Multi-National Division - North www.1ad.army.mil Volume 2 Issue 06

Page 1 oct. 17, 2008

An “Above the Rest” Soldier of the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division aboard a UH-60 Blackhawk he- licopter during an Air Assault mission onto the banks of the Tigris River. The Soldiers conducted Operation Deadbluff along with Iraqi Army Soldiers, in an effort to reduce the number of enemy weapons caches in the area. Operation Deadbluff Takes Flight in Bayji Capt. Michael Sykes, 1st Battalion, 327th night wondering if this is the night that the Story and photo by Infantry Regiment. “What they don’t realize, 101st will come to pay them a visit,” he Sgt. Rick Rzepka said. 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division is that we are highly mobile through the use of the Air Assault and are training the Iraqis The mission, dubbed Operation Deadbluff, to do the same,” he said. was one of many operations carried out s security continues to improve across A recent Air Assault mission, conducted by the battalion in order to sever enemy Iraq, insurgent networks are becoming A by Iraqi Army Soldiers and Soldiers from the weapons trafficking in the area. “The enemy desperate in their attempts at proliferating 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment of the doesn’t just stick to cities,” said Rottenberg, weapons and ammunition. 101st Airborne Division, aimed to track down “so we don’t either.” Because they have been marginalized enemy weapons caches being stored along In utilizing the Air Assault, Rottenberg’s within Iraqi society and are under constant the lush banks of the Tigris River. ‘Mad Dogs’ have gained the upper hand. By pressure from Iraqi Security Forces and “Our intent is to deny them a place to taking the fight to the enemy, the Soldiers of Coalition Soldiers, enemy fighters are call home,” said Capt. Jeffrey Rottenberg, the 327th go after them from all sides, said frantically seeking to hide large quantities of whose ‘Mad Dog’ Company has been Rottenberg. “The major advantage gained weapons in the hinterlands of Iraq’s north. battling extremist fighters for more than a through Air Assaults is the ability to move a “Often the insurgency will attempt to year. “The enemy here goes to sleep at utilize rural areas to hide weapons,” said Deadbluff Continued on Page 3 Page 2 oct. 17, 2008

Spartan Soldiers ‘drop in’ on small fishing village

Story and photo by By Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Doheny 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division PAO

ince the Vietnam War era the air Sassault has been used to surprise enemy combatants with the primary objective of killing or capturing them. The thumping sound of thousands of helicopters combat-loaded with troops descending from the sky delivers a tremendous shock to the enemy. For commanders in Iraq today the focus still remains killing or capturing the enemy during air assault operations, however, there is more to consider. Whether it is the 65-year old woman sleeping on a mattress in the front yard or the 7-year boy silently sleeping in the Soldiers from Bravo Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, run bed beside her, air assault troops must to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during extraction from Operation Marathon Oct. 6, 2008. bring more tact to the fight while closing in on the enemy. our company to be the ones to come miles away from their headquarters During a recent air assault operation back.” near Tikrit. Oct. 6, 2008, Soldiers of Bravo Company, According to the Task Force Spartan The ability of the air assault allows 1st Special Troops Battalion closed in on commander, Lt. Col. Rick Rhyne, it was for Task Force Spartan Soldiers to “drop the enemy during Operation Marathon. imperative that his Soldiers adhere by” on anyone, anytime, at the location During the operation though, it wasn’t to the people’s needs and treat them of their choosing; yet the “Stalker” what these Soldiers did while sweeping with dignity and respect. He said that Soldiers of Bravo Company are not your the village for Al Qaeda fighters, it mishandling civilians on the battlefield typical air assault force. The company was their actions after that made the can create more animosity towards is primarily responsible for handling a difference. Coalition forces. vast majority of the Bastogne Brigade’s “It wasn’t too surprising that once “We are going to this objective to intelligence functions. we isolated the objective and identified search for two terrorists,” Rhyne said In preparation for the operation the there were no hostiles, the villagers during a pre-mission briefing to his company conducted a two-week train would be very inviting,” said Capt. Brian Soldiers. “Let’s not create more by up where they trained in close-quarter Hayes, Bravo Company commander. mistreating good people.” combat; platoon, squad and team level In fact, the children were unusually The Spartan Soldiers air assaulted tasks; and also practiced on proper air well behaved. The family was very nice to a small fishing village on the eastern assault techniques. and even asked that if Coalition forces shore of Lake Tharthar with the intent of return to the village, that they wanted showing a presence in an area several Spartan Soldiers Continued on Page 3

Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling Contributing Writers: Sgt.1st Class Kevin Doheny Sgt. Rick Rzepka Public Affairs Officer: Maj. Margaret Kageleiry Layout and Design: Spc. Ryan Elliott, 14th PAD Public Affairs NCOIC: Master Sgt. Nancy Morrison Editor: Staff Sgt. Mark Albright, 14th Public Affairs Detachment

Contact the Iron Strong at VOIP: 242-1190, DSN: 318-849-0089 or email [email protected] The “Iron Strong” is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the “Iron Strong” are not necessarily official veiws of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the Task Force Iron. All editorial content of this publication is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Task Force Iron Public Affairs Office. Page 3 oct. 17, 2008

Deadbluff from Page 1 about them, it becomes somewhat of a guessing game,” he said. lot of Soldiers quickly, with little warning to For more than a year, 1st Battalion, 327th the enemy.” Infantry Regiment has detained hundreds The element of surprise is one brick on the of suspected insurgents and has taken road to success here. Another is having thousands of weapons out of the hands of the actual intelligence on enemy weapons the enemy here. locations from sources on the ground. “Our guys have performed at a high level, “The key to finding caches is the Iraqi under austere conditions,” said Sykes. people themselves,” said Rottenberg. “While there has been some adversity, there “Unless you have someone inform you has also been a great deal of success,” he said.

A “Above the Rest” Soldier of the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division takes up a fighting position. The Soldiers conducted Operation Deadbluff along with Iraqi Army Soldiers, in an effort to reduce the Photo by Sgt. Rick Rzepka number of enemy weapons caches in the area

leader. “Seeing the ground and planning Spartan Soldiers from Page 2 people in the village. this mission allows both intelligence leaders “The people really wanted to cooperate “We had a vigorous and quick train-up,” and Soldiers know what assistance is with us because our continued presence said Hayes, “but we are dealing with smart needed and what intelligence gaps need to has had a positive influence on their village,” Soldiers that pick up things quick, so we be filled without them being requested.” said Buzbee. “It’s important for all Soldiers to were able to cover a lot of ground in a short Hayes said that most of his Soldiers remember that many Iraqis are just normal amount of time.” have been out in sector and have had people trying to get on with their lives.” According to Hayes, this operation interactions with Iraqi civilians before. This showed the flexibility of his Soldiers. He experience in dealing with the Iraqi culture said that intelligence Soldiers are often benefited them once the initial assault was in harm’s way conducting their technical conducted. skills, but this operation should further their His first sergeant agreed. comprehension of the counter-insurgency “It will prove valuable that they have fight. seen the other side of the Iraqi people,” said “These Soldiers, from the intelligence 1st Sgt. Dean Buzbee, Bravo Company.” analyst to the UAV operator to the supply Most Soldiers of our Soldier have been clerk, now have a detailed understanding exposed only to the Iraqis they read about of what it takes to plan and execute an in significant activities [SIGACTS] and operation,” said Hayes. intelligence reports. It’s easy to forget “The perspective of executing this that those are such a small percentage of mission will help intelligence professionals Iraqis.” to understand how to provide better support Buzbee said the operation was a success to the war fighter by actually seeing the because of the level of competency of ground,” said 1st Lt. Dezi King, platoon his Soldiers and the way they treated the Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Doheny Page 4 Homefront News oct. 17, 2008

ELECTIONS suggested the state had lost track of hundreds Polling has shown the race to be of sex offenders. virtually even, foreshadowing a possible rerun (Seattle Times) Gov. Christine Gregoire and Rossi, meanwhile, pinpointed the low of the 2004 election, which Rossi lost by 133 challenger Dino Rossi clashed in their final point as Gregoire's ads which accused him of votes after two recounts and a lawsuit. debate Wednesday night over who was best seeking to lower the minimum wage. Turning The onslaught of attack ads is likely prepared to solve the state's looming budget to confront her directly, Rossi said, "I really do to grow in the coming weeks; both sides have shortfall and whose camp was to blame for the believe this is demeaning to the office we both millions left to spend. Already, more than $39 increasingly nasty tone of campaign ads in their seek." million has been raised for the race. expensive and tightly fought race. They continued to fight over the state's Rossi and his supporters could have a In a debate that saw little new ground projected $3.2 billion deficit for the next budget decided money edge in the final days — with broken, Gregoire, the Democrat and Rossi, the — with Rossi blaming Gregoire's spending for four times as much cash in the bank as Republican, each refused to back away from their creating the problem and Gregoire accusing Gregoire and her backers, according to financial own supporters' negative attacks but accused Rossi of failing to level with voters on what disclosures filed this week. the other side of descending into dishonest services he'd cut to close the gap. Rossi and independent groups mudslinging. The supporting him have about debate at the KING- $8 million left, compared TV studio was co- with about $1.8 million for sponsored by The Gregoire's side. Seattle Times. The bulk of Rossi's money " T h e comes from the Republican supporters of Mr. Governors Association and a Rossi are literally political committee called It's prepared to pay $13 Time for A Change, mainly million in negative funded by the Building Industry ads against me," Association of Washington. said Gregoire, who Democrats have accused the claimed the campaign BIAW of illegal fundraising, hit its "low point" last and two former state Supreme week when ads mailed Court justices have filed a to thousands of homes lawsuit to stop the group from included photos of spending its money child rapists and

