Multi-National Division - North www.1ad.army.mil Volume 2 Issue 07

Page 1 oct. 20, 2008

President recognizes MP for Hispanic Heritage Month

Photo by Donald Wagner

in Cuba. I came to this country with Reserve unit from Bethlehem, Pa., he Story by Maj. Edward R. McCray my parents and my sister when I was Photos by Donald Wagner is also currently the theater internment seven months old," Guerra said after facility commander of Remembrance the ceremony, adding that he feels a II at Camp Cropper, . strong sense of American patriotism ola! Bienvenidos a la Casa Blanca," Maj. Gen. Adolph McQueen Jr., and commitment to country. President George W. Bush opened commander of the 200th Military H "Enrique has always had a sense his White House Hispanic Heritage Police Command at Fort Meade, Md., of patriotism," said Karen Guerra, Lt. Month address Oct. 9 in which he and former Joint Task Force Detainee Col. Guerra's wife. "It's in his blood. As recognized a deployed citizen-warrior. Operations Group commander at a child, he was always playing Army. Lt. Col. Enrique M. Guerra, commander Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, walked He always wanted to be a Soldier. He of the 744th Military Police Battalion at the grounds of Camp Cropper with loves doing what he does." Camp Cropper, Iraq, was invited to fly Guerra in July. Camp Cropper is a Mrs. Guerra stood proudly by her back from theater especially to attend large internment facility in southern husband as the President shook his the ceremony on the South Lawn of the Iraq and McQueen noted that Guerra hand, thanked him for his service White House. is the right man for the job. and presented him with a presidential "It was an honor to meet the Guerra is a Political Science coin. president," Guerra said. "I am humbled graduate of Rutgers University. He Lt. Col. Guerra not only commands to be selected to be here." the 744th MP Battalion, an Army "As you may be aware, I was born Heritage Continued on Page 3 Page 2 oct. 20, 2008

IA and CF execute another ‘good neighbor’ mission

to help the people, while also facing the enemy,” said Iraqi Army Sgt. Maj. Chapok, with 3-5-2 IA. Right now, a lot of the enemy activity that’s going on is because a lot of people are poor, so they’re supporting insurgency, Chapok said. “But I think that once Mosul starts more projects and provides more services for the people, the enemy activity will decrease,” he continued. The battalion has been quick to act and try to fix things, knowing what the problem is.

Eager hands of Iraqi children, as well as Iraqi women, reach out and try to grab onto something that the Jundi with “We also have other projects on 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, toss at them during a food and supply drop on the southeastern hand,” said Rahman. “For example, region of Mosul, Iraq on Oct. 17. we’re working to have water well built in a neighborhood that needs water, a the Iraqi Security Forces and the local soccer field and such.” Story and photo by populace, said Arcand, a native of And so, 3-5-2 IA will continue By Spc. Karla Elliott White Bear Lake, Minn. executing good neighbor missions to 11th Public Affairs Detachment Forty bags of humanitarian help the people of their area and let assistance was coordinated through them know that they are there to help. “The next step is for the local civilian ilitary leaders and Jundi with 3rd 1st Battalion, 8th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, were distributed; along with leadership to form and start acting,” MBattalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi concluded Arcand. Army Division along with 3-5-2 Military clothes and beanie babies provided by Transition Team, executed another the 18th Combat Sustainment Support humanitarian assistance drop in the Battalion. southeastern region of Mosul, Iraq, “Today was very good because on Oct. 17. all this that we do shows that we, the This has been one of the many Army, are here to help the people” said good-neighbor missions the 3-5-2 IA Iraqi Army Col. Ahmed Abdul Rahman, has accomplished over an eight-month commander of 3-5-2 IA. period with the help of 3-5-2 MiTT. Even though they average three “We try to go out on these good good neighbor missions a month, this neighbor missions at least three times month, the 3-5-2 IA, along with their a month,” said Maj. Chad Arcand, team counterparts, achieved 10 of these chief for 3-5-2 MiTT. missions within the battalion’s area of Col. Ahmed Abdul Rahman, commander of 3rd Battalion, The overall mission is to build responsibility. 5th Brigade, 2nd Division of the Iraqi Army, shakes the rapport and relationships between “The biggest challenge during hand of a local national who lives in the southeastern these missions is that we are trying region of Mosul, Iraq.

Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling Contributing Writers: Sgt.1st Class Kevin Doheny Sgt. Rick Rzepka Public Affairs Officer: Maj. Margaret Kageleiry Layout and Design: Spc. Ryan Elliott, 14th PAD Public Affairs NCOIC: Master Sgt. Nancy Morrison Editor: Staff Sgt. Mark Albright, 14th Public Affairs Detachment

Contact the Iron Strong at VOIP: 242-1190, DSN: 318-849-0089 or email [email protected] The “Iron Strong” is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the “Iron Strong” are not necessarily official veiws of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the Task Force Iron. All editorial content of this publication is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Task Force Iron Public Affairs Office. Page 3 oct. 20, 2008

general theme of the response I received that freedom is available to all. Enrique, Heritage from Page 1 was that unit has a good reputation among bienvenidos. Thank you for coming." also earned a Master of Science degree in the troops and the Soldiers feel that they Management from Thomas Edison State have leaders that they trust," Guerra said, College, in New Jersey. He is a graduate noting that he went on to fill his ranks with of the Army Command and General Staff subject-matter experts. College and the Multifunction Logisticians In the President's Hispanic Heritage Course. address on the South Lawn of the White Guerra attributes much of his military House, he recognized Guerra with these success and the confidence that his leaders remarks: "I ' m especially proud to be the have expressed in him to the fact that he is commander-in-chief of a military in which a good listener. there's 225,000 Hispanic men and women. "I love being around Soldiers. I talk with One of these Hispanos is an Army lieutenant them. I listen". "Many of my young Soldiers colonel named Enrique Guerra. Listen to are volunteering for a second or third tour," his story." said Guerra. "Our morale is high." President Bush briefly recounted the In his 2007 departure ceremony speech, narrative of Lt. Col. Guerra's arrival to Guerra noted that a large number of Soldiers America and his current military service. were volunteering to deploy with the 744th. The president concluded his He said he surveyed his young Soldiers and acknowledgments by saying "And today I ' asked why they were volunteering. "The m proud to honor his service, and the service of all Hispanic Americans, who ensure

Iraqi pilots graduate, flight training wing opens

Story and photo by Iraqi counterparts to create and reestablish a clinical communications. By Spc. Cynthia Teears successful flight program for Iraqi airmen who “It was difficult because we were the first. 11th Public Affairs Detachment want to be pilots for the Iraq military. Every first class…there is a challenge for “As we train up this new generation and every starting class,” Habeeb said. “I joined give them the ability and the tools they need the Air Force in 2007 as an engineer, then he Iraqi Air Force Flying Training Wing to take over their own security, they will I passed the medical test, plus the English graduated three pilots and opened a new T enable U.S. forces to gradually draw down exam, then they accepted me as a pilot. training facility at the Kirkuk Air Field in Kirkuk our presence here,” Brauner stated. Maybe I will be a test pilot in the future.” City, Iraq, Oct. 13. The pilots are trained in many areas The events began in the late morning with including intelligence, surveillance and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new training reconnaissance missions. “Currently, we have facility, which will accommodate better training 42 students in training and we expect to get and more students in the future. The guests another class of approximately 14 students in then watched a traditional military ceremony November. We are also currently training six where the flight students of the training wing instructor pilots who will take more control and demonstrated the passing of their guidon to provide an Iraqi face to the training,” Brauner the next class of students to take on their said. “We are training pilots and maintainers in educational endeavors at the school. both flying fixed wing aircraft, and soon rotary “This is the first class to graduate since the wing aircraft in the future.” fall of . So, these are the first The three pilots who graduated received three pilots to be trained in this decade in Iraq,” gifts and diplomas from senior air force officers said Lt. Col. Nathan Brauner, commander, from both the U.S. and Iraqi Air Force. 52nd Expeditionary Flight Training Squadron. “It’s a huge feeling…I am really sure that “It is graduation class 67 from the training my family will be proud of me,” said 2nd Lt. wing.” Sudents and attendants at the Iraqi Air Force pilot gradua- Habeeb Humedan al-Maqsusy, a graduate The U.S. Air Force has partnered with their tion on Forward Operating Base Warrior in Kirkuk. and an electrical engineer and specialty in Page 4 Homefront News oct. 20, 2008

