volume 5 edition 21, may 2005 nakebitestatic.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_0243.pdf · immortally...

nakebite

Volume 5 Edition 21, May 2005

The Official Newsletter of the 116th Brigade Combat Team

Inside

Mailing Addresses ... Pg 2

Homestate Briefs/Iraq News ... Page 20

Commander’s CornerFellow Warriors,Our #1 mission here in

Iraq is to train the IraqiSecurity Forces (ISF) sothat they canassume fullresponsibilityfor securityupon ourdeparture. Aswe conductour missions,remember thatyou shoulduse every opportunity toguide and mentor yourIraqi policeman or soldier.They are learning newmethods of ensuringsecurity and peace for theirNation. Continue to show

BG Gayhart

by Brigadier General Alan Gayhart, Commander

Increase your IEDawareness ... Pg 4

Battalion Updates... Pgs 7-18

CSM Lewis

CSM Briefingby 116th BCT Command Sgt. Maj. Leroy Lewis

Continued on page 3

them the right way ofprotecting not only thepeople, but the rights of

the citizens.All citizens offree Iraq will betreated withdignity andr e s p e c t .Continue totreat allc i t i z e n s ,regardless ofethnic group,

religious beliefs, orpolitical views with thesame respect thatAmericans are known for.Keep up the fight, remainsafe, and remain alert.

"Warriors First"

Firemen and 116 BCT conduct mini-MASCALby Capt. Monte Hibbert,116th BCT Public Affairs

Continued on page 18

FOB WARRIOR, Iraq –Medics from the 116thBrigade Combat Team’s IvoryCombat Clinic (ICC), contract

A contract fireman acts the part of someone with difficultybreathing, during the “mini” mass casualty exercise.

Spc. Cleveland of HHC,116 BCT, attends to a patientduring the “mini” mass casualty exercise May 4.

I hope everyone whofalls under the bonusprogram is taking advantageof it. That is a lotof money thatyou can get taxfree now, butwhen you leavetheater they willtake out taxes.$15,000 goes along way if youuse it right. Mywife would makesure we spent it the right way.It’s too bad everyone did notqualify for it. I want to thankeveryone for keeping inuniform, we still have someviolators, but we will deal withthem when we catch them.

For the most part, everyoneis looking good. I know it ishard when the Air Force has

a differentstandard, butwe are not in theAir Force. Wejust have tomaintain thestandards, andmost have beendoing a goodjob. We do notwant to get

complacent, and let ourguard down. We are overhalf way there and letting ourguard down could getsomeone hurt or killed.

firemen and ambulance crewsbased at Forward OperatingBase Warrior, Iraq, practicedtheir emergency response toa simulated rocket attack withinjuries May 4.

The small-scale masscasualty exercise (MASCAL)allowed participants topractice their skills on three“patients” with simulatedwounds, presumably from arocket attack.

“The ICC holds a battledrill on the average once aweek to practice and maintainskills necessary should a realMASCAL occur,” said Capt.Tobin Hill, a registered nursefrom the 116th BCT’s CCompany, 145th SupportBattalion. “The reason thecontracted firemen wereinvolved was becauseCharlie Company has beenassisting in training thefiremen in rendering medicalcare and triage sinceFebruary when it wasdecided that their servicesmay be needed should acatastrophic event happenon the FOB.”

Hill was made medicaldirector over the contractfiremen after Maj. DavidHale of Hawaii’s 2nd BCT

returned home. Haledeveloped the initialconcept of havingcontracted firemen becomepart of the initial responseteam in case of a masscasualty event, both as

primary responders and toaugment the ICC staff.

“The firemen have beenreceiving classes twice a

nakebite

Snakebites is a product of the 116th Brigade Com-bat Team Public Affairs Office. It is the official com-mand information publication of the 116th BCT. Thispublication’s intent is to provide timely and relevantinformation to the soldiers, families and employers ofthe 116th BCT.

The Snakebites staff welcomes submissions from itsreaders. If you have an article and/or photo that youfeel would be appropriate for this publication pleasee-mail it to [email protected] or drop it bythe PAO office at Bldg. 370, FOB Warrior.

Snakebites StaffCapt. Monte HibbertPublic Affairs Officer

Staff Sgt. Jack WhitePublic Affairs NCO

Submission Policy

Media Interview Tips• Always tell the truth.

• Assume that everything you say will be used andattributed to you. Avoid “Off the record” conversa-tions with reporters. If you don’t want to see it inprint or on television, don’t say it.• Stay in your lane; talk only about things for whichyou are responsible.• Do not speculate.

• It’s ok to say: “I don’t know.”

• Refer specific recruiting questions to your recruiter.

• If you can’t answer a reporter’s question, explainwhy. For example, if the incident is under investiga-tion, just let the reporter know.• Always remain calm and professional.

• Practice what you want to say in front of a mirror ora friend to become more comfortable.• Be yourself. You have a great story to tell and yourcommunity wants to hear it!• Discuss what you know, provided OPSEC is notviolated.

Spc. Cathy AlbertoPublic Affairs Specialist

Vol. 5 Ed. 21, May 2005 Snakebites

Potential scam targets guardsmen

*******ATTENTION MEDIA OUTLETS********The 116th BCT has no release authority for information aboutcasulties or deaths. This falls to our higher headquarters.Please don’t query us directly for this information. Thankyou.

Dagger South-Head-quarters, 1/3d BCT 09383.All other 1/3d units 09393

Gabe 09336Gaines-Mills 09338McHenry 09338McKenzie 09391Omaha 09393O' Ryan 09391Normandy 09336Paliwoda 09391Remagen 09393Speicher 09393Summerall 09393Scunion 09336W a r h o r s e -

Headquarters 3 BCT 0939.All other 3 BCT units09336

Warrior- Headquarters116 BCT 09368. All other116 BCT units 09338

Wilson 09393

Soldiers get new mailing addresses

Kelli Reid, Idaho FamilyAssistance Center Coordinator

Sgt. James Van Meter ofHHC, TF 2-116 Armor, ishome on leave and receivedthe following E-mail on hiswife's E-mail account. He isconcerned and offendedby this scam and wisheseveryone be made madeaware of it.

From: Sgt John Sam.Hello, I am Sgt John Sam, asoldier and photoJournalist, serving in themilitary .I am with the 248thEngineer corp. in the

National Guard. I am writingthis message from ar-ramadiin Iraq. We hit Iraq last may2003 and have movedaround a few times buildingup f.o.b.'s around thewestern side of the countryas well as missions intoBagdad.With attacks byinsurgents everyday and carbombs,we managed tomove funds belonging toSaddam Hussien families.The total amount is US$25Million Dollars in cash,mostly 100 Dollar bills. Wewant to move this money out

of iraqi. no strings attached,just help us recieve it, Iraq isa warzone although partiallyended. We plan on usingdiplomatic courier to ship themoney out in one largesilver box, using diplomaticimmunity.If you areinterested I will send you thefull details, When yourespond with this letter,kindly response with yourinterest including your mostconfidential telephone/faxnumbers for quick responsealso your contact details.Respectfully, Sgt.John Sam.

The APO addresschange is for all unitsexcept HQ Brigade. If youor your soldier is stationedanywhere besides the twoFOBs used, below is theAPO for all of the FOBs.You will still get their mail ifyou use the old address,but this new address letsyou receive your mail a fewdays earlier.

All current AO LibertyZip codes now in effect,both geographic and unit-specific, are as follows:

Anaconda 09391Bernstein 09393Brassfield-Mora 09393Caldwell (FOB) 09324Cobra 09324Danger 09308

There has been anaddress change for thesoldiers in Iraq.

If you or your soldieris a member of Head-quarters 116th BCT it is asfollows:

SPC Sam SpadeHHC, 116th BCTOIF III, FOB WarriorAPO AE 09368

All other units are asfollows (2 Examples):

SGT Sam SpadeCo B, 145th Spt BnOIF III, FOB WarriorAPO AE 09338SGT Sam SpadeCo B, 145th Spt BnOIF III, FOB McHenryAPO AE 09338


Freedom (Air Force) Chapel ScheduleSunday0630 - Protestant Morning Prayer0800 - Gospel Service0900- Latter-Day Saints @ the LRC1000 - Contemporary Protestant Worship Svc.1130 - Catholic Mass1900 - Traditional Protestant Worship Service2000- Latter-Day Saints @ the LRC

Monday1900 - Ladies Fellowship1945 - Godly Fathers/Husbands Bible Study (ChapelAdmin. Office)Monday-Thursday1130 - Catholic Mass

Tuesday1900 - Weekly Catholic Meditation @ the LRC1930 - Protestant Band Practice

Wednesday1900 - Bible Study2130 - Praise & Worship Rehearsal

Thursday1930 - Protestant Band Practice

Friday1900 - Gospel Service

Saturday1900 - Catholic Mass2030 - Lutheran Service2115 - Rosary & Mass (DFAC)

Snake River Chapel ScheduleSunday

0900 - Catholic Mass1100 - General Protestant Worship

Service1400 - Catholic Mass1530 - LDS

Monday1830 - LDS Family Home Eve. CP18,

Pod 151900 - Praise Band Rehearsal

Tuesday1930 - Men’s Fellowship

Wednesday1900 - Bible Study

Thursday1930 - Bible Study

Friday1200 - Muslim Prayer Service @ Base

MosqueSaturday

1930 - Gospel Service

by Chaplain (Lt.Col.) John Worster, 116th BCT ChaplainIt’s kind of sad that folks don’t know

enough history – including the former Iraqirégime. An awareness of history is knowinghow big life’s horizons are. Near my CHU(Containerized Housing Unit) there is a tell.A tell looks like a mound of dirt,but actually used to be a city oreven a series of cities on thesame location. Tells are formedas each successive civilizationis conquered and destroyedand their city-site rebuilt on therubble. Because the tell inquestion has been dug into,there are exposed potteryshards. When the pottery “pots and pans”of the ancient city broke, people just threwthem out on the ground. We can now goover and pick up pieces of their kitchen ware,feel the thick lip so characteristic of theirpottery, and wonder what happened to thosepeople. On the grassy side of the tell is a pileof razor wire and some parts of an Iraqi jet:remnants of another brief, modern reign: theleader of which is in prison awaiting trial.What’s left of his palaces and the countryhomes of his accomplices dot the landscape.His sons are dead, put six feet down intoIraq’s ground. Saddam should have lookedaround his country and realized that thehistory buried in the very soil of this sadland would convict him and his sick maleoffspring.

