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| Sunday, 16-Oct-2005 00:00 |
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Commander's Update!
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October 16th, 2005
Warlords and Warlord families of Task Force 2/2,
Yesterday the government of Iraq declared a national holiday to further support the turnout for the Constitutional Referendum. Our Marines did not allow the insurgents to circumvent the Iraqis march towards democracy. As always, your Marines performed exceptionally. I am proud to be here as part of the Warlord family that helped this new country forge its path towards a new tomorrow.
Preparing for the elections was a tremendous task. The combined effort by the people of Iraq, the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI), and the Coalition Forces ensured the success of yesterday’s referendum. Our higher headquarters, the 2d Marine Expeditionary Force, planned extensively with the interim government. However, it was the IECI and interim government that determined the Marines would not be directly tasked with securing the individual polling sites. Instead, we were postured ready to respond to any incident within our area of operations (AO). The companies and the battalion staff worked diligently to prepare and organize our forces to accomplish this task. Their hard work executing disruption operations prior to the referendum and their continued active security patrols yesterday ensured a safe voting environment for the Iraqi people. Also, the 1-4-1 Iraqi Army and the newly created Karmah Police contributed to a peaceful referendum. Not only did they help secure the poll sites, but also they actively took part in their new democratic government by casting votes of their own. As you may know, our AO is predominately Sunni. During the January election, this segment of the Iraqi population stayed away from the polls. This was not the case yesterday. Your Marines and the Iraqi Security Forces have clearly gained the confidence of the citizens in Karmah and Nasser Wa Salaam. Regardless of the outcome, the choice was the Iraqis to make. The fate of their country is increasingly in their hands.
This historic election and promising future for the good people of Iraq did not come without a costly price. The Task Force suffered a tremendous loss. On the 6th of October our Warlords lost four of our bravest and best men. Cpl Cherava, LCpl Kenny, LCpl Frye, and PFC Cabino all from Golf Company, were going to the aid of their fellow Marines when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacked them. Words cannot describe how much they meant to us, or the magnitude they will be missed. At this time, we can only pray for their families as they struggle with this tragic loss. Their death will not be in vain, and we will continue the mission that we started together, as they would have wished. We will bring freedom and peace to the people of Iraq, and we will honor their memory with our deeds.
The Marines continue to inspire me with their dedication and selfless service. I am fortunate to be surrounded by such men. Thank you all for your continued support of Task Force 2/2. We could not carry on with the mission without your letters, care packages, and words of inspiration and gratitude. Every day brings a new opportunity to preserve the freedom of a democratic Iraq. The Warlords are honored to have this opportunity, and I am humbled to lead them. Have a happy Halloween.
I remain Semper Fidelis,
James J Minick
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| Monday, 10-Oct-2005 00:00 |
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LCpl Patrick Kenny
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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05281/584910.stm
Marine who inspired sister to enlist dies
Saturday, October 08, 2005
By Milan Simonich, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Lance Cpl. Patrick Kenny looked and acted like he belonged on a Marine Corps recruiting poster. So able and enthusiastic was Cpl. Kenny that he inspired his younger sister, Katy, to follow his example and join the Marines.
Katy Kenny, back home in Emsworth after completing 13 weeks of boot camp, learned yesterday that her hero was dead -- killed in a roadside bombing in Iraq.
Cpl. Kenny, 20, and three other Marines died Thursday when the explosion tore through their Humvee in Karmah, about 40 miles west of Baghdad.
Three Marines in green uniforms banged on the Kenny family's front door at 1:23 a.m. yesterday to break the news. Chuck Kenny said he knew as soon as he opened the door that his only son was dead.
"Now the family name won't go on. That's it," Chuck Kenny said yesterday afternoon between hugs with friends and family members who streamed into his home.
Katy Kenny, 19, had spent the week in Pittsburgh-area high schools, recruiting young women for the Marine Corps. But yesterday, she said, all she could think about was being brave for her father and her mother, Tricia. Cpl. Kenny would have expected that of her.
"I looked up to my brother," said Ms. Kenny, who became a Marine private after completing boot camp in Parris Island, S.C., on Sept. 23. "In high school, I became the water girl for the football team because he was a football player."
