Texas-Based Army Division Leaves Iraq

[farmgirl]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=10&u=/ap/20040116/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_changing_guard


By PAUL GARWOOD, Associated Press Writer

TIKRIT, Iraq - As his troops prepare to leave Iraq (news - web sites), the commander of the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division says his soldiers achieved more than expected but challenges remain — from battling insurgents to improving infrastructure and providing jobs.

The division, which arrived in April, is scheduled to leave Iraq in mid-March for neighboring Kuwait before returning home the next month. They will be replaced by the Germany-based 1st Infantry Division in the first troop rotation since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq last March.

"We are further along than I thought I would be," said Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the commander of the 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas.

Odierno's troops cover a vast swath of Iraq, including the restive city of Baqouba, the former Iraqi dictator's hometown of Tikrit and the northern Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk.

Speaking to reporters, Odierno said he believes the United States would maintain a large troop presence in Iraq through 2004 and about half as many in 2005, depending on "internal and external factors and the development of the Iraqi army."

The 49-year-old West Point graduate said his forces have captured or killed most of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s Baath Party loyalists and strangled their money and weapons sources. But threats remain from "nationalist" insurgents and terrorist groups like Osama bin Laden (news - web sites)'s al-Qaida network, he said.

Odierno said the Dec. 13 capture of Saddam and the detentions of other high-ranking Baath party members "has really had an effect on the former regime elements."

"I think al-Qaida and foreign fighters are trying to get involved in Iraq," Odierno said. "I think in the next six to eight months, they (will) start to really try to infiltrate the area."

The most immediate threat facing U.S. forces, however, could come from Iraqis.

"There are still people out there who just want to attack us because we are Westerners and we are in Iraq and we are Americans," he said. "So they will continue to attack us and I think that will go on for some time."

The arrest of Iraq's current most-wanted man, former vice President Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, could be the final blow for pro-Saddam loyalists.

"I think they are having a lot of trouble coordinating," Odierno said. "I think the will is no longer there in most cases. I think we have turned a corner with former regime elements."

He said that since April, U.S. forces have trained 2,000 Iraqi border guards, 5,000 Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers and hired about 10,000 police.

His soldiers have established interim provincial governments and city councils and overseen the appointment of mayors in every town in their jurisdiction. Judges have been vetted and are hearing cases.

The results of Iraq's reconstruction will be felt throughout the Middle East, he said.

"Iraq has incredible potential with its natural resources and its educated populace, so it will have a profound effect on the region," he added.

The Army has spent $80 million in the area controlled by the division on infrastructure projects, including water treatment plants, schools, police stations and other government buildings.

"We have had soldiers working very, very hard for a year," Odierno said.

[Uncle Sam]

They did an OUTSTANDING job !!! They should, and probably will, get a heros welcome ! http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/uswaver.gif

http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/thumbsup.gif

[Maverick77]

A great job by the American 4th Infantry Division.

and RIP to their dead

[He219]

Great job to the 4th ID!

From Ft. Hood:

http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/IIIcorps.JPG

Maj. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, 1st Cav. commander, hands the cased colors to Col. Michael Formica, 2nd BCT commander, Jan. 13.
Saddle up: First Team deploys (http://www.hood.army.mil/sentinel/current/saddle_up.htm)

Story Here (http://www.hood.army.mil/sentinel/current/iii_corps_cases_colors_for_deplo.htm).



If I am not mistaken, the Deputy Commanding General of III Corps will be deployed to Iraq as well ......

http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/BGenWaltNatynczyk.JPG

Brigadier General, Canadian Forces
Walt Natynczyk (http://www.hood.army.mil/pao/Corps_staff/bios/DCGCon%20Biography.htm)
Deputy Commanding General
III Corps & Fort Hood

[usa320]

YEAH! HOOAH.

THe 4th ID did a SPECTACULAR job in Iraq, they accomplish alot- especially netting the head honcho.

They sure as hell deserve a heroes welcome back home.

