Yusufiyah citizens get potable water in their community

Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — In most communities it is common to have clean water available to drink and for recreational use. Often one can go through a neighborhood on any given day in the summer and see people watering their plants, washing their cars or playing in the sprinkler – all of which require running water.
But in Yusufiyah, Iraq citizens are lucky if they have enough water to survive a hot, summer day.
Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) teamed up with Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) to assist the people of Yuufiyah in repairing water pipes Jan. 23.
“The city services and the water minister asked for assistance in breaking the concrete above the pipes since they do not have a jack hammer,” said Capt. Chris Sanchez, a native of Los Angeles, Calif., who serves as the 4-31 civil affairs officer. “The people of Yusufiyah are served well by civil servants like the water minister.”
In order to help repair the pipes holes had to be made in the concrete.
“We are making four holes in the ground so that the water can be tested to see if it is potable,” said Pfc. Shawn Armstrong, a 2nd BSTB heavy equipment operator and native of Lewistown, Penn. “So far the mission has been great. It is good to help people and show them what we can do for them.”
As the BSTB Soldiers drilled holes in the ground, the 4-31 Soldiers and Iraqi Army soldiers from the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division secured the area.
“The Iraqi Army led the way and coordinated the security and worked with the residents to accomplish the mission,” Sanchez said.
The minister of water spoke of what it was like to help his own community.
“The sewer system is very old and it is a priority to reinstall it,” said Bilal Adbul Kareem Mohammed, the Yusufiyah minister of water. “I am happy to help my people, but they need to be healthy. Being healthy includes having potable water.”
As the team worked to drill holes in the ground, residents and Iraqi children gathered to watch. As the people stood around, one mother showed the Soldiers scars that were on her daughter’s body from an improvised explosive device detonation. The small girl only had four fingers as well – also from the IED blast.
“At one time the people of Yusufiyah could not come out to the streets because of the terrorists,” Mohammed said. “That is why it took so long to get the water pipes fixed. Yusufiyah’s area is secure enough to be able to do projects like this.”
Mohammed said the long-term plan was to build a water plant in the area.
After all the projects are complete the citizens of Yusufiyah should have potable water in their homes.

Soldiers inducted in NCO Corps during ceremony

Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — The tradition of commemorating the passing of a Soldier to a noncommissioned officer can be traced to the Army of Fredrick the Great. Before one could be recognized on the full status of an NCO, he was required to stand four watches, one every four days. Although different from yesterday’s traditions, the Army today still commemorates the rites of passage for NCOs.
Soldiers from the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) were inducted into the NCO Corps during an NCO Induction Ceremony Jan. 19 here.
“This is a very emotional experience,” said Sgt. Arays Cruz, the 210th retention NCO and native of Miami, Fla., who was being inducted. “Before I became an NCO I never imagined that I would be standing here today surrounded by my peers.”
As the color guard opened the ceremony senior NCOs provided the inductees with guidance to help them in their new role.
“Take care of your Soldiers,” said Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Mark Joseph, the 15th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major and native of Lake Charles, La. “Make sure you always uphold the standards, whether it is conducting pre-combat inspections or making Soldiers wear their seatbelts …. Take the hard right instead of the easy wrong.”
After the senior NCOs gave their speeches other NCOs took the responsibility of inducting 21 NCOs into the Corps.
The audience listened as the inductees raised their right hands to swear the oath of the NCO.
“As a NCO I accept the charge to observe and follow the orders and directions given by supervisors, acting according to the laws, articles and rules governing the discipline of the Army,” the inductees said in unison. “In doing, so I will fulfill my greatest obligation as a leader, and thereby confirm my status as a NCO.”
After the inductees swore in they signed and received their charge and the NCO Creed.
“Now that I am an NCO I will point Soldiers in the right direction and always help them out,” Cruz said as her eyes filled with tears. “I will guide them in the right direction.”
Before the inducted NCOs left, a Soldier made a simple request to them.
“Treat me with respect, sergeant, for no heart in all the world is more loyal than the heart of the American Soldier,” said Spc. Timothy Montminy, a 210th BSB driver and native of El Paso, Texas. “Train me, sergeant, that one day too I can be called sergeant.”
After the ceremony ended the inductees talked amongst themselves and received congratulatory hand shakes.

Golden Dragons use all resources to accomplish missions

Golden Dragons use all resources to accomplish missions

Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

OWESAT VILLAGE, Iraq — Normally when one thinks of the Army they think of Soldiers on land. It is not too often that Soldiers use water to assault the enemy, but using water has become an asset to the modern-day Golden Dragon.
Soldiers from Company C., 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) conducted a search and attack operation in Owesat Village, Iraq into the Anbar Province to search for caches and talk to local nationals.
Instead of using convoys to conduct the mission the Golden Dragons used boats. They assaulted down the Euphrates River into an area that had never been engaged by Coalition Forces.
“Our unit is really showing its flexibility and adaptability,” said 1st Lt. Matt Knox, a native of San Francisco, Calif., who serves as the C. Co. executive officer. “We have to go after enemy forces anywhere in our area of operations.”
The completion of the operation showed the company’s versatility to provide support and humanitarian support to the local populace while conducting operations against those that would cause harm to the local nationals.
“Our company flawlessly conducted its first ever boat assault and continued a successful mission outside of our normal area of operations,” Knox said.
The Golden Dragons plan to use boats in future operations.

Commandos communicate with loved ones during VTC

Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

VTC.
Sgt. Ryan Brubaker, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team “Commandos,” 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) plans noncommissioned officer in charge and native of Plains, Mont., talks with his wife Heidi and five-month-old son, Carter, during a video telecommunication conference Jan. 13 on Camp Striker, Iraq. Brubaker is one of the HHC Soldiers that participated in the VTC. Another HHC VTC is scheduled for February.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Chris McCann, 2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI))

Polar Bears detain two suspected Al Qaeda members

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

RUSHDI MULLAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained four suspected terrorists east of Rushdi Mullah, Iraq Jan. 22.
Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, “Polar Bears,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), worked with troops from the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division to detain the suspected terrorists.
Two of the detainees are suspected Al Qaeda members. The two others were detained for having fake identification cards in their possession.
The suspects are being held for further questioning.

Polar Bears detain two suspected Al Qaeda members

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

RUSHDI MULLAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained four suspected terrorists east of Rushdi Mullah, Iraq Jan. 22.
Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, “Polar Bears,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), worked with troops from the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division to detain the suspected terrorists.
Two of the detainees are suspected Al Qaeda members. The two others were detained for having fake identification cards in their possession.
The suspects are being held for further questioning.

Three detained, weapons found during Operation Black Eagle II

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

RUSHDI MULLAH, Iraq — Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists and found weapons during a combat operation in Mahmudiyah, Iraq Jan. 23.
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) worked with troops from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division during Operation Black Eagle II, aimed at denying anti-Iraqi forces sanctuary within the Mahmudiyah area.
During the operation, the Soldiers detained three suspected terrorists for suspicious activity. Weapons found during the operation included two AK-47 bandoleers and two Katusha rocket casings.
The suspects are being held for further questioning.

