vol. 1, issue 4 published for the soldiers of the 3rd...

Published for the Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and Task Force LibertyVol. 1, Issue 4 April 15, 2005

Inside: Operation Hammer Rain, pg. 5 1-15 guides council meeting, pg. 6 Iraqi Police training, pg. 8

Photo by Spc. Natalie Loucks

3rd BCT’s ‘Dragon’Battalion trains

Iraq’s 203rd Company

SECURING THE FUTURE:SECURING THE FUTURE:3rd BCT’s ‘Dragon’

Battalion trains Iraq’s 203rd

CompanyRead the story on page 2Read the story on page 2

2 Hammer Times April 15, 2005

Hammer Times is published in the interest of theservicemembers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rdInfantry Division and Task Force Liberty. HammerTimes is an Army-funded newsletter authorized formembers of the U.S. Army, under the provision of AR360-1. Contents of the Hammer Times are not neces-sarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S.Government, Department of Defense or Department ofthe Army.

PAO NCOIC, Editor, Hammer TimesStaff Sgt. Sean Riley

[email protected]

3rd BCT PAO Staff WriterSpc. Natalie Loucks

[email protected]

3rd BCT CommanderCol. Steven Salazar

3rd BCT PAOMaj. Steve Warren

[email protected]

FOB MACKENZIE, Iraq --“The soldiers are doinggreat; they have come a longway,” Staff Sgt. GeorgeOrange, Non-CommissionedOfficer in Charge ofObstacles Section, 1stBattalion, 15th InfantryRegiment, 3rd BrigadeCombat Team, Task ForceLiberty, said as he watched

the 203rd Iraqi Army com-pany soldiers execute astack maneuver as they pre-pared to enter a mock build-ing looking for “Ali Baba,” anickname given to the ficti-tious enemy.

The goal of the AmericanSoldiers of Task Force 1-15Infantry is simple: train theIraqi Army company to beable to handle the securityof the city of Ad Duluiyah.

This ‘simple’ objectivecannot be accomplished

without the hard work,determination and coopera-tion of both the AmericanSoldiers of TF 1-15 Inf. andthe 203rd IA company.

“They know why we arehere,” Orange said. “Theyare willing to work with usfor one common purpose ...to get rid of all of the insur-gents.”

Orange said training isconducted to the samestandards as the U.S.Soldiers are held to.

Orange explained the IAsoldiers conducted raids,patrol formations; likewedges, reactions to enemycontact, and area security.The training site has rangesand a mock building builtand used to train the IA sol-diers on techniques used tosearch and clear rooms.

The U.S. instructors taketheir Iraqi counterpartsthough the training exercisestep-by-step. Once the con-cept of the exercise isgrasped, the soldiers willrun through what they havejust learned.

“Since they have beentraining, their patrols havegotten a lot better,” Orangesaid. “They’ve improved somuch; they are more confi-dent in what they aredoing.”

The IA company con-ducts training at the JointCoalition Center directlyoutside the main gate ofForward Operating BaseMackenzie.

Orange said the soldiersare ahead of their trainingschedule and are presentlyconducting training mis-sions that were originallyscheduled for Augustthrough October.

“The 3rd Brigade CombatTeam has stepped it up anotch and is conductingadvanced training withthese (203rd IA) soldiers.”

Story and photos by Spc. Natalie Loucks3rd BCT PAO

Iraqi Army soldiers of the 203rd Iraqi Army Company provide security, and a execute a ‘stack’ forma-tion under the watchful eyes of their 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rdInfantry Division, Task Force Liberty, instructors at Forward Operating Base Mackenzie, Iraq. The IAsoldiers are preparing to enter a mock building using U.S. Army techniques taught by U.S. Soldiers. See ELIMINATORS, Pg. 3

Ad Duluiyah army companytrained by Task Force 1-15

Not only are the Soldiers of 1-15thInfantry providing the soldiers of the203rd IA company with the skills theyneed to defend their city, they are alsosupplying them with the latest equip-ment. When the soldiers look goodthey feel better and in turn, performbetter, Orange said.

“We just got them knee pads andthey love them,” Orange said. “Theysaw the American Soldiers with themand they wanted to wear them.

“Now we just have to teach them toput the pad around their ankles whenthey aren’t training,” Orange said ashe bent over to help adjust one sol-dier’s knee pads.

