MND-B Soldiers Capture Key Criminal Suspect, Seize Weapons Cache

MND-B Soldiers Capture Key Criminal Suspect, Seize Weapons Cache
DVIDSHUB
03.24.2008

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers capture key criminal suspects also led to the seizure of a weapons cache in the Mansour District in northwestern Baghdad, March 19.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), captured the individual during a mission to capture him.

While the Soldiers detained the individual, Iraqi security forces provided a ring of security.

The suspect is allegedly a mid-level leader of al-Qaida in Iraq who is believed to be responsible for conducting several vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks throughout Baghdad and southern Iraq.

“His capture will likely provide us with the information we need to capture other AQI members” said Capt. H. Eric Perez-Rivera, assistant military intelligence officer for 2nd BCT.

After Soldiers detained him, they searched his house and discovered a cache of weapons behind a hidden wall.

The cache consisted of 14 AK-47 rifles, three rocket propelled grenade launchers, six 9 mm handguns, various hand grenades and other munitions. The cache also contained seven landmines, detonation cord and other improvised explosive device making materials.

The cache was turned over to an Explosive Ordinance Detachment for disposal.

“This is another example of what the partnership of Iraqi security and coalition forces can produce”, said Maj. David Hollis, 2nd BCT spokesman. “This arrest, coupled with the cache find, is another step toward a safer and more unified Iraq.”

Feeding the Fire: Dragons Take Home More Retention Awards

Feeding the Fire: Dragons Take Home More Retention Awards
DVIDSHUB
by Spc. Nathaniel Smith
Posted on 03.06.2008

Dragons Take Home More Retention Awards

BAGHDAD – For the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, a new year and a new division didn’t change the ‘Dragons’ retention fortunes.

The Fort Riley, Kan., based unit, which led Multinational Division-Baghdad in reenlisting Soldiers for fiscal 2007, started 2008 off in style by being awarded the commanding general’s award from Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia, the senior noncommissioned officer of the 4th Infantry Division and MND-B, for the first quarter of the new fiscal year in a ceremony at the 4th BCT headquarters on Forward Operating Base Falcon, March 4.

The 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th BCT, currently attached to the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, earned the battalion-level retention award as a key contributor to the 744 Soldiers who have reenlisted in the task force, tallying up to almost $8 million in bonus money.

Sgt. Phillip White, the retention noncommissioned officer for the 610th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th BCT, said the brigade’s success has been collaborative effort.

“Everyone’s come together to reenlist the most Soldiers in the Baghdad area in the first three months. As far as being part of that, it’s just part of my job,” the Salem, Ill., native said. “Any time you get honored, it’s great. It kind of reiterates the fact that you’re a part of something larger than you are. The teamwork and everything else is great.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne, the senior noncommissioned officer of the Dragon Brigade, said the award reflects on every Soldier in the brigade.

“This is a great day for the brigade. This recognizes the brigade for your mentorship, for your leadership, for your coaching,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the Soldiers doing that on a daily basis, our retention would not be where it is today.”

White agreed that some of the brigade’s retention success is due to its leaders.

“It all boils down to the leadership of the Soldiers,” he said. “If the Soldiers didn’t think they were being led, they didn’t like their NCO’s or their commanders they probably wouldn’t be stepping forward to reenlist.”

During the ceremony, Gioia said the retention noncommissioned officers of Task Force Dragon do a good job in a very difficult field.

“Retention right now is hard. The retention NCOs have the hardest job, trying to retain our force,” he said. “We have to make sure we have somebody to replace us. It’s important that we retain as many Soldiers as we can and keep them in the Army.”

Keeping Soldiers around is something Task Force Dragon has done very well, with 50 percent of those eligible, roughly a third of the brigade opted to extend their Army careers.

White said he agreed.Keeping Soldiers in the Army is not always easy, he said. Getting them the right prospects for a career in the service is often easier said than done.

“The toughest part is coupling the needs of the Soldier with the Army. You have Soldiers on their second, third and fourth deployment and they want downtime, but they either don’t have the rank or the knowledge to get that downtime,” he said. “Trying to get those Soldiers somewhere where they won’t deploy for the next year-and-a-half or two years, that’s the hardest part, but for the most part, we’re doing pretty well on it, taking care of Soldiers who have done multiple deployments.

“When you get them that long shot, though, that’s the probably the most rewarding part of the job.”

Even when Soldiers do get the right situation, Col. Ricky Gibbs, the 4th BCT commander from Austin, Texas, said it takes a special person to enlist and reenlist in a time of war.

“After Sept. 11, if you raised your hand, you have something in your heart other Americans don’t have,” Gibbs said. “These Soldiers stepped up to the plate in a time of war, with no draft, and elected to serve their country, knowing their chances of going to combat are very high, and right now, their country needs them even more.”

