Rock Times October[1]

8/14/2019 Rock Times October[1]

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Alpha Company News October 2008

A Note From the Commander

Greetings Family and Friends of Alpha Rock. The month of October has been a difficult one for Alpha because of the loss of one ourown. Alpha Company lost an outstanding Soldier, SGT Michael Clark, early in October. It was a hard and trying time for Alpha Com-pany, but the entire 3rd ACR supported Alpha with a moving memorial ceremony attended by over 500 people. The memorial was aprofessional and somber event, but it allowed Alpha Company to remember SGT Clark in a way fitting his sacrifice. While this tragic

event was hard for Alpha Company, the company quickly resumed it mission.

Alpha continued to have great success this month, continuing to improve security and help the people of Iraq. Alpha company partici-pated in the dissemination of humanitarian aid to four different neighborhoods, the restoration of a medical clinic, the establishment ofa water well in a rural area, and the improvement of an Iraqi Police Station. All these efforts, on top of the companys daily interactionwith the people of Mosul, continue to improve the Iraqi peoples quality of life and have really been able to cement a bond betweenour Soldiers and the locals in our area. Combined with the security efforts of all our platoons, these projects have some of the locals

in our area referring to the neighborhoods as the Green Zone because they feel so safe.

Alpha company also continues to find ways to have fun in this austere environment, and for Halloween our company organized a cos-tume, BBQ, candy, and Rock Band event. Due to good effort by LT Morales, 1SG Carns, SGT Gonzalez, and all the platoons, thecompany was able to have two events where Soldiers were able to eat some burgers and candy while playing Rock Band. Costumeswere encouraged, and while no one in the company can ever play the video game guitar like SSG Smith from 1st Platoon, the company

had a good time in trying to match him. I wanted to thank the families from the FRG that helped make this event possible with somesupport from home. The Company will continue to plan events like this, with the next one being our Turkey Bowl Thanksgiving Din-

ner and Football games.

As the deployment continues to march on, Meagan and I again want to thank the families and friends of Alpha Rock for the continued

support in the forms of phone calls, emails, letters, packages, and prayers. Thanks again and until next month.

Carlos David Benjamin Flynn

ROCK 6

Alpha Company Newsletter1-8 Infantry Battalion

Rock Times

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LEFT: Next to the

Tigris RIGHT:Reaper 1 Real Estate

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Page 21-8 Infantry Battalion

1st Platoon

Red

September is just about in the books and

The month of October began in a

tragic way, as Red lost one of itsown. Sergeant Michael Clark willbe remembered forever not only

by Red Platoon and Alpha Com-pany, but by all of the 1-8 FightingEagles. All of the platoon offersour sincerest condolences to all ofthe Clark family during this difficulttime.

Even with the loss of oneof the most loved members of theplatoon, Red was eager to get

back out on patrol. "I think it'sbest to occupy our time and ourminds with work," SGT JosephSwirkowski said, "getting back outthere will probably help all of us."

The memorial for Ser-geant Clark was very movingand, as expected, emotionalfor all of Red, but it was alsovery therapeutic in that ithelped many of the platoonfind closure on the tragedy.Red will remember him the

best way we can--bydoing our job.

As difficultas it is to keep fo-cused on the mis-sion with the end ofthe deploymentnearly in sight, Redis still bringing the fight tothe enemy and solidifyingtheir relationships with the

people of Mosul. Redrecently par-ticipated inanother food

drop to a poorneighborhood in Mosul,supporting the IraqiArmy as they deliveredboxes of food to theresidents and toys totheir children. Peoplewere very grateful andhappy to see the sup-

port from both the IAand the Americanforces.

The last of thesoldiers from Red have gone on

leave, and that con-cludes the leave forthis deployment, andmost of the platoon isactually consideringthat a landmark forthe looming visitsfrom the incoming

units. The weatherhere is beginning toget cooler, and thatcomes as a welcomerelief for Red, whonow begin theirsearch for the silk-weights and PT jack-

ets stuffed into the bottoms oftheir bags.

A special debt of grati-

tude is felt by all of Red to-

wards the friends and familiesof ours who have been so sup-portive during this deployment,and again, thank you all foryour constant words and carepackages. Just know thatwe're almost there.

--Red 1

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Clockwise from top left: Sec-ond squad moves from houseto house on a patrol, SGTWalther (Right) gives instruc-tions to SPC Dalton on mainte-nance day, SPC Matheny en-joys a patrol from his positionon a locals couch, and SPC


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motivational to each of us

when something like this oc-

curs as it is a justification to

the daily grind of patrolling.We were able to participate

with the Iraqi Army in the dis-

tribution of school supplies tochildren of an impoverished

neighborhood

in our AO. It

was great to

see the beam-

ing smiles on

the faces of the kids.

The thank you and

the emphatic waves

made even the tough-

est of us smile broadly.

From the above twoexamples, you can see

how dynamic the job

of an Infantryman is in

this war.

Your Soldier has to be

able to go from friendly

chats with kids to chasing

down bad guys at the

drop of hat and they do

so at a very high level of

success. Not a week

goes by that I do not

stand in awe of yourloved one.

The month of

November is

marked with Thanksgiving

and the next issue of Rock

Times will have personal

comments from our platoon

to you. I will get a jumpstart

by thanking each of you for

your kind support to each of

us.