Outside of training, the 203rd IAcompany along with Soldiers of TF 1-15 Inf. are working hand in hand touphold the security of the city of AdDuluiyah, the main city in the taskforce’s area of operation.

“They pick up techniques from theAmerican Soldiers while they are outon missions,” Orange said.

Already, soldiers of the 203rd IAhave found over 15 improvised explo-sive devices and apprehended a ter-rorist that held a day job as a teacherin Ad Duluiyah.

Maj. Abeb Al Karim Naji, the com-mander of the 203rd IA company saidmost of the people of Ad Duluiyah are

appreciative of the work that his sol-diers are doing and respect the profes-sional attitudes of the company andtheir U.S. Army counterparts.

Abeb said the supporters cooperategreatly with the military forces by pro-viding intelligence, but he said hewould like to see more cooperationfrom some of the tribes within thecommunity.

The Iraqi Army company is current-ly over 200 soldiers strong but,despite the company’s successes, hesaid a further 250 to 300 soldiers arenecessary.

“They’re doing a great job,” saidAbeb through an interpreter. “Igreatly appreciate what theAmerican Soldiers are doing for mycompany.”

3Hammer Times April 15, 2005

Eliminators help Iraqi Army soldiers help themselvesContinued from Pg. 2

203rd IA soldiers practice squad movement techniques during recent lane training at FOBMackenzie, Iraq. Soldier/instructors with 1-15 Inf., 3rd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., TF Liberty workwith the 203rd IA company to help bolster the IA unit’s confidence and ability to providesecurity and defend the nearby city of Ad Duluiyah. Since their training began, the 203rdIA company has been responsible for finding over 15 Improvised Explosive Devices andrecently captured a known terrorist in the city.

Fresh Coffee

Photo by Maj. Steve Warren

Col. Steven Salazar, (left), the commanderof 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd InfantryDivision, Task Force Liberty, Joan Klenk,(center), the Army, Air Force ExchangeService manager and Command Sgt. MajorJesse Andrews, cut the ribbon officiallyopening the ‘Green Beans’ coffee onForward Operating Base Warhorse April 1.

Stains. Stains come from normalwear and tear. I have stains, youhave stains.

I was putting away my uniform theother day and noticed stains. Littlestains and big stains were on mypants and shirts. When you onlyhave four uniforms, stains are boundto happen.

From a distance, you would neverknow they were there. The stainsseemed to blend into the material.Some stains looked as if theybelonged in the pattern of the uni-form. Some stains looked completelyout of place. I don’t know where theyall came from, but they were therenone-the-less.

As I closely examined my uniforms,I began to reflect. I reflected upon thestains that were part of my life. Weall have stains. While they areunwanted, they are there. Thesestains come from many places. Itcould be something as simple as a lie.

It can be guilt from a past relation-ship. These experiences have a wayof leaving their markon us. They canmake us feel uncleanand somewhatunwanted. Theymight make us have atough time dealingwith ourselves. So,what do we do withthese stains? How dowe get rid of them?How do we washthem out of our lives?

The stains that we have upon ourlives concern our Heavenly Father. Ifyou are dealing with past hurts andpains, take them to the Lord.

If you are dealing with guilt, askour Heavenly Father for forgiveness.

John 1:9 tells us that “If we confessour sins, He is faithful and just to for-give our sins and cleanse us from allunrighteousness.” Knowing that Godhas forgiven you can make a world ofdifference. God can cleanse us andset us free.


Friday

1 to 3 p.m.Muslim Juma Prayer

6 to 8 p.m.Jewish Prayer and Fellowship

Sunday

8 to 9 a.m.Early Bird Protestant – Chaplain(Capt.) Smith

9 to 10:30 a.m.Gospel – Chaplain (Capt.) Pickens

11 a.m. to NoonMid-Morning Protestant – Chaplain(Maj.) Rauch

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.Latter Day Saints

1:45 to 2:45 p.m.Roman Catholic

8 to 9:30 p.m.Evening Protestant – Chaplain (Capt.)Smith

Bible Study

Tuesday:6 to 7 p.m. at Education Center –

Chaplain (Capt.) Pickens

Wednesday:7 to 8 p.m. at Warhorse Chapel-

Chaplain (Capt.) Smith

Mid-Week Service

Thursday:7 to 8 p.m. at Warhorse Chapel –

Chaplain (Capt.) Pickens

Friday:10:15 p.m. – Chaplain (Capt.) Smith

‘Movie of the Week’

