Inside Robbie D

Volume 5 Edition 18, April 2005 nakebite The Official Newsletter of the 116th Brigade Combat Team 116 BCT ‘Snake’ becomes combat patch Commander’s Corner by Capt. Monte Hibbert, 116 “This ceremony marks a Brig. Gen. Ayad, 31st IA by Brigadier General Alan Gayhart, Commander BCT Public Affairs Officer very significant moment in the Brigade Public Affairs Officer Fellow Warriors, the ISF, we will continue to FOB WARRIOR, Iraq- history of the 116th Brigade Lt. Col. Khalil, and Iraqi Police Dignity and Respect. eliminate the insurgency to The 116th Brigade Combat Combat Team,” said Brig. Gen. Services Maj. Gen. Sherko, These words are most reduce the number of Team officially authorized wear Alan Gayhart, commander of Kirkuk Police Chief. associated with our mission insurgents the ISF will have of its characteristic “snake the 116th BCT. “Our unit patch Leaders addressed those here in the to face. patch” for wear as a combat now joins those of other units in attendance and soldiers Kirkuk To ensure patch in a ceremony held here that have fought proudly in stood in formation with their Province. As the success of April 8. combat to defend the combat patches covered until many of you the ISF, it is The historic move comes freedoms we all hold dearly.” they were uncovered as part are aware, there critical that the almost three months after the The ceremony was of the ceremony. are significant average Iraqi unit assumed authority from attended by representatives of “The combat patch differences in citizen have Hawaii’s 2nd BCT for military all subordinate commands of ceremony represents yet the conditions faith in the ground operations in the the 116th BCT, as well as another significant milestone of our mission government provinces of Kirkuk and several coalition and Iraqi in the 116th’s service in the here in Kirkuk BG Gayhart and the Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. This is military dignitaries. global war on terrorism,” said and those found in security forces. the first time the unit, in its Distinguished attendees Gayhart. Baghdad. Our mission here We must break the cycle of current configuration, has included Brig. Gen. Gayhart, Working with its Iraqi is to train and develop the violence that this country fought in a combat zone and 42nd Infantry Division partners, the 116 BCT is filling Iraqi security forces (ISF) to has used throughout the first time the 116th BCT Commander Maj. Gen. Joseph an important role in efforts to assume regional control of history to resolve patch has been authorized Taluto, 31st Iraqi Army establish a secure and security in this province, differences. Too often, as a combat patch. Brigade Deputy Commander prosperous environment in without relying on the the provinces of Kirkuk and coalition forces. As we train Continued on page 2 Sulaymaniyah. The unit’s CSM Briefing multi-faceted mission also sections, two armor battalions, National Guard units by 116th BCT Command Sgt. Maj. Leroy Lewis includes aiding the Iraqi a mechanized infantry deployed in support of We need to all take a counterparts since we serve government, supporting battalion, a support battalion, Operation Iraqi Freedom III as moment to remember our together for economic and infrastructure a field artillery battalion, an part of the global war on fallen Comrades, longer periods development, and facilitating engineer battalion, and terrorism. Sgt. 1st Class of time and communications. various intelligence, signal, Mark Warren, know their The 116 BCT includes and specialized units. The 116 Sgt. 1st Class families. I, like a headquarters and staff BCT is one of several Army Inside Robbie D. lot of other Iraqi 101 McNary, and soldiers, cried at Staff Sgt. Kevin the ceremony. I ... Pg 2 D. Davis. These tried not to McNary Memorial ... are all great because I was CSM Lewis Pg 17 Soldiers and will always told be remembered when I was a Battalion Updates... with honor. May the good child men do not cry. I know Pgs 7-20 Lord be with their families. now that was wrong, as my As a National Guard wife would say it is ok to Homestate Briefs/ Brigade we are closer to our cry. Let us never forget what Capt. Cole Packwood, HHC, 116 BCT commander and Lt. Col. Iraq News ... Page 21 brothers and sisters in arms John Walsh, TF 1-163 Infantry commander, in front of their forma- than our active duty Continued on page 2 tions at the ceremony. (Photo by Lt. Col. Gordon Petrie, IO Tm.Chief) Vol. 5 Ed. 18, April 2005 Snakebites Page 2 Iraqi 101: Language and customs by Lt.Col. Dean Hagerman nakebite I thought I would do a greetings. By the way, Salaam ing “how you doin’.” It’s a quick refresher on