Departing Troops

As a quick reference here I am posting a summary of the troops who are no longer "in theater" and are back in home base. Be sure to check often if you are not sure about your soldier or sailor. Remember also to review the status of the "back-up name" given to you for your Customs Forms. In the left column, under "Grouped Topics", you may find several postings for your soldier or sailors' unit with more specific information.

For those of you with soldiers still in Iraq: It's time to send out those 4th of July packages! A card at least, although some fun "party" decorations would add to their cheer!

Leaving in May and June 2008:

• 1LT Fukuzawa & unit
• 720 MP
  
• USS CARNEY returned to home port in Florida on June 4th
• 972MP, FOB Freedom
  

Left Iraq April 2008:

• D COMPANY, 1-181 INF BN

Back home in February and March 2008:

• CAMP LIBERTY soldiers of A CO, 1-64 AR, UNIT #43435
• MNC-I PAO, CAMP VICTORY
• K-9 Unit: SGT James Hazelton & SGT Stone. I did receive some replacement names.
• Tom Reed, CPT

January 2008 departures:

• 293 Military Police
• Sean Burke & unit

December 2007 departures:

• 97th MPs
• FOB Freedom (Note: a 2nd group stationed here -- the 972MP -- came in to me in early 2008, and are leaving in June 2008)

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Troop Updates - many changes

The Troops we are supporting in "D COMPANY, 1-181 INF BN", are leaving Iraq this month. No further mail should be sent.

1LT Fukuzawa and his unit will be leaving Iraq in June.

The sailors on the USS CARNEY will be cruising back into their home port in Florida in June. I think they may be heading back out to sea a month later.

My notes say the CAMP LIBERTY soldiers of A CO, 1-64 AR, UNIT #43435, are going home.

Also: MNC-I PAO, CAMP VICTORY, troops are back at home base now, I believe.

In mid-June, our troops at FOB FREEDOM, the 972 MILITARY POLICE COMPANY, will also be going home. Cheerful notes from their sponsors would be nice as they endure their last 2 months.

Since the 720 MILITARY POLICE are returning to home base next month, their mail should stop soon AND if you were given a 720 APO address as the "back-up" name for your Customs Declaration form, you should no longer use it. I can assign another.

If you have different re-deployment dates for the soldier unit you are corresponding with, please send me a correction.

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Our D Company troops are re-deploying

Today I received word that our D Company troops, 1-181 Inf BN, are also departing from Iraq soon. No further mail should be sent.

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The 720th MP is leaving soon

Just a reminder that the soldiers we are supporting in the 720th Military Police will be leaving Iraq in a little over a month. It would be great to get them all one more card or letter!

I'll really miss those "Notes From Drew" - CSM Drew Craig!

If you would like a replacement soldier, let me know. I'm expecting to get a list of the troops coming in after the 720th.

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Canine Unit

SGT James Hazelton is departing and sends his THANKS to all of you who supported him and his canine partners. SGT Stone left last month. I did receive some replacement names and will be passing those along to the people on my waiting list.

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The Navy!

The USS Carney & crew are the newest members of "Aunt Nancy USA" troops! I could use a few new sponsors for some of the guys, just until June. Most get on email daily.

Update March 18: no new names came in, yet. I have a waiting list of about 20. As soon as I receive some new troops I will get them out to you who are waiting.

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The USS Carney is out to sea for 7 months.
Here's the ship's website: http://www.carney.navy.mil/
Click here for some history!

Here's some of what they do for fun:

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NOTE:
June 4, 2008 -- The USS Carney reached home port in Jacksonville, Florida!

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General Petreaus AND Aunt Nancy USA

Here's just one of the many pictures I received today from CSM Drew Craig (720 Military Police) in one of his "Notes from Drew" emails. As always, I forward his emails to those of you who have asked to be on that special distribution. If you enlarge the photo you might be able to read the names on their uniforms and find your soldier.

Some of his other pictures were soldiers in the 720 and 59th MP, with Iraqi police, several with General Petreaus, and hey, THIS note which mentions our program!