The Pulpit: What will we be remembered for?

Chaplain Worster

Important Dates to Remember:Don’t Forget!

30 May - Memorial Day

14 June - Flag Day19 June - Father’s Day21 June - First day of summer

4 July - Independence Day

You don’t want to forget yourloved one’s anniversaries orbirthdays! Start planning now!

If we examine the issues that consumeour lives and emotions, we should ask thequestion: are they substantive andenduring? When the remnants of ourcivilization are dug out of the soil by future

generations, how will we bejudged? Actually, since almostevery thought, feeling andimage of our lives are nowimmortally organized ontodigits, we will be subject to themost merciless scrutiny. To ourgrandchildren, will we bejudged wise, or silly, noble orbase? Sadly, as we frantically

run from one crisis to the next, there is littletime for such ruminations.

Religion, understood as our responseto what we know about God, considersthese things. It does so because it isaware of life’s big horizons. Religion isaware that “Wise men and fools must bothperish, and leave their wealth to others.”People with faith are aware of how shortlife is. They live their lives with that inmind, knowing to embrace big, lastingprojects: like raising a family, helpinghuman beings to live dignified, decentlives. When Coalition Forces leave Iraq,we’ll leave behind not rubble, but schools,mosques, water projects and friendships– enduring things that we’ll beremembered for and that will endure.

CSM Briefing...Continued from page 1Remember OPSEC, do notthrow anything away withyour address on it. Theycaught some of the guys wehire going through the trash,and getting addresses. Theseindividuals were fired, but it isa constant reminder that we

have to be really careful.Remember safety and speedlimits on the FOB. I got caughtin one of my own TCP’s forgoing too fast. I was in thewrong and 10 miles an hourseems pretty darn slow, butthat is the speed limit. Speedingand seat belts was what gotmost people and there were alot of them caught. Also, be

sure and call home as often asyou can, because yourfamilies worry about you allthe time. Once again, if anyonehas any questions about thebonus program, give me a calland I will hook you up withthe man that knows all theanswers…

Warriors FirstCSM Lewis


Question of the Week

What do you miss most about back home?

Staff Sgt.Brandon FletcherB Co., TF 3-116 Armor

Spc. Patrick HaasD Troop, 2-104th Cavalry

Spc. Philip CrystalB Co., TF 3-116 Armor

Sgt .Barry ChristophersonB Co., 145th Support Bn.

Spc. Colter TerryB Co., TF 3-116 Armor

“Mykids andwife.”

“Myfriends.”

“Beingwith familyor friends”

“MyFamily.”

by MNC-I Public Affairs

‘5-and-25’ campaign increases IED awareness for SoldiersImprovised explosive

devices are the numberone killers of America’ssons and daughtersserving in Iraq, and theJoint IED Defeat TaskForce at Camp Victory iskicking off an informationcampaign May 25 in aneffort to increase IEDawareness and save lives.

The “5-and-25”campaign, as it is called,is designed to increaseIED awareness andreduce the effectivenessof the mountain ofmakeshift bombs beingproduced by insurgents.Officials say thedeceptive devicesaccount for more than

half of the coalit iondeaths that haveoccurred since the start ofthe Iraq war in March2003.

Efforts to date havereduced the IED casualtyrate by more than 45percent during the periodof April 2004 throughFebruary 2005 – but thatis not seen as enough.

“IEDs are our numberone killers here,” saidEric Egland, who worksat the Iraq headquartersof Joint IED Defeat TaskForce at Camp Victory.The task fo rce i srespons ib le fo rdeveloping innovativeways to rid the countryof IEDs.

The deadly devicesare considered a highlyeffective means of killingpeople because they canquickly be set upanywhere and be set toblow at any time. Theyhave been disguised asvirtually everything fromtree trunks and deadanimals to bicycles andpregnant women. RoyalAustralian Air ForceGroup Capt. DavidStockdale, deputy chair ofthe IED Working Group atMulti-National Corps-Iraq, said there is no limitto what insurgents willuse for IEDs.

Stockdale, who servesas the equivalent of acolonel in the American

Air Force, has beenactively working theissue of IEDs and theireffects since arriving inIraq a few months ago.

“The IED is one of themost dangerous threats tocoalit ion forces,”Stockdale said. “Tomitigate their effects, wewanted to put together aninformation campaignthat would make the IEDreaction drill a normalpart of daily activities forthe coalition forces.”

Egland said severaldifferent counter-IEDorganizations werealready delivering goodmessages and possiblesolutions out there, butwith no real emphasis or

impact to the troops whoneeded it the most. “Itwasn’t as good as it couldbe. Some channels justnaturally don’t flow aswell as others,” he said.

The working group,deputy-chaired byStockdale, represents across-section of coalitionforces formed as a resultof this issue.

The group’s solutionfor getting vitalinformation to the forcesrequired three objectives:First, ensure informationgets to those troops whoneed it most; second,develop an effectivecounter-IED organization

Continued on page 8

“Snow-board-ing.”


FOB WARRIOR, Iraq-The 116th Brigade CombatTeam’s 145th Support Bat-talion and 126th ForwardSurgical Team, hosted the“Sidewinder Combat MedicChallenge” to test coalitionmedics’ physical fitness andtechnical proficiency, in ajoint competition in a simu-lated combat environmenton Forward Operating BaseWarrior April 23.

Twenty-two participantsfrom both the U.S. AirForce’s 506th Air Expedition-ary Group and elements ofthe 116th BCT, competed astwo-person teams to com-

by Capt. Monte Hibbert, 116BCT Public Affairs Officer

Army/ Air Force compete in Sidewinder Combat Medical Challenge

Sgt. James Billington (left), a Task Force 3-116 medic,and Staff Sgt. Mike Creeden (right), a TF 1-163 medic, treata simulated casualty as part of the “Sidewinder Combat MedicChallenge” (Photo by 2nd Lt. Jason Smith, TF 3-116)

A team of soldiers navigates their way under a barbedwire barricade while transporting a simulated casualty, dur-ing the litter obstacle course event.

Messages from homeEven from ten

thousand miles apart, Ilove you more than Ithought I could possiblylove anything. Thoughwe can not be togetherthis year on our specialday, I will hold you closeto my heart... Happy 10thAnniversary Staff Sgt.Coons! I love you, Debi.

Happy 21st Birthday,Spc. Matt Harvey! We areproud of you and supportour troops. Keep on

A Soldier acts the part of the patient as his partner admin-isters an I.V., as part of the “Sidewinder Combat MedicalChallenge” held at FOB Warrior April 23.

plete a series of medical,physical, and soldier tasksas quickly as possible.

“We’re not just medics,we’re combat medics, andhave to be tactically profi-cient and physically fit totake good medicine to badplaces,” said Sgt. JamesBillington, a Task Force 3-116 Armor headquarterscompany medic.

Billington and his team-mate, Staff Sgt. MikeCreeden of TF 1-163 Infan-try, set out to show theirskills as combat medics bycompleting a series of chal-lenging events, going headto head with ten otherteams.

Events included a push-

up and sit-up station, roadmarch, a nuclear/biological/chemical (NBC) station, dis-assembly and assembly ofthe M16 series rifle, traumalanes, assembly of a single-channel ground and air-borne radio system(SINCGARS), transmissionof a nine-line medical evacu-ation (MEDEVAC) request,loading of casualties into afour-litter ambulance, carry-ing a simulated patientthrough a litter obstaclecourse, and performing a ve-hicle recovery.

“Sgt. Billington and StaffSgt. Creeden paired and roseabove the competition toplace first by successfullynavigating the course in justone hour and six minutes,”said 2nd Lt. Jason Smith, TF3-116 Armor’s medical pla-toon leader. “They are goodexamples of the medical pro-fessionalism and skill thatkeeps our soldiers alive onthe battlefield.”

The event was organizedby Lt. Col. Colin Miller of the126th Forward Surgical Team.Both he and the 145th Sup-port Battalion’s Command Sgt.Maj. Charles Whittier pre-sented the soldiers withawards at the end of the event.

keepin' on! Love from yourfamily, Mom, Dad, &Megan.

Staff Sgt. Daman Hall, TF1-163 Infantry, FOBMcHenry! Happy Birth-day, Son!!! From everyoneback home... Salute withlove, from your Family.

SPC James Dorman116th Engineer Bn... I MISSYOU so much honey andam anxiously waiting foryou guys to come home...Don't be too bored. Stay

safe and I love you more!Love you, Nicole Harden.

