Commander's Update, January 8, 2007
1/12th Cavalry
Mo Goins, LTC Commanding Officer
Dear Charger families, former color bearers, and friends,
We're
nearly three months into our OIF 06-08 deployment; we are through autumn and
into the rainy winter season here in our area of operation (AO). On behalf of
the Soldiers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Officers of this fine combined arms
battalion thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the letters, cards,
boxes, prayers, and love. This is what makes the United States of America the
most powerful nation on this planet. We are doing God's work.
To our fallen comrades and their families: there are no words to express our
heart felt sorrow but their sacrifice is not in vain. We suffer as well, but
from these fallen Soldiers we take increased devotion to the cause before us.
Each day the Soldiers of this battalion show their greatness to the people of
Iraq, and earn the pride of the wives, husbands, sons, daughters, moms and dads
back home. We will not stray from the course set before us.
I offer
these words from President Lincoln's comments at Gettysburg: "We can not hallow
this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have
consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will
little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what
they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the
unfinished work which they who fought here have this far so nobly advanced. It
is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that
from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they
gave the last full measure of devotion what we here highly resolve that these
dead shall not have died in vain that this nation, under God, shall have a new
birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people for the
people, shall not perish form the earth."
We like to say the Charger battalion (1-12 Cavalry) lives at the "Vatican" (Forward
Operating Base Warhorse), but are responsible for the security of Italy which is
our AO. The Chargers continue to uphold the outstanding reputation of the 12th
Cavalry Regiment every day as we each make our own contribution to the future of
the Iraqi people here in the Diyala province. Each day Charger Soldiers show
their greatness through perseverance to finish this mission despite hardship.
Our infantrymen, tankers, artillerymen and engineers continue to provide
security to the local population, while our mechanics, signalers, and other
support Soldiers continue to sustain the Battalion. Everyone is working hard,
and our operations are paying off. I could not be more proud of each member of
our team. To help you understand the dedication of our Soldiers I offer the
following examples. It is time to brag a little about each of the subordinate
companies of the battalion.
The Battalion's AO is the size of Connecticut with a population of nearly 1.5 million people. The Hell raisers (Headquarters and Headquarters Company) have been spread everywhere throughout our AO and have been doing a variety of tough jobs. The mortars not only provide the CSM and I the ability to maneuver freely while conducting combat patrols to meet sheikhs, government officials, and visit our fine Troopers, but they also protect our Soldiers through counter fire missions throughout the Charger AO. The scouts have their own outpost, and they execute sustained operations from there. The Medics are the real heroes over here, and have performed incredibly well and I thank God for each of them. Easy Company is supporting 1-12 CAV in a heroic manner. 1-12 CAV has more Soldiers and vehicles than any battalion in the Brigade, so Easy has an extremely tough mission. Not only do they maintain all of the vehicles in the Battalion, but they also sustain the Soldiers that live in various outposts. Easy is always on the road, and has proven that "No Task Is Too Tough" for them. Apache, Bone, Crazyhorse, Dealer, and Wardog Companies are all fighting hard to bring Security to the population through continual presence and humanitarian missions. Every day, our fighting companies conduct combat patrols; to date they have executed hundreds if not thousands patrols. They operate daily in some of the toughest streets in Iraq, and do so with discipline, moral courage, and tenacity.
Many
Chargers are now traveling home for rest & relaxation (R&R) leave. Soldiers
start the long journey home with a few helicopter rides, and
eventually end up in Kuwait. From Kuwait, Soldiers book flights to the US, or
wherever else they choose to vacation. From the time Soldiers leave FOB Warhorse
to the time they arrive home is a long process, and we are unable to predict
exactly when a Soldier will arrive. Arrival times are dependent on weather,
airlines, and factors outside of our control. So, we ask family members to
remain flexible when Soldiers are traveling home for R&R.
On behalf of the free world, Iraqi people, Americans and our Soldiers thank you for all the sacrifices you and yours have made, and continue to make. May God continue to bless you and our battalion and we will see you on the patch.
Sincerely,
Morris T. Goins
Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army
Commanding Officer