"She was perfect. If she was sick, she's Houston, Dallas, New York and East Rutherford, Entertainment not sick anymore," said Maurice Bell, 28, of N.J. (AP) Janet Jackson took the stage to Washington. "She can still do it at 42." exploding fireworks, clouds of smoke and the At the end of the show, a teary-eyed sounds of some early hits Wednesday in her first Jackson told the crowd: "I love you D.C. so concert since she was sidelined for two weeks much." by a bout of vertigo. Jackson's publicist said Wednesday she Sporting a huge mohawk and light- has been suffering from migraine-associated colored body suit, the Grammy-winning vertigo, which led to her canceling a string of performer opened with "Pleasure Principle," shows. She is being treated for the illness, which followed by "What Have You Done for Me is characterized by dizziness, imbalance and Lately" from her 1986 album "Control." Soon other symptoms. after, she sang her latest single, "Feedback." "She's a world-class entertainer and "It feels so good to be back after being needs to be at the top of her game to give her down just a little bit," Jackson told the crowd at fans the show they expect," Jackson's manager, the less-than-full Verizon Center. Kenneth Crear, said in a release. "She's feeling The two-hour, high-energy show went much better and is ready to hit the road again smoothly, but Jackson did appear winded at to finish the tour." times. At one point, she paused to admire her Crear said Jackson is feeling better and backup dancers, and the audience roared with ready to continue her first North American tour approval. in seven years. Upcoming stops include Atlanta, Page 5 SPORTS oct. 17, 2008

Soccer (Goal.com) For all the youth, experimentation and innovation displayed by Bob Bradley's XI selection, it took two of Trinidad & Tobago's oldest, most experienced players to take all three points under wet, humid conditions in . Bradley made eight changes from the side that romped 6-1 over Cuba, and the lack of cohesion was a constant struggle all evening long as the Soca Warriors commanded more possession and scoring opportunities throughout the match. First Half The 4-5-1 was on full display from both sides, although with Maurice Edu and Jose Francisco Torres playing out of position in defensive midfield, the US struggled to push forward with any kind of menace. The lack of ball control was a problem all night long, with several promising moves extinguished thanks right turned Pearce inside out, and his lobbed For the US, it was a difficult test, and to errant passing and miscommunication. cross found 40-year-old on one that didn't entirely go to plan. The US For the Warriors, the slow, cautious tempo the penalty spot. His first-time volley hit the were nervous from set pieces all night long, was perfect, and they settled first, with Keon post but deflected in off Guzan's back for the giving far too many half-chances to a team that Daniel's early corner forcing a save from opener. It was a well-deserved goal, but the simply needed the points more (they now have Guzan and blazing a shot young US crew found a way back 10 minutes a 3-point lead over Guatemala with 1 qualifying over the bar from a corner within the first 15 later through Altidore's hard work on the round to play). minutes. edge of the box. Fighting through a couple The center-back pairing of Califf and From there, it was testy and congested of tackles, Jozy kept his cool to slide the ball Orozco never quite gelled, and the attack- in the midfield, with neither side carving out under advancing goalkeeper Clayton Ince, and minded selection of Kljestan, Altidore, Adu another clear-cut opportunity until after the substitute Charlie Davies, on the field just six and Beasley failed to produce or create clear- break. minutes, tapped it home under pressure. cut opportunities up front. Adu played a stead Second Half With the game hanging in the balance, game, but with little support from the rest of the In the second half, the US started the US inexperience shone through just four midfield. Pearce and Hejduk battled well down brightly, but a sharp passing move between minutes later, as a sharp inswinging corner the wings in support, but they were ineffective Kljestan and Torres released Altidore clean from the left was intercepted by Altidore's in crossing, and Bradley's substitutions were through on goal only for the linesman to judge leaping header, bundling Makan Hislop over made so late that Szetela and Rolph had little him narrowly offside. Replays showed that he in his speedy break for the ball. The referee time to influence the outcome. was level, but the home field advantage often pointed to the penalty spot with little dispute Trinidad & Tobago deserved the pushes those 50/50 decisions in favor of the from Jozy and co., and aging striker-turned- points, but the night was not in vain for the hosts. defensive midfielder wrong- US, as Bradley got some much-needed rest for As the visitors kept pressing, space footed Guzan for the go-ahead goal. his first-choice side and got a good, clear look began opening up on both wings for the hosts, Altidore had a chance late from at the next wave of US internationals. There's and the shaky center-back pairing of Orozco Beasley's probing free kick, but it wasn't meant promise and potential in the youngsters, but it and Califf was finally exposed on the hour. to be, and T&T celebrate their first victory over was veterans' night in Port of Prince. A mazy run by down the the US since 1994. Page 6 WORLD oct. 17, 2008