Combined operation in Lutifiyah nets eight suspects

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

LUTIFIYAH, Iraq — Coalition forces and Iraq Army troops detained eight suspected terrorists and seized weapons during a combat patrol northwest of Lutifiyah, Iraq Jan. 23.
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division were on a combat patrol when they came under a small arms fire attack from a canal.
The troops called in for aviation support after the attack ensued. One insurgent died in the aerial attack. The remaining four insurgents tried to escape down a canal. Iraqi troops pursued, killing the four terrorists.
Following the fire fight, troops searched the area for more insurgents. They found nine Iraqis hiding in a nearby house. Eight of the nine were detained, all wanted for suspected terrorist acts.
The search also turned up a weapons cache consisting of three medium machine guns, two AK-47 assault rifles, a shotgun and a sniper rifle with a scope.
The eight suspects are being held for further questioning.

Polar Bears detain four suspected terrorists

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

RUSHDI MULLAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained four suspected terrorists east of Rushdi Mullah, Iraq Jan. 22.
Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, “Polar Bears,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), worked with soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division to detain the suspected terrorists.
Two of the detainees were on the black list and the other two were detained for having fake identification cards in their possession.
The detainees are being held for further questioning.

Security operation uncovers cache in W. Baghdad

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

RADWANIYAH, Iraq — Multi-National – Division troops found and seized a weapons cache north of Radwaniyah, Iraq Jan. 19.
Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 89th Calvary Regiment, “Wolverines,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) found the cache in the western Baghdad suburban area during a clearing mission in the area.
The cache, included an AK-47, 50 5.62mm rounds, a .22 caliber rifle, 12 blasting caps, a pair of night vision goggles, a .38 caliber pistol, three mines, five rocket-propelled grenade launchers, detonation cord, a belt of 12.7mm heavy machinegun rounds, six spools of copper wire and a homemade hand grenade.
An explosive ordnance team was called to the site. The team destroyed the weapons and ammunition in a controlled detonation.

Golden Dragons mourn loss of fallen comrade

By Staff Sgt. Angela Mckinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

PATROL BASE GATOR SWAMP, Iraq — In the military there are Soldiers that touch people’s hearts and leave a their mark in the lives of many others – Neil Mitchell III was one of those Soldiers.
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) gathered to mourn the loss of a fallen comrade during a memorial ceremony at Patrol Base Gator Swamp, Iraq Jan. 13.
Mitchell, a native Winchester, Tenn., who served as a gunner with 2-14, was killed by enemy small arms fire while pulling route security around the PB Gator Swamp area Jan. 6, just two weeks after returning from leave and one week after celebrating his 21st birthday.
Mitchell was remembered as more than a Soldier. He was a friend, a practical joker and one who loved computer games.
“Mitchell was very outgoing and spent most of his time playing computer games,” said Spc. Joseph Carmosino, a 2-14 gunner and native of Syracuse, N.Y. “He was very generous and would help anyone with rides, money … anything. You could not help but to like Mitchell,” Carmosino said. “He never got mad at people and always did stuff for others.”
Carmosino, who considered Mitchell one of his best friends, reminisced of Mitchell’s love for computer games.
“One night I crawled through Mitchell’s ceiling to see if I could use his car … Mitchell would not answer the door because he was playing a computer game,” he said. “Instead of me borrowing his car, Mitchell said he would go with me after he finished his game. I waited for six hours for him to finish that game.”
During the ceremony Mitchell’s commander spoke highly of the Soldier.
“He was one of those Soldiers that could shun any burden with a smile,” said Capt. Brendan Hobbs, Company C. commander, 2-14 and native of Tampa, Fla., as he tried to fight back tears. “He always had a smile even on the worst of days.”
Mitchell was also remembered for his big, white Cadillac – a car without any doors and referred to as the platoon car.
“One morning before first formation I noticed a big, white car that was parked with one tire on the curb at an odd angle,” said Staff Sgt. Darren Lemorta, a platoon sergeant with 2-14 and native of Schenectady, N.Y. “I wanted to see whose car it was so I tried to open the doors, but they did not work. After leaning into the window I found paperwork from so many different Soldiers in the platoon that I had no idea who the car belonged to.”
Lemorta said Mitchell’s car was so big that it was banned from the first few rows of the parking lot. The car was only allowed to be parked in the back of the parking lot.
Before the ceremony ended the chaplain left the Soldiers with some encouraging words.
“There is no way to hide the fact that losing someone you trained with, hung around with and fought with hurts,” said Ch.(Capt.) Kent Coffee, the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) chaplain and native of Fort Drum, N.Y. “It is probably one of the hardest things anyone has to do, but in order to truly honor that friend’s sacrifice requires us all to dig deep and rely on our Army family and drawing strength from God.”
Although Mitchell served as a gunner with 2-14 he had also served in multiple duty positions to include rifleman, Javelin gunner and was selected above his peers as the platoon radio transmitter operator, a job that requires a great deal of responsibility and common sense.
Mitchell’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Mitchell is survived by his father, Raymond Mitchell, Sr., and his grandmother Joyce, both of whom reside in Tennessee.

Wolverine Soldiers assault packaging plants

Spc. Chris McCann
2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)

BAGHDAD, Iraq — It’s the stuff war movies are made of – breaking in doors, Soldiers moving in, rifles at the ready. And it isn’t just movies.
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) conducted a nighttime raid on a Baghdad meat-packaging facility suspected of being a terrorist meeting place Jan. 7.
The 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division concurrently assaulted the salt factory next door, also a suspected terrorist planning area. The two-pronged assault netted 32 detainees and more than 20 weapons, including 11 AK-47s, a Kalishnikov assault rifle, two SKS Russian-made carbines, 15 60mm mortar rounds and a PPSh submachine gun.
The men, some of whom were guards at the building, were detained due to suspicion that they were allowing the buildings to be used as a terrorist rendezvous point, a suspicion strengthened by the weapons found in the area.
The 1-89 Wolverines staged at Forward Operating Base Falcon, Iraq, with the 1-18, then rolled out under cover of darkness.
“It was our first joint operation,” said Lt. Col. Mark Suich, a native of Greenville, Penn., and commander of 1-89. “It was a very successful operation.”
Sgt. Jess Thurman of Denver, Colo., a team leader with Troop C, 1-89, said that the Soldiers seemed glad to put their skills to use.
“It’s not often we get to do this,” Thurman said. “It’s fun to do our job as infantrymen and take down the ‘bad guys’.”
The factory was locked up for the night, and Soldiers stormed the building methodically, breaking down doors and clearing each room despite the fact that they had been awake and working for many hours.
“It’s been a long day,” said Thurman, “But everyone kept their heads up and kept their motivation.”
Pfc. William Salser, a dismount with C Troop and a native of Calumet City, Ill., enjoyed the mission.
“This mission rocked,” he said. “We got to enter and clear a building. My buddy and I got to kick a door down. It really increased my motivation hearing the word ‘Breach!’”
Platoon leader 1st Lt. Andy Kimes, a native of Fostoria, Ohio, said he was pleased by the Soldiers’ teamwork, which they’ve trained on extensively.
“I enjoyed it because it’s payoff of all the training,” he said. “Seeing it all come together was great.”
Troop C’s lead scout, Staff Sgt. Myles Page, a native of Birmingham, Ala., also was pleased by the execution of the mission.
“The motivation the entire platoon had upon entering the objective was high,” he said. “Everyone was pumped about such a large-scale operation. All the drills we’d completed and the skills we’ve acquired gave us the will to accomplish the mission.”
The raid netted 32 people who were detained for questioning. Six of those were kept in custody and brought to Camp Cropper, Iraq, for further questioning; the others were released.
In addition to the men detained in the operation, Soldiers found money and bonds from various countries in one of the buildings and a cache of 15 mortar rounds nearby.
Spc. Christopher Ray, a native of Waveland, Miss., and a cook with 1-89, guarded and searched the detainees. He summed up the mission in a single sentence.
“We were expecting weapons and bad guys,” Ray said. “We found what we were looking for.”

