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August 25, 2004
August update from Col. Tucker
Here's the latest from RCT-7:
Dated Aug 21 2004The last month has been a busy time of change in the RCT-7 AO; a trend that will continue as the battalions that arrived with us last February are replaced by newcomers. TF 3/4 was replaced in July by TF 1/8 out of Camp Lejeune NC. As I write, the advance parties for the Battalions coming in to replace TF 2/7, 3/7, and 1st LAR are on board. Over the next month we will assimilate our new brothers-in-arms, and continue to march forward with the same lines of operation and successes that have characterized our operations thus far.
The AO has been relatively quiet over the last weeks. The enemy still engages in cowardly attacks against the Iraqi people, the Iraqi Security Forces, and the Marines employing IEDs and indirect fire. But we continue to rock him on his heels with precision raids, tighter control of the border areas, and the professional presence of Marines providing security alongside the ISF for the people in these communities. Since my last letter, we have seen promising progress in the eastern portion of the AO. A Police Academy and Border Police Academy have been established at Al Asad; a corrupt mayor and corrupt police chief have been forced out of their jobs through pressure applied by the citizens of the communities involved. The Iraqi National Guard continue to grow in competence and professionalism. Local citizens live free of fear from terrorists and criminal overlords. Kids go to school [and play on swing sets provided by Marines], markets are busy and, in a promising development, political parties are beginning to coalesce. This is what victory in counterinsurgency looks like.
In the western portion of the AO we continue to successfully capture and kill terrorists and violent criminals. TF LAR, TF 3/7, and 1st Force Recon have had remarkable success working their way up the terrorist cell structure.
All of these battalions will depart here justifiably proud of their accomplishments. I am in absolute awe of these young men; the deed of the sons have exceeded the deeds of the father, and these men and these units will march into a proud history unencumbered by the dynamics of political agendas and press profits.
Ok..only a couple of pictures this week…
SgtMaj Freed and MgySgt Garcia enjoying an evening cup of espresso Iraqi Border Police border "fort" under construction on the Iraqi-Syrian Border. The RCT is currently managing an $11M contract to build 24 of these Detachment, CO half-way through a 300 mile patrol through the central desert. I speak to every Marine of the arriving Bns. Their intelligence, sense of duty, and perspective are remarkable. They ask questions ranging from small tactical issues to large and significant strategic issues. They fully understand the complexities of U.S. policy and their own role in the future of Iraq. We are striving to establish the rule of law in a country where terror, intimidation, and fear once ruled. A daunting task. But day-by-day, we see progress. How far that progress extends will rightly depend on the will of American people. I was asked by a young Marine yesterday to encapsulate our tasks in a few words. My response: Provide a bulwark against the instruments of terror to allow the rule of law to take root; train the Iraqi Security Forces to do what we are doing now and kill anyone who has a problem with that; accomplish all three of those tasks without harming a single innocent Iraqi and without a single Marine in this RCT losing his moral compass. We continue to march forward on those tasks. Given time that success will be complete.
RCT-7 remembers the sacrifices of Cpl T.J Godwin, 1st Bn 8th Marines, killed in action on July 20, 2004 vic Fallujah, Iraq; GySgt E.P. Fontecchio, 3d Bn 7th Marines, killed in action August 4, 2004 vic Husaybah, Iraq; LCpl J.L. Nice, 3d Bn 7th Marines, killed in action August 4, 2004 vic Husaybah Iraq; LCpl K.M. Funke, 2d Bn 7th Marines, killed in action August 13, 2004 vic Hit, Iraq; and Sgt R.M. Lord, 1st Bn 8th Marines killed in action August 18, 2004 vic Haditha, Iraq.
Please remember their family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
Share your Courage.
C.A. Tucker
Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps
CO, RCT-7.
My son left this morning to join the RCT-7. Knowing that men like Col. Tucker will command overall operations is reassuring.
Posted by Deb at August 25, 2004 12:42 PM
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» Let Us Not Forget Our Troops.... from Blogs for Bush
...and let us thank God that we have such magnificent men and women ready at our nation's call. The indispensible Donald Sensing of One Hand Clapping links us to this brief encapsulation of our mission in Iraq as stated by... [Read More]
Tracked on August 26, 2004 10:29 PM
» In a nutshell from murdoc online
The Marines' mission made simple Donal Sensing points out a post at Marine Corps Moms that includes a letter from Colonel C.A. Tucker, commanding officer of RCT-7 in Iraq. Inluded in the letter is the colonel's response to a question... [Read More]
Tracked on August 27, 2004 08:25 AM
Comments
What unit is your son in? Mine is 1/7 Bravo.
Posted by: Debbie Lee at September 23, 2004 10:05 AM
Not to turn the thread, but do not forget that today is National Coffee Day! Free coffee from several of the biger outfits. There is a list of national and local stores participating!
Posted by: coffee at September 30, 2011 02:31 AM
This is so true. Thank you so much for your help.
Posted by: Kaley Rewis at November 16, 2011 03:00 PM
In my residence when I take bored, afterward I simply ON my computer and open YouTube website to watch the YouTube videos.
Posted by: Melody Bramble at November 27, 2011 04:58 PM