Spartans Hand Reins to Vanguard Brigade

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Volume 1, Issue 18 December 6, 2007 Serving Task Force Marne and MND-Center Thanksgiving Day coverage Pages 6-7

Soldier receives arsity Purple Heart V Soldiers from Co. B, 1-15th Page 3 Inf. Regt. run to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to return to COP Cahill Nov. 25. March Sgt. Timothy Kingston Offensive ops lead to capture of HVI Spc. Ben Hutto Sayafiyah, a small village outside “According to our intelligence, have taken a very dangerous per- 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. of Salman Pak, Nov. 24. the insurgent we apprehended son off the streets and made the One detainee was a high value was an expert bomb maker and area safer.” FOB HAMMER — Soldiers individual, a member of al-Qa- (vehicle borne improvised ex- During the course of the oper- from Company B, 1st Battalion, eda in Iraq wanted for weapons plosive device) maker,” said 1st ation Co. B Soldiers cleared eight 15th Infantry Regiment, captured smuggling and financing attacks Lt. Matthew Barwick, from Lan- houses and barns while search- 13 suspected insurgents during a on Coalition forces in Salman ham, Md., fire support officer for Marne nighttime air assault mission in Pak and Al Ja’ara. Co. B. “By apprehending him, we See VARSITY, Page 9 Courageous Spartan Soldier Page 5 Spartans hand reins awarded for heroism Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky to Vanguard Brigade 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. FOB KALSU — Soldiers in the 1st Battalion, Pfc. Amanda McBride 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. Team, 3rd Infantry Division, took time Nov. 22 to thank a fellow Soldier for actions performed FOB KALSU — The 4th Brigade Combat Team in the line of fire. (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Sgt. Michael Trump, from Terre Haute, Ind., Alaska, officially handed over operations of Forward was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor in a cer- Operating Base Kalsu and its surrounding areas to the emony at Patrol Base Murray. 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Trump’s heroic acts occurred during what Stewart, Ga., in a transfer of authority ceremony held started as a routine combat patrol that morphed at the 4th Brigade Quad Courtyard Saturday. into anything but typical. The Paratroopers from the 4th BCT (Abn.), 25th Inf. On July 24, a squad of Company A Bradley Div. deployed to Iraq in October 2006 and have partic- fighting vehicles was conducting reconnaissance Kalsu baptismal Pfc. Amanada McBride ipated in combat operations in Anbar, Baghdad, South operations in Maderiyah, hunting for terrorists Soldiers and Paratroopers Baghdad, Babil, Najaf, Karbala, Diwaniyah and along ceremony present the colors during Page 11 the TOA ceremony Dec. 1 See TOA, Page 9 See VALOR, Page 9 Marne Focus, page 2 MND-Center December 6, 2007

Marne 6 sends Safety standards keep Soldiers alive ‘Leaders should never allow unnecessary risks’ ven though we are Safety losses are a result of a ers and smashing their fingers forward deployed, lack of adherence to standards, in vehicle doors and turrets appearance matters and Task Force Marne has suf- – all of these risks can be miti- — you should look as fered two fatal accidents over gated by leader involvement Egood as you are. And our Sol- the past month. and creative thinking. diers are the very best. When a Soldier dies in com- In 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry When we wear the uniform bat it is because the enemy has Division, leaders developed the — Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, a vote, but these two Soldiers concept of placing floors every and Marines — we represent did not have to die. six feet in guard towers so that the United States Armed Forc- We lost one Soldier when he if Soldiers fall, they fall only es. This means that we keep found UXO while conducting a six feet and not 30 feet. our hair cut and that we stay police call. The Soldier and his Other accidents are pre- within the uniform standard. battle buddy dug up an uniden- vented by a simple adherence Every Soldier should carry the tified plastic object resembling to standards. Eye protection, Task Force Marne Standards a caulk gun. When they banged gloves, ear plugs, IBAs, and Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch book which clearly outlines the it against a concrete wall to Task Force Marne commander proper head gear are simple standards for Multi-National remove the dirt, the object ex- examples of simple ways to Division – Center. ploded. our Soldiers are taking their mitigate risks. Leaders should always been One of the Soldiers was time and are not rushing to fail- As I travel the battlefield, I enforcing the standard. I am killed instantly and his bat- ure in a quest to complete the expect that leaders post Marne concerned when I see dirty tle buddy sustained shrapnel mission. Safety Alerts for Soldiers to windshields because it indi- wounds to his arms. Leaders should never allow read — accidents are not only cates a lack of PMCS. Ten days later we lost anoth- Soldiers to take unnecessary preventable, but something With winter weather quickly er Soldier when he fell eight to risks. When it comes to non- from which we can learn. approaching, leaders need to 10 feet while trying to gain ac- standard equipment, we need ensure Soldiers are following cess to a rooftop using a front to address the risks and miti- proper procedures because the end bucket loader as a lifting gate them. ROCK OF probability of accidents in- device. Across Task Force Marne, creases. As leaders we need to ensure Soldiers are falling out of tow- THE MARNE! Veteran shares experience, hope with Marne Soldiers Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback burned when a phosphorous gre- their country. giving, mixed ith well-placed Pfc. Monica K. Smith nade he was preparing to throw He spoke to 3rd Infantry Di- humor, which gripped his audi- MND-C PAO was shot by a sniper and explod- vision Soldiers at Camps Victory ence. He talked about how love ed in his hand, inches from his and Striker Nov. 28. and support from his wife helped CAMP VICTORY — Dave Ro- face. He was hospitalized for 14 The story Roever told, which him endure his pain and accept ever, a Vietnam veteran, served months and underwent numer- had tears welling up in the eyes his fate. in the Navy as a river boat gun- ous surgeries. of many in attendance, was not a Roever says he enjoys speak- ner in the Brown Water Black Today, Roever is a motiva- tragedy, though. ing to Soldiers in theater and is Beret. tional speaker on his fourth visit It was a testimony of his life especially concerned about the Eight months into his tour of to Iraq thanking Soldiers for the from the time of his injury till to- welfare of the families of de- duty, Roever was unrecognizably sacrifice they make in serving day — a story of perseveranc and ployed Soldiers.

