Volume Four, Number 16 - 8-8-09
Mission - Soldier - Family - Team
For the latest news, pictures, and information from 4ID, regularly check:
http://www.hood.army.mil/4ID
(Note from Bob - work is underway to transition this 4ID web site to Fort Carson. Once it is complete, I will give you the new address. In the meantime, this is still the official 4ID web site).
Seven Day Weather Forecast:
The next seven days will be sunny in both Baghdad and Kabul.
Baghdad, Iraq - Sun
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We start with bad news coming out of Afghanistan...
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. Alexander J. Miller, 21, of Clermont, Fla., died July 31 in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum. N.Y. (attached to 4BCT, 4ID).
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The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Aug. 1 in Mushan Village, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked their patrol with improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
Killed were:
Cpl. Jonathan M. Walls, 27, of West Lawn, Penn.;
Pfc. Richard K. Jones, 21, of Person, N.C.; and
Pvt. Patrick S. Fitzgibbon, 19, of Knoxville, Tenn.
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Let us keep the Families and fellow Soldiers of SPC Miller, CPL Walls, PFC Jones, and PVT Fitzgibbon in our thoughts and prayers.
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Our OIF I veterans and Families will remember that our 4th Combat Aviation Brigade and 555th Engineer Group were stationed at Camp Speicher, northwest of Tikrit, Iraq, during OIF I. The camp has remained a major US base since then, home to MND-N HQ and other units over the past several years. Virtually every time I'm working at the Atlanta Airport USO I talk to one or more Soldiers stationed at Camp Speicher. The good news is - we now know the whereabouts of Captain Speicher (equivalent Navy rank to an Army colonel rank) - the bad news is he did not survive the crash back in 1991.
Remains Identified as Navy Captain Michael Scott Speicher
The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) has positively identified remains recovered in Iraq as those of Captain Michael Scott Speicher. Captain Speicher was shot down flying a combat mission in an F/A-18 Hornet over west-central Iraq on January 17th, 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Speicher's Family for the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country," said Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy. "I am also extremely grateful to all those who have worked so tirelessly over the last 18 years to bring Captain Speicher home."
"Our Navy will never give up looking for a shipmate, regardless of how long or how difficult that search may be," said Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations. "We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Captain Speicher and his Family for the sacrifice they have made for our nation and the example of strength they have set for all of us."
Acting on information provided by an Iraqi citizen in early July, US Marines stationed in Al Anbar Province went to a location in the desert which was believed to be the crash site of Captain Speicher's jet. The Iraqi citizen stated he knew of two Iraqi citizens who recalled an American jet impacting the desert and the remains of the pilot being buried in the desert. One of these Iraqi citizens stated that they were present when Captain Speicher was found dead at the crash site by Bedouins and his remains buried. The Iraqi citizens led US Marines to the site who searched the area. Remains were recovered over several days during the past week and flown to Dover Air Force Base for scientific identification by the AFIP's Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner.
The recovered remains include bones and multiple skeletal fragments. Positive identification was made by comparing Captain Speicher's dental records with the jawbone recovered at the site.The teeth are a match, both visually and radiographically.
While dental records have confirmed the remains to be those of Captain Speicher, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology DNA Lab in Rockville, Maryland is running DNA tests on the remains recovered in Iraq and comparing them to DNA reference samples previously provided by family members. Results will take approximately 24 hours (now complete and confirmed that it is Captain Speicher).
A high-resolution photo of Captain Speicher is available at http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=2934
Let us keep the Family of Captain Speicher in our thoughts and prayers.
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65 Years Ago this Week - 4ID in France - August 9-15, 1944
9 August 1944 - D+64
The enemy defended from positions in the vicinity of La Mardelle. This position had been obtained after a night attack down the draw La Laucherie, Lingéard, La Mardelle. Three times the supporting artillery fired concentrations to repel the aggressive enemy counterattacks. The 4th Division still continued to maintain a perimeter of defense.
10 August 1944 - D+65
No contact with the enemy. CT 8 remained in positions in the vicinity of La Roussel. At 2230 it was attached to the 9th Division. CT 22 remained in same positions until 1600 when it was ordered to move to new positions in the vicinity of Le Teilleul.
11 August 1944 - D+66
Enemy patrols contacted our patrols along the Varenne river. Small arms and automatic weapons fire were exchanged. CT 8 was detached from the 9th Division at 1400 and was alerted for movement by truck to an assembly area in the vicinity of Désertines as division reserve. CT 22 initiated vigorous patrols at dawn to reconnoiter area east of La Varenne river. The Division established road blocks wherever necessary.
12 August 1944 - D+67
It appeared as though the enemy patrols along the Varenne river to Domfront were acting as a screening force while larger forces withdrew to the east or dug in on the high ground east of Domfront. Several rounds of large caliber artillery fell in the 4th sector. The 8th Infantry closed in assembly area at 0045. Roadblocks and outposts were immediately established and reconnaissance initiated eastward. CT 22 continued reconnaissance to the east, conducted vigorous patrolling and extended outpost lines to the northeast to include the town of Barenton.
13 August 1944 - D+68
A ceremony was held at the 8th Infantry CP to award Distinguished Unit Citation Badges. The same took place in the afternoon for the 3rd Battalion of the 22nd Infantry. The 3rd platoon of Companies A and C of the 4th Engineer Combat Battalion received the same citation badge. These Presidential Unit Citations were awarded for the assault on Utah Beach. The enemy continued to outpost the Varenne river west of Domfront. Small fire fights were experienced between patrols. The 8th Infantry initiated reconnaissance eastward to La Varenne river, established road blocks and outposts. CT 12 was detached from the 30th Division and moved to assembly area. CT 22 continued reconnaissance east to La Varenne river.
14 August 1944 - D+69
The enemy continued to leave listening posts and security detachments for the purpose of defending road blocks and mine fields. In all cases these units dispersed when our reconnaissance elements closed in. CT 8 continued patrols as far east as La Mayenne river. At 1900 the regiment discontinued extensive patrols and closed into assembly areas. The 12th Infantry remained in assembly areas. The 22nd Infantry maintained road blocks and outposted lines till 1900.
15 August 1944 - D+70
No contact with the enemy. CT 8 remained in assembly area, conducted maintenance and training plus small patrols as far east as La Mayenne river. The 12th Infantry remained in assembly area and conducted care and cleaning of equipment and rest. The 22nd Infantry and attached units conducted motorized patrols as far as La Varenne river within their sector.
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Thanks to Philippe Cornil for providing these for us. You can find this information, plus pictures from the WWII action, at his website at http://www.ordinateurslaval.ca/Normandie .
And, if you're visiting Normandy and need a great place to stay, or a guide who loves the 4ID and can show you all the highlights, check out his bed and breakfast site at Chambres d'hôtes - Guest House Normandy : http://www.lamaisondeshotes.com Deeds, not words.
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Here is the press release that Families and Soldiers of 41st Fires Brigade have been waiting fourteen months to read:
41st FB hands baton to 1st Bn., 77th FA Regt. after 15 months deployed
FOB DELTA – The 41st Fires Brigade transferred responsibility of Coalition operations in Wasit province, to 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade in a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Delta Aug. 3.
For the Soldiers of the 41st FB, the ceremony marked the end of a 15-month deployment that has spanned
the transition from counterinsurgency to nation building.
“It has been an interesting journey,” said Col. Richard Francey, Jr., 41st FB commander. “Fifteen months ago, we arrived here on the heels of a volatile time for this province with an insurgency that was trying to hold on.”
During their deployment, the 41st FB formed partnerships with Iraqi Security Forces and had success cleaning the Hahwar canal system, bringing water from the Tigris River to more than 2,000 farmers in southwest Wasit. In addition, 41st FB made strides in educating farmers and restoring medical capacity to Wasit, said Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, Multi-National Division-South commanding general, in a speech to
41st FB, members of 1st Bn., 77th FA Regt. and several prominent Iraqi officials, including Wasit Governor Abd al-Latif Hamad Taraf.
“The successful efforts of the 41st Fires Brigade, working with our Iraqi allies and our Georgian, Salvadorian,
Lithuanian, Kazakhstani, Polish and Romanian partners, have set the stage for the 1st Bn., 77th FA Regt. to advance the work that has been accomplished over the last 15 months,” Nash said.
“Fourteen months ago, we talked repeatedly about the great security and the improving governance and economy. We talked (about) this as daily (improvised explosive devices) exploded and regular indirect fire landed on the FOB,” said Francey.
“Fourteen months ago, we had a perception of what needed to get done but we really didn’t know how to do
it. Fourteen months ago, we spread out over the 10,000 km of Wasit province as some of the first Americans to live there. Fourteen months ago, we met some people who were warm but tentative towards us. Fourteen months ago, we didn’t know what to expect.
“Fourteen months later, security is not words we speak in an attempt to create a perception of normalcy to the people,” said Francey. “Today, we have true security, implemented in full by the Iraqi Security Forces.”
The ceremony also marked the transfer of authority from a brigade to a smaller battalion unit, resulting in an overall reduction of American troops in Wasit province in accordance with the Security Agreement.
“We’re making our footprint smaller to give the Iraqi people the ability to make Iraq a sovereign country,” said 1st Sgt. Edward Peterson, 772nd Military Police Company, 1st Bn., 77th FA Regt.
Like units all over Iraq, Peterson and his troops are working with Iraqi police. “In my eyes, it’s a chance to give the Iraqi people a police force that can sustain itself,” said Peterson, a Billerica, Mass. native.
By working in tandem with the Iraqi Police for the benefit of the Iraqi people, Peterson and his troops represent the crest of a new military paradigm, one that was advanced by the 41st FB during their time in Iraq.
While 41st FB’s time in Iraq is ending, they know their work will be continued by the new occupants of FOB Delta. “I am confident,” said Francey, “that the 1st Bn., 77th FA Regt. will do great things to facilitate the path of success in Wasit."
