PB Summers Takes Shape, Establishes Security Presence Near Suwayrah SGT

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Volume 1, Issue 26 March 27, 2008 Serving Task Force Marne and MND-Center

MP canine care...... P. 4 HVT captured...... P. 5 Overcoming injury...... P. 8 Knighthawk challenge.....P. 12

Photo by Sgt. Ben Brody Caring for residents, Sgt. Joseph Lagas (left) and Spc. Brian Weaver, along with Iraqi troops, search farmhouses near Patrol Base Summers during getting bad guys. Page 4 Operation Marne Rugged, March 15. Lagas, Weaver and other Soldiers from Co. A, 2-69th Armor Regt., attached to 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., are building PB Summers near Suwayrah, 20 miles south of Baghdad. PB Summers takes shape, establishes security presence near Suwayrah SGT. BEN BRODY 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO tance and found the destroyed the Iraqis seem pretty receptive Pfc. Vince Richardson, a base uninhabited. to us being here,” said 1st Lt. medic with Company A, set “I think there was a ‘shock Stephen Eldridge, Company down his 50-pound aid bag FOB KALSU – In a bid to and awe’ effect on the local A fi re support offi cer. “Some and went to work, cleaning Internet, computers establish a formidable U.S. people, to see so much combat people offered us chai and they the wound and replacing the for local girls. Page 9 security presence near Su- power arrive so suddenly,” ex- were all waving to us when we dressing. The boy winced, wayrah, Iraq, Soldiers began plained Capt. James Browning, left. We certainly did our best but didn’t cry, as Richardson construction of Patrol Base Company A commander. to make a good fi rst impres- dabbed the wound with an- Summers amid the ruins of a As part of the company se- sion.” tiseptic. former Iraqi Air Force Base cured the patrol base area, Soldiers from Red Platoon As Red Platoon returned March 15. Company A’s Red Platoon and Iraqi troops cataloged resi- to PB Summers, a small dust In a huge convoy of fi ght- and Iraqi Army Soldiers swept dents’ personal weapons and storm rolled in, turning the ing vehicles and tractor trail- through a neighboring village, met with the village sheikh. sky a deep red. The Soldiers ers, Soldiers from Company shaking hands and greeting During the patrol, a group of ate a quick meal and slept in A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor their new neighbors over chai. children followed the Soldiers their trucks, waiting for their Regiment, attached to 4th Bri- Their Bradleys and Humvees around, cracking jokes and try- next mission that night. gade Combat Team, 3rd Infan- idling on the main road, Sol- ing out their English on the Around midnight, the pla- try Division, pushed toward diers spent nearly eight hours troops. toon set out into the desert the Tigris River from Forward walking from house to house One boy of about four had surrounding the patrol base Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. by the shortest route possible a fi lthy, bloodstained bandage and climbed one of the many In stark contrast to the push – often through barnyards full wrapped around his head – his small ordnance bunkers that So you want to set up Patrol Base Kelsey, of huge cows. father said he was hit by a rock to be an IP. Page 7 Iraq, in December, Soldiers “It’s sometimes tough to tell while playing with other chil- See SECURITY, page 6 encountered almost no resis- when you fi rst meet people, but dren. Marne Focus, page 2 MND-Center March 27, 2008

MMarnearne 6 ssendsends 3rd Inf. Div. women make history every day When I am out visiting you every In the 3rd Infantry Division women sites, and many other things. It gets to day, I am amazed by the work of our are making history every day. Women the point where race or gender doesn’t fine female Soldiers. Throughout are earning Bronze Stars, Meritori- matter – it’s the Soldier’s work that March we focused on celebrating the ous Service Medals, Air Medals, and does. history of women in our Army, but Army Commendation Medals. More Over here, we are all at risk – men over here, women are making history notably, in the past year, 125 women and women alike. SGT Trista Moretti every day. from the Fourth Brigade, 25th Infan- I start my day by reading intelli- try Division paid the ultimate sacri- gence, and the sergeant in charge of fice when a rocket hit her trailer while human intelligence comes into my she was eating lunch. 2LT Tracy Al- office ever morning to brief me. She ger from the Third Brigade, 101st lays out the reports from the day pri- Airborne Division paid the ultimate or, and focuses my attention to areas sacrifice when her logistics supply in which our Soldiers are at risk. She convoy hit an IED. Both were a part focuses me so that I can focus the of Task Force Marne, and both are re- staff and brigade commanders. With membered for being brave heroes. the same sight picture she provides, As I look across our formations, the entire Division can take the fight they would be empty without the fe- to the enemy. males that serve. The Division Head- My favorite thing to do each day quarters is 15 percent female – with- is to sign awards for our magnifi- out these 167 women, the Division cent Soldiers, and the women in our Headquarters would not be able to awards section process them within operate. 24 hours of arriving at the Division Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch As we reflect on the fifth anniver- Headquarters. Task Force Marne Commander sary of the war in Iraq, and women Every day I get in the back of my are serving in even greater capacities helicopter to visit you. Often, when I have earned Combat Action Badges, than they have in the past. Our for- get off my helicopter I am greeted by 54 female medics have earned Com- mations would be empty without this a female Soldier running landing zone bat Medics Badges, and five female magnificent group of Soldiers, and control, and when I reach my destina- Soldiers have earned a Purple Heart. our successes as well. tion, there is usually a female jour- In today’s war, the lines are blurred nalist taking pictures or recording the between the front and those who sup- session. As I walk the Iraqi markets port them. I know that I see a female and talk to the locals, the leaders tell Soldier everywhere I turn. They are me of the female doctors, medics, and driving convoys, flying helicopters, ROCK OF specialists who work with their towns running supply yards, purifying wa- to get the schools rebuilt, the clinics ter, cooking, translating, analyzing staffed, and agriculture revitalized. intelligence, running communication THE MARNE!

