Multi-National Division - North www.1ad.army.mil Volume 2 Issue 10

Page 1 oct. 27, 2008

Iraqi Army receive weapons training by Taskmasters

Sergeant Alex Abbate, a Scottsdale, Ariz. Native, Alpha Company, 426th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, shows a 4th Iraqi Army Division Soldier how to aim and use the sights of the M16 rifle. Abbate and other Soldiers from the “Taskmaster” Battalion recently conducted a two-week training course on the M16 rifle.

Story and Photos BY Multi- Recently, Iraq has purchased we were instructing them on how National Division – North PAO more than 50,000 M-16 assault rifles to assemble the M-16,” said Don from the to replace their Nottingham, Bravo Company. “They primary rifle, the AK-47. were also very interested on how the or more than 50 years, the M-16 During recent two-week training M-16 functioned.” Steady position, Fhas been the United States Army’s course, 4th Iraqi Army Division Soldiers aiming, breath control, and trigger weapon of choice. have received M-16 weapons training squeeze: these four fundamentals of From Saigon to Salah ad Din, from 426th Brigade Support Battalion marksmanship were also instilled in the the M-16 rifle family has become the Soldiers at Forward Operating Base minds of the Iraqi Soldiers. symbol of the Infantry and is used by Dagger. “Most of them had the basic 15 NATO countries. The hands-on training, detailed fundamentals of shooting using their The rifle is a lightweight, .223 the various aspects of the M-16 rifle. assigned AK-47,” said Nottingham. caliber, air-cooled, gas-operated, The initial portion, Iraqi Soldiers “They learned quickly in the classroom magazine-fed assault rifle, which is learned how to assemble, disassemble portion about the M-16.” lighter in weight, more accurate, and and clean the rifle. Taskmasters Continued on Page 3 more ergonomic than the AK-47. “They were very attentive while Page 2 oct. 27, 2008

3rd ACR tests new Army program for redeploying equipment

Tanks and Bradleys sit in rows awaiting redeployment back to the U.S. The 3d ACR began redeploying some of its equipment back to the U.S. for repair and reset under a new Army pilot program. The program's goal is to speed up the redeployment process so units can get their equipment back sooner and as a complete system.

Story and photos by program designed to speed up how the ACR. Master Sgt. Tim Volkert Army redeploys and resets its combat “No one has ever turned in their 3rd ACR Public Affairs power platforms, its tanks and Bradleys, equipment in theater as a complete to get the equipment back to units so system before. We are the pilot unit to he 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment’s they can begin training faster than the see how it works,” Woodyard said. Tfirst step toward redeployment is also current redeployment methods allow. Currently, units have to strip down the the test for an Army pilot program. What makes the program equipment and computer systems before Beginning in late September, 3d ACR different is that the 3d ACR is turning in the vehicles heads back overseas, she units at Forward Operating Base Q this equipment as complete systems, said. By sending the equipment into West and FOB Marez started the which means all of the assorted reset as a complete system, everything Early Retrograde Equipment, or ERE computers, subsystems and other is upgraded and repaired together, and process, and moved some of its tanks, components are turned in together, when it’s returned to the unit, they can Bradleys and other assorted vehicles to said Chief Warrant Officer Nicole E. begin training immediately. staging areas for shipment back to the Woodyard, regimental reset manager, “It will come back in the most United States. Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, current Army configuration, to include The ERE process is a new Regimental Support Squadron, 3d Redeploying Continued on Page 3

Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling Contributing Writers: Master Sgt. Tim Volkert 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. 27, 2008

three languages that we found to be in “This was beneficial to the IA Taskmasters from Page 1 the class,” said Nottingham. Soldiers,” said Sgt. Daniel Walker, Bravo Taskmaster instructors brought The Iraqi Army Soldiers were Company. “They got firsthand instruction the Iraqi Soldiers to the range to able to successfully move through the on how to operate, breakdown, and fire practice firing their new rifles to enable course, learn the basic fundamentals of the M-16 rifle by American Soldiers that them to put their knowledge to practical the M-16 rifle, and possibly become a have experience.” use. more proficient fighting force. “The range itself was the biggest success,” said Sgt. Andrew Chard, Bravo Company. “It allowed the other instructors and me to see how the information we imparted to them was received and utilized,” he said. “They performed magnificently through the zero and qualification phase.” Chard said the progress throughout the course was outstanding. He and fellow Taskmaster Soldiers had to improvise and become creative to communicate with their Iraqi partners. “The language barrier was a difficult portion to overcome, said Nottingham. However, “their enthusiasm Sergeant Alex Abbate, a Scottsdale, Ariz. Native, Alpha Company, 426th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade to learn overcame the problem with Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, shows a 4th Iraqi Army Division Soldier where the rounds he fired from his Iraqi Soldiers trying to interpret one of M16 rifle impacted his target.

