Going from hand grenades andPurple Hearts, Soldiers reachout to the Haifa St. residents.

Soldiers with 4/64 hit thestreets with the IA and seemany differences from OIF 1.

1/76 FA isn’t sending roundsdownrange, but they’re stilltackling a tough mission.

II nn ss ii dd ee

Volume II, Issue 3April 15, 2005

“We recall with appreciationthe fellow Soldiers whoselives he saved, and the manymore he inspired. And weexpress our gratitude for anew generation ofAmericans, every bit as self-less and dedicated to libertyas any that has gone onbefore – a dedication exem-plified by the sacrifice andvalor of Sgt. 1st Class PaulRay Smith.”

President George W. BushMOH Ceremony, April 4

2 Vanguard Point April 15, 2005

The VANGUARD POINT is produced in the interest ofthe servicemembers of the 4th Brigade, 3rd InfantryDivision. The VANGUARD POINT is an Army-fundednewspaper authorized under provision of AR 360-1.

Contents of the Vanguard Point are not necessarily theviews of, nor endorsed by, the US.. government, Departmentof Defense, Department of the Army or the 3rd InfantryDivision. Circulation: 2,500

4th Brigade CommanderColonel Edward Cardon

4th Brigade Command Sergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj Gary Coker

4th Brigade Public Affairs OfficerMaj. Alayne Conway

4th Brigade Public Affairs NCOICStaff Sgt. Raymond Piper

Staff WriterPfc. Dan Balda

Broadcast JournalistPfc. Nakisha Fonoti

On the cover:The poster thatwas designed tohighlight theMedal of Honor.

InsIde the poInt

President Bush bows hishead as Maj. Gen. DavidHicks, the Army Chief of

Chaplains, delivers theinvocation April 4 during aMedal of Honor ceremony

honoring Sgt. 1st ClassPaul Smith, killed in action

during Operation IraqiFreedom. White House

photo by Eric Draper. For stories and photos,

see Page 6.

Do you have a letter to the editor, photo or story to send in?Send it to raymond.piper@us.army.mil.

Please include your full name and rank. If you send a photo,include what’s going on in the photo, full names of people,

rank, units and date.

To the Point: Voices and viewpoints fromaround the brigade

A Soldier’s SoldierZeno Gamble, a writer in the Executive Secretariat at the

Pentagon, tells the story of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith receiving theMedal of Honor from his point of view. Page 3

It’s not just about running the showChaplain (Maj.) Blake Bowers shows us sometimes you have

to tend sheep before you can become a great leader. Page 3

The SoldierFifteen-year-old Sarah Emoto in an “Any Soldier Letter” showsshe cares with a poem for Soldiers.

Around the Point: Stories from around theBrigade

On the road againSoldiers from 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment can

be found more often in uparmored humvees rather than theirPaladins during OIF 3. Page 5

4/64 working with the IASoldiers are working hand in hand with their Iraqi counterpartsduring OIF 3. For OIF 1 veterans, there are big differences fromthe last time they were in Baghdad. Page 8

Georgians working with GeorgiansA battalion of Georgians have joined 4th BCT, and many don’t

speak english, but that hasn’t stopped the partnership of the stateand country of Georgia from working. Page 10

Bringing aid to Haifa St.4th BCT Soldiers conduct a MEDCAP on Haifa Street. Page 11

April 15, 2005 Vanguard Point 3

to the poInt: voIces and vIewpoInts from around the brIgade

By 15-year-old Sarah Emoto in an “Any Soldier Letter”sent to the 4th BCT

Off in the distance on a hot, dusty dayA Soldier looks on from the place where he lay

The Soldier is tired, hungry and hotHis wounds are many from the battle he foughtHis feet are numb, his legs ache with painHe has done so much for so little gain

The Soldier is hurting, but his eyes show no fearHis face is set, no signs of a tear

His mind starts to raceHis heart starts to beat, a look of resolve crosses his face

This Soldier, facing torment and toilWill never give up, will never failCourage, valor, dedication and strengthKeep this Soldier from facing defeat

This Soldier is one, of so many moreServing our country through peace and through warThis Soldier will fight, for you and for meKeeping America the land of the free

Thank you dear SoldierFor what you have doneWherever you go, wherever you’re calledYou’ll be in my heartSoldier and friend, hero for all

The Soldier

Zeno GambleSpecial to The Vanguard Point

WASHINGTON – Over the past twodays, I have spent quite a bit of timewith the family of Army Sgt. 1st ClassPaul Ray Smith. His German-born wifeBirgit, their son, David, and their adopt-ed daughter, Jessica, arrived in townApril 3. Members of his extended familyfrom Germany also are here, plus ahandful of his fellow soldiers who servedwith him in Iraq.

It has been two years since Smith waskilled in action, firing a .50-calibermachine gun from atop a broken-downarmored personnel carrier in a courtyardwhere he had been instructed to build acontainment facility for detainees nearthe Baghdad airport. His actions that daysaved more than 100 of his fellow sol-diers.

We all gathered in Washington for thepresentation of the Medal of Honor toSmith’s son, 11-year-old David.

My friend Ernie Stewart and I hadboth been invited to join the Smith fami-ly. Stewart heads an organization named“Let’s Bring ‘Em Home.” We had beenhelping reunite service members andtheir families for Christmas holidaysover the years. We had done what wecould in helping to take care of the fami-ly since Smith’s death, and were invitedto take part in the ceremonies.

David was a trooper like his father. Ashe stood next to his mother and his sisterat the White House, David received themedal from the president. His facereflected the solemn mood of the cere-mony, and his Aunt Lisa and Uncle Bradpredicted that he would indeed grow upto be like his father. Later, he proved thathis childhood was still intact, and he

chatted freely of video games and car-toons.