Warhorse ChapelWorship sChedule

Life experiences can leave their markBy Chaplain (Capt.) Craig Ludwig2-34 Armor Regiment

LUDWIG2-34 Armor Chaplain

Soldiers Honored at CeremonySpc. Matthew Bane, of Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 34thArmor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, salutes 42nd Infantry Division and Task ForceLiberty Commander, Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, after being presented with a PurpleHeart. Bane and others from his unit were recognized for their service during an April9 combat patch award ceremony hosted by the commander of 3rd Brigade CombatTeam, 3rd Inf. Div., TF Liberty, Col. Steven Salazar, at Forward Operating BaseWarhorse, Iraq. Other awardees honored during the ceremony; 1st Sgt. Jeffery Lytle,Spc. Dustin Bunce, Spc. Yance Nunez and Spc. Michael Webster, all of HHC, 2-34Armor, and Sgt. David Michaels of Hq’s 350th Finance.

Photo by Maj. Michael Charlebois


Sledgehammer Soldiers pour down rain

MUKHISA, Iraq -- Soldiers fromCompany B, 1st Battalion, 30thInfantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade CombatTeam, 3rd Infantry Division, Task ForceLiberty, along with support elementsfrom Brigade Troops Battalion, 3rdBCT, prepared their vehicles and them-selves in the darkness of the early morn-ing April 12 at Forward Operating BaseWarhorse.

The mission of Operation HammerRain, according to 2nd Lt. ChardonHyde, 1st Platoon, Company B, 1-30thInfantry, was to hamper the ability ofthe insurgents by removing personnelthat finance the insurgency or itemsused to make improvised explosivedevices.

The task of the operation was tosearch houses in the town of Mukhisaand seize personnel who were consid-ered high-value targets. These individu-als are deemed high-value due to intelli-gence gathered from various sourcesthat indicated they were engaging in, orpreparing to engage in terrorist action.

According to Hyde, the searches con-ducted in the houses of Mukhisa lookedfor weapons and materials that have thepotential to be made into lethal weaponslike IEDs.

According to Iraqi law, each family inthe town is allowed one AK-47 and oneloaded magazine. If more than the per-mitted amount was found in any house,the weapons and ammo were taken.

Those who where apprehendedwere flex-cuffed, tested for explosiveresidue on their hands and face andplaced in the back of M2A2 Infantry

Fighting Vehicles. According to Hyde, the weapons, any

suspicious matter and the detaineeswere taken to FOB Normandy to beinvestigated.

“The severity of what they have beencharged with and what they have beenfound guilty of decides what will happento them,” Hyde said. “What is alsolooked at is the information and whatevidence is known about them.”

Hyde was pleased with the outcomeof the mission.

“Tactically, the mission went well,” hesaid. “The Soldiers did what they weresupposed to do and the support wasthere like it was supposed to be. Overall,

it was a good mission militarily.”Staff Sgt. Felix Cruz, a squad leader

for 1st platoon, understood the missionwell and knew exactly what he and hisSoldiers had to do to accomplish themission.

As the temperature rose and the daybecame longer Cruz and his Soldierscould feel the weight of the day beatingdown on their shoulders and legs, butthe rising temperature and long hoursdid little to damping their enthusiasm.Cruz said he was very satisfied.

“The mission went well,” he said. “Wecaptured some of the personnel thatwere on the list. Our mission wasaccomplished.”

Story and photo by Spc. Natalie Loucks3rd BCT PAO

Private 1st class Gene Kemper, a squad designated marksman in 1st Platoon, CompanyB, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, observes the area as he and his fellow Soldiersprepare to take on their next objective.

ChangingCommand

Capt. Vern Tubbs, former Commander ofCompany A, 1st Battalion, 15th InfantryRegiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, TaskForce Liberty, Lt. Col. Gary Brito, BattalionCommander of 1-15 Inf., and Capt. JimmyHathaway, the new Commander for A, 1-15Inf., face the company guidon in prepara-tion to change command in a ceremonyheld April 2 at Forward Operating BaseMackenzie, Iraq.

Photo by Spc. Natalie Loucks

AD DULUIYAH, Iraq -- A city council meeting was heldApril 5 at the Joint Coalition Center outside of ForwardOperating Base Mackenzie, for the city of Ad Duluiyah.

