Team Lightning Family,
Happy holidays, Happy Hanukah, Noel, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!!!! It has been a most eventful 2004 for all of us. I, again, want tot personally than you all for the sacrifices that you and your families have made in support of our mission here; we could not have been as successful as we have been without your unending commitments. As we prepare to transition our sector to the incoming unit, we will continue to provide security and stability for the good people of Iraq in the northern portion of the Brigade Combat Team sector until we depart the Iraqi Theater of Operation. We will not be moving to another FOB or city, we will stay here at FOB Summerall; that is a good thing for all of us. Some will move out of their current living areas to make room for the inbound unit, but this is better than doing the “duffle bag drag” somewhere else. We are on glide path to be home on time!!!!! Let us not forget that our mission successes have not come without our own losses to the Lightning family; our fallen comrades will never be forgotten!!
All TF Lightning Soldiers had the opportunity to take R&R and that is great news!! You all earned it and I hope the short visit was bountiful for you all!! Your efforts continue to amaze me and CSM Sanders…. the Schweinfut team has led from the front and set the standard in everything you have done, and we all thank you for all that you have done!!! It was nice to receive the report that the battalion Christmas party was a huge success, again showing the commitment and dedication to those that have been so dedicated to supporting us…. well done, “Dragons!!”
Over the past month, we continued our aggressive offensive operations while simultaneously preparing for the upcoming Iraqi elections in January. In November, the enemy has paid a high cost during our several contacts…. and will continue to do so until we re-deploy. You should have recently read about some of these successes in the Stars and Stripes, as we had an embedded reporter with us for a week. Our area of focus for the remainder of our time here continues to be equipping and train the Iraqi National Police and Iraqi National Guard and setting the conditions for the elections. We will conduct our Transition of Authority to the inbound unit of 3 Jan 05 and well will begin our re-deployment operations by mid-February. Some personnel (around 10-15) will deploy as part of our advance party and assist the rear detachment in preparing for our return home. The rear detachment will remain in charge until the battalion returns from block/max leave in early April. Understand that all Soldiers will have the opportunity to take 30 days leave upon our re-deployment…however; some Soldiers will not have that many days accumulated (accrued). I can authorize up to 14 days additional leave, but this will be on a case by case basis.
This time of the year is the hardest on families…. when loved ones are deployed….know that you are all in our daily thoughts and we will be home soon!! Enjoy the holiday season as much as possible, knowing that your loved ones are making a difference here in Iraq. The entire First Lightning team wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!!! Your fighting veterans are incredibly thankful for all of your love and support. You make us extraordinarily proud and we strive to do the same for you each and everyday until we return home. Thank you for all that you do everyday!! God bless you and the United States of America!!! All gave some, but some gave all!!!
LTC Kyle M. McClelland- Commander, Task Force 1-7
Lightning 7 comments…
Hello First Lightning Families,
This is the season that families usually spend together; it’s hard to celebrate knowing that our love ones are in harm’s way and far away, but we must stay strong and be thankful that we live in a country that affords us the freedoms we have. On Forward Operating Base Summerall we will spend Christmas as most days, at war. Here at Task Force 1-7 were going to try to slow down a bit for the next few weeks. Even though the break will be nice, our enemies are at large and Christmas will not be an exception. The KBR DFAC is preparing a great feast for everyone to enjoy. We will be busy but we will take a moment to give thanks and reflect on what this day truly means to us all. On behalf of the entire TF Lightning family we want to thank everyone for their support and sacrifices. We wish each and everyone a Happy Holiday season. God bless all of you and this great nation of ours.
P.S. below I attached what a typical Christian family does to celebrate Christmas in Iraq:
Christmas in Iraq
On Christmas Eve, Iraqi Christian families gather together and one of the children read about the birth of Jesus while other family members hold lighted candles. After the reading, a bonfire of thorn bushes is lit and everyone sings. If the thorns burn to ashes, good luck will be granted for the coming year. When the fire dies, each person jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.
On Christmas Day another bonfire is lit in the churchyard. The bishop, carrying a figure of the Baby Jesus leads the service. Afterwards he blesses one person with a touch. That person touches the person next to him or her and the touch is passed around until all present have felt the "touch of peace."
CSM Wayne L. Sanders / Lightning 7
Alpha Company Lightning Bolt Comments...
