Dear Interested Reader,
We have a plethora of interesting stories, such as the 233rd Transportation Co step up to a challenge; Iraq's "Midnight Express;" combined forces deliver aid in Babil; "Stingrays" end mission in Baghdad; terrorist cell leader and other criminals arrested, while weapons caches are seized.  In Afghanistan, NP are succeeding in securing Bagram area.  Spartan Engr NCOs save lives by clearing IEDs.
Joanna
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March 19, 2009

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

Transportation Soldiers Step Up to Challenge

Story by 2nd Lt. Charles York

1st Lt. John Ferrell (right), EO, 233rd Transportation Co, 391st CSSB, 16th Sust Bde, from Pasadena, Calif., and SSgt. Carman Boyd, heavy wheeled vehicle operator, 233rd were 2 of the Soldiers selected to represent the 391st CSSB at the 3rd Expeditionary Sust Command’s “Sustainer Challenge” at Joint Base Balad.

COB SPEICHER –  Ten Soldiers from the 233d Transportation Co., 391st, have been consistently training for the upcoming 3rd ESC’s competition at Joint Base Balad.  With a collective 200 miles-worth of road marching, a weapon system disassembly and reassembly time of less than 1 minute, countless rounds fired on the range and over- achieving physical fitness test scores, these Soldiers believe that they have what it takes to compete and win.
On Jan. 17, the 10 Soldiers volunteered to put their soldiering skills to the test. The train up for the competition incorporated a plethora of tasks to include combat medical tasks, combatives, humvee tire changes, weapons marksmanship, rigorous physical training, and miles of road marching.
SSgt. Carman Boyd showed her skills during the train up. “It feels great to get back to the basics, sometimes we all need a refresher and the chance to increase our proficiency in our basic Soldiering skills,” Boyd said.
Out of the 10 Soldiers who trained for the competition, only 4 from the company will travel to Balad to compete in the competition.  Each bn team competing in the event had to meet certain criteria.  The team had to consist of one female, one Soldier at least 30 years old, one who was combat lifesaver certified, and one officer.
1st Lt. John Ferrell was the officer selected for this competition. “The team has come a long way since we first started,” Ferrell said.  “I remember when it took us over 5 minutes to disassemble and reassemble one of our weapons systems.  Now we have it down to an art, with our best time just at 29 seconds.”
All of the Soldiers who participated in the training were recognized by the 391st CSSB Cmdr, Lt. Col. Ronald Pacheco, and received a certificate of achievement and a bn coin.

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Multi National Force - West Public Affairs

Iraq's Midnight Express

AL ANBAR PROVINCE – Cpl Sean Northcutt is a terrible singer.  Sitting behind the wheel of a 7-ton truck bouncing down the highways, roads and dirt paths of Iraq’s Al Anbar province, the 23-year-old Marine belts out renditions of country and western songs that would make a dog howl in agony.
However off-key, stilted and painful those songs may be to those sitting in the cab beside him, Northcutt’s raw tunes have one benefit – they keep him awake and alive.  As a motor transport operator with Truck Co, II Marine Expeditionary Force HQ Group (Fwd), his singing is a defensive mechanism that allows him to cope with the dangers of driving long distances over Iraqi roadways in the dead of night.
“We run all of our convoys at night,” said Warrant Officer Ceylon Williams, plt cmdr for Truck Co’s 1st plt. “This way we have less impact on the Iraqi people’s daily routine.”  Chief among these changes was essentially giving Iraqi roads back to the Iraqis, but this change does not come without danger to the Marines of Truck Co.  That is where Northcutt’s singing comes in.  It’s a personal safeguard he has created that helps him combat the boredom inherent with driving long distances at night past seemingly unchanging terrain. Although the threat of insurgent activity, albeit significantly reduced, still looms in Iraq, it is complacency that most threatens Northcutt and his fellow motor transport operators.  “It’s sometimes hard to stay awake,” Northcutt commented as he weaved through the tight streets of Hit, a town in the Al Anbar province with an estimated population of 150,000. “You do what you have to do to stay alert.”
Sitting in the sometimes-stifling truck cabs wearing 40 pounds of body armor and equipment, without a radio to listen to and scenery less than scenic, the drivers pass the miles chatting with their vehicle cmdrs or gunners, singing to themselves, and chugging energy drinks and water.
“That’s where another unit’s 18-wheeler rolled over a few weeks ago,” said Northcutt, pointing out a small roadside depression along Route Bronze, a main supply route linking the far-flung COP scattered throughout the Al Anbar province. “Other than one IED attack a month ago that didn’t hurt anybody, we’ve been lucky and nothing’s happened to us on these runs.”
Luck has far less to do with it than the vigilance and training of the Truck Co Marines, whose exhaustive pre-mission briefs and roadway caution have kept them safe. During the convoys, which can stretch up to 8 hours depending on road conditions and traffic, the plt’s radios are abuzz with frequent radio checks, updates on driving situations, possible threats, and the location of checkpoints and local drivers and pedestrians.
One of the greatest dangers to the drivers is the presence of children.  Hearing the trucks thunder down the road toward their villages, children as young as 8 or 9 will flock to the roadside regardless of the lateness of the hour to wave at the passing trucks and gesture for snacks, water, or their most sought-after commodity – ink pens.  In the past, some of the more daring youngsters, knowing where the vehicles must slow to navigate tight corners or roadway hazards, would hide in the shadows and dart toward the moving vehicles to try to snag a bottle of water or Meals Ready-to-Eat the trucks normally carried in racks lining the side of their vehicles.  To combat this dangerous practice, the motor transport Marines have removed the temptation and begun to carry their food and water in racks higher in the vehicles and thus out of reach of prying hands.
Despite this precaution, and the slower transit of populated areas, Northcutt and his fellow drivers maintain close contact with their gunners, who in their elevated turret positions have a slightly better vantage point to warn against children, or other ne’er-do-wells who try to use the darkness to get in close to the passing trucks and Humvees.
Although operating exclusively at night presents its own problems, Williams and his Marines in 1st Plt welcome the challenge and the signal it sends to the Iraqi people.  "By operating at night," Williams added. "it reduces the U.S.’s visible footprint and actually helps both sides by having less traffic and personnel on the roadway at the same time."
 “The convoys keep us busy so the time goes by quick,” said Lance Cpl. Robert Thomas, another II MHG (Fwd) motor transport operator. “It’s a great learning experience and I’m seeing a lot of different things.”
Although, the overnight trips throw a kink in the motor transport Marines’ daily schedules, forcing them to sleep when others are awake, and eat breakfast for dinner, few want anything more than to be able to get ‘outside the wire’ and do their jobs.  In doing so, Thomas’ view of the Iraqi countryside will be shrouded by darkness, and Northcutt will continue to bludgeon country music.

