Troops Doing "Magnificent Job" in Iraq Say Senior Leaders

DoD ^ | Aug. 22, 2003 | K.L. Vantran

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Troops Doing "Magnificent Job" in Iraq Say Senior Leaders

By K.L. Vantran
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2003 - Americans can be proud of the work U.S. soldiers are doing in Iraq, said 5th Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth O. Preston during a video teleconference from Baghdad today.

"The soldiers are really doing a magnificent job," he added. "All of you should be very proud of what soldiers here are doing in support of the people of Iraq."

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Bush, 1st Armored Division and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Fuss, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) agreed.

"They're doing very well," said Fuss, who also serves as command sergeant major for Task Force Iron Horse, which has responsibility for the northeast portion of Iraq. "They're disciplined. They're trained. They are taking the fight to the enemy every day and we're winning."

This is in spite of working in difficult conditions such as the "tough, rugged" terrain and temperatures that have averaged 123 degrees, said Preston. "Even in full uniform out on the ground, their spirits are high," he added. "Soldiers are proud of the mission they are doing.

"Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere in the world," Preston continued. "It's one of those things we learn from. Soldiers understand the threat and the environment they work in. They walk with death out on patrols. There's no substitute for the level of experience a soldier gains."

The adaptability of these young soldiers is great, said Bush, who also serves as command sergeant major for Task Force Baghdad.

Senior leaders in Iraq remain focused on the mission and taking care of the soldiers, noted Preston. "The No. 1 way to take care of (soldiers) is to ensure they are trained," he added.

Quality of life issues, to include housing and food, are also a top concern of the command sergeants major.

In an effort to improve troop billets, Preston said they've been working with local contractors to restore infrastructure and to put windows and air conditioning back in buildings. There's even a push to get air conditioners out to the soldiers who live in tents at remote sites.

Fuss said they've started purchasing 20-foot vans that have heat and air conditioning. Each would house four soldiers.

Food preparation is also being contracted out. The intent, said Preston, is to have several large dining facilities in established areas. These facilities would in turn get "quality meals" out to the soldiers in remote sites.

One priority is obtaining power generators, said Bush.

"You can't rely on commercial power," said Fuss. Power may be on for three hours and then none the rest of the day or it may be just the opposite, he added.

"There are a number of initiatives," Preston added. "I think if you asked the soldiers, they'd say there have been many improvements in the last 30 days. As the theater matures, you get logistics support structures set and quality of life improves substantially."

Every day soldiers look at what their leaders are doing to make their quality of life better, said Fuss. "And we're working on it every day."

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

8 Unapologetically Pro-Coalition News Links and Articles

[ConservativeMan55]

This all comes as no suprise. Our Men and Women are the best in the world.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

This is in spite of working in difficult conditions such as the "tough, rugged" terrain and temperatures that have averaged 123 degrees, said Preston. "Even in full uniform out on the ground, their spirits are high," he added. "Soldiers are proud of the mission they are doing.

So there. (^:

If you want on or off my pro-Coalition/anti-wanker ping list, just ping.

[Brad’s Gramma]

If you want on or off my pro-Coalition/anti-wanker ping list, just ping.

If you take me OFF of it, I'll have to rearrange your face! LOLOLOL!!!!!!

WHAT A GREAT ARTICLE!!!! GO USA!!

[snippy_about_it]

If you take me OFF of it, I'll have to rearrange your face! LOLOLOL!!!!!!

ROTFLOL. Good comeback. Gramma. ;)

Hey Ragtime, keep up the good work.

[MEG33]

Well said.God bless our armed forces.Wish I could send them a cool breeze.

[jwalsh07]

Bumping for the best.

[bigghurtt]

don't be surprised folks...despite what you see on CBS, the large majority of soldiers know why we're fighting and want to do our best for our nation.

[Cobra64]

"They're disciplined. They're trained. They are taking the fight to the enemy every day and we're winning."

Tom Daschle: "I am saddened. Deeply saddened."

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Lol!

(:O

Thanks!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, snippy. I love posting these articles.

Chirac and co. continue to misunderestimate our military - and the American people.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

despite what you see on CBS

Amen. They're asking us to help get the truth out. We ask them to save civilization. They volunteer. They shouldn't have to fight the press as well.

[ChadGore]

Another American success ??

"I'm
deeply
saddened"

[geopyg]

CNN today was interviewing two SEEBEES that were in Iraq. One older (commander?) and one young guy. They said within a day or two the Iraqis were friendly after seeing what the Seebees were doing. The young guy said they bring them small cookies and tea.

The older guy said they've been hiring local folks to work for them - putting out $100,000 to $200,000 in contracts. He said the craftsmen do fine work. (One look at Saddams' palaces will tell you that!) One local contractor came to him with tears in his eyes saying that now 30 families will have food on the table because of the work.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Looks like someone took care of it for me already!

WHAT WAS THAT??????? HAHAHAHAHA

[mystery-ak]

Never argue with a CSM....Mike told be the other day that he can't believe he's giving up a year of his life for this god-forsaken country....but he said he believes in his mission and cause.

[bigghurtt]

Amen. They're asking us to help get the truth out. We ask them to save civilization. They volunteer. They shouldn't have to fight the press as well.

It angers me to no end to hear these worms on the left who only care about the military when they can prosecute us pretending that they oppose Bush on behalf of the miltary. We aren't allowed to directly speak on such issues (despite what 3 or 4 privates on CBS might lead you to believe) but I can tell you that if we could, the overwhelming majority of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen would tell you that we're proud of Bush and we are eager to fulfill his orders (the same couldn't be said, oh, I don't know, about 3 years ago.)

[ALOHA RONNIE]

NEVER FORGET


...Aren't we are so very blessed to have such protectors as these bringing Freedom to Others abroad while protecting our own...

...for the LOVE of it..?

And last Friday U.S. District Court Judge WAYNE D. FOGEL, who has been a lifelong Friend of CLINTON Friend & Judge STEPHEN 'No Under God in our Pledge of Allegiance' REINHARDT, stopped...

...the mailing out of California Recall Ballots to our Freedom Fighters overseas as he prepares to delay the Recall Election of CLINTON Friend GRAY DAVIS back to March 2004.

See:

.."No Recall" Judge FOGEL = Friend of CLINTON "No Under God Pledge" Judge REINHARDT..

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/965415/posts


NEVER FORGET

[ThreePuttinDude]

In Tampa, Fla. there is a group of Patriots that get together and great the traffic on Bay Shore Blvd. by waving the flag, and just waving at passers by. This evening on the local Fox channel (13) they had an interview with a soldier that had just gotten back from the middle east, and he said that we should be aware of the fact that most of the men and women over there are aware of the support we are giving them, no matter what the alphabet channels might say.

I thought that was great news to hear from the American Soldier that was part of a history making liberation.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

One local contractor came to him with tears in his eyes saying that now 30 families will have food on the table because of the work.

Thank you for sharing this story. CNN??? Perhaps they discovered that we could get the news straight from the sources. Perhaps they are going to report news...stay tuned.