Mejias remembered

By Col. Anthony Cruz

Soldiers join the Army for many reasons. David A. Mejías’ reason was simple—he had to do something. He had to do something after watching our nation being attacked by terrorists. He had to do something about the loss of innocent lives. He just had to do something. That’s why 48 hours after the September 11th attacks, just a couple of weeks after his 21st birthday, David Mejías joined the Army.
A few months later (in December 2001), while I was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division
in Germany, I received a phone call from David. “Guess where I am?” he began. To this, I replied that I had no clue.
“I am at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, just starting field artillery advanced individual training.”
David’s announcement was unexpected, but it should not have been. After all, his parents had both served in the Army. In fact, they were stationed in Germany in the early 1980s, when David was born. David was destined to become a Soldier. It was his calling.
In February 2002, David was assigned to the 1st ID as a forward observer in a field artillery battalion in Bamberg. Although we served together in the unit for only six months, the time that we shared was priceless.
While assigned to the “Big Red One,” David, who was then a staff sergeant, was deployed to
Kosovo and Iraq. But for David, being a Field Artillery Soldier was not very exciting. It was during his deployment to Iraq that he began considering leaving the Army. However, he knew that I was a Military Police Soldier, and that piqued his interest. “Talk to me
about being an MP,” he implored. I described the branch and told him that if he decided to reclassify, he would surely be deployed to Iraq again. But deploying to Iraq was the least of David’s worries. He did not mind that.
About that time, David fell in love with Specialist Caromi Rodriguez, a supply specialist assigned
to the 630th Military Police Company, Bamberg. They were a match made in heaven. Following in the footsteps of his parents, David married the love of his life while on leave in Denmark.
In 2005, David reenlisted; requested a reclassification to the Military Police Corps Regiment;
and was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. In April 2006, Caromi
gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Leila Mejías-Rodriguez. David missed her birth, as he was at the National Training Center preparing for another deployment to Iraq.
In August 2006, David deployed to Iraq for the second time. As a squad leader assigned to the Military Police Platoon, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2d Brigade Combat Team, David
excelled as a natural leader and was emulated by his peers and subordinates.
On 1 April 2007, Staff Sergeant David A. Mejías made the ultimate sacrifice when his life and the lives of three of his fellow squad members were violently taken by an improvised explosive
device. He was only 26. I had the honor of escorting David on his final journey home to Puerto Rico, where he was laid to rest at the National Cemetery.
David loved the Army and all it stands for. He also loved Soldiers and leading them into battle. He knew exactly what he was doing and why he was doing it. And he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Staff Sergeant David Mejías was a great Soldier and a great American. But above all, he was my beloved nephew and my hero.

Polar Bears discover 9-11 propaganda in Iraqi home

QARGHULLI VILLAGE, Iraq — Coalition Forces discovered a cache which contained Sept. 11, 2001 propaganda in a house in Qarghulli Village, Iraq, Sept. 26.
Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment “Polar Bears,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) discovered the cache while conducting Operation Rock Sweep V and VI.
The purpose of the mission was to target specified al-Qaeda operatives identified to be planning and coordinating attacks against Coalition Forces and concerned local citizens in the area.
While conducting the operation, Soldiers searched the targets’ houses looking for illegal weapons.
In one house they discovered a cache that consisted of three blasting caps, a ski mask, a terrorist manual which included directions on constructing vehicle improvised explosive devices, propaganda featuring the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, two cell phones and a card to activate the cell phones.
The propaganda was a small booklet featuring images of the attacks and a script praising the attacks.
“Our assessment is that these guys were getting ready to launch attacks during the Ramadan celebration,” said Lt. Thomas Ceislak, battle captain for 4-31 Inf. Regt. “We got the intelligence for this raid from earlier questioning of detainees and from tips provided by our source network”
The owner of the house was detained and is being held for questioning.
The blasting caps were destroyed during a controlled detonation and the other items are being inspected for further intelligence value.

Drum troops find IED cache

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO
BAGHDAD - A Coalition patrol discovered a cache containing four 130mm rounds and a 155mm round, presumably for making improvised explosive devices Sept. 28. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment "Golden Dragons" of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LightInfantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., discovered the rounds, along with two barrels of black powder and another barrel filled with an unknown substance, near Az-Zaidon, Iraq, just 15 miles southwest of Baghdad. The unknown substances were sampled for testing, and the cache was destroyed with a controlled detonation by explosive ordnance disposal technicians.

Citizens lead Soldiers to IED-making cache

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO
Multi-National Division - Center

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — Coalition Soldiers received a cache turned in by Iraqi concerned citizens at about 3:30 p.m. Sept. 29 in Qarghuli Village, Iraq.
Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., working at a patrol base near the village, were approached and led to a cache by several citizens.
They found an empty water tank buried n the ground, which contained 30 empty shape-charge forms and 30 60mm mortar rounds.
The cache was destroyed with a controlled detonation by an explosive ordnance disposal team. However, the explosion was larger than the team expected, leading them to believe that there was more explosive material triggered by that detonation that had not been reported.

Provider battalion names NCO and Soldier of the year

Sgt. 1st Class Angela McKinzie2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAOMulti-National Division - Center
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq - Recently the Provider Battalion honored its noncommissioned officer and Soldier of the year at a ceremony in the Camp Striker Dining Facility.The Soldiers, who serve with the 210th Brigade Support Battalion "Providers," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LightInfantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., were the first to be named NCO and Soldier of the year at the battalion level."I asked a Soldier who had been in the unit for five years if there had ever been any battalion NCO and Soldier of the year," said Command Sgt.Maj. Spencer Gray, 210th BSB, native of Thomaston, Ga. After realizing there had never been a battalion-level competition Gray decided to change the policy. He started holding NCO and Soldier of the month boards upon the unit's arrival to Iraq last August."I wanted to do something different that would inspire the Soldiers to reach for excellence," Gray said. "And why have quarter boards and never allow the winners of the quarter boards to compete amongst themselves?"With Gray's vision in mind, the NCOs and Soldiers began studying to be the first Provider NCO and Soldier of the year.However, winning the title while serving in a combat zone required a little more from each of the competitors."In combat, leaders tend to make excuses of what they can do and what they cannot do due to the mission," Gray said. "I wasn't going to use this excuse to put Soldiers' development on back seat even under the illusion that they didn't have time to read one book - an army regulation or even a field manual." Soldiers were tested on physical fitness, military knowledge, current events, their appearance and hands-on demonstrations such as clearing a weapon and performing a functions test.After a year of competitions, the NCO and Soldier of the year were finally named.Sgt. Esther Kamondo, a native of Nyeri, Kenya, who serves as a squad leader for the 210th BSB's light equipment section, was named NCO of the year. Spc. Farrah Hunkin, a native of Long Beach, Calif., who serves as a training noncommissioned officer with the BSB, was named Soldier of the year."I didn't see me as winning," Kamondo said as she smiled from ear to ear. "I couldn't believe it. The feeling was great."Kamondo, who grew up in Kenya said she had always wanted to be a U.S.Soldier. She moved to the United States in 2003 and worked as a cashier at Burger King. Later she found an Army recruiter and joined the military - as she always wanted to do.Kamondo explained the discipline and time it took to become the NCO of the year."When we came back from missions everyone got to sleep while I was awake studying for the board," she said. "I think the hardest part of the board was cleaning my weapon - that is seven hours of labor for a board."And to ensure her weapon was top notch, Kamondo would walk from her trailer to the place where the board was being held with a cover on her weapon."I didn't want it to get dirty since I just spent so much time cleaning it," she said.And when asked how she earned the NCO of the year title Kamondo simply replied, "When you do something, you should always do it excellently."Hunkin, the Soldier of the year, shared how she felt after finding out she was the winner."I didn't know I was going to do as well as I did," Hunkin said. "I was shocked when I found out I won."Hunkin, who will be promoted to the rank of sergeant Oct. 1, was thankful she attended the boards."I am happy because attending boards has helped me to get promoted," she explained. "Now that the board is over I am being held to a higher standard than the rest of the Soldiers."Gray commented about the winners."Sgt. Kamondo is a very sharp and decisive NCO. I remember when she appeared for the quarter board, I thought, 'oh my'. I've never seen an individual come to a board so sharp with such an enormous level of confidence," Gray said. "She blew me and the board members out of our seats.""Spc. Hunkin is quite smart and a very hard working young Soldier - I would hear her sometimes studying in her office to prepare for the board," Gray said. "She often told me she was going to win the board - positive attitudes get positive results. I'm very proud of their achievements."Despite what others may think about holding boards in a combat environment, Gray realizes the importance of the proceedings."I grew up in the Army under this type of telescope that competition was a morale booster" Gray said. "It entices Soldiers to feel good about being a part of the unit." Each of the winners received a glass Climb to Glory statue, a 10th Mtn.Div. coin, a 2nd BCT coin and a 210th BSB coin."I would like to personally thank the many Soldiers and NCOs who came out and supported our Soldiers during this very special moment for the battalion and to the Soldiers," Gray said.

