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Volume 1, Issue 101 July 26, 2007 Serving Task Force Marne Courtesy photo An M109 Paladin Howitzer belonging to 1-10 FA fi res during a mission at FOB Hammer. 1-10 breaks out the big guns SGT. NATALIE ROSTEK ing on FOB Hammer is responsible for when we get mortared; we shoot back 3RD HBCT, 3RD INF. DIV. PAO three main tasks, said Staff Sgt. Mi- at the point of origin.” chael Clark of Greenville, N.C., an artil- Sgt. Christopher Shores, of Winston- FOB HAMMER — The Soldiers say leryman for 1-10 FA. The unit’s duties Salem, N.C., an artilleryman for 1-10 their job is fairly simple. include conducting counter-fi re mis- FA, said terrain denial missions consist The effects, however, will leave a sions, terrain denial missions and fi re of fi ring on an area to deter insurgents lasting impression on everything in for effect missions. from conducting enemy activity in that their path. “We kill bad guys,” said Sgt. Ralph location. The platoon-sized element from 1st Harrison, of Columbus, Ga. “We con- Battalion, 10th Field Artillery work- duct counter-fi re operations which are, See GUNS, Page 2 Page 2 • July 26, 2007 Th e Dog Face Daily Stay safe on EML; live to fi ght another day STAFF SGT. TONY M. LINDBACK friends is important. Soldiers enjoy- He said for most Soldiers, Iraq is a TF MARNE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE ing their time at home, while keeping harsh, somewhat restricted area. safety in mind, is important to Chuck “Over a period of time, I think, some CAMP VICTORY – Active duty Sol- Fitzpatrick, 3rd Infantry Division safe- Soldiers go a little stir crazy, and when diers on 15-month deployments are ty manager. they fi nally do get home it’s almost now being allowed 18 days at home “There are a few main things that like being released from confi nement,” during environmental morale leave. can hurt Soldiers while on EML,” Fitz- Fitzpatrick said. “After what seems like This allows plenty of opportunities patrick said. “(Vehicle) accidents, alco- for disaster while at home. hol and recreational activities are the See EML, Page 3 Time at home spent with family and leading causes of off duty accidents.” GUNS: Sledgehammer fi eld artillery troops skilled at destruction From Page 1 “Fire for effect missions,” he said, “are missions where we are aiming at one specifi c target and we hit that tar- get and destroy it.” Harrison said his unit is responsible for destroying boats found along the Tigris River. The 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team suspects these boats are used to transport weapons and munitions into Baghdad. The residents told Coalition Forces they do not use the river. To effectively complete a mission, Soldiers must take the proper steps in a short period of time. On any op- eration where a 155 mm round is fi red Courtesy photo from the M109 Paladin Howitzer, the Soldiers from 1-10 FA prepare to fi re a round. air and ground must be cleared of any friendly forces and unintended targets, “The chief overlooks everything in stays on FOB Hammer to get their job Harrison said. When the area is cleared the operation on the ground,” said done. a call is made to the line crew on FOB Clark, a crew chief. “If anything goes “The best part about our job is we Hammer. wrong, it all comes back to me.” can destroy a target without actually When the Paladin crew receives the Each crew spends anywhere from 12 having to be there,” he said. mission, they assume their positions. to 24 hours on the line. They are always Sometimes the unit is overlooked Information that the team needs for an on their toes, prepared for any mission because they are such a small element, accurate shot pops up on a screen in- from the 3rd HBCT headquarters. but Clark said 1-10 FA is wanted and side the Paladin. The crew loads a 155 The job requires each crew to be needed in 3rd HBCT. mm round into the tube, the gunner stationary, but the product of their ef- “They see us hit the target from the puts powder in to expel the round and forts can be seen through the camera of UAV, they hear the boom,” he said. verifi es the data. The chief reads the a patrolling unmanned aerial vehicle. “I think they are happy to have us data and sets the gun on the target. Shores said he prefers that the crew around.” THE TASK FORCE MARNE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE Commanding General - MAJ. GEN. RICK LYNCH Dog Face Daily Command Sergeant Major - COMMAND SGT. MAJ. JESSE L. ANDREWS JR. Task Force Marne Public Aff airs Staff Contributing Units The Dog Face Daily is an authorized publi- TF Marne PAO – Lt. Col. Randy Martin 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division cation for members of the