IBCIBCIron Brigade ChroniclesIron Brigade ChroniclesVol. I, Issue 13Vol. I, Issue 13October 23, 2006October 23, 2006

Published for the Soldiers, families and friends of the 3rd HBCT, 4th ID Published for the Soldiers, families and friends of the 3rd HBCT, 4th ID

One year later ...One year later ...Pages 6-7Pages 6-7

Page 4:Easy Company continues with itsmission as time in Iraq begins todraw to a close.Page 5:Action in the Striker TOC is fastand furious when troops are incontact.

Page 8:Hunters patrol Hamrin Lake inshow of capability in northernDiyala Province.

Page 9:Are you suffering from combatstress? If so, there are outlets thatwill help you cope.

Page 11:More than 20 percent of StrikerBrigade officers are West Pointgraduates serving with distinctionduring this OIF deployment.

Page 10:Fighting Eagles pay rightfulowerns of Forward OperatingBase Paliwoda land.

Page 12:Highlighting FAR #11, commentsfrom the chaplain and sharp shotsfrom around the brigade.

2

Pages 6 & 7:After nearly a year in Iraq, theStriker Brigade prepares to gohome.

CONTENTS

3rd HBCT CommanderCol. Brian D. Jones

3rd HBCT PAOMaj. Michael Humphreys

michael.humphreys@us.army.mil

3rd HBCT PAO NCOICStaff Sgt. Sheryl L. Lawry

sheryl.lawry@us.army.mil

IBC EditorSgt. Zach Mott

zachary.mott@us.army.mil

IBC Staff WriterPfc. Paul J. Harris

paul.harris9@us.army.mil

3rd HBCT BroadcasterSpc. Michael Cox

michael.coxjr@us.army.mil

The Iron Brigade Chronicles is pub- lished in the interest of the Soldiers, families and friends of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers.

The IBC in an Army-funded news mag-azine authorized for members of the U.S. Army, under the provisions of AR 360-1. Contents of the IBC are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by the U.S. Government, Department of Defense or Department of the Army.

InsideInsidethis issue

TTable of able of Contents

Page 3:A joint message from the 3rdHeavy Brigade Combat Teamcommand team. Paying tribute tobrothers in arms.

Pg. 4

Cover PhotoCover PhotoThe covers of the IBC from throughoutthe year display the missions thebrigade has undertaken in this year-long deployment in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom.

Pg. 10

Pg. 6 & 7

Pg. 8

Pg. 12

October 23, 2006

October 23, 2006COMMAND VIEW

In memory of ...In memory of ...

Gone, but not forgottenGone, but not forgotten3

Strikers,The tragic loss of Staff Sgt. Ryan

Haupt, Sgt. Norman Taylor and Pfc.Nathan Frigo leaves our hearts heavy aswe prepare to complete our mission. Anyloss, but especially a loss this close tomission completion, is simply heartbreaking; and losing these three greatSoldiers in one action is crushing. Ourprayers are with their families, friends andcomrades.

This is the last chance wewill have to get a message toyou before we address yourassembled units personally atMcMahon Theater. We wantto ensure that each of youunderstands what a tremen-dous impact the successfulconduct of your assigned mis-sion here has had on the peo-ple of Iraq, on the Americanpeople and on the people ofthe region.

The selfless and impartial actions ofyou and your fellow Soldiers havedemonstrated to the Iraqi people that thereis hope for a democratic and impartialgovernment. Your effective blend ofcombat and civic actions has broughtmany of the insurgents back into the polit-ical process. You have started them onthe path of reconciliation. In a countrywhere they have witnessed corruption,deception and abuses of power for 35

years, you have shown them a model forthe future. Whether they can achieve sucha lofty goal remains to be seen, but youhave ensured that they have the opportu-nity and have provided them with anexcellent example. We could have doneno more in this critical area.

Your relentless pursuit and destructionof al-Qaeda and related terrorists hasbeen awesome. The effect has been feltboth here in Iraq and back in the United

States. Because ofyour determination todestroy these killers,the Iraqi people aresafer and the Americanpeople are able toenjoy a life virtuallyuninterrupted by thethreats and wantonacts of violence thatthese murderersemploy. And that’swhy we serve.