Editorial Staff Managing Editor – Master Sgt. Marcia Triggs Editor – Sgt. Michael Connors Marne Focus is an authorized publication for Layout – Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft members of Task Force Marne and its support Contributing Writers – Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback, Staff Sgt. Carlos Lazo, Sgt. Benjamin Brody, Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft assets in accordance with Army Regulation 360- Graphics – Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback, Spc. William Hatton 1. Contents of Marne Focus are not necessarily TASK FORCE MARNE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Gov- Contributing Units ernment, Department of Defense, Department Commanding General – Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major – Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse L. Andrews Jr. 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division of the Army or Task Force Marne. All editorial 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) content of Marne Focus is prepared, edited, pro- Task Force Marne Public Affairs Staff 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division vided and approved by the Task Force Marne 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office. This publication can be TF Marne PAO – Lt. Col. Randy Martin 214th Fires Brigade TF Marne Deputy PAO – Maj. Alayne Conway 7th Sustainment Brigade found at www.dvidshub.net. Contact the man- TF Marne PA NCOIC – Master Sgt. Marcia Triggs 720th Military Police Battalion aging editor, Master Sgt. Marcia Triggs, at mar- TF Marne PA Ops – Sgt. 1st Class Craig Zentkovich Mobile Unit 3 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion [email protected]. 875th Engineering Battalion December 6, 2007 MND-Center Marne Focus, page 3 Purple Hearts awarded to 3-1 Cav. troopers Spc. Ben Hutto “I’m extremely proud of both of them.” 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. Kane thanked everyone for their sup- port, but admitted that the award was COP CASHE — Two Soldiers from 2nd something that he was not looking to re- platoon, Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cav- ceive during his current tour in Iraq. alry Regiment, were awarded Purple Heart “This is definitely an award that I didn’t medals during a ceremony at Combat Out- want to receive, but I’ll take it,” Kane said. post Cashe Nov. 29. “I’m just glad it wasn’t worse.” Staff Sgt. Sean Kane, from San Jose, Ca- Menillo said at the time, he didn’t really lif., a squad leader in 2nd platoon, and Spc. know that he was injured. David Menillo, from Fairfield, Conn., the His duties as a combat medic caused medic for 2nd squad, were both praised by him to focus on the job at hand and help Maj. Andrew Koloski, from Juneau, Alaska, Kane. the executive officer of 3-1 Cav. Regt., for “It happened so fast that I didn’t re- their actions Aug. 18 when they sustained ally have time to realize it,” he said. “I was injuries during a suicide bomber attack at dazed, but the adrenaline kicked in and I a Concerned Local Citizens meeting in Jisr just did my job. I knew my body was all in Diyala. one piece so I wasn’t too worried.” First Lt. Mike Barth, from El Segundo, After the ceremony, Soldiers from Com- Calif., the platoon leader for 2nd squad, pany D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regi- witnessed the incident and was on hand to ment, the unit to which the squad is cur- recognize his two Soldiers. rently attached, filed by and shook hands “The amazing thing about the whole with the two Soldiers. situation was that, despite being injured, “Both guys are outstanding Soldiers and Spc. Ben Hutto both Soldiers kept doing their jobs and deserve the awards they received,” Barth maintained a high level of professionalism said. “I’m just thankful that they are still Maj. Andrew Koloski pins the Purple Heart medal on Staff Sgt. Sean Kane dur- throughout the whole incident,” Barth said. with us and the incident wasn’t fatal.” ing an awards ceremony at COP Cashe Nov. 29. MNC-I commander tours Nahrwan, re-enlists Soldiers Maj. Joe Sowers Maj. Luis Rivera, from Puerto 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. Rico, the 1-10th FA executive offi- ROCK OF cer, led Odierno on a tour of COP FOB HAMMER — Multi-Na- Salie, a medical clinic and a local tional Corps – Iraq commander market adjacent to the new out- THE MARNE! Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno toured post. Nahrwan with leaders of the 3rd Prior to leaving the outpost to Heavy Brigade Combat Team see the clinic and market, Odier- Nov. 29. no re-enlisted three Soldiers and The 1st Battalion, 10th Field presented awards to six others. Artillery assumed responsibility “It (re-enlisting) says a lot of Nahrwan and the surrounding about yourselves; your discipline, area in mid-October. your dedication and your selfless Since then, the battalion estab- service,” Odierno told the Sol- lished Combat Outpost Salie and diers prior to the re-enlistment conducted more than 200 patrols ceremony. “I don’t do anything. to eliminate a potential extremist It is Soldiers like you that make a sanctuary. difference.” Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., Pfc. Alexander Copland, from from Prince George’s County, Md., Garden City, Mich., Pfc. Rich- commander of the 3rd HBCT, ex- ard Havellana, from Anchorage, plained to Odierno that Nahrwan Alaska, and Pfc. Lucero Hernan- has been an area of focus for the dez-Velasquez, from Tijuana, brigade for some time, and things Mexico, all from Company G, continue to get better. 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, Grigsby also emphasized the re-enlisted during the ceremony. work done by Troop B, 3rd Squad- Company G is in direct support of ron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, prior the 1-10th FA. to the arrival of the 1-10th FA. Odierno pinned Army Com- “It didn’t happen overnight,” mendation Medals on Pfc. Justin Grigsby said. “We’ve been clear- Ballard, from Memphis, Tenn., ing this place for seven months. It Pfc. Justin Hayes, from Clarks- was a sanctuary for extremists.” burg, W. Va., Spc. Nathan Miller, Grigsby further explained that from Parkersburg, W.Va., Sgt. the deployment of the 1-10th FA Jonathon Pratt, from Wilming- to Nahrwan is the “hold” step in Staff Sgt. Curtis Cashour ton, Ohio, Sgt. Jonathon Nicholas, the 3rd HBCT “clear, hold, build” Maj. Luis Rivera, from Puerto Rico, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery executive officer, leads Lt. from Bessemer, Ala., and Staff Sgt. strategy for Nahrwan. Gen. Raymond Odierno on a tour of a market in Nahrwan Nov. 29. Peter Dees, from Elkhart, Ind. Marne Focus, page 4 MND-Center December 6, 2007 CLC program benefits Coalition, Iraqis Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback MND-C PAO

