AJC.com > Iraq coverage > Blog > Archives > 2005 > September > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US48th draws safer assignment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Striker, Iraq � The 48th Brigade Combat Team will change bases and be assigned less risky missions in the next few months, National Guard officials confirmed Saturday.
While there are no clearly distinguished front lines in Iraq, Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, commander of the 48th, said his soldiers would be moving away from direct combat operations. Since the brigade arrived in Iraq in early June, 18 soldiers have been killed, 14 in insurgent bomb attacks.
“Sometime in the next couple of months, we are anticipating a mission change that will change our territory and our mission posture,” Rodeheaver said. “We’re going through [an] analysis to determine our mission requirements.”
Rodeheaver said the change was anticipated and is part of normal U.S. military maneuvering in Iraq. He said the new tasks would suit a large brigade such as the 48th, which has about 4,500 soldiers.
The brigade’s size is likely to increase as it moves out of Camp Striker near the Baghdad International Airport and into other bases. Rodeheaver said units already in Iraq as well as other troops from the U.S. would likely be attached to the 48th Brigade and fall under his command.
The new assignment will not cut short the yearlong tour in Iraq for Georgia Army National Guard soldiers, who are not scheduled to go home until May or June 2006.
“Our deployment dates are still the same,” Rodeheaver said.
Rodeheaver described the brigade’s new role as more of a combat support and security mission that “probably will not be as intense.”
He declined to provide details or specific move dates because of security issues.
“The operation tempo will still be high,” he said. “However, the most likely threat of conducting full spectrum combat will be reduced.”
Bigger territory
Georgia soldiers now operate in about a 115-square-mile area southwest of Baghdad. A majority of them are based at Camp Striker.
The 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment is spread out among three temporary forward operating bases in Mahmudiyah, Lutafiyah and Yusufiyah, towns in a mostly Sunni area known as the Triangle of Death. The 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment is stationed at Taji, north of Baghdad, and in Mahmudiyah.
The new mission will stretch the 48th’s territory throughout Iraq from the Syrian, Turkish and Kuwaiti borders. Soldiers will be based at U.S. military camps scattered across the war-ravaged nation.
“The brigade will be given multiple missions throughout the country,” Rodeheaver said. “I’m excited. With the new mission, I will see the whole country. That will be a big plus.”
In its new mission, the 48th will no longer fall under the command of the of Fort Stewart-based 3rd Infantry Division, which is due to return home in January.
Soldiers happy
Many of the 48th soldiers welcomed the shift, especially those in infantry units that have been patrolling and conducting ambushes in treacherous areas.
“I can’t wait to get out of here,” said Sgt. Bill Jones of the 121st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, which lost eight soldiers to bombs planted in roads near Camp Striker.
Others are looking forward to improved living conditions. Striker, a vast, dusty tent-city, was designed as a transitional camp for soldiers on their way in and out of Iraq.
But the 48th Brigade was asked to stay in the area because of security needs, Rodeheaver said. He said the 48th made several improvements to Striker and requested trailers similar to ones at larger camps such as Liberty and Taji. They are scheduled to start arriving within days.
Many 48th soldiers, especially those at the three forward operating bases, have complained of austere conditions and lack of basic amenities.
“Some soldiers have been in difficult conditions because of combat mission requirements,” Rodeheaver acknowledged, adding that their comforts are sure to grow in their new assignment.
Services »
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By JLO
September 10, 2005 08:19 PM | Link to this
This is the best story and greatest news I’ve read since our Georgia soldiers arrived in Iraq. While we know that all of Iraq is dangerous, the past 3 months conducting operations in the Sunni Triangle of Death has been costly and extremely dangerous 24/7. I hope the General gives the guys at Yusufiyah, Lutafiyah and Mahmudiah preference in assignments to the new bases with some comforts. For now, let’s all continue to pray for the safety of all our units over there and hope the move comes sooner than later. To E Troop 108th CAVhang in there, stay alert and keep your spirits up. You are the best!
