Dear Interested Reader,
Enjoy with our troops as they celebrate Thanksgiving. Bosnians mark the end of their mission in an emotional ceremony. Sunni, Shi'a and Christians work together to equip Iraqi SF. AQI suspected terrorists are captured in northern Iraq. From Afghanistan, Camp Stone in Kabul celebrates Thanksgiving in a big way!
Joanna
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12-1-08
Blackanthem Military News
25th ID Soldiers Enjoying the Holiday
By PV2 Jesus Aranda
COB SPEICHER -
An ice sculpture displays the festive nature of the Thanksgiving holiday inside one of the dining facilities at COB Speicher near Tikrit. The 25th Inf Div will assume authority over northern Iraq from the 1st Armored Div in early December.
A fish sculpture, molded entirely from cheese, is one of the many special decorations to set the ambience of this year's Thanksgiving feast. Soldiers from the 25th ID spend the holiday season away from their families while supporting OIF.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Willie Taylor (right) of 3rd Bde, 25th ID, dines with members of his unit, Sgt. 1st Class Darrin Fox, (left) and Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Alexander (center).
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Julga, 3rd Bde, HHC, sits down to dine a traditional turkey meal.
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Blackanthem Military News
Soldiers celebrate Thanksgiving Day Striker-style
By Sgt. Jerry Saslav
A 3rd BCT, 4th ID Soldier runs in the 5K Turkey Trot at FOB War Eagle in Baghdad's Adhamiyah district, Nov. 27.
BAGHDAD - It was so cold you could see your breath as approx. 60 Soldiers from the 3rd BCT, 4th ID, gathered on FOB War Eagle in Baghdad's Adhamiyah district for a trot ... a 5K Turkey Trot early Thanksgiving morning.
For most Americans, Thanksgiving is a time to gather with Family and friends, eat too much food, take a nap, watch football, eat some more and watch more football. "For a holiday that's about ... overconsumption, it's important that we counterbalance that a little bit with physical training," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Radcliffe, a MP serving as a squad leader with the MP Plt, HHC, 3rd Special Troops Bn, 3rd BCT, 4th ID. Soldiers from Santa Cruz, Calif., to Detroit, Mich., to St. Petersburg, Fla., also participated in Turkey Trots.
At 9 a.m. the Soldiers observed another holiday tradition. "It's Thanksgiving, what else are we going to do besides eat turkey and play some football," said 1st Sgt. David Gonzalez, who serves as the senior enlisted leader for HHT, 3rd BCT, 4th ID. "Since we can't be home, we give the guys the comforts of home; whatever we can."
And they did play flag football ... there were so many Soldiers who wanted to play that each game was kept to 2 10-minute halves with a 3 minute half-time. Sections played each other. There was a lot of unit pride on the field; for the winners there were bragging rights; for the losers, the chance for a rematch. The Soldiers kept playing football, even when the Thanksgiving feast was served.
"This isn't about Soldiering today, this is about being a good human being," said Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, who serves as the comm. gen. of the 4th Inf. Div., and MND-B. Hammond met with the cooks and thanked them for all their hard work, and work hard they did. The troops feasted on roast turkey, baked ham, prime rib, Cornish hens, 8 different side dishes and 7 different desserts.
In keeping with a military holiday tradition, the enlisted Soldiers were served by their officers; a tradition the officers enjoyed. "Most people just put food on a plate. I'm all about presentation. You've got to get the ham with the pineapple and the cherry, placed just so in its own slot," said Capt. Mike Poaletti, who serves as the cmdr. of the HHT, 3rd BCT, 4th ID.
While some Soldiers were eating, others were outside playing basketball, volleyball and of course football. By the end of the day, a few brave souls ventured out to sing Karaoke and say goodbye to the holiday. It started with a few Soldiers, and slowly more started to come forward. "Only in the military can you sing Karaoke sober and get away with it," said one Soldier.
Capt. Mike Poaletti displays his serving prowess.
Soldiers relax with a game of basketball.
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Bosnians mark end of mission
BAGHDAD - In a ceremony at Hope Chapel on Victory Base Complex Nov. 29, a contingent of military forces from Bosnia-Herzegovina was honored by their Coalition partners for their service in support of OIF. The historic event marked the end of a commitment that started in June 2005.
While the Bosnian-Herzegovina troop numbers were less than 150 soldiers, the commitment was seemingly larger considering the conflicts within their own country. "Bosnia-Herzegovina has recently come out of a tragic conflict," said Brig. Gen. Novakovic, cmdr. of the 6th Inf Bde Bosnia-Herzegovina Armed Forces. "The country is not fully recovered ... but we understand the situation in Iraq, and the suffering of the Iraqi people. We found strength to contribute to OIF. "We hope the Soldiers from Bosnia-Herzegovina met their tasks with success and fulfilled your and our expectations and justified invested efforts. To the brotherly people of Iraq we wish that just like in our country that you can overcome every trouble and advance peace and prosperity," he said.
Lt. Col. Brad Cox, cmdr., 1st Bn., 153rd Inf. Regt. said, "Ultimately, the Bosnian-Herzegovina Soldiers performed side-by-side with our troops, and their performance was no different. Capt. (Dragan) Malic' (Security Unit Leader) is an outstanding officer, and I rate him against any Soldier in the Army or the world for that matter." As the ceremony progressed, Malic' and Maj. Ibro Alispahic, cmdr. of troops, were presented the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for their service. As Col. Kendall Penn, cmdr., 39th IBCT, pinned the medal to Malic's uniform, the 2 Soldiers, from opposite sides of the world, rendered a salute symbolizing the bond between the CF in Iraq.
