Volume Four, Number 12 - 7-9-09
Mission - Soldier - Family - Team
For the latest news, pictures, and information from 4ID, regularly check:
http://www.hood.army.mil/4ID
Seven day weather forecast: Sunny for all days of this forecast for both Baghdad and Kabul
Baghdad, Iraq: Thu, Hi - 110, Lo - 90; Fri, Hi - 113, Lo - 86; Sat, Hi - 114, Lo - 86; Sun, Hi - 113, Lo - 87; Mon, Hi - 112, Lo - 85; Tues, Hi - 111, Lo - 85; Wed, Hi - 110, Lo - 85.
Kabul, Afghanistan: Thu, Hi - 91, Lo - 66; Fri, Hi - 90, Lo - 67; Sat, Hi - 91, Lo - 69; Sun, Hi - 92, Lo - 66; Mon, Hi - 91, Lo - 66; Tues, Hi - 190, Lo - 64; Wed, Hi - 88, Lo - 61.
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65 Years Ago This Week - 4ID in Normandy, France
Since I covered two weeks of 4ID WWII actions in 1944 in the last update, I'll skip it this time and resume with the update next week, picking up with 16 July 1944.
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PVT Steven Drees was the first 4ID Soldier killed in Afghanistan...
2-12 Infantry holds memorial for fallen hero
Story by Spc. Eugene H. Cushing
4th BCT (L), 4th ID Public Affairs
July 3, 2009
Kunar Province, Afghanistan– On July 3 Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior, held a memorial in the Kunar Province to honor Pfc. Steven T. Drees who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend freedom and the lives of his comrades.
Drees, of Peshtigo, Wis., an infantryman assigned to 2-12 Inf., was killed by enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Kunar Province. When the unit came under attack Drees continued to man his weapon, exposing himself to enemy fire, in order to provide covering fire for his fellow Soldiers, saving their lives.
At the memorial Capt. Louis C. Gianoulakis, the commander of Co. D, 2-12 Inf., TF Mountain Warrior, described Drees’ dedication as a Soldier as he bravely returned fire with his weapon. Despite enemy fire Drees continued to tirelessly suppress the enemy, Gianoulakis said.
He could have stayed safe by doing nothing, but knew he needed to help his platoon maintain fire superiority, Gianoulakis said. “There is nothing more you can ask of a Soldier than to do everything he can in order to protect his fellow Soldiers, friends and brothers, and put himself in harm’s way,” he said.
Command Sgt. Maj. Darrin A. Kinder, the command sergeant major of 2-12 Inf., TF Mountain Warrior, shared a few thoughts about Drees. “Private Drees was out there doing his job,” he said. “He wasn’t fearful of attack, he did his job, and he’s an awesome American.”
At the memorial many of Drees’ fellow Soldiers were given the chance to share thoughts and feelings about their fallen comrade. Sgt. Anthony W. Hinton Jr., Drees’ squad leader said that when Drees first came to his unit he knew he was going to fit right in. He described Drees as an energetic Soldier who knew his job as an infantryman. Hinton also spoke about the day Drees was killed.
“As soon as we took contact, Drees was engaging the enemy like he was trained to do,” Hinton said. “There were shots all around him, and he didn’t flinch. He just kept engaging like he was trained to do. With him laying suppressive fire he protected everyone from being hurt. Drees knew the danger, but placed everyone else’s well being before his own.”
Pvt. Joshua Daft, Drees’ roommate, spoke about Drees’ personality and the relationship the two had. He said they had kept each other competitive, always driving each other to do better. Daft related a few experiences where Drees went out of his way to improve the morale of his fellow Soldiers. “He was the type that wanted everyone to laugh,” he said. “Drees was my best friend.”
1st Lt. Michael J. Luth, Drees’ platoon leader, shared his memories of Drees after the memorial. “We all loved Drees,” he said. “He was always full of energy. He was everything I could have asked for in a Soldier.”
Drees left behind two families when he was killed: the family who made him the man he was, and the family of his brothers-in-arms. Hinton understood this when he said a few words about it at the end of a speech he delivered at the memorial. “I speak for the platoon when I say Drees wasn’t only a Soldier, he was also our Brother.”
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One of our 4ID Vietnam vets, who served with 704 MAINT, attended PFC Drees' funeral to represent the 4ID Association. He wrote the following note to me after the funeral: "The funeral was well attended. Gov. Doyle was there with Commanding Officers of the WI National Guard. I was able to talk to the family and express my condolences. I left my telephone number for the family." 4ID vets always remain, "Steadfast and Loyal" - thanks for representing us, Ron (a relatively new member of the 4IDA).
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41st FB leaders say thanks to support units
Story by Sgt. Allison Churchill
41st Fires Bde. PAO
July 8, 2009
The brigade commander and command sergeant major of 41st Fires Brigade are ensuring that the units who supported their mission on FOB Delta and in Wasit province get recognition. Over the course of several weeks, the Rail Gunner leadership has presented the brigade’s coin to select Soldiers in the support units on FOB Delta.
“During this deployment this brigade task force has been assembled as a composite of numerous units. Because we have a (brigade combat team) mission but are not constructed as a BCT, it was essential to augment us with other capabilities,” said Col. Dick Francey, 41st Fires Brigade commander and commander of American troops in Wasit province.
Francey said building a BCT was simple on paper, but in execution “we built this airplane while in flight.”