Radar Team Keeps Eye on Falcon

Radar Team Keeps Eye on Falcon
DVIDSHUB
By Spc. Nathaniel Smith
Posted on 02.29.2008

Radar Team Keeps Eye on Falcon

BAGHDAD – In a small corner of Forward Operating Base Falcon there is a team from an artillery unit, not even on the base, performing a job a lot of Soldiers have no knowledge about.

Such is the life of FOB Falcon’s radar team, detached from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad which performs all their duties in the shadows, working hand-in-hand with the counter-rockets and mortars cell, quietly keeping an electronic eye out for enemy indirect fire attacks.

Staff Sgt. Matt Richter, the radar section chief with HHB, 2nd Bn., 32nd Field Artillery, said while his job may not be high-profile, he gets a sense of fulfillment from performing his day-to-day duties.

“It gives us the opportunity to have a significant impact in places where there’s a lot of indirect fire. If we do a good job, it allows the brigade and their sub-units to do a great job, too. We help the (Iraqis) and we help ourselves,” the Topeka, Kan., native said. “This job has satisfaction; it’s challenging and every day I learn something new. It’s an $8 million radar; there’s a whole bunch of electronics involved. You can’t know everything about it. When you have any problem, it makes it interesting because it’s always something new.”

With more than 1,300 acquisitions, more than 500 rounds tracked, and a 98 percent operational rate since March 21, 2007, things have been interesting for the Falcon radar team.

Spc. Adam Hovelson, from Brookings, S.D., and a radar operator with HHB, 2-32 Field Artillery, said he enjoys the quiet occupation he chose.

“I love my job,” he said. “It’s something that is really technical, but not terribly tough to do. It’s a fun job; I really enjoy doing it.”

Richter said his favorite part of being a “radar Soldier,” which he has been doing for seven years, has been the unique assignments he has received.

He said being in a small, dynamic field has afforded him the opportunity to work with a wide range of elements, from Special Forces to Marines. Richter, who is on his fourth deployment as a radar operator, said he enjoys having the chance to be in situations that most Soldiers would rarely find themselves.

Despite having a rewarding, one-of-a-kind job, like every other Soldier, the deployment has not been without challenges.

Among the difficult parts of the radar teams job is maintaining focus during what can be long hours of inactivity.

Hovelson said he keeps himself sharp over what can be very boring stretches by studying the radar system’s manual.

Despite the team’s difficulties, Hovelson said the camaraderie in the section became stronger due to the team’s relying on each other throughout the course of the deployment and being away from the rest of the 2-32 Field Artillery, “Proud Americans.”

“It’s helped bring our section closer together; it really helped to establish lasting relationships,” Hovelson said. “It’s given us a chance to meet a lot of people.”

Richter also found a silver lining.

“The cohesion of the section definitely went up quite a bit,” he added. “The opportunity to network and work with other people not in the same unit has been great.”

Dismounted Patrol

Dismounted Patrol
DVIDSHUB
Photographer: 55th Combat Camera
Date Taken: February 17th, 2008

Dismounted Patrol 20080225

Gallery includes: 'Controlling a Possible VBIED', 'Daklea Neighborhood Patrol', 'Dismounted Patrol'

• Battery B
• Staff Sgt. Peter McCabe
• Sgt. Benjamin Stoddart
• Pfc. Steven Robbins

Soldiers Provide Security at Hospital

Soldiers Provide Security at Hospital
DVIDSHUB
Photographer: Sgt. James Hunter
Date Taken: February 16th, 2008

Soldiers Provide Security at Hospital 20070219

• Cpl. James Baker
• 1st Lt. Quinn Robertson
• Spc. Terrill Welge
• Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Popple

Troops on Patrol in Hateen

Troops on Patrol in Hateen
DVIDSHUB
Photographer: 55th Combat Camera
Date Taken: February 13th, 2008

Troops on Patrol in Hateen 20070219

• Sgt. 1st Class Daniel McKim
• Spc. Daniel Hinojosa
• Sgt. 1st Class Daniel McKim
• Sgt. James Daniel
• Staff Sgt. Frank Woode

Known Area of Interest Control

Known Area of Interest Control
DVIDS
Feb 3, 2008

Known Area of Interest Control

• Sgt 1st Class Rickie Jackson
• Staff Sgt Jeremiah Brennan
• Sgt Jason Billings

Assessment Mission

Assessment Mission
DVIDSHUB
Photographer: 1st Sgt. Adrian Cadiz
Date Taken: January 21st, 2008

Assessment Mission

A U.S. military joint civil affairs team comprised of U.S. military personnel from various military units and branches of service go on an assessment mission of the Hateen Industrial Park in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 21, 2008.