From Drew: "Soldiers of the battalion headquarters all got a Valentine's Day gift from a supporter through AuntNancyUSA.com*. These folks that send support packages have no idea how much they improve morale here for our troopers. We are thankful for them, and "thank you" never seems enough to say." [from Nancy: notice all the candy is in sealed plastic bags. A VERY good idea. Sand gets into everything there.]
"As of today, we have 83 days until we turn the mission over to the 793rd MP Battalion, and less than 90 days until we return home to Fort Hood. We're all looking forward to getting home and reuniting with family, but it still seems a long time for us. Everyone remains well and focused on the mission at hand, and we still have much to do before its time to release responsibility to our replacements."

*Note: CSM Craig mistakenly lists my website as AuntNancy.com in his email. Just for the heck of it I typed that in and found someone who is using that site name to make money linking people to sites that sell care packages. The domain owner also has 99 other sites so he must be good at finding ways to make money from people who don't remember or know actual websites they are looking for. Just FYI.

*2nd Note: I replied to CSM Drew Craig about correcting my website name, and the fact that it was fun to be mentioned in the same email as was General Petreaus. Here's Drew's reply:
LOL, you are MORE important to us than General Petreaus. I will make
the correction with those that I write regarding the website, Nancy.
Drew
Gauntlet 7
"Soldiers of the Gauntlet"

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CPT Tom Reed is heading home

Hi Aunt Nancy
I would like to thank you for sponsoring me. I really appreciate all the support I have been getting. Could you please remove my name from your list, I will be heading home for good at the end of February.
V/r
Tom Reed

CPT EN
TF1636
181 IN FOB EN

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The 581 ASMC: COB vs. FOB

Here's a note from a soldier about "COB" locations like these guys are at:

...soldiers that are living out in the very austere Combat Outposts (COP) are the center piece of General Petreaus' surge plan. These Soldiers live and work VERY close to the Iraqi citizens as opposed to on large Forward Operating Bases (FOB) like the one I live on here at the Airport. Because these places are small and house only a small number of Soldiers, the amenities that we get here are simply not available. They get 1 hot meal per day (sometimes none), they get a shower once a week (sometimes 10 days) and they have no TV, limited internet and they feel extremely isolated. In addition, the threat the Soldiers live with is huge. In my 4 visits to this particular COP, the place has come under some sort of attack EVERY time. Mortars and sniper fire is DAILY business for these Soldiers. Life is HARD for them. The upside is that they become the tightest of squads and platoons, and contrary to what one might expect...morale is HIGH. These Soldiers are on the front line of this war, and on their shoulders rests the total weight of our success or failure.

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D Company, 1-181 Infantry

Have you heard from a soldier in D Company, 1-181 Infantry? I have not heard from my contact in awhile and am looking to confirm their status in Iraq. Let me know if your troop has replied lately.

Here's one response 2/04/08:

"dclow" said...

I have friend from my hometown who is in D Company, 1-181 Infantry. They are doing well and still serving in Iraq. They are expecting to be there another 5-7 months. They are working long hours and not always able to write. Please continue to send support it is very much appreciated.

Here's a response I received FROM Delta Company today, Feb. 5th:
Aunt Nancy,
My name is SFC Michael L., Platoon Sergeant.
Let me start by saying thank you for all that you do. I know my soldiers appreciate it. There is a special kind of feeling that comes from knowing that someone you do not even know cares about you.
I would like to assure you that SPC M. has been receiving her mail regularly. I do not know if she has received any mail from the individual that emailed you. The Army postal system is actually very good about getting soldiers their mail and I was wondering if there was, perhaps, an error in the address label.
Again, thank you for all that you do.

Michael L., SFC
Delta Company
1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment

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New FOB Freedom group: 972 MPCo

We have a new unit at Forward Operating Base FREEDOM:
The 972th Military Police Company, a National Guard unit out of Boston.

They have already been in Iraq several months, and expect to leave in June 2008. Make note of that if you have a soldier in this unit.

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Thanks from 18th Military Police Brigade

The 18th MPB has been deployed to Iraq three times now. The first time, March 2003, included my niece, CPT Mann, and is when "Aunt Nancy USA" was born. With your help we have supported this unit all three times.

MAJOR DEWEY, of the 18th MPB, sent this Thank-You along this week. If you haven't heard back from your soldier in this unit, he helps explain why.

