Dear Interested Reader,
Honoring some special troops with a re-enlistment story to fill you with pride. Field feeding capabilities are an important step in the continued training of the IA. The SMA Hope and Freedom Tour visits the AF hospital at Joint Base Balad. Op "Foul Dagger" seizes weapons caches and establishes good relationship with locals. CF continue drawdown of troops in Iraq. In Afghanistan, Canada's UAV arrives that will provide life saving surveillance and intel gathering.
Joanna
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Dec. 24, 2008
Blackanthem Military News
Co. A, STB Soldiers re-enlist in Iraq
By Capt. Andrew Camp
SSgt. Henry Henson, senior operator and NCO-in-charge for the forward control site of the company's tactical UAV plt, and 2nd Lt. Brian Morschauser, the TUAV plt leader, shake hands after administering the oath of enlistment atop a stack of shipping containers supporting the BCT's TUAV forward control site antenna array at Camp Echo, Dec. 11.
(Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Nevada Smith)
CAMP ECHO - It may surprise some to know that re-enlistment rates among military intel and intel support Soldiers in the 2nd BCT, 4th ID are high here in Iraq.
"Retaining military intel Soldiers on active duty can be difficult," said Warrant Officer Jason Glassow, the co. intel electronic warfare (IEW) maintenance technician. "The specialized training and skills they possess give them great opportunities and high-paying jobs outside the military service. For a Soldier to pass up all of that and stay in the Army says a lot about them and their commitment to their country."
Sgt. Iannina McDaniel, an IEW maintainer assigned to Glassow's section, re-enlisted Dec. 12, taking her oath between the IEW shop trucks and a Saddam-era warehouse on Camp Echo's flight line. With the rest of the IEW section and the bn command sgt. maj. in attendance, McDaniel re-enlisted for 4 years with reassignment to Fort Meade, Md., following this deployment. "I hadn't really considered re-enlisting before being assigned to the Special Troops Bn. But here in Co. A, I'm doing my job as an IEW maintainer and the (NCO) support channel has been phenomenal. They both helped to influence my decision to stay in," said McDaniel.
Families also play an important role in a Soldier's decision to re-enlist. SSgt. Henry Henson, senior operator and NCO-in-charge for the forward control site of the company's Tactical UAV Platoon, made the decision to commit to 6 years only after extensive consultation with his wife. "She wasn't too sure about it at first," said Henson. "But we talked about where the economy was and where we wanted our career to be in a few years. With the deployment bonus, we can make sure our debts are paid off and make some good investments for the future." Henson and 2nd Lt. Brian Morschauser, the TUAV plt leader, climbed to the top of a 25' pyramid of shipping containers supporting the forward control site's antenna array. Henson said he conceived the idea of mounting the antennae atop a stack of containers, to significantly increase the effective range of the TUAV signal and, as such, decided to hold his re-enlistment ceremony atop the pyramid. "I can't think of any better location for a re-enlistment ceremony than on top of the pyramid," said Morschauser. "Staff Sgt. Henson came up with the concept, and it's only fitting he re-enlist at the same location. He brings to the Army an impressive understanding of the TUAV and a genuine concern for our Soldiers. It's a huge benefit to the Army to retain him on active duty."
Other Co. A Soldiers who committed to re-enlist this month included Sgt. Andrew Dickenson, TUAV instructor operator, Sgt. Larry Robinson, a satellite communications NCOIC, Spc. Daniel Phillips, TUAV operator, Spc. Amanda Sheltrown, armorer, and Spc. Paul Yoshimoto, IEW maintainer.
Sgt. Iannina McDaniel, an IEW maintainer, receives her Certificate of Re-enlistment from Cpt. Andrew Camp, Co. A cmdr., at the Camp Echo IEW shop, Dec. 12.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Field feeding capabilities important step in growing IA
CAMP TAJI, Iraq - The Iraqi Army is continuing its quest to become an autonomous and efficient force. The most recent installment in the IA training package is learning how to prepare fresh and nutritious meals for their soldiers at checkpoints with 2 Mobile Kitchen Trailers (MKT).
Right now, food is cooked at a main cooking station then transported out to the different sites, which causes some problems. The current system is time consuming, expensive, uses too many soldiers and most importantly doesn't allow for constant temperatures and food begins to spoil before it makes it out to the soldiers, said SSgt. Christopher Miller-Root food service specialist assigned to HHC, 225th BSB, 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID.
The new MKT systems alleviate these problems. "These are the same concept as the American systems," said Capt. Alberto Pantoja, cmdr. of HHC. "They will be able to take the system out to a site and cook meals for soldiers, as well as safely transport food at correct temperatures."
During the class, which contained IA soldiers from 5 bns and 2 bdes, the cooks learned how the MKT works, how to complete preventive maintenance checks and services, sanitation, and how to cook using the systems inside.
SSgt. Christopher Miller-Root shows a group of IA cooks the fuel system for a Mobile Kitchen Trailer. (Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti)
Sgt. Lakia Ortiz, food service specialist, shows a group of IA cooks the kitchen systems inside a Mobile Kitchen Trailer.
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Sustainers welcome the SMA, Hope and Freedom Tour
JOINT BASE BALAD -
Capt. Savannah Estes, a member of the 207th Medical Detachment, greet Sgt. Maj. of the Army. Kenneth O. Preston during a tour of the AF hospital at Joint Base Balad, Dec. 21. Preston came to JBB during The Sergeant Major of the Army's 2008 USO Hope and Freedom Tour.
(US Army Photos by Spc. Brian A. Barbour)
Preston greets MSgt. Charles Cooley, 42nd MP Bde, and met with injured service members and hospital staff.
Preston speaks to Soldiers during a luncheon, and had the opportunity to hear Soldiers' questions and concerns.