Cpl. Kenny started at tackle for three years at Avonworth High School, where flags flew at half staff yesterday in his honor. The team captain as a senior, he made a lasting impression by showing interest in players nobody else seemed to notice
Tyler Frew, a freshman when Cpl. Kenny was a senior, said he broke down and cried behind the bleachers after his first grueling practice. In a two-page letter delivered yesterday to the Kenny family, Tyler remembered how Cpl. Kenny sought him out and reassured him, telling him the practice had not been so bad and that he could make it if he tried.
Tyler said he never forgot those words of encouragement, or the fact that the bruising 230-pound senior tackle had cared enough to worry about the feelings of a timid freshman.
"I'm a better person for meeting him," Tyler, now a senior wide receiver and the Avonworth team captain, said in an interview.
Avonworth football coach Jason Kekseo said Cpl. Kenny had the talent to play Division II or III college football but never seriously considered the idea.
"He was a tough kid, very strong, and he had a good work ethic," Coach Kekseo said. "But he was so committed to joining the military that I don't think he ever really thought about college."
Cpl. Kenny graduated from Avonworth High in 2003 but missed the commencement ceremony. School administrators handed him his diploma a few days early so he could leave for Marine boot camp as soon as he finished his last class. He was that gung-ho about becoming an infantryman in wartime.
Katy Kenny said her brother had a lifelong interest in military service. He read about the Civil War with a scholar's passion and loved GI Joe action figures. He became so obsessive about the military that he even wore GI Joe briefs, relatives said.
Cpl. Kenny was in his second tour in Iraq. The first brought him to the city of Fallujah, not far from the spot where he died. Though he worked in war zones where bombings and death are common, Cpl. Kenny told his family not to worry about him.
"He always told my mom he would come home and find a wife, and they would give her pretty grandchildren," Katy Kenny said. "That's all he really wanted."
Cpl. Kenny's body was still in Iraq yesterday, so funeral arrangements had not been made. In addition to his parents and Katy, he is survived by two other sisters, Molly, 21, and Maggie, 23.
Chuck Kenny said he supported both his son and daughter when they decided to join the Marines. But now, he said, he must insist that Katy serve her country some place besides a war zone.
"I told her she ain't goin' to Iraq," Mr. Kenny said.
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| Sunday, 9-Oct-2005 00:00 |
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Pfc Jason Frye
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Jason Frye and Meredith Odato
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These stories are from the local areas of our lost Warlords. I posted them in full in case the sites do not hold archives. - JHD
http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2005/10/09/news/news01.txt
Perry Marine killed in Iraq
By Karla Browne, October 09, 2005
Gary and Connie Frye of Landisburg sent both of their sons to Iraq, both with the Marines.
The elder, Cpl. Adam Frye, 22, came home in January after two deployments. The younger, Pfc. Jason Frye, 19, won’t be coming home. He was killed in a roadside bomb explosion Thursday near Al Karmah while in combat.
Connie says she had a feeling that she wouldn’t see her younger son again.
“I didn’t have the feeling with my first son. My first son and I never made any plans,” she says. But she and Jason had planned part of his funeral before he left — picking out some songs, Bible verses and “bagpipes — he wanted bagpipes.”
When the call came, mom knew
So when the call came at 1:30 p.m. Friday from her husband’s boss at Landisburg Post Office, she knew. The postmaster said Gary needed her, but she knew.
Her screams woke up Adam, who was sleeping on the couch in preparation for the night shift at Roadway Express in Middlesex Township, where he operates a fork lift since getting out of the service.
It wasn’t until they got to the post office, where Gary is a mail carrier, that the family discovered one of the Marine sergeants who brought the news had served with Adam in the battle for Fallujah.
The sergeants had come to the post office to get directions to the Fryes’ house, not realizing that Gary worked there.
And Gary had known as soon as he saw the Marines’ uniforms that his younger son had been killed.
More news came at midnight Friday, when Jason’s commanding officer called from Iraq.
“He then told us that it was instantly,” Connie says. A machine gunner on a Humvee, Jason died with three other members of his unit when an improvised explosive device blew up the vehicle.
