Sept 28, 2005 visit us at www.tffpao.org Volume 2: Issue 22

3rd ACR3rd ACRSoldiers HelpSoldiers HelpResidents ofResidents of

Tal AfarTal AfarPage 8Page 8

Published for Task Force Freedom Soldiers Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom III

2 The Freedom Post

3 PSDs have a new ride4 IA recruits start BCT5 Finance Soldiers dish out the dough6 MP Soldier does it all8 Coalition Forces make good in

Tal Afar at screening site9 Tal Afar Mayor helps his people10 Forward Aid Station saves time

and Soldiers’ lives

Soldiers with Asthma CanBreathe Easy

ALt. Col. Catherine Ryan, 228th CSH

sthma is a disease of the lungs in which the airwaybecomes blocked or narrowed, causing breathing

difficulty. People with asthma have over-responsive air-ways. The airway reacts by narrowing or obstructingwhen irritated. Uncontrolled asthma prevents the Soldierfrom completing normal daily activities, let alone morestrenuous combat activities.

Symptoms include wheezing, coughing and/or prob-lems breathing. They can be reversed or controlled. Thenarrowing or obstructing is caused by airway swelling,inflammation, or spasm of the muscles that circle the air-ways. The wheezing, coughing or breathing problems aremost common at night or early in the morning.

Asthma can be aggravated by airway irritants (such ascold, heat, weather changes, smoke, dust, and strongodors), exercise, stress and viral respiratory infections.Smoke is a very strong trigger: smoke from one cigarette lingers up to seven days in a closedenvironment such as an office or barracks.

Causes of airway inflammation and over-responsiveness are less easily reversed and lastlonger. The most common causes are allergies: seasonal (pollen) or perennial (molds, dust,cockroach droppings, dust mites, and animal dander). Exposure produces immediate wheezing,coughing or breathing problems; after four to eight hours, the breathing problems return becausethe lungs respond with an inflammatory response.

Goals of asthma management are to keep up normal activity and avoid exacerbations of asth-ma symptoms. Symptoms can be controlled by medicine management. Preventive medicationsshould be used daily; they are slow acting and cannot manage acute symptoms. With correctmanaging of asthma, Soldiers will be able to maintain combat activities.

The Freedom Post 3

OSUL, Iraq - The 11th Armored CavalryRegiment (ACR) Personal Security Detail’s

(PSD) main mission is to make sure their principle(person being escorted) gets from point A to point Bsafely. For the past eight months, their missionshave been carried out in M1114 Up-ArmoredHumvees, but now they will be using StrykerCombat vehicles.

The PSDs were trained by members of the 1stBrigade, 25th Infantry Regiment, Stryker BrigadeCombat Team to learn the basics of the Strykervehicle. After training the PSD, the 1-25 left theatrein mid-September, signing six Stryker vehicles overto the 11th ACR.

This training included: driving, maintenance,weapons systems, and various safety drills for emer-gency situations, according to Sgt. 1st Class EdwardHuizar, PSD Platoon Sergeant.

“I know what my guys can do, I totally trust theywill learn and know their jobs with the Stryker,”said Huizar. “The Stryker guys I talked to werereally impressed with how fast the PSD learned touse and maintain the vehicle.”

The PSD trained for two weeks with the Strykerswhile also conducting missions, according to Spc.Benjamin Heck, gunner for 2nd squad. Half of eachsquad trained while the other half conducted mis-sions with the help of a few Soldiers from the 122ndRear Operations Center. Cross-training was a valu-able part of the process to get everyone up to speed.

“When it comes to driving, there really isn’t awhole lot in comparison, the Stryker is a lot harderto maneuver,” said Pvt. 1st Class Peter Glader, driv-

er for 2nd squad. “It’s a lot harder to see. Afterdriving the Stryker for a little bit, I jumped in ahumvee; it felt like I was driving a hot rod or some-thing.”

Although they have already conducted successfulmissions with the Stryker, the PSDs will continue totrain on the vehicle until the end of their rotation.Each squad is already divided into teams, one teamper humvee. The teams will remain the same forthe Stryker.

“We stuck with the humvees for quite awhile,”said Heck. “We had eight months with thehumvees, learning routes, doing missions, and nowthat we have these Strykers; it’s a big difference.They’re a little difficult to drive at first, until youget the hang of it. The security that they give you;you can’t match that. I wouldn’t give one up now.I would hate to go back to a humvee.”

Although the gunners wear more protection inthe humvee, the Stryker is able to withstand a blastfrom an improvised explosive devise or suicidebomber better than the humvee.

