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May 13, 2006
Update from Camp Fallujah
Here's an update from Col. Larry D. Nicholson, commander of RCT-5 :
Dear Families and Friends of the Regiment,Already May, and after nearly 3 months in Iraq, we are really starting to hit our stride and find our daily rhythm. So many great things being done by our Marines, Sailors, and yes Soldiers. Most of these things never make the news, but I am immensely proud of our accomplishments and the manner in which we are treating the Iraqi people.
Currently we have 3/5, 1/1, 2/6, and 1st RECON BN on deck along with Tank, AAV, Engineer, and Arty Company's / Batteries from both coasts. Nearly 5 thousand folks on RCT-5 morning reports and this is just the US side. We also have 5 Battalions of Iraqis working under the RCT-5 banner, and with them our daily count is near 8 thousand. So as you might imagine, we are exceptionally busy moving all of these units and personnel in the same direction every day. We are also in the middle of unit turnovers for some of our Battalions, and this complex and challenging process is going very well so far.
Life inside Camp Fallujah is "almost" comfortable in the sense that the weather is still nice, California like in fact, and the food and billeting for all hands is much improved from my last trip here. This does not mean however that we do not need care packages from home. We each look forward to the mail trucks arrival and just like kids at Christmas, can"t wait to rip into those packages.
I am very encouraged by the great participation of our families back home in attending our sponsored events. Our family network is doing a wonderful job of keeping the lines of communications open and providing the critical support required for our family team.
On a sad note we morn the loss of LTCOL Jay Bargeron and Capt Jason Freeby's fathers these past few weeks. Our prayers are with them, their families, and all of our Marines and Sailors who have suffered family losses or illness during this period.
Thanks you again for your continued strong support of your Marine and Sailor, there is no way any of us could make this deployment successful, and stay focused on our important work, without the dedicated support of our loved ones back home. I very much look forward to writing to you again in June.
Semper Fidelis,
L.D.Nicholson
CO RCT-5
Comfortable weather is a relative statement - other reports indicate that temperatures are ranging upwards of 100 each day. I'm adding powdered Gatorade to each care package - staying hydrated is essential in the desert heat and Gatorade helps. And, I'm sending a couple dozen pairs of socks a month since it is essential to change socks frequently - my son said he'd pour a pint of sweat out of each boot at the end of the day. The comfort of a new pair of socks cannot be overestimated.
Deb
Posted by Deb at May 13, 2006 01:03 PM
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