Sunday, January 28, 2007

Paratroopers Go to Combat with More Than Equipment



Spc. Benjamin West, an infantryman with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, fits a piece of colored cloth embroidered with the Star of David into the flap of his body armor. West carries the cloth, sent to him by his aunt, with him on all his patrols. Photo by Sgt. Mike Pryor

"Paratroopers Go to Combat with More Than Equipment
Jan 25, 2007
BY Sgt. Mike Pryor
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq (Army News Service, Jan. 25, 2007) - The Army makes sure that every Soldier going into combat has the best hardware and equipment money can buy. But hidden away somewhere underneath all the gear, most Soldiers also carry an item or two that their supply sergeants didn't issue.

As they readied vehicles and equipment for combat recently, paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, based at Camp Taji, also filled their rucks and pockets with some extra personal items. The items ranged from the obvious, like extra ammo and batteries, to the bizarre, like a lucky Sesame Street doll."

5 comments:

Dianne said...

This is awesome, seeing pictures of the guys in my boy's company. I'm gathering now that it's your son who is sending the pictures. God Bless him and all our boys, and you too. It's hard having our boys over there.

Dianne said...

It's awesome seeing the pictures of guys in my boy's same company. I keep thinking I might see him in one of your pictures. His platoon was attached to Company A after they arrived at FOB Loyalty. I see now that it's your son who is there. It's hard having our boys in this mess. I will keep him and all our troops in my heart and my prayers.

wourpet said...

Thanks Willo and it is my son that's over there -- at FOB Loyalty, and he's B company with the 1-504, 2 BCT, 82 Airborne. The pictures are coming from a variety of press releases -- the DoD and Central Command but Dallas has a camera now so you may see him yet. God bless them all.

Dianne said...

Re-reading my comment, my boy's platoon has been attached to Company B. I'm sure they traveled over together and it's incredible to be seeing these pictures. I'll be sure to check in here everyday.

wourpet said...

I look forward to every little bit of contact I get from Dallas so I understand your thoughts. He mentioned on an instant message this morning that he only knows the first names of the soldiers he also went to basic with.