PB WARRIOR KEEP — In big business it is sometimes better to merge two companies in effort to make one large company with more capability. In most cases, the resulting unity profits both companies. The Concerned Local Citizens program works much the same way. Members of the CLC program who live and operate in the area around Sadr Al Yusufiyah, Patrol Base Warrior Keep, have been operating checkpoints, watching for insurgent activity and working with Coalition Forces. Helping to maintain security in the area pays off for the CLCs because it not only gives them a safer area to live, but also a safer Photos by Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback place to work. Members of CLC groups in the Sadr Al Yusufiyah area wait out- There are approximately 1,500 side PB Warrior Keep to receive their wages Nov. 19. CLCs in the Sadr Al Yusufiyah area — far more than there are “It’s got the risks of being a police Warrior Keep to receive wages Soldiers. officer, but not the risks of sneak- Nov. 19 and it gave the Rakkasans Many of those 1,500 were ing through the night and poten- a chance to enter people’s identifi- struggling to make ends meet be- tially getting shot … Now they’re cation information into Handheld fore the introduction of the pro- more interested in ending all the Interagency Identity Detection gram. Not having enough money violence around their own homes Equipment. to support their families, some and their own people,” he said. Spc. Justin Arfa, an infantry- took payment to do the dirty work Ending violence in their home man with Co. D, said it is basically of insurgents. town is a common goal for the a database system that they are “A lot of them will tell you they CLCs and the Rakkasans of Co. D, entered into. used to do whatever they could for but there are still insurgent influ- When Soldiers go to a CLC money. If they were offered mon- ences in the area. checkpoint, they can bring the ey to attack U.S. Forces, it was Fighting the insurgency means system with them and make sure just a job. They needed to provide some are forced into difficult de- people are who they say they are To ensure Concerned Local Citizens are who they claim to be, for their families so they took it,” cisions. and that they’re actually supposed their biometric identification information is entered into the HI- said Sgt. Zachariah Younker, a Younker said he is convinced to be there. IDE system to be verified at Patrol Base Warrior Keep. forward observer with Company the area is coming around. The HIIDE system works simi- D, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry “In Sadr Al Yusufiyah specifi- larly to the Biometric Automated ly the same size as a studio quality “They’re very helpful,” Arfa Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat cally,” Younker said. “The people Toolset by capturing and catalog- camera, eliminating the need for said. “They’re definitely helping Team, 101st Airborne Division are taking more control of their ing biometric identification infor- a laptop and several minutes of to secure the areas where they are (Air Assault). own security and, therefore, their mation. HIIDE does not replace setup and teardown time. living. “The CLC program has pretty own destiny. We’ve had a father the BAT system, but it is better Having more time to spend “The (improvised explosive de- much taken the place of that and who turned in his own son. That suited for tactical and “outside working with the CLCs has let the vices) have gone way down since they understand it’s more perma- was kind of the turning point in the wire” operations. rapport between the Soldiers and (the CLCs) have been implement- nent employment with a lot less my mind.” Everything is self-contained in the citizens grow, improving the ed. It’s made the area a lot safer inherent risks,” Younker added. CLC members came into PB the HIIDE, which is approximate- area at the same time. for everyone.” Mada’in Qada sets record lows for crime Sgt. Natalie Rostek ders. This year we expect to have about 290 ties,” Cain said. 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. murders,” said Maj. David Fivecoat, from Mada’in Iraqi Police District Com- Delaware, Ohio, 3rd HBCT operations of- mander, Brig. Gen. Adnan Jamad FOB HAMMER — Iraqi Police in the ficer. “The downward trend in murders is Kathim said through a translator, Mada’in Qada reported yearly lows for vio- due to several reasons: the work of the Sol- “misdemeanor crime decreased 40 lent crime to officers of the 3rd Heavy Bri- diers of the 3rd HBCT, the development of percent, improvised explosive device gade Combat Team Nov. 30. over 3,000 Concerned Local Citizens, and incidents decreased 66 percent and lect- The 3rd HBCT deployed to Iraq in March the continued improvement of the Iraqi car bombings decreased 100 percent ed and in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Police. The decrease in murders is a key in- from October.” taken to the and has operated in the qada, southeast of dicator that safety and security are return- Cain believes Iraqi Police training is a judge, Cain said, a warrant is issued for the Baghdad, throughout the deployment. ing to the qada. It is an encouraging sign significant factor in the criminal activity arrest or the individual already detained is Iraqi Police in the qada forward crime for its 1.2 million residents.” decrease in the qada as well. permitted to be held pending a trial date. statistics to their Coalition Force partners Capt. Liz Cain, 59th Military Police Dozens of Policemen have attended the “The completion of this process and the at the end of each month. The statistics are Company commander, attributes the drop Ministry of Interior investigative courses in actual convictions and jailing of criminals compiled by police officers at the five police in crime to improvements in the Iraqi Po- Baghdad. have increased the population’s trust in the stations throughout the qada. lice, security, and the economy. She further “Recently, many Iraqi Policemen have Iraqi Police and encourages them to call For November, Iraqi Police reported explained that Concerned Local Citizen been educated on crime scene procedures the police at the first sign of suspicious be- eight murders and five kidnappings. This is groups have contributed to the improving and evidence collection,” she said. “They havior,” Cain said. “This trust between the a significant drop from the yearly high in security situation. have come back from the MOI investiga- populace and the Iraqi Police has grown May of 37 murders and 22 kidnappings. “These individuals are not only taking tive course with the ability to piece a case and they have become partners in fighting “In 2005 the Mada’in Qada had 355 a stand against terrorists, but also against together.” crime. We can expect the crime levels to murders. In 2006 the qada had 631 mur- lawless behavior within their communi- When evidence and paperwork is col- continue to drop.” December 6, 2007 MND-Center Marne Focus, page 5

