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Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general of U.S. Forces - Iraq, met with Lt. Col. Trevor Bredenkamp, the commander of 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and other leaders within 2-504 PIR to hear about the battalion's recent activities in support of Iraqi Security Forces in the area, Jan. 31.

Battalion leaders highlighted some of the sporadic but dramatic bombings they have faced over the past seven months that have underscored the importance of their mission: Al Anbar Governor Qasim al-Fahadawi was injured in one of two blasts at the Provincial Government Center in late December 2009; a Ramadi bridge on a major road connecting Jordan to Iraq was also damaged last October when a five-ton truck wired with explosives detonated.

During the brief, they explained the battalion's responsibilities and how they are accomplishing their mission as part of the first Advise-and-Assist Brigade in Iraq, including specifics on how they have maintained their operational role in Al Anbar throughout their time here.

Odierno said he was pleased with how the A&A Brigade is operating, said Maj. Kyle A. Reed, executive officer of 2-504 PIR.

"We explained how we train, advise and enable the security forces in Iraq for their own efforts providing security," he said.

Following the brief, the general reenlisted two paratroopers and awarded coins of excellence to others. Sgt. Maj. Francis R. Debois Jr., non-commissioned officer in charge of operations with 2-504 PIR, said Odierno's visit solidified their belief that they are on the right track.

"Our goal for today was absolutely accomplished," he said. "The intelligence was right up the alley of how [the commanding general] was thinking."

February 01, 2010: Written by Spc. Kayleigh Cannon, 82nd Airborne Division

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