IM'd with Nick

I IM'd with Nick for a few minutes today. He is doing OK. He said that he has not been involved with the search because they are already fully tasked.

Remembering the heros of the 1-501st

Video for the 1-501st

Thanks to Jay Chamberlain and his son for this video.

Pictures from Jonathan

Jonathan has uploaded pictures of Phoebe and Octavian to his Snapfish account. Take a look here.

A Moment of Silence

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers and families of the 1-501st. Please take a moment of silence for Cpl. Ryan Collins.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Ryan D. Collins, 20, of Vernon, Texas, died May 19, in Hamiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire May 18. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation. Collins was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10909

A Chopper Shield - Popular Science Invention Awards

Maybe I'm working on the wrong inventions. This Chopper Shield could have promise. -Tavis

INVENTION AWARDS - A Chopper Shield
Firing massive Kevlar and steel nets at inbound rocket-propelled grenades could save helicopters in combat New Jersey inventor Richard Glasson thinks he can stop [RPG] attacks. He’s designed the first-ever anti-RPG system for aircraft: a volley of nets that catch the grenades before they hit. Glasson was inspired by Mark Bowden’s best seller Black Hawk Down, which recounts the 1993 killing of 18 U.S. soldiers in Somalia after an RPG brought down their chopper. “I couldn’t believe that such a low-tech weapon could take down a several-million-dollar aircraft,” he says. “That’s a spectacular outcome for a 40-year-old technology.”
Full Article

(UPDATED) Confusion About the Mahmudiyah Incident

I read this compilation today and felt it might be of interest. Keep in mind that all of this occurred just a few miles from where Nick was. I have heard that Nick is OK and that the 501st was not involved with the incident itself. I don't know if they are part of the 4,000 troop search team, but would assume so.

*** Updated info available here: Update on the Mahmudiyah Incident ***


The recent attack on a US patrol west of Mahmudiyah, in which four US soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter was killed and three more soldiers were apparently captured by Iraqi Al Qaeda, is garnering quite a bit of press these days. The attack took place in a region called the Triangle of Death south of Baghdad. What do we know for sure...
Read Robert Lindsay's blog

1-501st Geronimo T-shirts for sale

I received an email from the Family Rediness Group. They have 1-501st Geronimo T-shirts for sale. The shirts have the logos of all six (6) Companies on the front and the battalion symbol on the back. If you are interested in ordering any of these shirts, let me know quickly. Deadline for all orders is June 15, 2007. Let me know type, size, color and qty.

(No colored trim around collar or sleeves like the sample)

Long sleeve $22 - black, grey or white

Short sleeve $15 - black, grey, or white

Youth short sleeve $12 - black, grey, or white

Size: S M L XL / KS KM KL

Please add $4 to ship to each address or no charge if picked up in Anchorage area.

Nick OK

Just a quick note... I spoke with Staci yesterday. She said Nick is doing OK.

Our Thoughts Are With Additional Families

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers and families of the 1-501st. Please take a moment of silence for Spc. Matthew T. Bolar, 1st Lt. Colby Umbrell and two additional soldiers were seriously injured.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Matthew T. Bolar, 24, of Montgomery, Ala., died May 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations. Bolar was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10828


The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st Lt. Colby J. Umbrell, 26, of Doylestown, Pa., died May 3 in Musayyib, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10828

Moment of Silence

Please take a moment of silence for Sgt Hullender. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers and families of the 1-501st.

The Department of Defense announced Monday the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sergeant Michael R. Hullender, 29-years-old, of Little Falls, N.J., died April 28, in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol operations. Hullender was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

http://www.ktva.com/topstory/ci_5788060
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10810

Recent Stories re: 1-501st

Geronimo Battalion With ‘Partners’ Bring Joy to Musayyib
By Maj. Craig Whiteside, 1st Bn., 501st PIR, 4th BCT (ABN)
April 24, 2007

BAGHDAD – The Geronimo’s of 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, brought a surprise to the Ibn Saif al Janabi Hospital for Maternity and Children in Musayyib.
Article


Flood thanks community for support of son
Monday, April 23, 2007
Metro Council member Madonna Flood, D-24th District, today released a letter thanking the community for its support after her son was injured in Iraq.

