Time off

I have absolutely loved having him back home and he got to take almost a month off of work. Even though we really didn't go anywhere, I loved just hanging out, cooking and watching videos.

Now I'm sorting out the house and getting rid of junk, to prepare for the PCS move.

And every night my heart smiles because he is home to hold me.

Made it

His flight finally made it in after a few delays. But it's so nice to have him back at home. :)
Now to enjoy some time together before we move to the next step of moving to the next duty station.

Welcome Home 1-25th!

They just keep coming :)

The flights just keeping rolling in but I'm still waiting for the one plane that'll bring mine home. But at least he's in Kuwait now.

"About 1,000 soldiers from the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry will be returning to Fort Wainwright during the next four days."

Link Here

A lot of people are complaining about the loss of the 3 day pass before they have to start reporting. At this point, I just want my soldier back in our home every night. Block leave will be here very soon. I just want him here.

Coming Home

The first main group arrived home Tuesday morning. My husband hasn't returned just yet but hopefully soon. I'm so very excited.

Link here

twitter UAF

I found the twitter account of the UAF journalist in Iraq. They have a little insight to the 3/2 starting to show up.

"strykernews RT @cptfunkaho: Troops from the 3-2 SBCT are beginning to arrive to replace the 1-25th at Warhorse. The end is in sight. #UAFiraq

cptfunkaho Power going up and down all over FOB Warhorse - the hot weather and increased population are playing hell with the generators. #UAFiraq

cptfunkaho The new brigade's arrival is crowding the base facilities and causing some friction as the 3-2 personnel put their stamp on things. #UAFiraq"

Link Here

Woohoo my countdown on my homepage is under 20 days! I'm so excited.

Embedded Reporters from UAF

When I first read about them going over to Iraq, I wasn't impressed. Most of the reporters do a short, edited piece and come home. But they have actually wrote a few articles that are interesting to read. And yea, I scan the pictures and videos for people I know.

Short Timers Blog

“Be safe, fall out.”

The first group of Stryker soldiers made it home yesterday.

"The 150 troops in the “torch party” will make preparations in the coming weeks for the rest of the 4,200 person brigade to return to Fort Wainwright from Iraq."

Welcome home..now let's get the rest of 1-25th all safely home!

Link Here

I can see the light

Now that the torch party is due home in the next few days, the homecoming articles have started to appear. It gets you very excited that they will be home soon.

Fairbanks Newsminer

Anchorage Daily News

KTUU

Dust Storm

I've been hearing about the dust storm that has been going through Iraq. NASA has released this photo from the Aqua Satellite. Hopefully it will pass on through soon.

Story Link Here

Photo from here

Task Force 49

While not directly related to 1-25, it's still good news to the people around Fort Wainwright. It also means it will be our turn very soon. :)

"Nearly 90 Fort Wainwright soldiers are expected to return home today (July 1) following a year-long deployment to Iraq."

Welcome Home!

Link Here

Are they ready?

The June 30 deadline is only a few short days away. Are they ready to step up to the plate and take over?

"The Iraqi authorities are tightening security in preparation for next Tuesday's deadline for US soldiers to pull out of the country's cities."

Link Here: BBC News

Next group

The sad part about one group coming home is the next group gets ready to leave.
Fort Lewis prepares to replace us.

Link Here

Patriots by the Lake

I read an interesting article about a housing project in Texas for veterans.

"A national model, Patriots by the Lake will stand as a tribute to America’s veterans and their families. The vision behind this one-of-a-kind mixed-use community is to provide housing, places of work, medical and ancillary support services, recreation and other amenities for our veterans. It will be a place for veterans to call home and serve as a destination place for visitors seeking to pay tribute to our heroes.

Patriots by the Lake will focus on providing an array of housing options for our veterans, memorials to say thank you and a host of other amenities that express gratitude to all who have served as well as the supporters of those who served. The design and architecture of Patriots by the Lake will welcome veterans home with open arms and provide a beacon of hope to all who visit."

The whole article is here.

Not much news

There hasn't been a lot of decent news but here is an update on Operation "Glad Tidings of Benevolence II." I wonder who gets to make the operation's name.