1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, of the 3rd BrigadeCombat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Task Force Liberty,currently resides at FOB Mackenzie and takes an active rolein the construction and management of Ad Duluiyah.

Marwan Mutaab Abdullah, the mayor of Ad Duluiyah,Mohammed Khalaf Hussein, the city’s Police Chief, Capt.Muhee Ali Shay, the executive officer of the 203rd IraqiArmy Company, Maldi Salah Ibrahim, the director of theJCC and key leaders of the community representing multi-ple tribes within the city were present at the meeting.

Members discussed topics concerning the up comingcouncil elections; how to incorporate the Iraqi securityforces in the elections, and maintenance and security to thecity.

Focuses concerning the city council elections are wherethey are going to be held, how the site locations will be pub-licized and security issues. Also, the issue of whom and howmany members will be elected to represent each tribe andthe people of Ad Duluiyah.

Mayor Marwan suggested the announcements to thepolling sites be made by pamphlet or though mosque speak-ers.

Also regarding the elections, the suggestion was made foreach tribe to have one representative on the council. The

mayor felt each tribe will be represented equally.According to representatives present at the council meet-

ing, a problem occurred in the difference in the sizes of thetribes. The larger tribes feel they should have more seats inthe council.

Lt. Col. Gary Brito, Battalion Commander for 1-15thInfantry, sat in the on the meeting to provide assistance andguidance where needed.

“From your heart,” he said, “vote for the person who bestrepresents all of the tribes.”

Sheiks are known to hold precedence within the commu-nity and were advised to use their influence to positivelyaffect the community.

Brito also underlined the function of the American forcesin their city.

“American Soldiers are doing their job to maintain secu-rity,” he said.

American forces are also doing their job to provideresources unavailable to the city to help reconstruct andimprove the city conditions and quality of life, according toCapt. David Stanley, Commander of Company E, 1-15thInfantry and Iraqi Security Forces Liaison Officer.

Projects to repair and repave the roads in Ad Duluiyahand to move the JCC building to a new location — from thecurrent 203rd Iraqi Army compound to downtown AdDuluiyah — are underway.

Stanley said the goal of the participating Soldiers andleaders of 1-15th Infantry is to help the city leader helpthemselves by providing necessary capabilities required toallow the city council to make the right decision.


Hammer Times will accept your stories and photos! Send your submissions digitally by emailing the Editor at [email protected], or bring them to thePublic Affairs Office next to the 3rd BCT TOC on FOB Warhorse. Submissions should be single spaced, non-tab format and are subject to editing of contentby the Hammer Times staff. Ensure all identification used in stories includes rank, first name, last name, duty position, hometown and unit. When submittingphotos, please include information on all people in the shot. DO NOT embed photographs into the story! Please include author’s point of contact informa-tion will all submissions.

Task Force1-15 takes hand in Ad Duluiyah councilBy Spc. Natalie Loucks3rd BCT PAO

FOB NORMANDY, Iraq -- Unitsdeployed to Iraq in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom havequickly learned that successfulunits are those that can adapt totheir surroundings and performnon-traditional roles while stillmaintaining proficiency in their coreMilitary Occupational Specialtytasks. Soldiers from the 2ndBattalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1stInfantry Division, Task ForceLiberty, Scout Platoon have done allof this and more while keepingAlternate Support Route Detroit, amain artery linking Baghdad withseveral cities in northern Iraq, opento civilian and military traffic duringthe recent Corps Main SupportRoute switch.

In stark contrast to the recent his-tory of route Detroit, civilian and mil-itary traffic have enjoyed an unprece-dented freedom of maneuver using

the Corps MSR over the last fewweeks. This has been achieved by

‘Scouts Out!’ Keeping roads open for allStory and photo by 1Lt. Christopher Distifeno2-34 Armor Regiment

See SURVEILLANCE, Pg. 9


2-69 Armor Soldiers appreciate ‘snail mail’

FOB SCUNION, Iraq --These days, with all of thetechnological improve-ments and advancements,“snail mail” may seem likea thing of the past to many.Not so in the 2nd Battalion,69th Armor Regiment, 3rdBrigade Combat Team, 3rdInfantry Division, TaskForce Liberty. When themail arrives at ForwardOperating Base Scunion,usually by the truckload,Soldiers absolutely love it.Many a Soldier offers hishand in helping to unloadthe myriad of brown boxesand orange mail card bags.Most of the time, one ofthose boxes is for him.

