OIF Deployment Photos

Sgt. Reximel Saludares, small arms repairer with Co. B 225th FSB, looks closer at a M2 .50 caliber machine gun needing work Feb. 26. 

Pfc. Serjio Alverio, a combat medic with Co. C 225th FSB, checks the blood pressure of Staff Sgt. Charles Hance, a platoon sergeant with Btry. B 1st Bn., 62nd ADA, inside the 225th FSB aide station on Kirkuk Air Base Feb. 26. 

Sgt. Gary Jackson, an automated logistical specialist with Co. HQ & A 225th FSB, ground guides an Atlas forklift inside the Supply Support Activity warehouse on Kirkuk Air Base Feb. 26. 

The face of Sgt. Wesley Brown, missile shop NCOIC with Co. B 225th Forward Support Battalion, reflects off of an Improved Target Acquisition System while he cleans its viewfinder on Kirkuk Air Base Feb. 26. Brown is in charge of repairing the ITAS systems for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, as they support Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

Spc. Frankie Shy, a radio commo security repairer with Co. B 225th FSB, looks for work orders on man-pack radios Feb. 26. 

Maj. Rick Heyward, S-3 for TF 1-14, 2nd Brigade Combat Team talks to Col. Lloyd Miles, 2nd BCT commander, about current TF 1-14 INF operations near Tuz Feb. 21.

A demolished building is seen along the convoy route inside of Tikrit Feb. 6. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Iraqi children cheer on Serial 3, Task Force Gimlet inside of Tikrit Feb. 6. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Vehicles from Serial 3, Task Force Gimlet roll into a combat support center near Tikrit to rest for the night Feb. 4. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Spc. Marcus Carver, 105mm Howitzer gunner, and Staff Sgt. Manuel Guevararuiz, 105mm Howitzer chief of section, both with Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 11th FA, show patriotism with a U.S. flag hanging behind them, as they wait for the convoy to start at Camp Virginia, Kuwait Feb. 3. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

A herd of sheep feed beside the road as Serial 3, Task Force Gimlet passes by in Kirkuk Feb. 6. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Pfc. Michelle Katenay, a Soldier with Co. B 225th FSB, provides security during a convoy stop north of Baghdad Feb. 5. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Pfc. Adam Butler, infantryman with HHC, 2nd Bde. checks out a music CD inside the Kirkuk AB post exchange Feb. 14.US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Col. William Mayville, 173rd Bde. commander, and CSM William Gunter, 173rd command sergeant major, case their brigade colors during the ceremony Feb. 19.US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Col. Lloyd Miles, 2nd BCT commander, with help from CSM Jerry Taylor, 2nd BCT command sergeant major, uncases the brigade's colors Feb. 19. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Col. Lloyd Miles, 2nd BCT commander, presents arms during the playing of both U.S. and Iraq national anthems Feb. 19.US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

2nd BCT Soldiers present arms during the playing of both U.S. and Iraq national anthems Feb. 19.US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Col. Lloyd Miles, 2nd BCT commander, give his remarks during the TOA ceremony Feb. 19.US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons

Iraqi police officers stand at attention with their AK-47 rifles during the TOA ceremony Feb. 19. The Iraqi police and ICDC took part in the ceremony to represent future relations between them and the Coalition Forces. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons 

Iraqi police officers execute present arms with their AK-47 rifles during the TOA ceremony Feb. 19. The Iraqi police and ICDC took part in the ceremony to represent future relations between them and the Coalition Forces. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons 

Another day ends, as the sun sets over the container living quarters of Kirkuk Air Base Feb. 14. US Army photo by SPC Sean Kimmons 

Family and Friends:
Both the ON TIME and WOLFHOUND battalions have finally settled in up in North-Central Iraq.  The Bulldog Battery is split between two forward operating bases.  Both sub-units are performing extremely well and leading the way in terms of mission proficiency, discipline, and in providing accurate and timely fires in support of our maneuver brethren.  The Bulldog fire supporters are involved in not only developing effective fire plans, but also in providing civil affairs guidance to their respective commanders.  The Bulldog fire supporters are leading the way for the Brigade in developing and improving the Wolfhound Commander's public works and civil military police agenda.  These improvements include school and mosque construction, development of improved plumbing lines, creation of athletic fields, and training the Iraqi Police Force.  These public works projects and public servants will maintain the stability of the Iraqi region long after United States Military Forces are gone.

With one month under our belts, the Bulldogs morale remains strong.  We all miss our family and friends back in the United States, but the tremendous out-pour of support in the form of e-mail letters, care packages, and encouragement during morale phone calls keeps our spirits high.  We believe in this noble cause and while the majority of hostilities are over, we still have an important mission - to not only defeat the Baath Party strategists and insurgents that threaten the stability of this region, but to turn the country of Iraq back to its people.  Achieving stability in this region is a tough mission, but it is one worth fighting.  Our nation and our President have given us the tools we need to be successful; we look forward to teaching the Iraqi people how to provide for themselves after 30+ years of oppression at the hand of Saddam Hussein.

I have attached a photo of our FIST Team (Forward Observer Team.  Thanks you as always for the love, prayers, and support you all give to these brave Bulldog soldiers.  While the mission is sometimes taxing, we find great strength in knowing that our families and friends support our cause and are proud of our actions.

CPT Steve Carpenter
Commander
Bulldog 6

$1000 in school supplies went to a Shi'a muslim primary school in  Umarliyah, a town near Sulayman Bak.  U.S. Army photos by SSG Martin Angulo, B CO 1-14 Inf 3rd Platoon Platoon Sergeant.

1LT Hansen shaking the hands with a school rep in  Umarliyah.  U.S. Army photos by SSG Martin Angulo, B CO 1-14 Inf 3rd Platoon Platoon Sergeant.