Dear Interested Reader,
Compassionate U.S. docs visit a boys' orphanage. More than 200 Army National Guard re-enlist on the Guard's 372 birthday. Santa makes an early stop in Iraq, thanks to Operation Christmas Tree. The 25th Marine Regt. enjoys their visit to a primary school in Rutbah. More than 1.2 million Iraqi citizens visit Zarwa Park to celebrate their holiday. Many suspected terrorists and criminals are arrested. CF in Afghanistan celebrate the opening of a new low-water bridge near Kandahar.
Joanna
_______________________________
Dec. 16, 2008
Blackanthem Military News
Docs visit boys' orphanage
By Chris Andrews, 41st Fires Bde.
Capt. John Shaughnessy, physician's asst, 41st Fires Bde, takes a moment from performing check-ups at the Sharkeyah Boys' Orphanage, during a combined medical effort, Dec. 10. Kut SWAT and Operational Detachment A also participated in the mission. The team provided care to the almost 25 residents of the orphanage.
SSgt. April Hansberry, medical NCO, Co C, 589th BSB, 41st Fires Bde, takes an Iraqi boy's vital statistics.
Col. Italo Bastianelli, 41st Fires Bde surgeon, gives an Iraqi boy a check-up.
Private 1st Class Steven Walsh, medic, Co. C, 589th BSB, takes a break to spend time with an Iraqi boy.
Col. Bastianelli offers an Iraqi boy a toy.
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National Guard Soldiers re-enlist, celebrate component's 372nd Birthday
By Spc. Eric J. Martinez
CAMP VICTORY - Members of the Army National Guard celebrated the 372nd birthday of the Army National Guard in the Al Faw Palace rotunda, Dec. 13.
"We've been answering our nation's call, just like our forefathers did 372 years ago," said Maj. Gen. Nelson Cannon, dir. gen., Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, Dir. of Interior Affairs, Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, and part of the Michigan National Guard. "The National Guard has constantly been serving as one of our most enduring institutions. We are all part of the legacy of what is now called, the National Guard."
National Guard troops from all over theater descended upon the palace to devote further years towards serving their nation and to share in the birthday celebration of their component. "On the 13th day of Dec. we celebrate the National
Guard Birthday," said Col. David Sheridain, chief of National Guard affairs, MNC-I. "I am extremely honored to be with you here today. On behalf of General Odierno (cmdr., MNF - Iraq), Lt Gen Austin (cmdr., MNC - Iraq) and the many other senior leaders, I welcome you to Al Faw Palace and salute you for your continued service to our nation at a time when you are needed most."
The ceremony highlighted the history of the U.S. military's oldest component, and featured a mass re-enlistment of more
than 200 Army National Guard Soldiers from more than 5 states. The National Guard service members, who re-enlisted during the birthday celebration, represent the wide array of troops who perform crucial missions in support of ops in Iraq.
"Today's event comes at a time when the National Guard's participation in OIF is increasing," Sheridan said. "The full gamut of Air and Army National Guard assets continue to roll and fly in and out of theater without pause, but none of this would be possible without the Soldiers and Airmen who are willing to volunteer to serve away from their loved ones."
"We've set aside our communities, our careers and, most importantly, our families," Cannon said. "We do this with much personal sacrifice."
Sgt. Ricardo Rodriguez, helicopter mechanic, 1st Bn, 244th Command Aviation Regt, and Staff Sgt. Mark Pekkola, personnel specialist, HHC 2nd Bn, 641st Aviation Regt, raise their hands as they re-enlist.
(Army photos by Spc. Eric J. Martinez)
Maj. Gen. Cannon leads National Guard service members in their re-enlistment oath.
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Blackanthem Military News
Santa Claus Makes an Early Stop in Iraq
By Spc. Angie Johnston
SSgt. Andrew Scott (left), receives a Christmas tree that was donated to the Special Troops Bn, 3rd Inf. BCT, 25th ID by Op Christmas Tree on Dec. 9, 2008. Op Christmas Tree donated a hundred of the 2' live trees to the Kirkuk-based bn.
