forced to hold up in the face of extensive mine fields covered by fire.
CT 12, beginning at 0300, resumed its operations with the 2nd Battalion to clear the enemy from the high ground east and southeast of Rommersheim, and at 0600 elements of the 1st Battalion initiated movement forward to Fleringen to relieve elements of the 11th Armored Division while the 3rd Battalion began movement forward to Rommersheim. The 1st Battalion outposted the town of Budhseim and the 3rd Battalion closed in Wallersheim in regimental reserve.
CT 22 continued the attack to the northeast with the 2nd and 3rd Battalions abreast after elements of the 8th Infantry had cleared the town of Gondelsheim. The 2nd Battalion cleared the town of Schwirzheim wherein the 1st Battalion in regimental reserve closed by 2200.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Our grandson (HHB 3-29 FA Ft.Carson) e-mailed and said that they were headed to Kuwait (soon - future dates not used for security reasons) and would be back at Ft. Carson by middle of the month. What a wonderful sound!!! He is so ready to come home. The 1/4 Cav. arrived at the airbase and new guys were asking questions about air conditioning and if the weather gets around 105 or so. Thet told them they had a lot to learn - no air conditioning, no indoor plumbing and could get up to 130 or so!!! (Tuesday it was in the 90's). There has been a lot of activities over there since last Thursday when three from his unit were hurt - made it so hard for him and the situation so real. They can't let their guard down!!! Keep them all in your prayers.
2) Just so you know and can give credit, the author of the Letter to a Military Spouse is Melissa G. Bouldin-Reeves from Tennessee. I received this as a forward a week or so ago and her name was at the bottom. Thanks!
3) That was an awesome letter in today's update. I know that the spouses and the soldiers will melt with pride when they read it. It's hard being soldier, and it's hard being a spouse or family member left behind. While reading this I felt that, for another of very few times, someone understands what we're going through and put it into words without all the fanfare and dressed up language. Thanks to the unknown author for keeping the reality of "what is" real for us.
4) Son with HHC, 3/66 AR says they are packing and cleaning to move south. New troops have arrived....... He is so excited to be coming home finally - 1 year and 1 month as of tomorrow!! .....This mom is doing the happy dance because it is finally happening!
5) Hi Bob,... The "letter to a spouse" was so wonderful. I think a lot of us needed to hear that!! I know with myself, everything's getting so stressful with the last couple of weeks, and it gets really hard to handle sometimes. So, thanks so much for putting that in the update. it really picked me up when I needed it!! I did get an email from my husband (HHC 3rd BCT; Balad) yesterday. He'll be heading down to Kuwait shortly and then on home!!! I'm so excited! I can't wait to see him again! We were newlyweds when he left, and it'll be nice to finally get to start our life together. I'm so proud of him and all the many other soldiers out there fighting for our freedoms. I'm definitely going to be putting up some fresh new yellow ribbons for him (the ones I have now have been through just about enough hell, as we have). Thanks again for all that you do for us. God bless our troops and God bless America!!!
6) We heard on the news today about the mortar attacks in and around Tikrit. We were worried as usual, and anxiously awaited word from our son. He called today and told his wife that wherever he is, their chow hall got hit (not really, but close). He was mad about having to eat MRE's, so I guess everything is OK.
7) My daughter with C Co. 704th is in Kuwait - I'M SO HAPPY!!!!!!! She should be home shortly (she's so short that ants look tall) lol. Thanks to all the help of everyone who writes to your updates, and GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS.
8) My baby brother, F-1/10 Cav, returned to the blessed USA on the 2nd!!! He returned just hours before our Mother received the glorious news that the pathology report on her lymph nodes came back 100% clear of cancer. She underwent a radical mastectomy on 2/26, we were hoping for the best of news and praying for the ability to accept what might come. He is a merciful and loving God.
9) Dear Bob, I would just like to say thank you for your story about the 21st Combat Support Hospital, I was one of the 150 soldiers who has come home! We do however have 3 NCO's and 1 officer remaining but they will be returning soon. I would also like to say thank you for your updates they have been so wonderful. My husband is in 2-8 IN and he will hopefully be returning around the end of this month. Thanks again for keeping all of us informed.....
