deputy cg says goodbye to first teamstatic.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_1445.pdf · “telling the...

By Sgt. Nicole Kojetin1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Soldiers from every unit within the 1stCavalry Division stood tall on the divi-sion's parade field on Fort Hood to bidfarewell to their deputy division command-er for support in a ceremony June 28.

After slightly more than a year of serv-ing the First Team, Brig. Gen William Troyis moving to Fort Lewis, Wash., to serve asthe I Corps deputy commanding general.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, Jr., the com-manding general of the division, said thatTroy was a great help to the division in thelast year.

"Bill Troy is one of the Army's pre- mier war-fighters, and in his capacity as

the deputy division commander for sup-port, he's been instrumental in preparingthis organization for what lies before us - areturn to Iraq in the fight for freedom," Filsaid. "He has been a valuable member ofthis division's command team for morethan a year, and invaluable to me since I'veassumed command of this division justseven short months ago."

Troy said that he enjoyed his timeserving the division.

"The 1st Cavalry Division has such adistinguished heritage, such a tremendousrecord of service to our country," Troysaid. "To be any part of it, from a private

Friday, July 7, 2006www.hood.army.mil/1stcavdiv/ “Telling the First Team’s Story”

See Troy Page 3

Soldiers from Company B, right, pull with all their might during a game of tug-o-war with their fellow 1stCavalry Division’s 15th Brigade Special Troops Battalion buddies from Company A at Belton Lake OutdoorRecreation Area during their brigade's organizational day July 5. Company A walked away with the win. Thebrigade, which received deployment orders in November, cased its colors on Cooper’s Field today in preper-ation for departure to Iraq later this year.

(Photo by Pfc. Jeffery Ledesma, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

Deputy CG Says Goodbye to First Team

(Photo by Sgt. Nicole Kojetin, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)Brig. Gen. William Troy, the former1st Cavalry Division's deputy com-mander for support, during hisfarewell ceremony on Cooper Fieldoutside the June 28.

Heave-Ho!

Commentary July 7, 2006

Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, Jr.Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Scott BleichwehlCommand Information Officer: Master Sgt. Dave LarsenEditor: Sgt. Nicole Kojetin Contributing Writers: Staff Sgt. Kap Kim, Sgt. ColbyHauser, Sgt. Robert Strain, Sgt. Paula Taylor, By Spc. Alexis Harrison Spc. JoshuaMcPhie, Spc. Nathan Hoskins, Spc. Sheena Reyes, Spc. Beatrice Freeman-Florescu, Spc. Robert Yde, Spc. L.B. Edgar, Spc. Nathan Hoskins, Pfc. Ben Fox,Pfc. Jeffrey Ledesma, Pfc. Ryan Stroud, Pfc. William Hatton, Pvt. Tiffany Mercer

Contact Crossed Sabers at 287-6162, 287-9400 or [email protected] Sabers is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents ofCrossed Sabers are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government,Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the First Cavalry Division. All editorialcontent of Crossed Sabers is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 1st CavalryDivision Public Affairs Office.

What were your firstthoughts when you foundout about your officialdeployment orders?

"My initial thoughtwas 'Again?' Thisis my third deploy-ment.... Preparingfor this one is easi-er because I knowwhat to pack, butit's still as hard toleave your familythe third time as itwas the first."

"I expected (thedeploymentorders). I joinedduring a time ofwar, and they wereno surprise to me.I'm actually volun-teering to take partin a QuickReaction Force andgo over earlier."

"We kind ofalready knew wewere going for along time, andfinally it's cer-tain that we'regoing, it's arelief. Nowwe're just wait-ing on the'when.'"

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Warrant OfficerCurtis JohnsonHeadquartersCompany, 15thSustainment Brigade

Pfc. Robert Ledford3rd Bn., 8th CavalryRegiment, 2ndBrigade Combat Team

Pvt. Anthony Yates1st Bn., 12th CavalryRegiment, 3rdBrigade Combat Team

Photos by Pfc. Jeffrey Ledesma1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

By Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Johndrow1st Cav. Div. Command Sergeant Major

Late last month, two more 1stCavalry Division brigades and thedivision headquarters element

received their official deployment ordersto Iraq. For most of us, this came as nosurprise. We've known for quite sometime that our time would come to rejointhe fight for freedom in Iraq. And we'vebeen leaning forward in the foxhole inpreparation for that day.

Knowing something will happeneventually and actually doing it are twodifferent things, though. Deploymentsare difficult. They are difficult for thetroops in the field and they are difficultfor the families left behind. No one isimmune to the stresses that come with along separation and the time spent inharm's way.

The demands of a deployment cantax even the best of us. Preparing fordeployment goes far beyond conductingtraining exercises in the field. It shouldalso include preparing your family for theday when you will say good-bye.

For Soldiers, there are obvious thingsto work on, individually and collectively,as we ramp up to leave. Weapons profi-ciency ranks high on that list, as doesheightening your physical fitness level.All of our troops should be on the top oftheir game and in the best condition oftheir lives as they roll out to meet the ene-mies of freedom. I urge leaders at all lev-els to challenge their troops to reach newheights in physical fitness, which willserve them well under the harsh condi-tions we'll encounter.

It's time, too, to ensure that our

Soldiers are prepared and cleared fordeployment medically, dentally and havetheir personal effects in order - like willsand power of attorney. As leaders, we'llensure that our Soldiers are ready. And asleaders, we also need to ensure that ourSoldiers' families are ready as well.

First and foremost, take a look atyour own Family Readiness Group. Arethe people and the processes in place totake of our families in the event of anemergency? Do you know the familymembers of the Soldiers who work foryou and do they know how to reach out tothe rear detachment leadership?

I believe that every unit within theFirst Team has taken the necessary stepsto make sure that our families will becared for while we are away, but now isthe time to check and re-check our peo-ple, programs and be proactive in ourFRGs.

Finally, I'd like to remind all of youto spend quality time with your familiesas each day brings you closer to yourdeparture date.

We've conducted the lane training,the field training, the mission rehearsalexercises and the live-fires. We're trainedand ready for the task at hand. With thatin mind, find time for your loved ones. Inthe days ahead, we'll ask that you putyour First Team family ahead of all else.In the meantime, don't short-change yourown.

This division has a long, illustriouslegacy and a rich tradition of superiorservice to our Army and our nation. I amproud to be your command sergeantmajor, and we should all be proud to bearthe standards of this great division.

Live the legend! First Team!

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News July 7, 2006

Soldier to a general officer, I think, is ahuge honor, and then to be here as a gener-al is more than I could have imagined. Itmeans that the Army thinks that you'regood enough to serve with America's FirstTeam. It has just been a tremendous honorand I have loved every minute of it."He

TroyFrom Page 1

AAmmeerriiccaa’’ss FFiirrsstt TTeeaamm SSeett ttoo DDeeppllooyyBy Sgt. Colby Hauser1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Like wildfire, the newsthat the Department of Defensehad announced the deploymentof the 1st Cavalry DivisionHeadquarters element, the 2ndBrigade Combat Team, and the3rd Brigade Combat Team toIraq spread throughout the divi-sion's War Fighter site.

Since their return from ayear long deployment in Marchof last year, the First Teamwent through many changesand faced its share of chal-lenges. Humanitarian missionsfrom the hurricane ravagedNew Orleans, to earthquakerelief efforts in Pakistan, keptthe division busy. While facingthese challenges, the divisionhas transformed to the Army'snew modularity concept whereindividual headquarters andcombat brigades can receiveorders to deploy.

"The First Team has beenpreparing for this announce-ment and is ready to answer ournation's call," said Maj. Gen.Joseph F. Fil, Jr., CommandingGeneral of the 1st CavalryDivision. "They are the besttrained, the best equipped, andthey are supported by the bestpeople, their loved ones and the

good people of Central Texas."For many troops, this is

their second deployment toIraq, and what concerns or wor-ries they had the first time arereplaced by experience.

"I was worried the firsttime I deployed," said Spc.Courtney Yeargin, a signalsintelligence analyst withHeadquarters Company,Division Special TroopsBattalion, 1st Cavalry Division."I'm more comfortable with itthe second time around becauseI know what to expect and Iguess that makes it not as

stressful.""This is going to be my

second time in Iraq and the onething I look forward to is see-ing the progress that has beenmade there," said Lt. Col. ScottBleichwehl, the Public AffairsOfficer for the 1st CavalryDivision.

For others, this deploy-ment offers the opportunity toserve their country in its timeof need.

"I was fully aware before Ijoined the Army there was apossibility of being deployed toIraq or Afghanistan," said Spc.

Micheal Townsend, a humanintelligence specialist withHeadquarters Company,Division Special TroopsBattalion, 1st Cavalry Division."I joined during a time of warand I understood that. I came into do something not manyAmericans get a chance to do.

"My family members haveserved and told their stories andI feel like it's my turn," he said.

The 1st Brigade CombatTeam, located at Fort Hood,Texas, and 4th Brigade CombatTeam, from Fort Bliss, Texas,was not included in theannouncement.

"The 1st and 4th Brigadeswill continue to train and pre-pare themselves to deployshould they be ordered to doso," Fil said. The 1st AirCavalry Brigade and the 15thSupport Brigade receivedorders to deploy last Novemberand are also scheduled todepart for Iraq later this year.

Now with their marchingorders, an air of confidence sur-rounds the Cav, as the men andwomen of Americas First Teamdraw closer to deployment.

"I am really excitedbecause that's what being in theArmy is about, being deployedand serving your country,"Yeargin said.

said that one of the highlights of his expe-riences here was watching Soldiers go tothe Joint Readiness Training Center andthe National Training Center and succeedafter the division's transformation.

"To see them go out there and to per-form so well in both those places has beenan extremely gratifying experience," Troysaid. "We really had to take this divisionand build it all back up …and it has provedto be a powerful fighting force. To see that

makes me confident in what the divisionwill do in the future and proud of what allwe have accomplished."

He said that pride will stay with him ashe makes his way northwest.

"It is time now to take this patch offmy arm, but it will always be in my heart,"Troy said

Troy is being replaced by Brig. Gen.Vincent Brooks, the former chief of U.S.Army Public Affairs.

CCaavv SSaayyss FFaarreewweellll ttoo DDeeppuuttyy CCGG ffoorr SSuuppppoorrtt

(Photo by Sgt. Colby Hauser, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, Jr., commanding general of the 1stCavalry Division, addresses his Troops during a cere-mony on the First Team's Cooper Field.

News July 7, 2006

News of First Team DeploymentOOrrddeerrss FFoolllloowweedd bbyy SSttoopp LLoossssBy Spc. Joshua McPhie1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Close on the heels of theDepartment of Defense'sannouncement that most unitsfrom the 1st Cavalry Divisionwould be deploying to Iraqlater this year came the notifi-cation that several of thoseunits would now fall under theStop Loss Program.

