TROOP SCOOP:

Dear Interested Reader,
Our troops can be proud of the role they've played in rebuilding and renovating schools in Iraq. A human interest story of an immigrant serving our country, and Sadr City leaders and Striker Bde Soldiers were invited to take part in breaking the Ramadan fast. Kudos to Jefforey Smith being promoted to Brig. Gen., while IP continue their training, graduating from Basic Crime Scene Investigation course.
Joanna
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Sept. 14, 2008
Blackanthem Military News

Education remains priority in Ameriya

By Capt. Andrew Graziano

2nd Lt. Ben Dalton speaks with an Iraqi boy in a classroom.
(Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Manuel Martinez)

BAGHDAD - Despite Baghdad having a number of priorities for the improvement of essential services, the importance of education has not been forgotten. The Alethar School in the northwestern Baghdad neighborhood of Ameriya is a great example of the priority that local Neighborhood Area Councils (NAC) have put on education. The school was recently renovated to provide new classrooms, desks, chairs and even computers in order to provide an ample learning environment for the children of Ameriya.
Working closely with the Ameriya NAC, Om Omar, the school mgr., was able to provide the renovations through a micro grant from CF. She now manages several locations in Ameriya, all while raising her own children as well.
"A few dedicated and selfless citizens are contributing immensely to the rebuilding of Iraq by funding, managing and running their own schools," said Capt. Jose Reyes, with the 4th Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, attached to the 2nd BCT, 101st Abn Div (AASLT). "They do so with the knowledge and blessing of the Ministry of Education. These people bring hope to the rest of Iraqis."
The Alethar School is for children 3-14 years of age and offers a variety of classes to include math, reading, writing, English, music, art and computers.
"Iraqi children are being given a place to learn and grow in a safe environment; the children will be given the foundation to be successful in life," said 2nd Lt. Benjamin Dalton, with 4th Sqdn.

Soldiers from Troop C interact with Iraqi school children.

Iraqi children watch Soldiers from Troop C interact with their fellow classmates.

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Blackanthem Military News

Former African pastor now serves as Soldier, cook with 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield

Pfc. Rudolph Foliwe, a native of Cameroon, Africa, who serves as a cook with Co D "Dark Riders," 1st Bn, 66th AR, 1st BCT, 4th ID, serves dinner to a fellow Soldier at an abandoned potato chip factory in New Baghdad, Sept. 4. The factory now serves as his co.'s COP. Foliwe lived in the U.S. for a little more than 3 months before joining the U.S. Army as a cook.

BAGHDAD - Many Soldiers join the U.S. Army as a way of saying thanks, while others feel it is their patriotic duty to serve the country that has offered them a life full of endless opportunities. Regardless of the reason, thousands of Soldiers are taking or re-taking the oath to defend and protect the U.S.A during this time of war.
Pfc. Rudolph Foliwe didn't have much time to take advantage of the opportunities for which he came to the States before he joined the U.S. Army and began his career as a cook.
Foliwe pursued an education in international affairs before attending 3 years of bible school and becoming a pastor in Cameroon. At the age of 33 he decided to travel to the U.S. "Africans love to travel," he said, in his thick accent with a lively smile on his face, "and I wanted to experience a better way of life. People in the U.S. are blessed."
He arrived in Boston July 7, 2007, and shipped off to basic training October 18, 2007.
"I have great admiration for the U.S. Army," he said. "A friend of mine used to always tell me about the Army and told me that if I ever get to the U.S. I should join."
Now, less than one year later, Foliwe blissfully prepares and serves food to his fellow Soldiers from Co D "Dark Knights," 1st Bn, 66th AR, 1st BCT, 4th ID. "I feel that the best way to begin my life as an immigrant is to fight for the country. This way, I can truly understand the benefits from the blessings of the country," he said. "It's a great foundation to set up my life, and a positive image for my future children."
Although Foliwe served many years as a pastor in Cameroon, the option to serve as a chaplain in the Army was not available because his education didn't translate into a degree in the U.S.; a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited school is necessary to become a chaplain. He made the decision to become a cook, choosing to physically feed others in place of spiritually "feeding" them. Because of his religious beliefs, he wanted to serve a vital role in the military, but in a job more focused on serving others than on combat.
"He was fresh out of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and had no experience in cooking out in the field. Everything was new to him," said Spc. Marcus Reichelderfer, who also serves as a cook with Co. D. "In a month and a half, he's improved from zero to 100. He's completely competent to run a shift by himself."
Foliwe will be applying for citizenship at the end of September. By next year, his goal is to not only be a U.S. Soldier - but also to be a U.S. citizen.

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Blackanthem Military News

Sadr City leaders, Striker Soldiers celebrate Iftar

By Sgt. Jerry Saslav

Sadr City politicians, tribal sheiks and Imams, along with U.S. Soldiers from the 3rd BCT, 4th ID, and U.S. State Dept officials, break the Ramadan fast with a traditional Iftar dinner at FOB War Eagle, Sept. 6.

