Topic: Islamic State of Iraq

101st Airborne Division’s Strike Brigade receives Operation Inherent Resolve streamer following Iraq deployment

February 23, 2018 |

Written by Sgt. Samantha Stoffregen
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs

Fort Campbell, KY – Soldiers with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) stood tall on Strike Field here, February 20th, 2018 as an Iraq campaign streamer was added to the brigade’s guidon.

Maj. Gen. Andrew Poppas, 101st Abn. Div. commander, alongside Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims, 101st Abn. Div. senior enlisted leader, joined Col. Joseph Escandon and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Wilson, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. command team, to attach the streamer for the brigade’s contribution to Operation Inherent Resolve during their most recent deployment to Iraq.

(L to R) Col. Joseph Escandon, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) commander, Maj. Gen. Andrew Poppas, 101st Abn. Div. commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims, 101st Abn. Div. senior enlisted leader, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Wilson, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. senior enlisted leader, attach a streamer to the brigade’s guidon at Strike Field, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Feb. 20, for the unit’s contribution to Operation Inherent Resolve during their most recent deployment to Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Samantha Stoffregen)

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101st Airborne Soldier helps extract Iraqi Soldier from behind enemy lines

January 15, 2017 |

Written by Staff Sgt. Jason Hull
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

Iraq – Before he enlisted, Spc. Erik Salmon was a traveler fond of seeing new places and experiencing different cultures. When the 26-year-old intelligence analyst deployed to Iraq in May, 2016, with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), he found himself trapped in tiny Camp Swift behind dirt barriers, concrete walls and concertina wire.

“For the last nine months, I’ve only spent a total of eight hours outside Swift for my buddy’s reenlistment in Erbil,” he stated. “I jumped on a convoy during my off-shift. I got about four hours of sleep that night.”

Salmon is just days away from returning to Fort Campbell, KY.

Spc. Erik Salmon, 26, an intelligence analyst assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, poses for a photograph while deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, at Camp Swift, Jan. 8, 2017. Salmon assisted in the recovery of an isolated Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) soldier while working as a member of a U.S. and Iraqi advise and assist operations cell. (Maj. Ireka R. Sanders)

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Wounded during first tour in Iraq, 101st Airborne Soldier’s return there in support of OIR has personal meaning

November 13, 2016 |

Written by 1st Lt. Daniel Johnson
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public

Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq – Smoke rose in the distance from an oil field set on fire during the battle between Iraqi security forces and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as U.S Army Sgt. Addison Owen stood outside his tent.

Owen, an infantryman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Strike, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is no stranger to Iraq, this is his second time deployed to the country.

On his first deployment he fought beyond the oil-field, but now he has a different mission. In support of Operation Inherent Resolve he is part of a multi-national effort to assist the Iraq security forces.

Sgt. Logon Ross, left, and Sgt. Addison Owen, right, Company B, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Strike, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in the U.S compound at the Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq, Nov. 1, 2016. Company B provides security for Coalition forces on the base and was one on the first units at the location. (1st Lt. Daniel Johnson)

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Coalition Forces, 101st Airborne Division supports Iraqi Security Forces Mosul offensive

October 19, 2016 |

Written by Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Hoskins
Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

Baghdad, Iraq – Iraqi security forces began the offensive to retake Mosul October 17th, 2016, with support from the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of the major operation to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The top Coalition general in Iraq, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, highlighted the leading role played by the Iraqis in the operation.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, left, commander, Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve, visits with an Iraqi soldier at a tactical assembly area in northern Iraq, Iraq, prior to the start of the Mosul offensive, Oct. 10, 2016. The TAAs are where ISF assembled prior to making their push toward Mosul. (Sgt. 1st Class R.W. Lemmons IV)

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U.S. Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning visits Soldiers in Iraq

September 20, 2016 |

Written by Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Hoskins
Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

Baghdad, Iraq – The U.S. Army’s top civilian leader visited Soldiers deployed to Iraq as part of the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve September 17th-18th, 2016.

Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning made stops in Baghdad, Erbil and other areas in northern Iraq during his tour, visiting with service members deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, a Coalition of regional and international nations, that have joined together to enable Iraqi security forces to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

While in Baghdad, Fanning met with Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, the CJTF-OIR commander, Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, CJFLCC-OIR commander, and other senior leaders to receive a ground-level view of operations in Iraq.

