[9] In 2005, he deployed to Iraq as the commander of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. he called CSM Prosser and asked for a Bible and the Yon wrote this about Erik Kurilla's sense of duty and his courage just a few days ago: Bullets are snapping, and I'm crouched They didn't have grenades. Ill be fine. 2004 2005: Commander of the First Battalion of the Infantry Regiment, Iraq. Its just some minor Prosser threw down his empty M4, ran into the shop and tackled the man. Drinking tea with Iraqi A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Kurilla received his commission as a second lieutenant in May 1988. Major Craig Triscari from the 1-17th Infantry from Alaska was with Major Mike Lawrence, Q, and other soldiers, when he noticed a car with its hood up. into the light. He was reported in stable condition. Neither had real combat experience. We loaded the Strykers and drove down to the Cash, and there was Chaplain Wilson, who might be the most popular man on base. the soldiers of Deuce Four, Iraqis have seen too much LTC Kurilla turned over some captured weapons to the Iraqi commander, making a point to congratulate him on some of his unit's recent successes. its colorful commander. Man, the boys in 2-4 were pissed when LTC Kurilla was hit and then went out and made sure that Mosul knew who they were. Were rolling in ten minutes, he said. Its important to interact and take the pulse of a city in a war where there is no behind the lines, no safe areas. 2016 2018: Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division. momentum. help arrived in the form of one man: CSM Prosser. Jose S. Casillas posted on LinkedIn The Commander In every military unit I have seen, there is a prevailing perception that good ideas trickle down from the top about as often as water flows uphill, so Lancer Fury apparently was a wunder-plan. Army photo) Lt. Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, the commander of the Army's 18th Airborne Corps, is the White House's pick to lead American forces in the Middle East . Prosser shot the man at least four times with his M4 rifle. Officials said Kurilla, commander of the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, was shot in the arm and leg and suffered a broken leg. XVIII Airborne Corps commander set to be next CENTCOM boss - Military Times I wanted my name on that flag. leg. The terrorist had a mouthful of watch but he somehow also managed to punch Prosser in the face. Mosul, Iraq. He wrote Kurilla was shot three times in combat yesterday in front of (Thank God; running in front of the shop LTC Kurilla began Reporters from The Associated Press, Chicago Tribune and other organizations quoted Kurilla as he explained the insurgency and efforts to train Iraqi forces. Give me a magazine! I yelled, and the young 2nd lieutenant handed over a full 30-round magazine. Earlier this month, Kurilla was quoted in a New York Times story about the progress of Mosul police. [6] [7] Biography Yes Chaplain Wilson! Why does he always ask that? Kurilla had gone But they were not Amazingly, despite being hit by four M4s from multiple directions, the man still lived a few minutes. CSM Prosser drags the terrorist into the alley 2018 2019: Chief of Staff of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). The place suddenly felt hollowed-out. serious terroristhad grabbed Prosser's helmet and We loaded the Strykers and drove down to the Cash, and there was Chaplain Wilson, who might be the most popular man on base. In Yon's account, confirmed by others. ], Daniel Lama smiled, got out of bed and I shot a photo of him reporting for his new duty.. If so, you are not alone. Suddenly encircled by the rifles, lights and lasers of four soldiers, the man was quickly disarmed. and fights, as more bullets kick up dust. in front of the shop, especially so unarmed. Actually, what I shouted was an unprintable string of curses, while Kurilla was also yelling at them to get in there, his M4 trained on the entrance. Strykers are fast, but Opels are faster. 2015 2016: Deputy Director for Special Operations and Counterterrorism of the Joint Staff. I ran back to the corner of the shop and looked at LTC Kurilla who was bleeding, and saw CSM Prossers extremely bloody leg inside the shop, the rest of him was still obscured from view. rifle. Democracy in Haiti and the U.S.-led interventions in Bosnia and Kosovo. He did a crazy. ordering people to put out security, and directing Then Prosser's M4 went "black" (no more bullets). You left the prisoner!For a moment, I nearly ran back out to drag the terrorist behind the Stryker, but then I thought, Nope, he's a terrorist! bases, including a map of this base. The doctors rolled LTC Kurilla and the terrorist into OR and our surgeons operated on both at the same time. Thank you. A short time after Kurilla gave me the book, following Throw a grenade in there! They did not attack. The Commander and the terrorist were both being prepped Talking with people downtown. So, of course, glitches and snags started occurring the first day. Military-related sites on the Internet lighted up with news of Kurillas injuries, indicating national interest in the fate of the 39-year-old Tacoma resident. safe areas. This was happening in seconds. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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"Give me a grenade!" No one but Crissman knew what was about to happen. passion for the cause of freedom. How a New Greatest Generation of American Soldiers is Turning Defeat and Disaster into Victory and Hope. Of course I feel okay Chaplain Wilson! Twenty US soldiers have died in Mosul since 21 December. It is unclear when Kurilla will be released from Madigan Army Medical Center. There was a quick and heavy volume of fire. 23 Jan 2005. When you enter a room full of armed men, shoot the first person who makes a move, hostile or otherwise. Not knowing how many men they were fighting, they wanted backup. Only a few hours had passed since Daniel Lama and the Commander were shot. One bullet smashed through his Though I have the photo, I do not remember the moment that Prosser went black and ran into the shop. Interfacing with shop owners. A man came forward, trying to shoot Kurilla with a pistol, apparently realizing his only escape was by fighting his way out, or dying in the process. Early in 2005, when Id completed my first tour of duty in Iraq, I was searching the Internet for news when I found Yons page. But the more battle weathered fighters were not there. It came straight at my head but somehow missed, flying out of the shop as a high-pressure jet of propane hit me in the face. In the violent, unpredictable world that Yon chronicles, Kurilla is cast as unafraid of the enemy and deeply committed to his men. Although not well-known, Kurilla the Lt. Col. Erik Kurilla is out of Iraq, recovering from gunshot wounds in a Tacoma hospital. Fox News Media . The Surge operation continued as we returned to base. Flynn had now been a platoon leader for six months, but today Kurilla had another 2nd lieutenant who was being mentored before he became a platoon leader. An 2-3 Infantry Patriots | Spanaway WA - Facebook ". before there was no room left to sign, but I found a As Captain McGrew and I drove through the dusty darkness back to the Deuce Four, the Commander and SGT Lama, along with other wounded and dead soldiers from around Iraq, began their journey home. Meeting proud mothers with new babies. fast, weapons at the ready, and they quickly flex-cuffed As if offering proof, Chaplain Wilson said: When they rolled Daniel over, the doctor stuck his finger in Daniels butt to check his prostate, and Daniel said, Hey! The combat drama was ended, so I started snapping photos Do you need me to come get you!" August 19, 2005] a young - HunterSeven Foundation | Facebook Both the young 2nd lieutenant and the young specialist were inside a shop when a close-quarters firefight broke out, and they ran outside. Conferencing with doctors. Recon returned the man his rifle, and started making their way back, umbral and silent across the ploughed fields. Michael Yon is America's most experienced combat correspondent. about the fighting until given clearance, and was told that my phones And then LTC Kurilla was shot. LTC Kurilla began running in the direction of the shooting. That freedom of movement afforded him opportunities that few would take, and that he initially took reluctantly. might understand," the passage registered in my mind. He was acquitted. bed, paying respect. didn't have the combat experience to grasp the power of He passed by me, and I chased, Kurilla leading the way. Your email address will not be published. If you pick up another weapon, you are out of here the next day. Crissmans interpreter translated and there were smiles and laughter, until Crissman asked if he could talk with Hamid inside his office. Alex Fryer: 206-464-8124 or afryer@seattletimes.com. Actually, Kurilla is a 1988 West Point graduate and a veteran of the U.S. to miss a stride; he did a crazy judo roll and came up A passion for the cause of freedom. freelance writer Michael Yon, who is embedded with the battalion known They know true warriors Jose L. Ruiz was killed in action. That December day, Khalid Jasim Nohe and two compatriots tried to evade US soldiers from 2-8 FA, but the soldiers managed to stop the fleeing car. This was not the Deuce Four I know. Lt. Col. Erik Kurilla is out of Iraq, recovering from gunshot wounds in a Tacoma hospital. But they were not attacking. pistol, apparently realizing his only escape was by And I was scared to death. Chris Espindola, the Commanders radio operator, a respected and experienced fighter, was down in Baghdad at the Iraqi Criminal Court testifying against two terrorists caught by Deuce Four months earlier. attacking. And I was afraid to run The soldiers from Alpha Company were heading toward him when LTC Kurilla yelled out that he was okay, but that CSM Prosser was still in the shop. In May 2005, he captured what many would consider the iconic photo from Iraq Major Mark Bieger cradling Farah (a young victim of a suicide bomber) in his arms, rushing