Roundtable: Aid Flight into Burma

Posted By Grim

We were lucky enough to speak this morning with USAF Captain Trevor Hall, who took the first US C-130 into Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar) to carry aid to the victims of the recent storm.  If you listen to the interview, you'll learn a lot about American air drop capacity, and a few things about American security and diplomatic efforts in the region.  As you know, the chief impediment to aid getting to the people has been Burma's own government.

That is starting to change.

We had extra heavy lift capacity in the area because of the Cobra Gold exercises.  Though it needs no introduction to anyone who has been involved with the Pacific Command since 1982, the Cobra Gold exercises are an annual affair.  Since 2004, they have included not just US and Thai troops, but troops from regional nations like the Philippines and Mongolia. 

Doing good works for the people wins their trust and friendship, and helps establish local authorities that can maintain law and education in poor regions.  This year, Cobra Gold focused part of its efforts on training for just such exercises by putting US and Thai efforts together to help build a school in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand.

This underscores the point made a few days ago:  No matter what good you want to accomplish, from disaster and poverty relief to establishing law in the place of war, the US military is a key element for the solutions to those problems. 

Here we see Americans joining with our friends in Thailand to teach each other about how to do good works, by actually doing good works; and then interrupting those good works to go do some more good works for those suddenly in need.  Both the United States and its network of allies are a force for good in the world.

Uncommon Valor, Uncommon Bond - The Tiger Force - From Viet Nam to Iraq

Posted By Blackfive

Subtitle: Hack's Tiger Force Lives On!

This is a great story about Viet Nam Tiger Force vets supporting the current Tigers in Iraq.  US Army Specialist Rick Rzepka sends this one:

Uncommon Bond:
Screaming Eagle’s Stay Connected to Vietnam-era Brethren While Serving in Iraq

Story and Photos by Spc. Rick Rzepka
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (AA)

TIGER

This ain’t your father’s Army.  Some say it’s a kinder, gentler Army, wary of political correctness and public perceptions.  Some say that this has caused Soldiers to lose touch with their roots, to disconnect themselves from the past.  But for one Infantry platoon, at the heart of the fight in Iraq, some things never change and they are neither kind nor gentle.

Somewhere, in the dusty expanse of the Salah ad Din province in Iraq, the Tigers are lurking.  They patiently wait for their prey in the city and in the desert.  They are keenly aware, not only of their immediate surroundings, but of their heritage as well.  They know they have some big boots to fill.

Tiger Force, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), is the most highly decorated platoon sized element in the U.S. Army.  Over the past 48 years, Tiger Force Soldiers have earned two Medals of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, numerous Silver Stars for valor and countless other commendations.  Names like Hackworth, Gertsch, and Gardner are synonymous with the Tiger legacy, which began in the sweltering jungles of Vietnam.

“Out guerrilla the guerrillas”

In 1965, as the Vietnam War picked up steam, Army brass recognized a need for more unconventional, guerilla style warfare.  A young Lt. Colonel in the 101st Airborne Division named David Hackworth proposed that by utilizing small, highly trained units, Vietcong tactics could be effectively countered.  The brass liked what they heard and the Tigers were born through highly experienced, hand selected volunteers from the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.  Their mission:  “To out guerilla the guerrillas,” according to Hackworth, or as MoH recipient Staff Sgt. John G. Gertsch said, “how to really be there, but not be there.”

“During the Vietnam years, Tiger Force went through many changes in the full spectrum,” said Hank “Doc” Ortega, who served as a Tiger Force medic in 1968.  During their time in Vietnam, Tiger Force Soldiers ran the gauntlet of small unit operations, from scouts, ready reaction and long range reconnaissance.  “We were basically the eyes and ears of the battalion commander,” he said.

“Here is a platoon deep-rooted in history and tradition,” said Lt. Col. Peter Wilhelm, “Above the Rest” Battalion Commander.  “A platoon that I reserve for the best of the best,” he said. 

Tigers today, still serve at the behest of the battalion commander in the surly terrain of the Salah ad Din province.  To pigeon hole the Tigers, would be to say that they simply serve as the battalion’s sniper and recon asset, but like their predecessors in Vietnam they have found themselves covering down on a wide array of missions and have been instrumental in taking high-value targets, weapons caches and IEDs off of the streets, as well as conducting various non-lethal operations. 

A Tiger Force Soldier on a recent mission in Bayji, Iraq.  Tiger Force, which is part of the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, is the most highly decorated platoon sized element in the U.S. Army.  Tiger Forces Soldiers, past and present, maintain close ties.

“We do what is necessary in the area of operations to defeat Improvised Explosive Devices, secure high –value targets and support the division’s effort,” said Sgt. Josh Smith, Tiger Force sniper section team leader.  “Today’s battlefield requires so much more out of every element,” he said.  “There’s no arguing that what we are doing today is the graduate level of warfare.  You’ve got to think outside the box or wind up in a box.”

The Bond

For Smith and other Tiger Force Soldiers, preserving the Tiger’s legacy is an important part of the job.  “We do everything with the past in mind,” said Smith.  “The bond that the current members have with the past members is unbelievable,” he said. 

During a 101st Airborne reunion event dubbed “Week of the Eagles”, in the summer of 2000, Ortega and other Tiger Force veterans returned to Fort Campbell, KY, to give young Soldiers a glimpse into their past and have been dropping in on the Tigers ever since.

“We gave these young men back their history,” said Ortega.  “We brought names like James Gardner and John Gertsch to life because we knew these men and served with them,” he said.  “They are not just names on a wall to us, and the young guys deserve to be connected to that history.”

In garrison, it is not uncommon for an old Tiger to stop by the battalion to see how the platoon is coming along.  During these visits, tales are swapped and the vets get a chance to check out the newest tools of the trade.  “Back in the day they were using M-14 rifles with big old Starlight scopes and they were really impressed with the new gear,” said Smith.  “They get a kick out of it and we get a kick out of doing it because it’s just old meets new.”

In today’s rapidly evolving force, Soldiers often overlook the history of their units and have little or no link with the warriors who came before them.

“I would say it’s very rare,” said Smith.  “I’m in touch with at least a dozen Vietnam-era, Tiger Force vets, and a few in between,” he said.  “We are very much a big extended family.”

Veterans of Tiger Force send care packages and essential items to their deployed brethren in Iraq and have acted as a support system through the hard times.

“December was a bad month for us,” said Smith.  On Dec. 4, 2007, Tiger Force lost its Platoon Leader, Capt. Adam Snyder and two fellow Soldiers, Sgt. Eric Hernandez and Pvt. Dwayne White to an IED attack.  The loss was devastating to Tiger Force Soldiers both young and old.

“When we lost men on Dec. 4th of 2007, it felt the same to us vets as when we lost those we served with…exactly the same,” said Ortega.  “These young guys are our brothers.”

Tiger Force Soldiers investigate a building suspected of being used to store black market fuel in Bayji, Iraq.  Tiger Force, which is part of the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, is the most highly decorated platoon sized element in the U.S. Army.  Tiger Forces Soldiers, past and present, maintain close ties.

Tiger Force veterans were in attendance at each fallen Soldier’s funeral services and were there to provide support to loved ones.  “They got in touch with the families, made trips for support and basically did everything they could to make them as comfortable as they could be in their time mourning,” said Smith.  “You’re not going to see that level of dedication, 40 years later, in may other places,” he said.

For Ortega, supporting the Tigers isn’t a random act of kindness, it’s fulfilling the oath of honor and country.

“For my own part, my wife and I spent almost two months at Fort Sam Houston at the bedside of a Tiger who was wounded, assisting him and his family with his recovery,” said Ortega.  “I would work in the aid-station if I could.”

“Doc” Ortega’s selfless-service to his country and to the Tigers is the model upon which the latest generation looks up to.

“All I can hope for is that the new Tigers are as receptive to the older guys as we are,” said Smith.  “They go so far above and beyond.  So many people get out of the Army and leave it all behind,” said Smith.  “They are who we are.”

Ortega would like to see more of these uncommon bonds forged between warrior generations.  “I think that more and more Vietnam-era veterans, especially of combat units, are making an effort to relocate their buddies and as a part of that effort, they are sometimes making contact with their younger counterparts at the reunions,” said Ortega.  “We need to make this sort of contact and support far less unusual.”

For Smith and the rest of the Tigers in Iraq, bridging the generation gap has bred a sense of respect and admiration to the Tiger name.  “We’re just proud to know them, you know?  “The best thing for us is for them to feel like they’re still part of the team.”

Operation Redwing tribute- Someones You Should Know

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

We have begun work on a video tribute to the men who were lost in Afghanistan on Operation Redwing, the story recounted in Marcus Luttrell's book Lone Survivor. Universal is currently starting the movie which is sure to be a huge success as the first movie about the wars which is not a smear.

We want to make sure there are quality stories about the men who died that day and especially about the lives they lived before Afghanistan. So if you can point us to any of the families and friends of these people please contact me jimbo at unclejimbo.com and let me know. We will begin filming the first week of June and will keep you all advised where we will be and when. This is not a dirge to mourn the passing of 19 brave men, but a celebration of their lives that will serve in their places. One of the reasons I ask for your help is that you all always manage to cover my back. In the vid, I had a brain cramp and say 13 SEALS and 6 Nightstalkers died, reader Hugh reminds me it was 11 SEAls and 8 Nightstalkers. 

I Ain't Got It All That Bad

Posted By Subsunk

I guess there’s a reason I think every day just how good I’ve got it, and how some other folks really have a much tougher row to hoe. Every time I think how hard Life is for me, I think there’s a guy in Iraq somewhere who is hot, sweaty, hasn’t slept in 24 hrs, is close to dehydration, and is being shot at and blown up by ragheads who hate everything he stands for, even when he just wants to give them clean water, good schools, enough food to eat, and then GO HOME with all his arms and legs.

And now that reason has a name.

Meet SGT Merlin German.

SGT German died a few weeks ago. He was beloved at Brooke Army Medical Center as someone who brightened the day of every wounded warrior in the place because he was never down or feeling sorry for himself.

I ain’t got it all that bad.

Moral of the story: Unhappy, negative people are unhappy and always will be. Men who know that things could always be worse than we have it here in America because they have seen how bad it could get elsewhere,………. are worth their weight in gold and jewels. And they still got a pair.

Subsunk out.

Updated: I've been taken to task in the comments for my language. It isn't the first time for me. It's pretty much happened to me all me bloomin' life. Some words offend many folks in the world today. Raghead is one of them. The people who have taken me to task have my deepest respect, so I'll agree that "raghead" is offensive to many in the world today. And to those whom it offends, who do not fit the definition of jihadist, mujaheddin, or terrorist, I say I am sorry that what I said offends you. I do not intend to irritate you or anyone except those with the correct "Islamist" pedigree. I apologize to those who are angry with my choice of language if the definition does not fit you. Sikhs, moderate Muslims, Orthodox Catholics, Jews or Christians, or even South Side Snake Handlers. I'm sorry and I apologize. I do not intend to include you in my personal definition or offend you.

And to those who are easily offended anytime Islam is a word taken in vain, I say imagine how offended I am every time one of my friends and neighbors, such as SGT German, is blown up and burned and shot and your words, or lack of them in restraint of Islam, are used to incite more of the same against my other neighbors.  Imagine how offended I am when those who believe Islam is supposed to be peaceful and benevolent, all stand by without correcting their fellow religious travelers while they blow up, shoot, burn, snipe, and celebrate the deaths of my friends and neighbors. What about our feelings? Do they count less than yours? And, if so, tell me again why I should watch my language when you don't watch yours or your fellow religious travelers words as closely. If raghead is offensive, then surely you will agree that infidel is offensive, "Death to America" is offensive, and insisting that "there is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet" are words which are equally offensive to many in this world.

SGT German died because he was defending my right to be offended by the actions of Islamist terrorists. Since words matter in this war, those who don't fit that definition have my apologies. Those who do fit the definition remain ragheads to me. And deserve every amount of scorn I can freely heap upon them.

So guys, you are correct. I should watch my language closer to help out in the War on Terror. I'm sorry. Mujaheddin and their apologists better watch out around me, because your words, and more importantly your actions, or lack of them, offend me too. I guess if you disagree, then the Golden Rule doesn't apply to Islam.

To those who are offended by my words, I'm sorry. I guess you should also consider the source. I'm an old, tired country boy and a foul mouthed sailor. I was raised in a different time when folks stood up for their right to say what they wanted and we recognized that crotchety old farts sometimes said things which made others mad. Nobody cut their heads off for saying those things or believing what they did. I'd appreciate it if those offended by language learned to keep that in mind.

Subsunk

Sergeant First Class Matthew Blaskowski - Someone You Should Know - Part 1

Posted By Blackfive

While Part 1 of this story is going to talk about three courageous Paratrooper Staff Sergeants that fought a key battle in Afghanistan in 2005, this series of posts is really about Matthew Blaskowski.

The following information about Staff Sergeants Matthew Blaskowski, Patrick Brannan, and Christopher Choay comes from the US Army. 

The Chosen Company of 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment was sent to Afghanistan in early 2005.  As staff sergeants, Blaskowski, Choay and Brannan each led squads of paratrooper scouts on missions to find the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

On May 3rd, 2005, 2nd Battalion received intelligence reports that between 80 to 150 Taliban were gathering in the remote Ar-gan-dab valley in Southeastern Afghanistan.  SSG Brannan led his scout squad in Humvees along into the Ar-gan-dab valley.  They were also operating with a squad of Afghan national police.

As they entered the valley, the came across a man who had been severely beaten by the Taliban.  He had a note tied to his body threatening any Afghans that attended the local school.  He told the paratroopers where he thought they were hiding.

It wasn’t long before SSG Brannan had located the enemy.  He radioed Battalion Headquarters for reinforcements.  Brannan’s forces then engaged the Taliban. 

Attempting to prevent the enemy from flanking his smaller force, SSG Brannan separated his teams to provide maximum fire power onto the enemy positions.  The Taliban began to focus their firepower on one humvee.  As RPG after RPG struck the humvee, it burst into flames.  SPC Joseph Leatham was in the humvee turret and refused to evacuate the burning humvee until he was sure that the other paratroopers were safe.  The burning humvee started to roll backwards.  Sergeant Derek Huss got behind the burning humvee and tried to keep it from rolling.  Keep in mind that the paratroopers were being shot at all at the same time.  Sergeant Nik Pak told Leatham to exit the humvee.  Leatham got out, covered by SSG Brannan, set up a new position.

[The Scouts from 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) in Afghanistan. Top row from left to right: Spc. Joseph Leatham, Sgt. Michael Ortiz, “Rock” the Afghan translator and Sgt. Nick Pak. Bottom row from left to right: Spc. Nicolas Conlon and Pfc. Nathan Reilly.  Photo by Pfc. Jon H. Arguello.]

Back at Headquarters, SSGs Choay and Blaskowski got word to move out towards Brannan’s position.  They launched in CH-47 Chinook Helicopters and headed towards the Ar-gan-dab valley.  Several times, the helicopters with reinforcements tried to land close to Brannan’s position, but due to the intense fire, could not. 

SSG Brannan’s men watched the reinforcements be driven back.

SSG Blaskoski’s helicopter was hit by rocket propelled grenades twice before finding a safe place to land.  The reinforcements dismounted and began the trek towards SSG Brannan’s position.

After two hours since initially spotting the enemy, SSGs Choay and Blaskowski arrived with their squads of scouts to assist SSG Brannan.

Brannan asked Blaskowski to set up machine gun positions on a nearby hill top to provide a base of fire on the Taliban positions.  This would allow the smaller American force to maneuver on the enemy.

The hill top that Blaskowski set up on was covered in shale like rock that offered little to protect the paratroopers.  The enemy soon figured out that the American machine gun teams on the hill had to be silenced or they would lose their numerical advantage.

As the enemy maneuvered against Blaskowski’s men, the staff sergeant repositioned his machine gun teams to keep them from being overrun.  That’s when Specialist Tyler Wilson was hit three times.  Realizing that a wounded man becomes an even bigger target than the machine gun teams, SSG Blaskowski ran to get Wilson.  When he got to Wilson’s position, bullets were hitting all around him.