We could have done no morein this area while we were here; but this isa fight that will continue to demand theattention and sacrifice of our ArmedForces for the foreseeable future. Makeno mistake: this threat is real and danger-ous, and it must be confronted.

Your actions are also reverberatingaround the Middle East. Regimes inSyria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran andEgypt feel threatened by the possibility of

a truly democratic government emergingin Iraq. They are taking an active role todefeat the chances of a democratic politi-cal success in Iraq. They may clothe thisopposition in religious or political garb,but the fact is that they do not want the“dangerous” ideas of democracy to affectthe ways they are able to exert control ontheir people. Your role in this is to pro-vide a chance of democracy not only forthe Iraqi people, but to allow them to

serve as an example fortheir neighbors.

We could not be moreproud of the manner inwhich you have conduct-ed yourselves individual-ly and as units. The sac-rifices you have made andthe losses we have suf-fered cannot be repaid orreplaced; but they mustbe remembered.

Freedom isn’t free, andyour time here should

illustrate vividly the very thin linebetween what we enjoy (and often takefor granted) in our American way of lifeand the circumstances of others who lackthe legacy and blessings of democracy.

Thanks for all you have done and forall you do. Stay safe.

Strikers!Steadfast and Loyal!Striker 6 and Striker 7

Col. Brian D. Jones Command Sgt. Maj.David H. List

Sgt. Norman TSgt. Norman TayloraylorCompCompany any A,A,

1-68 Combined 1-68 Combined Arms BattArms Battalionalion

Pfc. Nathan FrigoPfc. Nathan FrigoCompCompany any A,A,

1-68 Combined 1-68 Combined Arms BattArms Battalionalion

SSttaff Sgt. Ryan Hauptaff Sgt. Ryan HauptCompCompany any A,A,

1-68 Combined 1-68 Combined Arms BattArms Battalionalion

SStriker Six, Seven sendtriker Six, Seven send

October 23, 2006 SILVER LIONS

by Staff Sgt. Samantha M. Stryker5th Mobile Public Affairs DetachmentOn Ramadan’s night of a thousand

prayers, Soldiers from the 4th InfantryDivision count one prayer as having beenanswered as they prepare to return homeafter a year-long deployment in Iraq.

But there is still work to do during thefinal celebrations of Ramadan and thenight of power before these units canmanifest for flights and ship their equip-ment home.

This night means only one thing to themen of Easy Company, 1-68 CombinedArms Battalion — another force protec-tion mission outside the wire.

For some it is their last mission beforethey leave this desert land, for others it isjust one more presence patrol in some-times hospitable urban areas. But forevery Soldier, any one mission is a matterof life and death.

“This patrol is the last mission forsome of you, but everyone needs to treatthis mission like you did the first,” saidSgt. 1st Class Bobby Simmons, platoonsergeant to Soldiers mounted with gear.“Let’s all make it home.”

First Lt. Christopher Kidd, Co. E, 1-68CAB, explained why it is important thathis engineer and infantry Soldiers contin-

ue these missions in spiteof the fact his unit is daysfrom leaving country.

“We are looking to dis-rupt any (anti-coalition)activity by being in the areaand looking for mortartubes,” Kidd said. Theengineer officer said inrecent days mortar fireaimed at ForwardOperating Base Warhorseoriginated from the north.

“Force protection meas-ures can not stop until thenew guys learn the ropes,”he added.

Kidd stated that pres-ence patrols not only helpto deter insurgent activitybut also helped to build and maintaingood relations with local communi-ties.

Platoon members drove onthe rural roads skirting the river out-side of Septia looking for mortar tubesor any other tell-tale signs of insurgentactivity. After arriving at the Governor’sCenter, leaders briefly met and sharedinformation with Gen. Mudafa, who is theleader of the Iraqi Police emergency-reac-

tion force in Baqubah.In the town of Huwaydir, a Shia

town, Soldiers quietly deliveredmedical supplies as locals smiledand waved at them.

“We want to leave here as thesilent professionals we are,” said

Master Sgt. Eugene Moses, operationssergeant major, 1-68 CAB.

“We will continue to lean into thefight until we are on the bird,” saidMoses. “We must stay focused until weare all done. For us there is no differencebetween day one and the last day.”

Moses echoed what other leaders aresaying about how Soldiers and the brigadeare better than before because they wereable to accomplish their mission, whichwas to leave Iraq in better condition thanwhen they arrived. They accomplishedthis by improving the infrastructure tomeet basic human needs and improve thecountry’s security by training the Armyand police forces.