Turkey bombing PKK hideouts across the border in in the southeast in 1984, sparking a conflict that has claimed at least 44,000 lives. At least four Turkish soldiers have northern Iraq since an October 3 attack against a Turkish officials estimate about 2,000 been killed in clashes with fighters from Turkish border outpost that killed 17 soldiers. PKK fighters are residing in the mountains of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) in the The PKK, listed as a terrorist group northern Iraq, where they allegedly enjoy free southeast of the country near its borders with by Ankara and much of the international movement and obtain weapons and explosives Iran and Iraq, the military has said. community, took up arms for Kurdish self-rule for staging attacks in Turkey. The Turkish military said on Thursday that five PKK fighters were also killed in separate fighting. Clashes on Wednesday in the town of Kavakli in the Hakkari province between a Turkish army unit and PKK fighters left four soldiers dead, the military said in a statement. Another soldier was killed and 15 others wounded, including a brigade general, when a helicopter bringing reinforcements to the combat zone crashed accidentally, according to the statement. PKK casualties Five PKK fighters were also killed in clashes with Turkish security forces in the towns of Semdinli and Sirnak, near the Iraqi border, the military said. Turkish planes have been regularly

Georgia what happened today. Russia, which recognizes both "What happened is hat we call in territories as independent states, objected to the French, 'un incident de parcours', a procedural exclusion of the South Ossetian and Abkhaz incident, which had to be resolved," he said. representatives from the talks. "Rather than doing a quick-fix, which may leave Special Envoy of the OSCE, Heikki us with other problems later in the day or later Talvitie says differences must be put aside in the process, we better address them. And that because there are important issues that must be is why we decided to take some breathing space discussed in a practical way. to address those few procedural points which "We would like to enhance the stability would be handled through consultations." in the region and we would like to enhance the Verbeke calls this just a temporary humanitarian situation in the region," he said. suspension of the work and says the talks will "For this purpose, it is really important that we resume on November 18. will find ways and means that everybody can express their views. These are not negotiations, (AP) Everybody is putting a brave face on The talks are aimed at resoving a host these are discussions. But, in some way, in the these short-lived talks. The United Nations, of political and humanitarian issues that have future, there should be a kind of an understanding European Union and Organization for Security resulted from the brief war that erupted between that we can agree on some measures in the region and Cooperation in Europe, which are mediating, Georgia and Russia in early August. The conflict, to help the situation there." adamantly reject any suggestion of failure. which broke out over Georgia's breakaway The United States, which is an ally of Johan Verbeke speaks during a press region of South Ossetia, lasted only five days, Georgia, attended the talks. In a brief statement conference after a closed meeting of the but its effects are expected to last a long time. earlier in the day, the U.S. delegation said Caucasus talks in Geneva, Switzerland, 15 Oct The major sticking point, which led the talks would address compliance with the 2008 to the breakdown, appears to have been over ceasefire, security issues, the return of internally They prefer to call the walkout by the Georgia's two breakaway regions of South displaced persons and human rights. Georgian and Russian delegations a procedural Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Georgian and Russian Those issues are to be deferred until snag. Special U.N. Representative to Georgia delegations differed over the role they should next month. Johan Verbeke says no one should dramatize play in the negotiations.