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Troops face challenging, risky mission
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Buehring, Kuwait — Maj. Chris Voso has trained elite American military forces and knows the difficulties of such an assignment.
But the 48th Brigade Combat Team officer expects his new task of living, working and fighting with the fledgling Iraqi army to be especially challenging.
On Thursday, Iraqi government officials announced a plan to ring Baghdad with about 40,000 Iraqi soldiers in an effort to root out insurgents.
The plan will be implemented next week, shortly after the Georgia soldiers arrive in Iraq, and it is expected that they will play key roles in the initiative that Iraqi officials hope will enable their forces to move from a defensive to an offensive posture.
“Next week, we will have a strong and safe cordon around Baghdad like a bracelet that surrounds the hand. We will not allow anyone to cross this cordon,” said Defense Minister Saadoun al-Duleimi.
The plan calls for the establishment of 675 checkpoints around the city in addition to mobile checkpoints to keep insurgents off balance in areas where attacks are most frequent.
“You need to be prepared to eat, sleep, train and patrol with these elements every day,” Voso told about 100 Georgia Army National Guard soldiers who will take on the hazardous, high-profile mission.
“We want our guys to be completely embedded, completely immersed, with the Iraqi army,” Voso added.
Voso said officers and enlisted soldiers selected for the training mission should lead by example and help the Iraqis wrest control of their war-torn country from the insurgency.
If successful, the American trainers could eventually allow the United States to begin reducing troops in Iraq, which currently tops 140,000.
But assessments of the fighting abilities of the Iraqi forces continues to be less than encouraging.
A study released earlier this week by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies said Iraqi forces were not yet ready to take over any substantial role in fighting the insurgents.
“The magnitude of the task [Iraq] faces is indicated by the fact that 155,000 U.S. troops failed to impose order during two years of occupation,” the study said.
The Georgia-based soldiers received virtually no training for the mission before they left for the Middle East earlier this month.
But Voso said their maturity and experience, both military and civilian, will help them in the months ahead. He expects the training mission to last throughout the 48th Brigade’s yearlong deployment.
“A lot of our people are new to this,” said Voso, 38, a full-time National Guard member from Marietta who commanded an elite Ranger training company for 18 months. “But they’ve got good people skills, they’re patient, and I’m very confident they’ll do well.”
The officers were selected for the mission based on their expertise in logistics, personnel, training and operations. Enlisted soldiers were sought out for their ability to teach street-level infantry tactics.
Voso said it was easy to find 48th Brigade soldiers willing to take on the mission.
“We haven’t gone to any unit and forced them to give us anyone,” he said. “Everyone is a volunteer.”
The Louisiana National Guard has been performing the same kinds of tasks in recent months in the Baghdad area with some success. Voso said he expects the Georgia soldiers to get similar results.
“Every great baseball player doesn’t make a great coach,” he said, “and every great soldier doesn’t make a great trainer. We’ve got a lot of great soldiers, but we’re moving into uncharted waters. Personally, I think our people will do just fine.”
Each U.S. trainer will be assigned a full-time interpreter. They will be based at Iraqi military facilities identical to the tent cities known as forward operating bases where most American soldiers in Iraq reside.
Voso downplayed the fact that the Georgia soldiers were given little specific training for the mission they are taking on. All will receive about a week of intensive language, history and cultural training before the assignment begins.
Training the Iraqi army “wasn’t part of the curriculum,” he said. “But it’s always been a possibility. Many things have changed for us since we’ve hit the ground, and I’m sure they’ll continue to change.
“Our guys will be out on the street patrolling with the Iraqis, and we hope the Iraqis are going to show patriotism toward their country by standing and fighting,” Voso said. “We expect our soldiers to react the same way.”
Most of the 48th’s 4,400 soldiers will fly to their posts in Iraq while the remainder will drive north in convoys over the next few days.
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Comments
By Martha Duvall
May 27, 2005 07:48 AM | Link to this
Thank you for allowing all of back in Georgia to get an inside glimpse of our boys in Iraq. My son in law is in Iraq and we must have had 5 calls yesterday about the mission our boys will be undertaking—being inbedded with the Iraqi troops. No one is excited about it; we all feel it puts our boys at great risk. As you say, it’s a hazardous, high profile mission, working with poorly trained Iraqis who may or may not stand by you. Our prayers are many. We want them back home, soon! Thank you for keeping us informed. Please be there for us until our boys come home.
By Patricia McKelvey
May 27, 2005 07:58 AM | Link to this
This is insane. One week of training on language, history and cultural training is not enough for this kind of assignment. They should have spent the last year learning the language and the culture—at least.
By Nicole Bell
May 27, 2005 08:13 AM | Link to this
I want to say I’m praying for all the soldier’s safe and speedy return. I especially am praying for those chosen to train the Iraqi army….May God bless and watch over them all. Thanks for another great update!
