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| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
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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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I've been amazed at the number of wives and parents who have emailed me in the past 12 hours telling me their soldier is in the air and on the way home, or already home - must be several flights starting to come this way. And lots of happy people are awaiting their arrival. For the rest of us, let's keep smiling and know that all the TF Ironhorse soldiers will be home before too much longer.
Here is the most descriptive of the notes I received last night:
Great news from Ft. Carson. This evening, my son along with 239 of his closest friends from the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment have returned. Thank You Lord! It was a spectacular homecoming. More than a thousand welcomed home the troops along with reporters and photographers in a gymnasium located at Ft. Carson. The crowd roared and cheered as the battle and travel weary troops filed in. Tired as they were, they all had their heads up high with grins from ear to ear, as "Proud to be an American" played in the background. My wife described these events to me via her cell phone as she watched and waited to greet our son from the bleachers. While I couldn't be there with her, I felt like I was part of the homecoming. I could hear the crowd and the music, including the National Anthem and finally got to say hello to our son. Hooah! Truly, a night to remember and cherish. My prayers will continue for all those still yet to return and for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Thanks again to you Bob for keeping us informed and enabling us to be part of the 4th ID.
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Members of Iraqi Defense Force Arrested
By PAUL GARWOOD
Associated Press Writer
TIKRIT, Iraq (AP)--American soldiers arrested one current and two former members of the U.S.-trained Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers in an operation targeting anti-coalition forces in Saddam Hussein's hometown. The troops detained the former soldiers at a house in downtown Tikrit late Monday night on suspicion of stealing and selling weapons of the U.S.-trained force.
The men are also suspected of bombing the homes of Iraqis who collaborate with American forces in Tikrit, said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, a battalion commander.
Acting on information from the detained men, the troops from the Army's 4th Infantry Division arrested the current member of the Iraqi force early Tuesday on suspicion of planning attacks against coalition forces. The Iraqi soldier was on duty at the time of his arrest.
In the raid on the house, U.S. soldiers confiscated parts of Iraqi government-issued AK-47 assault weapons along with Defense Corps uniforms and other equipment. American authorities are concerned about anti-coalition forces infiltrating the U.S.-trained Defense Corps but do not believe a large number have done so, Russell said.
All three men are being held by U.S. authorities for further questioning.......
AP-NY-03-08-04 2005EST
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press.
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U.S. Aims to Ease Iraq Detainee Tension
By PAUL GARWOOD
Associated Press Writer
TIKRIT, Iraq (AP)--An American commander unveiled a plan Monday aimed at defusing tension over Iraqis held in U.S. military custody, which tribal leaders in Saddam Hussein's hometown say is the leading cause of anti-American animosity.
Between 500 and 900 Iraqi males from Tikrit and surrounding areas are said to be in U.S. military detention facilities and larger Iraqi jails in Umm Qasr and Abu Ghraib. They were rounded up, blindfolded and taken away by American soldiers during raids on suspicion of attacking coalition forces.
In many cases, innocent Iraqis have been arrested in such sweeps, but getting them out of jail has been difficult: No formal system exists to easily track them down, verify their stories and hear representations by family members wanting them returned home.
With many Iraqis believing coalition forces are wrongly holding their loved ones, tribal leaders complain that tensions are reaching boiling point in their communities.
``We have no problems with the Americans at all, except for what is happening to our people sitting in prisons,'' Sheik Hammadi al-Kassami, a Tikrit tribal leader, told The Associated Press.
``There are innocent men in jail with families, crying babies being left alone in their homes,'' he added. ``Solving this situation is the biggest problem facing the Americans here.''
Lt. Col. Steve Russell, commander of the Tikrit-based 4th Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, outlined the new system to al-Kassami and about 20 other tribal leaders from this city and surrounding areas. It aims to speed up attempts by Iraqis to find detained family members and possibly secure their release.
Russell told the gathering at Tikrit's governor's office that he understands the detainee issue is ``emotional'' but that a procedure must be established to assist in identifying and freeing those wrongly in custody.
``This has been a concern since we entered Tikrit'' nearly a year ago, Russell told AP. ``Families have been rightfully concerned about knowing where their loved ones are, what they have been accused of and if they are alive.''
He, however, stressed that detainees suspected of attacking American soldiers or aiding anti-coalition activities would not be freed until being dealt with by Iraq's legal system.
Until now, people seeking detained relatives would usually approach the gates of military bases or contact local leaders and urge them to take up their cases with American forces.
Instead, Russell's plan lays out an official path of action:
•Relatives report a capture to the president of the recently formed provincial sheik council, a U.S.-created advisory body of tribal leaders who work closely with the regional government.
•The council president contacts tribal leaders responsible for the area where the detained person lives to learn if he has been involved in anti-coalition activities.
•The sheik council seeks details or the release of the detainee by applying to American forces, the Coalition Provisional Authority, regional governor and, if they are in the area, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Iraqi equivalent, the Red Crescent.
•At that point, authorities will decide whether there is just cause to detain the person.
