[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7027]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         IDAHO'S PROUD WARRIORS

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure and is a 
tremendous honor to call attention to the brave and honorable soldiers 
of Company B, 1st Battalion, 183rd Aviation Army National Guard unit 
from Boise, ID. In a letter to Idaho Governor Butch Otter from 
Lieutenant Colonel S.G. Fosdal, stationed at Forward Operating Base 
Bermel in Afghanistan, Company B's highly respected and renowned 
reputation is made clear. The heroism displayed in support of Army 
special forces, Marine, and Afghan troops along the exceedingly 
dangerous and remote border between Afghanistan and Pakistan was 
remarkable, commendable, and in every way worthy of note to this body. 
In a self-described ``unusual letter,'' Lieutenant Colonel Fosdal 
praises the many accomplishments and reputation of Company B, calling 
them ``proud warriors.'' I ask unanimous consent that Lieutenant 
Colonel Fosdal's letter, as part of my statement, be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                       Embedded Training Team 2-4,


                                    3d Marine Division (Rein),

                                        FPO AP, February 15, 2007.
     Office of the Governor,
     Boise, ID.
       Governor Otter, I apologize for this somewhat unusual 
     letter, but I feel it's important to let you know about the 
     selfless courage and exceptional performance of one of 
     Idaho's National Guard units.
       I'm currently deployed to a Forward Operating Base located 
     on the Afghanistan's border with Pakistan. Our mission is to 
     mentor the Afghan National Army battalion responsible for the 
     Bermel District of Pakistan Province in one of Afghanistan's 
     most restive and remote regions. Within days of our arrival 
     last October we found ourselves in a 4-hour running gun fight 
     through the mountains in response to an insurgent attack on 
     an American convoy. We had less than a full company of Afghan 
     soldiers but managed a significant victory largely due to the 
     brave men of Company B, 1st BN, 183rd Aviation out of Boise, 
     Idaho. Despite heavy ground fire and a chaotic battlefield 
     they provided precise and timely fires against the enemy, 
     killing many and saving the lives of Afghans and U.S. forces 
     alike. On November 7th we found ourselves in another serious 
     fight, this time with a wounded Marine and Afghan soldiers 
     pinned down by enemy fire. Once again the men from Boise came 
     to our aide--staying on station and working with the Marines 
     on the ground to suppress the enemy and save the wounded. 
     Lesser men would have declared the area too dangerous and 
     flown away leaving us to fend for ourselves, but not Company 
     B. They stuck with the troops in the fight and as a direct 
     result of their heroic efforts a Marine is now at home with 
     his family, healing and thankful to be alive.
       There were numerous other occasions when the Afghans were 
     apprehensive about venturing into steep valleys or mountain 
     passes. I only had to mention to the Afghan Commander that 
     the Apaches from Boise would be there and his response would 
     inevitably be, ``The helicopters that saved my life? We will 
     win then. Come, we go now.'' This respect did not stop with 
     the Afghans, the U.S. Army and Special Forces were also 
     imbued with confidence knowing that your unit had their back. 
     In my time on the border, I have not witnessed any other 
     single unit that had the amount of respect and whose mere 
     presence boosted morale like that of Company B.
       Company B is now on its way back to Boise. I'm sure the 
     awards have been written, welcomes planned and everyone is 
     just eager to see their families and loved ones. I would only 
     ask that if you have the opportunity, please thank them and 
     let the citizens of Idaho know that they should be proud of 
     these brave warriors. As a state rich in natural resources I 
     thank you and the people of Idaho for sending your most 
     precious resource, its citizens, to serve here in 
     Afghanistan. I hope that you are as proud of them as I am for 
     having served along side them.
           Thank you.
                                                      S.G. Fosdal,
                                                      LtCol, USMC.

  Mr. CRAPO. It makes me proud to hear fellow Idahoans described this 
way. Our military men and women from every State and territory continue 
to stand strong for freedom and uphold their solemn commitment to 
``support and defend the Constitution of the United States of 
America.'' This is simply my opportunity to thank and pay deep respect 
to the men and women of Company B, part of Idaho's esteemed military 
tradition, current and past. The steadfast commitment to duty, 
perseverance, excellence, and reliability are all traits that reflect 
the spirit of Idaho characteristics clearly articulated in respectful 
words of honor and thanks from a commanding officer. These soldiers and 
their families have sacrificed much to keep us free and keep terror and 
tyranny far from our own shores. On behalf of my family, I thank them 
all for their valorous service, heartfelt commitment, outstanding 
patriotism, and willing sacrifice.

                          ____________________