We all have enjoyed the nice treats you sent last month. I shared them with the other guys here in my office. In fact, if you'd like to do us all another favor, might I request some flavored coffee creamers especially Irish Cream (my personal favorite). The majority of the soldiers assigned to the brigade headquarters would all appreciate this.

We have a little coffee shop in our brigade headquarters and we have a hard time getting things like that here. We would all enjoy it and I'll put a note up letting everyone know it was courtesy of you and your family.

Our brigade is extremely busy right now, engaged in the mission to expand the Iraqi police forces. A very daunting but rewarding mission.

So, forgive us if we don't return your emails right away. We do appreciate the support of the folks back home like yourselves.

Take care and God bless.

Sincerely,

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
Find a way or make a way

Larry C. Dewey
MAJ, PTT Chief
18th Military Police Brigade
Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq

Here's his earlier email to his sponsor:

Chad,
Thank you so much for your kind gift. I received your package today and I especially enjoy the beef jerky and cookies. The batteries should be enough to get me through the rest of the deployment, about 12 more months. One of my sergeants put my name in Aunt Nancy for me, so I was pleasantly surprised to receive your package. It is grateful, patriotic Americans like yourself that make this job worthwhile.

Don't worry about not including phone cards. I personally don't use them as I am able to talk to my family regularly over the computer and military phone lines. Not all soldiers are so fortunate as to have modern communications systems if they live in remote base camps and outposts.

My brigade has a very exciting mission here in Iraq; to mentor, train, and develop the Iraqi Police, particularly in Baghdad. It is a very challenging, but rewarding mission and we have a very close and personal relationship with the Iraqi Police leadership.

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thanks again for your thoughtful gift.

Sincerely,

Larry C. Dewey
Major, Police Transition Team Chief
18th Military Police Brigade

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18th MPB - Rank updates for "ASG" rank

I can't get emails out to all of you so here is the list. Names will be shortened for security reasons, but you should not have trouble identifying yours. There are two groups below. If you have received an email response from your soldier, please let me know.

SPC	ADC, K
SPC	BAS, J
SSG	BASS, P
PFC	BOY, J
PFC	BROD, BR
PFC	CAN, J
PFC	CHAP, G
SFC	CUTH, E
2LT	GEH, C.
MSG	GIL, T
CPL	HEA, C
PFC	HEL, S
SGT	HOU, S
PFC	KIN, D
PFC	LANG, M
SGT	LUM, J
SPC	MCDO, EA
PFC	McNI, C
PFC	MUR, PA
SPC	NETH, BRA
SPC	OLI, DA
PFC	RIS, TO
PFC	ROB, AS
SGT	ROD, JU
SGT	SAL, AN
SSG	SHIF, KE
SGT	SHIF, ME
SSG	VAU, DW
SPC	YBA, J

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SSG	ALL, D
MSG	AND, DA
SGM	ARBE, M
LTC	BAKT, P
MAJ	BEAM, D
SGT	BLA, R
SGT	BLOTT, D
SFC	BUTL, D
2LT	BUZA, FE
CPT	BYRU, V
SSG	CART, D
PFC	CHRIS, K
SPC	COLEM, L
PV2	COLV, N
SGT	CORTN, L
MAJ	CRANFO, R
SFC	DAV, DE
MAJ	DAY, M
1LT	DELON, D
MAJ	DEW, L
CPT	DUNL, B
SPC	ELL, G
SFC	FERN, R
SSG	FLO, J
SFC	FOWL, O
MSG	FRAN, T
PFC	GARD, E
1LT	GIAQ, JO
SGT	GOMEZ M
MAJ	GRAHE, K
CPT	GRE, A
PFC	HAMIL, E
SPC	HEA, R
SPC	HENDE, A
SGT	HIL, N
SFC	HOR, ST
SSG	HUF G
MAJ	INDOV, M
SFC	JON, B
MSG	KILG, J
SGT	KLASS, J
SPC	LAFRAM, A
MSG	LAMPK, W
SSG	LAY, IB
SFC	LEAR, B
1SG	LEWI, M
MAJ	LOMBA, TH
SFC	LOPE, NA
SSG	LOREN, EM
MAJ	MCCON, D
CPT	MCGR, H
CSM	MCPHER, B
SFC	MENE, J
SSG	MITS, P
LTC	MOC, R
SGT	MUR, D
SPC	OBAN, J
CPT	OWENSFIL, B
SSG	PHENG, S
SPC	PHIL, J
SFC	REY, MI
SGT	RHOA, C
SPC	SAGARDI, J
CW3	SCHUS C
SGT	SINGL, J
CPT	SPEE, S
CPT	SPERL, F
COL	SPIND, M
MSG	STEP, O
SFC	STEW, J
SGT	SUG, TS
SGT	THOM, JA
SFC	THOMP, RO
SGT	TOK, Br
SGT	TRA, B
WO1	WAL, R
SSG	WAT, J
SFC	WEST, Z
SFC	WHIT, D
PFC	WILLI, JE
SGT	WILL, RE

