Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Butler | Capt. Donald Carden, a native of Radford, Va., 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne),...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Marcus Butler
4th BCT (Abn.), 25th Inf. Div. Public Affairs
ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq – For most war veterans, the stories portraying their life experiences are a collaboration of different events that spanned over years and years of fighting that add to the character of that Soldier, sailor, airman or Marine.
For one Paratrooper, he had his share of war stories to tell after his first day on the job here.
Capt. Donald William Carden, a native of Radford, Va., deployed with the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and for a few months, Carden was working out of the Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, until he received the word to be moved to this remote operating base to support the Military Transition Team stationed on the Iraqi compound adjacent to the FOB.
With less than a week's notice, Carden was packed up, on a helicopter and on his way to his new home with MiTT 248.
"This was the best course of action for the brigade and a great opportunity for me," said Carden. Carden came to the MiTT on the heels of tragedy, the team had lost two of its original members to an improvised explosive attack. Carden stepped in without missing a beat.
"I can't imagine how hard it must be for someone to join a team knowing the situation they are entering," said Maj. Philip T. Piaget, MiTT 248's team chief. "Regardless ... Captain Carden came in saying I am here for however long you need me."
Carden's role on the team is to advise the Iraqi Army Headquarters Company, the scout platoon and the mortar platoon.
On his first day on the job, Carden and his team were ambushed by insurgents leading to a small arms fire fight. They narrowly missed an improvised explosive device that detonated right in front of Carden's vehicle and left a blast crater eight feet wide and six feet deep.
After a harrowing inaugural mission, Carden has become a valued member of MiTT 248.
"Capt. Carden didn't come to Iraq looking to be on a MiTT, but he has the maturity, personality, and the technical and tactical skills needed for this job," said Piaget. "He is well liked by the MTT members and also by the Iraqis, which is very important."
Working with the Iraqi Army on a day-to-day basis is something that most Soldiers will never experience. However, for the MTT members, it is a way of life.
"The Iraqi Army Soldiers are some of the most professional and proficient individuals I have ever worked with," said Carden. "At the Soldier level, each and every person knows their job and does it very well."
In transition to one assignment to another, there is usually some down time given to the Soldier to get settled in and get to know your team members. Unfortunately, Carden did not have that luxury.
Sharing the mental stress load with him is his wife Capt. Carolyn Jane Carden, 725th Brigade Support Battalion, human resources officer, 4th BCT (Airborne), 25th ID, daughter Kristianna and sons Patrick and Liam.
"My wife is understands the Army's mission and what has to be done," said Carden. "She is nervous about me being on the team but is supportive 100 percent."
After this deployment, Carden has plans to obtain his master degree.
Even though he has been with this team for a short time, his journey with them is just beginning. Only time will reveal what kind of stories he will be able to tell.
"It has been a fast few weeks here," said Carden. "I am looking forward to see what happens in the days to come."
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2002 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2007 11:32 |
| Story ID: | 8953 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,121 |
| Downloads: | 124 |
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