Addressing the Bosnian-Herzegovina Soldiers, Maj. Gen. Abass of the IA, MNF - Iraq CJ5 Coalition, pointed out that while he spoke English he didn't want anything lost to translation. "I will speak in Arabic this time as I want to mean every single word that I'm going to say. In English, I can't express it in the way I want to feel it from my heart toward our friends, our brothers from Bosnia." And while his words had to be translated twice, through English and then Bosnian, his heartfelt thanks from the nation of Iraq seemed clear. "On behalf of the IA and all Iraqi people I give thanks and admiration. Bosnia has been through similar circumstances as Iraq is going through now," Abass said. "Bosnia today provides support and help to our country. We will never forget this help for the Iraqi people, the next generation, for what the Bosnian Armed Forces did for Iraq. Iraq is moving forward in the democratic process, development and reconstruction. All of this is due to the help of the Bosnian friendly forces."
Abass paused for a moment, and then provided an invitation to the soldiers in the room to one day come back to Iraq-as guests.
"God willing, we will meet in the near future in Iraq, and at that time, you and your family will be our guests," he said. "I wish Bosnia and its' people prosperity and progress and may God help the CF and their families."
Col. Kendall Penn, cmdr. of the 39th IBCT, presents Bosnia-Herzegovina Brig. Gen. Novakovic with a memento of appreciation for service.
(Army photos by Sgt. Mickey Miller)
Following a ceremony, Bosnia-Herzegovina Brig. Gen. Novakovic meets with Iraqi Maj. Gen. Abass.
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Sunni, Shi’a, Christians Work Together to Equip Iraqi Security Forces
BAGHDAD — Senior Iraqi and Coalition leaders marked the transfer of the 3,000th armored Humvee to the GoI, Nov. 22, through a program employing 522 Iraqis from different ethnic and religious backgrounds including Sunni, Shi’a and Christian.
This milestone transfer is part of a program to produce mission-ready armored Humvees for issue to the Iraqi military and Police forces and to provide on-the-job training to Iraqi mechanics. The 2-year program includes refurbishment of Humvees for the Iraqi Ministries of Defense and Interior and the Counter-Terrorism Bureau.
The first vehicles went to the IA on March 12 of this year. Production goals for this program included delivery of 200 vehicles in March and 400 vehicles every month thereafter. The team is set to reach its target of 8,500 Humvees by the end of 2009.
“This partnership demonstrates the cooperation between the U.S. Govt and the GoI to train and equip Iraqi SF,” said U.S. Army Col. Michael Sage, Asst Chief of Staff J4, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, who oversees the program.
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ISF captures 8 suspected AQI terrorists in northern Iraq
BALAD - Third IA elements conducted an opn Nov. 28, capturing 2 AQI terrorists in Bulayj. One of the individuals is believed to be the Amir of a newly formed direct action cell operating in the area. The individuals are believed to be responsible for planning attacks against CF.
During an op Nov. 27, Baqubah SWAT captured 3 suspected AQI terrorists operating within the district. These individuals are believed to facilitate AQI operatives and provide safe havens in the area.
In a separate op Nov. 27, Iraqi SOF arrested 3 suspected AQI cell members in East Mosul. They are believed to be operating as an assassination cell and are suspected of killing local nationals and Iraqi SF. Two are allegedly responsible for facilitating the escape of insurgents from the Badush Prison in 2006.
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Blackanthem Military News
ISAF soldiers at Camp Stone celebrate Thanksgiving
Deployed U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy service members, as well as U.S. civilians and int'l. military members, share an American Thanksgiving meal. More than 30 turkeys were prepared and served alongside mashed and sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, macaroni and cheese, pumpkin and pecan pie, and a variety of beverages including eggnog and sparkling grape juice.
(photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Monica R. Nelson)
KABUL, Afghanistan - As the dining facility opened its doors, a long line of people had already formed in anticipation of the Thanksgiving meal prepared inside. Upon entering, guests were welcomed by base cmdrs. and leaders carving the turkeys and serving side dishes.
"It's a military tradition that leadership on Thanksgiving serves their soldiers and service members," said U.S. Army Captain Bill Davis. "It's my opportunity to serve them because they work so hard for me everyday."
Not only did Americans enjoy the feast, but int'l. military guests were invited to attend. For many, it was their first experience of the U.S. holiday. "I don't know so much about Thanksgiving, but I really liked the meal a lot," said Italian Army Lt Alessandro Colactthio, from Florence. "My favorite part of the meal was the turkey; it's very good."
The meal came complete with sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, pecan pie and other dishes considered staples at a traditional Thanksgiving meal. About 1,000 people attended the meal, which is triple the amount the facility normally serves.
More than 500 troops stationed at int'l bases in the area made the trek to get an all-American "Turkey Day" meal and celebrate and give thanks with other Americans serving in Afghanistan. "I'm thankful for my family; that's about all I have," said U.S. Army SSgt David Ward. "If I could talk to my family right now I would tell them Happy Thanksgiving, and I love and miss all of them."
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