With November quickly passing us by with it’s now cold winds and cloudy skies, Alpha Company is beginning the planning process to redeploy all our Soldiers home. Simultaneously, we are staying focused on the mission at hand and celebrating the holidays! As you can imagine, every single one of us are working even harder to keep up with everything that needs to get done.
This month has also brought us an enemy that attempted an uprising throughout the entire country. We have seen more enemy activity in our sector this month than any before and we overcame this uprising at each and every turn. The Steel Knights defeated every insurgency act with devastating blows; overwhelmingly defeating them at every engagement. You can be proud of all the accomplishments your Soldiers have made to maintain a safe environment for the people of Iraq as well as destroying terrorists who can now no longer attempt attacks in the United States.
November has also brought the Company a new First Sergeant. 1SG Jacobs was selected to assume duties as First Sergeant for HHB DivArty. He will be greatly missed by all the Steel Knights and soon will be greatly appreciated by DivArty. 1SG Pryor, a prior “First Lightning” Soldier, comes to us from Hohenfels Combat Maneuver Training Center and replaced 1SG Jacobs on 29 November. Karen Jacobs however, will stay on as our wonderful FRG Leader until we redeploy and are on the ground in Germany. This will ensure there is no loss of information or communications during the Company’s last few months in Iraq. So a warm welcome to 1SG Anthony Pryor and his wife Stephanie and two children Jessica and Lukas and a heartfelt “Thank you” to Karen for her dedication to all the Steel Knight families.
In the last two months there have been some promotions and reenlistments that need to be recognized. Congratulations to the following Soldiers and their families for their achievements:
Promotions
PFC Kurtz to SPC Kurtz
PVT Kallie to PFC Kallie
SPC Foster to SGT Foster
CPL Fellows to SGT Fellows
PFC Sanders to SPC Sanders
Reenlistments
SSG Jesus Rivera
SSG Jason Bostic
SPC Darrel Elliot
SGT Marcus Vaughn
Lastly I would like to thank all the spouses and family members for their support of all our Steel Knight Soldiers. Your support is worth more than you will ever be able to imagine.
Respectfully,
CPT Deric Holbrook
1SG Anthony Pryor
Alpha Company Command Team
CHARLIE COMPANY COMMENTS...
Dear Cobra Family,
November has been a very fast paced month, similar to many of the other months that we have had here in Bayji, Iraq. The temperature has finally dropped off and very quickly too. Most of our soldiers have had to dig through the bags of snivel gear that we thought we’d never have to use. KBR had done a very good job at creating a festive atmosphere in the DFAC on Thanksgiving day and making it more than “just another day”. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies, crab legs, lobster tails, eggnog and sparkling grape juice. Our schedule didn’t let up at all but we at least got to take a few minutes and remember all that we are thankful for during the hour or so where we could get our minds off of being outside the wire while stuffing ourselves.
Our enemy is still here and still willing to fight but thanks to our great NCOs, platoon leaders and soldiers and their ability to take the fight to the enemy, we have suffered only a few casualties and killed many AIF and captured many of their weapons that would have been used against us in the future. Throughout all of the engagements and roadside bombs that we have encountered, thankfully, we have only suffered a few casualties. SSG Delaney, a Bradley Commander was wounded when a car drove up next to his Bradley and detonated. He is enroute back to Germany to receive some treatment for his arm but the good news is that he is expected to recover fully. His gunner and driver, SPC Jordan and PFC Najera, were also wounded but have returned back to the fight. One of our tankers, SPC Scott, also suffered a mild concussion after his tank ran over a mine but has also returned to duty.
On another note, we awarded many of our Cobras during the Veteran’s Day award ceremony. 1LT Walter, SSG Banuelos and SPC Wagasky received the ARCOM with “V” Device; and SGT Barton, SPC Aparicio, SPC McClean, and PFC Whitley were awarded the ARCOM. SPC Aparicio, SPC Guerzon, and PFC Dale were awarded the Combat Medical Badge as well for their service during this deployment.
By the middle of next month we should be able to meet our goal to send everybody back for R and R with only a few exceptions. For the most part our soldiers are doing well and they always continue to perform above our expectations. They continue to perform their missions despite the busy schedule that has kept us all working a lot of long hours. We despite the large amount of work we have been doing, we will be able to continue training to keep our skills sharp before we finally get to leave our temporary homes out in the desert.
