October 28, 2008 See SCHOOL, page 2 BY SPC. TIFFANY EVANS 41ST FIRES BDE., PAO

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1 The Mountain View October 28, 2008 ISF and mayor visit Numaniyah girls school Photo by Spc. Tiffany Evans Young girls look on as the mayor of Numaniyah and local ISF members hand out books and stuffed animals to their class at an elementary school in Numaniyah Oct. 23. BY SPC. TIFFANY EVANS 41ST FIRES BDE., PAO FOB DELTA Iraqi Security Forces and the mayor of Numaniyah handed out backpacks, books, candy and stuffed animals to elementary and middle school girls Oct. 23 in Numaniyah. Soldiers from the 41st Fires Brigade, who gathered some of the donated supplies, went along for the ride. Major General Abed al-haneen, Wasit Provincial Directorate of Police, watched as his police officers helped hand out the supplies. We are very happy to be able to give these items to the girls, said al-haneen. This shows them that we support them and it s just great to see them smile. As the crowd entered the elementary school, the girls came out of their classrooms to see what the commotion was. Many of the younger girls were scared, but the older girls swarmed toward their guests. Most of them wanted their pictures taken and surrounded anyone holding a camera. After five minutes of chaos, teachers ushered the students back into their classrooms. Each classroom had visitors drop off items and talk to the girls. A local news crew snapped photos, recorded video and interviewed the students. After visiting the elementary school, the group then took a short walk to the middle school. Reaction at the middle school was more subdued, but once the visitors entered the rooms, girls cheered and See SCHOOL, page 2

2 Page 2 October 28, 2008 SCHOOL From page 1 laughed. Teachers drew their students attentions back to the studies and then the girls proceeded to show off for their visitors. Many of the students were reading out loud and as one girl finished, the teacher asked for a volunteer to read the next paragraph Almost everyone raised a hand and the girls started to yell me, hoping the teacher would pick them. A chorus of thank you in Arabic followed the group from room to room and smiles lit the faces of everyone. This is a great way for the security forces to show the younger generation, especially the girls, that they care about them and want to help, said Spc. Jose Vilchiz, 41st Fires Bde personal security detail Soldier and a native of New York. All in all, the entire mission was successful and it helps the ISF gain the local populace s trust, he added. The Mountain View Photo by Spc. Tiffany Evans Two elementary school girls in Numaniyah wait for local ISF to hand them books and stuffed animals Oct Mechanics and Repairers keep the wheels turning BY SGT. RODNEY FOLIENTE 2ND BCT, 4TH INF. DIV. FOB KALSU The combat theater spotlight usually shines on leaders and Soldiers who roll out on missions to rebuild, stabilize and secure the country. They are the typical face of military operations. But behind the scenes are the unsung heroes that make that possible, keeping the wheels turning and ensuring that the unit is mission capable. One group is the mechanics and repairers who work hard making sure the mass of vehicles and equipment are fixed and maintained; from air conditioners to fuel pumps and drive-trains to axles. Our jobs are pretty crucial to letting (our fellow) Soldiers accomplish their missions, said Pvt. Andrew Metrolis, mechanic, Company B, 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He said he enjoys his job and the hard work involved because it benefits his battalion and its Soldiers. His job might be in the background and without public accolade, but his daily work aids in accomplishing the mission in Iraq, and to him, that s what really matters. We all work together to ensure the equipment is up and running, said Spc. Joshua Denney, air condition repair specialist, Co. B, 204th BSB, gesturing to include the vehicle mechanics and equipment repair specialists. Every day we see our job needed and appreciated by other Soldiers, said Denney, who left as a mechanic in the Air Force to join the Army. We have an important job and collectively we re very important (for the unit) to do its job, said Sgt. Juan Gutierrez, quartermaster and chemical equipment repair sergeant, Co. B, 204th BSB. Photo by Sgt. Rodney Foliente Soldiers from Co. B, 204th BSB, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., work beneath a vehicle at Forward Operating Base Kalsu Oct. 21 We ve got a great bunch of Soldiers. They re eager to learn, work hard and take charge of what s needed to get the job done, said Gutierrez, who comes from Pensacola, Fla. I love getting my hands dirty and doing hard work. It s the Texas in me; it s in my blood, said Denney, who hails from Rockport, Texas. THE Mountain View The Mountain View is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of The Mountain View are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 10th Mountain Division. All editorial content of The Mountain View is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Task Force Mountain Public Affairs Office. TASK FORCE MOUNTAIN PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE Commanding General - MAJ. GEN. MICHAEL L. OATES Command Sergeant Major - COMMAND SGT. MAJ. JAMES W. REDMORE Editorial Staff TF Mountain PAO Lt. Col. Paul Swiergosz OIC, Command Information 1st Lt. Julie Glaubach NCOIC Master Sgt. Stephen Opet Managing Editor Staff Sgt. Amber Emery Assignment Editor Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret Copy Editor Spc. Josh LeCappelain Editor/Design Spc. Sophia Lopez Staff Writers Spc. Tiffany Evans, Spc. Justin Snyder, Sgt. David Turner Media queries please contact TF Mountain Public Affairs at MND-Center_PAO@iraq.centcom.mil Contributing Units 2nd Bde., 1st Armored Division 2nd BCT, 4th Infantry Division 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Division (Air Assault) 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division 4th BCT, 3rd Infantry Division 7th Sustainment Brigade 41st Fires Brigade 354th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment 793rd Military Police Battalion Division Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mtn. Div. Task Force 49

