Dear Interested Reader,
251 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines from 65 countries became American citizens. Man's best friend is a soldier's "battle buddy." Combined forces distribute supplies to Karada schools. Ceremony marks beginning for New Courthouse in Hayy. Dinwaniyah opens new modern secondary school for girls. The 14th Engr. BAS is training Iraqi counterparts to improve medical techniques. Large weapons cache seized in Kirkuk. In Afghanistan, Panjshir PRT aids local villages devasted by snowstorm. A most interesting story of the 636th Military Intel Bn.
Joanna
_______________________
March 5, 2009
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
Troops earn citizenship in Iraq
Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines await the start of their naturalization ceremony.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante)
BAGHDAD - During the 13th naturalization ceremony conducted in Iraq, 251 Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from 65 different countries became American citizens in the rotunda of the Al Faw Palace, March 3. The youngest participant was 19 and the oldest was 45.
"American citizenship means that we each commit ourselves to our community, to our state and to our country," said Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, comm. gen., MNC - Iraq. "It means that we participate in improving the quality of our society. It means exercising rights, respecting other's rights and defending our own rights."
Although the candidates have already been living in the U.S. and serving in its military, there is still a great deal to gain by becoming an American. "We identify ourselves as 'American'," Austin said, "but, what does it mean to carry the title 'American'?"
"It's a blessing," said Spc. Rosemarie Narvaez, Co B, 27th BSB, 1st Cav Div, and originally from the Philippines. "I get the right to vote which is something I've looked forward to doing."
"I'm glad I call America home," said Spc. Daley Bornsztejn, Co C, 2nd Bn, 133rd Inf Regt, and Australian by birth. "It's great to be part of something bigger than yourself."
One new citizen, Spc. Regis Uwizeye from Rwanda, came to America as a refugee from the country's civil wars, which claimed both his parents. Other countries he tried fleeing to, such as Congo and Kenya, were involved in civil war or civil unrest of their own. He applied for a program to bring refugees to America and was selected. Since then, America has offered a safe haven for Uwizeye.
"In America, I can sleep at night and I know the govt won't change overnight because of a military coup," said Uwizeye, who is part of Troop B, 6th Sqdrn, 9th Cav Regt, 1st Cav Div.
The safety and future America represents give Uwizeye and other new citizens a strong sense of allegiance to their new homeland, and a sense of responsibility to properly represent it. "We [Americans] have to stand up to the challenge of being the strongest country in the world," Uwizeye said.
Candidates for American citizenship recite their oath of citizenship. Spc. Majid Abdulrazaq (left) was born in Iraq.
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Man's Best Friend, a Soldier's 'battle Buddy'
Story by Spc. Phillip Adam Turner
BAGHDAD - Soldiers trust their battle buddies to have their backs in any situation. Regardless of the danger, it is a bond of war; a closeness that is rarely verbal, just understood through a simple nod or pat on the back. These highly trained and proficient canines and their military handlers perform to the highest standards in some of the most dangerous of situations.
AF SSgt. Joel Townsend, and his partner, Sgt. 1st Class A-Taq, a 2 year old Belgian Malinois, are a military working dog team assigned to the K-9 Stryker Unit, 1st Cav Div. During their 13 months of working together in Iraq, they measure success by finding enemy IEDs, weapon caches, and in some cases, the enemy themselves.
“A-Taq is very proficient in explosive detection and attack work,” said Townsend. “For him, it’s not because he is vicious or malicious; it’s fun for these dogs. It's their mission. Finding a bomb or a bad guy, that’s his reward and A-Taq is very good at what he does. I know he will never hesitate. Every time we go out the wire I put my life in his paws, and so far we’ve been doing all right.”
Classified on paper as a sensitive item worth more than $80,000, Townsend treats his 4 legged partner much differently than just another piece of govt equipment. “I sweep him every morning for scratches and bumps, anything out of the ordinary that could keep us out of the fight. We do physical training together every morning, and we train everyday, just keeping him proficient in his tasks,” Townsend said.