Coalition Forces find caches with help from concerned citizens

2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO
Multi-National Division – Center

BAGHDAD — Concerned local citizens led coalition troops to a series of weapons caches southwest of Baghdad Sept. 21 and 22.
Soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, out of Fort Benning, Ga., who are currently attached to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., worked with the concerned local citizens to seize the caches.
The first cache was discovered Sept. 21 after concerned citizens alerted Soldiers of weapons in the area.
The cache contained several pounds of TNT, 28 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, six 82mm mortar rounds, several boxes of 12.7mm heavy machine-gun rounds, 7.62mm rounds, and seven rockets of an undetermined size.
Then the concerned citizens led Co. B to another cache nearby. The second cache contained a 60mm mortar tube, an 82mm mortar tube, 18 82mm mortar rounds, a 60mm mortar round, two 120mm mortar rounds, 50 12.7mm heavy machine-gun rounds, a 1-liter container filled with gunpowder, and eight blocks of homemade explosives.
The third cache, which was pointed out by an Iraqi man, included a Dragonov sniper rifle, an RPG launcher, five RPG warheads, 200 pounds of homemade explosive, an AK-47 assault rifle, 38 incomplete improvised explosive devices, 30 boxes of various small arms ammunition, two boxes of 12.7mm heavy machine-gun ammunition, five tear gas grenades, four fragmentary hand grenades, six 60mm mortar rounds and fuses and five rockets of various sizes.
The Soldiers also discovered an underground bunker in the vicinity of the third cache site.
In a separate incident, a concerned citizen led elements of Company D, 2-14th Inf. Regt., to a weapons cache south of Zaidon, Iraq, Sept. 22.
The cache contained 11 120mm mortar rounds, eight anti-personnel mines, a collection of ammunition of various calibers, and seven rockets.
The weapons, ammunition and bunker were all destroyed in controlled detonations by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

Personnel Soldiers: behind-the-scene enablers

Sgt. 1st Class Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO
Multi-National Division – Center