(By now, most if not all of 41st Fires Brigade is safely back at Fort Hood. I'm proud to have been able to serve this great unit and their Families during this deployment. I'll keep watching for news and report it as I find it). Here is an article from the Fort Hood Herald and one from the Killeen Daily Herald:
41st Fires Brigade married couples, neighbors in Iraq, return to post
Posted On: Wednesday, Aug. 5 2009 01:44 PM
By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Fort Hood Herald
The Christophers and the Leons honeymooned in Iraq.
Capts. Adrian and Stephanie Christopher were married March 15, 2008. Stephanie deployed a month later. Adrian followed June 9. Capts. Jose and Tracy Leon were married May 30, 2008. Jose deployed the next month. Tracy followed a week later.
The Christophers and the Leons have spent more time together as married couples in Iraq than in the United States.
Stephanie and Jose returned to Fort Hood within the last few weeks, and both waited together for their other halves July 29 at Kieschnick Physical Fitness Center. About 200 Soldiers from the 41st Fires Brigade were reunited with loved ones at an afternoon ceremony. Another group of brigade Soldiers returned Tuesday.
The Christophers and the Leons were neighbors in Iraq. Each couple shared a room, two of more than 10 dual-military Families in the brigade, Jose said. The Soldiers varied in rank from private to captain, he added.
Stephanie said she was very lucky to get that opportunity and said it wouldn't have been possible without Col. Richard Francey, the brigade's commander. She acknowledged she didn't go through some of the hardships a lot of the other Soldiers experienced.
Getting to live with her husband made the deployment easier in every possible way, Stephanie said. She had someone with whom to vent, laugh and cry. "I have a better marriage because of it probably," she said.
This was the first deployment for Stephanie and Adrian. Thinking back to their relationship in a combat zone, Stephanie said Adrian was more of a battle buddy than anything else. They took care of each other. If one had a late night, the other would make sure there was food from the dining facility waiting in the room, she said. Living together during the deployment was like a crash course in marriage. Stephanie said she expected married life at home to be awesome and "cake."
Jose said that deploying with his wife made the 15 months in Iraq easy. The hardest part about deploying is leaving Family behind, he said, and having that time with her "took the hardship away."
"It's not where you're at, it's who you're with," he added.
Jose, a former Marine infantryman and enlisted Soldier, decided to make a career out of the Army. He received his commission in 2003, meeting Tracy in Officer Candidate School. Both served their second deployments to Iraq with the brigade.
Jose agreed with Stephanie, saying that life as a couple at home was easy compared to life as a couple in Iraq, and he's looking forward to it. "You go to work, come home, enjoy life and get ready for the next deployment," he said.
Copyright 2009 - Fort Hood Herald
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Final flight for 41st Fires arrives safely
Posted On: Friday, Aug. 7 2009 05:43 AM
By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald
FORT HOOD – The 41st Fires Brigade brought back all of its Soldiers from combat. Many leaders, to include Col. Richard Francey, brigade commander, and Lt. Col. Timothy Bush, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment commander, returned Thursday morning to Fort Hood with more than 140 of their Soldiers after 15 months in Iraq.
Soldiers from the Hawaii and Oklahoma National Guards also returned on the same flight.
Not only did none of the brigade's Soldiers get killed in action, there were none wounded in action, said Lt. Col. William Johnson, the brigade's rear detachment commander. "They brought everybody home," he added.
The first flight of brigade Soldiers to return from Iraq arrived July 10. This was the last of the 15-month surge brigade to return, Johnson said.
The brigade received orders to deploy in January 2008. Soldiers began departing Fort Hood in May 2008 with the deployment of the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, though the brigade's colors weren't cased until May 28.
Although this was the organization's third deployment, this was the first time the Soldiers deployed as the 41st Fires Brigade. It was known as 4th Infantry Division Artillery during its rotation and reflagged as 41st Fires in 2007 soon after returning from Iraq.
For more than a year, the brigade worked in the Wasit Province, which is on the Iranian border in eastern Iraq. Wasit means "middle" in Arabic and comes from its location between Baghdad and the Persian Gulf, according to information from Fort Hood.
Copyright 2009 - Killeen Daily Herald
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Looking for 1BCT Mother from Louisiana
Would the mother of a Soldier of 1BCT who sent a fantastic story about the welcome home ceremony at Fort Hood on March 7, 2009 please send me an email note - I've lost your name and need to communicate with you. Your story, included in my March 14 update, started like this:
A Mother Describes the Homecoming
Hi Mr. Bob, Just one word, actually two---"TOTALLY AWESOME!"
I have so much to tell you---first and most important is that my son, and his ENTIRE UNIT - each and every one, returned on Saturday (03-07). THANK YOU JESUS! ...
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A Comment from Bob
It has been my honor and privilege to support the Soldiers and Families of 4BCT/1 CAV DIV and 41st Fires Brigade during this just ended deployment to Iraq. I still consider all of you part of the 4ID Family since that is where you came from. I wish you God speed and good luck as you move on to your next assignments and next phases of your lives.