That’s when SSG Blaskowksi was shot.  Hit in the leg, Blaskowski evacuated Wilson to a safer position where his soldiers could treat them.  Even though wounded, Blaskowski continued to direct his paratroopers until more help could arrive.

While SSG Blaskowski’s battle was happening, SSG Choay was attempting to engage the Taliban in the valley below.  The enemy was hiding behind a long wall inside of an orchard.  SSG Choay tried to get Apache attack helicopters to locate and engage the Taliban, but the helicopters could not see the enemy from the air.

So, as SSG Blaskowski’s machine guns raked the wall with fire, SSG Choay maneuvered his squad of paratroopers in close to the Taliban.

He saw two Taliban machine gun crews and one RPG crew behind the wall.  SSG Choay’s squad charged the wall.  Choay himself killed three and wounded another Taliban.  His soldiers took care of the others.  That’s when Choay noticed a bunker hidden by the wall.

Taking fire from the bunker, SSG Choay threw a grenade killing five Taliban.

After the fight that lasted more than six hours, several paratroopers were severely wounded – Specialist Tyler Wilson was paralyzed and another paratrooper lost a leg.  Thirty seven Taliban were confirmed killed , many more wounded.

At this point, I’ll let SSG Blaskowski tell you about his part in the battle briefly from his hospital bed in Lanstuhl Germany (US Army video):

For their actions on the third of May, 2005, SSGs Matthew Blaskowski, Christopher Choay, and Patrick Brannan were awarded the Silver Star for undaunted gallantry and valor in battle.

Silver Stars and Purple Hearts are prepared for presentation to U.S. Army soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade prior to an awards ceremony held Nov. 30, 2005, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jon Arguello.

U.S. Army Gen. John Abizaid, U.S. Central Command commander, congratulates Staff Sgt. Matthew Blaskowski, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) on receiving the Silver Star for gallantry in combat during a fire fight May 3, 2005, in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. The ceremony was held Nov. 30, 2005, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.   U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jon Arguello.

The photo above is of all three leaders:  SSG Blaskowski, SSG Brannan and SSG Choay.  SSG Blaskowski's award reads:

...Numerous times, Staff Sgt. Blaskowski placed himself at great risk while engaging the enemy positions and relaying directions to his machine gun crews. Blaskowski's unwavering valor and understanding of his mission fixed a determined enemy and prevented them from maneuvering in any direction, thereby allowing 1st Platoon to destroy 17 enemy in the orchard, breaking all resistance in the valley. Blaskowski fought with dogged determination even after he was wounded in the leg pulling a wounded solider to safety, maintaining his position for another hour until he was able to help other wounded soldiers to safety.

As 3rd Platoon Weapon Squad Leader for Chosen Company 2rd Battalion (Airborne) 503rd Infantry, Staff Sgt. Blaskowski displayed undaunted gallantry and valor without regard for his own safety under heavy enemy machine gun and RPG fire for over four hours while wounded near Bulac Kalay, Afghanistan in the Arghandab Valley. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, CJF 76 and the United States Army.

SSG Blaskowski, on a stretcher bound for Germany had this to say about the battle “we were put into a situation where something had to be done and we did it.”

Three months later, "Sergeant Ski" was back in the fight...

[Part 2 follows]

Sergeant First Class Matthew Blaskowski - Someone You Should Know -Part 2

Posted By Blackfive

So I want you to know more about Matthew Blaskowski from Part 1 above. There’s a lot that many people know about Sergeant Ski and there’s a bit that most don’t. From Leta at Tanker Brothers:

...Matt was known for being a mentor, for his leadership, loyalty, commitment and humor by all those who served with him and knew him in civilian life. He was a 1998 graduate of Cheboygan, Michigan High School where he played football and basketball and was a member of the track team. Matt loved outdoor sports including hunting and fishing. His family as well as his military “family” all concur that Matt had the innate ability to make those around him laugh and feel comfortable. He was always available to give a helping hand and to listen.

Matt enlisted in the Army as an infantryman on 17 November, 1998. His military career initially took him to Ft. Drum, NY where he was assigned to the 10th Mtn Division as a rifleman and a scout with the 2nd Battalion 87th Infantry then later with the 4th Battalion 31st Infantry. In 2002 Matt completed Airborne School and was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 503rd Infantry (Airborne) where he held a myriad of leadership positions. He had earned a college degree in Wildlife Forestry Management and aspired to teach at the United States Military Academy at West Point...

Matt, like many of us, found a second home in the Airborne. So, here’s a few candid photos of Blaskowski that you might not have seen before.

[Photo courtesy of Cheryl and Terry Blaskowski]

This picture was taken in 2004 when Matthew went on his last hunting trip with his Dad, Uncles and friends to Quebec. While on this hunt-of-a-lifetime at a fly in camp, Matthew shot two beautiful Caribou and one massive black bear. The story behind the black bear is a great one...

While out one day on their trip, using binos, the hunters could see this big black bear a mile. Matthew was closer to the bear than the others. His Uncles asked why he wasn't going after it. He stated that it was too far away. Well the guys on the radio started ribbing him and saying that they thought that he was a hard ass Army guy. 

"Was that too far for you to go????"

Well, Matthew being the competitive spirit that he was, took off running across the tundra's hills to track this bear. He couldn't see the bear, but his Dad and Uncles could, so they would radio him and guide him closer to the bear. At one point, the hunters all knew that Matthew was getting close so Matthew shut off the radio and followed the last instructions. Matthew crept up behind this huge boulder and crouched down. He was sure that the black bear was within about 25 yards or so. As he peered over the boulder, the big black bear was just on the other side. And it looked to be about 450 pounds.

According to Matthew’s dad and uncles, Sergeant Ski dropped quickly and slowly brought his 30-06 up, stood out and shot the bear once. The bear reared up in surprise, and immediately fell dead.

Matthew’s trophy hangs in his parents’ family room today.

So, you know that Matthew was wounded from Part 1. After three months, SSG Blaskowski returned to duty in Afghanistan. Here’s a photo of him and his team in a cave somewhere in Afghanistan in 2005:

[Photo courtesy of Cheryl and Terry Blaskowski]

After their tour in 2005 the 2/503rd returned to Vicenza, Italy, and Matthew married Daniela, a local Italian girl. Here’s a photo of the wedding party on June 3rd, 2006:

[Photo courtesy of Cheryl and Terry Blaskowski]

So, in 2007, Matthew’s battalion (2/503rd PIR) went back to Afghanistan. Now a Platoon Sergeant (1st Platoon) in Battle Company, SSG Blaskowski learned that he was to be promoted to Sergeant First Class. If you’ve been a reader here, you know about Battle Company.

[Battle Company position in the Korengal Valley, June 10, 2007. Photo courtesy of US Army.]

They were sent to the Korengal Valley on the border with Pakistan. The valley was contested every day and Sergeant Ski’s home was Firebase Vegas.

On Sunday night, September 23rd, 2007, Cheryl and Terry Blaskowski, in their home in Cheboygan, Michigan, received a visit from military officials to tell them that Matthew - Sergeant Ski – had been killed by a sniper’s bullet when the Firebase had been under attack.  He was 27 years old.

At the ceremony on September 28th, Matthew's platoon leader, 1LT Bradley Winn said, "He was the mentor and platoon sergeant that I had always dreamed of - leading from the front and being an everyday hero that all of the Soldiers, including myself, looked up to. Sergeant Ski was the epitome of a professional Soldier that will forever set the bar for Battle Company, Chosen Company and the whole Rock family."

[Capt. Daniel Kearney, Battle Company Commander, and 1st Lt. Bradley Winn, Platoon Leader for 1st Platoon, render honors to Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski during a memorial ceremony conducted Sept. 28 at Camp Blessing, Kunar province, Afghanistan. Blaskowski served with Winn as platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, Battle Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne). Photographer: Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Caldwell, Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO.]

On October 4th, Sergeant First Class Matthew Blaskowski was laid to rest in Michigan. The blog, Serving the Queens, has pictures of the support the Blaskowski’s received from their neighbors.

Matthew Blaskowski always gave more than he got.  We must do the same.  So, I need your help.  That's Part 3 in the next post.