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — Getting promoted, awarded, going on leave and receiving mail are some of the morale boosters of being in the Army, especially in a combat environment.
But like most things, these things do not come automatically – it takes a lot of behind-the-scene work from Soldiers who are often not recognized for their contribution to the fight.
Soldiers from the personnel shop of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., have spent countless hours during the past 14 months of their deployment in Iraq processing, awards, evaluations, casualty reports, leave forms and writing letters of condolences.
“Since we have been deployed we have processed well over 4,700 awards for Soldiers in the brigade,” said Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Harvey, the 2nd BCT personnel noncommissioned officer in charge and native of Binghamton, N.Y.
From an outside view processing awards may seem like an easy job, but a lot of preparation goes into the award before and even after the award is approved.
“We check for any errors, accept awards submissions and review each Soldier’s file to make sure he is eligible for the award,” Harvey explained. “After the award is approved we make sure it is uploaded to the Soldier’s Official Military Records Brief and is listed on the Enlisted or Officer Records Brief.”
Spc. Pamela Hutchinson, a native of Watertown, N.Y. who serves as the awards clerk with the personnel shop is in charge of adding all awards to Soldiers’ files.
Like awards, promotions is another area that doesn’t happen without the expertise of the personnel Soldiers.
“We accept all semi-centralized promotions, review promotion packets, enter promotion points into the Enlisted Distribution and Assignment System, monitor cutoff scores and publish promotion orders,” Harvey said.
But promotions are not possible without Soldiers’ records being updated – another personnel function.
Spc. Christina Breeden, a native of Oak harbor, Wash., who is in charge of updating Noncommissioned Officer and Officer Evaluation Reports, has forwarded more than 1,125 evaluations to the Soldiers Data Records Center and the Human Resources Command since she has been deployed to Iraq.
“Evaluations help monitor who and who doesn’t get promoted and get into military schools,” Breeden explained. “If a Soldier of officer does not have the proper evaluation report in their records than they probably will not get picked for promotion.”
Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Moses, the senior supply sergeant for the 4th Brigade, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT and native of Bishopville, S.C., admits that if his records were updated before than he probably would have been promoted to the rank of sergeant first class earlier in his career.
“My personnel shop made sure that all my awards and schools were on my ERB and my OMPF,” Moses said of the 4-31 personnel shop. “I doubt I would have been promoted if they would not have updated my records. Before my records weren’t updated – it is probably why I was not promoted sooner.”
Aside from updating records, the personnel shop is responsible for sending casualty reports to higher headquarters to the family members of the wounded of deceased Soldiers can be notified as early as possible.
But with the casualty reports comes letters of condolences which the personnel shop also ensures that family members receive.
“We usually get the casualty report to higher headquarters within the hour and the letters of condolences out within 24 hours,” Harvey said.
And since no one knows when a tragedy will occur, the personnel shop must be manned 24 hours each day.
Although Harvey enjoys being the personnel NCOIC, he admits that, at times, it is a little frustrating.
“You get tired of staring at the same computer screen and looking at the same paperwork each day, but you do it for the Soldiers,” he said. “Occasionally someone thanks you for the difference you have made in their life- even if it is only for a second- and it makes you feel good.”
Breeden agreed.
“I like being able to help people,” she said. “This really is a people’s job and my main goal is customer service.”
Like most jobs, there is a down side to being in personnel.
These Soldiers must take Red Cross Messages and ensure that the Soldiers get them.
“I took a Red Cross Message one time and it said that the Soldier’s child had died,” Harvey said. “That kind of stuff makes you feel bad.”
Even though the clerks hate being the bearers of bad news they still ensure the job gets done in a quick and professional manner.
“As soon as I type the Red Cross Message I immediately notify the unit that the Soldier belongs to,” Breeden said.
Since the deployment the personnel shop has taken more than 800 Red Cross Messages.
“The only thing that frustrates me about Red Cross Messages is that families assume that the Soldiers will be able to come home,” Harvey said. “But there are rules and regulations that govern which circumstances will allow a Soldier to go home. Most people don’t understand that.”
Aside from office work, the shop also ensures Soldiers’ get their mail. They must pick up mail for the units and ensure that it gets delivered to forward operating bases. Every day Soldiers from the shop drive to the post office and load all of the mail – which most of the time it is well over 200 packages – and ensure it gets to the units. Most of the time the Soldiers who load the mail come back drenched in sweat from standing in the 120 degree Iraq heat.
Like mail, going on leave puts a smile on Soldiers’ faces. Harvey and his team were responsible for tracking all environmental and morale leaves for the Soldiers in the brigade.
“You know sometimes people may complain about us not going out in sector, but they are happy when they are getting mail and going on leave,” Harvey said.
And being a part of an infantry brigade can make support military occupational skills less glamorous, but it takes the work of all MOS’s together to make the Army work.
“You can’t have an Army with just one job,” Breeden said. “It just won’t work.”

The final step to being healed – a gift for Tebarek

2nd Lt. Liz Lopez
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)
Multi-National Division – Center

YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Miracles do not happen every day, but for one Iraqi girl and father, they seem to happen often enough.
It has been more than two months since Sgt. William Ludlow, a native of Fort Smith, Ark., and a combat medic with Company C, 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., was first introduced to Tebarek, an Iraqi girl wounded in a mortar attack near the city of Yusufiyah, Iraq.
The whirlwind of events that followed changed each of their lives.
In response to Tebarek’s story of healing and love, the 31st Regiment Association, made up of retirees and former members of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, to whom Ludlow is attached, raised $2510 for her to receive a surgery to reverse the colostomy which had once saved her life.
With the cast now off her leg and her health improving, she and her family are ready to get back to a normal life.
Reversing the colostomy will enable Tebarek to do that by returning her normal intestinal function.
“Basically, this surgery is the last step in her being healed,” explained Ludlow.
On Sept. 1, Ludlow returned to Forward Operating Base Yusufiyah from Patrol Base Dragon, where he moved in August with the majority of 4-31 Inf., to present the money to the little girl and her father.
It would be the last time Ludlow would ever get to see this young patient who has inspired him to focus his future medical aspirations in pediatrics. Yet initially, he was not expecting to go.
“I had already said my goodbyes,” said Ludlow. “But, I changed my mind at the last moment.”
It was a short and simple ceremony, in which the medic presented Tebarek’s father with enough of the money raised to cover the surgery - $1000. The unit saved the rest of the money for another Iraqi child who needed heart surgery to correct a congenital defect.
Due to combat operations which coincided with the presentation, Arabic translators were limited, but, words were not really necessary.
When Ludlow presented the money to Tebarek’s father he already knew what it was for. And his gratitude was immeasurable.
Although he has no way of knowing, Ludlow assumes Tebarek has already had her surgery. Her dad seemed anxious to get it done even before he received the financial help.
“You don’t see many fathers react to their kids the way he reacted to her,” said Ludlow sounding impressed.
There was a lot of love surrounding Tebarek, and that is what saved her life.
Though he admits to missing his sessions with the little girl, Ludlow agreed that it was time for them both to move on.
Tebarek will be starting school in a couple months, and with her latest surgery, she will be just another normal child.

