www.hood.army.mil/1stcavdiv/ “Telling the MND-Baghdad Story” Monday, Nov. 26, 2007

(Photo by Cpl. Ben Washburn, 4-1 Inf. Div. Public Affairs) Leading the Way

Somerset, Ky., native Spc. Sheena Griffin, a medic with Company C, 610th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, leads a group of Soldiers through an unfin- ished hospital in the Jihad neighborhood of Baghdad's Rashid District, Nov. 24. The 4th IBCT plans to assist the Iraqi government in building a hospital on the site. Police Transition Team Helping to Instill Pride in the Force

By Pfc. Nathaniel Smith Leader’s Course, training future noncommis- Parker, the team’s chief of staff from Snyder, 4-1 Inf. Div. Public Affairs sioned officers on everything from drill and Texas, said the groups are a vital piece of the ceremony to weapons maintenance and disci- overall effort in Iraq. BAGHDAD – In southern pline. “The teams are important because we’re Baghdad’s Doura region, change is in the air. Master Sgt. Donald Sherman, the senior the eyes and ears. We interact daily with the To the naked eye, it may not seem so, noncommissioned officer of the transition Iraqi Security Forces,” the West Point gradu- but anyone who spends a little time around team from Salem, Ala., relies on his experi- ate said. “We can get the idea of what the the 7th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police ence at the U.S. Army Airborne School to Iraqis are looking for. We try to mesh the Division headquarters can see it. train Iraqi NCO’s. U.S. plans together with the Iraqi plans. They’ll see Iraqis training Iraqis, non- “It’s the same as training our guys,” said “Current Army plans have the NPTT’s commissioned officers showing pride in their Sherman, who was a first sergeant at the Fort in the lead to decrease the overall number of own NCO Corps, and a new generation of Benning, Ga., school for three years. “It’s the forces in country and for the eventual total leaders in the Iraqi Security Forces develop- same thing only you’re using an interpreter. withdrawal. We’re only right at the beginning ing in their country’s time of need. They grasp the concepts the same. They’re of the process, but we’ll start moving that All in a day’s work for the 7-2 National just as intelligent as our guys.” way so we can fully withdraw the forces. Police Transition Team. The WLC is only one aspect of the 7-2 The 7-2 NPTT has started a Warrior NPTT’s operations and purpose. Maj. Joseph See Training Page 3 Page 2 Valor Nov. 26, 2007

Decorating Stallions

(Top) South Garnett, S.C., native Sgt. 1st Class Freddie Housey; Staff Sgt. James Copeland, from Kirwin, Kan.; Sgt. Silvio Ortega of Hileah, Fla.; and Quincy, Ill. native Spc. Matthew, all of Company D, 2nd “Stallion” Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment stand near their company area after receiving the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for valor during an award ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq Nov. 23. (Right) Col. Paul E. Funk II, commander, 1st "Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division presents the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device to Highlands Ranch, Colo. native Capt. Corey Wallace, executive officer of Company D, 2nd “Stallion” Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, during an award ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq Nov. 23. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp, 1-1 Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

Arabic Phrase Iraq of the Day 3-Day hafla moosiiqiyya Weather Today Tomorrow Wednesday Defined: Report High: 66 High: 68 High: 73 concert Low: 45 Low: 45 Low: 45

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 Editor: Sgt. Jerome Bishop the Daily Charge are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Staff Writers: Sgt. Mark B. Matthews, Spc. Angel D. Martinez, Spc. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 1st Cavalry Division. Elvyn Nieves, and Pfc. April Campbell All editorial content of the Daily Charge is prepared, edited, provided and approved by1st Contributing Writers: Pfc. Nathaniel Smith Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office. Page 3 News Nov. 26, 2007

Baghdad in Brief Soldiers Seize Three Caches in Rashid 4-1 Inf. Div. Public Affairs

