Stryker Repair Facility

Here is a link about the Stryker battle damage repair facility at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar.
It talks about how they started out with repairing battle damage on Strykers but now that there has been a decrease, they have started doing resets on the older Strykers.

Link Here

More DVIDS articles

Spc. Opal Vaughn has written a few more articles about the 1-25 on DVIDS.

Cash for Trash
Walking the Line
Forward Area Support Team Makes the Rounds

And Pvt. Alisha Nye has a few also.

Operation Archangel Pursuit III Smokes Out Threats

The Changing Role of an Infantry Soldier

The article about the recycling program is a good thing to read about.

Merry Christmas

I didn't realize how hard it would be to find a Christmas song on YouTube, until I spent half the night trying to find one that was cute or funny. Although the ones called "All I want for Christmas is you" and "I'll be home for Christmas" do apply, I wanted to post the happier and fun side. :) So enjoy these:

Coalition troops withdrawing

The UN mandate in Iraq expires on December 31, 2008. I have been reading about different small countries withdrawing their troops. The only ones remaining after Dec. 31 will be the U.S., Britain, Australia, El Salvador, Estonia and Romania. Britain will be leaving by May 2009. I'm hoping Iraq will be able to step into the roles left and our troops don't have more piled on them. Because there is talk about having to move into Basra after Britain leaves.

News Article here

Pres. Bush's visit to Iraq

Photo by Spc. Brandon Price

Although the news media is mainly focusing on the shoe throwing incident, President Bush did visit Camp Victory in Iraq. This is his last visit to the war zone while he is President. Some quotes from his speech are below and the entire speech can be found here.

THE PRESIDENT: "Over the past five years, you have shown the world some unmistakable truths:

You have shown that when America is tested, we rise to meet the test.

You have shown that the desire for freedom is more powerful than the intimidation of terrorists.

You have shown that there is no task too difficult for the United States military."

DVIDS articles

There was a couple of articles on the 1-25th on DVIDS. It seems they had a reporter on FOB Caldwell. They did a few job spotlights, including mechanics.

“If we get a vehicle in, we get it fixed and out immediately,” Hobbs stated. “We cannot afford to get backed up and delay any missions. A vehicle not mission capable hinders other Soldiers from going out and doing their job, so we try to make sure we troubleshoot each vehicle until there is nothing more we can do.”

Link Here

Local TV update

Stryker commander praises efforts of troops in Iraq
by Lori Tipton
Monday, December 8, 2008

"ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Members of Alaska's 1st Stryker Brigade are in high spirits, extremely motivated and dedicated to the cause, according to the commander of the brigade's 4,200 soldiers serving in Iraq.

The 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division deployed to Iraq in September, and the brigade is making great strides with helping Iraq become a safer place said its commander, Col. Burdett Thompson.

The 25th Infantry Division has been very busy in Iraq, Thompson said.

"Iraq is a very dynamic place right now," he said in a phone interview.

The Strykers are stationed in Diyala, an area about the size of Maryland and Delaware put together, and is in charge of security. Troops have been working with the Iraqi police.

"I would've never guessed they would be as professional -- and quite frankly as competent and capable -- as they are," Thompson said.

Change is coming to Iraq, Thompson said. The country is ramping up for a national election, and in January and February the provinces will seat a new government.

"What these people want to do is get back to a normal lifestyle where they can provide for their families, they can pray based on their religious beliefs," he said.

But while the troops strive to make Iraq a safer place, it is still dangerous. Three soldiers with the Strykers have been killed in combat since September.

"And those guys are dearly missed and they'll never be forgotten," Thompson said. "Certainly our condolences went out to the family."

The brigade continues to work hard to make a difference, he said.

"Based on what I'm seeing our soldiers do over here, the difference that we're making here is worth every ounce of effort that we put into this fight and to put into this effort," Thompson said.

Gov. Sarah Palin's son, Track, is part of the unit, and Thompson said he is doing an incredible job with his fellow soldiers, and that the governor would be extremely proud of her son.

In just the past few months, about 60 soldiers with the brigade have re-enlisted, Thompson said."

Contact Lori Tipton at ltipton@ktuu.com

Link to the news story here.