Commandos start prepping to redeploy

Sgt. 1st Class Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO
Multi-National Division – Center

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — Redeployment is filled with happiness, a sense of pride and, of course, inspections.
In order to redeploy Soldiers must undergo a series of customs inspections to ensure nothing illegal is brought to the United States.
And to make sure nothing illegal is shipped to the United States, military policemen from the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., have been going through customs training with other 2nd BCT Soldiers on Camp Striker, Iraq.
“We are teaching them how to look for contraband, prohibited and restricted items,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Hart, the 2nd BCT provost sergeant and native of Syracuse, N.Y.
Although customs training is typically an eight-hour block of classroom instruction, Hart decided it needed a little more to be truly effective.
“I added a hands-on portion to the class so the Soldiers can learn how to look for contraband,” Hart explained. “I don’t think any class is effective if it does not offer hands-on training – that is how people learn.”
The hands-on portion of the class introduced the students to common scenarios they may encounter during an inspection – typical hiding places for illegal items and having too many people in the inspection area at a time which could lead to the smuggling of items because of limited supervision.
“A common place for Soldiers to hide contraband or illegal items is in the pockets of their assault packs,” Hart said. “One year someone tried to smuggle a 9mm pistol, but he was caught.”
The training also showed Soldiers how to look at typical items with a different eye.
For instance, customs inspectors have to look inside a bottle of foot powder to make sure there is nothing illegal in there. And they have to look under boxes where items may be laying.
During one demonstration, a bomb sniffing dog came out and detected gun powder underneath a box. Using different types of dogs to detect illegal items is common during inspections.
“I learned that you have to check every possible crevice of all items,” said Sgt. Tuyen Nguyen, a signal noncommissioned officer with the 2nd BCT. “I wouldn’t have thought to look in some of the places for contraband. The class has taught me a lot.”
And although customs inspections may seem like a pain, there is a reason why they must be done.
“Inspecting items going into the United States from foreign countries allows us to protect our nation’s borders from threats,” Hart said.
The units will begin customs inspections this week in preparation for redeployment to Fort Drum.

Cavalry Soldiers help make Al Dhour a safer place

Spc. Christopher Tucker
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)
Multi-National Division – Center

AL DHOUR, Iraq — The village of Al Dhour, Iraq has come a long way since the initial arrival of a small troop of Soldiers.
Since the arrival of Soldiers from C Troop, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., the village, originally a safe haven for Al Qaeda forces in the area, had no true town leadership.
Recently, the citizens of Al Ahour have been taking control of their own future.
During the latter part of July 2007, concerned citizens established volunteer check points in order to provide their own security. Soon after, leadership began with several citizens moving forward desiring to establish a security council.
The leadership of C Trp. met with the concerned citizens and aided them in establishing the council, even providing office furniture, supplies and generators for the newly established town hall.
Rapport between coalition forces and the Al Dhour citizens continued to build culminating in a resident discovering a cache and immediately turning it over to 1-89 Soldiers.
On Aug. 30 an Iraqi citizen, who had recently moved into an abandoned house, noticed the room dimensions did not match those of identical houses in his part of town. After further investigation he discovered an opening in a wall large enough to crawl through. In this hidden room he found materials to construct several improvised explosive devices. Immediately he contacted 1-89 Soldiers.
The Squadron Mortar Platoon, which is currently attached to C Troop, responded to investigate the report and confirmed the cache which consisted of a 105mm artillery round, fifty pounds of homemade explosives, fifteen 57mm mortar rounds, six bars of explosives, one suicide vest, three grenades, two machine gun barrels, five rolls of IED command detonation wire, one roll of IED crush detonation wire, sixteen rocket propelled grenade fuses, eight RPG accelerators, 40 12-gauge shotgun shells, a high power rifle scope, small arms ammo, 15 long range communications transceivers and communication equipment.
“This is just another example of Iraqis taking charge of their area and making it a safer place,” said Capt. John Breslin, the mortar platoon leader.
Just one week later the local concerned citizens found additional munitions which they turned in to coalition forces.
With both coalition forces and concerned citizens working together, the town of Al Dhour will continue to move forward and become an even better community, one that will become a model for other communities within the 1-89’s area of operations.