“We’ve had the support of eight different Coalition units and multiple U.S. – based units in support of this operation. It is our honor to take the time to stop by these units and present them with a small token and to
say thanks for their hard work and sacrifice in making this a great team,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Hughes, 41st Fires Brigade.
The leadership of each unit decided which Soldiers would receive the honor, based on their performance during deployment, said 1st Sgt. Craig Abel, Company B, 146th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Florida National Guard, one of the units that was honored. “Sgt. Posey was an easy choice, because
of his extracurricular activities such as teaching. But the other Soldiers were strictly on job performance,” said Abel of Sgt. Bruce Posey, a tactical satellite team chief who has also taught college classes and Functional Academic Skills Training classes at the FOB Delta Education Center.
Other units recognized included: 542nd Support Maintenance Company; 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Combat Aviation Brigade, Pennsylvania National Guard; and 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
The Rail Gunner command team plans to visit more troops as the brigade’s re-deployment to Fort Hood draws closer.
(Note from Bob - this story comes from the 53rd issue of Rail Gunner Weekly, showing that 41st Fires Brigade is now past their year in Iraq and continuing to perform on their 15 month deployment. As soon as I hear when they will start returning home, I'll include it in an update - and, of course, Family members will hear from their FRG and rear detachment personnel).
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‘So Far, So Good’ in Iraq, Odierno Says
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2009 – It’s “so far, so good” in Iraq since U.S. combat forces withdrew from the country’s cities and towns, the commander of Multinational Force Iraq said yesterday.
“It’s going fine -- no problem at all,” Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno said on the PBS program “Newshour With Jim Lehrer.”
Iraqi troops and police are manning checkpoints and stations by themselves, the general added.
Baghdad and Kirkuk have seen bomb attacks, but Iraqi forces have been able to handle the situations, Odierno told news anchor Judy Woodruff. U.S. forces have been moving out of the cities and towns for months. June 30 was the deadline under the U.S.-Iraq status of forces agreement for all coalition forces to leave the cities.
American forces continue to work with Iraqi security forces, the general said, and 131,000 U.S. service members are in Iraq. “We have U.S. forces in joint coordination centers all over Iraq, inside of the cities, and they are there doing training, advising, assisting, and they also are coordinating with the Iraqis,” Odierno said.
The relationships between Iraqi and American forces at all levels are key to good communications, Odierno said, and if the Iraqis need help, a process is in place for U.S. forces to provide it.
American advisory and coordination cells are still in the cities, the general said, but in small numbers “and they’re not related to combat formations, such as brigades and battalions.”
American combat forces now are in the belts surrounding the cities. These belts often are the area where terrorists set up support bases for operations inside the cities. “We occupy those key areas to provide security and stability, which will make it more difficult for freedom of movement of the insurgent and extremist organizations,” Odierno explained.
The number of violent incidents in Iraq is up over the last 10 days, the general said. “But when I look at security incidents around the country, they’re still very low,” he added. In fact, the past month saw the fewest violent incidents since the Iraqis began keeping records, he noted.
Still, terror groups are conducting attacks, and they are hoping to attract recruits. The Iraqi people have not reacted to this terror offensive. “We see no signs of return to sectarian violence,” Odierno said. “We see all the right comments being made by the leadership.”
The Iraqi security forces are up to the challenge, the general told Woodruff. “They have been in the fight,” he said. “They have been working very closely with our forces. We’ve had a close partnership with them. We have seen a great improvement in the leadership. We’ve seen great improvement in their will and their ability to fight.”
Problems still exist with logistics and air support, and U.S. forces will continue to work with the Iraqi army and police to make up those shortfalls and build those capabilities, Odierno said.
“By and large, their army units are performing well,” he said. “They have eliminated much of the sectarian issues they had in 2006. They continue to work that. We believe they continue to make progress. We think we need to be with them for a couple more years, as is outlined in the security agreement, and we think, as we continue to move forward, they will continue to improve, and they’ll be able to do what we think is necessary.”
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TF Steel Soldiers become a part of 4th ID history
Story by Spc. Eugene H. Cushing
4th BCT (L), 4th ID Public Affairs
July 6, 2009
Laghman Province, Afghanistan–Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, of Fort Carson, Colorado, received their 4th Infantry Division combat patches at a ceremony on Forward Operating base Kalagush in Laghman Province of Afghanistan July 4.
Lt. Col. Michael J. Forsyth of Mayville, Kentucky and Command Sergeant Major Michael A. Mendoza Sr. of Scottsdale, Arizona, the battalion Commander and Command Sergeant Major, awarded their Soldiers with combat patches during the ceremony.
"Conducting a combat patch ceremony is important for what it symbolizes,” Forsyth said. “First, it represents the proud history of 4th ID warriors who blazed a trail for us and the current warriors who will carry their legacy forward. Second, receiving a patch on your right shoulder becomes a source of pride for the Soldiers. They are now part of that storied history and the patch symbolizes that they have contributed to it. Finally, a formal ceremony recognizes their service in war, which is the ultimate reason why they volunteered to serve."
Since 1945 the wear of the shoulder sleeve insignia on the right arm, known as the combat patch, symbolizes wartime service and denotes a Soldier’s participation in combat operations as directed by the secretary of the Army.