FOB WARRIOR, KIRKUK - The Soldiers of the Special Troops Bn, 3rd BCT, 25th ID learned that the spirit of Christmas doesn't have to come directly from Santa Claus - there are people out there who like to step into the man-in-red's shoes to make sure all the bases get covered.
Op Christmas Tree (OperationChristmasTree.com) is a non-profit org. dedicated to filling Santa's shoes as best they can -- they send real, living Christmas trees to Soldiers deployed all over the world. It all began when James and Betty Ward's daughter was deployed to Afghanistan. The parents wanted to make sure that she wasn't missing out on Christmas just because she was half a world away. They sent their daughter a 2' tall tree, and the idea of spreading holiday cheer took wing. Soon, they were sending as many trees as they could to deployed service members.
Op Christmas Tree has brightened the Holiday Season for the Special Troops Bn. by sending a hundred trees for the Soldiers to share and enjoy. Lt. Col. Christopher Stenman, the bn cmdr., scattered the trees throughout his bn to make sure that every Soldier had the chance to benefit from the kindness of people on the other side of the world.
Spc. Sterling Molby was astonished at the kindness of strangers. "It was nice of the people back home to help us celebrate Christmas. It's great to know that people still have us in their thoughts and prayers during the holiday season," said Molby.
"Considering the fact that no Christmas trees grow out here, it's nice that people help us remember home," said Spc. Ryan Munson.
A tiny snowman adorns the top.
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Blackanthem Military News
Reserve Marines encourage community policing
By Capt. Paul Greenberg
2nd Lt. Dwayne Edwards, 26, a plt cmdr. with Co G, 2nd Bn, 25th Marine Regt, RCT 5, exchanges "high-fives."
CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE - Reserve Marines based here teamed up with IP to visit Ma'an Primary School in Rutbah, Nov. 21, to provide a venue for the police officers to begin mentoring children at one of the town's poorest schools, and to get an idea of conditions for the students there.
The Marines from Golf Co, brought more than 300 stuffed animals for the police officers and school officials to distribute to the students. The stuffed animals were sent to the Marines by private citizens from all over America who made their donations through Beanies for Baghdad, a 501(c) non-profit organization under the umbrella of America Supports You.
Some of the stuffed animals were mailed by Webelos Pack #1968 in Fairfax, Va. Others were sent by Ross Williamson, a high school senior in Bolton, Conn., who explained in his letter that he is collecting and sending 2,000 stuffed animals to U.S. troops all over the world as his senior project.
Before giving out the toys, the IP took the opportunity to speak to the children about their partnership with CF and their commitment to the people of their community. "CF are working in conjunction with the IP to ensure the safety of the citizens of Rutbah," said Ahmed Sabbar in Arabic, addressing a 4th-grade class. "American troops are here to assist the Iraqi govt in improving the quality of life," continued Sabbar. "CF are working with the Rutbah city council to help improve education in Rutbah. CF will be departing soon, but they want to leave this gesture of goodwill sent by the people of the U.S." Sabbar and another police officer then passed out the stuffed animals to the children while, with the help of an interpreter, the Marines spoke with the school principal, Hashim Awad, 44, a Rutbah native.
"I'm happy that the police are here to speak to the children for the first time," said Awad, whose brother, a captain in the IP, was killed in the line of duty in Ramadi in October. "(The police) are like our families. We know they are helping us to destroy the terrorists so we can sleep comfortable at night."
Capt. William Steuber, 34, the bn lines-of-ops mgr., took the opportunity to explain to the Marines, from the bn leadership's perspective, the value of the mission they had just completed. "Most of these kids have never met Americans face-to-face before today. We were the first ones, and we brought them stuffed animals, something they've probably never had before. They will remember this, and they will remember you, the positive impression you made today. This isn't just winning hearts and minds. We're paving the way for future relations. These kids may be business partners with your kids one day. We're setting the stage right now for building that future relationship."
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Holiday celebration attracts crowds to Zarwa Park
BAGHDAD - More than 1.2 million Iraqi citizens passed through the gates of Zawra Park in northwest Baghdad's Karkh district, as they gathered with friends and family to celebrate the Eid al-Adha Dec. 8-11. This is a time of year when many families come together; and this year, those families chose to spend time together by visiting the park, or touring the Baghdad Zoo to take in many of the recently opened exhibits.