Her son, Army Sgt. Brandon Sword, was hurt in an explosion while on patrol in southern Iraq March 16, with the 1st Battalion of the 501st Airborne Division.
Here is Flood’s letter:
Article


J.D. Johannes gets ground truth
April 19, 2007
Here's another example of how establishment press does a lousy job reporting the war in Iraq, while pushing a defeatist agenda. Meanwhile, independent writers and filmmakers are telling ground-truth better than anyone.

On March 26, United States troops manning an observation post (OP) in Karmah, just outside Fallujah, were hit with a "complex attack." Suicide bombers tried to blast their way into the post, while insurgents fired from the perimeter. Here's the official Coalition release...
Article
Outside The Wire article


Swedish Meat Balls, or the biggest newspaper in Sweden reports on Iraq
Friday, April 6, 2007
FOB ISKAN, pictured here, where a Swedish journalist I meet claimed that all the soldiers keep the toilet seats in the up position "because they are so disciplined."
Article


This article isn't about the 501st, but I thought it was worth looking at...

Dolls, posters keep U.S. soldiers close
April 3, 2007
FORT RILEY, Kan. --For 2-year-old Anna Pribyla, it can be difficult to understand what it means for her dad to be in Iraq.
Every soldier looks like him. Even the neighbor's car looks like her father's.
But like thousands of other military children, Anna has something to cling to. She has her Daddy Doll, a small pillow, shaped like a person, with a digital picture of her dad, Capt. Eric Pribyla, printed on the front...
Article

Jill spoke with Nick

Jill spoke with Nick yesterday and he is doing well. He is still in the Rapid Response Team so spending more time at the FOB. He has been able to use Skype (www.skype.com) to make phone calls for free - this seems to be working very well for him. Makes it much easier to make phone calls and doesn't require a calling card. We recently sent him a "Family Guy" dart board, which he received recently - now if only they had beer, they could put together a pub.

Just the Facts, Ma'am

This morning I read an excellent review of the current Iraq war on The Belmont Club's blog titled; "Surge and Counter-surge". Its very difficult to find unbiased reporting regarding Iraq, but this seems to be very close. Wretchard seems to pull in the facts from a few key legitimate sources (also referenced with links) and gives an explanation of the situation that I can understand better - kind of like a documentary or history book would. It is a bit long, but well worth the read - I think (this coming from someone who NEVER reads a book). I plan to start reading back through his other entries as they seem to be about all types of current world events.

http://fallbackbelmont.blogspot.com/2007/04/surge-and-counter-surge.html

Spoken with Nick

I have spoken with Nick over the past few days - he is doing fine. As everyone is probably aware, the tour has been extended to 15 months, so Nick won't be coming home until sometime during 1Q2008.

Nick's unit is now doing their rotation as the Rapid Response Team. This means that instead of going on missions to Jurf, they remain at the FOB to respond to any situation that requires them. This could last for a few weeks.

1-501st Recent News Articles

A little boat ride
April 4, 2007

Paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division use boats on the Euphrates river near Jurf as Sahkr, Iraq, to patrol the area and provide security to the residents of the town south of Baghdad April 4. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Sgt. James McGann, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment)
Link to Article



Joint Police Force Works Toward a More Secure Iraq
March 31, 2007

ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq, — The future security of Iraq starts at the ground level with the Iraqi security forces. In order to prepare the Iraqis for this responsibility, soldiers in transition teams have been working around the clock all over Iraq. Soldiers of the 127th Military Police Company are ready for this challenge.

Based out of Forward Operating Base Kalsu, the headquarters for the 127th has platoons throughout the battle space for the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.

One platoon in particular, 3rd Platoon "Wolf Pack" is operating in Iskandaryiah, Iraq, home to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. The Wolf Pack arrived at Forward Operating Base Iskan approximately four months ago fully knowing their mission.
Article


U.S. Army Soldiers ward off attack by Al Qaeda
March 27, 2007

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Soldiers from Regimental Combat Team 6 repelled a coordinated attack on a Coalition post, including two suicide truck bombs, approximately 4 km north of Karmah March 26.

The attack started at about 2 p.m. when a Soldier from 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne), attached to 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), engaged a water truck attempting to enter the compound without authorization, causing it to detonate.

Immediately following the explosion, approximately 30 terrorist fighters engaged the compound with small-arms fire, rocket propelled grenades and mortars.

The Soldiers returned fire with small arms, mortars and artillery from Regimental Combat Team 6.

Approximately five minutes into the attack, Soldiers engaged a dump truck following the same path as the previous suicide attacker, causing it to also detonate.