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JSS Mutanabe now in IA’s hands
By Sgt. Allison Churchill
41st Fires Brigade PAO
July 8, 2008
The Service Battery of 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 172nd Brigade Combat Team, handed control of Combat Outpost Summers, near Suwayrah, over to the 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade during a ceremony June 29.
COP Summers is the fifth and final security station to be returned to Iraqi control before the June 30 deadline for U.S. Soldiers to withdraw from major Iraqi cities.
“Tomorrow you should be standing very tall,” Col. Dick Francey, 41st Fires Brigade commander and commander of U.S. troops in Wasit province, told the Iraqi Soldiers at the ceremony. “Iraqi Security Forces are capable of protecting their people,” Francey continued. “We stand by you as friends and realize you are in the lead.”
“We have all worked together,” said Brig. Gen. Abed Gabr Mazloum, 32nd IA Brigade commander. “Everyone is part of the safety and security of the area.”
Capt. Bradford Brannon, commander, SVC Btry., and Sameer Al-Haddad, receivership secretariat and a representative of the prime minister, signed the papers that made the handover of COP Summers official.
In compliance with the June 30 deadline, the 1-77 FA Soldiers moved to FOB Delta after the ceremony. The battalion will take authority of the FOB and U.S. troops in Wasit when the 41st Fires Brigade redeploys to Fort Hood in early August.
The SVC Battery Soldiers have lived and worked with their Iraqi partners on COP Summers since January 2009. Although the U.S. troops will no longer live among their Iraqi partners, both leaders assured security in the area will continue. “I promise you and I promise your people to work for security in the area,” said Mazloum.
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Soldiers Say Goodbye to Iraqi Orphans With Party, Gifts
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
Special to American Forces Press Service
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq, July 2, 2009 – The 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, 2nd Battalion, couldn’t leave here without a special goodbye to some local children they likely will never forget.
The battalion is winding down its time here in Wasit province and as one of its last services to the community, the Soldiers treated the children from the Kut orphanage to an evening of games, gifts and entertainment at the Rehanah al-Haydaryah Family Park on June 26. “It was an idea to have an event before the American forces left that they could say goodbye to the Iraqi children, and it should be in an open area like the park,” said Nisreen Abdul Raoof, the orphanage director.
Lt. Col. Timothy Bush, 2nd Battalion commander, and the Deep Strike Soldiers have been working with the communities and Iraqi Security Forces throughout Wasit province.
The orphans enjoyed an evening of performances by the 34th Infantry Division band and games including musical chairs, water balloon toss, three-legged race and soccer. Deep Strike Soldiers also supplied snacks, drinks and gifts for the event.
“Before we met with Lieutenant Colonel Bush, we had a bad picture of American forces because of the media,” Raoof said. “Before, they used to say the Americans were invaders and occupation forces. But after we met with them and talked with them, we found out that they have big hearts and are very human, especially Lieutenant Colonel Bush. He has a big heart and he has helped us a lot. He gave us backpacks and soccer balls for the school.”
The evening’s events were wonderful for the children and Soldiers, Raoof said, but the biggest gift the Soldiers gave was the gift of democracy. “I would like to send my regard to all American citizens and the American army because they sacrificed a lot of Soldiers in Iraq to bring Iraq its democracy,” she said. “We have free speech. We can say whatever we want. We have political freedoms and can say our opinion.
“Right now, we have stability and we have good security in this province with the help of the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police. Right now, thanks to God, we are living free, and living in a democracy. We will always remember the Americans for helping us to set up the country like this.”
(Army Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson serves with the 41st Fires Brigade public affairs office).
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Business as usual for 2nd Brigade in Iraq
July 2, 2009 - 5:30 PM
TOM ROEDER
THE GAZETTE
In Basra, June 30 was just another day for most Soldiers with Fort Carson's 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division. The day marked the pullout of American troops from urban settings in Baghdad and other cities and the end of unilateral U.S. offensives. But Col. Butch Kievenaar, the brigade's commander, said his Soldiers have been letting the Iraqis take the lead in Basra for months, with the Americans acting as trainers and occasionally backing their allies up in firefights.
"It didn't mean much of a change for our Soldiers from what we have been doing," Kievenaar said of the new agreement that paves the way for American withdrawal. "It is another milestone in which we see the security forces and people of Iraq taking charge."
Kievenaar's brigade went to Iraq last fall and was first assigned to Diwahniyah, south of Baghdad, before replacing British troops in Iraq's port city of Basra, near the Kuwaiti border. While sectarian attacks in Baghdad have been on the rise, the insurgency in Basra has faded since a 2008 offensive crushed a Shiite uprising there.
Kievenaar said the enemies who remain in Basra are more like a mafia than Al Qaida, more interested in lining their pockets through crime than pushing any political agenda. The Iraqis have been keeping insurgents in check in Basra, and attacks against American forces are measured in incidents per month rather than incidents per day.
"They have been pretty effective in picking up those who threaten the security here," Kievenaar said. "The pace of Iraqi operations has kept the enemy on its heels."
The brigade has a 900-Soldier battalion (1-67 AR) augmenting other Americans in the northern city of Mosul. That city has been far more violent than the placid south, with multiple attacks targeting Americans daily. There, the June 30 deadline marked a radical change in the daily lives of Soldiers, Kievenaar said.
The security agreement reached last November forbids U.S. troops from engaging in unilateral offensive operations and mandates that they leave urban areas unless requested to assist the Iraqis. It also turns over U.S. bases to Iraqi control, sets trade agreements and mandates a timetable for full U.S. withdrawal.
