Governor Visits 155th BCT in Iraq

Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq - (November 25, 2005) Brig. Gen Augustus L. Collins, commander of the 155th Brigade Combat Team (l) and Maj. Gen. Harold A. Cross, Adjutant General fot Mississippi (r), greet Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, Chief of National Guard Bureau (c), as Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour arives in a UH-60 Blackhawk in the background. The distinguished guests visited the troops of the 155th BCT during the Thanksgiving holiday season. ( US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves )

Blackanthem.com, FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, November 26, 2005 11:04

Governor Haley Barbour, Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, Chief of National Guard Bureau (NGB) and Major General Harold A. Cross, Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, paid a visit to the Soldiers of the 155th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) on November 25, 2005, at the many Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) which are occupied by the brigade.

Brigadier General Augustus L. Collins, commander of the 155th BCT, escorted the distinguished visitors around the brigade’s area of operations in south-central Iraq. The trip began at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, located thirty-five miles south of Baghdad. Here the Governor, Chief of NGB, and Adjutant General addressed the brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company with other supporting units by praising the works and accomplishments of these units.

From there the party proceeded to FOB Duke (Karbala/Najaf area). These areas had been cities plagued by fierce fighting only a short time ago, but thanks to the 155th BCT and Task Force 198th Armor, led by Lt. Col James Oliver, and Task Force 2-114th Field Artillery, commanded by Lt. Col Gary Huffman, the cities of Najaf and Karbala have now begun the painstaking process of rebuilding.

"There have been numerous projects started in both areas since the 155th BCT got into Iraq nearly one year ago." says Blum. "These works have not gone unnoticed by the military, both active and national guard, at the Pentagon."

FOB Dogwood, occupied by Task Force 150th Engineers, was the third of four stops along the way. "I was briefed by General Abizaid [commander of US Central Command] before I came down here." remarked Barbour. "With three other Governors in the same briefing, he started, and pointed out the many accomplishments of the 155th BCT. Just know and understand one thing… The people of Mississippi are proud of its sons and daughters in the 155th and we look forward to your return home. We Mississippians stand on your shoulders as you support the cause of freedom."
 

Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq - (November 25, 2005) Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour is greeted by Brig. Gen. Augustus L. Collins, commander of the 155th Brigade Combat Team at FOB Kalsu before going to talk to the soldiers and thanking them for a job well done and tells them how proud their fellow Americans are of them in a recent visit to Iraq during the Thanksgiving Holiday season. ( US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves )

FOB Iskandariyah, located at the Musayyib power plant, and occupied by 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry, "Mississippi Rifles", commanded by Lt. Col. John Rhodes, rounded out the trip. "These soldiers are right in the middle of the decisive battle taking place here every day." commented Brig. Gen. Collins. "They have had a hard row to hoe, but have done an excellent job in a difficult situation."

While at FOB Iskandariyah, Barbour, with the assistance of Blum, presented the Silver Star Medal, posthumously, to Specialist Robert Shane Pugh of Meridian, Miss., for his actions that, while although critically wounded, saved the life of another of his comrades, Sergeant 1st Class Curtis Martin. Also, they presented the Purple Heart Medal to Sergeant Paul Posadas from Fort Irwin, Ca. for wounds received in a recent attack against his platoon in the area of FOB Iskandariyah.

In order to meet and speak with as many of the brigade Soldiers as possible, the visits to each of the FOBs was only about an hour, but at each, the soldiers responded with applause for their Commander in Chief. "I’ve been asked why I’d come over here during the Thanksgiving Holiday," added Barbour, "and each time I said there is no place I’d rather be than by the side of these great Mississippians who are fighting for freedom in a far away land."

"I have served with Soldiers of the 155th in Bosnia [Operation Noble Eagle 2001 peace keeping rotation] and now here in Iraq, and I would serve with you guys anywhere!" stated Blum. "Your families and fellow Mississippians can be very proud of each and every one of you."

The only FOB occupied by members of the 155th BCT not visited was in the city of Hit, and the timeline that the Governor was on would not permit the traveling time it would have taken to go there. FOB Hit is now under the control of Task Force 2-114th Field Artillery, headquarters in Starkville, Miss.

The 155th BCT is comprised of approximately 4,000 Soldiers and is assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. The brigade’s areas of operations include the Iraqi provinces of Karbala, Najaf and Northern Babil.

By Sergeant 1st Class Kevin W. Reeves, 155th Brigade Combat Team, Public Affairs NCO

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

	Forward Operating Base Duke, An Najaf, Iraq - (November 25, 2005) Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, talks with the troops at FOB Duke as he makes a trip around AO Biloxi, the 155th BCT area of operations in Iraq, during a special holiday visit to let the troops of the 155th BCT know how proud their fellow Americans are of their soldiers from Mississippi. ( US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves )
	Forward Operating Base Dogwood, Iraq - (November 25, 2005) The Chief of National Guard Bureau, H. Steven Blum, adresses the troops of the 150th Engineer Battalion and other supporting units at FOB Dogwood and tells them how proud they can be for a job well done in a recent visit during the Thanksgiving Holiday season.  ( US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves )
	Forward Operating Base Dogwood, Iraq - (November 25, 2005) Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour cuts the first piece from a cake made in his honor at the request of Col. Roy Robinson, commander of the 150th Engineers, after Barbour talked to the troops at FOB Dogwood and tells them how proud they can be for a job well done in a recent visit during the Thanksgiving Holiday season. ( US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves )
	Iskandariyah, Iraq - (November 25, 2005) Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour thanks the troops at FOB Iskandariyah for a job well done in a recent visit during the Thanksgiving Holiday season. ( US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves )
	Iskandariyah, Iraq - (November 25, 2005) Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, Chief of National Guard Bureau, thanks the troops at FOB Iskandariyah for a job well done in a recent visit during the Thanksgiving Holiday season. ( US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves )
	Iskandariyah, Iraq - (November 25, 2005) Governor Haley Barbour pins the Purple Heart Medal on Sgt. Paul Posadas from Ft. Irwin, Ca. as Lt. Gen H. Steven Blum (r) and Mississippi Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Harold A. Cross observe in appreciation for his sacrifice and dedication to his country. ( US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves )
	Iskandariyah, Iraq - (November 25, 2005) Governor Haley Barbour accepts the Silver Star Medal awarded to Specialist Robert S. Pugh of Meridian, Miss. who, though critically wounded, helped save the life of one of his comrades, from Lt. Col. John Rhodes, commander of the "Mississippi Rifles" Battalion as Lt. Gen H. Steven Blum (r) and Mississippi Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Harold A. Cross observe in appreciation for his sacrifice and dedication to his country. ( US Army Photo by SFC Kevin W. Reeves )