For 'The Rock,' a long year ends

When the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment first entered Zabul Province, they didn’t know what to expect. No other American battalion had been deployed to the province for a full year before the soldiers from Vicenza, Italy, arrived in April 2005.

“I don’t know if I had any expectations on what a whole year was going to be like here,” Lt. Col. Mark Stammer, the battalion commander, said.

... “We thought we would be doing a lot more humanitarian work,” said Sgt. 1st Class David Cavataio, the top enlisted solider in Company C’s 1st Platoon. “But, after a few weeks, we were in our first firefight.” [ Read more ]

Sergeant risks own life to protect his men

Afghanistan. It was the last place Albert Galvan wanted to be. A U.S. Army staff sergeant in the 173rd Airborne, Galvan had spent 11 months in Iraq fighting for the cause, dodging bullets and trying to keep his men alive.

After that, he volunteered to load ships in Kuwait for three months, went home on leave, headed to Italy to retrain, and then ...

Afghanistan? Galvan didn't want to fight any more than the next guy, but Iraq was what his unit had trained for. He lobbied to get back to Iraq, but his requests were denied.

He was stuck in Afghanistan, a place Galvan and his unit had heard was pretty quiet. Nothing was going on.

[ Read more ]

Cpl. Tyler Wilson Honored

"The Outlook" 24 January 2006 - Cpl. Tyler Wilson, Chosen Company 2-503rd, was presented the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Global War on Terrorism, Expeditionary and Afghanistan Campaign Medals by Col. Robert Algermissen during a Dec. 22, 2005 awards ceremony. Wilson was injured last May while in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sky Soldiers Honored for Actions in Combat

Three Silver Stars and three Purple Hearts were presented to the soldiers for actions taken and injuries sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom VI. [ Read more ]

Local man decorated for service in Afghanistan

A local solider was recently honored for his actions taken and injuries sustained during Operation Enduring Freedom VI. Staff Sgt Matthew Blaskowski was shot through his right thigh during a fire fight with Taliban rebels. [ Read more ]

*ARCHIVE* Oct., 2004: USO Honors Sgt. Chris Holbrook

The USO honored the Army's Sgt. Christopher David Holbrook, an infantry team leader from St. Paul, Minn., for his selfless and courageous actions in saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.

While a member of a squad providing escort duties for a civilian team working to restore oil production in Iraq, the convoy Holbrook was escorting was ambushed, according to information in the event program. Although seriously wounded, he continued to drive when the convoy was ambushed again.

By this time, seven of the ten soldiers in the convoy had been wounded. Despite his injuries, Holbrook continued driving, breaking through the ambush zone and making it back to base so the wounded could get medical treatment. [ Read more ]

Chosen Few Continue to Eliminate Taliban

On 21 June 2005, Chosen Company upheld the reputation established in the Arghandab Valley, the reputation that the Chosen Few are the best soldiers to ever hit the ground of Afghanistan. Just North of the Chalbar Village in the Mineshin District, Chosen Company dealt yet another devastating blow to the Taliban regime. 2nd platoon, with elements from 1st platoon, 3rd platoon and the company headquarters, inserted and were almost immediately engaged by enemy forces. Initial reports say that up to 100 Taliban were eliminated during the 10 hour fight. Four members of the Chosen Few were wounded in action - SSG Michael Christian, SGT Travis Stoddard, PFC Joseph Lorman, and PFC Daniel Dedman; three of which were sent to Germany for additional treatment. The men of the Chosen Few acted with remarkable courage and unrelentless will, fighting valiantly until the day was over and the battle was won. Every day, the men make me more proud to say that I am a member of the Chosen Few. The resolve of Chosen Company has not begun to falter; we will continue to hunt down and eliminate the enemies of the United States.

May God Continue to Bless America.


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Updated section: Photos by SPC Lliteras , Training Events