Dear Interested Reader,
There are a myriad of stories including an in-depth look at OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter crews assisting our ground forces. A commencement ceremony for the establishment of the Southern Kirkuk Civil Service Corps will benefit the Iraqi economy. The USS Firebolt makes its first appearance in the port of Umm Qasr. The training of Iraqi Soldiers continue with learning evidence gathering. Weapons and munition caches continue to be seized thanks to citizen tips.
Joanna
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August 14, 2008
Blackanthem Military News
'Eyes In The Sky'
By CAB PAO Maj. Enrique T. Vasquez
Sgt. Tonia Cressey, OH-58 Kiowa Warrior crew chief from Troop C, performs pre-flight checks on an OH-58 Kiowa Warrior. The 4-6 CAV "Red Catchers" are part of the CAB, 1st ID, flying in support of Task Force Iron, 1st Armored Div., in northern Iraq.
(Photo by U.S. Army Maj. Enrique T. Vasquez)
Tikrit - Assisting ground cmdrs over the skies of Iraq are the pilots of Troop C, 4th Sqdrn, 6th Cav Regt flying OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters. "We are known as the scouts and we are both the eyes and ears of the command and task force," said Chief WO 4 Attila Herrera, Kiowa pilot. "A large portion of our mission is counter IED ops. If we are flying in direct support of ground forces our mission entails searching for IEDs," said Herrera.
However, before these scout pilots take-off on any mission whether in support ground troops or just flying a counter IED sortie, they plan and coordinate carefully. "We start off our day by checking out the log books and performing thorough pre-flight inspections of the assigned aircraft and the back-up aircraft," said Herrera.
"Troop C also known as Carnage Troop, fly the latest OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, which is primarily operated in an armed recon role in support of ground troops," said Chief WO 3 Michael Lewis, Kiowa pilot.
Although there is a myriad of aviation platforms such as UAVs and Apache helicopters to help ground forces, nothing beats the steady eye of intuitive Kiowa pilots watching for an elusive adversary.
Sgt. Elie Regis, 1-1 ARB battle NCO, explains as he starts his mission orientation brief to Kiowa pilots, "Pilots are briefed on the 5 Ws - who, what, where, when and why - in respect to the ops portion of the brief. The crews receive instructions on what the ground cmdrs want along with any changes in procedures or radio frequencies. Pilots receive any changes in battlespace and updates as to what friendly forces are in the area of ops."
Just as the ops officer gives a detailed briefing so does the intel officer. Everything the enemy might be doing or trying to do is briefed. "We find patterns and trends the enemy might be engaged in like IED, small arms fire and emplacements. We give the pilots an assessment so they know what to look for, how the enemy might act and what to expect," said Staff Sgt. Floyd Perry, 1-1 ARB intel analyst.
Shortly after take-off the flight crews of the OH-58 Kiowa 2-seater helicopter, begin to perform their individual and collective duties. While both are capable of flying the aircraft, the duties of the pilot-in-command and the co-pilot are distinctly different on a combat mission. "The right seat (pilot) is the primarily eyes out and concentrates on air traffic avoidance. The right seat directs the flight with regards to where they are going and what the priorities of recon are," said Lewis. "The left seat (co-pilot) manages the sensor, and operates both the navigation system and communications within the aircraft."
During a mission individual Kiowa pilots are part of a scout weapons team made up of 2 OH-58D Kiowa helicopters flying as a pair. Each Kiowa helicopter has a distinct role during a mission set. "The lead aircraft is the primary shooter and navigator. The trail aircraft covers the lead," said Lewis. "The trail also acts as a second pair of eyes should the lead aircraft take fire," Herrera. The trail is also responsible for keeping an eye on those on the ground and working with the ground units.
"The ground guys get excited when they see us fly over their convoys; we often hear them over the radio or watch them wave from their positions," said Herrera. "Our presence gives the ground forces confidence and increases their sense of security because they know we our out there looking for IEDs and bad guys," said Lewis.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Southern Kirkuk Civil Service Corps established
KIRKUK - The official announcement of the establishment of the Southern Kirkuk Civil Service Corps was made during a commencement ceremony held at the Kirkuk Convention Center, Aug. 11.
