www.hood.army.mil/1stcavdiv/ “Telling the MND-Baghdad Story” Monday, September 3, 2007

(Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kap Kim, 2-1 Cav. Div. Public Affairs) CBS Anchor Gets First Hand Look of Baghdad Col. Bryan Roberts (right), commander of the 2nd “Black Jack” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Division, gives CBS’ Katie Couric a tour of Al Rahmaniya Market in Baghdad’s Karkh District Sept. 2. Squadron Arrives in Support of Black Jack Brigade By Spc. Alexis Harrison where the squadron will be headquar- against anti-Iraqi forces took place ear- 2-1 Cav. Div. Public Affairs tered. lier this year. Now they have begun another rota- Now themselves attached to the FORWARD OPERATING BASE tion into . The 4th Squadron, 2nd Black Jack Brigade, the Saber PROSPERITY, Iraq – For many of the Stryker Cavalry Regiment has assumed Squadron look to the achievements Soldiers in the "Saber" Squadron, this responsibility from the 1st Squadron, made by their predecessors to gain isn't their first tour in Iraq. Many 14th Cavalry Regiment, currently valuable knowledge and insight into remember the days they spent in Mosul attached to the 2nd “Black Jack” how to conduct operations in the now and Tel Afar under much harsher condi- Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry tions than what they found inside the Division, of the Karkh District area in walls of FOBs Prosperity and Union III Baghdad’s center, where heavy fighting See Stryker Page 3 Page 2 News September 3, 2007

Baghdad in Brief Attack Aviation Crew Destroys

Dragon Brigade Find Mortar on Rooftop in Rashid Two Weapons Caches 4-1 Inf. Div. Public Affairs explosions were reported by units nearby. The aircraft fired two missiles and roughly 30 4-1 Inf. Div. Public Affairs BAGHDAD – A Multi-National rounds of 30mm ammunition during the Division-Baghdad close combat support air- engagement. BAGHDAD– Multi-National craft destroyed a mortar system on a rooftop No civilian casualties were reported and Division-Baghdad Soldiers from the in the Rashid District in a southwestern neigh- the damaged tube was recovered. 4th “Dragon” Infantry Brigade borhood of the Iraqi capital Aug. 31. Inside the house where the suspect fled, Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, found two caches and arrested a man While arriving on station to support initially, Soldiers from 2-23rd Inf. suspected of housing another cache Company C, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry “Tomahawks” found a sniper rifle, a machine during clearing operations in the Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, gun, two AK-47 assault rifles, a long range Rashid District of the Iraqi capital, 2nd Infantry Division, attached to the 4th scope and Iraqi Army body armor in the resi- Sept. 1. Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., dence Just after noon, troops from during a small arms engagement, the helicop- Later in the day, Soldiers from Company Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd ters tracked a suspected insurgent to a home C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, also Infantry Regiment, attached to the 4th with a mortar system emplaced on the roof. seized a sniper rifle, laptop, two empty sniper IBCT, found four 60mm mortar After positively identifying the weapon, rifle magazines, a 100-round belt of machine rounds during a patrol in Doura. an Apache fired on the house destroying the gun ammunition, three scopes and a broken- Explosive ordnance disposal person- tube and damaging the structure. Secondary down sniper rifle receiver and barrel. nel destroyed the munitions At approximately 1 p.m., EOD units were dispatched to an Iraqi Police Station in the Hayy Aamel neighborhood to dispose of unexplod- ed ordnance consisting of seven 80mm mortar rounds and three 60mm mortar rounds wired as improvised explosive devices; six 107mm rockets and five rocket-propelled grenades.