• U.S. Army Spc. Gregory Marchand
• U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Barmer
• U.S. Army Cpl. James Baker
• U.S. Army Spc. Daniel Schmidt
• U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Popple
• U.S. Army 1st Lt. Quinn Robertson

Bravo Battery's Christmas Party - II **Updated**

Bravo Battery's Christmas Party
DVIDSHUB
Date Taken: December 25th, 2007

Bravo Battery Christmas

St Barbara's Day Celebration

St Barbara's Day Celebration
DVIDS
Photographer: Pfc. Nathaniel Smith
January 28th, 2008

St Barbara's Day

• St. Barbara's Day Ball at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Jan. 25. The ball is held annually in honor of the patron saint of field artillery.

Video: Iraqi Police Screening

Video: Iraqi Police Screening
DVIDS
Date Taken: 01-17-2008

DVIDS Video Summary
Direct Link to Video

B-roll of U.S. Army Soldiers, along with Iraqi army and police, screening 175 applicants applying for positions in the Police Auxiliary in Hateen, Iraq. Scenes include Iraqis applicants waiting to be screened, filling out personal information and taking part in health and physical tests. Produced by Spc. Charles W. Gill.

Video: U.S. Army Soldiers Conduct a Traffic Control Point Inspection and Patrol

Video: U.S. Army Soldiers Conduct a Traffic Control Point Inspection and Patrol DVIDS
Date Taken: 11-09-2007

DVIDS Video Summary Page
Direct Link to Video

B-roll of U.S. Army Soldiers conducting a traffic control point inspection and patrol in Hateen, Iraq. Scenes include Soldiers searching cars, speaking with local market owners and playing with Iraqi children. Produced by Spc. Sharhonda R. McCoy.

Activities at Yarmuk Hospital

Activities at Yarmuk Hospital
DVIDS
Date Taken: December 30th, 2007

Activities at Yarmouk Hospital

Troops Visit Yarmouk Hospital

Troops Visit Yarmouk Hospital DVIDS
Date Taken: December 30th, 2007

Troops Visit Yarmouk Hospital

Dismounted Patrol

Dismounted Patrol
DVIDSHUB
Joint Combat Camera Center
Date Taken: November 28th, 2007

dismounted patrol 01042008

• U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Hudson and Pfc. Wesley Bass, Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and Iraqi soldiers search vehicles at a traffic control point in a market area of Hateen, Iraq, Nov. 29, 2007.
• U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas Ciurro, Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, provides security outside a market shop during a dismounted patrol in Hateen, Iraq, Nov. 29, 2007.

Video: Controlled Burn

Video: Controlled Burn
DVIDSHUB
Joint Combat Camera Center
Date Taken: 10-26-2007

DVIDSHUB Video Page
Direct Link to Video

B-roll of U.S. Army Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery supervising a controlled burn led by the Iraqi Fire Department. Scenes include starting the fire and placing barriers around the blaze.

Iraqi Police Badging and Market Dismount

Iraqi Police Badging and Market Dismount
DVIDS
Photographer: Spc. Sharhonda Mccoy
Date Taken: November 28th, 2007

Iraqi Police Badging 20071230

• U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shurland Pierre from Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan., provides security during a dismount outside a market in Hateen, Iraq, Nov. 28.
• U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Brown and 1st Lt. Patrick Henson from Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan., dismount outside a busy market intersection to gather intelligence in Hateen, Iraq, Nov. 28.
• U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Terrance Goff, Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, holds an Iraqi boy after helping him down from a tree during a dismounted patrol in Hateen, Iraq, Nov. 29.
• U.S. Army Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conduct a dismounted patrol in a market area of Hateen, Iraq, Nov. 29.

Yarmuk Carpentry Shop

Yarmuk Carpentry Shop
DVIDS
Photographer: Spc. Charles Gill
Date Taken: November 27th, 2007

Yarmouk Carpentry Shop 20071230

Local men work on a project at a carpentry shop in the Yarmuk neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 27. U.S. Army Soldiers from the Civil Military Operations Company, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, were in the area conducting a routine patrol.