the lan- is nothing but a shorter and friendly gesture that says guage and customs used by less formal version of Salaamu something meaningful, with- Snakebites is a weekly product of the 116th Bri- those who speak Arabic, re- alaykum. out really saying anything. gade Combat Team Public Affairs Office. It is the offi- gardless of their religious or When you approach Some other phrases that cial command information publication of the 116th ethnic background. The sug- someone to talk, in or out- are helpful and can be BCT. This publication’s intent is to provide timely gestions put forward here are doors, give the greeting of the sprinkled into any conversa- and relevant information to the soldiers, families and somewhat different than the day SabaaH al-khair or tion, Arabic or English. Thank employers of the 116th BCT. “textbook” Arabic I included Masaah al-khair, and then as you is Shukran and Mom in previous articles. you shake their hand say noon is saying, “I appreci- Snakebites Staff First and foremost, no one Salaamu alykum. If they say it ate it.” Moom kin is a phrase is ignored in Arab or Kurdish to you first, respond by say- I just recently learned. It lit- Capt. Monte Hibbert culture. If you are talking to a ing Alaykum salaam. erally means, “Is it pos- Public Affairs Officer group of people, in or out- If you want to have a bit sible?” However, in usage doors, say hello to everyone, more small talk, you can ask it actually means the same Staff Sgt. Jack White and shake their hands. I have how they are doing, Shlonek as “Excuse me” as you Public Affairs NCO noticed that we don’t always or Kayfaalek. If you or they would say when you are try- Spc. Cathy Alberto do this, and the local Iraqis are well, say Zain or if you are ing to get by someone, or if Public Affairs Specialist have gotten used to it. How- doing exceptionally well and you accidentally bump into ever, they are generally exuberant Al hamdullalaah is someone. Two last words Submission Policy pleased when we abide by appropriate. you should know, naam and their traditional customs. If you are seated or other- laah, which mean “yes” and The Snakebites staff welcomes submissions from its As you pass someone on wise occupied and someone “no” respectively. With readers. If you have an article and/or photo that you the street you can wave, or enters the office or approaches these phrases, you should feel would be appropriate for this publication please wave and say Salaam or you, you can Allah bil khair be able to initiate a polite, e-mail it to [email protected] or drop it by Salaamu alaykum or don’t which means “God is good.” and hopefully, productive the PAO office in Bldg. 370, FOB Warrior. wave and say either of these For Arabs is sort of like say- conversation. Media Interview Tips PHRASE RESPONSE • Always tell the truth. SabaaH al-khair Good morning SabaaH al-noor Good morning • Assume that everything you say will be used and MasaaH al-khair Good evening MasaaH al-noor Good evening attributed to you. Avoid “Off the record” conversa- Salaamu alaykum Peace be upon you Alaykum salaamu And on you be peace tions with reporters. If you don’t want to see it in Shlonek or Kayfalaak How are you Zain Good print or on television, don’t say it. Al-hamdullalaah Praise God (Outstanding) Shukran Thank you • Stay in your lane; talk only about things for which Mom noon I appreciate it you are responsible. Moom kin Excuse me • Do not speculate. Commanders Corner... expect if the roles were so everyone at home and in • It’s ok to say: “I don’t know.” reversed. This includes being Iraq can enjoy the freedoms Continued from page 1 professional when we • Refer specific recruiting questions to your recruiter. we hold so dearly. Iraqi’s solve their differences interrogate citizens, and also We have almost hit the half • If you can’t answer a reporter’s question, explain through violence, rather than not running Iraqi vehicles off way point in country, we have why. For example, if the incident is under investiga- dialogue and negotiation. the highway, simply because done well on safety, and it is tion, just let the reporter know. This cycle of violence is what they are near our convoys. By getting better all the time. • Always remain calm and professional. Sadaam used to control the being firm, but professional to More people are buckling up • Practice what you want to say in front of a mirror or people in Iraq. all citizens, we will break the and following the safety a friend to become more comfortable. We must set the example cycle of violence that has guidelines. Keep up the good • Be yourself.

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