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'Screaming Eagles' Brigade Commander Praises Troop Conduct ["doing a better than great" job]
DoD - American Forces Press Service ^ | Aug. 8, 2003 | Gerry J. Gilmore

Posted on 08/08/2003 2:41:28 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

American Forces Press Service

'Screaming Eagles' Brigade Commander Praises Troop Conduct

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2003 -- Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade are "doing a better than great" job providing security across northern and western Iraq, the brigade's commander said today.

Speaking to reporters from Iraq via a video teleconference hookup at the Pentagon, Army Col. Michael Linnington said his soldiers understand their mission and their morale is high as they carry out stabilization operations in and around Mosul and along the Turkish and Syrian borders.

"I'm privileged to lead some of the greatest soldiers in the world - America's finest - sons and daughters that are indeed our nation's most precious resource," Linnington said.

The infantry colonel observed that his troops are performing their duties under "tough, sometimes dangerous, and complex conditions that most of us wouldn't have imagined just a few short months ago."

Linnington said his soldiers are performing their duties "willingly, without complaint, and to a high standard, despite extremes in conditions that would paralyze the average human being."

The colonel noted that the 101st has been operating out of northern Iraq since mid-April, having crossed the Kuwaiti border March 21 and covering 1,200 kilometers "fighting in five major cities" during the major combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The "Screaming Eagles" now reside in an agricultural area along the Tigris River "centered on the northern city of Mosul," Linnington said.

The 3rd Brigade, Linnington noted, operates "in the far western portion" of the 101st's area of responsibility. He said his unit's operations encompass 15,000 square kilometers of mostly farmland, including 220 kilometers along the Iraqi- Syrian border.

There are still remnants of Saddam Hussein loyalists and other insurgents operating in the 3rd Brigade's area, Linnington said. In the past two weeks, he said, the 101st has lost six soldiers to enemy action, including two 3rd Brigade soldiers killed by rocket-propelled grenade attacks.

Linnington said his troops remain watchful for any additional enemy assaults, while always keeping "the initiative in disrupting enemy forces that want to disrupt the stability of northern Iraq or threaten the lives and welfare of American soldiers."

Security, the colonel declared, "is our number-one priority."

Linnington said his soldiers control two border crossing points, one with Syria and the other with Turkey. He said his troops also guard access to Iraq's Freedom Dam on the Tigris River northwest of Mosul, which provides irrigation and drinking water for farmers and residents in the region.

He described his area of operations as "a mosaic" of ethnicity that includes Turkomen, Arabs, Kurds, Christians, and other groups, that's "not unlike what we have in many large cities across America."

Many successes have been achieved throughout his region in recent months, Linnington pointed out, noting the establishment of "an effective and efficient" working government in Mosul. District elections have been held in many of the larger sub-districts, he added, with many more slated in coming weeks.

Multi-ethnic Iraqi police and security forces have recently been trained, Linnington noted. While in the West, coalition forces are training a new Iraqi border force "that will help create a safe and secure environment."

Trade with Syria and Iraq has been opened, he said, and sales of weapons in local marketplaces have been discouraged and broken up.

U.S. and coalition security and stabilization efforts within northern Iraq have caused an influx of foreign investment, including a $14 million package to renovate a major Mosul hotel to stimulate regional business and tourism, the colonel said.

The 101st Division, he added, "has poured over $11 million into repairs of infrastructure, banks, schools, police stations, hospitals, medical clinics" and irrigation and water projects. Courthouses and telecommunications sites, he pointed out, have also benefited from the influx of funds.

Summing up, Linnington said the "Screaming Eagles" are "working hard across the board to improve the quality of life of the average Iraqi citizen."

"It's encouraging to see our newly-elected (Iraqi) officials not only endorsing our efforts, but helping us identify the areas of need where our programs can be best targeted," the colonel said.



TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 101stairborne; army; goodnews; iraq; rebuildingiraq; warlist
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
I wonder if we could somehow start our own print press. Similar to FR Radio spin off. Our media stinks. They don't cover the great news. How did FR Radio get started?
21 posted on 08/08/2003 7:12:40 PM PDT by Calpernia (Innocence seldom utters outraged shrieks. Guilt does.)
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To: McGavin999; PhilDragoo; Calpernia
McG, Cal., Phil has a fine idea:

I want Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw,
and the rest of the media maggots to fall out, give me twenty!

What do you think, would they agree to a USO tour? Lol!

22 posted on 08/08/2003 7:29:50 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl ("Saddam Hussein is no longer bad news. He's a piece of trash waiting to be collected." - C. Powell)
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To: PhilDragoo
LOL, I was thinking more along the lines of hot tar and a couple of feather pillows :o)
23 posted on 08/08/2003 8:18:27 PM PDT by McGavin999
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To: PhilDragoo
A modest proposal.

You may call it modest, but I would call it fitting and proper, a good start but not the complete housecleaning necessary.

24 posted on 08/08/2003 8:22:28 PM PDT by BOBTHENAILER (One by one, in groups or whole armies.....we don't care how we getcha, but we will)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Thanks for the heads up!
25 posted on 08/08/2003 8:28:17 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: MEG33
Two years ago I discovered how impressive our military had become by being exposed to some outstanding young people. This was an uplifting experience for me.

During the Jimmy Carter regime the judges in our town were ruling that the young arrested pot heads could avoid jail time by enlisting. This led me to believe the military was the recipient of misguided dregs.

It is thrilling to see how professional and dedicated the US Armed Services are and to see they are just as inspiring as those who gave their all in WW II, Korea and Viet Nam.
26 posted on 08/08/2003 9:34:09 PM PDT by HISSKGB
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Spreading the good news bump
27 posted on 08/08/2003 9:51:41 PM PDT by swheats
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To: PhilDragoo
Followed by a 'Swift' kick in the a$$!
28 posted on 08/08/2003 10:01:34 PM PDT by windchime
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Great story, as usual, RC.

Brett Baer, Fox, interviewed the retiring second in command at CENTCOM in Tampa today. Lt. General Mike Delong did a good job in a few sentences conveying a lot of the positive things happening in Iraq. Delong said it is a great story, but the press isn't buying. Brett said, 'And you're trying to sell.' Lt. General Delong said getting out good stories about the military has been difficult for the last three years.

A transcript isn't available on Fox yet, but I'll post if/when I find it.
29 posted on 08/08/2003 10:46:38 PM PDT by windchime
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To: PhilDragoo
Bump your post 20!! ROFL!!!
Good to see you! Hope things are going well with you.
Tex
30 posted on 08/08/2003 10:55:02 PM PDT by TEXOKIE
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To: HISSKGB
I am so proud and so very grateful for our all volunteer,professional armed forces.
31 posted on 08/09/2003 4:05:06 AM PDT by MEG33
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To: windchime
I saw part of that. I'll look forward to the transcript of the DeLong interview.
32 posted on 08/09/2003 4:08:35 AM PDT by MEG33
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To: MEG33
I agree.
33 posted on 08/09/2003 4:32:37 PM PDT by HISSKGB
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To: MEG33
"I'll look forward to the transcript of the DeLong interview."


Fox still doesn't have the story up in the archives. Their website leaves a lot to be desired when looking for information they've presented on air.

I'll keep looking and will post when/if available.
34 posted on 08/11/2003 5:15:19 AM PDT by windchime
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Great post. Thanks.
35 posted on 08/11/2003 5:22:34 AM PDT by PGalt
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To: windchime
They don't organize their site well!
36 posted on 08/11/2003 5:27:50 AM PDT by MEG33
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To: MEG33
"They don't organize their site well!"


I agree! Fox has the most positive interviews/stories and their site makes it difficult to disseminate those items.
37 posted on 08/11/2003 6:03:22 AM PDT by windchime
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