Dear Interested Reader,
Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia has written "Holiday Season - A time for Reflection," for all of us back home. The IA NCOs take a class on NCO development. Troops bring holiday cheer to Iraqi scouts. IA find large priceless treasure stolen from the Iraqi Museum. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey assesses the situation in Iraq and notes future goals for our forces. Iraqi transportation network makes history. In Afghanistan, 2-1/2 tons of drugs found in an abandoned school.
Joanna
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Dec. 25, 2008
Blackanthem Military News
Holiday Season - A time for reflection
By Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia, 4th Inf. Div.,
BAGHDAD - For those of us here in Iraq, the holiday season is a time for us to reflect upon the past years accomplishments of the Ironhorse Div and MND - Baghdad. It's a year in which we have seen go by with a great deal of progress here in the Baghdad area.
It is also a time for us to reflect on what we truly appreciate and miss most of all: Our Families back home. There is comfort knowing that this Christmas we won't be alone, for we will share this holiday with our brothers and sisters in arms. It is a unique but strong extended Family.
It is also a time to remember our 89 fallen and their Families, who will not be able to celebrate in this joyous holiday. So I encourage you all to reflect on those loved ones back home, the great Soldiers here and our fallen comrades.
It seems like it was just yesterday that we celebrated Christmas when we arrived in theater 13 months ago - December 2007 - and here we are once again. There is a significant difference this time however. It's not something you can necessarily put your finger on, but there is a bit of a different feel this year. The streets of Baghdad are different; the people have changed and, for the first time, there's a certain sense of hope.
When we first arrived, for most Soldiers, the meaning of Christmas and the holiday season was really centered more on their Families back home. Although we were a strong team back home at Fort Hood, at Fort Carson, and at the various other installations from around the globe, we were trying to figure out where we all fit into the MND-B team.
Our team has now bonded and continues to grow even stronger. Over 13 months in combat, I am convinced that our Soldiers have developed a greater appreciation for their fellow Soldiers - those of whom they serve with on a daily basis. Their fellow warriors have become new additions to their Families. And although the holiday season is about their relationships with Families back home, the celebration will be here with their comrades - and that should be special in and of itself.
Across the division, our goal is to provide Soldiers with a special feeling of home this holiday season. This is clearly evident when walking down the halls and seeing Christmas and holiday decorations going up. In fact, as I came in today from out in sector, I admired the huge Ivy Leaf that now adorns the front of the headquarters building. When lit at night, you can see the festive lights from across Z-Lake.
The decorations are significant because anything you can do to bring a feeling of home here for Soldiers is important. For many, the deployment marks their first time away from home, so we make every effort to bring a sense of home to them.
Of course, as we reflect upon this special holiday season, it is also time to set our sights forward as well. After Christmas, we all look forward to welcoming in a New Year. And after the New Year, we welcome in our 1st Cav. Div. comrades from Fort Hood, as we prepare for the closure of this mission and reunions with our Families - which is probably the best gift that we can give to our Soldiers.
To all our Families, I thank you for being there for these great warriors - through the good times and the hard times - we know it has not been easy. In some aspects, there are times where it can be harder being back home than being here. Your sacrifices do not go without notice and we appreciate everything you do.
When a Soldier receives a piece of mail from home, and the smile spreads across his or her face, it is kind of like a Christmas all by itself. You are a large part of our world, and we couldn't be as successful as we have been without your support. So, once again - Thank You.
Take care of yourself; take care of your comrades, and take care of your Families.
Happy Holidays.
Ironhorse 9.
Steadfast and Loyal.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
IA NCOs get a leg up on leadership
FOB DELTA - Nearly 20 NCOs gathered on FOB Delta, Dec. 17 and 18 for a class on NCO development from CF.
The course for IA soldiers was the innovation of Sgt. Maj. Robert Norvell, 2nd Bn, 20th FAR, 41st Fires Bde ops sgt. maj., and was taught by his Soldiers. "We found out they didn't have any programs for NCO development within their bn," said Norvell. He coordinated the class with the IA through Btry C, 2-20 FA, serving as a MiTT while deployed to Iraq.