Rakkasans establish Euphrates foothold Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy diers knocked on hundreds of doors in an at- 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT) tempt to identify anti-coalition forces and al- Qaeda and seek information that might lead to CAMP STRIKER — The Rakkasans are mak- the whereabouts of Spc. Alex Jiminez and Pvt. ing significant progress in the follow-on phases Byron Fouty from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, of Operation Marne Courageous which kicked 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), who off in mid-November. went missing May 12. Now well into the mission, multiple weap- “Our objective was to talk to each Owetian Photos by Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback ons and explosives caches have been recov- about (the missing) Soldiers, search every Above: Soldiers and translators prepare for an air assault in a CH-47 ered, insurgent activity has been thwarted and structure and field, establish Patrol Base Kem- Chinook en route to Owesat in support of Marne Courageous Nov. 16. the operation is progressing smoothly. ple, set the conditions for Concerned Local Cit- Top: Soldiers from 502nd Eng. Co. ferried heavy equipment, to include The construction of Patrol Base Kemple izens involvement in Owesat, and develop an dump trucks loaded with lime for use in making a landing, from Fire is ahead of schedule and all force-protection assessment of the needs of the Owetians,” said Base Dragon to the west bank of the Euphrates River. measures have been emplaced. Maj. Will Beck, executive officer for 3-187th “The Rakkasans’ mission to establish a foot- Inf. Regt. print just west of the Euphrates proved to be a Concerned Local Citizens have begun to es- success and the quintessential model of coun- tablish checkpoints in the area, thereby deny- ter-insurgency operations as defined in Field ing insurgents freedom of movement. Manual 3-24,” said Col. Dominic J. Caraccilo, “The CLCs have proven themselves to be a commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, proven force capable of guarding key infrastruc- 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). ture and maintaining fixed positions control- “The stars definitely lined up for us on this ling access,” said Maj. Curtis Crum, operations mission,” said Maj. David Jones, operations of- officer for 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT). ficer for the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regi- “CLCs become target groups for economic op- ment, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT). “We portunities, Iraqi Security Force recruitment conducted the largest air assault since Opera- and future job-placement programs.” tion Swarmer without incident and delivered a As a means to continue receiving the sup- decisive blow to al-Qaeda. port of the people of Owesat, Company A, 3- “If there is any enemy that still remains in 187th Inf. Regt. hosted a veterinary operation Owesat, they no longer have free reign and are and coordinated medical engagement. incapable of coordinating significant attacks,” The veterinary operation was held Nov. 29 in Jones said. Owesat and Nov. 30 in North Qarghuli Village Marne Courageous is aimed at securing the to provide veterinary care for the livestock. population of Owesat and Al Betra, former in- A team of four medical personnel saw nearly surgent sanctuaries, by establishing a perma- 200 residents at a CME Dec. 2 with issues such nent presence on the west side of the Euphra- as chronic illnesses, upper-respiratory infec- tes River. tions, trauma from previous war wounds, and The operation officially began Nov.16 with even cerebral palsy. the bombing of an island that was a suspected “We want to let the local population know insurgent safehaven and an air assault into we care and that we want to help them,” said An explosives-finding Marine working dog, with handler, assisted in en- Owesat and Al Betra. Dr. (Lt. Col.) Grant Foster, battalion surgeon suring security during Operation Marne Courageous Nov. 16. Along with elements of the Iraqi Army, Sol- for the 3-187th Inf. Regt. Marne Focus, page 6 MND-Center December 6, 2007 A Task Force Marne Thanksgiving

Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky Above: Second Lt. Kim Landry, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., 1st Lt. Brittany Britton and 1st Lt. Kate Wardlow, both Company A, 4 BTB, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., celebrate together as they rush toward the finish line on the FOB Kalsu Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K run. Below: Col. Dan Ball (left), commander, Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd In- fantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Stidley, 3rd CAB, carve the Thanksgiving turkey at 3rd CAB’s flight line dining facility.

Sgt. 1st Class Jason Brown, from Macon, Ga., NCO in charge of the before they eat Thanksgiving dinner at the Hammer Dining Facility 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team’s fire support element, says grace Nov. 22 at FOB Hammer. “If home is where you hang your hat, then with Sgt. Steve McKissock, from Boca Raton, Fla., 3rd HBCT FSE, this is home, and these guys are my family,” Brown said. Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Mills Marne Soldiers celebrate holiday away from home MND-C PAO “For the last four to five months, Soldiers and contrac- BAGHDAD — Whether de- tors spent many hours planning ployed overseas or celebrating and preparing that special item Thanksgiving in the traditions of for this special event in support of the holiday stateside, Task Force all Coalition Soldiers,” said Mas- Marne families can rest assured ter Sgt. Anthony Brown, MND-C that their deployed Soldier re- Food Service Sergeant Major. ceived the same first-rate atten- Serving more than 20,000 TF tion with a holiday feast and all Marne troops in over eight dining the trimmings in areas in and facilities across MND-C, the plan- around Baghdad. ning for the holiday meal begins On Nov. 22, TF Marne dining months in advance and calls on facilities served a warm holiday the specialized talents of every meal to the courageous men and food service staff member. women who defend freedom all On Thanksgiving Day, TF around Multi-National Division Marne served approximately: - Center. • 8,300 pounds of turkey thighs John Cordes Soldiers from 214th Fires Brigade verify their weapons’ accuracy at a FOB Delta range Nov. 22. December 6, 2007 MND-Center Marne Focus, page 7 A Task Force Marne Thanksgiving

