Friends and Family of the Washington Artillery,

We have had a great month in July because we finally got everyone out of Tallil, Iraq. It took us quite a while to get our Convoy Security Mission equipment turned in to a materials storage facility. Typically, there is another unit that arrives in country and replaces you. All that is required is a joint inventory then they take over your equipment and continue your established mission. There was no one replacing us because the mission went away as part of the responsible draw-down of forces in Iraq. Our equipment was inventoried, repaired and sent out of Tallil. We had to leave a few Soldiers back to complete that task but they finally joined us in Baghdad.

The Soldiers have been doing a great job on our new missions in Iraq. I am very proud of their professionalism. They enthusiastically took on each mission with a sense of purpose and pride that only comes from really great units. Each of the batteries and company has established a reputation for deliberate decision-making, resourcefulness and just good Soldiering. It has been a real pleasure to watch them grow as cohesive units and mature individually.

Another thing that stands out is that they are all getting in really good shape. You can always find Soldiers of the Washington Artillery in the gym at all hours of the day or night. Some of our Soldiers have really odd work hours but when they are off-duty, they are in the gym. Many of them participate in the many Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) events that are offered on post. We have already had a dodge-ball tournament, horseshoe tournament, volleyball tournament and billiards tournament. There is nothing like playing sports at night in temperatures over 100 degrees. We have to play at night because it is too hot in the day. We also have an outside coffee house that plays movies on a twelve-by-twelve foot screen outside. It is nice to sit outside and watch movies but again you have to tolerate the heat.

Do not let me give you the wrong impression, the troops are busy and they field teams for these events with many alternate players because of mission requirements. Another thing that is neat is the opportunity that we have to meet Soldiers and civilians from many other nations. We work daily with the Iraqi Army. They are a great group of professionals that are just like us in many ways. We also work with Australians, Danes, Brits and Italians. There is a United Nations Mission on the International Zone made up of many other nations. One of the most prominent is a contingent from the Pacific Island of Fiji. Alpha Battery fielded a volleyball team that played a great match against KBR employees from the Balkan States (formerly Yugoslavia). We also have a large contingent of personnel from Uganda and Chile. It is really interesting to meet so many people from different cultures. Fortunately, I have seen the movie the “Lion King” several times because of my kids. I am able to speak to the Ugandan’s courtesy of Disney. A daily “jambo rafikki “ (good morning friend) or “ a kuna mattada” (everything is okay) goes a long way.

You should be very proud of your Soldiers. They are doing exceptionally well and are making the best out of this mission. They stay extremely busy at work, in the gym and on the ball field to simply make time fly. Everyone is anxious to get home to their families in time for Christmas. That is right, I said it; home for Christmas. I cannot give you the exact dates for OPSEC reasons but they will be home in time to open presents. Thank you all for your support. I am honored to command such a fine group of great American Patriots.

Try Us!
LTC Champagne
1-141 Field Artillery Battalion
Commanding