ELECTIONS One of the first links in search results space of half a day he had fielded calls from leads to joetheplumber.com, but the site is not 300 people wanting t-shirts and 1000 curious (Sydney Morning Hearld) J o e t h e connected with Wurzelbacher in any way. punters, as well as 100,000 emails. plumber from Ohio may have been the real star Instead, the page is owned by Joe The calls began flowing in almost as of the final US presidential debate, but it was an Francis of Amarillo, . The Dallas Morning soon as "Joe the plumber" was mentioned in the unrelated Texan who might yet reap the major News reported that Francis was out elk hunting debate. financial dividends. this week but his office manager, Ronnie Bishop, Wurzelbacher, a tradesman who works Joe Wurzelbacher, who has done little had been swamped with calls all day. 12-hour shifts, had told Senator Obama he more than question Democratic presidential Francis was reportedly considering one planned to buy his own small plumbing business candidate Barack Obama on tax policy earlier offer of $US800,000 to buy the joetheplumber. but if he did so he would be earning more than this week, was referenced more than 20 times in com domain name. $US250,000 a year and subject to Senator yesterday's debate between Senator Obama and Mr Bishop told the paper that in the Obama's planned tax increases. the Republican candidate, McCain seized on the John McCain. exchange as a way of proving The deluge of media Senator Obama was not in attention quickly transformed touch with the average "Joe Six into personal scrutiny and Pack". Senator Obama quickly before long search engines dispatched those criticisms by were flooded with people pointing out that less than two looking to find out more per cent of small businesses made about Joe the plumber. more than $US250,000. At the time of Wurzelbacher told reporters writing, "Joe the plumber" outside his home that the constant was listed as the second references to him in the debate most searched-for term on "bothered me". Yahoo Buzz. Variations of "I wished that they had the phrase also appeared in talked more about issues that numerous spots on Google's are important to Americans," he Hot Trends section, including said. several in the top 20.

“domicile” is another state. Her father testified presented a partly completed application for a Entertainment she held a valid Louisiana license. California driver’s license Spears filled out four Is Britney Spears a Californian or a In his closing argument, Spears’ months before the accident. Louisianan? attorney said the singer remained in Los Angeles “Judge her by her actions,” Deputy City Jurors confronted with that question at only because of a custody battle for her two Atty. Michael Amerian urged the panel. the pop star's trial for driving without a license young sons. spent about two hours deliberating Friday. The “She is a Louisiana panelists are expected to return Monday to girl, born there, lived there resume their discussions. and is going back there as If convicted of a misdemeanor, Spears, soon as things are straightened 26, faces a maximum sentence of six months in out here,” lawyer Michael jail and a $1,000 fine. The charge stems from an Flanagan said. accident last year in which the performer struck Referring to paparazzi a parked car. who pursue Spears, he added, The trial, which Spears chose not to “Do you blame the girl for attend, turns on whether jurors believe her legal wanting to go home?” “domicile” -- defined in the vehicle code as A prosecutor mocked the place she “has manifested the intention of what he called her “Louisiana returning to after an absence” -- is the Golden state of mind,” noting that State or the Bayou State. “every significant life event” At the time of the fender-bender, Spears for Spears -- her marriage, the did not have a California license. Her defense birth of her children, her divorce claims she fell into the exception for those whose -- occurred in Los Angeles. He Page 5 SPORTS oct. 20, 2008