Sgt. Luis Delgadillo

Above: Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, Multi-National Divi- sion – Center commander, speaks with Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Iskandiriyah, during a Thanksgiving Day visit. Left: Col. Tom James, com- mander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div., carries a container of Thanksgiving chow to Sol- diers of military transition team 840, in Husayniyah, near Karbala, Nov. 22. James joined Col. Michael Garret, commander of the 4th BCT, 25th Inf., Div., a visit to Soldiers of their re- Spc. Ben Hutto spective BCTs. Sgt. 1st Class Jason Brown, from Macon, Ga., NCO in charge of the before they eat Thanksgiving dinner at the Hammer Dining Facility Sgt. Luis Delgadillo 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team’s fire support element, says grace Nov. 22 at FOB Hammer. “If home is where you hang your hat, then with Sgt. Steve McKissock, from Boca Raton, Fla., 3rd HBCT FSE, this is home, and these guys are my family,” Brown said. Marne Soldiers celebrate holiday away from home • 6,800 pounds of turkey breast custom-made sugar-cube sculp- • 6,500 pounds of rib eye steaks tures, ice carvings, intricately • 6, 500 pounds of shrimp carved melons, decorated turkeys, • 3,700 pounds of ham and gingerbread house villages. • 150 cases of cranberry sauce Special lighting and orna- • 145 cases of stuffing mental displays were created to • 300 cases of eggnog present a festive and celebratory • 9,500 pies appearance in the spirit of the • 600 cakes season. While menu items vary from “Most think of Thanksgiving site to site, all dining facilities had as decorations and tasty foods,” an array of assorted traditional Brown said. “Task Force Marne selections that included various food service personnel, KBR and fresh fruits, salads, vegetable dish- GCC (Gulf Catering Company) es and homemade baked goods. think of Thanksgiving by support- Food service staffs across the ing and giving the best possible TF Marne region applied their tal- meal one could ask for away from Staff Sgt. Nicholas Minecci ents to create decorations using home.” TF Marne Soldiers enjoy their Thanksgiving dinner at the Marne DFAC on Camp Victory. Marne Focus, page 8 MND-Center December 6, 2007 Flight line electricians use skills to work ‘outside the box’ Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Mills of their time outside in aircraft, their job, said Overman. 3rd CAB, 3rd Inf. Div. rather than in the conex doing Both Overman and Light got “bench work,” testing and repair- into aircraft electronics because CAMP STRIKER — Called ing the components. of the future possibilities. “black boxes” by some, many elec- “We do a little work in our shop, Light came from a long line of tronic components in the newest but not too much bench work,” electricians in his family, and he versions of the Chinook and Black said Overman. “I don’t like work- knows from his father’s experi- Hawk helicopters are compart- ing on little tiny boxes. On them ence as an electrician that it pays mentalized, making it easier to or in them.” well on the outside. He joined the pull a broken component from the The flight line electricians work Army, though, not to be just any aircraft, put it on a bench and fix on the helicopters in phase main- average electrician. it, then reinstall the component. tenance, where the aircraft are “I wanted the challenge and I In this precision world of elec- inspected on a periodic basis and wanted to be in aviation,” he said. tronic components, though, there parts that are past their shelf life Overman, on the other hand, are still those who need to go or in disrepair are replaced, said was given a choice – field artillery through the old fashioned process Sgt. Matthew Light, team leader or aircraft electrician. The choice of troubleshooting and hands-on and aircraft electrician with Co. B. was easy for him to make, he said. repair of electrical parts. They also take care of work orders “It sounded like it had a future to For that kind of work the Com- for any kind of electrical problems it.” bat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry on Chinooks and Black Hawks. Overman and Light both said Division turns to the aircraft elec- The flight line electricians will working on the aircraft, trouble- tricians. pull the part off the aircraft and shooting problems and figuring “Any time we get any write- take it in for repairs. out how to make things work cor- ups, faults, on the aircraft we “We’ll take it to the bench rectly, is more challenging than troubleshoot it then fix it,” said guys,” said Light, from Waldo- sitting in a shop slaving over a Spc. Michael Overman, an aircraft boro, Maine. “They’ll fix it, then bench. electrician, Co. B, 603rd Aviation we’ll put it back in the aircraft and Just being outside is a bonus, Support Battalion. Overman, a make sure it works.” too. Rain or shine, heat or cold, Mesa, Az. native, is with the flight Making sure it works consists Overman said he preferred work- line section of the avionics shop. of powering up the aircraft, check- ing outside on the birds. Working out of a small trailer ing all the lights and ensuring the “Any time of year for me I’d mounted conex in the 3rd CAB part does what it’s supposed to rather be on the aircraft, per- flight line maintenance hangar, do. If it doesn’t work, the electri- sonally,” he said. “It’s more of a Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Mills the aircraft electricians in the cians have to find out why, which group thing out on the bird, too. Sgt. Matthew Light checks the radios in a Black Hawk Nov. 29. flight line section spend most is one of the reasons they enjoy I like that.”