Rather than fighting in Mosul as they have for months, Kievenaar's Soldiers are patrolling the city's outskirts as Iraqis work to quell the insurgency in its narrow streets and crowded markets.
"There's plenty of work to be done up there in the areas outside the city," Kievenaar said.
Part of the 2nd Brigade's work involves more moving. Soldiers are consolidating their bases in southern Iraq in anticipation of the draw down of American forces. Its Soldiers also are working to wrap up a host of civic improvement projects including improving water supplies in Basra.
"We've got to get ready for the unit coming in behind us," Kievenaar said. The 3,800-Soldier brigade is scheduled to return to Fort Carson in two months.
Copyright 2009 - Colorado Springs Gazette
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Taking Out the Trash, Bringing in a New Era in Basra
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs
Story by Sgt. Rodney Foliente
Posted: 07.03.2009 07:42
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – Warhorse Soldiers and members of the Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team met with the governor of Basra as he distributed the first trash can to a city family, July 1. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, coordinated with the local government to provide trash cans to residents throughout Basra as part of a larger initiative to clean up the city.
"Both the Iraqis and Americans are committed to follow the terms and conditions of the Security Agreement, which we are applying step by step. At this time, we are going to start a new era of cooperation. In the past era, the cooperation was based on the military, but was also accompanied by some reconstruction efforts. The new era will witness that Iraqis and Americans will focus on reconstruction," said Gov. Sheltag Aboud al-Mayah.
"The United States combat units have withdrawn from the cities, but American cooperation continues," said John Nalan, Basra PRT leader, who comes from Arlington, Va. He explained that local citizens may still expect to see U.S. Soldiers within the city operating in support of ongoing reconstruction efforts.
"Our American friends comprehended the important priority of having a clean city and also the priorities of having water and electricity. They will help us in having these things as essential services," said the governor.
"Today, we'll deliver to the people as a first step, 12,000 trash cans," he continued. "At the end, the number will reach 350,000, with each house having one trash container. This is the starting point for a lot of other projects to follow."
In addition to the trash containers, the city plans on providing regular trash collection services for the citizens, said Maj. Stanley Hutchison, civil liaison team leader, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
"This project is part of an ongoing campaign to clean up the city of Basra and change the way the city does trash collection," continued Hutchison, who comes from Salem, Ore.
Some of the other projects within the campaign include street cleaning services, incentives for citizens delivering trash directly to dump sites, repairing the trash collection fleet and constructing solid waste transfer stations within the city, explained Hutchison.
"For the long term, we're also working with the Provincial Reconstruction Team to get an incinerator to dispose of their trash," said Hutchison. Additional projects include continuing to clean the canals and picking up the masses of scrap metal within the city.
The U.S. has funded approximately $8 million for local trash collection and clean up initiatives, said Hutchison. "Presently the city generates approximately 2,200 tons of trash daily," said Hutchison. With the crippled trash collection fleet and other deficiencies, the city has only been able to collect and dispose of approximately 40 percent of the daily trash volume.
With insufficient waste management services, many residents simply dumped their trash outside their homes and along the roads. Children can often be seen playing around or in such areas. The local citizens have been used to such conditions for years, said Hutchison.
"These conditions are causing problems with the health of the residents," said Hutchison. Such conditions can also lead citizens to be discontent with their government and the lack of essential services.
"I would like it if Basra was cleaner," said 9-year-old Noordein, through an interpreter. "It would be better. There will be more places to play safely." As a member of the first family to receive a trash can, he also said that the trash can and trash services will help keep their own home and neighborhood cleaner.
"This is a good thing for the people of the city," said city employee Abasi, through an interpreter. Abasi drove one of the trucks loaded with trash cans and watched in satisfaction as Noordein and his family was issued a container.
"This will help make the city beautiful and we can have a healthier and cleaner city," said Abasi, who has worked for the city for three years. He said that recently things have really seemed to improve and he feels hopeful for the initiatives driven by the current government and the future of Basra.
"We are thankful to the Americans for helping us in our efforts to clean our city. A cleaner city will benefit all in Basra, but I want this mainly for my children and for all the children of Basra," said Abasi. By making it a better place now, he said they can have a better start for their future.
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Fort Carson's 4th Brigade acclimates to Afghanistan
TOM ROEDER
THE GAZETTE
July 4, 2009
The area in Afghanistan that a Fort Carson brigade now patrols is bigger than it looks. It's not that the provinces near the Pakistan border patrolled by the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division are diminutive.
"It's an area the size of Massachusetts," said Col. Randy George, the brigade commander. "I was told if you could roll it out flat, it would be the size of Kansas."
The 3,500-Soldier brigade left for war last month and took a few weeks to learn about the place they'll work for a year before taking the reins from another unit there last week. The brigade's headquarters is in Jalalabad, a city in a lush river valley known for farming. The mountains around Jalalabad soar like the Rockies, forming a backdrop for jagged foothills that torture the landscape.
In those hills and mountains lies the elusive enemy George's Soldiers hunt during daylong foot patrols as 110-degree heat cooks the rocky soil and roils the surprisingly humid air. "There's all kinds of bad guys over here," George said during a telephone interview, noting that hardcore Taliban fighters and common criminals are among the challenges Soldiers face.
