iron advisor volume i issue ii

8/9/2019 Iron Advisor Volume I Issue II

1/13

Volume I, Issue II June 30, 2010

New smiles for Iraqi children

InsIdeThIs

Issue

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nCo ofThe

QuarTer

3rdBCT

gaIns

Basra

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dragoon

PlaToon

Page3 Page4 Page7

Photo by Spc. Chastity Boykin

Tracy JoPekar, Dhi Qar PRT healthcare director, talks with a patient and father after a successful

recovery from a lip repair surgery at the Mittica Medical Training Center in Nasiriyah, Iraq, June 23.

by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Ofce

Children in Nasiriyah, Iraq were given

the chance to let their new smiles shine

through, when Smile Train Italia Onlus, a

worldwide medical charity that provides

free surgery to children born with facial

deformities, arrived for a week-long

medical mission June 20-27 at the Mittica

Medical Training Center.

In cooperation with its military

counterpart, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry

Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th

Infantry Division, the Dhi Qar Provincial

Reconstruction Team and the Iraqi

Ministry of Health worked to help the

children in Iraq with cleft lips and cleft

palates.

More than 150 children suffering with

cleft lips and cleft palates came to be

screened for reconstructive surgery as a

result of this mission.

The Iraq Ministry of Health sent Iraqi

doctors and nurses to work alongside the

volunteer Smile Train team to perform

operations and receive hands-on training

with new surgical techniques they can use

in the future.

Bikes Over Baghdad comes to COB Adderby Pfc Khori D. Johnson

3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Ofce

Members of the COB Adder community

witnessed a showcase of aerial maneuvers

and extreme antics courtesy of the second

Bikes Over Baghdad Tour, which was

sponsored by the 3rd Brigade Combat

Team, 4th Infantry Division, at the House

of Pain Gym June 21.

With about 200 servicemembers andcivilians in attendance, BMX riders Nate

Wessel, Chad Kagy, Ron Kimler, Brian

Kachinsky, and Jeremiah Smith, and skate

boarder, William Rohan put on a spectacle

that produced an incredible crowd

reaction, said 1st Lt. Brett Hernandez,

personnel programs ofcer, 3rd BCT, 4th

Inf. Div.

According to Christian Schauf, the tour

manager, the Bikes Over Baghdad tour

was not created to be a normal meet and

greet.

We came to put on a show, he said.

Before its stop at COB Adder, the

tour performed shows at other militarylocations within Iraq and Kuwait such as

Camp Arifjan, Camp Victory, Fob Falcon,

and Al Asad Airbase.

The process of preparing the show

was no simple task. In fact, it took many See B.O.B. Page 6

See Smile Page 6

different elements from many different

people to make the event possible.

Wessel, who is also a world-renowned

ramp builder, was the lead man on the

task of constructing the skatepark for the

event. With the help of Kimler, the two

were able to design and build a variety

of ramps that incorporated a few Army

vehicles, said Hernandez.

We like taking an object that you guyssee every day and using in a way you never

would have thought, said Yankush, who

was also a commentator for the show.

Two ramps were custom-tted to


2/13

June 30, 2010Volume I, Issue II

Page 2

CSM Miles S. WilsonBrigade Command Sergeant Major

3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Iron Strong Soldiers, Families, andfriends

This past month saw many great

accomplishments and success stories by

Iron Soldiers. As the temperature rose

over 120 degrees, so too did the pace of

operations throughout the Iron BCT. On

June 17, we ofcially took responsibility

for the Basra province from the 17th Fires

Brigade. Thunderbolt Soldiers did a lot

of great work in their 12 months. I wish

them all a safe trip back to Fort Lewis,

Wash. and the best of homecomings with

Family and friends.

Everyday the Commander and I

travel around the BCT, Im completely

convinced that this is the best unit in the

Army. I say that not for any reason to do

with myself, but because of all the hard-

working, well-trained and disciplined

Soldiers and NCOs in the Iron BCT. Ive

met motivated Pfcs working 15-hour days

just to prepare three hot meals for Soldiers

at remote locations. Ive watched youngSgts carry bags of ice and bottles of

water from guard tower to guard tower so

their Soldiers can stay hydrated while on

guard.

I continue to be amazed by the skills and

ingenuity displayed by Iron Soldiers. For

most, the mission is only half of what

they do. After that patrol, guard shift,

or time rebuilding an MRAP engine, its

off to the woodshop or tool room. Iron

Soldiers have improved guard positions

by welding in bullet proof glass, framing

in the walls and doors, and putting in

air conditioning. These are valuable

measures that keep their teammates safer

and more comfortable in the heat. After

that, its off to build a deck and picnic

table, so they can relax and hang out with

friends.

One of the biggest things Iron Strong

Soldiers love is competition and winning!

And that we did. We should all be very

proud of Staff Sgt. Timothy S. Briggs of

Company A, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. and

Spc. Kyle M. Ouimet of Battery A, 3rd

Bn., 29th FA Reg., as they competed and

won the United States Division South

Warriors of the Quarter for 3rd quarter,

FY 2010.

I wish everyone a happy 4th of July.

For our Family and friends, I wish you all

a safe holiday, and know that we all miss

being with you very much. For us here,

it is another reminder of why we do what

we do.