Forward Support Fixing Equipment Where It Breaks

By 2nd Lt. Liz Lopez

Regular maintenance prevents equipment from breaking. In combat, a Soldier cannot afford for his equipment to break. It keeps him safe. It gives him advantages his enemies do not have.
In Iraq, constant exposure to dust and heat alone will cause damage to Soldier’s mission essential equipment. However, factor in the battering equipment takes from daily use, and Soldiers have the potential for a lot of broken stuff.
Nevertheless, when things break, combat is not always the easiest place to get it fixed. And, sending it to the rear for repairs is not always a feasible option.
For this reason, the Soldiers in the Communications and Electronics, or C&E, Section of Company B, 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), routinely pack up their shop and take to the roads with the mission of providing these war fighters with the maintenance assets they need, where they are.
“The C&E maintenance team provides forward support, fixing equipment where it breaks,” said Chief Warrant Officer Paul Williamson, a native of Nippinnawassee, Calif., the Communications and Electionics Technician.
On September 14, the team was finishing up a week on the road conducting biannual services on night vision devices belonging to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
Their goal for the week was to ensure 90 percent of the maneuver battalion’s night vision devices were fully mission capable. Their efforts would ease the burden on Company F, the Forward Support Company, whose three specialists are responsible for the maintenance and repair of all the battalion’s electronic equipment scattered to four patrol bases and several strong points.
Night vision devices require biannual services to check for functionality and clear the device of accumulated moisture. Although built to be durable, a year of hard and continuous use can render some of the equipment combat ineffective if no preventive measures are taken.
So, the mobile maintenance team set out in search of those night vision devices whose functionality they had not yet inspected, spending two days at each Patrol Base Dragon, Patrol Base Shanghai, and Patrol Base Inchon, where the majority of the maneuver battalion’s Soldiers live.
The Company B Soldiers did not travel alone. They brought their counterparts in Company F with them.
By including Company F personnel, two purposes were served. The more junior Soldiers in the Forward Support Company gained from the mobile maintenance team’s knowledge and shop experience. And, the mission was made more efficient with an extra set of hands.
“You always get a payoff in the end,” said Williamson.

Soldiers find caches, detain wanted terrorists

Sgt. 1st Class Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO
Multi-National Division – Center

SAID ABDULLA CORRIDOR, Iraq — Since July, Coalition and Iraqi forces have been working with concerned local citizens to rid the area of al-Qaeda.
Recently, concerned citizens provided information to Coalition Forces working in the area.
After receiving the tip, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), out of Fort Drum, N.Y., and 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, teamed up for Operation Eagle Chancellorsville Sept. 21 in the Said Abdulla Corridor.
The operation, which was intended to deny enemy safe haven within 2-15 FAR’s area of operations, yielded multiple caches and the capture of suspected al-Qaeda members in the area.
“The local population has pledged its support by moving alongside IA and U.S. forces,” said 1st Lt. Dave Kendzior, a platoon leader with 2-15 FAR. “They have been instrumental in leading us to caches and buildings that al-Qaeda have been hiding in.”
Since the increasing support of the concerned local citizens, al-Qaeda has continued to try to hide weapons in different places, but they have not been successful.
During this mission, U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers discovered weapons caches hidden in cemeteries.
The caches consisted of 12 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, a 152mm artillery round, an improvised explosive device, three PKC machine guns, two AK-47 assault rifles, a Dragonov sniper rife with a scope, four RPG launchers, five mortar sights, 70 mortar primers, 20 mortar charges, a 60mm mortar round, a camera flash IED initiator, three Iraqi army uniforms, three Kevlar helmets, 11 mortar fuses, 19 RPG boosters, two bolt cutters, an aid bag, a hand-held radio charger, three Global Positioning Systems, 3,000 rounds of PKC ammunition, various IED components, a roll of copper wire and two ammunition vests.
Significant in the cache finds were the IA uniforms that al-Qaeda members use to confuse the concerned local citizens.
“In our area we have noticed an increase in the local populace’s willingness to assist Coalition Forces in ridding the area of al-Qaeda,” said Cpt. Blake Keil, a battery commander with 2-15 FAR.
Aside from finding the caches, Soldiers detained three terror suspects who were on the IA and U.S. target list.
“Concerned citizens have not only led us to caches, but to members of al-Qaeda,” Kendzior said.
With the increasing numbers of concerned local citizens, 2-15 FAR and 4-6 IA will coordinate to rid the area of any further terrorist activity.
“Because of the true partnership between 2-15 FAR and 4-6 IA disrupting al-Qaeda in the area, we have forced them to find refuge somewhere else,” Kendzior said.