SPC Buddrius; DearAlan, It is such a pleasureto be able to write to youand let you know howmuch we miss you. Itsounds as if you arehaving more heat thananyone would want. Keepcool and know that we areso very proud of you andmiss you a lot. We loveyou. Grandma Marilyn andGrandpa Bob

Lt. Col. Johnson

TF 1-148 Field ArtilleryApril Scorpion Update

by Lt. Col. Russ Johnson, TF 148 Field Artillery Commander

Time marches on here inIraq as we rapidly approachthe mid-way point of ourdeployment. One soldierrecently told me, “The daysare often long but the weekssail by.” I concur. Anothergreat quote from one of ourwarriors on the front lines is,“Don’t count the days – makeevery day count!” Well said.As spring rapidly transitionsto summer, the temperaturesare rising and the days arelengthening, something thegreat Scorpion soldiers take instride when they go abouttheir daily tasks. As we moveinto our 6th month in country,these stellar young men andwomen continue to tackle amyriad of problems andgenerate unique solutionswith continued zeal andenthusiasm.

In late April, we fired our500th round from our famed155mm Paladin self-propelledhowitzers, reaching yetanother milestone in ourdeployment and Iraq’s historicquest for freedom anddemocracy. The collectiveefforts of our cannoneers, firedirection personnel,observers, meteor-ologicalteam, and fire support officershave directly enabled both theIraqi security forces and thecoalition forces to continueimproving the stability andsecurity throughout thisfragile region.

Our motorized artillerybatteries have loggedthousands of miles in theirdaily combat patrols through-out northeast Iraq. In concertwith the Iraqi Border Patrolforces, our teams havepatrolled remote villages,monitored border controlpoints, conductedsustainment training, andprovided humanitarian Continued on page 8

support to the great citizensof this country. Additionally,they have conducted trafficcontrol operations, incidentresponse, deliberate roadwayclearance, and proactivevehicle and personnelsearches – together with theirIraqi Security Force counter-parts (Army and Police).

In April, we assumed agreater role in training andassisting the Iraqi SecurityForces throughout our expan-sive area of operations. Weestablished specializedtraining teams to work with thesenior commanders andcoordinating staff leaders ofthese growing organizationsin order to provide them withthe essential baselinecapabilities to plan, resource,employ and control theirsecurity forces. Securityagencies involved include theIraqi Army, the Iraqi Police, andthe Joint CoordinationCenters (911 call centers). TheScorpion soldiers assigned tothese teams haveaggressively taken the reinsand are making a significantimpact on these criticalsecurity organizations. Theygrow stronger every day!

The achievements of yourtalented soldiers continue toexpand. In April, thesededicated warriors safelylogged over 95,000 vehiclemiles directly supporting ourmany missions throughoutthis region. They drew andtransported over 26,000 litersof bottled water, nearly 14 tonsof food, over 12 tons ofordinance, over 9,000 gallonsof fuel, and almost 24 tons ofbarrier and constructionmaterials to some very remotelocations. These missions

consumed nearly 14,000gallons of high grade dieselfuel. Now, stop and think aboutthat a minute – the milestraveled equate to 178 roundtrips between Idaho Falls andBoise, or 190 round tripsbetween Salt Lake City andBoise.

Unit promotions surged inApril for many deservingScorpion soldiers. Sgt. 1stClass Curtis Howard fromRexburg was promoted toMaster Sergeant and will belaterally appointed to 1st Sgt.upon redeployment home.Eight other soldiers and noncommissioned officers werepromoted across our Batteriesand have assumed positionsof greater responsibility. Morepromotions are in the pipelinefor many of our hard working,deserving soldiers.

Many of our talented andcapable soldiers receivedawards during the month,many for achievement butseveral for service. We pinnedeight Army AchievementMedals, six ArmyCommendation Medals, andtwo Purple Heart Medals ontoyour proud warriors duringunit formations throughoutthe month. Additionalachievement awards are beingprocessed and continue to beearned by our great youngmen and women.

One of our keys tosuccess in this combat zone

is maintaining our equipmentto the highest state ofreadiness possible. From theweapons we carry every dayto the radios, generators,vehicles, facilities, and livingareas we occupy, all aresubjected to hard use. Thismeans lots of maintenance.Every day, your soldiers spendlong hours diligently keepingtheir assigned equipment intip-top shape. Many parts areordered, received andinstalled. Our dependable andprofessional mechanicscontinue doing anoutstanding job maintainingour extensive fleet of vehiclesand generators. In April, theyperformed almost 50scheduled services (these areextensive preventative main-tenance actions) andrecovered at least 6 vehiclesthat required evacuation fromremote areas. Additionally,they devoted time and effortto renovating a newly-acquired maintenance bay thatformerly was used as an IraqiAir Force warehouse.

Maintenance of our mostimportant asset, our soldiers,is perhaps the most importantthing we do. We are blessedwith a dependable and capableChaplain (Chpln. Nicholson)and Chaplain’s Assistant (Sgt.Farmer), along with many LDSgroup leaders. Collectively,these soldiers strive to meetthe religious needs of yoursoldiers and are working long,arduous hours keeping themspiritually fit. On a typicalweek, the Chaplain teamprovides pastoral care andcounseling to over 30 soldiers.Another 200 plus attenddiverse and well led worshipservices across our large area

of operations. The Chaplainconstantly travels to even ourmost remote ForwardOperating Bases and canregularly be seen conductingpre-combat patrol prayers withyour soldiers. Our aid stations,clinics and medical facilities arestate of the art and wellequipped. Our talentedmedical staff is the absolutebest, hands down. Yoursoldiers receive high quality,prompt, and professionalmedical support for even themost routine illnesses andaches. Our PhysicianAssistant, Capt. TravisWeiszhaar, and his staff ofdedicated medical profes-sionals work long hoursadministering care to soldiersand Iraqi citizens through anumber of outreach programs.They recently planned,coordinated and completedseveral comprehensive andsuccessful Medical As-sistance Visits (MAVs) togeographically remote villagesin the steep mountains ofnortheast Iraq. For many of thechildren they immunized andtreated, this marked the firsttime in their lives they receivedtreatment from professionalmedical personnel. I includeda couple of photos from somepatients seen during a MAVin Scorpion Venom.

As part of our uniqueorganization, we have aplatoon of specially trainedobservers, medics andmarksmen which is comprisedof Combat ObservationLasing Teams. This platoonhas been arduously workingfor one of our sister battalionsfor several months now andhas been credited withidentifying more than 14roadside bombs, two bomb-



N. Dakota Congressman visits Fox Battery, 188th ADA

FOB WARRIOR, Iraq -United States CongressmanEarl Pomeroy , ND, flew intoForward Operating BaseWarrior in Iraq as part of aCongressional delegation,recently. The purpose of theCongressman’s trip was tovisit with Fox Battery,188thADA, an Army National Guardunit from Grand Forks, N. Dak.

Fox Battery has beendeployed since late June of2004 and has been serving inIraq since early December,2004. It is unknown exactlywhen their deployment willend. While visiting ForwardOperating Base Warrior,Pomeroy and theCongressional delegation wasbriefed by the 116th BCT staffon security and recon-struction strategies in Iraq.

by Capt. Shannon Horton,HHC 116 BCT, S-3 Section

T h econgressionaldelegationalso met withlocal civicl e a d e r s ,trying tof u r t h e rcoordinateN o n -GovernmentalO r g a n -ization andCoal i t ionF o r c esupport forinfrastructureprojects.

Following the briefs, he metthe members of Fox Battery atthe Dining Facility for lunch.He discussed issues such asbonuses and educationalbenefits that will improveSoldier’s quality of life oncethey return home, as well as

how it is the priority ofCongress to make sureSoldiers were protected whileat war in Iraq and other areasof the world. He asked ifthey’d received the newestup-armored hummers forprotection. When he was

assured ofthis, helooked to berelieved. Hetold thetroops thatup-armoredvehicles aregetting intothe soldier’shands as fastas they cansent. He alsoasked abouttheir missionhere in Iraq.The entireb a t t e r y

conveyed to him that theywere training the Iraqi Army inevery area of being a soldier,from weapons and first aid totactics and procedures. Hewas amazed that North DakotaSoldiers trained as AirDefense, were now training the

Iraqi Army, a mission usuallyreserved for SpecialOperations. After lunch, hetook time to shake everySoldier’s hand and to havepictures taken with nearlyevery one. As his visit wascoming to a close, the FoxBattery Commander, Maj. JeffJones, escorted theCongressman to his plane forhis departure from Iraq. Butwhen Jones mentioned to himthat Fox Battery had a gardenin Iraq, he decided he just hadto see the garden the troopshad planted, insisting ondriving by on the way to theairfield. The garden consistedof corn, sunflowers and anassortment of other favorites.One soldier told him, “You cantake the soldier out of NorthDakota, but you can’t takeNorth Dakota out of thesoldier.”

TF 1-148 Field Artillery

North Dakota Congressman Earl Pomery has lunch withthe soldiers of Fox Battery, 188th Air Defense Artillery dur-ing a recent congressional visit to FOB Warrior.

Gym provides sanctuary for Fox Battery, 188th ADA soldiers

FOB WARRIOR, Iraq -Dur ing one of ournumerous briefings inKuwait, we were advisedby a seasoned veteran tof ind someth ingproduct ive to occupyour down time duringour stay in Iraq. I’m notqu i te sure tha t thedowntime portrayal wasaccurate but the advicewas definitely sound.

While some peoplechoose watch ingmovies, or playing videogames, the soldiers of4th squad, 2nd platoonFox Bat te ry p re fe rhitting the gym in theirspare hours.

by Sgt. Wesley Solway,F Battery, 188th ADA

T h eArmy gymoffe rs anumber ofa c t i v i t i e swe partici-pa te insuch asdodgeball,basketballand weightlifting.

