This year’s hurricane season ends today with its 26th named storm, Tropical Storm Epsilon. Of the 26 storms this year, 13 were major, or category III and higher. This season also set a record with three category V storms. Can you name them? Don’t mess with Mother Nature. Sgt Hook out.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Nov. 29, 2005) – Operation Atal Wali, or Operation Heroic Success, set a new benchmark for training Afghan National Army Soldiers in Kandahar and, for that matter, the country of Afghanistan.
Soldiers from the 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 205th Corps, took part in a nine-day validation training exercise Nov. 12-20 at Kandahar Airfield and Camp Sherzai, the first such exercise ever conducted with the ANA.
The battalion, or Kandak-level exercise, trained ANA soldiers from the top of the chain of command down to the lower-enlisted ranks. Kandak officers, infantrymen, medics and artillerymen all honed their skills under the watchful eyes of Coalition Forces.
Photo courtesy U.S. Army
The key to their success of course lies with these ANA Soldiers and their belief in and allegience to the idea of a free sovereign Afghanistan. Sgt Hook out.
The day after Thanksgiving, 1500 Soldiers from the Texas National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division left for a 14-month deployment to the Balkans.
Soldiers of the Texas National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division are being joined in the deployment by troops joined by Soldiers from Puerto Rico and the states of Arkansas, Alabama, California, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The majority of the Soldiers have been training together as Task Force Falcon. Once in Kosovo, TF Falcon will be joined by a battalion of Greek Soldiers and a battalion of Polish, Ukrainian and Lithuanian Soldiers. This combined force will be known as Multi-National Brigade(East). MNB(E) will be commanded by Brig. Gen. Darren Owens of the 36th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard.
Once again America’s citizen Soldiers make us proud. Godspeed 36th. Sgt Hook out.
Yes she does. With the fall of the Taliban some four years ago, Afghanistan is changing dramatically. Politically, socially, and culturally. Few would’ve imagined just five years ago that not only would Afghanistan become a democracy, but that some 147 women would serve in the Army.
“When I wear my uniform and I’m flying the helicopter, my only goal is to help the people of Afghanistan and establish peace and security. I am proud to serve my country.”
Capt. Lailoma, Afghan National Army
Looks like some have traded their burkhas for combat boots. This We’ll Defend. Sgt Hook out.
Because of security reasons, the “To Any Soldier” letter writing campaign was put on hold and many supporters back home felt frustrated that they couldn’t express their gratitude. Be frustrated no more. The Army has made it easier for folks to send a note to our Soldiers. To Any Soldier is a web based version of that letter writing campaign. Here are a few examples…
To: The soldiers of our country
From: Micole Nelson in South Carolina
Hey I just wanted to first say I appreciate everything you’ve done and doing for our country. I know sometimes itgets hard but always remeber it’s for a good cause and when you return youll be welcomed with open arms and will be remembered as one of the brave who sacrifised for our wonderful country. With love and peace Micole.
To: Our Honorable Soldiers
From: A Civi in Illinois
Thank you all for your service to our great nation! Without men and women like you there would be no United States of America. I want you to know that I have great respect for all of you and wish you a safe return to your loved ones. God Bless you!
To: douglas.k.blackwell
From: your wife in kentucky
darling, i am very proud to be your wife…. stay strong and save…… love you with all my heart tina
Each town has a man or a woman who is always hanging around, some begging for change while others searching for discarded aluminum cans. They usually look tired and hungry and in need of a hot shower. The children of the town make legends out of these folks who’s stories few of us ever really know. Take Eugene for example. Sgt Hook out.
Meet your Soldiers, SGM David Murphy, Zach Murphy, and Tim Murphy, all currently serving in Iraq.
Sgt. Major David Murphy of the 416th Engineering Section at Base Camp Adder said having his son and brother serving with him in Iraq is both comforting and disturbing.
Son Zach, 25, is a Soldier with the 5th Special Forces Group, 60 miles north of Baghdad, in what is called Camp Anaconda. Father and son have only been able to spend four brief hours together since Zach arrived in country more than two months ago.
“I’m concerned about him, but … I’m confident in his ability to handle himself as the Army trained him well,” said the sergeant major who has 27 years in the military.
Murphy’s younger brother, Tim, is with the Indiana National Guard, stationed close by at Base Camp Cedar, as a transportation specialist.
I’ve recently discovered some great new reads in the blogosphere that I want to share with you. You might already have them on your blogroll or in your favorites, but if you don’t, you should. In no particular order…
Since I don’t have any troops to serve a Thanksgiving meal to this year (traditionally senior leaders serve at the chow hall on Thanksgiving), my merry band of pirates and I will be steering for an undisclosed location to feast with family and friends. I will be off the net for a short while but wanted to wish each and everyone a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving and I’d ask that you take a moment to remember the sacrifices our men and women in uniform, and their families, make for us everyday so that we truly do indeed have something to be thankful for.
If you’re looking for something to do while I’m gone, might I suggest the links on the sidebar on your right, my left, beneath the title HOOAH. Well worth a look. Sgt Hook out.
This site is a collection of my writings, thoughts, and ramblings and in no way reflects the official positions of the United States Army or the Department of Defense. OPSEC trumps everything.
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In view of a recent tendency to identify characters in fiction with real people, it seems proper to state that there are no real people in this volume: both the characters and their names are ficticious. The names or designations of any military units are ficticious. There are no living people nor existing military units presented in this book.
-Ernest Hemingway
Halfway down the road to hell,
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green.
-Author Unknown
The Blog of War
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