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Iraqi Police, U.S. Soldiers Deliver Humanitarian Aid in Babil

Iraqi Police unload sleeping mats during a recent humanitarian assistance mission in the Babil province, March 18. (Photo and story by 1st Lt. Matthew Pierce)

CSC SCANIA — The residents of a small village in rural Jawadia of the Babil province received an unexpected surprise recently.  In the early morning hours under a hazy, sand-induced overcast sky, local villagers awoke to find IP of the Furat Police Station and Soldiers from the 2nd BCT, 4th ID, pulling into their village with a railcar shipping container in tow.
When the smiling IP officers cracked open the container, a plethora of supplies, ranging from blankets and pillows to water purifiers and generators, poured out to exclamations of astonished gratitude from the local citizens. “They don’t teach you this in basic training or artillery school,” said SSgt. Travanti Andrews, 16th FAR. “This type of mission is what we look forward to because we see a difference on the spot. The locals are extremely grateful and we are grateful to have the opportunity to help out.  Everybody wins.”
The FA btry has spent the past 4 months working jointly with the local IP to bring much-needed training to their SF. In addition to this training, they've found time to provide humanitarian assistance to the surrounding communities.
"IP Chief, Maj. Rahman and his Police team did an outstanding job ensuring every family got equal rations,” said Maj. Scott Perry, the Civil Affairs team leader working with 3-16 FA Regt. “Not one person went home empty handed today.”
Many of the bn’s Soldiers said they attribute the ever-increasing stability in the communities throughout the area to the local IP and IA units.  Improvements in the security environment have allowed the Iraqi SF to focus on building trust within the communities they patrol.

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Mississippi ‘Stingrays’ End Mission in Baghdad