We still do not know what the future holds for us after we leave Summerall, but we will be ready to do whatever mission we are given. We have been and will be busy as we prepare for the next unit to come and replace us. We will also ensure that every member of the Cobra Team makes it back safely to Schweinfurt and back to their loved ones. We appreciate your continued support and prayers.
Sincerely,
1LT James K. Starling
1SG Michael A. Grinston
HHB COMMENTS...
Hello Hurricane Family!
November has seen a significant rise in combat operations and enemy contacts for the Hurricanes, but we are happy to report that we have sustained no casualties this month. We have continued to conduct missions in support of the Task Force that involve all Hurricane Soldiers. Most recently our mechanics, communications personnel, and engineers took part in a Task Force mission by securing the Headquarters and conducting house-to-house patrols in town. Your donations to the kids of Iraq have continued to flow in and we actively distribute them whenever we have the opportunity. Our Iraqi National Guard Company discovered and seized a large IED cache this month. Our training with these fine Iraqi Soldiers has definitely made a great contribution to the security of Bayji and the surrounding area.
Special recognition goes out to our Sapper Platoon this month. They have faced more than their share of danger and close calls recently and have always come out on top. With the help of a couple of Apache helicopter pilots, the Sappers closed in on an enemy IED emplacement team and captured them with the goods in their car. They have found and destroyed over 30 mines and IEDs this month, and have consistently foiled the enemy's booby traps. The Sappers do the toughest job, and they do it well, they prevent the loss of life every day.
Congratulations to SFC Roberts, SFC Martin, SSG Weppelman, SSG Windle, SPC Ashman, SPC Cabreja, SPC Johnson, William, SPC Brown, Derek, SPC Larosa, SPC Jeadrick, SPC Bandy, SPC Rodriguez, and SPC Guerzon for their promotions over the last two months. The following soldiers each received the Task Force "Play of the Week" award in recognition of their exceptionally hard work and dedication during this operation: SGT Camacho (S2), SGT Flores, Anthony (Medics), PFC Odom (Mechanics), CPL Meerman (Mortars), SPC Williams (Mortars), SGT Diaz (Mortars), SSG Hodge (Sappers), SPC Taylor (Sapper Medic), and SPC Gross (Sappers). We also had the pleasure of reenlisting SGT Webb, SPC Tingue, and SGT Dixon. SPC Luis Santiago, our Chaplain's Assistant has been accepted into the Army Chaplain Candidate program. Within two months he will be promoted to 2LT and train to become an army Chaplain. We are very proud of him and he is absolutely deserving of this promotion and position.
All Hurricane soldiers who arrived with the main body have now taken R&R or are scheduled to before redeployment, the program has been excellent for our soldiers and families and we are pleased that it has been so successful. Thank you to all the families, friends, and our dedicated FRG for giving each of our soldiers the support they need to continue this mission. Please keep the mail, packages, emails, phone calls, and pictures coming, as we enter the final stages of this mission. Our unit has performed remarkably and it is a credit to the Soldiers, family members, and supporters alike.
Ride the Storm!! HURRICANES!
BRIAN D. VAUGHAN
CPT, FA
Commanding
HOWARD C. PATRICK
1SG, USA
First Sergeant
SVC BATTERY COMMENTS...
To The Serpent Family,
While things are heating up in preparation to receive our incoming unit the temperature is getting much cooler. Yes, the sweltering days of 120 degree temps are long gone as our great soldiers gear up for cooler weather. Snow, well not quite, but we have been breaking out the parkas, gloves, and scarves around the FOB as daily highs reach about 58 degrees and the nights are reminiscent of our weather in Germany. But we are hanging in there. After the longest summer of extreme heat we are receiving the change in climate with open arms.
The cold weather is not all that is new to us here in Bayji as we are beginning to see members of the 42 Infantry Division in the Dining Facility, checking out our living conditions and Morale and Welfare Centers. The members of 42nd are not really excited to have arrived here but have been impressed with the amount of work our unit has done and continues to do. In the past month we have constructed a memorial wall, improved living areas while continuing to maintain our mission as THE unit to go to for all of your logistics wants and needs.