Welcome Home "the ROCK!" - A Homecoming that SFC Matthew Blaskowski Would Be Proud Of

Posted By Blackfive

Leta at From Cow Pastures to Kosovo has been working with Cheryl and Terry Blaskowski to set up a Welcome Home Party for the paratroopers of 2/503rd when they return from Afghanistan to their home base in Vicenza, Italy.  Leta posts:

So many of your have been integral in providing literally TONS and TONS of support to the 2-503 while they are deployed for 15 months to eastern Afghanistan. These Warriors and their fellow Battalions in the Brigade have endured so much and still have a few months to go before they redeploy to Europe. As one last "Thank You" and to stamp our seal of appreciation on their deployment we are planning a Fourth of July "style" welcome home party for the 2-503. Of course there is just one tiny little detail or two...1) They are home based in Vicenza, Italy and have no American community to provide a proper welcome home and 2) We need to raise the funds to send over there for some good old American hot dogs, hamburgers, trimmings and BEER!...

I've spoken with Cheryl Blaskowski about this and I'm on board 100%.  Our Paratroopers have given their all and, I believe, Sergeant Ski would have wanted them to come home to one helluva party.

Here's a note from Terry Blaskowski:

We would like to thank the people of Northern Michigan for their support and encouragement during the difficult period of the past six months since the tragedy of Matthew’s death.

The communities that have shown support have been a real blessing to us and our extended families and friends. Words do NO justice for our gratitude.

In the past, when Matthew left for deployment, the only thing to bring peace in our hearts was to think about his safe return. We know that won’t be happening now. However, Matthew and us have an extended family that reaches far beyond this place.

We recently learned that there are no plans for any welcome home celebrations for the 173rd, 2-503 Army Airborne Battalion when they return to their home base at Camp Ederle in Vicenza Italy after at least 15 months in Afghanistan, where they lived and fought in horrendous conditions. There is not a local American community in Italy to step up and put on a Heroes welcome for them, as so many would do here in the states. Very few of the soldiers will be returning to family or loved ones there in Italy. By far the majority of soldiers are single, with no family to welcome them back or home support to assist them in transitioning from war and death to peace and recuperation.

Cheryl and I, together with others, have been supporting the 173rd 2-503 Battalion troops, who continue to endure a tenacious tour of duty in Afghanistan that is not yet over, are asking that you join us in raising funds for a proper WELCOME HOME CELEBRATION when they arrive back in Italy. There will be approximately 2000 troops returning and we believe a GRAND CELEBRATION is well deserved. We would love to have banners flying there to show the support from communities throughout this nation in honor of our Sky Soldiers returning as well in memory of our Sky Angels of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

If we all pitch in, it is no great sacrifice for a few. A minimum of $125,000, is a small amount to do so much for so many soldiers; when added to other amounts raised by other communities around the U. S. of A.. It is hard to imagine the transition of so many Sky Soldiers who, we are sure, think it is “JUST THEIR JOB”.

Please join us in donating for the WELCOME HOME CELEBRATION for the 173rd 2-503 SKY SOLDIERS.

Checks can also be made payable to: 173rd Sky Angels Fund. The funds (100%) will be reserved for that purpose only (Sky Angels are our fallen soldiers of the 173rd Airborne).

Checks can also be made payable to any of the following Family Readiness Groups at Camp Ederle in Vicenza, Italy:

HHC Co 2-503 FRG
Able Co 2-503 FRG
Battle Co 2-503 FRG
Chosen Co 2-503 FRG
Destin Co 2-503 FRG
Fusion Co 2-503 FRG

The Army has rules, no one person or organization is allowed to donate more than $1,000 to any single FRG. So if a person or organization wants to donate more than $1000, (that would be fantastic) they would have to write one check to one FRG and another to a different FRG. The FRG’s are going to pool all the funds designated for the “WELCOME HOME CELEBRATION”.

Please mail all checks to:

173rd Sky Angels Fund
c/o Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski
PO BOX 164
CHEBOYGAN MI 49721

If you have any questions do not hesitate to call us at 231-627-9732, 231-818-2560 or email us at candtb-at-triton-dot-net .

To read about support that many great Americans have been joining together to provide to these soldiers go to www.tankerbabelc985.vox.com . Leta Carruth (she adopted Matt’s platoon and sent so much support to them) has been a driving force in providing support to our troops in Afghanistan.

With much gratitude,

Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski and family
Parents of SFC Matthew Blaskowski
Platoon Leader, Battle Company 1st Platoon
KIA 23 September 2007, FOB Vegas, Afghanistan

Here is the PayPal link that you can use to donate or you can send a check to the above address. We are looking for corporate sponsors as well (so tell your companies about this effort).

THANK YOU!

[As with all of the requests that I ask you to donate to, I donated to this cause this afternoon.  And I hope to attend the party...once a Paratrooper, always a Paratrooper...]

MSG Brendan O'Connor - Someone You Should Know

Posted By Blackfive

Every single man in the fight described below displayed uncommon valor and extreme acts of courage...LL sends this story:

On June 22, 2006, a patrol of nine Special Forces soldiers (2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group) leading a team of eight American and forty eight Afghan soldiers, were moving through a village about twelve miles southwest of Kandahar.  Their mission, Operation Kaika, was to capture or kill a Taliban commander.

The SF Soldiers set up a patrol base and entered the village at dusk on the 23rd.  What they didn't know was that the village housed a compound of several hundred Taliban armed to the teeth, and they were waiting to ambush the Americans.  The Taliban had set up a perfect Little Bighorn scenario.

At dusk, the Taliban began an assault on the American patrol base.  First, mortars began landing inside the perimeter and then a full-on assault began.  Once the Taliban penetrated the perimeter, the SF Team Leader, Captain Sheffield Ford, called in an air strike to drive them back.  The enemy inside the wire were driven back, but the entire patrol base was surrounded.

The SF Soldiers suspected that the Taliban command and control center was located in or near the town graveyard less than half a mile from the SF patrol base.  The SF Team Sergeant, MSG Thom Maholic, picked a few men to lead twenty Afghan soldiers to try to knock out the Taliban command and control in order to end the fight.  His team was in two sections in order to provide overwatch.

As the soldiers closed in on enemy positions, the Taliban withdrew...it was a trap.  The Taliban fell back to improved crew served (machine gun) positions. 

The first SF Soldier hit was the team medic, Staff Sergeant Matthew Binney, who led the overwatch element of nine Afghan soldiers and one American trainer.  While exposed out in some open ground, a Taliban bullet hit the back of Binney's helmet and knocked him to the ground.  With a fractured skull, SSG Binney regained consciousness, shook off the pain, and fought back.  With hand grenades and small arms, Binney's team fought off assault after assault.

The second American to be wounded was the American trainer - a Florida National Guardsman, Staff Sergeant Joe Fuerst, who was located close to Binney and their Afghan translator, Jacob.  A rocket-propelled grenade landed close enough to seriously wound Fuerst.  That's when Binney got hit a second time.  As he tried to help move Fuerst, machine gun fire when through his shoulder, separating it from his body, shattering his left arm.

The Taliban then called out to Jacob and told him that he would be forgiven if the Taliban could get the Americans alive.  Knowing what the Taliban would do to his comrades, Jacob called the SF Team leader to request permission to kill Binney and Fuerst and himself in order to prevent being mutilated, tortured, and executed.

Major Ford told him to hold on, that help was on the way.

The problem was that the Afghan soldiers trying to enter the village to help the Americans were pinned down.  The SF Patrol Base was surrounded and under assault.  The SF Team that was trying to take out the Taliban compound was hit and surrounded and under assault. 

Master Sergeant Brendan O'Connor, back at the patrol base, volunteered to lead a squad of eight Afghan soldiers through the besieged patrol base and maneuver under fire through town, to get to the surrounded Americans.  O'Connor, 47 years old and the Team Medical Sergeant, had previously been a commission officer.  He had resigned his commission in order to become a SF Medical Sergeant.

