VOL. 2, NO. 27 MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - BAGHDAD “STEADFAST AND LOYAL” DECEMBER 22, 2008 4th Inf. Div. Solar power project provides celebrates energy for Ameriyah Clinic By Sgt. Brian Tierce 2nd HBCT PAO, 1st Inf. Div. 91st BAGHDAD – The citizens of the Ameriyah district of northwest Baghdad have found a way to not only provide power for themselves but to also provide power where it matters most. birthday The Ameriyah Clinic was fitted with solar power panels Nov. 25 with the hopes of becoming energy independent from the Baghdad power grid – and the use of solar power is perhaps the most appropriate approach to achieving energy in Baghdad independence in this area of predominant sunlight. “In Baghdad we have, on average, 10 hours of sunlight on a daily basis,” said Mahdi Johnny, electrical engineer advisor for the solar panel installation project. “What we are getting out of these rechargeable batteries is about 72 hours of power for every 10 hours of sun.” Johnny went on to add that providing much-needed power to the clinic will not only give the staff the ability to conduct patient care on a non-stop basis, but it will also provides the clinic the ability to store its medications and various other medical supplies, which require refrigeration to remain stable. Providing solar power in Baghdad is not a new concept. Solar lights have been installed in other sections of Baghdad to reduce the freedom of movement of extremists. The unique aspect of this solar project is that the Iraqis took the lead right from the beginning. “Coalition involvement in this project was actually very minimal,” said Capt. Michael Nau, Joint Projects Management Office, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, who is a na- tive of San Diego. “This is an Iraqi-planned, Iraqi-led operation from start to finish.” U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jason Thompson, MND-B PAO For the citizens of Ameriyah and the surrounding area, the electricity to the Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond (center) and Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia, command team for clinic will not only allow a place to receive care, it also alleviates the need to go 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad, cut a cake to celebrate the 91st in search of care. birthday of the 4th Inf. Div. during a cake cutting ceremony in the division’s headquarters build- “By providing the electricity right here, the patients in the clinic can stay here ing Dec. 10. rather than having to be transferred somewhere else,” added Johnny, who also By Sgt. Jason Thompson war, with a history forged by conflict, the 4th Inf. added that the clinic hoped to power up the panels within the next 20 days. MND-B PAO Div. celebrated its 91st birthday Dec. 10 while For the MND-B Soldiers who worked as oversight on the project, seeing the BAGHDAD – The 4th Infantry Division has a engaged in combat operations in Baghdad. Iraqis plan and execute the task of harnessing the sun’s energy made all the sense long and distinguished history that includes com- “I truly love this division,” said Maj. Gen. in the world. bat in four wars – which is proudly displayed by Jeffery Hammond, a Hattiesburg, Miss., native, “One thing this country has a lot of is solar power,” said Nau. “The sun is the 23 campaign streamers that adorn its organi- the commanding general of the 4th Inf. Div. and abundant out here – it only makes sense to use it.” zational colors. Multi-National Division – Baghdad. “This divi- Nicknamed the Ivy Division, it is the fourth sion is the only division in the Army which uses oldest division in the Army and was formed Dec. the word “Loyal” within its motto. The Soldiers 10, 1917 at Camp Greene, N.C., under the com- are indeed loyal – they are Steadfast and Loyal. mand of Maj. Gen. George Cameron. “The Soldiers of the Ivy Division have done a During its “Steadfast and Loyal” service to magnificent job, both past and present,” he con- the Unites States of America and the U.S. Army, tinued. “I am most honored to celebrate this divi- more than 550,000 Soldiers have proudly worn sion’s 91st birthday with each and every Soldier the distinctive Ivy patch on their left shoulder, who shares the same patch on their left shoul- creating a legacy of dedicated service to the na- der.” tion that has spanned more than nine decades The division first saw action during World War since its inception to fight in the "Great War" of I, seeing combat in five major campaigns. Recently installed solar panels sit atop the roof of the Ameriyah clinic Nov. World War I. 25 in northwest Baghdad. It is fitting that as an infantry division born of see