Courtesy Photo | Left to right: Anderson, S.C., residents Sgt. Christopher Ayers, Col. James Griese,...... read more read more
Multi-National Division-Baghdad Public Affairs
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq —Three Anderson, S.C., residents, all members of the South Carolina Army National Guard's 151st Field Artillery Brigade, have found themselves in the center of the current fight to establish security in Baghdad.
Their unit is attached to the headquarters of the Multi-National Division-Baghdad, the focus of the U.S. effort in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each, in their own way, is filling roles and assuming responsibilities they could not have envisioned just a year ago. All are certain that they are making a difference and living up to the brigade's motto, "Duty above all."
Sgt. Christopher Ayers, a 2003 graduate of Westside High School and former Clemson University Student, is an intelligence analyst who volunteered for transfer to 151st FA Brigade just prior to its deployment.
Shortly after arriving in Baghdad, Ayers was assigned to work in a special cell within the MND-B headquarters responsible for handling critical, strategic intelligence used for development of enemy targets.
Ayers is also MND-B's non-commissioned officer responsible for managing information on missing personnel. His current responsibilities are in stark contrast with the life he looks forward to resuming with wife, Beth Ann, and 6-month-old daughter Grace Ann. Ayers intends to resume his pursuit of a degree in computer science.
When Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Thomason left his wife, Hannilyn, and his job at the Anderson County Detention Center last year, he imagined he would be working with a smaller unit where his military skill as a fire support sergeant would be used in a more traditional way. Instead he finds himself working as the joint fires and effects non-commissioned officer for an entire division.
Thomason is the focal point for integration of all combat air support in and around the Baghdad area. The former Crescent High School student is surprised at the high level of responsibility that has been put on his shoulders, but the serious man modestly describes himself as an "ordinary Soldier in an extraordinary situation."
Col. James Griese commands the 151st FA Brigade. He began his tour in Iraq as the senior adviser to one of the two Iraqi army divisions in Baghdad. Subsequently, he moved to MND-B headquarters where he serves as chief of the Iraqi security forces cell.
This special section, staffed entirely with Soldiers from Griese's brigade, is responsible for managing the division's efforts to improve fighting capabilities of all Iraqi army and national police units assigned to the Baghdad area.
"And I thought I had some challenging customers in civilian life!" said the career Michelin employee when asked to compare his former and present professions. "But we've been handed a great opportunity to serve our nation and all South Carolinians can be justifiably proud of the contributions being made by their Army National Guard."
Soldiers of 151st FA Brigade, long accustomed to 12-15 hour work days, 7-day work weeks, unbearable heat, and the stress of service in a combat zone, know that they are in the home stretch of their deployment.
"It's been tough" Griese said, whose wife Nancy is the Librarian at T.L. Hanna High School. "But we should not forget that this deployment has also required sacrifice from our families; and without their support, we couldn't do this."
The Soldiers of 151st FA Brigade hope to return sometime in October and most are looking forward to resuming "normal" lives.
But for now, their reality is an extraordinary place and time - Baghdad, Iraq, 2007.
| Date Taken: | 08.25.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2007 13:31 |
| Story ID: | 11998 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 205 |
| Downloads: | 167 |
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