The Ivy Leaf, vol 1, issue 10

Volume 1, Issue 10 January 7, 2011

‘Long Knife’ Soldiers
train first Iraqi unit

Steadfast and Loyal
Warrior

at Ghuzlani Warrior
Training Center
LongKnife

Spc. Angel Washington
4th Advise and Assist Brigade Public Affairs
1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Division-North U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Washington, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div.

Ironhorse
Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Divi-
sion, practice squad movement drills at Al Ghuzlani Warrior Training
CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Soldiers Center, Jan. 3, 2011. Soldiers assigned to 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry
Devil

assigned to 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Advise and Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, be-
Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, began training Iraqi sol- gan training their Iraqi counterparts as part of Al Tadreeb Al Shamil,
diers at Al Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center, Jan. 3. Arabic for All Inclusive Training, to build upon 3rd IA Div. soldiers’
basic infantry capabilities, developing the light infantry division at
Approximately 550 Iraqi Army soldiers assigned to 1st Battal- the new training center at Contingency Operating Site Marez.
ion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, conducted collective
Fit for Any Test

Fit for Any Test
training as part of Al Tadreeb Al Shamil, Arabic for All Inclusive “By the time we are done training, we will have more con-
Training, at the newly developed training site to help hone their fident Iraqi soldiers and a more capable Iraqi Army,” said the
ability to secure their country. native of Pittsburgh. “They will have confidence in themselves,
“We are training the 3rd Iraqi Army Division on basic soldier- their leaders and their country.”
ing skills and individual training to support collective tasks,” said Soldiers of the 1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt. began a four-week
Command Sgt. Maj. Duane Detweiler, the senior enlisted non-
commissioned officer in the unit. See GWTC, pg. 3
Ironhorse

Devil
LongKnife
Steadfast and Loyal

Warrior

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Washington, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD-N
Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, secure an area after coming into simulated contact with enemy
forces during squad movement drills at Al Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center, Jan. 3, 2011. Iraqi soldiers began training as part of Al Tadreeb
Al Shamil, Arabic for All Inclusive Training, at the new training facility located at Contingency Operating Site Marez to develop their individual
and collective competencies in basic defensive and offensive infantry drills.

The Ivy Leaf January 7, 2011

tection measures at a combined security checkpoint where his Sol-
diers train ISF.
His hard work and initiative led to improvements in traffic con-
trol at the site and security at the checkpoint, ensuring vehicles
slow down and funnel through one entrance and improving the
command and control at the traffic control site.
“(Spc. Hubbard) had a great idea and we used it,” said Staff Sgt.
Kome Blacksher, a cavalry scout and section sergeant assigned to
Troop A, 2nd Sqdn., 14th Cav. Regt., 2nd AAB, 25th Inf. Div. “He
made the control point easier for the traffic, and he reinforced the
U.S. Army Photo control point,”
“Ironhorse Strong” Soldier of the Week, Spc. Michael Hubbard, a com- The Soldier, from Topeka, Kan., involved leadership from the
bat medic assigned to Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, tripartite forces operating at the combined security checkpoint, and
2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, earned recogni- ensured the combined security forces each had a part in the deci-
tion for his superior performance of duty, displaying initiative above
his pay grade and responsibility. Hubbard enlisted the help of U.S.
sion-making process, assisting the troops in meeting the desired
forces, Iraqi Army and Peshmerga security forces to fortify the entry goal of improving the checkpoint operations.
control point, improving protective measures at a combined security In addition to the new project, Hubbard maintained his daily
checkpoint in northern Iraq. Hubbard’s professionalism and initiative duties and responsibilities as a combat medic.
to lead this project in addition to his daily duties and responsibilities
as a combat medic earned the Soldier from Topeka, Kan., the honor of
“Our squads are so small that we often rely on medics to do
“Ironhorse Strong” Soldier for the first week of 2011. other jobs,” said Command Sergeant Major Ruben Torres Jr., 2nd
Sqdn., 14th Cav. Regt., 2nd AAB, 25th Inf. Div. “Spc. Hubbard
Since deploying to northern Iraq last summer, “Ironhorse does this caliber of work on a daily basis – that’s why he was cho-
Strong” Soldier of the Week, Spc. Michael Hubbard, a combat sen as Ironhorse Strong.”
medic assigned to Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, Developing the problem solving process and enabling Iraqi Se-
2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, shouldered curity Forces to be self-sustaining, made Hubbard a great candi-
medical responsibilities for his platoon, carried additional duties date for Ironhorse Strong Soldier of the Week, said Torres.
training ISF, and tackled a special project on his own initiative. As a result of Hubbard’s hard work and initiative, the combined
Recruiting assistance from U.S. forces, Iraqi Army, and Pesh- security checkpoint continues to evolve, along with the relation-
merga forces, Hubbard led the installation of improved force pro- ships between the tripartite forces, he said.

U.S. Division-North Noncom- Iraqi Security Forces Iraqi emergency units Iraqi and U.S. engineers
missioned Officer of the rehearse plan of action complete EMT training conduct joint route
Quarter strives for success clearance mission
Page 4 Page 6 Page 7 Page 9

THE Ivy Leaf Task Force Ironhorse
Commanding General – Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins
The Ivy Leaf is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Command Sergeant Major – Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Dailey
Army. Contents of The Ivy Leaf are not necessarily official views
of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, Department of the Army
or the 4th Infantry Division. The appearance of advertising in this Task Force Ironhorse Public Affairs
publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage TF Ironhorse PAO – Lt. Col. Steve Wollman
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, TF Ironhorse PA NCOIC – Master Sgt. Carmen Daugherty-Glaze
marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other The Ivy Leaf Layout & Design – Spc. Thomas Bixler
non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. All editorial
content of The Ivy Leaf is prepared, edited, provided and approved
by the United States Division-North Public Affairs Office.
1st Advise and 2nd Advise and
Do you have a story to share? The Ivy Leaf welcomes submissions Assist Task Force Assist Brigade
from readers. Send to the USD-N PAO at usdnpao@usdn4id.army. 1st Infantry Division 25th Infantry Division
mil. The Ivy Leaf reserves the right to edit submissions selected
for the paper. For further information on deadlines, questions or 4th Advise and
comments, email USD-N PAO or call DSN 318-849-0089. Assist Brigade
1st Cavalry Division

2


Continued from GWTC, pg. 1

training program implementing
squad, platoon, company and
battalion-level training, with
the intent to rotate 3rd IA Div.
battalions every 30 days until
the IA division is fully trained
on conventional offensive and
defensive maneuver operations.
The inaugural training cycle
will culminate with a battalion-
level live-fire exercise conduct-
ed by IA soldiers of the 1st Bn.,
11th Bde., 3rd IA Div.
Staff Sgt. Clint Jacobs, a
squad leader assigned to Troop
A, 1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt.,
worked with Iraqi soldiers re-
fining basic team and squad-
level movement drills.
Once the Iraqi soldiers per-
formed the individual infantry
drills effectively, Jacobs al-
lowed Iraqi squad leaders to
conduct the movement training.
“We are using the ‘crawl,
walk, run’ method, and we are
starting at the beginning,” said U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Washington, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD-N
the cavalry scout from Mari- Lt. Col. John Cushing, commander, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade,
etta, Ga. 1st Cavalry Division, discusses the training schedule with staff Col. Mohamed ‘Olwan, commander of 1st
Jacobs said his Soldiers are Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, at Al Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center, Dec. 30, 2010.
Soldiers assigned to 1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt., train Iraqi Army soldiers on basic soldiering skills to build
responsible for building the IA an enduring training capability for Iraqi Security Forces in northern Iraq, as part of Al Tadreeb Al Shamil,
soldiers’ capabilities, training Arabic for All Inclusive Training, at the newly developed site located at Contingency Operating Site Marez.
IA leaders to build upon in-
dividual and collective core competencies at squad, platoon and ing site, troopers of 1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt. set up the training
company levels. lanes, running through rehearsals and making adjustments to en-
U.S. forces are working with leaders of 3rd IA Div. to build sure the training will be a success for the first Iraqi battalion to
a lasting foundation for new Iraqi soldiers as they arrive to their participate in the inaugural training program.
units, explained Jacobs. The “Long Knife” Soldiers of 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div. are assist-
In the days before the first training cycle began at the new training the IA forces in leading classroom and hands-on training ap-
plications during the month-
Sgt. Samuel Shed, a forward ob-
server assigned to Troop A, 1st long training cycle, said 1st
Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Sean Mitcham, platoon
4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st leader, Troop C, 1st Sqdn.,
Cavalry Division, demonstrates how 9th Cav. Regt.
to secure an assigned sector dur-
ing squad movement training Jan. “We’re teaching them
3, 2011. Shed, a native of Electra, techniques used by Ameri-
Texas, trained soldiers assigned to can fighters,” said Mitcham,
1st Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi a native of Annandale, Va.
Army Division, at Al Ghuzlani War-
rior Training Center, a newly opened “(Once the training is com-
site at Contingency Operating Site plete) they’ll be able to mold
Marez capable of facilitating train- it into their own system to
ing for battalion-sized units. U.S. make it work for them.”
forces are supervising the inaugu-
ral training in support of Al Tadreeb
Al Shamil, Arabic for All Inclusive
Training, conducting individual and
collective infantry training with units
of the 3rd IA Div. at the new training
facility. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Washington, 4th AAB PAO
3


U.S. Division-North Noncommissioned
Officer of the Quarter strives for success
By Spc. Terence Ewings
4th AAB Public Affairs
1st Cav. Div., USD-N

CONTINGENCY OPERAT-
ING SITE MAREZ, Iraq –
Staff Sgt. Steven Newman, a
native of Hobart, Ind., bested
six other noncommissioned of-
ficers to be named the United
States Division-North NCO
of the Quarter at the quarterly
competition held at Contingen-
cy Operating Base Speicher,
Iraq, Dec. 28.
The 29-year-old field artil-
leryman assigned to Battery B,
5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artil-
lery Regiment, 4th Advise and
Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Di-
vision, participated in multiple
academic and leadership devel-
opment boards including three U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Carmen Daugherty-Glaze, USD-N PAO
Staff Sgt. Steven Newman, a field artilleryman assigned to Battery B, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery
Soldier of the Quarter boards
Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, appears at the United States Division-North
and was a runner-up for the title Soldier of the Quarter board held at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq Dec. 28. Newman, a native
of 1st Cavalry Division’s NCO of Hobart, Ind., earned the title of United States Division-North Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter
of the Year. after besting six other NCOs to win the competition. After successfully besting his peers in the NCO of the
Quarter board, Newman competed in the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club board the next day—another strenu-
“I love everything about
ous and challenging board that further tested the field artilleryman’s knowledge and leadership skills as
competing at these boards,” an NCO.
said Newman, who has served
in the U.S. Army for almost six ducted as a member into the ball and football players have on his Soldiers,” said Taylor,
years. “Using experience from club later this year. coaches and mentors, Staff Sgt. currently on his first deploy-
my past boards, I knew I needed “It was a privilege just to be Newman is my coach,” said ment to Iraq. “Anytime he
to be head and shoulders above selected to take part in the Aud- Pfc. Troy Taylor, a field artil- comes up to you, he’ll quiz you
the other NCOs I was compet- ie Murphy Club Board, because leryman who works in New- on something that is in a field
ing against. I tried to give the they only take the best of the man’s section. manual or Army regulation so
most thorough answers, giv- best,” said Newman, currently Taylor, a native of Starkville, you can further increase your
ing detailed responses to every on his third deployment to Iraq. Miss., began distinguishing military knowledge. He’s al-
question.” “The only thing that feels better himself as an exceptional Sol- ready recognized throughout
After successfully besting than knowing I will be a part of dier before he met Newman. the brigade as a good NCO, and
his peers in the NCO of the this organization is training my Upon completion of Ad- he just wants (his Soldiers) to
Quarter board, Newman com- Soldiers so they can have the vanced Individual Training in be as successful as him.”
peted in the Sergeant Audie opportunity to compete in these October 2009, Taylor earned With future plans to win
Murphy Club board the next boards and be successful too.” recognition the Distinguished the next Soldier of the Quarter
day—another strenuous and When Newman isn’t study- Honor Graduate for his class board and return home safely
challenging board that further ing or competing in military due to his hard work, determi- to Fort Hood, Texas, following
tested the field artilleryman’s boards, he is working with his nation and work ethic. this deployment, both Newman
knowledge and leadership platoon as one of the senior sec- Since joining Newman, the and Taylor said they share the
skills as an NCO. tion chiefs in charge of training 20-year-old won a Soldier of same goal: the Soldiers plan
Newman’s performance at and maintenance of M109A6 the Month board and participat- to serve at least 20 years in
the board earned him the pres- Paladins, the unit’s self-pro- ed in the battalion-level Soldier the military, passing on their
tigious club’s medallion, which pelled howitzers. of the Quarter board. knowledge and love of military
he will receive when he is in- “Just like how basket- “(Newman) has that effect boards to their Soldiers.

4


‘On Time’ Soldier takes ‘Ironhorse’ competition

25th Infantry Division
Spc. Matthew Sprague wins U.S. Division-North Soldier of Quarter
Cpl. Robert England Month board for Task Force 2nd Bn., 11th and sergeants major evaluated Soldiers on
2nd AAB Public Affairs Field Artillery Regt. did not yield success, military bearing and knowledge.
25th Inf. Div., U.S. Division-North but his performance influenced his superi- The board members scored each com-
ors to give him another chance. petitor based upon the junior enlisted Sol-
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WAR- In order to be considered for a recom- diers’ military knowledge of various skills
HORSE, Iraq – “The atmosphere is pretty mendation to a board, a Soldier typically and institutions, ranging from Army pro-
intense and nerve-wracking at first, es- must exceed standards through exemplary grams to weapons specifications.
pecially when you get to division-level performance as a Soldier. The selection “I spent a lot of time studying, especial-
boards, because it’s all sergeants major,” process to determine if Sprague would rep- ly the week before each (board), spending
said Spc. Matthew Sprague. “Once it gets resent his battery fell on his first sergeant. like three to four hours each day answering
going though, you calm down.” “We had a board down at our battery, questions and making sure I’m ready for
Sprague, a cannon crewmember as- and basically he was the best out of the six it,” he said.
signed to Battery A, Task Force 2nd Bat- that we had during the time, so we nomi- Sprague said he received assistance
talion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd nated him to go on to the battalion board,” from other Soldiers in his platoon as well
Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry said 1st Sgt. Marvin Walters, Battery A, as his superiors, enabling him to progress
Division, surpassed his peers to take the Task Force 2nd Bn., 11th Field Artillery through the multiple competitions from
competition, winning the U.S. Division- Regt. battalion to division.
North Soldier of the Quarter board, Dec. Competing in a board requires an equal “I’ve been studying with some of my
28. balance of mental focus and calm com- superiors, and some of my battle buddies
Attending four boards since September posure to rise above the tense atmosphere have been helping me out studying as
2010, Sprague, who calls Meriden, Conn. produced by the self-imposed pressure to well,” he said. “There’s been a lot of sup-
home, won competitions at the subordinate succeed. port in the platoon, a lot of people helping
levels as a prerequisite to compete at the For Sprague, success came from more me out with everything.”
division-level board. than composure. During the boards, senior The studying and support ultimately
His first attempt at the Soldier of the noncommissioned officers, first sergeants paid off with each of Sprague’s successful
board completions, and though
he advanced through the dem-
onstration of his comprehen-
sive knowledge of Soldiering
skills, his battle buddies and
superiors share in the victories.
The support from superiors
and fellow Soldiers indicated
the level of pride and inter-
est the unit took in sending
Sprague to the board, said Wal-
ters, a native of New Canton,
Va.
“I was very impressed
the way (Sprague) advanced
through the boards,” he ex-
plained. “The battalion is unbe-
lievable. We work together as a
team. We have good Soldiers,
and we have outstanding Sol-
diers; and our battalion feeds
off that.”

U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Carmen Daugherty-Glaze, USD-N PAO
Spc. Matthew Sprague, a cannon crew member assigned to Battery A, Task Force 2nd Battalion, 11th Field
Artillery Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, completes facing movements
after reporting to the President of the Board during the U.S. Division-North Soldier of the Quarter board at
Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Dec. 28, 2010. Sprague, a native of Meriden, Conn., earned top
honors beating his peers at the U.S. Division-North Soldier of the Quarter board, Dec. 28, 2010.