Our Serpent family continues to do great things here in Iraq raising over $3,000 for the Combined Federal Campaign and donating over $130 for the 1st Infantry Division Memorial Fund. Specialist Valledarres was recognized by the Brigade Commander for his efforts in the month of October as the go to guy for our maintenance program and we are 98% complete on our R and R rotation….Go Serpents!
As time progresses into the last quarter of our deployment our soldiers are getting anxious to return home to loved ones and the comforts of living in Europe. With the holidays just around the corner we want to thank you all for the support you have given through the last ten months from both the family readiness group and independent contributors. To all of the families and supporters of Service Battery and Task Force 1-7 we salute you.
Sincerely,
CHRISTOPHER A. WASHINGTON
CPT, FA
Commanding
MARVIN C. CROMARTIE
1SG,USA
First Sergeant
DELTA BATTERY COMMENTS...
Recently four of our outstanding Family Readiness Group Leaders were recognized at Division forum for their contributions to the battalion, community, and division during the deployment. Mrs. Karen Jacobs (A BTRY), Mrs. Hope Rodgers (B BTRY), Mrs. Jo Williams (C BTRY), and Mrs. Kim Washington (SVC BTRY) have all done there part in making TF Lightning's deployment considerably better than it would have been without them. Each, in there own way, has made life for Delta Battery easier, as well. Congratulations to each of you and thank you for all of your hard work.
Congratulations to SSG Hernandez (again). Recently, SSG Hernandez competed to become a member of the Sergeant Morales Club. SSG Hernandez excelled in his performance at both the division and corps boards. In fact, SSG Hernandez was the only Soldier within the 1st Infantry Division to win induction.
1SG Ebbs and I would also like to congratulate SSG Boateng on his recent reenlistment. Reenlisting SSG Boateng was a privilege. He has been a member of Delta Battery since we stood up on 01 October 03. His hard work and professionalism makes 1SG Ebbs and my life easier every day. He is truly one of the best PAC NCOs that I have ever worked with. SSG Boateng, thank you for staying with the Army and TF Lightning.
November and the first half of December has been busy. We have continued to install furniture in the battery offices, fix furniture in the Soldiers rooms, and prepare the battalion area for the redeployment. During the remainder of December, we will continue to plan for the redeployment process. Families will have their part in planning as well. I encourage all spouses to attend their FRG's Reunion brief. The Reunion brief will be similar in nature to the briefs at the Christmas Party; however, the speakers will go into more detail and facilitate a group discussion about expectations. Our Soldiers in Iraq will receive similar briefings. Briefing dates are:
A BTRY 29 JAN 05 at 1300 in the Battalion Conference Room
HHB 01 FEB 05 at 1800 in the Battalion Conference Room
C BTRY 02 FEB 05 at 1730 in the Battalion Conference Room
SVC BTRY 03 FEB 05 at 1800 in the Battalion Conference Room
B BTRY To Be Determined
For those who cannot make the FRG briefings, there will be two community-wide briefings on 04 and 05 February at 1000 in the Ledward Theater. Again, I highly encourage everyone to take advantage of the briefing. Contact your FRG Leader or FRL if you have questions.
As always, we are here to support the unit forward and its most precious resource, the families. Our phone number is 09721-96-6484 (from the German economy), 011-49-9721-96-6484 (from the United States), or 354-6484 (DSN).
Dragons!
MATTHEW LENNOX
CPT, FA
Commanding
W. LEE EBBS
1SG, USA
First Sergeant
BRAVO BATTERY COMMENTS...
Hello friends and family of Bravo Battery! It has been another successful month here in Iraq, and as the November chill sets in and winter draws upon us, it could only mean one thing; it’s almost time to return home! It has been another hectic month here in Iraq for a triumvirate of reasons. First, the Battery has tackled head first the lengthy twelve step training process known as “Table XII”. Secondly, our combat missions have increased in support of troops across the brigade. Finally, November has been a successful month in sending back many Bulls home to their friends and family on much needed and well-deserved R&R.
