Operation Phantom Fury--Day 152 - Now Operation River Blitz--Day 47

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jerome H. Murkerson, an Adger, Ala. native and staff non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the Camp Blue Diamond quick reaction force, hands a stuffed animal to an Iraqi child, April 3, 2005. The Marines handed out stuffed animals and soccer balls to Iraqi children to foster good relations with the citizens of the town. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio

Marines Embark on Friendship Patrol

U.S. Marines bring toys donated by the students of Camp Lejeune High School for the children of Ar Ramadi.

By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio 2nd Marine Division

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq, April 7, 2005 — Marines that make up the camp’s quick reaction force conducted another patrol down the dangerous streets here April 3.

This was no ordinary patrol, though. The Marines saddled up in their Humvees for a chance to do something for the children, instead of rooting out insurgent hideouts.

“We really saw first hand what a difference it could make to give one of the kids something as simple as a soccer ball,” Sgt. Paul Suarez

An Iraqi child runs to his friends with his new soccer ball that he received from Marines with Camp Blue Diamond's quick reaction force, April 3, 2005. The Marines also handed out stuffed animals and interacted with the citizens to maintain good relations with the citizens. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio

The gates of the camp were opened and the Marines of the friendship patrol trailed out into the sandy reaches of Ramadi to hand out soccer balls and stuffed animals to the children.

The toys were donations by patriotic students at Camp Lejeune High School in N.C., where the 2nd Marine Division is headquartered. The gifts were donated in the hopes that they would help the children of the war-torn city have a sense of normalcy.

Jazmine Hall, a student at the high school, spearheaded the toy drive as a testament of support for the well being of the citizens of Iraq from the families and friends of the Marines serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Immediately out of the gate, the Marines found themselves in a precarious position as they weaved through a Sunday street market. Usually on patrol, the force doesn’t get too close to the locals, for fear of suicide bombings, ambushes or improvised explosive attacks.

Staff Sgt. Jerome H. Murkerson, an Adger, Ala. native and staff non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the Camp Blue Diamond quick reaction force, hands a soccer ball to an Iraqi child, April 3, 2005. The Marines handed out stuffed animals and soccer balls to Iraqi children to foster good relations with the citizens of the town. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio

“We went through some danger areas, but I think doing things like this really makes a difference in our mission here,” said Sgt. Paul Suarez, a 22-year-old Santa Clara, Calif. native and squad leader for 2nd squad. “We really kept a close eye out for anything out of the ordinary and we were able to do something for the children at the same time."

On their way into the narrow streets of central Ar Ramadi, Al Anbar’s provincial capital, the children popped their heads out of stony corridors and ran across fields to see why the Marines were in their neighborhood.

The convoy stopped in one neighborhood and dismounted. At first, there was an apprehension among the children who hid behind fences and rubble to observe the Marines with their heavy weaponry. But soon they knew there was nothing to be afraid of as the Marines lowered from their machinegun turrets and reappeared with a few soccer balls.

Soon women gathered to talk and young shepherds redirected their flocks to see the commotion and take part in the frenzy of dozens of children jumping for a chance to have their own ball or stuffed animal.

Staff Sgt. Jerome H. Murkerson, an Adger, Ala. native and staff non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the Camp Blue Diamond quick reaction force, hands a stuffed animal to an Iraqi child, April 3, 2005. The Marines handed out stuffed animals and soccer balls to Iraqi children to foster good relations with the citizens of the town. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio

“We really saw first hand what a difference it could make to give one of the kids something as simple as a soccer ball,” said Suarez, a 2000 Fremont High School graduate.

The Marines boarded their Humvees and snaked through the alleyways to another neighborhood. All along the way, the children came out of hiding and followed the Marines.

The once quiet neighborhoods of Ar Ramadi quickly turned into a torrent of children laughing and skipping down the dirt roads in trail of the convoy. All of this was possible thanks to the Camp Lejeune High School students.

An Iraqi child shows off his new soccer ball that he received from Marines with Camp Blue Diamond's quick reaction force, April 3, 2005. The Marines also handed out stuffed animals and interacted with the citizens to maintain good relations. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio

As the sun lowered on the horizon the houses were washed in a hazy, orange light. Locals waved goodbye to the Marines from their porches as their children kicked up dust and continued to play with their newfound toys.