5


Iraqi Security Forces rehearse plan of action
Spc. Kandi Huggins
1st AATF Public Affairs
1st Inf. Div., USD-N

CONTINGENCY OPERAT-
ING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq
– Iraqi Security Forces, con-
sisting of Iraqi Police, the
Emergency Security Unit for
the Kirkuk province, Iraqi
Army, Major Crimes Unit and
Criminal Investigation Unit,
met at the technical college in
the Adallah district of Kirkuk to
rehearse for an Emergency Re-
sponse mission Dec. 29.
The ISF undertook the exer-
cise to prepare for an emergen-
cy situation in Kirkuk similar
to the Gold Market robbery by
armed insurgents in November.
Maj. Gen. Jamal Taher Bakr,
Provincial Director of Police,
worked closely with Col. Eric
Welsh, commander of 1st Ad-
vise and Assist Task Force, 1st
Infantry Division, from Fort
Riley, Kan., and Lt. Col. Joseph
Holland, commander of 2nd
Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regi-
ment, to prepare the rehearsals.
Jamal, in turn, supervised
his subordinate commanders,
including Col. Najat Gafeer R.
Akeem, the Operations officer
of the ESU.
“This scenario is from a re-
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N
al-life situation,” said Najat. “A Second Lt. Amer of the Emergency Security Unit of the Kirkuk Iraqi Police uses a terrain model to explain
gang attacked a jewelry store, his platoon’s mission during an emergency readiness rehearsal at a technical college in the Adallah district
killed the owners and stole the of Kirkuk Dec. 29, 2010. The ESU is responsible for the cordon around the building, the breach of the build-
gold a few months ago. Ever ing, the capture of criminals and the release of hostages. The Iraqi Police, Iraqi Army, Major Crimes Unit,
and the Criminal Investigation Unit also participated in the exercise to prepare for an emergency situation
since then, we, the ISF, have in Kirkuk.
become cautious and alert that
the same thing could happen readiness for future joint opera- be the first on site since they are available to advise and assist
again.” tions,” said Capt. Mark Quiv- on patrol throughout the city on the ISF during the rehearsal but
Najat added that his unit was ers, commander of Company a routine basis, they said. did not take part directly in the
used to doing operations alone, D, 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Reg., 1st After the IP evaluated the action.
but now are practicing to coop- AATF, 1st Inf. Div. “The plan is situation, the ESU joined the “We’re all planning and co-
erate with other ISF units for to implement combined train- effort to secure a perimeter. ordinating for a successful op-
the rehearsal. ing in order for the ISF to in- Following the conclusion of eration tomorrow,” said Quiv-
Such rehearsals, he said, will crease their capabilities to react the operation the CIU collected ers. “Hopefully this will better
prepare the entire ISF to work to sporadic attacks.” fingerprints and DNA from the prepare them to become aware
together to protect the people of The scenario, explained detainees while the evidence of their situations and will in-
Kirkuk. Quivers and Najat, started after unit collected evidence from crease their confidence to pro-
“Our mission here is to the initial attack occurred. the scene. vide security for the city.”
help the ISF build a sustained ISF expected Iraqi Police to American units remained
6


Iraqi emergency units complete EMT training
1st Advise and Assist Task Force Cold loads entailed the ESU practicing dents continue progressing and continue on
Public Affairs loading a casualty onto a static helicopter, to receive additional medical aircraft train-
1st Infantry Division, USD-N which was not running, said Nelson. ing, and with additional training, the ISF
Once the ISF mastered cold load train- might become flight medics, or even doc-
CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE ing, they conducted the hot load training. tors and nurses, which would help increase
WARRIOR, Iraq – “Thunderhorse” medics During hot loads, the ESU teams their units’ overall training.
of Headquarters and Headquarters Compa- strapped their casualty to a litter, and load- Throughout the course, the ESU trained
ny, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, ed him onto a running helicopter. on basic medical skills such as clearing
attached to the 1st Advise and Assist Task The Forward Medical Service Team, the the airway, restoring breathing, controlling
Force, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Ri- “Dust Offs” of Company C, 2nd Battalion, bleeding and treating shock.
ley, Kan., concluded Emergency Medical 1st Aviation Regiment, from Fort Riley, They also learned cardiopulmonary re-
Technician training with Iraqi Emergency Kan., provided the MEDEVAC UH-60 suscitation, trauma care, medical assess-
Security Unit teams at Contingency Oper- Blackhawk helicopters for the final train- ment training, medical evacuation training,
ating Site Warrior Dec. 28. ing exercise of the course. and the extraction of casualties from vehi-
The five-week training began in late Sgt. Matthew Giersdorff, platoon ser- cles and the rooftops of buildings.
November, providing instruction to Iraqi geant, Company C, 2nd Bn., 1st Avn. Regt., “The hands-on, or practical, training
Police, the Emergency Security Unit, and said the MEDEVAC training completed the is what I liked the most,” said Cpl. Adil
members of the Iraqi Ministry of Health. five-week course that began in November, Najmiddin Ameen, a shift leader, 2nd ESU
The ISF learned basic medical skills with providing a sense of how the ISF have pro- Battalion, Iraqi Police. “The training isn’t
the goal of making them subject matter ex- gressed throughout the course. completed until its hands-on because a lot
perts for their respective organizations in Giersdorff added that most of the ESU of people don’t fully understand what is be-
emergency medical care. never had formal training prior to the EMT ing taught until they’re doing it themselves;
“This last exercise demonstrates how to class and now the ISF unit will have its then the concept of what the U.S. Soldiers
(medically evacuate) a patient after they’ve own medical capabilities. are teaching us is more easily grasped.”
treated them,” said Pfc. Michelle Nelson, “I hope they don’t ever have to use this Adil said this was his second EMT train-
a combat medic, HHC, 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. training,” said Giersdorff. “But now that ing class.
Reg. they have received training, if anything He said the first time he went through
During MEDEVAC drills of the cap- were to happen, they would be able to be the class as a student. This time, Adil
stone exercise Iraqis conducted “cold” and litter bearers whenever we conduct joint served as an instructor, training other Iraqi
“hot” loads that used U.S. Army UH-60 missions together.” Police how to conduct the emergency med-
Blackhawk helicopters. Giersdorff said he hoped the ESU stu- ical procedures.
“It’s our role to convey the modern
medical ideas to our Iraqi Army units in or-
der to serve our people and save lives,” said
Adil. “This is a bridge to convey our voice
to the people who are expecting us to be
well-trained in order to have a significant
and effective role in our society.”
The day after the MEDEVAC training,
the EMT class graduated in a ceremony
held Dec. 29 at COS Warrior, acknowledg-
ing the students for the hard work and ac-
complishments made during the five-week
course.
“This graduation has helped us to reach
a huge milestone in order to pass the torch
to the Iraqi Security Forces,” said Capt.
Harold Yu, physician’s assistant, 2nd Bn.,
Members of the Emergency Security Unit of the Kirkuk Provincial Police practice loading and
12th Cav. Regt., attached to the 1st AATF.
unloading a notional casualty during medical evacuation training at Contingency Operating Yu, a Torrance, Calif. native, said he
Site Warrior, Dec. 28, 2010. “Thunderhorse” medics of Headquarters and Headquarters Com- hopes that because of this training exercise,
pany, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, and the Forward Medical Service Team, the “Dust the students can help save lives in Kirkuk
Offs” of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, from Fort Riley, Kan., supported the
training, advising and assisting the Iraqis and provided U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicop-
and will use the knowledge and skills learnt
ters. The MEDEVAC training concluded a five-week Emergency Medical Technician training to instruct and train future EMTs in Iraq.
course for the ISF at COS Warrior.

