1st Cav Cdr: Soldiers Key Ingredient in Deployment's Success

By Spc. Jeffrey LedesmaMarch 11, 2008

Brig. Gen. (P) Vincent Brooks
Brig. Gen. (P) Vincent K. Brooks, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, speaks to members of the Association of the United States Army's Central Texas - Ford Hood Chapter on the First Team's recent deployment to Iraq during a meeting at the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KILLEEN, Texas (Army News Service, March 11, 2008) - The commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division spotlighted the effects the First-Team-led troop surge had on violence in Iraq throughout the division's recent deployment during an Association of the United States Army chapter meeting here March 5.

"Al Qaeda has lost its grip on Iraq," Brig. Gen. (P) Vincent Brooks said. "It's lost its grip on the population," adding that troops looked the insurgency in the eye and broke its grasp.

Multi-National Division - Baghdad, a battle space in the heart of the Middle East, was taken over by the 1st Cavalry Division in November 2006 and since then reports have shown drastic improvements in the area.

For example, the murder rate decreased from 440 in the December 2006 to 45 a year later, "a significant reduction by any measure," Brooks said.

One of the terrorists' many modes of destruction was the vehicle-improvised explosive device, more commonly known as a car bomb or truck bomb. Brooks said they had one purpose and one purpose only: kill as many people as possible.

During the division's first month on the ground, 287 people were killed in vehicle bombs and by the last month there were 13 deaths, a 96 percent reduction. In addition, 674 people were injured that first month, while in November 2007, the month the division transferred the reigns to the 4th Infantry Division, 43 were wounded, a 94 percent reduction.

"These are just records, but more importantly, these are human lives that have been spared," reminded the commander.

Brooks explained that the insurgents' effectiveness went down because Soldiers were starting to understand how the networks were functioning and engaged the people who organized the attacks straight on.

In addition to security, economic growth was also important to success. Brooks said that things were done at the lower levels, from battalion commanders to first sergeants to privates, to help stimulate the local economies.

"I think he really got down to our perspective as the lower men on the totem pole, seeing every single day we were out there doing that same thing. He nailed it - that's how it was," said Staff Sgt. Ken Thomas, a cavalry scout from the1st "Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team.

Soldiers on the street assisted local merchants in getting their businesses going again. As a result, Brooks said, people could "earn money a different way," and wouldn't be forced into planting bombs or by overlooking someone who was trying to pass a checkpoint for money.

Brooks stated that one good example of that economic success is the once Al-Qaeda infested Doura Market that went from having one open shop to more than 400 by the time the division redeployed.

"The reason it worked is because of our Soldiers...courageous, aggressive, smart, adaptive, still-young men and women for all over our nation...fighting for a noble cause, truly Army strong - they were all that," Brooks said.

"It did work because...we were out there everyday interacting with the people, the children, giving them fresh water, the means to support their families," said Thomas. "Our presence there made it safe for a lot of people so they could flourish."

Brooks played video clips displaying moments of valor that gave credit to Soldiers who, under combat pressure, showed courage and heroism. One of those Soldiers he highlighted was Thomas.

"Here we have a Soldier operating in a patrol boat (and the) situation goes really bad," Brooks said. "Imagine yourself under fire...on the Tigris River, (you) have to get out of that boat, swim to cover wearing body armor and carrying a weapon, then get out of the water and up the side of the hill...(while exposed) the whole time.

"(He) finds a fence - it's electrified. (He) cuts it anyway, cuts through it being shocked the whole time."

Brooks went on to ask the people in attendance if they want to know what a hero looks like.

"That's what a hero looks like," he said. "They're in and amongst you all the time."

Watching the screen and listening to the words defining her husband as a "true hero," Thomas' wife Christi said it was so hard not to cry.

"We don't talk about that kind of thing, but I am very, very proud of him," she said. "He is a wonderful Soldier and a wonderful husband."

The Soldier and father said it feels great to be a part of the history and success the division has made in Iraq.

"I am proud of what I did, what every one of my Soldiers did and all my leadership," Thomas said. "It feels good, but at the same time it's a shame the rest of the guys who were with me that day aren't here to take some of this in.

"Too bad more people couldn't be recognized for actions that happened that day."

"I hope I just wet your appetite a little bit tonight," Brooks said and challenged to audience to seek out Soldiers who have just returned, to make that connection, and get the rest of the story.

(Spc. Jeffrey Ledesma serves with the 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office.)