Over Iraq by Staff Sgt
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March 2005 2 On The Inside Liberty Six Task Force Liberty Commander speaks. 4 by Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto 42nd Takes Over Task Force Liberty replaces Task Force 5 Danger. by Staff Sgt. Duane Brown Crossing the Berm 3rd BCT, 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers arrive in Iraq again. 10Story, photos by Staff Sgt. Raymond Drumsta Blazing a Trail Engineers scout out IEDs, contraband. 12 Story, photos by Sgt. Matthew Acosta Cleaning up Iraq “Volunteers” work with Iraqis to clean up the streets. 20Story, photos by Staff Sgt. Duane M. Brown Army Reservists Spc. James Acker (left) and Sgt. Michael Cochran (gunner), combat engineers, 467th Engineer Battalion, scan traffic stopped 100-meters to their front (out of screen) for suspicious vehilces. In the Scope The unit searches for improvised explosive devices along roads sides in Baqubah, Iraq. Rainbow Division deploys sniper trained The roads are searched several times daily both day and night. For more information see story page 12. Soldiers to Iraq. (photo by Sgt. Matthew Acosta, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) 22 Story, photos by Staff Sgt. Raymond Drumsta On the cover Command Sgt. Maj. Richard A Friendly Patrol Fearnside places the 42nd Infantry Civil Affairs Soldiers win hearts and Division colors into the hands of minds using friendly patrols. the color guard Feb. 14 during 24 Story, photos by Staff Sgt. Raymond the transfer of authority ceremony Drumsta with the 1st Infantry Division Task Force Liberty is a composite of active-duty, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers. Combat Badge (photo By Sgt. Jennifer J. Eidson, Soldiers working in direct combat roles to 22nd Mobile Public Affairs be awarded close combat badge. Detachment) 26 Story, photos by Sgt. Matthew Acosta Army Reservists Spc. James Acker (left) and Sgt. Michael Cochran (gunner), combat engineers, 467th Engineer Battalion, scan traffic stopped 100-meters to their front (out of screen) for suspicious vehilces. The unit searches for improvised explosive devices along roads sides in Baqubah, Iraq. The roads are searched several times daily both day and night. For more information see story page 12. (photo by Sgt. Matthew Acosta, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) Reveille Staff Task Force Liberty Commander Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto Contributors Rainbow Reveille is an authorized publication Task Force Liberty Cmd Sgt. Major 42nd Infantry Division PAO of the Department of Defense. It is distributed Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Fearnside 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Det. free to members of Task Force Liberty. Task Force Liberty PAO 55th Signal Det. (Combat Camera) Circulation is 15,000. Maj. Richard Goldenberg Contents of Rainbow Reveille are not Managing Editor necessarily the official views of, or endorsed Staff Sgt. Robert Timmons by the U.S. Government or the Department Assistant Editor Rainbow Reveille is published monthly by the Task Force Liberty Public Affairs Office, of the Army. Sgt. Jennifer J. Eidson HHC (FWD) 42nd ID PAO, APO AE 09308, Distribution Manager DNVT (302) 536-0113. Internet phone (703) Editorial content is the responsibility of the Sgt. 1st Class Dean Welch 621-3944. Task Force Liberty Public Affairs Officer. March 2005 4 Rainbow Reveille Task Force takes the field Task Force Liberty has taken the soldier, work as leaders in their new field. After months of preparation, government or speak out against in- training, and equipment fielding, our timidation and terror. team has arrived as Multinational Di- The weeks and months ahead will vision for North-Central Iraq. I want bring new strength and focus for the to congratulate each and every one of Iraqi security forces. Our partner- you for your dedication and profes- ship is the key to their success. sionalism. Our transfer of authority The future of Iraq is irreversible. from the 1st Infantry Division has Our fallen comrades have sacrificed been seamless for our Soldiers and their all for that future. We shall our Iraqi partners. honor them and continue forward to We wish the 1st Infantry Divi- secure liberty in Iraq. sion and Task Force Danger a safe Our team is formed and our mis- journey home to their families. They sion is clear. Let nothing keep us have achieved so much for the Iraqi from its accomplishment. people in the last year. The people of Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto I am honored to serve with each north-central Iraq will never forget and every one of you. As my own the Big Red One. Their legacy will partner, Lt. Gen. Abdul Aziz of the be our success. Iraqi 4th Division would say, “unity Our hard work continues. There to the