God bless the Iron BCT, the Army, and

America!

Iron Strong!

Friends and Family of the Iron BCT,

I hope everyone is well and enjoying

the summer. As we celebrate the birth of

our nation on the 4th of July, I know you

are as proud as we are of the Army and

the Soldiers, past and present, who put

our great country on its feet and have kept

us free and safe ever since.

I know that holidays like this can be

difcult during deployment, as we are

separated from our loved ones at a time

usually marked by celebrating together. I

appreciate this and all the other sacrices

our great Army Families are making.

You may have read in the news about

September 1, and the changes scheduled

at that time for the mission in Iraq as we

move Soldiers and equipment to get to

the mission required strength. As part of

this ongoing mission, 3rd BCT will send

some Soldiers back to Fort Carson, butthe number will be very small and the

impact will be minor.

The vast majority of our Soldiers about

98 percent -- will continue to serve in Iraq

for the duration of our projected one-year

tour. We are still working through the exact

timing and details regarding redeployment

of the small group of Soldiers, but we will

make that information available through

the chain of command as soon as it is

nalized. I expect the impact of these

moves to be minimal, and we will release

the information as soon as possible.

I would ask everyone to remember to

take a little extra time to focus on safety

during the summer months, as many of

Col. James E. RaineyCommander


our traditional summer past times and the

added element of hot weather can have

disastrous results if we dont take the

appropriate precautions.

Once again, thank you for your

continued sacrice and your support of

our Soldiers and service to our nation.

Iron Strong!


3/13


Page 3

Soldiers of Troop B, 4th Squadron, 10th

Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat

Team, 4th Infantry Division received a

special visit from the US Armys senior

most enlisted person, Sgt. Maj. of the

Army Kenneth O. Preston, at Joint

Security Station Minden June 25.

Preston visited to speak with the senior

noncommissioned ofcers of Troop B

and recognize a few Soldiers for their

hard work and dedication to the people

of Iraq. The troops there are tasked withtwo separate objectives. First, they ll an

advise and assist role for the Schalamshe

port of entry on the border between

Iraq and Iran, and train Iraqis on port

management, customs procedures, and

tourist processing.

Also, they are partnered with Iraqs 9th

Division Border Enforcement Brigade,

where they assist in improving their

capabilities and capacities.

Every three months the 1st Infantry

Division holds a Warriors of the Quarter

Competition which determines the bestSoldier and noncommissioned ofcer in

the United States DivisionSouth. This

quarter the 3rd Brigade Combat Team,

4th Infantry Division took home the title

of Soldier and NCO of the Quarter.

Spc. Kyle Ouimet, cannon crewmember,

Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field

Artillery Regiment and a South Bend,

Ind., native earned the honor of Soldier

of the Quarter.

Staff Sgt. Timothy Briggs, squad leader,

Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry

Regiment, and a Florence, Mont., native

earned the honor of NCO of the Quarter.

The competition had one slight

change to its usual format, when the

1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment,

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry

Division, invited Soldiers from the 8th

Iraqi Army Division to compete alongside

U.S. Forces. Events for the competition

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Preston visits JSS Minden

Iron Brigade takes Warriors of the Quarter

by Staff Sgt. Christopher H. Jelle3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Ofce

by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Ofce

Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Smith

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston gives coins to a few Soldiers of 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div..

Photo by Sgt. Cody Harding

Spc. Kyle Ouimet demonstrates a weapons

function check for a M2 .50 caliber machine

gun, during an event for the Warrior of the

Quarter competition.

Preston spoke one-on-one with some

of the junior enlisted Soldiers over lunch,

getting to know them and sharing his own

advice.

He was very humble and down-to-

earth. I really didnt expect that. It was

awesome, said Pfc. Raven Ayers, of

Richmond, Va., food service specialist,

Troop D, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg.

challenged all competitors both physically

and technically, ranging from a physical

tness test and appearing before a board.

It was awesome to see our Iraqi

counterparts out there competing, Briggssaid. To see that they could do the same

warrior tasks and drills that the Americans

were able to do on our [U.S. Military]

equipment was impressive.

Rucksacks in tow, competitors started

the day at 4:30 a.m. with an equipment

inspection before heading to the physical

training area. Soldiers and NCOs faced

an alternative PT challenge, including

24-inch box jumps, pull ups, stair climbs

with weights and a 180-pound litter drag.

The competitors then familiarized

themselves with a map of the base and

were required to nd warrior task stations

across COB Echo. Each station tested

Soldiers, NCOs and Iraqis on weapons,

including the M2 .50 caliber machine gun

and the AK-47, which some Soldiers were

unfamiliar with.

The last point led them to the weapons

See Winners Page 8

See Visit Page 7


4/13


Page 4

The 3rd Special Troops Battalion,

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry

Division, Soldiers and Iraqi Advisor Task

Force conducts bi-monthly visits to the

Umm Qasr Hospital to assist in various

ways.

During a recent visit, the IQATF met

with the surgical ward administrator and

doctors in the radiology department to

advise them about xing a broken X-Ray

machine that is vital to the care given atthe hospital, continuing to build a positive

relationship with the staff.