“It was a change from what we’re used to doing out there and hopefully we can have a chance to do other missions like this in the near future,” said Suarez.

Medal of Honor Recipients Visit Troops in Afghanistan

Former soldiers of war, today’s soldiers swap stories.

By U.S. Army Sgt. Tara Teel Combined Joint Task Force 76

OPERATING BASE ORGUN-E, Afghanistan, April 7, 2005 — Soldiers pulled up chairs and piled almost on top of each other around tables in the small dining facility to hear the various, animated war stories the visitors had to tell.

Four Medal of Honor recipients from different services visited troops here and at another Coalition forces base in the Paktika province April 5 and 6. Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Leo Thorsness, retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Littrell, retired U.S. Army Col. Jack Jacobs and retired U.S. Navy SEAL Lt. Thomas Norris, all fought in the Vietnam War where they received the highest award for valor given in the armed services - the Medal of Honor.

"This country’s in good shape and we have sharp, brave, intelligent troops who are trained to do military things here, building a country and a country’s government," retired Air Force Lt. Col. Leo Thorsness.

“The best part about the visit was seeing the expressions on the soldiers’ faces when we visited and knowing that they were really glad that someone cared enough to come see them,” said Littrell.

“It is an honor to have these men here with us,” said 1st Sgt. Mario Cocktrell, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion 508th Infantry (Airborne). “It is very educating for the younger soldiers here to be in the presence of such accomplished gentlemen. Most VIPs wouldn’t visit a place like Orgun-E because it is so remote.”

1st Battalion, 508th Infantry (Airborne) Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Hof and the other leaders introduce the Medal of Honor recipients to the animals of Orgun-E during their visit to the forward operating base. The leaders briefed the recipients on the area and what their troops do before heading to the dining facility for an informal talk with the soldiers. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tara Teel

The visitors met with the leaders of Forward Operating Base Orgun-E for a briefing on the area, a summary of what they do, and what they hope to accomplish during their year-long deployment to Afghanistan.

“This country’s in good shape and we have sharp, brave, intelligent troops who are trained to do military things here, building a country and a country’s government,” said Thorsness.

“We really appreciate the job you are doing here with terrorism,” Norris said to the troops. “You are on the front line right here.”

The visitors took turns telling the jam-packed dining facility about the events that led up to them getting their respective Medal of Honor awards.

“This trip was important for morale,” said Sgt. Maj. Bradley Meyers, 508th operations sergeant major. “You see all the soldiers smiling, talking with the (MOH) recipients, listening to their stories, and everyone is really enjoying themselves.”

Thorsness talked to the soldiers about freedom, something that was stolen from him as a prisoner of war for six years after he had to eject from his aircraft on his 93rd mission in Vietnam.

“We are born in the United States with freedom and you never realize how lucky you are until you don’t have it anymore. There are a lot of places where freedom is not guaranteed.”

During the talks at the dining facility, the Medal of Honor recipients were more than eager to listen to the soldiers’ tales and asked plenty of questions about their previous deployments and their time in Afghanistan.

The Medal of Honor recipients receive a brief artillery lesson before they shoot the Howitzer with Delta Battery, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd, during their visit to two bases in Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tara Teel

“It was really great hearing their support and coming from those who did so much more, it made us feel really good and proud,” said Spc. Scott Chamley, Delta Battery, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd.

The second stop on the trip was to another even smaller Coalition forces camp in Paktika province. Again the leaders of the forces there briefed the visitors on their purpose in the area, how they work with the other Coalition troops and interact with the locals.

Here, the Medal of Honor recipients piled into the back of a pick-up truck with some of the troops, drove to a MK-19 grenade machine gun that was mounted on a truck, and given the opportunity to shoot a few rounds. The veterans held a competition to see who was the best shot. They might not have hit the bull’s eye, but they had a blast doing it.

