AN NAJAF, IRAQ- A Company, 2nd Battalion 198th Armor, based out of Oxford, MS, finished off its tenth month in An Najaf, Iraq, with the completion of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. With October over, Viper soldiers are looking forward for their redeployment back home. With the Company expected to be back around the early part of January, the Company has already began redeploying its non-mission essential equipment back home.
     During the holy month of Ramadan, beginning on October 15th through November 4th, Viper Company again took a supporting role in An Najaf’s security. Viper Company’s main role during this holy month was to stand ready to support the Iraqi security forces.  Coalition Forces around the country are stepping aside to allow the local Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army assume the bulk of security missions.  Ramadan has historically been a month where insurgent activity and attacks are expected to peak. However, as anticipated, the local Iraqi Security Forces did an outstanding job in securing the city resulting in a very peaceful month in the Shiite holy city of An Najaf. The peaceful calm experienced during the holy holiday came as good news to the soldiers as it signaled the Iraqi dependence on American forces has diminished.  Soldiers hope this will continue and hopefully pave the way to a dramatic decrease in troop deployment.
     Other then standing ready to support Iraqi security forces, Viper Company continued its support and stability operations.  These operations include long range Convoy Escorts, Quick Reaction Force and Iraqi Army Training. The three Support and Stability Operations went without incident as Viper Company’s soldiers understood the importance and significance of these missions.
     This past month Viper Company also gained an additional platoon made up of soldiers from its sister battalion, 2nd-114th Field Artillery.  These ten soldiers, led by Second Lieutenant Carmody and Sergeant First Class Hessenius, are tasked to train the Iraqi Army in Karbala, a city just north of An Najaf.  With the addition of this platoon, Viper Company now assumes responsibility of the training of the Iraqi Army in two of Iraq’s largest cities. 
     Viper Company continued its traditional awarding of its Soldier and Non Commissioned Officer of the Month.  For the month of October, Specialist Tremond Miller, of 4th platoon, was awarded Viper’s Soldier of the Month for his outstanding performance as a vehicle gunner.  SPC Miller has shown his platoon his technical knowledge and proficiency in manning the 240B machine gun.  He is never one to shy away from teaching another soldier about the workings of the weapon.  SPC Miller’s dedication to duty is truly evident in his performance
     Corporal Zephaniah Lyons, also a member of 4th platoon, is awarded Viper’s Non-Commissioned Officer of the Month.  CPL Lyons is awarded this honor for his dedication to duty while training the Karbala Iraqi Army Battalion.  CPL Lyons is responsible for training over 75 Iraqi soldiers on urban warfare.  He personally led these soldiers through an intensive course in room clearing which encompassed Classroom Training as well as Range Live Fire.  CPL Lyons’ achievements are truly beyond what was expected from his leadership.  Both SPC Miller and CPL Lyons have represented Viper Company and the United States Army extremely well during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Viper Company is extremely proud to award these two outstanding soldiers its Soldier and Non Commissioned Officer of the Month awards. 
     Viper Company also received three promotions this month.  Specialists Jeremy Sims, Daniel Lee Ramseur, and Wesley Banks Tagert were all promoted to the Non-Commissioned Officer rank of Corporal.  These three junior soldiers have shown great leadership potential throughout the deployment, proving themselves capable to assume a position of greater responsibility.  As Viper Company’s deployment nears to an end, Viper’s soldiers would like to thank everyone in Oxford, MS, and elsewhere, for their constant prayers and we all look forward to returning home very soon.