Arabic Phrase Iraq of the Day akil 3-Day Defined: Weather Today Tomorrow Wednesday food Report High: 111 High: 110 High: 110 Low: 85 Low: 86 Low: 85

Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, Jr. Contact the Daily Charge at VOIP 242-4093, DSN 318-847-2855 or e- Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl mail [email protected]. Command Information Supervisor: Master Sgt. Dave Larsen The Daily Charge is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of Senior Editor: Sgt. Nicole Kojetin the Daily Charge are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Editor: Spc. William Hatton Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 1st Cavalry Division. Staff Writers: Spc. Jeffrey Ledesma, Spc. L.B. Edgar, Spc. Shea Butler, All editorial content of the Daily Charge is prepared, edited, provided and approved by1st and Spc. Ben Gable Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office. Contributing Writers: Spc. Alexis Harrison, Spc. Courtney Marulli Page 3 News September 3, 2007 Find New Home in Baghdad Stryker From Page 1 peaceful area. Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Morris, the squadron’s top noncommissioned officer, said that success in transitioning into a lead role in the day-to-day operations in Karkh can be made by leaders at all levels. "We have to ensure that Soldiers get acclimated and accustomed to their area of operations by going on patrols with the current unit, whose positive attitude has been instrumental in helping all Soldiers – squadron level down to individual," Morris said. “We could not have asked for a better unit to work with." Humanitarian aid, reconstruction and sustaining security are all vital parts to the (Photos by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2-1 Cav. Div. Public Affairs) success of 4-2's mission in central The 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, based in Vilsek, Baghdad, Morris said. , made its mark on Forward Operating Base Prosperity in cen- Along with keeping the people of tral Baghdad with a new sign outside of its new headquarters. Karkh safe and improving their lives one equipment, doing reconnaissance and the cavalry troops from , day at a time, the troops are also con- working with 1-14," said Maj. Matt Wash. cerned with keeping each other focused as Mock, 4-2’s executive officer. He said Spc. Matt Wellington said he is they approach this new mission. that all this will lead up to the Saber happy that the long trip is finally over and "Right now, we're still upgrading Squadron taking over the mission from he and his friends can get to work. "It's like the end of anticipation," said the Medford, Ore., native. "It's a big relief to get here and settle in." Wellington noted that the amenities found on the base were much like the ones he was used to back in Vilsek, Germany. Morris added that families back in Vilsek and in the should be proud of the mission taken on by their Soldiers. He said that the troops from the Saber Squadron are helping to provide a more stable and secure environment for the people of Iraq. After receiving the Presidential Unit Citation for actions during their last rota- tion through Iraq, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment was reassigned to Fort Polk, La., then again to Ft. Lewis, Wash., where they were designated as the 1st The commander of the incoming 4th “Saber” Squadron, 2nd Stryker Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Col. Antonio Aguto, and the commander of the Infantry Division (Light) before finally outgoing 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Col. Jeff Peterson, finding their home in Vilsek, Germany as talk to each other while on a tour of Baghdad’s Karkh District. the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. Page 4 Community September 3, 2007 Leaders of Diyala River Valley Recommit to Reconciliation MND–North Public Affairs