her to Army medics. And then attacking. having to take leave of these whom I had come so to As you peer at this picture of LTC Erik Kurilla, leading his men, you shall get a picture of how close he came from not being alive. When an Army marksman in a helicopter disabled the car, the men inside fled, and opened fire. They were armed with a sniper rifle, an AK, pistols, a silencer, explosives and other weapons, and had in their possession photographs of US bases, including a map of this base. There was a quick and heavy volume of fire. The pilot swooped low and the co-pilot aimed his rifle at the Opel, firing three shots and blowing out the back window. Not knowing how many men they Reaching around the corner, I fired three shots into the shop. medic, Specialist Munoz, put morphine into Kurilla, the a young LT screamed for backup down the dusty Mosul alleyway as shots fired, LTC Kurilla ran toward the gunfire, leading the. Meanwhile, SSG Konkol's men were clearing toward us, leaving the three bad guys boxed, but free. Prosser in the face. were inside a shop when a close-quarters firefight broke Mark Bieger was overwatching from another Stryker and shot the man with the first two bullets, dropping him to his knees. Required fields are marked *, Join Michael on LocalsFollow Michael on GettrFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on Facebook, Follow Michael on LocalsFollow Michael on GettrFollow Michael on Twitter. But suddenly, I felt much better. It was around 9 PM when I heard Captain Matt McGrew was going to see Kurilla. as it bounced on the ground where it spun furiously, creating an explosive cloud of gas and dust, just waiting for someone to fire a weapon. It's even dangerous on the bases here. [8], From 2004 to 2014, he was stationed in the geographic area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command,[8] deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. The goggles saved my eyes. During their interrogation on base, both admitted to being Jihadists. Mosule, Iraq war story - Project Reality Forums A fifth soldier radioed for the interpreter and together they sorted out that he was a farmer who thought the soldiers were thieves skulking around his property. Kurilla There is just no easy way to say, Your son got shot today. And so, according to men here, the calls sound something like this: We are sorry to inform you that your son has been shot in Mosul. Among other things, key gear failed; but overall, the Surge was going well. ')">Walking The Line, Video: Iraqi Police Training: Cuffing Suspects, First in a Series "Survival Kit Contents: Headlights", Survival Tip: Beware of Captured Grenades, MEDIA WATCH: Top Terror Suspect (Not) Caught in Baquba, Wednesday in Baquba: Four Days to Elections, Tuesday in Baquba: Five Days Before Elections. LTC Kurilla likes to call before the Army gets a chance, to tell parents and loved ones the true circumstances. Im hit three times! and was nearly diving to stop Flynn from shooting, thinking the new lieutenant had lost his mind and was shooting a man just for running from Coalition forces. Everybody loves him. LTC Kurilla likes to call before the Army gets a chance, to tell parents and loved ones the true circumstances. Prosser had nearly strangled the guy, but my shots made My trauma team with the 228th CSH, in Mosul, Iraq cared for (then) LTC Kurilla and his CSM after sustaining serious combat related injuries. There was a quick and heavy volume of fire. J.R. Michael is a veteran of two tours of duty in Iraq and blogs at mudvillegazette.com. love." by Curt | Nov 26, 2005 | The Iraqi War . I had been talking with Captain Matt McGrew about the The Battle for Mosul IV dispatch, intending to spend the night with him and some Iraqi troops at one of their combat outposts, to glean additional insight, but the on-going battles in Mosul kept getting in the way. They have been fighting for two nations, one of which didnt seem to notice. The Commander rolls into a firing position, just as a Attack! A self-described independent, informed observer chronicling the monumentally important events in the efforts to stabilize Iraq, Yon solicits donations on his Web site to buy equipment and defray expenses. A true and abiding understanding of both its value and its costs. Michael Erik Kurilla (born May 16, 1966)[1] is a United States Army general who serves as the 15th commander of United States Central Command since April 1, 2022. the death of one of his soldiers, he said to me, "I want Kurilla was aiming at the doorway waiting for him to come out. 2009 2011: Commander of the 75th Rangers Regiment. I am asking you for your support. The treatment terrorists get here is better and more expensive than what many Americans or Europeans can get. "[3][10][11] He is a former commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment. and fights, as more bullets kick up dust. Captain Jeff VanAntwerp came on the radio net saying he was moving his section into position to intercept the Opel. We were roaring through little streets and along roads, horn blaring, cars zipping off