NEWS FROM THE FIELD

Volume 2, Number 18 - 1-23-06
 

Baghdad weather:  Monday Hi 64, Lo 47, mostly clear; Tuesday Hi 67, Lo 50, partly cloudy

This is one of those good news, bad news reports.  The bad news is that there is very little news coming out of Iraq - and that's also the good news.  Frustrating as it is to search for news and not find much of anything, we all know that no news is good news because bad news travels fast.  Following is what I've found since our last update on Friday.

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Correction to Name of Pilot Who Was Killed

I apologize for incorrectly listing the name of one of our Apache pilots who was killed on 16 January.  The DoD announcement that I used has since been updated to reflect his name correctly, which is:

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ruel M. Garcia, 34, of Wahiawa, Hawaii.

I am sorry for the mistake - I only had the information provided in the original DoD announcement and it was wrong.
 

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4th BCT takes charge in 'International Zone'

BAGHDAD, Iraq, January 21, 2006

After a successful transition with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, the 4th Infantry Division Cobras Brigade is ready for its first mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 4th Brigade Combat Team took command of central and southern Baghdad as Col. Michael Beech, 4th BCT, commander, and Command Sergeant Major John Moody, Jr., unfurled the brigade colors during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Prosperity January 14.

The ceremony marked the start of Task Force Cobras first deployment since its activation Dec. 16, 2004.

"This unit was formed specifically for this mission a year ago," explained Beech, a native of Worchester, Mass.

"We spent the last 12 months prior to this deployment focused on coming to Iraq to do this mission. After a year of preparing for this operation and building this brigade, it is a phenomenal thing to see it all come together here in Iraq."

As the battalions of Task Force Cobra execute their missions, their primary focuses will be: securing a key infrastructure of Iraqs new government, the International Zone, partnering and developing Iraqi Security Forces and helping the ISF defeat Anti-Iraqi Forces.

"During the short time the U.S. Army has been here, we've seen great strides in the Iraqi Security Forces ability to defeat the Anti-Iraqi Forces and secure the population," Beech said. "During our time here, their ability will increase."

Over the last few days, he said, the Soldiers on the ground have been extraordinarily successful identifying a variety of threats.

"Every day," said Beech, "there are dozens of examples where our Soldiers and leaders on the ground are making a huge difference, getting this country closer to a self-sustaining, independent democracy.

Created as a unit of action under the U.S. Armys force restructuring, the 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., manned, equipped and trained nearly 4,000 Soldiers in less than one year and began deploying personnel to Camp Buehring, Kuwait late November.

Each Cobra Soldier completed additional training focused on improvised-explosive devices, cultural awareness, conducting preventive maintenance checks and perform pre-combat inspections before leaving for Baghdad.

After fine tuning their weapons and combat knowledge, the Cobra Brigade began its trek into Baghdad, arriving just in time for the holiday season where many Soldiers celebrated Christmas and the New Year at their assigned forward operating bases.

Shortly after the holiday festivities subsided, leaders from the 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., the "Vanguard Brigade" from Fort Stewart, Ga., helped their replacements take the lead in daily operations as a final transition between the two brigades.

"I feel that our transition with the 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. was absolutely superb," Beech said. "It really served as the capstone event and put the finishing touches on this brigade as we ready ourselves for this mission."

As the Vanguard Brigade returns to its home station, Task Force Cobra has assumed responsibility of building upon, and adding to, its accomplishments in Iraq.

"The 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. had a very successful rotation," said Moody, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"Many Soldiers from their units lost their lives while they were here," he said. "They gave their lives for a great cause, and we intend to build upon all the success they achieved."

The Cobra Brigade will play a critical role in the success of the new Iraqi government as the people of Iraq work to make history, he concluded.
 

By Pfc. Jason Dangel
4th BCT PAO, 4ID

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Terrorists Captured, Cache Found Near Balad

TIKRIT, Iraq - Task Force Band of Brothers Soldiers from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, captured two terrorists as they attempted to hide a cache of weapons near Balad Jan. 18.  (Editor's Note from Bob:  Just as two brigades of the 101st Airborne Division are working under the operational control of 4ID/TF Ironhorse, the 3BCT of 4ID is working under the operational control of the 101st Airborne Division/TF Band of Brothers.  The mixing of the heavy armored assets of 4ID with the Airmobile assets of the 101st adds more capabilities to both units).

An observation team from 3HBCT spotted the men digging a hole in a suspicious location and a patrol was sent to look into the dig site and men involved.