By My Opinion
September 10, 2005 08:34 PM | Link to this
Maybe our prayers are about to be answered and things will be better for all our 48th. Especially better quarters, food, showers and down time for those who are now at the FOBs. Maybe God will do what we can’t get the politicians to do - improve our soldier’s plights. It sounds promising now we shall wait and see - again, again, and again. Bout time something good happens for all of these Soldiers. Maybe the complaints finally reached the right person. Maybe someone took us seriously. I hope our letters and e-mails made a difference.
BTW - it was good to read the responses where some said - we have written but the letters were acknowledged. We tried.
God bless our Soldiers and keep them all safe. Bless the families waiting for them to return.
By soldier's wife
September 10, 2005 09:00 PM | Link to this
On December 21st, 2004, with the Iraqi national elections just over a month away, the enemy managed to get a suicide bomber into the dining facility on an American base in Mosul, where the 1-24th and other units live. Twenty-two Coalition members were killed in the attack. Despite the pain of that loss, there was little time to mourn. They call it “soldiering on.” The soldiers had a job to do and so they continued to hunt down and kill insurgents in large street battles that occurred nearly every day from mid-October through late December.
Other units have suffered grievious losses, we have not been the only one, and we will not be exempt in the future. I would not stop the prayers for safety just yet.
By ARMY MOM
September 10, 2005 09:18 PM | Link to this
My prayers have been answered…I understand the danger and risk still exist,but for my son to be able to move to a possible less combat area is this mother daily prayer answered…. The 48th Brigade is made up of BRAVE AND COURAGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN AND I PRAY FOR EACH AND EVCERYONE TO RETURN HOME SAFE..GODE BLESS ALL OUR FALLEN HEROES AND FAMILY WHO HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH!!!Thank you for all ya do..GOD BLESS YOU!!!
By Earl Swindell
September 11, 2005 11:01 AM | Link to this
This sure sounds good for our 48th Brigade Troops, our GA National Guard, but best of all will be when they all come home. Earl, Glennville, GA
By Lynn Smith
September 11, 2005 12:11 PM | Link to this
Thank goodness,hopefully our prayers are being answered. We cannot stop asking for the blessing of safety and protection from our Father for our soldiers. Maybe our FOB dwellers will be able to say good-bye to their primitive living conditions and the horrible “Triangle of Death”. Until the 48th is back home for good, we must be faithful in our prayerful support of them. We, of course, will wait and see how the mission plays out and what assignments our individual soldiers recieve. Aaaand…,hallelujah,Rodeheaver will get to see the whole country…..good grief!
By 148th Mom
September 11, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this
More prayers please for our soldiers safety, but prayers that we (the troops and us) are being told the truth about the ‘safer assingment’ if there is any such thing in Iraq! I have yet to experience that what is reported the first time is actually what eventually happens.
By Kim
September 11, 2005 02:14 PM | Link to this
I pray that this happens soon. My brother is at Mahmudiyah & has been the whole time. He is so tired and worn out he can only say I love you and I am alright when he talks to his wife,when he can call. He never complains because he is there to do his job, but the long hrs. and severely dangerous area are taking a toll on them all I am sure….I love and pray for each of the soldiers that are there, no matter where they are located, but these guys and ladies,as well as the other two FOB’s in the “triangle” have really had it bad to say the least. I have even read an article on this site that talked about soldiers at other places saying they felt bad for these soldiers, so this is not just a sister complaining, it is the truth.I pray that this happens and happens soon. God bless each of our soldiers no matter where they are located, God bless our President and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!
By Rodney K. Brown
September 11, 2005 02:25 PM | Link to this
The news of the 48th moving to less dangerous positions around the country of course comes as a welcome prayer to every mom, dad, sister, brother, wife, or husband. God has been a tremendous God in the lives of these precious, brave hero’s. If it saves one life we are thankful. I am proud of my son, Sgt. Lance Brown, and each and every man and woman there. I know you are doing your job to the best of your abilities and we are thankful for you. We of course want you to come home but we KNOW you are there doing a job that needs to be done. Again, thank you Father for making this change possible for our loved ones.