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers found three caches during operations in the Rashid District Nov. 22. While on patrol “Warriors” of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry (Photo by Pfc. Nathaniel Smith, 4-1 Inf. Div. Public Affairs) Division, attached to the 4th Sgt. Ahmed Kamir, a member of the 7th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Division from Karbala, Iraq, trains his fellow 'Shurta,' Arabic for police, on prop- Inf. Div., found 25 82mm mortar er muzzle awareness at Joint Security Station Doura in South Baghdad, Oct. 23. rounds hidden in a hole in the Doura area of the district. At approximately noon, “Tuskers” of 4th Battalion, 64th NPs Train on Better NCO Skills Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Kamir, an NCO in the brigade from Karbala, From Page 1 Infantry Division, from Fort Training Iraq, trained his fellow ‘Shurta,’ Arabic for Stewart, Ga., attached to the 4th police, on the basics of the AK-47, the NP’s IBCT, found a Dragonov sniper We’re just the vanguards of that effort.” primary weapon. rifle, four shotguns and a rifle in an That’s where the WLC comes into play. Kamir, a graduate from a prior class of abandoned house in southwest Sherman said a stronger, more capable NCO the WLC, said he was thankful for the Rashid. Corps among the ISF could allow them to opportunity to learn and teach. Earlier that day, scouts of better conduct day-to-day operations, result- “I am very proud of this course, and I Troop B, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry ing in fewer U.S. forces being needed in the wish to thank the Coalition Forces for this Regiment, found an AK-47 and region. course. They do their best to teach us,” he three mortar fuses hidden in a bush “It’s good; the sooner we get it done, the said. outside a home in the eastern side sooner we’ll go through the transition,” he Kamir added that not only is the course of Doura. said. “The sooner they can stand up on their valuable, but the students of it are showing All the weapons found were own, the sooner we can execute an about- potential. taken to Coalition bases for dispos- face and get out of here.” “I think they are very good men; they al. In the 7-2 NP’s, already Iraqis have are very good fighters,” he said. “Each one started training each other. Sgt. Ahmed of them is capable of being a leader.” Page 4 Entertainment Nov. 26, 2007 ‘Standing for Something’

(Photo by Pfc. April Campbell, 27th PAD) Country music singer Aaron Tippin entertains troops at the Camp Liberty Post Exchange in western Baghdad, Nov. 24. Aaron Tippin Performs for MND-B Soldiers at Liberty PX By Pfc. April Campbell bers) are doing.” 27th PAD Elkton, Md., native Spc. William Fletcher, a military police officer with the CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Seeing an 153rd Military Police Company, said Tippin entertainer from home while serving in a war is one of the musicians that made him like zone helps to boost the morale of many country music. Soldiers. “I think the song ‘You’ve Got to Stand Country music singer Aaron Tippin for Something’ was really good,” Fletcher gave troops that opportunity with his per- said. “(Tippin) got the crowd into it. That was formance on a stage set up outside the Post about the loudest point in the whole show.” Exchange at this western Baghdad base Others, like Baltimore native Sgt. 1st camp, Nov. 24. This is Tippin’s second Class Michael Cunningham, operations ser- visit to troops in Iraq since Operation Iraqi geant and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Freedom began in 2003. representative with the 58th Infantry Brigade Entertaining troops is nothing new to Combat Team, Maryland Army National Tippin, who first performed for service Guard, also noted Tippin’s appreciation of the members in Saudi Arabia with Bob Hope in (Photo by Pfc. April Campbell, 27th PAD) troops. 1990. Tippin said his patriotism is inspired Country music singer Aaron Tippin “(Tippin) seemed like he was really sin- by both his father and the Vietnam veterans. puts his microphone up close while cere and he really cared,” Cunningham said. “Those guys came home to such a Lufkin, Texas native Spc. Ross Gray, Before Tippin finished singing for the sad welcome, to something they really a generator mechanic with the 2nd evening, he presented one Soldier – Lufkin, didn’t deserve just for doing their duty,” Stryker Cavalry Regiment, plays his Texas native Spc. Ross Gray, a generator said Tippin. “I will not let any Soldiers, new acoustic guitar. mechanic with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry anybody, come home to a sad welcome Regiment – with an autographed guitar. like those (veterans) experienced. said. After the last song, Tippin took the time Not only does he enjoy coming to “I tell (the audience) what I saw,” to talk with service members and autograph perform for the troops, but he also takes Tippin said. “I tell them just how much pictures for them. While it took nearly two his first-hand experience here and talks (the service members) are doing over here hours, Tippin signed a picture for everyone about it at home during his shows, he and how much good (the service mem- who waited in line.