Editorial Staff Managing Editor – Master Sgt. Marcia Triggs Editor – Sgt. Michael Connors Marne Focus is an authorized publication for Layout – Sgt. Jasmine Chopra members of Task Force Marne and its support Contributing Writers – Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback, Staff Sgt. Carlos assets in accordance with Army Regulation 360- Lazo, Sgt. Benjamin Brody, Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft Graphics – Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback, Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft 1. Contents of Marne Focus are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Gov- TASK FORCE MARNE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE Contributing Units ernment, Department of Defense, Department 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Commanding General – Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division of the Army or Task Force Marne. All editorial Command Sergeant Major – Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse L. Andrews Jr. 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division content of Marne Focus is prepared, edited, pro- 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Inftantry Division vided and approved by the Task Force Marne Task Force Marne Public Aff airs Staff 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs Office. This publication can be 214th Fires Brigade TF Marne PAO – Lt. Col. Randy Martin 7th Sustainment Brigade found at www.dvidshub.net. Contact the edi- TF Marne PA NCOIC – Master Sgt. Marcia Triggs 720th Military Police Battalion tor, Sgt. Michael Connors, at michael.connors@ Mobile Unit 6 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion iraq.centcom.mil. 875th Engineering Battalion 302nd Mobile Public Aff airs Detachment March 27, 2008 MND-Center Marne Focus, page 3 With National Geospatial Intelligence Agency’s assistance, clarity emerges from ‘fog of war’ BY RAY MCNULTY MND-C PAO

CAMP VICTORY — Multi-National Division - Center formed in spring 2007 as part of the U.S. troop surge. The progress made since then has been well- documented as Soldiers have built a network of patrol bases covering the “belts” of suburbs and agricul- tural communities surrounding southern and eastern Baghdad. What is less well-known is the surge in support required from other U.S. government agencies in bringing about those gains. In MND-C, one of the most signifi cant of those surge partners is the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. The NGA – a Department of Defense support agency and member of the U.S. intelligence community - is a silent partner in the Iraq fi ght. “When the fog of war thickens, as it always does, geospatial intelligence creates a vivid visual picture of the battle space,” said NGA director Vice Admiral Robert B. Murrett. Murrett explained that the mapping and imagery Courtesy Photo his staff produces gives Specialist Monica Mitchell, ACE GEOINT, G2 section, 3rd Inf. Div. (right), and Chief Warrant Offi cer 1 Scott “When the mission commanders on the Potter, ACE GEOINT branch chief, G2 section, 3rd Inf. Div., evaluate intelligence data sourced by the National ground a forward look Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Support Team 29 embedded with Multi-National Division –Central. enters unfamiliar into enemy territory. Based in Bethesda, Partnered for the last 12 months with the division leading Coalition offi cials to suspect AQI was either territory, geospa- Md., with locations G2’s Analytical and Control Element, NGA’s GEOINT shifting locations or slowly declining as an effective tial intelligence around the globe, the Support Team 29 provides 24/7 support to the ACE. adversary. MND-C has kept up offensive operations NGA’s mission is ex- Analysts work shifts, while the team leader supervises into winter and spring 2008, but with an increasingly shows the way ploitation and analysis operations and works with the G2 and ACE leadership sharper focus, to wipe out remaining pockets of insur- of imagery and geo- to focus geospatial analysis where it is most effective gent resistance. In these later operations, the NGA’s with maps, charts spatial information to in supporting the mission. The team also acts as a con- support comes into play more than ever. and imagery.” describe, assess and duit for customized reach-back support from NGA’s “When the enemy tries to hide, geospatial intelli- visually depict physi- U.S. headquarters. According to an unnamed NGA gence makes pinpoint precision targeting possible,” — Vice Adm. Robert B. cal features and geo- offi cial, the group’s mission is highly collaborative, Murrett said. Murrett graphically-referenced complementing MND-C’s other intelligence feeds to According to their counterparts, the NGA staff is activities on the Earth give a more complete picture of the ground situation. critical to mission success because they allow Soldiers NGA in support of national “GEOINT is collaborative. It fuses with information to operate more effi ciently in a massive battlespace. security needs. from other intelligence analytical tradecrafts answer- “They have been a critical force multiplier, and Over the past year, MND-C forces in central Iraq ing the questions, ‘When, where, and how often?’” the their presence has exponentially increased our GEO- have launched a series of combat offensives, each tar- offi cial said. INT capacity,” said Warrant Offi cer Scott Potter, ACE geting a small geographic region around towns and Taking advantage of the visual medium, he ex- GEOINT branch chief, G2 section, 3rd Infantry Divi- villages deemed strategic for their location relative to plained, GEOINT uses geospatial data to display vol- sion. Baghdad or their status as enemy sanctuaries. These umes of information, forming a bridge from raw data “The depiction and associated analysis of the spa- were areas where Coalition forces had not sustained a points to a refi ned intelligence picture. tial relationship of events is key to the accomplish- presence for years; MND-C itself was a new creation “In Iraq, we have used GEOINT to effectively pin- ment of our mission in Iraq,” Potter said. under the U.S. troop surge and information on the area point insurgent locations, identify trends and assist On a day-to-day basis, the NGA team assists MND- was slim. in reducing their effectiveness to conduct operations C units with analytical intelligence assessments, ex- Enter the NGA. against Coalition forces,” the offi cial said. ploitation of imagery, production of graphical analyti- “When the mission enters unfamiliar territory, geo- As surge operations gained momentum through cal products depicting weapons cache fi nds and IED spatial intelligence shows the way with maps, charts summer and fall 2007, al-Qaeda in Iraq and other insur- and imagery,” Murrett said. gents saw attack numbers and effectiveness diminish, See FOG OF WAR, page 9 Fort Stewart ‘Frontline’ wants to hear from you

The Fort Stewart, Ga., newspaper, “The “Frontline,” would like to feature Soldier Diaries in its July 4th special edition. Soldiers who would like to share ex- cerpts of their journals or write about a memorable event can send their submissions to the Public Affairs Offi ce at [email protected]. Families in the Hinesville and Savannah areas would like to hear from their Soldiers. The Public Affairs Offi ce will determine what submissions will be for- warded to “The Frontline.” The deadline to send your article to the PAO is June 2. Marne Focus, page 4 MND-Center March 27, 2008 Soldiers meet with sheikhs, chase insurgents BY SGT. BEN BRODY “We left on good terms – any mother’s 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO fear is that her child will be hurt, and we assured her that’s not the case if he turns FOB KALSU, Iraq – “It seems quiet out himself in,” Williams said. “She wants there, but there’s always a calm before the him to clear his name so he can get mar- storm,” said the burly platoon sergeant as ried and her husband agreed to talk with he tightened the straps on his helmet. “We his son about it.” have to take care of the people and get the After leaving the suspect’s house, the bad guys.” platoon stopped in at a local market to Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Williams, the speak to some local residents. platoon sergeant, and Soldiers of Company Before the patrol left, Ray stepped in- C, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, side and bought orange soda for a group 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry of children socializing under the store’s Division, jumped in their Humvees at For- outside lights. ward Operating Base Iskan, Iraq, with that mindset the afternoon of March 9. As the heavy vehicles lumbered through the date palm groves in Abu Jassim, near Musayyib, a group of sheikhs waved to them from the brick archway in a large Photo by Sgt. Ben Brody farmhouse’s courtyard. Sgt. Christopher Humes, with Co. C, 3rd Bn., pulls rooftop security during a Williams and 1st Lt. Josh Ray, the pla- meeting with tribal leaders to discuss humanitarian and infrastructure aid proj- toon leader, jumped out and greeted the ects in Musayyib, Iraq, March 9. sheikhs, as the rest of the platoon pulled security around the isolated compound. paved road.” in Musayyib. The group discussed an upcoming infra- Sheikh Abbas, leader of the local Sons The Soldiers headed for the man’s structure project, a road paving project of Iraq program, also mentioned to the house, searched it and the surrounding that they are working together to bring to group that several of his checkpoints had neighborhood, but according to his par- fruition. The plan to pave the road would recently come under small-arms fi re in the ents he had already fl ed. cost $24,000 and employ about 100 local evenings. Jumping over walls and dashing laborers, according to Williams, who is Sheikh Abbas, Ray and Williams through dark alleys, part of the platoon from Bloomington, Ill. agreed that more checkpoints, strategi- tried to track down the fl eeing man. “A lot of little kids use this road to get cally located to counter the attacks, would Observing brand-new sneaker prints in to school and farmers drive heavy trucks be manned. the mud behind the wall in the suspect’s on it, so the pavement would mean less After the meeting with the sheikhs, backyard, Sgt. Brent Massey followed wear and tear on their vehicles,” Williams Company C’s Staff Sgt. Tad McGill got the tracks in hot pursuit. The Soldiers ul- Photo by Sgt. Ben Brody said. “We like it because it’s harder to dig a phone call stating a suspected insurgent timately did not fi nd the man and returned Sgt. Christopher Humes, with Co. C, an (improvise explosive device) into a wanted by the company had been sighted to his parents’ house. 3rd Bn., chats with an Iraqi child in Musayyib, Iraq, March 9. MP Canine receives first-class medical care

BY SPC. LADONNA JENKINS evacuation to a facility with veterinary 26th BSB services. 214th Fires Brigade “It was extremely important that he received medical care quickly,” Carroll FOB DELTA, Iraq – Accustomed said. “It’s probably more important for to meeting the challenge of saving hu- them because they can’t tell us what’s man life, one patient put wrong. What might the 26th Brigade Support seem minute to us may Battalion’s motto of “No “What might be extremely serious for Challenge too Great” to seem minute to them.” the test. Medics 1st Lt. Joyce Jago, a 5-year-old Ger- us may be ex- Mullins, Spc. Brandy man shepherd with the 3rd tremely serious Elliot and Staff Sgt. Infantry Division’s K-9 Christine Roberts gave unit, was brought into FOB for them.” the distressed dog a Delta’s Level II Hospital thorough triage based for evaluation by Compa- — Spc. Matthew Car- on information provided ny C, 26th BSB, medics. roll by his handlers. Rob- Jago became ill while 3rd Inf. Div. erts, who worked as a on a mission to a Coalition pet store assistant before checkpoint. He stopped enlisting, administered eating or drinking and became very le- intravenous ﬂ uids to rehydrate Jago. thargic, said his handler Spc. Matthew Jago was evacuated to Camp Slayer, Photo by Spc. LaDonna Jenkins Carroll. where he was diagnosed with an up- Spc. Matthew Carroll, a 3rd Infantry Division military dog handler, and Staff Jago was returned to FOB Delta but per respiratory infection. Jago received Sgt. Christine Roberts, a medic with Company C, 26th Brigade Support his symptoms did not improve. treatment and has since returned to Battalion, comfort 5-year-old Jago, who was suffering from a respiratory in- He was taken to the hospital prior to duty. fection. Jago, a search dog, was evacuated to a Coalition veterinary facility for medical treatment. March 27, 2008 MND-Center Marne Focus, page 5 Night raid leads to capture of HVT BY SPC. BEN HUTTO 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FOB HAMMER – A high-value target was captured during a night raid in Narhwan by Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team March 16. Scouts from Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, currently attached to 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, cleared three houses during the mission and detained three men for questioning, in addition to the target. The HVT was wanted by Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces for his role in several improvised explosive device attacks. He was suspected of smug- gling weapons and explosives to several criminal groups throughout Iraq. Soldiers uncovered a small cache in the HVT’s home containing an AK-47 assault rifl e, two shot- guns, a bayonet and a small quantity of small arms ammunition. “Everything went perfectly,” said Capt. Jared Al- bright, from Lancaster, Pa., commander of Troop B. “Our guys did everything according to plan and it went exactly as we rehearsed it.” First Lt. James Self, from Mobile, Ala., platoon leader in Troop B, said the capture of the target was Photo by Spc. Ben Hutto important. First Lt. James Self, from Mobile, Ala., a platoon leader in Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, “The target was a really bad guy,” he said. “It’s a and 1st Sgt. Miguel Rivera, the fi rst sergeant of Troop B, discuss operations during a night raid March 16. very good thing that he is off the streets. His capture not only makes Narhwan a safer place, it makes Iraq, we’ve been capturing about one high-value target a our guys calm and have done a good job getting them as a whole, safer.” month, so our guys know what do.” ready for those situations. They stay calm and haven’t The earlier this month, Troop B detained another Troop B is mainly comprised of scouts serving their gotten a big head about our successes.” HVT in a raid outside of Narhwan. fi rst deployment, but the troop’s performance hasn’t The 3-1st Cav. Regt. and 1-10th FA are assigned “This isn’t the fi rst time we’ve done this,” said Staff suffered due to lack of experience. to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Sgt. Denis Pettitt, from DeRidder, La., the troop’s “Our new guys have performed well,” Pettitt said. Benning, Ga., and have been deployed in support of operations noncommissioned offi cer. “On average, “Part of that has to do with our NCOs. They keep Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007. SMA Preston visits 3rd CAB, Rakkasans

Photo by Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft, 3rd CAB, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT) PAO Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston (right) watches as Soldiers Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston watches as Sgt. Francis Lagat, with Com- from Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division repair an aircraft engine pany A, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Divi- during Preston’s visit to the 3rd CAB ﬂ ight line at Camp Striker March 15. sion (Air Assault), remotely controls an IED- probing robot March 15 at Camp Striker. Marne Focus, page 6 MND-Center March 27, 2008

SECURITY: From front page dot the area. After some slipping and sliding on the smooth, steeply-angled concrete roof, the troops pulled each other to the top. After a few hours silently scanning the windswept desert, the platoon slid two by two down the bunker and hiked back to Summers. The next morning, another convoy of fl atbed trucks bearing concrete barriers and other fortifi cations arrived and an Air Force C-17 cargo jet air-dropped 40 pallets of construction materials near the patrol base. As the huge green parachutes fl oat- Sgt. Ben Brody ed to the desert fl oor, a passing Bed- Pallets of building materials fl oat to ouin goat herder jumped up and down, the desert fl oor near Patrol Base Sum- shouting at the sky. mers, Iraq, March 16. Soldiers from 703rd Brigade Support Sgt. Ben Brody Battalion, 4th BCT, gathered up the pal- Soldiers from 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Lt. Col. Majid, commander of Su- lets with a forklift and trucked them to Infantry Division, load HESCO barriers onto a fl atbed truck after the materials wayrah’s 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, Summers. were air-dropped into the desert near Patrol Base Summers, Iraq, March 16. 8th IA Division, sends his troops to “We did the air-drop because we work with Company A on joint pa- could, not because we had to,” said 2nd ing the last two months of their deploy- the neighboring communities and Su- trols. Lt. Scott Dyer, the convoy security pla- ment, Browning said. wayrah, as well as combat operations. “The big thing here is providing es- toon leader for Headquarters and Head- “By the time we leave, I’d like to see “Tactically, this spot is key to con- sential services to the people – they’re quarters Company, 703rd BSB. “The the patrol base fully operational, to the trolling the larger brigade’s area of op- proud of their communities and fought air assets were available, and there’s point where a company can come in erations – you can stage lots of equip- hard to kick al-Qaeda out,” Brown- plenty of space – it’s a good experience and set up their operations in 24 hours,” ment here and there’s a good standoff ing said. “The farmers here depend for the logistics personnel.” said Browning, who is from Waynes- distance from civilian roads and hous- on their crops, which means they need Soldiers from 703rd BSB will con- ville, N.C. es,” Browning said. “Partnering with water and electricity. With us here, we tinue to bring supplies and Company A The base will serve as a launching the Iraqi Security Forces, we can make can help the Government of Iraq pro- will continue to build up the base dur- point for essential services projects to inroads into Suwayrah.” vide those services.” Microgrants help tailors tackle tall order

CAPT. ALLISON FLANNIGAN 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT)

CAMP STRIKER – Three residents of Yusifi- yah, Iraq, are about to receive an order for 400 Iraqi flags. The three men, who all own separate tailor shops in the Yusifiyah market, formed a consortium to pool their tailoring talents to complete an order none of them could finish “Our small micro- alone. grants of $2,500 “They’ve seen the light about the strength won’t put a hundred through association and people to work in they hope to continue on to more success,” a factory but it is said Lou Lantner, giving the little guy embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team a chance to get into leader for the 3rd Bri- the game and build gade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Divi- an independent sion (Air Assault). business that he Two of the three men received microgrants can grow.” funded by the U.S. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Dale Kramer State Department. Selah Abas Hussein shows off a sample of stitching he made with a machine purchased through a micro- — Sgt. 1st Class Dale Both used their $2,500 grant. Hussein sells his wares in his new shop in the Yusiﬁ yah market. Kramer microgrants to fix up 3rd BCT, 101st their small shops and put a hundred people to work in a factory but it his civilian job and has a knack for selecting Abn. Div. (AASLT)) give their businesses a is giving the little guy a chance to get into the promising grant applicants. boost. game and build an independent business that he “We never, never fail to follow what Kramer Sgt. 1st Class Dale can grow,” Kramer said. advises; he’s right all the time,” said Lantner, Kramer, from the ePRT at Patrol Base Yusifi- Kramer, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., is re- who works for the State Department and is the yah, recommended approval of the tailors’ mi- sponsible for 70 microgrants in Yusifiyah and crogrants. has nearly 200 grant applications pending. He “Our small microgrants of $2,500 won’t specialized in small business development in See MICROGRANT, page 11 March 27, 2008 MND-Center Marne Focus, page 7 First-ever IP recruitment drive in Arab Jabour BY SGT. LUIS DELGADILLO 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FOB KALSU – Iraqi Police from the Rashid District and Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, hosted an IP recruitment drive March 10-13 at Patrol Base Hawks, Iraq. The recruitment drive is the fi rst chance for citizens of the region to establish their own long-term security. Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, jumpstarted efforts to recruit 300 Arab Jabour men for IP Academy training. The event ushered in an era of transition for some Sons of Iraq, who with the assistance from IPs of the Rashid District, will one day patrol their neighborhoods and maintain their hard-earned safety. Lt. Col. Ken Adgie, commander of the 1-30th Inf. Regt., said the event marks a signifi cant step toward linking the Government of Iraq, which has not had a presence in the region for more than fi ve years, to the people of Arab Jabour and its neighboring communities. While more than 800 men attended the event and successfully applied for the IP Academy over the four-day event, just a week prior to the recruitment drive it was in serious jeopardy of not taking place. The IP leader in Rashid District, Lt. Col. Muhammed, had misgivings about the location of the drive due to his misperceptions about Arab Jabour. He told Adgie he would not be taking his IPs into the region because it was not secure. Adgie said he wanted to show the IP commander the area was safe, so he took him on a walking tour through the streets to see the transformation fi rsthand. Instead of being greeted by angry mobs or al-Qaeda insurgents, Adgie said the IP commander and his security detachment were greeted by smiling businessmen and curious children who had never before seen an IP car. Later, the two leaders met with Arab Jabour community leaders and Muhammed decided the area was safe enough to allow his policemen to follow through with the event. While the partnership between Coalition forces and the SoI has proven effective at rooting out insurgent fi ghters, the program was never considered a sustainable security solution. Instead of being splintered militias opposed to the GoI, the SoI program has grown to symbolize positive change. Photo by Sgt. Luis Delgadillo “It’s safe now. Our challenge is to keep the security going and allow the Iraqi Se- Spc. Steven Goodwin, a combat medic with HHC, 1st Bn., 30th Inf. Regt., 2nd curity Forces to build that capacity in the area,” said Adgie, a native of National Park, BCT, checks the blood pressure of a man applying to the Iraqi Police Academy N.J. “Nobody wants peace more than the people here.” during the area’s fi rst-ever IP recruitment drive March 11 in Arab Jabour. Good- As proof of their willingness to see lasting security in their community, SoI and win, a native of Bellevue, Ohio, assisted Iraqi doctors with the health screenings men from the region showed up at the gates of Patrol Base Hawks each day of the of more than 800 applicants. drive, up to three hours before the day’s recruitment activities began. Each morning of the recruitment drive, Soldiers standing guard at the gates were even more rewarding to see many of the SoI, whom he had come to know while on surprised at the crowds of more than 300 men who gathered, eagerly awaiting the patrol, come through the recruitment drive and make a concerted effort to become opportunity to apply. Iraqi lawmen. “I believe as soon as they go to the IP Academy and they release them saying that Taking recruits through the process of applying for the academy were Soldiers of they’re qualifi ed IPs, they’ll be able to come back here and protect the streets of the 153rd Military Police Company, out of Wilmington, Del. Arab Jabour, hopefully make it a safer place and continue what they’ve been doing “We’ve had an opportunity to observe several recruiting events before putting this as SoI,” said 1st Lt. Derrick M. Anderson, platoon leader with 1st platoon, Company one on and they (applicants) are defi nitely organized; they come with the proper docu- B, 1-30th Inf. Regt. ments and they want to be here,” said Staff Sgt. John French, a military policeman and While pleased with the outcome, Anderson, of Fredericksburg, Va., said it was squad leader with 153rd MP Co. Soldiers and IPs worked together at each of the fi ve stations, taking recruits through the application process. The fi rst station involved organizing paperwork and checking identifi cation. Once applicants cleared station one they moved on to a quick background check where they were vetted through a database of known insurgents. Applicants were then taken through a health screening process where combat medics of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-30th Inf. Regt., assisted Iraqi doctors with health screenings. After completing their literacy test at station four, the candidates went on to the fi nal phase of their screening process, a test of their physical abilities. Applicants la- bored through pull-ups, push-ups, a 200-meter sprint and fi nally, a sit-up event. Once completing the fi ve stations the men’s contact information was taken and they were told that notifi cation of their ‘pass or fail’ would arrive in the coming weeks. “Most won’t make it because there aren’t slots for everyone but they all want the opportunity and that’s what they’re getting today,” said Adgie. Even knowing this, he said their efforts are not in vain. Coalition forces are working at establishing long-term work programs for citizens of the area as well as education and vocational programs, which will curb unemploy- ment when the SoI programs have run their course. Nonetheless, the high turnout for the event signals a new day for the men of Arab Photo by Sgt. Luis Delgadillo Jabour. Spc. Allen Ray Harris, Pfc. David Morales and Spc. Brian Anaya, all military “The Sons of Iraq are motivated, they want to be police, they want to be part of policemen with the 153rd Military Police Company, of Wilmington, Del., review the government, they want to be part of the security system that takes care of their Sons of Iraq member’s paperwork during the area’s fi rst ever Iraqi Police recruit- neighborhoods,” Adgie said. “They are patriotic men and they should be given that ment drive March 11 in Arab Jabour. opportunity … that’s what’s wonderful to see.” Marne Focus, page 8 MND-Center March 27, 2008 Knighthawk overcomes injury, succeeds as pilot

