Golden Dragons

Old Glory

The American flag waves above Soldiers from TF 1-14 Inf., 2nd BCT, and the 3rd Armored Bn., 116th BCT, as they stand at attention during a transfer of authority ceremony between the two task forces on Kirkuk Air Base Dec. 27. Soldiers of TF 1-14 Inf. are currently conducting combat operations in Mosul in preparation for the upcoming elections. (Sgt. Sean Kimmons)

A trip to Mosul

Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, 25th Inf. Div. (L) commander, addresses the entire TF 1-14 Inf. on Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, prior to their departure to Mosul, where they will conduct combat operations for the upcoming Iraqi elections. Olson traveled to all 2nd BCT's seven forward operating bases to visit Division troops deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. (Sgt. Sean Kimmons)

Christmas Gifts

                                                                                                                                   

Vermont Community Donates Gifts

By U.S. Army Spc. Brian Schroeder 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

CAMP LIBERTY, BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 27, 2004 — Twas two days before Christmas and all through Iraq, soldiers prepared for the holidays with a rucksack on their back. Though they would not be home for the holiday season, the smiles on their faces had to be there for a reason. For one certain company in a certain battalion, gifts came in from nowhere like a ghostly Spanish galleon. Every soldier in the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment’s Headquarters Company, received Christmas gifts from the local community in Burlington, Vt. The individually labeled bags contained Vermont coffee, chocolate, eye drops and a candy cane. “This is incredible. Each soldier’s face lights up after seeing their gift bag that has a tag with their name on it. It was nice of them to take the time to personalize each one,” U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Kevin Deraps U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Kevin Deraps, Headquarters Company, 2-14 Infantry, said the gifts were a great way to raise the soldiers’ spirits during the holiday season. “This is incredible,” he said. “Each soldier’s face lights up after seeing their gift bag that has a tag with their name on it. It was nice of them to take the time to personalize each one.” Deraps said the gift idea started out as a care package his wife, Jennifer, began putting together with people she works with at the Chittenden Bank in Burlington. Once the word got out about the care packages, other organizations in the community decided to add their own touch to the packages. The final result was 215 gift bags for the soldiers in the company. Deraps said the shipping cost of the nearly 600 pounds of boxes was covered by the Chittenden Bank president. Included with the gift bags were stockings filled with candy and a $15 gift certificate to the Army and Air Force Exchange Services. The stockings were provided to each soldier in the battalion by the unit’s family readiness group. Spc. Eleazar Agrait, a personnel administration specialist, said this Christmas he would miss his mother the most, because he and his three brothers are deployed to Iraq over the holidays. However, he said the gifts would make his holiday easier. “I didn’t think anybody would do something like this,” he said. “Being away from home and seeing someone care enough to send a package to Iraq really boosts morale.” Sgt. Tawon McGee, a team leader, accepted the gifts with a big smile on his face. He said he was not going to open the package until Christmas morning. “I’m in Iraq,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what I get in the gifts. There could be air in this bag and I would be just as happy because somebody gave this to me out of the kindness of their heart.” As Christmas approached, some soldiers wondered if Santa would still come in his sleigh. Nevertheless, the soldiers' faces still glowed because these they received Christmas gifts from people they will never know.

Relief arrives

116th Arrives On Station In Northern Iraq

Members of the Idaho National Guard on duty in Iraq have reached their first duty station in the northern part of the country.

The 116th Brigade Combat Team includes about 16-hundred Idaho soldiers. This past week, they've been traveling in a military convoy across northern Iraq.

Idaho Guard spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Tim Marsano says the only problems during the convoy were a few minor mishaps with vehicles.

The 116th is set to relieve four thousand members of the 25th Infantry Division, which is based in Hawaii.

For the past year, the 25th Infantry has operated mainly out of Kirkuk, a city of 850-thousand people.

For now, the two units are patrolling the area together.

Charlie Company

Proud father Steven Jacobs sends pictures of his son Spc. Clint Jacobs who is a Golden Dragon with Charlie Company, 2nd Platoon.

Thanks Steven!

Letter

A reader sends this letter from reporter Michael Ware of Time who spent some time in Samarra with our Golden Dragons while writing this article.

----- Original Message -----

From: Michael Ware

To: [email protected]

Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 5:23 PM

Subject: The 1/14th

Ma'am,

I wish I could tell you the 19-year-old in my story was your son, but it was dark at night and shortly before the offensive and the soldier with whom I sat side by side was but a shadow in the back of a truck; we could not talk for long, for indeed it was not a time for conversation.

I can say this though: when I left Samarra your son was well. There was only one who fell and his family must surely know by now. Your boy still does you proud.

If he is of the 1/14th then I have seen his unit in action and they are the finest. They are brave and do their duty with honour, taking care of each other, like brothers, and care of those around them.

I was fortunate enough to share time in those days with your son and his comrades, and to witness their bond. It was a privilege to ever so briefly join in their brotherhood.

In their quiet moments I heard them talk so fondly of home, and of the people they love. Know Ma'am that you are in his thoughts.

My heart tells me that fortune rides with them and that he shall return to you.

I can only hope you find comfort in my words, though they do no justice to the courage nor calibre of your son and his band.

With the warmest of regards from Baghdad,

Mick Ware
TIME Magazine

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We thought you might like to know....

Photos from Iraq

My son gave me a bunch of pictures he took in Kirkuk, Najaf, and Baghdad of soldiers from 3rd Platoon, B Company. I've uploaded ten of them to the photo album.

Enjoy!