By Sgt. Catherine Graham

CAMP LIBERTY – On March 18, another chapter came to a close in the history of the 890th Engr Bn, 225th Engr Bde, 1st Cav Div, as the ‘Stingray’ leaders assembled their Soldiers to hand over their mission in the Baghdad area to the 4th Engr Bn from Fort Carson, Colo., in a transfer of authority ceremony.
“The Soldiers of the 890th Eng. Bn. have performed magnificently. They have overcome many challenges and contributed to the success of not only the CF, but also have assisted in adding to the legitimacy of the GoI,” said Lt. Col. Joe Hargett, cmdr of the 890th. “I would like to wish the 4th Engr. Bn. the best of luck and God speed as they take over this very important mission.”
This is not the first Iraq deployment for the 890th Eng. Bn. from Gulfport, Miss., but it is the first under the Army’s modularity concept. The bn consisted of the HQ Support Co and A Co., Fwd Support Co, of the 890th En. Bn., from the Mississippi National Guard, the 836th Engr Sapper Co from the Texas National Guard, the 688th Engr Mobility Augmentation Co from the Army Reserves out of Arkansas, and the 848th Engr Sapper Co from the Georgia National Guard.
The ‘Stingray’ bn assumed control over the route clearance missions, and assured mobility for the 107th Engr Bn of the Michigan Army National Guard serving under the 926th Engr Bde, 4th ID.  The Stingrays made several improvements to their ops in theater throughout their tour.  One of the significant milestones was working with the 6th IA Regt’s leadership to establish a dynamic partnership with the IA, to initiate an aggressive training program that would prepare the IA as a self-sustaining route clearance team.
Following the graduation of the initial class of IA soldiers, the IA regt introduced their first piece of route clearance equipment into patrols and conducted numerous combined missions, that resulted in increased proficiency of the Iraqi soldiers.
Another mission target was the inception of route sanitation missions. Through a partnership with a sister bn, the 46th Engr Bn from Fort Polk, La.,, route clearance patrols began using construction assets to remove debris off the routes. The route sanitation partnerships reduced the amount of repetitive IED interrogations, and contributed to the beautification of the Baghdad area. The tactics and practices for this op were published in the Center for Army Lessons Learned, for future leaders to benefit from.
The 890th had many other key innovative successes throughout its deployment in its area of ops with numerous munitions finds, the capture of insurgents, use of experimental surveillance technology, equipment improvements, and the establishment of a combat recovery course.
The 890th Eng. Bn. will depart the theater for re-deployment with its many successes and zero casualties to add to its books.  “The Soldiers of the 890th Engr Bn have set the standard for route clearance missions in the MND - Baghdad area. The equipment that Congress approved and delivered for our missions has saved many lives and gave the Soldiers the tools needed to perform their missions safely,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Mergenschroer. “I also would like to thank each Soldier of the 890th for their hard work and also the hometowns of Mississippi, Texas, Georgia, and Arkansas, that gave much needed support to the Soldiers.”

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Words of Wisdom

Photo by Sgt. Doug Roles

Prior to a mounted patrol, Soldiers from Co C, 1st Bn, 111th Inf Regt, 56th Stryker BCT, receive some last minute instructions from 1st Sgt. Daniel Murphy (center), co 1st sgt, at JSS Tarmiyah, March 14.

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Cache Found in al-Karada district

BAGHDAD – MND–Baghdad Paratroopers discovered a weapons cache March 17 while conducting combat ops in the al-Karada district of eastern Baghdad.
Paratroopers from Btry B, 1st Bn, 319th Abn FAR, 82nd Abn Div, responded to a tip from a concerned Iraqi citizen about a weapons cache.  They safely recovered 13 60mm mortar rounds, 11 82mm mortar rounds and 4 RPG rounds.

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Iraqi SWAT removes IED maker from Mosul streets, finds cache in Bayji

TIKRIT –  March 13, during an op in Mosul, the Mosul SWAT, with CF advisors, arrested an individual suspected of designing IED components, experimenting with IED composition, and developing procedures for the emplacement of IEDs, to make them more effective against Iraqi Security and CF.
In a separate op, the Bayji SWAT, with CF advisors, acted on info obtained from a recently arrested terrorist, to uncover a weapons cache north of the Bayji Fertilizer Plant.  The cache contained more than 20 84mm projectiles, a 120mm projectile, a 75mm projectile and 50 projectile fuses.

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ISOF, ISWAT arrest terrorist cell leader and three criminals

TIKRIT – Iraqi SOF arrested a terrorist cell leader during an op in Ninewa Province, March 12.  The individual was suspected of ordering, assisting and participating in attacks with roadside bombs and VBIEDs. The suspect was also suspected of carrying out assassinations, displacing civilians throughout Mosul and Tal Afar, and recruiting children for ops.
In another op, Baqubah SWAT, with CF advisors, arrested 3 men who were allegedly involved in criminal activities in Diyala Province, March 13.  The men are suspected of being part of a criminal org. that carried out an attack against a CF convoy March 4. The group is also suspected of kidnapping and killing an Iraqi woman in Khalis.

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Combined Joint Task Force 101 RSS

Afghan National Police Succeeding Securing Bagram Area

Story by 1st Lt. Lory Stevens

An Afghan NP works outside the perimeter of Bagram Air Field, March 10, searching vehicles and ensuring the security of Bagram Air Field, as well as providing security for Afghan civilians residing nearby.