“Learning the Stryker was a very challengingexperience,” said Sgt. Victor Guzman, gunner for2nd squad. “We’re still in the sustainment phase.We have made a lot of improvements. Our guys arevery confident, but we will get more experience onthe Strykers.”

The PSDs are adaptable to their situation,according to Huizar. They have great team workand will continue on with the mission by Stryker orhumvee.

PSD Travels With Style in StrykersStory and Photos by Spc. Ashly E. Mitchell

MSpc. Benjamin Heck provides rear air guard security from the back hatch of a Stryker.

4 The Freedom Post

Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX,Iraq - On Sept. 17, 3rdBrigade 2nd Iraqi Army (IA)

Division Basic Combat Training(BCT) Class, began its first day oftraining. Fifty-seven Iraqi Soldierscoming from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd IABattalions, and from their Brigadeheadquarters reported for BCT.

The first day began with a com-plete medical screening. Each IASoldier was medically evaluated toensure that they were physicallyable to perform the challengingtasks of the BCT class.

Once the Medical screening was

complete, the IA Soldiers went to theCentralized Issuing Facility (CIF) toget their uniforms and other neces-sary items for training.

After the Iraqi Soldiers were fin-ished with the CIF, they were able tomove into their barracks. EachSoldier was provided a bunk and awall locker. They received classes onwearing their uniform and how toorganize their wall lockers. Uniformand wall locker inspections are partof the daily routine at BCT. As theirfirst day came to a close, theAcademy Commandant, Sgt. Maj.Murrell, provided his guidance andmotivational comments.

Sgt. Sultan Mohamed Edham, the2nd Platoon Platoon Sergeant, wasasked how attending the BCT wouldaffect Iraq's future; "My goal is thesecurity of my country and to build afuture for Iraq. My second goal is towork together, Kurds and Arabs asone team to fight terrorists.”

Iraqi Recruits Become SoldiersStory and Photos courtesy of 172SBCT

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$how Me the MoneyStory and Photo by Sgt. Richard W. Way

9th Finance brings cash to a location near you.

LSA DIAMONDBACK, Iraq - “One of the commonmisconceptions about finance is that we sit aroundin air conditioning all day long,” said Spc. EricHayes with C Detachment, 9th Finance Battalion.

“Half of our detachment is out on missions goingfrom [Forward Operating Base (FOB)] to FOB, pro-viding the same support that one of the major baseswould have. We go out on Strykers, helicopters,and with staff escorts,” said Hayes. Some locationsthe 9th FinanceBattalion travelsto are remote.

“When goingto some of thesmaller FOBs,we never knowif we’re going tohave power. Wehave to bringour own powersupply andmake sure thecomputers arecharged beforewe go. We alsocheck to makesure we have allthe cash that weneed so all theSoldiers getpaid. We justhave to adapt and overcome each situation,” saidHayes.

Check cashing, casual pay, and inquiries are someof the services the 9th Finance provides tothe Soldiers of Task Force Freedom (TFF). “Sincewe don’t have the luxury of ATMs at the Soldiers’disposal, they can get up to $350 per month in casu-al pay,” said Hayes.

“They use it for the PX, entertainment and giftsfor friends and family at home,” said Spc. EricWilliams, a finance specialist with C Detachment.“We also do pay inquiries. If someone has a prob-lem (with their pay) we try to fix it. If we can’t

resolve the error, we send it to [Defense FinanceAccounting Service] for correction,” said Williams.“This job is important for the morale of the

Soldiers,” said Spc. Christopher Fleming, financespecialist with C Detachment. “You can tell thecustomers are very appreciative. some of them evenbring us sodas to show there appreciation.”

”Mistakes can happen when you are sitting at adesk all day typing in numbers, but they are mini-

mal. If someonecomes in with acomplaint of anerror, most of thetime we can fix itimmediately,”said Spc. DerrickCropper, financespecialist. “Thebusiest days arethe pay cycledays.”

Spc. TomasValdez, a financespecialist enjoysgoing to differentlocations andmeeting newpeople.

“The mostinteresting partof the job is trav-

eling to the different FOBs and meeting new peoplewith different stories and different personalities,” hesaid.

Balancing the books can be the hardest part of thejob,” said Valdez. “It can take up to 36 hours to bal-ance the books for one week of casual pay and cash-ing checks.”

Soldiers aren’t the only customers that rely on theservices provided by the 9th Finance Battalion.Wherever there is an PX, they take the money gen-erated from sales and serve as a bank facility,according to Williams. Check cashing services arealso available for civilian contractors.

