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Iraqi Security Forces Progress
In Basic Warrior Training
By Lance Corporal Joshua C. Cox
II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (August 24, 2005) – A team of focused soldiers equipped with helmets, protective vests and weapons swiftly move through a destroyed building to make sure it is clear for further movement. This situation was just one of the several training scenarios the Iraqi Security Force rehearsed here Aug. 24.
“This is like their school of infantry,” said Lance Cpl. Andrew E. Thibault, advisor’s aid, 1st Platoon, 2nd Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD). “It is just advanced infantry tactics.”
The day included urban terrain training, as well as convoy movement tactics, vehicle searches and individual search drills.
A senior Iraqi Soldier works with a subordinate soldier while clearing a building during urban terrain training conducted here Aug. 24. The day included the urban terrain training, as well as convoy movement tactics, vehicle searches and individual search drills.
“The purpose of the training is a combined effort with the U.S. Marine Corps and the new Iraqi army to help the Iraqi people to have a strong defense and unified country in order to sustain democracy,” said Gunnery Sgt. Paul W. Vanek, advisor, Military Training Team 6, Iraqi Security Force.
The soldiers are fresh out of basic training, which is drafted from training U.S. forces undergo in the early stages of their military careers.
McKirahan said the training is progressing, and the Iraqi soldiers of Romeo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Division, are aimed to graduate soon and will transfer to their duty stations to aid in the security of Iraq.
“They are doing a lot better than they were in basic training,” said Cpl. John A. McKirahan, advisor’s aid, 1st Plt, 2nd FAST Co., 4th MEB, II MEF (FWD). “They slowly but surely learn everything [the instructors] teach them.”
According to McKirahan, even though the training is making headway, there are some mild frustrations that come along with the evolution; such as language barriers.
However, the Marines who train the Iraqi Security Force overcome the hurdles and continue on with the mission.
“You learn a lot of the language while working with them,” said McKirahan.
Helping equip the Iraqi Security Force with the tools they need to make their home a safer place is just another way the Corps is aiding in operations for the security and stability of Iraq.
Why I Became A Marine
By Lance Corporal Joshua C. Cox, USMC
marine2be01@hotmail.com
I'm with the United States Marine Corps, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD), Headquarters Group, Public Affairs Office.
My name is Joshua Cox and I am a photo journalist currently serving aboard Camp Fallujah, Iraq. I have been deployed since June 20, 2005.
I'm a 20-year-old 2004 graduate of White House High School. My mother and sister still reside in White House, and I continually keep in touch with my teachers and friends from high school.
When serving stateside, I am stationed to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, where I write stories and features published in the base newspaper there. In Iraq, my job is to cover stories related to the Marine Corps, and how we are helping create stability in an unstable world.
I shoot photos and interview people from around the world. Additionally, I work with many civilian media professionals who are also documenting the historic events unfolding in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
My work has been published around the world in many domestic and foreign publications. I have been published in MARINES Magazine, and have worked along-side CNN reporter Jane Araff and her crew. My career has taken me many places, and has allowed me to become very successful at a young age. However, the main reason I decided to become a Marine was to serve my country and protect the things I care about the most.
I couldn't imagine war erupting White House, that's why I work to ensure that never happens. My 20th birthday was on August 13, 2005.
Dispatch From Afghanistan
By Captain Sean Jones
White House, TN, July 9--Local CPA Jeff Hardee writes: “My brother-in-law, Sean Jones, is a captain in the Army. He arrived in Afghanistan yesterday for a year of bullet-dodging. He's an award-winning photographer and should be sending photos soon. It all depends on his access to high-speed Internet. This is his latest dispatch:
August 12--Internet service here is not the best and is very limited on speed so getting pictures out is near impossible. Attached is one with my Afghan counterpart, Captain Hazarat. (He is right. The picture didn't come through.)
The soldiers we are working with have been in the current Afghan army nearly three years and have quite a bit of experience. They are nearing their first term and there is a lot of doubt and question about how many are going to stick around after September.
There is nothing much to report from here. It continues to be hot, we have now found snakes in our room, scorpions outside the door, and camel spiders inside our operations center. The good news is, the camel spiders are not poisonous. The bad news is, they are carnivores in nature so they will numb your leg for exmple while you are asleep and chew at the meat until it decides to move on to something else. I spray the sheets down with Deet at night but that doesn't keep the fleas away.
Anyhow, nearly a month has passed since we got to Farah and every day is one day closer to a return trip to the United States. We have ventured out in town a few times to buy supplies and are constantly surrounded by kids when we stop.