Jessica seemed distant at times, butwas not shy. It appeared to me that herfather’s sudden recognition had affectedher life, and in a positive way. When thesoldiers rolled up their sleeves to showoff, she showed off her own Celticdesign on her lower back.

Birgit remained in the highest of spir-its throughout it all. Each ceremonybrought her to tears, but when she spokeI could see that her words were full ofpride for her husband. Her smile neverwavered, and she was strong. It was witha grin when she showed off her tattoo. Ared heart containing the name “PaulRay” was emblazoned on her left armunder the words “You’re still Number 1.”

John Boxler also was there. The

Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith: A real Soldier’s Soldier

Chaplain (Maj.) Blake Bowers4th BCT Chaplain

That long awaited day has finally arrived. Because of a change inpersonnel or a promotion, your in charge. Now you get to run thingsthe way you see fit. Your going to show them how to do it right. Thepower and influence is yours to change lives and circumstances. Youare now the leader. Is it really that easy?

In Iraq some groups have been waiting a long time for the opportu-nity to be in charge. Some truly desire to right wrongs. Some groupshave other motives. Some truly want democracy. Many want toimprove the lives of others and have the best interest of others at heart.Is it easy? Who puts leaders in their place?

Have you ever wondered what the scriptures have to say about gov-erning and the people in charge?

The scriptures say "The authorities that exist have been establishedby God" Romans 13:1. For us this is very important. Whoever isselected to lead the Iraqi people in the coming days has been estab-lished by God. These decisions will impact our lives and that of ourchildren for times to come.

Your section leader, your platoon leaders, your company commandersand all the way up the chain have all been placed by God. Good, bad andindifferent. For those who misplaced their responsibility of governanceand leadership there is a consequence and they answer to God.

Take your responsibility seriously. Lead well. Follow the example ofChrist. He learned to be a servant first. Before Moses led, he tendedsheep. Before King David led and slew Goliath he had to kill a lion anda bear first. Before David led people he tended sheep. So there is a lotmore to being a leader than being in charge. Before Jesus could lead thechurch he had to lead a mixed group of 12 men learning to serve them.Be a servant and serve others first. Honor your leaders and rememberGod put them in their place of leadership for such a time as this.

It’s more than being in chargeChaplain’s corner ...

Continued next page

young man from Johnstown, Pa., had offered to become David’spen pal, knowing firsthand what it’s like to lose a father.Boxler’s father, Sgt. John Boxler Sr., had been killed when aScud missile struck his camp in Saudi Arabia during OperationDesert Storm. The Smith family asked Boxler to join in attend-ing the April 5 ceremony at the Pentagon. The visit would com-plete his desire to visit all three places where the 9/11 terroristattacks occurred.

Spc. Michelle Chavez was there. She was the medic whoworked on Smith after he was shot in the head. Chavez hadattempted to remove his helmet to treat him, but found that thehelmet was holding hishead together. She workedfor 30 minutes trying tosave him.

Pfc. Michael Seamanwas there. He had beenthe driver of the armoredpersonnel carrier. He wasthe guy injured by a rock-et-propelled grenade whodid his best to keep feed-ing Smith ammunitionduring the battle. He worean Army CommendationMedal with a valor deviceon his uniform.

Spc. Louis Berwaldwas there. He had beenmanning the .50-calibermachine gun on the APCbefore it was struck with amortar, inflicting injuriesto his face, shoulder, andhand. He was evacuated from the courtyard and later receivedthe Army Commendation Medal with valor device and a PurpleHeart.

Sgt. Matt Keller was there. He had crossed the courtyard withSmith where a Bradley fighting vehicle knocked down a gate sothey could engage the enemy. He followed Smith through, firingAT-4 rockets and his weapon at enemy positions and thenreturned through the breach while Smith fired the .50-calibermachine gun from the armored personnel carrier. He received aBronze Star with valor device.

Sgt. Derek Pelletier was there. He had been firing anti-tankrockets at enemy positions alongside his boss. Knowing Smithalmost four years, he was a loyal and dedicated subordinate.Pelletier was awarded the Bronze Star for his action in that bat-tle. He was awarded another Bronze Star for heroism in a laterbattle where he saw Smith’s replacement hit by enemy fire.When he tried to pull him from the battlefield, he discoveredthat his boss had been cut in half. After duty in Iraq, he wasadmitted to the hospital for five months and then released fromactive duty to return to his home in Boston.

Enshrined in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon, Smith joinedthe brotherhood of Soldiers whose true valor Americans rarelysee. Birgit spoke in the hall, her red-heart tattoo visible under thesee-through sleeves of her blouse.

Steadying her voice and holding back tears, Birgit told us thatnot only was her husband tough on his troops, but also on him-self. That was reflected in his ideals.

“American soldiers liberated the German people from tyrannyin World War II,” she said. “Today, another generation of

American soldiers has given the Iraqi and the Afghan people abirth of freedom. This is an ideal that Paul truly believed in.”

Before finishing, she said she knew her husband would beproud that she had finally started the process to become anAmerican citizen. Everyone in the Hall of Heroes applaudedloudly.

It is an understatement to say that when a soldier read Smith’scitation aloud, citing his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidityat the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” I gotchoked up. Maj. Al Rascon, a Vietnam War Medal of Honorrecipient, standing next to me with his wife, Carol, had tears inhis eyes and couldn’t speak a word. Smith’s battle buddies alsowere silent. You could hear them sniffing as each tried to hold

back tears. I felt honored that Birgit

had asked me to join thefamily and guests. The cer-emonies at the WhiteHouse and the Pentagonwere a prelude to a finalceremony at ArlingtonNational Cemetery, wherethe sound of “Taps”brought the world to astandstill and everyone to amoment of closure. It is thesaddest song in the world.