Right-seat rides and handovers areslowly taking place between the battalionand their replacements, 1-12 CAB. As oneprayer is answered and the Soldiers pre-pare to return to Fort Carson, Colo., theykeep many more prayers in their heartsfor lost friends and comrades who will notmake the journey home with them.

Their year of service is coming to anend, but they leave the foundation foreven more improvement in the next year.The men of 1-68 CAB can be proud ofwhat they have accomplished here inDiyala Province. So can the people ofIraq.

Photos by Staff Sgt. Samantha M. Stryker1st Lt. Christopher Kidd, Company E, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, pats the head of an Iraqiboy during a recent foot patrol in Huwaydir. Kidd and fellow members of Easy Company are

in the final days of their current deployment in support of Opreation Iraqi Freedom.4

Sgt. Joel Mancillas, Company E, 1-68 Combined ArmsBattalion, stands on guard near a Humvee during EasyCompany’s patrol in Huwaydir.

Easy Company’s prayers answered a thousand times

STRIKERS October 23, 2006

by Lt. Col. John Shawkins3rd HBCT, 4th ID

It is 3:50 a.m. and night covers theland; the local residents of DiyalaProvince are sleeping, a hush pervades thenight. However, not everyone sleeps;insurgents continue their efforts to destroya unified Iraq, and the determinedSoldiers of the Striker Brigade standready, throughout 24,000 square miles oftheir area of operation, to stop them.

The Striker Tactical Operations Centeris the nexus of this effort; it is the nervecenter that synchronizes and controls theactions of the Striker Soldiers. In theTOC, under the dim glow of flat screenmonitors and computer screens, a teamworks on operational graphics, reports andanswers routine questions.

The transient calm is suddenly brokenby the crackling of radio nets and phonesringing. Reports start flowing indicatingpossible wounded as a result of an attackin Baqubah and the hospital needs coali-tion medical assistance with the wounded.

Instantly, the battle captain announces,“attention in the TOC!” The battle majormoves to the center of the TOC to bettercontrol the sudden burst of activity.

The radio and telecommunicationsoperator relays traffic on the commandnetwork. Simultaneously, a call comesfrom a battalion miles away; the unit hastroops in enemy contact and needs imme-diate support from helicopters.

The battle captain, Sgt. 1st Class CoryGivhan, Headquarters and HeadquartersTroop, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team,updates the battle major and turns to workthe troops-in-contact.

The most crucial element at a momentof action is communication between thevarious elements inside the TOC.

“Communication is always a challenge,you never can have enough of it,” saidGivhan.

Once the call for action raises ques-tions start flowing: How many people arethere? Are they in contact? Are there anycasualties? What do we have to do to fixthis? Do we need a medical evacuation?

The air space manager, Pfc. DaleLundberg, HHT, 3rd HBCT, punches out arapid message to the supporting attackaviation unit, as the battle major shoutsguidance to him.

“I need basic information to give thepilots a situational brief,” Lundberg said.

“We are a funnel, a conduit of all thatinformation. We funnel that information tothe various aviation battalions.”

Lundberg is responsible for makingsure the air is clear in case counter fire isnecessary. He is performing a duty usuallyoccupied by an NCO and the upgrade wasnot without its adjustments.

“It was stressful when I first started.The tempo was real fast paced, “he said.“I was by myself on nights and I had noone to fall back on for support but eventu-ally everything began to fall into placeand became second nature.”

Lundberg confirms Apaches are avail-able. The Fires and Effects CoordinationCell receives urgent request to fire illumi-nation rounds in support of the battalionin contact and the Air Force Joint TacticalController announces that fixed wing jetsare available if needed. Within 10 minuteseverything is coming together. The battleNCO quickly delivers an updated messageto the division on his command post asthe battle major calls to inform thebrigade commander of the situation.Within 30 minutes the pace has slackenedand the team settles into their routinerhythm, until the next call to action.

These events occur regularly for theSoldiers of Striker TOC, but what is note-worthy is, with the exception of the battlemajor, and one battalion liaison officer,the 25 Soldiers on duty this night are allenlisted or noncommissioned officers andthese Soldiers keep the TOC in motion.