Finally, November 1st is my 5

-year Anniversary, thank you,

wife.

-1LT Mitchell C Hockenbury

As I write this, October is coming toclose and Halloween is upon us. I

will you give three guesses-

ABOVE: Recipients of school supplies

thank the deuce-

as to what the members of the pla-

toon dressed up as for trick o treat-

ing G.I. Joe.

Our platoon got after the enemy.

The highlight of the month was the

capture of a high value target (HVT).

The men did a fantastic job of quickly

reacting to the situation as evidenced

by the success of the capture. It is

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ABOVE: SPC Shakols always ready

for action. BELOW AND BOT-

TOM LEFT:PVTs Hughes and Kin-

cer are watching the streets belowfor any signs of trouble

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__________________

ABOVE: Our combat medic DOC

Abrahams__________________

2ndPLATOON

DIRTY DEUCE

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More Hellraiser I Photos


Hello again family and friends,

Your soldiers have been busy this month

like always, and Id just like to mention afew highlights of the great work theyredoing. We started October off withfinding 2 consecutive weapon caches,which ultimately degrades the enemyscapability to attack and ensures security.They continued that momentumthroughout their daily patrols speakingwith locals, gathering intelligence, anddeveloping leads throughout the

neighborhoods. Just today, as I writethis, your soldiers found another smallcache with the help of our Iraqi Armybrothers. This just shows that theirattention to detail persists despite themonths passing by. This month, alongwith Rock 6, 3rd Platoon also provided

security for construction on an Iraqi

Police Headquarterssouth of Mosul. Thisheadquarters willhelp the IP do a bet-ter job down thereas well as bring somesecondary security toour area of opera-

tions.

When back at the FOB,weve started to reservethe soccer field by theDining Facility for ourdaily Platoon Footballgames. Despite the smallfield, we have a greattime. At this point Im

not sure whats worse, the turf burnsfrom falling down or listening to SPCCollins smack-talk. No matter what, themost importantthing to remem-ber is we canbeat any otherplatoon. (Thatsa standing chal-lenge).

Your soldierscontinue torotate on leavewith next monthhaving one of

the last groups to besent home on R/R.This is good news for

all of us because it sig-nals the beginning ofthe end. For those ofyou who have waitedalmost a year to seeyour loved ones, enjoyyour time with themand know that youllsee them in a few shortmonths. For the rest of

you out there, it wont be long. Always

remember youre constantly in ourthoughts.

--LT Smith

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LEFT: PFC Dauses & SPC Castillo Headedto the RangeABOVE: SPC Bourland & LT

Abdullah_________________

_________________

LEFT: Searching the OrchardsABOVE:The Start of Mosuls Running of the Bulls

_________________

3rd Platoon

Hellraiser 1


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More Hellraiser I Photos


Getaway Locations offer a place for Rest and Relaxation for deployed Soldiers

BY SGT Gonzalez, HQs PLT

No matter who you ask, every Soldier will describe a day in Iraq differently. But all will mention one of the three most common

facts stating that days are busy, long, stressful, or dangerous while deployed to a Combat Zone. Soldiers need a break in order to

relieve stress and time to relax.

Most deployed Soldiers will go home on R&R leave for 18 days to a destination of their choice. Married and single Soldiers willreunite with their families back home, some single Soldiers who want a vacation will take advantage of the free fare and will en-

joy places such as Germany, Hawaii, Japan, and the list goes on. There is another option for Soldiers to get a break from thestresses of the combat tour by giving Soldiers the opportunity to enjoy a 4 day pass to Qatar where MWR has established a get-

away for deployed troops, or to Freedom Rest North which is located at FOB Speicher which is about a 45 minute flight by

helicopter from Mosul.

Both Qatar and Freedom Rest North have several amenities available for the Soldiers. Both locations have high speed internet andphones to catch up with family and friends, in addition to the dining facility, there is a Burger King, Subway and Pizza Inn. AtQatar a Chilis restaurant by the pool allows the opportunity to sit down for a meal. The most talked about at Qatar is the chance

to get three cold beers a day at one of the two clubs located on the base. Along with what Qatar has to offer, Soldiers are alsogiven at least one chance to leave the base. There are day trips for which the troops can sign up. They venture out on the trips and

can head to a desert safari or the coast and enjoy fishing, jet skiing and many of the other water activities available.

With Freedom Rest North at FOB Speicher being a newly established getaway location, it has quite a ways to amount to Qatar.However it is a stress free and relaxing place to go for a break. Soldiers are away from the stress and do as they please. They allenjoy the opportunity to sleep in to whatever time they choose rather than waking up at 0300 to head out to sector, massages are

available, they can chat on the computers and phones at the MWR, enjoy the theater and many of the other amenities and services

available. Construction is currently ongoing at this time for a swimming pool and three hot tubs.

Alpha Company has been sending Soldiers to both of these locations so that they get a well deserved break. Both the Soldiers and

Leaders in Alpha Company are thankful that the Army has established these places to support its members, and the Company will

continue to send Soldiers until it finally redeploys.

The Al Sayliyah Pool at Qatar Pool and Ping Pong Tables available at Freedom Rest North

Documents

Rock Times October[1]