Fort Riley soldiers returned from Iraq honored at Eisenhower Center celebration

By DAVID CLOUSTON

Salina Journal

ABILENE -- Afghanistan and Iraq are two totally different environments, each demanding different approaches by U.S. and allied forces engaged in the war on terrorism.

In Afghanistan, the enemy forces often engage with allied troops face to face, said Capt. Hector Vazquez. In Iraq the battle is fought more remotely, with improvised explosive devices and other hazards.

There's also a great difference in the terrain. At thousands of feet altitude, the mountain ranges of Afghanistan "can break you," said Vazquez, a member of the 1st Battalion, 63rd Regiment, Combined Arms Battalion, part of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, near Junction City.

"Afghanistan is a totally different fight. It's a ground fight, not a vehicle fight," Vazquez said. U.S. armored vehicles can navigate the roads in Iraq, which are mostly cement or hard tar. The roads that exist in Afghanistan are dirt.

"It's a (special forces) fight," he said. "That's what they train for."

Vazquez has seen both battle theaters firsthand on separate deployments. He and other members of the 1-63rd, known for their emblem, the Dragons, were guests of honor Saturday evening at a picnic, a concert by Fort Riley's 1st Infantry Division Band, and a fireworks display organized by the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.

The celebration was part of the Eisenhower center's observance of the 119th birthday of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Throughout the early evening, soldiers and their families gathered on the grounds, against a backdrop of autumn-colored trees, to munch hotdogs and hamburgers, play catch with their children and relax. Others took in a beer garden and German food served a few blocks away at the Kirby House restaurant.

All 865 soldiers with the battalion arrived home from Iraq near the end of September, after being deployed for 18 months.

"We thought this was a golden opportunity to say thank you to these soldiers and their families," said Director Karl Weissenbach. "I'm a firm believer in doing what we can to partner with the city of Abilene and Fort Riley."

The 1-63rd's mission in Iraq focused mostly on security, training Iraqi police and Army forces to be better prepared to take on the defense of their nation on their own, said Lt. Col. Jim Bradford, the battalion's commander.

The U.S. soldiers also worked on improving utilities and resources in the southern and western areas around Baghdad -- water, electricity, medical facilities and schools.

"We worked a lot with U.S. State Department officials to improve industry and agriculture as well," Bradford said.

Bradford said he personally saw "vast improvement" in the abilities of the Iraqi forces this time compared to his deployments in 2005 and 2006.

"They've made leaps and bounds in their ability to protect themselves -- and protect their citizens," he said.

n Reporter David Clouston can be reached at 822-1403 or by e-mail at dclouston@salina.com.

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A product of the 70's says....
Ike would be proud! Thanks soldiers for protecting the USA.
10/18/2009

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