VOL. 2, NO. 29 MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - BAGHDAD “STEADFAST AND LOYAL” JANUARY 19, 2009 ‘Panthers’ assume command of eastern Rashid ‘Warriors’ end 13-month deployment By Sgt. David Hodge 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers bid farewell to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, and welcomed the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, during a Transfer of Authority Ceremony Jan. 4 at Forward Operating Base Falcon in southern Baghdad. The 1st “Panther” Bn., 505th PIR, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, assumed responsi- bility for the communities in the eastern Rashid district from the 2nd “Warriors” Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., in front their fellow Soldiers, leaders and Iraqi Security Forces partners. Mission continues as “The Soldiers of the 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt,. have soldiered hard these past 13 months,” said Col. Ted Martin, commander of the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. “Their battlefield record is second to none, and their partnership with the 7th security agreement Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, serves as a model for all other battalions to emulate.” The 1st “Raider” Brigade salutes the Warriors, said Martin, who hails from takes effect Jacksonville Beach, Fla. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. “I want to welcome the Soldiers of the 1st Bn., 505th PIR,” said Martin. Sgt. James Bowhay, a cavalry scout assigned to Troop C, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regi- “Their outstanding battle reputation precedes them, and we have high hopes for ment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, continued success in East Rashid.” touches base with Iraqi National Police patrolmen from the 1st Battalion, 3rd Aburisha Bde., Part of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, stationed at before combined cordon and search operations Dec. 30 in the Rashid district's Abu T'shir com- Fort Polk, La., the Warriors arrived in Iraq’s capitol city in December 2007 and munity of southern Baghdad. The Soldiers partnered with the 3rd "Feather" Brigade to search immediately began patrolling the Doura community, an area once stricken with for weapons and munitions in the predominately Shia community, as part of ongoing efforts to violence but now stable due to improved security over the last year. enforce Baghdad's Fardh al Qanoon, or Rule of Law. “2008 was a great year for the Doura community,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Watson, commander of the 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., attached to the 1st BCT, 4th By Master Sgt. Guadalupe Stratman assist with security and stability only as needed Inf. Div. “We have seen a transition from combat operations to the restoration MND-B PAO and requested by the Government of Iraq. of essential services.” BAGHDAD – As the Security Agreement takes “It means we’ll make a few adjustments Over the 13-month deployment, the Warriors discovered approximately effect Jan. 1, Multi-National Division – Bagh- in how we execute operations but for the most 50 roadside bombs, 90 weapons caches and detained dozens of criminals, ex- dad’s mission remains the same. part, it reinforces transitions that are already un- plained Watson. The Warriors also expanded essential services by improving “Our mission continues; we will protect the derway,” said Hammond. “We will conduct all electricity, paving roads, fixing sewers and refurbishing schools. Iraqi populace,” said Maj. Gen. Jeffery Ham- combat operations by, with and through our ISF Watson said he credits much of Doura’s success to local leaders within the mond, commanding general, 4th Infantry Divi- partners.” communities and combat support from the ISF. sion and MND-B. “The significant difference is To ease the transition of the Security Agree- “The 7th Bde., 2nd NP Div., have proved themselves to be a disciplined and we will now conduct our missions with our Iraqi ment, MND-B has worked closely with the Bagh- professional force that the people of Doura can trust,” explained Watson, who Security Force partners in the lead. We’re still dad Operations Center since early November for hails from Atkinson, N.H. here to help them but the weight shifts from our all combat missions said Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, Brig. Gen. Karim Hoseinee, commander of the 7th Bde., 2nd NP Div., con- shoulders to the increasingly capable ISF.” deputy commanding general, MND-B. gratulated the Warriors for a job well done and welcomed the new battalion. As the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1790 “We have spent a great amount of time with “We could not establish and enforce the security in the community without expires, the Security Agreement represents a re- see Security Pg.2 the sacrifices from U.S. Soldiers and the ISF,” said Karim. “I give my thanks to quest by Iraq for U.S forces to remain in Iraq to all