By CA
September 11, 2005 03:23 PM | Link to this
We all know that even with new duty stations in less dangerous combat zones our warriors will be in peril until they arrive on US soil once again. I doubt anyone will discontinue praying for their safety and welfare. I’m sure we all pray for those we have never met nor will ever meet - not just our own. They are all Soldiers.
While I am partial to the 48th and the US military I include our allies.
God protect and bless all military worldwide expecially those in harms way who are there to help provide liberty, justice and peace for the people of those counties and prevent the spread of terrorrism. Bless those who are working to keep order and rescue survivors in the aftermath of Kartina. Amen
By JLD
September 11, 2005 04:55 PM | Link to this
Its time for the 48th to relocate. Continuing to patrol areas just to inflate numbers and allow leaders bragging rights is the wrong answer. Soldiers should be deployed with purpose and reasoning in mind not politics. I glad the woman and men of the 48th are being relocated. I pray that their mission will continue to improve and that they will have a better quality of life such as improved living conditions. Our prayers are with all of you!
By Army Mother in Law
September 11, 2005 06:47 PM | Link to this
To all of the 48th Brigade, I wish you all safe days ahead. My prayers for my son-in-law to come have have been answered, just not in the way that we wanted. He was injured last week, flown to Bagdad and Germany for surgery and arrived at Walter Reed in the States today. May God be with you all and keep you safe. Although he is here, you all will still be in our hearts, minds and prayers.
By AF Vet. Kimberly Thompson
September 11, 2005 08:26 PM | Link to this
It’s good to hear that things will lighten up a bit for the 48th. We can all exhale just a bit. And of course once they all return home to their families and loved ones ! Keep up the good work ! We are all praying for you !
By Kristen Yokeley
September 11, 2005 08:52 PM | Link to this
OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD, NOW ISN’T HE?….Just because our guys are going to a safer place, the love, support, and prayers need to only become stronger!!…My boyfriend and his brother are both part of the 48th.. Can’t wait to see them both soon, but, since it cant be as soon as we all may wish, this is the best news yet….less worrying??….Nahh…we all will still be worried to death until there back in our arms!…GOD BLESS EVERY SOLDIER AND THE FAMILIES…. God Speed 108 CAV!! I LOVE YOU JOE AND MIKE!!
By vickey kessinger
September 11, 2005 09:22 PM | Link to this
to the e troop 108 cav.. May God continue to hold you in his protective arms and keep you safe. I pray for each and everyone of you. Spec. Montgomery your family is proud of you and will support you in all you do. take care and send my special regards to williams and head, also to first sgt jones. I hope you all get a deserved rest! God bless You all
By KNicklay(sister and niece)
September 11, 2005 10:39 PM | Link to this
We are oh so proud of everyone of you guys and pray for your safe return. Sometimes we tend to get aggravated when we see my brother’s son growing up and realize how much he is missing in his life. He only gets to see pictures of how his son is growing like a weed-you know that has to be hard on anyone that has children and yet my brother never complains about much-he knows his job and knows his duty and he makes us proud! Just like the rest of the soldiers, they know their job and they know their duty-WE LOVE YOU ALL AND PRAY FOR YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!No matter what the danger we all know that what is going on over there is not RIGHT-we are so lucky to live in the land of the free and home of the brave-THANK GOD FOR OUR SOLDIERS!!!!
By Fay
September 12, 2005 07:43 AM | Link to this
This is great news and made my day. The best news would be to find out they were coming home after six months over there like the Active Army. Can someone explain why the Active Duty Army only deploys for six months now and the National Guard has to be there for a year?
By John Boyd
September 12, 2005 11:32 AM | Link to this
Fay,
The Active Army units also deploy for a year. The Marine units deploy of approximately 6 months. However, the downside of that is that they spend less time at home, and then have to re-deploy for another six months.
By Rebekah
September 12, 2005 12:27 PM | Link to this
Praise God! Yes He is awesome and He has heard our cries! My husband is in Bco1-115th Infantry attached to 1-118th TF. I am so happy that they will be moving, and he is as well. May God continue to protect and surround with his angels all the troops with the 48th to keep them safe.