The division's 15thSustainment Brigade and 1stAir Cavalry Brigade have bothbeen under Stop Loss for sever-al months, while 2nd BrigadeCombat Team and the 1stCavalry Division's headquar-ters company have justreceived stop loss notification.

"Stop Loss turns off sepa-ration and allows commandersto retain combat power," saidChief Warrant Officer 4Richard Litle, chief of enlistedmanagement and personnelreadiness for the division's per-sonnel section.

Stop Loss lasts for the 12-month deployment as well as90 days before the deploymentand 90 days after the deploy-ment, Litle said.

"Stop loss affects everyoneexcept the people the Armycan't use in their current med-ical condition or people theArmy needs somewhere else,"Litle said.

Soldiers aren't withoutrecourse if they think they havea situation that should let themremain unaffected by StopLoss.

"Soldiers are alwaysauthorized to request anexemption to policy from their

S-1," Litle said. "It's not goingto be recommended forapproval unless they have areally good reason."

Stop Loss is somethingStaff Sgt. Joseph Wilson, ahuman resources noncommis-sioned officer with 3rdBattalion, 82nd Field ArtilleryRegiment, 2nd BrigadeCombat Team, has already hadfirst-hand experience. He wasplanning to leave the Armyuntil his unit fell under StopLoss during the first OperationEnduring Freedom rotation toAfghanistan.

"I felt like the Army didwhat they did because they

really needed us," Wilson said."I wasn't happy about it, but Iwasn't mad."

Being unable to leave theArmy turned out to be a goodthing for Wilson.

"I realized the Army need-ed Soldiers," he said. "It afford-ed me the opportunity to stepup to the plate."

Wilson decided to reenlistand stay in the Army. His cur-rent enlistment runs through2010. Stop Loss not only pre-vents Soldiers from getting outof the Army, it also keepsSoldiers from moving to a newunit or duty station until afterthe deployment ends, Litle

said. Retaining Soldiers letsunits stay at full strength with-out having to introduce newSoldiers into the unit right asthey deploy, and keeps the unittogether throughout the deploy-ment.

"It allows experiencedSoldiers to train newer Soldiersinstead of replacing them withnew Soldiers," Wilson said.

"It's not personal," Litlesaid. "It's a strategic option thatcommanders need to fill com-bat operations."

Spc. Terrance Frye anadministration specialist withHeadquarters and HeadquartersCompany, 15th SustainmentBrigade, is one of the Soldierswhose plans have changedbecause of Stop Loss.

"I'm not able to change my(military occupational special-ty)," Frye said. "To be able tochange, I have to go to school,and I don't have the luxury of

(Photo by Spc. Joshua McPhie, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division's headquarters company stand in formation asthey prepare to go on a run. The company is one of the units recently added to the divi-sion's Stop Loss list. The list also includes the 15th Sustainment Brigade, 1st AirCavalry Brigade, 2nd and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams.

See Stop Loss Page 25

“Stop Loss affects everyone except thepeople the Army can’t use in their currentmedical condition or people the Armyneeds somewhere else.”

Cheif Warrent Officer 4 Richard Litle Cheif of Enlisted Management and

Personnel Readiness

News July 7, 2006

FFiirrsstt TTeeaamm’’ss DDSSTTBB HHoossttss MMaassssiivvee NNCCOO IInndduuccttiioonnBy Pfc. Jeffrey Ledesma1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Ordinarily there are only ten to 15inductees in a noncommissioned officerinduction ceremony, said 1st Sgt. RodneyCooper of the Command Post Detachment,Company A, Division Special TroopsBattalion, 1st Cavalry Division. However,this one was slightly different.

Sixty-seven sergeants were officiallywelcomed into the NoncommissionedOfficer Corps at ceremony in the IronhorseFitness Center on Fort Hood June 29.

Cooper explained that because of pastdeployments, the battalion had many ser-geants that needed to be recognized fortheir desire and ability to lead. Some ofthese Soldiers have been sergeants formore than a year without being officiallyinducted.

"These noncommissioned officers arehere to cross the line and be recognized asthe new members of the corps," Coopersaid. "They are no longer just a Soldier, buta leader of Soldiers."

Cooper, the coordinator of the ceremo-

ny, added that tradition is a huge part of theinduction ceremony.

In upholding the long-lived traditions ofthe corps, Soldiers, specialists and below, saton one side of the gymnasium and noncom-missioned officers on the other.

According to Cooper, the physical divi-sion between the two is to make NCOsunderstand that they are no longer just aSoldier, but a role model with responsibili-ties.Cooper said that the significance of theseparation of the NCOs and the lowerenlisted is not only to recognize Soldierswho have proven ready to transition intothe corps, but motivate the lower rankingSoldiers to do so themselves.

The guest speaker Command Sgt. Maj.Mark Joseph advised members of the corpsto continue to live the NCO creed and beaware that they are always being watchedand followed by the Soldiers they lead.

"I understand that all my Soldiers lookup to me, and that everything I do is beingwatched and has its effects," said Sgt.Jennifer Butka an inductee with the 1stCavalry Division Band. "If my Soldierssee me continuously trying to do some-

thing good, they will strive to do good andvice versa. As an NCO, I set the example,and I have to live by that each and everyday."

She added that consequently Soldiersare a reflection of their leaders.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Mosessaid that watching new Soldiers step up tobecome leaders reminds makes him proudto be an NCO.

"It makes me think about the leaderswho mentored me and each of the SoldiersI have lead in my career, and it leaves mefeeling great to be a part of that passingdown of knowledge and pride," Mosessaid.

Cooper said that the responsibility totransfer knowledge starts as soon as aSoldier pins on the rank of sergeant, andthis event was a celebration of what it tookto get to that point.

At the end of the ceremony, traditioncontinued as flocks of fellow NCOs andfuture NCOs congratulated the newinductees for proving themselves worthyof becoming a part of the time honoredcorps, "The Backbone of the Army."

(Photo by Pfc. Jeffrey Ledesma, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

A column of noncommissioned officers recite the NCO oath during the Division’s Special Troops Battalion induc-tion ceremony into the NCO Corps at the Ironhorse Fitness Center on Fort Hood June 29.

Ironhorse July 7, 2006

IIrraaqqii TTeeaacchheess CCaavv SSoollddiieerrss CCoommmmoonn CCoouurrtteessiieessBy Spc. L.B. Edgar7th MPAD Public Affairs

FORT POLK, La. - The Soldiers ofForward Support Company F, 2nd Battalion,5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade CombatTeam, 1st Cavalry Division, are in a class,which might just save their lives one day.However, it does not cover squad tactics, useof their weapons systems or first aid. Ratherit focuses on the culture of Iraq. The lesson:cultural awareness, the classroom: the JointReadiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La.,and their teacher: Ismat Al-Shimmary, a for-mer Iraqi citizen now living in the U.S.

Bridging the cultural gap between Iraqisand Americans is all in a day's work for Al-Shimmary, he said.

"When there is distance (misunder-standing) between Iraqis and Americans, itmeans they don't understand each other. Wehave to find a way to make them closetogether," Al-Shimmary said.

Al-Shimmary, who immigrated to theU.S. in 1993 from the Iraqi town of Cut andnow resides in Michigan, is proud of teach-ing Soldiers and translating for them. Somuch so, he travels 24 hours by bus eachmonth to do so, he said.

"I feel like I'm doing something goodfor both sides," Al-Shimmary said. "I'mdoing something for my country and forAmerica."

Cultural awareness training is importantfor Cav Soldiers because the mission theyfaced last time around is not the same mis-sion they may face this time down range,said Capt. Jason Kahne, company com-mander, FSC F, 2nd Bn., 5th Cav. Regt.

"We're going to have to be a little moresensitive to the changes that have taken placein the year-and-a-half since we've beenthere," Kahne said.

The changes in Iraq directly affect units'approaches to accomplishing the mission,said 1st Sgt. Joseph Cannon, FSC F, and 2ndBn., 5th Cav. Regt.

"The first time we went over there itwas more battle driven," Cannon said. "Thistime we have to be a little smarter. Eventhough we are still at war, it is part humani-tarian… It is part of our job to win the trustand confidence of Iraqi civilians."

Earning the trust and confidence of the

Iraqi people "starts with just being polite -showing them they matter and they're peopletoo, instead of just looking at them as every-one being an enemy," Cannon said. "We'vegot to use words like please and words youwould use in everyday language with any-one without being pushy. Just being courte-ous and talking to them will help a lot."

Cultural awareness training dispels thestereotypes Soldiers may have acquired byletting them see a living, breathing Iraqi,who is not the enemy, but rather an ally.

One part of the cultural awareness train-ing is language based. Al-Shimmary encour-ages Soldiers to use what he calls "magicwords," When Soldiers speak words likehello, please and thank you, in Arabic, theyimprove cultural understanding betweenIraqis and Americans. Saying words, likeexcuse me, can change the mind of the Iraqipeople, Al-Shimmary said.

Al-Shimmary shares information on theculture of Iraq with the Soldiers, said Kahne.

"The exposure to the culture, to knowthat certain things are taboo or things are dif-ferent from our culture… (is) what will helpus when we're actually in those scenarios inIraq," Kahne said. "Being able to understand

where the people, who we are interactingwith, are coming from and understanding,that the way we conduct ourselves maychange the situation for the better or for theworse (is important). To understand that (aidsthe mission), so when we find ourselves inthose situations we can do the right things."

Cultural awareness is one area whereSoldiers can exercise sensitivity to Iraqisthrough respect of their customs and courte-sies, Al-Shimmary said.

Other common courtesies include notchewing gum during meetings, taking offsunglasses to let the listener see one's eyesand taking food when offered by a host,even if one does not intend to eat it, Al-Shimmary said.

The task for the unit commander is tofoster good relations toward coalitionforces, without making any guarantees tothe sheikh or mayor, Al-Shimmary said.

"Having interpreters here is a huge ben-efit. Dealing with someone in a foreign lan-guage and making the deliberate speech,sentence and question structure to properlyconvey what you need across to someone ofanother language; actually using an inter-preter helps with that," Kahne said.

(Photo by Spc. L. B. Edgar, 7th MPAD Public Affairs)

Ismat Al-Shimmary, a cultural advisor and translator, and Capt. JasonKahne, company commander of the Forward Support Company F, 2ndBattalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment go over the next day's route for the combatconvoy operations lane at Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La.