the brave Soldiers who put their lives at risk to secure Rashid.” To demonstrate his appreciation, Karim presented small decorative throw rugs to MND-B leaders during the ceremony. FOB Callahan turned over to MoT “We are excited and honored to serve alongside the ISF leadership and com- By Sgt. Whitney Houston was taken over in 2007 as part of the surge to munity leaders,” said Lt. Col. Dave Bair, commander, 1st Bn., 505th PIR, at- 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. monitor routes and more fully secure the area. tached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. “These brave men are heroes to their people AL SHA’ AB, Iraq – Days after the Green Zone With the new security agreement and increased and are strong leaders who will triumphantly lead Doura back to greatness. We was handed over to Iraqi authorities, things con- security in the area, Coalition Forces saw fit to will support the ISF every step of the way.” tinue moving forward in Baghdad. hand the building back to the Iraqi Ministry of Since 2001, the Panthers deployed five times: three deployments to Iraq and Coalition Forces handed over Forward Operat- Trade. two tours to Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror, said Bair. ing Base Callahan in the Al Sha’ab neighborhood “This building has been a Coalition camp “This day is special for the paratroopers of this battalion because it marks the to Iraqi jurisdiction Jan. 3 in the Sha’ab neigh- since March of 2007; it was taken over during the beginning of another chapter in our storied history,” he added. borhood of Adhamiyah district of Baghdad. surge, and now we’ve handed over this central The Panther Bn., is part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne FOB Callahan was the former Sha’ab Market Division, stationed out of Fort Bragg, N.C., currently scheduled for a 12-month and was a strategic spot in Adhamiyah, which see Callahan Pg.5 deployment in support of MND-B and Operation Iraqi Freedom. PAGE 2 JANUARY 19, 2009 Commentary / Editorials Multi-National Division - Baghdad Public Affairs Office Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond Div. Command Sergeant Major: Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Steve Stover Public Affairs Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Eric Lobsinger Editor: Sgt. Jason Thompson Staff Writers: Staff Sgt. Brock Jones U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elliot Valdez, MND-B PAO Staff Sgt. Michael Molinaro Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond (left), commanding general, Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Divi- Staff Sgt. Scott Wolfe sion, Gen. Abud (right), commander, Baghdad Operations Center, visit with Sheik Mohan Dec. 18. To ease the transi- Staff Sgt. Jody Metzger tion of the Security Agreement, MND-B has worked closely with the Baghdad Operations Center since early November Sgt. Philip Klein in order to implement the agreement. Sgt. Whitney Houston Sgt. Jerry Saslav Sgt. Shana Henline Spc. Douglas York Iraq security agreement takes effect, Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield MND-B remains committed to mission Contributing Units: we, the PRT and the ePRTs at the brigades, have been doing 4th Inf. Div. from Security Pg.1 – particularly partnering with Iraqi officials,” said John Bass, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. the BOC working out the every detail of the Security Agree- Baghdad PRT team leader. 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. ment,” said Swan, a native of Pittsburg. Bass and his PRT first listen to the already identified needs CAB, 4th Inf. Div. “All of our combat operations are done combined with our of the Iraqi government. 2nd HBCT, 1st Inf. Div. Iraqi Security Force partner, which is a flat rule that was initi- “All the projects that we undertake or the initiatives that 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Div. ated in November in advance of the Security Agreement,” said we are engaged in are coordinated with the appropriate Iraqi 2nd SBCT, 25th Inf. Div. Swan. government official and institution,” said Bass, a native of 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. Overtime Coalition Forces will reduce their presence in the Chatham, N.Y. “Those are things that are now required. They 8th MP Bde. city of Baghdad. The first step will be Jan. 3 with the transfer were not required two and three months ago.” 926th Eng. Bde. COP Callahan to the Ministry of Trade. Next, FOB Rustami- The Security Agreement is the way Baghdad PRT and the yah will transfer to the Iraqi Army by March 31. division needs to go, said Bass. Index “Our coalition only outposts will be closing or transferring The environment in Iraq is changing and MND-B will adapt to Iraqi control. We will maintain some positions in Joint Secu- to that, and it reflects the increasing capability of the Iraqi gov- Mission 4 rity Stations in an advisory role, but the Iraqi Security Forces ernment to start doing more for itself and for its people.