Provider Soldiers make quality of life better for brothers in arms

Capt. Amanda Nalls
210th BSB, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)

BAGHDAD — It is common knowledge that the quality of life for deployed Soldiers is much different than it is in the United States. Soldiers at battle positions across Iraq make due with baby wipes instead of hot showers, a chilly sleeping bag instead of a warm bed and Meals, Ready to Eat instead of home-cooked meals. The Soldiers in maneuver units assigned to the Commando Brigade sacrifice some of life’s comforts willingly every day in the name of winning the War on Terror.
Soldiers assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) recently developed projects that will assist their maneuver battalion brothers in improving the quality of life at some of the remote locations throughout the brigade’s area of operations.
Company B of the 210th BSB, under the direction of Capt. John Forsyth, the company commander, have developed Mobile Maintenance Teams dedicated to repairing equipment forward in sector.
The teams, composed of several experienced repairmen, travel to patrol bases and battle positions throughout the Commando AO. At each location they service generators, rewire shower trailers and repair wiring in company command posts.
Their efforts have improved the reliability of power and electricity at these locations and have greatly improved living conditions for Soldiers within the brigade.
“We’re dedicated to ‘fixing forward,’” commented Forsyth, a native of Rochester, N.Y. “Our Soldiers will continue to assist in repairing equipment in sector so that the brigade’s Forward Support Companies can focus their efforts on pushing supplies and maintenance farther forward.”
Company C of the 210th BSB also continues to focus its assets forward in attempt to make life better for their fellow Soldiers.
1st Lt. Dennis Rufolo and Spc. Michelle Daus, the 210th BSB Preventative Medicine Team, are two of many Soldiers that are dedicated to finding and fixing problems in sector.
Hardly a day goes by that does not see Rufolo and Daus in sector assessing living conditions and proactively developing solutions to the brigade’s problems.
“I love my job,” Daus, a native of Lakewood, Calif., said as she stood in calf-deep water turned brownish-green from sewage and trash. “I want to get outside the wire and make a difference.”
Since their arrival in theater, Rufolo and Daus have made great strides in improving, among other things, water quality, trash and waste removal, and pest and animal control across the brigade’s area of operations.
The quality of life improvements are the result of a mindset instilled in the leaders and Soldiers of 210th BSB by the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Brian Rogers.
“Our Soldiers will focus their efforts forward,” Rogers, a native of Missoula, Mont., said. “As leaders we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent and focused on our own ‘rice bowl’ back on Camp Striker.”
The effort to make a difference has grown to include members of the battalion and brigade staff who routinely travel to patrol bases throughout the Commando AO to assess the current conditions.
Although living at a company-size battle position will always remain a far cry home, Soldiers at such remote locations can count on the Provider Soldiers to make life just a little bit better so that they can continue to sustain the fight and look forward to a hot shower when they get back off of patrol.

Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers clear village, find caches

JANABI VILLAGE, Iraq — Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment Military Transition Team have been working – as has the entire 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) – to get the Iraqi soldiers trained to enable them to take over Iraq’s security themselves.
So the success of the recent joint operation Jan. 15 which put the entire 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division together with Soldiers of the 2-15 and the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, was a victory not only against terror, but for the soldiers themselves.
“This is the best Iraqi army unit I’ve worked with,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Myers, a native of Gasport, N.Y., who serves on a MiTT, to one of the Iraqi soldiers. “You guys are motivated.”
Some troops air-assaulted into the village under cover of darkness, while the main force convoyed to the village, marching in at first light to search houses and fields, seeking weapons caches and suspected terrorists.
Over 600 troops participated in the operation.
“It went very well for such a large operation,” said Capt. Art Stringer, a native of Dardanelle, Ark., and the Field Artillery Effects Trainer, who planned much of the mission.
“It was a complex operation – the joint air assault, and a large ground assault. Once on site, we used Task Force Iron Claw, engineers and explosive ordnance disposal, and they all combined very well,” Stringer said.
“Any time you can let the Iraqis test their boundaries, it’s good,” he said of the IA involvement. “It’s their battle space, and it helps them build confidence in themselves and in the U.S. forces.”
The operation, two weeks in the planning, netted 87 detainees, 12 of whom were on the IA blacklist, and several large caches of weaponry, which included rocket-propelled grenades and launchers. A large cache of improvised explosive device making materials was also recovered, which included cell phones, wire and other hardware.
One of the IEDs discovered was a pipe six inches in diameter and 42 inches long, filled with homemade explosive. A detonation cord was implanted in it as a fuse.
“We’re talking about a catastrophic IED,” Stringer said of the device.
Some residents directed the troops to the homes of suspicious people.
“We got information on two of the guys on the blacklist,” said Myers. The squad he was with interrogated a man who gave them the information.
“The Iraqi Soldiers are very motivated,” Myers said. “They’re doing a lot better than they were at first; they’re doing more complex missions. They need some more experience with map reading and such, but they did an excellent job creating a secure perimeter. They’re doing well.”
1st Lt. Bobby Temple, a native of Atlanta, Ga., concurred.
“They’ve got good situational awareness,” he said. “Our navigational and communications assets are still essential to them - they don’t have global positioning systems or even maps, but they’re doing better. And once they’ve been to a place, they can get there again, no problem.”
The Iraqi army took a very active role in the searches and planning, Stringer said.
“The mentorship the U.S. forces are giving the Iraqi soldiers is very helpful. We’re seeing a great increase in their ability from the hard work of our guys,” he said.
“Without the effort of the Iraqi army being reciprocated, we couldn’t do this.”

Wolverines and Providers give Iraqis basic medical care

Staff Sgt. Angela Mckinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

GRETEMA VILLAGE, IRAQ — Nawal, an Iraqi mother, brings her three children to a place where she know they can get help. Each of the children is sick and has not seen a doctor since they were born. She now has the opportunity to get her children medical care because of the Iraqi and coalition forces.
Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 89th Calvary Regiment and the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, both units of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), teamed up to provide the citizens of Gretema Village, Iraq with basic medical care Jan. 12 during a medical operation.
“We are out here providing basic medical assistance to the Iraqis since their medical resources are limited,” said Sgt. Nicholas Patla, a 1-89 medic and native of Chicago, Ill., as he checks the temperature of an Iraqi baby. “We want t o establish a good relationship with the citizens of the village.”
During the medical operation citizens complained of symptoms ranging from a sore throat to an aching back. However, chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure could not be treated in one day. Since the medical operation was a very basic medical set-up the patients with chronic illnesses were sent to the Civil Military Operations Center where they could receive continual care.
“Today we are treating and giving out medication for common illnesses,” said Capt. Jeffrey Kunz, the 1-89 squadron surgeon and native of Ronkonkona, N.Y. “The CMOC is staffed with doctors that can do more for the Iraqis.”
A portable dental clinic, the 210th’s Doc-In-a-Box invention, allowed Iraqis to receive basic dental care during the operation. Toothbrushes and toothpaste were given to the citizens as part of the dental portion of the operation.
“Providing medical care makes me happy because we are getting to interact with the people and help them,” said Pvt. Lisa Ming, a 210th BSB medic and native of Beaumont, Calif. “It really makes me feel good when I see the children smile.”
After the operation was over the B Troop commander took a moment to explain the benefits of conducting these types of operations.
“Since we are building relationships with the Iraqis they have given us information about improvised explosive devices within the area,” said Capt. Christian Cosner, a native of Davis, W. Va. “Working with the Iraqi people is a way to deny anti-Iraqi Forces sanctuary within the Wolverines’ area of responsibility.”
Some of the Soldiers shared their thoughts of the operation before departing the area.
“It was great to get out and help the Iraqi people and show then that we are here for them,” said Staff Sgt. Billie Caperton, the 210th BSB Camp Striker, Iraq Troop Medical Clinic noncommissioned officer in charge.
“It felt good to get my children seen by doctors,” Nawa said with a smile. “There are no doctors here … I wish the Americans could stay forever and take care of us.”

