I’ve gotten a couple of comments from folks who are trying to register at support3rdid.com. But, they seem to be having trouble registering because they don’t a referral name. Read the comments here.
I don’t have anything to do with that particular site, so I’ll put it out there for you folks. What can we do to get these people registered?
WASHINGTON (AP) - Two defense officials say the Pentagon is extending all active-duty soldiers’ tours of duty in Iraq to 15 months from the current 12 months to sustain the higher troop levels President Bush ordered in January.
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Lt. Col. John Kolasheski, commander of 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, and Col. Fadhil Abbas, commander of the Bey May Eagles, discuss ways their units can work together in Abbas’s office at Bes Maya Range Complex on Saturday.
Task Force Marne
Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq
APO AE 09342
April 11, 2007
3rd HBCT leaders meet with Iraqi Army
Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd HBCT, 3rd ID
FOB Hammer, Iraq – Col. Fadhil Abbas, commander of the Iraqi Army’s Bey May Eagles, had dinner with members of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team’s 3-1 Cavlary Regiment Sunday at the Bes Maya Range Complex near FOB Hammer east of Baghdad.
Lt. Col. John Kolasheski, commander of 3-1 Cav. Blackhawks, dined with Abbas and members of his Iraqi Army training unit to discuss future combined operations and to get to know one another a little better.
“I’m very impressed with the level of professionalism the Iraqi soldiers showed as we rolled through the gate,” said Kolasheski. “It says a lot about their training.”
Abbas presented the Blackhawk leadership with a huge meal to honor their visit and encouraged everyone present to relax and enjoy.
“My brothers, I am so excited that you are all here,” said Abbas. “I look forward to working with you as one family. The Iraqi team and the American team is one team and I want to have a high level of cooperation. My Iraqi soldiers love their American Soldiers as brothers.”
After their meal, Abbas and Blackhawk leadership discussed the training that the Iraqi Army was doing at Bes Maya Range Complex.
Abbas proudly explained that the complex features a sniper course, mortar course, infantryman’s course and a Combat Arms School. Many of these training courses are taught and run completely by the Iraqi’s themselves and others are almost to that point.
Abbas was understandably proud how far his country and army have come since their days under Saddam Hussein’s control.
“These types of facilities are so important in giving our Soldiers proper training,” remarked Kolasheski. “I’m very impressed with the facility you have here.”
Abbas also assured Kolasheski that the tribal division that had hindered Iraq’s army in the past was not a problem with the unit under his command.
“All my soldiers fight under one flag,” said Abbas, as he pointed to the Iraqi flag on his wall. “No more clans or separate religions here. We all worship one God and fight under one flag.”
He pointed out that Iraq was under Hussein’s control for over 20 years, and it will take time to change the way an entire generation of Iraqis think, but he is confident that change will take place.
“I promise you, in five more years this country will be an example for other countries to follow,” said Abbas. “We are almost there.”
Abbas also recognized that there were elements in his country that did not want Iraq to change, but was confidant that with America’s help, they too could be overcome.
“My brothers, this country would not be free of Saddam without your help, but this country still has bad people that must be stopped,” explained Abbas. “We will stop them. I promise you this.”
Blackhawk leaders were impressed with Abbas’s level of commitment and enthusiasm.
“We look forward to working with you to help rid your great country of these bad men,” replied Capt. Jim Hathaway, 3-1 Cav’s Headquarters Troop commander.
After enjoying desserts prepared by Abbas’s wife and cups of steaming chai, the commanders parted ways, but promised to be in touch with one another.
“I look forward to working with you and hope to do this again soon,” said Kolasheski.
This release from the Department of Defense:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died April 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, when their unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Harrison Brown, 31, of Prichard, Ala.
Pfc. David N. Simmons, 20, of Kokomo, Ind.
Here’s a link to an article on SSG Harrison Brown.
Here’s a link to a TV news report on SSG Brown.
Late yesterday, I got this e-mail from Fort Benning:
Parents, grandparents as well as spouses should be conected with their Family Readiness Group (FRG). FRG’s are just one way to stay in touch and receive support, there is also the vFRG website, that posts Soldiers comments and at times pictures. To connect to the right FRG, family members can contact me.
