News Article

By: BILL JONES/Staff Writer
Source: The Greeneville Sun
07-25-2005

Capt. John "Brad" Bowlin of the Tennessee Army National Guard departed this morning on a return trip to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bernstein in northeastern Iraq.

Capt. Bowlin, who was completing a two-week leave here with his family, said on Saturday that, barring an extension of duty, he and other local members of the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR) could be "home for Thanksgiving."

Capt. Bowlin expressed the hope that the 278th ACR soldiers have "only about three hard months" left to spend in Iraq.

He was interviewed Saturday with his wife, Christy Yonz Bowlin, and daughter, Emma, 2, by his side.

Bowlin, who spent three years as commander of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Greeneville-based Troop G, said he had been assigned to the 278th 2nd Squadron headquarters in Kingsport before the National Guard regiment was called to active duty in June 2004.

Successor Unit Designated

He said that a "regular army unit" already has been designated to replace the 278th and that preliminary contacts have already been made between leaders of the 278th and the unit that will replace the 278th in northeastern Iraq. Capt. Bowlin noted that another round of Iraqi elections is scheduled to take place in October.

He said the 278th ACR soldiers, who are serving in Iraq as part of the 278th Regimental Combat Team (RCT), played an important role in the first round of Iraqi elections last Jan. 30 in Iraq.

"There was about a 70 percent voter turnout in our area of operations," he said of the 2nd Squadron of the 278th.

That was true, he said, despite insurgent attempts to disrupt the Jan. 30 election. Capt. Bowlin said "six or seven" bombs were detonated near polling places in the operating area of the 2nd Squadron of the 278th, but they failed to dissuade Iraqi citizens there from voting.

"They just kept coming" to the polls, he said. Capt. Bowlin said the 2nd Squadron of the 278th has been aggressive in locating and arresting suspected insurgents in the area around Forward Operating Base Bernstein and also has made efforts to win over the local population.

Capt. Bowlin said he is an "Active Guard and Reserve" officer. That, he said, means that, unlike most National Guardsmen, he is a full-time soldier.

At Forward Operating Base in Iraq, he said, he is assigned to the 2nd Squadron’s headquarters, where he plans the unit’s operations.

But as part of his duties, he said, he also leaves the camp on patrols "three or four times a week."

Proud Of Greenevillians

During the interview, Capt. Bowlin praised the efforts in Iraq of other Greeneville-based National Guardsmen.

"I’ve never been more proud of a bunch of guys as I am of the guys from Greeneville," he said. He credited the leadership of senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) such as 1st Sgt. Everett Ottinger, 1st Sgt. Eddie Pridemore and Sgt. 1st Class Ronnie Houston with contributing greatly to the 2nd Squadron’s success in Iraq.

"Everett is the toughest guy you ever laid eyes on," Capt. Bowlin said. "He’s a quiet guy, but he’s very solid.

"And Ronnie Houston has been a standout since day one."

Capt. Bowlin said Houston is the 2nd Squadron’s scout platoon leader. He noted that the scout platoon had collected much valuable information in the 2nd Squadron’s area of operations.

"It’s hard to tell how many bad guys that those guys from Greeneville have put in jail or gotten off the street one way or the other indirectly," Capt. Bowlin said of the scout platoon.

He also said that Tim Lyman from G Troop also had "stood out"” among the unit’s junior enlisted men in Iraq.

"I’ll go out if there is a raid or similar operation," he said. "But Sgt. 1st Class Ronnie Houston and those guys are out there every day of the week." Capt. Bowlin said that he when he goes on patrol, it is typically with the scouts from Greeneville.

"The bottom line is that you’re as safe as in your mother’s arms with them," he said. "I’ve known those guys forever."

Capt. Bowlin also noted that two of Troop G’s older soldiers have played key roles "behind the scenes" while the unit has been in Iraq. "Sammy Anderson and Weldon Bebber are cooking for us," he said.

"Sammy will turn 60 in January," Bowlin said. "He’s as solid as they come. He was recently promoted to staff sergeant. He was a sergeant for 37 years." Capt. Bowlin said he wants the public to know that the 278th's soldiers have all the equipment they need in Iraq.

"We’ve got everything we need," he said. "I made a comment in church the other day that if a soldier is hungry or cold over there, it’s basically his own fault. The army has taken excellent care of us since we’ve been over there. The medical care is great, and the food is good."

He noted that new armored trucks have arrived and are in use as well.

Public Thanked

Capt. Bowlin said he also wants to thank the public for all the letters and packages he and the other 278th soldiers have received since they’ve been in Iraq. "A class at Highland Elementary School adopted me," he said. "I appreciate all the letters and pictures they’ve sent. All the churches and the Daughters of American Revolution have been great, too."

Capt. Bowlin noted that the 278th also has received a tremendous number of toys from Greene County residents for distribution to children in Iraq. "It is hard to believe the number of toys we have given out over there," he said. "We really appreciate all the people of Greeneville and Greene County have done for us."

Capt. Bowlin also said on Saturday that he wanted to thank his wife for her support and to thank friends and family members for assisting her while he was been serving in Iraq.

"It's probably been harder on her (his wife) than it has been on me," Capt. Bowlin said of his service in Iraq.

Photo Special to the Sun - Capt. John “Brad” Bowlin, of Greeneville, is shown pointing to a sign erected by local National Guardsmen at Forward Operating Base Bernstein in Iraq earlier this year. The sign notes the distances to Greeneville and other Northeast Tennessee communities.

Story Copyright to The Greeneville Sun