American support reaches Soldiers on the front lines

Capt. Amanda Nalls
210th BSB, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — During the World War II era Americans were every bit as involved in the war effort as the Soldiers on the front lines. Housewives became “Rosie the Riveter,” children conducted scrap metal drives and the American Homefront as a whole came together in a way that inspired a nation and its leaders.
Americans today have a different outlook as the War on Terror moves into its fifth year. No one asks the average American to buy war bonds, cut back on gasoline consumption or make the sacrifices that our parents and grandparents made during the 1940’s. Some might argue that the average American is disconnected from the war in Iraq and rarely contemplates the sacrifices made each day by the men and women in uniform.
The support that the Soldiers of 210th Brigade Support Battalion “Providers,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) have received from across the United States, however, quickly dispels the notion of the “apathetic American.”
Organizations and individuals from all walks of life have sent forward a clear message of support and well wishes - particularly over the holiday season. The Provider Battalion has received close to a thousand care packages from organizations such as Operation Gratitude, Batavia Cares, Big Frog 104 Radio Station and various other businesses and schools across the country.
“I hope you soldiers will come back soon, that’s what I wish for Christmas,” writes Colin, a fifth grader from Pennsylvania in a homemade card addressed to “You Soldiers.”
For Soldiers that don’t receive much mail from the states, an unexpected care package with their name on it or a simple letter can be the highlight of their week.
“I recently lost my job and don’t have the money to send any packages, but I wanted to make sure you know I’m praying for you every night. You’re all my heroes,” wrote another supporter in a recent letter.
Whether it’s a card, or 25 boxes of shampoo sent because “we didn’t know what else to send,” Americans truly are doing their part to support servicemen and women. It’s the knowledge that people we will never meet care enough to think about us on a daily basis that make a Soldier’s job just a little bit easier and the long months spent in combat a little more bearable.
While the average American might not be able to name the Iraqi prime minister or point out Mahmudiyah, Iraq on a map, they are engaged in the lives of the Soldiers that are fighting to make Iraq a more stable and prosperous nation.
For that, the Soldiers of the 210th BSB thank them for their support, their prayers, and the boxes of ramen noodles and Hostess cupcakes they send that remind them of home.

Three detained, six caches found in operation

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists and seized six weapons caches during a two-day combat operation in the Yusufiyah, Iraq area Jan. 10-11.
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) conducted Operation Machete Harvest in order to deny anti-Iraq forces safe haven in the Golden Dragon’s area of operation.
Of the three detained, two of were found with weapons and the other was believed to be an observer for AIF forces.
An anti-aircraft gun, three full cans of ammunition, an improvised explosive device, 19 60 mm mortar rounds, a rocket propelled grenade, bent tubing which is commonly used to construct IEDs, five 120 mm rounds, a home made IED, seven 155mm rounds and two directional charges were found and seized during the operation.
The detainees are being held for further questioning.

Respect for the dead: Cav Soldiers check cemetery for caches

Spc. Chris McCann
2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)

STRONG POINT 142, Iraq – Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, attached to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) made a careful entry into a Muslim cemetery near the former Qaqaa Water Treatment Facility on the banks of Iraq’s Euphrates River Jan. 12 to search for weapons caches.
The Soldiers, who had been told by local Iraqi residents that terrorists used the cemetery for caching weapons, skirted the area on a reconnaissance mission the night before, burning reeds along the roads to hinder placement of improvised explosive devices and ensuring that the area was clear.
At first light the next morning, the Soldiers of the 2/5 set out with four Iraqi Army soldiers, wading through canals and across muddy fields to enter the cemetery.
“Don’t step on any graves,” said Company A commander Capt. Richard Ince of Georgetown, Texas, as Soldiers began moving in.
Two Soldiers had mine detectors and scanned suspicious-looking areas as other troops moved among the graves, careful not to step on them. Many graves were elaborately protected with concrete or stone covers, but most were simply raised mounds of earth, marked with wedges of palm wood or chunks of stone.
“It was awesome,” said Spc. Matthew Fitzpatrick, a native of Philadelphia, Penn., and a rifleman with the company. “We’ve never been through a graveyard looking for caches.”
No caches were recovered, although several tank sabot rounds were recovered from various places.
“We really didn’t find everything we wanted,” said Sgt. James Farris, a native of Tullahoma, Tenn., and a rifleman with A Co. “But we did find things that might have benefited the anti-Iraqi forces and interrupted our movement.”
Ince had an idea as to why caches weren’t found – that weapons are hidden there on a very short-term basis only for quick pick-up by other terrorists.
“The source reports we had indicated that terrorists were using the cemetery as a strategic cache location. Based on our joint mission with the Iraqi Army, we confirmed that that wasn’t the case. However, we do believe that they may be using the area as a tactical cache with which to stage attacks on coalition forces.”
“It’s always good when we’re working with the IA,” Ince said. “They’re good guys and motivated to patrol. They’re very much a help. The Iraqi army soldiers are our most valuable asset and combat force multiplier.”
Operations in areas like cemeteries are delicate, due to the emotional and religious overtones, but they can be critically important if terrorists are using them as staging areas.
“I felt we were respectful of the Iraqi graves,” said Spc. Brian Smith of Denver, Colo., a civil affairs Soldier with Co. B, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd BCT, who works with the 2/5 Cavalry. “It was kind of an uncomfortable situation, but we were respectful.”