quicker. The end result is that units Redeploying from Page 2 get their systems back sooner, Learn said. all upgrades,” Woodyard said. “This process will allow us to Another benefit is this process get the combat power systems back will reduce the risk of loss and damage about 120 days earlier than in previous that can occur, said Sgt. 1st Class deployments,” Woodyard said. Patrick Learn, the Transportation and That provides major benefits for the Logistics section noncommissioned unit when it returns to home station. officer in charge for 1st Squadron, 3d “Training with borrowed ACR. equipment is not the same as your “I predict a whole lot less assigned equipment … a crew will property loss investigations with the know the strengths and limitations of system coming back as a complete equipment they are familiar with,” said unit,” he said. “Commanders will receive Learn. their equipment ready for mission rather Once this program is complete than piecing it back together. and the process adjusted based on “It will also be beneficial to the feedback, the Soldiers of the 3d ACR commanders to sign one document predict that it will be a great change for rather than several for each individual how Army units redeploy. component,” Learn added. “This will be a great benefit While the current deployment once all the bugs are worked out, Tanks and Bradleys sit in rows awaiting redeployment process and the pilot program’s schedule saving the Soldiers and the Army both back to the U.S. The 3d ACR began redeploying some of for redeploying equipment is basically time and assets,” Learn said. its equipment back to the U.S. for repair and reset under the same, the new process is much a new Army pilot program. Page 4 Homefront News oct. 27, 2008

ELECTIONS asked his audience to be ready to display public has endorsed Obama. support for Obama during such a crisis. But "Colin Powell is one of the nation's Republican vice presidential candidate noting that President John Kennedy faced similar foremost experts on national security, and the Sarah Palin misrepresented to a campaign early foreign tests, Biden predicted Obama fact that he's crossing party lines to support audience Thursday what her Democratic would fare well because he's "got steel in his Obama says a lot more than any of the false counterpart Joe Biden has said about Barack spine." attacks launched by Gov. Palin today," Baker Obama's ability to handle a foreign crisis. Responding to Palin's remark, Obama spokesman said. "Sen. Obama's own running mate, Isaac Baker noted that Colin Powell, a Republican Palin told several thousand people at the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations and President Bush's former secretary of state, Hobart Arena, "We need John McCain." Committee, has informed us "What I want is a president that a serious international who has spent 22 years in uniform crisis is certain if Obama defending our country," she said. "I is elected and that he is not want a president who isn't afraid to ready to deal with it," Palin use the word victory when he talks told thousands of supporters about the wars we are fighting. I want at a rally in this western Ohio a president who knows how to win city. the war and wants to win the war." That is not what Outside the arena, about Biden told fundraisers last 20 workers from a variety of labor weekend. unions rallied in support of Obama Biden did say, carrying empty six-packs of beer to "Watch, we're gonna have show they consider themselves Joe an international crisis, a Six-Packs, or the everyday working generated crisis, to test the people Palin often refers to in her mettle of this guy." And he speeches

Entertainment Guild of America. That effort, however, was leverage in contract talks. unsuccessful and failed to prevent a 100-day But newly elected moderates on the Four days after actors called for strike that ended in February. The mediator’s national board pushed for mediation before bringing in a federal mediator to resolve recommendations are not binding. taking the more drastic measure of seeking a stalled contract negotiations, the studios finally It’s not clear whether Gonzalez, strike vote. delivered a response: OK, but don't expect a Hollywood outsider, will have any more The studios’ decision Thursday was not much. success in the current dispute, given how unexpected given that they would have risked The Alliance of Motion Picture and deeply entrenched each side is in its position. a backlash had they rejected the offer, possibly Television Producers, which bargains on behalf SAG is seeking jurisdiction over pushing moderates in SAG to join hard-liners. of the studios, said in a statement Thursday that all shows created for the Web, regardless of Actors have been working without a "we are, of course, willing to meet with a federal budget, but studios have called the demand contract since June 30 mediator in the hopes of achieving our fifth guild a non-starter that would agreement this year." undermine agreements But the alliance also downplayed they’ve reached with three expectations of a breakthrough, warning that it other unions. would be “difficult to reach an agreement if SAG Moreover, Allen continues to insist unreasonably that it deserves and other SAG leaders a better deal” than the other contracts negotiated initially dismissed the “during far better times.” idea of tapping a federal Screen Actors Guild National Executive mediator when it was first Director Doug Allen issued a brief response, suggested by New York saying the union looked forward to all the parties board members in August. convening “as soon as possible.” SAG leaders have been The producers’ group is expected to pressing for the union to meet with federal mediator Juan Carlos Gonzalez seek an immediate strike on Thursday. Gonzalez was involved last year authorization vote from in a mediation between studios and the Writers members to boost their Page 5 SPORTS oct. 27, 2008

Basketball

Arizona had planned to name associate head coach Mike Dunlap as 's interim replacement Thursday. But Dunlap asked for more time before accepting the position. Dunlap was offered the interim position Thursday after Olson resigned but wanted to sleep on it, ESPN. com has learned. Dunlap arrived in Tucson last spring after spending the last two seasons as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets. Dunlap was the head coach at Metro State in Denver, Colo., for nine years prior, winning two Division II national championships. Dunlap was a professional coach in the Australia national league prior to Metro State. He has been mentioned for a number of head coaching jobs of late, including his received at Arizona. However, O'Neill said and the traditions need to be continued. It's alma mater, Loyola Marymount. he is now committed as an assistant with just like the job Ben Howland has done at If Dunlap decides he doesn't want the Memphis Grizzlies. UCLA. It's always difficult for the guy that the job, Arizona athletic director Jim Former assistant was follows coach Wooden, for example. It was Livengood will have to decide whether to relieved of his duties and former assistant really difficult. I'm not saying it's going to name new assistant interim took a top assistant job at the be as difficult as it was there because that coach, find a temporary coach for the University of Memphis. would not be a truthful statement. But it will season or bring in a permanent coach. Pastner could be an option if be a challenge anytime someone has been San Francisco got Eddie Sutton on loan Dunlap turns down the job. On Monday, here as long as I've been here." midway through last season after abruptly Olson told ESPN: "Josh wants to come back During Monday's practice, Dunlap firing Jessie Evans. here eventually as a head coach. But there was the dominant coaching voice. ESPN. The Wildcats also have a third new was strong feeling that there was no way com was at the McKale Center and while assistant, former Arizona player Reggie that could happen unless he had something Olson was on the court during practice, Geary. else on his resume. Dunlap appeared to be running most Another possibility could be in- "Josh has been like a son to me for of the drills. Arizona took Tuesday off house. Jim Rosborough, longtime Olson years and years and I think he feels the same from practice. Olson wasn't at practice assistant, moved into the administration way about me as I feel about him," Olson Wednesday because of illness. Dunlap ran when Olson hired Kevin O'Neill in the said. "It was a very difficult situation with practice Wednesday and Thursday. spring of 2007 as an interim coach. Josh [to see him leave]." As soon as an interim coach is O'Neill, who coached the Wildcats If a national search takes place in named, the Wildcats will turn their attention last season while Olson took a leave of the spring many high-profile names -- like to retaining three committed players: Abdul absence, was named Olson's successor at Gonzaga's Mark Few -- would be bandied Gaddy (Tacoma, Wash.), Solomon Hill (Los a December news conference. But after about. But it would be difficult to pry Few Angeles) and Mike Moser (Portland, Ore.). the season, Olson returned and O'Neill away from a job that he has made one The weeklong early signing period begins decided he didn't want to be an assistant. of the premier posts in the country. The Nov. 12. If Arizona loses the recruits the Reached late Thursday, O'Neill Wildcats might have a hard time pulling effects of Olson leaving could be felt into said he didn't take a settlement from any established coaches to follow Olson. 2010-11. Arizona. He said he walked away without During that same interview Monday, The Wildcats could also lose a contract stating he's the next coach. Olson said this about Arizona basketball: juniors Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill to O'Neill said he had great respect for Olson "It's a great basketball program the NBA draft, making the 2009-10 team and was grateful of the opportunity he whether I'm here or somebody else is here even more depleted. Page 6 WORLD oct. 27, 2008 Somalia have held the ship for more than two weeks. harm their hostages, instead holding out for a Sugule Ali, a spokesman for the pirates, ransom that often exceeds $1 million. Somali forces raided one of the many said by satellite telephone that negotiations But international pressure on the ships hijacked off the country's coast Sunday as with the shipping company were continuing. pirates is growing. NATO said Thursday it a deadline loomed in a standoff aboard another, Regarding the ransom, he said: "It is before would send seven ships to the treacherous arms-laden vessel, officials said. Tuesday or never." waters where pirates are negotiating the release Troops in northern Somalia's Pirates have seized more than two of the Faina. U.S. warships are surrounding semiautonomous Puntland region unsuccessfully dozen ships this year off the Horn of Africa, the ship, and a Russian vessel is on the way as tried to take back a ship that was hijacked by but the Faina has drawn the most international well. pirates on Thursday, said Ali Abdi Aware, attention because of its dangerous cargo. Many There are 20 Ukrainian, Latvian and Puntland's foreign minister. He said two pirates fear the weapons on board could end up in the Russian crew members on board. were killed. hands of Islamic militants in Somalia. The ship's Russian captain died of a The vessel, which carrying cement, The ship's operator, Tomex Corp. in heart condition soon after the hijacking nearly is believed to have Syrian and Somali crew on Odessa, has not commented on negotiations. two weeks ago, officials in Moscow say. board. The thrat by the pirates on the Faina Lt. Stephanie Murdock, a spokeswoman "Our forces are chasing the ship was unusual. Pirates operating off Somalia rarely for the 5th Fleet, which is based in Bahrain and and we hope to rescue it," Aware said in helps monitor Somalia's coast, said a telephone interview from Puntland, a there were no significant developments hotbed of piracy. Sunday. Meanwhile, pirates on the A nation of around 8 million people, Ukrainian MV Faina, which is carrying 33 Somalia has not had a functioning tanks and other heavy weapons, continued government since 1991. A quarter of to demand ransom money before releasing Somali children die before age 5 and the ship and its 20 crew. nearly every public institution has The pirates have threatened collapsed. In the capital, Mogadishu, to destroy the vessel Monday night or thousands of civilians have died over the early Tuesday unless the shipowners pay past 18 months in a ferocious, Iraq-style a ransom of up to US$20 million. They insurgency.