Hopping in the truck again, they visited with each unit in the camp checking out what they do and ended up at asking the artillery gunners, “Can we shoot the Howitzer?” The Delta Battery soldiers accommodated the request and provided each with a round to fire. Two of the honored guests gave their chance to fire to two of the soldier escorts traveling with them saying that the soldiers would probably never have a chance like that again.

As the day came to an end and the helicopter headed to home base, Bagram Airfield, a dust storm picked up and forced the pilots to land once again at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E.

“The most exciting part was hearing that we were going to have to set the chopper down in the middle of an unsecured field because of the sandstorm,” said Littrell. “Fortunately we did not have to do that, however we did get to stay at the Orgun-E base overnight and that was even better. We would rather be out here with the soldiers at the remote bases, getting to know them, hearing their stories and bonding with them.”

The group discussed weapons, technology and equipment the military has today and how it has changed so much from what they used in Vietnam. The 508th’s executive officer said all of the upgrades and new ideas came from gentlemen like the Medal of Honor recipients. After all the weapons talk, the recipients hopped on with a group going on a night patrol and checked out the new gear soldiers use.

The visits to the two bases boosted the morale of both the soldiers and the recipients and left a lasting impression on both. The recipients said they planned on coming back to visit the soldiers as soon as possible.

“People back home love you guys,” said Norris. “Our hats are off to you.”

Medal of Honor recipient Jack Jacobs talks with soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry (Airborne) in the dining facility during their visit to Forward Operating Base Orgun-E April 5. Jacobs and the other recipients went on patrol and stayed the night at the Forward Operating Base. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tara Teel

New Campaign Medals Recognize Iraq, Afghanistan Service

American Forces Press Service

Each military department will serve as the awarding authority for the new Afghanistan Campaign Medal, top, and Iraq Campaign Medal, and will issue regulations for processing, awarding and wearing them.

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2005 – Two new campaign medals announced today recognize servicemembers for their contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Defense Department announced the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal for military members who directly support Operation Enduring Freedom between Oct. 24, 2001, and a date to be determined in the future or Operation Iraqi Freedom between March 19, 2003, and some future date.

The new campaign medals were established by presidential order for servicemembers who have been assigned, attached or mobilized to units operating in these areas, officials said.

Until now, servicemembers deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq during the designated timeframes were awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

"By awarding separate medals, we will recognize the specific contribution that our servicemen and women have made in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Bill Carr, deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy. “It’s appropriate that we present them with an award that truly honors their heroic service in these operations."

Servicemembers with the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal remain qualified for it, but officials said they may apply for the appropriate new campaign medal as well.

Military personnel may receive both of the new campaign medals if they meet the requirement for both awards. However, officials said the qualifying period of service for one award can’t be used to justify eligibility for the other. Just one award of each of the new medals is authorized, as no service stars are prescribed.

No servicemember is entitled to wear all three medals for the same act, achievement or period of service.

The area of eligibility for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal includes all the country’s land and air spaces. The Iraq Campaign Medal applies for service in Iraq, its waters out to 12 nautical miles, and the airspace over Iraq and its 12-mile water area.

To qualify for the awards, servicemembers must have served in the appropriate region for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days, officials said.

Servicemembers also qualify for the medals if they have been engaged in combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time spent in the area of eligibility, or were wounded or injured and required medical evacuation from the area of eligibility while participating in an operation or on official duties.

Regularly assigned aircrew members flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in direct support of military operations also qualify, with each day of operations counting as one day of eligibility.

On the uniform, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal will be positioned below the Kosovo Campaign Medal and above the Iraq Campaign Medal. The Iraq Campaign Medal will be positioned below the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and above the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Each military department will serve as the awarding authority for the new campaign medals and issue regulations for processing, awarding and wearing them, officials said.

Bush Lauds New Iraqi Government

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2005 – President Bush has extended congratulations to Iraq’s Transitional National Assembly on its selection of its next president and two deputy presidents. Jalal Talabani, a Kurdish leader, was formally sworn in as president today. Ghazi al-Yawer, who had been serving as Iraq’s interim president, and Adil Abd al-Mahdi were also formally sworn in as deputy presidents.

“Iraq’s Transitional National Assembly took a momentous step forward in Iraq’s transition to democracy,” Bush said of the April 6 election of Iraq’s presidency council by an overwhelming majority.

