Volume Four, Number 21 - 9-12-09
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:
Baghdad, Iraq - Sun, Hi - 109, Lo - 84, sunny; Mon, Hi - 106, Lo - 78, sunny; Tues, Hi - 103, Lo - 77, sunny; Wed, Hi - 102, Lo - 75, sunny; Thur, Hi - 103, Lo - 75, sunny; Fri, Hi - 105, Lo - 76, sunny; Sat, Hi - 103, Lo - 78, rain/thunder.
Kabul, Afghanistan (keep in mind, 4BCT/4ID area is about 10-15 degrees hotter than Kabul) - Sun, Hi - 86, Lo - 60, sunny; Mon, Hi - 87, Lo - 60, sunny; Tues, Hi - 84, Lo - 59, mostly sunny; Wed, Hi - 82, Lo - 54, mostly sunny; Thur, Hi - 85, Lo - 54, sunny; Fri, Hi - 89, Lo - 61, sunny; Sat, Hi - 90, Lo - 61, sunny.
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It was a bad casualty week in Afghanistan...
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. Randy M. Haney, 27, of Orlando, Fla., died Sept. 6 in Nangarhar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fires. He was assigned to the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. (This was erroneously reported by DoD as 2STB, 2BCT of 4ID - I have confirmed that is incorrect and that the above is correct).
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The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 1st Lt. Tyler E. Parten, 24, of Arkansas, died Sept. 10 in Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
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And the following four Sailors and Marines were operating under command of 4BCT/4ID when they were killed - thus, they are part of our team and we mourn for them just as we do all our fallen warriors.
DoD Identifies Navy Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Petty Officer 3rd Class James R. Layton, 22, of Riverbank, Calif., died Sept. 8 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations. He was assigned to an embedded training team with Combined Security Tranisiton Command in Afghanistan.
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DoD Identifies Marine Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The following Marines died Sept. 8 while supporting combat operations in Kunar province, Afghanistan:
Gunnery Sgt. Edwin W. Johnson Jr., 31, of Columbus, Ga.
1st Lt. Michael E. Johnson, 25, of Virginia Beach, Va.
Staff Sgt. Aaron M. Kenefick, 30, of Roswell, Ga.
Gunnery Sgt. Johnson and Staff Sgt. Kenefick were assigned to 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. 1st Lt. Johnson was assigned to 7th Communications Battalion, 3rd Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.
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Let us keep the Families and fellow Soldiers and Marines of 1LT Johnson, 1LT Parten, GSGT Johnson, SSG Keneflick, SGT Haney, and PO Layton in our thoughts and prayers.
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A memorial service was held at Fort Carson on 9 September, here is the report in the press...
Carson mourns 4 known for leadership and loyalty
The Gazette
By Lance Benzel
September 10, 2009
Their fellow Soldiers knew them as Ingram, Walls, “Jonesy” and “Fitz” — brothers who wore the same uniform but filled it out in their own way.
Sgt. Matthew L. Ingram, 25, in his fourth tour, was praised for a leadership bearing that set him up as an example to others, even as his poker strategy perplexed and infuriated rival card players.
Sgt. Jonathan M. Walls, 27, spoke often of his wife and three children. He knew when his friends were in a foul mood, and made goofy faces to cheer them up.
Pfc. Patrick S. Fitzgibbon, 19, was the kid of the group, a recent arrival who was eager and ready to learn – and occasionally clown around.
Pfc. Richard K. Jones, 21, was simultaneously proud and selfless. He would “help anyone and everyone,” a friend remembered.
Those were some of the impressions shared Wednesday of four Fort Carson Soldiers killed in Afghanistan since late August, the latest deaths since the local Army post took control of a significant swath of Afghanistan, including four provinces southeast of Kabul and the nation’s third-largest city, Jalalabad.
Ingram, of Jackson, Miss., was killed Aug. 21 in an explosion that rocked his vehicle after his unit came under fire while on patrol. The six-year veteran was a remembered as a “strong young leader” who pushed his Soldiers to improve but cared enough to throw barbecues for them, or challenge them to spirited games of poker. As a card player, Ingram had a habit of placing large wagers before he even looked at his hand, an officer recalled. “It was infuriating because oftentimes he would win doing this,” Capt. Duke Reim said in a letter read during the memorial. He is survived by his wife, Holly, and daughter, Chloe, of Colorado Springs.
Walls, of West Lawn, Pa.; Jones, of Person, N.C.; and Fitzgibbon, of Knoxville, Tenn.; died Aug. 1 when insurgents in Mushan Village attacked their patrol with bombs and rocket-propelled grenades, the Army said. Walls was the first to fall, and Jones and Fitzgibbon “continued to fight until they took their final breath,” said Daniel Chandler, (rear detachment) commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
All three were “the very finest of America’s sons,” Reim said.