Football In some ways, it is very much a classic Frank Beamer team: talented, opportunistic, aggressive on offense and defense, and better than almost anyone at making one of your mistakes show up on the scoreboard. In other areas, however, there is some head scratching about the Virginia Tech team that will be at Alumni Stadium for tomorrow night's Atlantic Coast Conference battle against Boston College. The Hokies are ranked 107th nationally in total offense, averaging 292.8 yards per game, their lowest average since 1987, when Virginia Tech averaged 261.7 yards per game in Beamer's first season. The Hokies' defense, which was ranked third, first, and second the last three seasons, is now ranked 35th, allowing an average of 314.3 as its offensive and defensive anchors, and both per carry, is the catalyst, but others have filled yards per game. are huge concerns for the Eagles. valuable roles, right down to kicker Dustin But there are other numbers that "They've come a long way and are Keys, who is averaging almost two field goals are encouraging, and some might consider just hitting their stride," said Crane, who hit his per game, which is important since three of surprising, considering the Hokies were stride with 470 yards of total offense against the Hokies' victories have been by 5 points or returning only six starters on offense and four N.C. State. "We have BC guys and they have fewer. on defense from last year's ACC championship VT guys; they're all fast ballhawks." "I think they're all going to be down team. With only 10 scholarship seniors on to the fourth quarter," said Beamer. "If you had given me the choice of the roster, this figured to be somewhat of a Some parts of the Hokies' game plan being 5-1 after our first six games, I'd have taken rebuilding year for Tech, which finished 11-3 have remained unchanged. "Beamer Ball," the that in a heartbeat," said Beamer. "Five and one, last season and ranked ninth in the country. term used to describe the propensity of Tech I think, sounds pretty good, but we've still got When Beamer was asked about what teams to produce special teams turnovers, our work cut out for us.' he expected this season, he sounded as uncertain remains. Highlighting this season's Beamer Although the Hokies will arrive at The as anyone. "It's been a long time since we had as Ball unit is defensive tackle John Graves, who Heights ranked 17th nationally and with a 2-0 many questions or weren't settled," said Beamer, already has blocked three kicks. ACC record, they are slight underdogs to the 4-1 who started the season with the biggest question While this may not be a classic (1-1) Eagles, who still carry warm feelings from mark at quarterback. Virginia Tech team in terms of talent - it is the their 38-31 victory over North Carolina State The original plan was to redshirt the youngest team Beamer has had in his tenure - it two weeks ago, which served as quarterback multitalented Taylor, who a year ago started seems well-equipped to continue the Hokies' Chris Crane's coming-out party. and won five games as a freshman as he battled run of success. Virginia Tech has averaged 9.5 Part of the reason for that may be that veteran Sean Glennon for the job. But after a victories over the past 15 seasons, including the Hokies come into tomorrow night's game at stunning opening loss to East Carolina, that 10 or more wins seven times in the last nine less than full strength, with two starters suffering plan was scrapped. By the third game against years. season-ending injuries the last two games - rover Georgia Tech (a 20-17 victory), Taylor had Throw in Tech's 16-1 road record back Davon Morgan (torn anterior cruciate emerged as the starter. The Hokies were able to since joining the ACC in 2004 and BC is facing ligament) and tailback Kenny Lewis (ruptured mix and match players on offense in subsequent its stiffest challenge of the season. But it also Achilles'). Morgan and Lewis were also the victories over North Carolina, , and should be noted that the one blemish on the Hokies' primary kick returners. Western Kentucky. Hokies' ACC road record was against BC in Tech does have quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who is averaging 5.1 yards 2006. Taylor and cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris Page 6 WORLD oct. 20, 2008

