Commander's Corner -  CPT Scott M. Caldwell - Company Commander.  -  From 2LT Edward Chen, the Company’s Public Affairs Officer  Battle Update from A Company 2/198th AR Combat Team:           An Najaf, Iraq- A (Viper) Co 2-198th Armor Battalion part of the 155th Brigade Combat Team continued its support and stability operations in the Area of Operation An Najaf. An Najaf, located a mere two hours from the nations capital, Baghdad, has been relatively quite in the past several months. Viper Co continued on to its sixth month in its one year deployment to support Operation Iraqi Freedom III. The company continued to conduct its routine Civil Affairs, Iraqi Army Training and Quick Reaction Force missions.           Overall the soldiers’ morale within Viper Company has been high. With the feeling of accomplishment here in An Najaf, soldiers can confidently say they are doing something positive here.  After assisting with civil affairs missions, soldiers are able to see the end products of what they started.  Soldiers have witnessed the completion of schools, water facilities, power plants and even the introduction of co-education in the Najaf communities.  Even after a hard days work monitoring construction projects while enduring the one hundred degree plus weather, the soldiers still feel it is worth it and are excited to wake up the next morning and do it all over again.  As Staff Sergeant Jeffery Davis, a member of 2nd platoon from Booneville, MS,  says, “these Iraqi people need our help and we are here to help and assist with the reconstruction.”           This month while 3rd platoon was conducting the Iraqi Army Training, they had the privilege to evaluate an Iraqi Army Company during a live mission.  3rd Platoon with an attachment of soldiers form Headquarter platoon departed on a 5 day trip to a location near Forward Operating Base Kalsu.  Their task was to evaluate the Iraqi Army on setting up and running a tactical checkpoint.  The mission was successful with everyone returning home safely.           This month Viper Company selected two soldiers for the traditional Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer of the month.  For this month, Specialist Glenn Wanker of 3rd Platoon, from Greenville, MS, was awarded soldier of the month for his actions on May 8, 2005.  SPC Wanker spotted a possible Unexploded Ordinance/ Improvised Explosive Devise while manning the gunner’s position and while traveling at 65 KPH along a route that is typically safe and heavily traveled.  His action resulted in the detection and removal of a 122mm mortar round and 5 hand grenades.  This aided in the elimination of ordinances that could have been used against coalition forces in Iraq.           For Non-Commissioned Officer of the month Viper Co awarded Staff Sergeant Jason Riley, from South Haven, MS.  SSG Riley of 1st Platoon is recognized for his performance as the NCO in charge of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF).  His management of all QRF activity has been nothing short of exceptional.  SSG Riley ran everything from radio watch to the actual response of a mission.  An example of his skill in organization is his ability to kick the QRF out into the city to respond to a scene.  His organization enabled the QRF platoon to achieve a ready status and move out into the city within 3 minutes of the warning.  These two soldiers, SSG Riley and SPC Wanker have served professionally and are in keeping with the highest traditions of Viper Company and United States Army. Back to Home Page