Psychological Operations Soldiers mourn comrade

Spc. Chris McCann
2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — National Guard and military reserve Soldiers probably enjoy a closer bond than active-duty Soldiers in the same unit. They tend to be natives of the same area, know each other from school or work and perhaps even enlisted together.
So it’s not surprising how many tears were shed at the memorial service Jan. 6 at Camp Striker, Iraq, that honored Sgt. Thomas Vandling Jr., of the 1113th Tactical Psychological Operations Team, 1110th Tactical Psychological Operations Detachment, 303rd Tactical Psychological Operations Company.
Vandling, a native of Pittsburgh, deployed with the 1st Marine Division during the assault on Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He deployed again for OIF 06-08, supporting the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI).
Maj. John Pelczarski, a native of Toledo, Ohio and commander of the 303rd TPC, remembered Vandling fondly.
“He was excited to deploy as part of an organic unit,” Pelczarski said. “He did everything he had to do to deploy with his team and company.
“He was an outstanding Soldier – professional, competent, and enthusiastic about his job. He always gave his best.”
“I was proud to be his commander,” Pelczarski said, “and to know him as long as I did.”
Staff Sgt. Mark Anthony Aulenbacher, a native of Northeast, Penn., worked with Vandling in the 1113th TPT.
“My time with Tom was precious,” said Aulenbacher. “He saved my life numerous times….Late one night after a mission, he told me, ‘Remember me and smile. Don’t change your path or what you’re doing, because I’ll be with you the rest of the way.’”
Staff Sgt. Doug Gearheart of Pittsburgh, another close friend, was slated to speak at the memorial, but could not due to mission constraints. His comments were read by Staff Sgt. Patrick Byers of Oakmont, Penn., a team leader with the 1131st TPT.
Gearheart recalled Vandling as moving through life “with a grace and ease and total lack of self-consciousness,” and that he balanced his civilian job, Army work and personal life “while still managing to have a great time on the south side of Pittsburgh.”
Company members remembered him as a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team, the computer game ‘Civilization’, Tae Kwon Do and weightlifting. He held bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Philosophy and was planning to pursue a master’s degree.
Vandling’s awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, two Purple Heart Medals, a Combat Action Badge, an Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary medals, an Army Commendation Medal with a V device, an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, a Navy Achievement Medal and two Armed Forces Reserve Medals with M devices.
He is survived by his parents Thomas Sr. and Dianne Vandling, his sister Elizabeth and brothers Mikey and Jimmy.
“Sgt. Vandling remains a positive force in our lives,” said 1110th TPD commander Capt. Teresa Haney, a native of Fort Ord, Calif. “He was a young man with the ability to keep things simple. He was always pleasant, always professional.”

Iraqis discuss future during Qaada meeting

Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Iraq's government has significant issues at the community level to deal with - from security to providing basic services. Communication between leaders at the local level is the key to solving some of these issues.
Leaders from the southern Baghdad area gathered to discuss current problems and solutions during a Qaada, or council meeting, here Jan. 10.
Col. Ali, the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division commander kicked off the meeting by commenting about the current security situation in the southern Baghdad area.
"There has been a decrease in the kidnapping and killings in southern Baghdad," the colonel said. "The rest of the bad guys have to be banished."
After the security situation was briefed, Ali spoke of what the Iraqis could to help their country.
"We have these (Qaada) meetings and we talk about the same things, but we need to evaluate what we are doing," he said. "If Iraqis are not going to do their jobs then they stay home. We will get people who can do the jobs."
He also assured the local leaders that their security needs would be met and that his brigade would help keep them safe. He urged local leaders to support the security effort.
"If you know of bad guys in your area just let me know and I will arrest them," he said. "If you do not tell us who the bad guys are, then we cannot help."
After Ali finished briefing the floor was opened to others who wished to voice their concerns.
"We do not have any doctors in our area and not enough teachers," said Qada Nayif Khasback, a council member from Lutufiyah, Iraq. "We also do not have any emergency vehicles and emergency rooms for the injured."
Another concern of the Iraqis was propane. Propane vendors were taking some of the propane before distributing it to the local populace, selling it on the black market, which causes the price to rise and leaves citizens without propane.
"Let me know who is doing this and I will arrest them," Ali said.
New construction and renovations of buildings were another topic of discussion during the meeting.
"I think there should be a combination of new construction and renovations of (older) buildings," said Lt. Col. Bob Morschauser, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and native of Fairless Hills, Penn. "We have the funds available for these types of things." He also addressed the local propane shortage.
"Before people were selling propane out in the open," he said.
"Over the past two weeks people have not been selling propane out in the open."
Morschauser worked closely with the mayor of Mahmudiyah to organize the council meeting. During the meeting, leaders also discussed solutions for problems they had in their areas.
One member stated that he could get ambulances fixed and get them to the hospitals for use. Another leader spoke with a doctor during the meeting and made arrangements for health care for the local residents in his area.
Before the meeting ended, Col. Michael Kershaw, commander of the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd BCT and native of Huffman, Texas, closed with some encouraging words to the Iraqis.
"I believe that most of the problems can be solved by the people in this room," Kershaw said.
The group is planning to have more meetings in the future.

82 detained in joint operation

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Troop B, “Black Hawks,” 1st Squadron, 89th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) detained 82 suspects terrorists during a combat operation north of Yusufiyah, Iraq Jan. 2.
The operation, “Operation Swift Justice,” intended to deny anti-Iraqi forces sanctuary in the Yusufiyah area and enabled U.S. and Iraqi troops to gather intelligence about improvised explosive device cells in the area.
After the troops conducted a search of 33 homes in the area, they detained 82 suspects. Thirteen suspects were taken into custody for their involvement in emplacing IEDs along routes within the Black Hawk’s area of operation.
The rest of the detainees were released after questioning.

From The Tulsa World

By MANNY GAMALLO World Staff Writer
1/13/2007

An idea by a Tulsa woman and her Army husband for a coffee shop in Iraq now has troops in Baghdad singing high praises.
Cuppa Joes officially opened on Christmas Eve at Camp Striker in Baghdad and was an immediate hit with soldiers stationed there.
What they were treated to was real coffee from home, cookies, candies, popcorn, movies -- all sorts of things donated by caring people across the United States.
"The troops were thrilled when they walked in there, to see things not from the Army, but from people at home who care," Andrea Aitken said Friday from her home at Fort Drum, N.Y.
She and her husband, Maj. Mark Aitken, came up with the idea to do something meaningful for the troops after he returned in May from a tour of duty in Iraq.
They settled on the idea to run a coffee shop at Camp Striker.
The name for the place was born one night while she was brainstorming with her mother and father, Thomas and Cindy Mansur of Tulsa.
Aitken, the leader of the 1-89 Family Readiness group at Fort Drum, immediately went to work promoting the idea through newsletters and fliers and asking for donations to make it happen.
Meanwhile, her husband shipped out to Iraq again
in August with his outfit -- the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum.
With the outfit went its chaplain, Capt. Danny Wilson, and Andrea Aitken credited him with getting the coffee shop up and running at Camp Striker.
"He went about collecting lumber and other supplies to build Cuppa Joes and had it ready for Christmas Eve," she said.
Aitken said that after her newsletters and fliers went out, the donations to supply the coffee shop started pouring in from residents, businesses and church groups.
More donations followed after CNN featured Cuppa Joes and her efforts on one of its news rr programs, she said.
Aitken described herself as an "Army brat" with long family ties to Tulsa.
She noted that her grandfather, Cline Mansur, ran an engineering company in Tulsa for nearly 60 years, and her father, Thomas Mansur, also is a civil engineer in Tulsa.
Her grandfather was a retired Army colonel, and her father retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel.
Aitken and her husband have been married for six years and have a son, Ewan.
She said her husband is a Briton who was raised in the San Antonio area. They met in Korea, where her father was stationed.
Aitken joked about her life as an Army brat.
"We moved 17 times in 21 years," she said.
Although Cuppa Joes is up and running, Aitken said more donations are needed to keep it operating.
She said anyone who wants to know what or how to donate should e-mail her at: andrea.aitken@us.army.mil
Aitken also has started a new mission -- "Operation Backpack" -- aimed at providing Iraqi children with school supplies and other necessities.
She is leading that effort again through newsletters and fliers, asking Americans to donate what they can for the children.