7


TMC keeps Soldiers mission ready while deployed
Spc. Angel Washington Capt. Cyrus Kardouni, brigade
4th AAB Public Affairs physical therapist assigned to
Company C, 27th Brigade Sup-
1st Cav. Div., USD-N port Battalion, 4th Advise and
Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Divi-
CONTINGENCY OPERAT- sion, helps Sgt. Veronica Torres,
ING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Sol- a medic in Company C, perform
diers assigned to Company C, balancing exercises Dec. 29,
2010.
27th Brigade Support Battal-
ion, 4th Advise and Assist Bri- to treat them here which allows
gade, 1st Cavalry Division, op- continuity of treatment,” said
erate the troop medical clinic, Maj. Ashley Maranich, M.D., a
providing for the physical and native of San Antonio and bri-
behavioral health care needs of gade surgeon assigned to 27th
Soldiers at Contingency Oper- BSB, 4th AAB.
ating Site Marez. “We typically see around 35
“When you talk about a patients per work day and thus
brigade-sized element, with the far we have had over 2,800 ap-
amount of Soldiers we have, it pointments since we took over
is important that we are able to on Oct. 1,” said Maranich.
take care of them,” said 1st Lt. “That includes sick call, den-
Julliet Ayodele, a platoon lead- tistry and physical therapy.”
er for Company C, 27th BSB Soldiers assigned to Com-
and the brigade nurse. pany C, 27th BSB, also take the
The clinic offers specific ar- time to train their Iraqi coun-
eas where “Long Knife” health terparts in different areas of the
care professionals can treat medical field in support of U.S.
their patients in a variety of U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Washington, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div. Division-North’s mission to ad-
ways, said Ayodele, who is cur- pharmacy and a patient holding to do,” said Ayodele, a native of vise, train, and assist the Iraqi
rently on her first deployment. area. Houston. security forces.
Soldiers of Company C “We treat colds, bumps, and Medics working at the TMC Since arriving in Iraq in Sep-
maintain a lab, a medical radi- anything else a Soldier may provide coverage 24 hours-a- tember of 2010, “Long Knife”
ology section, a dental section, have so they can continue to do day to 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div. Soldiers of the 4th AAB,
a physical therapy section, a the mission we came out here Soldiers, Department of De- trained their Iraqi counterparts
fense employees and service on pharmacy, radiology and
members based at COS Marez. basic patient treatment proce-
“Our convenience in hours dures.
allows Soldiers to be seen Company C also sent train-
around the hours of their mis- ing teams to the 3rd Iraqi Army
sions, and we have a variety Division Headquarters at Al
of capabilities,” said Ayodele. Kisik, Iraq to train ISF on basic
“We have specialized doctors medical skills and help estab-
and experienced profession- lish a radiology lab at the Iraqi
als that are capable of treating TMC.
many problems.” “We conserve the fighting
Since the medical team of strength of our forces in Iraq
Company C, 27th BSB, as- and are preparing the ISF to do
sumed authority for the troop the same for their country” said
medical clinic, they’ve added Capt. Arthur Knight, the com-
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Washington, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div. a personal touch to make it pany commander.
Capt. Bernardo Bianco, a dentist assigned to Company C, 27th Bri- more patient friendly to include The Soldiers of 4th AAB,
gade Support Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Di- painting the walls to add the 1st Cav. Div. deployed to Iraq
vision, and Spc. Rachelle Halaska, a medic in Company C, 27th BSB, “Cavalry” mark, the 1st Cav- to assume a new mission in
fill a cavity at the troop medical clinic at Contingency Operating Site
Marez, Dec. 29, 2010. Soldiers assigned to Company C, 27th Brigade alry Division patch. October for a one-year deploy-
Support Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Divi- “We’ve been treating many ment in support of Operation
sion, operate the troop medical clinic, providing for the physical and of the people (back at Fort New Dawn.
behavioral health care needs of Soldiers deployed in support of U.S. Hood) and we are continuing
Division-North.

