Vol. 68 No. 20 May 21, 2010 Word of the month: Strength Locals salute best of military Story and photo by Devin Fisher Mountaineer staff Nearly 800 people united at Broadmoor Hall May 14 to salute the military and see who would have bragging rights as the top enlisted members in Colorado Springs. Community and military leaders and fellow servicemembers attended the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce- sponsored “Home of the Brave” Armed Forces Week luncheon that honored the area’s 12 best enlisted, ultimately naming the top three. Fort Carson’s 1st Sgt. Alicia Newton, 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), was named the outstanding senior Photo by Rick Emert noncommissioned officer, while the Air Force’s Tech. Sgt. Darren Williams, Schriever Air SECDEF visits Force Base, and Senior Airman Olivia Gorman, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates speaks with Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins, commanding general, 4th Infantry Peterson Air Force Base, won the NCO and Division and Fort Carson, and Col. Jimmie O. Keenan, commander, Evans Army Community Hospital, Tuesday at the junior enlisted categories, respectively. Soldier and Family Assistance Center. Gates visited Fort Carson for information sessions with Warrior Transition “It’s awesome. I’m humbled,” Newton said Battalion Soldiers and their spouses and with the WTB cadre and health-care providers. Gates also was briefed by of being named the top senior enlisted member. Perkins, Keenan, and Lt. Col. Andrew L. Grantham, commander, Warrior Transition Battalion. See Best on page 3 Iraqi leaders visit Mountain Post by Spc. Shameka Edwards Stewart, Ga., to get a firsthand look at training and Fadil Jawad Ali, 3rd Brig. commander, 1st IA. 4th Inf. Div. Public Affairs Office observe and experience how the Army trains its The remaining two are assigned to the Kurdish divisions and general officers. Security Forces; Brig. Gen. Jameel Ali Ibrahim, Six Iraqi officers visited the Mountain Post Of the six visiting officers, four are assigned to the Kurdish Regional Government liaison officer to the May 10 to provide continuity and information to the Iraqi Security Forces: staff Lt. Gen. Hasan Kareem Ninewa Operations Center and KSF aide, Lt. Col. leaders of the 4th Infantry Division headquarters Khudhair, commander, Ninewa Operations Center; Ahmed Haji Sadeq, Kurdish Regional Government during their trip to the U.S. staff Brig. Gen. Ayad Mohammed Salih Khorsheed, deputy liaison officer to the Ninewa Operations Before making a stop at Fort Carson, the officers 12th Iraqi army division deputy commander; staff Center, Kurdish and Arabic interpreter. visited the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, Brig. Gen. Abdulrahman Handhal Mahdi Alburghif, See Iraqi on page 4 the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., and Fort 10th Brigade commander, 3rd IA and staff Col. II Community Feature Happenings NN SS II DD EE Page 11 Pages 20-21 Page 31 2 MOUNTAINEER — May 21, 2010 MOUNTAINEER Commander’s column Commanding General: Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins Garrison Commander: Ironhorse remains steadfast, loyal Col. Robert F. McLaughlin by Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey Never before has the support of the Army Family Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: Dee McNutt 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Command been so great. Our volunteers, the Department of Defense Chief, Print and Web Communications: sergeant major civilians and the Fort Carson Family Readiness Groups are Douglas M. Rule consummate professionals and work tirelessly to ensure that Editor: Julie M. Lucas The Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division and Fort all of our Soldiers are fit mentally, physically, spiritually Staff Writers: Rick Emert Carson are busier now more than ever. The Ivy Division and emotionally. Their hard work and dedication to our Devin Fisher has moved forward since arriving here last summer, mission ensures that our Soldiers remain combat ready and Geoffrey Roper completing multiple training events and providing support this Army is truly the best it can be. Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Smith Sgt. Alexis Ramos to the units of the Mountain Post Team. Time and time again, the leadership of the 4th Inf. Div., Happenings: Nel Lampe The Soldiers stationed here have demonstrated their this installation and the U.S. Army has demonstrated its Sports Writer: Walt Johnson steadfast resolve and will to win, always placing the mission commitment and resolve to ensuring that our Soldiers, their Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall first. Our many brigade combat teams Families and our community have the best and various support units returned from medical care, community services and This commercial enterprise newspaper is missions abroad to train here at Fort Carson educational opportunities money can provide. an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the