U.S. Army Capt. Thomas Izzo, fires support officer, Task Force Strike, Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve, takes a selfie with Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning while a group of Strike Soldiers await their opportunity to snap a photo with Fanning at Camp Swift, Iraq, Sept. 18, 2016. (Sgt. 1st Class R.W. Lemmons)

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101st Airborne Division Task Force Strike: The Gun Raid

September 19, 2016 |

Written by 1st Lt. Daniel Johnson
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public

Northern, Iraq – Staff Sgt. Darryl “Gunny” Joseph leapt into the night of northern Iraq as the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter touched down, the dust from the rotary wash clouding his vision. His mission was simple: set up the landing zone and guide in the aircraft carrying the M777 artillery pieces to the raid site.

The process of setting up a landing zone, or sling load area, was not new to him. Back at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Joseph and the Soldiers from Battery C, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, “Task Force Strike,” practiced sling load operations many times before.

But this was not a training exercise; this was the real deal.

U.S Army Soldiers with Battery C, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force Strike, execute a fire mission in northern Iraq, Aug. 14 2016, during an operation to support the Iraqi army. Battery C is supporting the Iraqi security forces with indirect fires as retake territory from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. (1st Lt. Daniel I Johnson/Released)

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101st Airborne Division Task Force Falcon advises, assists Ministry of Peshmerga

September 8, 2016 |

Written by 1st Lt. Daniel Johnson
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public

Erbil, Iraq – Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Strike, enable the Kurdish Regional Government’s Peshmerga forces to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant through advise and assist, and train and equip missions.

“We are partnered with the Ministry of Peshmerga,” said Lt. Col. Edwin Matthaidess, commander of 2-502nd, also known as Task Force Falcon. “The MOP is part of the Kurdish Regional Government and is one of the security elements, per the Iraqi constitution, that makes up the Iraqi security forces. It is comprised of 14 regional guard brigades, which makes up their main combat power. As part of our advise and assist duties, we focus on the manning, training, and equipping.”

Staff Sgt. Vincent Boyd, left, a trainer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Strike, demonstrates to a Peshmerga soldier how to signal to properly hook a tow winch to another vehicle during vehicle recovery training, in Erbil, Iraq, June 22, 2016. U.S. and German personnel tested Peshmerga soldiers on proper vehicle recovery techniques during the training. (1st Lt. Daniel Johnson/Released)

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Fort Campbell Soldiers provide Artillery support for Iraqi security forces with indirect fires

August 26, 2016 |

Written by 1st Lt. Daniel Johnson
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

Kara Soar Base, Iraq – U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)  Task Force Strike conducted fire mission from Kara Soar Base Iraq, during an operation in support of the Iraqi Army, June 14th, 2016.

U.S. Soldiers with Battery C, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force Strike, execute a fire mission with an M777 howitzer during an operation to support Iraqi security forces at Kara Soar Base, Iraq, Aug. 7, 2016. Battery C Soldiers support the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve mission by providing indirect fire support for Iraqi security forces as they continue to combat Da’esh and re-take lost terrain. (1st Lt. Daniel I Johnson)

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101st Airborne’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team Logistics Advise, Assist enables Iraqi security force

August 9, 2016 |

Written by 1st Lt. Daniel Johnson
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

Camp Taji, Iraq – In the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve, comprised of forces from 18 Coalition nations, is building the capacity of Iraqi security forces.

Whether it is targeting the enemy with ground and air strikes or training and equipping, CJFLCC-OIR’s mission is to enable ISF and the government of Iraq to defeat ISIL.

Capt. Shige Clark with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 526th Brigade Support Battalion, speaks to her Iraqi counterpart about the layout and procedures of a medical supply storage facility July 12, 2016, in Taji, Iraq. The 5256th BSB and other coalition forces on Camp Taji are advising the Iraqi security forces on logistics programs and procedures. (1st Lt. Daniel Johnson/Released)

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2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division welcomes new Strike 7

July 31, 2016 |

Written by Maj. Ireka Sanders
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

Erbil, Iraq – Command Sgt. Maj. John A. Brady, command sergeant major of the “Strike” brigade, relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Jason L. Wilson, who comes to Strike from the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana, where he played a role in preparing the Soldiers currently deployed to Iraq.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Brady, I have been told on multiple occasions that I have big shoes to fill succeeding you here as the brigade command sergeant major, and they are right,” said Wilson during the ceremony. “What you have been able to accomplish here has been nothing short of amazing.”

Col. Brett G. Sylvia, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), passes the unit’s colors to Command Sgt. Maj. John L. Wilson, incoming brigade command sergeant major, during a change of responsibility ceremony held July 23, in Erbil, Iraq. (Staff Sgt. Peter J. Berardi)

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