> Family and
Friends,
>
> Hello everyone. I wanted to take a few minutes and update you on the
> great things your Soldiers have been doing these past few weeks in support
> of the Iraqi Constitution Referendum Vote. These past weeks have
been
> both very busy and rewarding. Our Soldiers had a direct impact on
> creating the safe environment allowing millions of Iraqis to get out and
> vote. Indications are over 60% of all eligible Iraqis voted nationwide,
> and about 66% voted in our province.
>
> Our operations were broken into two phases: creating a safe environment in
> the weeks leading up to the vote and assisting in security the day of the
> vote. The Iraqi Army and Police did a terrific job. We were
enormously
> successful in both phases of the operation.
>
> Several things happened in the weeks preceding the election. First,
the
> Iraqi Army and Police conducted numerous exercises to demonstrate their
> ability to provide security and to quickly respond to incidents.
Second,
> we dramatically increased our presence in our assigned area of
> responsibility. We restructured our mission rotation and worked even
> longer hours to put out about three times our normal amount of patrols.
> Finally, we conducted a series of joint raids with the Iraqi Army to
> detain known or suspected insurgents prior to the election.
>
> Apache Soldiers participated in two joint, night raids of two separate
> villages in our area. Both raids consisted of about one third of our
> company and an Iraqi Army Infantry Battalion. A small element from a
> Army Armor Task Force assisted the Iraqis with command and control and
> also provided a platoon as a quick reaction force. Both missions
included
> an air weapons team consisting of OH-58 Reconnaissance Helicopters and
> Un-Manned Aerial Vehicles that assisted in the identification of targets.
> Additionally, the second raid was supported by a U.S. Army Infantry
> Company that conducted an Air Assault into the objective area to secure
> critical intersections as we moved into position.
>
> The basic concept for each raid was for us to establish security around
> the villages while the Iraqi Army moved in and detained the suspects.
> Like with any operation, things happen along the way causing modifications
> to the original plan. During one of the raids, a helicopter spotted
a
> suspicious group of people around a small set of buildings a few miles
> outside of the village. SSG Doug Martin and his squad were given the
> mission to take one of the Iraqi Army Platoons and investigate. When
they
> returned, they had captured a total of 27 suspects who had apparently been
> alerted to the raid and were trying to hide in the buildings outside of
> town.
>
> In total, 67 known or suspected insurgents were detained in the two raids.
> It was so professionally and personally rewarding for our Soldiers to have
> the opportunity to participate in the raids. They had a chance to
conduct
> a joint operation with the Iraqi Army and multiple U.S. Army units,
> including both ground and air assets. More importantly, our Soldiers
were
> directly responsible for taking 67 terrorist and thugs off the streets.
>
> Our efforts leading up to the vote were enormously successful. As a
> result, our area was very quiet on the day of the vote. We conducted
> continuous patrols around the polling stations in our area, enforced the
> nation wide curfew, and even escorted some of the ballots.
>
> The Soldiers are very proud of their work these past weeks and they are
> understandably tired. However, the end is in sight and we are all
drawing
> daily strength from knowing we will be home soon.
>
> A company of Marines recently arrived in our forward operating base to
> assist with the mission here. They are a motivated bunch and will be
a
> great addition to the mission as it continues into next year. At the
same
> time, the arrival of the Marines puts an added strain on our facilities.
> There are more people to rotate through the chow hall, more people using
> the gym, and more people trying to use our limited number of computers and
> phones.
>
> Communication will not be as regular as it has been with the continued
> addition of more personnel. The population of our small forward
operating
> base will soon double as replacement units begin come in. The influx
of
> personnel is necessary as we prepare to return home.
>
> Our replacement unit is completing their final weeks of training in Fort
> Lewis and will be arriving in
> are continuing to prepare for their arrival to ensure a smooth transition.
> I have been in regular contact with their company commander and I am
> confident they will hit the ground motivated and ready.
>
> We are still on track to return to
> headquarters back home is working on the reintegration plan and they will
> release the detailed plan in early November. We will be conducting
three
> days of reintegration training during our first few days back in
>
> attend together. There will be briefings on medical benefits,
employment
> rights, unemployment, financial planning, schooling, counseling, and many
> other topics that will be an enormous benefit to both Soldiers and
> families.
>
> I know many of you have questions about the dates, times, lodging, meals,
> and so on. These questions will be answered when the plan is
published.
> With 152 Soldiers and families, it is impossible to come up with a plan
> that will perfectly suit everyone's needs. Still, the concept is
sound
> and absolutely critical to assist in our reintegration. I am proud
our
> leadership sees how essential this reintegration time is and fully
> confident we are doing the right thing.
>
> I thank you all for your continued patience and support these many months.
> Every day brings us closer to home. Focus on the positive and continue
to
> be very proud of your great Soldiers. They are all real American
heroes.
>
> Honor is the courage to fulfill your obligations.
>
> God Bless,
>
> Mike Pazdernik
> Captain, Armor
> Commander, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 194th Armor
>