Down Range Update

All the ladies got an email from LTC Connolly with an update about the area and what the soliders have been doing. I thought I'd post it for everyone. If you like it I will continue to post them as I get them.

We are here, all 730 Spartans, standing tall on the west side of the TigrisRiver overlooking the city of Mosul in Northern Iraq. I have to say thateveryone is more than just a little relieved to be out of Camp Beuring,Kuwait. Morale amongst the Soldiers is high and most of us are prettyexcited to “get after it” for this deployment. Although we were originallysupposed to deploy to Kirkuk with the rest of the brigade, instead, the highcommand here in Iraq sent us north to the Nivewah Province, to work with 2ndBrigade, 3rd Infantry “Rock of the Marne” Division. The brigade commander,COL Sexton, used to command 1-36 in 2004 and so we know that we are in goodhands. Our operations will be centered out of Forward Operating Base (FOB)Marez and it has been a pleasant surprise. There are excellent facilitieshere such as the gym, dining facility, living quarters; even a couple ofcafés where Soldiers can get a decent cup of coffee.
We are conducting a relief-in-place operation with 3-7 Cavalry, who iscurrently holding our area until we have received all of our vehicles andequipment. Like the 2/3 IN Brigade who we now work for, 3-7 CAV has been aterrific host for us. As the next few days come and go, they will begin toease out while we assume the entire battlespace. Our area is large: 3000square kilometers that includes most of Mosul and the land east of theTigris River well into the semi-autonomous region inhabited by Kurds, Turks,and Assyrians. Already many of us have been out on patrol with 3-7 CAV tomeet the locals and we have been impressed at the change that has occurredin Iraq over the past couple of years. You have heard that violence is downand it is true; most of the disputing factions seem more interested inwaging political war on television than with weapons.
That being said, Mosul still is a dangerous place and we are learningfirst-hand from 3-7 CAV the necessary tactics, techniques, and procedures toensure that all of the Spartan Soldiers are as protected as possible in theconduct of our mission. The mission itself is a tremendous challenge:advising and assisting the Iraqi security forces in maintaining order andstability within the city of Mosul—especially during the upcoming provincialelections that will happen sometime next year. This challenging mission hasbeen wholly embraced by all the companies, and many of the Soldiers andplatoons are sure to become very adept at partnering with Iraqi soldiers inthe security of their cities and surrounding areas.
So our first month has almost come and gone and we have successfullydeployed 730 Soldiers and all of their vehicles and equipment from Texas toKuwait to Northern Iraq and we are standing tall, proud, excited, and readyto assume the mission. Already we are putting rosters together to beginenvironmental leave for Soldiers. Starting after the New Year, a setpercentage of the battalion will be able to take around two weeks of leave back home to visit family and friends and I wish them God Speed andtravel mercies. The mail pipeline is fully established and letters and carepackages from home are more than welcome. Finally, if you haven’t done so,please check out the 1-36 IN virtual family readiness group website at …….The Spartan Rear Detachment Staff posts terrific information, newslettersand bulletins to keep everyone informed of how the deployment isprogressing. They also ready and able to assist you in a variety of waysshould you need assistance or simply questions answered. Please know howimportant all of you are to us. Separation during war is impossible todescribe to those who have never experienced it. Here in Iraq we pulltogether as squads, platoons, companies and as a battalion to strengthen andcomfort each other. Much of that comfort and strength is in knowing just howmuch all of you love and support us. And for that, we will forever be humblygrateful.

God Bless you all and God Bless these Soldiers who are here serving their nation!
“Deeds Not Words!”
Chris L. Connolly
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S.