T h e s ea c t i v i t i e sare excel-len t fo r ge t t ing in toshape physical ly, butthey a l so provide anexce l len t change ofscenery. Most of ushave the atti tude thatwhile we are here wecould just as well spend

our t ime do ingsomething productive.Going to the gym alsohelps to burn up ourspare time since whenwe s tay ac t ive lyemployed time seems togo by faster.

Being onm i s s i o n sas we a l lknow canbe s t ress -ful, so whywould wewant tospend thep r e c i o u st ime tha twe have torelax at thegym yousay? It is a

proven fact that a goodexerc ise rout ine wi l lmake people happier,and for most of us theCHU (container housinguni t ) doesn’ t exact lyprovide the best arenafor working out.

Although the roomsare good size they tendto get cramped whenyou ge t everyone inthem wi th a l l o f ourequipment, and needlessto say we have all had alesson in dealing withroommates . Th is i swhere the gyms’therapeutic effects comeinto play.

For most of us the gymserves a dual purpose,excellent physicalconditioning while at the sametime providing a superb outletfor our frustrations. This iswhy every day there aremembers of 4th squadstrengthening our minds andbodies with physical trainingat the Army gym.


Scorpion Update...Continued from page 6

laden vehicles, and thecapture of numerous enemyfighters. They work day andnight along with the IraqiArmy and Police to bring peaceand stability to a nationthirsting for a safe andprosperous way of life.

April was historic for theScorpion Battalion and the116th Brigade Combat Teamas we participated in a formalceremony officially awarding

your outstanding soldiers the116th BCT Snake RiverBrigade combat patch. Theseexceptional soldiers nowproudly wear this patch ontheir right sleeve as arepresentation of their combatservice. All have earned thishonor through countlesshours of hard work, worry, andselfless service.

In mid April, we werehonored with a visit by MajorGeneral LaFrenz, Command-ing General for the State ofIdaho and his Command

Sergeant Major, Cmd. Sgt.Maj. Rusty Lewis. These twodistinguished leaders metmany of the Scorpion soldiersand conveyed their sincereappreciation and thanks fortheir efforts and sacrificethroughout a tough,challenging deployment. Oursoldiers remain committed todriving forward andcompleting this historicdeployment. Every soldier,family member, employer andfriend can be proud of themany accomplishments of

145th Support BattalionThe 145th Support

Battalion is conducting adiagnostic PT test this month,and many ask if we are out ofour minds. The answer in mostcases to that question is yes,but to the question of physicalfitness, are we? Let’s look at acouple of issues that maysupport the need for physicalfitness. First of all there is theDFAC. One sure can grazetheir way to a larger uniform.While I was eating three mealsa day there, someone fromWyoming wanted to put abrand on me to add to his herdback home. While that storyis not quite true, the factremains that good chow and

Staying in shapeby Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Whittier , 145th SPT Bn.

CSM Whittier

inactivity leads to a largerwaist. I now tend to stay awayfrom the three full meals a day,as just the smell of food addspounds to the waist. I alsolook at the fact that when wereturn home, we must look attaking a record APFT. Someare saying, what are youtalking about? We just cameback from a deployment toIraq. As many of you know,this year’s EPS did not listmany areas where points aregiven, one of those beingphysical fitness. When theState of Idaho Senior Enlisted

Advisor talked this issue, healso mentioned that this nextyear all categories will be backon the books for points. Thismeans that unless a bulk ofthe deployed soldiers take aPT test by April 06, all points

will be lost in the PT area, andset us back. Right now mostof the soldiers here haverecord PT tests as old as twoyears old, and to count pointson EPS, or go to a militaryschool, the test must havebeen given in the last 12months. Do the math, orsoldiers may be hurting if wedo not point this out to them.If I figure right, most familieswill also have big dinners fortheir soldiers upon thereturn, as well as soldierstaking families on vacationswhich means eating out and

the romantic evenings thatwe plan on having torediscover the magic of aloved one. It almost soundslike the cards are stackedagainst us in many cases.Bottom line here is to dosomething physical thatallows us to maintain somesort of conditioning, eatmoderate portions, and stayhealthy. The time to work outis hard to find, motivationeven tougher, and someoneto drag you along a blessing.All that I can add is, youdecide what is required ofyou, and what you decidemay control your future.Good luck and God speed.


Continued from page 4

IED awareness...

that can take the fight tothe enemy; th i rd ,p roduce p inpoin tedproduc ts f rom oneorganization which canbe approved anddelivered in a t imelyfashion.

“ IEDs can be anyt ime , anywhere , anyshape ; the t rendschange,” Stockdale said.“The aim is to get themessage to the field. It’sdangerous out there.”

To push informationto the troops anywhereand any t ime t rendschange , the work inggroup assembled a smallteam of des igners tobra ins torm ef fec t iveways to get the wordout. The first idea alsoseemed the mos tobvious one to start thecampaign - - mi l i ta rypublications.

Task force membersagreed they neededsome common thread tot ie a l l the messagestogether – like a logo.

“The [designers]suggested we needed tohave [a logo] thateverybody recognizes,”said Lt. Col. TheodoreMartin, field team leader,Joint IED Defeat TaskForce-Iraq. “5-and-25”became that logo. “Themost important thingcoalit ion forces canaccomplish is situationalawareness when they’reoutside the wire; it is themost basic [tactic] thatyou have to master.”

“This seemedappropriate because 5-

and-25 meansawareness,” said MasterSgt. William Johnson, oneof three designers. “5-and-25 means checkingthe area around you for athreat. Every time youstop outside a securearea, you always shouldcheck. Not checkingcould get you killed.”

More specifically, 5-and-25 requires thattroops look for anythingout of the ordinary withina five-meter radius of theirvehicles, according tocounter-IED policies. If

halted long enough,forces should then exittheir vehicles andconduct a 25-meter sweeparound their position.Halting for as little as fourminutes can prove costly.

“Evidence shows that[many] Soldiers, who areat a short halt [for as littleas] four to five minutes,are getting hit by IEDsnear their vehicles,”Martin said.

Besides the re-cognizable 5-and-25 logo

these fine, professional menand women. We now havesoldiers in our ranks fromfourteen different States,representing the finestAmerica has to offer. Theseextraordinary soldiers go towork each day with purpose,enthusiasm, anddistinguishable pride. Everytask is completed ahead oftime, above the establishedstandard, and with a caringattitude.

I again extend my thanksto everyone on the home

front for their undividedsupport. Our FamilyAssistance Centers, FamilyReadiness Groups and RearDetachment Personnel haveplayed a major role in oursuccessful deployment.Your continued effortsenable us to maintain outfocus on the mission athand. Please keep up thistremendous support and thenext few months will fly byas fast as the past severalhave! Whenever, Wherever!


TF 2-116th Armor

Col. Jasim speaks to students aboutsupporting the new Iraqi government. Theschool’s headmaster and teacher stand by.

TF 2-116 Armor supports Iraqi PoliceTask Force 2-116 Armor

supported the IPS recently,aiding in the delivery ofschool supplies, followedby a lecture from Col. Jasim,the Aruba Police Chief, toclasses full of students. TheAruba Police deliveredschool packets donated byCoalition Forces to an Arabboys and girls PrimarySchool, with over 500

students. Prior to handingout supplies, Col. Jasim spoketo each class about theimportance of obeying the law,cooperating with governmentgroups like the police, andinforming police of activitythat supports terrorist groups.Many of the students havebeen hesitant towards thepolice and Coalition Forces,but their tensions were eased

as Col. Jasim spoke. Theteachers and the Headmastersupported the police as theyhanded out school packets.Aruba has had negativeinteraction with the police andCoalition Forces in the past,but those feelings andconcerns are departing aspolice build relations throughpositive interaction with thecommunity.

One of some 500 students at an Arabschool receives school supplies from theAruba Police Department.

TF 2-116 and DP opennew school in Al Rashid

The new schools are Lana Elementary with 50 students,Ayar Elementary with 100 students and Al Maria Elemen-tary with 100 students.

TF 2-116 Armor andDomies Police Chief Col.Anwar attended theribbon cutting ceremonyfor a newly remodeledschool building, in AlRashid. The buildingitself will house threedifferent ElementarySchools. The names ofthe schools are Lana

Elementary with 50students, AyarElementary with 100students and Al MariaElementary with 100students. All three areboys and girls schools.Col. Anwar works hard tosupport all the variousschools in the Domiesarea.

TF 2-116 Armor assesses orphanage needsSoldiers from HHC, TF

2-116 Armor recently paida visit to an orphanage inthe Tesin neighborhood,for a needs assessment.

There are 25 girls thathave been displaced fromthe former “Girls

Orphanage School” thatare now forced to stay ina distant relative’s housebecause there is nolonger a building forthem. There are 17 kidsthat l ive at theorphanage full time at

present and they do nothave enough food to eat.The food for these kids ispaid for by the Iraqi

The children’s playground equipment is outdated andvirtually unusable

Yusif, a child placed at the Tasin Orphanage, playedball with Chaplain (1st Lt.) Ross of HHC, TF 2-116 Armor.

government, but they canonly shop once permonth.

The number of childrenfluctuates drastically

enough that thefood runs scarce, orthey gain morechildren than they

received food allocationsfor. Some are adopted, ortheir parents come back forthem. They are in need offood, rooms added on for thegirls to live there, clothingfor the children and somenewer playgroundequipment.

The kitchen could use more utensils,cooking pans, silverware, plates, cups, etc.,


TF 2-116th Armor

Armed Forces Dayby Command Sgt. Maj.Henry Chin

Rattlers, here is a tributeto us and our Armed Forces.I would like to thank you forthe great job you are doingwith the Iraqi people.Continue to stand tall andfulfill your missions jointlywith the Iraqi Army andPolice.