The commanding officer asked Connie if she would accept phone calls and letters from “the guys in his unit.”
She was more than ready to receive them, while understanding that he had to ask her permission because some parents might be too angry to receive them.
Remembering Jason
“I’m not angry at the world, the war, at God; I’m just angry at the time I’m going to miss that he’s not living,” Connie says.
Jason’s girlfriend says the same.
“I’m not angry because I know that Jason was so proud to be in that position,” says Meredith Odato, 19, a sophomore at Cornell University who graduated with Jason from West Perry High School in 2003.
“I would have liked to spend a lot more time with him but I feel I had his whole life in two weeks this summer” when he had leave, Meredith says. “That was enough because there was so much happiness — life was so full.”
Still, she knows she’s going to miss the calls from Iraq that always came in the early morning because around noon in Iraq was when Jason could use a phone. And it will feel odd not to write a letter to him every day. She made sure each one got in the mail the same day she wrote it so he would get them in sequence.
No second trip
There won’t be a second trip to Rillo’s, an Italian restaurant in Carlisle, as Jason had wanted, Meredith says, but then, she had made their first visit last summer one to remember.
“It was our first real date,” she says, although the two had been friends in high school. “I made the reservations. Jason didn’t know we were going there. He got to my house and we were all dressed up. I blindfolded him. He thought that was crazy, but he said, ‘OK. I’ll do it for you.’
“I drove my mom’s car and played Italian music — Frank Sinatra — and made him wait in the car. I ran in and put rose petals on the table and sparkling grape juice in a bottle on the table to make it special. Then I went out and got him. He thought that was amazing. Nobody had ever done anything so nice for him.
“So he had wanted to go to Rillo’s in full uniform” when he got back, Meredith says.
Pride, honor to serve
The couple had never talked about his reasons for joining the Marines, Meredith says. They didn’t need to. “I wanted to go into the service out of high school,” she says, although she enrolled in college instead.
“I understood the honor and pride one would have from serving in the military — so much pride in protecting our freedom.”
Jason’s parents understand that pride, too.
“I have the two best sons anybody could ever ask for. I’m proud of both of them,” says Gary, who was ready to serve in Vietnam, but was never drafted. “Jason made the ultimate sacrifice. I’m proud of everything they’ve ever done and ever will do.”
When Adam and Jason began talking about joining the service, Gary told them both, “I don’t care what your decision is, I’ll back you 100 percent. There wouldn’t have been anything I could have said or done that would change their minds,” he adds.
Adam served four years, stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines after graduation from West Perry in 2001.
Jason joined his brother there in January after a 13-week boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. Although Jason was with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, the brothers saw each other at Lejeune, Connie says.
‘He had faith...’
Jason was known for saying his prayers before a meal in the mess hall, regardless of the kidding he took for it.
“He had faith like you wouldn’t believe,” Connie says.
And “Jason was one that left an impression on everyone. He lit up a room,” his mother adds.
Meredith recalls, “He knew everything about a person after talking to them for five minutes. He never had a mean thought about anyone or anything.”
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| Wednesday, 5-Oct-2005 00:00 |
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Commander's Update!
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Oct 1st, 2005
Warlords and Warlord families of Task Force 2/2,
The Marines of Task Force 2/2 continue to impress me with their dedication to the mission and to each other. They continue to meet my every expectation and attack every priority set forth with vigor and enthusiasm. The Task Force priorities are the training of the Iraqi Army, the upcoming elections, and the detention and elimination of the enemies of Iraq. These priorities will bring Iraq the freedom of democracy and bring our Marines and Sailors home safely.
The first priority, training the Iraqi Army, continues to progress passed my initial expectations. Task Force 2/2 and the staff of the 1-4-1 Iraqi Army continues intelligence development of area targets enabling the Iraqi Army to take the lead on operations in a designated area of our battle space. The upcoming elections will demonstrate that we are fulfilling our goal of leading and enabling the IA to stand on their own.