Moving forward with my updates, my focus now will be on 2BCT/4ID and 2HBCT/1ID who are close to ending their tours in Iraq and on 4BCT/4ID who is in their third month of a twelve month tour in Afghanistan. I will also cover general items of interest on Iraq and Afghanistan as I see them. As more 4ID units prepare for their next deployments in the GWOT, I will do my best to report on their training up until they actually deploy sometime next year (then will most likely continue reporting on them, wherever they end up).
I encourage all our 4BCT/1 CAV DIV and 41st Fires Brigade Families and Soldiers to stick with me on the continuation of my updates from the GWOT. As things change in the future - good or bad, I will jump on them and report them as quickly as I can. After so much time spent as participants in the GWOT, you are all invited to continue with me on this historical journey that one day you will look back on with great pride that you did your part, and more, as a participant. The same applies to all our Central Texas supporters. As I've said earlier, you are a key part of the 4ID Family and always will be.
If any of you want to be removed from my update list (and rest assured, whether I have one on the list or 10,000 on the list, the effort on my part is the same. Staying on the list is not an inconvenience to me), just send me your first and last names from the email address that is on my list and I will remove you.
And - the war goes on - read on for more news from Iraq and Afghanistan...
P.S. I also want to thank Amanda Kim Stairrett for her excellent reporting for the Killeen Daily Herald. Without her great work, these updates would often be pretty sparse. Two other reporters of the KDH have been stalwarts of my update efforts since they first started in 2003 - Mollie Miller during OIF I and Emily Baker during OIF 05-06, both still on my distribution list. Thanks, Amanda, Mollie, and Emily.
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Rocket attack strikes Basra International Airport
Multi-National Division - South PAO
August 7, 2009
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq - Iraqi Security and U.S. forces responded when the Basra International Airport was attacked by indirect fire at approximately 9:05 p.m., 6 August. Two explosions of unknown type struck the Basra International Airport that is adjacent to Contingency Operating Base Basra. The Iraqi Police along with Soldiers from the 53rd Iraqi Army Brigade and 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, responded to the attack to conduct a joint investigation.
The airport was transitioned to Iraqi civil authority on Jan. 1, 2009, and is the second largest airport in Iraq.
"This attack on the Basra International Airport endangers the lives of the citizens of Basra and jeopardizes the security and economic growth of the province," said Maj. Matthew Cody, executive officer, 2nd
BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
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Warhorse Brigade transfers Umm Qasar, al Qurnah bases to GoI
By Staff Sgt. Rodney Foliente, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. PAO
August 2, 2009
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – In two separate ceremonies, the Warhorse Brigade signed over control of the Umm Qasar and al Qurnah bases to the government of Iraq Aug. 1. After the Security Agreement, Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stayed at these locations at the request of leaders from the Iraqi Security Forces and government of Iraq, until the Iraqis were able to operate at the bases independently.
“In Umm Qasar, our forces were partnered with Iraqi Marines and also with the security forces which run the port. Here in Qurnah, the Americans were mostly partnered with the border forces,” said Lt. Col. William Benson, commander, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd BCT. Two of Benson’s troop commanders were in charge of Umm Qasar and al Qurnah. “Over the next several months the American presence (in Basra Province) will be reduced by about half as we try to shrink and get out of the local areas,” said Benson.
“There is happiness in American eyes and Iraqi eyes as they give these properties back to the Iraqi government,” said Sameer Alhaddad, the receivership secretariat and prime minister’s representative for the GoI. “We are working on taking back all the bases and there is a government committee responsible for that as Coalition forces withdraw from those bases,” said Sameer, through an interpreter.
“This is my third tour over here and I’ve got to see how Iraq has evolved,” said Capt. Jeffrey Duplantis, commander, Troop A, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt., 2nd BCT. Duplantis, who comes from New Orleans, was in charge of Umm Qasar and signed it over to Alhaddad. He said his first tour focused on combat, his second on developing the ISF. On both previous deployments, there was a lot more violence. This tour has been much quieter, much safer and has focused more on transition of authority to the ISF.
He said the changes have been drastic, even compared to a year ago, and that the people are much safer and that the ISF can be seen everywhere, a strong presence safeguarding the city. Duplantis has spent time throughout four Iraqi provinces this deployment, and in each place he said the ISF have the security situation under control.
Duplantis said he is very optimistic of Iraq’s future and the abilities of the ISF and GoI to take care of their people. “I wasn’t expecting Iraq to stand on its own this fast. It gives me a lot of peace of mind, knowing that the Soldiers I’ve commanded here and the Soldiers I’ve lost on previous tours … that their efforts have not been in vain. Their sacrifice went to a good cause.”
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New markets open in Basra
By Staff Sgt. Rodney Foliente, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. PAO
July 30, 2009
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – Members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted site assessments of new market buildings July 29 in Basra. The market building in the city’s al Jameat District has been open since April and the building in the al Quibla District is slated to open later this month.