Talabani has been a longtime opponent of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. His vice presidents represent two other major groups in Iraq: Mahdi is a Shiite, and Yawar a Sunni.

Immediately after its swearing in, the council named Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a Shiite Arab, as Iraq’s interim prime minister. Jaafari’s first order of business will be to name his cabinet.

Bush praised these steps as important progress for Iraq. “The new Iraqi government will then begin its important work of writing a new constitution, continuing to train Iraqi security forces, delivering basic services, and advancing Iraq’s transformation from dictatorship to democracy,” the president said in a statement issued April 6.

Bush reaffirmed the United States’ support for this process. “The Iraqi people have shown their commitment to democracy, and we, in turn, are committed to Iraq,” he said. “We look forward to working with this new government, and we congratulate all Iraqis on this historic day.”

Jaafari, formerly Iraq’s interim vice president, has proven to be a solid supporter of coalition operations in Iraq.

“We, the Iraqi people, are in our democratic infancy,” he told the American Forces Press Service on March 19, the second anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom. “And as we take our first steps, we appreciate the protection and help that enable us to move forward to our democratic future.”

President’s Statement on Iraq’s Transitional National Assembly

The new CROWS is currently being fielded to Humvees at LSA Anaconda to allow gunners to stay inside their up-armored vehicles while operating their weapon remotely.

CROWS arrive in Iraq to keep gunners out of sight

By PFC Jerome Bishop

LSA ANACONDA, Iraq (Army News Service, April 7, 2005) – The first group of 35 remotely-operated weapons for mounting on top of Humvees arrived in Iraq recently and the systems were divided among military police, Special Forces, infantry and transportation units.

The Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations, or CROWS as they are known, provide crews the ability to locate, identify and engage targets with better accuracy and improved range, while keeping the gunner inside, protected by the vehicle’s up-armor.

The technology used on the CROWS is a variation of the remote-controlled crew-served weapons system already used on combat vehicles like the Bradley fighting vehicle and the M-1A1 Abrams tank.

“We will be fielding, in the next two years, over 300 systems,” said Maj. Frank Lozano, the program manager for the CROWS project on LSA Anaconda.

At LSA Anaconda, four CROWS were issued to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from Ar Ramadi and the 155th Brigade Combat Team on FOB Kalsu. Prototypes were installed on vehicles belonging to the 42nd Military Police Brigade in December, Lozano said.

Since then, more CROWS have been installed, bringing the total up to nine systems serving troops at LSA Anaconda.

Presently in Iraq, CROWS are only assembled and fielded at LSA Anaconda. Crews are issued the system there and receive training on how to operate it, said Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Januchowski, the project’s training developer.

The nearly $200,000 system is designed to replace the turret gunner on Humvees to improve combat effectiveness, Lozano said.

CROWS allows Soldiers to operate successfully from within the safety of the Humvee’s armor, without being exposed to the threat of improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire.

“The important thing is increased survivability and increased lethality,” Lozano said.

The system incorporates a 15-inch color monitor with live video from cameras in the daytime and thermal imaging cameras in darkness.

Both cameras use a laser range finder, which allows the gunner to zoom on targets, lock onto them and maintain that lock accurately while the vehicle is in motion. The camera and the weapon can be used together or separately.

The camera allows the gunner to look one way with the weapon pointed another. This feature becomes particularly useful when observing suspicious subjects from a distance, Soldiers said, adding that way people are not scared off by a weapon pointed at them.

The gun itself is controlled by a joystick which gives the gunner 100-percent functionality, allowing the operator to control the weapon with just one hand. The weapon can be aimed up to 60 degrees above and 20 degrees below in front of the vehicle and can turn a full 360 degrees, allowing the gunner to see almost any threat no matter where it is located in relation to the vehicle.

With all the features used properly, the weapon can be used at 98-percent accuracy while the vehicle is in motion and the enemy on the run.

“The weapon is smart enough to know your movement, the earth’s movement and the enemy’s movements,” said Lozano.

CROWS is compatible with the M-2 .50-caliber machine gun, M-240B medium machine gun, MK-19 automatic grenade launcher and the M-249 squad automatic weapon.