“It’s nice to hear fromhome every now and thenin the form of a letter as

opposed to just e-mail,”Capt. Carlos Moya ofHeadquarters, HeadquartersCompany 2-69 Armorremarked, adding that with“snail mail”, “food and

movies come too.”Although every Soldier

has access to a computer,telephone, and web-cam,some still like to receive aletter made by putting pen

to paper. Many Soldiershave remarked that theyenjoy re-reading lettersfrom home during theirdown time. It helps to keepthem focused on their fam-ily while they are in a com-bat zone.

“It brightens your day toknow that people backhome are thinking aboutyou,” said Capt. MikeJones.

“I just think it’s morepersonal,” added 2nd Lt.Warren Withrow.

Many wives or girlfriend'ssend letters with their hus-band’s or boyfriend’sfavorite perfume sprayedon it. At any rate, Soldiersgreatly appreciate any andall “snail mail” they receivefrom back home. It’salways a good feeling to getsome recent DVD’s or somejunk food that is not readi-ly available in theatre.

Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd BrigadeCombat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Task Force Liberty onForward Operating Base Scunion, unload and sort a recent ship-ment of mail prior to distribution to recipients.

Story and photo by Capt. Chaz Cannon2-69 Armor Regiment

DRUM MAJORDRUM MAJOR31 MAR 0531 MAR 05TF 2TF 2--34 AR34 AR

LOO: Security

WHO: D/213th IA

WHAT: Destroyed insurgent attack

WHEN: 20 March 2005

WHERE: Al Abarra, Iraq

WHY/SIGNIFICANCE: D/213th IA quickly crushed a coordinated attack from insurgents in Al Abarra. The IA, without the immediate assistance of US troops, reacted to a VBIED and RPG attack. They collected themselves and stood their ground to drive away the follow on assault from the terrorists. This demonstration of military power clearly shows the progress the IA has made and its increased ability to act independently of US forces.

BULLETIZED: Bottom Left: Despite a large VBIED, the IA station and Iraqi flag remain standing. Bottom Right: IA soldiers sweep away the debris in their headquarters. Background: The Iraqi Army always stands ready to protect the citizens of Iraq.

Each battalion submits a daily good-news story called a“Drumbeat” to the Brigade. Weekly, a distinguishedpanel of judges evaluates the “Drumbeat” and selectsthe best one, which is crowned the “Drum Major”.Hammer Times proudly presents the “Drum Majors” forthe last two weeks.

1st BN, 10th FA

The Rock’s Support

333333TF 1-10 DRUM MAJORTF 1-10 DRUM MAJOR

1st BN, 10th FA


1st BN, 10th FA


333333333333TF 1-10 DRUM MAJORTF 1-10 DRUM MAJOR

Line of Operation: Joint Operations

Who: IPS, TF 1-10

What: Flash check point

When: 05 April 2005

Where: IPS flash check point

Why/Significance: During a flash check point, the IPS helped get the IO message out. While other IPS checked vehicles, two IPS took time to hand out hand bills, stickers and posters to the local populace. The officers were happy to hand out the information. There was a positive response from the local civilians. This was us positive example of how the IPS can help get the IO message out.

Bulletized: IPS help get the IO message out.

DrumMajors

DrumMajors


Iraqi Police learn to help themselvesAD DULUIYAH, Iraq -- Iraqi Police personnel from the

city of Ad Duluiyah line up at the firing line of the JointCoalition Center, ready to take aim at the paper targetsdown range. Despite the hot weather, these policemen aremotivated and eager to train.

1st Lt. Jerry Jones from Company E, 1st Battalion,15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rdInfantry Division, Task Force Liberty, is the Liaison officerfor the Iraqi police in Ad Duluiyah, looks on, pleased withthe pistol training exercise the policemen are executing.

The police officers of Ad Duluiyah police departmenthave been training with Jones and civilian police officersfrom various units out of the U.S., for approximately fourweeks. There are six police stations in Ad Duluiyah andeach station sends personnel to train which, makes forabout 350 students.

On this particular day, after sitting through a class thatwas taught in the chow hall of the JCC, the Iraqi police-men are learning the fundamentals of pistol marksman-ship.