Troops Celebrate Christmas With Dinner, Candlelight Service

Troops Celebrate Christmas With Dinner, Candlelight Service
DVIDSHUB
Photographer: Spc. Charles Gill
Date Taken: December 25th, 2007

Christmas in Yarmuck

• Sgt. Vincent Passero and 2nd Lt. Patrick Henson from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) discuss strategies while playing a game of Risk at the battery's Christmas party at Joint Security Station Torch in Yarmouk, Iraq, Dec. 25.
• Soldiers from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team show some holiday sprit and love at the Battery's Christmas party at Joint Security Station Torch in Yarmouk, Iraq, Dec. 25.
• Soldiers from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), prepare snacks at the Battery's Christmas party at Joint Security Station Torch in Yarmouk, Iraq, Dec. 25.
• Soldiers from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), enjoy a special holiday meal brought out to the Battery's Christmas party at Joint Security Station Torch in Yarmouk, Iraq, Dec. 25.
• Staff Sgt. Valentin Pena, Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Staff Sgt. Valentin Pena, Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), serves a special holiday meal brought out to the Battery's Christmas party at Joint Security Station Torch in Yarmouk, Iraq, Dec. 25.
• Soldiers from Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), take part in a candlelight ceremony at the Battery's Christmas party at Joint Security Station Torch in Yarmouk, Iraq, Dec. 25.
• Chaplain (Capt.) Troy Parson, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), leads Soldiers in a prayer at a candlelight ceremony at the B Battery's Christmas party at Joint Security Station Torch in Yarmouk, Iraq, Dec. 25.

Field Artillery Troops Train Volunteers

Field Artillery Troops Train Volunteers
DVIDSHUB
By Sgt. James P. Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Public Affairs
12.26.2007

Field Artillery Troops Train Volunteers 20071226

When one thinks of a police force, he may think of a two-man team, patrolling through a neighborhood in their white-Chevy Monte Carlo, with blue and red lights, and the word “police” written on the side.

They move throughout talking with local citizens at the diner, coffee shop, or on the streets corners. No matter what community, country or religious sect, policemen are there to “protect and serve.”

Take away the type of vehicle, re-write it in Arabic, from right to left, and an average policemen in Iraq is no different.

One of the biggest areas of focus in northwest Baghdad, which has been seen widespread, is the volunteers stepping up throughout the various muhallahs, giving way to freedom and democracy.

In Ameriyah, Kahdra, Jamia, and Adil, men are volunteering their efforts. Now, in Hateen, there are Iraqi police auxiliary forces, focused on maintaining a stable, secure neighborhood.

In the Strike area of operations alone, units have been very successful with establishing volunteer forces, said Capt. Brian McCall, commander and native of Junction City, Kan., with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regt. If they apply and adapt too what they have learned from other units in dealing with volunteers, they too will be successful.

Just two weeks ago, U.S. troops with both Battery A and B of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, began volunteer recruitment drives in the Hateen and Yarmouk muhallahs, the Mansour District of Baghdad.

From 300 men, they were able to, through background checks and various means of investigation, narrow the field to 150 volunteers.

At the Operation Ace Academy in Hateen, the Iraqi police auxiliary began their training, Dec. 17. Twenty-five volunteers will train over a four-day period for the next four weeks, until all volunteers are trained. Also, in Yarmouk, Battery B troops are training auxiliary forces.

These men will patrol their homelands, almost acting as a neighborhood watch, until called up to begin training at the Baghdad police academy where they will officially become Iraqi policemen.

In the meantime, troops with Battery A, 2nd Bn., 32nd FA, are training these men on basic military and policing skills, said Sgt. Anthony Williams, instructor and native of Fresno, Calif., with 2nd Platoon, Battery A, 2nd Bn., 32nd FA. They are training on everything from weapons and countering-improvised explosive devices, to proper police ethics and values training.

For every two Soldiers there were seven Iraqis at the training grounds in Hateen.
Through interpreters they were able to convey their message of training and the importance of their role.

Their goal, during the course, is to ensure these men are fully capable of patrolling and maintaining ethics policemen live by, said Williams.

“We are trying to instill certain core values…” said 1st Lt. Douglas McDonough, platoon leader and native of Bonham, Texas, with 2nd Platoon, Battery A. They are tailoring their training to the Iraqi society, but ensuring they instill the basic skills and situational awareness each policeman must be keen on.

Even Iraqi army commanders in the area came to talk with these men on their importance; for their job is important to the future of Hateen and the future of Iraq.

Everyone knows military forces are used for aggressive actions against a known enemy force. Pushing police forces out into the muhallahs allows Iraqi military troops the opportunity to focus on training and military operations.

It also gives the Hateen IPA a sense of ownership for their homeland, said McCall. These men want to help their neighborhood, and in doing so, it puts more jobs into the community and gives them a sense of pride for security in their neighborhood.

“(Being a volunteer) is very important to these people,” said Williams. “These guys want to save their neighborhoods.”

With their will to save their neighborhoods, they should have an immediate impact in the area.

“I think initially the people will see friendly faces in their neighborhood – guys they have known all their lives there working to protect them,” McCall said. “… if a guy they know and trust is patrolling the streets in front of their house (should) make them feel a lot better.”

In the area, with a population of 30,000 Iraqis, McCall is eager to see how the good initiative of the Iraqi volunteers will play out.

“I think it can be a turning point for this community,” he said.