Fay: As I have understood it, active duty personnel only go for 6 months but deploy twice as often and can be recalled in a shorter amount of time. The rotation is about every three years for national guard (that’s what my husband said.)
God Bless all of us that stayed behind. Today we have lighter hearts and smiles on our faces.
By Ruth
September 12, 2005 02:42 PM | Link to this
It looks like my prayers have been answered and in a way that I didn’t expect. It will no longer be necessary to speak out for the soldiers at Joe and Row because they will all be moved somewhere else and thankfully, no other troops from the 48th will be rotated in to take their place.
By jwall
September 12, 2005 02:58 PM | Link to this
Thank you to everyone who is a soldier of the USA, may God bless you and your families always and know that for all eternity you are one of the bravest and strongest of all the many people out there. I am envious of your courage and have the highest respect for your calling. Thank you Lord God that they will be coming home soon. Please continue to pray for our soldiers and their families. Vance, I love you and to rest of the 2/121st God speed and we’ll thank you always. See you at home soon baby, love, me
By "THOR" Chris Holcombe
September 12, 2005 03:38 PM | Link to this
Thank you LORD JESUS for moving the 48th to a better and I pray safer mission,with the loses that they have had this will give the men a time to catch their breath and get a second wind.The 108 Cav. Troop is my old unit and they have loss 3 in the weeks I pray that they and all the units in Iraq will suffer no more losses.I Love You all and my GOD BLESS you all.
SFC Chris Holcombe (retired)
By My Opinion
September 12, 2005 05:36 PM | Link to this
Since God has answered our prayers for our 48th we should remember in our prayers the soldiers who are replacing them. They, too, are our (USA) soldiers. They and their families need God’s protection the same as ours and we still do. It will be only one more part of our prayers. Speaking out - if they need our voices we should grant them that support, too. The more who watch, pray and act the more effective we may be. The only thing is we won’t have information from their outfits so we can only pray for them.
God bless all of our military and keep them safe while they are away and continue when they return. Bring them home soon. Amen
By Brooke
September 12, 2005 06:48 PM | Link to this
I would like to know the same thing that Faye wanted to know! Why DOES the active army on stay for 6 months and the National guard for a YEAR!! That doesn’t make any sense.
By Tommy
September 12, 2005 10:07 PM | Link to this
I would like to know, whythe Internet says one thing,but it is not always right.My son in law(more like a SON)is staying right where he has been since going to IRAQ.He is in the 48th A company.Don’t get there hopes up one minute and the next change everything.I am proud of all the guys and women.May GOD be with each and everyone of you.Our prayers are with all all of you. GOD BLESS
By Robert
September 12, 2005 10:43 PM | Link to this
While I’m glad our people will be leaving the Triangle of Death behind, I’m hoping the new places they go they will be safer and in better circumstances than they’ve had in the past.
Also, why is it we cannot comment on any of the “One Town’s War” stories emanating from Dublin? Please add a comment section for those articles too.
Robert
By my name is faith
September 13, 2005 12:31 AM | Link to this
I feel the frustration of our long deployments too. My husband was deployed for a year, home for six months, and is now with the 48th. This war in Iraq has changed drastically the way our military, and our NG are deployed. My husband joined the NG after 9/11, being a former Marine and a veteran of Desert Storm, he wanted to serve our contry (thinking he was an old guy, and would be passed over for active duty Marine Corps or Army.) i laugh, although he is up there in age, he’s not the old goat in this deployment. Yes, the deployments are shorter for active duty soldier, and yes they have less time statside between rotations
I think the difficult thing for all of us is the fact that our soldiers are civilians with civilian jobs. Not lately though. Back from the first deployment, there was no job waiting for him (small const. firm went belly-up. We spent 6 months struggling to find a well paying job. Employers, unfortunatly did not want to hire someone that could once again be deployed, leaving them shorthanded and obligated to keep his position available. We are struggling to catch up. Somehow I have managed to not let that overshadow his homecoming. I’ts not going to be easy, heck what’s easy anymore, huh? All of you.hang in there, we are half way through this…..downhill is always easier!!!!!! HA HA HA .I am laughing or am I crying!! who knows any more.