After the official cere-monies were over, about20 of us — family, friends,and soldiers – gathered inthe lounge at theWashington Hilton andtalked late into the nightabout life, the world, poli-tics, religion, weather and

death. The somber voices faded away as we drank beer andschnapps and brandy. Cigarette smoke wafted about as thefrowns slowly turned to smiles, then laughter, as we noticed thegathering had become an impromptu wake.

Birgit’s nephew Mathias shared a brew with his father and meas we talked about the overwhelming emotions of the past twodays.

“You know, back home in Germany, I can only hope to seethe Bundeschancellor on television,” he said. “But when ourfamily comes to America, we are greeted by the president. Thisis indeed a funny situation.”

As the evening turned late, and our energy waned, we allparted ways. We exchanged hugs, addresses, phone numbers,and e-mail addresses. We had all been drawn together by a sin-gle tragedy resulting from an attack on our nation, and we eachhad to deal with the events that had led us to this time and place.

A terrorist attack, a Soldier’s unwavering duty to his country,the loss of a loved one — such things are difficult to totallycomprehend.– Yet from such tragedies one cannot help but feelpride. As we separated and made one last toast to Paul Ray andto Birgit, I wondered where each of us was going and if any ofus would see one another again.

We knew where Birgit was going. She was going on to NewYork to see the World Trade Center site. She said she wanted tosee what her husband had died for. I hope that the others in ourgroup also find the closure in our lives where Paul Ray Smithhad once been.

Editor’s Note: Zeno Gamble is a writer in the ExecutiveSecretariat at the Pentagon.

4 Vanguard Point April 15, 2005

Continued from previous page

April 15, 2005 Vanguard Point 5

around the poInt: storIes from around the brIgade

On tthe rroad aagain: Pfc. Dan Balda4th BCT PAO

“Headin’ out on thehighway, looking foradventure and whatevercomes our way,” goes aline from “Born to beWild.” The Soldiers of1st Battalion, 76th FieldArtillery are headingout on the highway butwill be just fine if theadventure stays at homein the garage.

Like many otherunits in Iraq, thePatriots found them-selves with a missionfar different than whatthey were trained for.Instead of directingdeadly and accurate fire on a target, the Soldiers now find them-selves escorting various convoys around Baghdad.

“As a battalion we have driven over 90,000 miles and moved3,600 passengers safely, 10 platoons on the road every day,” saidthe battalion commander Lt. Col. Daniel Pinnell, of Central Islip,N.Y.

Pfc. Roland Day, a fueler by trade, now finds himself in thegunner’s turret protecting his brothers in 1st platoon,Headquarters and Headquarters Battery.

“I wasn’t really looking to do this kind of thing when I joinedthe Army, but if I have to do something, I’d rather be doing thisthen sitting on the FOB all day,” said the Lumberton, N.C. native.“It makes time go by faster, plus it brings everybody together. Wetreat each other like brothers; we fuss and fight …, and we takecare of each other.”

The convoys have not come without some element of dangerthough said Capt. Atn “Bull” Sabat, the Forward Support Batterycommander. “I’ve had one platoon get hit by an IED and received

some sniper fire. Wehaven’t had anythingreally serious though.”

Sabat, a NewOrleans, La. Nativeloves working with hisSoldiers.

“The guys love thismission. We’re not sit-ting static somewherefor a year. We’re alwayson the go, always mov-ing, it’s a lot of fun. Plusit makes the time herego faster. It keeps theguys motivated. Theyhate sitting around theFOB, they can’t wait toget out. They’re alwaysasking me, ‘Sir, whenare we rolling out?’ It’sgreat to see that in a

group of Soldiers.”Day is an example of the kind of Soldier Sabat loves working

with.“I don’t ever want to come out of the gun truck. I like my job,

I like being the gunner. I like being up there, controlling traffic,hopping curbs, I get a rush out of that. It’s nice being out thereactually feeling like you’re doing something to help the guys out.”

Sgt. Cecil Munford, of Miami, believes communication hassomething to do with their success.

“Communication is the most important part of running the con-voys,” Monford said. “I think because of our working relation-ship, our group has really done a great job out there. Everybodyknows everybody’s job so we can step into any slot if we have to.”

Day earned the nickname, “Warning Shot” while on a convoy.“I had to fire two warning shots. One vehicle wouldn’t stop

moving towards us and the other vehicle was a suspected IED. I’drather have to fire a warning shot and have these guys know I’vegot their backs than to have an IED roll up on us.”

Soldiers find convoyescort rewarding

1LT Marietta SquireHHC, 4-3 BTB PAO

What do finger splints, IV bags, moleskin,and first aid tape all have in common? Well, tothe medics from Headquarters andHeadquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 3rdBrigade Troops Battalion and the Australianmedics who live on Forward Operating BaseUnion III, these items make up artificial lungs.Every Sunday afternoon the 4-3 Brigade TroopsBattalion physicians' assistant conducts medicaltraining.

The eager to learn medics received some

hands on training this past Sunday, as the physi-cian assistant demonstrated and showed themedics how to insert a chest tube into a patient.

The finger splints replicated ribs, the mole-skin replicated skin, and the IV bag replicatedthe actual lung. While performing this proce-dure, a small incision is made, then a chest tubeis inserted underneath the "ribs" and pushedfurther into the chest cavity, without penetratingthe lung.

Hopefully these trained medics will neverhave to perform this procedure. However, if forsome reason they do have to, they will be pre-pared.

Extra training helps medics prepare for worse

Pfc. Dan Balda

Soldiers assigned to 1st platoon, FSB, 1/76 FA keep an eye out during aconvoy escort mission to Taji. Soldiers must keep a wary eye at all times.

April 15, 2005 Vanguard Point 76 Vanguard Point April 15, 2005

Terri LukachAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – At the foot of a hill crownedby trees and dappled by bright sunlight, the family ofa certified hero unveiled a gold-lettered memorialheadstone April 5 in Arlington National Cemetery.