6 The Freedom Post

MP Soldier is JustWhat The “Doc”Ordered

Story and Photos bySgt. Rick W. Way

OSUL, Iraq - It is early morning in Iraq. ASoldier changes a flat tire on a Heavy

Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), per-forms maintenance on the same vehicle, drives theHEMTT to pick up supplies, drives the big truckdown a concrete ramp built by a Soldier in theunit, installs a new door in one of the unit’s build-ings, loads and unloads the vehicle, brings medicalsupplies to the aid station, and delivers more sup-plies to other parts of the Mosul Public SafetyAcademy (MPSA).

A lot of work has been accomplished and it’s only0900. There is a great deal more to do. It mayappear like this unit is engaged in a whirlwind ofactivity. All of these accomplishments are the workof one Soldier, and he’s just getting started.

Sgt. David Edwards could be the poster boy forthe “Army of One” advertising campaign. Edwardsis a Combat Medic, whose days are filled with pro-ductivity from the time he wakes up in the morningto the time his head hits the pillow at night.

“When I am not out on supply runs I will usuallydo the cooking for that day to help out Staff Sgt.Hunter, who cooks quite a bit of the time. Preparingthe dinner chow you usually have to start cookingaround 1530,” he said. “Then, while in the middle

of cooking, I do sick call from 1630 to 1930; whereI have an average of 25 to 40 patients a night. If Idon’t cook that day, I help Sgt. Sullivan with forceprotection issues, by moving Hesco and concretebarriers with my crane or helping him build some-thing.”

To the other members of the 179th MilitaryPolice Detachment, Edwards is known affectionate-ly as “Doc”. The nickname naturally comes fromhis Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), butcould also be applied to his many other skills, as in“The Doctor of Repair” or “The Doctor of TheHEMTT”. “Doc” Edwards’ primary responsibility at the MPSAis to provide medical care for members of his unit,as well as cadets at the academy.

“Three-and-a-half years ago, I changed my MOSto Combat Medic. A month after finishing medic

M

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school, I was deployed to OIF I[Operation Iraqi Freedom]. It was dur-ing that time that I picked up on most ofmy medical skills. After [going home],I spent a lot of time taking medicalclasses and reading medical books,” henoted.

Knowing how to save Soldiers’ livesisn’t the only skill listed on his resume.“I have had numerous jobs in the past,”he added. “I was a cook at Denny’s andGolden Corral, where I learned mycooking skills. I learned my concreteskills when I laid asphalt and concretefor roads around my town.”

He worked as an operator foreman,building water features for JackNicklaus golf courses, where he becameproficient in plumbing and operatingheavy equipment .

However, the learning process didn’tstop there. “I was once a traffic signaltechnician, where I learned my electri-cal, welding, and programming skills,”he said. “Then I did interior demolition,where I learned my carpentry skills.Finally, my mom taught me about work-ing on cars.”

Why does a sergeant stay so busy andtake the initiative on so many tasks? “Ifigure while I am over here in Iraq, if I

fill every hour with something todo, it will make the time movefaster to when I will be able tohold my family in my arms again.At home, as long as I appearbusy, my wife won’t nag me todo household chores,” he joked.

Edwards said his wife is hisbiggest supporter. “She under-stands my love for the Army andour great country. That’s why Imust deploy at times,” he said.

After the day is done, it’s timefor “Doc” to have some personaltime. “When I have finally fin-ished all my duties, I usually hitthe weights for a couple of hoursand then go to bed.”

That is the only time “Doc”Edwards isn’t busy.

8 The Freedom Post

Big Operations in

AL AFAR, Iraq – For the cityof Tal Afar, the ability to dis-

tinguish the insurgents fromeveryone else is a big problem,but for Soldiers of the 3rdArmored Cavalry Regiment(ACR), with the help of IraqiArmy (IA)and Iraqi Police (IP)from Mosul and Tal Afar, a solu-tion was implemented whichplaced the elusive insurgents intointo the hands of Coalition Forces.A screening site was setup justsouth of the city to help the localpeople leave safely and to identifywho the insurgents were andwhere they were hiding.

“A critical part of the operationis to develop a screening site in anattempt to identify and segregatethe insurgents from the rest of the people,” said Lt.Col. Rich O’Conner, Supply and TransportationSquadron Commander, 3rd ACR. “That is the insur-gent’s strength, to hide in the local populous and weare going to take that away.”

The residents of Tal Afar were guided from twoother checkpoints towards the screening site. Thedisplaced civilians were channeled south of the cityin order to keep them safe from the harm insurgentscould cause them during the offensive, and to beginto separate friend from foe.

