Vicenza-based soldiers knew what needed to be done as their second tour in Afghanistan began

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Vicenza-based soldiers knew what needed to be done as their second tour in Afghanistan began
By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, June 11, 2007

ORGUN-E, Afghanistan

Few battalions in the Army have spent as much time as the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment getting to know their areas of operations.

Some soldiers in the Vicenza, Italy-based unit have served 25 of the past 40 months in Paktika province. They went on a 12-month tour in 2005-06, and followed it up with a 15-month stint expected to last until July.

Staff Sgts. Kevin Field and Matthew Fillinger and Sgt. Michael Fogleman all served in the same platoon when the 173rd Airborne Brigade jumped into Iraq in 2003. They’re still serving as Sky Soldiers.

The men said they’ve noticed differences between the unit’s two rotations to Afghanistan.

"Our ops tempo is a lot higher this time," said Field, who has a wife and two children in Vicenza.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55446