Walls, a four-year Army veteran on his second tour in combat, was remembered as a family man and loyal friend who was quick to joke if he thought it would lighten the atmosphere in the barracks. “It’s hard to think about life without a friend like Jon in it,” said Spc. Thomas Noble. Walls is survived by his wife, Meghan, daughters Lily and Allahna, and stepson, Hayden Fecteau, of Fort Carson.
Jones, who joined the Army last fall, was a dedicated Soldier who served valiantly on his first tour, Pfc. Nathaniel Pryor said in a letter. “He was always ready to do what needed to be done, at the spur of the moment,” he said. “What I remember most about him was his pride and his willingness to help anyone and everyone.”
At just 19, Fitzgibbon was the youngest and least experienced of the group, but he impressed older Soldiers with his drive to learn — and his good humor. “His moods were so animated, you couldn’t help but laugh,” Pfc. Andrew Lawrence said in a letter read at the ceremony. “He was definitely one in a million.”
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65 Years Ago - 4ID in Germany - 13-19 Sept 1944
The fierce fighting in the Siegfried Line continues...
13 September 1944 - D+99
A considerable increase in the size and amount of artillery supported the delaying action of enemy troops occupying hastily built dug-in positions. Enemy planes were again over the 4th Infantry Division sector but as usual no aggressive action was taken by them. The 8th Infantry in division reserve moved forward behind CT 12 and 22. The 12th Infantry sent patrols at 0800 with the main body following at 1000. The CT continued the advance throughout the afternoon against light rear guard action of the enemy and by 1800 reached its objectives. The 22nd Infantry proceeded the same way and objectives were secured and consolidated prior to dark against light resistance.
14 September 1944 - D+100
The enemy dug in and occupied hasty emplacements west of the Siegfried Line. Permanent installations of reinforced concrete were manned. Many additional emplacements were encountered in addition of the pillboxes, bunkers and guns emplacements mentioned on the defense overprint. Heavy concentration of fires of all calibers were brought to bear on our assaulting forces.
The 4th Infantry continued against mounting resistance, successfully penetrated the defenses of the Siegfried Line in four localities and prepared to exploit those gains. The 2nd Battalion CT 8 was ordered to move by motor to the vicinity of Scheenberg to relieve the 3rd Bn 12th Infantry. At 1530 the remainder of the CT commenced movement to the vicinity of Radscheid, closing at 1930. Positions were then secured for the night. The 12th Infantry dispatched patrols of platoon strength to the east during the night. The 1st and 2nd Battalion moved out at 1010 and intermittent artillery and mortar fire was encountered. Vehicular movement was hampered by a virtually impassable and meager network of muddy roads, cross country movement was impeded by the heavily wooded terrain. Complete penetration of the Siegfried Line was made by 1300. The 22nd Infantry sent reconnaissance patrols during the night and penetrated the Siegfried Line at two points. The penetration was made by heavy fighting against small arms fire, mortar fire, antiaircraft fire and 88's. Many more pillboxes were encountered than foreseen and the enemy, SS troops included, refused to surrender until wounded or blasted from its forts.
15 September 1944 - D+101
Several enemy counterattacks, at least one of which was of battalion strength, were launched in an attempt to regain pillboxes occupied by our forces in the Siegfried Line. In other places where the enemy still held the concrete emplacements, a determined resistance was met. The 2nd Battalion CT 8 moved out at 0800 and by 1300 was stopped in the vicinity of Losheim by heavy artillery, small arms and machine gun fire. The 3rd Battalion was stopped by strongly fortified positions and heavy enemy fires. At the end of the day, the two battalions disengaged from the enemy under cover of the darkness and moved to assembly area in the vicinity of Rabscheid in preparation for an attack. CT 12 attacked at 0800 to secure the crossing of Kyll river. Immediate contact was made with the enemy and, due to strong resistance in thick woods, the advance was slow and was continued with many casualties resulting from heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire. CT 22, prior to the attack at 0800, received a counterattack on the left flank which was repelled but the enemy continued to infiltrate all day. The 3rd Battalion continued its attack on the heavily fortified town of Brandscheid but progress was slow due to the very heavy enemy resistance. The advance of the 1st and 2nd Bn was slow and impeded by heavy enemy resistance, thick woods and poor visibility. Throughout the day, the CT received heavy artillery, machine gun, mortar and small arms fire from emplacements and surroundings.