It is nothing to see two year old children playing on the side of the road. I suppose their mothers "might" do an inventory of how many kids are supposed to be in the house at night but who knows. So for now, that's all I have to report. Hopefully, things won't get any more exciting.
July 18--Will try and send some [photographs] this week. We've been busy trying to get established, do our turnover from the guys here and meeting our counterparts. We went on a road trip yesterday to one of the towns that is a trouble spot and where we will inevitably go to again to take action. Didn't actually go into the town but turned and took an alternate route home. It took us nearly 8 hours the other day to travel 150 miles. 2 1/2 hours to go 40 miles of that. It is almost as if there is no road network but more like paths. No way to make any kind of time.
Living conditions are austere to say the least. No A/C and the buildings we are in have no cross wind windows installed so there is no way to get cool air into them at night. Sweat all night long but at least it's not Mississippi hot. Temps were around 135* yesterday where we were coming across the desert trail. We do have a shower facility and mess hall about 1/2 mile from us that we use. It is a United States Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) outpost which mainly provides Civil Affairs support to the region. Phone use is unlimited at our site via satellite so right now, no need for phone cards. Uncle Sam is footing that bill. Internet use is somewhat more limited as we have to go to the PRT. We stay out of here after 7:00 at night but are looking at getting our own satellite internet installed.
Our predecessors had little to do with the Afghans, or so is my impression, so my intent is to work with them as much as possible to stay out of our compound. Unfortunately for us, the main body, and my company, of Afghans are about a 15 minute drive away so it's not like I can just walk over and see them. We do have one of their companies co-located with us and they provide security although we are doing security checks throughout the night as well. The concensus from our predecessors about the local populace is that most are willing to accept the Americans here and they all love the Afghan National Army presence and the stability they provide. Doesn't mean that there are not problems but the ANA can be trusted to a large degree and are the law of the land here. Farah however is still a gateway between Pakistan and Iran so there are some associated problems there with smuggling, thievery, drug traffiking and other miscellaneous criminal activity. There is some Taliban activity in the area as well.
Kathy sounds a lot better and will probably do much better now she is home. Conor is definitely glad to be home. He asked me if I had seen any "kids" here yet. Yep, by the thousands. They will sprint 1,000 yards in barefeet to stand on the side of the road and wave at you. To me, everything here is just like crossing the border into Mexico in Arizona or California.
July 9 --After a 0300 wake-up, 0745 departure from Kyrgystan, and 2 hour and 45 minute flight, we finally made it to Kabul today. Jim Cooper (U.S. Representative, Nashville) flew with us on the flight down in the C-130. We will be here 2-3 days then will either fly out to our final destination or take the three-day drive. Hopefully flying will be the option we will execute. Kabul makes Tijuana, Mexico, look like Club Med. Hot, dry, and definitely barren and poor. Living conditions here are much better though than they were in Manas. Only 20 of us per wooden hut, but it's air-conditioned. We have some in-processing tonight and some more country in-briefs tomorrow, then we should be finished with our business here. More to follow when we get somewhere and get unpacked."
Pictures From Iraq
This picture was sent to us by a person many times removed from the soldier who sent them back the United States. His name is Bob Phelps, AAS4SF. This is what he wrote about this picture: "I've seen this happen at many mail calls, and did it myself trying to get a scent of Wedge, my wife." Thanks to this brave soldier, we're posting more pictures from Iraq, pictures that never get published in the mainstream media.
The pictures sent to us by Bob Phelps, AA4SF, stationed in Iraq.
Pray for our troops in Iraq this Independence Day.
They're bringing independence to millions of Iraqis.
Links to military sites
http://www.e27marines-1stmardiv.org/
http://www.m4l.usmc.mil/
www.USOCARES.org
www.BooksForSoldiers.com
April 5, 2005
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
To the Citizens of White House,
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of those who recently contributed their time and efforts in support of my deployment to Iraq. It is hard to express in words how much good it did to hear from each of you, showing care, concern, love and support. It was truly awe-inspiring and I salute you. Your relentless support and encouragement provided a simple reminder that we must be in this together, unified, and we must have the patience to persevere through it, just like all difficult times. Do not believe for a second that the Iraqi people do not want us there. I met many of them, and they desperately want us and need us. They speak of how they may never see the freedoms that we speak about, but know their children will. That alone is worth everything we are attempting to accomplish in that part of the world. Please take a moment each day to remember those servicemen and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice in order to assure the survival and success of liberty so that we may guarantee a SAFE AND SECURE FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN. Remember "Freedom is not Free." Again thank you and God bless you!
Sincerely,
Jeff A. Mingledorff
Captain, White House Police Department
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