The Battery welcomes SPC Jonathan Benton, SPC Charles Boyd, PFC Marcus Beilby to 2nd Platoons FDC. SPC Benton joins us from HHB and PFC Beilby is a new addition to the Army family. SPC Vanderbilt, SPC Yarbrough, SGT Johnson, SGT Hinson, SPC Davis, PVT Martinez, 1SG Carter and SFC Hibley return to us from hard earned R&R to FOB Remagen. FOB Paliwoda returned PFC Thomas, SSG Schuler, CPL Postnikov, SPC Dia, SPC Villadiego, SPC Ferrell and SSG Pincay from their R&R vacations. Their skills and leadership were missed here in Iraq, and all soldiers have hit the ground running, never missing a beat, and helping Bravo Battery carry out its wartime mission. 98% of the Battery’s soldiers have taken R&R and by the end of December, we will have reached our goal of 100%.
The Battery continues on with its important and critical wartime mission to provide on call fires throughout its sector. For the month of November, 1st Platoon fired over twenty missions in support of Task Force 1-77 and 1-4 Cavalry, protecting thousands of soldiers on LSA Anaconda, FOB Paliwoda, and FOB McKenzie from enemy mortar and rocket attacks. 1st Platoon gun sections were on standby every night, firing over twenty rounds of illumination for troops in contact and in support of Task Force raids. Team Bull also kept FOB Paliwoda safe during a spate of VBIEDs throughout the 2 BCT area of operations, protecting the FOB entrance and performing daily random anti-terrorist measures. 2nd Platoon underwent the lengthy Tables I-XI, all while maintaining 100% firing capabilities. Firing numerous counter battery operations in the sector during the intensive Ramadan holiday, during which AIF forces redoubled their efforts to disrupt our mission. As a reward for our participation for the defense of our sector and our quick response times, LTC McClelland visited the FOB to hand out “Lucky 7” coins to members of each section.
SSG Ralph Laughlin was singled out, along with his maintenance team for their particularly hard work. FOB Remagen also enjoyed a visit from BG Morgan, as he talked to the soldiers about their commendable job well done. Thanksgiving Day without the families was hard on everyone, however the DFAC put on an excellent meal for all to enjoy, complete with turkey, ham, pumpkin pie and all of the stuffing and fixins.
Once again, Bravo Battery soldiers have performed well, not only on the battlefield, but also on the promotion boards. . Bravo Battery soldiers are working hard, and are being lovingly supported by our families in the rear. This is an equation for success. In 2nd Platoon, SSG Mendez Frith, SSG Jose Guzman, SGT Gabriel Norton, and SPC William Haney and SPC Samuel Emard all re-enlisted to stay Army. SPC Itliong was promoted to SGT, and SPC(P) Gressly passed the TF 9E promotion board; as well as winning Soldier of the Quarter. SPC Gressly and SPC Brealey represented Bravo Battery in the TF 9E Soldier of the Year, placing a close 3rd and 4th within the entire Task Force. SGT Belt, SGT Gregory and SSG Perez competed for NCO of the year, with SGT Gregory placing 2nd overall. SGT Gregory passed the E6 promotion board, and will become SSG Gregory on 01DEC04. PFC Obiaka was promoted to SPC Obiaka, PVT Martinez was promoted to PV2 Martinez and our newest soldier PV2 Bielby was rewarded for his hard effort and work with a promotion to PFC. 1st Platoon’s tactical success was mirrored by numerous personal achievements. SPC Kuhlke and SGT Gorrell successfully passed the 1-77 promotion board, while PFC Moise Yansene earned a promotion to SPC. SPC Brooks, SPC Dia, and SSG Savage all decided to reenlist to take advantage of the Army’s career options. SPC Cook, SPC Looft, SPC Merkle, SPC Coble and SPC Hilburn all opted to extend their tour with the Big Red One. On Thanksgiving Day, fellow artilleryman Assistant Division Commander Brigadier General Morgan specifically singled out Team Bull, talking to the soldiers, passing out coins and recognizing their tremendous achievements and dogged perseverance over the course of the deployment.
In closing, we would like to thank the FRG and the wives and loved ones of the Battery for all that you do. Your effort is one of the most unheralded aspects of the wartime effort. Your love and support through phone conversations; e-mail’s and mail have provided the soldiers in this battery enough positive reinforcement and morale to last a lifetime. You are with us in our thoughts and our prayers every day, especially so during this Holiday Season. God speed to each of you, and continue to keep the Bulls in your prayers. Ragin’ Bulls! And Happy Holidays!
ERIC GRAHAM
CPT, FA
Commanding
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