On the Lighter Side

This is some artwork from members units related to my son. The first is an older piece titled "3 BCT", the second, looking like a movie handbill was penned for TF300 (a task force that C-Troop Recon was a part of).

Too bad that we have to focus the talent, that can create these images, on having to search and destroy enemies like Al Qaeda.

God help our soldiers to each find a way to be great and productive human beings when this conflict is over.

These imagages are courtesy of a great FRG support staff at Ft Bragg, NC, home of the 82nd Airborne.

Dennis

News From the Front

Since Operation Ithaca, there has been very little news regarding the actions of C-Troop Recon, 5/73rd Cav. I only know that I spoke to my son on July 22nd after his return from the last operation. I did receive through my FRG contacts, a link to Black Anthem News Service regarding an Operation Woodshed, in the Balad Ruz area (east, southeast of Baqubah, closer to Camp Caldwell than the current position of the 5/73rd, C-Troop, at FOB Warhorse). I cannot find any corroborating evidence that my son's platoon/team was involved in this action.

As always, it is very hard to tell exactly who is involved in various conflicts. In operation Ithaca, most of the posts were attributed to the 1st Cav division, with support from B-Troop, 5/73rd, Cav, 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn, but also supported by C-troop Recon. This group was called TF300. I cannot tell from any of the postings or discussions with my son (and things may change daily) what portion of C-Troop operates as a recon unit in support of B-Troop, in support of the 1st Cav.

Is it a conspiricy by the Military to change the functions and support alliances, so the loved ones and the press cannot figure out who is doing what, or doesn't the army really know what type of force is required and be able to organize and train a specific unit that can cover all functional needs of an operational unit. Or, in all fairness, it may be to the commands strength that they are able to mix and match whatever type of force is required to accomplish the mission. Whatever the purpose, it frustrates the soldier's families and loved ones trying to figure out why we haven't heard from our soldier for a week or more, especially in the age of vastly improved communication.

Regardless, it is obvious that major conflicts are going on, as it was reported that 11 terrorists were killed and 13 suspected terrorists were detained in an effort to secure the Turki Village region and provide stability to the local population.

No injuries or kia's were reported as a result of Operation Woodshed.

Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of Coalition Forces in Diyala province,was quoted to say: “As I’ve said before, the terrorists have no where to hide. In our eyes, there is no such thing as a safe haven,”.

As I have no confirmation that the 5/73rd, C-Troop Recon was involved I will leave further details to my source, Black Anthem News.

I am too small in the news reporting scheme of things, to try to be a force in reporting the war for all the families who crave news of their loved ones. But the process of listening and researching often requires viewing references to units outside of my sphere of interest. The links I provide, in many cases, have additional information that may be useful to the info-search of others that are concerned enough to try to get to the truth.

Dennis

82nd Airborne Shoutout

It is about time to give due props to the heroes of the 82nd Airborne, 3rd BCT, 5/73rd Cav, C Troop Recon. I'll pass on some comments of the leaders of this truly brave and committed unit.

A letter from Command Sergeant Major Edgar, 5-73:
Early on the morning of the 22d, we conducted Operation Olympus with B troop, C troop, and elements from the headquarters, conducting air assault operations on to two separate landing zones to eliminate enemy fighters and reduce three Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (SVBIED).

Our Paratroopers continue to set the example with their conduct on and off the battlefield. The Squadron is constantly recognized by senior leaders across Iraq for their discipline, tenacity and professionalism. I have served in twelve different units across the United States and Germany throughout my career and this is by far the best organization I have ever served in. Many of our Troopers will depart our Squadron as we return in search of greener grass but most will eventually return as they realize how special serving in the 82d Airborne Division is, and that we are truly America’s Guard of Honor. This division has always attracted the best Soldiers in the Army and that fact has not changed. The mere fact that we all volunteered to attend Airborne School knowing we could serve on jump status separates us from Soldiers who fill the ranks in other units.

From CPT Dobbins:
5-73 CAV (TF 300) deployed to Iraq in August 2006 to defeat the insurgency in eastern Diyala, Iraq. 5-73 CAV was formerly 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, but was chosen by the Department of the Army to be the first Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron. The members of the Squadron were hand selected by the Squadron Commander LTC Andrew Poppas. Commanders, Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and soldiers were competitively chosen to be members of this elite force of two time volunteers.

Once established, the members of 5-73 CAV were sent to specialty
schools: Ranger School, Recon Surveillance Leaders Course, Air Assault, and EMT to have the necessary skill sets to operate in an austere intelligence environment. Following the specialty schools the Squadron went into an intensive training cycle to prepare for deployment, which culminated in a successful rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center.

