Golden Dragons

God speed, Sgt. Daggett

I am sad to report that Sgt. John Kyle Daggett died Thursady, May 16th in Hallifax Nova Scotia from wounds suffered during an RPG attack in Iraq on May 1st.

The Arizona Republic reports

Medical teams worked for two weeks to save Army Sgt. John Kyle Daggett, a 2005 high-school graduate from Phoenix, but the wounds he suffered from a rocket-propelled grenade were too great...

Although John was his first name, most everyone called him Kyle at Pinnacle High School in north Phoenix.

“He was just a phenomenal, a phenomenal kid,” said Dana Zupke, who coached Daggett on the school's varsity football team. “He was very outgoing and very bright and articulate. “He was definitely a pleasure to be around.”

Zupke said Daggett may not have been one of the strongest players on the team but had one of the best work ethics. “He was the kind of kid you loved to coach football,” he said. “He gave 110 percent.”

Zupke, who also teaches business classes at Pinnacle, knew Daggett off the field. “He applied the same ethic in the classroom. He was always very outgoing and contributed a lot to the class. Just an all-around joy.”

Gina Fiore, an administrative assistant at Pinnacle, remembers Daggett as being very kind. “He was a nice boy and this is a great loss,” she said.

It's the first time Zupke has heard of one of his former students dying while serving in the war. “It throws you for a loop,” he said. “I knew he was over there and knew he was in a high-risk position. But he chose to be in that position and felt very strongly about serving his country.”

Daggett is survived by his parents, Jack and Colleen Daggett, and his sister, Kendall. Family members were not available for comment.

I want to express my condolences to the family, friends and comrades he left behind. I am so sorry for your loss.

God speed Sgt Daggett. You are a hero.

Dragons preside over peace in Tarmiyah

By Sgt. Daniel Blottenberger
18th Military Police Brigade

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – The citizens of Tarmiyah have seen a substantial reduction in violence over the past four months, which can readily be seen throughout the vibrant market places midday on April 17 as consumers packed the markets to purchase needed goods from vendors.

“Things have been very quiet in Tarmiyah over the past four months,” said Staff Sgt. Mikey Fernandez, who is attached to Troop A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

“You would not see the markets the way they are now four months ago. The people of Tarmiyah are no longer afraid to come out of their homes,” added the New York native.

Fernandez said he credits the city’s success in fighting violence to the fact that the Iraqi army, Iraqi police and Sons of Iraq in Tarmiyah are all working together to reduce criminal activity in the area.

“The combination of the three – IA, IP and SoI – working together to improve security is what has helped decrease violence here in Tarmiyah,” said Fernandez, who mission is to oversee the Iraqi army training of the Iraqi police at the Tarmiyah local police station.

“There is a constant Iraqi security force presence in Tarmiyah,” he added.

There are SOI checkpoints set up down the winding roads on the way to the Tarmiyah city center, and ISF and CF security patrols constantly travel the routes while checking on security.

The ISF not only work together on the streets, but they also are seen working together while training to become more proficient in performing their missions.

Fernandez, an Iraqi police advisor, along with members of the 411th military police company police transition team, oversee the training of the Iraqi police force at the Tarmiyah Joint Service Station.

“There is no language barrier when the Iraqi army instructors teach the IP,” said Fernandez. “This makes the classes run smoother, and the IP respond very well to the IA instructors.”

The training consisted of foot patrol training, entry control point training, detainee operations, how to setup a security perimeter and room-clearing procedures.

Following the long day of training, Craig Chrissinger, an Iraqi police adviser, who oversees the training of the IP at the Tarmiyah station, sat down and conducted an after action review with the IP about the days training.

“They know the basics; they just need to keep practicing when they get chances to perfect their skills,” said Chrissinger, a native of Denver.

“The hardest thing to do is find time when the IP aren’t on shift to train them in advanced tactics to further their skills,” said Chrissinger.

At the end of the day, the IPs thanked the instructors before heading off on mission to further deter violence in their city.

The 411th Military Police Company, which oversees the Tarmiyah Iraqi police station, is deployed from Fort Hood, Texas, and is currently assigned to the 716th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.