“We do have those times when he knows it’s OK for him to be a dog. He knows how I feel about him, and he shows me as well. It’s more than just a working relationship.”
Just watching these animals in action, it doesn’t take long to realize how specialized and difficult their training must be. Dogs like A-Taq receive and perform commands with clock-like precision for nothing more than a positive word or a pat on the back. Military working dogs are trained to overcome typical dog “behavior,” explained Townsend. When passing by the entry to a dark building, most dogs will tuck their tail and turn away. A military dog is trained to enter that building, as the handler’s eyes and ears, to recon and alert his partner to whatever is inside.
“It’s not just the training,” explains Townsend. “These guys are a little nuts to begin with.” This ignites a barrage of long, wet tongue kisses from A-Taq — his form of approval for the joke.
After joining the AF as a SF officer, Townsend said he spent 3 years as a “decoy” just trying to get in the dog handler program. While waiting from approval by his chain of command, he did whatever he could to be involved in the military working dog program. From cleaning kennels to “catching dogs,” a reference for being on the receiving end of bite training, Townsend paid his dues and earned his opportunity to join this elite team.
All military handlers are required to attend the Military Working Dog Program Academy at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma, Ariz., prior to deploying. The program is the closest and most realistic deployment training experience for these dogs and their Soldier/Airmen counterparts. “They simulate downrange so well, you and the dog feel like you are in Iraq,” remembers Townsend. “Pressure plate IEDs, buried weapons caches, one-five-five rounds, the villages; it is exactly what you are going to see over here. We are living together, working together, learning together … the training prepared us both for coming here. It’s an indescribable confidence that A-Taq and I gained.”
“Everything I feel is transferred right down the leash. He knows when I am anxious, uneasy, excited, or upset; he feels that. These guys are the 4-legged unsung heroes of this war … the last things you want to do as the handler is throw that off because you may not be having the best of days.”
From their everyday heroics, to the times they spend together as best friends, Townsend is adamant to show all service members that the opportunity to work alongside A-Taq is not just another aimless business relationship. It is an opportunity to trust the Soldier next to you. “This is hands down the coolest job in the military; we have a bond with these dogs that are as attached to us as we are them. I have gone to war with this dog, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I will go to the end of the world and back again for this dog, and I know he would do the same.”
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ISF, MND-B Soldiers distribute supplies to Karada schools
Capt. Marcus Long, assigned to the NPTT, currently attached to the 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn Div, gives an Iraqi child an assortment of school supplies.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Alex Licea)
BAGHDAD - Feb. 25 in the al Karradah district of eastern Baghdad, more than 400 children gathered outside the Qairwan Elementary School's courtyard to receive their supplies. NP officers and MND-Baghdad Soldiers assigned to the NPTT, handed students backpacks, notebooks, pencil sets and crayons. Most of the supplies were donated by several orgs from the U.S., as well as family members of deployed troops.
"With the ISF in the lead, Iraqi citizens are now able to address their problems with NP officers, because they realize the NP play a role in their community," said Capt. Marcus Long, assigned to the NPTT. "Events like this allow the people to see and talk to them." Long said the visit allowed NP officers to get a first-hand look at the needs of the school. Long credited the leaders of the NP Div., for planning and executing the school supply distribution in the 2 Karada-area schools. "This lets NP see the classrooms, the lack of playground equipment, the cafeteria and the bathrooms. This allows them to see all the school's concerns."
The senior NP officer said this event was fulfilling because of the joy shown by the children. "We love to see the happiness in the children's eyes," said Iraqi Col. Taria, the ops chief for the 1st NP Div. "This is one of the most important things we do. They want to see us and talk to us. It's a big thing. The schools have asked us for more swings, slides and toys," he said. "We are going to try to help them in the near future."
