Dear Interested Reader,
A girls' school opens in Umm Qasr, while a new micro power generator brings electricity to more than 1,600 families. Enjoy a heartwarming story of 190 new American citizens. The 168th BSB Re-enlistment Team recognized for their outstanding work, while the Support Oporation Transportation Team sets high marks for the 1st SB. Kudos to both!
Joanna
_______________________________
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
School opens in Umm Qasr
Umm Qasr - Students, teachers and local officials gathered to dedicate the refurbished Dhat Al Sawari girl's school in Umm Qasr, Aug. 31.
Umm Qasr Mayor Muzam, School head mistress Mrs. Wasela, and Maj. Stephen Hicks of the 42nd MP Bde spoke at the ceremony. One of the students read a poem she wrote specifically for the
ceremony.
Soldiers of the U.S. Army's 42nd MP Bde., and the British 7th Armored Bde provided security for the event.
A young Iraqi student reads a poem she wrote on peace, saying no to terrorists and about her new school. She said her newly refurbished school makes her, and many others, happy to be able to learn in a beautiful and safe institution.
(Army photo by Sgt Tim Ortez)
Umm Qasr Mayor Muzam and U.S. Army Maj. Stephen Hicks cut the ribbon symbolizing the officialdedication of the newly refurbished girls school.
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Blackanthem Military News
Ironhorse Soldiers 'on top of the world' after becoming U.S. citizens
By Staff Sgt. Scott Wolfe
Soldiers from the 4th ID, along with servicemembers from across Iraq, wait in the central rotunda of the Al Faw Palace for the naturalization ceremony to begin Sept. 1 that will usher them in as new citizens of the U.S. of America.
(Army photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Wolfe)
BAGHDAD - The central rotunda of the Al Faw Palace was filled with two types of people on Sept. 1. Those on the outside of the pillars were a frenzy of movement and flashing cameras. The people in the center, seated in neat rows, were a contrast of stillness. They looked, by varying degrees, to be calm, nervous and happy - and often all three at once. Some chatted quietly with the person next to them, while others seemed more introspective, their gaze drawn inward, perhaps thinking about what steps had led them to this moment.
Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, the comm. gen. of MNC - Iraq, presided over a naturalization ceremony in which more than 190 Soldiers from across Iraq were sworn in as U.S. citizens.
Sgt. Paul Sowu, of HHC Div Special Troops Bn, 4th ID, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, has been waiting 6 years to become an American citizen. He began the process in 2002, 2 years before he joined the Army. He left his native Ghana in 1997 to go to college in the United States. He said he liked what he saw and experienced in his college years and made the decision to become an American.
"Everything it stands for - Freedom - Opportunity - Being anything you want if you put your mind to it - Equality," he declared, when speaking about why he wanted to become a citizen.
Sowu said he was glad that they made a "big deal" out of the ceremony, even though he was a little nervous, because it marked a special occasion for him and his fellow participants. His lips turned up in a wide grin that animated his face as he talked about how he feels now that it was all behind him - and that he is now an American. "I can't explain it," he said, as one of the United States' newest citizens. "I feel on top of the world."
Sgt. Paul Sowu is presented an American flag from Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Allen, the senior enlisted leader of MNC - Iraq, during the naturalization ceremony.
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Blackanthem Military News
Awards - The 168th BSB Re-enlistment Team is recognized for their outstanding work
By Capt. Paul A. Brown
(left) Brig. Gen. Robin Swan presents the 4ID "Top Bn" Award to the 168th BSB. Accepting the award on behalf of the battalion is Sgt 1st Class Yajaira Epps (middle). Beside her is Lt. Colonel Todd Heussner (right).
(Army Photo by Capt. Paul Brown)
CAMP LIBERTY - The 168th BSB continues its mission in the pursuit of excellence while deployed to Iraq. The bn was recognized by 4th ID here August 22, as the "Top Battalion" for 3 consecutive quarters by continuing to exceed all mission requirements of keeping Soldiers in boots. This is the second time in 12 months that the 168th BSB, from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, was recognized by the 4th ID as the "Top Battalion" among all its battalions in Baghdad.
Sgt 1st Class Yajaira Epps, a Career Counselor for the bn, lead the charge for re-enlistment in the bn. Epps has, with the help of her team, accomplished an unprecedented feat while deployed in support of combat ops in Baghdad. To date, the bn has exceeded all its mission requirements in initial re-enlistments (168%), mid-term (147%) and careerist (217%). Also significant is the staggering 123% mission accomplishments on a special category know as Fiscal Year 2008 (those Soldiers who would leave the Army upon redeployment and after the end of the re-integration).
Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, the Dep. Comm. Gen. (Support) for the 4th ID, had this to say about the "Make It Happen" bn as he presented the award to Epps and Lt Col Todd Heussner, Bn Cmdr. "After spending time with your Soldiers, it is clear to me why the bn is having all this success. This bn has great leaders, leaders that each and every Soldier in the bn wants to emulate."
"It's a great day to be a Soldier and I'm proud of my team and all we have accomplished. There have been a lot of long days, but the outcome of seeing a Soldier re-enlist is well worth the sacrifices," said Epps after receiving the award. As the 168th BSB prepares to leave Iraq in the next few weeks to return home, Epps and her team will continue to work hard to support all of the bns' Soldiers by keeping them in boots.
Sgt 1st Class Yajaira Epps holds the 2 4th ID "Top Battalion" awards she and her team has earned while deployed.
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Blackanthem Military News
Support Operation Transportation Team sets high marks for the 1st Sustainment Brigade
By Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude
(Left to right) Capt. Dominick Supersad, Master Sgt. Mark Vandewoestyne, CW2 Nadine Johnson, Sgt 1st Class Markus Dudley, Lt. Col. Hielke "Hike" Welling, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Cougan and Col. Kevin O'Connell, pose for a photo after being recognized for their superior achievement. The other 2 members of their team Sgt. 1st Class Peggy Anderson and Sgt. 1st Class Nelson Rivas were unable to attend.
CAMP TAJI - They were all smiles as Col Kevin O'Connell, the cmdr. of the 1st SB, took some time out of his schedule to recognize the excellent achievements of the 1st SB, Support Ops Transportation Team, Aug 25.
"The synchronizing of 7,000 Transportation Movement Releases in less than a year demonstrates the professionalism and dedication by the Soldiers and leaders here. It is an honor to share this moment with them," said O'Connell.
"Its mind boggling to think about the number of missions and miles our Soldiers have executed and driven in such challenging conditions," stated Lt. Col. Hielke "Hike" Welling, the 1st SB support ops officer. "And to think in the last 30 days we have had no TMR's over Required Delivery Date. I'm so proud of all our Soldiers."
The 1st SB is from Fort Riley, Kansas, and has been deployed in Iraq for nearly a year. They are responsible for providing sustainment support and distribution of all classes of supply to the 80,000 plus Soldier, contractors, and CF serving throughout MND - Baghdad and parts of MND - Center.
"The biggest part of the distribution mission is the heroes that travel on the roads everyday bringing critical supplies to out coalition troops. A small, but significant part is the heroes in the SPO transportation team that execute flawless and meticulous management resulting in the best distribution and logistics in theater," stated Welling.
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New generator brings electricity to Hay Sheikh Umar
FOB LOYALTY - Iraqi officials and Patriot Bde Soldiers unveiled a micro-power generator in Hay Sheikh Umar,
Sept. 4. Officials from the Rusafa District Council, the area neighborhood council and Soldiers from 3rd Sqdrn, 89th Cav Regt, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div, conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Muhalla 127.
"This project was conceived by the Rusafa District Council as they prioritized their electricity needs in Rusafa," said Capt. Timothy Green, effects coordinator for HH Troop, 3rd Sqdn.
About 1,600 families in the area will benefit from electricity that the micro-power generator will produce. This project isn't a fix-all for the area, but it does help provide people with electricity to help them through their day, he said. Essentially, residents hook up from their homes to the micro-power generator, which offers citizens about 8 hours of power they would not otherwise have from the city power grid. Rusafa District Council members and other Iraqi officials are "really running the show," and the Soldiers just "support, coach, teach and mentor" their Iraqi partners, he said.
"The project isn't just about installing generators for the district council and the neighborhood council, but it places a great amount of responsibility on managing the project," Green said. "The running of the project will require the NC and DC to purchase the fuel, collect the money and connect the services for the families. This is a continual project that has longevity."
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IA, MND-B Soldiers seize munitions in Baghdad
BAGHDAD - Sept. 5, at approx. 9 a.m., while searching a street in the Mansour district of Baghdad, IA soldiers found 9 blocks of TNT inside an empty store.
While acting on a tip from a local Sheik, Soldiers serving with Co C, 1st Bn, 14th Inf Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID seized a cache northwest of Baghdad at approx. 11:45 a.m. The munitions included 12 cases of 14.5 ammo, 2 122 mm charge canisters, 500 .50 caliber ammo and a DSHKA heavy machine gun barrel.
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