“The goal of this project is to provide alternate space to accommodate law-abiding traders and by doing so, stimulate the local economy and provide employment opportunities. This also provides a safe place for customers to purchase their wares,” said Maj. Stanley Hutchison, project management team chief, 2nd BCT.
By using local contractors and laborers, much of the approximately $2,700,000 that the U.S. provided for the project, goes into the local economy, said Hutchison. The locations for the markets were coordinated with the local government, to bring a revival to the districts’ economies and bring about a way for the local citizens to receive services and commodities, he said.
At the al Jameat market, the restaurant and pool hall have many customers and business seems good, said 20 year-old Hassan, who often frequents both as a patron.
Though all of the 30 shops have been leased in the al Jameat market, only four have opened their shops for business so far, said Hutchison, though he believes the other shops will open in the near future. The al Quibla market building will offers 30 shops, including a restaurant space.
“The construction of this market provides a useful facility in itself and it is anticipated that this development may stimulate further investment in this district,” said Hutchison, who comes from Salem, Ore.
Once complete, the Quibla market building will be turned over to the Basra municipality.
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Our 4ID and MND-B veterans who spent tours in the Camp Victory area will appreciate this story...
Critical access road now open
By Lt. Col. Pat Simon
225th Eng. Bde. PAO
August 2, 2009
BAGHDAD – Maya road, the major access road just outside the Victory Base Complex opened to traffic Aug 1. For the past three months, the formerly pothole plagued dirt path underwent a complete overhaul. It is now a smooth concrete means of travel for both military and Iraqi civilian traffic. One of the greatest achievements of this construction project is that it will now reduce the footprint of Coalition forces in line with the June 30 Security Agreement.
“It is not only an easier means of travel, it also keeps military traffic out of the cities,” said Capt. Steven Belford, of Pineville, La., 225th Engineer Brigade project manager. “Those who travel along this route will no longer have to bump their heads (from the potholes).”
VBC funds were used for the mile long project; a huge undertaking. The old concrete foundation had to be dug up and removed, and old buildings had to be demolished and cleared out before the first layer of limestone could be laid down.
The 225th Eng. Bde. Construction Effects Operations Center approved the technical plans and provided a great training opportunity for Soldiers working in CEOC. “We were able to take them out on location and teach them about the job being conducted in a combat zone, how to improve communications on all sides, and how to conduct inspections,” said Belford. “It also allowed them to solve issues as they came up and interact with Iraqis in a positive way.”
The Maya project was also a win-win situation for Iraqis because local contractors were paid to do the construction work. “It’s good to be able to inject money into the local economy and increase employment in that neighborhood which was at one point in time very volatile,” said Belford.
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Two more interesting articles on the changes going on in Iraq:
National Police Renamed Federal Police
Monday, 03 August 2009
BAGHDAD — The Iraqi National Police (NP) are now known as the Federal Police (FP), a name change that became effective, Aug. 1. The name change “goes side by side with the objectives of the national unity government,” said a spokesman for the Police.
Lt. Col Mohammed Al Baydani said the FP have a plan to set up a brigade headquarters in every province, including the self-ruled Kurdistan region, over the next two years. He said the FP’s role is to protect all of the citizens of Iraq. In many areas of Baghdad, Basrah, Mosul and Amara, the FP have proven their ability to restore peace and order for the good of all citizens.
Over the past three years, the former NP nearly doubled in size to 42,000 members. Under the command of Lt. Gen. Hussain Al-Awadi, the Police force has raised its training to a higher standard of professionalism. All brigades have now completed advanced individual training courses and more than 5,700 Policemen have completed the specialized Carabinieri training taught by the Italian Police and NATO forces.
Awadi has also removed corruption and improved the ethnic and religious diversity in the ranks of the FP and implemented a Police code of ethics.
Today, the FP is comprised of four divisions and 17 brigades, including a mechanized and sustainment brigade and the Askari brigade that is dedicated to providing security for the Askari mosque in Samarra during its reconstruction.
The organization’s history dates to Aug. 15, 2004, when it was formed as the Special Police to provide a national rapid respond capability to counter armed insurgency and large-scale civil disobedience and riots. The name was changed to the Iraq National Police March 30, 2006.
Since June 30, the FP have also performed another role, providing escort duty of U.S. military convoys through the cities of Iraq.
“Forces from the Iraqi Federal Police have accompanied U.S. convoys in the streets of Baghdad to support the American Army mission to move forces to different locations,” said a FP. The escort operation is also a part of the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement and shows the Iraqi’s ability to provide security and execute its responsibilities under the agreement.
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Mountains of Gear to Move to U.S. as Forces Responsibly Withdraw
Sunday, 02 August 2009
By Spc. Kiyoshi Freeman
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
COB ADDER — As U.S. forces prepare for one of the biggest logistical challenges since the Vietnam War, military planners continue examining the best ways to move the mountains of equipment accumulated here since 2003. During a recent conference at Joint Base Balad, senior logisticians traveled from around the world to discuss the ongoing drawdown of forces and equipment here and the repositioning of assets to Afghanistan.