The weapons operate off of a larger ammunition supply than that of the standard crew-served weapons, Lazano said. He said with larger combat loads, the weapon is reloaded less, keeping the crew inside the vehicle.

The system keeps gunners like Sgt. Darrin Hill, 98th Cavalry, 155th Brigade Combat Team, out of the turret where he had spent his days since being deployed in support of OIF.

“I think it’s a great system. For one, it gets me out of the turret; it gets (me) out of the kill zone,” Hill said. “I feel privileged to be able to learn how to use it.”

(Editor’s Note: Pfc. Jerome Bishop is a member of the 1st COSCOM Public Affairs Office at LSA Anaconda.)

426th Civil Affairs Battalion helps renovate Iraqi agricultural college

RELEASE NUMBER: 050405-02
DATE POSTED: APRIL 6, 2005

426th Civil Affairs Battalion

DAHUK, Iraq (USASOC News Service, April 6, 2005) — Throughout one’s travels in northern Iraq, it is common to see shepherds tending sheep along the roadside, boys driving their cattle to the nearest waterhole, and men and women of all ages tending fields where chickpeas, olives, grapes or orchards where fruit trees grow.

The 426th Civil Affairs Battalion, an Upland, Calif.-based Army Reserve special operations unit, has been working with local and international nongovernmental organizations to improve farmland, increase quality and quantity of cattle throughout the area and positively influence cutting edge technology to improve upon agricultural practices and procedures.

With the large quantity of arable farmland, animal herds, and conducive environment that supports agricultural production, it is evident why northern Iraq is the largestfood production arena for the region for the entire country.

The most common trades and/or sources of income for the people of northern Iraq are in the field of agriculture. With well over 500,000 donums of land and close to 1,000,000 heads of animals ranging from goats, sheep, and cattle, one can easily understand why agriculture is the lifeblood of the region.

Education influences change. The University of Dahuk is comprised of nine colleges. Of those colleges, the oldest and most popular college is the College of Agriculture.

Currently, 550 undergraduate students and 45 graduate students study at the college. With a sizeable student base and the massive impact that they can provide for the region, the 426th CA Bn. committed to address some of the needs of the college and positively impact the progression of higher education.

Working with Dr. Mosleh Duhoky, dean of agriculture, Dr. Abdulljabar Salman, chief of party for the University of Hawaii Partnership Program, other colleagues and graduate students supporting the university, the 426th CA Bn. completed an assessment to assist the college.

The college provides advanced instruction and education in horticulture, rangeland management, veterinary sciences, animal science and production. Additionally, the College of Veterinary Medicine offers certification of qualified individuals to be the future for animal health throughout the region.

The Animal Research Barn required the greatest amount of attention. Cold winters and hot summers have weathered the wooden doors and fence at the facility. Years of neglect and has left the facility in shambles with unserviceable lighting and power fixtures, unserviceable fans and water troughs, as well as deteriorated and cracking foundations and ceiling structures in many of the classrooms and milking room.

A project supporting the renovation of the facility was devised to address the immediate needs. Under the direction of the dean and animal research supervisors, the barn was repainted with light fixtures and wooden doors replaced. Water and feed troughs, catch pens and sheep dipping pool were also restored.

The milking room was cleaned, retiled, and repainted to include ceiling repairs to prevent leaks and other problems caused by previous water damage. Also, the sterile milk refrigerators were repaired back to their original working condition.

A deep well and pipe distribution system for crop and tree research was completed.

During the tenure of Saddam Hussein people utilized anything they could to produce heat for the winter and for cooking. The aftermath left a virtually stripped region of trees and vegetation that once densely populated the countryside. The well project will aid in tree research to develop hearty, fast growing varieties to once again populate the region.

The entire project, from start to finish, took roughly four months. On the day of the opening ceremony, the words of the dean were captured on local television expressing his appreciation for completion of the project.

“We thank the American’s for their support and what they have done to advance higher education through the College of Agriculture.”

Through continued coordination and efforts through supporting agencies, the 426th CA Bn. will continue to enhance higher education and improve the quality of life for northern Iraq.