8


Iraqi and U.S. engineers conduct joint route
clearance, train for future missions
Spc. Kandi Huggins improve our capabilities and An Iraqi soldier of the Field En-
1st AATF make Kirkuk safe for all of gineer Regiment, 12th Iraqi Army
Division, places grid coordinates
1st Inf. Div., USD-N the people who live here,” said into his handheld Global Po-
Sabbah. sitioning System during route
CONTINGENCY OPERAT- The engineers cleared a clearance training at Contingen-
ING SITE K1, Iraq – Iraqi route in their area of responsi- cy Operating Site K1, Dec. 21,
2010. The training, conducted
Army engineers of the Field bility searching locations where by the ‘Outlaws’ of Company C,
Engineer Regiment, 12th Iraqi Improvised Explosive Devices 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st
Army Division joined the had been placed in the past or Advise and Assist Task Force,
“Outlaw” engineer Soldiers of were likely to be placed based 1st Infantry Division, from Fort
Riley, Kan., built upon a previous
Company C, 1st Special Troops off of an intelligence estimate course in map reading to famil-
Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist of the route. iarize the IA soldiers with how to
Task Force, 1st Infantry Divi- The units began their route use map coordinates to assist in
sion, from Fort Riley, Kan., to clearance mission at approxi- reporting unit locations and Im-
provised Explosive Devices dur-
conduct combined route clear- mately 4 a.m. and reached their ing future route clearance mis-
ance training and operations turn around point about sunset. sions.
during the month of December. A few minutes after turn- Photo by Spc. Kandi Huggins
“The most important thing is ing around, the IA engineers garbage, but on other occasions missions helps us build rela-
to keep the highway safe for ci- stopped to investigate a tire such searches have turned up tionships as well as allow us to
vilians in our area of operation that had a plastic bag in it on IEDs or unexploded ordnance. evaluate how they perform to
and to secure it,” said Lt. Sab- the side of the road. The object “The purpose of this mis- ensure it’s done correctly in or-
bah Anwar Zain al Abedeen, seemed out of the ordinary, and sion with the IA was to observe der for them to be fully capable
commander of the Route Clear- the engineers examined it using and teach them how to conduct of taking over in the future.”
ance Platoon, 2nd Explosive protective equipment and engi- a route clearance,” said 1st Lt. Although the engineers did
Ordnance Disposal Company, neering assets. Branden Jones, Outlaws Pla- not find anything on this par-
FER, 12th IA Div. This particular object turned toon leader, Company C, 1st ticular route clearance, Lt. So-
“We are always looking to out to be nothing more than STB, 1st AATF. “Doing joint fuan Waheed Esaa, 1st Platoon
commander, 2nd EOD Com-
pany, FER, 12th IA Div., said
the most important part of this
mission and their training with
American forces is being able
to recognize and check for an
IED.
“Route clearance is a new
[mission] for the Iraqi Army,”
said Sofuan. “And it’s impor-
tant because we’re learning
how to use special tactics to
counter our enemies in a way
that will minimize casualties.”
Sofuan said despite being
a new unit, the Iraqi engineers
have worked with the U.S. en-
gineers for a long time and have
gained a great deal of experi-
ence in a very short time.
U.S. forces also trained the
Iraqi engineers to accomplish
Iraqi engineers of the Field Engineer Regiment, 12th Iraqi Army Division, investigate a suspicious object
on the side of the road while conducting a joint route clearance with the ‘Outlaw’ engineers of Company C, the mission using recently ac-
1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kan., quired equipment.
around the city of Kirkuk, during the month of Dec. 19, 2010. The engineers cleared a route in their area
of responsibility searching locations where Improvised Explosive Devices had been placed in the past or See CLEARANCE, pg. 10
were likely to be placed based off of an intelligence estimate of the route.

9


Communications critical to mission success
Sgt. Coltin Heller horseback making epic treks across treach-
109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment erous landscapes.
U.S. Division-North Public Affairs “C4 Operations are in the center of
everything the Army does,” said Lt. Col.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Chuck Heimann, Chief Information officer
SPIECHER, Iraq – On a spring night in assigned to Company C, Division Special
Massachusetts, two lanterns glowed in Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division.
the bell tower of Old North Church, while “We handle everything communication re-
in the streets below a rider mounted his lated from radios to electronic file storage
horse. The lanterns signaled a silversmith to Information Assurance.”
named Paul Revere that the British army U.S. Division-North’s C4 Operations U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Coltin Heller, USD-N
would cross a river on its way to Lexing- section facilitates communications, a time- Staff Sgt. Brett Williams, transmissions sys-
ton; prompting Revere to ride from Boston ly exchange of information and efficient tems operations noncommissioned officer
to Lexington to warn colonists. The critical mission coordination for Soldiers deployed assigned to Company C, Division Special
information Revere provided that night in in support of Operation New Dawn, said Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, moni-
tors network activity from his work station in
April of 1775 allowed the colonial militia Heimann. Network Operations, part of Command and
to thwart the British attack on Concord, The Soldiers of 4th Inf. Div.’s C4 Op- Control, Communications and Computers
forcing a retreat of British troops to Boston. erations are responsible for providing the Operations section at Contingency Operating
The U.S. Army’s modern communica- many means of communication used by the Base Speicher, Dec. 29, 2010. All communi-
cation aspects from radio’s to e-mail is the
tion technology, maintained by Command various units operating in northern Iraq, responsibility of C4 operations.
and Control, Communications and Com- said Heimann
puters Operations sections, ensure digital C4 Operations is comprised of two communications, he explained.
radios, computers and satellites provide main sections, Network Operations and Signal Soldiers of Network Opera-
near instantaneous means for Soldiers to Operations, which are further broken down tions established and maintain the many
communicate throughout their environ- into several smaller sections, each respon-
ment, replacing the need for riders on sible for an aspect of U.S. Division-North See COMMUNICATIONS, pg. 12

