Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

The military families at Fort Bliss and the citizens of El Paso joined together in celebrating the blessings of the holdiay season. Now we all look to the future and hope for a happy and prosperous year. A year where our troops serving in over 120 countries around the world will all return home safely. Many have returned and with pride in what they have done to help countries like Iraqi and Afghanistan to take that first step toward freedom and democracy. We are humbled by their sacrifices and the sharing of their experencies with us here at home.

One of those experiences is worth sharing with you. 1st Lt. Alex Houston was a Linebacker platoon leader with A Battery, 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Aug. 13, 2004, Houston acted to save many lives of coalition soldiers and civilian contractors in Iraq. After learning that the Battalion Commander’s patrol had come under attack from RPG fire, Houston maneuvered his Bradley Linebacker section to reinforce the Battalion Commander’s position and secure a key overpass on the Baghdad Airport highway. He noticed that a large logistics convoy was moving up the Main Supply Route into the enemy’s engagement area.

A rocket-propelled grenade struck his M2 Linebacker shortly after his arrival at the overpass. Seeing the ferocity of the enemy’s attack, Houston moved his vehicle into the line of fire, in order the shield his battalion commander and the supply convoy. Houston absorbed the brunt of the enemy’s attack at this point, allowing the convoy to move safely through the area. In doing so, he saved the lives of many in that convoy. But, he also was seriously wounded, ultimately losing his right arm.

When the battalion commander spoke with him the following day after surgery, his comment was, “Sir, I had your back!” These are the kind of men and women who serve in today's military, doing what they are trained to do, helping to perserve freedom around the world.

As we continue to welcome troops home every week and say farewell to others our mission here is everchanging. This coming year and within the next 5-10 years, Fort Bliss will have a completely different look. We are in fact becoming a heavy manuever training center and this all began with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division’s arrival. They are settling in and have started training for a major deployment later this year. We are building a whole new post to accommodate the additional military personnel and their families who will soon begin arriving. There is much to do and I have no doubt that the combined efforts of Team Bliss will meet this challenge as they have done in the past. Thank you all for what you do every day to make this installation the best in the Army.

Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	January 5, 2006

	Troop Talk The military families at Fort Bliss and the citizens of El Paso joined together in celebrating the blessings of the holdiay season. Now we all look to the future and hope for a happy and prosperous year. A year where our troops serving in over 120 countries around the world will all return home safely. Many have returned and with pride in what they have done to help countries like Iraqi and Afghanistan to take that first step toward freedom and democracy. We are humbled by their sacrifices and the sharing of their experencies with us here at home. One of those experiences is worth sharing with you. 1st Lt. Alex Houston was a Linebacker platoon leader with A Battery, 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Aug. 13, 2004, Houston acted to save many lives of coalition soldiers and civilian contractors in Iraq. After learning that the Battalion Commander’s patrol had come under attack from RPG fire, Houston maneuvered his Bradley Linebacker section to reinforce the Battalion Commander’s position and secure a key overpass on the Baghdad Airport highway. He noticed that a large logistics convoy was moving up the Main Supply Route into the enemy’s engagement area. A rocket-propelled grenade struck his M2 Linebacker shortly after his arrival at the overpass. Seeing the ferocity of the enemy’s attack, Houston moved his vehicle into the line of fire, in order the shield his battalion commander and the supply convoy. Houston absorbed the brunt of the enemy’s attack at this point, allowing the convoy to move safely through the area. In doing so, he saved the lives of many in that convoy. But, he also was seriously wounded, ultimately losing his right arm. When the battalion commander spoke with him the following day after surgery, his comment was, “Sir, I had your back!” These are the kind of men and women who serve in today's military, doing what they are trained to do, helping to perserve freedom around the world. As we continue to welcome troops home every week and say farewell to others our mission here is everchanging. This coming year and within the next 5-10 years, Fort Bliss will have a completely different look. We are in fact becoming a heavy manuever training center and this all began with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division’s arrival. They are settling in and have started training for a major deployment later this year. We are building a whole new post to accommodate the additional military personnel and their families who will soon begin arriving. There is much to do and I have no doubt that the combined efforts of Team Bliss will meet this challenge as they have done in the past. Thank you all for what you do every day to make this installation the best in the Army. Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox Fort Bliss Commanding General