According to Jones, who aids in administration andplanning the training for the students, the Iraqi Policeknow how to use the AK-47 but they are unfamiliar withthe pistol.

“The pistol is a status symbol in Iraq,” Jones said.“Only the important people carry pistols.”

Although the ranges are a large part of training forthese policemen, training consists of more than justmarksmanship.

Procedures for vehicle searches, traffic control points,Iraqi Police leadership skills and first aid are also incorpo-rated into the training, said Jerry Catron, InternationalPolice Liaison Officer out of Killeen, Texas.

Catron said he feels his job is very important to trainthe Iraqi police to take care of themselves and the peopleof the city of Ad Duluiyah. He has been here since July2004 and said he will not leave until his mission is com-plete.


Capt. David Stanley, Iraqi Security Force Liaison Officer, helps anIraqi Police student with his ammunition. (Below) An Iraqi PoliceOfficer fires his Glock 19 at a paper target. The police officerstrained on pistol marksmanship fundamentals at the same rangesused by the 203rd Iraqi Army Company in Ad Duluiyah, Iraq.


2-69 Armor mortar platoon continues to take fight to the enemy

FOB SCUNION, Iraq -- The 2ndBattalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rdBrigade Combat Team, 3rd InfantryDivision, Task Force Liberty, mortarsection has been doing its fair share ofwork in the past weeks, more eventhan first anticipated. In a recentinterview, the platoon leader, Capt.Carl Quinlan, explained that the mor-tar men perform several missionsincluding; vehicle check-points,counter-mortar patrols, Iraqi Armycheck point inspection, and QuickReaction Force. In addition to theserequirements, they are also called onby troops from the country of Georgiato fire illumination missions, as wellas HE, or high explosive missions.

The mortar platoon, usually a sta-ble or an immobile unit, has been onthe roads of Iraq much more than itanticipated. That is fine with the mor-tar men, according to Quinlan.

Quinlan also praised his platoon forperforming exceptionally well in arecent joint Iraqi Army raid thatresulted in the apprehension of dan-gerous anti-Iraqi forces and insur-gents.

“They seem to enjoy getting off theFOB and out into sector. They likebeing on the road,” said Quinlan.

Recently, while on a QRF mission,

the mortar platoon came across animpressive enemy weapons cache.Concealed in four feet of standingwater were twenty-two120mm mortarrounds. In order to retrieve theserounds, Staff Sgt. Larry Goins, Sgt.Earvin Reyes, Sgt. Robert Grant, andSgt. Marcus Merritt shed their boots

and waded the entire length of thechannel to remove these munitionsfrom possible enemy hands. It was aselfless act, considering that many ofIraq’s canals contain raw sewage.However, the Soldiers secured therounds anyway, took a hot shower,and continued the mission.

Story and photo by Capt. Chaz Cannon2-69 Armor Regiment

The 22 mortar rounds retrieved by the mortar platoon of 2nd Battalion, 69th ArmorRegiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Task Force Liberty.

removing the ability of the insurgentsfrom emplacing complex and deadlyImprovised Explosive Devices alongthe route. Denying the enemy theuse of terrain has been the task of the2-34 Armor Scout Platoon, call sign“Saber”.

Before the Scout platoon had begunoperations along the MSR, IEDemplacement teams had freedom ofmovement nightly to set up some ofthe most deadly IEDs in all of Iraq. Asa result, insurgent forces exploitedthis ability and posed a great threat tocivilian and military traffic alike.

2-34 Armor deployed multipleassets to include sniper teams, andover watched the teams using mount-ed observation positions, UnmannedAerial Vehicles, Long-Range ScoutSurveillance Systems and M1 tanks.Within hours of their first stake-out,the Scout platoon spotted three indi-viduals digging and chipping away at

the roadway only 100 meters from aprevious IED crater. As the sniperteams moved in to detain the enemy,the enemy escaped using theiradvanced knowledge of the terrain. Atfirst this seemed like a disappoint-ment, but after weeks of constantnight operations no other emplace-ment teams have been spotted and nocomplex IEDs have been laid. It wouldseem as though word has spread quitequickly among the insurgents, who tryto disrupt operations along the 60-kilometer MSR, as it is no longer safeto use the night as concealment fortime-intensive IEDs.