Hammer Soldiers Training as a team flock to FOB’s new PX

Sgt. Natalie Rostek amazed at how FOB Hammer has 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. changed since the brigade first ar- rived to the FOB early March. FOB HAMMER — Soldiers of April 13, FOB Hammer celebrat- the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat ed the grand opening of its first PX: team stood in line Dec. 1 awaiting two single-wide trailers setting end the opening of the new Post Ex- to end. change at FOB Hammer. Soldiers would enter one end The doors were decorated with of the first trailer, make their way balloons and streamers. A color- down the isle, and pick up items on ful cake and sparkling grape juice the way to the checkout counter at sat on a table next to the ribbon the opposite end. stretched across the threshold. “A PX like this builds combat Managers and sales associates of power,” Grigsby said. “Soldiers the Army and Air Force Exchange can come off of a mission and have Service lined the doors awaiting some normalcy. They can come the final moment when the ribbon here, get what they need and go would be cut and the first patrons back to their tents to rest and re- shopped in their store. lax. Then they are ready for anoth- AAFES of Baghdad General er combat patrol. Sledgehammer Manager Paula Gunderson spoke Soldiers deserve this. They deserve first, thanking everyone who was the best for what they have done.” involved in making the grand After the ribbon was cut, 20 at a opening possible. time, Soldiers piled into the now- “We couldn’t have done this open doors. without the help of Lt. Col. Kelly “I’m very excited about this new Lawler, 1st Lt. John Enfinger, the PX,” said Spc. Josh Mims, from wonderful AAFES staff, the Expe- Cleveland, Ohio, Battery A, 1st Bat- ditionary Red Horse Squadron (Air talion, 10th Field Artillery. “The Force engineers), and everyone old PX trailer barely held anything. Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles who was involved in making this It was small. This place has a lot A 9th Cuscatlan Battalion, El Salvador, soldier initiates an intravenous fluid drip during PX possible,” she said. more supplies. If I need something, a night-time quick reaction force exercise at Forward Operating Base Delta Nov. 29. 3rd HBCT Commander Col. I’m pretty sure I can find it here.” The exercises are done to refine and cement relations between the El Salvadoran and Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince The new PX is open from 9 a.m. Georgian soldiers. George’s County, Md., said he was to 9 p.m. seven days a week. December 6, 2007 MND-Center Marne Focus, page 9 VARSITY: New Hammer Brigade offensive ops lead to capture of high-value target From Page 1 ing for the suspects. “The operation went perfectly,” said Spc. Lyle Johnson, from Co- manche, Okla., an indirect fire specialist in Co. B. “We cleared all of our objectives and got the No. 1 HVI and 12 of his partners. We did all of this without firing a shot, so I’d say it was a good operation.” TOA: Vanguard Brigade takes over for Paratroopers Col. Dan Ball, commander, From Page 1 progress being made.” Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd The TOA marks the official start of Infantry Division said the cap- the Saudi Arabian border. the Vanguard Brigade mission in Iraq. It ture, while important to Coalition During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Rick is also the start of the brigade’s second Forces, is a significant event for Lynch, commanding general of Multi- deployment in the support of Operation Iraqis. National Division – Center, showed ap- Iraqi Freedom. Ball said the al-Qaeda leader preciation for the dedication that the “We are honored to join Task Force had no problem setting out im- Spartan Brigade showed during their Marne, the Iraqi Security Forces and provised explosive devices that tour in Iraq. the Iraqi people in their efforts to se- kill innocent people, making him “Today we celebrate one of the most cure their homeland,” said Col. Thomas a menace to women and children. magnificent brigade combat teams in the James, commander of the 4th Brigade Capturing al-Qaeda leaders United States Army,” Lynch said. “The Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. means Iraqis are more likely to 4th Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division Prior to the TOA, individual Soldiers go out to the markets, which in led from the front and achieved measur- in the Vanguard Brigade had the oppor- turn will help the economy, he ex- able success over the last 15 months. tunity to transition with their counter- plained. “As I go back to the battlefield, I look parts from the Spartan Brigade to en- “I think in the bigger scheme Pfc. Amanada McBride in AO Spartan, it’s amazing to me (to sure the overall transition from one unit of things what we’re doing by tak- Vanguard Soldiers salute during the playing of see) the progress. to the next went smoothly. ing these (insurgent leaders) off the national anthem at the TOA ceremony Dec. 1. “You can walk through the streets of The ceremony was marked by the the street is providing a more safe At right, Col. Thomas James and Command Sgt. Jurf as Sahkr wearing a patrol cap and traditional uncasing of the colors by Sol- and secure environment to allow seeing 48 shops open; you can go to JSS diers from the Vanguard and Spartan the government and economy to Maj. Louis Torres uncase the unit colors. Iskan in Hasawa and see the magnificent Brigades. recover,” Ball said.

VALOR: Spartan NCO comes to battle buddies’ rescue From Page 1 second Bradley to recover the downed ve- hicle. Leading the efforts was Robicheau, a and insurgent resources. Whitneyville, Maine, native. Pfc. John Elliot, the driver for the lead As the second vehicle moved into place, vehicle, pulled his vehicle up to a fork in the things turned even more chaotic. road. Like the vehicle it was attempting to re- “I knew there was an improvised explo- cover, the second Bradley set off another sive device on the right, so I turned left,” IED. Elliot, from Bloomington, Minn., recalled. The blast, which injured several Soldiers Unfortunately, he was in a no-win situ- in the Bradley, threw Robicheau 10 feet in ation, and his vehicle rolled over an IED the air, causing him to land hard on the driving down the road. ground. The next thing Elliot remembered was Although he said he was able to get back feeling the wind sucked out of him and not on his feet, Robicheau was unable to walk being able to feel his right leg below the due to injuries which included torn liga- knee. ments in his ankle and a broken nose. While Elliot laid in pain, his fellow Trump was outside the blast area treat- teammates, including Trump and Staff Sgt. ing Elliot, but immediately set to work res- Mountain Robicheau, took action. Robi- cuing the latest casualties. cheau directed vehicle recovery operations He rushed to Robicheau’s aid, despite the and Trump ran up to the hatch and pulled threat of additional IEDs, Trump grabbed Elliot from his position. his team leader and carried him to safety. In addition to keeping his wits and com- “If you’re in a bad situation, you want bat skills about him, Trump also managed someone to come and help you,” Robicheau Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky to keep his sense of humor. said. “He did that.” Col. Terry Ferrell, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division commander, “The first thing he said to me was ‘You After a quick assessment, Trump saw shakes hands with Sgt. Michael Trump Nov. 22 at Patrol Base Murray. got yourself 35 promotion points’ (for a there were more seriously injured Soldiers, Purple Heart),” Elliot said. left Robicheau and began evacuating Sol- Had it not been for the actions of Trump, Like family members, Trump said he Trump, who said the only thing he was diers trapped in the second Bradley, pull- the incident could have been much worse, feels that any of his fellow 2nd BCT, 3rd thinking about was the condition of his fel- ing two of the more seriously wounded out Elliot and Robicheau agreed. Inf. Div. Soldiers, with whom he serves low Soldiers, pulled Elliot from the driver to safety. “He definitely went above what he had would be willing to step up and deliver help seat and to a safer location. “I kind of just put myself in their place,” to do,” Elliot said. “He took a medic’s posi- if needed. Placing Elliot in a safer area, he began Trump said. tion. He’s definitely one of a kind.” Trump, who has since been moved from basic first aid on Elliot’s wounds, which Overall, nine Soldiers were injured. Two Trump doesn’t see himself as different a gunner’s position to a team leader in 2nd included a six-inch laceration on his foot, were evacuated to the Walter Reed Army than the rest of his team. platoon, said he hopes his example inspires a broken heel and multiple sprains in his Medical Center in Washington, D.C., four “We’ve been training together since last his own Soldiers whom he now leads. ankle. were ground evacuated to combat support summer, working together for over a year. “During a time when help is needed, you While he worked on Elliot, the rest of hospitals in Iraq, and the other three were We’re a pretty tight crew, more like a fam- can stand up,” he said. “Even in harsh con- the Bradley team worked to maneuver a treated by local medics and doctors. ily,” Trump said. ditions, you can still perform admirably.” Marne Focus, page 10 MND-Center December 6, 2007