May 21 was a day ofobservance for the ArmedForces, a day designated in1950 by President Trumanas a day to mark “…the firstcombined demonstration byAmerica's defense team ofits progress…towards thegoal of readiness for anyeventuality.” This is the dayon which Americans havethe opportunity to honor themen and women of theArmed Forces. In 1950,Armed Forces Day was

Sgt. Maj. Chin

Capt. Mark Boardman, E Troop, 163rd Cavalry commander,examines books delivered to Al Markazia School in Kirkuk May 9.The books will be used to establish a democracy studies curriculum.

TF 2-116 delivers democracymaterials to Al Markazia school

FOB WARRIOR, Iraq –Soldiers from the 116thBrigade Combat Team’s TaskForce 2-116 Armor delivereddemocratic teaching materialsto the Al Markazia School inKirkuk’s Qoria neighborhoodMay 9 after they wererequested by a schoolprofessor.

During a recent visit to theschool by TF 2-116 Armor’s ETroop, 163rd Cavalry, anEnglish professor voiced aconcern about not having anymaterial to teach the studentsabout democracy. Aftercontacting U.S. StateDepartment officials, the unit

by Capt. Monte Hibbert, 116BCT Public Affairs Officer

A book that will be used to establish a democracy stud-ies curriculum at Al Markazia School in Kirkuk.

Mortar Plt., Headquarters Company, TF 2-116 Armor.

acquired democratic-themedteaching material for schooluse.

“The school principal wasunexpectedly surprised, andassured us that the bookswould be used to educate thecurrent student body ondemocracy,” said Capt. MarkBoardman, E Troop, 163rdCavalry commander whohelped deliver the materials.

In all, the soldiers deliveredover 400 books to the school.

Supporting governmentinstitutions, including theeducational system, is oneway the soldiers of the 116thBCT are helping Iraqis movetoward a more democraticsociety.

Mortar Platoon, TF 2-116 Armor awarded CIBFOB WARRIOR, Iraq - An

awards ceremony was held torecognize 22 infantrymen fromthe Mortar Platoon ofHeadquarters Company, TF 2-116 Armor on May 3, whoearned the CombatInfantrymen’s Badge forcombat actions taken duringthe period of December 21,2004 to January 30, 2005.

These infantrymen wereinvolved in direct fire combat,in support of Operation IraqiFreedom III in preparation forand throughout the Iraqielections near the cities ofMuqdadiyah and Baqubah.

The Mortar Platoon hasbeen augmented with 22additional personnel who alsoreceived coins from theBrigade Commander. Thetwo combat medicsassigned to the platoon

Capt. Dahlquist reads the Combat Infantryman BadgeOrder as Brig. Gen. Gayhart prepares to award the first CIB tothe Mortar Platoon Sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Coggins.


celebrated by parades, openhouses, receptions, and airshows. All across the country,the American people joinedtogether to honor the ArmedForces. Presently our ownhometowns are makingspecial tributes on our behalfin celebration of Armed ForcesDay. The students at EmmettHigh School, lead by McCallIrish, have constructed adisplay to honor the 116 BCTas we serve our country. The

City of Emmett is holding aspecial picnic withentertainment, and theIdaho National Guard YouthGroup partnered with 4-H,will be holding a rally andmarch starting in Julia Davispark and ending at theStatehouse steps followedby a candle- light vigilhonoring us, our familiesand children. The City ofNampa will be paying tributealso; they have scheduled aparade on our behalf. Theseare just a few of the specialcelebrations our families andloved ones will be proudlyparticipating in.Unfortunately, many of uswill not have the opportunityto participate in these

will receive the Combat Medical Badge for the actions they took at that time.


TF 2-116th Armor

Armed Forces Day...Continued from page 10activities this year, but will behonored for the services weare providing in future ArmedForces Days. For we areserving in harm’s way asguardians of freedom toensure that many morecelebrations will come.

It was General Omar Bradleywho once said, “The heritageof freedom must be guardedas carefully in peace as it wasin war. Faith, not suspicion,must be the key to ourrelationships. Sacrifice, notselfishness, must be the eternalprice of liberty.”

This is as true today as itwas then.

For almost 230years now, Americancitizens haveanswered the call to bean American Soldier.An unbroken line ofdevotion and couragecan be traced from theMinutemen whostood on LexingtonGreen to the ArmyReserve truck driversand Army NationalGuard military policeescorts running aconvoy along a roadthrough the Iraqidesert.

the first Soldier to receive theMedal of Honor for his

incredible courage insaving the lives of morethan 100 fellow Soldiersduring the Battle forBaghdad, are beingadded to the great rollof American warriorslike Mary Corbin andAlvin York. Thesewarriors have embracedthe warrior’s ethos: Themission is first, and wewill never quit. We willnever accept defeat. Wewill never leave a fellowAmerican behind.

It is a global warfought on many

battlefields against determinedfoes. Our enemies resort toruthless terror tactics againstthose who prefer peace andfreedom. Defeating them willrequire determination, skill andcourage. Qualities possessedby those who wear theuniforms of America's militaryforces.

The Armed Forces havefulfilled the words of PresidentTruman from 55 years ago.They are ready for this fight.Their procedures haveproved it. Their continuingactions every day reinforcethat readiness and their abilityto defend this Nation.

SINE MORA

“To be preparedfor War is one of

the most effectualmeans of

preserving peace.”

New names like MariaFlores-Sanz and Paul Smith –

TF 2-116 Armor conducts knock-and-greet

While on a knock and greet mission in Amu Shabi recently, elements of TF 2-116 Armor, ina combined action with the Arapha Police, conducted a patrol and talked to several residentsof Amu Shabi. Residents were asked about the safety of the area, police coverage and projectsthat need to be done in the area. The most common requests for projects included sewage,water and electricity. Many residents also requested additional police coverage.

2-116 Armor instructs IASoldiers from 4th

Company, 208th IraqiArmy (IA) Bn., completedtraining given byinstructors from TF 2-116Armor recently, regardingdeliberate TCPs andpersonnel searches. TheIA soldiers are rapidlycatching on to thetraining. All those whocompleted practicalexercises were tested onMTP tasks and did well.

2-116 Armor gives IA movement training

Soldiers of TF 2-116Armor conduc teddismounted movement

training recently, with2nd Co. , 208th I raq iArmy. The IA soldiers

moved along terrain andnegotiated danger areas,p rac t iced bounding

techniques , recon-solidation and assault-ing the objective. The2nd Company soldiersperformed exceptionally

well and were motivatedto learn and train. Theycontinue to develop intoan effective, cohesiveunit.

-- Newly electedPresident GeorgeWashington , 1790


TF 2-116th ArmorTF 2-116 Armor gives IraqiPolice marksmanship lessons

Most of the police have hadminimal to no experience ortraining with their 9mm pistol.Police instructors from TF 2-116 Armor, gave instruction onweapon safety, weaponassembly and disassembly,performing a functions check,primary marksmanship, andemergency reloading.

These Iraqi Policemen are learning to fire the 9 mm pistolwith the help of Soldiers from TF 2-116 Armor.

Lt. Col. Michael Woods, Commander of Task Force 2-116 Armor, recently awarded Col.Sarhad a Certificate of Achievement from TF 2-116 Armor for his outstanding police work and hisdedication to the security of Kirkuk. Col. Sarhad said that he would recommit himself to re-doubling his efforts to ensure the City of Kirkuk is safe and free from all terrorists.

Kirkuk Police Chief receives impact award

Iraqi Police Officers gather around for instruction from TF2-116 Armor Soldiers.

Twenty-seven Iraqi policefired forty rounds each atdistances of three, five and tenmeters. Thirty more Iraqipolice will receive this training.These 57 police will be able toinstruct their fellow policecolleagues and future recruitson all aspects of pistolmarksmanship.

TF 2-116 Armor gives IMT training to police

The Iraqi Police were also taught about the importance of 360 degree secu-rity at all times, on an easel board.

TF 2-116 Armor,conducted a three hourtraining session onmovement techniques andbattle drills with the Iraqipolice in order to improvetheir tactical proficiency.The training session wasbroken down into thecrawl, walk and run phases.

The instructors had aeasel board and went overmovement techniques andactions on contact. Theywent over movement

These Iraqi Police Officers were trained by Soldiers from TF 2-116 Armoron movement techniques and battle drills.

techniques such astraveling, travelingoverwatch and boundingoverwatch, usingdifferent situations todemonstrate when to usethem. They emphasized360 degree security at alltimes and talked aboutit’s importance. Theytalked about theimportance of cover andconcealment and how tomaneuver on the enemy,by using the elements of

support by fire andmaneuver.

They reviewed recentdrive-by-shootings andhow to react to them so thatthe amount of casualties arekept to a minimum. ThePolice officers were veryattentive throughout thetraining and activelyparticipated. Altogether, itwas an overall success asthe officers were verymotivated and quick tolearn.

Soldiers of TF 1-163 Infantry conducting a vehicle searchat a Traffic Control Point in the vicinity of Hawija, Iraq. Thecheckpoints make it difficult for anti-Iraqi forces (AIF), tomove money, weapons or explosives in or out of the city.

Members of TF 1-163 Infantry check identification pa-pers and vehicle registrations of cars and trucks as theypass through the Traffic Control Point.

A Soldier of TF 1-163 Infantry checks the trunk of a carfor evidence of AIF or other criminal activities, at a TrafficControl Point somewhere near Hawija, Iraq. TCPs contrib-ute to the overall security of the Iraqi people.


TF 1-163rd Infantry

Medics of TF 1-163 Infantry visit Iraqi clinics, provide expertise


A Soldier of TF 1-163 Infantry, counts alarge sum of U.S. dollars found on an Iraqiman at a Traffic Control Point (TCP).