and deploy to Afghanistan and Iraq, This is evident by the countless Mountaineer are not necessarily the official conducting decisive full-spectrum operations programs, services and community events view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or in defense of our nation and its people. here at the Mountain Post. Despite a very the Department of the Army. Printed circulation is 12,000 copies. I can truly say the Soldiers remain high operational tempo, demanding and The editorial content of the Mountaineer the top priority for my command and the rigorous training and long duty days, our is the responsibility of the Public Affairs leadership of this great post. We remain leaders at all levels continue to work to Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: 526-4144. The e-mail address is committed to ensuring that our Soldiers ensure that their Soldiers have access [email protected]. are empowered and engaged and have the to the many resources offered at Fort The Mountaineer is posted on the training and the resources to accomplish Carson. In recent months, our Soldiers Internet at http://csmng.com. The Mountaineer is an unofficial any task and succeed at any mission, no and their Families have engaged in many publication authorized by AR 360-1. The matter how great or small. different programs, such as our motorcycle Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs Our Soldiers train hard and work long Dailey mentorship rides for safety, self-defense Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in hours conducting unit-level training and classes, a five-kilometer run in support of sexual assault no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with deploying to the nation’s combat training centers at prevention classes and to raise awareness in our community. Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. Fort Irwin, Calif., and Fort Polk, La., in preparation for The leaders of this division and this post remained The appearance of advertising in this upcoming missions. plugged into this great community, hosting behavioral publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. health forums, town hall meetings and live blogs to Department of the Army or Colorado Springs Div., recently completed their rotation to the Joint engage the Soldiers, Families and citizens of Fort Carson Military Newspaper Group, of the products or Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk as the final test and greater Colorado Springs communities. They have services advertised. The printer reserves the right to reject advertisements. of their readiness before leaving for Afghanistan in the next committed a considerable amount of time and effort to Everything advertised in this publication 90 days. They are fit to fight and ready for any challenge. ensure that the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson remain ready shall be made available for purchase, use or At this moment, the Soldiers of the 3rd BCT and 43rd and relevant, while partnering with the local community. patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital Sustainment Brigade are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, I want to take this opportunity to plug an upcoming status, physical handicap, political affiliation supporting America’s fighting forces in our ongoing event, a premiere event for the Ivy Division and the or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, mission to provide security, stability and a better life for Soldiers, Families and veterans of Fort Carson. user or patron. If a violation or rejection of people oppressed under decades of tyranny. During the second week of June, our Soldiers will take this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print The 4th Inf. Div.’s 4th Brigade Combat Team returns a well-deserved break from training and working to build advertising from that source until the violation to the Mountain Post having completed a difficult and a little esprit de corps and camaraderie. Ironhorse Week is corrected. For display advertising call demanding mission in support of Operation Enduring June 14-19 will present a number of tournaments, sports 634-5905. All correspondence or queries regarding Freedom. They return with honor, knowing that they events, and rivalry for the Soldiers of the Mountain Post. advertising and subscriptions should be directed successfully completed their mission, and will now focus The week’s events will culminate with several live to Colorado Springs Military Newspaper on returning to their Families, reintegrating into the Fort concerts in Ironhorse Park and the Army Ball June 19. This Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone 634-5905. Carson community and preparing for the opportunity to is a great opportunity for our Soldiers to take a break and The Mountaineer’s editorial content is answer the nation’s call and take on the next mission. join their Families and loved ones in a time to relax, have edited, prepared and provided by the Public As the 4th Inf.