The brigade came home from Iraq in 2008 with its Soldiers experienced in urban fighting from armored Humvees. In Afghanistan, its Soldiers are often engaged in grueling foot patrols to reach isolated villages.
George ran his Soldiers through a tough training regimen last year to get them ready for the task. As Olympic athletes know, workouts in 6,200-foot Colorado Springs pays off in competition. "What we did to stress physical training and doing it at altitude has worked," George said.
Now, the Soldiers are focused on learning their new area of responsibility, visiting each village to learn local problems and meet leaders who can help with the task. The brigade is working to build up local governments and improve the faltering economy in a bid to turn locals away from the insurgency. "We have really got to get focus on the population," George said.
The brigade is also working with and training Afghan police and army forces, using their local savvy with American tactics to take on insurgents. The Afghans have had success in keeping open a main highway through the region running to Pakistan through the Khyber Pass. "They understand they need that for commerce," George said. "It's a priority for the Afghans, and it's a priority for us."
George said the area is far from calm, through. Most of the brigade's Soldiers have already seen fighting. Pfc. Steven T. Drees, a 19-year-old Soldier in the brigade's 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, died last week from wounds suffered when he was shot during a June 24 firefight in Konar Province, northeast of Jalalabad.
George said the enemy comes at Americans with everything from mortars and rifles to mines and bombs. "This is a tough mission," George said. "It's very different from what you've seen."
Copyright 2009 - Colorado Springs Gazette
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Some of these are older stories from Afghanistan, just released this week - but still very important and interesting.
Afghan Border Police open new headquarters in Naray
Story by 2LT Liz Silver
4th IBCT (L), 4th ID Public Affairs
June 20, 2009
Kunar Province, Afghanistan– Afghan Border Police dedicated a new headquarters building in a ceremony in Bari Kowt, Naray District on June 16. The ceremony was attended by Provincial Governor Sayed Wahidi, as well as Lt. Col. Sher Mohammed, Commander of the 6th Afghan National Army Kandak.
ISAF leaders in attendance included Lt. Col. Robert B. Brown, Commander of the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment of Task Force Mountain Warrior, and Lt. Col. James C. Markert, Commander of the 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment of Task Force Duke.
A second event of the day was a Joint Shura between Ghaziabad and Naray District leadership. Shura leaders from these two districts met with district leaders, Afghan National Security Force leadership, and International Security Assistance Force personnel to thank the 6-4 Cavalry leadership for their efforts over the past year in northeastern Kunar province.
Shura leaders met with and discussed local security concerns of District Sub Governors with the leadership of the incoming 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment.
Although Kunar province has some of the most difficult terrain to navigate in Afghanistan, Governor Wahidi has strived to visit rural areas and ensure all citizens are reaping the benefits of new schools, police stations, and other civil projects. “We are lucky we have a governor who comes to the people wherever they might be,” stated one village elder.
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Task Force Red Warrior medics treat local Afghans
Story by Sr Airman Erica Picariello
4th IBCT, 4th ID Public Affairs Office
June 26, 2009
Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan - A team of four medical professionals from Task Force Red Warrior of Fort Carson, Colorado performed medical check-ups on Afghans near Forward Operating Base Ramrod on June 25. The Afghans have been hired by the United States government but are required to stay quarantined outside the gate for 24 hours before coming onto the base to work.
“We treated a wide-range of ailments to include: gastro-intestinal problems, common cold, joint pain, muscle ache and minor abrasions,” said 1st Lt. Marshall Jackson, Task Force Red Warrior (1-12 IN) Medical Officer, of Washington D.C. “These people are helping us perform our mission on FOB Ramrod so it’s great to be able to help them in return.”
The medical check-ups provided a first opportunity for the Soldiers of Task Force Red Warrior to interact with Afghans that will soon be working on the FOB with them. Medical check-ups are one of the many ways that International Security Assistance Forces and Afghan National Security Forces are interacting with the local populace. Others include key leader engagements to plan security with elders in the area, and humanitarian assistance distribution.
“We are not here to become their primary healthcare provider,” said Capt. Michael Attilio, Task Force Red Warrior Battalion Surgeon. “Our long-term goal is to, along with the local doctor or nurse in Hutal village, help them establish and strengthen their health plan.”
Medical treatment and training from ISAF and ANSF service members will help transition the Afghan people from relying on corrupt anti-Afghan forces for help, to expecting and receiving care from the Afghan government.
“Providing healthcare and medical training shows our commitment to the continued support of the Afghanistan people,” said Lt. Jackson. “We want to give them the tools to support their own health care so they won’t feel pressured into relying on Anti-Afghan Forces.”
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Mechanics keep the troops rolling
Story by Pfc. Elizabeth K. Raney
4th IBCT (L), 4th ID Public Affairs
July 3, 2009
The terrain in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan is demanding not only on Task Force Mountain Warrior Soldiers, but also on their equipment. The vast and expansive mountains, treacherous roads and sandy deserts take a toll on the vehicles that deliver troops to the fight. Keeping them running is essential to mission success.
That’s the job of Pfc. Jonathan M. Hall, a native of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, TF Mountain Warrior, out of Fort Carson, Colo.
Hall said he was influenced by his father and his love of country to join the Army in September 2007.
He enjoys his job because he gets to fix vehicles and feels that he has a great impact on the outcome of the mission. “We make vehicles mission-capable,” Hall said proudly, speaking on behalf of himself and the team he works with.
