This is one of the most detailed letters Steve's company commander, CPT Vanyo, we have ever been sent about what Steve and his soldiers are doing; though it goes more in-depth than most of you might need, I thought you might enjoy reading it.--Michelle

Wednesday, September 20, 2006 8:08 AM

Subject: Update from Capt Vanyo

To All,

We are quickly coming upon the 1 year anniversary of the mobilization that united nearly 270 soldiers from MN, which formed Headquarters Company, (HHC) 2-136th Combined Arms Battalion. In that timeframe we built a completely new organization, completed mobilization at Camp Shelby, enjoyed Christmas with our families, completed a combat validation rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), conducted final mission preparation in Kuwait, and from there, moved to our duty assignments in Iraq.

Since then, the soldiers of HHC have conducted every type of operation across nearly the entire span of the country. From Convoy Escorts, to training the Iraqi Army, soldiers from our organization have, and continue to, successfully conduct full spectrum combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In communicating with some family members back home, I have recently been asked to describe what our Company does, in its entirety. The following outlines a brief description of what the soldiers of our organization do, without getting into mission sensitive details.

The majority of HHC remains at Camp Taqaddum (TQ), which is half way between the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi. The primary role of our organization is base defense operations for the Marine Logistics Group stationed here, with an extended mission of securing the main supply route utilized by convoys in and out of Camp TQ.

What makes our organization unique is that not only do we conduct the boots on the ground, weapon in hand operations, but we are also responsible for all aspects of the operation, that support the accomplishment of the mission. From planning, to supply, all the soldiers of our organization are integral to the Battalion’s success.

The staff sections of our organization (S-sections) work to directly support the soldier in the guard towers, Entry Control Points (ECPs), and the soldiers in sector, so that they can maintain continuous focus on the mission at hand. Pay, leave, promotions and awards are managed by the S1 soldiers. The soldiers of the S2 section handle Intelligence information and provide the rest of our operation with the picture of what the enemy is currently doing and more importantly, what the enemy will do next. The S3 section has two main areas of focus, current operations and future operations. Our soldiers in the plans side of the house (future operations) work directly with intelligence operations to plan missions, based on what our enemy will do in the future. The missions that they plan, for the soldiers on the ground, are projected one, two, and sometimes even three weeks into the future. The current operations center is the central nervous system of all operations conducted by our organization. All patrols, reaction forces, and base defense operations are controlled and coordinated by the soldiers working in the current operations center for the S3 section. Logistical support, from ammunition to replacement HMMWVs, is conducted by the soldiers of the S4 section. The soldiers of the S5/S7 sections coordinate for indirect fire support (heavy artillery), Information Operations, and Civil Affairs operations. All communication and IT technology is orchestrated via the S6 section. They ensure that soldiers in the towers, ECPs and HMMWVs can communicate with the soldiers in the current operations center, passing on time critical intelligence information, requesting explosive ordnance (EOD) support, or even talking with jets or helicopter pilots while out in our sector. The medical section provides fixes for all of our daily medical needs, from coughs, colds, bumps, and bruises to any combat injuries that we may incur. Fortunately, we have had to call upon them relatively rarely, to treat our soldiers. They have however, treated civilians, Iraqi Army soldiers, soldiers from other Army units, and Marines. The final element of our support operation is the Company Headquarters. The soldiers in the Company HQs element break the major muscle movements from the S-sections down to the individual soldiers within our Company.

The maneuver element of HHC consists of the Snipers, Scouts, Personal Security Detachment(PSD), and the Mortars. Our comrades in the Mortar platoon have built themselves a fairly comfortable compound, supporting operations in the Fallujah area. They work for a different Marine organization then we do, but they have made a strong name for themselves, firing numerous indirect fire missions in support of the Marine Combat units, including the 2nd RECON Battalion, as well as our fellow Bearcats in B Company. The Mortars symbolize the National Guard persona of ingenuity, by building fortified bunkers with an “acquired” backhoe tractor, some concrete barriers, a bit of wood, and a lot of hard work. The Marine commander in charge of them commented on how they are always doing something to improve their positions.