The Coalition Forces and civilians are

helping the hospital, people of Umm Qasr

are more condent in the care they are

receiving and more people are using the

free clinic, said a hospital administrator,

who asked not to be named.

This partnership began six months ago

when the IQATF established operations out

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th

Infantry Division, of Fort Carson, Colo.,

assumed the advise and assist mission

in Basra Province from the 17th Fires

Brigade June 17 during a transfer of

authority ceremony at COB Basra.

Assuming the mission in Basra will

be 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment,

3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. After deploying in

March, the 1st Bn., 68th AR has worked

alongside the 17th FIB to learn its mission

and begin developing relationships with

Iraqi forces that will be necessary for theadvise and assist mission.

The 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Iron

Brigade now is responsible for providing

training and assistance to Iraqi Forces

throughout the provinces of Basra, Dhi

Qar, Maysan and Muthanna.

In his address during the ceremony, Maj.

Gen. Vincent Brooks, commander, United

States Division South, headquartered at

3rd BSTB provides care to Umm Qasr hospital

3rd BCT assumes responsibility of fourth

province: Basra

by Capt. Benjamin Dillon3rd BSTB, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Story by Maj. Alan S. Brown3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Ofce

Photo by of Capt. Benjamin Dillon

Sgt. Dustin Wilkins, 418th Med. Logistics

Company, Iraqi Advisor Task Force,

troubleshoots an X-Ray machine to determine

what parts need to be replaced.

Photo by Spc. Maurice Galloway

Col. James Rainey, commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division speaks to the

audience during a transition of authority ceremony in Basra Province, Iraq, June 17.

of Camp Bucca. The hospital received

medical equipment, staff training, and

improvements to the buildings.

The Red Cross is assisting with the

completion of a new emergency room

building and providing vehicles to be

used as ambulances.

I can see a vast improvement in

the care for the local people and I am

condent in the overall positive direction

of the city, said an emergency room

nurse, who asked not to be named.

Outside the hospital, Soldiers ofCompany D, 1st Battalion, 15th Armor

Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry

Division and 3rd BSTB interacted with

local children and pedestrians treating

minor cuts and scrapes.

Helping the children here at the

schools helps [Iraqis] to see us in a

positive light, that we are here to help,

said Spc. Jack Jackson, of Dearborn

Heights, Mich., medic, 3rd BSTB.

COB Basra, noted the signicance of the

3rd BCT assuming responsibility for a

fourth province.

This reduces the number of U.S.

combat capable brigades in the south

from three to two, and their roles are to

advise and assist the Iraqis in achieving

enduring stability, said Brooks.

During the ceremony, Col. James

The stability of Umm Qasr is better

today because of the ongoing efforts

to improve the local infrastructure and

services. These missions are crucial

in providing stability to the area, said a

civilian contractor with the IQATF.

See Basra Page 7


5/13


Page 5

Soldiers of various units assigned to


Division, practiced decontaminationtechniques at the Mittica Training Center

June 5.

The exercise was a two-day

decontamination training course that

was available for Soldiers. The rst day,

Soldiers were taught decontamination

techniques in a classroom setting.

The second day, they were evaluated

on everything that was taught in the

classroom in the eld.

They did an excellent job and

followed the procedures, said Mike

Miller, decontamination training

instructor. Soldiers learned to block

off a contaminated area with barriers,

determine the chemical used, and utilize

Iron Soldiers conduct hands-on decon trainingStory by Pvt. DeAngelo M. Wells

3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Ofce

Photo by Pvt. DeAngelo M. Wells

Sgt. Ashley Smith, Headquarters and

Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade

Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf.

Div., sprays foam out of a decontamination

hose at a building while Spc. Justin Bartee,

Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd

BSTB, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., assists her.

the most effective agent.

Capt. Brian McCarroll, brigade

chemical ofcer, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.,

also participated in a few of the exercises

offered at the training site.I think its a great thing for Soldiers

to learn, said McCarroll. If there were

a chemical attack on this base, these

Soldiers would know what to do.

Conducting decontamination training

is something that units do regardless of

whether or not they are deployed. There

is no specic threat of a chemical attack

in Iraq, he said.


6/13


Page 6

the side of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle,

provided by the 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. and

another ramp was tted to a fuel tanker,

provided by the 64th Brigade Support

Battalion, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

The athletes perform each show duringthe tour on a unique stage that incorporates

elements of Soldiers usual surroundings,

said Yankush.

Just like with the Bradley, you guys

may see that thing every single day. But

you guys probably never thought in a

million years that youd see someone do a

back ip over one, he said.

Perhaps the most memorable moment

of the event, was Kagy performing a

back ip over Command Sgt. Maj. Miles

Wilson, brigade command sergeant

major, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., as he sat ontop of the Bradley. It was a high-energy

performance lled with amazing high-

ying maneuvers and smiling faces, said

Hernandez.

A mutual appreciation was shown that

night between the athletes and those

deployed in support of Operation Iraqi

Freedom.

We put in work, because you guys

deserve it, Yankush said. What you

guys do over here, directly affects me,

and Im so appreciative of that. This is the

least that we can do.

Yankush said he is constantly telling

people about his experiences while on the

Bikes Over Baghdad tours.