The day before, the young widow and her twochildren accepted the hero’s Medal of Honor fromthe president. Just before they came to the cemetery,they’d seen him enshrined in the Pentagon’s Hall ofHeroes. Now, the family of Army Sgt. 1st Class PaulRay Smith — his widow, Birgit, and their two chil-dren, Jessica and David — unveiled his memorialstone before a small company of family and friends.

Smith was killed in a firefight with SaddamHussein’s forces at Baghdad International Airport onApril 4, 2003, while saving the lives of more than100 fellow soldiers. His Medal of Honor – thenation’s highest award for valor in combat — is thefirst awarded for service in Operation Iraqi Freedomand the global war on terror.

Soldiers from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division,who were part of the mission in which Smith gavehis life, also were present at the ceremony.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston calledSmith’s memorial an important reminder to soldierspast and present and to the more than 4 million peo-ple who visit Arlington each year that “freedom isnot free.” He also called Smith a dedicated soldier

who “solidified the very core of our Army.” “On that day, 100 American soldiers witnessed

and learned leadership of extraordinary proportions— leadership that changed and influenced their livesforever,” Preston said. “Those 100 men will in turnlead hundreds of soldiers, who will benefit from theleadership gained from serving with Sergeant 1stClass Smith. That process will continue to be sharedacross the entire Army from one unit to another.”Preston said that with the permanent memorial atArlington, Smith has “become a part of the history ofour country.”

“For as long as our flag stands,” he said, “these200 hundred acres of sacred ground will cradle ourheroes and the memory of Paul’s commitment.”

The memorial erected for Smith is one of only sixsuch markers scattered throughout Arlington.

Below the hilltop on which the ceremony tookplace, a sloping sea of weathered white headstonesfalls away as far as the eye can see. As the group wasgathered, the haunting sound of “Taps” could beheard rising up from another service far below.

Following Preston’s remarks, Birgit, Jessica andDavid Smith approached the memorial draped inblue fabric. As the shroud was removed, Smith’swidow knelt, caressed the stone, and wiped away atear as she kissed the marker.

A lone bugler sounded “Taps,” this time forSmith, after Birgit placed a red, white and bluewreath at the site.

1st Iraq Medal of Honor recipient honored at Arlington

Staff Sgt. Reeba Critser

Birgit Smith visits her husband’s memorial headstone April 5 at Arlington NationalCemetery. Smith’s husband, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, was mortally wounded sav-ing his platoon in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is the first soldier to receive the Medal ofHonor in the conflict.

Terri LukachAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – Two years to the day afterhis father died saving more than 100 fellow sol-diers in the battle for Baghdad’s airport, the youngson of an Army noncommissioned officer accept-ed his father’s Medal of Honor from PresidentBush at a White House ceremony today.

The president presented the nation’s highestaward for combat gallantry to 11-year-old DavidAnthony Smith, son of Army Sgt. 1st Class PaulR. Smith. Alongside the president and the boywere Smith’s widow, Birgit, and the couple’s 18-year-old daughter, Jessica.

This is the first time the Medal of Honor hasbeen awarded for action in Operation IraqiFreedom and the global war on terror.

Smith was part of the 3rd Infantry Division’s

buildup for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and amongthe first wave of soldiers that crossed the Kuwaitborder into Iraq on March 19, 2003, the first dayof the war. He died saving the lives of at least 100soldiers who were badly outnumbered by enemyforces.

In presenting the award, Bush described Smithas “a soldier whose service illustrates the highestideals of leadership and love of our country.”

Bush recalled Smith’s early life and career inthe Army and described the battle that took his life.

Smith’s mission, as the 3rd Infantry Divisionmoved in to seize what is now known as BaghdadInternational Airport, was to build a holding areafor enemy prisoners of war. “Sergeant Smith wasleading about three dozen men,” Bush said, “whenthey were surprised by about 100 of SaddamHussein’s Republican Guard.

“With complete disregard for his own life, and

under constant enemy fire, Sergeant Smith ralliedhis men and led a counterattack. Seeing that hiswounded men were in danger of being overrun, …Sergeant Smith manned a .50-caliber machine gunatop a damaged armored vehicle.

“From a completely exposed position, he killedas many as 50 enemy soldiers as he protected hismen.” Bush said. “Sergeant Smith’s leadershipsaved the men in the courtyard, and he preventedan enemy attack on the aid station just up theroad.”

Bush said Smith continued to fire until he “tooka fatal round to the head. His actions in that court-yard saved the lives of more than 100 Americansoldiers.” Soldiers who served with Smithdescribed him as a stern disciplinarian whodemanded much of the men under his command,Bush said. Yet Smith also demonstrated incredibleconcern, going out of his way to make life easierfor his soldiers and their families, he added.

In a letter he wrote to his parents from Iraq, butnever mailed, Bush said, the sergeant called it a“privilege to be given 25 of the finest Americanswe call soldiers to lead into war.” Smith said hewas prepared to give “all that I am to ensure thatmy boys make it home.”

In addition to being the global war on terror’sfirst Medal of Honor recipient, Smith is the first toearn a Medal of Honor flag, authorized byCongress in 2002.

“We count ourselves blessed to have soldierslike Sergeant Smith, who put their lives on the lineto advance the cause of freedom and protect theAmerican people,” the president said. “Like everyone of the men and women in uniform who haveserved in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sergeant PaulSmith was a volunteer.

“We thank his family for the father, husbandand son and brother who can never be replaced,”Bush continued. “We recall with appreciation thefellow soldiers whose lives he saved and the manymore he inspired. And we express our gratitude fora new generation of Americans every bit as self-less and dedicated to liberty as any that has goneon before, a dedication exemplified by the sacri-fice and valor of Sergeant 1st Class Paul RaySmith.”