The troops followed the men to a nearby house and after questioning the men about their activities, the Soldiers were led to the dig site by one of the suspects.

Several weapons were found at the site, including a mortar tube, 26 mortar rounds of different sizes, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and several fuses. An explosive ordnance disposal team was called out and safely destroyed the cache at the site.

Both men were detained and taken to a nearby military base for further questioning and processing.

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq

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From Multi-National Force - Iraq News Releases...
 

SSG Stan Lavery
MNF-Iraq.com

January 21, 2006

...While these operations make steady progress town to town and house to house, mechanized troops clear Iraqs roads. The Destroyers of Co. D, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th ID, conduct two patrols a day to clear main transportation routes around the Baqubah, Iraq, area to ensure these roads will be safe. By daybreak they are clearing roads of suspected improvised explosive devices and other patrol-hampering road blocks.

If I have to get hit in this vehicle I kind of feel reassured that nothings going to happen versus a Humvee, said Sgt. Michael Smallwood, a gunner with Company D, who rides in an M1-A2 SEP tank. I'd rather have a 155 hit an armored vehicle versus a Humvee and kill someone. They have a lot of armament to get through before they get to me.

Smallwood watches through the gunner sight of the 73-ton tank, relaying whatever he sees to his tank commander, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Andrews.

I pay special attention to the roads, to the area and what the people are doing at certain times, their reactions to vehicles, houses, whether or not people are running and ducking behind walls, Smallwood said. I watch the flanks of the vehicles, I warn the tank commander if anything suspicious happens and then he'll take further action from there.

During this mission, the patrol found two suspected IEDs  one a box in the middle of the road, the other a large, white bag on the side of the road  that required further investigation. After securing the area, the patrol called for further guidance. With assistance from the Iraqi security forces, the suspected IEDs were determined harmless.

(Content compiled from Official DoD sources)

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MND-B Soldiers discover IEDs
 

Multi-National Division  Baghdad PAO

January 22, 2006

BAGHDAD  Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers discovered two improvised explosive devices south of Baghdad in separate instances Saturday night.

Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 67th Armor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, discovered an IED and secured the site. An Explosive Ordinance Disposal team responded to their call and disabled the roadside bomb, which consisted of two 155mm rounds.

Minutes later and miles away, Soldiers with 1st Bn., 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Div., located another roadside bomb. An EOD team disposed of the IED, which consisted of two 120mm rounds.

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You won't read about this in your local newspaper...

Hope Grows for an Iraqi Community

By Pfc. Michael A. Molinaro

2nd BCT PAO, 4ID

January 21, 2006

DIYARAH, Iraq Residents of Diyarah celebrated the opening of a food distribution center here Wednesday (January 18).

The center enables residents to buy grain, produce and other items at low prices through a program created by the Iraqi government.  We hope this is the beginning of many openings and celebrations for us, said Saleh Hasen Alwan, the local imam. The people of this area are in need of something like this.

The town council makes sure the voices of its people are heard, said Capt. Ben Simms, commander, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Diyarah is a great success because of the town councils commitment to its people.

The project was a total community effort as local politicians acquired funding for the project, construction workers rebuilt the structures, and Iraqi soldiers secured the area so the workers were safe from terrorist threat.

The buildings were destroyed during the initial portion of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Warlords and gang members then used the buildings to organize criminal activities until the Iraqi army planted itself in the town, said Capt. Carlos Badillo, information officer, 2-8 Inf.

The town council feels safe because of the presence of the Iraqi army, Simms said. They are not afraid of the insurgents.

New bathrooms, ceilings, floors and lighting fixtures were installed for more than 40 local nationals who will work at the center.

This is a total nationwide effort, said Badillo. You have the big government helping a small community, and in turn the small community government helping its people. It proves the Iraqi government is working.

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...and a story like this will never make the main stream media in the US...

Despite violence, south Baghdad residents get first tap water in eight years

By Norris Jones
Gulf Region Central District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Baghdad, Iraq  Despite insurgent activity, Iraqi workers completed repairs to two water treatment plants in south Baghdad after nearly four months of work. Due to their skill and bravery, an estimated one million Baghdad residents will benefit from the renovations that continued regardless of insurgent attacks.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Gulf Region Central (GRC) provided oversight for the restoration project. Local workers cleaned the large, 34-meter sedimentation basins, repaired pumps and generators, and installed new chlorine pumps. Because of these combined efforts, each treatment plant now produces about 2,000 cubic meters of clean, potable water per hour.