"The first day defined who we are as NCOs," said Norvell. "Today (Dec. 18) we moved into applications - how we as NCOs put our hands on, counsel and mentor Soldiers." The Deep Strike instructors used a variety of visual aids to ease translation. During the troop leading procedures class, Sgt. 1st Class Siamrath Kumnog, bn ops NCO, performed an inspection of a Soldier's "battle rattle," and had one of the Iraqi NCOs perform a back brief for a mission to Baghdad. First Sgt. Donald Wilson, HHB, 2-20 FA, had the Iraqi NCOs observe U.S. Soldiers poorly perform preventive maintenance checks and services, in order to spot the mistakes.
"The explanations were very clear, and all the aids for training were here," said Iraqi Sgt. Ali Jabir. "We're thankful for what the CF have done for us," said Sgt. Maj. Abed. "This will help us gather more info."
Norvell said he plans to make the IA NCOPD monthly training.
An Iraqi NCO observes as a U.S. Soldier performs preventive maintenance checks and services.
(Army photos by Sgt. Allison Churchill)
Iraqi Sgt Maj Abed shows Sgt. Maj. Robert Norvell how the IA performs a rehearsal for a mission.
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Troops bring holiday cheer to Iraqi scouts
Iraqi scouts get a visit from Santa Claus, played by civilian logistics contractor Joseph Lord.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante)
BAGHDAD - Iraqi boy and girl scouts received a surprise visit from Santa Claus and presents during a holiday-themed scouting event Dec. 20 on Victory Base Complex.
The Victory Base Council military and civilian volunteers gather once a week with Iraqi children to participate in arts and crafts, team building events and other scout related activities, but this week had a special flavor. Children decorated paper Christmas trees, played kick ball and worked on their knot tying skills while waiting for Saint Nick.
When Santa, played by civilian logistics contractor Joseph Lord, arrived, the children flocked around him, pulling his beard and begging to hear his jolly cry of "Ho, ho, ho." Santa then posed for pictures with all the children and they received gift bags with school supplies, stuffed animals and treats.
Scout leaders were approached by Iraqi parents about introducing their children to the magic of Santa Claus, said Lt. Cdr. Vincent Garcia, force generation officer, Iraqi Assistance Group and volunteer with the Victory Base Scouts. The hope was not only to show the Iraqi children an important part of the culture of their American counterparts, but to encourage holiday spirit.
"We're hoping to capture the feelings of the season; of giving, goodwill and friendship," said Lt. Col. Carl Schwartz, economic analyst, C5 Corps Assessment Cell, MNC - Iraq and the trip leader for the holiday event.
The Victory Base Council scouting program is working to jump-start scouting in Iraq, Garcia said. The hope is to create a self-sustaining, Iraqi-run program which can eventually be internationally recognized, he explained. Working with the Council gives Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and contractors the chance to interact first hand with Iraqi youth, and adds an additional dimension of humanity to their deployment. "We're all ambassadors for our own countries and we can learn from each other," Schwartz said.
"They're (the children) excited to see different backgrounds from themselves," said Staff Sgt. Lorina Cajayon, food service ops sgt, 398th CSSB. "They're happy and looking forward to meeting with someone different than themselves."
"The kids get a lot out of it and it gives us a lot of joy and fulfillment as well," Garcia said. Not only does everyone have the opportunity to have fun and gain cultural diversity, programs that engage the youth of Iraq are vital to the mission of rebuilding this country. "These are the building blocks. One day they'll be adults and running their country."
Maj. Jennifer Rollins, current ops and tactics, Counter Radio Controlled IED Cell, JCCS-1, helps Iraqi scouts open their gifts.
Lt. Col. Don Phillips, team chief, Rapid Equipping Force, helps a young Iraqi boy run home during a kick ball game.
A Victory Base Council volunteer leads Iraqi scouts to the next event.
