Alpha Companty Comments - July 2004

" A Time of Change"

As the approach for Iraqi Sovereignty grows near, the Steel Knights are meeting the challenge to maintain security in our region. We are staying focused on our tasks and continuing to complete our missions. Despite what seems to be an increase of activity on the news, our sector remains secure. This can all be directly attributed to the hard work of every Soldier, every day.

The entire Task Force has started to make some leadership changes and the Steel Knights were affected by these moves. We are losing some great leaders, but also gaining some great leaders as well. These leadership changes were part of a planned rotation within the Task Force. The company will lose 1LT Hansen, 1LT Lambert, 1LT Murphy, and SFC Ogle. They are being replaced by 1LT Ebert, 1LT Fanto, 1LT Alvery, and SFC Monegro respectively. With these changes, I would like to personally and publically thank each of these men for their hard work and dedication to the Steel Knight team as well as welcome the families of our newest Steel Knight members.

Some operational changes have also occurred. One platoon of our Steel Knights has finally assumed our tradtional role as Field Artillerymen. After weeks of training and certification, our Red Platoon is back inside our Paladins providing lethal and non-lethal fires covering FOB Summerall and the Task Force's sector. The motorized platoons have also gained even more ground to secure and some additional security tasks as well. These changes are good for all because they are breaking up the "average days" into something with a little more variety.

The company is also beginning to push for some additional training time. We are trying to give each platoon 1 day a week where the platoon can train and sharpen their combat skills to keep them fresh and proficient on their wartime skills. This training time will also allow the motorized infantry platoons to cross train on artillery tasks ensuring they will be ready to jump back on their Paladins and fight as artillerymen once we return back to Germany.

All of our Steel Knights continue to do great work in our sector. I truly believe we are making a difference here in Iraq. One quick example of these differences I've personally seen are the Iraqi children. When we first arrived in country, the children would run back in their houses because they were afraid of our overpowering posture. Now, however, with a few smiles and waves, the children actually run to us when we arrive in a residential area for a security patrol. They have started to see the transition from wartime occupier to caring, yet heavily armed, supporter. We shake hands, smile, and take pictures with the kids and have actually started building good friendships with a few. These children's friendly actions in turn bring out some of their parents, now curious as to the new change occurring in the streets of their hometown. I know it is hard to do, however, we must remember that we can not let one day's bad news about another car bomb or another kidnapping discourage the hundreds of smiles and ideas of hope that our Steel Knights are beginning to continuously give the Iraqi people.

I would like to close this update with another thank you for all our support. The amount of boxes and mail that we receive is truly impressive. It is always a pleasure to see our mail truck arrive in front of the command post with boxes stacked 5 high and 5 deep. Our command post NCOs and Soldiers help separate the boxes into platoon areas and the Soldiers know immediately of the truck's arrival. In one minute there are 50 boxes outside the command post, and the next minute they are gone and in the hands of Soldiers enjoying their newest surprise and letter. Mail day is always a great day and a true morale booster. Please keep them coming.

Please keep your heads high and your hearts strong. you are all in our prayers and thoughts. We will be together again soon.

STEEL KNIGHT SIX, OUT

Respectfully,
CPT Deric Holbrook
First Sergeant Roger Jacobs

Comments

[Robin Coker]

Thank you for your service to this great country.Your sacrifice is above and beyond.God Bless AMERICA,and God Bless all our TROOPS.You are always in my prayers.

[Robin Coker]

On the news page you listed items that you would like to have sent,but there is no address where to send them. Would you email me with the mailing address, so I can start on the list.It's for the popcorn,oil,dartboards w/darts.....etc.etc.I will do my best to help with this....Thank you.....Robin Coker

God Bless America and God Bless Our Troops!!!!!!

[Paul Pokojny]

Its weird going back to this site. Ive been out of the Army for about three months and almost a year since i left Summerall. I remember reading these comments when they were just posted, now its all just a memory! I lost a lot of good friends in Beyji Iraq and they will never ever be forgotten! Spc Morgen Jacobs, Spc Clint Mathews,Spc Tracy Laramore and Spc Josh Henry. Rip guys.
Bravo Co 1-18 Infantry, 1st platoon "Outlaws"