Iron Brigade hosts luncheon to say goodbye to Mada in Qada

Multi-National Division Baghdad First Team...Team First Monday, April 6, 2009 Iron Brigade hosts luncheon to say goodbye to Mada in Qada By Sgt. Daniel Nichols 2nd BCT PAO, 1st Armd. Div. BAGHDAD Soldiers are trained to fight. Wars are usually waged against an enemy, to defend honor and country, with the sole purpose of victory in mind. However, victory in today s modern age is not as simple as fighting the enemy on the front lines of a battlefield. The U.S. Army not only defeats the enemy, but also provides security, humanitarian aid, economic assistance, and other forms of help to the citizens of the areas that had once been enemy strongholds. The U.S. Army does more than just fight; it rebuilds and rejuvenates communities and cities that were once urban battlefields. The Mada in Qada was once one of these battlefields. The Mada in is an area southeast of Baghdad that had seen more than its fair share of violence in the past years. From 2007-2008 it was the front line of the fight for Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who were able to successfully quell the fighting between criminal groups, insurgents and al-qaeda in Iraq forces by the end of their tour in May 2008. When the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division put boots on the ground in the Mada in Qada as 3rd Brigade s replacements, most of the fighting had ended, and the time for rebuilding had begun. Throughout their deployment, the Iron Brigade has helped the local leaders of the Mada in communities, along with the Iraqi Security Forces stationed there to secure, rebuild and rejuvenate the area. To better set conditions for Coalition forces alignment post-security Agreement this week saw another handover of responsibility of the Mada in, this time to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. The leadership of the Iron Brigade however, felt that it was an important part of this transition to give a formal farewell to the Iraqi leaders in the Mada in that they had worked with for the past 11 months. I think that everyone in this room understands that one of the constants in Iraq over the last six years has been change, said Col. Pat White, commander, 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div., MND-B, while speaking at the farewell luncheon his brigade hosted for the Iraqi leaders located in the Mada in Qada. The reason I asked you all to come is because there has been a change in leadership in the Mada in Qada and I want to make sure that we have given a proper farewell to you. The luncheon, which was held in the International Zone at Freedom Rest, April 1, served as a way not only to say goodbye, but to introduce the leadership of the 3rd BCT, See GOODBYE, Pg 2 By Sgt. Daniel Nichols 2nd BCT PAO, 1st Armd. Div. Staff Maj. Gen. Qassim Jassem Nazal, an armor officer and commander, 9th Iraqi Army Division, (left) accepts a gift of a model mahogany M1-A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank from Col. Pat White, also an armor officer and commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, a native of Apple Valley, Calif., during the Mada in Qada farewell luncheon held at Freedom Rest, April 1. By Sgt. Daniel Nichols 2nd BCT PAO, 1st Armd. Div. Qais Shathir Khemis Al-Jabouri, a Sheik from the Mada Qada (left) walks with Brig. Gen. Emad Abd Ali, commander, 3rd Brigade, 1st National Police Division,(center) and Col. Ehsan Ali Jassim, commander, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st NP Div., (right) shortly after arriving at Freedom Rest via helicopter for the Mada in Qada Farewell Luncheon

PAGE 2 April 6, 2009 New Iraqi construction without US tax dollars: Iraqis take lead with hospital By Staff Sgt. Peter Ford MND-B PAO BAGHDAD Yarmouk Hospital, Iraq s second largest hospital, has made many new upgrades to its facility within the last few years according to two local doctors. The burn center was reconstructed, a new emergency center was built and a new three-story burn center will be built within the next few years. The good thing about all this new construction is, it is being done without U.S. tax dollars, said Capt. Kenneth Johnson, from Fort Riley, Kan., a brigade surgeon, assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team,1st Infantry Division. Stimulated by the Coalition force, the ministry of health has organized, made a budget and developed a strategy to make these changes in its facilities, he added. Because the conditions in Iraq are improving and the ministry of health is beginning to take on more of a financial burden, the CF can assist the country in other ways such as helping to train the physicians of Iraq. One way to help the Iraq Iraqi heroes have given much to achieve security in the Mada in GOODBYE, From Pg 1 By Staff Sgt. Peter Ford, MND-B PAO Capt. Kenneth Johnson, from Fort Riley, Kan., a brigade surgeon assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, explains to students and physicians at Yarmouk Hospital, the second largest hospital in Iraq how an ultra sound can be used with trauma patients. According to Johnson, medical conferences like the one held here April 2, will continue. Ministry of Health make a better transition is with academic conferences, Johnson said. Today is the first of many academic conferences that will be held in Iraq and it is a great honor for me to be a part of the re-development of the health system here, said Johnson. These conferences will assist the physicians to regain one of the most important elements 82nd Airborne Div., to the Mada in community and ISF leaders. As much as we cooperated and were close with Col. White and his brigade in the past, we have to do the same thing with Col. McGuire and his brigade as well, said Maj. Gen. Qassim Jassem Nazal commander of the 9th Iraqi Army Division when he spoke at the luncheon. That is because the only goal of the troops of the Coalition forces is to provide security and services and help the people of the Mada in. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the Mada in and to continue to work with of academic sciences that have been missing in Iraqi medicine over the past decade under Saddam s regime. The academic conference at the Yarmouk Hospital, April 2, is one way to continue to help educate medical students and enhance the medical treatment of the Iraqi people, Johnson added. The conference gives physicians a forum to talk about the most recent advances in medicine, scientific research and studies, Johnson continued. It also provides an opportunity for local health care providers and small clinics to come to the hospital and connect with [their] hospital counterparts in a centralized conference. According to an Iraqi doctor who works at the hospital, the conferences will greatly benefit the Iraqi people. Doctors can come from small communities all over Iraq and take the knowledge gained and new technology obtained during the conferences to improve the treatment for their patients. A colleague of the Iraqi doctor added that the conferences can enhance preventive medicine measures. This week the ministry of health will provide immunizations to many of the poor people of Iraq. Inspired by the CF, the Iraqi Ministry of Health has taken great strides toward becoming more independent by taking over the financial burden of improving its health system. This is a huge step for the ministry of health helping Iraq to become more self-sufficient. the leadership there, said Col. Timothy McGuire, commander of the 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Div., during the luncheon. Various gifts and certificates were given to the commander of the 9th IA Div., the commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st National Police Division, local Sheiks, and Mada in Qada and Nahia level representatives who were invited to the event. The luncheon provided an opportunity for old friends to see each other one last time, along with the first of many meetings of the leadership of the 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Div. As I look around this room right now what I see, are Iraqi heroes who have given much to achieve security in the Mada in, said White. ARE YOU IN THE NEW EDITION OF THE CROSSED SABERS? FIND OUT. ON newstands NOW.

PAGE 3 April 6, 2009 154th Transportation Co. switches gears to Afghanistan Spc. Howard Alperin MND-B PAO CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq Logistics are an invaluable piece to the Army s strength. Without a proper supply of ammunition, uniforms, food, generators, parts to repair vehicles, and many other things, missions would go poorly for Soldiers and success would be hard fought. Supplying the warfighters with whatever they may need, so they can focus on the enemy in front of them, has been the goal for the 154th Transportation Company since their arrival in Iraq. In April, the 154th Transportation Co. will leave Camp Liberty after three months here to serve the remainder of their deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Just as they did while working here, they will provide sustainment support to their home forward operating base in Afghanistan and surrounding FOBs. Our mission stays the same, only the location changes, said Sgt. 1st Class Frederick Cook, from Birmingham, Ala., a truck master and non-commissioned officer in charge of operations for the 154th Transportation Co., 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command. The newest mission has brought an already tight-knit group even closer together. While in Iraq, prior to learning about going to Afghanistan, there were competitions between platoons on who was doing the most assignments and traveling the most miles, said Spc. Renata Hirschauer, from Daytona, Fla., an operations clerk for the 154th Transportation Co. Since they found out about going to Afghanistan in March, the competition ceased. Now, the focus for the company is everybody helping each other By Spc. Howard Alperin, MND-B PAO Pfc. Craig Hunter, from Newport News, Va., a truck driver of the 89th Transportation Company, attached to the 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, receives instruction here March 30, from Sgt. Ramon Alcantara, from Lawrence, Mass., of the 154th Transportation Co., during a relief in place, transfer of authority between units. on packing and getting ready for the move, she said. Besides packing for the move, the unit must prepare for one major difference they will face in Afghanistan: road conditions. NCOs who have been to Afghanistan have been breaking down what to expect in terrain differences, said Spc. Tyrell Powell, from Shreveport, La., a truck driver for the 154th Transportation Co. Here everything tends to be flat, there it s more hilly and mountainous. Also, Soldiers are anxious to find out how their new motor pool will look. Here the 154th had their own motor pool with plenty of room to move vehicles around, said Powell. In Afghanistan, we don t know if we will be sharing a motor pool and we don t know how our operational space will be situated, he added. As their time here winds down, the training for Afghanistan is getting revved up. Soldiers have already done refresher classes on the Movement Tracking System, the map reading element used in the cabs of the vehicles, and Soldiers are also re-qualifying on various weapons, Powell mentioned. Additionally, the new mission requires gunner crews of the 154th to train up on operating Mine-Resistant Ambush- Protected vehicles to ensure safety and operation success on convoys, Powell said. Gunner trucks are getting reorganized and ready for Afghanistan, he said. While here, Gunners had been doing other jobs in the company instead of their gunner jobs, he added. Soldiers are expected to get more improvised explosive device training and more briefs on situational awareness as well, said 1st Lt. Angela Davis, from Chidester, Ark., first platoon leader for the 154th. We haven t had enemy encounters here and the threats are higher there now, so it is important Soldiers get as many classes to explain the threats prior to leaving, she said. Though going from one theater of operations to another can put strain on a unit, the 154th is pulling together and is determined to do great things in Afghanistan. Being here in Iraq and getting used to the elements, used to the missions and cargo loads has postured us to be successful on our next mission, said Capt. Corrine McClellan, from Gloucester, Va., commander of the 154th Transportation Co. As the 154th Transportation Co. goes from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation Enduring Freedom, Soldiers are growing and learning more together each day while accepting their newest challenge with optimism and pride. By Spc. Howard Alperin, MND-B PAO Soldiers discuss right seat and left seat rides here, April 1, as a relief in place and transfer of authority from the 154th Transportation Co. to the 89th Transportation Co. takes place. Sgt. Timothy O hara, from Victoria, Texas, a senior truck driver of the 154th and Sgt. 1st Class Richard Bullard, 1st platoon sergeant of the 89th, coordinate directions for nighttime pick-up and drop-off locations.

PAGE 4 April 6, 2009 Operation Bull Chisel creates trust, safer neighborhood By Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, MND-B PAO Spc. Martin Aguilar, a cannon crewmember from Downey, Calif., assigned to 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, checks a cabinet in a kitchen to search for weapons or explosives during a cordon and sweep operation here March 30. The mission was successful in confiscating 21 unregistered AK-47s. By Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, MND-B PAO An Iraqi National Policeman and Spc. Michael Ingles, a cannon crewmember from Royce City, Texas, assigned Battery B, 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, take a break from searching houses here March 30 during Operation Bull Chisel. By Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell MND-B PAO BAGHDAD Dogs bark and children play in the trashlittered streets before going to school in a neighborhood in eastern Baghdad just like any other morning. Pungent odors from the street mix with sweet smells of flatbread cooking in wood-fire ovens. Iraqis go about their daily routine but this isn t any ordinary muhalla, or neighborhood. We got tips that there were weapons caches in the muhalla, said Fayetteville, N.C. native Capt. Ken Cosgriff, commander of the Battery B Bulls, 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment. Our mission was to establish a cordon rapidly, clear the area and confirm or deny if caches were in the muhalla. Mine-Resistant Ambush- Protected vehicles and blue Ford pick-up trucks belonging to Iraqi police arrived on the outskirts of the neighborhood for Operation Bull Chisel, an Iraqi National Police run cordon and clearing mission, in Zafaraniyah. The mission here March 30, was to take weapons off the streets and make the community safer. More than 70 Soldiers from Battery B and 60 National Policemen from 3rd Bn., 2nd Brigade, 1st National Police Division, used Iraqi and U.S. vehicles to cordon off and sweep a neighborhood for explosives and weapons caches. Though no explosives were found, 21 AK-47 assault rifles were confiscated during the sweep. Under Iraqi law, households or business may keep one registered weapon for self defense. Getting 21 weapons off the street, in general, makes the muhalla safer, added Cosgriff. Most of the residents hand over their weapons when asked by the NPs. The NPs are very proactive about giving memorandums that state, we didn t destroy anything, said Cosgriff. They also document whatever is taken and the owners of the house sign a document. The document is proof that any weapons confiscated can be reclaimed through the right government process and gives people more trust in the NPs and U.S. Soldiers. They are friendly toward us because the NPs would explain, these are Americans and they are going to search your home with us, explained Spc. Michael Ingles, a cannon crewmember assigned to Btry. B, 1st Bn., 319th AFAR. They are really willing to work with us and not so much against us, he added. Though some Iraqis lives were inconvenienced for a few minutes, the overwhelming feeling in the community was of understanding, said 2nd Lt. Asaad Atshan Mejafiy, an NP motor pool officer who assisted in the operation. We collected a lot of weapons to let people know that we re here to serve them and to keep them safe, said Asaad. It s like we are more and more professional and the people are more cooperative and give more trust. Cosgriff added that the more trust that the NPs and Coalition forces build, the easier it is to make the community safer with operations like this. I think the NPs go about their business the right way, said Cosgriff. They are respectful and not kicking in doors. This is important in an environment where a simple thank you can shape future relationships. They re willing to understand what we re here to do, said Spc. Michael Ingles, a Btry. B cannon crew member from Royce City, Texas. For the community it s a good thing. We seize these AK-47s, but they are going to get them back, yet this time they re going to be registered. Getting weapons registered in the neighborhood is a big concern for the CF and also brings relief for the members in the community. They also don t have to worry about having an unregistered weapon in their homes for safety, because now the weapons will be legally registered, said Ingles. After hundreds of homes were searched and hours spent securing the neighborhood, the NPs and Bravo Bulls called it a day. Overall it was a successful mission, stated an exhausted Ingles. We did what we went there to do and completed it. When the mission was finished, the muhalla had a few less weapons and was safer. Yet, it also had a stronger foundation of trust built on respect and a few simple words of gratitude.

PAGE 5 April 6, 2009 On This Day In Military History On this day in 1945, an Army officer s courageous actions in Italy during World War II earned him the Medal of Honor. Second Lt. Vernon Joseph Baker of was serving as a platoon leader near Viareggio, Italy, when he and his Soldiers encountered enemy troops. Lt. Baker advanced at the head of his platoon, along with three rifle platoons, toward their objective, Castle Aghinolfi, a German mountain strong point on the high ground just east of the coastal highway. Moving ahead of the company, Lt. Baker, reconnoitered for a suitable position to set up a machine gun. Lt. Baker singlehandedly knocked out an observation post and a machine gun nests, killing three German soldiers. Baker Lt. Baker then shot and killed a German soldier who attempted to throw a grenade at his company commander and killed three more Germans in a concealed dugout. The next day, Lt. Baker voluntarily led a battalion through an enemy mine field. In all, Lt. Baker was responsible for killing nine enemy soldiers, eliminating three machine gun nests, an observation post and a dugout. Lt. Baker was belatedly awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton in 1997. He was the only living recipient of the seven African-American Soldiers belatedly awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997. Iraq 3-Day Weather Report Today 87 F 69 F Tomorrow 87 F 68 F Wednesday 80 F 59 F

PAGE 6 April 6, 2009 Pvt. Murphy by Mark Baker Quote For Today When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1811-1896 American novelist, antislavery campaigner PEGASUS OASIS DFAC HOURS BREAKFAST 0530 TO 0830 LUNCH 1130 TO 1330 DINNER 1700 TO 2000 MIDNIGHT CHOW 2300 TO 0100 SUNDAY ONLY BRUNCH 0730 to 1330 DINNER 1700 to 2000 MIDNIGHT CHOW 2300 to 0100 Trigger s Teasers The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. There are three very simple constraints to follow: Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9. Every Sudoku game begins with a number of squares already filled in, and the difficulty of each game is largely a function of how many squares are filled in. The more squares that are known, the easier it is to figure out which numbers go in the open squares. As you fill in squares correctly, options for the remaining squares are narrowed and it becomes easier to fill them in. Yesterday s Answers Multi-National Division - Baghdad Public Affairs Office Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Daniel Bolger Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Philip Smith Public Affairs Chief: Master Sgt. Nicholas Conner Editor: Spc. Jon Soles Staff Writers: Sgt. 1st Class Ron Burke Sgt. 1st Class Joel Quebec Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp Staff Sgt. Peter Ford Sgt. Joshua Risner Spc. Howard Alperin Spc. Laura Johnson Spc. Phillip Adam Turner The Daily Charge is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of The Daily Charge are not official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of the Army, or the 1st Cavalry Division. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army, the 1st Cavalry, or The Daily Charge of the products and services advertised. All editorial content of The Daily Charge is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Multi-National Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office. Do you have a story to share? The Daily Charge welcomes columns, commentaries, articles, letters and photos from readers. Submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs NCOIC nicholas.conner@mnd-b.army.mil and include author s name, rank, unit and contact information. The Daily Charge reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the paper. For further information on deadlines, questions, comments or a request to be on our distribution list, email the Editor at jon. soles@mnd-b.army.mil