One of the key issues addressed was the shipping containers scattered around the country, and the thousands more Coalition forces would need for drawdown operations.
Enter the 368th Seaport Operations Detachment, which manages the Empty Control Collection Point (ECCP) and the Transship Point Container Yard (TPCY) here. "All containers leaving Iraq go through this yard," said 1st Lt. Jevon E. Taylor, the 368th SOD detachment commander. "To get the troops out of Iraq, you have to get the equipment out, and that includes getting the containers out."
According to a recent Army report, 31 million items must be moved; including 100,000 pieces of rolling stock and 34,000 tons of ammunition, with most being shipped out in steel shipping containers. All empty shipping containers from across Iraq are collected at the ECCP here, where they're inspected for serviceability and then dispatched to requesting units.
Once shipping containers are filled, they're sent back to the TPCY before continuing to Kuwait for retrograde shipment to the United States. All of it is a part of the process for the responsible drawdown of forces in Iraq, Taylor said. "We would be wasting money having empty, leased containers lying around [Iraq], not being used," he said.
Each week the yard receives an average of 135 shipping containers, enough to fill 15 American football fields. The yard also ships out more than 100 containers to Kuwait each week. "The goal is to get the containers that have been here for years, and are not needed, and move it out of Iraq [with retrograde equipment]," said Taylor. "The first month we were here, we doubled the amount of containers we downloaded off the trucks."
The 368th SOD also inspects all containers to determine if they are seaworthy, Taylor said. If repairs are needed, and if Mobile Repair Teams cannot fix the shipping container here, they're sent to the Container Repair Yard at Joint Base Balad.
The 53 Soldiers in the 368th SOD realize they are part of a bigger picture, said Sgt. 1st Class Jermaine A. Taylor, the 368th SOD senior noncommissioned officer. It’s not just about receiving, moving and shipping containers out of Iraq, it's about drawing down forces here, he said. "What our unit is doing now will allow for a smoother transition when it comes to the final days of the withdrawal," Taylor said. "Basically, if we were not conducting this mission, it would make it very difficult to get the troops and equipment out of Iraq in a reasonable time. It's all about being prepared and thinking ahead.”
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On Ramadan
By Sgt. Joshua Risner
MND-B PAO
August 5, 2009
BAGHDAD – Soldiers serving in Iraq will find that operations and the local citizens might be a little different from usual beginning Aug. 22 and continuing through most of September. Things will be different as most Iraqis will observe Ramadan.
Ramadan is an Islamic religious observance of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins with the sighting of the new moon and continues for 30 days. On the Western solar calendar, the month of Ramadan moves ten days forward every year. This year, 1430 by the Islamic calendar, Ramadan starts on August 22 and ends on September 20 for Sunnis, with the Shi’a starting and ending a couple days later.
Ramadan is considered the holiest month of the Islamic year, regardless of faith or sect, according to Kadhim al-Waeli, cultural advisor for Multi-National Division – Baghdad. “All Muslims respect Ramadan; they look to it as the month of mercy and generosity,” he explained. “You cannot be true Muslim if you don’t fast during Ramadan - it is one of the five pillars of Islam - you have to do it.”
The month is characterized by fasting, additional prayer and charity for the less fortunate. Muslims reflect on their lives and use this period to get closer to God.
Fasting takes place through the entire month from sunrise until sundown. In addition to refraining from eating, Muslims are also taught to refrain from sinful thoughts and deeds. The Arabic word for fasting, “sawm,” means “to refrain,” not only from food and drink but from evil actions, thoughts and words. The fast is meant to teach patience, modesty and spirituality.
Soldiers operating outside the wire on daytime operations during Ramadan are encouraged to respect the practices of the locals, said Kadhim. “What we recommend for our Soldiers is no chewing gum, eating, drinking, smoking or dipping in public,” he said. “You can do it, but we’re talking about having respect, so it’s best that you are not seen with anything in your mouth.”
There will be designated places reserved for those who are not fasting to eat and do other things, al-Waesi added. This includes non-Muslims and Muslims who are exempt from the fast including the elderly, mentally ill, pregnant women and children.
In addition to minding what goes into their mouths, Kadhim suggested watching what comes out.
“I would recommend our Soldiers to be very careful and patient when they talk to people … especially no curse words,” he said. “The people are going to be very hungry, thirsty and tired, and we need to be very gentle with them, especially this month. Tell them ‘Ramadan kareem,’ which means ‘generous Ramadan’; they will respond to that.”
Ramadan is a time for increased prayer and mosque attendance. Muslims are also encouraged to read the entire Quran during the month of Ramadan. A special prayer, called the Tarawih, is given at mosque, and recites 1/30 of the Quran each night of Ramadan.
There are some important dates for U.S.forces to keep in mind, according to Kahim. “For the Shi’a, the 15th of Ramadan [Sept. 5] marks the birth of Imam al-Hasr, the son of Ali, and the 19th through 21st [Sept. 9-11] marks the wounding and death of Imam Ali Hussein, whose tomb is in Karbala,” he said. “These are very important dates for the Shi’a.”