The headmaster at the Shana and Shorwq Kindergarten school expressed her gratitude to both the U.S. troops and Iraqi NP officers for the supplies. She credits the recent security gains in the area as a major factor in allowing this type of op. "We're very happy because the GoI, NP and the American Army now have the time to take care of the children," she said. "This is a very poor area, and they need an aid op such as this one."
Iraqi Sgt. Maj. Thamir (left), provides first aid to a little boy, when the boy's father rushed over to the NP officer with his injured son. Thamir treated the boy for a large gash on his head and rewarded him with a toy for his courage.
An Iraqi girl receives a variety of school supplies from a NP officer.
Iraqi Col. Taria, ops chief, places a hat on an Iraqi boy as Mr. Salam Hanoon, a district councilman from the Karada neighborhood, looks on.
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Ceremony Marks Beginning for New Courthouse in Hayy
By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
The Hayy Mayor Kadim Karim and the Hayy chief judge Falah Kareem lay the first tile, signifying the beginning of the new construction project for the Hayy courthouse, at the brick and mortar ceremony, Feb. 26.
(Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson)
FOB DELTA — The judges in the Hayy judicial system currently have no courtroom, no judge’s chambers, and get only 2 to 4 hours of electricity a day. That is about to change. Thanks to an Iraqi Cmdr’s Emergency Response Program project, the existing building, which also houses the Hayy real estate offices will be refurbished, and a new building that will include a new courtroom, judge’s chambers and administrative offices, will be constructed.
Hayy Chief Judge Kareem cut the ribbon and laid the first tile at the brick and mortar ceremony, signifying the start of the new project that was coordinated through the Wasit PRT, and the 41st Fires Bde. “We want to thank the Americans and the PRT, because they helped us to renew this building,” said Falah. “I hope this project will be finished as soon as possible, so this court can provide a lot of service to the people of Al Hayy.”
In addition to the new building, the project includes a new generator to provide consistent electricity to the court buildings, new bathroom facilities and a new perimeter wall. The total cost for the project is 381 million Iraqi dinar, which is $330,000.
“I’d like to thank the American forces for rebuilding the courthouse in Al Hayy, and we would like them to build many more projects in Al Hayy,” said Karim, Hayy mayor.
“If you think 11 short months ago, we were fighting the insurgency on these very streets,” said Col. Richard Francey, 41st Fires Bde., cmdr. “Today the placing of the first stone and the building of a new courthouse represents the rule of law and the protection of human rights. Judge Falah and many others in this province have sacrificed much to get to where we are today,” he added. “The Iraqi people can be very proud of where they are and where they are going.”
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Diwaniyah Opens New, Modern Secondary School for Girls
By Alicia Embrey
Gulf Region South
DIWANIYAH — Female students in Diwaniyah are celebrating the unveiling of a new secondary school for girls. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Al Irshad Secondary School for Girls, Feb. 26 to celebrate the completion of the new facility. The 12-classroom, multi-level school includes a laboratory, library, storage rooms and administrative buildings for 360 students. Iraqi contractor Al-Kahlaa Company began the project in December 2007 and employed 50 local men during construction.
Shakir Ne’ma abid-own, dir. gen. of education for Diwaniyah Province, thanked everyone involved with the project for their efforts, saying it was quite an achievement. “We need more schools like this, because most lack such good construction,” he added.
Michael Klecheski, lead for the Diwaniyah PRT, pointed out that “in Iraq, in the U.S., in every society that I know of, education is among the things people value most for their children. And so, we come here today to celebrate the opening of a new school. We celebrate a school with classrooms and hallways in which young women will be able to develop into productive members of the new Iraq that is growing around us all. “Construction of this new school was itself a reflection of that new Iraq,” Klecheski continued. “It took courage and determination to bring it to completion, especially on the part of those Iraqis who did the work, oversaw it, and brought us to this day.”