Iraq is a squad leader’s fight wherecorporals make potentially strategic deci-sions. The same is true for the StrikerTOC where junior NCOs and Soldiershave stepped up, often filling positionsheld by captains and majors 10 years ago.

The mission of the TOC is to providethe framework on which the brigade com-mander can visualize and control thefight. The mantra of the Striker TOC is,“Who else needs to know?”

Command always resides with thecommander, but control is managed by theTOC. Information is critical when fightinga brutal counter-insurgency. The TOCmust take the chaotic inflow of bits andpieces of data and reports from myriadsources and, in turn, produce coherent

knowledge for the brigade commander, sohe can make key decisions and commitresources accordingly. More importantly,the TOC must be able to take immediatedecisive action within the limits of thecommander’s intent and lastly, the TOCmust enforce compliance. The TOC isoften the first and last stop for those seek-ing clarification, guidance or assistance.

Every member of the team must knowand execute their assigned rolls. While theSoldiers do not face the same level ofthreat as those on patrol, their actions willeither help or hinder the fight and know-ing this leads to high-levels of stress, butit also fills the members of Striker TOCwith a strong since of purpose and pride.

Serious mistakes made in the TOC canhave catastrophic consequences, and likeLt. Col. Jim Rice, deputy commander, 3rdHBCT, said early in the deployment to theTOC team, “The TOC must be plugged inand must minimize mistakes; the fight isalready confusing enough. The stakes aretoo high.”

UNSUNG HEROESPhotos by Pfc. Paul J. Harris

Staff Sgt. Artis Alexander, battle NCO,Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rdHeavy Brigade Combat Team, monitors thescreens for incoming information in theTactical Operations Center at ForwardOperating Base Warhorse.

Sgt. James Tebbe, aviations operations spe-cialist, Headquarters and HeadquartersTroop, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, dis-cusses clearing the airspace around forwardoperating Base Warhorse with Pfc. DaleLundberg, aviation operations specialist,HHT, 3rd HBCT.

5

October 23, 2006 STRIKERSStrikers complete OIFby Sgt. Zach Mott

IBC editorStriker Soldiers have seen

much in this year at war.The brigade was initially

spread across Diyala and parts ofSalah al-Din provinces. TheHunters of 2nd Squadron, 9thCavalry were initially attached tothe 101st Airborne Divisionbefore returning to the StrikerBrigade in August. At that time,the Fighting Eagles andPacesetters were then attached tothe 82nd Airborne Division.

Notable events from through-out this year were Operation

Cowpens which saw the 1-8Combined Arms Battalion findnumerous caches in and aroundthe Jabouri Peninsula in March.

In June, the brigade played apivotal role in the death of AbuMusab al-Zarqawi.

The Iraqi Army has assumed alarger role in Iraqs future by tak-ing control of portions of the areaof operations.

Unfortunately, there are 15Strikers who will not be return-ing to Fort Carson with us. Theseheroes will never be forgotten.Their memory lives on in everyone of us.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Martindale, commanderwith some local children during a March

Photo by Pfc. Paul J. HarrisABOVE: Soldiers from the 64th Brigade SupportBattalion, carry a simulated casualty to the troop med-ical clinic at Forward Operating Base Warhorse inJanuary.

6

Photo by Sgt. Zach MottRIGHT: Staff Sgt. Selena Bastine, Company A, 3rdSpecial Troops Battalion, places her ruck sack in theback of a Humvee at Camp Buerhring, Kuwait, prior todriving into Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Roberto Martinez, commander’s gunner, Compfollows a detainee to a holding point while his fellow Silver Lion comrade leads the way duringOperation Shaku Maku, a joint operation between 4th BattDivision and Soldiers from 1-68 CAB in June.

300Caches

discovered

1,600IEDs

detonated 1,100IEDs

discovered

1,681 CABs454 CIBs91 CMBs98 Purple Hearts

Awarded:

More than:

Nearly:

STRIKERS October 23, 2006ers complete OIF tour

Photo by Pfc. Paul J. HarrisDuring drownproofing training at Logistical Support Anaconda inMay, Staff Sgt. Jacob Finger gives Staff Sgt. Derrick Gwin, both from3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, a friendly shove to start Gwin’straining.

Photo by Sgt. Zach MottLt. Col. Jeffrey Martindale, commander, 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, enjoys an alternate means of transportationwith some local children during a March foot patrol in Balad.

