REPLY TO                      ATTENTION OF

    July 27, 2004

 

 

Dear Family Members,

 

     I am writing to give you important information regarding Operation Desert Strike, your Soldier’s upcoming deployment to Iraq.  Keeping our families informed is a high priority; and we want to make sure that you have all the information you need and want.

 

     Here is what I can tell you now about our mission and future deployment without compromising mission security: our 2d Brigade Combat Team (BCT) is deploying from Korea to Iraq this summer.  We will be operating in an area of central Iraq, and our deployment is planned to last for 12 months.

 

     We have just concluded an expansive and extremely focused training period.  Our Soldiers are well trained, equipped and prepared for our future mission.  Our purpose in Iraq will be to provide a secure and stable environment to facilitate the transition to Iraqi sovereignty.

 

We have established a Rear Detachment at Camp Casey, Korea to provide information and help resolve issues while we are deployed.  Our Rear Detachment commander’s name is MAJ John Atkins. He can be reached by telephone or email.  His numbers and email are listed below.  A toll free number will be available soon; please check our website.

 

On August 4th, we will launch an official website.  This “Virtual” Family Readiness Group (FRG) is designed to serve your information needs.  Both the Rear Detachment and the units in Iraq will post information on this site.  This is your best source of accurate and official information.  Maintaining operational security and privacy is a concern.  Within this constraint, we will post current command information, recent photos and maintain a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) area.  The website can be accessed at www.desertstrike.armyfrg.org and has a link through which you can provide feedback.  Your feedback is important to us.  If there’s something that you would like to see on the website, please let us know.  The purpose of the site is to get you the information that you want, and we want this website to be useful to you.

 

      We are also in the process of contracting four Regional Family Readiness Group Deployment Assistants in the continental United States.  As soon as they are in place, we will provide you with their contact information.  These deployment assistants will be there to help you. 

 

     If you need assistance, another excellent resource is called “Army One Source”.

Army One Source is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week toll-free information and referral telephone service available to soldiers and their families worldwide.  Army One Source provides information ranging from everyday concerns such as finding childcare or an auto mechanic to deployment/reunion issues. Additionally, if there is a need for face-to-face counseling, Army One Source will provide referrals to professional civilian counselors for assistance. 

 

Key points of contact:

Command website:  www.desertstrike.armyfrg.org

Rear Detachment: 

From USA:  011-82-31-869-3150 / 3483

Toll free from USA: to be published – check the above website

From Korea:  DSN 730-3483

Email: [email protected].

Family Assistance Center in Korea:  Toll Free from USA: 1-800-815-3556

Army One Source:          From USA: 1-800-464-8107

Outside USA:  your country code then 800-464-81077

www.armyonesource.com

Army Family Liaison Office:  1-800-833-6622

 

American Red Cross: 1-877-272-7337

TRICARE:  1-888-DOD-CARE

 

Iraq mailing addresses:

Soldier’s Name

Unit (same as Korea), 2nd Infantry Division

Unit # (same as in Korea)

APO AE 09395-(last four of unit number-same as Korea)

 

     I know this is a stressful time for your family.  I want to assure you that your Soldier is well trained, well equipped and fully prepared to accomplish all our missions in Iraq.  It is very important that you feel like you are getting the information that you need.  Do not hesitate to contact our Rear Detachment if you have any concerns. They are absolutely dedicated to taking care of our families during this important deployment to Iraq.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        // ORIGINAL SIGNED//

GARY S. PATTON

Colonel, US Army

Commanding