July 31, 2008 Visit the Fort Carson Web Site At
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Vol. 66, No. 31 Published in the interest of Division West (First Army) and Fort Carson community. July 31, 2008 Visit the Fort Carson Web site at www.carson.army.mil. Word of the month: Freedom Photo by Staff Sgt. Frank P. Marulli IV Mesa surfing and cloud grazing Soldiers and Family members from Fort Carson were treated to free hot air a way to thank Soldiers for the sacrifices they make. About 300 Soldiers and balloon rides, breakfast and a tailgate lunch during the Second Annual their Family members experienced the Colorado landscape near Hartsel, off Celebration of Honor Fly July 26 and 27. Last year David Charbonnel, a retired Highway 24 West, from the sky or by mesa surfing, which entails skimming sergeant first class, and his wife Jackie, hosted the event for the first time as several feet above the ground. SFAC opens on Fort Carson Story and photos by Douglas M. Rule “The key thing about the Soldier and Family end of this fiscal year, we will be breaking ground Fort Carson Public Affairs Office Assistance Center is that it is a one-stop shop for on a permanent facility — an Army-standard Soldiers assigned to the WTU in a single place design — which will be about 1,500 square feet, Friday marked the 43rd anniversary of Army for nonmedical services,” said Col. Eugene Smith, three times this size.” Community Service. At Fort Carson, it was also a garrison commander. As a one-stop shop, SFAC has representatives fitting time to open the new Soldier and Family “The Army initiated a Soldier and Family from ACS, Child and Youth Services, the Army Assistance Center. Assistance Center wherever there is a WTU. Here Career and Alumni Program, Veterans Affairs, Social Working together, ACS and the staffs of Evans at Fort Carson we looked around to see how we Security Administration, the Education Center, the Army Community Hospital and the Warrior could provide that,” Smith said. “The (temporary) See SFAC on Page 3 Transition Unit created the SFAC for WTU Soldiers. SFAC, as we have it now, is our initiative. At the II Military Feature Happenings NN SS II DD EE Page 7 Pages 22-23 Page 33 2 MOUNTAINEER — July 31, 2008 Opinion/Editorial MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Mark A. Graham Hammond addresses community Garrison Commander: Col. Eugene B. Smith 0Commentary by Maj. Gen. Jeffery W. Hammond Striker Soldiers solidified their place in history and Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: Commanding general, 4th ID provided the Iraqi people, their security forces and Dee McNutt government an unprecedented opportunity. Chief, Print and Web Communications: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do The conditions in Baghdad and throughout Iraq are Douglas M. Rule on behalf of our Soldiers and their Families. Your generosity changing. There is no place for terrorists and criminals. Editor: Julie M. Lucas and unwavering support for your Soldiers and their Families The people are fed up with the violence and destruction Staff Writer: Thea Skinner make a difference. We are about half way though our and are increasingly involved in improving the security Sgt. Courtney E. Marulli deployment and my intent is to give you a mid tour report. and quality of life. Happenings: Nel Lampe Your Soldiers serving in the 3rd Brigade Combat Team Improved security conditions allow us to improve in other Sports Writer: Walt Johnson “Striker,” 4th Infantry Division are doing a truly remarkable important areas of employment, essential services, and local Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall job here in Iraq. Concurrently, your Soldiers governance in Baghdad. In what we call “Area are protecting and assisting the Iraqi people, Gold,” the hard-fought southern third of Sadr aggressively pursuing the enemy, and City; The Striker Brigade and 926 Engineers, an This commercial enterprise newspaper is increasing the capacity and capability of the Army Reserve brigade from Montgomery, Ala., an authorized publication for members of the Iraqi Security Forces. The Striker Soldiers of are dramatically improving the quality of life Department of Defense. Contents of the the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment for the residents. This effort includes removal Mountaineer are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the “Fighting Eagles,” in Mosul, 216 miles north of trash and rubble, humanitarian and medical Department of the Army. Printed circulation is of Baghdad; Troopers of 4th Squadron, 10th assistance, installation of street lights, sewer, 12,000 copies. Cavalry Regiment “Blackjack,” in western water and electricity repairs, and refurbishment The editorial content of the Mountaineer is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Baghdad; 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery of the important Jamilla Market. Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: Regiment “Pacesetter,” in central Baghdad; Hammond While these are positive developments, we 526-4144. The e-mail address is and the brigade headquarters, 1st Battalion, still have much work to do. Your “Steadfast [email protected]. The Mountaineer is posted on the 68th Armor Regiment “Silver Lions,” 64th Brigade and Loyal” Soldiers never rest on their laurels, but continue Internet at http://public.carson.Army.mil/ Support Battalion “Mountaineer” and 3rd Special Troops to take the fight to the enemy until the mission is complete. sites/PAO/mountaineer/archives/forms. Battalion “Phoenix,” operating within northeast Baghdad Our task now is to exploit the opportunities provided by The Mountaineer is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. The and just to the north in the Istaqlal Qada are all men our operations to prevent the enemies of Iraq returning. We Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs and women of character and moral courage and they are will accomplish this by continuing our aggressive offensive Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in flat out getting the job done. operations against the enemy and increasing our efforts to no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with I believe life is full of defining moments and recently improve the quality of life for the citizens of Baghdad. Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. we witnessed a significant event in both Iraqi and Who is making this happen? Your Soldiers, our nation’s The appearance of advertising in this American history. The Sadr City uprising, which began credentials. You should be proud of your Soldiers. They publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the in late-March 2008, and ended in mid May, was a battle are less than one percent of our country’s population … Department of the Army or Colorado Springs fraught with peril and abundant in U.S. Soldier sacrifice volunteers who always rise to the occasion in the face of Military Newspaper Group, of the products or and heroism. During this timeframe the enemy fired 1,069 adversity. They are men and women who represent all that services advertised. The printer reserves the rockets and mortars in 345 distinct indirect fire attacks, is good in America. Many have paid the ultimate sacrifice right to reject advertisements. Everything advertised in this publication resulting in 144 Iraqi civilian casualties. As a direct result to ensure peace … many have had life changing injuries … shall be made available for purchase, use or of their operations, U.S. Soldiers killed 159 Special please remember them in your prayers. patronage without regard to race, color, Groups Criminals. The Striker Brigade, in partnership At home, supporting their Soldiers are the true religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation with a combat aviation brigade, Task Force XII, and Iraqi heroes of this war, our Soldiers’ Families. They are the or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, Army soldiers, defeated a heartless and evil enemy, foundation of today’s all-volunteer force. They love you user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this restored stability and security, and brought about hope enough to lend their Soldier to fight this war, knowing equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print for a brighter tomorrow. full well the hardships and sacrifices they face. Think advertising from that source until the violation All told, since their arrival, the Strikers have been about this … the Army Family shares their Soldiers is corrected. For display advertising call involved in 630 direct-fire engagements, defeated 151 for this 15-month deployment, and quietly remain 634-5905. All correspondence or queries regarding improvised-explosive devices and explosively-formed home, “steadfast and loyal.” Please keep our Army advertising and subscriptions should be penetrators, killed or captured more than 700 enemy fighters, Families in your thoughts and prayers and love them. directed to Colorado Springs Military and spent $33 million and countless man-hours improving We can never say it enough, thank you for all you Newspaper Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone the quality of life for the Iraqi people. The Soldier’s heroism are doing. Please take care of each other. 634-5905. has been recognized through 36 Purple Hearts, 78 Combat I pray that God may bless you, our Soldiers, and The Mountaineer’s editorial content Infantryman Badges, 196 Combat Action Badges, 12 Combat their Families and Fort Carson and greater Colorado is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office, building 1550, room 2180, Fort Medical Badges, and 23 Bronze Star Medals for Valor. Springs communities. Carson, CO 80913-5119, phone 526-4144. Under the outstanding leadership of the brigade — Mission — Soldier — Family — Team — Releases from outside sources are so commander, Col. John Hort, and the brigade command Ironhorse 6 indicated.