Also, its good to see the Canadians are pitching in now that Chreitein is gone.

[Jack Mehoff]

YEAH! HOOAH.

THe 4th ID did a SPECTACULAR job in Iraq, they accomplish alot- especially netting the head honcho.

They sure as hell deserve a heroes welcome back home.

Also, its good to see the Canadians are pitching in now that Chreitein is gone.

doucebag19 probably ripping his hair right now

[Nizark]

http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/BGenWaltNatynczyk.JPG

So whats the deal with the double flags in the back? The guy is a Canadian soldier, but how is he in charge of American troops? Is it a JTF?

[usa320]

doucebag19 probably ripping his hair right now

He better hope like **** his reserve group dont get called up.

:D

See punks like him shouldnt be called up, because they are only putting their comrades in danger.

[Merik]

Woohoo!!!!!!!!! My home town will be full of life again, but not for long cause the 1st Cav Div is moving out later towards the spring.

[Skaman]

doucebag19 probably ripping his hair right now

He better hope like f*** his reserve group dont get called up.

:D

See punks like him shouldnt be called up, because they are only putting their comrades in danger.


You are so very wrong. I dont need flak from a civillian war junkie thank you.

[Skaman]

If I get called, I will go. Not my idea of what I want to be doing in my life right now, as I want to focus on my academics. I have buddies, and if they fight, I fight with them. I will fight for my buddies, not for Bush. I just hope it doesn’t come to this. Wait and see what Martin does.

[Uncle Sam]

Poor, poor child...You have a LONG way to go. /\

[pAt]

http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/BGenWaltNatynczyk.JPG

So whats the deal with the double flags in the back? The guy is a Canadian soldier, but how is he in charge of American troops? Is it a JTF?

probably on exchange thing when Canadians go to the US and take command of something

[Jack Mehoff]

If I get called, I will go. Not my idea of what I want to be doing in my life right now, as I want to focus on my academics. I have buddies, and if they fight, I fight with them. I will fight for my buddies, not for Bush. I just hope it doesn’t come to this. Wait and see what Martin does.

Let's just hope you don't have to watch anyone back

ducimus19 wrote:

I find it intersting how nearly everyone claims to be able to kill a woman and child with a weapon, yet none have even served in the military. Killing someone is not easy, and killing a child is very traumatizing. I have not personally killed anyone thank god, yet I have seen people die, and people shot to death. Ask yourself, could you REALLY do it.... I dont know If I could...and Im trained to kill in my profession. But a child.......no

ducimus19 wrote:

I guess. I just cant imagine. What is this world coming too, when you have to shoot kids to survive. So sad....

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3870&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[usa320]

Lets just say this- i sure as **** wouldnt have him on my squad, and if i did, the first time he ****ed up he would be demoted to Toilet Scrubber, 2nd class.

[Merik]

Douchebag 19, if you serve in the reserves why dont you just shut your trap and keep all your commie rat ass opinions to yourself ya jackass. I can understand that you want to focus on your academics becaues thats what I want to do, but to be in the reserves at the same time means you shut the hell up and take it like a man.

And if your a soldier you wouldnt be bad mouthing your Commander-In-Chief ya dumb ****.




ducimus19 wrote:

I find it intersting how nearly everyone claims to be able to kill a woman and child with a weapon, yet none have even served in the military. Killing someone is not easy, and killing a child is very traumatizing. I have not personally killed anyone thank god, yet I have seen people die, and people shot to death. Ask yourself, could you REALLY do it.... I dont know If I could...and Im trained to kill in my profession. But a child.......no


I cant say that I have killed a person because I havent but have you? How can you presume to talk like that if you havent even killed a woman and child with a weapon or anyone else for that matter? If you have then its another story but the way you talk it sounds like you havent fired a single shot at a person while defending yourself.