The 12-month program is funded by CF and will employ 500 Iraqi citizens from 4 districts in over 20 villages within the Kirkuk Province. Those selected during a previous application process include 250 former members of the SoI, according to Lt. Col. Dennis Sullivan, cmdr., 2nd Bn, 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st Bde, 10th Mtn Div. "The blue print took 6 months to develop," referring to the rigorous selection process which had Soldiers of 2nd Bn, 22 Inf. Regt. and those assigned to the 1st Bde, 10th Mtn Div. conducting background checks and facilitating the paperwork that ensued.
The program has already provided 100 jobs to local citizens to work in administrative and teaching capacities. The 'Triple Deuce' bn facilitated the program with a paid local staff made up of college-educated citizens from Kirkuk, to including 26 women.
"As a clear indicator of the security gains in the area, we can now focus on rebuilding the infrastructure in areas once plagued by insurgents, and investing in its future - the employees and students represent some of the finest examples of citizens of Iraq," Sullivan said during the ceremony. The other districts benefiting are Taza, Yaychi and Daquq.
The student workers will receive paid vocational classroom instruction and on-the-job training geared toward construction-related skills such as painting, carpeting and masonry. The projects will focus on the infrastructure needs of the communities such as schools, municipalities and other civil service related construction.
"169 construction projects have already been lined up for these students," Sheikh Al Shamhari, the CSC program manager told the audience attending the ceremony. "They will be involved in rebuilding their communities while learning a skill that will help them rebuild their lives too," he said.
Kirkuk Gov. Mostafa, Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, comm. gen. MND-North and 1st Armored Div., and Col. David Paschal, cmdr., 1st Bde, 10th Mtn Div watch the commencement ceremony.
Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson
Lt. Col. Dennis Sullivan, cmdr., 2nd Bn, 22nd Inf. Regt. signs the commencement paperwork for the establishment of the Southern Kirkuk Civil Service Corps as Sheikh Mohammed Shamhari, CSC program manager looks on during the ceremony.
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USS Firebolt Makes Port Visit to Umm Qasr
By Lt. Nathan Christensen
An Iraqi Sailor looks on from the pier as USS Firebolt transits the Khawr Abd Allah River towards the port of Umm Qasr.
Photo by Lt. Nathan Christensen
UMM QASR — As part of Iraq Navy Day celebrations, USS Firebolt made a port visit to Umm Qasr, Iraq, Aug. 13, marking the first visit by a U.S. ship to Iraq in more than 15 months. “Our port visit to Umm Qasr demonstrates the great confidence we have in our Iraqi partners, and reflects the marked improvements in security that they have achieved within the past several months,” said Lt. Cmdr. Trent Thompson, Firebolt’s Comm. Officer. “This visit gave us a chance to interact with senior Iraqi Navy leadership and further enhance coalition cooperation with the Iraqi Navy and Marines.”
“Making a port visit to Iraq and interacting with Iraqi officers is very important because it builds relationships and promotes positive interaction between our navies,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class David Moore. “Today was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am proud to help make a positive difference in Iraq’s future.”
An Iraqi officer said he was pleased Firebolt made a port visit to Umm Qasr and took time to visit Iraq. “This is an important day for us and for Iraq,” he said. “Having this ship visit Umm Qasr is a big step and we hope more coalition ships can visit this port as well.”
Rear Adm. Thomas Cropper, Dep. Cmdr., U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, celebrated Iraqi Navy Day with senior Iraqi naval leaders, Aug. 12 and was pier side for Firebolt’s arrival to Umm Qasr. “There has been significant progress in Iraq during the past year and a half that allowed Firebolt to make this port visit to Umm Qasr,” he said. “Visits like this are important because they help reinforce the strong ties that already exist between our two navies. This visit clearly demonstrates the coalition partnership in maritime security with the Iraqi Navy, and our commitment to the GoI and its people.”
Following the ship’s visit to Umm Qasr, senior Iraqi naval officers and members of the Naval Transition Team embarked Firebolt to inspect ops on the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal. While on board KAAOT, they discussed the role of Iraqi and CF protecting Iraq’s key maritime infrastructure in the North Persian Gulf. U.S. and coalition maritime forces provide assistance to the Iraqi Navy defending Iraq’s major oil platforms. These terminals are significant sources of Iraqi govt revenue and contribute approx. 80% of Iraq’s gross domestic product.