Another set of dates important to all Muslims are Sept. 10-19, one of which is the Laylat al-Qadr, or “Night of The Power,” in which the Quran was revealed to Muhammad by the Archangel Gabriel. This night is believed to be one of the last nights of Ramadan, Kadhim explained. “They don’t know exactly which night it is, so they pray every night,” he said.
A large celebration of the breaking of the fast, Eid ul-Fitr, signifies the end of Ramadan when the next new moon is sighted. Food is donated to the poor, everyone puts on their best clothes and communal prayers are held at mosque.
Despite the fact that Ramadan is traditionally a time reserved for forgiveness and reflection, American forces operating in sector need to be aware that insurgents have a reputation for disregarding notions of peace. The onset of Ramadan has historically not been accompanied by a halt in attacks, so complacency is something no one can afford.
The month of Ramadan is a sacred time for the majority of Iraqis, bringing special considerations for U.S. forces. A little familiarization, patience and courtesy can go a long way to further improving relations between American Soldiers and the people of Iraq.
(Note from Bob - Ramadan is also observed in Afghanistan and around the Muslim world, on the same dates).
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Complementary Operations Improve Afghan, Pakistan Border
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2009 - Insurgent activity across the Afghanistan and Pakistan borders has declined as a result of complementary operations in the region, a U.S. commander said today. Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Army Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 82, which oversees Regional Command East in Afghanistan, noted the reduction in areas of his command. (4BCT, 4ID is part of this organization).
"We have seen a decrease in the cross-border activity throughout [Regional Command East] as a result of the operation [in Pakistan]," he said, referring to the Pakistani army's offensive against militants along its border region in recent months.
The general said the most noticeable decline has occurred in Kunar province, where coalition and Afghan operations complemented Pakistani efforts across the border. "There were not only the operations in Pakistan, but on our side as well, and it did have an impact of our enemies' ability to move fighters across the border," he added.
One of the key features of the so-called "Af-Pak" policy that President Barack Obama's administration rolled out in March was to broaden the operation in Afghanistan to include Pakistan.
U.S. officials in June praised the Pakistani military's initiative against extremists within their borders as a reflection of Pakistan's belief that the insurgents represent a major threat to the country.
Scaparrotti said that, after his top priority of protecting Afghan civilians, his next major priority is to build the Afghan National Security Forces -- another key component laid out in the president's strategy.
The general said that partnering between coalition and Afghan forces is uneven throughout Regional Command East, with some areas boasting stronger partnerships than others. To shore up weaker bonds in some parts of the region, Scaparrotti said there will be a focus on collocating forces where feasible. "A partnership, to me, means that we, in every case that we can, collocate, particularly at headquarters level," he explained. "We do that already in many areas, but not all. We obviously operate together continuously," he said.
The general added that a greater emphasis will be placed on cooperation at the planning phase, noting that he and his Afghan counterparts just wrapped up a two-day conference that covered issues related to increasing the partnership. "So as we develop our plans, execute our operations and consider both the threat and security of the people; we've got to get together in a greater way than we're doing it today," he said. "It's pretty good, but I believe we can do it even better."
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4ID/MND-B Deputy CG during OIF 07-09 just got a new job...
General Officer Assignment
The Army Chief of Staff announced today the following assignments: Brig. Gen. William F. Grimsley, deputy commanding general, III Corps and Fort Hood, Fort Hood, Texas, to assistant chief of staff, C-3/J-3, U.N. Command/Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea/deputy commanding general, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea.
Congratulations, BG Grimsley - I enjoyed working with you over the past couple of years. Good luck in Korea.
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AFPS Blog: New GI Bill Will Make Huge Impact
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2009 - If history is any guide, the new Post-9/11 GI Bill may be the most effective piece of legislation Congress ever has passed.
The new GI Bill that President Barack Obama signed in June went into effect Aug. 1. It is aimed at giving today's service members the same benefit that warriors from past wars received.
The World War II GI Bill gave veterans unprecedented educational opportunities. The bill provided money for college, training and homes. The generation that came of age in the Depression and during the war took to the benefit like fish to water.
I was privileged to attend the 60th anniversary of the Normandy invasion with Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers in 2004. The ceremony on June 5 was held at the drop zone for the 101st Airborne Division outside the town of Ste. Mere Eglise. Veterans of the drop -- then in their late 70s and early 80s -- attended.
The reporters traveling with Myers spoke with many of the veterans, and one in particular I remember. A reporter made the statement to one 101st Airborne vet that dropping into Normandy on June 6, 1944, was probably the high point of his life. The man thought a bit and said (as best I can recollect), "I like to think I did more with my life. I helped put a man on the moon, too."
When the veteran got out of the service in 1946, he attended college using the GI Bill. He received an engineering degree from Cornell University and went to work at Grumman on Long Island where he helped design the lunar lander.
Could he have done this without the GI Bill? No way, the man said. College wasn't an option for anyone in his family, he said. It was too expensive.
