Sabers help warriors heal old wounds

Photo By Sgt. Christopher Kozloski | Lt. Col. Guy Parmeter, commander for 6th "Saber" Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt., greets Sgt. John Hyland, a Soldier participating in Operation Proper Exit, as he lands at Forward Operation Base Sykes in Iraq, Oct. 12. Hyland was a member of B Co., 6th Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt. when he was injured by an roadside bomb in 2007.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

10.12.2009

Story by Sgt. Christopher Kozloski 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

MOSUL, Iraq — Troops exited an aircraft on Forward Operating Base Sykes in single file and quickly made their way across the tarmac to their rally point under the early-morning Iraq sun, Oct. 12.

Any other day this would seem routine. However, for the troops exiting the plane it was anything but normal. They were returning to visit a country that had left them severely wounded.

As the troops filed out of the back of the aircraft, they were immediately met by sponsors, Soldiers from 6th "Saber" Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division that volunteered to personally escort the troops during their visit to Sykes. With hugs and handshakes, it was as though the servicemen had known each other all their lives.

Eight individuals traveled to Sykes through a program called Operation Proper Exit, sponsored by U.S. Army and Troops First Foundation which allows wounded servicemen and women the opportunity to return to Iraq and gain some perspective on their injuries and see the progress that has been made since their service and sacrifice.

The troops were given a short briefing by Lt. Col. Guy Parmeter, commander of the Saber squadron, focusing on how the Army's mission has changed over the course of the last several years.

"One of the biggest changes you will notice is that the Iraqis are providing security for their cities and town," Parmeter said as he spoke to the troops. "Earlier in the war, you may have seen 50 to 60 reported incidents a day. In our area of operations, we may see two or three a week. And now we have an Iraqi army liaison that works right here with us."

The largest change these troops noticed was the true partnership between the Iraqi security forces and U.S. Forces in Iraq. They received a tour of Saber's tactical operations center and got a chance to meet the Iraqi army liaison now working side-by-side with his Saber counterparts. They were amazed at the progress that had been made since their deployments, which in some cases dated as far back as 2003.

"This is great," said 1st Lt. Edwin Salau, retired, who was injured in 2004 by an RPG and small arms fire during an ambush which resulted in the loss of his lower left leg. "This is exactly what we needed to see."

After the briefing and the tour of the tactical operations center, the sponsors and troops broke off individually to tour the forward operating base. They checked out the living conditions, the morale, welfare and recreation facilities and the dining facility for a taste of good old Army chow.

Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Olson commented on how the living condition had changed at the forward operating base, saying that the Soldiers had better conditions now than he remembered having during his deployment.

Olson was injured in 2003 by an RPG blast resulting in the loss of his right leg from the hip down. He still serves in the Army as a competitive marksman and marksmanship instructor.

The day ended with a ceremony in honor of these troops. Saber Soldiers came together in a horseshoe formation to thank the troops for their service and sacrifice.

Col. Gary Volesky, the brigade commander for 3rd "Greywolf" Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. James Pippin, command sergeant major for 3rd Bde., flew in from Forward Operating Base Marez to honor the troops by inducting them into the Order of the Spur, a rite of passage for U.S. Army Cavalry Soldiers in which they earn their gold spurs through a combat deployment with a cavalry unit.

"As you great Americans are here healing from your wounds, you are also providing healing for us," said Volesky. "We have 16 great Americans that we have to carry back in our memories from this deployment. You being here also offers us a chance to heal. Thank you for that."

Iraqi army Brig. Gen. Abdul Rahman, commander for 10th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, and Dr. Abdl Al, mayor of the city of Tal Afar, also attended the ceremony and spoke to the troops.

"We will always remember you and your sacrifice," said Rahman. "Our blood and your blood have mixed on the Iraqi countryside. Your service has helped us stabilize Iraq. We will never forget that."

The troops of Operation Proper exit are expected to tour other areas of Iraq throughout the week.

• Date Taken: 10.12.2009
• Date Posted: 10.13.2009 14:18
• Story ID: 40044
• Location: MOSUL, IQ