Mahmoudiya and Latifiya residents in south Baghdad this week had water flowing from their faucets for the first time in nearly eight years, said Alfred Everett, GRC Resident Engineer supporting the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (part of TF Ironhorse). That's what people in those communities are telling us.

A Baghdad firm was awarded the project to rehabilitate two water treatment plants servicing the areas northwest of Latifiya along the Euphrates River.

Despite setbacks and damage to the generators and other equipment in both facilities, the contractor successfully finished the job, said Everett.

There's no question that Iraqis working on these projects demonstrated significant courage every day.

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This is a long but very interesting report from the commander of 1-12 IN, 4BCT, 4ID.  As stated earlier, I encourage units to send battalion and brigade level unit reports to me to include so I can share them with others to get a better view of what the total 4ID/TF Ironhorse team is doing.  This includes our attached units from 101st Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division and any other attached battalion or larger unit.

1-12 IN Commanders Update to the Warrior Family

20 Jan 2006

Hello from Baghdad!

Transition of Authority.

The unit we replaced did an outstanding job of setting the stage for us.  After about a week of right seat ride we took the left seat.  While we controlled the battle space and performed the mission, the outgoing unit had resident expertise still on hand for us to refer to when needed.  It was comforting to have them there, but we rarely needed their help.  Once in charge, we had no problem performing any of the required tasks.  Shortly after assuming the left seat the opportunity arose to fly them out ahead of some bad weather that was coming in.  We facilitated their speedy departure by moving up our informal battle handover.  This allowed them to pack out, load up and get moving a few days ahead of schedule.  On their last day on the ground, we conducted the Transfer of Authority (TOA).  No real fanfare, just a high five between the leadership and away they went.  We uncased our battalion colors very informally compared to the big ceremonial casing of the colors we did back at Ft. Hood in November.  We now have them proudly displayed here in Iraq for the second time in this war.  This unit guidon has seen service on contested American and foreign soil since the late 1700s and we are all proud to continue its proud heritage.

Organization for Combat.

The area we take care of is the most critical in all of Iraq.  Our portion of Baghdad includes the International Zone or IZ (also known as the Green Zone) which hosts the key Iraqi government facilities  national leadership offices, ministries, as well as many of the U.S. and coalition leadership and organizational facilities  embassies, government agencies, and other US/coalition partner headquarters.  Also covered are the districts of the city that immediately border the IZ.   We coordinate directly with the Iraqi Security Forces that work in the area and use them as our primary means to take care of any local situation that may arise, but we maintain substantial force available to assist them as required.  Much of our effort is spent guarding the IZ, allowing access to those that have credentials and preventing access to those who do not.  We use Iraqi Army soldiers to help us as a first line of defense, a multitude of technical capabilities to screen vehicles and pedestrians, and determined vigilance to keep the bad guys out while allowing the good guys in.  We also screen all the truckloads of building materials and basic life support supplies that come in daily which is quite a task  greatly aided by some incredible scanning technology, and again determined Soldiers at the controls.  We also guard the Forward Operating Base that we live on, inside the IZ.  We keep a guard force operating round the clock to ensure we live in safety.  The security of the FOB allows us the opportunity to recover from and/or prepare for the days missions.

Initial Action.

The enemy and everyone else it seemed wanted to test us new guys in town.  We were challenged regularly at our control points with everything from terrorists conducting reconnaissance to U.S. contractors trying to come in gates that they weren't authorized to use.  We had a few incidents where those challenges posed great risk to our Soldiers and they reacted accordingly.  We have detained numerous individuals and had many vehicles impounded by the local police.  We have had to fire warning shots as an escalation of force measure to get someones attention, and even had to use lethal force to prevent a vehicle from entering through the out door.  In every case your Soldiers performed incredibly well, in accordance with the Rules of Engagement, and established themselves as a truly professional force.  We expected to be challenged in the early going, but already we have made it clear to all who deal with us that we are ready, capable, and willing to do what it takes to accomplish our mission.

Besides the defense of the area, we provide combat engineers to clear various routes throughout the brigade area of operations.  They have made an incredible impact on the environment, identifying and clearing many roadside bombs, and preventing the disasters that attend when one of those bombs is triggered.  They are using some high tech equipment and new techniques that make that mission much safer than it has been in the past.  They have put such a dent in enemy activity that they themselves have become a target for the insurgents.  They always have significant combat power with them and have defeated all attacks they've encountered.

