Vol. 1, Issue 6 Published for the Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and Task Force Liberty May 23, 2005 Next step in Iraqi independence takes place In a speech, Col. Steven Salazar, “We are giving the rightful govern- 3rd BCT turns CMOC commander of Task Force Liberty’s ment house back to the Iraqi people,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, congratu- said Maj. Michael Charlebois, 3rd and Blue Dome over lated Diyala’s citizens, government Brigade’s Civil, Military Officer. to Iraqi Security Force officials, and Security Forces, on their Maj. Ed House, Operations Officer movement to freedom. for the 3rd BCT, said this transfer is Story and photo by Spc. Natalie Loucks “We are honored to walk with you a step in proving the independence of 3rd BCT PAO hand in hand on this road to peace the Diyala Province and Iraq. and prosperity,” Salazar said. “But “They are willing to fight the insur- BAQUBA, Iraq -- The Diyala soon, you will not need our hand and gency on their own,” he said. “They Province took one more step toward you will walk alone. We will be proud are getting better everyday and this self reliance when the Provincial to watch you continue down that road Government Center, and a large por- as your honorable friends.” See TRANSFER Pg. 2 tion of the Civil Military Operations Compound, both in downtown Baquba, were turned over to the Diyala Government. Responsibility of the Provincial Government Center, nicknamed the “Blue Dome,” where the provincial council operates, was given to Diyala, May 1, in a peaceful transi- tion. On May 5, Diyala Governor Ra’ad Hameed Juwad and Deputy Governor Auwf Rahumi Majeed moved their offices out of the Blue Dome and into the Binayat Al-Muhafadha Al-Qadima building. The Binayat building had long been home to the Governor’s office, but was almost completely destroyed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the courtyard of the building, where a formal ceremony was held, Governor Ra’ad kissed and hoisted the Iraqi flag before cutting the blue Governor Ra'ad Rasheed Hameed of the Diyala Province kisses the flag of Iraq before ribbon attached to the door that led hoisting up the flag pole at the Civil Military Operations Center Compound May 5, in into his new office building. downtown Baquba Iraq. Inside: Working Towards Modern PJCC Pg. 2 3rd BCT Visits Local School Pg. 6 Citizen tipoffs lead to capture Pg. 9 2 Hammer Times May 23, 2005 IPS and coalition forces work together for safer Iraq Story and photo by Spc. Natalie Loucks parts of the old government that has A highway patrol force will stand up 3rd BCT PAO not changed or been recreated, in the near future. Colombo said. Some police officers Task Force Five – O Soldiers BAQUBA, IRAQ --“Book ‘em were fired or quit, but for the most working at the Provincial Police Danno” may not be heard every day part, the organization has stayed Headquarters must distribute infor- at the Diyala Provincial Joint the same. mation to both coalition and Iraqi Coordination Center but the Soldiers New Police recruits are trained police channels. assigned to Task Force Five – O are in one of several police academies The U.S. Soldiers will coordinate involved in every aspect of the located in Jordan, Baghdad, or solutions to police issues through province’s police operations. Sulaymaniyah. Returning officers both the American Police Partnership Task Force Five – O, is made up of attend a two-week transition and Program and the Iraqi Ministry of Soldiers from 1-10 Field Artillery, integration course designed to bring the Interior. Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade their training certificates up to date. “We are streamlining the commu- Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, The IPS consists of many major nication up and down the various Brigade Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, parts including SWAT teams, quick chains of command so both the Company E, 2nd Battalion, 69th reaction forces, investigators, traffic Americans and the Iraqi forces are Armor Regiment and HHC of the police and facility protection officers. 42nd Inf. Div. Located at the See ISF, Pg. 8 Provincial Police Headquarters in downtown, Baquba, Iraq, the Task Force’s mission is to teach, mentor and coach members of the Iraqi Police Service. Task Force Liberty’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team’s mission is to develop Iraqi Security Forces to promote Iraqi self reliance. Eventually, the team would like to be able to turn all responsibility for the province over to the independent people of Iraq. “They had a system under the old regime that seemed to work,” said Maj. John Colombo, Task Force S3, “but because of the leadership, the system was corrupt.” Capt. Wahleed teaches a classroom full of Iraqi Police located at the Provincial Joint The Police force is one of the only Coordination Center in downtown Baquba, Iraq during a transition and integration course, May 11. Transfer of Authority