Gen. Michael J. Lally, 3rd Sust Command (Expeditionary) comm. gen., Sgt. Maj. Kenneth O. Preston, and 3rd ESC Command Sgt. Maj. Willie C. Tennant Sr.
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Operation showcases ISF readiness
BAGHDAD - Iraqi SF, with the assistance of CF, conducted Op 'Foul Dagger,' Dec. 20 in Baghdad's Ghazaliyah and Ameriyah districts. The purpose of the mission was to deter a recent uptick in grenade attacks in the area and establish a relationship with the local citizens.
In the early morning hours IA Soldiers partnered with the Troopers from the 5th Sqdrn, 4th Cav Regt and 4th Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt, 2nd HBCT, 1st ID, to execute the mission.
"This was a great Iraqi planned, resourced and executed op," said Lt. Col. Monty Willoughby, cmdr., 4th Sqdn. 10th Cav. Regt. The daylong op lead to numerous discoveries of weapons caches in both districts.
Another result of the op was the interaction with the local population to show not only a presence in the area, but also to show the citizens that the ISF are in the lead and fully capable. Throughout the mission, ISF and MND-B Soldiers spread throughout the area to meet with local citizens and search historic cache sites. The Soldiers knocked on residents' doors and spoke with the citizens, rather than having to force the issue. "The neighborhoods throughout the area were effectively searched, and any illegal weapons we discovered were collected to ensure proper authorization and to protect the local citizens," said Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Pavia, battle captain, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt.
"Op 'Foul Dagger' represented a tactical victory for the Iraq and CF," said Sgt. Joshua Smith, a civil affairs team member, 5th Sqdn. 4th Cav. Regt. "We made a lot of head way with the local population by handing out flyers and making a face-to-face, person-to-person connection with the citizens of Ghazaliyah."
Capt. Michael Forbes, MiTT Leader, 4th Sqdrn, instructs an Iraqi Soldier during an op in Baghdad's Ameriyah district.
(Army photo by Sgt. Zachary Mott)
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Coalition Forces Continue Drawdown in Iraq
BAGHDAD — In September 2008, Pres. Bush announced an American military drawdown in Iraq. The drawdown is a return on success, which follows the departure of the 5 “surge” bdes, the Marine Expeditionary Unit, 2 Marine Corps bns, and a majority of the Coalition nations.
These reductions have been made possible because security conditions on the ground improved dramatically, the Iraqi SF grew in capacity and capability, and the partnership between the GoI and the Coalition continues to improve. With the passing and ratification of the Strategic Framework Agreement and the Security Agreement, Iraq emerges from the UN Security Council oversight, and takes a place within the international community.
During the past 3 months, 19 of the 25 countries contributing to the CF effort in Iraq concluded their missions. “As we bid farewell to long-time Coalition partners, we recognize that their departure represents a great success, which has been achieved here in Iraq; success that could not have been achieved without their support,” said Maj. Gen. David Perkins, MNF – Iraq spokesman. “The departing forces have fulfilled expectations by being dedicated trainers, mentors, partners and friends to the Iraqi people. They have proven to be some of the finest military personnel we’ve had the privilege of working with here in Iraq.”
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ISF, MND-B Soldiers discover weapons, make arrests
BAGHDAD - At approx. 8:45 a.m., Dec. 21 in the Saydiyah neighborhood, IA soldiers discovered a sticky bomb on a business door. Soldiers from Co B, 1st Bn, 22nd Inf Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, responded to the scene to find an Iraqi EODl unit properly dismantling the device.
At approx. 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Iraqi NP reported the discovery of an 82 mm mortar system in an abandoned house in the Aamel community.
Acting on a tip from a concerned Iraqi citizen, a combined patrol of IA soldiers and Soldiers from Co. A, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th ID, discovered a RPG launcher with 2 RPG rounds at approx. 9:45 p.m., Dec. 21 in Baghdad's Jihad community.
At approx. 11 p.m., Dec. 21, Soldiers from Co. A, 1st Bn., reported that Iraqi NP detained 2 suspected criminals in the Aamel community, using warrants issued by the Ameriya Judicial Court.
Iraqi NP partnered with Soldiers from Troop C, 7th Sqdrn, 10th Cav Regt, 1st BCT, 4th ID, detained 2 individuals while serving warrants at approx. 12:30 a.m., Dec. 22 in Baghdad's Abu T'shir community.
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Iraqi Security Forces find IED cache in Mosul
MOSUL - An IP Emergency Response Bn discovered 4 IEDs today at approx. 1 a.m. in a cache in the Al Wahda neighborhood of Mosul containing approximately 150 pounds of homemade explosives and several blasting caps.
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Blackanthem Military News
Canada's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle arrives in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan - December 16, one of Canada's newly acquired CU170 Heron UAVs was hoisted off a transport aircraft and brought to its newly erected hangar located at the Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan. The Heron will be used to help reduce the number of insurgent attacks in Afghanistan by providing intel, surveillance, and a precision target acquisition capability. The Heron can be equipped with a variety of sensors and info systems, and will provide persistent surveillance over a large area in support of ISAF ops in Kandahar province.
"This new UAV will improve ISAF's ability to track insurgent activities and better protect the people of Afghanistan," said Colonel Christopher Coates, the Cmdr. of the Canadian Air Wing in Kandahar. "The Heron can keep an eye on what's happening on the ground for a longer period of time, by sending back real-time info, and this should help save ISAF and Afghan lives.
UAVs are an integral part of the modern battlefield; they provide life saving surveillance and intel gathering capabilities that can be used in a variety of ops. The Heron is expected to help reduce the number of insurgent-caused deaths due to its ability to scout convoy routes and other areas, scan for insurgents, or use sensors to observe suspicious activity such as the planting of IEDs.
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