Dear Interested Reader,
We honor Sgt. Olivia Haddock, earning her battlefield promotion with high accolades. Thanks to the 42nd FAR, responsible for security, Zawra Park is safe and enjoyed by the thousands. The 65th MP are training Mahmudiyah IP District Response Team. The Warhose Bde arrives at Camp Echo, while the 398th CSSB unit takes control at Victory Base Complex. Marines take pride in rebuilding schools destroyed by terrorists.
Joanna
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Oct. 07, 2008
Blackanthem Military News
The New Face of War
Road Warrior Earns Battlefield Promotion
By Army Capt. Latasha R. Thomas
Sgt. Olivia Haddock performs a communications check in her MRAP before heading out on mission.
CAMP LIBERTY - Cpl. Olivia Haddock is serving her second deployment in support of OIF, both times in a convoy security section. This deployment she is a truck cmdr. for a convoy security section attached to 168th BSB. She has been promotable since Oct. 2007, but promotion points for transportation sgts have been maxed out for just as long. As it turns out, her hard work just paid off with the renewal of an old policy.
On April 1, 2008, the Dept. of the Army approved a pilot program designed to promote enlisted Soldiers based on extraordinary performance while serving on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. "Cpl. Haddock is definitely deserving of the honor. She works hard and has been a leader in this co. since 2006. This [promotion] couldn't have happened to a more deserving Soldier," said Staff Sgt. Gallagher, 57th Trans Co.
Haddock has distinguished herself from her peers time and time again. She was the first mission cmdr. under the grade of Staff Sgt. She set the standard, which was recognized by the Bn cmdr. Because of her discipline and combat experience she was chosen to be a vehicle cmdr. for the co.'s convoy security section. She has been on every mission with the section and has served with distinction. "You couldn't ask for more in a Corp. She just stepped up to the plate when we needed her most," said her convoy cmdr., Sgt 1st Class Lithkousky, 57th Trans Co, 168th BSB.
Haddock was promoted to Sgt on Sept. 1, 2008 by Lt. Colonel Todd A. Heussner, Cmdr. of the 168 BSB. She is an excellent NCO and an example that we hope all Road Warriors will follow.
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MND-B Soldiers, media visit Zawra Park
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Local residents enjoy boat rides on the lake at Zawra Park in the Karkh district of Baghdad, Oct. 4. Park officials estimate that an average of 500,000 visitors daily have passed through the gates of the park since the end of Ramadan.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Brock Jones)
Lt. Col. Robert Kirby (center), cmdr., 4th Bn, 42nd FAR, 1st BCT, 4th ID, attached to 2nd BCT, 101st Abn Div, walks with media and IP through Zawra Park. Kirby's unit, in conjunction with the local IP, is responsible for the security of the area.
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CF trains Mahmudiyah IP District Response Team
By Pfc. Christopher McKenna
FOB MAHMUDIYAH - MND - C Soldiers are training the second class of the Mahmudiyah IA Police District Response Team (DRT) at the Mahmudiyah IA Compound from Sept. 13-28.
Soldiers with the 65th MP Co, 503rd MP Bn, 16th MP Bde (Abn) are training 11 IP DRT in basic rifle marksmanship, close-quarters combat, combat lifesaver skills, vehicle assaults and building entry and clearing techniques.
"The DRT will be a police org. that takes on the hard cases of the Mahmudiyah Police Force," said Spc. Joshua Carrion, 2nd Plt, 65th MP Co. team leader and clearance technique lead trainer. "We train the DRT on special weapons and tactics that are beyond the IP's regular scope of work."
"This group of DRT members will make sure Mahmudiyah is not threatened by terrorists," said 1st Lt. Abid, Mahmudiyah IP and future plt leader for the DRT. "We will gain the trust of the people by making sure the enemy has no place to safely rest."
"We're looking for the elite, the best of the best. We stress that they have to be sharp and know things that other people aren't necessarily going to know," Carrion said.
"The DRT will be the force of choice in Mahmudiyah if there are non-combatants believed to be at a designated mission location," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Martinez, 65th MP Co., squad leader.
This is the second of four DRT classes scheduled through October to train a total of 45 IPs.
Staff Sgt. Andrew Martinez instructs IP on room-clearing techniques.
(Army photo by Pfc. Christopher McKenna)
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Blackanthem Military News
Warhorse Brigade arrives in Iraq
By Sgt. Rodney Foliente
Soldiers from 2nd CAB, 8th Inf Regt, 2nd BCT, 4th ID, unload containers Sep. 21 as they begin to make Camp Echo their temporary home.