Hall said he and the other mechanics get to work on many different types of vehicles such as Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, Humvees and 5-tons. “We can fix basically anything with wheels,” Hall said.
According to Hall, in addition to fixing the vehicles that get brought into his workstation, he also goes out and performs recovery missions, which occur when a vehicle gets into trouble and needs a helping hand.
“On a recovery mission, we drive out to the vehicle, find a way to hook up to it, and then bring it back to the closest FOB,” Hall said.
“I’ve been on four recovery missions since I’ve been in country,” Hall said. “One vehicle was hit by an IED and the other three were rollovers.” Hall said he and the rest of the team got those vehicles back to the forward operating base and got them fixed as quickly as possible.
Hall emphasized that he feels like his job is vital to the mission. He gets the Soldiers’ combat power back into the fight as quickly as possible.
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Military Police assess polling sites to ensure safety
Story by Pfc. Elizabeth K. Raney
4th IBCT (L), 4th ID Public Affairs
July 3, 2009
Soldiers from the 554th Military Police Unit, out of Stuttgart, Germany, currently serving under Task Force Mountain Warrior, have been conducting polling site assessments in the Nangarhar province for the upcoming election in August.
Sgt. 1st Class John Moyle, the platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon, “UGLY”, 554th MP, and native of Sunbury, Penn., said the purpose of these missions is to assess local security posture. “If there’re any concerns that locals have, we send them up to the PRT,” Moyle said, referring to Provincial Reconstruction Team. “We let the PRT take a look at them.”
Moyle, referring to a specific mission on June 1, said he thinks they accomplished the mission and then some. “Our mission was just to go out and assess the security of the polling stations,” he said. “We did that, along with some relationship building and also identifying where humanitarian assistance is needed.”
According to Moyle, the 554th MPs have been assessing polling sites every day. “It was a short suspense, we had about 30 days to do them all,” he said. “There are over 500 in Nangarhar province alone.”
Moyle said, while most villages are friendly, his platoon has encountered only one village, in all of their assessments, that was suspected to be unfriendly to coalition forces. “The thing that has to be determined is why it’s not friendly,” Moyle pondered. “Is it by choice? Is it the village themselves that are anti-coalition forces? Or is it because somebody pushed their way into the village and the village people are scared?”
Moyle said they have three areas that they are responsible for: the Dari Knorr region, Kuz Kordar, and Jalalabad main.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Haskell, from Lewiston, Maine, a squad leader for 2nd Squad, 1st Platoon, 554th MP, conducted the actual assessment of the villages on July 1. He explained what they must ask the village leader during their assessments. “We have certain stuff that we’re looking for to assess,” Haskell said. “We need to know what they have around already for currently existing security measures.”
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On the Ground: U.S. Forces Boost Security, Commerce in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2009 – U.S. forces are helping to equip Afghan forces with the tools they need to improve security and commerce in Afghanistan.
In recent days, U.S. forces trained Afghan border police on the use of up-armored Humvees, advised farmers to boost crop production and, to improve quality of life for their own, put the finishing touches on a combat outpost.
More than 120 Afghan border police returned to their home units recently with the skills to train others on the use of newly acquired up-armored Humvees. The officers had attended a four-week class taught by Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan’s logistics embedded training team at the Ministry of Interior’s Afghan National Police Transportation Battalion training area in Kabul.
The students came from several provinces, including Jalalabad, Nooristan and Kunar (note from Bob - you will see different spellings of province names. The map I have spells it Nuristan, one of the provinces 4BCT/4ID is responsible for). The course included classes on preventive maintenance checks and services, safe vehicle operations, convoy techniques and tactics and driving skills.
The officers are responsible for securing the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as border areas across Afghanistan. They had been using pickup trucks to search and patrol the border, but these trucks do not provide the protection needed against roadside bombs or insurgent ambushes. Upon graduation, the border police took possession of their newly assigned vehicles and convoyed home.
To boost the economy and help local farmers, Army Col. Stephen Jeselink, deputy commander of the Nebraska National Guard’s agribusiness development team and Task Force Warrior, visited and assessed greenhouses and a grape vineyard June 30 in Janqadam village in Parwan province’s Bagram district. A local contractor had recently installed trellising posts and wires at the grape vineyard. Trellising systems are used in vineyard agriculture to separate grapevines.
Jeselink visited the landowner of the vineyard and explained what work remains to produce a successful crop. This Commander's Emergency Response Program project and others will benefit many farmers and people in the area, said Army Sgt. 1st Class Eldon Kuntzelman, an agronomist with the development team.
Nearby, at the site of 18 greenhouses, a group of landowners and contractors met with Jeselink and members of the team to inspect progress and discuss maintenance issues. "The landowners are eager for [local residents] to come work and learn in the greenhouses," Kuntzelman said. He explained to them how tent panels to retain heat throughout the winter and drip irrigation systems inside the greenhouses allow for a longer growing season and increased food production.
Within a week, seeds and peat moss starters will be delivered to the greenhouses. "In the years ahead, the grape vineyard and greenhouses should benefit all local farmers and people in the surrounding areas," Kuntzelman said.
U.S. forces also are improving the quality of life for their own. Indiana National Guardsmen from 2nd Platoon, 1613th Engineer Support Company, are nearing completion of construction on Combat Outpost Penich in Kunar province. The unit, based in LaPorte, Ind., replaced the 65th Engineer Company from Fort Hood, Texas, which began construction in January.