BAQOUBA, Iraq – In an effort to build upon the recent success of the Aug. 19 reconciliation agreement between more than 80 leaders from the Diyala River Valley, approximately 40 tribal lead- ers gathered at the Baqouba Government Center, Sept. 1, to continue their discussions about the importance of rec- onciliation. The leaders, both Sunni and Shia, represented multi- ple tribes throughout the Diyala River Valley, with emphasis placed on tribes from Abu Sayda and Mukiesha – two villages that have not worked together in over a year due to tribal infighting. The meeting, hosted by (Photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3-1 Cav. Div. Public Affairs) Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi, Diyala’s Sheik Sa'ad, a paramount sheik from Abu Sayda, Iraq, an area within the Diyala River Valley, speaks about the importance of uniting as one tribe and ending bloodshed across governor, allowed the tribes the province during a reconciliation meeting with approximtately 40 tribal leaders, Sept. 1. an opportunity to voice their grievances and discuss solu- commitment. Director of Police; and Col. room; and those who choose tions for the way ahead. The sheiks agreed and David W. Sutherland, com- not to participate will be left “We must forget about restated their commitment to mander of Coalition Forces in behind.” the past and remain focused eight conditions to include Diyala, were also in atten- “We are brothers,” said on the future,” said Ra’ad as ending violent acts between dance to witness the event Sheik Sa’ad, a paramount he addressed the group of tribes; providing intelligence and discuss any security con- sheik in the Abu Sayda area. tribal leaders. “We have a to the Iraqi Security Forces; cerns throughout the region. “We need to stop the blood- long way to go; but today, fighting al-Qaida and other “The future of Diyala is shed because innocent people you have taken the first enemy organizations; helping in your hands,” Ghanem said. and the future will die. step.” the security forces discover “We need to stand together “I ask you, from your Circled around the Quran improvised explosive and start building for the peo- hearts, to work together to with their right hands raised, devices; upholding the law; ple. stop the fighting,” Sa’ad said. Ra’ad led the leaders as they solving issues between tribes “Whatever is done is “These reconciliation swore over the Islamic holy in a civil manner and return- done,” he continued. “We are agreements are not just words book to uphold a provincial- ing the displaced families to not going to return to that. on paper – they represent the wide reconciliation agree- their homes. The only choice you have is future for your people,” ment. While a few leaders Staff Maj. Gen. Nouri, to look to the future of Iraq.” Sutherland continued. “As stated their commitment for deputy commanding officer “Your province is at a you continue to unite, your the first time, the majority of of Iraqi Security Forces in tipping point right now,” strength as a unified tribe will the tribes attended the previ- Diyala province; Staff Maj. Sutherland said during his show the terrorists that they ous meeting and swore on the Gen. Ghanem Abass Ibraham comments. “The people have hold no place or position in Quran as a sign of continued al-Qureshy, the Provincial faith in the leaders in this Diyala.” Page 5 Feature September 3, 2007 Facing Challenges of Cooking in a Combat Zone By Spc. Courtney Marulli said. Keeping the area sanitary is one of the ing.” 2-2 Inf. Div. Public Affairs challenges, but Sutherland said they have Being able to cook here will useful in the refrigeration units to store food and dist isn’t future as well, Sutherland added. FORWARD OPERATING BASE much of a problem. “If we do get deployed again, they’ll HOPE, Iraq – Not all Soldiers perform com- The menu consists of chicken, rice, know how to do it,” he said. “They have that bat missions and patrols outside the wire. steak, eggs, and pretty much anything the reg- hands on training.” Some keep things going inside, such as ensur- ular dining facilities serve, Sutherland said. Sutherland said this deployment has been ing those who come back from the missions However, the meals they serve are more a great learning tool not only for him. “The stay fed. compact, which means it already comes half first time I did security and was always out on Sgt. Nathan C. Sutherland, the noncom- prepared. Their job is to heat it up and serve missions,” he said. “Now I get to do my job. I missioned officer in charge of food service for it. still get to learn because it’s different than in Company F, currently attached to Company Sutherland has two Soldiers who work the rear. I have Soldiers I have to look out for, B, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, attached to 2nd for him. Spc. Jose Monges, a native of I can’t slack off. I get to look at the Soldiers I Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said being Everett, Mass., and Spc. Martin Marquardt, a cook for, and that’s a good experience.” deployed allows he and his Soldiers to cook in native of New-Bern, N.C. Monges is serving The main difference from cooking in a combat environment, something they on his first deployment while Marquardt and combat to cooking in the rear is safety. wouldn’t otherwise experience on Aug. 15. Sutherland are on their second. Sutherland said here they worry about the Cooking in combat makes the job harder, “They like the challenge,” Sutherland enemy and getting attacked. said Sutherland, a native of Jacksonville, Fla. said. “Usually we really don’t get to do our “Even though we cook, we have to be an “In the rear you don’t have to worry job. I can only speak of my first time here. I everyday Soldier,” he said. “Stay alert, stay about that much danger, here, you do,” he did security while KBR took care of the cook- alive.”

(Photo by Spc. Benjamin Gable, 7th MPAD) Meeting with the Minnesota Constituents Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), shakes hands with Maj. Dan Ruder, a plans officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, during a visit with Multi-National Division - Baghdad troops at Camp Liberty in Baghdad Sept. 1. Coleman ate lunch with the Soldiers, all natives of Minnesota.