Most of the time when you hear aboutIraq, its negative news, he said. But

when I came over here during my rs

tour, I didnt see any negativity. All I saw

was positive things: the lives that you guy

are changing, the buildings that are being

built, schools, hospitals, bridges. Lives are

being changed, and you never see that on

TV.

B.O.B.: A custom-made experience for COB Adder

Smile: Pride in bringing smiles to Iraq

Photo by Maj. Rebekah Lust

Brian Kachinsky performs an x-up over a group of Soldiers on the top of a Bradley during the Bikes

Over Baghdad Tours stop at COB Adder.

Photo by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin

Albaneen hides her face from the camera as

she waits in the recovery room after her liprepair surgery at the Mittica Medical Training

Center in Nasiriyah, Iraq, June 23.

Not only are they providing an

immediate effect by treating the children,

but the lasting effect is gained by training

the Iraqi doctors to do the surgerythemselves, said Lt. Col. Christopher

Engen, commander, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav.

Reg.

This is the third time Smile Train has

participated in a project with the PRT and

Ministry of Health. The rst mission took

place April 2-14, 2005, and the second

mission occurred between Oct. 23 and

Nov. 3, 2008. The two missions saw a

combined total of 199 surgeries for local

children.

Mohamed Abd, an Iraqi medical

assistant, has helped in all three missionstogether with the Italian doctors. Proud

that he can help his people, he hopes there

will be more opportunities like the Smile

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1 Train, he said.

The Italian doctors share their

experiences with surgery, and in turn we

share our experiences and Iraqi culture

with them, said Mohamed. We areable to help our people and learn at the

same time.

We are very pleased with the surgery

and care from the doctors and nurses,

and grateful for this opportunity, said

one parent whose child had a palate

surgery.

For a few children with complex

cases, there will be more surgeries to

follow. However, with the training,

these children will be in good hands,

said Tracy JoPekar, Dhi Qar PRT

healthcare director. Having local doctorsthat can provide the correct procedure is

a successful step forward for healthcare

in Iraq, she said.


7/13


Page 7

Flat Stanley Visits Dragoon Troop

Sometimes it can be difcult for

Soldiers and Families to cope with the

stress of a deployment. However, witha little creativity, they can accomplish

the task of staying connected with one

another.

One example of this creativity is

displayed by the 2nd grade students of

Arthur Edward Elementary, New Bern,

N.C. school project called Flat Stanley.

Staff Sgt. Ronald Whitehead, of

Alexander, La., a bradley system

maintainer, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry

Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th

Infantry Division received one such Flat

Stanley from his son Dalton.

Students mailed Flat Stanley to

deployed Soldiers to give them some

company from a friend in America.

Soldiers who receive Flat Stanley are

asked to record Flat Stanleys travels and

then mail him back to the student with

the details of where he has been, said

Staff Sgt. Andrew Climovech, of Sauk

City, Wis., headquarters platoon sergeant,

Troop D, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg.

The Soldiers of Dragoon Troop were

eager to participate in this assignmentand put forth great effort in showing

Flat Stanley around COB Adder, said

Climovech.

Flat Stanley has joined Whitehead at

the House of Pain Gym where he strives

to stay in shape.

Following a hard workout, Flat Stanley

by 2nd Lt. Gregory Maull4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

grabbed a bite to eat at the Sandstorm

Express Grab N Go

I am so grateful for all the Dragoon

Soldiers and the support they have shown

for my sons project, said Whitehead,Dalton will truly enjoy all their

support.

The project proved to be both rewarding

to the Whitehead Family and the Soldiers

of Dragoon Troop, said Climovech.

Following this day in the life of a

Dragoon Soldier, Flat Stanley was

mailed back to Dalton. A few days later,

Whitehead received word from his son

that his class project was a rousing success

and well received by the whole class.

Photo courtesy of Staff Sgt. Ronald Whitehead

Dalton Whitehead holds Flat Stanley, a project

done by his 2nd grade class, sent to his father.

Photo by Sgt. James Kirlin

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston

receives a tour of JSS Minden from 1st Sgt.

Richard Shopp.

Rainey, commander, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf.

Div., acknowledged the accomplishmentsof the 17th FIB and pledged to continue to

build upon them.

I promise you that the Soldiers of

the Iron Brigade will continue to work

hard in advising and assisting our great

partners of the Iraqi Security Forces, as

they provide security for the people, he

said. Much work remains, but success is

clearly attainable.

Col. Steven Bullimore, commander,

17th FIB, said during the ceremony

that the people of Basra have openly

embraced his unit in friendship. Headded that Basra has made tremendous

progress with its security and economic

development.

The world now comes here to do

business. The whole world watches Basra

to see how it adjusts to the attention and

to the challenge, said Bullimore.

Rainey highlighted the fact that a

battalion is now able to do the mission

that used to be assigned to a brigade. This

change is a direct reection of the rapidly

growing capabilities and professionalism

of the Iraqi Security Forces, he said.The people of Basra are entirely in the

lead providing for the security, stability

and sovereignty of their province, said

Rainey.

This is the 3rd BCTs fourth deployment

to Iraq. The brigade last served in East

Baghdad for 15 months before returning

home to Fort Carson, where it spent 13

months retting and retraining before

deploying to southern Iraq in March.

