Just thought I would give everyone an update on whats going on in Iraq from this combat engineers point of view. We have been in country for about 5 months now. Things seem to be setting into a pattern at this point. I am in the city of Mosul, the third largest in Iraq. We have not done a lot of traditional engineer tasks so to speak. About the limits of doing our normal job include; demolitions, wire and other obstacles. We have been used primarly in an infantry role. Our missions include; escorts, security, patrols (mounted and dismounted), ied sweeps, ied clearance, cache missions (find and destroy), raids, coridon and searches and so on. One bit of excitment for me is that i was just added to Task Force Hawk, which is an air assault mission. We will be inserted by helicopters(blackhawks) to islands and remote spots to look for weapons caches. Some back ground on me. I am a staff sergeant. I am approaching 14 years in the army. I am a squad leader with 8 men under me. One has been sent home because he was shot on one of our missions, but he is recovering fine. Things here go in streaks, a few days and it is quiet and then it gets rough, lots of fighting with the AIF, VBIED's, and IED's. I would like to thank everyone who has sent letters or email and for the prayers for myself, my family and the rest of the troops.
SSG Benjamin Joy
B Co. 113th Eng. Bn.
FOB Merez, Iraq
"SAPPERS LEAD THE WAY"
Pleased to meet you. Stay safe over there. I hope all the troops know they have support from the homefront. How did you ever find this place? I am glad you did Take care Cindy
Ben, wow, what a nice, nice surprise to hear from you. I am so glad to hear that you are well and safe. Yes you are in my prayers all the time and will be one of one's who are jumping up and down when you return safely home to Lynette and your children.
I am also glad that you took a few minutes of your time to let us know just what it is you do. Me of course, I find that fascinating being an engineer's daughter.
It is a relief to hear that your buddy is recovering and will be fine. Thank God for that.
We'd love to hear from you again in the future if you have a few spare moments. It's great to hear the facts from someone who is actually there and not a news correspondent with an agenda. Would love to also hear what you think about the people that live there and how you think the nation as a whole is shaping up.
God bless you Ben.
Marion
PS Cindy - Ben is the grandson of one of the men in my dad's unit. Here is the photo that of Ben's grandfather Ernest and my dad in Germany in May of 1945.
Here is another great photo of Ben's grandfather and a couple of buddies from the 540th. According to Willie Joy (Ben's uncle), they were feeling no pain that day. You can see and read more about one of the guys pictured in this photo below:
Memories of Ed Stephens
STAY SAFE, BEN!
Thanks for the update. We appreciate your service and what you are doing there!
Wow I missed coming back to this. That is so cool that you have the generations to share here Marion.
Ben I hope things are going well for you over there. My youngest is also in that far away place and the middle son will soon be following. Thank you for your service and please stay safe. I will add you to my prayers. Please stop in when you can. Its always such a blessing to hear from one of our finest over there Godspeed
Cindy