TF 1-163 Infantry establishes Traffic Control Points near HawijaFOB McHENRY, Iraq –

National Guard Soldiersoperating in the areaaround Hawija,apprehended fivesuspects at a traffic controlpoint (TCP) recently.

by Sgt. Blake Kent, 22d MPAD The soldiers of 1stPlatoon, Company C, 1stBrigade, TF 1-163 Infantry(Mechanized), MontanaNational Guard, had justestablished a TCP on a roadentering the town, when theystopped a suspicious vehicle

whose driver was carrying$6,500.

“That is the mostAmerican money I’ve everseen anyone carrying aroundhere,” said Staff Sgt. PeterAkey . “It just raises a lot ofquestions that these guysaren’t answering.”

The driver claimed to be acontractor who was going tochange his American dollarsfor Iraqi dinar, but the Soldiersalso received conflictingstories from the man whenquestioned about a cell phonehe was carrying.

The driver and four otherpassengers from the vehiclewere detained and taken toForward Operating BaseMcHenry for questioning.

The TCPs are establishedto randomly inspect thepeople and vehicles going inand out of the Hawija area.The Soldiers ask theoccupants for theirIdentification cards, whichthey are supposed to carryon them at all times and thensearch the vehicle for anti-Iraqi materials such aspropaganda pamphlets,weapons, and items used forsetting up improvisedexplosive devices andmortar attacks.

During the TCPoperations, the Soldiers alsotake the time to hand outtoys to children in thevehicles, hoping to show

the children that the Soldiersare there tohelp themand not hurtthem, Akeysaid.

T h eSoldiers alsoc o n d u c tTCPs withthe IraqiArmy andIraqi Police,which helpsto train theIraqi securityforces how tooperate andadds to theeffectivenessof the TCPs.

“The Iraqi Army and IraqiPolice know the peoplebetter then we do,” said Sgt.Russell Herbert of Missoula,Mont. “They have a different

perspective and pick up onsome things that we don’t, likeseeing papers with somethingwritten in Arabic. They knowif it is something incriminatingor not”

SUDARA, Iraq – Forthe medics of the TF 1-163Infantry (Mechanized),Montana Army NationalGuard, medical assistancevisits provide a greatlearning opportunity.

by Sgt. Blake Kent, 22d MPAD Most of the medic’straining is directed towarddealing with trauma-typeinjuries that are seen incombat situations and notclinical medicine like whatis seen in a typical doctor’soffice.

“Medics in the positionwe are in, are doing morehealth clinics than traumawork here,” said Pfc. RyanYork of Bozeman, Mont.,Headquarters, Head-quarters Company, TF 1-163rd Infantry (Mech.).

“We don’t have as muchtraining as the doctors, butwe are learning all we canfrom them to be able tohelp.”

The medical assistancevisit missions take Armymedical personnel into the

small village clinics aroundTask Force Liberty to givecare to Iraqi civilians.

Aiding with the medicalassistance visits allowsdoctors an opportunity to


“The Combat Medic”,according to the US Army, “isa soldier trained to save livesin war, conflicts, andhumanitarian interventions,with sophisticated skills aboveand beyond first aid. Today’scombat medic is an expert inemergency care, force healthprotection, limited primarycare, and warrior skills.”Medics in AO West areutilizing these skills on a dailybasis. They are the epitome ofthis classic definition.Members of the MedicalPlatoon, HHC, TF 1-163Infantry assigned to FOBMcHenry are conserving thefighting strength, training theIraqi Army and winning thehearts and minds of the localcivilians.

The medical platoon isunder the direction of the 1/163rd Infantry Bn. Surgeon,Maj Jon DuBose, an internalmedicine/pediatric physicianfrom North Carolina. DuBosehad a requirement to deployfor 90 days. He volunteeredfor a full year “because it didn’tseem right that docs only serve90 days while everyone elseis here for a year. Plus, I’m astrong believer in continuityof care.”

In conserving the fightingstrength, the medics exist firstand foremost for the soldiers.According to Maj. DuBose,“it is crucial that the warfighters, the infantry, the menout doing the raids andkicking in doors, know that weare here for them.” Tostrengthen that relationship,he divided his providers intoteams, each assigned to adifferent company. When aparticular company goes outon a mission, or a raid, theprovider goes with them. Thisis in addition to any line medicthat may already be with theunit. With the incidence of

by Capt. Heidi Munro, 145 SBPhysician Assistant

1-163 medics get the job donecombat activity in the area,medical support has beencrucial to treatment ofcasualties. Having medics andproviders in the field expeditesmedical treatment andevacuation time to the nextlevel of care.

At the Battalion AidStation, his medics havetreated a multitude of battleinjuries, including over 20Purple Heart recipients. Theaid station operates 24 hoursper day treating routine sickcall, as well as chronic care andminor procedures. The medicsare all at least EMT certified,with further training in pre-hospital trauma life support.Several hold civilian positionsas paramedics and nurses.When not seeing patients, themedics are responsible fortraining and recertifyingCombat Lifesavers, as well asparticipating in sustainmenttraining for their 91W MOS.

One of the greatestmissions of the 116th BCT isto train the Iraqi Army. Maj.DuBose has implemented an80 hour Combat MedicTraining course for the IA.The program is designed totrain soldiers with no previousmedical experience to functionas advanced combat lifesavers. The first class taughtby Dr. DuBose and his medicsgraduated last week. It was atrain the trainer program, sofuture courses will be taughtby IA graduates. The originalclass was taught in English,and translated via aninterpreter. The studymaterials were provided inboth English and Arabic. It wasa huge success. According toone of the TF 1-163 Infantrymedics, “the newly graduatedsoldiers have been taking outtheir medic cards, andshowing them off at anyopportunity.” Maj. FrankBatcha, 116 BCT Surgeon,claims “this training is the best

of its kind in theater, and islikely to be the template forothers to follow.”

Similar programs are beinginstructed to the 209th IraqiArmy and Oil SecurityBattalion soldiers as well.

While this platoon seesthe majority of trauma andcombat injuries, and isconstantly involved in sometype of training, they alsoprovide a great deal ofhumanitarian assistance. In thepast 4 months, they haveperformed over 16 medicalassistance visits (MAVs) in thelocal villages. The MAV isusually done at the request ofa company commander tohelp in an area of need, orreward a particular village.Medical personnel travel withsecurity elements to the villageand see anywhere from 100 to200 patients, men, women andchildren throughout thecourse of the day. “Typicallywe see acute problems, earinfections, gastrointestinalinfections, rashes, etc,”explains Dr. DuBose. “Butthere is also a great deal ofhypertension, diabetes andother chronic problems.” TheMAVs are supported throughdonations from physiciansand hospitals back home, whosend medications andsupplies and toys for thechildren.

The medical platoon is acombined effort of soldiersfrom various units. Maj.DuBose’s home unit is the218th BCT, South CarolinaARNG. He has been in theatersince Aug 2004, serving firstwith the 1-120th Infantry Bn.He joined the 116th BCT inDec 2004 and will be throughthe remainder of his tour.

Lt. John Swanson is theonly medical provider organicto the TF 1-163 Infantry.. Aphysician assistant fromBillings Montana, he has beenwith the unit for over 3 years.“Being part of the 163rd hasbeen an honor even before we

deployed but now seeingthem in real life combat andespecially seeing how great ajob the medics are doingmakes me even more proud.”1st Lt. Swanson is also veryimpressed with theattachment medics from C-Med., 145th Support Bn..“They are a great bunch, all ofthem are like family now andtheir presence is greatlyneeded and appreciated. Idon’t know what we would dowithout them.” Being at FOBMcHenry is not for the weakat heart. Every day all of themedics at McHenry know thatat a moments notice they couldbe required to provide medicalassistance during a raid orcalled out to the scene of anIED or be prepping the BASfor multiple casualties. Theentire medical platoon hasproven itself both on thebattlefront with casualties in ahostile environment and in avillage winning the hearts andminds of the Iraqi people.Swanson put it best when hesaid “In my opinion it wouldbe hard to find a better groupof medics than what we haveright here.”

“I am convinced that theinfantry, engineers, andmedics working in this area areamong the most professionalin the Army. Working thisclosely with the Iraqi publichas been both a blessing anda curse. We have sufferedlosses which will never beforgotten,” said Lt. Patrick

McCabe (pictured below,treating an Iraqi woman), aphysician assistant attachedfrom the support battalion.

There are 47 medics in theplatoon, including thoseorganic to TF 1-163 IN, C Co.,145th SB., Colt medics fromTF 1-148 FA, G Troop, 82ndCav., and the 116th Eng. Bn.

They have learned to worktogether well and despite theop tempo and the amount oftrauma, they are pleased withtheir current assignment. StaffSgt. Toronto, NCO In Charge,is attached from the supportbattalion. He says, “I feelhonored to be working withthe infantry. It is hard work,and we see a lot of really badstuff, but I wouldn’t want tobe anywhere else. However, Ido miss my friends back inCharlie Company.” There are5 females attached to the unit.In regards to gender issues,Spc. Laura Finan claims, “Ihaven’t had any issues fromthe male medics or the infantryguys. We can do everythingexcept kick down doors withthem.”

“There’s no way I wouldtrade my experience with theinfantry for anything”, saysSpc. Finan. “No, I agree, claimsSpc. Lindsey Lambrecht, “weall work together as a team. Outhere even the battalioncommander knows me byname. He takes the time to talkto the E4s and asks how weare doing. He takes good careof us.”


TF 1-163rd InfantryC Co., TF 1-163 Infantry on foot patrol in Hawija

FOB McHENRY, Iraq –For the Soldiers of TF 163Infantry (Mechanized),Montana Army NationalGuard, patrolling the streets ofHawija is their “nine to five”for the next nine months.