Photo by Pfc. Paul J. HarrisSpc. Shawn Axtell, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, patrols a field during a mission in April. 7

Photo by Pfc. Paul J. Harriss gunner, Company A, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion,

ainee to a holding point while his fellow Silver Lion comrade leads the way duringOperation Shaku Maku, a joint operation between 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army

1,327Terroristsdetained

17,000Patrols

conducted

More than:

as of Oct. 18

October 23, 2006 HUNTERS

by Sgt. Zach MottIBC editor

Water can be a scarce resource in manyregions of Iraq. However, there are someareas, namely along the Tigris andEuphrates river valleys, that thrivebecause of the direct access to water.

These liquid highways can also serveas an avenue for insurgents to traffic theirgoods, be it improvised explosive devicematerials or people. In northern DiyalaProvince, there is a man-made lake in thevillage of Hamrin that could serve as aquick getaway for insurgents.

Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 9thCavalry, 3rd Heavy Brigade CombatTeam, 4th Infantry Division, Task ForceLightning conducted a reconnaissance ofthe lake to assess the enemy’s capabilitiesas well as show the ability to halt thistrafficking lane.

“We’re mostly focused on showing thecapability to the enemy so that they knowthat they’ll have to account for that or atleast keep that in their decision cycle,”said Lt. Col. Louis Lartigue, commander,2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, after pilotingseveral tours around the lake.

Soldiers from the squadron’s supportunit had to make a few repairs andchanges to the boat trailer prior to it get-ting on the water.

“We serviced the engine to make sureeverything ran,” said Staff Sgt. PhillipKitchen, team chief, Service andRecovery Section, Dragoon Troop. “Theprop that was on it when we got it wasdestroyed, so we had to re-do the prop;sand it down, grind it down, make it bet-

ter. The boat had a hole in it so we had topatch the underside of the boat so that itwouldn’t leak in.”

In getting the boat on the open water,and not the fast-moving river during pre-vious operations, there were a few kinksthat will need to be worked out.

“So far, it’s good. It got into the water;the trailer’s a little high based on what wehad to work with when we built it,” saidCapt. Dave Buehler, commander, DragoonTroop.

After taking over operations from the1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry when the unitredeployed to the United States in August,the Hunters wanted to authenticate thetool before handing it over to its eventual

replacements.“We’re validating both the mainte-

nance readiness of it and the functionalityof the boat out in the lake to prove thatit’s actually a task that we need to (hand)over to the next unit,” Buehler said.

Earlier in this deployment to Iraq, theHunters conducted similar operations onthe Tigris River while at ForwardOperating Base Wilson. For many, thiswasn’t their first time cruising the water-ways of this mostly desert country, butmost relished the change from the norm.

“But when it comes down to it, it’s funto get out on the water and do somethingdifferent than a regular 1114 patrol,”Lartigue said.

Hunters patrol Hamrin Lake

Photos by Sgt. Zach MottABOVE: The boat used by Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry is lowered intoHamrin Lake.TOP: Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry and members of the Iraqi Army’s 3rdBrigade, 5th Division return to the shore after patrolling Hamrin Lake in northern DiyalaProvince.

A Soldier from 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry searches the boats near Hamrin Lake while a boat patrols the waterway.8

by Pfc. Paul J. HarrisIBC staff writer

The sound of the boom, the smoke, thesmell of gunpowder and the flash of lightare memories that might not go away afterSoldiers come in contact with the enemyor an improvised explosive device.Memories such as these can linger insidethe mind causing sleeplessness, night-mares and stress. These symptoms arenormal but left untreated they fester intolarger issues.

For Soldiers of 3rd Heavy BrigadeCombat Team help is available from avariety of different sources.

“Whatever the Soldier has done I amnot here to slam dunk him I am here tosupport him,” said Chaplain (Maj.) RoryRodriquez, chaplain, 3rd Battalion, 29thField Artillery, 3rd HBCT. Chaplains, inmost cases, are available the moment aSoldier has returned from combat.

Rodriquez starts by asking basic ques-tions such as what happened?What was your response? Howdo you feel? He does this toascertain their state of mindand soul.

“Some people respondwith anger or don’t respondat all,”Rodriquez said.“It is whatthey say orthey don’tsay.”