Golden Dragons find large weapons cache near highway

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi and coalition forces found and seized a large weapons cache during a combat patrol just west of Yusufiyah, Iraq Jan. 15.
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division found the cache near a rural road along Mulla Fayad Highway during the operation.
The cache, which contained a variety of improvised explosive device making items and weapons included six 120mm mortar rounds, a directional charge, five rocket propelled grenade launchers, seven RPG charges, nine RPG rockets, 150 small metal cylinders filled with plastic explosives, 1000 7.62mm rounds, 200 ft. of detonation cord, seven hand grenade fuses, five hand grenade shells, five long-range antennae, 22 transformers, four cordless phones, two cordless phone base stations, two cell phones, 12 cell phone cases with assorted parts and 12 60mm mortar round casings.
The contents of the cache were found on the side of a road.
The explosive ordnance team was called to the site and the weapons were destroyed with a controlled detonation.

Six suspected terrorists detained

2nd BCT, 2nd Inf. Div. Public Affairs
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division Baghdad Soldiers captured six suspected insurgents and recovered a large weapons cache Jan. 15 during an security operation in East Baghdad.
The Soldiers from 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division conducted precision raids to arrest known terrorists while providing security to the area disrupting insurgent activities.
Seized weapons included a sniper rifle with scope, 26 magazines, three hand grenades, two AK-47s, one nine-millimeter pistol, 10 shotgun shells, and an unknown amount of ammunition. Also recovered were $1,400, 13 million Iraqi dinar, and 100,000 Iranian riyals, as well as cellular phones, one citizens band radio, and one pair of handcuffs.
The six detainees are in U.S. military custody for questioning.

Battalion detains six suspects in Operation Polar Fire

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi Army and coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists near Ahmed Suhel Village, approximately three miles northwest of Yusufiyah, in an air assault operation Jan 8.
The purpose of the operation, coined Polar Fire, conducted by Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), was to deny enemy sanctuary within the area.
The multi-company air assault resulted in the capture of six alleged terrorists, two wanted by the coalition forces, two wanted by the Iraqi Army and two caught with improvised explosive-making materials in their possession.
All of the individuals have been linked to IED and mortar attacks against civilians, Iraqi security forces and coalition troops in the area.
All six suspects are being held for questioning.

Operation seizes two bomb-making suspects

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Two suspected terrorists were detained and improvised explosive device-making materials were found and seized during a joint combat operation in southwest Mahmudiyah, Iraq Jan.7.
The operation, Operation Tarfa Blitz, was conducted by Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). The operation was intended to disrupt anti-Iraqi forces activity within the area.
One of the suspects may be linked to previous IED attacks in the area and was found with 34 doorbells, a common item used to fabricate roadside bombs.
Both suspects are being held for further questioning.

Joint Operation detains 90, finds weapons

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

AL RASHID, Iraq — A joint combat operation here detained 90 suspects and seized weapons Jan. 9.
Soldiers from the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraq Army Division and the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) detained 90 suspected terrorists and seized weapons during the joint combat operation just northwest of Al Rashid.
During the two-day operation, dubbed Operation Eagle Talent, two fire fights broke out, but U.S. and Iraqi troops worked together to suppress the sporadic gunfire and continued the mission.
Of the 90 suspected terrorists detained, 17 were wanted.
The weapons confiscated during the operation include 17 AK-47s, one automatic rifle, a rocket-propelled grenade scope, one bolt action rifle, one shotgun, one 9mm pistol, 20 blue barrels that are commonly used to bury weapons and a bandoleer with miscellaneous weapons parts.
The detainees are being held for further questioning. No Soldiers or detainees were injured during the operation.

4-31 Polar Bears remember fallen Soldiers

Spc. Chris McCann
2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) gathered on the evening of Dec. 30 to mourn the loss of three comrades killed in the war on terror.
Sgt. Christopher Messer, Sgt. Curtis Norris and Spc. Nathaniel Given were honored by friends and command alike, all remembered as outstanding Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
Capt. John Cullen Jr., commander of Company F, 4-31, quoted Ronald Reagan and the sonnet written by John Gillespie Magee that he used in his speech when the Space Shuttle Challenger went down.
“We will never forget them … as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God’,” Cullen said.
Messer and Given, both of Company D, 4-31, were killed when an improvised explosive device detonated underfoot while they were searching for caches in the rural areas south of Baghdad.
Norris was serving as vehicle commander for a convoy with F Co. in a truck delivering Christmas dinner to troops in forward positions on Dec. 26 when an IED detonated, flipping the truck.
Given was remembered as a Soldier who came into his own in Iraq and “excelled in combat,” said Capt. Don Jamoles, his company commander and native of Salinas, Calif.
“Messer took charge of him and helped him,” Jamoles said.
“Norris wouldn’t want a pity party,” said Cullen. “Just for us to continue his mission… We can honor them by adopting their best traits – service and courage.”
Spc. Tyler Teesdale of Grandville, Mich., knew Norris for three years, he said.
“We always called him Chuck,” Teesdale said. “He was always available to talk to, always boosted our morale. He loved taking care of his daughter, watching movies, and every Saturday he’d watch Michigan football games.”
Norris was remembered by Staff Sgt. Raymond Spittler of Newport News, Va., as a man who put family first.
“His big thing was family. He met (his wife) Rose in the Army and they got married. He was all about his family.”
Norris was also something of a comedian, Spittler said.
“He was always the one to say something funny or crazy … and he was always there for the other Soldiers,” said Spittler.
Spc. Joseph Merchant of Westminster, Md., was close to both Messer and Given.
“They were awesome Soldiers,” he said. “It’s hard to put into words how they were.”
Messer loved fishing, and Given was a car aficionado. “He loved Camaro Z-28s especially,” Merchant said.
The three frequently spent time together at Fort Drum, said Merchant, who was Messer’s roommate for awhile.
“(Messer) loved his family more than anything,” Merchant said. “Given did as well.”
Messer’s awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart Medal, an Army Commendation Medal with ‘V’ device, a Valorous Unit award, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism service Medal, a Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development ribbon, an Army Good Conduct ribbon, an Overseas Service ribbon, an Army Service ribbon, a Combat Infantryman’s Badge, an Expert Infantryman’s Badge and a Driver’s Badge.
He is survived by his wife Aime and daughter Skyle of Fort Drum, N.Y.
Norris was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement Medal with three oak-leaf clusters, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism service Medal, an Army Good Conduct Medal, an Overseas Service ribbon, an Army Service ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
He is survived by his wife Rose and daughter Kira of Fort Drum, N.Y.
Spc. Given’s awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, an Army Service ribbon and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
He is survived by his parents Floyd and Donna Given of Dickinson, Texas.