16 September 1944 - D+102
The enemy defended from well dug in and camouflaged positions and from concrete emplacements housing machine guns and antitank guns. Artillery which was employed constantly consisted of heavy barrages of 88, 105, 150 and 170 mm. The enemy engaged in strong active patrolling and counterattacked with up to company strength. Tanks and assault guns were employed in support. Among the units in contact were SS Division Hitler Jugend, 2 SS Division Das Reich and 9 SS Division. The 4th Infantry Division continued its attack on the Siegfried line fortifications and had succeeded against stubborn enemy resistance and constant artillery fire in securing objectives well to the east of the outer line of defense. The 8th Infantry attacked to the northeast between CT 22 and CT 12. The 12th Infantry continued its attack in column of battalions. Company E, 2nd Battalion, was surrounded by 1100 by a pocket of enemy infiltrated at 0900, and after a fire fight of increased intensity, contact was re-established by 1610. The advance of the battalion continued until 1800, time for consolidation and preparation of the attack on the following day. The 22nd Infantry continued its attack with the mission of capturing the town of Brandscheid. Despite heavy opposition around the road net, elements of the 3rd Battalion succeeded in reaching the edge of the town. At the close of the day, two companies in column were entering the town from the north. Elements from the south were held up by enemy resistance, fortifications and extensive mine fields.
17 September 1944 - D+103
The enemy continued to defend its well prepared and concealed earthen emplacements and dug-outs in addition to concrete pillboxes and bunkers. The positions were the base for determined concentrations of fire. Strong patrols invaded our lines and several determined counterattacks were attempted to regain lost pillboxes. The 4th advanced at 0900 to cleanup enemy resistance and pillboxes against heavy enemy resistance, particularly increased intensity of artillery fire which was estimated as having doubled from the previous 24 hours, with the additional handicap of dense woods and inclement weather. The 8th Infantry moved off at 0900 to secure favorable ground and to clean up enemy and destroy pillboxes. This advance was hindered by inclement weather, lack of road net, poor visibility, and thick woods but the CT continued to mop up. The 12th Infantry did the same in its area. The 22nd Infantry attacked at 0900 to seize the town of Brandscheid and to continue to the east to secure high ground east of Sellerich and to protect the south flank of the Division.
18 September 1944 - D+104
The enemy continued to employ the same effective tactics in defending its excellent positions. The 4th Division continued to exert aggressive pressure against the enemy. Combat Teams secured favorable ground and assigned objectives prior to dark. Artillery fire decreased in intensity but the 1st Battalion 8th Infantry was still engaged in a fire fight with approximately 300 of the enemy which it had succeeded in surrounding by 1600, prior to darkness. The 8th Infantry continued to clear the enemy from and secure favorable ground. The 2nd Battalion moved 2000 yards west mopping up as it advanced. The 1st Battalion had surrounded the enemy and was still engaged with them at darkness. The 12th Infantry 1st and 2nd Battalions moved a short distance to an assembly area cleaning up all resistance by the end of the day. The 3rd Battalion engaged the enemy in a heavy fire fight during the day but eliminated them by 1800. The 22nd Infantry, 1st Battalion moved approximately 1000 yards to the north, mopping up as it advanced. The 2nd Battalion remained in its position and was engaged by the enemy to the east. The 3rd Battalion sent patrols to the southwest into the town of Brandscheid and met enemy resistance (mortar and artillery fire throughout the day).
19 September 1944 - D+105
The enemy counterattacked with forces ranging from a company to that of a battalion reinforced. All counterattacks were preceded by artillery preparations which lasted about ten minutes. It was apparent that the aim in each case was to retake the pillboxes and bunkers lost to our forces. Very heavy concentrations of rockets were received. The 4th Division successfully repelled four coordinated counterattacks, maintained its positions and continued to exert pressure upon the enemy. The 8th Infantry 3rd Battalion was subjected at 0600 to a counterattack by an enemy force estimated as one battalion composed of various elements of SS Elite troops. This attack was repulsed after the 3rd Battalion returned a great volume of small arms, automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fires. The 1st Battalion continued the attack against small pockets of enemy and by 1400, this attack developed into a heavy fire fight. At 1530 a second counterattack made of an estimated two companies of the enemy was received by the 3rd Battalion. Elements of the 2nd Battalion initiated movement in encirclement of this force and the battle continued until dark. The 12th Infantry received a counterattack at 0830 from elements later identified as some six different companies, mostly SS troops. The enemy attack was supported by artillery fire and fire from tracked vehicles which effected surprise and drove the 3rd Battalion back 400 to 500 yards. The 2nd Battalion initiated movement to secure more favorable terrain and at 1030, the 3rd Battalion counterattacked to recover lost ground. At 1430, elements of the 1st Battalion became engaged with part of the same enemy force. The 22nd Infantry received a counterattack from the direction of Hontheim against the 1st Battalion. Heavy artillery fire was exchanged and the fire fight continued until 1430 at which time pressure began to slacken. Toward the close of the day, enemy activity had ceased and the Regiment remained in previous positions, no ground having been yielded.