By Terry
September 13, 2005 08:29 AM | Link to this
This is great! We’re delighted to hear that our GA 48th soldiers are being moved - hopefully to less active areas - and where hopefully they can experience the successes created by this war.
However, other American soldiers will have to take their places. We know from what our loved ones have told us how bad the FOBs are.
Let’s take the opportunity of our soldiers being pulled out of FOBs Michael, Row and Richardson to really raise hell about how the Army is treating the soldiers at these bases. Maybe, we’ll have more credibility if we are complaining about someone else’s American soldiers instead of our own.
The continuing failure of the Army to deal with the living conditions and work overload at the FOBs is inescusable.
By name withheld
September 13, 2005 10:37 AM | Link to this
I really don't want to rain on everyones parade....but I am a specialist in Alpha company, 2nd battalion, 121st infantry regiment at camp striker....and WE have just been informed that we have to pack all of our belongings to move about 100 meters down the camp. Most of us are just improving our living conditions, including internet, closer bathrooms, and a new PX. Unfortunately, because the unit replacing us when we change missions need TRAILERS to live in, they're tearing down our dusty tents and making us pack everything we own only a few weeks before we move for good so that they can put trailers in the places our tents stood. Ever since we arrived here, we have had the chain of command make our lives more and more difficult. EVERY time we take it into our own hands to improve things a little more for ourselves, they take it away and make it ten times more inconvenient. I just read the article because my girlfriend emailed it to me, but the "trailers" he (General Rodeheaver) was speaking of have been here since we arrived, they're just in storage and were not made available to anyone until we left. Just a suggestion....try to stay away from the upper echelon of the 48th and start interviewing the guys that are rolling out the gates every day. In addition to putting our lives on the line EVERY SINGLE DAY, they're making us park our humvees on the other side of the camp so they can build NICER living conditions for the active duty guys coming in next month. NOW we have to walk about 2 miles to load our vehicles before we roll out the gate to go on patrol. When are they going to actually let the combat personell start having the same stuff the guys on camp Liberty have?By 48th BCT Soldier
September 13, 2005 09:02 PM | Link to this
I am at one of the small fob’s that is no bigger than 1/2 of a football field..I agree that we need better living conditions but it should come forth by rotating out troops from the fobs to the camps!!The us can’t afford to build up every fob that someone’s husband,wife,boy or boyfriend is on..The question is ,,,Would you even care if it were to happen if your loved one were not there or would you complain that the military spends too much tax money in IRAQ??…GODS SPEED TO ALL US AND COALITION FORCES
By John
September 19, 2005 11:45 AM | Link to this
Why is it that the majority of the soldiers who are now inside the “triangle of death” are going to another small isolated place still living in tents. This isn’t right. While the rest of the brigade goes from one decent place to a better place.
By Cristina Stanley
September 19, 2005 01:51 PM | Link to this
To the soldiers in the 48th Brigade. I want to let you know that we are very proud of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
To Sgt. Stanley, the kids and I miss you very much and we can’t wait for your safe return home.
Love your Wife, Cristina
By pam
September 20, 2005 05:15 PM | Link to this
john is right on it…some of these guys are living in very primitive conditions…no px, 2 wooden outhouses and 2 wooden showers for 115 guys and my brother happens to be one of them.moving in a tent is going to be a move up.. the pentagon is well aware of the conditions. pictures were taken by an army photogapher who stated”this is the worse conditions i have seen” there mess table consist of an old bunk with a board across it… come on people…these guys deserve much better…so the 48th goes on to safer and better conditions… thank god, but what about the troops that move in to take their place…they belong to us too..none of this is plesant,but if they can live it we can write about it.god bless the 48th and all our soldiers and the families behind them !!!
By maria warren
September 22, 2005 05:06 PM | Link to this
glad to hear the 48th are on the move. this is the only place i can get any news about them. anyone who shared a tent with charles warren can e-mail me so i can keep your spirits uo and send u goodies from england. god speed you all home safely.your helping 2 make the world a better place.