thedrifter
05-22-06, 07:30 AM
May 21, 2006
Update from 3rd LAR
Captain Michael Nakonieczny, CO of 3rd LAR, Apache Co. sent this update to the friends and family of his Marines:
All is well here in West, Al Anbar. As of this moment, we are 33% done with the deployment. The weather is slowly beginning to rise and the temperature has consistently been in the low 90’s during the day. Fortunately, the increase in temperature is coming gradually and we have the opportunity to acclimate to the changes. There is also a major project in the works that will greatly increase the quality of living for our Marines. These improvements include better living quarters and air conditioning. Just in time as it will get very hot here, very soon.
We have enjoyed more than a fair amount of success and continue to work with the Iraqi Army on a daily basis. It is a welcomed relief to see the Iraqi Army soldiers ready and willing to work beside us. They are brave, eager to learn, and want to do well. You can't ask more of a fellow soldier/Marine than that. More are on the way to the city we work out of and seeing their interaction with the Iraqi civilians makes me very optimistic. The insurgents in this city are like a cancer. They are small in number, but lethal to innocent Iraqis. We could go into this city at anytime and cut out those insurgents, but with out the proper treatment, the cancer will grow back. The Iraqi Army is that proper treatment. As these Iraqi civilians see more Iraqi Army soldiers stand up to these thugs, I have no doubt, they too will strive to be free. In fact, I am continually amazed at the number of Iraqis that are stepping forward and giving us information on the insurgents. That is how it looks here, at least, from the ground with your men.
As for operations, we have been pretty busy here in Apache for the last few weeks. Forgive your Marine if he has been unable to call. We are proud to say that we have detained a number of known insurgents and have also been successful in finding and then destroying more than 11 weapons caches throughout our local area. 1st platoon (commanded by 1st Lt Gaitens) and 2nd platoon (commanded by SSgt Harper) have been doing a terrific job manning the traffic control points that lead in and out of the city we operate in. Their stringent attention to detail and mentoring of the Iraqi Army continues to ensure weapons and insurgent fighters are unable to get into our city. Third platoon (commanded by 2nd Lt Brobyn) and fourth platoon (commanded by 2ndLt Niznik, formally of Dragoon company) have been kept busy with maintaining security on the main road that travels through our area of responsibility and in patrolling the local area. Headquarters and weapons platoon have been keeping very busy too. Most of these Marines are responsible for maintaining the security of the companys forward operating base. There vigilance keeps us all safe and their job is very much appreciated by all. We rotate the units around so they are never on the same duty for more than a month or so.
Updates:
Congratulations to LCpl and Danielle Ohotnicky on the birth of their son, John Anthony. He was born on 11 April at 2344 in Joshua Tree, California. He weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds 15 oz. He is 19.5 inches long. Our very best goes out to you Danielle and John.
Congratulations are also in order for LCpl Bobby Metzler and his wife who also were blessed with the birth of a child on 11 April. Avery Breane Metzler came into our world at 7 pounds and at 18 inches. As a proud father of a little girl, I have assured Bobby that his life and perspective of it will forever be changed for the better.
Newly promoted Marines for the month of May:`(rank listed is their new rank):
Congratulations to our executive officer Joe Shusko who was recently selected for promotion to Captain. Congratulations are also in order for:
James Brobyn (3rd Platoon) promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant
Isaias Hernandez (4th Platoon) promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
Nicholas Maxedon (4th Platoon) promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
Jose Calvache Jr. (1st Platoon) promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
Harley Bottoms (3rd Platoon) promoted to the rank of Private First Class.
Parting shots:
Be proud of your Marines. They are extremely tough, brave, resilient, and they never say no. It is with complete sincerity when I tell you they are an awe inspiring to watch as we execute our missions.
Thanks to you all for your continued letters of support. Mail makes even the best day here better. Please keep it coming..
Update from 3rd LAR
Captain Michael Nakonieczny, CO of 3rd LAR, Apache Co. sent this update to the friends and family of his Marines:
All is well here in West, Al Anbar. As of this moment, we are 33% done with the deployment. The weather is slowly beginning to rise and the temperature has consistently been in the low 90’s during the day. Fortunately, the increase in temperature is coming gradually and we have the opportunity to acclimate to the changes. There is also a major project in the works that will greatly increase the quality of living for our Marines. These improvements include better living quarters and air conditioning. Just in time as it will get very hot here, very soon.
We have enjoyed more than a fair amount of success and continue to work with the Iraqi Army on a daily basis. It is a welcomed relief to see the Iraqi Army soldiers ready and willing to work beside us. They are brave, eager to learn, and want to do well. You can't ask more of a fellow soldier/Marine than that. More are on the way to the city we work out of and seeing their interaction with the Iraqi civilians makes me very optimistic. The insurgents in this city are like a cancer. They are small in number, but lethal to innocent Iraqis. We could go into this city at anytime and cut out those insurgents, but with out the proper treatment, the cancer will grow back. The Iraqi Army is that proper treatment. As these Iraqi civilians see more Iraqi Army soldiers stand up to these thugs, I have no doubt, they too will strive to be free. In fact, I am continually amazed at the number of Iraqis that are stepping forward and giving us information on the insurgents. That is how it looks here, at least, from the ground with your men.
As for operations, we have been pretty busy here in Apache for the last few weeks. Forgive your Marine if he has been unable to call. We are proud to say that we have detained a number of known insurgents and have also been successful in finding and then destroying more than 11 weapons caches throughout our local area. 1st platoon (commanded by 1st Lt Gaitens) and 2nd platoon (commanded by SSgt Harper) have been doing a terrific job manning the traffic control points that lead in and out of the city we operate in. Their stringent attention to detail and mentoring of the Iraqi Army continues to ensure weapons and insurgent fighters are unable to get into our city. Third platoon (commanded by 2nd Lt Brobyn) and fourth platoon (commanded by 2ndLt Niznik, formally of Dragoon company) have been kept busy with maintaining security on the main road that travels through our area of responsibility and in patrolling the local area. Headquarters and weapons platoon have been keeping very busy too. Most of these Marines are responsible for maintaining the security of the companys forward operating base. There vigilance keeps us all safe and their job is very much appreciated by all. We rotate the units around so they are never on the same duty for more than a month or so.
Updates:
Congratulations to LCpl and Danielle Ohotnicky on the birth of their son, John Anthony. He was born on 11 April at 2344 in Joshua Tree, California. He weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds 15 oz. He is 19.5 inches long. Our very best goes out to you Danielle and John.
Congratulations are also in order for LCpl Bobby Metzler and his wife who also were blessed with the birth of a child on 11 April. Avery Breane Metzler came into our world at 7 pounds and at 18 inches. As a proud father of a little girl, I have assured Bobby that his life and perspective of it will forever be changed for the better.
Newly promoted Marines for the month of May:`(rank listed is their new rank):
Congratulations to our executive officer Joe Shusko who was recently selected for promotion to Captain. Congratulations are also in order for:
James Brobyn (3rd Platoon) promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant
Isaias Hernandez (4th Platoon) promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
Nicholas Maxedon (4th Platoon) promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
Jose Calvache Jr. (1st Platoon) promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
Harley Bottoms (3rd Platoon) promoted to the rank of Private First Class.
Parting shots:
Be proud of your Marines. They are extremely tough, brave, resilient, and they never say no. It is with complete sincerity when I tell you they are an awe inspiring to watch as we execute our missions.
Thanks to you all for your continued letters of support. Mail makes even the best day here better. Please keep it coming..