A WWII vet, commander in 377th Anti Aircraft Artillery, sent the following note: Bob - In reading the account of WW II days Sept. 15 - 17 it brought back memories of the first time I saw flame-throwers in action, it was exciting watching the flames aimed at the front of the Pill-boxes and seeing the Krauts running out the back. I also remember well the action around and in Brandscheid. As far as I know, the 22 CT was the first unit in Germany and the Siegfried Line. Thanks for the memories. HRB - Seattle
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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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If any Mountain Warrior Families are not receiving the Mountain Warrior monthly newsletter, contact your FRG or rear detachment to be put on the distribution list. The September issue came out yesterday and has some excellent pictures in it. Many of the stories I have previously reported in my updates.
To the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Civilians of Task Force Mountain Warrior:
From the Brigade Commander and Brigade Command Sergeant Major
September 2009 Mountain Warrior Newsletter
Amazingly, six weeks have quickly passed since my last letter to the members of Task Force Mountain Warrior. Thankfully, the average temperature in N2KL has dropped from 110 to 98 degrees during this same time (not enough of a drop, but we’ll take it). We saw our first substantial rainfall since our arrival in Afghanistan – to the tune of 3 inches in 90 minutes – and you continued to work 18 hour days to assist our Afghans partners to stand on their own. Over the last six weeks, you’ve poured your hearts and every effort into giving the Afghans the opportunity to vote. You continue to make history. And, what you did to give the Afghans the opportunity to vote is especially noteworthy.
Regardless of what is written in news commentary, the August 20th Afghan Elections were historic and in N2KL, successful. Your heroic and tireless efforts gave thousands of Afghans the right to vote and choose their local and national leadership. During the lead up to the elections, you and your ANSF partners spent
countless hours connecting with the Afghan people - speaking with village elders, tribal leaders and key Afghan government officials – often times fighting against insurgents to bring these people together. In most of our valleys, villages and population centers, you helped pull together large Shuras to talk about the privilege of voting. These Shuras brought together mullahs, tribal leaders and local elders that had previously been uninterested in connecting to their government. You worked hard to support the Afghan elections and built momentum towards change in the process. You also conducted numerous combined operations to reduce the enemy threat to the election process. Despite the grim predictions and a final push by the Taliban miscreants to disrupt voting on Election Day, you bolstered the courage of your Afghan partners and showed them how success can be theirs’ through teamwork. Some local Afghans have since come forward to work with Coalition Forces in hopes of continuing this momentum and progress. Thank you for all of your incredible efforts to give the Afghans in N2KL the chance to vote. If a run-off is required after Ramadan, I am confident that we will further strengthen our connection with our Afghan partners and the Afghan people in N2KL.
Ramadan, a month-long time of reflection for the Muslim world, observed by a daily fast from sun up to sun down broken every night with an Iftar, or celebratory meal, began on August 22. All of you have done an outstanding job of helping observe these traditions, respectfully showing the people of Afghanistan that we are guests in their country, while also continuing to help our ANSF partners hunt down our collective enemies and build local government capacity. It is incredibly difficult to conduct operations to kill and capture high value insurgent targets while minimizing disruption in the lives of local Afghans, yet you’ve been highly successful in doing it. Your discipline and professionalism is the difference. It has shown the locals that we will maintain the moral high ground – regardless of how hard that may be.
We have an incredible team – it is evident to everyone who gets the chance to see you all in action. Hard work, discipline and teamwork are the foundations of our culture - each and every one of you does whatever it takes to help the trooper to your left or right flank accomplish this difficult mission.
As we enter the third month of deployment as a full unit, I ask that you be even more vigilant. Take care of yourself and take an extra few minutes to look after your battle buddy. Take some extra time to ensure your equipment is straight and you fully understand the task at hand. Please also take time to remember the Mountain Warriors who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Keep their Families and loved ones in your prayers. I am proud of your tireless efforts in service to our Nation and I am proud to serve with each and every one of you. Thank you for all that you do and thanks to your families for their own sacrifice and commitment to our mission. It is an honor to serve with you.
Led By Love of Country!
Colonel Randy A. George
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We continue to make great sacrifices in order to make Afghanistan a safe and thriving country. I am proud of all the hard work and extra effort by all. Continue to look out for each other and never forget that you all represent America and Americans. I have received many great ideas from all levels that have improved our quality of life and standards. Keep them coming. We are always open to doing things better. Leaders, keep on giving that tough love in order to ensure our service members and civilians are safe and doing the right things. It starts with you! Don’t ignore standards or allow complacency. Continue to Create, maintain, and most of all enforce OUR standards. Keep encouraging our service members to improve themselves as time permits through good PT, education and other opportunities. We want them to be tough, smart, and well rounded. Maintain your weapons proficiency; we must all strive to be experts. Know all your weapons systems. We are always representing. Look, act, and think like a professional at all times. Think through every decision and everything you say. Keep your billets and work areas clean, neat, functional, and secure. Take pride in everything that you do. Don’t forget Families. Keep them informed. As always, stay safe!
-CSM Charles V. Sasser, Jr.
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Soldiers build rapport with local villagers
Story U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Weaver
1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment Public Affairs
September 2, 2009
FORWARD OPERATING BASE RAMROD, Afghanistan – As the shift in Afghanistan turns to winning over the local population, U.S. Soldiers operating in the Maywand District are noticing they can build relationships by lowering their weapons and socializing with villagers over a cup of Afghan tea.
As CPT Duke Reim, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Charlie Company Commander, is finding out, the villagers are more receptive to him and his Soldiers when they see them interacting with them on a personal level, providing consistent security and meeting their needs.
On this particular visit to the village of Esquabad, Charlie Company Soldiers were conducting an assessment with the village elder to gauge their acceptance of coalition forces in the area. An asset the 1-12 IN uses to help them asses a village is the members of the Human Terrain Team, which embeds anthropologists and other social scientists with combat units in the field to help commanders understand local cultures.
“The main purpose of our visit was a make or break type,” said Reim, a Tucson, Arizona native. “The last time we were up there, Habi Bullah, the son of the village elder, was very standoffish. Normally, we are greeted more openly.”
Bringing in members of the HTT, helps commanders like Reim gain a better understanding of the villagers and how to build their trust. “These visits help build rapport and maintain a respectful relationship with the village elders,” said Stephen Lang, an HTT member from Hinton, Iowa. “My goal was to return to the village and assist the commander by lining my relationship and experience with his goals and expectations in hope to regain the support and assistance from the village elders.”
Lang believes a lack of patrols and recent events in the area have affected the relationship between the 1-12 IN and the villagers. For Reim, increasing their patrols and honoring simple requests made by the village elder seems to have made a drastic difference.
“It was totally different this time around,” said Reim. “They like the security we bring them and overall they are open to us being there. The other night they had a wedding and they wanted us to keep our distance -- we didn’t fire or fly anything over their area that night and he thanked me for honoring his request. It’s the simple things that will build relationships.”
Building relationships is something the 1-12 IN hopes it can continue doing with other villages around Esquabad. Although, for Reim, he acknowledges the uphill battle they face.
“This country has been at war since Alexander the Great - this is all this country knows,” he said. “These people have never known true peace. Even between wars they were ruled by warlords. If we can bring them government that is somewhat fair and just, it will help change the direction of this country.”
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Nangarhar ADT inspects ongoing construction
Story by Pfc. Beth Raney, Task Force Mountain Warrior Public Affairs
September 2, 2009
NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Missouri Army National Guard and Air National Guardsmen from the Nangarhar Agribusiness Development Team, along with Soldiers from Task Force Mountain Warrior’s 4th Special Troops Battalion, based at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields, assessed ongoing projects and spoke with government leaders in the Surkh Rod and Chapahar Districts of Nangarhar province, August 28.
The assessments allowed service members to ensure projects were advancing according to schedule and gauge the local population’s reaction to the new facilities. In Surkh Rod, the service members met with the sub-governor Ghulam Farooq Himat, in the local district center. U.S. Army Lt. Col. David L. Boyle, ADT commander, and Columbia, Mo., native, asked Himat about the success of projects the unit has already completed, such as wells and roads, as well as how his people felt about the ongoing projects in his district and what coalition forces could further do to aid his people.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jody L. Nelson, STB commander, and Land O’ Lakes, Fla., native, went on to ask Himat about the security of his district and employment opportunities for its residents. When the meeting with Himat was over, the coalition troops inspected some of the ongoing ADT-funded projects in the Chapahar District, such as a cold storage facility and a meat processing center.
The processing plant will provide local villagers a cleaner and more organized system of preparation and packaging of meat, greatly decreasing the risk of disease, Boyle explained.
“Overall, the projects are coming along very well,” Boyle said.
Chapahar District Sub-Governor, Mohammad Hussan, toured the facilities with the service members and was very pleased with the results thus far. When Boyle asked him how he felt about the projects, Hussan said, proudly, “They are wonderful. My people will be very happy to have these things to use for themselves.”
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Nangarhar PRT inspects ongoing projects
Story by Pfc. Beth Raney, Task Force Mountain Warrior Public Affairs
September 2, 2009
NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team service members, based at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields, conducted an inspection of ongoing construction projects in the city of Jalalabad, in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, August 27. “Our mission is to make sure they’re using good materials, check on their workmanship and correct them if they’re doing anything wrong,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shawn Newland, of Miliani, Hawaii, a structural specialist with the PRT.
The day’s mission included inspections of a women’s park, a school, a provincial court, and a major expansion to the local hospital’s pediatric center, which will add a 100-bed wing to the facility, a few of the more than 50 projects currently under way in the province.
According to the PRT members, checking on the projects during their construction is a vital part of their success. “We come back to check on them again and again just to make sure that the quality of work is up to standard,” Sgt. Matthew Ducharme, of Chicago, Ill., a team leader for fourth squad, PRT security forces, said.
But construction is only one part of the PRT’s overall mission. By providing these facilities, the PRT members hope to establish better relationships with the Afghan people. "These efforts accomplish military objectives by disconnecting the population from the aims of the insurgency, while proving the government's commitment to its people and connecting them to the government's efforts towards security and prosperity," U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Abreo, of Austin, Texas, said.
Sgt. Edwin Donahue, the leader of first squad, and a native of Randolph, Mass., believes that the projects are serving their purpose. “We’re seeing a lot of positive reactions from the populace,” Donahue said. “Overall, they’re happy, which is the ultimate goal.”
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US general says Iraqis have rejected Al-Qaeda
BAGHDAD (AFP) - The top US officer in Iraq said on Friday at commemorations marking the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States that Al-Qaeda would never set up an Islamic caliphate in the war-torn country.
"They know that Iraqis have rejected Al-Qaeda, there will never be a caliphate in Iraq; the struggle for democracy now is the heart of our fight against terrorism and it is a struggle Iraqi people are winning,"
General Ray Odierno told a ceremony in one of Saddam Hussein's old palaces in Baghdad.
"We have denied the terrorist a strategic foothold in the Middle East. Osama bin Laden once proclaimed that third world war was being waged in Iraq," Odierno said.
Al-Qaeda "first declared Ramadi as the capital of their caliphate, then it was Baquba and then Mosul. We don't hear much about their rhetoric, talk about caliphates inside Iraq. That talk is gone silent."
But he also said a threat still existed. "We have not yet completely eliminated that threat. Three weeks ago
Al-Qaeda perpetrated another horrific bombing, but this time they failed the objective to destabilise the country and incite sectarian violence." On August 19, two suicide bombings targeting the foreign and finance ministries in Baghdad killed 95 people and wounded 600.
During the ceremony, a minute's silence was held in memory of the Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States eight years ago when 3,000 people died in the world's deadliest terror strike.
The administration of president George W. Bush partly justified its 2003 invasion of Iraq on alleged links between Saddam's regime and Al-Qaeda.
On Thursday, General Charles Jacoby, the number two ranking US officer in Iraq, told reporters via video link Al-Qaeda was behind most of the attacks in Iraq since the end of June, when US troops withdrew from the
country's cities. He spoke after at least 22 people were killed and 45 wounded when a suicide truck bomber struck a Kurdish village in the north.
"They're going after targets like civilian population centers where civilians are meeting, where they're conducting their daily lives," Jacoby said. Al-Qaeda was trying to incite sectarian violence and discredit Iraqi government forces, he said, after Baghdad took the lead for security in urban centers in July.
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Following is an excellent end of tour summary from 2HBCT/1ID. As many of you will recall, they joined 4ID in September of last year and were a key part of MND-B during the last six months that 4ID commanded. They are now wrapping up their twelve month tour in Iraq, the last unit I am currently tracking closely in Iraq.
The year of transitions: Daggers in Iraq
By Lt. Col. Christopher Beckert
2nd HBCT, 1st Inf. Div., MND-B
September 7, 2009
BAGHDAD – For Soldiers of 2nd “Dagger” Brigade, their year in Iraq has been anything but ordinary. Dubbed by many as “The year of transitions”, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division’s third deployment to Iraq since 2003 is one for the history books. Iraq’s provincial elections, the Security Agreement between Iraq and the United States, celebrations of Iraqi sovereignty, and the beginning of force withdrawals all contributed to over 15 separate changes to the unit’s mission while in Iraq. Add a ruthless enemy and this seems insurmountable.
However, Dagger Soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and leaders prevailed, refusing to allow shifts in the operating environment to deter them from accomplishing their mission of protecting Iraqi citizens, partnering with Iraqi Security Forces, and providing the foundation for the new Iraqi government to legitimately lead their nation.
As the brigade returns to Kansas this month, this story will unfold in countless interviews and discussions, but here’s a preview of the newest chapter in the 1st Infantry Division’s proud history.
Emerging onto the blistering tarmac of Baghdad’s International Airport back in September 2008, the Daggers were met by counterparts from the 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Div. A “surge” brigade, the air assault troopers had won amazing victories securing a fragile stability and the grateful confidence of the Iraqi people in northwest Baghdad.
This setting would be the Daggers’ new home; 52 square miles of downtown Baghdad bordered by the Tigris River in the east, and in the west by the city limits and the airport. Over 2.1 million inhabitants in this area witnessed some of the worst sectarian violence of the city in 2006-2008, in areas like Ameriyah, Ghazaliyah and Hurriyah. Now it was the Daggers’ turn to protect the population and capitalize on successes to return the region to normalcy.
Conventional tactical wisdom suggests that transitional points, or changes, in a campaign, especially while in direct contact with the enemy, aren’t just difficult; they are the most challenging operations that military professionals can face. The 2nd Brigade Soldiers witnessed 15 transition points throughout the year deployed to Iraq. All of these were experienced while targeting and eliminating dangerous insurgent cells that were terribly desperate to discredit the local government and cause maximum injury to U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces.
Examples of the changes that Dagger units experienced were: an expanding area of responsibility, growing from 52 square miles to 352 square miles and almost 4 million inhabitants, for six months, the Daggers were the largest brigade combat team in Baghdad, to include working with four battalions from around the Army, moving from inside the cities out to the rural area while closing over 15 security sites in the city, and adhering to Security Agreement articles which yielded full Iraqi sovereignty.
Throughout these changes to the operating environment, the American Soldier remained the nation’s greatest treasure, rapidly adapting while staying vigilant and pressing the fight to the enemies of Iraq’s inhabitants. As the brigade redeploys, the stories and lessons learned from these major transitions are being developed into an engagement strategy for Dagger commanders and leaders to share with the Army, the local communities, and fellow Big Red One units.
The top lessons learned from the adapting to changes in 2009 are enduring maxims. Planning early was the first essential, and as brigade and battalion leaders identified the upcoming decision points, Col. Joe Martin, the brigade commander, initiated new arrays or operational adjustments earlier to give sufficient time for his units and subordinates to make refinements before the required transition point.
Next, the brigade coordinated extensively with their Iraqi security and civilian counterparts; launching a series of information blitzes that allowed for better acceptance of the changes. Dagger leaders would often pull their subordinates into a short training session before the changes occurred, empowering the junior leaders with a better understanding of the new environment through vignette-based instruction.
For example, every Dagger Soldier carried a card with the articles of the new U.S.-Iraqi Security Agreement, fully equipping them to understand how it applied on the ground during everyday operations.
Finally, Dagger troops would constantly re-assess the effects of the change or transition on daily operations, adjusting or re-calibrating leader guidance to ensure no Iraqi citizen went unprotected. As the changes rolled throughout 2009, the Daggers became better and better with transitions in order to maintain the initiative while on point in Iraq.
The training at Fort Riley prior to deployment, the tremendous command climate established from top to bottom in the brigade, and the adaptive, intuitive nature of today’s American Soldier were other critical factors that were significant to the Dagger Brigade’s ability to turn potential adversity into a rewarding opportunity while deployed to Iraq.
As General Martin Dempsey, commander, 1st Armored Division, said in Baghdad, March 2003, “It’s good to be for what’s going to happen.”
A positive attitude is critical to taking military transitions and quickly assimilating the change into the unit’s way of doing business, especially while in contact with enemy forces. These lessons learned, and the legacy they’ve left with the Soldiers of 2nd “Dagger” Brigade will be proudly shared and discussed as part of Operation Dagger Legend, the unit’s outreach plan, which begins on Custer Hill Parade Field with the uncasing of the Unit’s Colors.
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For those of you who missed the update several weeks ago, 3BCT of 4ID has been designated as an AAB (Advisory and Assistance Brigade) for their next deployment to Iraq.
New Brigades Represent New Iraq Mission, Commander Says
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2009 - The new advisory and assistance brigades to flow into Iraq in the coming months will bring important new capability as they focus on building the Iraqi security forces, the commander of Multinational Corps Iraq said yesterday.
Army Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr. called the so-called AABs – reconfigured brigade combat teams that focus on advising, assisting and developing Iraqi security forces – "a concept we believe in" for moving forward in Iraq. "We think it's the right way to go as we move from counterinsurgency and full-spectrum ops to our strategy of being done with combat operations for U.S. forces in August 2010," he told Pentagon reporters via videoconference from Camp Victory, Iraq.
The Pentagon announced the new brigades in July. The first four brigade combat teams to be assigned the mission are the 3rd Infantry Division's 1st and 2nd Brigade Combat Teams based at Fort Stewart, Ga., and its 3rd BCT at Fort Benning, Ga.; and the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd BCT at Fort Carson, Colo.
They will deploy beginning this fall, and be dispersed throughout Iraq in areas where they can best support provincial reconstruction teams and the training of Iraqi forces, Jacoby said. "We've done a fair amount of work studying where we think the advisory assistance brigades can best serve that mission," he said.
The AABs represent a mindset as well as a mission, Jacoby said, as they operate within the stability operations realm to improve the Iraqi security forces' ability to conduct combat operations and take the lead in other security operations.
For now, traditional brigade combat teams deployed to Iraq are passing back lessons learned and observations being made to help prepare the AABs for their new mission. Jacoby lauded the "great exchange of information between the theater and back home in the training base."