The consolidated efforts of the Snipers, Scouts, and PSD have been to secure the main route utilized by the logistics convoys to and from our base. The Active Duty Marine unit that we work for is a logistics based organization, whose number one mission is to run hundreds of convoy vehicles a day through our Area of Operation, in order to resupply the soldiers and Marines that operate in the Al Anbar region. The continued efforts of our operations in sector have saved the lives of Coalition Force personnel that we never have, and likely never will, meet. In addition to the preservation of life and limb, through disrupting Improvised Explosive Device (IED) emplacements in our area, HHC soldiers have prevented the loss of literally millions of dollars in convoy vehicles and cargo. In talking with numerous soldiers responsible for securing convoys, they are universally thankful for our work and state that when they see us out overwatching the route, they rest a bit easier in their vehicles, knowing that at least that section of road is safe.

Although soldiers will always debate the value of a particular duty or job, every soldier in our organization is critical to mission success. The best analogy to depict the preceding statement is that of a football team. If the entire offense consisted of Quarterbacks, then the team wouldn’t score a single point. The kicker is usually the smallest man on the team and plays a total of about 30 seconds a game, yet, as the Vikings recently found out, he can often be a key player in winning the game. The bottom line on the football team, and our operation, is that our success or failure depends on every individual, doing their job every day. Regardless of how large or small a task may appear, EVERY soldier is actively engaged in our mission success and can be proud of their contribution to defeating our enemy.

Given the difficult area and environment with which we operate, we have recently experienced back-to-back IED attacks on the PSD and Scout section. The results of the attacks have destroyed two HMMWVs, with two of our soldiers recovering from shrapnel wounds, in the US.  Both soldiers are expected to recover completely. Our soldiers have driven literally tens of thousands of miles over the last 6 months and have done extremely well in detecting and/or avoiding IEDs along the way. After these attacks, we successfully adjusted our operations and will continue executing our mission, securing the convoy routes.

The IED attacks did however reinforce several positive aspects of our operation. First, our equipment WORKS!!! The personal body armor and vehicle armor did their job and protected our soldiers. Second, our soldiers are properly trained, know their jobs, and can execute their jobs, even in the most difficult of conditions. The soldiers struck by the IEDs don’t remember much of the aftermath, but those around them do and their actions were to first take care of their fellow soldiers, before being concerned about themselves. Their training immediately kicked in, as they established security, called for Medical evacuation, and took control of the situation. As much as we all complained about the seemingly endless mobilization, the training we received paid off and the actions on the ground during these attacks demonstrated the value of this training. Lastly, the medical treatment our soldiers receive is the best in the world. The time it took to move our soldiers from the point of injury, to a hospital in Germany, can literally be counted in hours. In addition, these soldiers will continue to receive top quality treatment and rehabilitation in the US facilities.

In order for us to successfully complete our assigned mission, the Marines supplemented us with a Provisional Security element, which is integrated directly into all aspects of our daily operations. The Marines are young, energetic and willing to work with us, despite the natural rivalries that exist between an active duty Marine Corps unit and a National Guard Army unit. The odd relationship formed by having us assigned to the Marine Corps and in turn an element of the Marine Corps assigned to us, took a bit of adjustment, but we have ironed out the details and are affectively conducting full spectrum combat operations for the Marines, with the Marines.

The pace of operations allows for very limited down time for the soldiers, but this pace also causes the time to fly by in rapid order. The rapid pace provides little opportunity for the soldiers to reflect on the entire scope of what we are now doing on the ground in the Al Anbar province. Our soldiers are breaking historical ground in the history of our Battalion and in the history of the Minnesota National Guard. While working as the primary maneuver element for our perspective Marine units, soldiers in HHC have engaged and captured IED emplacement teams; we have fired indirect fire from our Mortar tubes, we have treated battlefield casualties, and we have worked directly with jets and helicopters to deny terrain and track potential IED emplacement teams. The scope of what we have and will accomplish will take some time to truly settle in. By working for the Marines, we have earned the right to wear the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force combat patch. For several years after we demobilize, many of us will be proud to describe, perhaps with a bit of added flair, the unique nature of our mission in one of the most difficult provinces in Iraq.

With everything that we have going on over here; I remain most amazed of all at the sustained support that we have all felt from back in Minnesota. The Family Readiness Group (FRG) leaders from across the state have built strong organizations, with literally thousands of members joined by the common thread of a departed loved one. During the last year, we have at times had to struggle with the new Company organization, with soldiers from across the entire state coming together for the first time ever. Despite these difficulties, the members of the FRGs have dedicated countless hours and conducted dozens of activities in support of the loved ones we left back home. HHC can be proud of the FRG support provided by the ladies of Fergus Falls and Moorhead and I do run the risk of leaving someone out if I tried to thank everyone by name, so I will only thank by name the FRG leaders Krista Colemer (Moorhead) and Sharon Casey (Fergus Falls). In addition, the Battalion representative (Dani Johnson) deserves everyone’s thanks and admiration. Only through the support network of family and friends back home are we able to sustain our fighting force over here. I again want to thank everyone involved with the FRG organizations for their continued support.