Second on the priority list is the constitutional referendum that will be voted on October 15th and national elections on December 15th. The success of the January 2005 elections has proven to the Iraqis in and around Fallujah (i.e., our area of operation) that democracy has and will provide the political, social, and economic rights as citizens of a free and democratic Iraq. I can tell you first hand that the Iraqis are excited about the October referendum and the opportunity to vote. Your Marines will not allow the enemy to deny the great Iraqi people their sacred right of self-determination.
The last priority is the detention and elimination of the enemies of Iraq. The Warlords are still taking the fight to those that attempt to do us harm. Golf Company continues operations in coordination with the 4th Company, 1-4 of the Iraqi Army. They aggressively patrol the many small towns within their area; 1-4 and the Warlords will allow the enemy no safe haven. Easy Company and the Iraqi Army execute combined patrols in our eastern zone. In addition, the Warlords of Easy Company and 1-4 conduct disruption operations in the southern portion of our area of operation. Fox Company and their Iraqi counterparts, 3d Company, 1-4, provides security within their area. Weapons Company conducts security along the main roads in our area of operations so that friendly forces can retain freedom of movement. Weapons continues to work closely with 2d Company, 1-4 in this task. Of special note, the Combat Engineers of Headquarters and Service Company are doing superb work. They continue to reinforce and improve the barrier plans and the force protection measures of all of our living spaces. Their hard work ensures that the Warlords are a “hard target”.
I encourage all of our families and friends to write to our fellow Warlords who have been medically evacuated from Iraq. The Marines are hospitalized in various locations in the United States. I have spoken with these Marines and I know what they look forward to most is receiving mail and letters from families, loved ones, and supporters of our Marines and their mission. Every letter, whether from girlfriend, father, friend, or even a fellow patriot with no direct relation, means so very much (the address to the hospitals can be found on this website). Please take the time to support those that have been wounded and cannot fight alongside their fellow Warlords.
Again, I’m pleased to announce more additions to the Warlord family. The dedication of our Task Force and their families is unsurpassed. The following households are enduring a deployment without the luxury of being together during this momentous time. Words can’t describe my appreciation for your continued sacrifice.
The following Warlords had recent additions:
Sgt Leland and Sara Burns Emma Golf
LCpl Keshawn Nathaniel and fiancée Virginia Dipiano Elizabeth Golf
PFC Michael and Athena Long Gavin Wpns
I want to congratulate the many Marines who were promoted throughout the battalion on 1 October 2005. Of particular note were SSgt Bujno and GySgt Harris from Golf Company and Maj Conway from Weapons Company.
The Marines are beginning to grasp the full understanding of the importance of bringing peace and independence to the Iraqi people through an elected democratic government. The Task Force is looking forward to assisting the Iraqi government with the upcoming elections and taking the fight to the insurgents who wish to deny the Iraqi people this freedom. The next few weeks will be both exciting and challenging. I look forward to my next letter, which will be after the October referendum.
I remain Semper Fidelis,
James J Minick
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| Tuesday, 4-Oct-2005 00:00 |
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2/2 DoD pics!
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#1 - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines Regiment, enter a building to meet with sheiks in Kharma, Iraq, Sept. 20, 2005. The 2nd Marine Division conducts counterinsurgency operations with Iraqi security forces to isolate and neutralize anti-Iraqi forces in the area. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison
#2 - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Tyler Swisher, commanding officer of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines Regiment, speaks with a local sheik in Kharma, Iraq, Sept. 20, 2005. The 2nd Marine Division conducts counterinsurgency operations with Iraqi security forces to isolate and neutralize anti-Iraqi forces in the area. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison
#3 - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Mark Banks, assigned to the Battalion Aid Station, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines Regiment, examines a sick child in Kharma, Iraq, Sept. 20, 2005. The 2nd Marine Division conducts counterinsurgency operations with Iraqi security forces to isolate and neutralize anti-Iraqi forces in the area. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison
#4 - U.S. Marines with 2nd Combat Engineers prepare their gear to search for weapon caches in Kharma, Iraq, Sept. 21, 2005. The 2nd Marine Division conducts counterinsurgency operations with Iraqi security forces to isolate and neutralize anti-Iraqi forces in the area.U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison
#5 - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tatreaus Gray and Lance Cpl. Anthony Glover inspect a roof during a presence patrol in Kharma, Iraq, Sept. 21, 2005. Gray and Glover are assigned to the 3rd Squad, 4th Platoon, Company Golf, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines. The 2nd Marine Division conducts counterinsurgency operations with Iraqi security forces to isolate and neutralize anti-Iraqi forces in the area. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison
GOLF COMPANY ROCKS! 
