In Touch With Our Troops
Continued from last month...
From: SGT Rodriguez, Christopher
Subject: A. Co. 2nd PLT 2-7 INF
Re: Another Army Unit with Lighting Concerns
Dear Mr. Snow,
Yes our address has
changed. We’ve already
pushed closer to the border
and travel up to 70 miles on
certain missions. These lights
will get some pretty good
use. The Iraqi Army kept on
stealing the lights the Army
gave us, but we won’t have
that problem here. If we decide to put them on the Bradley’s in
addition to the HMMWVs we’ll have to convert the 24V system.
I’m going to talk to my mechanics.
If you could please send me a subscription to this new
address. For some reason not every copy makes it to my home
address. Then my wife has to put them in a care package.
As we say over the net (radio), “tango mike” which means
THANKS MUCH!
SGT Rodriguez
From: SGT Rodriguez, Christopher
Dear Mr. Snow
Talked with the mechanics and I’m guessing this is the way
the other unit did it also. Simply connecting them in series to
split the voltage...
SGT Rodriguez
From:SGT Rodriguez, Christopher
Dear Mr. Snow
Our mission has changed and we will be putting them on
Bradley fighting vehicles + HMMWVs (both have 24v systems).
Running at night across the desert has taken out a
vehicle already in our company. The Wadis (def. the bed or
valley of a stream in regions of southwestern Asia and northern
Africa that is usually dry except during the rainy season
and that often forms an oasis) and hilly terrain are brutal on
anything that attempts to cross it. Last mission we traveled
over 150 miles (day/night). I’ve attached a couple of pictures.
Thanks for everything,
SGT Rodriguez
From: Braden, Christopher R CPT
Subject: Replacement info
Denis,
My replacement is CPT Michael Bush. He is the
Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) commander
with 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry out of New York.
I briefed him up on Operation Light Saber and he is looking
forward to working with you and the team. Interesting side
note, I received a partial shipment of lights yesterday — 4 out
of 30 and 15 wiring kits. I’ve given CPT Bush instructions to
keep any packages that arrive in my name with autoparts as
the contents so he can continue to receive the shipments.
Thank you for your continual support.
Chris
To: CPT Mike Bush HHC, 1-87 IN
Subject: Re: Replacement info
Cc: Chris Braden
Michael,
Hello. Sounds like Capt. Braden has given you the low-down
about our Operation Light Sabre program. I have attached files
of articles on OLS to help get you up to speed on how all this
started. Please send me your complete mailing address so we
can start sending lights directly to you. And, just to let you
know, we have started to send lights to other Companies in
Iraq. Also, if you think your guys would like to read Off-Road
Adventures, I can have a box (usually 70-90 copies) sent to
you each month. As we did with Bravo Co., we’d like to get a
group photo of your company to put in the magazine. Looking
forward to working with you on this project. Stay Safe!
Regards, Denis Snow
From: CPT Mike Bush HHC, 1-87 IN
Denis,
Thank you very much for your quick email. I look forward to
continuing this excellent program. I think a lot of the soldiers
in my taskforce don’t even know where these lights are coming
from, so I’ve been talking it up, as much as I understand,
based off what CPT Braden has told me so far. I will send you
a photo and other information as soon as I can get it together.
Many of my company are very busy right now as CPT
Braden’s unit goes home and we transition in.
Thank you, Mike