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WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2004 – Soldiers equipped with the Stryker - a transformational, multi-wheeled armored vehicle - are soon slated to take up duty in the Mosul, Iraq, area of operations, according to a Combined Joint Task Force 7 news release today.
The 1st Corps headquarters element from Fort Lewis, Wash., arrived in Mosul Jan. 17. In early February, the release noted, 1st Corps is slated to relieve the 101st Airborne Division of control of military operations around Mosul in northern Iraq. The 1st Corps headquarters element will become the Multi-National Brigade North when authority is transferred from the 101st, according to the release. The transfer of authority is part of the rotation of U.S. forces to and from Iraq occurring over the next few months. The Stryker Brigade Combat Team, made up of soldiers from 1st Corps' 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, recently moved into bases in and around Mosul, the release reported. At around 38,000 pounds, the rapid-deployable Stryker can be airlifted to global hot spots and is faster and more maneuverable than the old M-113 infantry carrier. The Stryker's low-slung silhouette and speedy nature help it to survive on the battlefield. The vehicle can travel more than 60 mph on hard roads, according to Army sources, and maintain 45 mph cross-country. The Stryker is engineered to protect occupants against .50-caliber fire, and with supplemental armor it can face 14.5 mm rocket-propelled grenade rounds. As part of its transformation efforts, the Army plans to field six Stryker brigades. The Stryker is named in honor of Spc. Robert F. Stryker, a Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient, and Pfc. Stuart S. Stryker, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II. Both men, who were not related, were killed in action.
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