``We need some system to get this situation resolved, because so many of the detained are innocent,'' said Sheik Naji Hussein al-Jbouri, the sheik council's inaugural president.
He added, however, that the system would slow down the release of innocent detainees ``because we have to deal with so many groups.''
AP-NY-03-08-04 1416EST
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press.
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Attackers Kill Iraq Local Council Member
MOSUL, Iraq (AP)--Attackers opened fire Monday on a car carrying two local council members in Mosul, killing one and wounding the other, police said. Insurgents also tried but failed to assassinate the police chief in a central Iraqi town.
In Baghdad, insurgents fired mortar shells at two police stations in central Baghdad, injuring four people, including one policeman, Iraqi officials said. The attacks occurred shortly before the Iraqi Governing Council signed an interim constitution.
Guerrillas, believed to be loyalists of ousted leader Saddam Hussein or foreign fighters, have targeted Iraqi police and civilians working with the U.S.-led occupation.
In the northern city of Mosul, gunmen fled after firing on the car. Akram Mahmoud Nijim, a member of a local council, was killed and another councilor was wounded. In Khaldiya, west of Baghdad, a bomb exploded under the car of the police chief, Ismail Turki, as he left his home Monday morning. Turki's driver and a bodyguard were wounded, said a neighbor, Khaled Fayyad.
U.S. soldiers arrested an extremist Iraqi cleric accused of preaching holy war against American troops, the army said Monday. Sheik Mohammed Moriah was arrested early Sunday in Khalas near Baqouba, 45 miles southeast of Tikrit, by soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Aberle alleged the cleric was also linked to a homemade bomb attack in December that killed one Iraqi and injured a U.S. soldier in the Khalas area.
U.S. soldiers also detained 14 Iraqis suspected of attacking coalition forces during two raids early Monday and Sunday in Baqouba. The troops confiscated an anti-tank weapon, four rocket propelled grenade launchers, 12 AK-47s machine guns and four hand grenades.
AP-NY-03-08-04 1045EST
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press.
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Weather Forecast in Tikrit:
It's been a while since I've reported on weather in Tikrit (shows we have a shortage of news today). According to what I find, the five days forcast is for highs around 75 and lows around 50 under partly cloudy skies. Looking forward, my National Geographic atlas shows the highs and lows for Baghdad as 72/48 for March, 84/57 for April, and 97/66 for May. (May info is for our 1st Cav and 1st ID friends who will be there in our place by then).
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany:
9 March 1945 - D+277
Task Force Rhino continued on to the east during the night and entered the town of Adenau where elements of the 70th Tank Battalion and the 1st Battalion of the 8th Infantry consolidated their positions. In the interim, elements of the 70th Tank Battalion followed by the 3rd Battalion of the 8th Infantry swung to the north in the direction of the Division objective and by 0715, the objective had been taken. During the night and early morning hours, the town of Honerath, Adenau, Rodder and Reiffersheid had been cleared and little resistance was reported. During the entire operation, upwards of fifteen hundred prisoners of war had been counted while our losses were 2 KIA, 4 WIA and one light tank.
By 1830, responsibility for the sector passed to the 6th Cavalry Group. All elements of the Task Force remained in positions and began preparations for assembly and movement.
The 12th and 22nd Infantry remained in positions on the high ground in the vicinity of Hillesheim and reorganized their positions prior to assembly.
With the exeception of small bands of disorganized enemy still to be apprehended, there existed no further contact with the enemy at that time.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) My son is with the 4th ID, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Engineer Battalion out of Ft. Carson. I came to work this morning and had no idea that my day was going to start off like it did. I had an e-mail from my son telling me that he was at the airport terminal in Germany. Needless to say, I can't take the smile off my face. It is definitely a wonderful Monday. I haven't talked to him since Christmas Day and my last e-mail from him was Feb. 16 and he was still in Iraq. So this was quite a surprise. I read your updates every day and shed tears of sadness and tears of joy. I couldn't have survived this past year without them...... I saved all of your updates and can't wait to share them with my son when he is ready to read them. When he was home for R&R in November he was amazed at how much I knew about what went on in Iraq.... And as I do every day, my thoughts and prayers are with each and every soldier and their families and friends. God bless them all.
2) My son with the 299th Engineers arrived back at Ft. Hood Friday night. I was surprised at how emotionally exhausted I was and upon awakening this morning my first thought was whether or not I had been dreaming. He is glad to be home but believes without a doubt that we did the right thing. He said all you had to do was look at the children and see that our soldiers made a difference. Our thoughts and prayers will continue for those still engaged or going to Iraq.
3) What a great day. Our Fightin' 5th Engineers made it home (Fort Leonard Wood, MO) Thursday March 4. They arrived home with a heroe's welcome, escorted through the town outside post by many police cars with lights and then picked up at the gates by our MP's with lights and sirens. The community had lined the street to post and local businesses had all changed their bulletin boards to read "Welcome home 5th Engineers". The FRG's had decorated many posters and signs with love and placed them on the route. They arrived to a gym fully decorated with many loved ones and of course the Army band. It was an amazing site to see them march through the doors as the gym errupted into screams and applause. The speeches were kept very short and once they were released the families poured down from the bleachers to find their soldier. It was a sea of hugs and kisses on the gym floor. It was an evening that I'm sure none of the soldiers will ever forget. We still have approximately 32 soldiers in Kuwait waiting for the ship to arrive to load equipment. They should arrive shortly though. One more welcome home party and we should have everyone back home. God Bless the ones that have taken their place in Iraq and keep them safe.