The only IEDs found since theScouts began their operations havebeen hastily dropped munitions.These poorly disguised bombs areobvious to even the untrained eye andare spotted well before friendly unitsget within dangerous range. This haskept military convoys safe and theCorps MSR open. Additionally, civiliantraffic is safer and not held up forhours at messy IED blast sites.

Military construction assets can nowsafely move in to repair the road quick-ly and then move on to more reward-ing projects.

Keeping the Corps MSR open hasbeen a tedious, always demanding butnever-the-less critical task not onlyfor the Scout platoon of 2-34 Armor,but for the reconstruction of Iraq.Long nights and frequently interrupt-ed rest periods are the norm, butdespite the difficult circumstances,they have been highly successful inkeeping their MSR open.

Route Detroit now belongs to theScouts of 2-34 Armor and offersunfettered access to civilian and mili-tary traffic along one of the majorcommercial roads from Baghdad tothe northern provinces. Continuingto over watch the MSR has made itsway into the decision making cycle ofthe enemy, forcing him to change histactics. As the enemy evolves, theScout platoon will be there to stophim.

Continued from Pg. 6

Surveillance, patience key to platoon’s success


Post office helps bring a touchof home to deployed Soldiers

FOB WARHORSE, Iraq-- “Where is my mail?Did we get any mail?How long before mypackage gets here?”

Countless questioningabout Soldier’s mail is adaily occurrence for Sgt.1st Class MarlonDaniels, Post Master for300th Adjutant GeneralPostal Unit on ForwardOperating BaseWarhorse.

“I try to ensure thatthe Soldiers packagesand mail will get here,”Daniels said. He is themediator between thetroops and the postalservices-- and he lovesit.

“Mail is a huge moralbooster. It’s a tie tohome and Soldiers needthat,” he said.

If there are any miss-ing pieces of mail andthe missing mail isbrought to the attentionof the post office onWarhorse, Danielssaid his Soldiers willtake the names of therecipients and try tolocate the missingpieces of mail.

Daniels and hisSoldiers of the 300AG Postal Unit out ofChicago, in addition toWarhorse, conductpostal operations out ofFOB Gabe, FOB Scunionand FOB Normandy.Mail clerks from thesebases will travel toWarhorse, to pick upparcels belonging toSoldiers of their base.

“Scunion is so closethat we usually just takethe mail to them,”Daniels explained.

Spc. CarvellaSarchione, Spc. Dewain

Graeen, Private 1stClass Cesia Bear andSpc. Jeff Thorne all workfor Daniels and the 300

AG Postal Unit agree thebest part of the job ismeeting new people fromdifferent units and get-ting used to seeing themeveryday.

Although, the postalservice at Warhorse isefficient, mail doesn’tjust show up. It mustmake the extensive tripfrom Logistical SupportArea Anaconda.

Truck drivers fromKellogg, Brown & RootConstruction Company

work to get the Soldierswhat they long to have,their mail.

Mark Turberville hasbeen in Iraq for 14months and said heplans on staying foranother year. Heproudly declared thebest part of the job isworking with “thebest people in theworld; the Soldiers”.

The mail trucks,which are armored withmetal plates on the frontof the vehicles and metalfencing over the win-dows, travel with mili-tary convoys everywherethey go, said JeraldGoad of KBR who travelswith the mail.

“I will be here as longas there is mail to bedelivered,” he said. Hestarted to laugh after abrief pause, “or until mywife says its time tocome home.”

Turberville said hehas already been shotat, mortared, hit withimprovised explosivedevices and rocket pro-pelled grenades but hestill loves what he does.

Maurice Works hasbeen working with the“Pony Express,” a nick-name given to the mailcarriers traveling fromAnaconda, for fourmonths and said the jobis highlighted by all thepeople he has encoun-tered and continues tomeet along the way.

“Mail is a touch ofhome and that’s whatimportant,” Goad said.

Works and Goad areveterans from theVietnam War and saythey understand whatits like to go without tiesto home. They say that’swhy they do what theydo.


Private 1st Class Cesia Bear helps download packages from a container outside the post office atForward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq. Bear enjoys her job and says the best part is the people shemeets along the way.

“Mail is a huge moral booster. It’sa tie to home and Soldiers needthat.”

--Sgt. 1st Class Marlon DanielsPost Master

300th Adjutant General Postal Unit

vol. 1, issue 4 published for the soldiers of the 3rd...

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