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy An Iraqi woman reassures her son as Dr. (Maj.) Angela Uy, a pediatrician with 626th BSB, and Fawzia, a local surgical nurse, examine him Nov. 30 at a coordinated medical engagement in Iraqi Family Village. At right, 1st Sgt. Lucien Rice, Co. C, 626th BSB, talks to an Iraqi girl waiting in line for medication at the clinic. Rakkasans put Iraqi face on medical care Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy ability of Iraqi leaders to provide for the and get information from the patients 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT) needs of Iraqis. as to what kind of care they’re getting, Consequently, the residents of the vil- how often they get to be seen and how CAMP STRIKER — More than 800 lage will have confidence in their town hard it is to be seen and the status of Iraqis received medical care during a council’s ability to coordinate medical medical care in their communities,” coordinated medical engagement Nov. undertakings in the future. Mitchell said. That information is then 30 in Iraqi Family Village, northeast of The medical engagement was another forwarded to the command of a certain Camp Victory, where healthcare is vir- endeavor to put an Iraqi face on health- area as a snapshot of what services are tually non-existent. care in the area according to Capt. Alex necessary in that area of operations. Twenty-five Iraqi and two American Montgomery, primary planner for Co. Ultimately, Mitchell said the goal is providers saw 820 patients ranging in C, 626th BSB, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. to develop clinics and a level of health- age from several weeks to nearly 80 (AASLT), which provided dental and care that will be sustainable once Coali- years old with symptoms varying from medical personnel, supplies and logis- tion Forces have left the region. the common cold and dermatological is- tical support for the event. It also gave As an additional push to put Iraqis in sues to chronic issues like asthma. the unit a chance to provide one-on-one the forefront, there is a company with- Task Force Vigilant, the base-defense medical training with local residents in TF 62 that offers Iraqis daily fees to unit for Camp Victory, was responsible and Iraqi Army doctors. practice medicine at CMEs. for the overall planning, preparation “Because there is no (medical) facil- “Part of the return to normalcy is get- and execution of the CME since the Iraqi ity in the area we wanted to get health- ting Iraqi medical practitioners to re- Family Village falls within its operation- care and pharmaceuticals to many local turn to the area,” Mitchell said, adding al environment. The Iraqi Family Vil- nationals who, due to economic issues, that some are returning slowly. lage has about 8,000 residents, many of don’t have a way or financial means to While the current state of medical whom moved into the area after the fall get healthcare and medication for them- care in many areas of Iraq is bleak and of the regime in 2003. selves and their children,” Montgomery has a long way to go, improvement is on Members of the Rakkasans from the explained. the horizon. 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Air- Task Force 62, a medical brigade “Our objective of strengthening the borne Division (Air Assault) played a formed approximately three months villagers’ trust in local council and the role by providing security for all medi- ago, provided two Iraqi-born American Government of Iraq, as well as provid- cal operations and medical personnel doctors who have Iraqi credentials to ing much-needed medical care for the from Company C, 626th Brigade Sup- practice medicine. Several local medical community has been achieved,” said port Battalion, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. personnel from the Baghdad Interna- Capt. Martrell Gamble, Team Rak com- (AASLT). tional Airport Medical Clinic rendered mander. “Team Rak was able to do our Team Rak, short for Rakkasan, is an services as well. small part of what will be a continuous element of TF Vigilant and had 15 Sol- Supporting the return to normalcy, effort of providing assistance in improv- diers involved in the CME. TF 62 attempts to add momentum to ing the legitimacy of the GoI and the This is the third such event for TF the medical infrastructure by gather- Iraqi Security Forces while improving Vigilant in a three-month period, al- ing information about the condition the residents’ perception of U.S. forces though it is the first mission in which of medical care and clinics, said John and advocates of human rights. the Rakkasans participated. The task Mitchell, military analyst and licensed “We were glad we were able to par- Capt. Alex Montgomery, primary planner for force’s stated goal was two-fold: to pro- physician’s assistant with TF 62. ticipate and are looking forward to the Co. C, 626th BSB, weighs one of the children vide much-needed medical care for the “We go out here with cooperative next opportunity to provide support to who came to the coordinated medical en- village residents and to promote the engagements and provide medical care the citizens,” Gamble said. gagement at Iraqi Family Village Nov. 30. December 6, 2007 MND-Center Marne Focus, page 11 Photo Contest Winner: Maj. Maria Coats

“This photo was taken during a Cooperative Medical Engagement. This Iraqi baby was so happy with me that his dad had to wait until the baby was no longer awake to take him away from my arms. This was a special day for me full of good feelings, feeling close to God and my grandkids. Of all my photos taken in Iraq, this is my favorite and I pray for all but es- pecially for this baby.” Coats is the 3rd Civil Affails Battalion Public Health officer-in-charge, attached to 3rd Infantry Division. Photo Contest Get Published! Want to be famous? Email your best photo to the editor: Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky [email protected]. Spc. Nicole Ellis is baptized by Chap. (Capt.) Javon Seaborn Nov. 24. mil. A photo will be chosen for the next edition of the Marne Focus. In- clude your rank, full name, job title, unit, photo date and a brief caption A ‘promotion in Christ’ with rank, full name, job title and Spartan Brigade holds baptismal ceremony at Kalsu unit of each Soldier in the photo.

Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky facing, mainly from leaving her children 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. behind and the strain of deployment on her marriage, led her to begin attending church PVT MURPHY’S LAW FOB KALSU — At the Forward Operat- services on Kalsu. ing Base Kalsu chapel four Soldiers in the The fellowship shared within the chapel Marne Division became Soldiers for God af- helped the two become revitalized in their ter a baptismal ceremony Nov. 24. faith. “It’s like a promotion, but a promotion in Just as they went to church together, the Christ,” said Staff Sgt. Laticia Washington, two decided to take the next step and be- 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Bri- come baptized. gade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “We thought we should to do it togeth- Washington attended to see two of her er,” said Ellis, who said it was good to have fellow 26th BSB Soldiers, Pvt. Alesha Wil- someone share the experience with her. liamson and Spc. Nicole Ellis, take the In front of several of their peers, the two plunge into the baptismal font. were baptized by 26th BSB chaplain, Capt. Williamson, in the auto section at Com- Javon Seaborn. pany B, said she made the choice after she Christian baptism is a significant event noticed her faith in God waning. especially in a combat zone, Seaborn said. She said she began to stray away from Though physically it may not change the God and tried to figure things out on her person, theologically it tells the church com- own. munity that there is an inward change, he Like her friend Williamson, Ellis, Co. B explained. orderly room clerk, said she also was expe- One thing that won’t change is their com- riencing doubts in her faith, believing she mitment to the church here. may have lost it. Both Williamson and Ellis plan to con- Both said the deployment and accompa- tinue this walk by attending church and the nying strains made them realize they needed weekly women’s bible study program. a stronger power than themselves. The event, which also saw the baptism of “The stress, strain of deployment brought Sgt. 1st Class Robert Hinkle, Headquarters me closer to God,” Williamson said. “Over and Headquarters Company, S3 plans and here your faith is tried more often and you operations, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., and Spc. need to move closer to God rather than Heron Seaford, Company G,1st Battalion, away.” 76th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th BCT, 3rd Helping Ellis get closer to God were fel- Inf. Div., was collectively planned by Sea- low Soldiers in her unit. Talks with her born and chaplains in the 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. squad leader about the difficulties she was Div. Marne Focus, page 12 MND-Center December 6, 2007

CAB controllers keepT sky traffic in check Pfc. Monica K. SmithA Con how to safely enter the airspace and land the 3rd CAB, 3rd Inf. Div. aircraft. Pilots could depend on their own eyesight or try and talk to other aircraft as they fly, howev- CAMP STRIKER — There can never be too er, with so many landing pads and the numerous many eyes to ensure the safety of Soldiers. This units who use helicopters clear communication is is particularly true in the case of pilots and their lost, said Spc. David Burress, F Co., 2-3 Avn. crew who must continually be aware of what is “You get eight helicopters flying with all of ahead of them, behind them, to the right, to the them trying to talk to one another — it makes a left, in addition to what may be flying above or be- lot of ruckus,” said Burress. “It get’s hectic so in- low them. stead of trying to talk to each other, they use our The sole purpose of Company F, 2nd Battalion, frequency and talk to us.” 3rd Aviation Regiment is air traffic control. Their At Forward Operating Base Kalsu, the air traf- mission is to control the routes of aircraft coming fic controllers have additional safety precautions in and out of air space and on the flight line to they take to ensure the safety of the pilots and the ensure safety. crews of incoming and outgoing aircraft. Falcon Ground, located at the Combat Avia- “We de-conflict traffic, let pilots know about tion Brigade flight line, monitors aircraft leaving weather changes, about fire missions, like when and returning from flights and missions. As the we fire out, we monitor the (unmanned aerial ve- helicopters taxi toward the take off/landing pads, hicles) and handle (medical evacuations),” said pilots need to know what vehicles may be coming Spc. Jennifer Hicks, F Co., 2-3 Avn. “We make or what other aircraft may be landing. sure the MEDEVACS get priority and let the other Pfc. Monica Smith aircraft know when they’re going.” “We control the patterns of the aircraft,” said Spc. David Burress advises Black Hawks Spc. Robert Smith, F Co., 2-3 Avn who works at Because of the amount of incoming fire FOB Falcon Ground. “Because of the walls they can’t from the Liberty ATC tower prior to take-off. Kalsu receives, the FOB is on a blackout at night. see each other so we tell them where to go. We sible for, said Spc. Melvin Kizzee. Whereas other military complexes have street move them in and out.” “We separate aircraft to prevent midair colli- lights or lights on the flight line, the entire FOB is The towers have windows surrounding them at sions,” Kizzee said. “We report traffic, reroute dark at night which poses an additional challenge all 360-degrees. aircraft to avoid traffic, issue advisories, issue for the air traffic controllers. The set-up allows the traffic controllers the clearances for take-off and landing, advise them “The blackout makes it more difficult to see the ability to see any air or ground traffic or obstacles on closed zones — which is airspace they can’t fly aircraft,” said Spc. Christina Martinez. “We have the aircraft may encounter during take-off and through because of different operations, we ad- (night vision goggles) and we have everyone look- landing. vise them on known airport conditions — it’s a lot ing for the aircraft and are always getting position The controllers are then able to reroute the of things.” reports. Every few minutes we’ll check back with aircraft to prevent potential injuries to Soldiers The pilots contact the tower prior to entering the aircraft if we still don’t see them and ask, ‘hey, or damage to aircraft and to cut down on time that tower’s airspace, usually two to three miles, where are you at?’” wasted. Kizzee said. The combined efforts of various towers act to At the Liberty Tower, members of F Co. 2-3 It is then the traffic controllers ensure the air- further protect the Soldiers who fly during the Avn., provide safe, orderly, expeditious flow of space is clear. If the airspace is not clear, the air day and night, said Smith. “They tell us what they traffic for the eight landing pads they are respon- traffic controllers radio the pilots to advise them want to do and we tell them how to do it safely.”