Initial estimates indicate as many as 15 terrorists were killed.

Eight U.S. Soldiers were wounded in the attack. One was evacuated to a nearby Coalition medical facility and the remaining seven were treated on site and returned to duty.
Article


IRAQI, U.S. SECURITY FORCES ATTACKED FROM MOSQUE
3/26/2007

KALSU, Iraq – Coalition and Iraqi forces received gunfire and rocket-propelled grenade fire from insurgents inside a mosque near Iskandariyah, Iraq March 26.

Company D, 3rd Battalion, 309th Parachute Infantry Regiment and Iraqi security force personnel positively identified that the attack was coming from the Al Wasafa mosque and minaret and requested an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter from the 4th Squadron, 227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion to engage the insurgents in the mosque.

No significant damage was done to the mosque, but bullet holes can be seen in the mosque walls.

Iraqi forces entered the mosque to pursue the insurgents and the U.S. forces secured the area outside.

A military transition team from Forward Operating Base Iskan assisted in the pursuit of insurgents following the attack.
The Iraqi Security Forces and paratroopers respect the sanctity of mosques by taking precautions to minimize damage to property and disruption of legitimate activities when operating around such sites.

Injured insurgents were given immediate medical care by Iraqi security forces and taken to area hospitals. One insurgent was killed and two were wounded.
Article


Rule of Law Finds a Home in Musayyib
21 March

KALSU —The Musayyib courthouse held a grand re-opening March 13 showing off the improvements of the structure and the technology inside.

A joint effort between Iraqis, Civil Affairs team soldiers, and paratroopers of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division continued this history of law in the region with the completion of the three-month long renovation project.
Article

Congratulations to Jonathan and Stephanie

Baby boy Octavian Lee Schriefer was born on April 1, 2007 at 5:43 PM in Fort Carson, CO. Octavian came in at 6 lbs 15.6 oz and 20 inches. Everyone is back at home now and doing well. Click for the first few pictures - more will follow.

TV: Alaska troops battle sectarian violence

KTUU TV, Anchorage, Alaska
Tuesday, March 27, 2007

They might be cities you've probably never heard of; Iskandariyah, Haswah and Eskan, but they're seeing a surge in sectarian violence with attacks on religious mosques.

A battalion of Fort Richardson paratroopers have found themselves right in the middle of the violence.

In the town of Haswah, a suicide truck bomber blew up a Shi'a mosque on Saturday. It left 11 dead and 44 hurt. Among those killed were 3 Iraqi police officers.

Shi'as struck back, attacking a Sunni mosque with rocket-propelled grenades. A second Sunni mosque was attacked as well.

The First Battalion of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment from Fort Richardson is in Iraq, backing up local forces.

The commander of the 1-501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, Col. Bo Balcavage said the situation in Iraq will take some work.

"I think it will take some patience and some determination by an Iraqi police force and Iraqi army that has not yet been challenged like this in this area," Balcavage said.

He said hostile sectarian terrorists may be moving out of Baghdad because of increased security and the troop surge.

Troops are moving into places like Iskandariyah where the battalion is working to bolster Iraqi forces.

Balcavage said police units remain infiltrated by Shi'a militias and the war's ultimate success remains with them.

"We can kill terrorists here all day long, unless we increase the capabilities of the Iraqi Police and the Iraqi Army, we won't continue to move the mission forward," Balcavage said.

The recent surge in violence south of Baghdad has not claimed any U.S. troops, but Balcavage said it will likely get worse before it gets better.

The 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment is part of the 4th Brigade, which has lost 25 soldiers since being deployed to Iraq last fall.
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=6289900

IM'd with Nick Last Night

Jill and I IM'd with Nick for a while last night. He crushed half of his right middle finger when a buddy accidentally dropped a 90 pound weight on it. He said that it popped all the blood vessels in the finger. He was going to see the medic again before leaving for Jurf for the next 8 days. He said its not going to stop him, he'll just be hate'n life for a while.

Jill sent Nick some battery operated fans a few weeks ago, both hand-held and desktop. He got them and is taking them with him to Jurf. He said its really hot there now. He took the portable showers we shipped last year and is now able to use them (couldn't use them when it was cold).

That's all for now.

Just spoke with Nick

Just spoke with Nick for a while. He is back from a mission for a few days and is doing OK. More info to come later.