| Commander's Corner | - CPT Scott M. Caldwell - Company Commander. |
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Battle Update from A Company 2/198th AR Combat Team: The NTC training experience started at Camp Shelby with a bus ride to Gulfport Airport where the unit then flew to Victorville, CA. This process was used to simulate our departure from Camp Shelby to Kuwait. When Alpha Company arrived in California, soldiers were greeted with temperatures in the mid 20s with wind chills in the sub 20s blowing at 20 mph. Soldiers were even graced with the rare experience of a sand storm. After our arrival, we settled into multiple circus-like tents and began to draw our equipment from NTC. In our initial days at NTC we performed the needed maintenance on our equipment and prepared for our 14 day stint in the Mojave. 
After all preparations had been completed we participated in a 6.5 hour
long road march into the desert to relocate at our Forward Operation Base
(FOB) Dallas. After enduring the long march in the vast desert, the unit’s
leadership began preparations to assume responsibility for our new Area
of Operation (AO). Within several hours of entering the FOB, Alpha Company
began Support and Stability Operations (SASO), which included combat patrols,
raids, checkpoints, and personnel/vehicle searches. All of these
are expected tasks for the unit to conduct in Iraq.
Viper Company’s first mission was to conduct a raid on a cave complex. Our objective was to secure the cave and detain suspected insurgents. The assault proved invaluable as it exposed many strengths and weaknesses. The unit was then able to exploit its identified strengths and develop a plan to improve in the areas where it was weak. Once the cave complex was secured, we began to assume responsibility for our city of interest. The name of our city was “Mezra-Mazik Ahmar” and it simulated a typical Iraqi city preparing for the upcoming local elections. We started by contacting the city’s key individuals which included the Mayor, Sheriff, Sheik, Imam (Religious Leader) and others. We then began to evaluate the needs of the city’s residents. Once we learned what their needs were, we began to resolve their problems in an effort to win the hearts and minds of city. As the unit and the city prepared to support the upcoming elections, local insurgents began to disrupt the peaceful process by staging attacks. The insurgents, played by active duty soldiers stationed at Fort Irwin, began to plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) in efforts to scare us away and intimidate the local populous. The insurgents also used “Suicide Bomber” and “Sniper” attacks in their efforts to disrupt the security of the voter-registration and election process. However, Alpha Company did not flinch, but took the attacks head on. Using IED identification skills, soldiers began to spot possible IEDs which were neutralized and eliminated with the help of the Explosive Ordinance Demolition (EOD) Teams. Soldiers from Alpha Company also maintained a constant military presence within the city by conducting presence patrols during both the day and night. This made it very difficult for the insurgents to emplace their IED devices or mount a terrorist offensive. After providing for a safe and secure voting environment, the company then turned control of the city over to its newly elected officials. Once our mission was completed, the battalion departed our FOB and returned to Fort Irwin for recovery. All soldiers in the unit performed extremely well, but three soldiers demonstrated great professionalism. The “Hero of the Battle” was Head Quarters Platoon’s Specialist Daniel Ramseur from Senatobia, MS, for his proficiency, tactical knowledge and dedication to mission accomplishment. Specialist Ramseur’s foresight in logistics was critical for the unit. Without his proficiency in his job, the unit would not have the necessary “beans and bullets” to operate. December’s Soldier of the Month is Third Platoon’s Specialist John Lauderdale from Courtland, MS. Throughout our rotation at NTC Specialist Lauderdale met and surpassed all standards. His willingness and desire to serve is apparent and an example for all soldiers to mimic. His knowledge and proficiency in radio operations proved vital in his platoon’s communications. Under fire and in the fog of war, he was able to block out the distractions and concentrate on his job. His platoon leader, Lt. Edwards, said “Specialist Lauderdale was key to mission accomplishment by ensuring information flowed smoothly on the platoon’s net”. First Platoon’s Sergeant Joshua Montgomery from Grenada, MS was chosen as our Non-Commissioned Officer of the month. SGT Montgomery showed extraordinary leadership by stepping up and assuming command of his vehicle. In the midst of battle, his vehicle commander was displaced which left SGT Montgomery, the senior soldier, in charge. Without any hesitation, he immediately took command and effectively accomplished the mission. His confidence and leadership abilities gave his crewmen renewed confidence in their effectiveness during significant battlefield changes. 
Finally, the company was able to recognize five individuals who were recently awarded the Army Achievement Medal. These soldiers are: SPC John Lauderdale, SGT Mathew Mardis, SSG Derek Thornton, 2LT Rodney Edwards, and 1LT Troy Ross. These individuals have distinguished themselves in numerous areas since the beginning of the rotation and have proven to be a valuable asset to this company. This concludes our most recent events and our final article from Mississippi. Our next correspondence will be from somewhere inside the country of Iraq. Until our next event update article, please keep the soldiers and families of Alpha Company 2/198th Armor in your prayers.
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