Photo By Master Sgt. Tyrone Marshall | Staff Sgt. Joseph Boccuzzi, range control NCOIC, 149th IBCT, conducts maintenance on a...... read more read more
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by Staff Sgt. Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
25th ID PAO
TIKRIT, Iraq – Soldiers residing at Contingency Operating Base (COB) Speicher enjoy some of arguably the best living conditions of any of the various COBs, forward operating bases (FOBs) or camps in Iraq.
This is largely due to the diligence of a relatively small group of dedicated and passionate Soldiers in a unit that's been around quite a while.
The 149th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), a National Guard unit home-based in Louisville, Ky., is the 'life blood' of COB Speicher.
The brigade is responsible for all garrison functions such as force protection, infrastructure, official mail management, life support, expansion and base defense – with one goal – "To provide a safe and secure environment to enable Task Force Lightning to do their mission outside the fence," said Col. Charles T. Jones, commander, 149th IBCT, and native of London, Ky.
Since assuming command of COB Speicher's garrison functions June 1, the unit has prided itself on providing Soldiers with the highest possible standards of living.
"I believe we've changed the whole atmosphere of the camp," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey N. Kemper, brigade communications noncommissioned officer (NCO) and life support operations (LSO) noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC).
It has not been an easy task though for the 22 Soldiers here. Each Soldier has faced his or her own difficulties in executing their mission.
"We're a 22-person team executing several missions," said Maj. Tamara M. Hurst, COB Speicher's force protection officer and native of Frankfort, Ky. "We didn't come with any equipment, transportation or anything like that."
Other Soldiers in the unit had to adjust to conducting garrison operations.
"I've always been in a [combat] unit," said 1st Sgt. William W. Hayes, first sergeant for Headquarters, and Headquarters Company (HHC), 149th IBCT. "Out of my 22 years, 18 of those were in a line unit."
Sgt. Cory L. Edwards, a resident of Clarksville, Tenn., had to overcome a similar challenge as the intelligence NCOIC.
"It was a 'learn on the fly' type thing," said Edwards. "The biggest challenge was just learning how to do it ... either you sink or you swim. The good thing about this unit is that everybody talks to each other. If you don't know something it's not hard to get an answer."
As tasks multiplied, the unit's resiliency and resourcefulness began to show.
When the need arose, 14 Soldiers in the intelligence and operations sections, helmed by Maj. Michael A. Abell, had to conduct base defense missions for nearly 100 days. During this period, they captured and detained 23 anti-Iraqi forces.
"In our battle space we have 300 square kilometers outside the perimeter," said Abell, a native of Louisville, Ky. "There wasn't one Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine – anybody that was killed or [severely] wounded."
149th IBCT's Soldiers are a proud group and rightfully so. The unit's lineage dates back to the Civil War. According to the brigade's written history, the Kentucky Militia was constituted and organized in Louisville, Ky., in January, 1839.
The infantry brigade served in such campaigns as the Mexican War, the Civil War (Shiloh, Murfreesborough, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Mississippi 1862 and Tennessee 1863), and World Wars I and II (New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon).
Units from the infantry brigade also served in Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle and its current tour – Iraqi Freedom. 149th IBCT began its latest campaign May 5, 2006.
Although they have only been here a few months, according to Jones, a 29-year veteran himself, experience is not an issue. Only about 500 of approximately 3,500 troops under Jones' command haven't deployed before. He also has Soldiers serving in Multi-National Division Baghdad as well as two battalions in Kentucky and three in Alabama.
The unit seems to draw its pride from their rich history and the garrison command's Soldiers take an enthusiastic approach to their challenging multitude of tasks.
"My job is to make sure everybody that lives on [COB] Speicher is successful," said Jones in a thick Kentucky accent. "If you're worrying about me doing my job you ain't got time to focus on yours right?"
Jones' dedication to his enormous responsibilities and confidence seems to be infectious and his attitude trickles down through his staff.
"We're just a group of Soldiers with a heart for service," said Hurst.
Generally, most Soldiers are trained to be flexible and adaptive. For the members of 149th IBCT, it's the norm and they enjoy the duality of the National Guard.
"We're utilizing our civilian skills and bringing them to the military sector," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Boccuzzi, Range NCOIC for COB Speicher.
Sometimes, their multiple skill sets become essential.
For instance, Hurst is the brigade S-1 and force protection officer, Hayes is the HHC first sergeant and LSO NCOIC, and Capt. Stephen M. Fuson is the HHC commander as well as nightshift battle captain and education officer for COB Speicher.
While serving as the COB's education officer for a relatively short period of time, Fuson has been able to create and maintain services for Soldiers that were previously unavailable. As part of 149th IBCT's many initiatives, an upgraded education center has now opened and is taking volunteers to help run the computer lab and teach classes. Their goal is to remain open 24 hours a day.
Now the education center can provide individualized instruction to students and help meet their educational goals, said Fuson, a native of Bell County, Ky.
With a mixture of confidence, dedication, professionalism and "Kentucky" hospitality, 149th IBCT has begun the latest chapter in its storied history. Its commander intends to successfully complete this chapter with an ambitious goal.
"We're going to leave COB Speicher as the pre-eminent site in Northern Iraq," said Jones with a smile. "It will be up and running towards the future ... all I can do is leave it better than I found it."
As far as complementing the 25th Infantry Division, Jones demonstrates the mindset of the collective with a colorful depiction.
"We're team players ... don't worry about the horse – load the wagon," said Jones. "We'll tell you when we can't pull it anymore."
With the 149th IBCT's disciplined approach to their mission, COB Speicher won't have to worry about lack of motivation or service.
"149th IBCT represents everything that is good about the [National] Guard," said Abell. "All the old ways of the guard are gone ... what's left are the real warriors, the ones that have kept the tradition of the true militia alive."
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2006 11:02 |
| Story ID: | 8064 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 573 |
| Downloads: | 282 |
This work, 149th IBCT – COB Speicher's 'Strength & Honor', by MSG Tyrone Marshall, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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