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Commander's Update, August 6, 2007
1/12th Cavalry
Mo Goins, LTC Commanding Officer

Only one more hot summer month to go! Despite the heat, we’ve see a definite improvement in Baqubah. Through hard work, blood, sweat and we have made vast changes in what was once the most dangerous city in Iraq. While attached to 3^rd “Arrowhead” Stryker Brigade from Fort Lewis, we’ve had many Companies working for 1-12 CAV. Most recently, we’ve commanded D/2-35 IN (Gundogs), B/2-505 IN (Two Panther), B/1-14 CAV (Bronco), and C/52 IN (Avalanche), and A/2-82 FA (ROCK), in addition to our assigned Companies. During OPERATION ARROWHEAD RIPPER, Task Force 1-12 CAV consisted of 11 companies from 6 different Battalions.

For nearly 60 days, 1-12 CAV, and attachments, have fought valiantly, consistently displaying the physical and mental toughness required of all those who have worn the uniform, past and present. During OPERATION ARROWHEAD RIPPER, 1-12 CAV drove the Islamic State of Iraq, an Al-Qaeda subsection, out of their self-proclaimed “capital” in less than 60 days. Families who once fled from Baqubah are now returning, schools are being repaired for the fall semester and life is returning to normal. Command Sergeant Major Harris even remarked that he would now be willing to drive his personal vehicle down the streets of Baqubah.

On 13 July 2007, LTG Ray Odierno, the Commander of Multi National Corps - Iraq, honored 1-12 CAV by presenting 15 Purple Hearts at Bonecrusher’s Combat Outpost. He also awarded an unprecedented 200 Commanding General’s Coins to Soldiers nominated by their chain of command. LTG Odierno thanked the 15 recipients for their sacrifice and all Chargers for their work in what he described as the worst area in all of Iraq. He recognized the heroic efforts which occurred every day during the operation, and stated that Baqubah would not be where it is today, if it weren’t for Chargers’ efforts during 9 months of intense fighting. The following soldiers received Purple Hearts in the ceremony:

1LT Zachary Hadley (D/1-12 CAV)	SPC Timothy McClellan (A/1-12 CAV)
1LT Leonard Pijpaert (B/1-12 CAV)	SPC Brian Wright (HHC/1-12 CAV)
SSG Kevin Hayes (C/1-12 CAV)	PFC Joseph Davis (B/1-12 CAV)
SSG Jose Padilla (D/1-12 CAV)	PFC Ryan Hicks (HHC/1-12 CAV)
SGT Steven Johnson (B/1-12 CAV)	PFC Joshua Shuffstall (E FSC/215 BSB)
CPL Michael Partipilo (A/1-12 CAV)	PFC Timothy Wanamaker (HHC/1-12 CAV)
SPC Misael Arenas (B/1-12 CAV)	PVT Stephen J. Russell (B/1-12 CAV)
SPC Justin Lary (D/1-12 CAV)

As of 11 August 2007, 78 Soldiers from 1-12 CAV have been awarded Purple Hearts and 17 additional Purple Hearts are pending approval.

On 04 August 2007, COL David Sutherland, the 3HBCT Commander, presented a Bronze Star Medal with Valor to 1SG Ronald Ramsdell and 17 Army Commendation Medals with Valor to Soldiers for a myriad of heroic feats. 1SG Ramsdell recovered a battle damaged M1A2 Tank by himself under heavy enemy fire. 1SG Ramsdell ordered the Soldiers in his patrol back into their vehicles, while he connected a disabled vehicle to a recovery vehicle while under enemy fire. SSG Coy Embry, SSG Peter Wallat, SGT Darrel Buck, CPL William Mcgrath, SPC Cory Barton, and PVT Jason Myers performed valorously during a massive effort to save the life of a fellow Soldier trapped in a submerged Bradley. SGT David Kukla and SGT David Kudlo, Snipers, were valorous during a 3 hour, high-intensity firefight. They accurately radioed enemy positions, despite small arms fire striking just inches from their faces and mortars impacting 20 meters from their locations. 1LT Shannon Meehan, SFC Stephen Roberts, and SGT Duvall saved the lives of countless Iraqi Army Soldiers who were pinned down by heavy small arms fire and RPG fire. SFC Jose Ceniceros, SSG Dennis Wilson, and SGT Gabriel Mihuta saved the crew of an M1114 that rolled over by a canal, in addition to numerous valorous acts during Operation Turki Bowl II. SPC Orlando Garcia, SPC Christopher Jankowski, and SPC Stephen Devries secured and administered immediate first aid to a wounded US and Iraqi Soldier despite heavy small arms fire (SAF).

COL Stephen Townsend, the 3SBCT, 2ID Commander, had nothing but praise during a recent Operation ARROWHEAD RIPPER Award ceremony. He acknowledged the vast transformation the city has undertaken and praised 1-12 CAV for our efforts in restoring Baqubah. Operation ARROWHEAD Ripper continues with the focus shifting from the city to the Palm Groves and villages outside Baqubah in order to find the insurgents who initially fled the city and to locate caches to prevent the enemy from terrorizing the populace. The focus inside the city has transitioned to civil military operations, such as providing water and electricity to all neighborhoods, training and equipping police and a myriad of other tasks that provide stability and prosperity to a beleaguered population.

Along with our attached units, 1-12 CAV has conducted several major air assaults in the last few months. These operations have resulted in the destruction of several mortar teams and the discovery of nearly a dozen weapons caches, which has effectively degraded the insurgents’ ability to reenter Baqubah or terrorize the population with indirect fires. These air assaults also show the incredible diversity and flexibility of this combined arms battalion. The staff of 1-12 CAV did an incredible job planning the operations, and E/215 BSB did a great job sustaining the Soldiers.

As the eleventh month in country passes, we look forward to coming home for a well deserved rest. But as we reflect on Chargers from previous generations, we stand in awe of their sacrifice and duty to their country. We pay homage to those Chargers who fought during the Southwest Pacific and Luzon Campaigns and liberated Manila. We hope that our service to our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 will be remembered alongside the heroic deeds of our predecessors during WWII and the Vietnam War.