“The first place the civilians go is the IPEmergency Battalion checkpoint,” said 1st Sgt.Kevin Patrick Lyons, Maintenance Troop FirstSergeant, Supply and Transportation Squadron, 3rdACR. “This way, the first face these people see isan Iraqi one, so they will feel safe and secure whenthey leave their homes.”

The Emergency Battalion is made up of IPs fromMosul with a year and a half experience in the area.These policemen are very good at spotting forged orfake passports and other identification. The search

included a preliminary screening of the civilians andchecking for suspicious vehicles.

“Our goal is not to target the civilians,” saidO’Conner. “Our goal is to detain the insurgentswho are terrorizing the people. While the civiliansgo through the screening process, we have treatedthem with dignity and respect.”

The second checkpoint the civilians reach ismanned by Iraqi and Coalition Forces MilitaryPolice. Here, the vehicles are searched again andthe civilians’ identification is checked once morebefore they move to the screening facility.

After that checkpoint is crossed, the people maketheir way toward the screening site, their last stopbefore leaving the Tal Afar area.

At the site, they are segregated into two groups:men in one, women and children in the other. Bothgroups move through a shaded area where each indi-vidual waits to be searched by Coalition Forces.

“We have erected a privacy shelter for thewomen,” said Lyons. “We understand the impor-tance this culture has on women’s privacy and wetry to give them as much as we can.” Women are

TThhrreeee BBiigg MMiissssiioonnss HHeellpp tthhee LLooccaall PPeeooppllee ooff TTaall AA Screening Site, Rest Area HelpLocals Out of Harm’s WayStory and Photos by Sgt. Daniel W. Lucas

T

Soldiers from Maintenance Troop hand out food to departing families.

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Little Tal Afar AAffaarr RReeccoovveerr FFrroomm tthhee IInnssuurrggeennccyy

searched by female Soldiers and men by maleSoldiers.

After the displaced civilians are screened forcontraband and tested for explosive residue on theirhands and clothing, they are taken to another tentfor a few questions.

“We search each individual for contraband orintel, like maps, of where the insurgents are,” saidSgt. 1st Class Larry David Langeberg, Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of the screeningand search lane, Maintenance Troop, Supply andTransportation Squadron, 3rd ACR. “After thesearch, there are three tents with interpreters wherewe ask them questions, like their name, tribe, part ofthe city they came from, if they have seen any insur-gent activity, and if they know any informationregarding the insurgency.” If the civilains have anyinformation, they are escorted to another unit formore specific questions.

There is also a medical station present at thescreening site to give first aid to any civilian whoneeds it.

After the screening is complete, the families arereunited. For those families moving on, they areoffered food and water. Displaced Civilians withouta destination in mind are given the option to stay atthe Displaced Civilian Rest Area on ForwardOperating Base Sykes.

The facility has all the necessities to handle alarge number of displaced civilians. Any familywho chooses to stay at the rest area is offered aplace to rest, eat, and prepare for their next destination.

“The people move through the sites with no prob-lems,” said Spc. Adan Serna, Maintenance Troop,Supply and Transportation Squadron, 3rd ACR.“We make sure nothing bad happens to them andnobody tries to threaten them or push them aroundas they leave their homes. We are giving these peo-ple a chance to get out of the city, away from theinsurgents.”

For Iraqi and Coalition Forces, the mission tohelp these people move away from the terrorists isforemost in their minds.

“Our troop was picked to do this mission,” saidSpc. Jason W. Gutnecht, Maintenance Troop, Supplyand Transportation Squadron, 3rd ACR. “The mis-sion is to bring the people out of Tal Afar safely, to

go through the processing station, screen them forinformation, and run them through as quickly aspossible. The site is prepared to receive civilians 24hours a day, seven days a week. They understandwhat we are trying to do and are cooperating.”

Part of the success of this operation is the part-nership formed between the Iraqi Army and theCoalition forces.

“These troops have done an incredible job estab-lishing a screening site and certainly weren’t trainedfor this,” said O’Conner. “With some great non-commissioned officers and officers to plan the mis-sion to segregate the terrorists from civilians, andthe help of the Iraqi Army and Police, our missionwill be a success. Their willingness to help outmakes this mission attainable.”

A young boy proudly carries his own food and wateras he leaves the screening site with his family.

10

TAL AFAR, Iraq – In the wake of the suc-cessful offensive spearheaded by the mem-bers of the 3rd Armored Calvary Regimentand the 82nd Airborne Division, the localIraqi government has quickly stepped for-ward to lead their citizens to the path ofhealing; to build a foundation of safety andsecurity upon ground infected by the cancer of insurgency.

