Another Change (April 3rd)

I've been transfered to 9th division. I'm still in bagdahd but I'm personal security for a colonel in the army and a general in the Iraqi army. It's a lot more dangerous but i do nothing unless they need to go meet someone or want to go somewhere. It's great, like a vacation. I love it. It sucks cause I don't know anyone but i get to wear my civilian clothes all day and do whatever.

Theres 6 of us,so 2 vehicles. But we always role with the IA (Iraqi army) and thats only the PSD IA. There all hand picked by the Iraqi general. So the best of the best in Iraq.

On the move!

Man, they are moving me to a different FOB to be attached with a squad to go out and train and help the Iraqi army. It suck 'cause now I don't know anyone i'll be working with but i think it might better my chances of me getting a combat action badge.

I asked him why they chose him and he said, "responsible and not acared to leave the wire"

Pictures form Iraq

Write to Jared here for the next year he thinks:

PFC JARED SCOUTEN
HHB 1-82 FA 1cd 1bct
FOB HAMMER, IRAQ
apo ae 09308

Pictures form Iraq

From Jared to Dillon's MySpace: It's alright here. Nothing exciting is really going on yet and we haven't been doing much either. We did have a 4 1/2 hour convoy over here though at night, that was cool. I was the gunner. Hopefully we will be doing some exciting things soon. I want to earn my CAB (combat action badge). People in the army that don't have that and act like they have been through a lot and crap like that are lying because you get it for being shot at or shooting.

Letter to Dillon on his My Space-March11th

It's not nearly as bad as I though. Kuwait sucks. Just sand and no vegetation at all. We're in Taji Iraq right now but leave to go somewhere else in a few days. An old nuclear plant we blew up a long time ago. They say its "safe" though. It's not really crazy here though. Just a few mortars here and there at night but they never hit us. The insurgents suck at aiming. Tell everyone i said whats up. lova ya too.

received March 9th

Hello Dragon Families,
The last week has seen some changes in the Baghdad area that has finally
solidified our mission. I wanted to share what we know because I know
everyone is anxious to get settled into a routine for the duration of
the deployment. In December, the US and Iraq signed a security
agreement that requires most US forces to be out of major Iraqi cities
by the end of June. Much of the fluctuation in our mission was a result
of trying to balance the requirement to partner with Iraqi Security
Forces in Baghdad and basing our forces with a long term strategy to
meet the intent of the security agreement. The result is a mission that
partners the Dragons with a National Police Brigade in the Mada'in
(pronounced Mah' Dine) Qada (prounounced Kada). The Mada'in is in the
Baghdad belt and one of 9 Qadas that make up the Baghdad Province. We
will spread out over three locations that position us to effectively
partner with security forces and improve security. Although our parent
unit is still 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division, the
move out of the urban part of Baghdad has changed our operational
control over to 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division.
This is a common practice and simply streamlines the command and control
of units based on our geographic location. Don't worry, we're still Cav
Tough and Army Strong.

Our area is challenging with vast expanses of desert but significant
population centers that add up to 1/2 million Iraqis. For the most
part, agriculture supports the economy in Mada'in but we will continue
to work on all forms of civil capacity to improve the quality of living.
Our footprint in the Mada'in puts Hot Steel (Alpha Battery) at a Joint
Security Station called 4 Corners. JSS 4 Corners will cover our
Northern boundary and is currently going through renovations to accept a
full battery. Golf company and the administrative aspect of HHB, such
as S1 and S4 functions, will be based out of Forward Operating Base
Hammer. Hammer is a large base in the Eastern portion of the Mada'in
and will serve to support the Dragons with everything from water, food,
fuel, and mail. A small portion of Pacesetters (Bravo Battery) will
also live at Hammer and be responsible for providing indirect fires from
our Paladin Howitzers. You will hear us refer to them often as the "Hot
Guns." Our main effort will center around the population center of Jisr
Diyala. JD as we call it, sits in the Southwest portion of our
operating environment and consists of over 120,000 Iraqis. We will
partner with the National Police in this area and base the remaining
Dragons of Bravo and HHB at Forward Operating Base Cashe South. Cashe
South is nestled in a little valley along the Tigris River near
Tuwaitha. Both Hammer and Cashe South have been long term existing
bases for the coalition and have extensive quality of living
initiatives. 4 Corners is well underway to match the same conditions.
By the end of the month, we will occupy our three bases and assume
control of the Northern Mada'in Qada. Everyone will have access to hot
food, climate control, internet, phones, MWR (Morale Welfare and
Relaxation) equipment, showers, and mail. We will have mail handlers at
FOB Hammer who will sort mail and forward it to 4 Corners and Cashe
South two to three times a week. Our mailing address will be:

Soldiers' Name:
Unit: (Specify Battery) 1-82 Field Artillery
FOB Hammer
APO AE 09308

I appreciate the patience everyone has displayed over the first month of
our deployment. We have gone through quite a few "kabooki dances" since
we've been here but things are starting to settle down and it's time to
get busy with the mission we've trained to do. Morale continues to be
high and we have capitalized on the extra time to get familiar with the
equipment and environment. Your Dragons are eager and ready to move out
and make a difference. Thanks for all you are doing back home taking
care of our families. We couldn't do our job without your tremendous
support.

Dragons
"Can & Will"