Basra: Iraqis providing security, stability, and sovereignty

Visit: inspiration for

junior enlisted

For some Soldiers, meeting the

Sergeant Major of the Army was a bit ofan eye-opener, said Spc. Eugene Treft,

of Kingsville, Texas, petroleum supply

specialist, Troop B, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav.

Reg.

It made me realize how much farther

I can go and what I can really achieve,

he said.

Preston took the time to recognize

individual Soldiers for their

accomplishments during the current

deployment and awarded ten Soldiers

with the coveted Sergeant Major of the

Army coin.

I think its good for Soldiers to see

there is a distinguished noncommissioned

ofcer leader that cares about them,

said Command Sgt. Maj. Miles Wilson,

brigade command sergeant major, 3rd

BCT, 4th Inf. Div. As NCOs, one of

the main things we do is take care of our

Soldiers.




8/13

I have visited our Soldiers in our

outlying smaller outposts called joint

security stations and it amazes me how

closely-knit the Soldiers are with one

another. They all come from different

walks of life and from different

backgrounds, but when they put on

that uniform, they become brothers and

sisters in arms.

This speaks highly of their units

cohesion. It is that unity that helps

them overcome the

various challenges of

deployment.

When I see the way

they help one another and embrace theirmission without any reservation, I am

grateful to serve our nation alongside our

patriotic young men and women. They

express gratitude for the small things

and are thoughtful in their gestures and

demeanor. They are quick to laugh and

sincerely express concern.

On one particular day, when I

wasnt feeling very well due to a bit of

dehydration, a Soldier asked me if I was

But there is a friend

who sticks closer

than a brother.-Proverbs 18:24

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

-Proverbs 16:24

alright. When he asked me with genuine

concern in his voice, I sensed his kind

spirit. That brief exchange of words

meant a great deal to me.

We will have good days and not-so-

good days throughout our deployment.

Whether we have concerns in our minds,

or sadness in our hearts because we are

away from our loved ones, we can look

upon each other. Perhaps it only takes a

small act of kindness that will make a

difference in another persons day.Indeed words of encouragement and

comfort aptly spoken can bring about

a healing. I know all of us in Iraq wake

up every morning to carry out our tasks

at hand. Sure, there are days that we feel

tired and exhausted, but we know our

nation depends on us to do our job here.

We would never shirk our responsibility

as we are all professional and take

tremendous pride in what we do.


Page 8

Maj. John LimBrigade Chaplain


Field Sanitation Teams defend

against disease

A small group of Soldiers from the

64th Brigade Support Battalion and 3rd

Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment,


Division, participated in eld sanitation

team training June 5 at COB Adder.

The eld sanitation teams learned how

to conduct medical base camp assessments

and implement techniques to mitigate

disease exposure and potential outbreaks.

In a far-forward, resource-limited

environment, public health threats are

exacerbated exponentially. It is theresponsibility of the environmental

science and engineering ofcer and the

FSTs located forward, to mitigate any

disease threats, said Maj. Mary Deighton,

by Maj. Michael Story64th BSB, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

of Hood River, Ore., brigade surgeon.

Field sanitation training is an important

skill for any deployed unit, she said.

A brigade combat team is only

authorized one ESEO and a preventive

medicine non-commissioned ofcer. A

Soldier trained in eld sanitation is an

extension of this team to support the whole

brigade, said 2nd Lt. Dan Harrison, of

Alexandria, Va., environmental science

and engineering ofcer, Company C, 64th

BSB.

Harrison and his preventive medicine

technician frequently travel to outlying

base camps to make health-relatedassessments of the living and working

conditions. They also conduct training

for unit-assigned FSTs.

Winners: Iron Brigade

prevails


See Sanitation Page 11

range, where the competitors demonstrated

weapons prociency.

The next event tested the participants

knowledge on how to evaluate and treat a

casualty followed by performing level-1

combatives.

The day ended with a board in front

of various sergeants major from USD-S,

answering a range of military questions.

Staff Sgt. Briggs said that he had little

time to prepare for the physical events

and ranges.

Other than sharpening up on board

questions there was not a lot of time to

prepare between missions, Briggs said.It was all stuff that I believe a well-

rounded NCO should know.

Briggs and Ouimet each received The

Army Commendation Medal and a four-

day pass to Qatar.


9/13


Page 9

During an age when contractors provide

a majority of support and sustainmentfunctions on bases throughout Iraq,

Soldiers seldom have to worry about

xing the A/C in their living quarters,

ensuring the latrines are in working order

or making force protection improvements

around the base. However, at COS Garry

Owen in Maysan Province, Soldiers

power still reigns supreme.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 8th

Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat

Team, 4th Infantry Division conduct the

daily missions that enable the rest of the

Soldiers and civilians at COS Garry Owento live and work in a safe and comfortable

environment.

The Soldiers of the Fighting Eagle

battalion are responsible for many critical

tasks and functions often handled by

Two Soldiers from the 1st Battalion,

68th Armor Regiment, were awarded the

Combat Infantryman Badge in a ceremony

on Contingency Operating Base Basra

June 27.