Birthday Pg.3 PAGE 2 DECEMBER 22, 2008 Commentary / Editorials Multi-National Division - Baghdad Public Affairs Office CG sends holiday greetings Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond Div. Command Sergeant Major: Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia to all MND-B Servicemembers From Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond Many Soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this free- Public Affairs Officer: Commanding general, MND-B and 4th Inf. Div. dom. Eighty-nine of our Soldiers were killed in action and 607 Lt. Col. Steve Stover BAGHDAD – To all Multi-National Division – Baghdad Sol- of your comrades were wounded. Remember them and their Public Affairs Sergeant Major diers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines: Families in your prayers. Sgt. Maj. Eric Lobsinger Holiday Greetings and a Happy New Year! There is still much to do. Many challenges face us, and I I am proud to serve with you this Holiday season. Your sac- know you are up to the task. We must remain vigilant in our Editor: rifices are great, but these sacrifices have made a difference for mission. Sgt. Jason Thompson Americans and for Iraqis. We will not relax, and we will not let up. We will maintain Staff Writers: We are away from our Families at home, but we are part of an offensive spirit in all we do. We cannot, and will not, give Staff Sgt. Brock Jones a Family here. up the gains achieved through our sweat and blood. We must Staff Sgt. Michael Molinaro Our bonds with each other are strong, forged by combat, continue to Attack, Attack, Attack, in everything we do. Staff Sgt. Scott Wolfe never to be broken. During this Holiday season, I ask you to take care of one Staff Sgt. Jody Metzger Nothing replaces time with our Families, but there is no another. Make sure you contact your Families at home. Talk to Sgt. Philip Klein other place I would rather be than here with you this Holiday them, but most important, listen to them. Sgt. Whitney Houston season. On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for serving your Sgt. Jerry Saslav You nobly serve your country – just as so many have done country with character and moral courage in defense of free- Sgt. Shana Henline before, fighting for Liberty and Freedom. You inspire me every dom. You are the strength of our Nation – our Nation's Cre- Spc. Douglas York day. dentials. Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield Your accomplishments are tremendous. You have the en- May God bless you, your Families and the United States of emy on the run, improved the capabilities of the Iraqi Secu- America. rity Forces and improved the lives of so many Iraqis. You have Mission – Soldier – Family – Team. Contributing Units: given the people of Iraq hope – hope of a brighter future of Ironhorse 6. 4th Inf. Div. Freedom. Steadfast and Loyal. 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. CAB, 4th Inf. Div. 2nd HBCT, 1st Inf. Div. 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Div. 2nd SBCT, 25th Inf. Div. 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. 8th MP Bde. 926th Eng. Bde. Index Mission 4 Photo Feature 12-13 Holiday Season – A time for reflection Soldier 14 From Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia their comrades – and that should be special in and of 4th Inf. Div., MND-B itself. Family 18 BAGHDAD – For those of us here in Iraq, the holiday season Across the division, our goal is to provide Soldiers with Entertainment Reviews 20 is a time for us to reflect upon the past years accomplish- a special feeling of home this holiday season. This is clearly Team 22 ments of the Ironhorse Division and Multi-National Division evident when walking down the halls and seeing Christmas – Baghdad. It’s a year in which we have seen go by with a and holiday decorations going up. Sports 23 great deal of progress here in the Baghdad area. In fact, as I came in today from out in sector, I admired the It is also a time for us to reflect on what we truly appreciate huge Ivy Leaf that now adorns the front of the headquarters and miss most of all: Our Families back home. There is com- building. When lit at night, you can see the festive lights from fort knowing that this Christmas we won’t be alone for we across Z-Lake. will share this holiday with our brothers and sisters in arms. It The decorations are significant because anything you can do is a unique but strong extended Family. to bring a feeling of home here for Soldiers is important. For It is also a time to remember our 89 fallen and their Fami- many, the deployment marks their first time away from home, lies, who will not be able to celebrate in this joyous holiday.