Led by Combined Task Force - 158, coalition maritime forces in the North Persian Gulf maintain a naval and air presence to safeguard the region’s vital links to the global economy. These key maritime infrastructure nodes are the foundation for the region's economic growth, stability and prosperity as well as significantly impact the global economy.
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Iraqi Soldiers Learn Evidence Gathering
Story and photo by Capt. Robin Worch
An Iraqi Soldier marks a bag used for collecting evidence during joint training with American Soldiers.
COB ADDER — Iraqi Army and U.S. Soldiers took part in a 2-part training event designed to improve the Iraqi’s ability to find, collect and capture forensic images for evidence.
Soldiers of the IA’s 1st Bn, 40th Bde conducted the 3-day training with Soldiers from 2nd Sqdrn, 12th Cav Regt, 4th BCT, 1st Cav Div in the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah. “This type of training really cuts to the heart of creating an Iraqi force that can conduct missions on their own,” said 1st Lt. Andrew Clark, assigned to Co B, 2nd Sqdn.
The first two days of training consisted of tactical investigation training and techniques for searching an area for possible caches and criminal activity. After learning how to search vehicles and houses for evidence, the Iraqi Soldiers were taught how to process the info for use in future trials. “This is a very important step for a country still working its way through the challenges of having a growing legal system,” said Capt. Chris Kelshaw, also assigned to Co. B.
On the last day of training, U.S. Soldiers taught Iraqi military intel personel to use Falcon View, a program that works with topographical imagery used in the planning of missions. “The Iraqis are working very hard to ensure that they can continue to be the lead element in all ops for Dhi Qar and Muthanna provinces,” said Kelshaw.
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SoI member turns in C-4 stockpile
FOB HAMMER - A stockpile of C-4 explosive material was turned into CF by a member of the SoI, Aug. 10 in Jisr Diyala.
The explosives were discovered after a group of children unearthed them while playing in their back yard. The children's father immediately gathered the explosives and delivered them to a nearby member of the SoI. The small stockpile contained 10 blocks of C-4 plastic explosives, each weighing just less than one-and-a-half pounds. The explosives are the largest concentration of captured plastic explosives found by TF 1-35 Armor since the 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Div. helped secure the area.
After inspecting the explosives, EOD determined that the blocks were all manufactured within the last 3 years and were of Iranian origin.
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Culvert bridge opens, links two sides of Numaniyah
BAGHDAD - A culvert bridge opened in Numaniyah, Aug. 8 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The opening signaled the end of the first stage in a 2-phase project. Soldiers of El Salvador's Bn Cuscatlán managed the initial phase, which began April 19.
"The bridge helps all the citizens of Numaniyah," said Ali al Karim, a contractor who helped construct the bridge. "It helps connect both sides of the city and ensures the free flow of water to both sides of the city." The culvert bridge will also allow water to flow from the Tigris River to farmers on the outskirts of the city.
The second phase is under way and will include the expansion of the bridge from 2 to 4 lanes in order to facilitate the high volume of traffic expected on the bridge.
Ali al Karim, a contractor, signs paperwork under the supervision of a soldier of El Salvador's Bn Cuscatlán, just before the opening ceremony for the new canal bridge.
Army photo by Sgt. Daniel West
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Tip leads IPs, U.S. Soldiers to railed rockets in Karadah
BAGHDAD - A tip led IP officers and U.S. Soldiers to find and destroy 2 rockets on rails in the Karadah district of eastern Baghdad, Aug. 12.
Soldiers from 5th Bn, 25th Field Artillery dispatched a patrol to clear the area around the rockets and an air weapons team to safely destroy the rocket.
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Lamb Sandwich
An Iraqi food vendor slices lamb to make sandwiches, Aug. 8, 2008, in the Saydiyah community of southern Baghdad. Soldiers from the 4th Bn, 64th Armor Regt, recently assisted the neighborhood council to bring streetlights to Tejara Street.
Photo by Sgt. David Hodge
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