In recognition for their actions under

re, Pfc. Chad Sippy and Spc. Patrick

Dettmer received the CIB in front of their

fellow 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th

Infantry Division Soldiers.

Col. James E. Rainey, brigade

commander, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., and

Command Sgt. Maj. Miles S. Wilson,

brigade command sergeant major, 3rd

BCT, 4th Inf. Div., traveled from COB

Adder to present the badges to the two

Soldiers.

Rainey emphasized how special the

CIB is by pointing out how few people

have served in the military and then how

few people have served in combat. Less

than one percent of Americans can say

they have had that experience, he said.

Soldiers take lead in supporting COS Garry Owen

Combat Infantryman Badge ceremony honors

Silver Lion Soldiers

by Maj. Alan S. Brown3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Ofce

by Staff Sgt. Chris Carneyfor 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Ofce

Photo by Maj. Alan S. Brown

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Tanner, of Johnson City,

Tenn., and Staff Sgt Jason Staff, of Boulder,

Colo., carefully guide a 15,000-pound T-wall

barrier into place with the help of a 20,000-

pound crane.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Chris Carney

Command Sgt. Maj. Miles S. Wilson congratulates Pfc. Chad Sippy on receiving the Combat

Infantryman Badge.

civilian contractors at other bases in

Iraq, said Capt. Bob Stone, commander,

Headquarters Headquarters Company, 1st

Bn., 8th Inf. Reg.Responsible for the Mayors cell for all

of COS Garry Owen, the Soldiers of HHC,

1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. are responsible for

everything from tent maintenance, air

conditioner repair and replacement,

plumbing and electrical maintenance, and

latrine upkeep.

Spc. Tim Goins, of Detroit, Mich.,

receives and processes maintenance work

orders, ensuring the right person gets

assigned to x whatever problem may

arise, whether it is a broken A/C unit, a

plumbing glitch in a shower trailer or anelectrical problem in a living tent.

While he appreciates not getting

regularly shot at like his last tour in

Iraq, the infantryman said his desk job is

The infantry gets put in the hardest

of places. Whether it was this tour or

last tour, they get shot at by the enemy,

targeted by improvised explosive devices,

and are a daily presence on the streets of

See Fighting Eagles Page 11

See Badge Page 11

Iraq, he said.

The CIB is awarded to Soldiers who are

present and under re in a unit engaged in

active ground combat to close with and


10/13


Page 10

The Mad Dog Platoon, Battery B, 3rd

Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment,


Division experiences the reconstruction

of Iraq rst hand as they work with the

Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team.Attached to 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry

Regiment, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., they

are supervising the construction and

implementation of 20 civil projects,

including schools, courthouses, sh

hatcheries, and dairy factories.

Besides overseeing the construction of

the projects, the platoon works through

the Dhi Qar PRT, as it helps Iraqis develop

a plan to maximize the benets of each

completed project.

Working on the Provincial

Reconstruction Team is a job that I never

imagined I would have as a eld artillery

ofcer. Our platoon works very hard in

conjunction with the Iraqi people to help

sustain and improve the Iraqi economy

and quality of life, said 2nd Lt. Dustin

Kuhlman, of Norwalk, Ohio, platoon

leader, Battery B, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg.

The Dhi Qar PRT makes

recommendations for projects after

Making a difference in Dhi Qar Provinceby Capt. Tony Massari

HHT, 3rd BSTB, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Photo courtesy of US Army

The Mad Dog Platoon escorts an agriculture specialist from the United States Agency for International

Development June 8 through the recently completed Date Factory in Dhi Qar Province.

they receive specic requests from the

Provincial government. The PRT includes

experts in agriculture, rule of law and

engineering from the United States, Italy,

Great Britain and Iraq.

This extraordinary blend of

nationalities and talents yields tremendous

results. Its a great way to get out into the

community and know youre making a

difference, said Kuhlman.

The PRT also has a team of bilingual

bicultural advisors, who are experts in

engineering and agriculture.

The Bilingual Bicultural Advisors that

we work hand in hand with on the projects

really contribute to the understanding

of the Iraqi people and the technical

knowledge required in creating successful

projects, said Staff Sgt. Curtis Fuller

of Richmond, Calif., platoon sergeant,

Battery B, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg.

The platoon gets to experience projects

being built from the ground up and visit

each project at least once a month to

report on the progress, said Kuhlman.

After four deployments to Iraq, all

in different duty positions, I am nally

able to work with the Iraqi people to

assist in rebuilding their country and see

the difference, said Staff Sgt. Kenneth

Sargent, of Fountain, Colo., section chief

and project purchasing ofcer.

Pacesetters Tour the Great Ziggurat of Ur

The Saints Patrol, Headquarters and

Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th

Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade

Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,

geared up for a new mission June 5,

visiting the historic Ziggurat of Ur outside

of Nasiriyah, Iraq.

The purpose of the trip was to learn about

the history of the area, and to help build

camaraderie among the detachment.

The Saints normal mission is

providing security for the Provincial

Reconstruction Team, which works to

rebuild the provinces infrastructure and

social services, while advising the localgovernment.