At the same time, the Taliban tried to maneuver on Binney, Fuerst and Jacob.  Sergeant First Class Abram Hernandez saw the danger and maneuvered up a ladder on the corner of a building in the village. Standing on the top of the ladder, exposed, tracer rounds hit all around him.  Hernandez fought back - one hand firing away, the other clinging to the ladder.  He would drop down to avoid the barrages of Taliban bullets, then pop back up and return fire to keep them away from the three men exposed in the field.

MSG O'Connor linked up with MSG Maholic.  Maholic told O'Connor to go after the wounded Americans.  MSG Brendan O'Connor attempted to crawl out from his covered position to go after Binney, Fuerst and Jacob, but he couldn't get low enough to avoid detection.  He decided to go back to his covered position, remove his body armor, and try again.  He knew that the men needed medical attention and to be pulled out of there before the Taliban could capture them.  He tied a signal cloth on his back to signal the supporting aircraft that he was a friendly.

O'Connor began his low crawl.  He had ninety yards to go to make it to the wounded team.  The Taliban detected O'Connor's movement fired at him - bullets went directly over his head and struck around his body as he inched his way across the open field.  O'Connor's Afghan soldiers tried to follow him but were turned back by the intense volume of fire.

It took MSG O'Connor a minute for every yard.  That's right.  MSG Brendan O'Connor, crawled for ninety minutes across open terrain, under fire the entire time.  O'Connor was almost to the three men when the Taliban launched an all-out effort to kill him.  A squad of Taliban began to maneuver on O'Connor.

On the rooftop by Hernandez, the Team Sergeant, MSG Maholic saw the deadly situation and began picking off the Taliban assault force.  He single-handedly protected O'Connor as he closed on the American position.  Bullets literally cut the grass down around O'Connor as he crawled.

O'Connor reached Binney, Fuerst and Jacob and began providing first aid.  Apache gun ships were on station and were pounding the Taliban positions.  O'Connor began moving the wounded.  Under fire, MSG O'Connor moved Fuerst and Binney through enemy fire, over three walls, to a more secure house in the village.  Joe Fuerst died as O'Connor carried him to safety.

That's when Master Sergeant Thom Maholic was struck in the head by a Taliban bullet and died in Abram Hernandez's arms.  MSG O'Connor was now the Team Sergeant and rallied the SF Soldiers to keep repelling the Taliban attacks.

The SF Soldiers, believing that they were going to die, took moments during the lulls in the fighting to jot short notes to their loved ones.  According to CBS's Lara Logan, SSG Brandon Pechette wrote a note to his wife saying that he was going to take as many of the enemy with him as he could...

The fight continued on.  The SF Team decided to evacuate through the town.  CPT Ford ordered the men to put on Infared gear.  A USAF plane guided the SF Soldiers out of the town with an IR beam.  Apaches and USAF gunships destroyed anything and anyone not following the beam.

With two dead and one seriously wounded soldier, the Coalition forces had killed over 120 Taliban fighters.

Master Sergeant Brendan O'Connor received the Distinguished Service Cross, our nation's second highest award for valor, for his actions.  It was only the second DSC awarded during Operation Enduring Freedom.   The medal was pinned on O'Connor on April 30th, forty years after his father had been killed in Viet Nam.

Master Sgt. Brendan O'Connor, 7th Special Forces Group (A) Operational Detachment Alpha, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross during a ceremony at Bank Hall, Fort Bragg, N.C., April 30 for heroic actions during Operation Enduring Freedom.  Photo by Sgt. Daniel Love.

Master Sgt. Brendan O'Connor, right, 7th Special Forces Group (A) Operational Detachment Alpha, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by Adm. Eric T. Olson, commander of United States Special Operations Command, during a ceremony at Bank Hall, Fort Bragg, N.C., April 30 for heroic actions during Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by Sgt. Daniel Love

MSG Thom Maholic posthumously received the Silver Star.  His son, Andrew, accepted the award at the SF ceremony, surrounded by the men that his father had saved.

Captain Shef Ford (now a Major), Staff Sergeant Matthew Binney, and Sergeant First Class Abram Hernandez also received Silver Stars.

All of them are Someone You Should Know.
 

Ross McGinnis - Blue Spader to Receive Medal of Honor

Posted By Blackfive

From the Someone You Should Know post about PFC Ross McGinnis, Sergeant Lyle Buehler left this comment in response to comments about the time it takes to approve the MOH:

SPC McGinnis was a great soldier and I am alive due to his sacrifice. I was the driver of the vehicle the day we lost Ross to a cowardly enemy. I thank God everyday for blessing me with the opportunity to serve with such a brave man. For those of you that think the award process is moving to slow just know that it is seen and evaluated by many people in our chain of command. I as well would like to see it ASAP. The award requires alot of diagrams, witness statements from all who were there, and those that approve and later send to congress need to see what happened in detail otherwise they would be giving awards based on word of mouth.

I agree with SSG Troy Smith, it is carefully looked over so that no fraudelant cases arise. I have no doubt in my mind that he will receive the nation's highest honor for his heroism. God bless his family and parents for raising such a wonderful person, soldier, friend, and brother!
Rest in Peace Ross.  Gone, but never forgotten!

I love you little brother.  Thank you for my continued life here on earth and I look forward to seeing you in heaven.

The Army Times is reporting that the White House will announce that Ross McGinnis will receive the Medal of Honor:

Spc. Ross McGinnis, who was killed Dec. 4, 2006, in Iraq when he smothered a grenade with his body, will receive the Medal of Honor, sources told Army Times.

McGinnis, 19, is the second soldier to receive the nation’s highest valor award for actions while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who was killed April 4, 2003, fighting off insurgents in a fierce firefight south of Baghdad, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor two years after he died.

McGinnis, of 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, is credited with saving the lives of four fellow soldiers.

Badass Medic Paratrooper Fights and Saves at "The Ranch House"

Posted By Blackfive

The 173rd Airborne has been in some of the toughest fighting in Afghanistan.  It's been written about in the media because that is where a ton of the action has been over the last year (the best article, by far, was in Vanity Fair - "Into the Valley of Death"). 

This medic is one of the paratroopers of the 2/503rd that we've written about here several times (here are some recent posts).

Medic Recognized for Actions During Insurgent Assault
By Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Aird
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team

Col. Charles Preysler, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team commander, pins a Bronze Star for valor on Army Sgt. Kyle S. Dirkintis, a medic attached for Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, April 1, on Forward Operating Base Fenty, Nangarhar province. Dirkintis was recognized for his actions during fire-fight at Ranch House Outpost, Kunar province. (U.S. Army photo/Maj. Nicholas Sternberg)

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Army Sgt. Kyle S. Dirkintis, a medic from Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, also known as “The Rock”, was awarded a Bronze Star for valor, April 1, for his actions at Ranch House Outpost, Kunar province.

August 22, 2007, Dirkintis, a Racine, Wis., native, woke to the sound of gun fire, something he hadn’t heard during the first three months of his deployment at Ranch House, a remote outpost defended by 25 Soldiers.

Minutes after the first shot, roughly 20 insurgents breached the outpost’s perimeter.

“We were pretty surprised,” said Dirkintis. “We didn’t know what was going on. It was the first time we had been in contact out there.”

Dirkintis and the rest of 1st Platoon, Chosen Company, put on their gear while Soldiers manning the perimeter exchanged gun fire with the approaching insurgents.

As Dirkintis headed toward the fight, a volley of rocket propelled grenades and small-arms fire hit the aid station and tactical operations center. The insurgents had taken up positions at the Afghan security guards’ post.

The fleeing ASG left half the perimeter unguarded, which allowed the insurgents to breach the wire.

ASG are a privately owned Afghan security company.

“Post 4, post 3 and post 2 had all called in and said they had made contact,” said Dirkintis. “At that point in time, we sustained our first casualty in the fight. Our forward observer received some shrapnel to his face.”

Dirkintis treated the Soldier’s shrapnel wounds while insurgent fighter’s approached 40 meters south of his position.

“I exchanged weapons with him (for the Soldier’s M-4) and ran down to the TOC to let the guys know what was going on with the casualty. Rounds were skipping by me. I was seeing rocks explode every where. You could hear RPG after RPG exploding. I kept thinking is this really happening?”

After moving to the TOC to inform 1st Lt. Matthew Ferrara about the injured Soldier the building was hit by a RPG.