By AMIE ARFLIN
May 27, 2005 08:33 AM | Link to this
My husband is attached to the 48th(121 divison)South Carolina. I just want to thank you for keeping us posted.I pray for the saftey of all of our troops, our heros. Be safe and hurry home! If you see Michael Arflin let him know I love him and miss him. Stay Safe and God be with you all
By Emily
May 27, 2005 10:06 AM | Link to this
Many of my friends are in the 48th and I just want to wish all the soldiers on this mission the best of luck. I have heard great things about Maj. Voso and his leadership abilities and I know he’ll take care of our soldiers, even on this short notice of orders. God Bless you all! Thank you to Hirschman and Compton for keeping us up-to-date!
By Traci Murphy
May 27, 2005 10:29 AM | Link to this
Thank you for keeping us posted on the missions of our soldiers. My husband SSG Michael Murphy is with the 48th (HHC). I pray daily for his safe return as well as all the other soldiers who will be risking their lives for us. If you happen to see my soldier, please tell him I love him. GodSpeed!
By Ann C. Ladd
May 27, 2005 11:10 AM | Link to this
Thanks for keeping us informed. I have a son in the 48th l/121st. I pray for him each day and know God will watch over him and all those miliary personnel stationed in Iraq. If you see him, give him a big hug and tell him I love him.
By Janie Callahan
May 27, 2005 12:40 PM | Link to this
My husband 1SG Callahan is attached to the 48th, Co C, 148th SB. Myself an employee with the AJC. I want to thank everyone for all the information and support. May GOD keep our men and members of the AJC family overseas safe! Godspeed!!
By Major Stephan J Frank
May 27, 2005 02:37 PM | Link to this
I am an Army Reservist who lives in Roswell, Georgia and have been serving in Iraq since January. I entereed military service with the Georgia Army Guard back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. The 48th is composed of a great group of folks and I welcome them to Iraq. They will do a great job with your all’s support!
V/R Major Stephan J. Frank Multi-National Corps - Iraq / C-4 Plans Al Faw Palace Victory Base South Baghdad, Iraq APO AE 09342 DSN: (318) 822-2452 NIPR: stephan.frank@iraq.centcom.mil AKO (backup): stephan.frank@us.army.mil
By MAJ Chris Voso
May 27, 2005 11:21 PM | Link to this
I would like to correct the story by stating that I did not Command a company with-in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, as it may imply in the story. I informed the author that I trained Ranger students and commanded a Company in the Ranger Training Brigade for roughly 13 months.
Thank You, MAJ Chris Voso
By Donna Miller- Jasper Ga
May 27, 2005 11:31 PM | Link to this
Spc. Christopher S. Miller 48th BDE - 1-108th Co. B:
My husband, my friend, and my soul mate know and Remember in the long days to come, that your family stands behind you 110%! You and all of Co. B are in our every thought and prayer. We love and miss you.
“The Soldiers we honor today, could have chosen another profession - one that was safer, or less demanding, or more profitable.” They choose to defend our country and make life safer for us all. Heroes are our husbands, wives, sons, and daughters. Please keep them in your prayers.
Thank you 48th BDE. Come home safe! We love you all.
By Daisy Lyons
May 28, 2005 04:35 AM | Link to this
My Husband is with the 48th, C Co. and I am so proud of him and his unit and all the men and women who are serving our country. I pray for the safe return of all and will wait for a call so I know that he and all are safe. Sgt.Thomas Lyons know that the boys and I miss you and love you forever and always.
By Penny Schneider
May 28, 2005 07:11 AM | Link to this
First let me say Thank You for being there with the troops to pass along to the families and friends back home what they are doing. To the men that have been chosen for this assignment, we know you will do well in what you have been chosen to do and we will keep all of you in our prayers. Hurry Home, stay safe. We love you!
Penny Schneider Secretary of Bravo 1/121 Family Readiness Group
By Doris Jordan
May 28, 2005 01:36 PM | Link to this
To Spec. Patrick H. Charles
May God keep you and your brothers and sisters in the 48th safe from harm, and bring you all back home safely. You will always be in my prayers.
Love, your friend always, Doris
By FRANK S. VOSO
May 30, 2005 07:06 PM | Link to this
MY BROTHER IS MAJ. CHRIS VOSO.I KNOW HE WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO TAKE CARE OF HIS SOLDIERS. HIS FAMILY HERE IN MARYLAND WILL ALL BE PRAYING FOR HIM AND ALL THE SOLDIERS OF THE 48TH.THIS WILL BE A TOUGH JOB,BUT I KNOW CHRIS WILL BE UP TO IT.IF YOU SEE CHRIS TELL HIM ALL OF US HERE IN MARYLAND ARE THINKING OF HIM. FRANK S. VOSO
By Becky McClarran
May 30, 2005 07:33 PM | Link to this
Major Vosco is my best friend’s brother. Please let him know his family and friends are behind him!
By Melissa McKenzie
May 30, 2005 11:07 PM | Link to this
My husband has been assigned to this new mission. I must say that I am not happy about, but I am keeping my faith that he will be home soon. I can’t help from worrying. Thanks for explaining the mission. I get more information from you than I can get from my husband becasue of security reasons. Thanks so much and God Speed. Keep my husband and all other safe and home soon.