polls to vote January 30th. In is strength.” is much yet to do. Task Force Liberty, we see that cour- The world has seen the courage age every day as Iraqi citizens put of the Iraqi people when they went on the uniform of a policeman or Liberty 6 Following standards saves lives As the Command Sergeant Major to the rules of law, becoming part of of Task Force Liberty, I can’t think the democratic future of Iraq. of a better way to address you than In my travels throughout an area through this first edition of “The of responsibility the size of West Rainbow Reveille.” With more than Virginia, I am impressed by the pro- 23,000 soldiers in our task force, lead- fessionalism of our Soldiers, wheth- ers and Soldiers alike must be up to er they are from our Active Com- the task of executing their assigned ponent, Reserves, National Guard duties in a professional, competent, or our sister services. TF Liberty and safe manner. How do we do brings to the table an extremely this? We do it through adherence to diverse talent pool which truly rep- and enforcement of standards. resents the values and tradition of STANDARDS SAVE LIVES! our great country. I can think of no From Army-wide uniform stan- better “Force for Good” to do this dards to your individual unit operat- noble mission. ing procedures, there are standards Command Sgt. Maj. My duty is to see our Soldiers, we all must follow in the execution Richard Fearnside and that’s what I will do! I look for- of all our military duties. When a ward to seeing each and every one of Soldier fails to adhere to a trained especially our NCOs to know the you in the months ahead. Do the job standard, they are not only lacking standards and enforce them ruth- you’ve been trained to do, stay fo- self discipline, they are putting them- lessly. On-the-spot corrections will cused and stay safe. selves, the mission and those around be the norm. When the enemy sees them in jeopardy. our disciplined Soldiers, he will know I expect leaders at all levels, and he has a hopeless cause and conform Liberty 7 Rainbow Reveille 5 March 2005 Rainbow ‘stretches’ over Iraq By Staff Sgt. Duane M. Brown 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment said. “Together, we have given the ORWARD OPERATING BASE people the freedom DANGER, TIKRIT, Iraq -- In to make their own Fceremonial fashion, honoring a choices about their job well done and welcoming the new, the leaders and how 42nd Infantry Division assumed respon- their country will sibility of Coalition efforts in Multina- be governed.” tional Division Northern Central, Iraq, “I feel we have Feb. 14. completed our mis- In the ceremony, the torch was passed sion here and set from Maj. Gen. John R. S. Batiste, 1st ID the 42nd up for suc- commander to Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, cess,” said Staff Sgt. 42nd ID commander, signifying an official Deondre L. Long, transfer of authority. division plans non- “Soldiers of Task Force Danger have commissioned of- done everything humanly possible to sup- ficer in charge, 1st port the Iraqi People in establishing a new ID. and better life, to include shedding blood Coming in on for the Iraqi patriots,” Taluto said. the heels of the Big Soldiers from the 1st ID have made Red One, the Rain- great strides during their tenure in Iraq, bow Division will Batiste said. continue to build “Our successes over the past year have upon the blocks al- been achieved in partnership with the peo- ready laid by their ple of Iraq,” Batiste said. “We have worked predecessors. together to empower Iraqi Security Forces With batteries to defeat charged, the Rain- the in- bow Soldiers of the surgency 42nd will honor Photos by Sgt. Jennifer J. Eidson / 22nd MPAD and have U.S. commitments Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, Commander, Multinational Corps Iraq, conduct- to work with the reaches for the 42nd Infantry Division colors during the transfer ed op- Iraqis to strengthen of authority ceremony, at Forward Operating Base Liberty, Feb. erations freedom and estab- 14. to kill or lished representative government in Iraq. 1917 at Camp Mills on Long Island, N.Y. c apt u r e “Soldiers of Task Force Liberty are They were composed of men from 26 the en- inspired and ready to take up a position hand-picked states and the District of Co- emy.” alongside Iraqi citizens in the cause for lumbia. R e - freedom,” Taluto said. “Our pledge is Then Col. Douglas MacArthur, Divi- sults of to continue the march toward a free and sion Chief of Staff, said, “The Division the 1st peaceful Iraq.” stretches like a rainbow from one end of ID ef- Multinational Division North Central America to the other.” forts are Iraq will be supported by more than 23,000 Reporters liked the reference and the The colors flutter in the breeze ev ident soldiers under the command of the 42nd Division nickname was born.