“I remember the lights came down from the ceiling and it got really dusty in there,” said Dirkintis “I can’t remember if the radios had gone down or not, but the antennas had gotten blown off the roof and turned into a bunch of twisted metal.”

After the RPG hit the TOC, Army Staff Sgt. Eric Phillips ran inside and informed Ferrara and Dirkintis that post 3 was under heavy attack and a Soldier had been shot at post 2.

“I grabbed my aid bag and went outside with Phillips,” said Dirkintis.

Tactically moving toward post 2, Dirkintis and Phillips took cover behind post 2’s living quarters where they were pinned down for 15 minutes by machine-gun and small-arms fire. Unable to advance, both Soldiers stayed put and returned fire. The fighting between the forces was escalating and Phillips told Dirkintis to get inside the building.

“Rounds started coming through the building so I went back outside and got behind some sandbags,” said Dirkintis.

Once outside, Soldiers manning post 2 yelled down that insurgents were maneuvering around the living quarters. Phillips threw hand grenades around one corner while Dirkintis wheeled around to fire down another corner.

“As soon as I kneeled and looked around the corner I took a shot to the chest,” said Dirkintis. “At first I didn’t know I had been shot. My vision had gotten real blurry. It was difficult to breath. My entire body felt really, really numb.”

The force of bullet knocked Dirkintis to the ground and punctured a lung.

“I tried to crawl to all fours and to get up, but that’s when I started coughing up blood,” said Dirkintis. “I just couldn’t get up. It hurt really bad.”

Dirkintis continued to try to get up and get back in the fight. Unable to stand, he was dragged by Phillips 30 meters to the mortar pit. While the battle raged on, Dirkintis helped Soldiers find medical supplies in his aid bag and struggled to keep conscious.

For the next hour and a half, Soldiers used hand grenades, claymore mines, small arms and heavy weapons to repel the attacking Taliban. A-10 Warthog jets strafed a section of the base occupied by insurgent fighters. By the end of the fighting, 11 of 25 Soldiers defending Ranch House Outpost had suffered injuries. Five of those Soldiers later died from their wounds.

Dirkintis was medevaced to Germany where he recovered and, against doctors advice, volunteered to come back to Afghanistan.

Dirkintis now works in the pharmacy on Forward Operating Base Fenty, Nangarhar province.

First Lieutenant Matthew Ferrara was later killed fighting out of an ambush last November.  He died along with five others - Sgt. Jeffery S. Mersman, Spc. Sean K.A. Langevin, Spc. Lester G. Roque, Pfc. Joseph M. Lancour, and Marine Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks.  Eight paratroopers and eleven Afghan soldiers were wounded.  This is the video of their medevac:

In the coming weeks and months, we'll be working with some of the Gold Star families and TankerBabeLC to work on ensuring the 173rd Airborne and their families get a Welcome Home Party the likes of which no one has ever seen...

You can send non-tax-deductible contributions to:

173rd Sky Angels Fund
C/O Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski
P.O. Box 164
Cheboygan, MI 49721

[for Sergeant Ski...]

Full Circle - Lance Corporal Evan Eskharia - Someone You Should Know

Posted By Blackfive

This story, about an Iraqi who became a US Marine who became a US Citizen is one you should read:

Coming Full Circle, Iraqi Born Marine Receives American Citizenship in Country of His Birth
Story and Photos by Cpl. Scott McAdam, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Posted on 04.14.2008 at 09:37AM

BAGHDAD — “For all of you, the oath of citizenship is more than a formality. And today, America is more than your home; it’s your country. This is one of the things that makes our country so unique. With a single oath, all at once you become as fully American as the most direct descendant of a founding father.” – President George W. Bush

Lance Cpl. Evan Eskharia, a basic water systems technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), received his United States citizenship during a naturalization ceremony at al-Faw Palace, Baghdad, April 12.

Receiving his U.S. citizenship in the war-torn country of his birth represents the culmination of his family’s determination and will to flee an oppressive regime and seek the freedoms and opportunities only offered in America.

“This is in my top three proudest days of my life,” said Eskharia, who lived in El Cajon, Calif., prior to joining the Marine Corps. “It’s up there with the birth of my son and receiving my eagle, globe and anchor.”

[Lance Cpl. Evan Eskharia, basic water systems technician, Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing recites the pledge of allegiance alongside 258 other service members during a naturalization ceremony at Al-Faw Palace, Baghdad, April 12. During the ceremony service members from 71 different countries officially became United States citizens.]

The naturalization ceremony was the largest outside the United States, with 259 service members from 71 different countries receiving their citizenship.

“It’s that feeling in your heart, that now you’re a U.S. citizen; it feels really good,” Eskharia added...

Continue reading "Full Circle - Lance Corporal Evan Eskharia - Someone You Should Know"

US Navy Seal Mike Monsoor - Awarded the Medal of Honor

Posted By Blackfive

"I can honestly say that as a Pastor I rarely find myself "speechless". However this is one of those times.  After viewing the video tribute to Mike Monsoor I am just that...Speechless.  There are no words to express the profound sadness and yet great...pride, honor, appreciation, humility, indebtedness, glory, at the sacrifice of this young man.        Know that this story will be retold at least from one pulpit this next Sunday and that the prayers of at least one Church will go out for the family and friends of this great soldier.        May God bless you for the work of proclaiming this great sacrifice and promoting what is great about the people of our Armed Services." - Baptist Minister from Memphis, Tennessee, in an email to us at Blackfive about US Navy SEAL Mike Monsoor.

How are we best to tell the story of Michael Monsoor - a man who's sacrifice inspired a preacher to tell his story from the pulpit?

We'll begin at the end this time because, while many of us believe that it's how you lived that matters, how you leave this world can matter just as much.

Saving three of your brothers by giving your life...could you do that?  Mike Monsoor gave three friends their lives that day.

As you will see, the embodiment of the idea of brotherhood is what Mike was all about...

From the US Navy:

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL)
         Michael Anthony Monsoor
        April 5, 1981 – Sept. 29, 2006

                                                             

Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor was born April 5, 1981 in Long Beach, Calif.  Michael grew up in Garden Grove, Calif., as the third of four children of George and Sally Monsoor. He has an older brother James and older sister Sara, and a younger brother Joseph.
                
Michael attended Dr. Walter C. Ralston Intermediate School and Garden Grove High School where he played tight end on the Argonaut football team and graduated in 1999. An incredible athlete, Mike enjoyed snowboarding, body boarding, spear fishing, motorcycle riding, and driving his Corvette. His quiet demeanor and dedication to his friends matched the “Silent Warrior” SEAL mentality that was to become his calling in life. 
                
Michael enlisted in the U.S. Navy March 21, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.  Upon graduation from basic training, he attended Quartermaster “A” School, and then transferred to Naval Air Station, Sigonella, Italy for a short period of time.
                
Petty Officer Monsoor entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, Calif., and subsequently graduated with Class 250 on Sept. 2, 2004 as one of the top performers in his class.

(Photo Courtesy of the Monsoor family)

After BUD/S, he completed advanced SEAL training courses including parachute training at Basic Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga., cold weather combat training in Kodiak, Alaska, and six months of SEAL Qualification Training in Coronado, graduating in March 2005.

(Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor poses for a photo while attending cold weather training in Kodiak, Alaska in 2004.  Photo courtesy of the Monsoor family.)

The following month, his rating changed from Quartermaster to Master-at-Arms, and he was assigned to SEAL Team 3 Delta Platoon. He deployed with his platoon to Iraq in April 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was assigned to Task Unit Bravo in Ar Ramadi.

(Petty Officer Second Class Michael Monsoor - kneeling in Ramadi, Iraq. Photo courtesy of the Monsoor family)

From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3.  During combat patrols he walked behind the platoon point man with his Mk 48 machinegun so that he could protect his platoon from a frontal enemy attack. 

Mike was also a SEAL communicator.  On 15 operations, he carried a rucksack full of communications equipment in addition to his machinegun and full ammunition load-out.  Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds.  He bore the weight without a single complaint, even in the midst of the 130 degree Western Iraqi summer.

(Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor poses for a photo on a rooftop in Ar Ramadi Iraq, while deployed in 2006.  Photo courtesy of the Monsoor family.)