"The crisis has choked credit flows "a great opportunity for China to show a sense India and predictably spilled over to the stock of responsibility". market. We have to prevent the liquidity crisis from becoming a crisis of confidence in the India is due to make its debut at the international monetary and financial system," highest level at an Asia-Europe meeting where he said. the global economic crisis is expected to 'Timely' dominate the discussions. The EU Commission president Jose Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Manuel Barros has said the bloc must achieve Singh has arrived in Beijing to join leaders of "unprecedented" co-operation with Asia to 44 countries at the weekend for the seventh resolve he economic crisis. Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). "The present gathering could not Mr Singh will meet a number of world be more timely," Mr Barros told reporters in leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Beijing. "We face challenges which don't respect Climate change, trade, energy and food any borders. security are also expected to be on the summit "No-one in Europe or Asia can agenda. seriously pretend to be immune. We are Mr Singh arrived in Beijing after a living in unprecedented times, and we need three-day official visit to Japan. unprecedented levels of global co-ordination." It is still unclear whether Mr Singh Mr Barroso said the world needed Asia would formally meet Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza - particularly China, India and Japan - to "be on Gilani, who is also attending the summit. board". Mr Singh told reporters in Tokyo that "It's very simple: we sink together or the global financial crisis had revealed the we swim together." vulnerability of global finance. Mr Barroso also said the situation was