Our normal mission is to assist the

Story by Capt. Andrew Huth3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div

local government get back on its feet

and help them provide for their citizens

needs, but today we get a break from the

ordinary and experience a piece of Iraqs

history, said Staff Sgt. Clint Wilson,

of Jerusalem, Ark., detachment platoon

sergeant, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg.

The Saints Soldiers met with Dhiaf

Mahsen, curator of the Ziggurat, to

receive a full guided tour.

The Ziggurat of Ur is a 4,000-year-old

temple that sits just outside the perimeter

of COB Adder. The Ziggurat grounds also

contain ruins of a house that is believed

to be the home of Abraham from the Old

Testament.

Mahsen explained a little bit about the builders of the Ziggurat, as well as the

time period and civilization from which

Photo by Capt. Andrew Huth

The Ziggurat of Ur which is located in the city

of Ur near Nasiriyah.

it came. He then led us on a tour of the

excavated temple, palace, and tombs

which surround it, said 2nd Lt. David

Langdon, of Philadelphia, Pa., detachment

executive ofcer, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg.

[The Soldiers] will never forget the

opportunity they had to see a major

historical site of an ancient civilization.

Most people will never get a chance to see

something like this, said Langdon.


11/13


Page 11

Fighting Eagles: daily progress seen at COS Garry OwenContinued from Page 9

Unit-level FSTs are required at outlying

bases and are critical in identifying

potential health hazards such as the lack ofproper hand washing stations, poor latrine

conditions or conditions that encourage

pest and rodent infestation.

FST Soldiers are familiar with proper

food preparation, temperatures, and

serving techniques which help reduce

food-related illness. They also can test

bulk water sources for chlorine content,

specically water used for latrines or

dining facilities, said Harrison.

These Soldiers learn how to protect

themselves and their fellow Iron Brigade

Soldiers from disease threats such asinsects or rodents, water-borne threats, or

food-borne threats, said Harrison.

FSTs also can play a key role throughout

the brigade, helping train Soldiers to

identify heat-related injuries and take

immediate treatment actions, he said.

FST members take heat injury trainingone step further to implement systems

such as a wet-bulb to monitor the heat

index and make recommendations to

commanders and leaders on mitigating

actions, said Harrison.

FSTs who are actively involved in

their roles as advisors to commanders

and leaders help minimize any disease

threats for their fellow Soldiers, he said.

As the theater moves to more of an

expeditionary medicine role, those FST

members will become more and more

of an asset for their fellow Soldiersand commanders on forward operating

bases, said Harrison.

Sanitation: Soldiers protecting

themsleves and one another

Badge: CIB awarded

certainly not what hes used to. Instead of

going out on daily missions for a couple

hours each day, he is now consumed

with juggling the different demands of

supporting all of his fellow Soldiers.

Still, Stone says his Soldiers hasadapted very well to his new job and has

quickly become one of the catalysts for

making sure everything within the living

areas runs smoothly.

According to Sgt. 1st Class Michael

Tanner of Johnson City, Tenn., his

Soldiers enjoy their work because they

get to see tangible results every day, even

though much of what they do seldom gets

recognized.

Most of them enjoy it. They like

getting out doing hands-on work. They

know theyre helping out their fellow

Soldiers, he said.

Spc. Jason Staff, of Boulder, Colo., has

the task of supervising a team of Iraqis

that provide cleaning services across the

base. Despite the lack of glamour, Staff

said he likes his job and enjoys seeing the

daily progress.

I thought I was going to be sitting

behind a desk [this tour]. This is a lot

better, he said. I have a good group of

guys, so that makes it a lot easier.

Like many of the Soldiers in the

battalion, Tanner has always been assigned

to a line company and is used to going out

on patrols every day. Until this tour, he

said he never knew how much work andcoordination went into running a forward

operating base. Now, he appreciates

how challenging it can be with so many

moving pieces.

Its been a learning experience for

me, he said. What should be easy can

turn into a monster.

The battalion also has the responsibility

of making force protection upgrades

across its base. This task primarily

involves emplacing 15,000-pound,

concrete T-wall barriers and bunkers. The

process is ongoing, as COS Garry Owen

has received over 300 T-wall barriers on

atbed trucks over the last six weeks. The

barriers and bunkers come in from other

bases that are in the process of closing.

Once the T-walls arrive, 1st Sgt. Henry

Chapman, of Augusta, Ga., supervises

their careful placement using a 20,000-

pound crane that he calls the workhorse

of the base. Soldiers must rig up each

barrier with chains so it can be lifted off

the truck and into place.

They go to the gym 12-hours a day, if

you think of it, said Chapman. Theyve

left their mark on COS Garry Owen.

Recently, his team of about ve Soldiers

worked for three straight days placingover 120 T-wall barriers around the new

dining facility.

Weve done a lot of noticeable work

here on COS Garry Owen, said Spc. Tim

Weber, of Gatesville, Texas.

Pfc. Richard Bales, from Nampa,

Idaho, enjoys the fact that hes learned

how to drive several large construction

machines, something he never thought

hed do in Iraq. Hes been licensed in

operating a bulldozer, front-end loader

and driving the 20,000-pound crane from

one work site to the next.

Chapman says that his team sees its job

as one huge enabler, allowing the rest of

the task force to execute its advise and

assist mission with Iraqi Security Forces.