President presents first Medal ofHonor for Terror War gallantry

White House photo by Eric Draper.

David Smith, 11-year-old son of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, holds his father's Medal of Honor,awarded April 4 posthumously by President Bush during ceremonies at the White House.

8 Vanguard Point April 15, 2005

Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft3rd Inf. Div.

Staff Sgt. Juan Serrano, Spc. NoelMata and Spc. Michael Foutch, all from BCompany, 4th Battalion, 64th ArmorRegiment, are used to riding around in aBradley Fighting Vehicle, but these days,they’ve had to get used to something a lit-tle better suited to the streets of Baghdad.

In their old crew, Mata, from PruceCrossing, Mich., was the Bradley’s driver,and Foutch, from Cumberland, Ky., wasthe vehicle’s gunner.

“Last time we were here to fight a warand that was it,” Sgt. 1st Class HaroldHill, a D Company, 4/64 Armor platoonsergeant, explained. “Nobody was friend-ly. Now we’re working hand in hand withthe Iraqi Army.”

Now, however, the positions haveshifted with the mission: Serrano drivesan M1114 up-armored humvee whileMata mans the hatch and Foutch ridesalong to provide extra security.

And instead of fighting against theIraqis, the Soldiers are working withthem.

Serrano, Mata, Foutch and their fellowB Co. Soldiers are now attached to D Co.,4/64, and most of their time is spent train-ing and on patrol with the Soldiers of 1stBrigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division.

“We go out with the Iraqis and let themdo most of the patrol mission, so eventu-ally they can do it on their own,” Serrano,a section leader from Levittown, PuertoRico, said. “So far, the IA’s doing good;they seem to be motivated and willing tolearn.”

Mata and Foutch agreed that thetrainees have come a long way, and thedaily missions have been instrumental tothat progress.

During one routine patrol April 8, theIA Soldiers accompanied their U.S. coun-terparts to various areas in Baghdad.

“Today we’re doing a joint patrol with

the Iraqi Army, patrolling the river roadroute on the border of the Tigris,” saidHill, referencing the first stop of themorning. “A lot of times it’s been used asa dumping ground. We get out there andmake there haven’t been any cachesplaced or anybody trying to cross theriver. It’s one of the main infiltrationroutes we worry about when coming out-side the Green Zone.”

Upon arriving at the dumping ground,some of the 1/1 Soldiers secured theperimeter while others searched for itemssuch as weapons, unexploded ordnanceand an abandoned bunker. With somecoaching from 4/64 Soldiers, the IAtroops were able to complete the missionwithout a hitch.

The next several stops along the waywere what Hill, a Newell, N.C., native,called “meet and greet” areas — the resi-dential sections of the city where Soldierstake some time to feel the pulse of thecommunity.

“We get out and walk around, talk tothe local populace, go to the local store,maybe buy a soda,” Hill said. “We hangout and talk to them, see if they’ve hadany problems, stuff like that.”

As the three-vehicle convoy movedfrom place to place, 1/1 Soldiers movedconfidently and efficiently, quick to carryout instructions given to them by their4/64 comrades. Since most of the IraqiSoldiers speak little English, an inter-preter goes along on each mission to com-municate between the two units.

Even without an interpreter, though,the smiles on the IA Soldiers’ faces speakvolumes about their pride in their newjobs and their desire to continue to getbetter at what they do.

“They’re very proud people,” said 2ndLt. Bill Evans, a B Company, 1stBattalion, 184th Infantry Regiment,California National Guard platoon leaderwhose unit also works with 1/1. “Theywant to learn. We seem to do a lot forthem these days, but we have to weanthem from that, we have to sever thoseties so they can do this on their own.”

Sgt. Marcus Brister, a D Co., 4/64squad leader, said he thinks the Iraqis’biggest improvements come from theirdaily involvement in the security mis-sions.

“At first, it was like herding cats,” hesaid of his unit’s initial work with the IASoldiers. “You could tell them what to doand where they need to go, but they’regoing to take their own way to get there.”

Evans said the IA Soldiers’ zeal hascaused the biggest challenges in the waythey conduct operations.

“If we get (intelligence) on someonewe’re looking for, we go through a whole(operation order) before we take anyaction,” he said. “But if we send them outjust to get information on the person,they’ll come back, all excited, with himtied up, and say, ‘We got him!’ We’re try-ing to teach them that that’s not the waywe do things.”

“They want to do their jobs,” Evans,from Torrance, Calif., added, “but they justdon’t have the guidance. You can’t easilyundo what Saddam did over 35 years.”

Still, little by little, the U.S. Soldiers’joined efforts are proving to be essentialin reaching the ultimate goal of turningIraq’s security over to its own Soldiers,and the need for Serrano, Mata andFoutch’s Bradley is growing smaller andsmaller.

Crew trades in Bradley while working with the IA

1st Lt. Christian Mitchell3/7 Inf. PAO

Baghdad, Iraq — Task force 3-7Infantry and their Iraqi counterpart, TFLion conducted a large security sweep inthe neighborhood of Saydiyah April 3 - 4.

Saydiyah has been an area of signifi-cant interest for 3/7 Inf. since the battalionarrived in Baghdad in late February.

The neighborhood is a compact, popu-lated area and composed largely of afflu-ent Sunnis who were prominent membersof the former Ba’ath regime, along with asizeable population of former militaryofficers. It was also suspected to harborone or more large militant organizations.

These militant, criminal factions wereterrorizing the law-abiding citizens of thetown, attacking coalition forces, andthreatening death or harm to anyone whooffered information about their activities.

Additionally, Cottonbaler Soldiershave encountered numerous improvised-explosive devices and small arms attacksin the Saydiyah area.

Saydiyah has accounted for more thanhalf of all IED’s found or detonated in the3/7 Inf. area of operations. First Sgt. JoeBulick said that there are groups of hostilemales within the city, who were clearly inopposition to coalition forces.