Spc.ChristopherGeorge,food prepa-

ration specialist, Headquarters andHeadquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29thFA, spoke with the chaplain after he andhis teammates were involved in a firefightwith insurgents.

“He made sure that everybody wasdealing with it alright and made sure wedid not have any freaky dreams,” Georgesaid. “He made us call somebody to say Iam alright, I chose to call my Dad;because I knew my wife would freak outand want details.”

The other option Soldiers have is goingto mental health services. Mental healthcan diagnose more serious cases such aspost traumatic stress disorder or prescribemedication or techniques to ease the painof a traumatic experience.

Spc. Veren Govindeisami, water spe-cialist, Company B, 64th Brigade SupportBattalion, benefited from some of thetechniques mental health showed him.Govindeisami was wounded from a road-side bomb while performing gunner dutieson a patrol. He kept replaying the incidentover and over again in his mind, havingnightmares and waking up at exact sametime each night. Mental health told him totry and sleep through the dream withoutwaking up and over a period of time thenightmares went away.

In addition to a chaplain being presentfor Soldiers when they return from com-bat there is also the Combat StressTeam.

“(We) talk to Soldiers trying topull the events out and when theyopen up a lot of it is anger and guiltand that is good,” said Staff Sgt.Aaron Andrade, behavior health spe-cialist, 883rd Medical Company

attached to 3rd HBCT. “These

types of feelings are normal to have. It isyour bodies’ reaction to an abnormal situ-ation.”

The Soldiers from the Combat StressTeam provide an informal setting forSoldiers to discuss their issues. Veryrarely is anything formally documentedand like mental health and the chaplain,anything discussed is strictly confidential.

“It’s not voodoo it’s counseling,” saidMaj. Carlos Silva, social worker, 883rdMedical Company.

With the Striker Brigade will goinghome soon, Silva cautions Soldiers to talkabout their return home expectations withloved ones so to avoid a letdown. If thereis an expectation of a welcome homeparty or a special night out Soldiers needto express this to their loved ones.

“It does not have to be a chaplain or acombat stress team to help a Soldierthrough a critical event. Any Soldier, anycolleague if they just stop and talk to theSoldier can be beneficial,” said Chaplain(Maj.) Michael Reeves, 1-68 CombinedArms Battalion. “You be that friend, youput that hand on the shoulder. You arehelping as much as a chaplain or combatstress team.”

COMBAT STRESS!!!!Don’t take it out on your family

October 23, 2006STRIKERS

9

Photo illustration by Pfc. Paul J. Harris

October 23, 2006 FIGHTING EAGLES

by Spc. Joshua R. Ford3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

When coalition forces came to Iraq in support of OperationIraqi Freedom, they borrowed land from Iraqi landownersthroughout the country to facilitate military infrastructure needsto base strategic operations.

The more than 800 acres of land that makes up ForwardOperating Base Paliwoda was borrowed in July 2003. Now, threeyears later, the United States Army is giving compensation forwhat most of the true landowners of Paliwoda thought they hadlost forever.

Lt. Col. Jeffery Martindale, commander, 1-8 Combined ArmsBattalion, and Balad government officials – including Baladmayor Amir Abdulhadi Marhun – paid 64 land owners during aceremony Sept. 28 on FOB Paliwoda.

“It is a pleasure to pay you today,” said Martindale. “I thankyou for allowing us to use your land and I thank you for waitingso long to receive this money.”

The lot owners of Paliwoda were paid from July 2003 throughMarch 31, 2006, said Staff Sgt. Omar B. Dave, paralegal non-commissioned officer, 1-8 CAB.

“We were disappointed when America took our land but nowwe are happy because we have legal honor to what is rightfullyours,” said Thana Mohamed, a Balad merchant and owner of a

small lot on FOB Paliwoda.There are approximately 419 true land owners of the FOB and

each will receive compensation depending on the size of the lotthey own on Paliwoda. Paying all 419 Iraqis will cost the UnitedStates Government approximately $775,000.

Out of the 419 Iraqis, each owns about 250 to 300 squaremeters and will receive $1,600 to $2,000 for their property.

Sgt. Brian White, Balad radio station liaison, 310thPsychological Operations Company, reached the landownerswith Balad’s only radio station to broadcast the message.

Immediately after the broadcast, dozens of landowners wentto the local Joint Coordination Center to claim their property fora deserved compensation, said White.

