Friends and Family of the Washington Artillery,

October was another busy month for the Soldiers of 1-141st Field Artillery Battalion as we continued our mission of advising and assisting the 56th Iraqi Army. Our Soldiers have developed close friendships with Soldiers of the Iraqi Army and will miss them when they return home. Many of them hope that there will be a time in the future when they can return to the International Zone as tourists. They would love to see the improvements and visit the Iraqi friends they made on their deployment.

CSM Daigle, Chaplain Brooks and I were able to convoy up to Tikrit, Mosul and Balad, Iraq to visit the 1/141 FA BN Soldiers. The trip took us five days on a three MRAP convoy. On the first day, we drove for three hours up to Tikrit and had a great visit with Golf Company. We have not seen them since we re-task organized in July so it was really great to see them. We took the opportunity to hand out battalion coins and to update them on the status of the battalion and the upcoming events. The next day we drove for about four hours up to Mosul to visit with our Soldiers. We handed out the battalion coins and spent some quality time with the Soldiers. The visit was short-lived because we departed the following day and returned back to Tikrit and continued our visit with Golf Company.

It was perfect timing because we got there in time to watch the Golf Company Madden Football Charity Event. The Soldiers from Golf Company wanted to raise money for the MAJ Wayne Culver Memorial (Executive Officer of the 2-108th Cavalry Squadron who was killed earlier in the deployment) so they developed a video football tournament. They picked teams out of a hat and ran the tournament on two flat screen televisions. The event lasted all day so that Soldiers could participate in between missions. It was great for morale and a great way support our sister unit.

On the fourth day we rolled down to Balad and visited the 1-141 FA BN Soldiers stationed there. We had another great visit with our troops and those of 3-156 Infantry from Lake Charles. Golf Company had some Soldiers there and we were able to give them their coins as well. We remained there for two days so that MSG Sellen could compete in the “Army 10-miler” representing the battalion. He placed second out of over 100 participants. After the race we returned to the International Zone. The Alpha battery crews did a great job taking us across the northern portion of Iraq.

The weather in Iraq finally cooled down a bit. High temperatures are now in the 80’s with lows in the 60’s. We also took advantage of it from a training perspective. We conducted Individual Weapons Qualifications (IWQ) and the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Alpha Battery has also started training with the Australian Army contingent so that they can be mutually supportive on operations. The nicer weather has also afforded the Soldiers the opportunity to enjoy being outside. You see many more of them running outside instead of in the gym on treadmills.

Everyone was excited about Halloween because of the multiple events that were sponsored. There was a duathlon in the morning that required you to run two miles, bike 10-miles on a stationary bike set on level-10, then run two miles. On Halloween night, there was a costume party hosted by MWR. Many Soldiers participated in costumes they ordered on line or made themselves. Both events were great for morale.

Our Soldiers continue to do great things. They have successfully completed every mission asked of them most times setting new standards with their performance. The 256IBCT patch is recognized across Iraq as the standard bearer of professionalism. I am honored to serve with such patriots.

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