DOD announces death of 3rd ACR Soldier and another terrorist down with more detained

The Department of Defense announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Joseph L. Martinez, 21, of Las Vegas, Nev., died on Aug. 27, 2005, in Tal Afar, Iraq, where his dismounted patrol was engaged by enemy forces using small arms fire. Martinez was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.
Our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers.

(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (August 30, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom killed one terrorist and detained nine other terrorists today.
Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment killed a terrorist who was attempting to attack Coalition Forces in Tal Afar.

NCO Academy Develops NCO Corps

3rd ACR Solder Staff Sgt. Donald Harris, instructor, Brave Rifles NCO Academy - Al Kisik, shown on the cover of July's The Mounted Rifleman instructing an Iraqi Soldier (right) and talking to Sgt. Baban Naseraldin Taha at the Brave Rifles NCO Academy - Al Kisik during a field training exercise (below).

The entire article can be read in .pdf format here: The Mounted Rifleman


The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment is accomplishing great deeds in Iraq. A lot of it involves toiling behind the scenes helping train Iraqi's Soldiers to better protect their country and assisting the people of Iraq building a better life for their sons and daughters. News that rarely shows up in the Media accounts. The young men and women soldiers of the 3rd ACR have risen far beyond the combat training afforded them in the United States. They have become true builders of democracy and leaders in the search of Freedom for all. Terrorist beware. Our Army is multi-purpose.
Staff Sgt. Harris has a wife and 3 children waiting for him in Colorado and a proud Mom & Dad (me) in Florida.

Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces detained 85 suspected terrorists

MOSUL, IRAQ (August 17, 2005) (Excerpt)
Troopers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained eight individuals suspected of terrorist activity in Segar today. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.

Bad day for a Terrorist

(TFF Press Release) (excerpt)
MOSUL, IRAQ (August 15, 2005)
Soldiers from 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment killed a sniper in Tal Afar Sunday.
Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained eight individuals attempting to cross the border south of Rabiah Saturday. Soldiers from the 3rd ACR also detained two individuals, suspected of terrorist activity, during a raid west of Tal Afar. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.

Security Forces continue the fight against terrorism

(TFF Press Release) (excerpt)
MOSUL, IRAQ (August 12, 2005) – Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment engaged and killed three terrorists armed with rocket propelled grenades in Tal Afar yesterday. Multi-National Forces also detained one individual at a checkpoint north of Tal Afar yesterday. No MNF injuries were reported during the operation.

Sometimes a "Thanks" is enough

A few days ago I received an email from a lady whose son, like mine, is currently serving with the 3rd ACR in Northern Iraq. The short note thanked me for the information I had posted to this Blog. All I did was search the internet and pick out any news I come across relating to our soldiers doing their jobs. She went on to say that news was scarce and "any news was better than no news". I could detect the worry she must be feeling every day. The lack of communication on a regular basis from our family member in Iraq and not knowing for sure that everything is 'okay' is a strain on of all the parents, spouses, children, and friends of our Soldiers serving in a War Zone. Our consolation may lie in the support we give each other and the realization that with God's help and the hard work of everyone fighting for the Freedom of Iraq and all the freedom loving people of the world, we will survive. I am proud of my son doing exactly what he is doing (whatever that is) and I know he has the very best training and equipment to perform his duty, and he will. I wouldn't have it any other way. But I worry. Thank You for showing the same concern and understanding we all share.

Offensive operations in northern Iraq net terror suspects and weapons

(TFF Press Release) Excerpts
MOSUL, IRAQ (August 10, 2005) – Soldiers from 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity at a checkpoint north of Tal Afar Tuesday. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.

(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (August 9, 2005) – Soldiers from the 3rd Armor Cavalry Regiment detained one individual at a checkpoint north of Tal Afar Monday. Soldiers from 2nd Squadron 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained four individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a raid in Tal Afar today Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.

Checkpoint yields suspected Terrorists

(TFF Press Release)
MOSUL, IRAQ (August 8, 2005) -- Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained one individual suspected of terrorist activity at a checkpoint in Rabiah, near the Syrian border. Soldiers from 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained seven individuals suspected of terrorist activity during separate operations in Tal Afar and near the Syrian border today and Sunday.

Busy Day for 3rd ACR

TFF Press Release (excerpt)
MOSUL, IRAQ (August 4, 2005) – Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom detained 28 suspected terrorists and killed five terrorists during operations in northern Iraq today and Wednesday.
Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment killed five terrorists in support of Iraqi Police who were being attacked in Tal Afar Wednesday. No MNF injuries were reported during the attack.
Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained 15 individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation northwest of Tal Afar today.
Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity while patrolling near the Syrian border Wednesday. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.
Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment killed one terrorist attempting to emplace an improvised explosive device while patrolling east of Tal Afar Tuesday.
Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment seized a weapons cache during a search operation northwest of Tal Afar Tuesday. The cache included sticks of explosives, detonation cord, and a blasting cap.

MOSUL, IRAQ (August 1, 2005)
Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom detained 49 suspected terrorists, killed six terrorists, injured another, and seized two weapons caches during operations in northern Iraq today and Sunday.
Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained 35 individuals suspected of terrorist activity during two raids northwest of Tal Afar today. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.
Coordinated efforts of Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from Task Force Freedom are leading to the arrest of terrorists and criminals responsible for attacks against innocent Iraqi citizens.