(Army photos by Sgt. Rodney Foliente)
CAMP ECHO - Soldiers from 2nd BCT, 4th ID arrived at Camp Echo in the Qadisiyah Province ready for their mission. "The Warhorse Bde will provide overwatch with assistance by, through and with the Iraqi SF as they continue to secure the Iraqi population in this province," said Col. Butch Kievenaar, cmdr., 2nd BCT, 4th ID, which is based out of Fort Carson, Colo.
"We're ready to do our mission and help the Iraqi people take over and get their country back on its feet," said Sgt. David Barnes, armorer and gunner, HHC, 2nd CAB. Barnes is on his second deployment with 2-8th Inf. Regt., and patrolled some of the areas that currently fall under the Warhorse area of ops in 2005-2006. He said it's a completely different mission than the last deployment, and is eager to personally see how far security and stability have progressed. "We're here to help the Iraqi people to better their local communities and country as a whole and help ensure they have a better way of life," added Spc. Josh Dalland, scout, HHC.
They have great confidence in their leadership, the Iraqi people, the ISF and collective Coalition capabilities, said Pfc. Brett Humbert, driver and gunner, Co E, 2-8th Inf. Regt. "I'm ready. We're all ready to do our mission and get things accomplished."
The Warhorse Bde's 1st CAB, 67th Armor Bn., will be operating in northern Iraq, and the 1st Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt, will operate in eastern Iraq. The bn and sqdrn will each fall under different units; however, the Warhorse Bde will continue to provide all of their support and logistics.
PFC Lito Rodriquez, topographic analyst, HHT, 2nd BCT, 4th ID, carries an antenna as bde Soldiers set up the Tactical Op Center.
(Army photo by Sgt. Rodney Foliente)
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Blackanthem Military News
Maryland Army Reserve unit takes control
By Spc. Andrea Merritt
Lt. Col. William Arther, cmdr. of the 398th Combat Sustainment Support Bn, gives a speech during a transfer of authority ceremony, Sept. 21.
(Army photos by Spc. Andrea Merritt)
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - The 398th CSSB, an Army Reserve unit based out of Rockfeld, Md., officially took control of ops from the 553rd CSSB during a transfer of authority ceremony, Sept. 21.
The 398th CSSB now has command and control of Victory Base Complex Bulk Fuel Farm, Central Receiving and Shipping Point Yard, Liberty Ammo Supply Point, and Shower Laundry and Clothing Repair teams in MND - Baghdad and Center.
"The 398th (CSSB) is fully ready to support the mission," said Lt. Col. William Arther, the 398th CSSB cmdr. "(Our goal) is to get the mission done and try to make a positive impact to the mission," added Arther. "The main purpose here is the warfighters and the decision makers."
The 553rd CSSB, a Fort Hood, Texas, unit, is scheduled to transition with the 168th BSB and take on a new mission. The unit will be responsible for a multi-class Supply Support Activity and conduct direct support maintenance. The unit will also have to direct the transport of supplies to about 80,000 warfighters throughout MND - B and MND - C.
Lt. Col. Gregory Koller, cmdr. of the 553rd CSSB, and Command Sgt. Maj. Orlando McMurry, command sgt maj. for the 553rd CSSB, case their unit's colors.
Lt. Col. William Arther, cmdr. of the 398th CSSB, and Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Merritt, command sgt. maj. for the 398th CSSB, uncase their unit's colors.
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Marines Help Iraqis Rebuild Schools Destroyed by Terrorists
By Lance Cpl. Scott Schmidt
SAQLAWAIYAH — It was a local Iraqi’s unshakable resolve which stood at the forefront of a project to rebuild 2 schools destroyed in the wake of 2 terrorist bombing attacks last year.
The Iraqis, with assistance from numerous Coalition Civil Affairs Teams, finished reconstruction of the al Iqitdar and al Churhabil schools here, Sept. 21. Marines with Civil Affairs, Detachment 3, Team 4, attached to Task Force (TF) 1st Bn, 2nd Marine Regt, RCT 1, managed the Iraqi-led reconstruction projects for the past 6 months.
“We assisted in the funding, oversaw each phase of reconstruction and held Iraqi contractors to the standards of reconstruction in the work contract,” explained Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Zamora, the chief for Team 4.
The completed projects met, and in some areas, exceeded the team’s expectations, said Sgt. Aaron M. Raher, a 28-year-old security chief with Team 4. New structural support, refurbished class rooms and sustained electricity throughout the schools came just in time for the approaching school year. “A lot of the local Iraqis worked on the construction teams and now that the schools are finished, teachers have a place to work,” said Raher.
The reconstruction of the schools was a major concern of the community, who has been very pleased by the projects’ completion, said Sheik Humadi. The community’s fearless reactions to the terrorist attacks and their determination during the reconstruction period have helped to secure a bright future for the city.
“Iraqis are trying to keep their children in school and keep them educated,” said Zamora. “After the attacks students needed a proper place to learn, and now they have 2.”
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