-usasoc-

Charlie Coon / S&S Two pilots take off Thursday in their Kiowa OH-58D helicopter from forward Operating Base MacKenzie in Ad-Daluiyah, Iraq. To the pilots’ left is a .50-caliber machine gun; to their right is the rocket launcher.

Cavalry flies to rescue as bombs, battles erupt

Kiowa helicopter pilots providing vital air support in Iraq

By Charlie Coon, Stars and Stripes

Mideast edition, Wednesday, April 6, 2005

Charlie Coon / S&S Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles Folk, left, who will turns 21 on Wednesday, and 24-year-old 1st Lt. Mike Hultquist, both of 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, had about 30 hours of flying time between them before arriving in Iraq late last year. Since then, each has nearly 300 hours in the sky while flying missions for the squadron.

AD DALUIYAH, Iraq — On March 22, troops from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior approached a remote camp used by insurgents. Soon, the bullets and small rockets flew, guns smoked and both sides took casualties. American ground and air forces moved in to support the Iraqis.

“When we got the call, we were north of Samarra roughly 20 minutes away,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jim Cornell, who was flying an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter. “We bent it over and got there as fast as we could.”

The helicopters zoomed over the reeds near Lake Thar Thar, strafing the enemy and taking fire while the soldiers on the ground took a breath. Then the choppers, low on fuel and ammo, got out of Dodge.

The 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment can be called the cavalry riding to the rescue. Its pilots usually spend their patrols scanning the countryside, providing escort for convoys or dropping toys to children. But when a bomb explodes or battle flares up, the nimble Kiowas respond with lethal force.

Charlie Coon / S&S Spc. Travois Garrison of Bethel, Ohio, and 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, applies a coat of anti-corrosion finish to the 50-caliber machine gun of an OH-58D Kiowa helicopter on Thursday at Forward Operating Base MacKenzie in Ad-Daluiyah, Iraq.

“Even though we’re flying, on that day we were as close [to the battle] as the infantry,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Williamson. “It’s all for the ground guys. If we can help, we do what we can do.”

Two days earlier, pilots from the 1-17 were patrolling near Baqouba when they saw a mushroom cloud about 12 miles away. They flew in to investigate and took fire.

“We ID’d seven individuals who were engaging us, and we returned fire. We made three passes,” said Capt. Ashley Thomas. The mushroom cloud was from a car bomb and had been detonated next to an Iraqi police station. It was the first of five synchronized attacks within a few minutes north of Baqouba. The car bomb, soldiers later concluded, was likely meant to draw in Iraqi and U.S. ground troops, who would be ambushed by insurgents in the subsequent attacks.

The Kiowa pilots saw a suspicious gray van and reported it, but the pilots were taking small- and large-caliber ground fire from several directions. The two-seat exposed cockpit did not offer much protection. To hell with the van, the pilots decided.

“Larger weapons were tracking us [from the ground], and we were seeking maneuver space,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Edward Annis. “You’re weighing whether to track one or two guys on the ground versus your own survivability.”

Twenty Iraqi policemen and soldiers were wounded, most in the initial blast, and two died. Two U.S. soldiers were wounded.

The van was soon discovered with its engine still running. It contained rocket-propelled grenades, other grenades and AK-47 machine guns. The occupants weren’t there and were presumed to be somewhere else, soaking in their own blood.

When their radios or eyeballs draw Kiowa pilots into a fight, questions and answers quickly race through their brains: “How much fuel do I have?” “How much ammo?” “How far am I from a base?” “What can I now do [or not do] to help?"

The lightweight chopper is a modified version of the Bell 406 helicopter sometimes used in the United States by airborne police and hospital air-rescue teams. For 1st Squadron, part of the 42nd Infantry Division’s Task Force Liberty, the extra space is used not for people but for weapons systems and vision equipment.

Lt. Col. Frank Muth commands the 1-17 and its 24 aircraft and 350 soldiers, which are split between bases in Ad Daluiyah and Mosul. Managing the troops is easy, he said. The hardest part? Worrying.

