www.hood.army.mil/1stcavdiv/ “Telling the First Team’s Story” Friday, Sept. 8, 2006 Troops Arrive in Iraq, Take Over Support Operations TAJI, Iraq -- The 15th lent reputation for support, cus- Sustainment Brigade's Special tomer service and mission Troops Battalion uncased their accomplishment that the 4th battalion colors during an early BTB developed during their morning ceremony on Sept. 3 deployment." at Camp Taji, a logistics hub The battalion now turns its located just north of Baghdad. sights to establishing opera- The uncasing ceremony tions, building key relation- marked the battalion formally ships and improving the quality assuming the mission responsi- of life and living conditions for bility from the 4th Sustainment all of the Soldiers while assist- Brigade Special Troops (Courtesy Photo) ing Iraqi Security Forces and Battalion, 4th Infantry Lt. Col. Victoriano Garcia, Jr., the 15th Sustainment providing base defense at their Division. Brigade's Special Troops Battalion commander, and base camp. Exactly 28 days from the Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Long, the battalion's top "We have a long year last main body departure from noncommissioned officer, uncase the battalion's colors ahead of us, but our Soldiers Fort Hood, but after many during the ceremony at Camp Taji Sept. 3. are well trained to accomplish months of preparations, the bat- Infantry Division from their our transition," said Lt. Col. the mission," Garcia said. talion became the first unit mission in Iraq. Victoriano Garcia, Jr., the bat- "Morale has been high since we from the 1st Cavalry Division "The 4th BSTB provided talion commander. "We will left Fort Hood and our Soldiers to relieve members of the 4th us tremendous support during continue to maintain the excel- are ready to get to work." Good-bye Grey Wolf! Sgt. Michael Perez, Company F, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and other "Grey Wolf" Soldiers say good-bye to their loved ones Sept. 2, prior to deploying to Kuwait as part of the Port Support Activity group responsible for the move- ment, maintenance and security of the brigade's equipment in Kuwait. The group was the first 300 troops of Grey Wolf to depart. (See story on Page 3) (Photo by Maj. Robert Cain, 3rd BCT) Page 2 Commentary Sept. 8, 2006 Man on the Street Safety Stressed as the Cav Moves Out The First Team is your trip wisely, and How do you feel about the in Iraq now. While Pegasus 9 allow yourself ample progress the U.S. has made most of us go through Sends: time to get where our final preparations you're going and get Command Sgt. Maj. towards women’s equality? prior to deployment, Philip Johndrow back safely. Fatigue Col. Aundre Piggee can kill you. Falling “I feel that women have and Command Sgt. asleep behind the truly evolved into their Maj. Mark Joseph unfurled the unit wheel won't put you in the arms of own self-proclaimed colors of the division's 15th your loved ones. It will put you in the entity. Today's modern Sustainment Brigade at Camp Taji, hospital … or worse. woman is not afraid to marking the first unit to complete its Wear your seat belts, always, and take on the tasks the relief in place of our brothers from the everywhere you go. It's the law. If modern world provides. 4th Infantry Division. motorcycles are your passion, wear a Women are still contin- The 1st Air Cavalry Brigade and helmet and the proper attire. It could Capt. Dawn Williams uing to climb the 'cor- "Grey Wolf" troopers from the 3rd save your life. From Charlotte, Va. porate' ladders while Brigade Combat Team are the next Slow down on the highways and Headquarters Co., sustaining all the deci- Division Special sions they face.“ Soldiers standing in the door. byways. A speeding ticket can be the Troops Bn. Over the coming months, more and least of your worries if you're driving more cavalry troopers will say good- too fast for road conditions. We've “We've thrown many bye to their loved ones and leave central actually seen some rain lately, and stereotypes out the Texas behind. We're moving thousands many of us might have forgotten how door; we're no longer of troops and mountains of material as to drive on a slick surface. Give your- limited to becoming we deploy. Let's do this safely. self safe following distances, and don't nurses or secretaries. The division's "Power Thought" be in a rush to get to where you're Now we have woman has never held more importance, as we going. It's better to get there a little doctors operating and head into harm's way. late, than not get there at all. females joining