[Skaman]

If I get called, I will go. Not my idea of what I want to be doing in my life right now, as I want to focus on my academics. I have buddies, and if they fight, I fight with them. I will fight for my buddies, not for Bush. I just hope it doesn’t come to this. Wait and see what Martin does.

Let's just hope you don't have to watch anyone back

ducimus19 wrote:

I find it intersting how nearly everyone claims to be able to kill a woman and child with a weapon, yet none have even served in the military. Killing someone is not easy, and killing a child is very traumatizing. I have not personally killed anyone thank god, yet I have seen people die, and people shot to death. Ask yourself, could you REALLY do it.... I dont know If I could...and Im trained to kill in my profession. But a child.......no

ducimus19 wrote:

I guess. I just cant imagine. What is this world coming too, when you have to shoot kids to survive. So sad....

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3870&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I am not content with the ideal of shooting children, hence my statment of :


I guess. I just cant imagine. What is this world coming too, when you have to shoot kids to survive. So sad....


Nonetheless, with my time on this website, the many articles etc. I have been exposed to, I must concede that I don’t hold that statement in the same way I did prior. I am uncomfortable with death, but when it faces me in the eye; it’s you or the reaper. I choose life. I think I’m allotted that liberty- change of thought?

[Trident-za]

Usa320.... a simple question if I may. After reading a few of your more recent posts, and the amount of trashtalk you are sending the way of some people, I clicked on your profile. Am I reading this right? You're a ... night-manager?

I don't mean to belittle you in anyway with this post. I'm just curious how you can say things like...


Lets just say this- i sure as f*** wouldnt have him on my squad, and if i did, the first time he f*** up he would be demoted to Toilet Scrubber, 2nd class.

... about a member of the military, as if you are more qualified to be a squad member? I don't always agree with Ducimus, but if I had to choose between him or a night-manager as a squad member, well.....

I can only assume from your attitude that you are in fact an ex-soldier of some description? If not, this doesn't mean you are a bad person or anything (afterall, my profile says database designer :)).... again, no offence intended here. I'm curious, thats all.

[Skaman]

Usa320.... a simple question if I may. After reading a few of your more recent posts, and the amount of trashtalk you are sending the way of some people, I clicked on your profile. Am I reading this right? You're a ... night-manager?

I don't mean to belittle you in anyway with this post. I'm just curious how you can say things like...


Lets just say this- i sure as f*** wouldnt have him on my squad, and if i did, the first time he f*** up he would be demoted to Toilet Scrubber, 2nd class.

... about a member of the military, as if you are more qualified to be a squad member? I don't always agree with Ducimus, but if I had to choose between him or a night-manager as a squad member, well.....

I can only assume from your attitude that you are in fact an ex-soldier of some description? If not, this doesn't mean you are a bad person or anything (afterall, my profile says database designer :)).... again, no offence intended here. I'm curious, thats all.

Are you serving in SA military?

[Trident-za]

Not anymore.... I did, several years ago. I wouldn't exactly say I was a BTDT though :) A few "contacts" (South African phrase for gunfire exchanged), nothing compared to Gulf War2. I had enough adrenaline moments, though, to know who I would (or wouldn't)want in my squad :)

[Skaman]

Not anymore.... I was, several years ago.

What was your trade?

[mustamato]

How many soldiers have they lost in Iraq? This particular division seems to have lost quite a bunch, have often been mentioned when there has been reports about americans being killed..

[Trident-za]

Not anymore.... I was, several years ago.

What was your trade?

I was in 1 Para. Not sure how that equates to the US/Canada forces. The selection and training is based entirely on that of the British Parachute Brigade.

[Skaman]

Not anymore.... I was, several years ago.

What was your trade?

I was in 1 Para. Not sure how that equates to the US/Canada forces. The selection and training is based entirely on that of the British Parachute Brigade.


We had an Airborn regiment, yet it was disbanded due to political conflicts. I have a few South African friends, but they all got out a couple years ago.

[Trident-za]

Got out of where? Canada or SA? :)