Dear Interested Reader,
We're celebrating the Marines with 2nd Bn, along with the IP for the recovery of a huge stockpile near Haditha, and honoring the "Make it Happen" soldiers of the 168th BSB who accomplished miracles during their 15 tour of duty. The 68th Transportation Co. is mentoring the newly formed Iraqi Gen. Truck Regt; while a new regional courthouse comes to Basra.
Joanna
_________________________________
Sept. 27, 2008
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
MNF-W Marines discover munitions stockpile
CAMP FALLUJAH - Marines with 2nd Bn, 2nd Marines, currently assigned to Camp Pendleton-based RCT 5, discovered an explosive-remnants-of-war stockpile near Haditha, Sept. 23.
"This find demonstrates the post PIC (Provincial Iraqi Control) capabilities of an IP force in the lead, using its own intel to take the fight to the enemy by depriving him of a significant supply of ammo," said Lt. Col. Steven Grass, the bn cmdr. of Task Force 2nd Bn. "It was a big win."
Among the contents of the find were approx. 10,000 82 mm rounds, 106 155 mm rounds, a 100 mm projectile, 19 rockets, and a rocket tube. IP from Anah employed heavy machinery to excavate the site.
Capt. Michael Hays, co. cmdr. of Co E, Task Force 2nd Bn, 2nd Marine Regt, RCT 5, and Lt. Col. Steven J. Grass, the bn cmdr., meet with Iraqi SF at the site.
Marines with Task Force 2nd Bn, and Iraqi SF stand near a weapons cache of over 10,000 pieces of ordnance.
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Blackanthem Military News
"Make It Happen" is coming home
By Capt. Paul A. Brown
Spc. Robert Bradford helps pass out new chemical-biological mask canisters to Soldiers in Alpha Co., 168th BSB, 1st Sustainment Bde. The canisters are designed to remove toxic and/or irritating chemical vapors, gases, and particulate contaminants including biological organisms from the air passing through it.
(Army photo by Spc. Krista Bufford)
CAMP LIBERTY - Fifteen months ago, the 168th BSB departed Fort Sill, Okla. to take on a daunting mission, support MND-Baghdad and Central (MND-B/C) and the 80,000 Soldiers therein. This mission is staggering when you consider the 168th BSB is designed to support the 214th Fires Bde and their 3,000 Soldiers, not 80,000.
"I didn't do it!" remarked Lt. Colonel Todd A. Heussner, Cmdr of the 168th BSB. "It was the officers, NCOs, and Soldiers of the Bn who ‘Made it Happen'. All I had to do was provide guidance, intent, direction, and the right amount of pressure. I let the Soldiers do what they do best, provide world-class support in a safe and precise fashion."
"We (the 168th BSB) are part of history; we have played a vital role in securing Baghdad and the enabling of a return to "normalcy" in this once great city," stated Command Sgt. Maj. Miguel Rivera, a Bayamon, Puerto Rico, native, and Command Sgt. Maj. of the 168th BSB. "Our Soldiers are seeing the impact they are having on their fellow Soldiers and Iraq as a whole."
In addition to providing transportation support to MND-B in the form of CLPs, the 168th BSB has also made huge contributions in the maintenance of equipment that has been neglected for years in Iraq. The Support Ops, Equipment Readiness Section and Bravo Co, 168th BSB have established 3 key maintenance programs that have saved the Army millions of dollars along with Soldiers lives while providing world-class support. These shops include a mobile Fire Suppression System refill station that is capable of re-charging any fire suppression system in the Army inventory. Until recently, this was the only system in theater capable of servicing Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles fire bottles. Another service is the Bose Headset replacement / repair shop which ensures communications are always clear while Soldiers are on patrol.
The last important service is the forklift reset, which loans units a newly refurbished forklift while Soldiers from Bravo Co, 168th BSB, completely rebuild their broken down or nearly destroyed forklifts. While executing all of these additional programs the 168th BSB has completed over 24,000 maintenance jobs since arriving in Iraq, and over the past 9 months, no maintenance job has taken more than 30 days to complete.