We also have a number of Soldiers who are assigned to assist the new Iraqi Army as it develops into a professional force.  Their duties range from advising the commanders, teaching the staffs, and training each echelon of our partner units everything that a professional Army does.  This program started under the last unit here and it is truly amazing how far they have come.  The Iraqi Army units can and do patrol the streets, run traffic control checkpoints, respond to any incidents in their areas, and they are eager to do more.  They are really quite fearless and willing to take on any challenge.  Our troops with them make sure they are doing the right things and that they are doing those things right.  The Iraqi Army is truly taking control of their country and starting to lead the way in our fight against the insurgent terrorists.

Our detached C Co, whose composition I have described in previous updates, has had to fight it out with some determined enemy in a dangerous place south of Baghdad:  They have been in regular contact with the enemy and done much to stop the flow of enemy resources into the city.  Their success has come at the price of a couple of casualties.  The first I talked about in my last letter:  some minor injuries suffered by an NCO when a mortar landed nearby.  After a night in the hospital for observation and a few days off the line, he returned to duty to get back in the fight.  The other was a Soldier who suffered severely damaged lower legs when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blew up under the HMMWV he was driving.  His team reacted precisely as they had been trained, securing the area, moving him to safety, performing first aid, getting a medical evacuation helicopter in, and getting him flown out to the Combat Support Hospital for higher level treatment.  The medics and team did so well that the whole process of treat and evacuate took less than 20 minutes  quicker than I have witnessed in my entire career.  Their performance not only saved his life but may well have saved his legs.  That Soldier has since moved back through Germany to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, for follow-up treatment.  He has a long way to go with treatment and rehabilitation, but still has both of his lower legs, feet, and all of his toes.  He's a remarkable Soldier  all he wanted to talk about at the hospital that night was how good his medic treated him and how concerned he was for the rest of his team.  Fortunately no one else was hurt in the explosion and they all returned to duty.  The notification process went well for that Soldiers family.  They learned quickly of the incident, were kept up to date with his progress and supported as they decided their actions.  They have joined him in DC at his bedside to help him through these tough times.

Soldier Care.

We are now settled in and into somewhat of a routine, and the doubled troops we had while the last unit was still here has passed.  Soldiers now have better access to all the facilities - phones, internet, etc, so things are more comfortable.  We are receiving the mail you send and I have heard you are receiving the mail we're sending out.  We had a new dining facility open at our FOB  it's huge, and serves very good food.  We're outfitting the old dining facility as our new weight room.  It will have all the equipment we need to stay in shape throughout our deployment.  We have also opened up a small arms weapons range on the FOB so we can maintain and/or improve our shooting skills.

Emergency leave has been granted to a few Soldiers who have had unfortunate situations back home that met the established criteria.  Those criteria are established in Army Regulations and 4th Infantry Division Policy and leave little room for subjective calls on my part.  I have had to deny emergency leave requests on a couple of occasions for situations that did not meet the criteria, however I have given guidance to subordinate commanders to push those Soldiers to the front of the environmental leave program that starts in February.

Homefront Support.

Thank you so much for the support you have provided to your Soldiers from back home.  I am very proud of how professionally the Rear Detachment and the Family Readiness Groups have handled themselves and their units.  I know you all have a very hard time waiting on the word as news filters back through channels, but I have been very impressed with how calm and cool you all have been under fire. Please keep up the good work helping our families reach the resources they need and keeping them informed as best you can.  The service you provide truly makes it easier for us to get our job done over here.  And for all the family members that maintain a steady flow of mail, packages, e-mail, video web chats, and phone dialogue I thank you.  Our touch with home keeps our morale high and makes us better Soldiers.

Closing Thoughts.

We are well into the second month of our deployment and we are doing quite well.  The Warriors of 1-12 IN, to include all of our attachments, have taken our combat missions head on and we have already established a great track record of success, professionalism and great unit morale.  We are very well resourced, are constantly seeking ways to improve how we are operating and always vigilant to maintain our force protection.

As I move around our area I am consistently impressed by how mature, professional, resourceful, and positive our Soldiers are.  It is really quite moving to see them performing so well the tasks we so diligently trained on back at home station as well as those tasks that we have had to adjust to along the way.

Your Warriors are doing exactly what our Nation has called them to do to the highest standards achievable.  I couldn't be more proud of their performance and I know you are all proud too.  Again thanks for your love and support.

Warriors!

Robert G. Estey

Lieutenant Colonel

Commander, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment

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