U.S. Army. Con- TF Marne Deputy PAO – Maj. Alayne Conway 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division tents of The Dog Face Daily are not neces- sarily official views of, or endorsed by, the TF Marne PA NCOIC – Master Sgt. Marcia Triggs 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) U.S. Government, Department of Defense, TF Marne PA Ops – Sgt. 1st Class Craig Zentkovich 4th Brigade (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division Department of the Army or the 3rd Infantry 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Division. All editorial content of The Dog 214th Fires Brigade Face Daily is prepared, edited, provided Editorial Staff 82nd Sustainment Brigade and approved by the Task Force Marne Pub- Managing Editor – Master Sgt. Marcia Triggs lic Affairs Office. 720th Military Police Battalion Editor/Design – Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft Mobile Unit 3 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion Th e Dog Face Daily July 26, 2007 • Page 3 EML: Soldiers should keep safety a top priority during mid-tour leave From Page 2 spouse, friend or family member do the “Some of our driving for the fi rst few days to allow time to get reacquainted to daily life an eternity, they are fi nally back home Soldiers will try to and surroundings, Chase said. with their family and fi ends. pack all the things “If it should become necessary “One of the most common mistakes to drive, be cautious, alert and drive that we all make is attempting to make they couldn’t do slower than you normally would, and up for lost time,” Fitzpatrick said. always wear your seatbelt,” Fitzpatrick “Some of our Soldiers will try to pack for the last several advised. all the things they couldn’t do for the Motorcycle accidents are another last several months into a 15- or 18-day months into a 15- or concern for the command safety sec- period ... and return from EML more 18-day period ... and tion here. exhausted than when they left.” “Riding a motorcycle is fun,” said Knowing it’s impossible to pack that return from EML Fitzpatrick. “The adrenaline rush and much freedom into such a short time, the wind in your face is great. But gen- Fitzpatrick and fellow safety specialist more exhausted than erally speaking, you don’t get a second Harley Chase offered some words of is- when they left.” chance for an accident.” dom regardng EML. To date, Fitzpatrick said there have “Leaders should encourage their been 31 motorcycle crashes Army-wide Soldiers to take advantage of their — Chuck Fitzpatrick during fi scal year 2007. Of those, 29 EML, to reunite with their families, 3rd Inf. Div. safety manager have been fatal. and use their EML for rest and relax- “It doesn’t matter who’s at fault in ation.” Fitzpatrick said. the accident, the results are the same,” If Soldiers do decide to consume al- consequences of drinking and driving. Fitzpatrick said. coholic beverages they should do so in It’s often the drunk driver that walks In addition to motorcycle accidents, moderation, Fitzpatrick said. He also away unharmed ... and the occupants Chase said the number of boating and reminds Soldiers they should not at- in the other vehicle who pay the ulti- drowning accidents are also high this tempt to drive. mate price.” year. “The problem with alcohol is that Another thing to consider on EML is “Regardless of what activities Sol- it slows our reactions and our thought driving, even while not under the infl u- diers plan to do while at home on EML processes. Drinking in moderation is ence, Fitzpatrick said. we encourage them to use the compos- the key, and always have a plan to get “Driving skills may have diminished. ite risk management process,” Fitz- home safely if you’re out on the town” Even a couple months of not driving patrick said. “This process saves lives Fitzpatrick said. can dull your reactions and driving daily on the battle fi eld, and it can also “Remember,” he said, “you have to skills,” he added. help prevent off-duty accidents while consider the broad reaching effects and A good plan would be to have a our Soldiers are home on EML.” Safety Thought of the Day Bradley Housekeeping • Develop and enforce a load plan for basic issue items and for crewmembers’ personal equipment. • Do not store aerosol cans, cleaning solvent, fuel, etc., anywhere inside the tank. Stow ammunition in authorized areas only. • Arrange the equipment in such a manner as it will not cause a slip, trip, or fall situation and can easily be found when needed. • Enforce good housekeeping in the track vehicle so trash, mud, etc., do not interfere with the operations of the fi re control and communication system or • Do not stow equipment on turret shield cause a slip, trip, or fall.