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K-9 Unit change

Sgt James Hazelton's canine unit has a new address. No move, just different mailing codes. If you are sponsoring him/them and plan to continue to do so, you may ask me for the information. I don't post addresses online.

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293 MP Company Update

The troops of the 293 Military Police Company will be redeploying out of Iraq at the end of January. One last card or note might be great, but anything sent after January 15, 2008, will probably NOT be received by your soldier.

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97th MP - no longer accepting mail

The 97th MP has left the theater as of November 2007. They are back at home base and mail will no longer be accepted at the APO address we have been using for the past year.

Thanks to all of you who supported these men and women!!


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CHRISTMAS PROJECT COMPLETE & troop updates

Thanks to everyone for their Christmas
support of the troops!

I am finishing up with any new "assignments" in the next day or two. I'll be back after the holidays for regular "Support The Troops" and "Adopt-a-Soldier" activities throughout the year.

PHOTOS: If you took pictures of you and your family/friends preparing packages and/or stockings for the troops, please send me a copy (if it is OK to post it here.)

See my Blog entries below for all kinds of information if you have already been given a soldier to support.

Also note this info on a troop you might be assigned:

97th MP Bn is leaving theater mid-December. No further mail should be sent. I expect to get their replacements names by January.

Sean Burke - out of theater after first of the year.

FOB Freedom - the fellows I have in this group are already headed back to the USA. See specific Blog entry below.

SCHOOL TEACHERS PLEASE NOTE: Many school email filters are blocking my replies. If you have been waiting to hear from me, that is probably why you have not. Please send me your personal, or alternate, email address, and I'll get you a soldier. (I've replied to all mail as of November 28, 2007!)

SPAM: Be sure to add my email address to your contacts to keep my messages out of your TRASH or SPAM files. It doesn't help all the time, but often it does.

Do not send cards to the WALTER REED ARMY HOSPITAL at the address listed on my website. My contact is no longer there, and your cards will not be delivered. . . and NEVER send cards to "Any Soldier" etc. For security reasons they will be trashed.

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FOB FREEDOM - two groups

Note: February 2008 -- I have received another unit stationed at Forward Operating Base Freedom: The 972 Military Police. They expect to be in Iraq until June 2008.

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GOOD NEWS FOR OUR 2007 TROOPS AT FORWARD OPERATING BASE FREEDOM! They are on their way back to the good ol' USofA!

Tough news for those of us sending packages to them. Unfortunately this seems to happen to me every year with at least one unit. I don't have all the details, nor close enough contacts with some of the units to get notice far enough in advance.

IF YOU HAVE A SOLDIER IN THIS GROUP: You may email me with a request for a replacement (Put "FOB FREEDOM replacement" in the subject line and I'll work on those emails first.) If you already sent a package it might get returned to you or forwarded on.
We don't get consistent responses. I've received packages back as late as February and March.

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18th MPB - Rank updates for "ASG"

NOTE: if you received a soldier in the 18th MPB with the Rank shown as: "ASG" -- that was incorrect. I have the correct info now, but may not have time to email all of you individually.

Just mail without the Rank. We'll catch up after Thanksgiving!

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FOB Freedom - out of Iraq

November 24, 2007: Our FOB Freedom group is currently on its way back to the USA.

Note February 2008: we have a new unit at Forward Operating Base Freedom -- 972 MP

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