Homecomings may take a little getting used to

Sgt. 1st Class Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)
Multi-National Division – Center

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — Returning home from a deployment can be a time full of excitement with hopes of getting back into normal life and reuniting with loved ones.
As Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., prepare to redeploy from their 15-month tour to Iraq, they are attending Battlefield Mind Training to help them reintegrate with their families.
“The concept behind the name of the training is that when Soldiers are deployed to combat environments they develop a battlefield mind – they are more hyper vigilant and aggressive,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Lonnie Locke, the 2nd BCT chaplain and native of Dothan, Ala. “The class is to help Soldiers make the switch from the battlefield mind to home – a battlefield mind will not work at home.”
Soldiers are taught they must take things slow and learn to adapt to their spouse and children again.
“The process of reintegration does not happen overnight,” Locke explained. “Spouses must be patient and willing to forgive one another for mistakes that may have been made during the deployment.”
The class teaches Soldiers that they should be aware that things have changed since they have been gone. Family members have had to take on additional responsibilities and may seem more independent than before.
Soldiers are encouraged to appreciate the sacrifices their spouses have made and not to automatically change how the household has been run.
Soldiers are also learning how their children may react upon redeployment.
“Children under six years of age may be a little hesitant at first,” Lock explained. “It is common for the children to migrate to the one who has been the caregiver – whether that is a parent or other family member – for the past 15 months.”
As for older children, they may express their feelings differently than younger ones.
“Older children may be angry at the parent who has been deployed,” Locke said.
Locke also explained that spending time with children is important to reintegration.
“It is important to spend one-on-one time with your children to let each of them know they are special,” Locke added.
Another aspect of reintegration deals with finances.
“Soldiers and family members are used to the extra money so they may have been accustomed to a different lifestyle for the past 15 months,” Locke said. “They must realize that they will not make as much money and adjust to the decrease in pay.”
Soldiers and family members are encouraged to resist spending a lot of money upon redeployment.
Like the Soldiers, family members of the 2nd BCT are being offered redeployment classes from the Fort Drum Army Community Service Center.
The classes are designed to teach family members some of the things Soldiers may experience upon redeployment.
“When Soldiers return home it is also a big adjustment for the families as well,” Locke said. “Families should be patient and understanding.”
Locke said that most families will experience issues – if there are any – within the first 90 days of return.
“If families are having trouble there are a number of places where they can get help – the chaplain, ACS and the Community Mental Health Center,” Locke said.
“But the most important thing to redeployment is to take things slow and enjoy the time you have together,” Locke said.

An open letter to citizens of the United States

Spc. Tracy Cunningham
2nd BSTB, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)
Multi-National Division - Center

