(Last update 3/23/07)
In Spring 2003, the United States acted to end the violent, despotic, cruel, and inhuman reign of terror in Iraq, which had threatened the peace of the entire Middle East region for many years. The Second Dragoons responded, Always Ready, to the mobilization call with typical alacrity and engaged for many months in helping this violence torn country and it's people work toward self government and peace.
(The following was published on the 2ACR web site, May 2004 by CPT Sean Kirley, 2ACR RPAO)
War Eagles Reach Out to Citizens of Kut
"The War Eagles, of 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, moved from Baghdad to Kut during the latter part of April. During the initial assessment of the town, the War Eagles were greeted with a looted and bombed CPA building. Many of the bridges, much-needed structures in the town that is dominated by dams and reservoirs off the Euphrates River, were damaged or rendered unusable by Muqtada Al Sadr’s criminal militia. Many of the other major structures in Kut had also been looted or desecrated.
Just six weeks later, all of the buildings just mentioned have been fixed and circumstances rectified. City streets have become busier, but remain peaceful, as the threat of violence has been nullified by 1st Squadron, who patrols the streets with elements of 2/37 AR BN. The citizens of Kut have responded well to the presence of a more robust Coalition presence.
The War Eagles quickly added Civil Military Operations to their agenda in Kut, reaching out to tribal leaders, businesses, and municipalities in the city. Opening schools, cleaning streets, and getting the multi media outlets in working order were a few of the opening projects. “ We did this in Sadr City for the past year. We can do it here too”, said MAJ George Sarabia, who serves as the central Coalition representative in the CMO realm in Kut. LTC Mark Calvert, Squadron Commander for the War Eagles, quickly established a positive relationship with the tribal leaders of Kut, both meeting numerous times with them and producing several television and radio announcements pledging assistance from Coalition Forces. He now speaks candidly and on a regular basis with local officials on issues ranging anywhere from security to on going projects in the community.
To date, the Coalition has spent close to $95,000 in materials and labor for the city of Kut. “We make sure everyone gets a chance to bid on a project that wants to do the job. No one tribe gets any favoritism over the other”, said CPT Kelvin Mote, one of the officers that oversee project development in Kut. “ It is important that Iraqis do the work. We try to contract Iraqi companies that hire local labor for each project.” The Coalition has focused a lot of attention on schools in the area, cleaning them up, furnishing supplies, and making sure children of Kut can experience a comfortable learning environment."
The Second Regiment of Dragoons spent a year in the eastern part of Baghdad, helping the people of that city rebuild their lives and regain their livelihood. When the Regiment got orders to move south, they did just that. One of the cities they assumed responsibility for was Najaf. The people of this great and Holy city have been receptive of the troopers, and the Iron Dukes of 2/37 AR Bn. On 20 May 2004 , elements of RHHT, 2ACR, visited a school on the outskirts of Najaf.
The 3-vehicle convoy arrived at the Virgin Mary Primary School just before noon. In just a few minutes, throngs of children, led by a few teachers, surrounded the soldiers. One of the vehicles contained several hundred pounds of school supplies for the school and boxes of candy. The soldiers also brought about 200 white T shirts that had the words “prosperity” and “progress” with “Iraq” in the middle. The words were in Arabic as well as English. Soldiers distributed these things to the kids. The children laughed and cheered as they received the gifts, hauling bags of school supplies into a hallway.
The SGM was then escorted on a quick tour of the school. He wrote down in detail deficiencies and the needs the school head master pointed out. Some of the projects ear marked by the SGM for the school included renovation of the latrine, air conditioning, and a daily supply of water for the school. Many windows need to be replaced and general work also needs to be done. “We will be back tomorrow….and we will keep coming back until this work is complete,” the SGM informed the head master. The latrine was cleaned out the next day.
1000 pairs of shoes, 1000 shorts and shirts, and 750 humanitarian aid bags have
been received by the Regiment were passed out to local citizens in June 2004.
The contents of the humanitarian bags include foodstuff, toys, and clothing.
Rural neighborhoods and schools will be the recipient of these bags and
renovation project development will continue as well. The Regiment continues to
lead the way in supporting the Iraqi people in living a better life.
Always Ready