Since deployed to Iraq the Squadron has achieved many successes and experienced some tragedy. Throughout the last twelve months we have conducted operations that have captured international headlines; Operation Turki Bowl I, Operation Turki Bowl II, and Operation Minotaur. 5-73 CAV, now referred to as Task Force 300 (for its 300
fighters) has consistently dominated the enemy through maneuver, saturating the area with patrol bases, patrols, and operations, and the application of Corps and Joint level assets.

From the 3rd Brigade Combat Team Commander, Col. Owens:
Our recon squadron, 5-73 Cav, has had a great fight on its hands in Diyala. Along with 3BCT, 1st Cavalry Division, these Paratroopers have been fighting some of the most extreme elements of Al-Qaeda and the Sunni insurgency. They have established several new Joint Security Stations to be closer to the Iraqi population and as a result have put themselves in a much more dangerous environment. Our Paratrooper’s tenacity and courage has come to be known throughout Diyala and among the members of the other American units they serve with.
Since my last report 5-73 Cavalry has paid a heavy price. They lost 17 great Paratroopers fighting some of the most ruthless terrorists in Iraq: PFC Orlando Gonzales, SPC Jason Nunez, SGT Jason Swiger, PV2 Anthony White, SPC Ebe Emolo, CPT Jonathon Grassbaugh, SPC Levi Hoover, PFC Rodney McCandless, 1LT Kevin Gaspers, SPC Jerry King, PFC Garrett Knoll, SSG Kenneth Locker, SGT Randell Marshall, SSG William Moore, SGT Brice Pearson, SPC Michael Rodriguez, SGT Michael Vaughn (5-73). 3-8, the Combined Arms Battalion, attached to us from 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division lost two officers; 1LT Philip Neel and 1LT Andrew Bacevich. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and friends of these brave Warriors. These losses have only strengthened our resolve to accomplish our mission. We will continue to take the fight to the enemy and to provide security for the Iraqi people,

The comments above, are just a few of the kudos from officers commanding our loved ones in the 5/73rd C-Trp Recon. These comments were mostly relayed via the 3rd BCT FRG at Ft. Bragg assigned to keep the families, of our loved ones, aware and informed. Thanks for all your input.

Dennis

Operation Ithaca - See Al Qaeda Go Down

I think I have figured out how to link the YouTube video of Operation Ithaca. Approximately at 1:05 (time shown is time remaining) of the feed is a closeup of a soldier, that I believe to be my Son.



I will include further links and pictures of the joint 1st Cav / 5/73 Cav Recon(known as Task Force 300) operations in the future.

Dennis

Operation Ithaca

On July 1th, 2007 Rob's unit (82nd Airborne, 3rd BCT, 5/73rd Cav, C Troop) participated as a recon unit with Task Force 300 in Operation Ithaca. Below are some comments about the mission and a description of some of the successes of TF300.

For those who know me, contact me and I will forward video of the battle, which may contain a clip showing Rob.

As described by Captain Dobbins:

Execution:
As soon as we hit the ground we began clearing the three separate objectives simultaneously, locating the enemy quickly through various sensors; Paratroopers on the ground, Paratroopers in two Black Hawk Helicopters flying overhead as the Aerial Reaction Force (ARF), Aerial Weapons Team (AH-64 Apaches), F-16 fighters, and Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (TUAVs).
We cleared from house to house, chicken coops, canals, and palm groves rooting out the enemy. Along the way we discovered three large caches of RPGs, Heavy Machine Guns, AK-47's, AQIZ propaganda, Iraqi Army/ police radio's, military uniforms and over 17 IEDs. The significance of the IED cache is that they are unable to put them on the street, which equals saving coalition and Iraqi lives.
Through the night into the early morning we fought the enemy, dominating them with impunity. The end result was we saved eight severely tortured civilians being held captive. The hostages told us that they had been sentenced by the Islamic State of Iraq to be executed later that day, and we saved them from certain death. All eight hostages who were from all over Iraq are now safely at home with their loved ones.
Our Paratroopers with all of their heavy gear and body armor covered four sq km of ground, clearing over 250 homes, many canals, and palm groves non-stop for eight hours, all while taking fire from a disciplined and determined enemy.
No civilians were killed or injured during this operation, nor any of our Paratroopers. As we were preparing to extract on our helicopters the hostages broke out in tears thanking us over and over. Security was given back to this region, allowing the repatriation of hundreds of families that had been threatened daily, lost family members, and lost the homes that had been in their families for over a hundred years.
STRIKE FORCE 300 (Bravo/ 5-73 CAV, 82nd ABN DIV)
Operation Ithaca is just one of many operations conducted by TF 300 on a regular basis. The determination and aggressiveness of this Squadron would make the original Paratroopers of WWII pleased that today's Paratroopers continue to uphold the standards and traditions of the 82nd Airborne Division.