Golden Dragons mourn fallen comrade

Spc. Chris McCann
2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)

PATROL BASE WARRIOR KEEP, Iraq — Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) mourned fallen comrade, Sgt. Jason Denfrund, Jan.1 in a ceremony at Patrol Base Warrior Keep, Iraq.
Denfrund was killed Dec. 25 in an improvised explosive device explosion on a road south of Baghdad. He was a native of Springville, N.Y.
Denfrund, a team leader in Company B, 2-14, graduated from the University of Buffalo where he had played linebacker on the football team. The Soldiers of his unit remembered his affection for the team – which could become mock rage if the Buffalo Bulls were criticized.
He also was “a good family guy,” said his friend, Spc. Anthony Carlson, a native of Oregon City, Ore., and a radio-telephone operator in Co. B.
Denfrund left behind a wife, Melissa, as well as a daughter, Chloe and a son, Jayden, who reside in Illinois.
“He was a great friend,” Carlson said. “He would help anyone. He came to my wedding last year. …We were basically brothers. Our families would get together on weekends.”
Carlson recalled spending time with Denfrund, camping in the mountains around Fort Drum, N.Y.
Staff Sgt. Corey Hollister of Williamsburg, Ohio, a squad leader in Co. B, also spent time with Denfrund. They were in the 2nd Bn., 14th Inf. Regt. together during the unit’s last rotation to Iraq in 2004 and 2005.
“He was a good guy to hang out with,” he said. “We’d talk about our families and our kids. He was funny, but he was more serious about his job than anything.”
As a team leader, Denfrund was usually in the front, leading raids and ambushes on anti-Iraqi forces.
Capt. Palmer Phillips, a native of Swampscott, Mass., commander of Co. B, recalled Denfrund’s humor and compassion as well as his skill in hand-to-hand fighting.
“I remember …getting crushed by his 240-pound weight,” Phillips said, recalling combatives training at Fort Drum. “We had a good laugh immediately afterward.”
Phillips also consoled the Soldiers who were with Denfrund after the accident, telling them “I know you did everything you could that day.”
Denfrund’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal, which were awarded posthumously, an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service medals, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, the Kosovo Defense Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Expert Infantryman’s Badge.
Carlson was with Denfrund in his last moments.
“We had a short conversation on the ground that day that he passed away from us,” Carlson said in a voice that threatened to crack. “We never got to finish it.”

Operation Polar Shield nabs six terrorists

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Div. PAO

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and a squad from the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army division conducted a search-and-attack operation, resulting in six detainees near the village of al-Thobat four kilometers southwest of Yusufiyah, Iraq on Dec. 31.
The operation targeted three separate objectives in the vicinity of the village, which intelligence indicated the improvised explosive devise cells were operating and finding safe haven.
Elements of Company C, 4-31 and Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, attached from the 1st Cavalry Division, paired with the IA squad detained the six males during the operation.
Two of the men were wanted for their connections to IED operations in the area.
The other four individuals were detained for their belligerence when the two wanted men were confronted.
The detainees are being held for questioning.

Iraqi and Mountain soldiers detain 82 in operation

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Troop B, “Black Hawks,” 1st Squadron, 89th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) detained 82 suspected terrorists during a combat operation in just north of Yusufiyah, Iraq Jan. 2.
The operation, Operation Swift Justice, intended to deny anti-Iraqi forces sanctuary in the Yusufiyah area and enabled U.S. and Iraqi soldiers to gather intelligence about improvised explosive device cells in the area.
After the soldiers conducted a search of the 33 houses in the area they detained 82 suspected terrorists, 13 of whom were taken into long-term detention for emplacing IEDs along routes within the Black Hawk’s area of operation.
The rest of the detainees were released after further questioning.

Polar Bears seize weapons in Janabi Village

Capt. Chris Sanchez
4th Bn., 31st Inf. Regt., 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — On Jan. 1, Task Force 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) received information on the location of two S-60 Chinese-made 57mm cannons in the vicinity of Janabi Village. The task force’s quick reaction force; Company F of 4-31; Task Force Ironclaw of the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, the route-clearance force; and 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division were engaged to secure the weapon systems.
The QRF platoon, Co. D, 4-31 and elements of the 4/4/6 IA headed out to secure the weapons via air aerial assault, while companies A and F, 4-31 secured the roads so the weapon systems could be brought back to Patrol Base Yusufiyah.
The platoon leader of the QRF, 2nd Lt. Thad Wescott of Co. D, 4-31 and a native of Sterling, Ill., was upbeat about the mission’s completion.
“The mission was a great success,” Wescott said. “Nobody got hurt or was injured. It went pretty quickly and efficiently. It was a cold night and it got colder as the mission wore on, but we relied on each other to make it through and complete the mission.” The weapons were safely at Patrol Base Yusufiyah by the afternoon of the next day.
Spc. Darryl Welch, a driver with Co. F, 4-31 and a native of Arlington, Texas, explained some specifics.
“It took us an hour to load the first gun and it took 20 minutes to recover the second gun,” said Welch. “I have done recovery missions before, but this is the first one where we recovered weapons. The mission went well. Iron Claw did a good job clearing the route. We heard one improvised explosive device go off, but we continued the mission.”

U.S. and Iraqi troops detain two, find cache

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs

AL RASHEED, Iraq — Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), along with the Al Rasheed Iraqi police detained two suspected terrorists and found improvised explosive device-making materials during an operation in here Jan. 1.
The operation was conducted following a tip identifying a possible IED cell based out of Al Rasheed.
The troops and Iraqi police found bomb-making materials in an Al Rasheed residence. The items uncovered included two shovels, electronic circuit boards, various wires and telephone, cell phones and radio parts. The radio and phone parts were consistent with those typically used in fabricating remote-controlled IED detonators. Two gas masks were also found in the house.
The detainees were taken into custody for further questioning.

FRG leader’s idea brings java from home

By Sgt. Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. Public Affairs

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 89th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) gathers for the grand opening of “Cuppa Joes” at Camp Striker, Iraq on Dec. 24.
“Cuppa Joes” first started off as an idea, but turned into reality for the Soldiers of 1-89.
“Cuppa Joes” was an idea that was born to me when my husband and I were thinking about what we could have done (for the Soldiers) during his last deployment,”
said Andrea Aitken, the 1-89 senior family readiness advisor, and native of Tulsa, Olka. “The idea was to have a program set in place before the squadron deployed so we could enlist the help of the spouses and family members prior to the Sodliers’ departure.”
Aitken’s idea allowed families to focus on something other than the deployment – a project that would boost the morale of the Soldiers and provide them with a comfort of home in a foreign land.
“One of my friends, Anna, was committed to helping on the homefront,” Aitken said.
Just a couple of months before the squadron deployed a new chaplain joined the team and took the idea of “Cuppa Joes” to Iraq. He immediately began getting supplies such as wood, hammers and nails to make “Cuppa Joes” a reality for the Soldiers. He also recruited 1-89 Soldiers to help build the shop.
“I helped to gather the supplies for the shop, but the Soldiers built it,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Danny Wilson, the 1-89 chaplain and native of St. Joseph, Miss. “But it was the FRG that gave us the idea.”
Although “Cuppa Joes” was intended to be a coffee shop, Command Sgt. Maj. Fred Morris, the 1-89 command sergeant major and native of Port Charlotte, Fla., envisioned something more which led to the addition of a television screen, games and snacks at the shop.
“It started off as a coffee shop,” Morris said as he pointed to the large television screen. “But we added some other things for the Soldiers. We are going to have movie theme nights here.”
Having free food and coffee will give Soldiers who are on missions during dining facility hours a place where they cannot only eat, but relax.
“It is kind of like we have a morale, welfare and recreational center right here,” Morris said.
After “Cuppa Joes” was officially opened, Soldiers poured in to taste the coffee and took time to sit and relax with one another.
“It is nice to have this coffee shop right here … we do not have to walk across the camp to get a cup of coffee,” said Pfc. Jonathan Crump, a personal security detachment gunner with 1-89 and native of Joliet, Ill., as he sipped on a cup of coffee. “It is even nice to know that the Soldiers built this.”
Although the Soldiers actually built the coffee shop, the support from home allowed the Soldiers to enjoy the coffee for free. All of the coffee and condiments were donated by the friends and families of 1-89.
“The certificates of recognition (from the 1-89 command) to those who have donated items help them know they are making a difference,” Aitken said. “Wilson took a simple idea formulated at the dinner table and turned it into something more than we could have hoped for. Perhaps the best gift is that the Soldiers are able to see how many people truly wish to help and support them by more than just words, but actions.”