the mil- Spc. Grace Sanchez I can save my own life. Lastly, go easy on the alcohol. We itary. Being in the From Huntington Leaders are responsible for mak- all know that drugs are a no-go, Army myself, I can say Beach, Calif. we're definitely headed Headquarters Co., ing risk assessments for all activities, already, but don't use your last days in towards a better future." Division Special but that one short sentence brings it all the states to see how much you can Troops Bn. home to each of us. We are responsi- imbibe. You want to remember the fun ble to each other to do the right thing, you had. Take it easy on the bottle. "I think that we've made a lot of progress. Today but most of all, we owe it to ourselves Why is this important? we're in an era where a to make risk management our number You are important. This division woman can run for presi- one priority. needs every trooper it has to meet the dent. Women are in lead- Think safety … always. Many of challenges ahead. Your nation is ership positions and us are heading into a final block leave depending on you. making things happen. period … a last chance to enjoy every- This division will case its colors Our progress has allowed thing that being home has to offer. Be on Cooper Field Sept. 28, officially Sgt. 1st Class us to send women to the smart about it. marking the division's departure from Celetia Carroll moon, watch women run I am responsible for my own safe- central Texas. We won't unfurl it From McGregor, Texas huge corporations and ty, both on and off duty, on and off post. again until we're in Baghdad. Headquarters Co., fight the fight on the bat- Know the risk factors for every- Your leaders are counting on you Division Special tlefield. thing you do, and mitigate the risk by to do the right things and return to Troops Bn. taking the proper precautions. Many your unit re-energized, motivated and (Photos by Pfc. Jeffrey Ledesma, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) of you will drive great distances to see in one piece. You can save your own family and friends one last time. Plan life, and it starts today. Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, Jr. Kate Hufff, Pvt. Tiffany Mercer Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl Contact Crossed Sabers at 287-6162, 287-9400 or e-mail Command Information Officer: Master Sgt. Dave Larsen [email protected]. Editor: Sgt. Nicole Kojetin Crossed Sabers is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of Contributing Writers: Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim, Sgt. Jon Cupp, Sgt. Crossed Sabers are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Robert Strain, Sgt. Cheryl Cox, Spc. Alexis Harrison, Spc. Nathan Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the First Cavalry Division. All editorial Hoskins, Spc. Sheena Reyes, Spc. Charlie Maib, Spc. Robert Yde, Spc. content of Crossed Sabers is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 1st Cavalry L.B. Edgar, Pfc. Ben Fox, Pfc. Ryan Stroud, Pfc. Jeffery Ledesma, Pfc. Division Public Affairs Office. Page 3 News Sept. 8, 2006 Grey Wolf Leads the Pack… Troops Deploy to Prep for Brigade's Arrival By Pfc. Ben Fox relocate them to the staging 3rd BCT Public Affairs area, the S&S element will arrange the equipment in unit Approximately 300 assembly areas, said Karcher. Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry The Soldiers will conduct Division's "Grey Wolf" Brigade weekly maintenance checks on Combat Team deployed to the vehicles and repair any dis- Kuwait Sept. 2 to pave the way abled vehicles, ensuring the for the brigade's arrival there. equipment is combat ready and The Port Support Activity, combat efficient. or PSA, left from Fort Hood to While in Kuwait, the lead- support Grey Wolf's upcoming ership assigned to the S&S ele- deployment, said Maj. Tim ment will set conditions for the Karcher, the brigade's opera- remainder of the brigade - eas- tions officer and native of ing the transition of deploy- Harker Heights, Texas. ment as the main body of the The PSA's mission is to brigade arrives and prepares to (Photo by Spc. Charlie Maib, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) download all of the brigade's accomplish its mission, A Soldier from 3rd Brigade Combat Team consoles his equipment in Kuwait and Karcher said. wife before departing for his journey to Kuwait Sept. 2 arrange for the movement and Besides helping to prepare The brigade sent about 300 Soldiers to pave the way for equipment, Karcher said the staging of equipment in the rest of Grey Wolf.