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Iraqi Army Medical Partnership
By Spc. James Garner
COB ADDER - The 14th Engr Bn Aid Station (BAS) has been given the opportunity to train IA’s 10th Field Engr Regt (FER) medics and soldiers. The 14th Eng. Bn. conducted the first iteration of training in Camp Dhi Qar, near Nasiriyah, which consisted of basic first aid, tactical combat casualty care (TC3) and preventive medicine. 15% of combat deaths are preventable; so the course has more emphasis on tactical care, because it can save a large percentage of preventable combat deaths.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time, but I just wish we had more support.” Sgt. Okezie, 14th Eng. BAS treatment NCO. It has been a somewhat difficult task for the 14th Eng. BAS to plan and prep for the 10th FER class. From making PowerPoint presentations and getting them translated to meetings and walk-through’s with the 10th FER medics. They have been working with Sgt. Maj. Hussein (IA 10th FER senior medic), to find out what medical skills the IA medics have and can give to their soldiers. This played a critical role in the planning and preparation of the classes. They had help from the Warrior Medical Training Center, Ayas (a local national interpreter for the 14th Eng. Bn.), and Staff Sgt. Rosado (a 1st Cavalry medic).
“I learned a lot in the class. When can we go through a higher level class?” asked Ahmjed, 10th FER medic. “The class was good and it was what I wanted for the soldiers. I would like more classes like that, and higher level classes for the soldiers,” said Sgt. Maj. Hussein, 10th FER senior medic.
After the completion of the first basic first aid class, the 14th Eng. BAS is planning to give more classes to the 10th FER. A combat lifesaver class will train the soldiers more in depth on treatment for trauma patients and how to administer IV fluids.
There are 2 goals for the 14th Eng Bn. The first is to train 10th FER soldiers basic first aid and the combat lifesaver classes. The second is to teach the 10th FER medics how to give the classes, so in the future they will be able to train their own soldiers. Teaching the IA medical skills is another achievement to add to the list of accomplishments for the 14th Eng. Bn. Training IA soldiers medical skills will not only better the soldiers, it will also save lives.
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Large weapons cache discovered in Kirkuk
FOB WARRIOR - Early morning, Mar. 3, a joint IA Div and CF patrol discovered a large weapons cache in the Mumbar Garhat district of Kirkuk province, consisting of launchers, 120mm shells, 60mm mortars and firing systems, RPK rounds, improvised mortar tubes, blasting caps and several other supporting items.
"No one was hurt, thankfully," said Lt. Col. al-Zabai. "This is an important discovery and will help us defeat the IED systems in place here. This will go a long way in helping us identify other caches like this and clearing Kirkuk of terrorist remnants."
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Panjshir PRT aids local villages
Written by Capt. Stacie N. Shafran, PRT Panjshir
BAGRAM AIR FIELD (February 24, 2009) – In response to a recent snowstorm in Panjshir province’s Paryan District that killed 3 people, injured 2 and displaced 18 families, the Panjshir PRT provided the villagers with humanitarian assistance.
The storm impacted 111 villages and nearly 46,000 residents in Paryan District. The lives of nearly 60,000 cows, sheep and goats were also affected. The snowstorm blocked the resident’s roads and damaged infrastructure, hindering emergency response procedures. As a result, Provincial Gov. Bahlol convened an emergency disaster mgt. meeting at his compound in Bazarak District to coordinate efforts between various sectors such as public health, agriculture, the Afghan NP, and the PRT. The intent of the meeting was to quickly position relief supplies to the displaced families and villages cut off from access to the main road.
“The gov. handled this situation with initiative and vision. He demonstrated provincial leadership caring about its population’s well being,” said Lt. Col. Mark Stratton, PRT Panjshir’s cmdr. “The governor’s quick ability to bring together reps from a variety of backgrounds will ultimately sustain the livelihood of the people affected by this snowstorm.”
While the provincial and district leaders planned the logistics behind the relief effort, the PRT simply provided the Afghan leadership with winter supplies for distribution to the families, items such as blankets, clothes, boots, charcoal, and flour. “The winter is a challenging season for the people living in these remote villages. As a good neighbor, when situations like this happen, we like to do what we can to assist as soon as possible,” said MSgt. Blue Rowe, PRT Panjshir civil affairs NCO in charge.