Mike and his platoon operated in a highly contested part of Ramadi city called the Ma’laab district. During their deployment, Mike and his fellow SEALS came under enemy attack on 75 percent of their missions. On May 9, 2006 Mike rescued a SEAL who was shot in the leg. He ran out into the street with another SEAL, shot cover fire and dragged his comrade to safety while enemy bullets kicked up the concrete at their feet.  For this brave action, he earned a Silver Star.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as a Platoon Machine Gunner, Naval Special Warfare Task Group - Arabian Peninsula, Task Force Ramadi, Iraq on 9 May 2006.  Petty Officer Monsoor was the Platoon Machine Gunner of an overwatch element, providing security for an Iraqi Army Brigade during counter-insurgency operations.  While moving toward extraction, the Iraqi Army and Naval Special Warfare overwatch team receive effective enemy automatic weapons fire resulting in one SEAL wounded in action.  Immediately, Petty Officer Monsoor, with complete disregard for his own safety, expose himself to heavy enemy fire in order to provide suppressive fire and fight his way to the wounded SEAL's position.  He continued to provide effective suppressive fire while simultaneously dragging the wounded SEAL to safety.  Petty Officer Monsoor maintained suppressive fire as the wounded SEAL received tactical casualty treatment to his leg.  He also helped load his wounded teammate into a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle for evacuation, then returned to combat.  by his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Petty Officer Monsoor reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The enemy could not deter Michael and his SEAL platoon.  They fought in 35 heated firefights; during these incidents Mike shot tens of thousands of 7.62 millimeter rounds to cover Delta Platoon’s movement through streets that seemed to be paved with fire.  In the Ma’laab district, Michael perfected his skills as an urban machine gunner. Once he and his men established a sniper overwatch position, he deftly transitioned to his role as a SEAL communicator calling in tank support and transmitting enemy situation reports to the 1-506 PIR Commander. 

Delta Platoon executed a broad spectrum of combat operations in and around Ramadi. They patrolled bravely through the city streets engaging in firefights while on other occasions, they ambushed insurgent mortar teams near the banks of the Euphrates River.  Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. Most notably, the Army Infantry, Navy SEAL and Iraqi Army combined force helped to pacify the most violent city in Al Anbar province setting conditions for the Sunni Awakening.

Petty Officer Monsoor was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star as the Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq Combat Advisor from April to September 2006. His leadership, guidance and decisive actions during 11 different combat operations saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers.

For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as Task Unit Ramadi, Iraq, Combat Advisor for Naval Special Warfare Task Group - Arabian Peninsula in Support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from April to September 2006.  On 11 different operations, Petty Officer Monsoor exposed himself to heavy enemy fire while shielding his teammates with suppressive fire.  He aggressively stabilized each chaotic situation with focused determination and uncanny tactical awareness.  Each time insurgents assaulted his team with small arms fire or rocket propelled grenades, he quickly assessed the situation, determined the best course of action to counter the enemy assaults, and implemented his plan to gain the best tactical advantage.  His selfless, decisive, heroic actions resulted in 25 enemy killed and save the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces, and Iraqi Army soldiers.  By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Petty Officer Monsoor reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously in a ceremony at the White House April 8, 2008. He will receive the award for his actions in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006. On that day, Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers. An insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the overwatch position. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest before falling to the ground. Positioned next to the single exit, Monsoor was the only one who could have escaped harm. Instead, he dropped onto the grenade to shield the others from the blast. Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes later from wounds sustained from the blast. Because of Petty Officer Monsoor’s actions, he saved the lives of his 3 teammates and the IA soldiers.

Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. His teammates recall his sense of loyalty to God, family, and his team.  He attended Catholic Mass devotionally before operations, and often spoke lovingly of his family - his older brother, a police officer and former Marine for whom he held great respect; his sister, a nurse; and his younger brother, a college football player.

Mike was one of the bravest men on the battlefield, never allowing the enemy to discourage him. He remained fearless while facing constant danger, and through his selfless nature and aggressive actions, saved the lives of coalition soldiers and his fellow SEALs.  He was a loyal friend and exceptional SEAL, and he is sorely missed by his brothers in Task Unit Bravo.

He is survived by his mother Sally, his father George, his sister Sara, and his two brothers James and Joseph.

On October 12th, 2006, Froggy posted about his attendance at Mike's funeral:

I had the distinct honor and privilege of attending the memorial service for PO2 (SEAL) Michael Monsoor yesterday at the First Presbyterian Church in San Diego.  Being in the presence of so many true warriors to celebrate the heroic death of one of our own was utterly humbling and poignant.  Information about Mike's death in Ramadi on 29 Sep 06 has been sketchy in the media, but the story of this man's service and his death is one that deserves not only to be told, but to be celebrated and certainly never forgotten.

First of all, Mike grew up in Garden Grove, CA (Orange County) with his parents and two brothers and one sister.  His father is a Vietnam veteran and one of his brothers served in the Marine Corps.  Speaker after speaker at the service took special care to recognize Mike's family and to make the connection between his character and his family's quiet service and patriotism.  One of Mike's teammates said, "These are the people that I'm fighting to protect."  I spent a few moments with his mother afterwards and her grace and composure under such difficult circumstances clearly demonstrated the genesis of Mike's own calmness and resolve under fire and inspired me to continue to instill these traits in my own children.

SEAL Team THREE deployed to Iraq last Spring and within a month of arriving, Mike had already distinguished himself. As one of the platoon machine gunners, Mike made quite an impression on the battlefield.  On May 9, 2006 a teammate was shot in the legs, immobile, and exposed. Suppressing enemy fire with his M60, Mike fought his way to his wounded comrade's position and dragged him out of the line of fire while maintaining constant pressure on enemy insurgents with his weapon. That action earned him a Silver Star... in the first month of his first deployment.

Fast forward to the final weeks of that deployment and Mike along with two fellow SEALs were occupying an overwatch position on a rooftop in the Mulab district of Ramadi which is basically the most dangerous neighborhood of the most dangerous city in Iraq.  A hidden enemy managed to toss a grenade onto the rooftop near the three SEALs, and Mike without hesitation warned his comrades verbally before placing himself in a position to block the lethal blast of the grenade from killing his teammates.  One of the SEALs he saved said that Mike's countenance was completely calm and he showed no fear only resolve.  No short timer's disease infecting this man, he had only a couple of weeks remaining in the deployment and he did not flinch at the moment of truth.

On the rostrum, all three SEALs whose lives Mike personally saved hobbled up together to thank Michael and his family for their very existence and to show their family's gratitude for sparing them the grief that Michael's family is now experiencing.  I have never witnessed something as special and inspiring in my entire life-I have never even heard of such a thing happening before.  Michael's sister Sara told of a vision that she had upon hearing the news that her brother had died a hero's death saving his brothers.  She said that she saw a puzzle missing its final piece being completed by an unseen hand and that its visage was that of her brother.  His actions, his deeds, his sacrifice were the culmination of a lifetime of preparation to go forth into combat and distinguish himself above and beyond the call of duty. 

Michael was a Christian man, raised in the Catholic Church and was often seen attending Mass before leaving the FOB on operations.  His parents named him after the Archangel Michael-the great protector whose mission was to protect the world from the satanic forces of evil.  Saint Michael's Day is celebrated on September 29, the day Mike gave his life for his friends.

I will be meeting with my Congressman next week in order to advocate that Mike is nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I received this note from someone attending Mike's funeral:

During Petty Officer Mike Monsoor's funeral here in San Diego, as Mike's coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site at Ft Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of two's with the coffin moving up the center. As the Mike's coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin; the slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it.

At the reception afterwards, the SEALS were easily identified among the other military guests because they had a stack of valor ribbons with pin holes above where their Naval Special Warfare Device or Trident had been.

And here are two videos (one a tribute to Mike and the other is a video of Marcus Luttrell talking about Mike):

Words cannot describe our gratitude and thankfulness that men like Mike Monsoor lived among us.

Update 04-08-08:  The President's comments from the ceremony are posted after the Jump.