3 The Mountain View October 28, 2008 Page 3 Patrol reveals Iraqis seek to improve Diwaniya BY STAFF SGT. CARLOS M. BURGER III 2BCT, 4ID DIWANIYA - While conducting a dismounted patrol recently in Diwaniya, Soldiers from Beast Company, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, observed congested roads, debris everywhere and glares from the populace. As the patrol continued however, they realized the roads were congested from ongoing construction, the litter was being picked up by garbage men at every turn, and although some citizens glared, most of the people smiled and waved. The signs are evident that city of Diwaniya is bustling with activity. I think it s great that we saw a lot of people cleaning up, trying to improve, said Pfc. Mark Windam, with B Co 2-8 IN. Most of the Soldiers in the platoon, including Windam, are on their first deployment to Iraq and admit that even though they haven t been here before, they seem surprised that the conditions here are different than what Photo by Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Burger II Iraqi children wave and greet Pvt. David Couleas, B Co., 2-8IN, 2BCT, 4ID, as he moves down the streets of Diwaniya during the patrol. they ve heard from either the media or those who have been here previously. I think there has been a positive change. Hopefully one day this country will be better (for its entire people), Windam said. See CHANGE, page 4

4 Page 4 October 28, 2008 The Mountain View CHANGE From page 3 The platoon from B Co. conducted the patrol from an overwatch standpoint as soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 30th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army were in control and dictated how the patrol was conducted. The two groups worked together, as U.S. forces showed the IA soldiers how to conduct various dismounted tactical movement formations. In fact, the overall ability to conduct improvements on the city can be attributed to the success of the IA and Diwaniya police forces. The threat has gone down, said 1st Lt. John Mullany, platoon leader and native of Gainesville, Va. The IA has done a great job establishing security around Diwaniya. Every local that we talk to says we re safe, Mullany added that although there is a large variety in the quality of training, Diwaniya has become safer overall due to the professionalism and competence of the Iraqi Security Forces. Today they were pretty good. They all have great potential and are willing to learn, he said. It s only a matter of time until (the ISF) get on the same page and don t need us anymore. Photo by Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Burger II First Lieutentant John Mullany, B Co., 2-8IN, 2BCT, 4ID, platoon leader, along with his Soldiers, patrols the streets of Diwaniya during a dismounted patrol. HOLIDAY SHOUT OUTS Many of us won t be home for the holidays, but you can make sure that your family and friends get to hear from you with a recorded holiday message that will air on your local television station stateside. This is a great opportunity for you to wish happy holidays to the people that mean the most to you. And it only takes about 20 seconds! Check with your BCT Public Affairs Representative for schedules in your AO. For MND-C Soldiers, just show up at the Task Force Mountain Media Operations Center, Bldg. 51C, just outside of the Division Headquarters building from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.

5 The Mountain View October 28, 2008 Page 5 Headline Round-up U.S. News: A shooting at the University of Central Arkansas killed two people and wounded a third, police said. UCA police spokeswoman Lt. Rhonda Swindle said the shots were fired just after 9 p.m. Sunday near a dormitory. She said she could not say whether the victims were students, but she did say all three were male. Swindle said the campus would remain locked down Monday and that classes had been canceled. She said she did not have any information about suspects, though the university police web site said one person was in custody and three others were being sought. Who is your favorite music artist? Sports News: Ryan Howard knows this place will go nuts with one more win. It will be absolute bedlam, he said. It will be one of the craziest places on earth. It s kind of scary to imagine. Then again, who would ve guessed Phillies pitcher Joe Blanton would shut his eyes, take a huge swing and sock a ball into the seats. Blanton became the first pitcher in 34 years to homer in the World Series, Howard drove in five runs with two homers and Philadelphia romped over the Tampa Bay Rays 10-2 on Sunday night to move within one win of its first title since World News: Palestinians may not have a state, but now they have a way to express their national pride through soccer. On Sunday, the national team hosted an international match for the first time, in the West Bank s only regulation-size stadium. Located in a West Bank suburb of Jerusalem, the stadium was renovated with the help of FIFA, soccer s governing body, and other donors. Photo by Spc. Justin Snyder P.J. Morton, because I like soulful music and he s a lot like my influences, like Stevie Wonder, said Private First Class Brandon Redmon, 10th Mountain Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company G-1 Awards Clerk and a native of Newport News, Va. Odd News: A dog was hailed as a hero on Sunday after it risked its life to save a litter of newborn kittens from a house fire, rescuers said. In a case which gives the lie to the saying about fighting like cats and dogs, the terrier cross named Leo had to be revived with oxygen and heart massage after his ordeal. Fire broke out overnight at the house in Australia s southern city of Melbourne, where he was guarding the kittens. Quote of the Day An ignorant person is one who doesn t know what you have just found out. -Will Rogers Photo by Spc. Justin Snyder Billy Joel, because I play the piano and he s the Piano Man, said Sgt. Aaron Shumaker, 10th Mountain Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company G-1 Plans and Operations Soldier and a native of Crocker, Mo. S u d o k u For the answer to today s puzzle, go to: arabic question of the day Where do you live? wen it-eesh?