The PRT, through close coordination with the provincial govt is making future winters easier for the valley’s 300,000 residents through the construction of a 70 km primary road that connects Panjshir to the Badakhshan province. This road will also ultimately expand Panjshir’s economic opportunities and improve the future of the people here.
Eventually the “rib roads” will also be paved, connecting the remote villages in the side valleys to this new main road. Once complete, these road projects will improve the provincial govt’s ability to respond to emergencies quickly by providing easier access to the population. The groundbreaking for these new primary roads segments will be this spring, and one day they will provide access to all neighboring provinces.
“In the future, because of these roads, not only will the province prosper economically, but it will be easier for the govt to take care of its people and infrastructure, especially during times of natural disaster,” said Stratton.
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636th MI battalion assumes intelligence responsibilities
Written by Army Master Sgt. Ken Walker
BAGRAM AIR FIELD − The 636th Military Intel (MI) Bn, TF Deguello, officially assumed command and responsibility for intel collection in the Afghanistan Combined Joint Ops Area, during a transfer-of-authority ceremony here, Feb. 16.
The unique Texas National Guard org. contains more than 300 personnel specializing in human intel collection, signals intel and counter-intel ops. They are the second National Guard intel unit to deploy at 100% strength.
Most of the unit’s Soldiers began their intel career in combat arms military occupational specialties, and crossed trained into the intel career field. Hundreds of Soldiers attended additional skills training in source ops, language, advanced intel, recon, surveillance, special warfare weapons and unmanned ground sensor. This additional training effectively doubled the output of National Guard intel Soldiers.
“Like the Texans at the Alamo, TF Deguello has come to Afghanistan to do the hardest jobs and offer their blood, sweat and tears to the 101st Abn and the 82nd Abn Div,” Army Lt. Col. Michael Dietz, 636th bn. cmdr said during his speech.
The Texas unit will serve under the 2 most storied units in the U.S. Army, the 101st Abn and the 82nd Abn Div, during their combat duties in Afghanistan. “TF Deguello with its Texas heritage and Texas traditions is a proud TF,” Dietz told the audience. “Our Soldiers are trained and ready for combat.”
The 636th is the first MI bn in the U.S. Army since World War II, created and trained in under a year to immediately serve in combat. Additionally, it is the first Battlefield Surveillance Bn (BfSB) structured to be used in Afghanistan. TF Deguello’s parent unit, the 71st BfSB is HQ in Austin, Texas.
A BfSB conducts intel, surveillance and recon ops to enable the div. or corps cmdr. to precisely focus joint combat power, and simultaneously execute current ops, while preparing for future ops. Dietz explained that Texas had a vision of building a world class intel unit in order to deploy to Afghanistan as a BfSB in support of OEF IX and X.
“Our journey has taken us from our civilian jobs in Texas, to various military schools in several states, to mobilization training in Washington state, and finally here to Afghanistan,” said Army 1st Sgt. Corey M. Amidon, the first sgt to TF Hays, Bravo Co. “Many of our Soldiers are presently at their FOBs, doing what they do best, and working hard to contribute to the intel collection process in support of our mission,” Amidon continued.
Currently, the 636th is the most geographically dispersed unit org. in the CJOA, serving the rugged eastern and southeastern areas, as well as along the Pakistan border areas. “We are eager to continue the intel gathering mission the 142nd MI bn, [TF Wasatch] has done since May 25, 2008,” said Army Lt. Col. Thomas Kleis, the EO for TF Deguello.
TF Deguello is named for the taunting music the Mexican army played at the Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, the most famous battle of the Texas Revolution. The song Deguello was played during the 13 day siege of the Alamo to let the defenders of Texas freedom know that there would be no mercy, no quarter for those who did not surrender.
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