Continued from CLEARANCE, pg. 9

Staff Sgt. Pete Steffen, Div. to new Global Position- suspected IEDs. ing was a good way to learn
squad leader, Company C, 1st ing Systems using a sequential Steffen said during the first how to better read grids and
STB, 1st AATF, introduced the training model to report unit day of training, the Iraqi sol- recognize features on a map.
Iraqi soldiers of FER, 12th IA locations and the locations of diers learned to orientate their “It shows we’re progressing
maps when using GPS to navi- throughout this training process
gate. and we’re taking advantage of
“This was a good introduc- learning from U.S. Soldiers,”
tion to the system,” said Stef- said Amar.
fen. “Our emphasis was on As a result of U.S. training,
grids, which took them a while Iraqi soldiers unfamiliar with
to recognize in the map reading an area can determine their lo-
training.” cation with the help of the GPS,
“This way they can see how he added.
it’s put to use while using the The “Outlaws” of Company
GPS,” he said. C, 1st Special Troops Battalion
Steffan said he expects the continue to work with the Iraqi
FER to practice using the GPS engineers to build their capabil-
systems independently during ity, said Jones, who believes it
future missions. will be only a matter of time
“The training was outstand- before the FER, 12th IA Div. is
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div. ing,” said Pfc. Amar Ahmad ready to conduct independent
Iraqi engineers of Field Engineer Regiment, 12th Iraqi Army Division, Sleman of the Route Clearance operations.
learn about the basic functions and features of a Global Positioning Platoon, FER, 12th IA Div.
System during route clearance training at Contingency Operating Site
“Last session we had a test on
K1 near Kirkuk, Iraq, Dec. 21, 2010. U.S. Soldiers of Company C, 1st
Special Troops Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infan- map reading, which most of us
try Division, from Fort Riley, Kan., trained the Iraqi Security Forces passed.”
how to use the new gear to report unit locations and the location of Amar added the GPS train-
suspected IEDs.

10


Local COB Speicher talent
provides entertainment
Sgt. Coltin Heller singing well-know songs for the audience
109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and performing stand-up comedy routines
U.S. Division-North Public Affairs for a good laugh.
“We do this as something to keep the
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Soldiers’ spirits up,” said event coordinator
SPIECHER, Iraq – Multi-colored lights Sgt. 1st Class George Byrd, noncommis-
flashed and danced off the stage as per- sioned officer in charge of communications
formers showed off various talents dur- for Headquarters and Headquarters Troop,
ing an event held to boost spirits New Task Force ODIN, Observe, Detect, Iden-
Years Eve at Contingency Operating Base tify and Neutralize, U.S. Division-North.
Speicher Morale, Welfare and Recreation “The talent show is something different;
Center-North. something the Soldiers can come to and
Soldiers and civilians performed their perform or they can kick back and relax.”
acts during the COB Speicher Talent Show Following the performances, audience
members chose the top three performers,
casting votes for the favorite acts through
applause, cheers and shouts of encour- U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Coltin Heller
agement. Pfc. Louis Robinson, a petroleum supply
Sgt. Tanecia Shepherd, cable team specialist from Baton Rouge, La., assigned
to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop,
shift leader assigned to 820th Signal Task Force ODIN, Observe, Detect, Identify
Company, 51st Expeditionary Signal and Neutralize, performs his original song,
Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade, U.S. Di- “Where Can I Run To?,” at the COB Speicher
vision-North, placed first in the event for Talent Show hosted at the Morale, Welfare,
and Recreation Center-North at Contingency
her rendition of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Operating Base Speicher, Dec. 31, 2010. Rob-
Got You.” inson, the only performer to rap that night,
“I was really nervous to sing at first,” placed second in the show.
said the Dallas-native. “But once I got on
stage I forgot all about that.” native. “It gives the Soldiers something to
For performing his original rap song, think about other than the mission.”
“Where Can I Run To?,” Spc. Louis Rob- Due to inclement weather, only four
inson, petroleum supply specialist with performers had officially signed up for
HHT, Task Force ODIN, placed second the show. As the night continued audience
in the event. members came to the stage to perform off
“I came to interact with people and the cuff comedy routines to the amuse-
start the New Year off right,” said Rob- ment of Soldiers and civilians alike, whose
inson, who hails from Baton Rouge, La. laughter could be heard throughout the
Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Norma MRW-North Center.
Lockhart, a civilian contractor working “All the acts were great,” said Spc. An-
at COB Speicher in support of the troops thony Kelly, unit supply specialist assigned
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Coltin Heller deployed for Operation New Dawn, said to Company A, Task Force ODIN, U.S. Di-
Sgt. Tanecia Shepherd, a Dallas-native and she enjoys singing for the Soldiers. vision-North. “It would have been good to
cable team leader assigned to the 820th Signal
“I wanted to uplift the Soldiers’ spirits see more, but the ones that did go on stage
Company, 51st Expeditionary Signal Battalion,
35th Signal Brigade, sang “If I Ain’t Got You” on this dismal day with an upbeat song,” were as good as expected.”
by Alicia Keys, for Soldiers and civilians at the said Lockhart, referring to the rainy Although this was the first and last tal-
Contingency Operating Base Speicher Talent weather dampening the COB located near ent show held during 2010, more shows are
Show held at the Morale, Welfare, and Recre-
Tikrit in northern Iraq. planned for next year, said Byrd.
ation Center-North, Dec. 31, 2010. Shepherd,
one of four registered acts to perform in the tal- Lockhart, who deployed to Iraq in “We’ll keep trying to do something for
ent show, placed first with her rendition. “I was 2006 with 628th Finance Detachment, the Soldiers, no matter what it is,” said
nervous to sing at first,” said Shepherd, who 213th Area Support Group, 28th Infantry Byrd, selecting songs played between acts.
calls Dallas home. “But once I got on stage I
Division, said she knows the importance “It doesn’t matter how many show up. If
forgot all about that.” Soldiers performed in
front of an audience of Soldiers, and contrac- of events like the talent show. we can entertain one person, we are going
tors who laughed, clapped, and shouted their “I liked coming to these events when I to do it.”
support to comedy, singing, and rap acts. was deployed,” said the Johnstown, Pa.-
11