Showing them the ropes

11th MEU (SOC) 'rides' with Army in Iraq

Submitted by: 11th MEU
Story by: Computed Name: Gunnery Sgt. Chago Zapata
Story Identification #: 200473055131

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ECHO, Iraq (July 30, 2004) -- The country of Iraq is presently in a state of transformation to a democratic sovereignty as elections loom six months in the future. Now, another change has come into their lives, specifically for the people in the province of Al Qadisiyah and in the city of Diwaniyah in particular. The Marines have landed -- again.

Marines and sailors from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) are currently conducting a turnover with the U.S. Army in the province of Qadisiyah in support of Security and Stability Operations here.

Upon offloading from the USS Belleau Wood, USS Denver and USS Comstock for 10 days of training in Kuwait on July 7, MEU Marines traveled by convoy and military aircraft to the FOB here. Once an official turnover between the Army’s Task Force Crockett is complete, the MEU will take responsibility for the area.

"We'll spend approximately 10 days to two weeks showing the 11th MEU everything about the area of responsibility," said Army Maj. Michael N. Davey, coalition commander, Joint Operations Area Saddle, and executive officer of 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. "We'll show them how we conduct operations, maintain accountability of personnel, operations we've conducted, show them strategic places on the ground as well as all the things we're doing to train the Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi Police."

The Division made it clear from the beginning that they were here to maintain stability of the area while the 11th MEU (SOC) moved into the country and prepared to take responsibility for supporting the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people, according to Lt. Col. Eugene N. Apicella, executive officer, 11th MEU (SOC). Apicella is serving as the commanding officer's senior representative in the Qadisiyah province.

"The Army is prepared to conduct as long of a turnover as needed to ensure a smooth turnover of military responsibilities in this area," said Apicella.

According to Davey, the Army will gradually step back and allow the MEU to take over operations. There are two steps to the Army's turnover process; the first is what they call "right seat ride," which means the Marines observe how they work; the second is called "left seat ride," where Marines take the wheel while the Army observes and helps out where help is needed.

"It's not a one-day quick change over," Davey explained. "We've been here longer so we have more knowledge of everything that's happened in the recent past."

Davey said there's a large exchange of information, which contributes initially to successful mission completion, until the incoming unit gets into a battle rhythm.

"At the end of that 10-day period, the commander of the 11th MEU and Task Force Crocket's higher headquarters will brief the 1st Infantry Division General on all the things that were covered for the transfer of authority," Davey explained. "If both commanders feel comfortable with the turnover, then the general transfers authority to the MEU and sends Task Force Crocket back to its parent command."

Army and Marine Corps patrols have been working together for more than a week now, learning from each other.

"So far it's been pretty seamless," said Army Staff Sgt. Earl C. Dean, scout squad leader, Scout Platoon, Headquarters Company, 1/14. "It's the same battle drill, we go over (standard operating procedures) and actually take them out there and show them how we work."

"Everything's gone pretty well overall. The Army's definitely been very helpful," said Staff Sgt. Richard M. Saxton, scout sniper platoon sergeant, Scout Sniper Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 11th MEU (SOC). "The Army scouts are well versed with the area and know their job well. We've learned a lot from them through map studies; where the hot spots are, where to go, where not to go, key points around the city and other things to look out for."

However, according to Dean, the biggest enemy the MEU has to watch out for in Iraq right now is complacency. Operations and missions can become commonplace and repetitive, especially if nothing happens.

"Complacency is the number one enemy out here in Iraq," explained Dean. "You can go out on 100 patrols and nothing will happen, but the enemy could be waiting for that one time that you let your guard down and take advantage of it."

According to Davey, the Marines will be facing several challenges during their tour here.
"When Marines were here last time it was a very different environment, different engagement," Davey said. "Now, with the transfer of sovereignty to the new Iraqi government, instead of being able to act independently the Marines are going to have to step back and spend a lot of time mentoring, teaching and coaching the Iraqis."

According to Davey, once sovereignty was transferred to the Iraqi government, the leaders in Baghdad and the provincial governors are now the ones calling the shots. It's their country.
"Marines are just like my infantry soldiers. If something happens we want to act on it right there," said Davey. "We're not able to do that right now. If we do, it makes the Iraqi police and the Iraqi National Guard that much less effective in the eyes of the people."
The Marine's mission is to work with the Iraqi civil and military leadership: governors, mayors, city and municipal councils, police chiefs and the brigade and battalion commanders of the Iraqi National Guard to assist the people of Iraq in maintaining an increasingly stable environment, according to Apicella.

"The entire civil and military leadership of Iraq is organizing, coordinating and building, so it can be tough sometimes for individual governors and leaders to get advice and information from other sources," Apicella continued. "Since we have a solid command and control infrastructure, we can send a question up that chain through the appropriate personnel and get some answers to that governor, civic or military leader to help them do their job."

The people of Diwaniyah are not totally unfamiliar with the Marines. After major combat operations were declared over last year, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, conducted SASO in the city.

"The people of An Diwaniyah very aware of the Marines because they were here before," Davey explained. "So I think there's already a positive relationship built with the IP and ING based on their previous experiences with the Marines."

Although the 11th MEU (SOC) faces several challenges during the transfer of authority from the Army, they are prepared to take them head on.

"We've learned a lot from our Army counterparts and they were more than willing to help us in any way they can," said Saxton. "We're ready to get started."

MEU Marines are also conducting a similar turnover with Army units in the neighboring province of An Najaf.

New Photos

Reader Carlos Chevez, brother of 1-14th soldier Rogelio Chevez submitted a bunch of new pictures sent to him by Rogelio from Iraq.

Check them out and thanks a bunch Carlos!

Photo of Charlie Company

Steve Jacobs, father of Spc Clint Jacobs sent us a picture of Clint's unit, 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company taken in Kuwait just before they traveled in country to Tuz.

Thanks Steve!