News from our Gimlet Brothers fighting the War on Terror

Tue, 10/4/11, Huckleberry, Steven L CPT MIL USA USARPAC

Gentlemen,

You will be proud to know that the GIMLETs have been very busy since my last

update.  The Battalion successfully conducted several named operations

partnered with our Afghan counterparts to knock the enemy onto their heels

in our area of operations. This has included one battalion operation,

several company sized mounted operations, and four company air assaults

operations into areas inaccessible with our Strykers. Currently we are the

division priority as we build a road to, and establish, a new company

outpost in the last remaining bastion of Taliban strength in the Kandahar

region.  The success of this operation will severely hinder the enemy's

capability to affect the population in the western Kandahar region and will

help the Afghan Security Forces attain another key piece of terrain

necessary for them to ensure security in the area.

During the course of these operations we have capture/killed multiple key

enemy leaders, destroyed homemade explosive factories, and captured several

enemy caches.  But more importantly, we are working to reopen schools that

have been closed for years, develop alternative agricultural methods so the

people of Afghanistan have options and aren't forced to grow narcotics for

the Taliban, provided the local population with easier access to the markets

of Kandahar City, and are working to develop a professional and effective

police force capable of securing the population throughout our area of

operations.

These victories have not come without a price, as we have sustained several

causalities during the course of our mission.  The GIMLETs that have made

the ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten as we continue to drive on in

our mission and help the people of Afghanistan.  We feel confident that we

will continue to bring the fight to the enemy while developing and

partnering with the local government to ensure the success of our mission in

Afghanistan.

Fallen GIMLET Warriors:

Specialist Ryan J. Cook

Sergeant Rodolfo Rodriguez Jr.

Specialist Douglas J. Green

Private First Class Brandon S. Mullins

Private First Class Tyler M. Springmann

First Sergeant Kenneth B. Elwell

Very Respectfully,

CPT Steven Huckleberry

TF FSO, 3-21IN

FOB Zangabad

GIMLET FIRES

BORE!