To receive payment each land owner had to go through aseries of screenings to determine if they were a legitimate landowner in the first place. The screenings included verification ofland deeds dated before July 2003 and identification thatmatched the name on the deed. Unfortunately, all 419 land own-ers could not make it in time to receive payment.

“People that did not show up to get paid will get their moneywhen they come forward with the proper documentation,” saidDave. “This is just the beginning. Units that deploy to Paliwodain the future will pay the leases to the owners.”

It has not been established as to how often the Iraqi landown-ers will get paid, but it will not be a monthly event. The leaseswill be paid every six months to a year, added Dave.

“We came here to help the Iraqi people and we needed a baseto conduct operations from. Since we aren’t an occupation forcewe’re going to pay these people for the land they’ve let us use,”said White.

“My family is happy. It’s like anyone who would lose some-thing and then regain it. It brings true joy to my family,” saidMohamed.

Soldiers give compensation to landowners

Photos by Spc. Joshua R. FordLt. Col. Jeffery Martindale, commander, 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, and Mayor Amir Abdulhadi Marhun, Balad mayor, present an Iraqi womanwith compensation for her land, which is being used by coalition forces on Forward Operating Base Paliwoda.

A landowner ofForward OperatingBase Paliwodasigns papers toreceive compensa-tion for land hehasn’t seen sincethe beginning ofOperation IraqiFreedom.10

October 23, 2006PHOENIX/MOUNTAINEER

From ‘Black Knight’to ‘desert warrior’by Pfc. Paul J. Harris

IBC Staff WriterLee, Grant, Eisenhower and Patton are

some of the most storied names to gracethe halls of the United States MilitaryAcademy at West Point; names that weremade during a time of wars distant andnear.

It is now time for a new generation offormer cadets to make names for them-selves. Names that might not leap off thepage at first glance but names Soldiers ofthe 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Teammight recognize. Names like Wells,Zavage and Kutsko. Three graduates fromWest Point from different backgroundsand upbringing putting their leadershipskills to the test in the desert confines ofIraq.

82 officers, roughly 25 percent of 3rdHBCT deployed officers, are West Pointgraduates.

Capt. Leona Kutsko, ProjectCoordination Cell, 3rd HBCT, West Pointclass of 2003, grew up in Old Forge, N.Y.,watching her older brother go through thetrials of being a cadet. When it came timeto decide which service academy wasright for her it was a simple choice for herto “Go Army.”

“(I) don’t like to be on a ship and Idon’t like to fly,” said Kutsko.

Every cadet has to have a congression-al nomination and Kutsko was nominatedby former Sen. Alfonse MarcelloD’Amato (N.Y.)

In readying cadets for Army life, a reg-ular physical fitness test was administeredevery six months at West Point. After theinitial first-year orientation, physical fit-

ness becomes less of a worry. The “Beast”is a grueling seven week introduction tocadet life.

Patience is key to success in a stressfulenvironment like West Point,

Kutsko said. In relation to Iraq, we aregoing to be here for a long time, withchanges happening constantly. It made usmature a little bit faster (with the WestPoint experience) because of the responsi-bility load, which has helped me in deal-ing with being deployed.

Capt. Julie Zavage, battle captain, 64thBrigade Support Battalion, graduatedfrom West Point in 2003 and remembersthe infamous day of Sept. 11. The campuswas put on alert but the faculty decided toproceed with daily life as normal as possi-ble, Zavage said. No classes were can-celed but in between we would catchglimpses of the news on TV.

Zavage has two older siblings thatattended West Point and that was a bigfactor for her deciding to go there.

I wanted to experience the traditions ofthis magical place that I had heard somuch about growing up, Zavage said.

With the scandals associated with theother service academies, Zavage was verypositive about her West Point experience.

I never experience resentment (forbeing a woman) in my leadership posi-tions at West Point, Zavage said. WithWest Point making us take leadershippositions it helps us prepare for the chal-lenge of dealing with male-female work-ing relationship issues.

Lt. Col. Leonard Wells, commander,3rd STB, attended West Point from 1984to 1988 and was never made to feel like

an outsider.“I was a cadet like everybody else,”

Wells said.Wells currently is on his third deploy-

ment to Iraq and if he were in charge ofWest Point today he would not change thecurriculum drastically to cater more to theGlobal War Terrorism.