I have been asked numerous times what the soldiers need or could use while in country. For the most part, we have most everything we need available in our dining facility or the Post Exchange. That coupled with the seemingly un-ending care packages, and our soldiers actually live fairly comfortably. As much as soldiers enjoy the creature comforts and treats they receive in the mail, what they remember the most is the genuine appreciation they receive from complete strangers, as they travel to and from their two weeks of Rest & Relaxation leave. With that in mind, I think the ultimate gift that any of our soldiers can receive now, when they get back home, and even five years from now, is a simple “Thanks”. A simple recognition of the sacrifices made by these men will make a more lasting impression then anything that can be purchased in a store. For most of our soldiers, the future Memorial Days, Thanksgivings, and Christmas Days that they get to spend with their families, will have extra meaning and significance. If possible, spend just a moment during each of the upcoming holidays and all future holidays thinking of the service members who are away from their families, securing a safe environment for everyone.

Every step of the way, the DECISIVE Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO), on the ground, have successfully carried the weight of mission accomplishment on their shoulders. Throughout the last 12 months, we have experienced many highs and many lows. Regardless of the circumstances however, the soldiers have proved themselves courageous, competent, and capable. Be proud of the husbands, brothers, friends, that are serving in HHC.  Without hesitation, this small group of determined soldiers from Minnesota has, and will continue to, make a difference in the Al Anbar province, protecting the Marine base and the thousands of convoy vehicles that travel in our assigned sector.

I have rambled on at length and would like to close out by asking everyone to spend a moment to pray for the soldiers from our Battalion; who, through direct engagement with the enemy, are already back in the States, to include the HHC soldiers, SPC Noyes and SPC Clark. Thank them and thank their families for what they have done for all of us.

CPT Tadd Vanyo

HHC 2-136th Combined Arms Battalion

Company Commander

THE SANDS OF CHRISTMAS
by Michael Marks

I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary sigh,
And looked across the table where the bills were piled too high.

The laundry wasn't finished and the car I had to fix,
My stocks were down another point, the Chargers lost by six.

And so with only minutes till my son got home from school
I gave up on the drudgery and grabbed a wooden stool.

The burdens that I carried were about all I could take,
And so I flipped the TV on to catch a little break.

I came upon a desert scene in shades of tan and rust,
No snowflakes hung upon the wind, just clouds of swirling dust.

And where the reindeer should have stood before a laden sleigh,
Eight Humvees ran a column right behind an M1A.

A group of boys walked past the tank, not one was past his teens
Their eyes were hard as polished flint, their faces drawn and lean.

They walked the street in armor with their rifles shouldered tight,
Their dearest wish for Christmas, just to have a silent night.

Other soldiers gathered, hunkered down against the wind,
To share a scrap of mail and dreams of going home again

There wasn't much at all to put their lonely hearts at ease,
They had no Christmas turkey, just a pack of MREs.

They didn't have a garland or a stocking I could see,
They didn't need an ornament--they lacked a Christmas tree.

They didn't have a present even though it was tradition,
The only boxes I could see were labeled "ammunition."

I felt a little tug and found my son now by my side,
He asked me what it was I feared, and why it was I cried.

I swept him up into my arms and held him oh so near
And kissed him on the forehead as I whispered in his ear.

"There's nothing wrong, my little son, for safe we sleep tonight
Our heroes stand on foreign land to give us all the right,

To worry on the things in life that mean nothing at all,
Instead of wondering if we will be the next to fall."

He looked at me as children do and said, "it's always right,
To thank the ones who help us and perhaps that we should write."

And so we pushed aside the bills and sat to draft a note,
To thank the many far from home, and this is what we wrote:

"God bless you all and keep you safe, and speed your way back home.
Remember that we love you so, and that you're not alone.

The gift you give you share with all, a present every day,
You give the gift of liberty and that we can't repay."

"I freely submit this poem for reprint without reservation--this is an open and grateful tribute to the  men and women who serve every day to keep our nation safe." Michael Marks