e e h h T T MMaarrnnee EExxpprreessss “Mission, Soldiers, Teamwork” Volume 2, Issue 6 Serving the Soldiers of Task Force Baghdad May 8, 2005 In this week’s Marne Express NoNo placeplace toto hidehide ...... Weapons found page 7 Spc. Jimmy D. Lane Jr. An illumination round fired from the Paladin track vehicle descends toward the ground in the distance near Samarra April 22. Samarra patrol page 13 ‘Glory Guns’ light up desert night Spc. Jimmy D. Lane Jr. now have no place to hide. ferent direction, giving us a ational awareness, Lowry 1st BCT PAO This is made possible by good lateral spread.” said. “We were taking back Soldiers of B Battery, 1st “Basically we were given a the night from the insurgents.” In the middle of the night, a Battalion, 41st Field Artillery mission to supply illumination The illumination round has loud explosion rips through Regiment. coverage for the (Iraqi min- several different purposes, the the darkness. “Tonight we are going to istry of interior) during opera- most important being the iden- A few seconds later, and a fire two different kinds of tion Forsyth Park,” said Sgt. tification of enemy targets, few kilometers away, the rounds,” said 1st Lt. John 1st Class Mark Lowry, B Lowry said. ground is lit up by a light in Dorffeld, a B Battery 1/41 FA Battery 1/41 platoon sergeant. “We had a good function of the sky. platoon leader. “We have two Illumination coverage all the illumination rounds, Enemies who were depend- guns we are taking with us, lights up the area for ground ing on the cover of darkness and each one will fire in a dif- troops so they have more situ- See GUNS, page 14 4/64, 1/1 IA team up, take on responsibilities in Baghdad Village MEDCAP Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft to something a little better suited to the streets of Baghdad. 3rd Inf. Div. PAO In their old crew, Mata, from Pruce Crossing, Mich., was the page 15 Bradley’s driver, and Foutch, from Cumberland, Ky., was the vehi- CAMP PROSPERITY, Iraq — Staff Sgt. Juan Serrano, Spc. cle’s gunner. Noel Mata and Spc. Michael Foutch, all from B Company, 4th “Last time we were here to fight a war and that was it,” Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, are used to riding around in a explained Sgt. 1st Class Harold Hill, a D Company, 4/64 Armor Bradley Fighting Vehicle, but these days, they’ve had to get used platoon sergeant. “Nobody was friendly. Now we’re working hand in hand with the Iraqi Army,” Hill said. Now, however, the positions have shifted with the mission: Serrano drives an M1114 up-armored humvee while Mata mans the hatch and Foutch rides along to provide extra security. And instead of fighting against the Iraqis, the Soldiers are work- ing with them. Serrano, Mata, Foutch and their fellow B Co. Soldiers are now attached to D Co., 4/64, and most of their time is spent training and on patrol with the Soldiers of 1st Brigade, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division. “We go out with the Iraqis and let them do most of the patrol mission, so eventually they can do it on their own,” Serrano, a sec- tion leader from Levittown, Puerto Rico, said. “So far, the IA’s doing good; they seem to be motivated and willing to learn.” Mata and Foutch agreed that the trainees have come a long way, and the daily missions have been instrumental to that progress. During one routine patrol April 8, the IA Soldiers accompanied B-ball tournament their U.S. counterparts to various areas in Baghdad. Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft “Today we’re doing a joint patrol with the Iraqi Army, page 23 A Soldier from 1/1 IA looks out over the Tigris toward Baghdad patrolling the river road route on the border of the Tigris,” while pulling perimeter security at a dumping ground in the city during a routine patrol with 4/64 Armor April 8. See PATROL, page 14 Page 2 Op/Ed The Marne Express, May 8, 2005 MarMarnene SixSix SendsSends The Word Keep your focus on the mission Maj. Gen. William G. Webster Jr. Remind your battle buddy to use the equip- on the Street Task Force Baghdad commander ment … take care of our Soldiers. Safe operation of our equipment is still Task Force Baghdad continues to aggressive- important. Understand your equipment’s ly take the fight to the enemy. capabilities and weak points. What are some thoughts or reflections Since the Transition of Authority, we have Together with your teammates ensure provided a safer environment from which our your equipment is properly maintained and you’d like to share about your mother? partners in the Iraqi Security Forces have been safety