West Point teaches you the thoughtprocess but it does not give you the silverbullet or magical answer, Wells said. Theygive you core values and fundamentals totackle situations. The same process I usedas a second lieutenant to solve a tacticalproblem I use today.

The process is to lead by example,something that is ingrained in the brain ofevery cadet from day one at West Point.

Your Soldiers expect you to do every-thing that you ask them to do and takecare of them at the same time, Wells said.

Right now we have Soldiers on forceprotection. Leading by example is for meto put the same gear that they have on andcheck up on them to see if they need any-thing, he said.

I find out a little bit about the Soldiers,where they are from, have they been onmid tour leave yet. Then at 2 a.m. I putthe same stuff on again and go to a differ-ent tower. I am not going to ask them todo anything that I would not do.

An issue that has been the same for allthree former cadets is the getting over thestereotype that West Pointers are arrogant.

Once you get out of West Point it is upto you to determine how well and how faryou go, Wells said. Once you get yourcommission we are all second lieutenantswhether you went to West Point or not.

11

October 23, 2006

Random ThoughtsRandom ThoughtsFAR # 11

Photo share

Photo by 1st Lt. Duane SandersI took this shot during my first air assault mission in Iraq. I got a“window seat” and was able to capture this image just as bothbirds banked to the right in unison.

We’re going home. What wonderful words. Words thatinvite visions of favorite people, favorite places, favorite activ-ities and favorite food. They also start us thinking about theyear that has been. It’s been a challenging year; one not withoutstruggle and suffering. The Bible says that we should “rejoicein our suffering, because we know that suffering produces per-severance; perseverance character; and character hope. Andhope, does not disappoint us …” (Romans 5:3-5a).

As we reflect on the year, we may not be so sure aboutrejoicing in the suffering but we will certainly celebrate thegood things, surely strive to learn from the bad things andhopefully integrate them effectively into the new people thatwe are becoming through it all. We will remember the Soldierswho died advancing the cause of freedom, and more personally,protecting the left or right flank of his buddy. We will look forthe wounded who have returned home ahead of us. We will dis-cover how things have changed at home, how we have changedand how all of those changes will play out in our lives.

Confidently, we will rest in the knowledge that we weregiven a tough job and we did it – persevering together – in anexemplary manner. We will solemnly acknowledge the price wepaid for our success. I pray that we will rest peacefully, in thepresence of family and friends who love us and who seek ourbest.

Then, because we are Soldiers, we will recommit ourselvesto preparing for the next mission. We will look out for our bud-dies who may not have anyone to meet them when they comehome – and we will include them in our total reintegration toAmerican society. We are a team. We will not forget. We willpersevere in peace – together – as we have in war. May Godhelp us all.

12

NCOs are the keepers of the standards!Noncommissioned officers are known as the “Backbone

of the Army” for a reason. It is because of NCOs that amission is accomplished.

By enforcing standards, NCOs ensure that Soldiers aresafe in everything they do. Strict enforcement whether it’spacking up a container or patrolling an insurgent-laden vil-lage leads to bringing everyone home safely.

As NCOs, if you allow a deficiency to pass your eye,you have set a new standard. Each Army regulation dictatesa Soldier’s conduct. However, were it not for NCOs enforc-ing those standards those regulations would be meaning-less.

NCOs perform pre-mission checks to ensure theirSoldiers are properly outfitted before leaving the wire.NCOs conduct post mission checks to ensure that eachSoldier retained their gear while outside the wire.

Ensuring a Soldier is properly outfitted for a missionallows them to be prepared for any situation that may arise.

Eye protection and gloves are two of the most commonviolations that NCOs must correct. These items are vital toprotect a Soldiers two most valuable assets: hands andeyes. Without either, a Soldier is next to useless.

NCOs will continue to enforce standards for the better-ment of all because without standards we would be nothingless than the insurgency we are fighting to eliminate.

Photo by 1st Lt. Duane SandersSome down time during an overnight mission at an Iraqi Armycompound yielded this shot. The M1-A2 tank was parked direct-ly underneath one of the guard towers. The strong directionallight on the tank was a result of the tower spotlight above it.About 15 feet to the right, Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers were standingaround a bonfire. The wind happened to be just right and blewthe smoke over the tank.