Continue reading "US Navy Seal Mike Monsoor - Awarded the Medal of Honor"

Bad Voodoo on Frontline Tomorrow

Posted By Blackfive

"“You've got to be careful where you emotionally release as a leader, because you don't want your moment of weakness to cost another soldier a moment of strength." - Sergeant First Class Toby Nunn, during his second Iraq deployment

I'm going to start off this review of Frontline's Bad Voodoo's War the best way possible.  SFC Toby Nunn, who I shared the honor of being a panelist at Brown University's Watson Institute last fall, speaks to Deborah Scranton (Director of "The War Tapes") about his experiences and why he is a soldier.

Toby is a Canadian citizen who loves America.  He's smart, tough and can turn on the American badassery in heartbeat - and he is also brilliant.  Here's a photo of him and Tito Ortiz...notice the RangerUp shirt Toby has on. 

Photo Courtesy of Northern Disclosure

I'd follow SFC Nunn into hell carrying a gasoline can.  You'd want your son under his watch. 

Check this out:

Frontline: Bad Voodoo's War

If you liked hearing Sergeant First Class Toby Nunn, you should order his book "Northern Disclosure" which is about his experiences leading a new team (new to him) to Iraq.  If you have ever served as a sergeant/NCO before, it'll ring true with you.  It certainly did for me.

The reason I like Scranton's work is that the soldiers tell their own stories - the good, the bad and the ugly - and you get plenty of that in the interviews.  Yes, some just want to go home, others want to do the job they've been giving, and others worry about the (lack of) ability for Iraq to provide it's own security.

Specialist Shaw is also featured.  He was awarded the Silver Star for valor during the battle for Bagdhad.  This is his third tour that he volunteered for.  Shaw, after losing many good friends and seeing a lack of progress, has lost faith in his religion and faith in the possibility of success.  It's important to hear what he says.

And then there's an old pal, Sergeant JP Borda, who started blogging when he was in Afghanistan a few years ago (when he was a Specialist).  The National Guard Experience was a soldiers blog - lots of humor, comments, etc.  Afterwords, JP starting Milblogging.com which was purchased by Military.com.  JP then, I believe he volunteered, to go to Iraq with California National Guard.

“The media writes what is going to sell. They're a business, too. We're not a business. We're just writing what we're doing. We've got nothing to sell. We've got nothing to lose.” - Sergeant JP Borda, in Iraq (second deployment, first was OEF)

Sergeant Borda built the Bad Voodoo Platoon website here.  And there's more of JP in the video below describing the filming process:

Frontline: Bad Voodoo's War

Be sure to watch Frontline, tomorrow night, April 1st, to see Bad Voodoo's War.

FROM FRONTLINE:

In June 2007, as the American military surge reached its peak, a band of National Guard infantrymen who call themselves the "Bad Voodoo Platoon" was deployed to Iraq. To capture a vivid, first-person account of the new realities of war in Iraq for FRONTLINE and ITVS director Deborah Scranton (The War Tapes) created a "virtual embed" with the platoon, supplying cameras to the soldiers so they could record and tell the story of their war. The film intimately tracks the veteran soldiers of "Bad Voodoo" through the daily grind of their perilous mission, dodging deadly IEDs, grappling with the political complexities of dealing with Iraqi security forces, and battling their fatigue and their fears.

Watch on air and online beginning April 1, 2008.

Update 04-01-08: Greyhawk is asking where the media was when SFC Nunn's team ruthlessly assists wounded civilians from a bus that hit an IED (the media instead wrote that Americans had destroyed the bus).

The left has no heroes

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

UPDATE: Video of the event too dangerous for High School kids to see.

Apparently the left doesn't have any heroes, they believe that anyone in or out of uniform who is not protesting or telling tales of atrocities reminiscent of Jenjis Khan, is simply a tool of the vast right-wing conspiracy. In the La La land inhabited by the liberals in Minneapolis the voices of our heroes cannot be heard unless countered by the progressive voices of the anti-war crowd, and even then they are not suitable for High School children. I mean God forbid they gain a positive view of our military or hear that brave deeds have been done in support of Bush's illegal war.

The National Heroes Tour is in Minneapolis today for a number of events, however we will not be visiting Forest Lake High School because the right of whiny left-wing buttheads to censor the troops out weighs the right of American students to hear from and meet the folks who have risked their lives for the freedoms we all enjoy. This is Pete Hegseth's High School and he had personally arranged for a non-partisan event where students could hear from the vets and ask them questions about their service. This so offended the delicate sensibilities of the usual suspects that they began hassling the Principal and threatening protests.

Steve Massey, the school principal, said the decision to cancel was prompted by concerns that the event was becoming political rather than educational and therefore was not suitable for a public school.

He said the school had received several phone calls from parents and others, some of whom indicated that they may stage a protest if the event took place.

"The event was structured to be an academic classroom discussion around military service. We thought we'd provide an opportunity for kids to learn about service in the context of our history classes," Massey said. "As the day progressed, it became clear that this was becoming a political event ... which would be inappropriate in a public setting.

The only politicization of the event came from the anti-military activists and their need to censor any message that shows the military and the war in anything but a negative light. So as usual the left has decided that they will shout down anyone who dares to believe that, like the vast majority of Americans, the military is our most-trusted institution. They know that if the students are exposed to these brave patriots they will think well of them and maybe even support their mission. That is anathema to them and so they began agitating and sadly the Principal caved. The very idea that the troops espouse a message that is somehow inappropriate is a sad commentary on the mental processes of these people, but sadder yet is that the leadership of a public school would favor their deranged yammerings over straight talk from our heroes.

US Navy SEAL Mike Monsoor to get the Medal of Honor

Posted By Blackfive

Believe me, the story of Mike Monsoor is not lost upon us.  Many of you have emailed and left Comments about his pending posthumous award.  Jimbo will have an interview with Marcus Luttrell about Mike Monsoor posted this weekend.

Froggy wrote this about Mike's sacrifice in October of 2006:

Last Friday in Ramadi, Iraq SEAL Team THREE lost its second SEAL in combat, SO2 Michael A. Monsoor.  Mike was from Garden Grove, CA and having failed to complete BUD/S training his first time around, Mike was undeterred.  He came back through and made it this time.  Details of the operation he was involved in have yet to be released by the Navy, but all of the verbal reports that I have received from friends still on active duty indicate that it is probably time to rename the Galley at NAB Coronado and stand by for a Medal of Honor nomination.

My understanding thus far is that during some sort of combat engagement a terrorist was able to toss a grenade into a room occupied by Mike and at least two other SEALs.  Recognizing the danger to his fellow SEALs, Mike selflessly placed himself in a position to block the blast of the grenade with his own body and saved the lives of his platoonmates...

And he asked you to send letters and cards of condolences and support to the Monsoors...AND.YOU.DID.  Froggy wrapped up his post with this:

Editorial time:  I have been consistently frustrated with the Navy and the NSW leadership's seeming unwillingness to adequately award and nominate enlisted SEALs for their consistent valorous conduct.  I do not want to go into any specifics here, but suffice it to say that the enlisted SEAL community and this blog in particular will be watching what happens with Michael Monsoor.

I spoke with Froggy earlier this week and he asked me to write up a post about Mike. Suffice it to say that he is very proud of Mike and it is a very good thing that the Navy has recognized his valor.

Froggy attended the memorial service where the surviving members of Mike's team, alive because of his actions, thanked the family:

...On the rostrum, all three SEALs whose lives Mike personally saved hobbled up together to thank Michael and his family for their very existence and to show their family's gratitude for sparing them the grief that Michael's family is now experiencing.  I have never witnessed something as special and inspiring in my entire life-I have never even heard of such a thing happening before.  Michael's sister Sara told of a vision that she had upon hearing the news that her brother had died a hero's death saving his brothers.  She said that she saw a puzzle missing its final piece being completed by an unseen hand and that its visage was that of her brother.  His actions, his deeds, his sacrifice were the culmination of a lifetime of preparation to go forth into combat and distinguish himself above and beyond the call of duty... 

When Froggy called I was getting on a plane for a family vacation in Florida so I've been a bit slow to post.  We will post a definitive piece about Mike later, closer to the date of the award, in typical Blackfive manner.  In the meantime, here is a YouTube tribute to US Navy SEAL Mike Monsoor: