Dear Interested Reader,
IA along with a Dallas based Army Reserve unit support Basra schools. Iraqi NP and CF are busy preparing voting sites. It's a pleasure to highlight the many accomplishments of Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Morin. American Idol winner David Cook entertains troops at FOB Warhorse. Numerous weapons caches seized. In Afghanistan, school project brings education and hope, especially to girls once forbidden to go to school by the Taliban. Also, the newly established COP Terminator is seeing immediate progress.
Joanna
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Jan. 25, 2009
Blackanthem Military News
Monster Garage
By 1st Lt. Paul Laymon
Sgt.1st Class Jeffrey Morin, inspects final installation of Objective Gunners Protection Kit, or OGPK. Morin is currently deployed with the 503rd Maintenance Co, 398th CSSB, 10th Sust Bde in support of MND - Baghdad, Jan. 21.
(Photos by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Howard Pepper)
CAMP LIBERTY - The 503rd Maintenance Co, 398th CSSB, is currently stationed at the Victory Base Compound in Baghdad. The company has many sections in it that perform a multitude of missions. There are many members of this org. who have held a myriad of positions and accomplished many things in their careers. One of them is Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Morin. Although currently assigned as the automotive plt sgt, Morin has held several positions. Before arriving in Iraq and during the first 3 months in theater, he was the automotive NCO-in-charge. He established the process that is currently used by the platoon to install all OGPKs on the M1151 series of High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles. Under his guidance, the Automotive PLT earned the right to say that it was the second largest site installing OGPKs, and had performed more installations than any other site in theater.
Morin served as a member of an All-Army "Mechanic" Team that competed on the Discovery Channel show, Monster Garage, with famed motorcycle builder, Jesse James. The premise of the show is that the team is given 7 days and $5,000 to transform an ordinary vehicle into an extraordinary one. The All-Army Team was given a World War II Jeep to transform into a twin-engine tractor puller. The team showcased the talents of 6 Soldiers from different technical fields and included a warrant officer, a lt, 2 NCOs and 2 enlisted Soldiers. The team completed the task before the deadline and was awarded some MAC Tools.
His instructor skills were also used for the Discovery Channel show, Dirty Jobs, hosted by Mike Rowe. During this show, the host performs different jobs that are deemed "dirty" by normal society. Morin instructed the task on how to recover a vehicle that was mired in 3 feet of water. He also instructed the host in all aspects of safety, rigging techniques, mechanical advantage and recovery methods.
Sgt.1st Class Jeffrey Morin, extracts a bolt broken during the installation of OGPK.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
IA, Coalition forces support Basra schools
BASRA - An IA civil military ops team along with support from a Dallas based Army Reserve unit provided humanitarian assistance to Basra public schools on Jan 15.
IA Soldiers along with Soldiers of the 490th CAB, traveled to the Al Zubair and Karowaan kindergartens in the Al Zubair district of Basra to deliver school supplies and make further refurbishment assessments. The Al Zubair kindergarten School, with 140 students and a teaching faculty of 18, was the first school the IA Soldiers visited.
The head master, Aroba Salman, said the students and teachers were excited and happy to welcome the Soldiers to their school. Salman helped Col. Mahee hand out backpacks, pencils and writing tablets to the students.
"Iraqi public schools are a meeting place for many ethnic, religious and social statuses of children and there are no better people to get education that will help better the country," Mahee said. He and his Soldiers have visited 16 schools and determined them to be in need of refurbishment. Several of the schools had students who were in need of school supplies.
"The IA has grown significantly in their understanding of the positive role civil affairs has in building a bridge between the IA and civilian populace," said Maj. Craig R. Bowser, 490th CA officer who has partnered with both Mahee and Hussain many times since he arrived here in Basra.
IA Col. Mahee and Maj. Craig R. Bowser discuss the planning for the Iraqi humanitarian assistance mission.
(Army photos by Maj. Christopher A. Emmons)
Iraqi Army Col. Mahee and Maj. Craig R. Bowser deliver school supplies to the young students of Al Zubair Kindergarten School.
A decorated classroom.
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NPs prepare voting sites
FOB SHIELD -
An NA officer and a Paratrooper assigned to Troop C, 5th Sqdrn, 73rd Cav Regt, 82nd Abn Div, 3rd BCT, assess the location of a future voting site, Jan. 18 in the Rusafa district of eastern Baghdad. Iraqi provincial elections are scheduled for Jan 31.
Paratroopers assigned to Troop C assess another location of a future voting site.
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Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition forces plan election security
DIYALA - IA and police leaders met with the area's senior CF leaders at FOB Warhorse, Jan. 22 to discuss and rehearse a security plan for the Diyala provincial elections scheduled for Jan. 31. Using laser pointers and multi-media devices, ISF leaders took center stage during the rehearsal to talk about their plans for security throughout the province, both on Election Day and the days leading up to it.
An Iraqi officer and Lt. Col. Matthew Anderson (right), cmdr, 2nd Bn, 8th FAR, look at a geographical model of Diyala provincial voting centers. The election rehearsal brief outlined security measures for IA and Police providing the first security line at provincial voting centers throughout Diyala province.
(Army photos by Spc. Bobby L. Allen Jr.)
Col. Burt Thompson, cmdr., 1st Stryker BCT, 25th ID (left), and Staff Maj. Gen. Damook, provincial dir. of police (Diyala), review discussion topics before the election brief. near Baqouba.
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American Idol winner welcomed at Warhorse
Diyala - "How you guys doing tonight?" he yells out to the crowd of listeners. Without another word, the crowd of 1st Stryker BCT Soldiers and civilians begin to flood the stage area at FOB Warhorse's food court.
The crowd begins to hush as David Cook, rock singer-songwriter, grabs hold of the microphone, smiles at the crowd and signals his band to begin playing. "This song is called 'I did it for you'," Cook says, as the crowd applauds in cheer and whistles.
Even with his new found fortune and fame, Cook is still very much a humble man and is tour of Iraq is no exception. "To be able to do something of this kind of magnitude, it's definitely a big deal to us," Cook said, referring to his band mates. "I was privileged enough to be asked to come here. I have family in the military, so to be asked to do something like this is a badge of honor for me and for my family to know that we are doing something."
On his first tour of Iraq, Cook says he has learned a lot from each and every person he had been able to talk with. "This trip has been life-changing and an eye-opening experience to say the very least," Cook stated. "It's been really intriguing for me to just be able to talk with the Soldiers and hear their stories. Coming out here has allowed me to really take on a different perspective. I think I would go home and change myself as person because of it."
Cook addressed the crowd one last time before ending his encore performance, "Heroes. Thank you for having us, it's been a real pleasure," Cook said. A roar of applause began as Cook and his band concluded the concert.
After the concert, Cook and his band remained behind to take pictures and sign autographs for the fans.
David Cook, rock singer-songwriter.
(Army photo by Spc. Opal Vaughn)
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IA, IP, MND-B Soldier seize weapons cache in Baghdad
BAGHDAD - With a tip from a local citizen, IP discovered a cache on a rooftop in the New Baghdad district of Baghdad, Jan. 22. The weapons included 7 60mm high explosive mortar rounds with fuses, a 60mm mortar round, 3 85mm heat rocket PG-7s, a 85mm heat rocket, 2 70mm heat rocket PG-7Ms, a 9mm weapons slide, 2 60mm mortar tubes, a RPG launcher and a training RPG launcher.
Acting on a tip, IA soldiers and Soldiers serving with Co B, 1st Bn, 21st Inf Regt, 2nd SBCT, 25th ID, found a cache that contained approx. 33 pounds of explosive material west of Baghdad.
IA soldiers working alongside Soldiers serving with Co C, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt., discovered a cache NW of Baghdad. The seized munitions consisted of 27 130mm projectiles.
IA soldiers working with Solders serving with Co A, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt., uncovered a cache that contained a rocket launcher, 3 122mm projectiles, 14 hand grenades and approx. 300 pounds of explosive material west of Baghdad.