CAV Soldiers help facilitate Kurdish supply transactions

By 1st Lt. Anthony Hoefler
1st Sqdrn., 89th Cav. Regt., 2 BCT, 10th Mtn. Div.(LI)

BAGHDAD — Soldiers from B Troop, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and the Kurdish Republican Guard conducted a logistical re-supply mission to get vehicles outfitted for Kurdish security forces in southern Mahmudiyah, Iraq on Dec. 27.
Two platoons from B-Troop escorted 82 KRG vehicles from southern Mahmudiyah to northern Baghdad in the operation.
The 60 brand-new vehicles, worth more than $3 million, were signed for by members of the KRG to aid in their security role in the Kirkuk and Irbil region north of Baghdad.
The civilian pick-up trucks were outfitted with the proper equipment necessary for their operational needs. The Kurdish contingent commanded by Col. Hosayr displayed great appreciation and excitement as they explored and drove their new vehicles. Soldiers of B-Troop showed the Kurdish soldiers how to operate the radios and the climate control system which came as a great surprise for them.
Capt. Christian Cosner, B Troop commander and native of Davis, W. Va., was pleased with the operation.
“This is greater evidence demonstrating the Iraqi Security Forces’ ability to sustain their role as an effective force,” Cosner said. “As Iraqi police checkpoints become an increasingly familiar site throughout the country, the vehicles serve as a method to conduct patrols staking their claim in the stability of the nation.”
The 1-89 Soldiers were also pleased with the overall mission and working with the KRG.
“The cavalry troopers were very impressed with the level of professionalism in which the KRG conducted the mission,” Cosner added. “It is good for our Soldiers to see that their Iraqi counterparts are taking responsibility for their part in Iraq’s democracy, we look forward to working with them again.”

4-31 Soldiers help Rushdi Mullah children

Capt. Chris Sanchez
4th Bn., 31st Inf. Regt. 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) receive attention for their rapid air assaults and fierce fighting. But in the village of Rushdi Mullah, Iraq, they are now known for their tenderness toward local children.
On Dec. 25, the Soldiers of Company B, 4-31 at Patrol Base Rushdi Mullah were visited by two young boys seeking medical help. One of the boys, Raad, had been shot several weeks before when terrorists wanted to use his family’s house to attack the patrol base. When Raad’s father refused them entry, one of the terrorists shot the boy.
The Soldiers treated Ra’ad after the attack and transported him to Ibn Sina hospital in Baghdad’s International Zone, and have been changing the dressings on his wounds regularly since the attack.
They changed the dressings again on Christmas, and also treated Ra’ad’s brother, Ahmed, for a skin rash affecting the boy’s scalp.
But it wasn’t all medical treatment.
“The Soldiers of 4-31 care a great deal for the people of Rushdi Mullah,” said Capt. Christopher Vitale, a native of Houston, Penn., and commander of Co. B. “They have gathered donations and provided soccer cleats and other equipment for the children of the town out of their own pockets.”
The people of Rushdi Mullah are responding by providing information on terror to the Soldiers, forging a strong relationship, with benefit to all involved.

1-89 Cav. holds city council meeting in Mustafar

Spc. Chris McCann
2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)

MUSTAFAR, Iraq— Despite the much-publicized instability in Iraq, in the village of Mustafar, south of Baghdad, the villagers are fighting back – and winning – against not only terror, but the instability itself.
Soldiers of Troop C, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), arranged a town meeting in the village of Mustafar, Iraq on Dec. 29 which was attended by many of the village residents and aimed to improve the town’s security and participation in local government.
Village leaders said that the relocation of an Iraqi Police checkpoint, which had been on the only road into town and was recently moved to about three kilometers away, has given terrorists more opportunity to enter the village.
Lt. Col. Mark Suich, of Greenville, Penn., commander of the squadron, said he understood that the relocation had negatively impacted the village, but acknowledged that the checkpoint’s location was beyond his control. He added that he had been amazed and pleased to hear of the townspeople’s defense of their homes, in which their neighborhood watch killed two terrorists who entered the town and wounded a third.
“No other village in Iraq has done this,” Suich told the villagers. “You should be very proud of yourselves.”
Suich, Capt. Adam Sawyer, the commander of Trp. C, and native of Reading, Penn., and other Soldiers led the meeting, which focused largely on the people’s hope of founding a local police force to protect them. Ten residents of Mustafar have police experience and are willing to put it to use after background checks by coalition forces to ensure that they will aid the village and not the terrorists.
Temporarily, Suich said, he can increase U.S. patrols in the town until the local police force is established.
Several of the townspeople also suggested closing off the smaller access paths to the town and requested help from the squadron in placing concrete barriers and concertina wire to discourage entry.
Hamad Hussein Abbas, a Mustafar resident, volunteered to show 1-89 patrols which routes to block.
They also requested that the U.S. Soldiers decide with them on a signal to use at night, so that villagers conducting patrols of the town know the vehicles are friendly.
The conversation often turned back to the now-abandoned checkpoint that sits at the beginning of the road into town, and one of the village elders asked if they could staff it themselves.
Suich said that the idea was very feasible, as long as U.S. and Iraqi Army units in the area are aware that the checkpoint is being manned and that there is an official document in the checkpoint explaining the situation.
“We don’t have many bullets,” one man mentioned. Another suggested that the Iraqi army might be able to provide ammunition. Suich and Sawyer said that they would look into the possibility.
The 1-89 Soldiers emphasized that the Mustafar residents have every right to defend themselves against terror – up to and including use of deadly force against anti-Iraqi forces.
“We will do our best,” Sawyer said. “We will come as quick as we can if there are issues. If someone is injured in a fight, call us, and any patrol in the area can help you.”
Sawyer also called on the townspeople to become involved in the Rashid area nahia council despite their fears of violence on the way there or at the meeting.
“We will secure you on the trips to and from the nahia,” he said. “If we need to set up an ambush, we will.”
Suich concurred.
“It will take the same kind of courage it took to defend this town,” he said. “You must rise up and go.”
The meeting was very productive, Suich said.
“We always learn something,” he said of the meetings, held every six to eight weeks. “Security took a step back with the removal of the checkpoint. Some anti-Iraqi forces tried to come in with guns, and the people shot up the AIF and their car. The next night, the townspeople did it again.”
With a local police force, the security would improve, he added.
“They’ll be able to secure themselves all the time. There are ten former police officers that live here. We want to vet and reinstate them.”
Despite their fear of going to the nahia, Suich said he thinks the idea is making headway.
“I think they’ll go this time,” he said.
The village is one of the best in the area, said Sawyer. There is no main power broker, making everything a community effort, and despite sectarian tensions all around, the Sunni, Shia and Christians that live in Mustafar coexist peacefully.
The people are working with 1-89 to get regular trash pick-up from the dumpsters brought in by the squadron; they are negotiating to get the main road through the city paved and they are actively working with coalition forces to keep the Mahdi militia from fulfilling their alleged plan to open a base on the outskirts of town.
“This is our model village,” Sawyer said.