This was evident by the daily “atmos-pherics” one encountered there such aspeople displaying open hostility duringroutine patrols throughout the area.

Bulick also added that it also becamecommon for IED’s to be emplaced where3/7 Inf. Soldiers had recently patrolled.

As a result of the continued attacksagainst Cottonbaler Soldiers, Lt. Col.David Funk, the 3/7 Inf. commander,directed his staff and commanders to planand conduct a security sweep to captureknown or suspected anti-Iraqi forces.

The goal of the operation was to detaincriminal elements in order to provide asafe and peaceful environment for the cit-izens of Saydiyah, as well as for multina-tional forces.

The operation itself involved the entiretask force, with every company providinga critical element to the success of thelarger plan.

After establishing a large outer-cordonto prevent escape from, or reinforcementto, the targets, the battalion moved rapid-ly to their objectives. The TF objectivesincluded suspected residences and meet-ing places of high-level leaders, as well aslower-level ”operators” and weaponscaches. Given the nature of the targets, thetask force was prepared to apply over-whelming combat power in the event of afight.

As one D Company platoon leadersaid, “... we expect a fight or spirited skir-mish to occur.”

However, as a result of the extensivecordon, coupled with the speed and syn-chronization of the companies’ moves totheir objectives, many targets were caughtby surprise, and no shots were fired.

A crucial part of this successful opera-tion was the participation of our IraqiArmy counterparts, the 3rd Battalion, 1stBrigade of the 6th Division (TF Lion).

The Lion platoons were integratedfully within the Task Force, with each TFBaler company having at least one Iraqiplatoon attached to it. Additionally, Lion,supported by the advisors from Baler’sHeadquarters Co., had two objectives of

their own. This was clearly a joint opera-tion, in which the Iraqi Army proved,once again, that they are making excellentprogress.

Overall, the complex, joint operation inSaydiyah, was a success. Several targetswere detained, and a few of them havebeen assessed as having “high intelli-gence value.”

In addition to the detainees, the opera-tion netted weapons, ammunition, anti-American propaganda, and large amountsof money. The long-term impact of theoperation remains yet to be seen. No onebelieves this will end the violence com-pletely. As D Co. commander, CraigGibson, said, “this operation was just thebeginning. It was meant to send a mes-sage to the citizens of Saydiyah, that weare here to help, and that we will not tol-erate this type of insurgent activity.”Gibson’s assessment, one shared by allthe Cottonbalers is that “yes, the insur-gents have been shaken up, but this is notthe end.”

Whatever the future may hold, theCottonbalers are prepared to take actionand help the citizens in their area of oper-ations.

Cottonbalers sweep Saydiyah

3/7 Inf. Soldiers search an Iraqi man for contraband at a check point.

Safety Watch: Don’t play with the critters. Some bite back

April 15, 2005 Vanguard Point 9

Capt. Stephen L. Gifford4th BCT PAO

The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rdInfantry Division has welcomed a newinfantry battalion to its ranks. And, justlike most of the units in the Fort Stewart-based division, the soldiers of this battal-ion are from Georgia.

However, most of these soldiers don’tspeak English.

The 13th Infantry Battalion joins the4th BCT from the country of Georgia, aformer Soviet Republic located on theBlack Sea between Turkey and Russia.

The 550-soldier battalion will beresponsible for security at two of the mostimportant sites in Baghdad — the al-Rasheed Hotel and the Iraqi ConventionCenter, the home to the newly-electedIraqi National Assembly. The battalionwill also provide security for UnitedNations convoys in Baghdad.

“We look forward to helping the peo-ple of Iraq launch their own democracy,”said Capt. George Shengalia, the 13th Battalion commander. Hepointed out that Georgia is a new democracy, and said he under-stands the need for security during this transition.

The 13th is called the “Shavnabada” battalion, named for atype of cloak worn by medieval warriors. The most famousshavnabada was worn by the patron saint of Georgia, SaintGeorge. The battalion’s crest includes the word “Shavnabada” inGeorgian, the battalion’s symbol, the Griffin, and the number 13.

The Shavnabada battalion was established with the independ-ence of Georgia from the Soviet Union in 1991. It saw combat a

year later, conducting an amphibiousassault from the Black Sea in northwestGeorgia. In 2003, the battalion receivedadvanced training and equipment from theU.S. Marine Corps.

More than 90 percent of the soldierscurrently serving in Iraq are veterans offighting a guerilla insurgency in the SouthOssettia region of the country in October2004.

Col. Ed Cardon, the commander of the4th BCT, welcomed the addition of theGeorgian soldiers to the VanguardBrigade.

“The Shavnabada battalion has a vitalrole to play in the security of Baghdad andIraq, and I am confident in their abilities,”he said. “The 13th Infantry makes a wel-come addition to the Vanguard team.”

He also said he’s especially pleased thatShengalia has chosen to allow its soldiersto wear the 3rd Inf. Div. patch as the unit’scombat patch for this deployment.

Georgian soldiers wear their unit patchon their left shoulder, as well as combat

patches and a subdued Georgian flag. They wear American-styledesert combat uniforms with black flak vests and load-carryingcombat equipment. On their kevlars, all soldiers wear a seven-pointed star, a common Georgian symbol.

Most of the soldiers in the 13th Bn. speak both Georgian andRussian. Most also understand a few words of English, and canread English letters and numbers. All important checkpoints andGeorgian missions include interpreters.

Other coalition countries supporting the Multi-NationalDivision-Baghdad include Estonia and Macedonia.

Georgians join Georgians to provide Baghdad security

Pfc. Dan Balda

Two Georgian soldiers from the 13thInfantry Battalion (Shavnabada) standguard outside the al-Rasheed Hotel.

