Posted on 10/29/2005 7:34:26 PM PDT by neverdem
Soldiers expect experience and battle-tested teachers to make the difference
FORT HOOD - Just days after the nation reached the 2,000 fatality mark in the Iraq war, the Army's largest fighting force is bracing to return to the battlefield to face an enemy their commander describes as "a band of thugs."
About 500 troops of the 4th Infantry Division are in the combat zone to prepare the way for more than 20,000 other soldiers who, beginning next week, will depart Central Texas to serve from 12 to 14 months in that insurgent-terrorized nation.
The massive deployment of the "Ironhorse" division, with 71,000 pieces of equipment that include tanks, helicopters and artillery, was marked in a solemn ceremony Friday in which unit flags were rolled up and stored for shipment back to the theater of war. Tanks and other vehicles will be placed on railcars next week, and troops will leave in a string of flights into December.
The division served more than a year in Iraq before returning in April 2004, and 80 of its soldiers were killed in action during the early days of the insurgency. Only about one-third of the total 20,700 troops in this deployment have previous experience in Iraq because of extensive reorganization of the 4th Infantry, officials said.
One of the new additions, Spc. Vannak Sim, is making his first trip into combat. His specialized mission will be guarding his brigade's command sergeant major.
"I did six years active duty with the Navy and switched over to the Army," he said. The Los Angeles native says he thinks he's ready for his task because he's been trained by private contractors who work security details in Iraq.
Ten months of realistic simulations based on lessons learned from the evolving conflict should help all troops — veterans and newcomers alike, said Maj. Gen. James Thurman, the division commander.
"We are ready to deploy. We have the equipment we need. We are trained. We've got a tough mission ahead of us, but at the end of the day, it'll be the American soldier that continues to be the centerpiece of our formation," Thurman said.
His division will be based in Baghdad when it replaces the 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Ga. Also serving under him will be three divisions of Iraqi forces, bringing the total number of troops under his command to about 50,000.
"This is the largest heavy combat formation that our Army has and it is the most modern one that our nation has built," Thurman said, adding that, "I expect a lot out of the Iraqi forces."
He said the division has trained since January to fight a "tough insurgency" by using "full-spectrum combat operations."
Rather than prepare for a mellow peacekeeping role, soldiers were prepared for "a mid- to high-intensity land campaign," Thurman said.
The impending trial of Saddam Hussein and December elections based on the recently approved constitution should make for an interesting deployment, he said.
"That's very important to see that through, and we can't let a band of thugs and insurgents disrupt that," the two-star general said.
Continuing support by the U.S. public for the war effort is crucial, he said.
"You hear all the rhetoric all the time about 'is this worth it?' Well, I guess it is worth it if we are losing men and women in there and we are defending what we are all about, and that is the Constitution of the U.S.," he said.
Further, Thurman said, the Sept. 11, 2003, attacks "should never be forgotten ... That's what's at stake here, and prosecuting this global war on terrorism."
The 31-year Army veteran became emotional when asked how he would measure his mission's success.
"When I bring every one of these men and women back," he replied. "That's important to me. Soldiers are important and I want to see them all come home and that's why I take this mission so seriously."
Other soldiers said the continuing U.S. presence in Iraq, and preparations for nearly a year, should make the trip less dangerous than the first.
"We're more established over there now," said Staff Sgt. Kelvin Dukes, an artillery specialist. "Relations with the Iraqi people are a lot better than when we first started. Overall, I think everything will be a lot smoother."
Dukes said soldiers benefited from intensive training at Fort Hood and in California, where units entered mock Iraqi villages to face small-arms ambushes and hidden bombs.
"We actually did a lot of force-on-force. They let us go through simulated towns where we get aggressed (attacked) and had to react to contact," Dukes said.
Now that training is complete, these are the precious days when families prepare to part, Duke said.
The Florida native said his wife and two children will remain here while he's gone at least a year, as they did during his first trip to Iraq.
"Now is just spending time with one another and the kids," he said.
As for the looming danger, Duke said it's part of the job.
"We're soldiers. That's what we do," he said. "As long as we operate the way we were trained and everybody sticks together as a team, it won't be hard at all."
john.gonzalez@chron.com
Boots on the ground win wars. God bless the Army and Marines.
/john (a zoomie)
Great article. They serve with honor. Let us hope as the new Iraqi army and police continue to take charge and prove themselves, our guys can play the backup role. A win/win situation.
Let's not overlook the bravery of the Navy corpsmen attached to the Marine infantry units.
They deserve a lot of praise, and get overlooked. Mea Culpa.
Next time I see a group at the E-6 club, I'll buy a round.
/john
OK, the tanks and vehicles go by rail, and the soldiers go by air according to the article... Whatever.
bump. great find.
man I hope they park um on the Syrian border .....
it's time to read old Syria the Riot Act
I take off my hat to you and hold it over my heart.
I thank you for defending us all. God protect you and bring every one home in good condition.
THIS IS WHY I HATE THE MSM!!! Jerks!!! They can't let a good story stand alone.
Thank you, all who are serving in that effort, and God keep you safe.
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