Turkey The hit targeted a Kurdistan Workers' On Wednesday, Turkey's parliament Party (PKK) base in Iraq's mountainous Zap extended the army's mandate to carry out cross- region, the Turkish military said. border raids against rebel positions by one No details of casualties were given, year. but the military said its jets bombed the hideout The same day, armed gunmen attacked of "a PKK group which included high-level a police bus near the city of Diyarbakir in members". Turkey's predominantly Kurdish south-east. It was the seventh cross-border air Four policemen and a civilian were strike since a PKK attack on a Turkish outpost killed in the strike that was later claimed as a on 3 October killed 17 troops. "successful action" by the PKK. Turkey has staged other cross-border The PKK is designated a terrorist raids into northern Iraq over recent months in organisation by Turkey, the US and EU. pursuit of the rebels. More than 30,000 people have been 'Successful action' killed since the PKK began its armed campaign The Turkish government accuses Iraq of failing in 1984. to stop the guerrillas - who are fighting for In February, Ankara launched a week- greater autonomy in south-east Turkey - from long ground offensive in northern Iraq which, it (BBC) Turkish warplanes have bombed using the mountainous area as a safe haven. said, targeted bases used by up to 3,000 Kurdish Kurdish rebel positions in northern Iraq, The PKK has been fighting for Kurdish rebels as a springboard for attacks across the Turkey's military says. self-rule for the last 25 years border

Germany SPD stalwarts feared Beck, premier from retirement as a unity figure to take charge of the state of Rhineland Palatinate, lacked the as the party cranks up its election campaign. Germany's Social Democratic Party stature and popularity to challenge Merkel at the The decision was taken before Finance (SPD) gathered Saturday to anoint Frank-Walter polls. Minister Peer Steinbrueck shot to the fore as Steinmeier, 52, the German foreign minister, as Germany's economy is expected to the most visible Social Democrat in the Merkel its candidate to challenge Chancellor Angela stagnate next year, denying the incumbent parties government by announcing bank bail-outs and Merkel in the general election next year. the benefit of any feel-good factor. campaigning for stricter world rules on the The party was also to appoint a new The coalition is expected to become finance industry. national chairman, Franz Muentefering, 68. fractious next year as the two parties jostle for The SPD has split the roles of national Both men were the national committee's sole position, but feuding between the SPD's left and chairman and of candidate for chancellor several nominees and face a simple yes-no vote at the right wings has eased in recent months as the times in its history, but the repeated changes in one-day national conference in Berlin. SPD's star has sunk. post since 2004 have been unprecedented. The change follows the resignation six The SPD has been alarmed by the rise In short succession, the position weeks ago of Kurt Beck, a state premier who of the Left Party, which surged to 13-per-cent has been held by Schroeder, Muentefering, failed as party leader to boost public support for national support this week. Brandenburg Premier Matthias Platzeck and the centre-left party, which rules Germany in an The Left is an alliance of disaffected Beck. uncomfortable coalition with Merkel's Christian former Social Democrats and easterners with Muentefering resigned the post in late Democrats (CDU/CSU). their political roots in the old communist party. 2005 after a dispute with senior SPD officials, The big parties' weak 2005 showing, Commentators say the SPD faces a but that feud had been forgiven. with 35 per cent of the votes for the CDU/CSU dilemma, since more centrist policies would and 34 per cent for the SPD, forced them into frighten working-class voters and indirectly Last year he retired from public life to care a coalition they hope will become history at the aid the Left, whereas more leftist policies or for his dying wife, Ankepetra, then returned to September 27, 2009, polls. an alliance with the Left Party would frighten active politics after her death. (dpa) Steinmeier, a grey-haired and centrist voters into Merkel's arms. bespectacled lawyer, was a longtime aide to The SPD conference, attended by more former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and has than 500 delegates, was especially called to little electoral experience, but he has enjoyed appoint the two leaders, not debate new policy. high personal ratings in public surveys since Key planks in its 2009 election platform becoming foreign minister. are likely to be set next year. The party's dismal rating in opinion Muentefering, a respected former surveys - it has not exceeded 27 per cent in German labour minister, was party chairman Infratest Dimap weekly polls since March - under Schroeder and was recalled by Steinmeier prompted the ouster of Beck.