FOB WAR EAGLE - Ramadan is Islam's holiest month. Muslims fast during the day and at night break their fast with a celebratory dinner with family and friends known as Iftar.
"In my mind, they are the heroes of the city because they have stepped forward even though we don't have true peace yet. We still have Special Groups that do not want to see this succeed. These individuals risked their lives to pay us a visit tonight as well as risking their lives every day to ensure that we move forward," said Col. John Hort, cmdr. of MND - Baghdad's Striker Bde. The dinner "was a true showing and representation of our commitment, as well as their commitment, to moving forward in terms of peace and stability in Sadr City," said Hort.
Some of the Iraqis drove to the base, others came by helicopter. The guests who flew were able to observe not only Sadr City but other parts of Baghdad. "When you fly home tonight, look at all the lights," Hort said, as he greeted one of the Iraqi leaders.
Erecting solar powered street lights, as well as restoring electricity to Sadr City and the rest of Baghdad, has been one of the Striker Bde's missions. The flight provided the attendees an opportunity to see that challenges with electricity are not just isolated to Sadr City, but all over Baghdad in terms of where the lights are or aren't on.
Before the fast was broken, the Iraqi guests went into a specially prepared area for Salat Al-Iftar prayers. In keeping with Muslim custom, a plate of dates was brought out as the Striker Soldiers and civilians mingled.
"Do not mistake the look of our Soldiers for what is in their heart," Hort told his guests, as they sat down for dinner. "Even though we come from different cultures, we have great respect for Iraq and its people."
"I asked the leaders tonight," Hort said, after the dinner had ended, "to continue to educate their people who they represent - that while we look and act like Soldiers, we have the heart of any human being and that our mission is to help the people."
Sayid Al-Shawki, a Shia Imam, led the prayer before dinner. The approx. 40 people sat together and feasted on a traditional Iraqi dinner. After dinner, Imam Al-Shawki led the group in a prayer for all those, Iraqi and CF, civilian and military alike, who gave their lives for their country.
"(Col. Hort) looked into the heart and he mentioned patience, faith and forgiveness," said Imam Al-Shawki. "These things our lord God, have put upon everybody in the Koran and all holy books."
"Thanks for God, things are going better, about 98%," said Sheik Al Firaji, a Sadr City leader. These goodwill gestures, said Hort, are meant to bridge the gap between what the past was and what the future is. Hort said he wants to work with the political, tribal and religious leaders to reconstruct and revitalize Sadr City and improve the quality of life for its people.
"They (the Striker Bde and its IA counterparts) have done a lot of good things - and things are getting better and better every day," said Al Firaji.

Sadr City politicians, tribal sheiks and Imams arrive by helicopter.

Col. Hort chats with and greets Sheik Al Rubai.

Col. Hort greets Imam Al-Shawki.

Col. Hort greets Hassan Shama, District Advisory Council chairman.

Col. Hort greets Sheik Al Firaji, as Sheik Al Rubai looks on.

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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

Iraqi Police graduate from Basic Crime Scene Investigations Course

Col. Kevin Brown, Dep. Cmdr. of the 1st BCT, 10th Mtn Div, is interviewed by the Iraqi Media Network following a Basic Criminal Investigations Course graduation for the city's IP members, Sept. 11. Twenty-seven IP officers completed the course at the Police Academy adjacent to FOB Warrior, with guidance from the 1st BCT. The IP members completed 240 hours of instructional training in fields ranging from evidence collection and handling, along with various medical and forensic investigation techniques that will help them when dealing with arson and blood evidence, fingerprinting and crime scene photography.
(U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Jason Jordan)

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Smith promoted to brigadier general

CAMP VICTORY - Brig. Gen. Jefforey Smith, 10th Mtn Div deputy comm. gen. for support, was promoted from colonel during a ceremony at MND-C HQ, Sept. 11.
With family and friends watching via video teleconference system back home in Fort Drum, N.Y., a packed room burst into applause as a single star was placed upon Smith's Army Combat Uniform, symbolizing his promotion.
Lt Gen Lloyd Austin III, MNC - Iraq cmdr., presided over the promotion ceremony and spoke to the crowd about Smith's accomplishments and potential. "He is the caliber of man we look at to lead the Army," said Austin. "Jeff has done a great job, holding a number of challenging positions during his 25-year career. We are going to award him the rank that he has justly earned."
Austin presented Smith with his gen. officer pistol belt and pistol, followed by Smith receiving his gen. officer flag - which serves as a symbol to Soldiers who serve in their command.

Soldiers applaud the Army's newest gen., Brig. Gen. Jefforey Smith.
(Army photo by Spc. Josh LeCappelain)

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MND-B Soldiers detain four suspected criminals in Baghdad's Rashid district

FOB FALCON, Iraq - Sep. 11, at approx. 3 a.m. Soldiers from HHC, 1st, Bn, 22nd Inf Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, detained 4 suspected criminals in the Jihad community of Baghdad's Rashid district.

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MND-C Soldiers, IP discover caches

BAGHDAD - MND-C Soldiers and IP discovered Iranian manufactured munitions in 2 caches, Sept. 9.
Acting on a tip from a local national, Soldiers with the 1st Bn, 76th FAR, 4th Bde, 3rd Inf Heavy BCT, discovered a weapons cache near the town of Salman Pak in Iraq's Wasit province at 7:30 a.m. The cache contained 2 shoulder fired missiles, 9 Iranian manufactured 240 mm rockets, a mortar sight and an aiming tripod.
At approx. 12:14 p.m., the Jabellah IP recovered a cache buried near Hillah in Babil province, consisting of 24 blocks of Iranian manufactured C4 explosive and 2 propane tanks that were in the process of being converted into IEDs.