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Iraqi SWAT destroys weapons cache
BALAD - Tikrit SWAT recovered a weapons cache during an op Jan. 21, north of Tikrit. The cache consisted of 122 155 mm rounds, 6 80 mm rounds, 6 122 mm artillery rounds, a 20 mm anti-armor round, 11 155 mm fuses, 2 155 mm proximity fuses, an 80 mm mortar round and 2 mortar tubes.
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Aloha
Sgts. Kiory Potes (left) and Kaleo Anderson (right) sitting outside the Bucca Inn on Camp Bucca, Jan. 15, 2009, giving "Shaka" which is a hand gesture to say hello or "Aloha."
(Photo courtesy of 1st Sust Command (Theater) Public Affairs)
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Command Joint Task Force - 101
School project brings hope, education to Nangarhar
by AF Capt. Dustin Hart, 3rd BCT, 1st ID
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — Members of the Nangarhar PRT demonstrated their commitment to furthering education during a ground-breaking ceremony of the Maliki Surial girls’ school in Behsood District, Jan. 11.
“The key to success in Afghanistan is education of all children,” said Lt. Col. Steven Cabosky, Nangarhar PRT cmdr. “While this school project will help, the hard work still exists. It’s up to all of you to make sure your children are able to go to school and receive an education. That is what will build a strong Afghanistan.”
The ceremony featured members of the prov. govt, school admin., and PRT speaking about the opportunities created by the new school. “Currently, the girls attend an open-air school where they sit outdoors and learn,” said Capt. Elisabeth Leon, Nangarhar PRT lead engr. “When the weather turns bad, they simply can’t go to school.”
The school will feature 10 classrooms for more than 1,400 girls to attend classes throughout the year, and is expected to be completed in the next 9 months. The importance of education, especially in regards to Afghan females, was stressed in many of the speakers’ comments. “Education is very important for girls,” said Gulali Zai, Maliki Surial’s headmistress. “Females are responsible for the household, and can in turn, educate their children and husbands within the house.”
Before the Taliban govt was defeated in 2001, less than one million children attended school in Afghanistan, virtually none were females. Since then, the number has grown to more than 6 million children, with 35% of these students being female according to Int'l Security Assistance Force-Afghanistan statistics.
“In every district we travel to, educating the children is a priority to the leadership,” Leon said to the crowd of mostly females. “This school is a sign that the hopes, opportunities and dreams of Afghan females are coming true. I ask you to keep your heads high and reach for every opportunity to learn and grow.”
The PRT is currently working with the Ministry of Education on 15 boys and girls school projects throughout Nangarhar province. These are part of 50 projects, that the PRT is working on throughout the province.
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Command Joint Task Force - 101
Newly established COP sees quick progress
by Tech. Sgt. Jill LaVoie, 2nd Bn, 2nd Inf Regt, 3rd BCT, 1st ID
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (January 10, 2009) – Members of Alpha Co, 2nd Bn, 2nd Inf Regt, are seeing positive results from their increased presence at the newly built COP Terminator in Maywand District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
Within weeks of building a permanent COP, the 3rd BCT, 1st ID Soldiers reported an increased willingness from local residents to assist, and receive assistance from CF. “When we first came to the area, no one would talk to us,” said Capt. Chris Brawley, Alpha Co. cmdr. “As soon as we started building, they began talking to us.”
COP Terminator was built to restrict Taliban movement through the area. “The Maywand District is used to move supplies, narcotics and medical support for the Taliban,” said Spc. Andrew Gardiner, 2nd Bn, 2nd Inf. Soldier. “Our goal here is to disrupt the supply routes for the Taliban.”
“Before, we came here for a couple of days, but then we would leave and it would be back to business as usual for the Taliban,” said Brawley. “People have told us that within days of building, the Taliban started clearing out of here.” Alpha Co. Soldiers want to continue to build on this success. “When we first got here most people would tell you that it was 6 months since they had last seen CF, and 1 day since they had last seen the Taliban,” said Brawley. “We want to reverse that. We want to patrol so much that we are a constant presence.”
Gardiner believes this will continue to grow support in the area. “They're warming up to us, because they recognize we're going to stay. Our area of influence will expand as we have more opportunities to get out and talk to people. Each time we patrol, we try to talk to more people. They are definitely more positive about our presence.”
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