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By Spc. L.B. Edgar7th MPAD Public Affairs

FORT POLK, La. - Thewall stands firm even thoughyou lean heavily against it. Itholds your entire stack up. Youfeel your stack leader in frontof you move. Without thinkingyou follow, your whole teammoving as one into the room.

Each member scans theirappropriate sector of fire forthreats, ready to react to theunknown waiting inside.

Proficient stack teams prac-tice tirelessly, so when the timecomes to move as one, they areall on the same page, said Sgt.1st Class Shawn Griffon, pla-toon sergeant, 2nd Platoon,Company C, 2nd Battalion, 5thCavalry Regiment, 1st BrigadeCombat Team, 1st CavalryDivision. Stacks are all aboutbeing coordinated with the manin front of you, knowing whenhe is going to move and not, hesaid.

"We always stay onstacks," when entering a build-ing, Griffon said.

To develop the necessaryskills for missions requiringstack movements, 2nd Platoonexecutes a line drill. A piece ofstring spread straight across theground serves as a line.

"The line represents thewall and the stack team patrolsdown the wall," Spc. SlyBlackbird, platoon member,2nd Plt., Co. C, 2-5 Cav., said.

The drill simultaneouslydevelops hand and eye coordi-nation while using the M-4rifle, which is critical for closequarters combat, Griffon said.

The line drill is also anexercise in muzzle awareness.

The drill trains Soldiers not topoint or pass a weapon overother Soldiers.

"It makes us stay alert andalso stresses muzzle aware-ness," Blackbird said.

Muzzle awareness isimportant because of theextreme close quarters of clear-ing rooms, Griffon said.

Since the space in closequarters combat is so limited, itis essential that Soldiers knowtheir sectors of fire. The linedrill helps define sectors of fire.

"It teaches us what our sec-tors of fire are," Blackbird said.

The first Soldier in thestack scans the front because heis the first to be engaged. Thesecond Soldier covers 45degrees to the side of the firstSoldier.

The third Soldier scanshigh and the fourth man scansto the rear of the stack team,

Blackbird said.Two-man stacks are used

for small rooms and three andfour-man stacks are used forlarger rooms. No more thanfour Soldiers ever compose astack. One-man stacks are onlyused in training, as a warm-up,

Griffon said."It makes us work as a

team and makes sure we haveteam chemistry," Blackbirdsaid. "I'm a lot more comfort-able because we work as ateam. It gives me more com-fort, knowing I can trust theguy behind me and they cancount on me."

The purpose of the line drillfor 2nd Platoon is improvedinfantry skills, since they are alltrained as tankers, not infantry-men. Since tankers were throwninto an infantry role, they aretrying their best to speed up theirinfantry skills to become moreeffective on the battlefield inclose quarter settings, Griffonsaid. Normally the tankers ridein an M1A1 or M1A2 Abramstank, now 2nd Platoon's Soldiersride in Humvees, not tanks andfire M-4s, not the Abrams' maincanon, Blackbird said.

"We're normally tankers.This is a big transition for us,learning these dismounted tac-tics," Blackbird said.

(Photo by Spc. L.B. Edgar, 7th MPAD Public Affairs)

Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Griffon, center, platoon sergeant,Spc. Josh Kirby, platoon member, and Spc. WilliamLane, platoon member, all with 2nd Platoon, CompanyC, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment practice the linedrill, moving as a stack along a simulated wall onForward Operating Base Anvil, Joint ReadinessTraining Center, Fort Polk, La.


TTeexxaann CCuullttuurraall AAddvviissoorr SShhoowwss CCaavvTTrrooooppss tthhee RReeaalliittyy iinn RRoollee-PPllaayyiinnggBy Spc. Sheena Reyes1st BCT Public Affairs

FORT POLK, La. - Some 1st BrigadeCombat Team, 1st Cavalry Divisiontroopers occasionally thought of homewhile they trained at the Joint ReadinessTraining Center in Fort Polk, La., but theyprobably did not know that there was a lit-tle taste of Texas in Barzan Saeed. Thisproud Dallas Texan took his job as a cul-tural advisor and interpreter at JRTC seri-ously.

As those Ironhorse troops took JRTCby storm last May they came into contactwith role-players just like Saeed addedsome authenticity to high speed training.

"As a role-player I can serve as aninterpreter that aids units as they entertowns and villages," Saeed said. "I canalso play a civilian that lives in a village,the mayor of a village or an insurgent."

When units took their convoys to vil-lages, they could request an interpreter tocommunicate their mission to the village'smayor and people.

As villagers, these advisors couldgive up information to units based on how

they are treated during the scenario. By playing insurgent's they made

trouble for Soldiers by distracting themfrom their mission.

Nizar Salih from Atlanta, Ga., one ofthe 11 role-players, understands howimportant his job is to the Army's missionin Iraq.

"If you are going to a different coun-try you have to understand the culturethere or else the people there might mis-understand your intentions," Salih said. "Ilove my job because I know that myefforts are helping these Soldiers comeback home safely."

Though the job had its challengesrestricting the advisors to the training site20 days at a time throughout each rota-tion, Saeed explained why he enjoyedmaking his contribution.

"You meet thousands of people andwe've made a lot of friends not only in theother role players that work here but withthe Soldiers that we're helping," Saeedsaid, while pulling a Soldier's businesscard out of his pocket which he receivedlast rotation.

Saeed's dedication to helping U.S.

forces has spanned into years of hardwork, a countless number of tests andmonths of instruction which is not uncom-mon among these advisors.

"In 1996 the U.S. brought hundredsof Kurdish and Arabic people to Guamand then to America so that they couldserve as interpreters for the military,"Saeed said. "I was one of those peopleand I had to take several language testsand English classes as well as undergovarious medical exams and backgroundchecks."

Saeed was not accepted due to med-ical reasons and went back to Iraq but hisefforts did not stop there.

During the beginning of OperationIraqi Freedom Saeed decided to take amore direct approach.

"One day I went to the gate of one ofthe U.S. bases in Iraq and I asked if Icould be an interpreter. The guard firstasked me where I was from and I told himDallas, TX," Saeed said with a laugh. "Heasked me why I was so far away fromhome and I explained everything to himand soon I was an interpreter for the AirForce and the Army's Special Forces."

Despite some cultural differences,Saeed understands all too well the conceptof sacrifice for one's country and theheartbreak of being far from home.

While he helps prepare Soldiers foran ordeal that will take them farther awayfrom their families then they may ever be,he himself serves the U.S. just as far awayfrom his own family.

"I have a wife and a daughter that Ihave not seen in six months," Saeed said."They are in Iran with the rest of my fam-ily, but I remember when I first told myfather about getting this job. He was sohappy. He told me that I should work hardto help the Americans, because they haddone so much for us and so many otherfamilies in Iraq. I will continue workinghere as long as they need me because Iwill never take having this freedom inAmerica lightly."

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Black Jack July 7, 2006

EEyyeess aanndd EEaarrss ooff tthhee BBaattttlleeffiieelldd:: TThhee CCaavv SSccoouuttBy Pfc. William Hatton7th MPAD Public Affairs

FORT IRWIN, Calif. - Just imaginesitting in the hot sun for hours, maybe evendays. The wind is blowing hard in yourface. All you can taste in your water and inyour food is sand. Your mission is to pullreconnaissance in an unfamiliar land. Youstrain your mind trying to stay focused onthe mission at hand, but the elements makeit difficult.

After watching the enemy for days,the observations you sent forward save thelives of hundreds that pass through the ter-rain you scouted. Those lives equal a jobwell done for the cavalry scouts in the 4thRegiment, 9th Battalion, 2nd BrigadeCombat Team.

"Cav Scouts are the eyes and ears ofthe battlefield," said Pfc. Joshua D. Olson,a scout with Troop C, 4th Squadron, 9thCavalry Regiment. "We have to see every-thing on the battlefield, and not to be seenat the same time."

He said to be able to do this, a Soldierneeds to be focused, strong, and be able tohunt, hide, and track the enemy. "CavScouts are the closest thing to being a

superhero," said Olson."To be a Cav Scout you need to be

flexible and ready for anything," said Pvt.Sherman W. Fort, Troop C, 4-9 Cav.

"A Cav Scout is a jack of all trades,"said 1st Lt. Jesse G. Prince, Troop C, 4-9Cav. "He has to have knowledge in somany areas to be able to complete the mis-sion."

Fort said that he tries to keep his mindclear and focused on the mission at hand,adding that if he keeps his mind focused heis confident that everything will be alrightand safe.

"One of the most important things is topay attention," said Olson. "It's the littlethings that really make the difference."

"If you're not paying attention, it willget you in the end," he said.

Just as it's important to be aware ofwhat's going on around you, it's importantto prepare for the fight.

"One of the most important thingsabout my job is making sure all mySoldiers are trained and ready to fight,"Prince said. "This is so that everyone cancome home safely."

Prince said even though some of thethings Cav Scouts do is hard, one thing he's

learned is that all soldiers are trainable.Teamwork is an important aspect of

the job. "It's definitely a team effort outthere," said Sgt. Shawn Vadenik, CompanyC, 4-9 Cav "If the driver isn't doing well,then I'm not going to be able to get a goodfiring position."

During missions it's important to relyon your battle buddies, Fort said. "It's notjust me I have to worry about when I'm outhere. My buddies are relying on me forhelp," Fort added.

"I really love the brotherhood and fel-lowship. Everyone just bonds togetherwhile we're out here," said Olson. "Youreally see it throughout the chain of com-mand. You see it from the lowest private tothe commander, and you just know we'reall working together," Olson added.

The connection between Soldiers andleaders is important to the scouts. " I ' l lfollow my leaders anywhere because Ihave a lot of faith in their leadership.They've taught me the things I need toknow to survive," Fort said.

"Charley Company, 4-9 Cav is like asecond family to me," Fort said.

So the next time you go out on a con-voy, just know that somewhere in the train-ing area, the cavalry scouts of 4-9 Cavmight be watching you.

(Photos by Pfc. William Hatton, 7th MPAD Public Affairs)

Spc. Steven Martinson, Troop C, 4th Regiment, 9th Cavalry Battalion, 2ndBrigade Combat Team pulls security for his team during a raid on a mocktown at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif.

Pfc. Brian Ellis, from Troop C, 4thRegiment, 9th Cavalry Battalion, 2ndBrigade Combat Team searches forimprovised explosives devices atthe National Training Center at FortIrwin, Calif.


Spartan MPs Take Out Target During RaidBy Staff Sgt. Kap Kim2nd BCT Public Affairs

FORT IRWIN, Calif. -Deprived of sleep, hungry anddirty from a previous mission,the 2nd Brigade Special TroopsBattalion, 1st Cavalry Division'smilitary policemen showed littlerestrain as they entered their lastmission in the town of Ain Gharin a room-to-room search for ahigh-value target, June 9.