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Iraqi Army finds priceless smuggled treasure
BASRA - Iraqi SF uncovered hundreds of historical artifacts during two raids in northern Basra, Dec. 16. The 228 ancient artifacts included Sumerian and Babylonian sculpture, gold jewelry and other items from ancient Mesopotamia.
"This is my favorite item," said Iraqi Col. Sabah, cmdr. of the Basra Emergency Bn that led the op, holding a piece of gold jewelry. "It's gold from the Babylon ages and about 6,000 years old. It doesn't have a price. I'm very happy because this is my civilization's heritage," he said.
The Basra Emergency Bn led raid operated from tips that smugglers intended to remove the treasure from the country. After verifying a tip, the op kicked off with a house raid that recovered 160 pieces of Iraq monuments, that were found in the yard.
"We arrested five of the guys and they admitted to the crime," Sabah said. These arrests led to a second raid on in al-Ayaqub in northern Basra. "We knew what we were looking for because we had pictures," Sabah said. The monuments were found in a box in a corner of the yard covered with blocks. "We will send it back to Baghdad, via the Ministry of Defense to move it to the Iraqi Museum," Sabah said.
Sabah said he hopes Iraqi authorities will get more info of this kind. "The soldiers are very, very proud to conduct this op," said Sabah. "I can't describe how happy we were when the soldiers found it. Each of the soldiers will be very proud when they visit the museum with their families and their wives and they can say, 'I brought it back'."
IA Col. Sabah holds one of the artifacts that were recovered.
A few of the more than 200 Mesopotamian statues, jewelry and other artifacts.
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Army Chief of Staff assesses situation in Iraq, notes future goals for force
BAGHDAD - As part of a week-long tour to visit Soldiers around the world in Korea, Japan, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey made a stop in Iraq to assess the current situation in country and speak with troops.
"I really just wanted to look as many of our men and women in the eye as I can, and thank them for what they're doing and for the sacrifices that they and their families are making here around the holidays," Casey said.
"While this is the most resilient, professionally seasoned combat force that I've been associated with in the 38 years of my own service, we're stretched, and we're deploying at a rate we can't continue and still sustain the all-volunteer force, and we don't have enough time at home to prepare for other things," Casey said.
Casey explained a plan developed last year and expected to be implemented by the end of the fiscal year will include sustaining Soldiers and their families, continuing to sustain Soldiers for success in the current conflict, resetting them and their equipment when returning from deployments, and continuing to transform for an uncertain future. In order to accommodate such a plan, the Army must continue to grow. "Probably the most significant progress has been in our [the Army's] growth," Casey said. "In 2007, the president directed we grow the Army by about 74,000, and originally, plans were to complete that growth by 2012." Casey said the increase in the force could happen much sooner than initially anticipated. He pointed out that the uptick in troop strength would make deployments much easier on Soldiers. "We expect in 2009 to get almost an average of 18 months home between deployments, in 2010 to get into 18 months and in 2011 to get almost 24 months between deployments."
"The Army we're trying to build by the end of 2011 is an expeditionary Army that deploys on a rotational cycle," Casey said. "We believe that's the Army the country needs for 21st century challenges. And when we get there, we want to be able to deploy that Army without a stop loss."
Lastly, Casey, who previously served as the comm. gen. of MNF - Iraq, positively spoke of the immense progress he's witnessed in Iraq, in comparison to previous visits to the country, based on his first-hand experience. "I've seen huge progress here in Iraq since July of 2004," Casey said. "What I saw in Basrah and on the streets of al Amarah was a real vitality among the Iraqis. When I looked at the SF, I saw confidence and a commitment that I didn't necessarily see when I was here before."
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Iraqi Transportation Network makes history
CAMP TAJI - In a step forward for Iraqi civil capacity, the Iraqi Transportation Network (ITN) made history 20 Dec., as it delivered 14 up-armored humvees to Camp Taji.
ITN is an all-Iraqi consortium of tribally owned trucking companies that moves cargo across Iraq. ITN completed more than 3,700 missions since May 2, 2008 without incident or loss of cargo. This delivery of M1114 humvees allowed the ITN prove it is ready to start handling other types of cargo essential to the sustainment of Iraq and CF.