But the GI Bill paid for his education and gave him enough to live on -- in fact, he got married while in college. The GI Bill also helped him finance his first home, and one of his sons used the Vietnam-era legislation to go to college.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, just over half of the service members from World War II used the GI Bill's educational benefits. Still, that means roughly 7.8 million men and women were able to tap into an educational opportunity that otherwise probably wouldn't be available.
The success of the GI Bill encouraged lawmakers who introduced legislation for veterans of the Korean and Vietnam eras. After the Korean War, 2.4 million service members used GI Bill benefits and 7.8 million veterans of Vietnam. In fact, 75 percent of Vietnam vets used the educational benefit to some extent.
Since the GI Bill went into effect, service members have used $83.6 billion for education and training benefits. The GI Bill was much more than a simple give-away. The men and women who used the bill bettered their situations. They earned more money and contributed more to America than just their service during war. They formed the largest middle class the world has ever seen and paved the way for post-war prosperity.
Along the way, they introduced a few things to the world -- computers, television, artificial hearts, satellites, rocketry and countless other discoveries, inventions and processes.
The money invested in educating and training generations of Americans has made the United States a leader of the world. This was not lost on President Barack Obama when he spoke at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., on Aug. 3.
"The contributions that our servicemen and women can make to this nation do not end when they take off that uniform," he said. "We owe a debt to all who serve. And when we repay that debt to those bravest Americans among us, then we are investing in our future -- not just their future, but also the future of our own country."
No one can tell how the investment in the new GI Bill will pay off for America and the world. The service members in the military today are all volunteers and have already proven to be among the most motivated and goal-oriented members of their generation.
Perhaps when some vet is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the start of Operation Enduring Freedom he or she can say, "It was a highlight of my life, but I also helped put a man on Mars."
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers
1) Hey Bob!! My kid's dad is with 2-8IN, 2BCT, came home on July 30th around midnight!! We haven't seen him because he is in Colorado and we are in South Carolina. We have spoken to him a little bit, he was on the ADVON flight. Close to all the guys coming home!! HOOORRAY!!!!
2) From a Korean war vet friend that I still owe dinner to after Florida beat my Sooners in the last National Championship game: I'm not at all sure phrases like "Boomer Sooner" (what ever in the hell that means) are appropriate in a dignified war reporting piece. AND "we'll beat them this year" sounds a little weak. Reminds me of when Emory University played Inter-Collegiate football, and their best cheer was, "Impede them, Impede them - throw obstacles in their path" - Oh I say! (I love college football season - amazing how the Gators are hammering me and the Longhorns haven't jumped into the fray yet - not that I'm asking for comments from Texas fans).
3) When I got home today (Saturday) I had an e-mail from one of "my" Soldiers in Afghanistan. After a rather long mission, he returned to find that his mama had sent him a Snow-Cone machine and all the fixen's...so, since they had some down time they have spent hours making snow-cones the old fashioned way. Plus, they had lots of the Gatorade Packets to add to the mix. So, I am guessing if they had ice - they have plenty of water! Now I am wishing I had thought of that...so, am headed out to find some Snow-Cone machines! God Bless You!!!
And Sunday she followed up with this note: I was headed to church this am and thought about those Soldiers eating snow cones, and got a picture of these big, tough guys with blue and red lips and tongues...
just like when they were little boys... :)
4) Our news of the week is that we have a new grandson! Our son, who is currently deployed with 4ID at FOB Fenty and his wife, who is staying in CA with her mother, have a son, born Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, 2:52 a.m., 5 lbs. 8 oz., and 19" long. Mother and baby are doing well. Daddy has been in touch and is just wishing he could be there with them. He has received pictures via email and was able to call all of his Family to make the announcement. Modern technology is such a blessing. Our prayers continue for all of the Soldiers and their Families.
5) Let me hear from more of you. With not as much news coming from my normal sources, anything you can send for me to include in this section will be much appreciated by our readers.
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I haven't received any news releases from 4BCT in Afghanistan this week, I'll keep looking for them and if several come in over the next few days, I might send another update out early next week. Otherwise, next update will be late next week. I think we'll start to see more and more press come out of Afghanistan as
GEN McChrystal builds his team and after he makes his report to the Pentagon. In the meantime, we just have to be patient and remember my old adage - No news is good news because bad news travels fast.
Continue to pray for our Soldiers and their Families. For many of you, I'm sure you are busy getting ready for the start of the new school year. As for me, I'm anxiously awaiting the start of college football season. You 41st Fires Brigade Soldiers and Families - enjoy your time together - you earned it. I know it has been a long fifteen months.
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Bob Babcock - "Deeds not Words"
President, Deeds Publishing - www.deedspublishing.com
President, Americans Remembered - www.americansremembered.org
Past President, 22nd Infantry Regiment Society - www.22ndinfantry.org
Past President, Historian, National 4th Infantry Div Assn - www.4thinfantry.org
PO Box 682222, Marietta, GA 30068 - Phone 678-480-4422 (cell)