Link Here

Army Gen. Ray Odierno interview

On CNN, Army Gen. Odierno said U.S. forces are still on track to meet the June 30 deadline to leave major Iraqi cities.

More transfer of power

"Since Jan. 1, U.S. forces have transitioned more than 40 bases, areas and facilities to Iraqi control. "

Link Here

KTUU report

KTUU has a three-part report on the 1/25 SBCT from embedded reporter Doug Grindle.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

There are pictures, video and a transcript of the report.

COP Ayres

"The Iraqi Army assumed control of Combat Outpost Ayres from 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division during a ceremony held March 19."

Link Here

Banquet in Fairbanks

There is an article about the 41st Annual Military Appreciation Banquet that was held in Fairbanks. A number of military were recognized during the banquet.

Link Here

First Lady Interview

"First Lady Michelle Obama discusses military families in a one-on-one interview at Fort Bragg, NC."

Pentagon TV has a few good videos to watch.

Down to 12 Brigades

"Gen. Ray Odierno, the top US commander in Iraq, announced Sunday that over the next six months, two combat brigade teams and their supporting elements, or about 12,000 troops, would return home from Iraq without being replaced. An American F-16 fighter squadron will also be sent back without being replaced."

Link Here

More Dwell Time Needed

"The nation’s top military officer expressed concern here yesterday about servicemembers and their families “toughing it out” with frequent deployments and little time together between those deployments. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talked about the stresses of war and a variety of other topics in a town-hall meeting with servicemembers and civilians.

In answer to a question from the audience, Mullen acknowledged that even when troops theoretically have 12 months of “dwell time” between deployments, that’s not really the case when they have to spend part of that time away from their families training for their next deployment.

“The way the families are handling this thing is they’re just toughing it out until they get the relief. There’s a concern about how long they can tough it out,” he said. “We’re going to have to continue to focus on that.”

Link Here

FOB closing and memorial

The Washington Times has an article that actually names some Forward Operating Bases (FOB) and Combat Operations Posts (COP) that will close down in the future. And a few that will be last to close.

"Only a third or fewer of the 14 installations in Baqouba and surrounding Diyala province will remain after the withdrawal deadline, said Maj. John Sutton, the assistant operations officer of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, which is part of the 25th Infantry Division."
Link Here

Also three soldiers were killed on Feb. 23 while on patrol. Cpl. Michael L. Mayne, Spc. Micheal B. Alleman and Pfc. Zachary R. Nordmeyer will all be missed.
Link Here

Iraq withdraw plan

Some "senior White House official" is letting it be made know that the "official" Iraq withdraw plan will be released soon. They are saying "most" will be out by August 2010 but a couple of thousand (30 to 50 thousand) will still be there until 2011. That is the end of the agreement between the US and Iraq.
Link is Here.

But it goes nicely with the news article about the decrease in violence, at a six year low.
Link Here

Quba Imam Boy’s school

There was a news article about how the 1-24 is working with the Iraqi Security Forces to help improve some services around the region. One such project is the Quba Imam Boy’s school.

Link Here

Half Done!

Here a news article from KTUU in Anchorage about the halfway mark.

Link Here.

And an interview from he commander of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry about an update on the troops after the elections there.

Link Here

Jan.31 elections in Iraq

I am so glad the elections went off with any major acts of violence. It makes me happy not only for the Iraqi forces but also the people who live there.

Here is a link to some preparations the 1-25 did for the elections.

And one of the many reports about the voting that took place. Link Here.

Catch-up

Did I really not post for a whole month? I'm so sorry but I got caught up in that happy moment during deployment called R&R. I did very much love having him at home.

But anyway, here are a few news worthy items for today.
VOTING:
Jan. 28 was the voting day for the Iraqi police. They vote early so they can provide security on Jan. 31 for the rest of the voting public in Iraq. The last voting took place in 2005.
Link here.

HUMVEE:
Iraq has now received 4,000 armored M1114 Humvees. They have a goal to receive about 8,500 by the end of this year.
Link Here.