Dr. Adel Mosa, the zoo's director, expressed his happiness and excitement over the size of the crowds during the past week. "During the Eid celebration in Zawra Zoo, the new reptile exhibit was what most people were interested in seeing," tortoise exhibits."
"The task to ensure that the Iraqi experience in the park and zoo was a safe one required the combined planning and execution efforts of numerous agencies," said Capt. Michael Roscoe, Iraqi SF coordinator, 4th Bn, 42nd FAR, 1st BCT, 4th ID, operationally attached to the 2nd HBCT, 1st ID. "Col. Shnawa, the Zawra Park security director, was just one of several leading figures in this critical effort."
Almost 2 million Iraqis visited the Park as part of the post-Ramadan celebration in late September, while in mid-November, local citizens gathered in the park to celebrate "Baghdad Days" and enjoyed a free concert. "Each of these gatherings has not had a single reportable incident and demonstrates the capabilities of the Iraqi SF to secure these large-scale events," said Remley. "These highly successful events are just one more sign that normalcy is returning to the capital city."
Members of the IP Force raise their hands in celebration during festivities at Zawra Park.
(Army photo by Sgt. Brian Tierce)
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Iraqi SWAT arrest 11 suspected terrorists in separate operations
BALAD - During an op Dec. 10, Bayji SWAT arrested 10 suspected AQI cell members. The individuals are believed to be members of a cell that conduct IED and small arms fire attacks against Coalition and Iraqi SF in the area.
In an op in Muklat, 40 km southeast of Mosul, Mosul SWAT arrested a suspected criminal leader from the Bayji area in Mosul, Dec. 9. The individual is allegedly the leader of a cell who conducts IED attacks against CF in the Bayji area.
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MND-B Soldiers detain suspected criminals in Rashid
BAGHDAD - At approx. 5:15 p.m., Dec. 12 in the Abu T'shir community, Soldiers from Troop C, 7th Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, detained 3 individuals suspected of criminal activities.
At approx. 7:30 p.m., Dec. 13 in the Risalah community, Soldiers from Troop B, 7th Sqdn., working with IP detained a suspected criminal wanted in connection with several murders. The Soldiers also confiscated an AK-47 assault rifle with ammo, a pistol with ammo, propaganda, multiple ID cards and passports.
At approx. 12:45 a.m., Dec. 14 in the Aamel community, Soldiers from Co A , 1st Bn, 22nd Inf Regt, detained a suspected criminal, for weapons trafficking, indirect fire, and roadside bomb attacks.
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HQ U.S. Forces Afghanistan
CF build a bridge for Afghanistan community
KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan National Army soldiers from the 205th Corps and CF celebrated with local villagers Dec. 1, at a ribbon-cutting for a new low-water bridge near Kandahar city. The new bridge, called the Commando Bridge, will provide easier access to areas around the city, including a bazaar, a school under construction, and a nearby highway.
A rainstorm several months ago flooded the creek that the new bridge spans, making travel through the area difficult. The 205th Corps approached CF about the need for a bridge. After consideration, the project was funded through the Cmdr.'s Emergency Response Program, which allows leaders to fund projects that meet urgent needs of the local population.
For projects throughout Afghanistan, a proper balance has to be reached between security and development. In this case, workers' safety was a concern. However, despite militants' death threats against the workers, the project was completed within a few weeks and will be of great benefit to the community, said Brig. Gen. Zazai, 205th Corps cmdr.
"I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work in completing the Commando Bridge," the general told those gathered at the ribbon-cutting. "These projects really help to improve the area."
One of the laborers who worked on the bridge said, "it was very difficult last winter for people to travel and transport things through the area. Now it will be much easier."
U.S. Forces Afghanistan's mission, in coordination with NATO's International Security Assistance Force, is to conduct ops to defeat terrorist networks and insurgents by developing effective governance, and building the Afghan National SF. Effective security throughout the Govt of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan facilitates continued regional stability and increases economic development for the people of Afghanistan.
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