“Every time they go out, you don’t know what is going to happen,” Muth said. “You can train, but we’ve had 10 aircraft damaged [by ground fire] in five months. As a commander, I worry about every soldier in this squadron.”

70 `War Ravens’ of 81st BCT stay in Iraq

By Lt. Col. Harry González and 2nd Lt. Connie Woodyard

LSA ANACONDA, Iraq (Army News Service, April 7, 2005) -- More than 70 Soldiers of the Washington National Guard’s 81st Brigade Combat Team volunteered to remain in Iraq after their comrades returned home.

These veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom II are sharing their skills and knowledge with the 29th Brigade Combat Team of Hawaii, which assumed the missions of the 81st Brigade in February.

Army offers 2nd tour

During OIF II, the Army offered Soldiers the opportunity to remain in theater for another tour. The 81st BCT and 29th BCT struck an agreement that the Soldiers who remained would stay with the 29th.

“I put on this uniform because I believe that individuals have an obligation to serve something greater than themselves,” said. Spc. Jayson Howell, who remained in Iraq with the 29th BCT. “I still have more to give, so I stayed.”

Howell had served as a member of the Quick Reaction Force of the 81st BCT on Logistics Support Area Anaconda.

“I’m earning the right to wear our nation’s flag on my uniform,” said Pvt. Andrew Merchain. “I am willing to protect it and stand with all those who came and have done the very same before me.”

Soldiers overcame doubts

Spc. Jason Haack, who served as an administrative NCO with HHC 81st BCT, now works in the G-1 of the 29th BCT. He admitted to having some doubts about his decision.

“After the last of the 81st BCT left, I felt like, ‘Oh, man, what have I done? Am I nuts,’” said Haack, who left behind a wife with whom he was hoping to start a family, but it will have to wait for his return next year.

Pfc. Novel Harris agreed, “Sometimes it seems like a long road.”

Some never wanted to leave

At the opposite end of the spectrum was Spc. Jonathan Laureles, who felt upon arrival he belonged so much he told his buddies he wanted to stay for another tour. His friends told him to wait a few months to see if he still felt the same way. He waited and still wanted to stay. Even now, at the beginning of his second tour, he is considering a third.

Staff Sgt. Robert Caver promised his Soldiers if they wanted to stay for an additional year, he would stay with them. He also extended the promise again this tour.

The Soldiers that remained were required to complete Contingency Operation Temporary Tour of Active Duty packets before transferring to the 29th BCT; however, there is no guarantee the packets will be approved.

Incentives not the reason for most

If approved, the Soldiers are eligible to receive an additional $1,000 per month for 179 days beyond their original orders. Most of the Soldiers will not be eligible for the additional income until about halfway through their second tour. Conversely, other Soldiers will not likely reach that status during this deployment as they arrived late in the deployment of the 81st BCT.

Soldiers like Spc. Noel Ramey, who arrived in theater late during the 81st BCT’s deployment, will only spend a total of about 18 months in theater.

Some of the Soldiers have volunteered twice for the deployment. Sgt. Jonathan Spatig served as the battalion sergeant major’s driver and as a door gunner during OIF II. He was an interstate transfer from Arizona to deploy with the 81st BCT and volunteered to stay for a second tour.

“At first,” he said, “the motivation was financial, but because of my years of service, I was not entitled to any re-enlistment bonuses. I don’t mind though and I feel good about what the United States is doing for Iraq. My family supported my decision.”

Families support their decision

The Soldiers all shared that their families and friends were supportive of their decision, although the initial reactions were similar: “Some think it’s a little crazy, but they give me their full support none the less,” shared Staff Sgt. Robert Carver, formerly of Company B 1/161st Infantry in Baghdad and now serving with Task Force Konohiki at LSA Anaconda.

Ten Soldiers of the 81st BCT that remained for the second tour were assigned to Task Force Konohiki to share their skills with the Soldiers of the 210th Battalion, 4th Brigade of the Iraqi National Guard. In their new roles, they are training the Iraqi Soldiers in more advanced Soldiering skills, building on the lessons learned during OIF II under the leadership of Task Force Chinook of the 81st BCT.

TF Konohiki keeps vets together

The Soldiers appreciate the opportunity to serve together with other extension volunteers as it continues their camaraderie as second-year veterans.