#6 - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brandon Shofner, assigned to 2nd Combat Engineers, prepares C4 charges to destroy unidentified explosive ordnance found during his sweep for weapon caches in Kharma, Iraq, Sept. 21, 2005. The 2nd Marine Division conducts counterinsurgency operations with Iraqi security forces to isolate and neutralize anti-Iraqi forces in the area. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison
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| Tuesday, 27-Sep-2005 00:00 |
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2/2 Weapons MAP Red photos!
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U.S. Marines with Mobile Assault Platoon Red Platoon, Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, question local residents of Kharma, Iraq, about suspicious activity after a recent improvised-explosive-device attack during a patrol Sept. 24. Photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Hutchison, USMC from the DoD site.
The other pics are without captions from the Marine OIF site. I seem to have misplaced the story and captions and for that I sincerely apologize!
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| Saturday, 17-Sep-2005 00:00 |
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2/2 Easy Weapons works with IA 1-4-1!
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2/2 Easy Weapons #1
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2/2 Easy Weapons #2
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http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/200599113039
Framingham, Mass. native patrols in Iraq
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200599113039
Story by Pfc. Christopher J. Ohmen
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Aug. 17, 2005) -- Two vehicles of Marines and two of Iraqi soldiers mounted up to patrol the area of Nasser Wa Salaam, Iraq, with only a few hours of light left, Aug. 17.
Corporal Justin E. Laramie, a squad leader with Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, led his Marines and the members of the Iraqi Army on another patrol in their area of operations.
“It was a basic reconnaissance mission where we took pictures of a few houses that would later be searched in a cordon and knock,” the Framingham, Mass. native said. “Of course there are always unexpected things that come up and we have to deal with those as well.”
Upon completing all of their checks to make sure everyone had all of their gear and equipment, the Marines and Iraqi soldiers headed for Nasser Wa Salaam. The markets were closing down, but there were still plenty of people on the main streets of the area.
The vehicles headed for the first house to do reconnaissance work. Stopping on a small side street and dismounting to provide security, the 2002 Framingham High School graduate led his team to the first house a few blocks away. After conducting a cursory inspection, they headed back to the convoy without incident.
The Marines and Iraqis who provided security for the vehicles were approached by many of the local children asking for water or food. Together they provided the locals with whatever they had to spare at that time.
Then they searched a second house, which was similar to the first with nothing out of the ordinary happening. The Marines and Iraqi soldiers continued to patrol throughout the city checking areas that might contain things of significance to the mission.
“Doing the ‘recon’ on the houses went smoothly which is how we want it to go,” Laramie stated.
After poking around one of the nearby gas stations for anything unusual, Laramie received a call over the radio about shots being fired near Market St. The Marine-Iraqi team loaded up quickly to investigate. Upon arrival to Market St. more shots were heard being fired in an unknown direction so everyone took up positions to see what they could find.
Some Iraqi soldiers started asking the locals if they saw anything. The townsfolk gave them a description of man in a white shirt and pants. After some quick thinking, Laramie gathered his forces and started searching nearby houses for the person who fired the shots.
More locals helped out by giving a general direction in which to head. Laramie sent everyone into action by heading that way as quickly as possible. After an hour of searching with only the moonlight as illumination, Laramie and his group headed back to Camp India to rest up for their next patrol.
“The patrol was a success, no one was injured and we got what we needed to complete a mission later on down the road,” Laramie stated.
#1 - Marines and Iraqi Army patrol the streets near Camp India during a routine patrol 17 Aug. Corporal Justin E. Laramie, a squad leader with Weapons Platoon, Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, lead the patrol in which they completed thier mission and no one was injured. Photo by: Pfc. Christopher J. Ohmen
#2 - Marines and Iraqi Army stands watch by the vehicles as a group goes to do reconnissance on a house a few blocks away on 17 Aug. Corporal Justin E. Laramie, a squad leader with Weapons Platoon, Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, lead the patrol in which they completed thier mission and no one was injured. Photo by: Pfc. Christopher J. Ohmen
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| Friday, 16-Sep-2005 00:00 |
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Commander's Update!