The Soldiers of 2ndPlatoon, Company C, 1stBattalion, 163rd Infantry(Mechanized), have beenactivated since March 2004and deployed since July andhave been in Iraq sinceJanuary 2005.

The Soldiers have beenpreparing for their jobs herebefore they left Montana, butno training has been betterthan the practical experiencethey have received in Iraq, aswell as the training that camefrom the soldiers that theyrelieved in January, said Sgt.

1st Class John Wood, platoonsergeant, 2nd Plt., Co. C, 1stBn., 163rd Infantry (Mech.).

To prepare for theirmission once in Hawija, theSoldiers spent a lot of timeplanning for patrols of thetown. Each platoon knowsthe city pretty intimately,Wood said. When theplatoon first got to Hawija,they drove around for a longwhile until they knew theirway around.

“My biggest fearwhen we came here wasnot knowing my wayaround the city,” he said.

Many of the Soldiershave worked together inthe National Guard for along time, which hashelped them in theirmission. “I’ve workedwith these guys for a long

time. Some I’ve workedwith for eight years” hesaid. “We are quite a team.”

The platoon does a lotto try and show it’s supportfor the people of Hawija, forexample handing outblankets and toys to thechildren at a local orphanagethat they came upon duringone of their patrols.

Conducting foot patrolsis a large part of the team’smission, which serves thepurpose of clearing thestreets of Anti-Iraqi Forcesand building relations withthe people of Hawija.

“We are kind of like alienbeings in all this gear, sowalking around helps usmeet the people andshopkeepers,” he said.“You have to have yourmean face and your happyface. You are trying to getthe bad guys, but you alsowant to show the peoplethat we are here to help themas well.”

The job is never justabout walking the streetsthough. The last time thesoldiers patrolled thedowntown area, one of theirsoldiers was shot in the leg.

“This is the first timewe’ve done this patrol routesince we had one of ourguys shot, so our nerveshave been a bit rattled,” he

said. “Wewent backtoday mainlyto showthem that wearen’t scaredand aren’tgoing awayuntil ourmission iscomplete.”

T h et e a m w o r kthe platoons h o w e dunder thestress of thea t t a c kh e l p e dprove to them theirreadiness.

“When he was shot,everything worked likeclock-work,” he said. “The

area was secured and theassault was happeningwithin about 30 seconds.Even he wanted to go backout that night.”

Members of the 116th Brigade Combat Team’s TF 1-163Infantry, on patrol in downtown Hawija. These patrols arecommon for the Montana Guardsmen in Iraq.

This member of TF 1-163 Infantry,, is on patrol in down-town Hawija. He stands at the ready for trouble, should itcome, as an Iraqi woman notices his stance and weapon .

A Soldier of TF 1-163 Infantry, peersthrough a gate keeping his eyes open for anysign of insurgent activity.


Visits Clinics...

teach the medics newthings about the medicalprofession.

“I try to focus on thephysical exam and noticingwhat is normal andabnormal,” said Lt. PatrickB. McCabe of the 145thSupport Battalion, Idaho

Army National Guard.“Those are importantthings for the medics toknow when doing theseclinics.”

McCabe shows themedic teams things tolook for while evaluatingthe patients comingthrough the clinic, such ashow the ears should lookand the sounds of

different respiratoryailments.

“Many of these guyshave a lot of time in the Army,both active duty andNational Guard. They havea lot of experience,” McCabesaid. “We have one medicwho is a biomedicalengineer.”

He is able to repair a lotof the medical equipment in

the village clinics, givingan unusual ability to themedical team, McCabesaid.

The medics rotatethrough four jobs a week,giving them a variety ofjob experiences. Theywork the ForwardOperating Base McHenryclinic, work with themedical teams in the

medical assistance villagevisits, run the ambulanceservice for Soldiersinjured in the field, andalso run the FOB civiliangate entrance.

“For these soldiers,everyday is somethingnew. There is no end tothe learning,” McCabesaid. “You can alwayslearn more.”

by Sgt. Blake Kent, 22d MPAD

TF 1-163 medics conduct Medical Assistance VisitsSUDARA, Iraq – For

soldiers devoting time tomedica l ass i s tancevisits in Iraq, there is ala rger goa l than thetemporary a id andmedica t ions theydis t r ibu te . L ike thedeveloping Iraqi militaryand deve lop inggovernment, the Iraqimedica l ca re sys temmust be developed to aidthe people long after theCoalition Forces havegone.

The Soldiers of the 1-163rd Infan t ry Bn .(Mechanized), MontanaArmy National Guard,a re a id ing v i l l agemedica l c l in icdevelopment througheva lua t ions o f theclinic’s medical needs.

“The visits are a bitof a ‘catch 22’ becausewe want the Iraqi systemto work.” said Lt. PatrickB. McCabe of Nampa,Idaho , a phys ic ianassistant for the 145thSupport Battalion, IdahoArmy National Guard,



attached to the 1st Bn.,163rd Inf. (Mech.). “Ourmain goal is to evaluatewhat the Iraqi doctorsand Iraqi clinics need.”

“No count ry wi l lwork if the healthcaresystem doesn’t work,”McCabe said. “A lot ofthe clinics don’t havethe tools they need. Ifwe could help them starttreating diseases earlier,we could really save thehealthcare system a lotof money and improvethe quality of life here.”

By v i s i t ing theclinics and seeing thepatients that are beingtreated, the Soldiers notonly can assess whatmedicines and medicalequipment the clinicsneed, but can also gaina picture of the majormedical problems thatthe villages are facing.

“You worry about a lotof outbreaks of things likecholera,” he said. “In theU.S. that would be just aninconvenience, but here itwould be a deathsentence.”

“It’s hard because a lotof the problems we couldfix in the states with noproblem will kill some ofthe patients we see inthese clinics becausethey have progressed sofar,” said Maj. JohnDuBose, a doctor for the218th Brigade CombatTeam, South CarolinaNational Guard, attachedto 1st Bn., 163rd Inf.(Mech.). “It is l ikemedieval Europe rightnow.”

Another large problemis gastro-intestinalailments due to the peoplegetting their waterstraight from the river,McCabe said.

“What we need to beseeing is wells and waterpurification measuresbeing taken. A lot of thathas to do with the powersituation. That wouldsolve a lot of theailments,” he said of theproblems with waterpurification andelectricity in Iraq.

Many of the villagershave prob lems wi th

asthma and otherrespiratory problems.Some of the respiratoryproblems are heredity andair quality in at least thispart of the country is verypoor, he said. The medicalassistance team alsoworks with the doctors tosee what things theyneed in order to improvethe quality of care theycan give.

The medicalpersonnel are relativelywell trained, but thehardest part for them isstaying current, he said.They miss out on theseminars and medicaljournals that are availableto doctors in othercountries.

“They are used tousing injections foreverything,” he said. “Itis l ike old Americanmedicine practices.”

It is difficult for thevillage medical clinics toreceive the medicationsthey need. The clinics aresupposed to receivesupplies every 30 days,but the supplies only last

about 15 days accordingto the clinic doctors.

All of the medicalsupplies that the medicalass is tance v is i t teambrings to the clinics isdona ted f rom peopleand organizations in theU.S.. The team is nota l lowed to use themi l i t a ry medica lsupplies at the clinics,so they are dependenton donations.

The medica lassistance available tothe v i l l ages ex tendsoutside of the clinics.Pa t ien t s need ingmedical assistance thatthe clinics can’t providehave o ther op t ionsthrough Iraq’s Ministryof Health.

“The unit that washere before us did veryfew medical assistancevisits. Does it help? Iguess we’ll have to waitand see ,” he sa id .“We’ve only been herea short while, but wehave a l ready beensee ing the medica linstitutions improve.”

TF 1-163rd Infantry

C Co., TF 1-163 Infantry conduct raid and soft-search

FOB MCHENRY, Iraq –Montana Army NationalGuard Soldiers operating inthe area around Hawija,conducted a raid for anti-Iraqi personnel with the helpof Iraqi Army (IA) soldiers,March 20.

Soldiers from 1stPlatoon, Company C, 1stBattalion, 163rd Infantry(Mechanized), raided ahome near Hawija for asuspect.



The suspect could not befound near his residence sothe Soldiers conducted a “softsearch” of the area around thevillage in hopes of finding theculprit.

A “soft search” is wherethe Soldiers go door-to-doorchecking the identificationcards of the people in thevillage as well as a quick searchof all the buildings for thesuspect.

“We try to find out moreinformation about the suspect

from the villagers and possiblyfind him in another house,”said Sgt. Russell Herbert, aninfantryman from 1st Plt., CCo., TF 1-163 Infantry (Mech.).

The Iraqi army soldiersaided in the soft searchoperations.

“This was the first timeI’ve worked with them in araid,” Herbert said. “We havebeen working with them andtraining with them, so they areready for these typeoperations.”

The IA presence aids theSoldiers in aspects of themission that are typicallydifficult due to thecommunication barrier,Herbert said.

“It helps that the IAsoldiers are along on theseoperations because theyknow the Iraqi people betterthan we do and pick up onsome things that we don’t,”Herbert said.

The IA soldiers train withthe Soldiers of the 163rd in

preparation for combatmissions as well as trafficcontrol point operations,which the IA soldiers nowconduct on their own.

“We train them in battledrills on the base and arehelping to develop theirleadership and discipline,”Herbert said.

Raid operations consist ofseveral elements. The Soldierscoordinate with air support


Soft-search...

and depend on accurateintelligence andreconnaissance of the area forthe raid, as well as coordinatedmovements of their teams andconstant communication.