2nd Lt. Peter Robinson6/8 Cav. Engineer Officer

Troopers with 6th Battlaion, 8thCavalry Regiment, trained as scouts togain contact with enemy maneuver forces,and to provide intelligence on the enemythreat, continue to expand their skill setsand their imaginations to cope with theoddball weapons used by insurgentforces. In some cases, insurgents’ tacticshave left 6/8 Soldiers scratching theirheads or laughing out loud.

First, there were the reports of cutouts,plywood silhouettes of dogs placed in themiddle of the road, with eyes that reflect-ed headlights at night. Apparently intend-ed to cause vehicles to halt near IEDs, thecutouts generated thoughtful and innova-tive responses from commanders. Withtactical roadblocks being contemplated,one leader remarked, “Let’s put some full-sized cows with reflective eyes out there.That should stop traffic.”

Then there were the two bicycle

bombs. Painted after modification to dis-guise detonating cord as brake line, thehollow frame packed with explosives, thebicycle bombs were presumably designedto permit the erstwhile pedestrian bombera high-speed (or at least 10-speed)approach to vulnerable targets. The fearthe bicycle bombs struck in the hearts ofthe Americans was hard to quantify, pos-sibly because it was confused with otheremotions. At least one Cavalry officer,returning from a mission, remarked“Men, I saw a man on a bicycle today.And I thought … well, it’s a pity.”

Fortunately, both bicycle bombs werecaptured by 6-8 CAV before they could beused, in the sort of cache seizure a scoutcould write home about. When theCombined Explosives Exploitation Cellarrived at the site 6/8’s B Troop hadsecured, they recovered and seized thebikes along with a VBIED, 13 suicidevests, four fuel-soaked bags of fertilizer,20 artillery rounds, and six propane tanks.

The latter items are effective enough

weapons, but other seizures have nettedstabbing weapons, antique single-shotrifles, and on at least one occasion, a Stengun. The Sten gun, mass-produced duringWorld War II as an alternative to moreexpensive submachine guns, has no safety,and is notorious for discharging if dropped.

Having proven ineffective thus far, itremains to be seen whether Anti-IraqiForces will continue to use such weapons.Certainly bicycles are cheaper than cars,though their effectiveness is unproven.The real question may be whether theScouts and fellow soldiers can cope withthese eyebrow-raising tactics. So far, itseems well within their power.

Mustangs encounter variety of oddball weapons

10 Vanguard Point April 15, 2005

Pfc. Dan Balda4th BCT

Haifa Street has had a lot of nicknames,Grenade Alley and Purple Heart Rowamong those that can actually show up inprint.

Soldiers and medics assigned to 4thBrigade Combat Team, 3rd InfantryDivision sought to change that when theyset up a Medical Civilian Action ProgramApril 2.

Sgt. 1st Class James Braet, a motor pla-toon sergeant with headquarters and head-quarters company, 4th Battalion, 64thArmored had come into contact with a lotof the residents during patrols in the area.

“They had a lot of standing water thatwas stagnant,” the Moline, Ill., native said.“We went into some of the homes and therewas six inches of water on the ground. A lotof the kids had skin diseases on their face.Capt. Raymond Brovont, 4th BCT brigadesurgeon, had the idea for a MEDCAP and Itold him I knew of an area that could reallyuse the help.”

The medics brought everything fromthe stuff for basic coughs, colds, conges-tion to wound management. Typically theamount of supplies would be enough torun a troop medical clinic for two or threeweeks. The medics treated 60 patients inthe two hours they were set up, Brovontsaid.

“We treated everything from people whobrought us their MRI’s for terminal cancer,traumatic brain injuries, sores, colds runnynoses, counseling on basic nutrition anddental care,” Brovont, a native of

Livermore, Calif., said. “It ran the wholegamut of things you see in the states butusually people are so poor they are unableto get the treatment they need.”

Brovont believes this is one of the mainreasons why he came to Iraq.

“Combat is one thing, but the peopleunderstand that if we provide them withsome humanity, we can show them that wecare for them. Even in a place as poor asthis, that’s been infamous for the violence,we are out of here trying to help them andhopefully they see this as we are trying tobetter them as a society trying to reestablishthem as a collective group.”

1st Sgt. Bobby Breeden, 4th BCTHeadquarters and Headquarters Companyfirst sergeant came to the MEDCAP to helpprovide security but ended up watching thedoctors help the people. The Midwest City,Okla., native thought there were other pos-itives to draw from this experience otherthan the medical aspect.

“This kind of stuff here hopefully slowsdown some of the combat that we are see-ing,” Breeden said. “Hopefully the peoplebecome more trusting of us and be morelikely to work with us.”

The Iraqi civilians who were present notonly saw the American Soldiers helping,they also saw the Iraqi Army taking part inbringing relief to those who needed it.

“I think this is great because it helps theIA establish rapport with their own peoplebecause there are mixed emotions with theIA and their own people,” Braet said. “Theyare starting to win the people over as well.The people we talk to on the streets say thatthe IA is great, they make them feel safe.

Two months ago they weren’t even able toopen up their shops, now all the shops areopen.”

All the people involved agreed that thechildren who live in the area were one ofthe main reasons they were out there.

“I love seeing the kids leave here with asmile, being able to help them is what thisis all about,” Breeden said. “Being a father,this means a lot to me. You always see yourkids in each of the little kids out here, that’sone of the reasons why I think a lot of uswant to help.”

During Braet’s unit many patrols on andaround Haifa Street, he has seen the atti-tudes of the residents become more positiveand more productive.

“I fill my pocket with candy everyday tohand out to the kids, sometimes we handout stuffed animals,” Braet said. “Just fromhanding out book bags the other day we gota huge tip on a weapons cache in the area.The guy said that because we had beenhanding out things for the kids he decidedto tell us where the weapons were. This isthe kind of stuff that’s going to win thewar.”