"Our maintenance Soldiers have done a great job down in the motor pools, and are a direct reflection of the supply system working properly and the transportation section ensuring the speedy delivery of repair parts," remarked Chief Warrant Officer 4 Terry Spencer, Support Ops Senior Maintenance Technician.
While accomplishing their support mission, the 168th BSB also set the bar high on safety. The Bn safety program has been a key component to the success of the Bn while deployed. Over the course of 15 months, no organic units of "Make It Happen" have been involved in any reportable accidents or any accidents resulting in Soldiers being injured. "We don't have accidents because everyone in the Bn, from Private to Lt Col, think about safety and take the steps necessary to ensure our brothers in arms are doing the right thing, safely," said Heussner.
The 168th BSB is also making a big impact on the Army as a whole by retaining Soldiers and developing the "next generation" of Army leaders. One amazing feat the Bn accomplished is the retention of all the Captain's when the Army has one of its highest attrition rates for Captains in its history.
The Bn also ensured the re-enlistment of all quality Soldiers was accomplished (and done with much notoriety). At the time of press, the 168th BSB is leading all of the III Corps (Ft. Hood, Texas) in the "Large Bn Category" for retention with nearly 200% mission accomplishment in every category from initial termer to careerist.
Over the next few days, the 168th BSB will conduct their end-of-tour awards ceremony in Iraq where 65 Bronze Star Medals and over 330 Army Commendation Medals will be presented to the officers and Soldiers of the Bn for their hard work and dedication to duty in combat.
The officers and Soldiers of "Make It Happen" have demonstrated, in every imaginable way, the reasons why they should be called the "Best Support Battalion."
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Sustainment Soldiers partner with IA transporters
Sgt. Robert S Axtell, truck driver, 68th Transportation Co, answers questions through an interpreter from a group of Iraqi Soldiers with the newly formed General Truck Regt. Axtell had just completed giving a short class on safe stopping distances during convoy ops, Sept. 24. The 68th Trans. Co. is currently serving a 15-month tour in Iraq, with Washington Indiana's 1st Sqdrn, 152nd Cav, 1st Sustainment Bde.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt Gary Hawkins)
Sgt. Robert S. Axtell presents a class to Soldiers of the IA General Truck Regt, thru an interpreter, Sept. 24. The 68th Trans. Co., is partnering with the new formation to help increase IA transportation capabilities through instruction and mentorship in transportation skills.
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Combined operation nets 22 in Siniyah
SINIYAH – Two days after a SoI checkpoint was attacked in the northern city of Siniyah, a combined op by CF and IP resulted in the detainment of 22 wanted individuals, Sept. 25.
The op was aimed at finding individuals who did not choose to clear their names during the reconciliation period over the past few months in the adjacent city of Bayji. Some of these individuals were also being sought for possible involvement in an IED attack on an SoI checkpoint.
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Corps of Engineers hands over regional courthouse (Basra)
Basra – The Gulf Region South Corps of Engrs Basra Area Office handed over a new regional courthouse in Basra, Sept. 23. The Basra Regional Courthouse is one of the largest projects undertaken by GRS.
Army Lt. Col. Humberto Ramirez represented the Corps of Engrs. at the ceremony signing the building over to the Iraqi Ministry of Justice. Judge Layth represented the GoI and cut the ribbon signifying the transfer of control of the site.
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Patch Work
Col. Jab Abid Awn, cmdr. of the Iraqi NP, shares his unit patches with Army Lt. Col. Robert McCarthy, after receiving his air assault wings for his unit participating in a joint air assault with U.S. soldiers on FOB Paliwoda, Sept. 20, 2008. McCarthy and the soldiers are assigned to Blackhorse Troop, 1st Sqdrn., 32nd Cav, 101st Abn Div.
Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Micky M. Bazaldua.
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Toy Box
A U.S. Army Soldier passes out toys during a medical op in Quarghuliyah, Sept. 20, 2008. The Soldiers are assigned to the Task Force 1-35 Armor, 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Div.
Army photo by Spc. David J. Marshall.
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