the sides, the steady chatter of multiple radio channels colliding inside the Stryker. As the chase continued, the Kiowa pilot said, Its going about 105 mph.. Proponents of a more explosive conclusion might be disappointed with that result. all three were detained. Despite being seriously wounded, LTC Kurilla immediately rejoined the intense and close-quarter fight that ended in hand-to-hand combat. The card inside had a picture of an American flag for its cover. Bullets were kicking up the dust, and we got a radio call that troops were in contact at Yarmook Traffic Circle. LTC Kurilla likes to call before the Army gets a chance, to tell parents and loved ones the true circumstances. Bullets were hitting all around Kurilla. Storied Iraq soldier recuperating | The Seattle Times Then one of the suspects tried to wrestle a weapon from a soldier before all three were detained. Combat Support Hospital The only mission Ive seen unfold close to what was planned was a B Company raid a few months back. The cell leader had a blood-stained death note in his pocket stating he was a true Mujahadeen and wanted to die fighting the Americans. opponent of some in the Army's Detention Facilities It was near 10 PM when the airplane that would start their journey back to America landed outside, its engines rumbling the hospital floor. Folks who havent done much urban fighting might take issue with the wild chases, and they might say that people should always stack up and do things this or that way, but men in Delta Force, SEALs and the like, all know that when chasing wild men into the labyrinth, soldiers enter the land of confusion. rifle, an AK, pistols, a silencer, explosives and other onto the face of Prosser's watch. But Americans learn from their mistakes. The town was a powder keg of resentment and fear. But these two soldiers didnt have the combat experience to grasp the power of momentum. for surgery, when LTC Kurilla said, "Tell Major Bieger That was in December. but there was no time to reload. The same facility where Daniel Lama was recovering from the earlier gunshot wound to the neck. First Published: May 14, 2005 The Deuce Four Fighting for Mosul Mosul, Northern Iraq As the new map of Iraq unfolds, a picture of progress emerges. It will not be a victory for the Republican Party. News of Kurillas injuries was carried across the Internet, and many bloggers linked to Yons Web site. ran over to Kurilla, but hesitated every time. But the guys were not This may not be the war some folks had in mind a few years ago. We ran into combat. something like, "Honey, there has been a little shooting He did a crazy judo roll and came up shooting from a sitting position, Yon reports. This biographical article related to the United States Army is a stub. LT Flynn was first out of the Stryker, and both he and the airguard CPT Westphal, saw the pistol at the same time and also shot the man. The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is a program of ADR and serves as the front-door to the local LTSS delivery system, providing unbiased information, community outreach / education, help accessing services and person-centered care planning / care coordination to meet the individual needs of older adults, persons with disabilities . BamBamBamBam! shutter button. In other dispatches Yon has described how Kurilla climbed into burning Strykers to pull his wounded men to safety. Shot in the arm and leg, Kurilla was taken to a combat hospital and later airlifted to Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma. Prosser stands above the crocodile who bit his watch. Deuce Four soldiers would have killed every man in that Prosser landed three nearly point blank shots in the Its even dangerous on the bases here. It will be a victory for freedom and justice. December, the same day a large bomb exploded in the Several times I nearly Prosser shot the man at least four times with his M4 Dont you understand? pain beyond all previous now seized me. It was not Bullets are kicking up dirt and Kurilla gives us a look: What the hell! Deuce Four Commander Wounded - Follow Up - BlackFive Sweet life itself, even the desperately sought chance to tell the tale, suddenly seemed unendurable alongside the pain of having to take leave of these whom I had come so to love.. Chaplain Wilson might be the only man in the universe with a chance of getting me into the chapel of my own free will, but I have resisted so far. Theres a risk in that. He got his wish; and now, Chris Espindola, Kurillas radio man, was down in Baghdad testifying against the two surviving co-conspirators. Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, "Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy", "PN1606 Lt. Gen. Michael E. Kurilla Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)", "XVIII Airborne Corps commander set to be next CENTCOM boss", "Webcast: CENTCOM Welcomes New Commander", "Lieutenant General Michael E. Kurilla General Officer Management Office", "XVIII Airborne Corps hosts change of command, welcomes familiar Fort Bragg leader to the helm", "Chief of Staff, Major General Michael "Erik" Kurilla", "Battling terrorism in Afghanistan from over-the-horizon is 'extremely difficult,' says nominee to command CENTCOM", "Biden Nominates Combat Leader to Head Central Command", "Biden's pick to lead military in Middle East says U.S. has a 'moral obligation' to help Afghans left behind", "Israeli Defense Forces Biography of CENTCOM Commander, General Kurilla", Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Kurilla&oldid=1152450466, This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 09:06. The chase was on. Despite their sworn confessions, Kurilla was left with a young radio operator with little trigger-time. Kurilla was running when he was shot, but he didn't seem to miss a stride; he did a crazy judo roll and came up shooting. Carrying both books, we drove to the Cash. Gates of Fire (Michael Yon's report on LTC Kurilla in Mosul) - MUST READ The struggle is just beginning. Update: Mike Yon just let me know that he just got off of the phone with the Lieutenant Colonel and that he is doing well. Chaplain Wilson came out from the hospital smiling and explained that Daniel (Sergeant Lama) was fine. What I didnt realize was at that same moment four soldiers from Alpha Company 2nd Platoon were arriving on scene, just in time to see me about to go into the store. Early on youll find yourself charging down an alley in Mosul on the heels of Lieutenant Colonel Erik Kurilla, a leader in every sense of the word: LTC Kurilla began running in the direction of the shooting. Prosser ran around the corner, passed the two young was an arm. Sir, The world When the bullet hit that canister, Prosserwho I thought The seizure was just a natural reaction to getting shot in the neck. Even and especially in places like in Aerospace Engineering from the United State Military Academy, West Point; an M.B.A. from Regis University, and an M.S. The truest test of leadership happens when the Commander tried to evade US soldiers from 2-8 FA, but the soldiers Bowman would listen with an open mind. But times are busy, and, apart from it going nearly perfectly according to plan, it just seemed like any other old raid. suspects tried to wrestle a weapon from a soldier before damage." not too much--I start snapping photos as the Commander drags the guy by mouthful of watch but he somehow also managed to punch Like the card in the mailroom, the circumstances behind their capture were more germane to the events about to unfold than anyone might have guessed at the time. rifle into the doorway, yelling instructions to the A Last week, Kurilla and his men chased a black car through Mosul. An unwavering conviction that, in the end, we will win. The truest test of leadership happens when the Commander is no longer there. But he said No. (Thank God; running in front of the shop might have proved fatal.). In a war where the situation changes depending on what you read, Yon is a man with credibility he has more time embedded with combat units than any other journalist. A Kiowa helicopter pilot radioed that he spotted the car. femur, snapping his leg. Like of Deuce Four, LTC Erik Kurilla, was shot three times in combat here. Aging & Disability Resources | Pierce County, WA - Official Website News that Kurilla was wounded came first via the online journal of And then LTC Kurilla was shot. Even and especially in places like Mosul, where it takes a special penchant for fighting. A true and abiding About fifteen seconds later our ramp dropped. But these two soldiers But I have it beside me on the table by the map of Iraq. But someone gave the Commander a cell phone, and I wanted my name on that flag. And now Kurilla lay shot and in surgery in the same operating room with one of the catch-and-release-terrorists he and other soldiers had been warning everyone about. Kurilla was, after all, still fighting. When I shot the propane canister, Both legs and an arm are shot. It was the other leg that was broken, he said. They also admitted that the terrorist who was shot down was their cell leader, who had been training them for three months. Michael Yon was there and witnessed this: The operation has begun. The one to go back and speak. as 2nd Platoon Alpha Company arrives babies. itself, even the desperately sought chance to tell the Kurilla was in the open, but his judo roll had left him Liberals who claim Yon is biased will be surprise to know that the journalists confrontations with the US Army over the Farah photo and criticism of leadership nearly prevented his return to Iraq. I scrambled back, got up and ran a few yards, afraid that Kurilla was going to burn up if there was a fire. LTC Kurilla turned over some captured weapons to the Iraqi commander, making a point to congratulate him on some of his unit's recent successes. Please keep LTC Kurilla and the rest of Deuce Four in your thoughts and prayers. man's abdomen, splattering a testicle with a fourth, the bleed. The most wonderful thing to see was how hard the Muslim neighbors worked to get the church reopened. But I have it beside me on the table by the map Meeting proud mothers with new