One of the planners for the event, Capt. Carey W. Menifee, logistics planner, 3rd Sust Command (Expeditionary) described the importance of the ITN as, "our work here is deeply grounded in expanding Iraqi civil capacity, in particular, the birth of the Iraqi Transportation Network. This is the first time that Iraq has had a private sector trucking industry," he said.
The ITN's successful mission means more than just proving it is ready to handle these and other types of cargo. This historic delivery of cargo itself has an important role in the progress and reconstruction of Iraq.
The ITN's continued success allows Iraqis to take ownership in their transportation networks and future. The ITN also promises jobs to Iraqis, while allowing CF to gradually transition more and more transportation and cargo missions to their Iraqi partners. "If Americans could come and see the progress that has been made here in Iraq they would be overwhelmed," concludes Menifee.
A driver with the ITN unhooks straps from tarps covering a M1114 humvee.
(Army photo by Sgt. Beau Stefka)
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ISF continue to work with MND-B Soldiers
BAGHDAD -
An IA Official discusses security gains with Capt. Steven Robinson, inf plt leader for Co C, 1st Bn, 27th Inf Regt, attached to 1st Bn, 21st Inf Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID, in the Kuwaitine Village, west of Baghdad, Dec. 20. Iraqi SF continue to work closely with CF to conduct ops.
(Army photo by Sgt. Robert Pegg)
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Iraqi Army soldiers build relationships with special delivery to village
KHADAN - IA Soldiers accompanied by their Coalition partners, built relationships with children and villagers in Khadan, during a special mission Dec 20.
Sustainers from the 81st Bde Special Troops Bn, 16th Sust Bde, watched as Iraqi Soldiers handed out toys and blankets to the local children of the village. "This mission provided an opportunity for the soldiers of the IA to demonstrate a commitment to the lives of the local people," said Lt. Col. Ken Garrison, cmdr., 81st BSTB. "The villages were selected by the IA Cmdrs. based on their assessment of the need. These villages are seldom visited, and the people clearly appreciated the visit by their Soldiers."
Iraqi children from Khadan Village line up to receive school supplies, toys and blankets.
(Army photo by Capt. Jacqueline Baird)
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Special Delivery
Army Sgt. Anthony Ward, dressed in the Santa suit, and 1st Lt. Philip Vrska, in the Christmas package, bring some holiday cheer to a 5K Jingle race sponsored on Camp Ramadi, Dec. 20, 2008. Ward and Vrska are assigned to the 2nd Bn, 9th Marine Regt, RCT 1. While the festive pair didn't place in the field of 64, they did complete the entire run in costume.
(Army photo by Sgt. Emily Suhr)
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Check-up
SSgt. Richard Williams examines an Iraqi girl during her visit to the free clinic at Al Muthana. Williams is a medic assigned to HHC, 2nd Bn, 69th Armor, which is attached to 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div (Lt). (Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Meadows.)
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Blackanthem Military New
US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs
2-and-a-half tons of drugs found in a school
Afghan Commandos and CF discovered two-and-a-half tons of illegal drugs inside a school in Arghestan district, Kandahar province, Dec. 19. The school's furniture had been left to rust in the courtyard; an IED and unexploded ordnance were also discovered in the area.
KABUL, Afghanistan - The combined forces were conducting a foot patrol when a Commando stopped to search a school en route to their objective. The building contained an estimated two-and-a-half tons of marijuana, and a large room filled with marijuana seeds. The drugs were stored in the two-foot-tall stacks that filled multiple 12ft-by-12ft rooms.
No students or faculty were at the schoolhouse at the time of the discovery. The school's furniture had been taken out of the classrooms and left in the courtyard. The amount of rust on the furniture indicated the school may not have been used for its intended purpose for a prolonged period of time.
With the help of local villagers the drugs were taken outside of the school and destroyed. "Using drugs to fund insurgent activity is bad enough," said Col. Jerry O'Hara, U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesperson. "Using a school as a drug warehouse is an attack on the future of all Afghanistan."
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