"Were going through and putting the finishing touches on everything," said Army 2nd Lt. Darric Appel. "We hope to have everything finished up in about a week or so."
The Soldiers recently completed the outpost's tactical operations center, winterized the living quarters and repaired several roofs that suffered heavy wind damage. All that remains is the completion of the latrines and shower facilities. Soldiers have been using outhouses and bottled water for personal hygiene since construction began six months ago.
Along with base construction, the Guardsmen have taken on several projects aimed at raising the quality of life for troops, such as constructing a deck and picnic tables outside of the dining facility.
When finished at Penich, the Soldiers will provide construction support to another military instillation in eastern Afghanistan. The 6-month-old outpost is one of many being constructed throughout Afghanistan as additional troops pour into the country, providing increased security, training and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
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This is a rather long article and does not pertain to 4BCT/4ID but is interesting background for the overall operations in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan Operation Shows Early Gains, But More Afghans Needed
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 8, 2009 - The commander of a U.S. Marine brigade in southern Afghanistan is cautiously optimistic at progress made in the first week of an offensive there, but says more Afghan forces are needed.
Some 4,000 Marines and 650 Afghan security forces launched the ongoing Operation Khanjar, which translates to Strike of the Sword, in the Helmand River valley on July 2, marking the biggest military offensive since President Barack Obama announced a new Afghanistan strategy in March.
"We're still very early into this operation. ... [I'm] very cautiously optimistic that things have gone well," Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, said in a conference call from Marine Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province with reporters at the Pentagon.
As the operation got under way last week in the early morning hours, the brigade of Marines fanned across the area with the intent of overwhelming opposing forces and saving civilian lives, Nicholson said. Many Taliban fighters fled as the security forces appeared, some leaving behind caches of weapons and bomb-making materials.
"What we have found here is that in some areas, there's still some fighting going on. But in large part, the enemy has not resisted too strongly," Nicholson said, adding that the deployment of forces almost mirrored a Marine amphibious landing in terms of size and speed.
About two months ago, Nicholson said, he received help from Gov. Gulab Mangal of Helmand province in locating key areas to target during the operation. At the Nicholson's request, the governor also provided a list of local elders who young Marine officers could contact upon arrival in areas that traditionally have been Taliban strongholds.
Anticipating that local residents would be curious about the Marines' intentions, Nicholson established a requirement: Company commanders must hold a "shura," or meeting, with local elders within one day of arriving.
"The focus of this operation from the very beginning has been on the people, not the enemy," the general said. "And I know that may sound very strange, and I got some raised eyebrows, even with talking to Marines. On the way, we'll take care of the Taliban. But get to the people."
About 150 local elders gathered today to watch the Helmand governor raise a flag above a centuries-old castle in the area's southernmost town of Khanishin. Nicholson characterized it as an "Iwo Jima" moment for Marines who earlier had rid the town of Taliban militants, and now looked on as the national banner rose.
"This is a Taliban iconic town that has fallen to the government," Nicholson said. "There were tears in [the governor's] eyes today, and I think everyone there was moved."
But despite early signs of progress, Nicholson said, he has too few Afghan forces supporting his mission.
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it," he said. "The fact of the matter is, we don't have enough Afghan forces, and I'd like more. You know, imagine right now I've got 4,000 Marines in Helmand, with about 600 [to] 650 Afghan forces. Imagine if I had 4,000 Marines with 4,000 Afghan forces.
"It would not even be comparable to this -- even [given] the relative success that we've had over these first seven days," he said, noting that plans call for adding more Afghans to the fight.
Nicholson characterized Afghan troops as "force multipliers," since they wield a range of capabilities that complement U.S. forces. "[Afghan forces] understand intuitively what's going on in an area that we'll just never get, no matter how much cultural training our guys get," he said. "So they are absolutely essential.
"They can see guys on the street, and they can tell you that this guy's not a local, that he's not even an Afghan," he added. "So it takes away the enemy's ability to hide, which is just one more of a series of compelling reasons why we've been so insistent for more Afghans."
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4th Inf. Div. reflects on earning the highest retention rate in Army
Story by Pvt. Andrew Ingram, 4th Inf. Div Public Affairs Office
July 8, 2009
FORT CARSON, Colo. – While contributing to the Army’s mission to retain a highly trained, all-volunteer force, the 4th Infantry Division accomplished the highest retention rate of any division during the 2009 Fiscal Year.
The retention rate Army wide is high this year, said Sgt. Maj. Scott Leeling, the Division Career Counselor for the 4th Inf. Div. The Army’s goal of retaining 55,000 Soldiers has been surpassed by more than 15,000, a retention rate of nearly 120 percent.
With a rate of 202 percent, the “Ivy” Division earned the highest retention rate of any division in the army, said Leeling. By the time the 4th Inf. Div. declared its retention mission accomplished June 11, 2009 more than 3,770 Soldiers reenlisted to serve their nation, more than double the mission objective of reenlisting 1,848 by the end of the fiscal year, he said.
Command Sgt. Major Daniel Dailey, senior enlisted leader of the 4th Inf. Div., said he believes Soldiers are staying in the Army, because they are better prepared and have a better understanding of their duties and responsibilities than ever before. “The kids joining today know what they’re getting into,” Dailey said. “They know that they’re going to be wartime Soldiers.”
