John Simpson in Iraq

Notes from FOB Falcon and COP Aztec

Tuesday 21 August 2007

Memorial Service

On Monday 20 August, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment came together at Steel Falcon Memorial Chapel to memorialize Pfc. Shawn Hensel.

Assigned to 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, Hensel was a M249 gunner and RTO (radio/telephone operator). He was killed in action on 14 August.

His brothers in arms remembered him as a brave soldier and man they could depend upon.

“He never shirked his duty; never left until the mission was completed,” said Lt. Col. Alfredo Mycue, the battalion’s commander. “He is a hero.”

Pfc. Hensel has done his duty; the consequences now are with God.

Rest in peace.

Reenlistment

In a small ceremony in the Fallen Heroes Room at the DFAC (Dining Facility) at FOB (Forward Operating Base) Falcon, Spc. Brandon Blake, MGS (Mobile Gun System) and five other soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment reenlisted on Monday the 20th.

“It’s important to note that these soldiers reenlisted during a war,” comment Col. Jon Lehr, commander, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. “It is men like these who keep this country strong,” he added.

Lehr also pointed out that Army soldiers and Marines – who represent one-half of one percent of the American population – carry almost one hundred percent of the load in protecting 300 million American citizens.

“What these men are doing is truly inspiring,” he added.

Heard on the COP

I was restocking the water cooler when one of the soldiers asked me how I was. I replied that I was fine.

“And you?” I asked in return?

“I’m in Iraq,” he replied with a smile.

Point made.

I am currently back at COP Aztec, and I will return to FOB Falcon to file stories/photos and to post blogs. My plan is to remain with Alpha Company and move north with the company when it does later in the month.

Wednesday 22 August 2007

Going to Jail

I rode along yesterday afternoon as 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, took a detainee to a holding facility at Camp Liberty. The gentleman in question had been positively identified as one who knew more than he was letting one. The images and story of this will event will appear in the Ranger and on KPCQ.

Here is something that should make Jordan and Donna Haines of Coinforce.com happy. I occasionally see senior NCOs give a coin to a soldier for a job well done. And guess whose company produced them? You got it … Coinforce.com.

That’s all for now; I’ve got a story to write.

Now about the food

One of the concepts embedded with the surge in and around Baghdad is to push American forces off the large Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and out into Command Outposts (COPs) in order to harass the enemy and build relationships with the local Iraqi people.

This strikes me as a good idea; however, the logistical line needed to supply the COPs has proven to be weak.

Log Pacs, or logistical packages, are the manner in which the Army gets food, equipment, laundry and mail out to the outlying COPs. Most of the time the system works; but the supply line does break often enough to make one wonder if perhaps there needs to be more thought given to supplying the soldiers who are doing the hard work of fighting this war.

This ain’t the Green Zone, you know.

Thursday 23 August 2007

I returned to FOB Falcon late yesterday afternoon. No sooner do I return and some clown aims and fires a mortar shell in our direction.

After taking cover for about five minutes, the all clear sounded and life went on. Just a small event in the life on the FOB.

My plan is to finish up some work here and then head north to FOB Warhorse and embed with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment.

J.M. Simpson

Comments

[dedhed52]

My son is in 3rd Platoon of Crazyhorse Company of the 2-23. How about a few words about them?

[Bonnie Lee Brown]

Why just Alpha Company? Can you spend some time with Charlie Company??????????

[Susan Oakes]

My son, SFC Don Oakes is in Alpha Company, if you see him tell him I love him and to CALL HIS MOTHER.

Thanx,

Suz

[Cathy B]

Our family is looking forward to photos and posts from the new location. Safe travels.
Cathy B

[Gayle D]

My Son SPC T.J. Douce is in ALPHA Co. 1/38th. 3rd Platoon Attack Co. We will look forward to pictures. Stay safe and god bless!