The MP platoon took a teamof approximately 50 soldiers andabout 10 vehicles into the small,simulated town. As the teamsstormed into the NationalTraining Center's mock town tofind insurgent leader MohammadRasheed and his security team,the radio traffic told the story of aswift operation of door-kickingand quick shooting.

The road leading into thetown was rough and was sprin-kled with grapefruit-sized stones.In a plan laid out by the platoon

leader, 2nd Lt. Erin Brantley, thevehicles slowly crept up to thefirst set of buildings. Two guntrucks, armed with larger calibermachine guns, provided coverfor the two dismounted, room-clearing teams. The two separateteams took on a bounding over-watch-type of clearing. On eitherside of the town, a few otherteams supplied support with theirgun trucks.

The teams cleared all thebuildings in town until theyentered the room with Rasheed,a dummy-target. A few shots tohis chest ended his life.Afterward, the MPs left the townin the same fashion as theyentered, and with no friendlycasualties.

In their first after-actionreview, Capt. Jason Marquiss,the senior MP trainer, told theMPs that they were usingSpecial Reaction Team tacticsduring their mission, and thatmaybe they should use urban

operations tactics learned fromcurrent Iraqi theater operations.

"Approximately 80 to 90percent of their Soldiers havecompleted Special ReactionsTeam training. So we are tryingto create the environment forthem to continue to practice

those skills as an MP platoonand build unit cohesion," hesaid. "What we are experiencingis their SRT training is not com-pletely mirroring up with whatwe would consider a standardurban operation event. So ourobservations are focusing moreon the differences in their spe-cialized training and a standardurban operation training event."

Having been an MP compa-ny commander during OperationIraqi Freedom II, Marquiss addedsome of his personal deploymentexperience to the MPs.

"Our job, here at the NTC, isto set the conditions in the sce-nario and to meet the missionobjectives," Marquiss said, "Wedo that with doctrine, TTPs alongwith deployment experience."

After their first iteration'safter-action review, the MPsregrouped and rehearsed a newplan which incorporatedMarquiss' input. Their new planproved to be more efficient andmet their mission objective ofidentifying their target and(Photos by Staff Sgt. Kap Kim, 2nd BCT Public Affairs)

A military police team from the 1st Cavalry Division's 2nd Brigade Special TroopsBattalion, prepares to rush into a building during training at the National TrainingCenter in Fort Irwin, Calif., June 9. See Raid Page16

Sgt. Ray Payne (second from the left) and Spc. KristySchiavonne (third) scan the room as their militarypolice team from the 2nd Brigade Special TroopsBattalion, prepares to leave the building. The MPs weregoing through training June 9, at the National TrainingCenter in Fort Irwin, Calif.


Soldiers Take Part in Boxing ChallengeBy Spc. Robert Yde2nd BCT Public Affairs

FORT IRWIN, Calif - After wrappingup their month-long exercise at theNational Training Center, the Fort Irwin'sBoxing Challenge June 13 gave 2ndBrigade Combat Team, 1st CavalryDivision Soldiers a chance to unwindwhile they waited for their return flights toFort Hood.

"It's a good way to end the rotation,"said Lt. Col. Patrick Matlock, 4thSquadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment com-mander, as he watched while 11 of hisSoldiers jumped into the ring.

Organized by Fort Irwin's Morale,Welfare and Recreation office, the boxingchallenge showcased ten, three-roundfights and drew a large audience, asSoldiers filled the bleachers to watch theirfellow Soldiers slug it out.

"I really like boxing, so its fun to seeSoldiers in the ring," said Pfc. LorenzoByrd, a light-wheel vehicle mechanic with4-9 Cav.

Evidently, Byrd was not the only per-son who liked boxing, as there were fewempty seats left in the fitness center.

"Look up there," said Command Sgt.Major James Daniels, 4-9 Cav's top non-commissioned officer, pointing to thecrowd, "The majority of our troops are hereto support them."

The first match of the night featuredPfc. Tyler Burdette and Pfc. JordanWilmes, both from Troop C, 4-9 Cav.

"It just sounded fun," said Burdette, aHumvee gunner, explaining why he choseto fight.

Burdette said the fight was a chance torelease a little aggression, and he just hap-pened to be fighting his friend Wilmes,also a Humvee gunner, because the boxerswere matched up by weight.

Wilmes was declared the winner of thefirst bout, but according to Daniels, all ofthe participants were winners.

"We had a lot of winners and really nolosers, because the guys gave their heartand their all-and-all," Daniels said.

Daniels added that Troop C. is themost aggressive unit in the brigade, and

that his Soldiers were very eager to partic-ipate in the fights.

"Our guys were motivated when theyheard about the boxing match," Danielsexplained. "They all wanted to get in it."

Staff Sgt. Damien Crawford, a cavalryscout with Troop C, 4-9 Cav. agreed withDaniels assessment. .

"This is just how we are." Crawfordsaid. "We're scouts, we love to do hooahstuff and here we are."

For Crawford, who began boxing inKuwait in 1998, the event offered him achance to do what he loves.

"I stepped in the ring and fell in lovewith it," the Orlando, Fla. native said."Once I returned to Fort Hood, I tried outfor the boxing team and made it, and it'sbeen a love of mine ever since."

At one time, Crawford harbored ambi-tions of turning his hobby into a career,even spending a year training at a pro-camp.

Although his career never material-

ized, his love of the sport has not dimin-ished.

"A lot of guys have never done itbefore and I encouraged them to give it atry," Crawford said, "It's a wonderfulsport."

While Crawford had little difficultywith his opponent, other Soldiers were notso fortunate.

"I got pummeled," Pvt. NicholasWansten said after his match.

Wansten, another scout, was on thelosing end of what was the night's bloodi-est fight.

"I think maybe he had a little moreexperience," Wansten said. "I don't know -I don't have much."

And while the outcome of the fightwas not what he had hoped for, Wanstensaid he had fun, and was especially pleasedwith the turnout.

"Sport events help bring the communi-ty together and make Soldiers more moti-vated," Wansten said.

(Photo by Spc. Robert Yde, 2nd BCT Public Affairs)

Pvt. Nicholas Wansten, (right) a cavalry scout with 4th Squadron, 9thCavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team is the recipient of a fierceblow to the face during Fort Irwin's Boxing Challenge June 13. The eventfeatured ten bouts, and helped "Black Jack" Soldiers, who both participat-ed and attended, unwind before returning to Fort Hood from their month-long National Training Center rotation.


TTrraaiinniinngg IInnssppiirreess TTrrooooppss ttoo MMaassss RReeeennlliissttBy Spc. Robert Yde2nd BCT Public Affairs

FORT IRWIN, Calif. - Afternearly a month of battling heat,fatigue and opposing forces atthe National Training Center, 14Soldiers from the 2nd BrigadeCombat Team, 1st CavalryDivision took part in a massreenlistment ceremony June 11,officiated by "Black Jack" com-mander Col. Bryan Roberts.

"It's a great day," Robertstold his Soldiers. "The onlything that could have made itbetter was if your familiescould have been here."

"We appreciate the oppor-tunity to do this with you asyour second family," he added.

The mass reenlistment cer-emony was part of a package ofreenlistment incentives offeredby the brigade's retentionoffice. Soldiers were also givena choice between taking a day-trip to Las Vegas or receiving aseat on the first flight back toFort Hood.

The idea for the incentivespackage was borrowed fromthe 25th Infantry Division,which was rotating out of theNTC when the "Black Jack"Brigade arrived, and had suc-cess with a similar package.

"It helps the commandmake its mission and givessomething back to the Soldiers,"explained Master Sgt. RandyKuhnau, the brigade's seniorcareer counselor.

While the Soldiersacknowledged that they appre-ciate the incentives, each ofthem had their own reasons forreenlisting,

"My brother kind ofpushed me to reenlist," saidPfc. Michael Zimmerman, acombat engineer withCompany E. 1st Battalion, 5th

Cavalry Regiment. The Martinez, Calif. native

added, "He says it's good for meto spend a couple more years inthe Army; see what I can do - Imight enjoy it and stay."

For other Soldiers, like

Spc. Derek Tucker, a trackvehicle mechanic with Co. E.1-5 Cav., family obligationswere the main motivation toreenlist.

Tucker, who is originallyfrom Gary, Ind., and has two

children and a monthly mort-gage, said that staying in theArmy was in his family's bestinterest. Some Soldiers justlike the Army lifestyle.

"I enjoy what I do,"explained Sgt. JermaineWisdom, the unit supply ser-geant for Co. E. 1-5 Cav. "Ienjoy the military."

The native of Opelika, Ala.has spent 12 years in the mili-tary - six in the Army and six inthe Marine Corps, and said thathe is "going to stick with ituntil the end."

A Soldier's decision to reen-list is not only a reflection of hisbeliefs, but also a reflection ofhis respective unit and its leader-ship, according to Roberts.

"What its saying is that theunit is doing the right thing,"Roberts said. "That it's doingthe right thing for you and foryour family and that you wantto stay a part of it. It's a greatday for the Army.”

(Photo by Spc. Robert Yde, 2nd BCT Public Affairs)

Col. Bryan Roberts, commander of the 2nd BrigadeCombat Team, states the oath of reenlistment to four-teen 2nd Brigade Combat Team Soldiers at the NationalTraining Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., June 11.

(Photo by Spc. Robert Yde, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)

Welcome Home on Daddy’s DayFamily, friends and even pets welcome home Soldiers with the 2nd “BlackJack” Brigade Combat Team on Father’s Day, June 18, after a month-longdeployment to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.

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By Spc. Alexis Harrison 2nd BCT Public Affairs

After a month-long stay inthe dusty desert of Fort Irwin,Calif., the 2nd Brigade CombatTeam, 1st Cavalry Divisionarrived home to high praises ofits performance.

Recently, the "Black Jack"Brigade was awarded high hon-ors for its successful tour at theNational Training Center. Thebrigade's rotation through NTCwas not only a huge success; ithas also been called the safestrotation in the last decade.

"The Operations GroupSafety Manager at Ft. Irwinsaid it was the safest rotationthrough NTC he'd seen in 10years," said Wendell Moore,the 2nd BCT safety manager."When leaders actively engagein safety and risk management,accidents don't happen.Without leadership involve-ment, the outcome of this rota-tion could've been very differ-ent."

But it wasn't. The brigade suffered a

below-average amount ofminor injuries, and almost noserious injuries, but mostimportantly, no lives were lostduring any of the operationsbefore, during and after therotation through NTC.

"Whether they were killingthe bad guys or uploadingtrains, our guys were motivatedto do the right thing," said Maj.Lance Moore, 1st Battalion, 8thCavalry Regiment's executiveofficer.

The 1-8 Cav. "Mustangs"were tasked with the uploadingand downloading all of thebrigade's equipment at the

Marine Corps Logistic Base'sYermo Annex in Barstow,Calif.

Maj. Moore said the opera-tions were completed withalmost 100% accuracy andsafety, and the 1-8 Cav."Mustangs" were incrediblyproud of the daunting task theyhad accomplished.

During operations, every-one from the brigade com-mander down to the junior-enlisted Soldiers was under theclose watch of observer/ con-trollers.

The OC's looked at thingslike operations during convoymovements, performance onimprovised explosive devicetraining lanes, and over-all per-formance. They gauged per-formance by looking at thestandards expected and howwell the Soldiers performaccording to those standards.

Mr. Moore said the OC'spraised the brigade's convoy

briefs, good use of risk assess-ments and range operations.They saw how well theSoldiers were focused and werevery impressed.

(Photos by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT Public Affairs)

With a little civilian supervision, a Soldier from the 1stCavalry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team guides amassive M-1 Abrams tank onto a railcar headed for theNational Training Center at Fort. Irwin, Calif. The "BlackJack" Brigade was given a safety award for its opera-tions during the safest NTC rotation in the last decade.

A Soldier from the 1st Cavalry Division's 2nd BrigadeCombat Team finishes securing an M-1 Abrams tank toa railcar headed for the National Training Center at Ft.Irwin, Calif. The "Black Jack" Brigade was given a safe-ty award for its operations during its NTC rotation.

"The Observer Controllersor OC's gave lots of compli-ments on our performance,"said Mr. Moore. "They couldsee how well focused thisgroup of Soldiers was."

Keeping Soldiers focusedis one of the keys to success,according to Mr. Moore.

"This training develops apositive habit transfer for whenwe do the real thing," Mr.Moore said. "Things like buck-ling your seat belt, wearingyour flak vest, carrying yourweapon properly are all part ofknowing the standard. It'sabout keeping the Soldiers'heads in the game."

With the Department ofDefense announcing "BlackJack's" upcoming deploymentoverseas Maj. Moore said thatsuccess in training operationscan translate into confidencewhen the brigade goes to do thereal thing later this year.


VVoolluunntteeeerrss SSeellff-SSaaccrriiffiiccee RReewwaarrddeedd bbyy tthhee DDiivviissiioonnBy Spc. Robert Yde2nd BCT Public Affairs

"Her service is invaluable to the fami-lies of this company," said Capt. DavidPrice, explaining the role that SimoneDePrater, his company's Family ReadinessGroup Leader has played.

"She does great work," added Price,commander of Company B, 2nd BrigadeSpecial Troops Battalion, 1st CavalryDivision. "She gives up a whole lot of hertime for the company."

For all of the time and effort that shehas dedicated to Company B's FRG,DePrater was recognized at the FirstTeam's monthly Distinguished Service andWelcome ceremony, which was held on thedivision parade field June 27.

One Soldier or family member fromeach of the division's battalions received aplaque recognizing them as that battalion'svolunteer of the month.

Representing the "Black Jack"Brigade along with Deprater were Capt.John Gilliam from 4th Squadron, 9thCavalry Regiment, Dawn Golden from1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, JenniferGaspard from 3rd Battalion, 82nd FieldArtilley, Becci Rindahl from 1stBattalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment andSamantha Roberts from the 15th BrigadeSupport Battalion.

Like DePrater, most of volunteers whowere recognized are involved in theirspouses' unit FRG.

Golden, the FRG leader for CompanyA, 1-8 Cav., organized a successfulfundraiser during the brigade's final daysof preparation for its National TrainingCenter rotation.

While "Black Jack" Soldiers spentdays prepping and loading their vehiclesand equipment at Fort Hood's railhead,Golden and other members of CompanyA's FRG were there to sell cold drinks andfood.

Events such as this are what the FRGsare all about, according to Golden.

"We just want to take care of ourSoldiers and their families," she said.

With the brigade recently receivingdeployment orders for later this year, tak-ing care of Soldiers' families will be more

important than ever.Over the course of the next year, the

role of FRG's are going to be critical, saidRoberts, FRG leader for Company A.,15th BSB.

Roberts said she feels well qualified toact as the FRG leader having already beenthrough two deployments to Iraq.

"I've been through it and know what toexpect," explained Roberts. "Right now,one of the main focuses will be to makesure everyone is legally squared away athome, so there are no problems whilethey're [the Soldiers] over there."

Both Golden and Roberts acknowl-edged that "Black Jack" Soldiers can focustheir attention on the mission before them,assured that their families are being takencare of.

"I don't do this for awards," Goldensaid. "I do it because I care about thesefamilies."

(Photos by Spc. Robert Yde, 2nd BCT Public Affairs)

Samantha Roberts shakes hands with the 1st Cavalry Division's deputycommanding general for maneuver, Brig. Gen. John Campbell, after beingpresented with a plaque recognizing her as volunteer of the month for 15thBrigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Roberts, the FRGleader for Co. A., was just one of several Black Jack Brigade volunteersrecognized during the division's monthly award ceremony on Cooper Field.

Dawn Golden, the Family ReadinessGroup leader for Company A, 1-8Cav., 2nd Brigade Combat Team,poses with the 1st Cavalry Division'sdeputy commanding general formaneuver, Brig. Gen. John Cambell.


MMoocckk TTeerrrroorriisstt SSttoommppeedd bbyy TTrrooooppssBy Pvt. Tiffany Mercer7th MPAD Public Affairs

FORT IRWIN, Calif. - The mission:capture or kill a terrorist leader known forhis foul treatment of the local residents andplanting improvised explosive devicesagainst coalition forces. His two bodyguardsshould be with him and are also wanted.

The plan is to move in and accomplishthe objective with as little disruption to the

local population as possible. During theirtraining at the National Training Center inFort Irwin, Calif., the Soldiers with BatteryA, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field ArtilleryRegiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1stCavalry Division, were given this situationMay 30 as a way to prepare them for therealities of Iraq.

Battery A convoyed out to a locationin the middle of the Mojave Desert andreviewed their plan briefing before enter-

ing the town. While carrying out their mis-sion, the troops encountered many differ-ent scenarios. A cast of "Iraqi" citizenswere set up in the town to add to the real-ism. At times they were cooperative, whileother times they became hostile.

"We try to train them everyday tothink, not just to react," said 1st Lt. DanielGomez, the battery's executive officer."And that's just what they did."

"When they were fired upon, theyreturned fire; when they were close to acivilian that was unarmed, they respondedin the right way," Gomez said. "They usedescalation of force properly."

Feeling confident about the job andpersonal reactions is a key factor to com-pleting the mission.

"I personally think I reacted well,because I had no hesitation," said Pvt.Joseph A. Riqueros, a Soldier with 1stPlatoon, Battery A, 3-82 FA.

"All the training we did leading up tothis just adds on, it's just a build up so thatwhen you finally get to where you're goingto be, which is over there (Iraq), you knowexactly what you're doing to a tee," saidRiqueros.

Gomez said the scenarios at NTChelped the troops better understand whatmight happen while down range. He saidhaving Arabic interpreters and Iraqi citi-zens in a town makes the training morerealistic. "It's the best training I've everreceived," Gomez added.

Two Soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd BrigadeCombat Team, litter-carry away an injured ally of the Iraqi Army during lanetraining at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif.

(Photo by Pvt. Tiffany Mercer, 7th MPAD Public Affairs)

HHaanndd-LLaauunncchheedd UUAAVV KKeeeeppss SSoollddiieerrss IInnffoorrmmeeddBy Spc. BeatriceFreeman-Florescu7th MPAD Public Affairs

FORT IRWIN, Calif. - Agroup of 1st Cavalry DivisionSoldiers participated in trainingand integration for the RavenSmall Unmanned AerialVehicle while deployed to theNational Training Center, FortIrwin, Calif.

The Raven SUAV is ahand-launched reconnaissance

and surveillance tool, transmit-ting live airborne video images,compass headings, and locationinformation to a ground controlunit and remote video terminalfor remote reconnaissance andsurveillance, force protection,convoy security, target acquisi-tion, and battle damage assess-ment, according to its opera-tor's manual.

Pfc. Edward Bielefeldt, afield exercise mission com-mander with Headquarters

Troop, 4th Squadron, 9thCavalry Regiment, 2nd BrigadeCombat Team said the Raven'scapabilities enable operators tonavigate, search for targets, rec-ognize terrain, and record infor-mation for analysis.

Joe O'Dell, a senior train-ing and development specialistwith Raytheon, said the sys-tems are used to provide infor-mation to battalion-level units.Down range their mission is tofind the "bad guys" without

putting anybody in harms way.The Raven's silent

approach on the enemy allowsfor surveillance without theenemy's knowledge, explainedPfc. John Hamill, Company C,4-9 Cav who launched andpiloted a Raven system duringthe flight part of the training.

Philip Owen, a UAVIntegration Trainer with Raytheon,said the Raven systems in Iraqhave proven to be extremelyeffective in saving lives.


VVeehhiiccllee MMaaiinnttaaiinneerrss BBrreeaakk RReeccoorrdd aatt NNTTCCBy Pfc. William Hatton7th MPAD Public Affairs

FORT IRWIN, Calif. - Soldiers fromthe 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st CavalryDivision broke the "Regen" Day Fiverecord while training at the NationalTraining Center at Fort Irwin, Calif, inJune.

The "Regen" Day Five is a record oftime it takes to return 500 or less vehiclesdrawn from the NTC.

"Soldiers drew vehicles from railoperations, used them during training andthen returned the vehicles to rail operationswithin the five day timeframe," said Maj.Dale Farrand, executive officer, 15thBrigade Support Battalion, 2nd BCT.

"Black Jack" Soldiers took out 321vehicles from the NTC and returned 99.38percent of the vehicles in the five days des-ignated, Farrand said.

"Soldiers worked around the clockpreparing the vehicles for various inspec-

tions," said 1st Lt. Ebony Thomas, 15th BSB."Each vehicle had to be thoroughly

inspected and sent out on a road test beforegiving a final approval to be turned in. Ifanything was found wrong with a vehicle,they were sent to the mechanics to repairthem," Thomas said.

Soldiers and leaders from the 2nd"Black Jack" Brigade Combat Teamresponsible for setting the RegenDay Five record at the NationalTraining Center with a turn-in per-centage of 99.38 percent.

(Photo by Pfc. William Hatton, 7th MPAD Public Affairs)

One of the steps in the process of turn-ing in the vehicles was returning the train-ing equipment used during the exercise.

"The second we got back from train-ing, our Soldiers went straight to theM.I.L.E.S., Multiple Intergraded LaserEngagement System, return," Thomas said.

"For as much that needed to be doneand the amount of hard work that went intoit all, things went pretty smooth during theturn in," Thomas said.

"The record was broken because of thehard work soldiers put in during the exer-cise, great teamwork and dedicated leader-ship during the return," Farrand said.

The record was held previously by 1st"Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team, 1st CavDiv., and was set in March of 2003. Theprevious record was 99.03 percent.

"One of the reasons the vehicles werereturned so well was because of the greatmaintenance the soldiers kept on all thevehicles while at the NTC," said Lt. Col.Jeffery Vieira, commander, 15th BSB.

killing him."In the first time around, it

wasn't a success - it was a crawlphase," Sgt. LaVan Dawson, anMP team leader said. "As weprogressed in the second andthird iteration, we stepped it up.In the third iteration, I can hon-estly say that I was impressed."

Dawson said he uses hisdeployment experience to helphis Soldiers better understandthe importance of missions likethis one.

"I tell them my experiences,tell them what to expect and letthem know it's all right to messup here because practice makesperfect," he said. "What you dohere is what you'll do downrange. So, as long as you contin-ue to put in a good effort - 110

percent, they'll succeed."Overall, Dawson said the

training event at the NTC wascrucial to their platoon since thisis one of the first times they haveall been together. Back at FortHood they are split up between

different missions. According to Brantley, their

mission of entering buildingscan be tough for many of theirSoldiers because of situationswhere they have to quicklydetermine the difference of com-batants and noncombatants.

"Sometimes, when we enterhomes in Iraq, everyone is calmand respectful to us and verycooperative, and sometime theyare not," she said. "So, this train-ing helps us identify civilians,those who are caught up in themix and don't know really whatis going on, and we can train onhow to deal with those as well asencountering someone who is acombatant - how to deal withthem - how to separate who iscivilian and who is a combatantand how to engage."

According to Brantley, theirMPs have recently been identi-fied to serve as the urban strike

force. She said that that type ofmission will require her MPs tobe both mentally and physicallyconditioned to prepare for thattask.

She said training at theNTC was really important andthat most of all, it went reallywell. Yet, she added, there aresome things they will work on toimprove.

"Of course, there are thingswe need to do to improve, butother than that, there was goodcommunications, good controlwithin the squad leaders,"Brantley said.

As Brantley and herSoldiers prepare to depart fromthe NTC, they will take themany lessons learned over thepast two weeks and continue tobuild upon them at Fort Hood.

"I know that I learned a lot,"Dawson added. "So I know mySoldiers learned a lot."

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(By Staff Sgt. Kap Kim, 2BCT Public Affairs)

A military police teamfrom the 1st CavalryDivision's 2nd BrigadeSpecial Troops Battalion,keeps their eyes open forthe enemy as they leavetown. The MPs were train-ing at the NationalTraining Center in FortIrwin, Calif., June 9.

Grey Wolf July 7, 2006

TTrroooopp NNooww NNaattuurraalliizzeedd AAmmeerriiccaannBy Pfc. Ben Fox3rd BCT Public Affairs

A young man's dream came true whenhe learned he would leave his war-tornnation to live in the United States in June2001. Four years later, a second dream ofhis came true when he was accepted intothe United States Army.

Spc. Elijah Majak, a linguist inHeadquarters Company, 3rd BrigadeCombat Team, 1st Cavalry Divisionachieved yet another goal when he wasnaturalized along with 31 of his peers in aceremony at Howze Theater on Fort Hood,June 23.

Majak was born in Sudan and raised inthe middle of a religious war that has con-sumed the country for decades, he said.

"When we were very young we knewour enemy was coming to kill us," he said.

As he was growing up, Majak said hesaw America through the media and learnedabout it in school, which ignited his dream tosome day live in the United States. Eventhough Majak desired to leave Sudan, hisdream seemed unattainable.

"It looked impossible because you seethe ocean over there. It's a deep ocean to

cross and come here," he said. "Being inAmerica is like a dream to people in otherworlds."

Majak was able to attain his dreamwhen a "good Samaritan" from Americatalked to Sudan's government in 1999 andwas granted permission to fly him and 4other Sudan citizens to America, he said,making them a part of a group of refugeesknown as the "Lost Boys of Sudan."

Majak said he didn't believe he wasactually leaving until he saw the airplane thatwould take him away. This was the end ofalmost two years of frustration and endlesspaperwork.

Finally, Majak made it to America.When Majak arrived in Minnesota, he

was given food stamps, a little money andpapers from the government stating he waslegal to work in the United States.

Immediately, the five "Lost Boys" start-ed working to pay rent for the apartmentthey were sharing. Majak began to attend achurch and became involved in volunteerwork, such as teaching children about thedestructive power of tobacco and drugs.

Despite his great new life, Majak stilldreamed of more. He wanted to be a Soldier.His father had been a Soldier in Sudan's

army and died in combat, he said. He wanted to join the United States

Army for the sense of family and wanted todo his part in serving the new nation he hadcome to love, he said. At the time, though,the Army would not accept him because hedid not have a green card, said Majak.

However, since the need for linguistsincreased, the Army created a new programfour years later that enabled Majak to jointhe armed forces, he said.

After joining the Army, Majak startedthe process to become a citizen, which tookhim almost seven months.

He wanted to be naturalized becauseeven though he was part of the Army com-munity, he didn't feel entirely part of thefamily, he said. He was a foreigner servingin a foreign armed force. Many peoplewould ask him why he served in theAmerican Army even though he was not acitizen, he said. He told them he wanted tohelp the country that helped him so much.After his naturalization ceremony, he said hefelt part of not just the Army family, but theAmerican family as well, since he can nowobtain the rights other citizens share.

"Being an American is like a dream,"Majak said.

(Photos by Pfc. Ben Fox, 3rd BCT Public Affairs)

Spc. Elijah Majak, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, (center) shows his certifi-cate of naturalization to Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Felt, 3rd BCT's topNCO, (left) and Col. David Sutherland, the brigade's commander, after hisnaturalization ceremony June 23. (Left) Spc. Elijah Majak, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, prepares to become anAmerican citizen in a ceremony at Howze Theater, June 23. Majak wasborn in Sudan and arrived in America in June 2001.

Long Knife July 7, 2006

New Company Trains for Detainee OpsBy Sgt. Paula Taylor4th BCT Public Affairs

FORT BLISS, Texas - Voices could beheard throughout the camp from atop theguard tower like whispers in church.

When simulated mortar rounds beganexploding all around them, that whisperturned into a yell.

In an instant, the Soldiers began mov-ing into position.

Poised high above the compound, thetower guard grabbed his weapon and tookcover.

The loud-speaker crackled, and theprison yard was locked down as the troopsfrom Company C, Special TroopsBattalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team,trained in proper procedures of detaineeoperations during their mission rehearsalexercise at McGregor Range June 24.

"The mission of (Company C) is theoperation of a secure facility on the battle-field," said Capt. Anthony Dean, com-mander of Company C. "(The 4th BCTcommander) saw a need for a dedicatedforce for detainee operations in theatre andcreated (Company C) to handle that mis-sion," Dean explained.

In order to create the new company,Dean said each battalion in the 4th BCTwas tasked to provide a certain number oftroops in a specific rank structure.

"We have taken various [militaryoccupational specialties] throughout thebattalions and are teaching them detaineeoperations," Dean said.

The mock prison detainee camp atMcGregor Range, complete with razorwire and guard towers, is operated primari-ly by Soldiers of the 91st Division, Deansaid.

"The Soldiers here are a contingentthat was certified to teach detainee opera-tions through the U.S. Army MilitaryPolice School," Dean said. "USAMPSoffered a train the trainer course inresponse to the abuse allegations from AbuGhraib prison."

Several members of the U.S. ArmyReserves' 647th Area Support Group andthe 1st Brigade, 85th Division were also onhand to assist the 91st Division with train-

ing Company C.The training included 29 classes, a

two-day situational training exercise and amission rehearsal exercise, said Sgt. 1stClass Michael Kalabsa, operations ser-geant, 1st Brigade, 85th Training SupportDivision.

The purpose of the training was toteach Soldiers everything they would needto know about operating a secure facilityfrom the time the detainee enters the com-pound to day-to-day operations, Kalabsaexplained.

Some of the classes and hands-ontraining the troops learned were legal prin-ciples, communication techniques,accountability procedures, unarmed selfdefense, non-lethal weapons, report writ-ing, restraint procedures and contrabandcontrol procedures, Kalabsa said.

"It's been a shock," said Pfc. MichaelCrowe, Bradley fighting vehicle systemmaintainer. "I had a different picture ofwhat it would be like. There are very thor-

ough procedures to follow for every typeof situation."

Sgt. John Dorer, petroleum supplyspecialist said he liked the hand-to-handcombat training the most.

"We learned how to take down prison-ers with the minimal amount of force need-ed to avoid injury to us and the detainees,"Dorer said. "We also learned how to count-er attacks. It was an eye-opener. The train-ing is about giving confidence and knowl-edge on how to do the job properly."

He was not the only one to enjoy thetraining.

"I like it a lot," said Crowe. "The train-ing has been hands-on and helpful. I havelearned a ton. Having a full mock prisonhelps a lot."

With four years experience as a cor-rectional officer, and later, a correctionalsergeant for the state of Alabama prior tocoming back on active duty, Dean felt con-fident his troops would be ready to handletheir mission professionally and properly.

(Photo by Sgt. Paula Taylor, 4th BCT Public Affairs)

Team members of Company C, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade CombatTeam, handcuff an unruly detainee in the special housing unit during aforced cell move at a mock prison detainee facility at McGregor Range at FortBliss, Texas, June 12. The cell move is used as a last resort when a detaineeis acting aggressively and cannot be controlled using any lesser means offorce. The company was created specifically for detainee operations.


1-99 Cav First to Fire at Doña AnaBy Sgt. Paula Taylor4th BCT Public Affairs

FORT BLISS, Texas - Ablast echoed against the moun-tain range as Soldiers from the1st Squadron, 9th CavalryRegiment, 4th Brigade CombatTeam, 1st Cavalry Division,fired mortar rounds at DoñaAna Range June 1.

The goal of the mortarrange was to train until theprocess becomes second natureto the crew members so theycan perform under pressure.

"The 1-9 CAV is the firstto live-fire mortar rounds herein about 15 years," said Sgt. 1stClass Mike Martinez, mortarplatoon sergeant, Troop C, 1stSquadron, 9th CavalryRegiment.

"We're field testing ournew equipment," Martinezsaid. "That way, if anythinggoes wrong, we can work on itbefore we get to the NationalTraining Center.

"We're getting these newcrews working with the for-ward observers for the first

time," he added.As a forward observer

watched the enemy and calledfor fire, his mortar crew

received the call then processedthe call by going through aseries of drills to set up theirgun.

"The gunner uses a displayto match up the numbers, andsays to the squad leader, 'gunup,' and then the command tofire is given," he said.

Martinez said before thecrew could go to the range,they had to take a gunnersexam to identify the best gun-ners.

"The squad leader admin-isters the test and based on theresults, he will identify who isthe strongest, who is the weak-est and who we need to workwith," he said. "Once they getout here, they have to show usthat everything they learnedfrom the gunner's exam theycan apply to real life."

"A lot of these guys arestraight out of basic training

and [advanced individual train-ing] so they didn't have anopportunity to do a live-fireexercise," said Sgt. 1st ClassMalcolm McKinney, mortarsection leader, Troop B, 1stSquadron, 9th CavalryRegiment. "This is definitelygoing to enhance their skillsand gain them confidence inperforming their wartime mis-sion."

McKinney said that by theend of their training period, theplatoon sergeants were confi-dent their crews will be able tosuccessfully accomplish eachtype of mission they could becalled to support and will be animportant asset to thesquadron.

"Since they've been prac-ticing, they will be confident intheir ability to do their missionand process a call for fire," hesaid.

(Photos by Sgt. Paula Taylor, 4th BCT Public Affairs)Pvt. Zachary Tucker, indirect fire infantryman assistant gunner, drops the 120-mm mor-tar round into the smooth-bore barrel during new systems training at Doña Ana Range.

Pvt. Zachary Tucker and Spc. Robert Hurtado take coverafter loading a mortar round into the barrel before theround is fired. The mortar crew uses a series of com-mands to communicate during the loading and firingprocess to avoid dangerous accidents.


NNeeww SShhaaddooww SSwweeeeppeess tthhee NNeeww MMeexxiiccoo DDeesseerrtt By Sgt. Paula Taylor4th BCT Public Affairs

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE,N.M. - The engines wound and kicked up astorm of dust. Over the noise through theheadset, the crew chief heard the com-mand, "Five, four, three, two, one,LAUNCH, LAUNCH, LAUNCH." Hepushed the button and watched as hisunmanned aerial vehicle was catapultedinto the air at nine gravitational forces. Inless than a minute, his aircraft disappearedover the mountain range.

This flight was one of several the UAVPlatoon, Company A, Special TroopsBattalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1stCavalry Division, launched during newsystems training May 18 thru June 16.

The TUAV, a Shadow 200, is a light-weight, rapidly deployable, reconnaissancesystem designed to give commander's aday and night, multi-sensor collection sys-tem, said Warrant Officer Randall Wise,UAV technician, new systems integration

and testing office, Fort Huachuca, Ariz."We're the eyes over the battlefield,"

said Spc. Jacob Vaughn, UAV operator. "Ifwe have a group Soldiers in danger, we canrecon the area faster, more effectively thantroops on the ground. We can see over hillsand around buildings - things that Soldierson the ground would have to put them-selves in danger in order to effectivelycomplete their mission."

Some of the system components arethe Shadow 200 TUAV and payload, aground control station, a tactical automatedlanding system, a launcher, arresting gear,and a remote video terminal. At just over11 feet long with nearly a 13-footwingspan, the Shadow 200 carries the POP200 payload, its main surveillance andreconnaissance system.

The person responsible for operatingthe POP 200 is the mission payload opera-tor. The MPO sits inside a ground controlstation with the pilot to let him knowwhether to slow down, speed up or climbto a higher altitude, explained 2nd Lt.Malikah Johnson, TUAV platoon leader.

Inside the ground control station thepilot and MPO work together to keep eachother informed about what's going on withthe UAV.

Before the Shadow 200 can launch,several preflight checks have to be com-pleted by the crew chief, maintainers and

the operator-pilot."We go through preflight checks and

once we've completed our portion, the oper-ators come out to the launcher and do theirchecks on the bird," McConnaughy said.

Once the aircraft takes flight, the airvehicle operator/pilot steers the plane to itstargets.

"We can tap into the tactical opera-tions center and create real-time video forbattle captains so they can see what's goingon the battlefield," Vaughn said. "We cancall for fire and work with any kind of airsupport whether it is Air Force F-16s,bombers or helicopters."

When the Shadow 200 is ready to landand the mission is complete, the systemuses a tactical automated landing system toland the plane.

"We joke that the TALS is the bestpilot we have," laughed Johnson. "It's fool-proof and has never crashed."

By the day's end, the UAV Platoon hadsuccessfully launched and landed fivebirds, each on a different training mission.This was quite an impressive feat, Johnsonsaid, because of their lack of experiencewith UAVs.

"This is something the companyshould be proud of and especially theseSoldiers because this isn't somethingthey've been doing their whole Armycareers," Johnson said.

(Photos by Sgt. Paula Taylor, 4th BCT Public Affairs)

Sgt. Luis Cortese pushes the tactical unmanned aerial vehical back to themaintenance area after the landing for a post-flight inspection while hisinstructor observes his procedures during new systems training on May 18.

Pfc. Kevin Mihelich, military intelli-gence systems maintainer and inte-grator, takes a fuel sample from theShadow200, unmanned aerial vehi-cle, as part of the preventive mainte-nance checks that are required foreach aircraft. The checks are con-ducted daily and between flightsbefore the plane can be flown.

Crew Chiefs Keep Birds in the SkyBy Pfc. William Hatton7th MPAD Public Affairs

In the Army, many significant jobsinvolve vital skills towards achieving suc-cess during missions. One such job is thatof crew chief for Apache and Blackhawkhelicopters.

For crew chiefs in the 4th Battalion,227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air CavalryBrigade, 1st Cavalry Division, many prob-lems can arise, like dealing with mechani-cal deficiencies, poor communication, orhaving everyone on the same page.

When recognizing the value of crewchiefs, it is helpful to understand what hel-icopters are used for. Sgt. Travis Zielinski,Company B, 4-227 Cav, said helicoptersare used for everything from supportivefire to supply runs.

"As far as logistics go, a helicoptergoes a whole lot faster then a truck,"Zielinski said. Helicopters can be used ingreat capacity when shipping suppliesfrom one place to another, he added.

"Getting a bird in the air can be verycomplex. There are so many little things that

need to be checked and rechecked that younever know what can go wrong," said Sgt.Isidro Alanso, Company B, 4-227th ATK.

Zielinski said most of what a crewchiefs job consists of is preparing a heli-copter for flight.

"We are responsible for checking thehelicopter from front to back," he said."Crew chiefs also make sure the bolts aretight, check the blades for chips or dents,and make sure the different wires and fuellines are intact," Zielinski added.

"One of the biggest problems we faceis having everyone involved on the samepage. If one person is off it becomes aproblem," Zielinski said. "When commu-nication is down or when we receive oper-ation orders late, things can get a little hec-tic. It's when everyone is working togeth-er that we run a lot more smoothly."

"You can't just go to your pilot and tellhim you've checked something when younever did. His life is in your hands, and ifyou aren't working hard at inspecting orany other preflight check, then bad thingscould happen," Alanso said.

"One of the best parts of my job is

being able to come across new problemsand be able to learn from them. Whetherit's from getting help from more experi-enced Soldiers, or just working throughand finding the solution on my own, I lovejust being able to overcome," Zielinskisaid.

"One of the greatest things I have everbeen apart of was when my unit was able toprovide support for an MP unit that wasunder attack during a convoy," Alanso said."We worked quickly to get the birds in theair, and because of it they were able to help."

"The MPs we helped later came andfound us and thanked us for what we did.When they thanked us it really hit me thatwe were doing something important,"Alanso said. "It was a really great feeling."

When different problems arise like,mechanical deficiencies, poor communica-tion, or when chaos breaks loose, the crewchiefs of 4-227th ATK work hard and over-come to put helicopters are in the air.

"When everything goes well and a hel-icopter is in the air, it's good to know thatwe've accomplished something," Alansosaid.

(Photo by Pfc. William Hatton, 7th MPAD Public Affairs)

Sgt. Travis Zielinski, a crew chief with 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, checksthe rear blades of a helecopter for any defect such as dents, cracks or scratches. The flight crew is responsi-ble for ensuring that every part of every aircraft is in working order each day.

Warrior July 7, 2006


First Pitch for Seasoned Cav NCOBy Spc. Nathan Hoskins1st ACB Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Texas - Thefirst pitch was high and outside,but luckily for the Major LeagueBaseball team, the TexasRangers, the current pitcherwouldn't throw anymore for theduration of the game.

Sgt. Daniel F. Feldman, aradio transmission specialistfor Company C, 615th AviationSupport Battalion, 1st AirCavalry Brigade, 1st CavalryDivision, was picked to throwthe first pitch of the gamebetween the Chicago WhiteSox and the Texas Rangers onthe Army's birthday, June 14.

Feldman, picked to throwthe first pitch on account of hisperformance in the 1st ACBNoncommissioned Officer ofthe Quarter Board, was able toget the ball to the plate with noembarrassments.

Also, before the gamestarted, the Army's elite para-chute team, The Black Knights,jumped into the stadium and 30recruits cited the Oath ofEnlistment, said Feldman.

"It was a great way to cel-ebrate the Army's birthday bythrowing the first pitch of aRangers game here in the greatstate of Texas," said Feldman.

Becoming NCO of thequarter was not something thatFeldman woke up the day ofand decided to do. He had towin two other boards before hewas considered eligible for thebrigade level board: the battal-ion NCO of the month andquarter boards, said Feldman.

The brigade board was notas stressful as Feldman hadimagined because his competi-tion didn't make it past the uni-form inspection, said Feldman.

"Although the sergeants

major already knew I won, theystill gave me a hard time. Theyhad me in there for 45 min-utes," said Feldman.

"At the brigade level,[Command Sgt. Maj. Donald]Sanders is more technical. Hewants you to actually get intothe [technical manuals] and[field manuals] and not juststudy from the study guides. Hewants you to know AR 670-1like the back of your hand,"Feldman said.

After winning BrigadeNCO of the Quarter, Feldmantried his luck in the Fort HoodNCO of the Quarter Board. He

had some tough competitionthough and ended up not win-ning, but still gained somevaluable experience from it,said Feldman.

Feldman knows thatboards can be intimidating.

"I know a lot of soldiersand NCOs are kind of timidand don't really want to go tothe board - it's too much effortand work, but it pays off divi-dends," said Feldman.

Although winning theboards and getting to throw thatfirst pitch are both accomplish-ments to be proud of, Feldmanshows more love and pride for

his family."I am very fortunate to be

married to my wife MichelleFeldman and have three kids,Vadania, Makye, and Cristiano.It's a blessing to have themhere. When I go home after along day, working 12 hourshifts, it's really comforting toknow that I'm doing it forthem."

Feldman enjoys somehigh-tech hobbies and is a self-proclaimed nerd.

With an associates degreein computer technology nearlycomplete, Feldman will addthat to his CompTIA A+Certification (a computer tech-nician certification), and hisCompTIA Network+Certification (a computer net-working technician certifica-tion). He is also working on acertification as a MicrosoftCertified System Administrator.

Although Feldman wassupposed to end his enlistmentcome the 24th of August he,like many other Soldiers, wasaffected by stop loss, but he hasa positive outlook on the situa-tion.

Being deployed previouslyfor Operation Iraqi Freedom II,Feldman knows that manywere down trodden on thethought of being deployedagain and so soon, saidFeldman.

"If everyone says, 'Wellsomebody has to defend us, butit's not me,' then nobody willgo. After being over there andcoming back to see my kidsand enjoying the freedoms thatthey have [after] seeing thefreedoms that the Iraqis don'thave, it really reinforces thatwe are doing the right thing - ithelps me get through my job awhole lot easier," saidFeldman.

(Photo by Spc. Nathan Hoskins, 1st ACB Public Affairs)Sgt. Daniel Feldman from Company C, 615th AviationSupport Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, receives hisball back, signed, after throwing the first pitch at theTexas Rangers game June 14.

By Sgt. Robert Strain1st ACB Public Affairs

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter racesnext to the trees, only 30 feet above theground. Not able to stay hidden behind thetrees forever, the right side is exposed tothe enemy. Almost immediately the heli-copter starts taking small arms fire butbefore it's able to return fire, one of theengines is hit.

If you are this helicopter's crew chief,what do you do next?

For six crew chiefs of the 3rdBattalion, 227th Aviation Regiment of the1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st CavalryDivision, going through the Non-ratedCrewmember Instructor Course, or NCIC,this was just one of many situations theyare teaching to the new crew chiefs.

Sgt. 1st Class Paul McCormick, thelead NCIC instructor, said the NCIC class,normally taught at Fort Rucker, Ala., con-sists of almost five weeks of intense train-ing, both classroom instruction and in-

flight, hands-on training.He said, as a new battalion, the 3-

227th needed to train several crew chiefs tobe flight instructors or standardizationinstructors before their upcoming rotationto the National Training Center at FortIrwin, Calif., in July, as well as thebrigade's deployment to Iraq later this year.

So the course was compressed to 21days and brought to Fort Hood at therequest of the 3-227th.

McCormick explained that althoughthe course has been compressed, the stan-dards the Soldiers must achieve are thesame as they would be if the course wastaught at Fort Rucker.

Staff Sgt. Lonnie Cook, an NCICinstructor, said that with the course com-pressed more material is thrown at the stu-dents faster, with less time for the materialto sink in.

Cook said, normally students at FortRucker have the weekends off to unwind,study and let the material sink in, but withthe compressed course schedule, the 3-

227th students have class everyday for 21days.

The students have to know how to per-form, and teach others how to perform,many of the tasks conducted before andduring every flight.

"You're great crew chiefs, but you'renot here to be crew chiefs - you're here tobe instructors and evaluators," Cook said.

Sgt. Jon Dillenberg, a NCIC studentwith the 3rd Battalion, 227th AviationRegiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, saidthat crew chiefs are responsible for main-taining avoidance of traffic and obstaclesby keeping the pilots informed. They arealso responsible for the safety and securityof the helicopter's passengers and equip-ment, he added.

McCormick said when the studentsfinish the course, which started June 12and runs thru July 2, they will be certifiedas flight instructors, able to train and eval-uate the current crew chiefs as well as crewchiefs fresh from advanced individualtraining.


AAiirr CCaavv CCrreewwss GGeett TTrraaiinniinngg aass IInnssttrruuccttoorrss

Spc. Josh Brewer, a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1stAir Cavalry Brigade, demonstrates hand-and-arm signals to land a Black Hawk during the Non-rated CrewmemberInstructor Course here at Fort Hood. During the NCIC class, Brewer and five other crew chiefs from the battalionlearn how to be instructors and evaluators for the rest of the crew chiefs in the battalion.

(Photo by Sgt. Robert Strain, 1st ACB Public Affairs)

Training at Joint Readiness Training Center Reminds Pilots to Think Before They Fire


By Sgt. Robert Strain1st ACB Public Affairs

Soldiers from "FirstAttack," the 1st Battalion,227th Aviation Regiment of the1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1stCavalry Division, returned toFort Hood recently after amonth-long training exercise atthe Joint Readiness TrainingCenter at Fort Polk, La.

The rotation to JRTC gavethe First Attack Soldiers theopportunity to fully exercisetheir "go-to-war tasks" in a bat-tlefield environment that isvery similar to the combatenvironment of Iraq, said Lt.Col. Christopher Walach, thecommander of the 1-227th.

From battle staff proce-dures and air-to-ground inte-gration to convoy training mis-sions and joint air-to-air inte-

gration missions with the U.S.Air Force, this exercise was acritical training and team build-ing opportunity for theSoldiers, said Walach.

To add to the realism, theunit's pilots and crews were fly-ing missions and hours compa-rable to Longbow helicopterunits currently serving in Iraq,according to Walach.

Walach explained that thisrotation also focused more onthe rules of engagement andhow the individual pilot mustthink twice before pulling thetrigger.

The pilots had to thinkabout what else, such as civil-ians or other friendly forces,might be affected by their deci-sion to fire their weapons.

"It causes the pilots reallyto look a lot closer at pullingthe trigger," said Walach. "[As

a pilot,] you are the last personin the chain of events that canmake a strategic level decision,good or bad, before pulling thetrigger."

As a result, the pilots wereasking more questions aboutwhat they could and could notdo, said Walach.The training atthe JRTC has changed over theyears to adapt to the environ-ment experienced in Iraq.

The senior noncommis-sioned officer for Company Bof the 1-227 1st Sgt. JosephWilgeroth said the last time hewas at the Joint ReadinessTraining Center they had tooccupy a site, dig foxholes andset up their tents before goingto work.

"That's not how we fight,"said Wilgeroth.

Now the living conditionsand work environment are

more tailored to Iraq and theestablished FOBs, or forwardoperating bases.

Now they just get the air-craft flying to support theground brigades, saidWilgeroth. "A true 'train as youfight' mission."

Spc. Charles Baggett, anarmament and electrical sys-tems technician with DCompany, has been to Iraq withthe battalion before, but not toJRTC, until now.

He said the training wasclose to what he experienced inIraq the first time, and althoughhe is unsure of the conditionsthere now, he feels more pre-pared for the upcoming deploy-ment.

First Attack and the rest ofthe 1st Air Cavalry Brigade arescheduled to deploy to Iraqsometime in late summer.

(Photo by 1st Lt. Laura Parunak, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment)

Aircraft crew chiefs from the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, conduct main-tenance while preparing their aircraft at Forward Operating Base Forge in support of the First Team's 3rd BrigadeCombat Team at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.

that because of Stop Loss."Frye, who wants to be an electrical

technician, said he first found out he fellunder Stop Loss in March

"When I first heard, I didn't think any-thing, because I was still finding out whatit meant to be on Stop Loss," he said. "Ididn't really know what Stop Loss wasuntil I went to a briefing and found out Iwas Stop Lossed. It affected me when Ifound out that I had to wait to go to schooluntil I came back from Iraq."

When he first found out, he wasn'thappy, but now Fry said he has come to

terms with Stop Loss."I've gotten used to it now, and I'm just

waiting until I get back so I can get achance to go to school," Frye said. "Goingto school and changing my MOS is impor-tant to me because then I will have a skillto use if I decide to get out of the military.I still want to try again when we get backfrom Iraq."

When Wilson first heard about thenewest round of Stop Loss orders, he wasconcerned about how it would affect theSoldiers he knew who were close to get-ting out of the Army.

"I thought that a lot of Soldiers caughtup in Stop Loss would be disappointed,"Wilson said. "Stop Loss won't last forever.Soldiers should drive on."

Feature July 7, 2006

Cav Newborns Receive Warm WelcomeBy Pfc. Jeffrey Ledesma1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

"Sometimes there are onlytwo, some days we have eight orten and it all depends on who isready to come into this world oneach particular day at Darnell,"said Staff Sgt. Wallace Taylorwith the headquarters companyof the Division Special TroopsBattalion, 1st Cavalry Division.

Through the Layette pro-gram Soldiers gain a sense ofpride in the First Team by havingtheir newborn babies officiallywelcomed into the 1st CavalryDivision with a gift bag.

Included in the gift bag area junior trooper gown, a yellowcap and a set of matchingbooties, a lullaby audio cas-sette, a letter of congratulationsfrom the division commanderand a variety of pamphletsfrom helpful organizationsrelated to infants and childcare.

And for some lucky fami-lies the division's commandinggeneral or command sergeantmajor themselves make an

appearance."In all my years of service

I've never seen something likethis," Taylor said. "For a generalto take time out of his busyschedule to get up close and per-sonal with not only the Soldiersbut the family members behindthe Soldiers is somethingextremely rare."

Taylor said that even afterhe tells the new parents that thedivision's commanding generalor command sergeant major is

going to be visiting them, theystill end up shocked with that'deer caught in the headlights'look plastered onto their faceswhen he walks through theirhospital room door.

"We call this the 'FirstTeam,' but we really are a fami-ly," said the division'sCommand Sgt. Maj. PhilipJohndrow. "My wife Vickie andI enjoy going to see the newbabies. It's important that weshare in the good times and be

there for each other in the badtimes."

Taylor said when he escortsthe general into the hospitalrooms to meet with the new par-ents and their new addition tothe First Team he feels likeSanta Claus on Christmas daydelivering gifts.

"New parents really getexcited when they find out thecommand sergeant major orcommanding general is on hisway I can almost smell the senseof pride in being 1st Cav buildup," Taylor said.

Taylor explained it'sbecause no one expects a gener-al to get so involved in theirSoldiers' personal lives.

And when people so busyand high in rank take time tomeet with their Soldiers it canonly trickle down to the chain ofcommand, setting an examplefor all leaders in the command,he said.

"I don't go there to visittroops in the hospital as the divi-sion command sergeant major,"Johndrow said. "I go there assomeone who cares, a friend."

(Photo by Pfc. Jeffery Ledesma, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)The Layette program welcomes newborns of 1st CavalryDivision Soldiers with a gift bag full useful baby items.

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