Dailey also acknowledged the current economic situation as a reason Soldiers choose to stay in uniform; however, he said he believes that Soldiers “Stay Army” for more than just job security.
The 4th Inf. Div. leadership’s dedication to its motto, “Mission-Soldier-Family-Team,” is one example of the many reasons why “Ironhorse” Soldiers chose to reenlist, explained Dailey.
In addition to the honor and privilege of serving in today’s Army, Soldiers, who accomplish their missions thousands of miles from their homes, know that their Families are safe and provided for in a strong home-based community, he added. This community and security provided by the Ivy Division and Army is something that many modern corporations do not provide for their employees, said Dailey.
Leeling also attributed the high retention numbers to a leadership that Soldiers respect and want to follow. “(The Leaders) put an extreme emphasis on taking care of our Soldiers and their Families,” Leeling said.
The Ironhorse motto of Mission-Soldier-Family-Team has reassured many Soldiers about remaining in the service because they know that their lives and Families are valued, said Dailey.
“We have 22-year old squad leaders who know all of their Soldier’s children by their first name,” Dailey said. Reflecting this unity, 1,371 of the 3,776 Soldiers who reenlisted from 4th Inf. Div. stayed with the Ivy Division.
The Army’s fiscal year started on Oct. 1, 2008. By Feb. 5, 2009 the division had accomplished 100 percent of its retention mission, reenlisting 1,848 Soldiers.
Leeling said many Soldiers reenlisted during the division’s recent deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09. He explained that one reason Soldiers reenlisted during the 15 month deployment were tax free bonuses; another was a high level of job satisfaction. “Soldiers are more eager to reenlist when they’re doing what they came in the Army to do,” said Leeling.
The 4th Inf. Div.’s Soldier-First attitude has allowed it to contribute to the Army’s ongoing mission while retaining highly trained, quality Soldiers, said Dailey. Making the mission, the Soldier, Family and team a top priority has created a loyal unit of individuals who are willing and able to serve and continue to serve the Nation, he said.
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What Our Families Are Hearing from Our Soldiers
1) Hello, I am hearing from my son on a daily basis via Yahoo chat. Through the Go Army Parents website, I met a mother of a Soldier named at the same FOB as my son. And GET THIS, she live four blocks from me!!! What are the chances??? We share notes every day, and our sons have become friends. But, it did not start out that way...
In the beginning, we were both hearing from our sons on yahoo messenger, then calling each other. Her son was starving and had seen combat (4ID infantry Soldier). A buddy of his was injured and sent to Germany (I think that is the Soldier who died). He was complaining to his mom that he could smell the food the Air Force was cooking, and he was eating MRE's.
During this exact same time, I was hearing from my son that the FOB had great food, and he was bored. He is a TACP in the Air Force, and is pretty much on call. Things were quiet, so he was basically doing nothing. He had met many Army soldiers, said the FOB was not very large, but had been unable to locate my new friend's son.
Needless to say, we were SO confused!!! How could they be at the same FOB with such different experiences?? We compared the mailing addresses several times. Were we both nuts?
FINALLY, the Infantry Soldier called his mom last week to report he had reached his final destination - the same FOB where my son is. He had been at another FOB for the entire three weeks that we had been sharing information. He arrived tired, hungry, and upset about his friend. Because of the amount of Soldiers still there, he was still eating MRE's and did not have a room yet. Following is the email his mom sent me, that made me so proud of my son... "I just heard from my son. He said that your son brought over hot food and they ate dinner together. He was so happy about having a hot meal and a soda. He said they talked about home. He thinks your son is really cool. I told you yesterday that he said he was moving to somewhere new on the FOB, he says it will be right near where your son is. The best part, he said, will be the AC.
(Note from Bob - great story, thanks for sending. And a lesson learned here (for our newcomers): Since the earliest of wars, conditions for those fighting the war have been different, even within a similar area. Typically, the Infantry Soldiers have the worst living conditions - and we like it that way. It gives us more bragging rights in the future. So, please, never let a story like this one upset you - conditions will always vary based upon many variables. I walk a little prouder having experienced the life of an Infantryman in Vietnam - sleeping on the ground and digging a foxhole every night was good for me, and didn't hurt a bit in the bigger picture of life).
2) I'm so sorry to hear about the death of George Knapp. He sounded like a great American. I'm glad he had his Family around him when he passed. I will keep him and his Family and Friends in my prayers.
3) Hey, I know you have many updates coming, and I am so thankful. I am just worried about my son's unit at this time, cause I haven't heard anything from him lately and the last message I got was troublesome... so I'm just another worried mama I guess. Thank you once again for all your updates - proud mama of a US Soldier (Note from Bob - always keep in mind my old adage - no news is good news because bad news travels fast. That is especially true about Afghanistan. Some of our Soldiers will be on multi-day patrols and/or may be in combat outposts that don't have all the niceties of home, such as unlimited access to the internet).
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That wraps up this update, coming out Wednesday night but dated for Thursday - next one will probably be on Friday of next week. I plan to be in Fort Hood for the change of command and casing of the colors ceremony on Thursday, July 16.
Continue to pray for our Soldiers and their Families. Hopefully you all had a good 4th of July. I'll be working at the Atlanta airport USO tomorrow (Thursday) - it will be a great day with Soldiers.
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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)
