U.S.M.C.        

                   3D 155s MIKE 4/12

      I am winding down a two year tour for the State Department in Iraq.  Initially I was led to believe I would be training Iraqi police in basic police courses.  Didn't quite work out that way, which led to commanding a sixty man SWAT team.  We do high risk entries, sniper overwatches, baited ambushes, and cordon searches.  This is done in conjunction with coalition forces & at times, Iraqi Security Forces.  The past two years has been one heck of a ride, at times sad, at other times satisfying.  Although I am tasked to supplement the Army, it has none the less,been a honor to serve with soldiers of the three different brigades.  Irregardless of ones view on the current state of affairs here, we owe a debt of graditude to the ones who serve our nation today.  Many of them I have served with went home in flag draped caskets.  They are our nations youth as we were almost forty years ago.  I have been a police officer since leaving the Corp in 1971.  To be able to serve my country one last time, to be deemed fit to train and lead is humbling.  Planning missions, reviewing target packages, and lastly actioning the objectives takes my full consentration.  I have meant to write many times, but kept putting it off.  My end of mission is February 13th and I had hoped to return to our small farm in central Virginia.  Alas, the State Department has a new mission for me in Afghanistan and I believe I'll be spending the remainder of 2007 and possibly several months of 2008 there.  It is my sincere hope that when ever I call it quits that I will be able to attend one of the reunions for Mike 4/12.

I have been in contact with Joel on several occasions.  The Wachas have kept me in Redman and I appreciate their kindness.

As we approach our birthday on November 10th, I would like to wish the very best to you and yours.

A part of Mike 4/12 remains in service.

Semper Fi,

Greg