Courtesy Photo | BALAD, Iraq -- Members of Task Force Pacesetter sing the Army Song after an awards...... read more read more
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by Spc. Lee Elder
133rd MPAD
BALAD, Iraq – An awards ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of Task Force Pacesetter during the first eight months of its deployment to northern Iraq while reminding Soldiers that their job here isn't over.
The task force, which is made primarily of units with the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, operates at both Logistical Support Area Anaconda and Forward Operating Base Paliwoda and at FOBs Warhorse and Normandy. Fourteen task force Soldiers were recognized with awards, but each member of the unit was congratulated for his and her part of the mission's success.
While Task Force Pacesetter has racked up some impressive numbers during its deployment here, its commander, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Vuono said the unit's safety record is its best achievement. He said he hoped to preserve this mark.
"The great thing about these statistics... is no loss of life, limb or eyesight," Vuono said. "We've had injuries, we've had some serious events - I don't deny that. We've had our fair share, but you are making my goal of going back with everybody in one piece, no life, limb or eyesight, a reality. That is what I want to continue to do."
The task force is keeping its Soldiers safe despite working in "a contentious area" in and around Balad. Vuono said that the area close to LSA Anaconda has had a lot of strife even during the days of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
"We are the ones still fighting an indirect fire threat throughout the area of operation," Vuono said. "You can see by the numbers, and I'm pretty sure these are the highest in theater right now."
The task force, which is normally based at Fort Carson, Colo., has fired nearly 2,200 rounds of 120mm and 155 rounds during its time in theater. The bulk of the rounds fired have come from Anaconda and Normandy.
At the same time, it has conducted nearly 2,100 combat patrols in the unit's 2,400 square kilometer area of operations. These patrols have netted the task force more than 650,000 miles on their M114 vehicles and nearly 13,500 miles on their M1 Abrams tanks.
These patrols have also experienced more than 250 improved explosive device attacks while detonating 150 of these devices. Vuono said the number of detonations is nearly equal to the amount of IEDs discovered.
"You're discovering the rounds before they are detonated," Vuono said to his Soldiers. "That is a testament of your discipline."
In addition, the task force has conducted nearly 140 raids. These raids have netted more than 40 weapons caches and nearly 240 detainees.
"We're taking bad guys off the streets," Vuono said. "That's a big plus."
Vuono called the numbers "intense combat statistics," and casualty figures could have been included too. The fact that the task force has suffered no deaths despite an ambitious mission and a challenging area is "because we are staying true to discipline and our values."
Vuono urged task force Soldiers not to let their guard down during the final days of their tour. He said many units suffer needless losses during the last 60 days of their tour when they lose focus.
"You are the best in the world, and you have tremendous discipline," Vuono said. "Focus on your values - they are making a difference in this world."
The future is now for the task force. Vuono said the unit will complete its tour one mission at a time.
"What I want you to focus on is that next patrol," Vuono said. "I still want to go all back on the plane together and see all your faces there when I get back to Colorado."
| Date Taken: | 08.02.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2006 11:18 |
| Story ID: | 7366 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 258 |
| Downloads: | 26 |
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