Brovont had one patient in particularthat really stuck in his mind.

“There was a little girl, about two yearsold, with big blue eyes. She was veryscared, but the more I spent time with her,the more comfortable she got with me,”Brovont said. “I taught her how to give ahigh-five, to slip me some skin. I was veryhappy with that. Even across cultural andlanguage barriers, there can still be thatcommon ground that exists with healthcare.It was a very rewarding trip out here.”

MEDCAP helps cross cultural gapSgt. 1st Class Harold Flowers, 4th BCT Medical NCO,changes the dressing of an Iraqi man. Soldiers and medicsfrom 4th BCT provided medical assistance to 60 patients.

1st Sgt. Bobby Breeden, HHC, 4th BCT first sergeant, greetsa young Iraqi girl. He said helping the children is what theMEDCAP was all about.

April 15, 2005 Vanguard Point 11

2nd Lt. Robert N. Couture1/184 Inf.

A few weeks ago an improvised explosive device took thelives of three U.S. military police officers, wounded four 1stBattalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Soldiers, as well as one of ourown A Company, 1st Bn., 184th Infantry Regt. Soldiers in south-ern Baghdad. The detonator of the IED was captured shortlyafterwards.

Insurgents not only had fatal effects on U.S. Soldiers, butalso severely damaged the surrounding Iraqi neighborhood.The shrapnel from the explosion blew out windows on cars and

homes in the surrounding area. Large shards of metal, asphalt,and cement had no discretion in the damage it caused.

Two weeks after the attack, A Co. was conducting a patroland clearing a stretch of road in the vicinity of the previousIED. They were looking for signs of emplaced IEDs along thehighway. Many locals were asked about the previous incident,but they were scared to talk; worried there would be repercus-sions from insurgents for talking to multinational forces.

A man came out when we searched the road near his home.He was visibly nervous and seemed uncomfortable speakingwith us, but was in despair. His family soon followed him andprovided him some encouragement to speak with our Soldiers.

He spoke excitedly to our interpreter, recounting the explosionof a few weeks past and pointed out the windows of his car andhome that were blown out and even showed us shards of rock andmetal that struck his home.

A rock the size of a golf ball had struck his young daughter dur-ing the explosion. His daughter came over and showed us a dirtyand bloody dressing on her leg. Underneath, was a gash the sizeof silver dollar where the rock had struck her just below the knee.The dressing had not been changed since they visited the clinic,almost two weeks prior.

Spc. Shane Kirk, the medic assigned to A Co., 1/184 and nativeof Modesto, Calif., examined her wound and cleaned it up the besthe could. He provided the family with some clean dressings andsome antibiotics for their daughter, along with instructions toclean and redress the wound everyday. Antibiotics were alsogiven to prevent infection.

This goes to show, that when the insurgents attack, it isn’t onlymultinational forces that they are hurting, they are hurting inno-cent Iraqi children.

Child injured in IED attack; Modesto medic tends wounded girl

2nd Lt. Peter Robinson6-8 Cav. Engineer Officer

Standing in the hot sun day after day,equipped with automatic rifles and a hand-ful of machine guns, a passerby can seeSoldiers holding intersections throughoutBaghdad. Protection for these Soldiers isoffered by single layers of sandbags and afew lonely rolls of concertina wire.

They are not multinational forces oreven affiliated with Iraqi Security Forces’training teams. They are Iraqis, from the2nd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Brigade, andthey work the city streets of their own coun-try by locking down key avenues; prevent-ing attacks by insurgents looking to placeimprovised-explosive devices on roads, orfrom lobbing mortar shells from areas withhasty exits.

It would be possible to doubt the com-mitment and motivation of a force hastilytrained and under-equipped. But this par-ticular Iraqi force is standing on its own twofeet.

“Considering the resources they have,

and the training they have, their effort isabove-average,” said Capt. TerrenceSommers, a 6th Squadron, 8th CavalryRegiment Soldier working with the Iraqis.

Nor are their efforts without effect;Soldiers in 6/8 Cav. give them much of thecredit for the drastic reduction in attacks onMNF traveling certain key routes.

Maj. Chris Worrill, operations officer for6/8 Cav. said that the historical data showsthat the three checkpoints manned by Iraqiforces has produced a sharp decline in thenumber of IEDS placed in the southernedge of the al-Dora neighborhood and thenumber of mortar attacks against CampFalcon.

The Iraqis of 2nd Bn. engage in manytypes of operations, from quick raids todeliberate cordon and searches. But theirmost visible role, in which Soldiers mostfrequently see them, is the constant over-watch they keep at road checkpoints.

At these checkpoints, the Iraqis are ide-ally situated to both block insurgent escapefrom likely firing points, and to keep an eyeon neighborhoods and popular IED spots.

Besides deterring attacks, the Iraqis areexcellent intelligence collection resources.This intelligence can be immediatelyexploited — typically by the Iraqis them-selves.

“Between what they’ve found them-selves, and what they’ve received fromwalk-ins, they’ve got fifteen seizures in thelast two months,” Sommers said.

Locals have seen the same Iraqi Soldiersmanning the same checkpoints for sometime. This consistency, and the consistentmanner in which they respond to threatsonce aware of them, has earned them cred-ibility with Iraqi civilians. There are goodhopes that with continued presencethroughout the sector, the success the 2ndBn. has so far had can be extended to abroader area.

“The Iraqis don’t trust you until they seeyou’ve committed to something for awhile,” Sommers said. “But they trustthese guys, and they know the differencebetween these guys and others. If we canearn this trust elsewhere, we can have aneven greater effect.”

Iraqi checkpoints help shut down insurgents

Spc. Shane Kirk, a medic assigned to A Co., examinesthe wound of an Iraqi girl and cleans it up.

12 Vanguard Point April 15, 2005