Commander's Update, May 18, 2007
1/12th Cavalry
Mo Goins, LTC Commanding Officer

 

 

To all 12th Cavalry Soldiers, Past, Present and Future,

On November 3, 2006, Task Force 1-12 CAV conducted a transfer of authority with Task Force 1-68 AR and assumed responsibility of Baqubah, Khalis, and Khan Bani Sa’ad in Diyala province.  Each company assumed control of battle space and performed superbly.  A Company Team (Apache) and B Company Team (Bonecrusher) each took one-half of Baqubah, which turned out to be the most volatile city in MND-N.  C Company Team (Crazyhorse) operated primarily out of Khan Bani Sa’ad, 15km north of Sadr City, Baghdad.  D Company Team (Deathdealer) operated in Khalis, Hib Hib, Galabiyah and vast stretches of land north of Baqubah.  E Company (Wardog) initially assumed the area southeast of Baqubah and later transitioned to dedicated route clearance operations that saved countless lives by discovering and reducing hundreds of IED’s.  HHC’s (Hellraiser) flexibility and hard work was vital in supporting the Task Force.  TF 1-12 CAV conducted over 2,400 combat patrols in one of the most hostile areas in Iraq.

We hit the ground running, conducting three Task Force Level Operations within the first two months, focusing on Baqubah.  With 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, TF 1-12 CAV went house by house and discovered numerous caches and detained Anti-Iraqi Forces leaders.  You would be proud to know that 1-12 CAV does not back down from a fight.  We met the insurgents head on and dealt them righteous judgment, but we also spent a great amount of time rebuilding the infrastructure and improving the lives of the populace.  As a Task Force, we completed 24 projects valued at $1,139,300 in order to drive a wedge between the local populace and the terrorist groups.  In addition, we delivered countless soccer balls, blankets, medical and school supplies, toys, shoes, heaters and tools totaling $87,520.  TF 1-12 CAV’s civil military operations were by far the most in the Brigade Combat Team. 

Apache established the first combat outpost and partnered with their Iraqi Army (IA) and Iraqi Police (IP) counterparts.  Apache assisted in the security of multiple IP checkpoints and their presence was critical in the IP standing firm despite heavy small arms fire and multiple vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) attacks.  Along with the IA, Apache cleared the western half of Baqubah, resulting in several large caches discovered and they effectively reduced the insurgent’s ability to target Coalition Forces. 

BoneCrusher was the only company team to establish two combat outposts in the Brigade Combat Team.  They occupied the Buhriz Iraqi Police station from Wardog, and established a lasting Coalition presence in the area.  They also established combat outpost Adam in Tahrir.  From these two outposts, BoneCrusher launched multiple Combined Operations with the IA/IP to clear Buhriz and Tahrir of Anti Iraqi forces and to deny the enemy their weapon caches. 

Crazyhorse occupied the Khan Bani Sa’ad compound with the Iraqi Army and controlled the violence streaming north east out of Baghdad.  These Soldiers had to brave long stretches of roads nicknamed the “Gauntlet” and “Route Dover”, notorious for its deadly Explosive Formed Penetrators (EFPs).  On 24 FEB 2007, Crazyhorse discovered the largest EFP cache during OIF 06-08, consisting of 154 EFP’s and 35 Katusha Rockets, and more, saving the lives of countless American Soldiers and Iraqi civilians.

Deathdealer assumed responsibility of Khalis, Hib Hib, and Galabiyah and they maximized the abilities of the Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army in the area.  There was a noticeable difference in these cities once Deathdealer assumed responsibility of the area.  On 09 APR 2007, a VBIED factory was discovered containing of 35 large pipe bombs.  These bombs were aimed at disabling our most heavily armored vehicles because each bomb was roughly equivalent to 3 x 155mm artillery rounds.  It also helped protect the oft targeted Khalis marketplace.

Wardog our combat engineer company transitioned into a mechanized engineer company, utilizing M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.  These brave combat engineers transitioned to riflemen and performed admirably.  Halfway through the deployment, they transitioned yet again and became the TF’s dedicated route clearance team and ensured the Brigade Combat Team’s freedom of mobility.  I admire their courage and flexibility to accomplish any task.

Hellraiser’s unselfish dedication supporting combat operations was critical in Task Force 1-12 CAV achieving mission success.  The Scouts secured the Diyala Media Center, the only unbiased media outlet for the province, and assisted Bonecrusher in securing the volatile towns of Tahrir and Buhriz.  The Mortars established “Hot Guns” at three combat outposts and enabling commanders to respond lethally to enemy mortar fire.  In addition, the Mortars served as the personal security detachment for the command group.  The Snipers were a force multiplier, whose deadly accuracy resulted in countless insurgents destroyed.  The medics were an invaluable asset whose bravery, selflessness, and dedication under hostile fire saved numerous lives.  The Fires and Effects Coordination Cell provided deadly indirect support and greatly assisted the intelligence shop compile targeting packets on insurgent leadership.  The Chaplin provided support and spiritual guidance and he was a force multiplier who enabled Soldiers to sustain high level combat operations.  Lastly, HHC ensured personnel administration was efficient, the intelligence on enemy activity was accurate, operations were well planned and executed, and Soldiers were equipped and able to effectively communicate during a firefight.      

Twenty six brave Chargers have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our beloved country: twenty six of the finest young men I have ever had the privilege of commanding.  Despite the losses, we continue fighting to honor their memory.   To their families and friends we extend our heartfelt sorrow.    Despite our struggles and hardships, you would be proud to see what we have accomplished here.  A noticeable difference is clearly evident in the Iraqi people’s lives.  With the Iraqi Security Forces (IA & IP), we are driving a wedge between the populace and the insurgents, taking away their support base and making operations more difficult for the insurgents.  The populace is weary of the constant fighting caused by the insurgents, and the populace is assisting our efforts to provide a free and stable Iraq.  You can rest assured the current generation of Chargers is building upon the legacy that earlier fighting Chargers established.  We continue to be “The First Team’s, First String.” 

The following two links describe the experience 1-12 CAV during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The first one is PVT Runquist’s experiences during one of his first combat patrols and the second is a NY Times article summarizing 1-12 CAV situation in Baqubah.

PVT Runquist Story: http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11453&Item  

B Co in NY Times: http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20F13FD3A5B0C758DDDAD0894DF404482

To all, thank you for the continued support.  On behalf of the Task Force, I extend to you our love and prayers.

Sincerely,

MORRIS T. GOINS
LTC, IN
Commanding Officer
1-12 CAV
"Always Ready”

May 30, 2007 Update from LTC Goins
1-12 Cav had another outstanding mission a few days ago. Freed 41 Iraqis from an AQIZ (al-Qaeda in Iraq) prison camp.  None of our boys were hurt.

Webmaster Note:
Read the details at Iraq Army, Coalition Forces Rescue 41 Individuals at al-Qaeda Hideout Near Baquba

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