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — Here we sit in a combat zone, conducting tasks that we have been taught since our first day of basic training. We raised our right hand knowing that there was a great possibility of going to war. Well, here we are, face-to-face with what some people call “war” and some call a “civil war.” There are different opinions on whether or not we should be here, but it is all the same to the military - we are here fighting for what is right.
Like other workers in the civilian world, we are just following orders that come straight from our boss – in our case, the president - whether we agree with it our not. It does not matter if we agree; it only matters if we get the job done. As a Soldier, I feel that we are making a difference in more ways than one. I believe that the U.S. Army are the protectors of the world. Every day lives are put on the line for the simple little thing that people take for granted - freedom.
Sadly, people have lost their lives during this hard time, but with war comes death. War doesn’t only bring death, though; it also brings life - life for others that may have not been able to live their lives the way they may have wanted.
Freedom in Iraq is what you could call a rumor, and we are here to make it a reality. These people need our help in order to have a life of freedom and normalcy. We as soldiers ask the American public not to look down on us, but to understand that we signed up for this job, and it has to be carried out.
There have been incidents where Soldiers in uniform come into contact with civilians who tell them that war is a horrible mistake. There is not really much we can say to that; only that we are doing our job, as they would if their boss told them to. Civilians must understand that we did not start this war, but we do have to be involved. We do not require their opinion.
Americans owe thanks for the right to do almost anything they want. Soldiers throughout our history have fought for that right, and that is what we are doing today. It may not be for freedoms in our own country, but when another country is being brought down by “evil,” then it is our duty to lend a helping hand. The people in Iraq may or may not want us here, but we are here to assist them in becoming as free of a country as we can. Although we may not understand their beliefs, we cannot just stand by and watch innocent people be killed for wanting freedom.
America must also understand that we raised our right hand to join the U. S. Army, and that was our decision to make. We should not be denigrated for our decision to do so – don’t we live in a free country? Those who have never served in the military have no right to judge those who have.
I ask Americans to understand that we have a job over here; don't look down upon us for doing it. We make a living and support our families with our jobs, just as civilians do.
We all remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and in many cases, it was our motivation to join the military. Others just wanted to better themselves or learn new skills or because it provided something better than they were headed for.
We only ask for all the support you can give us - and if you can't bring yourself to do that, then – ask we all learned in school – if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

Let us not forget: a commentary by Col. Kershaw

Col. Michael Kershaw
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI)
Multi-National Division – Center

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq — Sept. 21 is designated Missing in Action / Prisoner of War Day by the president of the United States. This remembrance is a nationwide symbol to the nearly 88,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen missing in wars past.
The remembrance was designated by presidential decree in order to focus the attention of the citizens of the Unites States on all of our nation’s warriors who have not made it home yet.
Through the signing of this decree, President Bush will declare the commemoration of nearly 78,000 service members missing from World War II, nearly 8,100 from the Korean War, close to 1,800 from Viet Nam, 125 from the various operations during the Cold War, one from Operations Desert Storm and finally four from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
This event is observed on the third Friday of September, each year.
This year MIA/POW day is Sept. 21. It symbolizes – the Nation's concern and commitment to achieving the fullest possible accounting of Americans who, having been prisoners of war or missing in action, still remain unaccounted for; and, the Nation's commitment to achieving the fullest possible accounting for Americans who in the future may become prisoners of war, missing in action, or otherwise unaccounted for as a result of hostile action.
This day has special meaning to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry as it brings a first hand accounting to the 3,300 Soldiers deployed to Southwest Baghdad.
Somewhere out there two of our own remain. Despite the tireless efforts, resources, analysis and searching, Spc. Alex Jimenez Jr., 25, and Pvt. Byron Fouty, 19, are still missing. Their official status changed from Duty Status, Whereabouts Unknown to Missing/Captured July 1.

As we strive to find them, I ask all of the Commandos, to keep our missing comrades and their families in your prayers. This day of remembrance may not relieve the pain they feel, but I hope that it can extend our sympathy and support to them in this time of need that has gone on for so long.
The search for our two Commandos continues. We have resolved to find them and that mission remains the number one priority for this BCT. We continue to bring the full weight of our intelligence assets – signal, open source and human intelligence assets – to bear in the search for Jimenez and Fouty. Our patrols continue to search for any lead that will bring us closer or will connect the dots of other leads that will shed light on this mystery.
To date we have arrested over a dozen al Qaeda affiliates involved in either the planning or the execution of the May 12 attack. We continue to question these detainees and the residents of Qargouli Village, who until recently lived in the shadow of fear of the al Qaeda tyranny. The locals are coming forth in droves, identifying the terrorists, often at great peril to themselves and their families. They are beginning to cast out the enemy and side with us.
The attack along Route Malibu not only resulted in the capture of Jimenez and Fouty, but also left five other Soldiers from Company D, 4th Battalion 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT and an Iraqi Soldier killed in action. As we reflect on those missing, I ask that we also keep these Soldiers and their families in our prayers as well.
To take risks is a matter of honor. These Soldiers risked everything to accomplish their mission. We can do no less on this day than to remember them. As we pause to reflect on their sacrifice, we can reaffirm ourselves to our Soldiers Creed, our mission here and our teammates.
This day is a way to remember the heroism and bravery that each of these service members displayed. I ask that you reflect on this aspect as well.
Remember each of these service members, particularly those closest to us. Take time on Sept. 21 to reflect upon their memories. As the slogan imprinted on serene black MIA/POW flag states – you are not forgotten!