1st Cavalry   

27th Brigade Support Batallion

  27th BSB PRAYER REQUESTS

• Wisdom to make the right decisions while deployed.
• Guidance from God to ensure that we work as a team and all make it home safely.
• God's presence with us and our families while we are deployed.
• Safety and comfort for all or our loved ones waiting back home .

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Here's a thank you letter from one of the soldier's families thanking us for the cookies and the hope and love extended to the unit during their deployment.   Read Letter
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27th BSB News

Dear Pastor Pat,
  I've drafted an update for you all.  We are still focused on the mission but will be start sending soldiers home within the next couple of weeks. 
  I've attached a photo of our Easter service at Abraham's house.  It was an amazing morning and an amazing service.   
  Thanks for all you and the church are doing for us.  We look forward
to seeing you all soon!   

V/R
Mark T. Simerly
LTC, LG
Battalion Commander, 27th BSB

Note:   See Photo of Easter Service at Abraham's House Below


15 April 2009
Dear First Lutheran Family,
    Greetings from Tallil!   All is well with the Rough Riders as we complete our tenth month of operations in Iraq.  The news that our deployment was reduced from 15 to 12 months has brought a lot of smiles to COB ADDER.   Detailed planning is underway for our redeployment and within the next few weeks most of our Troopers should have a good idea of their planned return date. 
   The Rough Riders are still focused on doing our best to support the Longknife Brigade and assist our Iraqi Army counterparts.  Thus far we have completed 7,300 maintenance jobs, treated 9, 350 medical patients, and completed more than 205 combat logistics patrols totaling over 325,000 miles driven. 
   The Iraqi security forces continue to make strides to improve the security for the Iraqi people, particularly in our region.  Our support to the 10th Iraqi Army Division logistics is a significant part of that progress.  Under the tutelage of our Troopers, the 10th Motorized Regiment has significantly improved its ability to conduct independent
operations.  We are also having great success conducting joint convoy operations with them.
   The next several weeks will be extremely busy for us as we continue to support the brigade, partner with the Iraqis, and begin our relief in place with the 121st BSB out of FT Bliss, TX in preparation for our return in late May and early June.
   I want to thank all of you for your wonderful support of the Easter Egg Hunt last weekend.  The event was a great success due largely to the donated eggs and meals. 
   We had a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend an Easter sunrise service at the ruins of Abraham's house in the ancient city of Ur.  It was truly inspirational to stand on the site of Abraham's birth as we celebrated Jesus' resurrection.   
    I look forward to seeing you all back in Texas soon.  Your support to us throughout this deployment has truly been a blessing. 
Thank you or keeping us in your prayers!

LTC Mark Simerly
  Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Rough Rider 6

Past Letters from Commander, Mark Simerly
October 2008
November 2008