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America's North Shore Journal » Entries tagged with "34th Infantry Division"

Ambush!

April 20th, 2011 | 1 Comment

Ambush!

The soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Ironman, laughed when they heard the report of the attack. “The report states: two tanks were hit by artillery shells and a rocket,” U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Chris Brenke, 2nd platoon’s platoon sergeant from East Dubuque, Ill., read from a printout during the mission briefing April 11. “Both tanks were completely destroyed during the fighting that lasted an hour. The report also … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Terrorist Death Watch, War on Terror

Christmas at Combat Outpost Najil

December 27th, 2010 | 2 Comments

Christmas at Combat Outpost Najil

Remote. Small. Austere. These are all adjectives one could use to describe Combat Outpost Najil here in eastern Afghanistan. COP Najil is home to less than 200 soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, part of the Iowa National Guard’s 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Red Bulls Division, as well as other service members. The COP is nestled along the base of a mountain, and there is no flat ground; everywhere the service … Read entire article »

Filed under: Afghanistan, Military, War on Terror

USO Opens R&R Oasis in Basrah Desert

June 28th, 2009 | Comments Off

The familiar refrain of “There’s nothing to do around here after work” will hopefully be a thing of the past with the opening of a new center for rest and relaxation. The local United Service Organizations (USO) office and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) coordinator for 34th Red Bull Infantry Division are teaming up to create an oasis in the middle of the Basrah desert for servicemembers and civilians to escape the pressure of operations. Sarah McConnell, USO director here, said the center, housed in a former dining hall, already has undergone a “soft opening,” meaning there are some services already available. “We have 13 Internet stations set up already, along with 18 phone lines for people to call home,” McConnell said. “Both services are free of charge to anyone who uses … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Military, War on Terror

Red Bulls Visit Brigades

June 23rd, 2009 | Comments Off

Red Bulls Visit Brigades

Pfc. Angelica Medrano always was scared of flying. As she got off the UH-60 Black Hawk and entered the Talil airport, she was still shaking off the effects. “You look like you just did a 10-mile road march,” said Spc. Dusti Fetters, Medrano’s coworker in the personnel section of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division. “I do?” said Medrano. “Yeah,” said Fetters. “I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t breathe through my mouth,” said Medrano. “And my eyelashes were being inflated … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, War on Terror

Tourism in Iraq

June 8th, 2009 | Comments Off

Iraq’s first notable tourist, Jonah, hated it. Belched out of a whale and stuck under Ninevah’s parching, sweltering sun, the Bible says, he cared more for the plant that shaded him than for the city he was sent to save. Thousands of years later, it’s cliche to say Iraq is not everyone’s ideal daytrip. But in the six years since Saddam Hussein was deposed, conditions have reached the point at which tourism is now a viable industry. That’s where Army Master Sgt. Dave Cullen of the 34th Infantry Division comes in. “My job is to increase tourism to Iraq,” said Cullen, Multi-National Division – South’s non-commissioned officer in charge for tourism and employment. Hundreds of thousands of people already travel to Najaf, Karbala and Babil for religious events every year, Cullen said. “Some of … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror