www.hood.army.mil/1stcavdiv/ “Telling the MND- Story” Tuesday, August 14, 2007

(Photo by Sgt. Mike Pryor, 2-82 Airborne Div. Public Affairs) St. Louis native Sgt. Aaron Johnson, a psychological operations sergeant attached to the Fort Stewart, Ga. based 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, talks to a local man across from the street from the Aug. 8. Johnson was trying to get a better sense of the mood of the community after residents rose up and ousted terrorists from the mosque Aug. 5. Iraqi, U.S. Forces Build on Citizens Momentum

By Sgt. Mike Pryor February. with terrorist activity in their community, 2-82 Abn. Div. Public Affairs Small arms fire, rocket-propelled stormed the Abu Hanifa Mosque and expelled grenades and roadside bombs struck patrols the insurgents, beginning a chain of events that BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – traveling near the mosque on such a regular led coalition forces to detain more than 50 sus- Baghdad Soldiers operating in the Adhamiyah basis that Schaffer and the other Soldiers were pected terrorists and seize five large weapons District of the Iraqi capital used to wager bets convinced insurgents had made the Abu caches over the next two days. on what kind of attack they would come under Hanifa their base. The surprising turn of events was wel- when patrolling near the Abu Hanifa Mosque. But when the mosque was finally raided come news for coalition forces in the area. “We’d be like, I wonder what we’ll get hit and the terrorists thrown out, it wasn’t “I think (the people) were just saying, with today?” said Maj. Jim Schaffer of Coalition Forces or Iraqi Soldiers who did it. It Cleveland, Ohio, a civil affairs team leader was the residents of Adhamiyah. who has been based in Adhamiyah since On Aug. 5, a group of citizens, fed-up See Momentum page 3 Page 2 News August 14, 2007 Ministry of Oil Replaces Destroyed Fuel Pumps By 1st Lt. Ray Ashworth zene station opened 16 days after the acci- line and inspect the would-be customers. 1-64 Armor Regiment dent. Now it has a larger fuel capacity and is “A few months ago, terrorists would better able to serve the citizens of Khadra. come in and steal benzene, and there was no BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Ministry of There is a constant stream of vehicles flow- one to stop them,” said Muhammad Sigheed. Oil rebuilt an essential benzene pump station ing through its gates with 15 employees on “But the National Police protect the station in the western Baghdad neighborhood of hand providing the customers with full serv- while we’re open.” Khadra. ice. “The Khadra benzene station is very On July 10, an engine spark ignited a An added feature to the station since its important to the city,” said the local National puddle of spilled benzene next to one of the reopening is the presence of Iraqi National Police commanding officer, Lt. Colonel pumps at the station. An explosion ensued, Police officers from 2nd Battalion, 5th Hassan. “With benzene, our citizens can resulting in seven civilian deaths and all 10 Regiment, 2nd National Police Division. drive to work and provide generators with benzene pumps being destroyed. Two police trucks guard both the entrance fuel for electricity. So, it is part of our serv- “It was very bad,” said Famir Abus, one and exit points, and police officers patrol the ice to Khadra to help keep this station open.” of three managers at the benzene station. “But the Ministry of Oil gave us the money we needed to replace the pumps five days after the accident.” The Ministry of Oil provided the money for new pumps and paid contractors to fix the wiring for those pumps to help prevent any future accidents from occurring. “Government workers worked every day to make sure the benzene station was open as soon as possible,” remarked Muhammad Sigheed, another station manag- er. Muhammad was quick to show that all 10 pumps were not only replaced, but the (Photo by 1st Lt. Ray Ashworth, 1-64 Armor Regiment) Iraqi government provided money to pur- An accidental fire destroyed the benzene station in Khadra July 10. The Iraqi chase four new pumps, as well. Ministry of Oil provided funds to repair the gas station, as well as supplied With government help, the Khadra ben- Iraqi National Police officers to guard the station during its hours of business.

Arabic Phrase of the Day jaami 3-Day Defined: Weather Today Tomorrow Thursday mosque Report High: 114 High: 115 High: 116 Low: 85 Low: 85 Low: 86

Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, Jr. Marlow, Sgt. Mike Pryor, Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl Contact the Daily Charge at VOIP 242-4093, DSN 318-847-2855 or e- Command Information Supervisor: Master Sgt. Dave Larsen mail [email protected]. Senior Editor: Sgt. Nicole Kojetin The Daily Charge is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of Editor: Spc. William Hatton the Daily Charge are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Staff Writers: Spc. Jeffrey Ledesma, Spc. L.B. Edgar, Spc. Shea Butler, Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the 1st Cavalry Division. and Pfc. Ben Gable All editorial content of the Daily Charge is prepared, edited, provided and approved by1st Contributing Writers: 1st Lt. Ray Ashworth, Staff Sgt. W. Wayne Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office. Page 3 News August 14, 2007 Iraqi, U.S. Forces in Adhamiyah Try to Build off Residents’ Stand Against Terrorism Momentum From Page 1 enough is enough,” said Fort Knox, Ky., native Lt. Col. Jeff Broadwater, commander of the Fort Stewart, Ga.-based 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment “Sabers,” the U.S. unit responsible for security in Adhamiyah. “I think it was a tipping point,” Broadwater said. The challenge for Coalition Forces now is to cap- italize on the situation, and not let the momentum created by the uprising go to waste, Broadwater said. “The most important thing for us now is that we build more than we destroy. All of (Photo by Sgt. Mike Pryor, 2-82 Airborne Div. Public Affairs) our offensive operations have Lamirada, Calif., native Pfc. Josh Nelson (right), of the Fort Stewart, Ga.-based to be balanced by (humanitari- 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, shares a laugh with a local man while out an efforts),” said Maj. Ike on patrol near the Abu Hanifa Mosque in Baghdad's Adhamiyah District Aug. 8. Sallee, the squadron’s opera- tions officer. have been focusing on words, and doing this stuff by Iraqi Soldiers. Others were The Sabers took over strengthening their relation- shows the people ‘we care happy that the mosque had responsibility for Adhamiyah ships with local leaders and more about you than you think been liberated from terrorists, just last month. Yet the unit has government officials, such as we do,’” Sallee said. but wanted to talk about other already approved almost members of the Neighborhood In the past, Coalition problems like the lack of elec- $500,000 in development proj- and District Advisory Councils. Forces have struggled to get tricity. ects. Some of those currently For the Sabers, local gov- that message out, and there is But other residents seemed underway include micro-loans ernment issues are as crucial to still a lot of distrust among the emboldened by the news. Hajji for economic revitalization, mission success as military people of Adhamiyah towards Kasem, a local businessman, sewage and trash removal, the operations, and are treated with the U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers. It’s said he was glad the terrorists employment of a local security equal importance. On one something that Sabers know were out of the mosque, and he force for a hospital, and numer- recent afternoon, sniper fire in won’t change overnight, Sallee had plans to organize a neigh- ous school rehabilitation proj- the Antar Square area made it said. borhood watch to keep them ects, said 1st Lt. Chadwick unsafe for some of the staff at But the Sabers hope the out. He said he was happy to Knight, the squadron’s target- the DAC to walk home from mosque uprising may be an work with Coalition Forces, ing officer. their office. Soldiers from indication that opinion in the even though some of his But the Soldiers also real- Troop C came to their rescue, community has begun to shift friends would question the rela- ize their resources are limited. providing a dismounted escort in their favor. tionship. “We’re doing what we can, and leading the frightened Reaction to the uprising at “They say, why do you but we can’t do it ourselves,” group of men, women, and the mosque was mixed. Some work with these guys? But I Broadwater said. “The govern- children through the square of the men said the weapons just want Adhamiyah to get ment of Iraq has to come in.” safely. that had been discovered in the better,” Kasem said. “All I care To that end, the Sabers “Actions speak louder than mosque had been planted there about is helping my people.” Page 4 Feature August 14, 2007 Iraqi General’s Son Follows Father’s Footsteps By Staff Sgt. W. Wayne Marlow the Iraqi Army,” he said. “The military said. 2-2 Inf. Div. Public Affairs has always been my passion and I want to In between learning about mainte- see the Army restored. I like the military nance and firing at an electronic range, the FORWARD OPERATING BASE lifestyle and take pride in my own Army. two had time to view Saving Private Ryan. LOYALTY, Iraq – The son and nephew of My father was a mentor in all things, and Both reported being impacted deeply by an Iraqi general got a first-hand look at he was one of the main reasons I joined.” the movie. how the U.S. Army does business during a As the Iraqi Army grows in numbers “I was reminded of the suffering of sojourn at Forward Operating Base and ability, Reyad is looking forward to my own people when I saw the lady who Loyalty this week. the day when it can reclaim its country. lost her three sons,” Reyad said. “We have Mohammed Reyad, son of the 9th “I would like to rescue my country a deep wound that we must tend to with Iraqi Army Division commander Jalal from the gangs of terrorists,” he said. the help of our American friends.” Reyad, and a cadet at the Baghdad “The country needs its sons to stand with For Sibeh, the movie reminded him of Military Academy, visited 2nd Infantry it, and make sure its children, women, and the aftermath of an explosion on Karadah, Brigade Combat Soldiers to learn more old men are safe.” where he helped pull survivors from the about Army techniques and to strengthen Sibeh added that he plans on making rubble. He said seeing the damage and suf- the ties between the two countries. the military a career. fering caused by terrorists strengthened Joining him was his cousin, Haydar “I am very proud to serve in Iraq,” he his resolve to continue the fight. Sibeh, a specialist in the Iraqi Army. Reyad had nothing but kind words for the U.S. Soldiers he trained with. “It was very useful and positive,” he said. “We learned about leadership in general and how the lieutenants run their platoons and deal with Soldiers and their concerns.” He will take what he leaned and pass it onto fellow cadets. “I will integrate what I learned her into my training schedule,” Reyad said. “Some of the skills I learned will be land- marks to guide me through my training.” Sibeh will do the same with Soldiers in his unit. “I will carry this experience to my Soldiers. I want them to get to U.S. Soldier standards on tasks like vehicle and weapons maintenance,” he said. “I was very impressed with the way American Soldiers train.” Reyad also praised the work ethic of (U.S. Army photo) his U.S. counterparts and he hopes the Mohammed Reyad (left) and Iraqi Army Spc. Haydar Sibeh (center) tack- Iraqi Military Academy and the Iraqi le the electronic firing range at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in east- Army can return to what he calls their ern Baghdad during training with Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Brigade glory days. Combat Team. Reyad and Sibeh are the son and nephew, respectively, “I had multiple reasons for joining of the 9th Iraqi Army Division commander, Maj. Gen. Jalel Reyad. Page 5 Feature August 14, 2007 Separating Friend from Foe in Saba Al Bor By Spc. L.B. Edgar, 7th MPAD

BAGHDAD – The young Iraqi girl looked up to her mother in search of the right answer to the question: “Is this a bad man?” Apprehension shaded her inno- cent, cherubic face. Hesitantly, she responded with a meek, “Laa.” No. Immediately, a seasoned female interpreter recognized the child’s reluctance as fear. The truth: the man in question was certainly suspect, if not criminal. The eyes of a young child seldom lie. In the girl’s neighborhood within Saba Al Bor, mixed signals are common. Residents of the predominantly Shiite area of the town in the northern Baghdad (Photo by Spc. L.B. Edgar, 7th MPAD) Province, live in constant fear of Killeen, Texas, native Sgt. Nicholas Anderson, 24, the Estonian liaison for Troop militia extremists. B, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry However, things are better Division, takes a breather along with an Estonian soldier as a boy looks on in than before. Sectarian violence is Saba Al Bor, a town on the northern outskirts of Baghdad Province, during a down, there is an increased pres- search of a predominantly Shia neighborhood Aug. 7. ence on the streets, and most rotund Iraqi. Anderson, 24, who works with responses coupled with the child’s importantly, citizens of Saba Al “The suspect claimed to him regularly in Saba Al Bor. reluctance to answer compelled a Bor, located on the outskirts of merely be a butcher, rather than a Colonel Muhammad’s other line of questioning. Iraq’s capital, are taking responsi- member in Mahdi’s Army,” said alias, “volunteer six,” denotes his When the suspect was unco- bility for their own security, said Killeen, Texas, native Sgt. assumed position as the com- operative during questioning he Swansea, S.C., native, Capt. Nicholas Anderson. mander of the volunteers, con- became a visitor of the nearby Brooks Yarborough. The bulk of the information cerned citizens who actively joint security station, another “The biggest help from the leading to questioning the man assist Coalition and Iraqi Security improvement to security in Saba citizens of Saba Al Bor is their came from a seemingly unlikely Forces root out insurgents and Al Bor. hospitality and willingness to source, a concerned citizen of extremists alike by providing use- “The people of Saba Al Bor cooperate with Coalition Forces. Saba Al Bor, who actively works ful information. are really pleased with the Every door we knock on, every with Coalition Forces to secure The information du jour is Coalition presence here, to child we see, there is always a his town. the butcher suspected of ties to the include the Iraqi Army and Iraqi smiling face greeting us,” said the Though the concerned citi- Jaish Al Mahdi. Col Muhammad Police,” explained Yarborough. 25-year-old fire support officer zen’s true name is uncertain, he spoke with residents who relayed “The only way you’re going for 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry prefers to be called “Colonel their concerns; sometimes direct- to catch these people is to make Regiment. Muhammad,” saying he was once ly and in other cases non-verbally, relationships with the people,” Already suspected of ties to an officer in Saddam’s Army. such as the young girl. Anderson said. Jaish Al Mahdi (JAM), a Shiite Although a Sunni, he also works “The people are scared of One little girl may not have extremist group operating in Saba with Shia in Saba Al Bor. him,” the clean-cut, middle-aged verbally given Coalition forces an Al Bor as well as greater “His primary concern is Col. Muhammad told Anderson, a honest answer, but her eyes told Baghdad, the man was ques- bringing criminals, across sectari- liaison with the Estonian platoon. no lies. She feared her next-door tioned. When his story did not an lines, to justice and in the In turn, Anderson shared the tip neighbor, who was taken away by quite add up, neighbors weighed process restoring the once popu- with the Estonian soldiers. Other the Soldiers who searched and in about why they feared the lous town’s prosperity,” said residents were consulted and their secured her neighborhood.