“Each Soldier from the 81st BCT brings with them highly valued experience and lessons learned from his previous year spent in the OIF theater. This experience has enhanced the overall proficiency across our Task Force as a whole,” said Maj. Robert Harris, commander of Task Force Konohiki.

The Task Force is the military transition team advising the Iraqi Army. The U.S. Soldiers have two roles in the Task Force: serving alongside the Iraqis in force protection, providing security in and around the Logistics Support Area; and providing guidance and advice to the Iraqi army.

(Editor’s note: Lt. Col. Harry González and 2nd Lt. Connie Woodyard serve with the Washington Army National Guard.)

Navy Standing Up Provisional Unit to Provide Guantanamo Guards

Story Number: NNS050407-03 Release Date: 4/7/2005 12:41:00 PM

Special release from the U.S. Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- For the next 18 months to two years, the Navy will be providing a large number of the guards at the U.S. enemy combatant detention facility at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.

“Because it’s a joint mission, the joint staff decided it was the Navy’s turn to source some of the guard-force requirements,” said Capt. Lewis Nygard, officer in charge of the Navy provisional guard force here. “So the Navy said, ‘Aye, aye,’ and marched off and said, ‘We’ll build this provisional guard force and man the portion of the mission down here.’”

The Navy guards here are members of the master-at-arms (MA) career field. Navy masters-at-arms specialize in law enforcement, security, force protection and correctional custody. Nygard explained the detainee mission at Guantanamo Bay has subtle differences from the MAs’ normal day-to-day duties.

“It’s not a correctional job in which we’re trying to rehabilitate a Sailor who has gone wrong and made a mistake and is being disciplined for that mistake,” Nygard said. “We’re here for the safe and humane treatment of detainees for the period in which we’re assigned the mission.”

Sailors in the provisional guard force typically are deployed here for six months. Nygard said the Sailors arriving here now likely will be followed by at least two more rotations of other Sailors.

The Navy doesn’t have deployable units of masters-at-arms. Sailors in this specialty generally are assigned to bases and ships in relatively small numbers. The service is filling the requirement for more than 600 Sailors on this mission by taking individual Sailors and small groups from units throughout the world.

“Those Sailors then are coming from commands all over the world, from shore stations in Italy to England to Japan to Guam, and ships from both coasts and both fleets,” Nygard said.

“It is a large portion of the master-at-arms field,” he added. “But the Navy’s decided that they can commit those forces to the mission basically by taking onesies, twosies, up to five and six from different forces.”

The selected Sailors were sent to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., where they formed into five companies, performed pre-deployment activities and started their training.

“Since we don’t have companies of MAs sitting around ready to deploy, we needed to form something that fit the mission,” Nygard said.

From Jacksonville, the companies went to Fort Lewis, an Army base in Washington state, for further training in detention operations.

The captain explained the Sailors were trained using a “crawl, walk, run” philosophy. They first learned individual tasks they would need, then worked on putting them together into a unit mission, and finally ran through “situational training exercises (STX),” in which they practiced dealing with scenarios possible in the detention facility.

A Sailor who recently completed the training at Fort Lewis said the situational training exercise was the most interesting thing he’s experienced in his year in the Navy.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that before,” said Seaman Andrew Ellenberger. “We had two days of some very, very intense training to learn how to deal with the different stresses that we may encounter down here.”

Ellenberger said the first day of the STX was frightening. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, what did I sign up for?’ But after I talked to a few people that had already been down here, they said that [scenario portrayed potentially the] absolute worst day down here. It probably will never happen,” he said.

Nygard said the intense training was valuable “in getting the Sailors into the right mindset for what they needed to come down here for.”

To date, three companies of Navy guards have assumed their duties “inside the wire” at Guantanamo Bay. The two remaining companies are completing their training at Fort Lewis and preparing to deploy. Nygard said the entire provisional force will have assumed their duties here by mid-April.

He also had a message for the Sailors’ families and loved ones.

“Your Sailors are performing marvelously down here, and they’re doing what the country has asked them to do,” he said. “And to a man or woman, they’re proud to be serving the country.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

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