A fine example of local leader helping totemper their people’s resolve and hope fora better future, is Najem Adbullah Al-Jabouri, the Major of Tal Afar, who spoketo the people of his home and members ofthe Iraqi Police and Army. He addressedsome of the critical issues his people faceand informed them of his plans to remedy these asquickly as possible.

“We are suffering from this [lack of food andmedical supplies] because most of the truck driverscarrying these supplies refuse to enter the city,”Najem Adbullah Al-Jabouri said in response to aquestion during the conference. “They worry about

the security situation and possible [ImprovisedExplosive Devices] placed along the road ways. Weare working with the Multi-National Force and the3rd Division Iraqi Army to rid all the dangers[caused by the insurgency].”

Since ridding the area of any Anti-Iraqi Forces,many Iraqi families still have not been allowed to

return to their homes. The mayor assured hiscitizens that he had a plan for everyone tocome home and return to their lives.

“God willing; the families are expected tocome back to their houses on Tuesday,September 20, 2005,” said Najem AdbullahAl-Jabouri. “This is an official statement forall the people to return to the city.”

Local Gov’t Steps in to HelpAfter the operation, local Tal Afar residents are local mayors top priority.Story by Sgt. David J. Nunn

Top Right: Najem Adbullah Al-Jabouri, Tal Afar Mayor, talks to thepress about the rebuilding of Tal Afar.Above: IA and Coalition Soldierstake a tour of some of the recon-struction projects. Right: DuraidKashmoula, Governor of the Ninevahprovince talks about some of Al-Jabouri’s projects.

AL AFAR, Iraq – Since World War II, Soldiershave learned the importance of keeping their

medics close. The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment(ACR) has taken that lesson to heed as they tacklethe insurgency in the city of Tal Afar.

“The farther forward the aid station is and themore advanced care they can provide, the better it isfor the Soldiers,” said Maj. Roger L. Gelprin,Provost Doctor, 3rd ACR. “We are as forward aswe are allowed to go, right behind the front lines.”

The Soldiers face insurgent snipers, improvisedexplosive devices, rocket propelled grenades, andsmall arms fire. But for the Soldiers of the 3rdArmored Cavalry Regiment ACR, they can rest easyknowing they are in the good hands of the physi-cians and medics at the Forward Aid Station closeby.

“The cavalry moves around a lot,” said Gelprin.“They are a highly mobile and highly lethal unit,and they take their medics with them. For us, it’s allabout taking care of the Soldiers. We will go any-where and do anything to bring everyone backhome.”

For these medics, it meant turning a dirty, aban-doned building into a functioning aid station. Theystarted after dark and worked well after midnight toclean the area and prepare the rooms to receivepatients.

“We unloaded both our vehicles and surveyedseveral of the surrounding buildings that might suitour purpose,” said Lt.Col. Armon Imbriglio,a physician’s assistantfrom the New York AirNational Guard thatvolunteered to help the3rd ACR aid station.

“After we pickedone, we cleaned thebuilding, setup a trau-ma room, casualty col-lection point, and setupthe trauma bags andmedicines. After wedecided where our liv-ing quarters weregoing to be, we got towork,” he said

The medics not onlycater to the Coalition

Forces, they also take care of the wounded nativesof Tal Afar who were attacked by terrorists inhabit-ing their city.

“A young boy was shot in the leg by a [terrorist]sniper in the town,” said Imbriglio. “He wasbrought here and his wounds were taken care of.One of the best things we can do is help the childrenof Iraq. We are breaking the cycle of hate andshowing the future of Iraq, we are here to help.”

Before Imbriglio moved to Tal Afar, he was thecommander of the troop medics and ran the CombatLife Saver course and the medic course in Al Kasik.He volunteered to join the team at the aid station todo the most good that he could do.

“I found out about the operation and figured Icould do more good out here,” said Imbriglio. “Iknow my knowledge and experience as a surgicalphysician’s assistant could help out.”

Almost more than his medical experience, hisattitude helps the medics, Soldiers, and civiliansalike.

“[The Coalition and Iraqi Forces] will win backthe freedom of Iraq. We can’t let the terrorist win.They can’t be allowed to carry on their destructiveplan to destroy the good,” said Imbriglio. “I’m herefor the Coalition Soldiers and the people of Iraq.I’m here for my friend, who died in the attack on9/11. I’m here for New Yorkers. I am here to makea difference.”

Forward Aid Station Saves Lives on Front Lines

TStory Sgt. Daniel W. Lucas, photo courtesy of 25th ID

The Freedom Post 11

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