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15 September 2005
Warlords and Warlord families of Task Force 2/2,
Task Force 2/2 is continuing to take the fight to the enemy. During the past few weeks, the Warlords have performed with dedication and skill. We are beginning to build valuable relationships with the local Iraqis. These relationships will strengthen the cohesive effort to rid Iraq of those attempting to cause everyone harm. Our most important relationship remains with the Iraqi Army. 1-4-1 continues to marvel us with their uncanny ability to distinguish and discern the terrorist from the general population. They continue to grow professionally and we welcome the opportunity to turn over the security of Iraq into their capable hands.
The people of the gulf coast are all on our minds. Hurricane Katrina has left her lasting mark. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. Also, closer to home, Hurricane Ophelia is sitting off the coast of North Carolina. With its path unknown at the time of this letter, we are thinking of all our loved ones and Marines in Camp Lejeune and the Jacksonville area. Let's all hope it is quickly down graded to a tropical storm and heads back to sea.
The companies have been performing miracles daily. Despite an incredible operations tempo they remain resolved and motivated in the pursuit of their missions. Easy Company completed their move and relocated to Camp Fallujah. Concurrent with their move they are also patrolling their new battlespace in the southern portion of our Area of Operation (AO). Fox Company continues to increase their patrolling efforts in the vicinity of the middle of the AO and has had significant success increasing their awareness of the battlespace. Golf Company, alone and unafraid, in the most northern reaches of AO Warlord has completely saturated their battlespace and is achieving results. Weapons Company has done a remarkable job of keeping our main roads in AO Warlord clear for coalition vehicles. Headquarters and Service Company is the unit that holds the Task Force together. Without the Herculean efforts of this diverse and talented group of men all activities would stop. Special recognition goes to our Motor Transport Marines who crank the wrenches and work around the clock to keep our rolling stock in the fight. This is a gloss-over of a Task Force composed of over 1,000 men that are as selfless and courageous as you could find. It's brevity and substance does not do them justice. Simply said, "I could not be more proud of these Men."
Recently Warlords welcomed new Marines to the family. Our current Civil Affairs Group (CAG) Detachment will be completing turnover with the oncoming new CAG Detachment. CAG is vital to our success with the local civilians within our area of responsibility. Also, our Humanintelligence Exploitation Team (HET) is conducting change over. HET is the Battalion's link to the Iraqi citizens that provide us information to prosecute insurgents. A new artillery battery arrived in Camp Fallujah from Camp Pendleton and relieved the outgoing battery. With the new battery, TF 2/2 received an Artillery Liaison Officer and two Forward Observer Teams. They will help us plan and integrate artillery fires into our daily concept of operations. We also welcome TF 2/2's new Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) to our team. He brings expertise that is critical to our overall success. They have supported us with dedication and diligence in the fight against the enemy.
Reenlistment is an ongoing and enduring mission confronted by all leaders and Marines. Keeping our young leaders engaged in the fight, carrying with them their knowledge and experience, and continuing to serve their country is one of our primary goals. This month our very own Sergeant Major, a Marine with 23 years of wisdom, has again led by example and reenlisted for another two years. Right now the Marine Corps is offering reenlistment bonuses for the first time to the Infantry MOS of up to $32,000 tax free! This is an opportunity that has never before been available and is an amazing incentive. I hope all of our Marines will look at the benefits and the opportunities that a career in our Nation's Armed Forces and our Marine Corps will offer them.
Along with reenlistments, promotions and Warlord Babies are my favorite topics. In this newsletter I'm pleased to report more of both.
The following Marines earned meritorious promotions:
Cpl Christopher Woulfe 0311 Golf
Cpl Joshua Franklin 0311 Fox
Cpl Benny Cockerham 0311 Easy
The following Warlord families had recent additions:
LCpl Richard and Rebekah Burnett Makalah Easy
PFC William and Mary Demers Williams Easy
PFC Kevin and Liz Cicik Nathan Easy
NCO of the Quarter for RCT-8
Cpl Patrick Donnelly 0311 Golf
Congratulations to all for these very special events.