considerations are understood. able to learn and grow in strength and capabili- Teamwork can assist in preventing acci- "My favorite memories ty. dents. The Iraqi Security Forces in Baghdad have Together we can save lives and keep of my Mom have a lot provided critical forces to our team in operations equipment in the fight. to do with the way our to secure and safeguard the Ashoura and We will continue our mission of combat- Arba’iniyyah religious holidays, the Sadr peace- ing terrorism in Iraq while training Iraqi home life was, and ful protest and 17 seatings of the Transitional Security Forces. what she did to make National Assembly. Our teams have shown the enemy that we However, we must remain focused on our can adapt to any tactical change and then it special – for MISSION. move a step ahead by taking the fight to him. instance, her cook- Your actions will keep the enemy off-balance We will remain flexible, keep operations ing!" and reacting to us, while reassuring the popula- simple and build on our successes. tion. It is impressive to see the daily results of Our Soldiers are our most valued asset. Soldiers who know their mission, know they Sgt. Anthony Continue to look out for each other. are well-trained and well-led, and know they Ensure you wear your protective equip- dominate the battle field. Sotomayor ment on missions. HHC, 1/69 Inf. Our protective equipment helps to miti- Mission … Soldiers … Teamwork gate risk, reduce injuries and has undoubted- Brooklyn, N.Y. ly saved the lives of many of our buddies. “Rock of the Marne!” "My mom and I didn't see each other for almost 15 years. One day I found her at UUnnssuunngg hheerrooeess work and we've been Command Sgt. Major William M. Grant tion of all these Soldiers. building a relationship Task Force Baghdad command sergeant major The first noticeable thing you see is the hard work placed into constructing the outside eat- and growing closer What fuels a war machine? ing area build-up. ever since." We speak of combat power relative to tanks, Please take the opportunity to thank the Bradley Fighting Vehicles, gunships, etc. ... I staff: Master Sgt. Shelton Coppett, Mr. Lee and submit to you that Soldiers rank higher. both Soldiers, contractors and local nationals A shout out to the Task Force Baghdad for their world-class support. cooks and dining facility personnel! In closing, you can help support the team at Spc. Michael Erchul We should all be proud of all our food serv- the DFAC by adhering to the following guide- HHB, 1/141 FA ice personnel serving across the theater. lines: Milwaukee, Wis. Our Army’s food service program has con- • Show your ID card tinued to maintain pace with the ever-changing • Do not carry AAFES bags in to carry out bev- "If I could be home for military environment, erages I can tell you I’m overly impressed with the • Don’t bring in backpacks in any form Mother's Day this year, professionalism, committment, dedication to Thanks again for your cooperation and sup- I'd buy her some roses duty and customer service-associated disposi- port! and prepare her a nice meal, and have the fam- ily there for a gather- ing. I would just make sure she knows how much I miss her." Sgt. Eddie Bernard A Co., 2/156 Inf. Rayne, La. "My mom went the extra mile for me while I was growing up in school. She drove an hour everyday to bring me to private school, because she felt that's where I would get the Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Brenda Benner best education." Top left : Spc. Jarrod Marshall, a Headquarters and Headquarters Support Company, Special Troops Battalion food service specialst, performs head count and crowd control at the Camp Liberty dining facility. Spc. Jolie Darbonne Above left: Pvt. Krystal Burgess and Sgt. Shakira Gray, HHSC, STB food service specialists, C Co., 199th FSB serve on the main line at the Liberty DFAC. Right: Spc. Sonia Campbell, a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Soldier Support Breaux Bridge, La. Battalion food service specialist, dishes out a hot meal for Soldiers at the Liberty DFAC. "My mom was always the person I could go to, and now that my e Miller, Sgt. Kevin Bromley, Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft, e h h Spc. Ricardo Branch, Spc. Natalie Loucks, Spc. Ben sister has a child and T Marne Express T Marne Express Brody, Spc. Jimmy D. Lane Jr., Spc. Jennifer Fitts, Spc. Derek Del Rosario, Spc. Chrstopher Foster, Spc. Brian my wife and I just had Task Force Baghdad Public Affairs Office Henretta, Spc. Erin Robicheaux, Spc. Brian Schroeder, a baby, I have a whole Commanding General: Maj.