U.S. Pacific Commander Visits Mosul

Photo By Spc. Lindsay Holguin | FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq (March 13, 2006) - Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, poses with Soldiers from the 172nd SBCT, 1-17th Infantry Rgt. on FOB Marez. (Photos by Spc. Lindsay Holguin, 138 MPAD)  

MOSUL, IRAQ

03.21.2006

Courtesy Story

345th Public Affairs Detachment

by Spc. Lindsay "Boom Boom" Holguin
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq (March 13, 2006) " The Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral William J. Fallon made a visit to Forward Operating Base Marez on Mar. 13 to see the progress Iraqi Army Soldiers are making during their training here, and visit with Soldiers of the 172nd SBCT.

During his time in Mosul, he went to the compound where the IA Soldiers conducted their classes and training. At the firing range, he spoke to a group of IA Soldiers and provided them with some words of encouragement. They all gathered around him as he spoke.

"I was on the ground in 1991 [in Iraq], so I think I understand a couple of your challenges in this country," Fallon said to the Soldiers.

Admiral Fallon commanded Carrier Air Wing Eight in USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Arabian Gulf for Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

"You have an opportunity to make a new future for yourselves, for your families and for all of your people, but it is not going to be easy," he said. "It is going to require leadership. It will require you to step up, to have initiative to do things that maybe you wouldn't think you could do before. You are the future leaders of the Iraqi Army and it's important that you learn as much as you can and that you'll be willing to be the leaders for the younger people."

Admiral Fallon encouraged the Iraqi Soldiers to step-up to the challenge and to be resilient so they will become leaders in fighting the global war on terrorism.

"In my experience, you can't just rely on the guys at the top, the old men like me," Fallon said jokingly, "You must have your own leadership skills and must be willing to step up and do things everyday."

During the conclusion of his visit, he thanked Headquarters Headquarters Company, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team for the tour in their Stryker vehicles.

"I want to tell them how much I appreciate what they are doing and how proud I am of them." he said

Some of his major accomplishments include beginning his Naval Aviation service flying with a combat deployment as an aviator in Vietnam. He has logged more than 1,300 carrier arrested landings and 4,800 flight hours in tactical jet aircraft. He served as Commander, Second Fleet and Commander of Striking Fleet Atlantic from November 1997 to September 2000. He was the Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet from October 2003 to February 2005.

Admiral Fallon is a graduate of the Naval War College, Newport, R.I., the National War College in Washington, D.C., and has a Master of Arts Degree in International Studies from Old Dominion University. His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and various unit and campaign decorations.

• Date Taken: 03.21.2006
• Date Posted: 03.21.2006 12:05
• Story ID: 5796
• Location: MOSUL, IQ