AABs will be about the size of a standard brigade combat team, but will include more field-grade officers serving as advisors, and more engineering, military police, civil affairs, transportation and other capabilities to support the training and mentoring mission, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman explained when announcing the new teams in July.
Their pre-deployment training is expected to differ considerably from that of standard brigades, Whitman said. In addition to standard combat training, they will undergo scenario-based training and mission-readiness exercises designed to prepare them for the complex challenges they will encounter in Iraq.
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All Soldiers should be aware of this new GI Bill. I include it here in case the wives and parents reading these updates aren't aware of the excellent educational opportunities that are provided.
Post 9-11 GI Bill improves educational benefits package
By Sgt. Joshua Risner
MND-B PAO
September 8, 2009
BAGHDAD – Pfc. Christopher Lee, of Headquarters Support Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, has a plan. He wants to attend college after he gets out of the Army to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. This will in turn get the Alexander, La. native on the right path to becoming an anesthetist, which is the career he has his hopes set on.
But the cost of obtaining a college degree is an obstacle he will have trouble overcoming on his own.
Higher education is a valuable but costly resource. The Army supports Soldiers wanting to further their education through the Montgomery GI Bill, which provides some compensation for the ever-rising cost of college. In many cases however, it doesn’t cover the full amount, leaving Soldiers dependent upon financial aid, scholarships and their own money to cover the difference.
The Post 9-11 GI Bill is a new, comprehensive program designed to improve the old GI Bill, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Payment processing for the new benefits began Aug. 1. The new bill is especially beneficial to Soldiers wishing to go to school full time, providing three separate payments covering tuition, books and living expenses.
Tuition payments are based on the highest tuition rate for a public institution in the Soldier’s chosen state. These payments are made directly to the school. Soldiers will also receive a monthly housing allowance. The monthly payments are equal to basic housing allowance for an E-5 with dependents. Soldiers will also receive a yearly stipend of up to $1,000.00 for book fees.
To qualify for the minimum amount of benefits at 40 percent, Soldiers need to have completed at least 90 days of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001. Soldiers who have served 36 months or more since that time will receive 100 percent.
Soldiers who qualify for the old GI Bill can transfer their benefits to the new bill but the choice is final.
Another aspect of the Post 9-11 GI Bill is the ability to transfer benefits to a dependent. This includes a Soldier’s spouse or children. The Soldier and their dependents remain eligible to use benefits under the Post 9-11 GI Bill for up to 15 years after the Soldier leaves active duty. Children are eligible to receive the benefits until they are 26 years old.
For more information about the Post 9-11 GI Bill, visit the VA website at www.gibill.va.gov/.
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4ID Patch on Southern Mississippi football helmets
If any of you are in a place where you can watch Southern Mississippi football games either in person or on TV this season, watch the back of their helmets and you'll see our 4ID patch next to the American flag. As many of you may already know, our former CG, MG Jeff Hammond, played quarterback at Southern Mississippi, had all the records before a new kid named Brett Favre came in and broke them all. To see what the helmets look like, click on www.deedspublishing.com and then on the 4th Infantry Division button. It's nice that MG Hammond's old team still supports his favorite division.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers
1) Well, Bob, no news is good news. I haven't really heard anything from my son lately, other than he's excited to be planning his mid-tour leave for the end of the month. He never mentions his day-to-day job, but that's ok. The most that I hope for is a short Email every few weeks... and that's what I usually get!! He says it's hot, he's tired & busy. That's about it from Ramrod! Thank you so much for this site and your updates. Being "outta the loop" is brutal, when your son's in a war zone and the news is sparse.
2) You've dried up on me again - let me know what you're hearing so I can report it to other readers.
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That wraps up another update. I appreciate it that you didn't send me lots of messages rubbing my nose into the fact that both OU and UGA were beaten last Saturday, you're too kind. But, I remain a loyal fan of both teams and am counting on them to rebound this week. Once again, I hope your favorite team wins - unless it is Idaho State or South Carolina.
Hopefully you all took time to pause and reflect on the historic significance of 9-11-01 yesterday. Sadly, far too little time was devoted to it by most of the media, in my humble opinion. We must never forget the horrific events of that day and must always stand ready to prevent it, or something worse, from happening again. I know I'm preaching to the choir - those reading these updates are the ones who continue to stand tall to prevent further attacks from hitting our shores. I'm proud of all of you for your sacrifices on our entire country's behalf - even if far too many people don't appreciate or understand what you are doing.
Continue to pray for our Soldiers and their Families. I will be in Fort Carson most of the coming week, from Monday afternoon through Thursday. If any FRG leaders would like for me to do anything for them while I'm there, please send me an email and I'll do my best to help. Next update will be next Saturday.
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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)
