The 100th mission has come and gone for 4th Platoon here in the last week or so. Over the last month, somedays (alot) consisted of 2 missions per day. A PSD mission and a Force Protection Patrol. On patrols, we are assigned a sector in our local area. Usually an area where rockets and/or mortars are fired at the FOB. We go into these areas, set up an occasional checkpoint, look for and stop target vehicles/suspects, maybe raid a house or two if necessary, and basically try to catch a bad guy. We have been successful in detaining a few suspected bad guys and bringing them in for further questioning. On the flip side to chasing down bad Hajji, we try to make some humanitarian efforts as well. On patrol, we have gone to the local school with school supplies to distribute. As well as try to take care of our local neighbors with what little supplies we can get our hands on. Whether food or personal items, they all seem very appreciative.

All in all, no matter how the mission goes that day or what the mission was, it's a success when we all return unharmed. We as a whole, the 155th Brigade Combat Team, have not been as fortunate lately. Some of the 155 members here at Kalsu have made the ultimate sacrifice. Our brother platoons have taken casualties as well. We hope those who were wounded in action will recover as soon as possible and as best they can. Our hearts go out to each and every one these guys. We are all in this as one till we all leave.  

So, with the temperatures getting higher and being somewhat shorthanded at times, we have managed to get the misision done. 4th Platoon has had it's share of some of it's members go down due to medical conditions over the last month. We've had some down for a few days to weeks, and one has had to leave us permanently. His loss to us has had immediate impact to say the least. We all wish him well. Along with medical issues, some of our guys have been coming and going on their 2 week leave. We won't be back up close to full strength till after July.

Due to losing a member and other personnel changes, be looking for new faces in the "Faces of Death" album soon. We will also include some "Honorary Members" as well. Guys who have come in when we needed extra manpower and filled the bill. They have done their job that they were tasked with like true professionals and we greatly appreciate it.

Thats all we have for now. The pictures should be able to tell a much better story than we ever could. We will try to keep them updated as often as the mission allows. Thank you for all your comments of support. Thanks for checking out the site and pass it along to a friend.

This site is an attempt to intoduce everyone who comes here to 4th Platoon, who we are and what we do and how we got here. By using the technology of internet and digital photography,  you will be able to view updated photographs at any time.

4th Platoon is made up of 19 members, all from north Mississippi and Memphis area. Ages range from 19 and up. All but four originally come from the Batesville, MS National Guard Scout Platoon, who on activation were attached to Troop A, 98 CAV from Hernando, MS.

Once at Camp Shelby for training, 4th Platoon was selected to be the Personal Security Detail (PSD) for the 155th Brigade Commander, Colonel Agustus L. Collins. 4th Platoon was selected due to their high profiency and high merits they received in all aspects of training, at Camp Shelby and prior training at Camp McCain. Backgrounds range from college students to computer whizzes to not so computer whizzes and everything in between. 4th platoon is a tight knit group where everyone is on first names basis, unlike what you willl find in active duty life.

4th Platoons primary mission here in Iraq is to see that the Brigade Commander gets to and from his destinations in a safe and timely manner taking any measures necessary to ensure his safety. Secondary missions include transporting/ escorting other individuals as well as conducting patrols and various other security missions.

4th Platoon arrived at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kalsu around the first week of February. Since our arrival, there has been little downtime compared to some. As of now, 4th Platoon has been outside of FOB Kalsu on more than 70 missions.

More photos to come