BAGRAM AIR FIELD — Whenever something happens outside the gates at Bagram Air Field, the Afghan NP are the first responders on scene to check out the situation.  When a vehicle exploded outside the base perimeter March 4, the ANP reacted with improved capability, on-point reaction and professionalism, according to CF in charge of training ANP officers.
“The Bagram ANP saw something wrong. They approached it and stopped it, responding very well,” said Army Maj. Luis Ortiz, TF Gladiator ops officer, referring to a suicide VBIED attack outside the perimeter of Bagram Air Field last week.
Khalid, who is in charge of Bagram ANP working outside an entry control point for the base, believes the attacker may have been targeting a coalition convoy.  “When the vehicle failed to stop for a search, my men followed the car,” reported Khalid, who explained how the attacker carrying explosives abandoned the vehicle before it detonated and injured 3 civilian contractors. The driver was killed when the explosives he was carrying detonated as he ran away from the vehicle and ANP.
TF Gladiator, comprised of the 101st Div Special Troops Bn deployed out of Fort Campbell, Ky., conducts almost all patrols with ANP, as they work to secure the province of Parwan.  “It doesn’t matter what time of day it is. If there's a patrol, then the ANP are always out there working alongside us,” said Ortiz.
“The ANP in Koh-e Safi District also do a great job with security for people who live there,” said Army 1st Lt. Brent Dalton, 1st Plt leader, Alpha Co, 101st DSTB. “They assist us with numerous humanitarian assistance drops, and they make sure the aid is evenly distributed amongst the villages and effectively settle any personal feuds.”

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Spartan Engineer NCOs Save Lives by Clearing IEDs

Story by Sgt. Robert Frazier

Army Sgt. Frank Iannaccone looks down over a small village during a patrol with Alpha Co, 3rd Bde Special Troops Bn, 10th Mtn Div, TF Spartan, March 9.

BAGRAM AIR FIELD - Shockwaves reverberated through the mountains and a large black cloud of smoke rose from the road as an IED was detonated.  Once again the engineers of Alpha Co had beaten the insurgents to the punch.
“Our mission is to go out before the infantry to look for IEDs,” said Army SSgt. Jeremy Claus, 3rd BSTB. “We ensure they have safe passage so they can do their mission.”
Just a few hours prior, a low tone transmitted through the speakers of the 8-vehicle convoy, alerting the team that an IED could be close by. One by one, the vehicles rolled to a stop.  Around the side of the lead vehicle, 2 Soldiers emerged. Their task was to inspect the side of the road for indicators of wires and to look for trigger-men who could be close by waiting to ambush their team.  “These guys are essential,” added Army SSgt. John Rankin, a squad leader with 3rd BSTB. “We need them on the ground for their eyes and experience.”
The meticulous actions of the team are vital when they attempt to confirm a hidden explosive is nearby. They follow step-by-step guidelines precisely to ensure safety for everyone.  “You always have to assume they have direct eyes on you,” said Army Cpl. Mark Colborn, team leader for 2nd squad. “You have to be efficient when you walk up, and make sure you do a thorough job so no one gets hurt.”  A few minutes later, Colborn radioed in his report. They found no command wires leading off the road.  However, just because they didn’t see anything doesn’t mean something wasn’t there.
The next move was to bring out Army Pfc. Matthew Swanson, a gunner on the dismount team, and his metal detector, to sweep the road for any signs that something could be buried.  Swanson reflected that there’s always a thought in the back of his mind that something could happen when he approaches a suspicious area.  “I hope I don’t get blown up,” he said, as matter of fact. “It’s my job to go out there to see if the detector can find something.  If it registers, that’s a pretty good indication that something is down there.”  However, Swanson is just one half of a team to identify potential explosives.
The military has a new ally in their search for IEDs in Afghanistan; canines of the Lucky Dog Program. The program trains dogs to detect dangerous materials and chemicals known to be associated with IEDs.  Assigned to the engrs, for this mission, were Army Sgt. Stephen Netzley and his partner “Lady.”  When she and Swanson key in on the same area, it provides a solid case for the EOD team to unpack their gear.  “She’ll pick up a scent,” said Netzley. “If I know something, I’ll lead her to it.  I watch her reaction.”  When Lady responds with the appropriate cue, EOD knows it’s time for them to take over.  “The dogs help us a lot because they can pinpoint exactly where something is,” added Army Cpl. Adam Kodras, a Soldier of 3rd Sqdrn, 71st Cav Regt Counter-IED team.
After performing numerous checks and securing the area, EOD detonates the charge placed over the area, and a resounding boom echoes up and down the road.  “What we are able to do here is a testament to our training,” added Colborn. “We execute our mission with proficiency and professionalism to ensure the people around here don’t get hurt.”
As the black smoke billowed through the air, the impact of their efforts was evident.  “We probably saved a Humvee full of Soldiers,” Kodras said.

Army Cpl. Mark Colborn and Army Sgt. Frank Iannaccone pass by each other while surveying the surrounding area.

Smoke rises over the sight of an IED detonated by the EOD team.

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