When its all said and done, they feel

like theyre members of a team, he said.

They know whatever they built today

is going to make life better for everyone

else.



destroy the enemy with direct re.

Dettmer, currently attached to

Headquarters, Headquarters Co., 1st Bn.,

68th AR, is on his second deployment

with the 4th Inf. Div. and is a native ofSt. Louis, Mo. He came under re from a

shaped charge.

Sippy, B Co., 1st Bn., 68th AR, and

native of Boise, Idaho, is on his rst

tour. He helps run counter- indirect re

missions, performs area reconnaissance

and area denial missions.

While rolling out of the gates on his

rst mission during this tour, he came

under IED attack. Sippy is proud of how

his fellow Soldiers handled the contact.

The situation wasnt chaos. We checked

ourselves and reacted accordingly, hesaid.


12/13


Page 12

The Distribution Platoon, Forward

Support Company, 1st Battalion, 8th

Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat

Team, 4th Infantry Division, provides the

logistics lifeline for the Soldiers of Task

Force Eagle in Maysan Province, Iraq.

Since arriving in Iraq, the Distro

Platoon has been working to provide all

manner of logistical support, enabling

Company A, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry

Regiment, to advise and assist the IraqiDepartment of Border Enforcement at

Joint Security Station Al Tib.

The Forward Support Company truly

is a life line for us. Whether its generator

parts or water, their dedication keeps us

focused on the mission, said Capt. Neil

Johnson, commander, Company A, 4th

Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg.

Prior to each mission, Distro Platoon

conducts all necessary planning and

coordination. The Soldiers then load the

supplies at COS Garry Owen before they

transport them 90 miles to JSS Al Tib.

The reoccurring trip begins with

assisting the mechanics with maintaining

the variety of vehicles and utility trucks

Distro Platoon:

the Soldiers

lifelineby Capt. Alan Fowler

1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Photo by Capt. Alan Fowler

Sgt. Terrance Morman (right), of Jennerett,

La., and Pfc. Eliud Mireles, of Houston, Texas,

Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 8th

Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team,

4th Infantry Division, prepare a Humvee for

backhaul June 11.

See Supply Page 11


13/13


Page 13

Col. James E. Rainey

Commander

Command Sgt. Maj. Miles S. Wilson

Command Sergeant Major

Maj. Alan S. Brown

Public Affairs Ofcer

The Iron Advisor is produced in the interest

of the Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat

Team, 4th Infantry Division. The Iron Advisor

is an Army-funded newsletter authorized under

provision of AR 360-1.

Contents of the Iron Advisor are not

necessarily the views of, nor endorsed by the

U.S. Government, Department of Defense,

Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry

Division. All editorial content of the Iron Advisor

is prepared, edited, provided and approved by

the 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

Office.

The Iron Advisor welcomes articles,

commentary, and photos from readers. The Iron

Advisor reserves the right to edit submissions

selected for the publication.

All issues of the Iron Advisor can be viewed

online from your home computer at www.

facebook.com/3bct4id

Submissions should be emailed to Spc.

Boykin at [email protected].

Staff Writers

Spc. Chastity R. Boykin

Pfc. Khori D. Johnson

Pvt. DeAngelo M. Wells

Public Affairs Ofce

Photo courtesy of Associated Press

In this June 1944 photo, Lt. Marty Lederhandler, serving as a U.S. Army Signal Corps

photographer, stands in a town square in Normandy, France, about a week after the D-Day

invasion of France. Lederhandler, an AP photographer who captured on lm every U.S.

president from Herbert Hoover to Bill Clinton, covered the D-Day landing in 1944 and climaxed

a 66-year career with an iconic shot of the 9/ll World Trade Center attacks.

3rd BCT, 4Th Inf. dIv. MagazIne PhoTo ConTesT

necessary for the mission. With trucks

constantly operating in temperaturesof over 100 degrees and in abrasive,

sandy conditions, mechanical failure can

quickly halt a mission, said Sgt. Danny

Woods, Distro Platoon driver, 1st Bn., 8th

Inf. Reg.

The day of the mission, Soldiers are

responsible for loading and securing

all the supplies onto their trucks. The

supplies must be packed, loaded, secured,

and protected from the elements. Once

the supplies are loaded, the Soldiers have

only a few hours to deliver them before

products begin to spoil, said Woods.

The preparation time and the

experience of running supplies in the vast

openness of this province feels like the

ultimate road trip, he said.

DBE, Iraqi Police, and the Iraqi Army

have assisted FSC Soldiers with their

mission by providing route clearance,

security, and local police escort. Sharing

the road is part of the overall goal of

returning the responsibility of security

and control to the Iraqis, said Johnson.

So far in this deployment, DistroSoldiers have done an outstanding

job keeping motivated, exible, an

determined. Keeping each JSS equipped

to support the Iraqi Security Forces,

provides security to all of the Maysan

Province and southeastern Iraq, said

Johnson.

1. Each entry must be contestants own work.

2. The entries must not be tinted or altered.

3. Entries must be emailed to the editor at [email protected]

4. Entries must be submitted by July 17, 2010.5.Winning photo will be published in the 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Magazine

Supply: a lifeline to

Soldiers at remote

bases in Iraq

iron advisor volume i issue ii

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