demonstrates stronger Iraq Continued from Pg. 1 gives them the opportunity to prove themselves.” Although coalition forces have stepped back, House said US combat power is still close enough to provide quick reaction if additional force is required. The majority of Iraqi police and the Iraqi Soliders have stopped wearing black masks over their faces concealing their identity, House said. “This shows the insurgents that the people (of Iraq) are tired of the insurgency and they are now capable of defending themselves,” he said. The ISF have been training and conducting missions alongside coalition forces and House believes they are progressing everyday. “Our guys take pride in their counterpart units,” House said. “They take pride in how they perform in combat Children from a local school perform songs, the american alpha- operations.” bet and couted to ten for Col. Steven Salazar, 3rd Brigade Combat “We are on the way to freedom,” Salazar said. “everyday Team commander and Governor Ra’ad Hameed Juwad of the we take another step towards peace and prosperity.” Diyala Province. The Hammer Times is published in the interest of 3rd BCT Commander PAO NCOIC, Editor, Hammer Times servicemembers. It is an Army-funded newsletter Col. Steven Salazar Spc. Natalie Loucks authorized by AR 360-1. Contents of the Hammer [email protected] Times are not necessarily the official views of, nor 3rd BCT PAO endorsed by, the U.S. Government. Maj. Steve Warren 3rd BCT PAO Staff Writer [email protected] Spc. Natalie Loucks Hammer Times May 23, 2005 3 Hellcat’s Company changes command Story and photo by Spc. Natalie Loucks 3rd BCT PAO BAQUBA, Iraq - Members of the Headquarters Company stood in for- mation at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, April 4, to bid farewell to their former Company Commander, Capt. Mathew Ingraham, and to wel- come incoming commander, Capt. Richard Bratton. Ingraham enlisted into the U.S. Army as a Patriot Missile operator in 1992 and deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Former commander of Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Watch. Division, Task Force Liberty, Capt. Mathew Ingraham hands the company guidon to Maj. The Idaho Falls native attended Christopher Barron, acting commander of the Brigade Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, 3rd Inf. Officer Candidate School at Fort Div., Task Force Liberty in a ceremony held April 4, at Foward Operating Base Warhorse Benning in 1996 where he graduated Iraq. Distinguished Military Graduate. Colorado and serve in as a reserve He continued serving with the 3rd Ingraham has served with the 2nd component advisor. BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. reassigned as the Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in His awards include the Bronze Star Assistant Operations Officer for the Schweinfurt, Germany. Medal, Army Commendation Medal 3rd Brigade Troops Battalion. His assignments include Line and with four oak leaf clusters, Army Bratton deployed with the Assault and Obstacle Platoon leader, Achievement Medal with four oak leaf “Sledgehammer” Brigade in support Company A, 9th Engineer Battalion clusters and Parachutists Badge. of Operation Iraqi Freedom III serving and Task Force Engineer for 1st Bratton graduated from the U.S. as the brigade’s Projects Coordination Squadron, 4th U.s. Cavalry in Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Cell Officer. Macedonia and Kosovo during with a bachelor’s of science degree in He is a graduate of the Mechanized Operation Allied Force. mechanical engineering. He earned a Leader’s Course, Engineer Officer After completing the Engineer master’s of science degree in engi- Basic Course, Engineer Captain’s Officer Advance Course, the neering management from the Career Course and Combined Arms University of Idaho graduate was University of Missouri, Rolla. Service and Staff School. assigned to the 36th Engineer Group. The Houston, Mo. native’s first Bratton’s awards and decorations During Operation Desert Spring, duty assignment was Fort Stewart, include the Army Commendation Ingraham joined the 317th Engineer Ga. where he served with the 10th Medal, National Defense Service Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Engineer Battalion as a Sapper Medal and Army Service Ribbon. 3rd Inf. Div. serving as Company A Platoon Leader and Company “I have a really strong 1st Sgt and commander and Task Force Engineer Executive Officer and was deployed to a really good executive officer.” for 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Bosnia. Bratton said he is honored to be serv- Regiment from May 2003 to May Bratton was also assigned to the ing with such a stong team. “They 2004. 317th Eng. Bat. where he served as have helped me through a really He will report to Fort Carson, the Battalion Maintenance Officer. smooth transition.” Leadership change for Headquarters Company 2-69 Armor Story and photo by Panther Pride Newsletter FOB SCUNION, Iraq -- Capt.