Though the soldiersmissed their target on this raid,they seemed confident thattheir persistence wouldsucceed in the end.


TF 1-163rd InfantryJust an average day for an average TF 1-163 Infantry Soldier in Iraq

FOB McHenry, Iraq –Sgt. Russell Herbert, 1stPlatoon, Company C, TF 1-163rd Infantry(Mechanized), MontanaArmy National Guard, is anaverage Soldier deployed toOperation Iraqi Freedom.

Back home, Herbert is aconstruction worker andbuilds houses, and like aclassic Soldier love story, hemarried shortly before hedeployed.

This isn’t his firstdeployment, he also servedin Bosnia, but the work thatas an infantryman Herbertand the Soldiers of TF 1-163

by Sgt. Blake Kent, 22d MPAD Infantry do in the northernpart of the Sunni Triangle ismuch different from what hehas done before.

Here, the Soldiers areconducting patrols, raidsand traffic control pointoperations. They also mustcontend with the occasionalmortar round beinglaunched into their forwardoperating base by anti-Iraqiforces, which sends themducking into bunkers.

“This is a big eye-openerfor what is going on in theworld,” he said. “It’s sodifferent from just watchingthe news back home. Thiscatches a lot of bad media,”

Herbert said of OperationIraqi Freedom. “They don’tshow all the good thingsthat are happening here.”

Nothing seems to deterthe Soldiers from theirmissions, though.

“Seeing these peopleunder the strain of controland poverty, when theresources for success arehere, makes me feel that it’sworthwhile for us to behere,” he said.

“Helping them set uptheir own government is abig part of why we are here.They’re finally able to startdoing that. Our part is instopping the Anti-Iraqi

Forces from hurting theirprogress,” he said of hisunit’s role. Herbert’s unitconducts daily operations,sometimes keeping themoutside the forwardoperating base day andnight.

Another part of theirrole is training and workingwith Iraqi Army soldiers.

“We have beenworking with them andtraining with them, so theyare ready for these typeoperations,” he said of araid operation heconducted with the IAsoldiers. We train them inbattle drills on the base

and help develop theirleadership and discipline.”

The Iraqi Army soldiershave been helpful in hisunit’s joint operations aswell. “It helps that the IAsoldiers are along on theseoperations because theyknow the Iraqi peoplebetter than we do and pickup on some things that wedon’t,” he said.

“The more we do toprepare them, the soonerwe get to go home,” hesaid. My goal is to makeit through safely and getmy Soldiers throughsafely. That is missionsuccess.”

E Troop, 163rd Cavalry candidates for CSM coins recognized

Sgt. Berry of 2nd Plt., E Troop, 163rd Cavalry nominatedas a candidate for the Command Sergeant Majors’ coin.

Three soldiers werenominated for TF 2-116 ArmorCommand Sergeant Major’scoins from E Troop, 163rdCavalry.

Sgt. Berry has brought hislaw enforcement experience toa new level. From patrollinghis new beat in his stylishHummer to attempting to beatdown Ba’Qubian doors witha single kick, Sgt. Berrydistinguishes himself as aleader not to be trifled with.Even the enemy knows thatwhen he says, “Put yourhands behind your back andkneel” that Sgt. Berry is

Sgt. Lander of 3rd Plt., TF 1-163 Cavalry nominated as acandidate for a Command Sergeant Major’s coin.

getting serious. He not onlyenforces the standard, but alsoconstantly raises the standardas a leader.

Sgt. Lander continuallygoes above and beyond whatis asked of him on a daily basis.

He accomplishes taskswithout being told and isalways the first to volunteerfor any missions/jobs thatmay arise

Lander has helped theplatoon maintain combatreadiness by filling in whenother squads have been shortpersonnel for their dailyduties.

With the numerousuncertainties due todeployment, he is one of thefew that can be relied upon ata moment’s notice withoutquestion.

Troop E, TF 163rd CavalrySgt. Johnston is an excellentexample for junior enlistedsoldiers. He constantlyevaluates situations andquickly brings to light moreefficient means to courses ofaction. Often, in some way,his suggestions areimplemented. The soldierswho find themselves in Sgt.Johnston’s charge follow his

orders quickly and preciselybecause of his leadershipqualities. His continualpositive attitude and

competence are the keyelements of a great soldier anda strong potential junior leader.

Sgt. Johnston of E Troop, 163 Cavalry nominated as acandidate for a Command Sergeant Major’s coin.


TF 3-116 ArmorTF 3-116 Armor provides route security for MOAG movement

FOB Warrior, Iraq – The“Mother of AllGenerators”(MOAG) willsoon add to the power grid ofIraq, bringing more stability toelectrical service.

Soldiers and airmen aidedin moving the 282,000 kilogramgenerator more than 1,000kilometers from the Jordanianborder to a power stationoutside Kirkuk, Iraq.

When the generator isinstalled it will increase theelectrical output of the powerstation by 10 percent.

Bringing the MOAG intoIraq is the culmination of twoyears of planning andpreparations.

Soldiers from Company B,162nd Engineers and TF 3-116th Armor, providedsecurity and route clearance

by Sgt. Blake Kent, 22d MPAD for the stretch of road betweenQuiarra, Iraq, and the powerstation, which took three daysto travel.

“We are going more than100 miles at only about sixmiles-an-hour,” said Sgt.Srichampoo of the CaliforniaArmy National Guard,attached to Co. B, 162ndEngineers, Idaho NationalGuard.

The route had mostlystraight roads, but movingthe generator over bridgesand other parts of the terrainproved to be a little moredifficult, requiring months ofpreplanning for the team toovercome.

The generatormovement coordinators, theAbnormal Load Engineers,a British company based outof Abu Dhabi, United Arab

Emirates, made several tripsto Iraq to survey a sufficientroute.

The final route, whichwas decided on inNovember 2004, wassurveyed five times toensure that it would be upto handling the weight.

“It has been a nightmaremoving this – we’ve had tobypass both the Euphratesand the Tigris rivers,” saidJames Roberts, convoycommander of the ALE team.“Every time we surveyed theroute, it would change due tothe insurgent activities.”

The team had to not onlyworry about possibleambushes and improvisedexplosive devices (IEDs)directly attacking thegenerator and the convoy, butalso had to worry about

possible damage to the routethat had occurred due to IEDattacks.

“IEDs have changed theroute’s integrity, constantlybringing us new challenges,”Roberts said.

Depending on the roadconditions, the generator isonly able to move between fiveand 18 kilometers an hour. Allcheckpoints and roadobstructions had to beremoved from the route aswell, to ensure that thegenerator could pass safely.

“Our job as engineers isto open up the road for thegenerator,” said Sgt. Mario A.Cuellar of Lynwood, Calif.,California Army NationalGuard, attached to CompanyB, 162nd Engineers. “Webrought a bulldozer and aforklift to clear the road. Our

other role is as security for thegenerator.”

The convoy had to beconstantly prepared for anambush or IED attack,especially with the slow speedthe group had to travel,Cuellar said.

“I don’t think it is asdangerous as it was before,especially with the amount ofsecurity we have on thisconvoy,” he said. “We haveother units ahead of us lookingfor IEDs too, so as long asthey do a good job, we shouldbe okay,”

The generator had alreadybeen attacked on the firststretch of the convoy fromJordan to Quiarra.

The generator reached itsfinal destination withoutcomplications.


IED awareness...

getting printed in militarypublications, the campaign willalso produce messages toother outlets that couldpotentially reach as far awayas the Department of Defenseand Afghanistan.

Mini-MASCAL...Continued from page 1

This patient has been placed on a backboard, and isbeing given an I..V. by a fireman, as a P.A. monitors progress.

“This time it’s[newspaper ads], next timeit will be commercials on TVand radio,” Martin said.“After that, we’re lookingat expanding it. The sky isthe limit.”

Included in the laundrylist of ideas are bumperstickers, flash screens onWeb sites, stress balls andeven Frisbees, according toMartin.

Whatever the means,Stockdale said themessage must stayfocused with one purpose:to save lives.

“There’s no predictingexactly where, when orhow you’re going to meetan IED when you’redriving around,” Stockdalesaid. “Practicing thosebasic methods andregularly using themsignificantly enhancesyour chances of survival.”

week,” Hill said. “This was thefirst combined battle drill withthe firemen and the ICC.”

The May 4 “battle drill”consisted of three "patients"with make-up, fake injuries andfake blood who were found ata hanger across from the clinicon the other side of the airfieldwhere a “rocket attack” hadoccurred. The contractfiremen were the first ones atthe scene where they initiatedfirst aid and called in acasualty report. Anambulance brought the“patients” to the ICC, whereboth firemen and Army medicstreated them.

“One of the firemen addedto the battle drill by becominga patient feigning an asthmaattack—this taxed the ICCeven more,” said Hill. “Onepatient was transported to the

flight line, and the firemenpracticed loading patients intoa Blackhawk. The Blackhawkdid not have its rotors movingat the time—called a cold load.Some of the firemen had neverperformed this task before.”

Hill, Staff Sgt Leo Gilbrideand Capt. Brett Klippenstein,all C Company, 145th SupportBattalion soldiers, helped planand execute the event.

The 116th BCT tookover responsibility for

combat operations in Kirkukand SulaymaniyahProvinces in February.Besides providing medicalassistance, the unit isaccomplishing a four-foldmission that includesdeveloping Iraqi securityforces, supporting Iraq’selected leaders, helping jump-start economic developmentand assisting Iraqis to bettercommunicate with thepopulace.

volume 5 edition 21, may 2005 nakebitestatic.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_0243.pdf · immortally...

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