BY SPC. EMILY WILSONCROFT shrapnel in the side of his neck; the (ve- 3rd CAB, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO hicle commander) lost his left thumb and his right eye.” CAMP STRIKER – When Chief War- White, who was hit by shrapnel in both rant Offi cer Fred White sits down at the his hands and legs, as well as his face and controls of a Black Hawk helicopter, he buttocks, lost his fi ngers as a result of the looks just like any other pilot in his bat- attack. talion. He wears the same fl ight suit, the For many Soldiers, that would have same helmet and the same air of confi - been the end of the road, as far as a mili- dence – the only difference is that at the tary career was concerned. But White, end of the day, his wrist might be a bit who fully recovered from his injuries af- sorer. ter less than a year, decided he wanted to The victim of a roadside bomb attack be a pilot. during Operation Iraqi Freedom I, White White said even though the doctor had sustained injuries that led to the loss of cleared him medically, the Reserve Offi - the fi rst two fi ngers on his right hand. cer Training Corps medic said he wasn’t White, an aviator and communications fi t for the Army. “So I (turned in) my war- offi cer with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation rant offi cer packet and was picked up for Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, fl ight school.” 3rd Infantry Division, was not always a Although there were some who tried pilot. He enlisted in the Army in 2001 as to tell White he wouldn’t make it through a cavalry scout. fl ight training, he said his injury didn’t “I always wanted to be in the Army,” he hold him back at all. said. “Cav. scout seemed “Flying is more of a like a cool job. I knew I “I cannot describe in mental thing,” he said. didn’t want to be infan- “You have to be physi- try, but I did want to be in words what it takes cally coordinated, but a combat arms.” lot of it’s in your mind. During the second year for a young Soldier, You have to think of his enlistment, White’s … wounded in com- three-dimensionally to unit became attached to maintain control.” 3rd Infantry Division bat, to not only con- One of the controls for the initial push up to tinue to serve his in the helicopter re- Baghdad from Kuwait in sembles a joystick, the beginning of Opera- country, but to take he explained, on the tion Iraqi Freedom. the initiative, become front of which is a ra- “There was a lot of fear dio control that func- and uncertainty when we a warrant offi cer.” tions via a trigger-type originally crossed the mechanism. berm,” he said, “but after — Lt. Col. Alex Covert “I just sewed up the that it became more of a 2nd Bn. 3rd Avn. Regt. fi rst two fi ngers on my daily routine.” glove and changed The routine included my hand position,” route clearance, convoy security, vehi- White said, demonstrating how he wraps cle security, observation post setup and his wrist around the control. “I was set maintenance – “pretty much anything on proving the people who doubted me that needed to be done in Sadr City,” as wrong and I adapted so I could succeed.” White put it. White’s battalion commander, Lt. Col. On Sep. 5, 2003, the routine was dis- Alex Covert, was quick to note the young Photo by Spc. Emily Wilsoncroft rupted. warrant offi cer’s success. Chief Warrant Offi cer Fred White, a Black Hawk pilot with 2nd Battalion, 3rd “We were pulling security for the engi- “Fred is an above average UH-60L Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, demon- neers that day,” White recalled. “We were Black Hawk pilot,” Covert said. “He has strates the preparations he makes before a fl ight March 18 at the 3rd CAB fl ight on our way to the site, going down High- fl own over 150 hours in combat under the line in Baghdad. way 5.” harshest conditions fl awlessly.” country, but to take the initiative, become based at Hunter Army Airfi eld, Ga., for at As the convoy passed under an over- Aside from White’s skill as a pilot, a warrant offi cer, an outstanding Army least the near future. pass, it was hit by a remote-detonated 120 Covert also lauded his perseverance and aviator and serve as a Battalion (com- “All the experiences I’ve had in the mm mortar round. devotion to his military career. munications offi cer) in combat,” he said. Army have led me to where I am right “It blew up my truck,” he said. “I was “I cannot describe in words what it “His selfl ess service is clearly an example now,” he said. “I have no regrets, no re- the gunner, and the blast threw me against takes for a young Soldier, … wounded in for others to follow.” sentments. I know I’m lucky to still be the back of the turret … my driver took combat, to not only continue to serve his White plans to stay in 2-3rd Avn. Regt., here and I appreciate that.” There’s strong and then there’s Army strong

Stay among the best-trained, most dedicated and most respected Soldiers in the world. Check with your rentention counselor for more information. March 27, 2008 MND-Center Marne Focus, page 9

FOG OF WAR: From page 3 attack trends, force protection planning and, more Girls’ school gets computers recently, general infrastructure repair support. After months of intense ﬁ ghting in areas that once represented the heart of the Sunni insurgency, Coali- tion forces are beginning the transition to stability operations. While the potential for physical harm is reduced in the shift from kinetics to capacity-building, the need for real-time intelligence and ground visibility is unchanged and situational awareness re- mains a critical factor in success. As a result of the shift, support to infrastructure and reconstruction projects is becoming a higher priority for the NGA team. One example of that shift involves exploring the potential use of geospatial analysis and advanced technology to assist in monitoring and depicting the health of agriculture in MND-C and the status of the irrigation canal network – crucial capabilities in supporting a region of Iraq that is heavily dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. That cooperation and adaptability has earned the agency praise from Coalition ofﬁ cials.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles, 214th FB PAO Sgt. Amanda Timmer, the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team head of women’s initiative and program manager, talks with students at the al Kut Girls Secondary School after the ribbon cutting for a new Internet center March 10.The center features 10 new computers and furniture.

BY SGT. 1ST CLASS STACY NILES better education and will give them the opportunity to 214th FB PAO learn about different cultures. For Sgt. Amanda Timmer, the Wasit Provincial Re- FOB DELTA – While the school’s infrastructure may construction Team head of women’s initiative and pro- be behind the times, students’ education has been thrust gram manager, the project provided her with a feeling into the modern era. of satisfaction. The Al Kut Girls Secondary School received an In- “It was great especially after talking with the girls and ternet center complete with 10 computers and furniture. seeing how optimistic and energetic they were,” Tim- The school, established in 1932, educates 1,000 females, mer said. “It was as if they could sense that the world grades 10 to 12. was at their fi ngertips. Like they knew they were the The center will be used by female students throughout future of Iraq.” the province, said the school manager, Zahrah Aljdrey. “They already had the initiative, but this gives them Students will now be able to do research and work on the tools to help accomplish their initiatives and ambi- projects. The center will also allow the girls to complete tions,” she said. exams they would otherwise have to travel to Baghdad The project was a cooperative effort between the Wa- to take. sit PRT, the Wasit provincial council and the Iraqi Direc- Aljdrey said the computers will help students get a tor General of Education. Aiming is equal: daughter follows dad in skill SGT. KEVIN STABINSKY all expectations. took his daughter shooting. used by the Army, picking his Although some people fi nd 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO In addition to her civil affairs “My dad taught me to shoot brain for knowledge. The work it odd to see her in a tradition- duties, Benedict serves as a gun- when I was young; fi rst a BB gun, paid off. She soon knew more ally male role, Benedict sees no FOB Kalsu – At a petite 5 feet 2 ner for her team, expertly han- then a .22 rifl e,” Benedict said of about weapon systems than any- problem. To those who dismiss inches, 114 pounds, with green dling crew-served weapons with her marksmanship training. one else on her team. She passed her because of her gender, she eyes and a youthful, slender ease. While teaching his youngest her knowledge about crew-served says they are wrong. “You do face framed by shoulder-length Despite not fi tting the stereo- girl - Benedict has two older sis- weapons such as the M-240-B what you’re good at. I did what black hair, Spc. Barbara Bene- typical mold of a crew-served ters - how to aim at a target, Lou- and .50-caliber machine guns on I wanted to do. I wanted to be dict doesn’t look like a typical weapons operator, it is a role she is also inadvertently aimed her to to her fellow Soldiers. here (serving as a gunner).” gunner. But as her fellow com- was prepared for growing up. follow in his footsteps. Sanders, a native of Grand It was a desire born, in part, pany mates will tell you, she “I’m daddy’s little girl. I did Benedict said her father was Rapids, Mich., saw some of that from the knowledge that wom- is one hard-core trooper and a everything he did.” her inspiration to join the Army. skill fi rst hand while qualifying en play an integral role in the fi ne gunner. That ‘everything’ encom- After enlisting, Benedict said on the M-240-B machine gun military, especially in Iraq. “I was really impressed with passed a lot of weapons training. she was amazed at the lessons range at Fort Bragg, N.C., in “There are certain things her,” said Spc. Daniel Sanders, Her father, Sgt. 1st Class Louis taught in a weapons training class preparation for deployment. you can’t do without females, a civil affairs specialist with Benedict, U.S. Army Recruiting by a master gunner. The pair would qualify ex- especially over here,” she said, Company A, 415th Civil Af- Battalion, operations noncom- She began talking with the pert on the weapon, a distinction noting that cultural norms in fairs Battalion, from Kalama- missioned offi cer, is a 31-year master gunner, learning all she Benedict also holds for the M-4 the Arab world prevent a lot of zoo, Mich., adding she defi es veteran in the Army who often could about various weapons rifl e. male-female interaction. Marne Focus, page 10 MND-Center March 27, 2008 Marne history PROVIDED BY LT. COL. MIKE HURST, HISTORIAN, 3RD INF. DIV. 3rd. Inf. Div. Crosses the Rhine Sixty-three years ago this week, on 26 March 18-21 March, to breach the Siegfried Line and devas- Infantry Division crossing at the same time on 1945, the Third Infantry Division crossed the tate the city. Then on the 22nd the 3ID turned north- their left fl ank above Worms. The fi rst boats ran Rhine River. This was of more than military east toward the area between the cities of Mannheim into an inferno from mortars and self-propelled importance. “Father Rhine” was the heart of and Worms on the Rhine, sixty miles away. guns targeting both banks. By noon elements of Germany. When the Allies crossed it, a huge The main impetus for the push to the Rhine came the 7th Infantry were in Sandhofen and fi nding psychological as well physical barrier to an Al- from the 30th Infantry, which had been completely every house had been converted into a pillbox lied victory also fell. Major battles, especially at motorized on the 21st. It covered the sixty miles to that had to be destroyed. It took until the morn- Nuremberg, would remain after the 3ID crossed the river in three days on Hitler’s pride, the Auto- ing of the 27th for the town to be completely the river, but the Division’s speed in moving bahn, to assembly near the town of Ludwigshafen. controlled. The 30th Infantry had an easier task. through Germany would be more reminiscent of The 15th Infantry had headed northeast to Kaiser- Starting off just south of Worms, it quickly took the “champagne campaign” of Southern France slautern, which it took on the 22nd; leaving a bat- several small villages and gone through a belt of the previous fall than the slog through the Vosges. talion there, the rest of the regiment arriving at the woods to high land beyond. In less than two months the War would be over. Rhine the next day. The 7th Infantry, after resting on While doing that it had captured about 1,250 The 3ID had spent January and February 1945 the 22nd, moved near Carlsberg on the 23rd and ar- prisoners and a huge amount of equipment. By eliminating the Colmar Pocket, the last territory rived at the banks of the Rhine on the 25th. The stage the end of the 27th the west bank of the Rhine in France still held by the Germans, for which was now set for the crossing. was completely in the hands of the 3ID in its it well deserved the PUC it was awarded. Then Shortly after dusk on 25 March the 10th Engineers sector and the division forces had pushed more it had gone into SHAEF reserve status for a de- began bringing boats and river-crossing material to than fi ve miles east. served rest. On 12 March it had become part the jumping off place opposite the town of Sandhofen. The 3ID was ready to continue on its way of XV Corps and returned to business. On 15 High dikes south of the unfi nished Autobahn bridge northeast. By one of the ironies of history, the March it had crossed the Franco-German bor- forced troops to carry their boats to the water’s edge, area 3ID soldiers would barrel through in the der north of Strasbourg [captured by the 3ID in while German troops fi red mortars from the town—a next two weeks—Aschaffenbrug, Bad Kissingen December 1944] and continued north to the city precursor of what was to come—until Division Artil- and Kitzengen—would be the home of the 3ID of Zweibrücken, which sat behind the anti-tank lery took them out. for almost forty years during the Cold War; and ditches, dragon’s teeth and fi re trenches of the 0230 on the 26th was H-Hour, with the 7th and 30th 3ID soldiers would change from being Germa- Siegfried Line. It only took the 3ID three days, Infantry Regiments making the assault and the 45th ny’s conqueror to its defender. Soldiers, SoI partner with locals to give mobility SGT. 1ST CLASS SCOTT MAYNARD talion out of Knoxville, Tenn., got them 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO to my battery,” Cannon said. “They came in boxes and my Soldiers put them to- FOB HAMMER– The Soldiers knew gether.” how to get wheelchairs and local coun- Humanitarian missions such as the cil members knew who needed them. wheelchair distribution go a long way The Sons of Iraq provided security and toward building trust and good relation- all three groups worked together to bring ships with local residents. mobility to disabled residents of Tesah “We have made considerable progress Nissan March 14. through these humanitarian missions,” Capt. Chas Cannon, commander of Cannon said, “having just as much ef- Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artil- fect, or more, than a kinetic operation lery, along with Sheikh against the extremists.” Qassim, leader of the “I’ve seen schools Staff Sgt. Roderick Tesah Nissan SoI, and Coleman, from Norfolk, Sheikh Enad, council built, supported Va., agreed with Cannon. chairman, coordinated medical opera- “I’ve got a new under- as a team to accomplish standing of the humanitar- the mission. tions, helped the ian and political side of “Back in December, the war,” said Coleman, a during a patrol, I saw Sons of Iraq de- section chief with 2nd pla- a man walking on his toon, Battery A. “In order velop in Tesah Nis- Photo by Spc. Ben Hutto hands and asked the san and all those to defeat extremism you Two members of the Tesah Nissan Sons of Iraq deliver a wheelchair to a dis- council, ‘Are there oth- have to beat it from the in- abled resident of the region March 14 as Staff Sgt. Roderick Coleman, from ers who need a wheel- things are signs of side out. Norfolk, Va., 2nd platoon, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, looks on. chair?’ The council said “A wheelchair distribu- yes, and at the follow- progress.” tion, a medical assistance deployment. “The council, led by Sheikh Enad, ing meeting they had mission, digging wells, “I don’t mind working the streets,” sets the pace for my work schedule,” names and locations,” — Staff Sgt. Roderick building schools or a new Coleman said. “I get personal gratifi - Cannon said. “I tell the council how I said Cannon, a native of Coleman Sons of Iraq headquarters cation from seeing the progress on the can support them and they point me to Moultrie, Ga. 1st Bn., 10th FA building are all things that ground. I’ve seen schools built, support- the needs in the area. The wheelchairs Getting the wheel- build confi dence and trust ed medical operations, helped the Sons were a need, that need has been fi lled.” chairs was as simple as between the Soldiers, the of Iraq develop in Tesah Nissan and all The 1-10 FA is part of the 3rd Heavy going on the internet. Sons of Iraq and the townspeople,” Cole- those things are signs of progress.” Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Di- “The wheelchairs were donated by man said. The council meets weekly to discuss vision, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has freewheelchairs.com and our civil affairs Coleman, an artilleryman, turned in- development and needs ranging from been deployed in support of Operation detachment, the 489th Civil Affairs Bat- fantry squad leader for this part of his crops, to water and even wheelchairs. Iraqi Freedom since March 2007. March 27, 2008 MND-Center Marne Focus, page 11 MICROGRANT: From page 6 Photo Contest Winner: approving authority for Kramer’s grant requests. Kramer talks to each one of the microgrant recipients at least a twice a month. One of the tailors in the consortium, Jawdet Hussein Abdul, is an James F.X. O’Gara older man who reminds Kramer of his father. “When we started talking about this project I saw a spark come to the man’s eyes,” Kramer said of Abdul. “After five years of conflict and watching his business crumble, he was going to get back into the game.” Kramer has met with all three tailors on several occasions to discuss for- mation of the consortium and the flag contract. The men agreed that Abdul should be the manager of the group. “I invited all three of them to come in and gave them a low-down about the possibility of a project,” Kramer said of the 400 flag order. “The three of them decided to pool their talents and work together.” The contract for the flags is worth about $4,000. The flags are being purchased with quick-reaction funds for the 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT) and will be distributed during Rakkasan operations and events. “There is that spark of entrepreneurism, the desire to earn their living by working hard (to) provide a better life for their families,” Kramer said. “Most don’t want a handout but rather a hand up.”

Power lunch Iraqi style DOIN’ MORE BEFORE 9 a.m. ... Soldiers from 511th Military Police Company, Fort Drum, N.Y., attached to 214th Fires Brigade, eat cereal atop their Humvee during a break in the action recently at Forward Oper- ating Base Delta. Mr. O’Gara is a State Department governance specialist with the Wasit provincial reconstruction team. Photo Contest Get Published! Want to be famous? Email your best photo to the editor: [email protected]. 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 with rank, full name, job title and unit of each Soldier in the photo. PVT MURPHY‛S LAW

Photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs Leaders from the 3rd Infantry Division including Brig. Gen. James Huggins, deputy commanding general for maneuver and Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., commander, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, eat a meal of lamb and rice with Gen. Aboud, commander of the Baghdad Operations Center and members of the 1st National Police Division and the 9th Iraqi Army Division, March 22 near Kanasa, Iraq. Marne Focus, page 12 MND-Center February 28, 2008 Sole female team conquers Knighthawk Challenge BY SPC. EMILY WILSONCROFT 3rd CAB, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

CAMP STRIKER – Specialists An- drea Hernandez and Kimberly Burton did not set out to win the Knighthawk Challenge – at least, not in any tradi- tional sense. The two best friends, both from Headquarters and Headquarters Com- pany, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regi- ment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, said they signed up for the battalion-wide competition, held March 16 at 2-3 Avn. Regt.’s headquarters, as a way of testing their own limi- tations. “We thought it would be something fun to do,” said Hernandez, a native of San Diego, Calif., wiping the sweat from her forehead after completing 54 sit-ups in her fi rst event. “We trained for a month.” As the only all-female team in the competition, Burton and Hernandez knew they wanted to make their mark amid their male counterparts. Photo by Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft “Just because we’re smaller, it doesn’t Specialists Kimberly Burton and Andrea Hernandez, HHC, 2nd Bn., 3rd Avn. Regt, fl ip a tire from a Light Medium Tactical mean we can’t do the same stuff they Vehicle approximately 40 yards as part of the Knighthawk Challenge March 16 at Camp Striker. can,” Hernandez said. “We wanted to show people what we can do.” Soldier’s Creed and Dog Face Soldier and tire-fl ip events – although not an “We defi nitely would (compete),” “I knew we weren’t go- Song; a quiz on their insurmountable one. Burton said. “Now that we did it, we ing to win,” Burton said, knowledge of their chain “Yeah, we fl ip tires every day for, can do it again.” “but once you fi nish it all, “We wanted to show of command and NCO like, an hour,” Burton joked. The overall winners of the Knighthawk accomplish everything everyone that we support channel; and the Moments before that event, she had Challenge were Chief Warrant Offi cers and do your best, you feel most unconventional, a good-naturedly lain still as Hernandez Robert Rayner and Matthew Groover, good. We wanted to show have strength, we “tire-fl ip,” in which the worked determinedly to insert and re- Company C, 2-3rd Avn. Regt. everyone that we have have guts and we team had to fl ip a tire move an IV from her teammate’s arm strength, we have guts from a Light Medium under simulated combat conditions. and we can take care of can take care of our- Tactical Vehicle for a to- Burton and Hernandez combined their ourselves.” selves.” tal of 40 yards. efforts to succeed not only while ma- What they could do Most of the tasks were neuvering the larger-than-life tire, but boiled down to 10 events: — Spc. Kimberly Burton not foreign for the two, throughout the entire competition. push-ups and sit-ups; 3rd CAB, 3rd Inf. Div. but still were far from the They even exceeded their own expecta- weapons assembly; com- jobs they do on a regular tions in some events. munications; preventive basis as aviation opera- “When we fi rst started training, maintenance checks and services on tions specialists. neither of us could do even one dip,” a Humvee; dips; bench-presses; com- This lack of familiarity proved to be Burton said. Combined, the two had bat life-saving tasks; recitation of the an obstacle – especially during the CLS completed fi ve dips in two minutes, each one rooting the other on from the sidelines. “She (bench-pressed) a ton more weight than she usually does,” Her- nandez said of her teammate, who had just fi nished pressing 125 pounds in the event. The Soldiers’ platoon sergeant, Staff Sgt. Glen Porter, supervised the competition and said he was pleased with their performance. “I thought they did an outstanding job,” he said. “They’re great Soldiers, and they showed a lot of leadership potential by volunteering for this. They’re a good example of what all young aviation specialists should be.” Although they didn’t win – they placed 15th out of 20 teams – both Bur- ton and Hernandez said they were glad they’d completed the Challenge and put Photo by Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft all they could into it. Spcs. Kimberly Burton and Andrea The women said they’d be more than Photo by Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft willing to participate again in the com- Hernandez with HHC, 2nd Bn., 3rd Spc. Kimberly Burton, HHC, 2nd Bn., 3rd Avn. Regt., CAB, 3rd Inf. Div. as- petition, which was the second of its Avn. Regt., do a radio check as part of sembles an M16A2 rifl e as part of the Knighthawk Challenge March 16 at Camp kind for the battalion during its current the Knighthawk Challenge March 16 at Striker. deployment. Camp Striker.