10) I read your update and made it through the LETTER TO A MILITARY SPOUSE without shedding a tear, probably because of your warning, but when I read no. 5 on your family reply list about the colonel's wife presenting the balloons to welcome home a grandson, I had to hold my mouth to keep from spitting out my coffee. That was most touching to me..... Although my son and his wife have been back from Iraq for several months and have settled into civilian life, I still check your updates daily and feel a close connection to all of the military families..... Having been an officer's wife, many years ago, those close connections never dissipate, and all three of my son's have served in the military, following their late father's footsteps.
11) I also wanted to write and say that my husband has finally returned home from Iraq. He is with the 3 BCT 4th ID out of Fort Carson, Colorado. Many of his buddies have and will be returning very soon. I'm thankful for your updates and my husband likes them too.
12) I'm so excited! I talked to my husband (HHC, 1/68) on messenger today & he said that he'll be home "soon" (less than a year... this IS the Army, haha). And I got an email saying that we're making banners for the guys at our next FRG meeting. It's almost over!!!
13) My husband, Alpha, 1-44 ADA, 2 Platoon, has been home (for good) for a little over a week, and it has been just wonderful! He never had the chance to take mid-tour leave, so it had been around 11 months since we had seen each other. We slipped back into our old routines without much difficulty, and he is enjoying things like not having to wear shoes in the shower any more and being able to use the phone without waiting in line. :) I am so happy we decided to send him a digital camera during his deployment -- he was able to document his experience through hundreds of pictures and movies -- something that I'm sure will be very valuable to him in the future and that helped me to understand his experiences......
14) Just heard from my son, 173rd ABN BDE working at 4thID HHQ, that he’s safely home at his duty station in Vincenzia, Italy. WHEW!!! What a relief it is for our family. We will continue to keep all our soldiers, who’s mission it is to keep peace alive around the world, in our prayers. Thank you Bob for keeping us informed and always thinking positive, especially when all the other medias continually report on fear and violence.
15) Just wanted to let you know that our Company (A Co 404th ASB) had three soldiers return home on March 2nd. Great news huh? Our Company was stationed at Camp Speicher in Iraq. They are slowly making their way home now. The Company says that they will be coming home in varying sized groups from now until the end of March.
16) I'm getting excited just reading all the news that our TROOPS are finally deploying home. My boyfriend gave me some dates but with all the changes that we have gone through this year I'm not going to get my hopes up until he calls me and says I'm on my way home. Being new to the military way of life,the one thing I have learned is that dates will never fail to change. I've been getting emails with 2 or 3 days in between and a phone call that I got on Monday and it just seems that he's busy and bringing everything to a close in Iraq. Although this long year is coming to an end and I'll see my boyfriend soon, my letters and packages wont be stopping. Two of my friends who are Marines deployed to Iraq but I now know what to expect. One of them has a girlfriend and she has turned to me to help her during the deployment. Now she thinks I know it all, and I came into this not knowing what RPG's, IED's, MRE's, POW, ETS, etc. meant. I guess I have grown a lot, and I'm sure we all have in different ways....... Without these updates I don't know where I would of turned. Thank You again!!! God Bless ALL OUR Troops!!! a very proud HHC 1-22 Infantry Scouts girlfriend!!
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Redeployment Tips:
1) Bob, the listing of the reunion training dates are listed on the "Redeployment" Page of the 4ID web site at:
http://www.hood.army.mil/4id/deploy/frg_reunion_briefs.asp
And I highly encourage all of you to regularly check the 4ID web page at:
http://pao.hood.army.mil/4id/ for the latest information on redeployment. Keep in mind, these are times to be flexible and patient and adaptable to constant changes.
2) Redeployment Tip from a teacher's point of view: I am an army spouse who has never gone through redeployment and I do not have my own children yet. However, I have 18 energetic students in a classroom. From a teacher's perspective, please do not forget about your children and the emotions that they have had this past year. I have read about not expecting too much when your spouse gets back, please also discuss these things with your children. Let them know what to expect. In their minds, they are expecting the same person that left to come back (from the perspective of a school-age child, not an infant). They may be thinking that everything will be perfect when mom/dad come back. Don't burst their bubble but let them know that you may have things to work out. Tell them about your feelings and how you will handle them if you get disappointed. These kids are going to be so excited that a lot of this may not make sense to them but please make the effort.
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