Evelyn Livermore
Family Readiness Support Assistant
3rd BDE 3 ID
Fort Benning
706-544-2074
UPDATE…
Here’s the website: http://www.armyfrg.org/
Today, I got this message left as a comment here:
I have a grandson who is now somewhere in Iraq with the 3id, 1-15inf, baker co. and I to appreciate this site. He is also out of Fort Benning. Since we have no contact with him right now I live on this site trying to find out what is going on. Is there anyway parents and grandparents can communicate with each other? That would also be a help.
Thank you for the work you are doing.
Joanne
I have gotten a lot of e-mails like this from a lot of you folks out there who read the HammerSlogger on a regular basis.
First of all, rest assured, I keep this site as updated as possible. Whenever I get new information from my contacts in the field, I bring that information to you folks here.
In her comment, Joanne asked about ways parents and grandparents can communicate with each other.
Well, I’d like to invite all of you to be “contributors” to HammerSlogger. Whenever you hear from your soldier, have an experience you think other families would be interested in hearing about, or have thoughts you’d like to share, take a few moment to type them out, and e-mail them to me. There’s a link to my e-mail address on the right. Make sure to tell me that it would be alright for me to share your thoughts, and I’ll post them here for all to read.
In the meantime, I’m working on ways to better facilitate communication between those of you who read this blog.
Thanks for stopping by!
UPDATE…
Another commenter referred me to a website where folks can interact with each other. Here’s the address: http://support3rdid.com/
Every few weeks the Public Affairs Office of the Sledgehammer Brigade distributes their latest news. They call it Hammer Times.
This is a pretty interesting media release I came across today…
New Program Connects Iraq-Deployed Troops to U.S. Public
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 4, 2007 – American military members serving in Iraq have an additional opportunity to share their experiences with the U.S. public, thanks to a new public outreach initiative, a senior U.S. military officer said today in Baghdad.
“The ‘Share the Story’ initiative is a new program that’s designed to connect U.S. military personnel with organizations and groups like yours,“ Navy Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told stateside-based representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Reserve Officers’ Association and others during a telephone conference call.
Military members of all ranks and service branches serving in Iraq who are slated to return stateside for leave or duty rotation “will have an excellent opportunity to share their story with the folks who want to hear it,“ Fox said.
The Multinational Force Iraq Web site, http://www.mnf-iraq.com, provides a “Share the Story” link where interested Iraq-deployed servicemembers register to participate in the program, Fox said. Servicemembers can choose to discuss their Iraq experiences with interested groups while on leave in their hometowns, he said, or with organizations situated near upcoming stateside assignments.
“Share the Story” is managed by Multinational Force Iraq, Fox said, noting the new initiative supplements the Defense Department’s “Why We Serve” public outreach program that was introduced last fall.
Fox likened the “Share the Story” Web link to “a virtual tool” that connects veterans groups and other interested organizations to servicemembers who can provide their unique, individual perspectives on military service in Iraq.
The admiral said he’s excited about the new program’s potential to tell interested groups about servicemembers’ experiences in Iraq, Fox said.
“We understand the nature of the (public) curiosity and desire to know about what we’re about and our mission,“ the admiral said.
by Task Force Marne PAO
BAGHDAD – Soldiers of Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division uncased their division colors during a ceremony today at Camp Victory, Iraq.
The division colors were cased March 8, as it prepared for its third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Marne Division – Center will command U.S. Forces in and around Baghdad as part of a “surge” strategy to serve that city.
The Fort Stewart, Ga., based Soldiers led the charge to Baghdad during the 2003 invasion and brought security and stability to the greater Baghdad area in 2005.
“Today as we uncase the colors, we begin the next chapter in the history of this magnificent division, a history that spans nine decades,” said Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, 3rd Inf. Div. commander. “It’s significant in our history and the history of the free world – Task Force Marne has arrived.”
HammerSlogger is an online account of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division’s training and deployment to Iraq. At the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 the Sledgehammer Brigade helped lead U.S. forces into Baghdad. The soldiers of the 3rd Brigade deployed to Iraq again in 2005. Now, the unit is in its third deployment to Iraq.
The articles and pictures published here are written and produced by the soldier-writers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
 David Spunt | 706-324-6397 |