Courtesy Photo | Spc. Steven Williams, of Oklahoma City, Okla., enjoys his Christmas dinner with...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. JB Jaso III
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad
ISTAQLAL, Iraq – As a fifteen-month deployment comes to a close for Wolfhound Soldiers they remain focused at continuing their mission, even during the holiday season.
The Wolfhounds, who are more formally known as 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, celebrated their second consecutive Christmas in Iraq, but the holiday celebrations didn't stop Soldiers from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company from capturing one of the area's most wanted terrorists.
An early Christmas morning combined operation with the 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi National Police Division resulted in the capture of an individual associated with improvised explosive devices and planning attacks with suicide vest bombs stated the Wolfhounds assistant intelligence officer, 1st Lt. Joseph McKinney, of Stafford, Va.
"Taking this type of individual off the streets is really helping to increase the security for the Iraqi people as they continue to take the reins on security in their cities," continued McKinney. "This country is better off without these criminals in the population and it is a huge step for the Iraq security forces to have them help run the operations, with coalition forces, as these criminals are pulled off the streets."
The capture resulted in a personal Christmas morning wake-up call for the Wolfhound platoon leader responsible for the capture.
"It was surprising in a good way; a pleasant surprise," said Capt. Pete Walther, of Mililani, Hawaii, who was awakened in person by the 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. commander, Col. John Hort, who flew to Joint Security Station Istaqlal on Christmas morning to congratulate Walther and his Soldiers for the capture. "It was really great for him to come and congratulate my men and I."
Hort personally congratulated the sleepy Soldiers that only had a couple hours of sleep after their Christmas wish of capturing this criminal was granted. He awarded commander coins for excellence to the Soldiers directly involved with the capture and to other outstanding Soldiers with Company A, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Regt.
"I was excited to get my first coin and to meet Col. Hort," said Spc. Benjamin Raulerson who was selected by his platoon sergeant to be recognized by the brigade commander. Raulerson is a Company A infantryman and Jacksonville, Ala., native,
Once all the congratulations were completed, the Wolfhounds began their second consecutive Christmas feast of turkey, ham, crab legs and shrimp, which was cooked and prepared by the four cooks assigned to the battalion.
"The food was great," stated Shreveport, La., native and Company A infantryman, Pfc. Timothy Moreland. "The cooks did a great job!"
Not only did the Wolfhounds enjoy their Christmas dinner, but their Iraqi counterparts, enjoyed the feast as well.
"It was vitally important to include our Iraqi security force partners in our holiday season celebrations and feast to reinforce unity of effort in all we do as a team; just as we currently do in combined operations today," stated the Wolfhound Commander and Brooklyn, N.Y., native, Lt. Col. Richard "Flip" Wilson. "This is another historical period in the country of Iraq where our bonding together represents the everlasting hope of mankind and the forward progress of security by, with and through each Iraqi force in this area."
As Christmas came to a close, the tired Wolfhounds reflected on their accomplishments and celebrations of the day as Wilson stated that "we celebrated the very fact that we were together today securing and protecting the population of this area,"
| Date Taken: | 12.27.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.27.2008 04:18 |
| Story ID: | 28183 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 685 |
| Downloads: | 596 |
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