In closing, the draft Iraqi Constitution has been released by the interim government. The Task Force is looking forward to assisting the Iraqi government with the upcoming referendum and elections and taking the fight to the insurgents who wish to deny the Iraqi people its freedom. More to come on this topic as the October 15th referendum approaches. We will keep you posted. We thank you for your support and prayers. The Key Volunteers continue to do selfless work each day. To the families and friends of our Warlords, without all of you we could not remain focused on the mission. THANK YOU!
I remain Semper Fidelis,
J. J. Minick
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| Thursday, 15-Sep-2005 00:00 |
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Live in Iraq!
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1-4-1 Iraq Army works with 2/2 Easy Marines from Live in Iraq!
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I don't normally post a lot of sites here but this site is an excellent account of our Marines' service in Iraq. It is well written and informative. The site is written by a Marine Blogger with the handle USMC and is called, appropriately enough, Live in Iraq! http://live-in-iraq.blogspot.com/ Give it a visit and enjoy! 
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| Saturday, 10-Sep-2005 00:00 |
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2/2 works with IA 1-4-1!
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Photo #1
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Photo #2
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http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/200599115111
Iraqi Army gets a step closer to working independently
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200599115111
Story by Pfc. Christopher J. Ohmen
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Sept. 9, 2005) -- With every week that passes, the members of the Iraqi Army get closer to their goal of operating independently and creating a free Iraq with the help and guidance of the United States Marines.
First Battalion, 4th Brigade of the Iraqi Army, has been working side-by-side with the Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment trying to accomplish that objective.
“The Iraqi Army has come a long way since last year, when 2nd Marines were clearing the insurgents out of Fallujah,” said 1st Lt. Nathan P. Dmochowski, the executive officer for Company E. “They take over more responsibilities as the weeks go by.”
The Iraqi Army had been working hand-in-hand with the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines to hone their skills. Now it is time for the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines to combine Marine determination with Iraqi Army knowledge to continue to suppress the insurgency’s ability to fight.
“The group of Iraqi Army we are working with at Camp India are learning very quickly and have no problems taking the lead when we search houses on daily patrols,” Dmochowski stated.
Since the Iraqis of 1-4-1 learned most of the basics from the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, tactical integration with the 2nd Marines was easier.
Conducting daily joint patrols (with the Marines) of their areas of operation, the Iraqis seem to get more confident as time goes by. The Marines are trying to instill the idea that the Iraqi Army’s primary mission is to stop the insurgency from being able to wage war. But because the Iraqi Police are still somewhat in their infancy, the Iraqi Army continues to deal with matters the police would normally handle. The Marines are working to focus the Iraqi Army effort toward stopping the insurgents.
“We are helping the Iraqi Army to just deal with the insurgency as their primary mission and leave the common criminal things to the police,” Dmochowski stated.
The Marines’ primary mission is to support the Iraqi Army when they do patrols and other operations throughout this area. They are trying to let the Iraqi Army do as much of the work as possible so they can start doing more and more on their own.
“The Iraqi Army is able to run their own patrols and get their own intelligence about what is going on in the area,” Dmochowski said. “They are working very hard to get everything on their own.”
With determination on their faces, together the Marines and the Iraqi Army of the 1-4-1 will push forward to stop the insurgents at every turn to create a free Iraq and defeat terrorism.
#1 - Marines and Iraqi Army with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment set up security during a hult on a routine patrol 19 Aug. The Iraqi Army is taking the lead when doing searches in local villages so they are proficient when the U.S Military finally leaves Iraq. Photo by: Pfc. Christopher J. Ohmen
#2 - Marines and Iraqi Army with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment greet the locals of this residence before they ask to serach the premasis in a routine patrol 19 Aug. The Iraqi Army is taking the lead when doing searches in local villages so they are proficient when the U.S Military finally leaves Iraq. Photo by: Pfc. Christopher J. Ohmen
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