4) We had beautiful weather at Fort Hood this weekend and that allowed for all the FRG's to get out and decorate the motor pools for the homecomings. It just makes my heart swell to drive down 'motor pool road' and see all the fences lined with messages for our Task Force Iron Horse Troops. And then to see that the 1st Cav HQ building has banners that read "Job Well Done 4ID - you got Saddam". It's worth a trip to Fort Hood just to see all the awesome signs and banners. I'm attaching some pictures from out motor pool (3/66 AR) just to give you a peak of what you'll see when you come for the big welcome home day. I know you can't share them in your update; they are just for your own enjoyment.
5) I just wanted to share a little inside information, I work for the Hillsboro Police Department in Hillsboro Texas, (Hillsboro is right on Interstate Highway 35 on the way to Fort Hood) if any of our families are going to be traveling IH35 South to Fort Hood over the next couple of weeks to meet their soldier this week (8-14) is Spring Break in our area. Traffic is likely to be heavier plus the IH35W/IH35E split is under construction. Also, our agency along with DPS (Department of Public Safety) will be conducting STEP (Traffic Enforcement Program) so I would like to remind everyone to watch your speed (especially in the construction area, fines are doubled) and remember your seat belt - Click it or ticket! If any one would like to call ahead for any road conditions/construction info they can access this information on the Texas Department of Transportations website. There is also a toll free number to call which should be included on the website. Of course if anyone has any questions while traveling through my area they are free to contact the Hillsboro Police Department at 254/582-8406 or 254/582-8407 and we will try our best to help them in any way we can. God Speed to everyone's 4th ID Soldier (mine included)!
6) My husband who is with 1/8th C Co 4th ID from Ft. Carson called me today. What a surprise to me because I haven't heard from him since he went back from his R&R. It has almost been a month. They are all in high spirits and are counting down the days. He will be home soon but not sure when. I am so proud of him and all the troops that have been over or going over to Iraq now. May God Bless You All!
7) When 9-11 happened, my son called me and said, "Mom, those innocent people did not sign up to be attacked. They were just minding their own business, going to work, living their life. The terroists' committed a cowardly act. I on the other hand signed up to fight for our country and protect our homeland." He was so angry when 9-11 happened. He saw the unfairness in it. He saw a cowardly act and wanted to find the terrorist and put an end to their destruction. Little did I know that my young man would be involved in doing just that. I am so glad he is finally coming home. He has been a brave sodier and I am so proud of him...... I have missed my son's voice on the phone. We used to talk 3-4 times a week before he left for Iraq. I look forward to seeing him again and being able to just talk when we feel like it. I will be flying to Texas to welcome him home. The ticket won't be cheap because they won't be giving us a long notice. But, I wouldnt' miss it for all the money in the world. God bless our soldiers and their families and friends. May they all have a safe journey home. We live in a great country and I am so proud of my son, C-3/66 AR, defending it.
8) After 11 months we are so glad to have our daddy home :-))))))))))))))))))!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9) We had the glorious privilege of having our son return from Iraq at Fort Carson with the 3-29 FA; 1/12 IN after serving his country for nearly 11 months. It was such an awesome experience. The CO kept reviving the crowd and even told us that when our soldiers marched into the building he wanted us to make so much noise that his soldiers couldn't hear their orders. Obviously, this was an easy task to do. After a VERY short ceremony we were all told to "find your families!" It was organized pandemonium! How wonderful it was to watch our son and his wife and new baby reunite! He had seen his now 7 month old daughter for the first time in November when he was home for a 15 day R&R, but as we know, babies change fast. His little girl seemed to act like she knew her daddy all along! I thank God for bringing my son home safe and sound. However, I want to mention that in the car on the way back to our motel, just minutes after being reunited with our son, my heart was breaking and continues to break for all the family members who don't have a soldier coming home safe and sound. Those of you who have paid the ultimate price for America's freedom please, know that you are not forgotten or taken for granted. Your loss is a loss for our entire country. May God continue to bless you and may God continue to bless America!!
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Redeployment Tips:
1) My husband always has issues with his GI tract after he returns from a deployment. It is a stress response. He ignores the stress of combat, but the stress of not having the stress (if that makes sense) just makes him physically ill for about 2-3 weeks. It's like the adrenaline rush ends and he suffers the consequences in his guts. This has happened five separate times now...no reason to think it won't happen again. This is a very individual response though. Not all of the guys will have this happen to them. Although if it does get your soldier, at least ya'll will know it's normal! If it lasts for an unusually long time or your soldier starts dropping weight, it would be a good idea to encourage him to see a doctor then a counselor...
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