Hey Doc: ‘Don’t Huff and Puff and Blow
Capt. Nathaniel Teague
Surgeon’s Office
Your Career Away!’
U.S. Division-North mouth and nose. and nervous system. You are
Inhaling chemical most certainly causing irrepa-
‘Hey Doc:’ How is…is… vapors, such as canned rable brain damage. Everytime
is…is…it going? Please ignore air, to purposefully you abuse you kill brain cells
annually
the redness around my nose, alter your mental and and become more and more
from huffing, and
and my uncontrollable body physical state, also dullwitted.
since 2004, eight
shaking. I love you man. Is known as huffing, If separated from the Army
Soldiers have died
canned air bad for you? What’s is a serious offense; because of huffing – assuming
in Iraq from huff-
your name again? primarily against your abuse hasn’t resulted in
ing.
– Signed your body, and also your death – you could receive
Death from
“Fewer Brain Cells” in violation of the a dishonorable discharge, lose
inhalant abuse
Uniform Code of all your benefits, and have
can occur after
Dear “Fewer Brain Cells,” Military Justice. trouble finding employment
only a single use.
I suspect you may be “huff- By illegally huff- in the civilian job market. Get
In addition to the
ing” or abusing inhaled chemi- ing, you are jeopar- yourself help, before it’s too
symptoms you are
cal vapors in order to alter your dizing your career, late. Combat Stress Control
exhibiting; you
mental status. You are expe- your health, and and Behavioral Health provid-
may also damage
riencing some of the classic your very life. The ers are standing by to assist
your eye sight,
symptoms and signs; slurred U.S. Government you.
hearing, liver, kid-
speech, emotional instability, has reported more Ironhorse Soldiers, keep
ney, bone marrow,
memory loss, rash around the than 1,000 deaths those questions coming!

Continued from COMMUNICATION, pg. 10

computer networks that Soldiers and units functions to accomplish the mission. Burnet added the Information Assur-
use in their day-to-day operations. Division Automation Management, ance section authorizes which computers
“This section handles tactical systems, commonly known as the “Help Desk,” and and programs are placed in the system, as
and hosts all divisions systems, providing the Information Assurance and Communi- well as software updates and patches up-
access to the network and allowing the cation Security sub-sections are also orga- loaded to the network.
various pieces in (U.S. Division-North) nized under the Operations section. “Radio frequencies and encryption of
to communicate,” said Sgt. Chris Russell, In addition to supporting U.S. Division- telephone lines is the responsibility of the
senior network manager from College North staff, the Help Desk is also respon- communications security, ensuring the in-
Station, Texas, assigned to Company C, sible for maintaining the networks the formation passed in that capacity is not
DSTB, 4th Inf. Div. “We also are respon- subordinate brigades use, said Spc. Imre compromised,” said Heimann.
sible for maintaining the network as far as Fabian, signal support systems specialist, Due to the critical nature of C4 opera-
construction of the network and the many from West Palm Beach, Fla. tions, many of the Soldiers in the section
portals on it.” “We handle any administrative prob- have 12-hour shifts, ensuring the commu-
Network Operations supports a Wide lems the Soldiers have on their network nications hub is manned at all times. Those
Area Network for units operating outside computers such as logging on or problems stations not manned 24 hours have Soldiers
U.S. Division-North Headquarters, allow- with e-mail,” said Fabian. standing by if needed.
ing users in northern Iraq to have access to Communications between units is cru- “This is the best group of Soldiers I have
the system despite being stationed at other cial and as such must be protected from ex- ever worked with, in that they all bring
installations, said Staff Sgt. Brett Williams, ternal threats, said Williams. The security something to the table,” said Heimann.
Transmissions Systems Operations non- of the network and landline communica- “They set a very high standard for them-
commissioned officer, Company C. tions is provided by Information Assurance selves and take pride in what they do.”
“The WAN is what lets the brigades talk and Communication Security. The collaboration of each section of C4
to each other during battle update briefs “Information assurance ensures the se- Operations enables U.S. Division-North to
and other meetings held on the network,” curity of the network for all of USD-N,” maintain situational awareness and com-
said Williams, who hails from Brooklyn, said Pvt. Matt Burnett, information tech- mand and control of Soldiers and units
N.Y. “Communication between division nology management specialist from Walton operating in U.S. Division-North, he said,
and the brigades is crucial to the mission.” Beach, Fla. with Company C. “This section providing commanders the tools they need
The other side of C4, the Operations is responsible for anti-virus programs on to plan and execute missions in support of
section, directly supports current opera- the computers and monitors for any attempt Operation New Dawn.
tions, employing more communications to hack the system.”
12

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