Kershaw sends letter to Fort Drum families about search for search for missing soldiers

Above: Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division rest today during the search for three of their comrades still missing


The following is the text of a letter sent by Colonel Michael Kershaw to families at Fort Drum, where the missing soldiers from Saturday's ambush are based:

Commando Families and North Country Friends:

Just before dawn on the morning of May 12th one of our 2nd Brigade Combat Team patrols was attacked by Anti-Iraqi forces. The patrol's mission was to prevent the enemy from emplacing roadside bombs in an area known for its improvised explosive device (IED) activity. The attack was coordinated and well-planned and included the placement of IEDs in areas designed to prevent coalition forces from being able to rapidly help the targeted patrol. By the time fellow Soldiers could reach the scene, four Commandos and one Iraqi Soldier-who fought right alongside our Soldiers-had been killed. We believe that three other Commandos from the patrol are currently in the custody of an al-Qaeda-allied group called the Islamic State of Iraq.

Our highest priority right now is to find our missing Soldiers, and we are using every available Brigade, Division, and Corps asset to do just that-find our Soldiers. We are using helicopter and fixed wing aviation support, unmanned aerial vehicles, tactical river boats, tracking dogs, Special Operations Forces, and Iraqi Soldiers to help us find our missing Soldiers.

Village residents and informants from all over the south Baghdad area have provided the Commando Brigade with numerous tips. We are screening and evaluating all of these tips and rapidly acting upon them. We have launched air assaults on target areas, swept through villages, farmland, and canals, and questioned thousands of local citizens looking for any sign of our Soldiers. We will continue this search for as long as it takes to find our Soldiers.

The Brigade has been searching non-stop since the attack. Soldiers are tired and hungry but continue to press the search. Each and every Soldier is dedicated and understands the importance of this mission. We will not fail in this mission to find our Soldiers, and we hope and pray that we get them back soon.

As we move into the remainder of this deployment, we know that the missions will continue to present challenges, but ultimately our sacrifices will provide Iraq with freedom and prosperity.

Despite the tragedies of this counterinsurgency, we see the appreciation of the Iraqi people. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed, and the Iraqi Soldiers and innocent civilians of our area continue to aid us during this arduous time.

While our strength may be tested, we will not falter in our commitment to our Soldiers and families, the United States, or the people of Iraq.

As we search for our three Soldiers, we keep our comrades and their families in our thoughts and prayers.

We will never leave a fallen comrade. This is the Creed that we live by-and we will keep this promise to them and to you.


Col. Michael Kershaw
Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

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