The latest edition of The Ivy Leaf, Volume 1, Issue 19.

1. Volume 1, Issue 19 March 11, 2011
Iraqi instructors take the reins at KMTB
Steadfast and Loyal
Warrior
LongKnife
Ironhorse
Devil
Fit for Any Test
Fit for Any Test
Ironhorse
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shawn Miller, 109th MPAD, USD-N PAO
Devil
Staff Sgt. Ayad, 4th Battalion, 21st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, teaches Iraqi jinood, Arabic for soldiers, a maneuvering class prior to a
live fire exercise at Kirkush Military Training Base, Iraq, March 9, 2011. U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd
Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, assumed a supervisory role as Iraqi instructors led the Iraqi courses. Currently conduct-
ing the third iteration of the 25-day training cycle, known as Tadreeb al Shamil, Arabic for All Inclusive Training, U.S. forces are transitioning
control of the Iraqi military training initiative to IA units.
LongKnife
Sgt. Shawn Miller structors to take charge of the units to run their own classes. own army and be dependent
Steadfast and Loyal
109th MPAD exercises at Kirkush Military Cadre hand-picked Iraqi on ourselves,” said Staff Sgt.
USD-N Public Affairs Training Base. instructors, alumni from previ- Ayad, a 5th IA Div. instructor
U.S. Soldiers of Company ous Tadreeb al Shamil training at KMTB.
KIRKUSH MILITARY A, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry rotations at KMTB, to lead the Ayad said leading classes at
TRAINING BASE, Iraq – Af- Regiment, “Gimlets,” 2nd Ad- development of Iraqi soldiers a fundamental level will help
Warrior
ter several months of guid- vise and Assist Brigade, 25th as U.S. forces transition the the Iraqi jinood, Arabic for
ing 5th Iraqi Army Division Infantry Division led Iraqi base to the control of the Iraqi soldiers, retain the information
soldiers through the 25-day cadre through a dry run of Army. and bring the training to their
training cycles of Tadreeb al the day’s live fire maneuvers, “As we know, the U.S. respective duty stations.
Shamil, U.S. advisors took a March 9, providing guidance Army is going to pull out from see KMTB, pg. 3
step back, allowing Iraqi in- before allowing the Iraqi Army Iraq, so we need to be our

2. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
Soldiers train vigorously to hone their skills, reinforcing each
aspect of their training until every Soldier performs critical tasks
as second nature.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chase McGann, scout pilot assigned
to Troop A, “Aces,” 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Task
Force Saber, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, demonstrated years of
training while conducting counter-indirect fire patrols in a U.S.
Army OH-58D Kiowa helicopter, Feb. 23.
“We were pulling missions in Diyala province that day,” said
Capt. Phillip Vaughn, commander, Troop A, 6th Sqdn., 17th Cav.
Regt. “We received a call about a threat to forces.”
The threat to forces manifested in the form of rocket attacks
fired from improvised rocket launchers and impacting at Contin-
gency Operating Base Warhorse, said Vaughn. U.S. Army photo
“He flew to the location and conducted a recon of the threat Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chase McGann, scout pilot assigned to Troop
area, where he identified five improvised rocket launchers, with A, “Aces,” 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, Task Force Saber, 1st Combat
Aviation Brigade, earned recognition as “Ironhorse Strong” Soldier
four rockets still to be fired,” said Vaughn. of the Week, during a counter-indirect fire patrol near Contingency
McGann assessed the situation, determining there was insuffi- Operating Base Warhorse, Feb. 23, 2011. McGann, who pilots a U.S.
cient time for ground forces to react, and engaged the targets with Army OH-58D Kiowa helicopter, identified and destroyed several im-
three 2.75-inch rockets, which resulted in direct hits, destroying provised rocket launchers aimed at COB Warhorse, resulting in the
destruction of an enemy threat and ensuring security for personnel
two rockets and disabling the remaining rockets on the IRL. at COB Warhorse.
McGann then secured the site until ground forces arrived and
assumed responsibility of the area. ing new pilots and instilling unit standards to the troops.
“He was quick to react. One (rocket) could have launched at “He brings the best out of the pilots,” said Hernandez. “He’s
anytime,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Abimael Hernandez, the very energetic, and we are glad to have him on our team.”
troop standardization instructor pilot attached to Aces Troop. “He McGann’s decisive actions resulted in the destruction of an
saved the lives of many Soldiers by his actions.” enemy threat, ensuring security for personnel at COB Warhorse
In addition to his reconnaissance duties, McGann also acts as and earning him recognition as “Ironhorse Strong” Soldier of the
an instructor pilot for the unit’s aircrew training program, mentor- Week.
Support Soldiers take Iraqi mechanics keep army ‘Chaos’ Soldiers enhance Officer brings years of
Operation New Dawn rolling along proficiency, clear path for experience to ond
mission, logistics to heart ‘lost art’ of engineering
Page 4 Page 5 Page 8 Page 10
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

3. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
Continued from KMTB, pg. 1
“We realized we were giving
these guys training, but they re-
ally had nothing to sustain it af-
ter they received the training,”
said Sgt. Christopher Mola, an
infantryman assigned to Com-
pany A, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt.
Mola said U.S. Soldiers
hand-picked Iraqi jinood, who
displayed leadership poten-
tial during previous Tadreeb al
Shamil training cycles, to be
used as instructors at KMTB.
Tadreeb al Shamil, Arabic for
All Inclusive Training, is an
Iraqi training program to build
IA units’ capability to conduct
national defense operations.
“After we leave, they’ll have
the instructors here to continue
the training, whether it’s here
at KMTB or at their own indi- U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shawn Miller, 109th MPAD, USD-N PAO
vidual units, to ensure that the Sgt. Stephen Miller, an infantryman from Batesville, Ark., assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 21st In-
soldiers retain the knowledge fantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assisst Brigade, 25th Infantry Division mentors 5th Iraqi Army Division
instructors prior to the start of a live fire exercise at Kirkush Military Training Base, Iraq, March 9, 2011.
they gained by coming here,”
said Mola, a native of Valpara- Operating in four-man as range safeties, while Ayad ourselves. We’re trying to get
iso, Ind. teams, Iraqi soldiers of 4th Bat- and other Iraqi instructors ran the most important training that
Under the direct supervision talion, 21st Brigade, fired live with each team, coaching the we’ll need to defend our people
of Gimlet advisors, Ayad and rounds as they rushed their firers and making on-the-spot and our country.”
fellow instructors taught indi- objective, practicing proper corrections. While two-man teams com-
vidual movement techniques to movement techniques to com- “It’s actually very motivat- pleted the firing course, Iraqi
the Iraqi jinood before conduct- plete the assault. ing seeing these instructors instructors led the other jinood
ing practice runs at the squad U.S. Soldiers carefully ob- take over,” noted Mola, serving through concurrent training,
and team levels. served the training and served his second deployment to Iraq. such as weapon disassembly
“You can tell that they want to and maintenance, room clear-
be here, and they want to see ing and firing positions in order
their army get better.” to keep their skills sharp and
The Iraqi squads and pla- maximize their time at the base.
toons learned to work together Following the April train-
and put aside any cultural dif- ing iteration at KMTB, Iraqi
ferences in order to achieve leadership is slated to take full
their mission, Mola added. control of Tadreeb al Shamil,
Ayad said under the current he said.
training model, IA units will In order for the IA to suc-
work their way through squad ceed, unit leaders need to en-
and platoon exercises to com- force a training regimen for the
pany and eventually battalion- jinood to retain their skills and
level maneuvers as they build knowledge when they return
confidence during the month- to their areas of responsibility,
long cycle. Mola explained.
“It’s very, very useful for “It’s going to be a big re-
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shawn Miller, 109th MPAD, USD-N PAO us. We are doing the train- sponsibility for us, since we’ll
Staff Sgt. Ayad, 5th Iraqi Army Division, coaches two soldiers through ing, and we are the instructors need to keep the same path we
a live fire exercise at Kirkush Military Training Base, Iraq, March 9, now,” said Ayad. “We know are going through and keep up
2011. As U.S. forces transition KMTB to full Iraqi control by summer,
Iraqi instructors are taking the lead in teaching the 25-day Tadreeb al
(U.S. forces) will try as much the good training for the sol-
Shamil classes for battalions of the 5th IA Div. as possible to help us stand for diers,” said Ayad.
3

4. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
Support Soldiers take Operation New
Dawn, logistics mission to heart
Staff Sgt. Robert DeDeaux erating sites; maintaining mil- gistics patrols. lance on the part of Security
1st AATF Public Affairs lions of dollars of equipment “The routes we travel every platoon Soldiers, who begin
1st Infantry Division, USD-N and sensitive items and con- day are like the veins, and like preparing at least four hours
ducting security for logistics a heart we’re moving all the before each mission, conduct-
CONTINGENCY OPERAT- patrols, sound like the respon- time,” he said. ing pre-combat checks and in-
ING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – sibilities of commanders and The Security platoon en- spections, validating commu-
In addition to daily responsi- their staffs—not the actions of sures rations, medical supplies, nications and verifying route
bilities, the Security platoon a single platoon, said Staff Sgt. fuel and ammo are delivered conditions, said Budd.
of Company A, 101st Brigade Brent Budd, track vehicle re- regularly to the contingency The squad leaders of Secu-
Support Battalion, 1st Advise pairer, Company A. operating sites in Kirkuk prov- rity platoon are responsible for
and Assist Task Force, 1st In- Logistics are the heart of ince, said Budd, a native of El ensuring that the mission is ac-
fantry Division ensures critical Operation New Dawn, and the Dorado Springs, Mo. complished successfully and
supply convoys arrive at mul- Soldiers of Company A take the The supply Soldiers oper- the Soldiers are prepared for
tiple locations throughout the mission to push needed sup- ate from Contingency Operat- any contingency, he said.
Kirkuk province in northern plies to the men and women de- ing Site Warrior traveling tens “We even check the truck
Iraq. ployed to U.S. Division-North of miles to deliver supplies to loads,” said Budd. “If some-
Tracking Iraqi Police check- seriously, said Budd, who the Soldiers conducting U.S. thing falls off that truck, and we
points; communicating with serves as a Security platoon forces’ advise, train and assist get stuck out there on the road,
U.S. forces at contingency op- convoy commander during lo- mission. we’re a sitting duck.”
After leaving COS Warrior, “Prior to the convoy brief
the logistics convoy must be we (inspect) everyone and ev-
prepared to overcome any ob- erything to ensure the convoy is
stacle that might prevent them ready to roll,” said Sgt. Corey
from their objective, he said. If Eggers, automated logistical
the supplies do not reach their specialist, Company A. “Then
destinations, it is like blood not we will announce ‘Red Con
making it to vital organs in the One’ over the radio.”
body, said Budd. Red Con One means they
The Security platoon Sol- have full accountability of all
diers are charged to provide personnel and sensitive items
safe transport for the supplies and are prepared to travel to
needed at the outlying bases in the next location, said Corey, a
the province, said Budd. Campaign, Ill. native.
The Soldiers who maintain Spc. Juan Marcial, a land
security for the logistics mis- combat electronic missile sys-
sion place a lot of stock in their tem repairer, Company A,
responsibilities, taking every 101st BSB, said the Soldiers
logistics patrol as the most im- of Security platoon believe
portant mission of the day. they have one of the most im-
The mission requires vigi- portant missions in 1st AATF,
Task Force Devil, and are ready
Spc. Matthew Hackbarth, a motor
to meet any challenge or make
transport operator from Phoenix,
Ariz., assigned to Security pla- any sacrifice to accomplish the
toon, Company A, 101st Brigade mission.
Support Battalion, 1st Advise and “Our Mission is important,”
Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Di-
said Marcial, a native of Mars-
vision from Fort Riley, Kan., per-
forms preventive maintenance ing, Idaho, who serves as a
checks and services on his vehi- truck gunner. “How would any-
cle, March 1, 2011, to ensure the one like it if they were stuck out
vehicle remains operational for
there, and food, fuel and mail
the platoon’s next sustainment
mission in support of Operation couldn’t make it to them?”
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Dedeaux, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div, USD-N
New Dawn.
4

5. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
Iraqi mechanics keep army rolling along
Sgt. Shawn Miller tails about these trucks in order to com- base parts ordering system through supply
KMTB
109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment plete our missions,” said Kalid, a mechanic units within the division.
U.S. Division-North Public Affairs with 4th Bn., 21st Bde. “Working with the Spc. Brooke Lohuis, a mechanic as-
manuals (U.S. forces) gave us makes the signed to BSB, said Iraqi and U.S. leader-
KIRKUSH MILITARY TRAINING training very easy to go into detail and do ship are collaborating on streamlining the
BASE, Iraq – Spare parts lying around a it step by step.” parts ordering system to make it more ef-
line of Iraqi Army humvees, truck opera- After teaching the Iraqi jinood, Arabic ficient for units in the field.
tors and mechanics from 4th Battalion, 21st for soldiers, how to use the new guide- Originally from Alliance, Ohio, and
Brigade, 5th IA Division systematically books, Peterson required the Iraqi mechan- serving her second deployment to Iraq,
worked to get their vehicles mission ready. ics to go through a practical test. Lohuis tutors her Iraqi counterparts to take
As the IA continues to develop its forces Peterson and BSB Soldiers disconnect- over her job once the U.S. withdraws from
during Operation New Dawn, U.S. advi- ed random wires and unhooked parts as Iraq.
sors assigned to Task Force 225, Brigade a test to see if the students retained their Lohuis said the 5th IA Div. mechanics
Support Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist newly learned troubleshooting procedures. work through language and cultural barri-
Brigade, 25th Infantry Division focus the Technical manuals in hand, the students ers with the BSB mentors and quickly pick
25-day training cycles at Kirkush Military poured over every angle of the trucks look- up the skills necessary to act autonomously.
Training Base on getting Iraqi mechanics ing for the fault. “This isn’t their first time working on
ready to assume independent operations. Peterson said the Iraqi jinood learned the trucks,” she said. “We’re focusing more
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Roger Peterson, the to conduct vehicle maintenance using the on trying to get their system on how they
BSB noncommissioned officer in charge of methodical order prescribed step-by-step in order parts, how they fix parts, how they
the maintenance training, said beyond the the technical manual. get their tools and teaching them easier
basic preventive maintenance checks and “We take them through the process of ways we know on how to fix the problems
services procedures, the goal of the course identifying the fault so that they are not just they have.”
is to get the Iraqis comfortable conducting replacing parts that aren’t the actual issue,” After learning mechanic fundamentals
in-depth operations by the book. he added, noting the mechanics will save as a civilian, Kalid said the more in-depth
“We’re trying to show them not just the Iraqi Army time and money by doing maintenance course at KMTB now com-
PMCS, but taking them to the next level so so. pletes his skill set.
they’re able to quickly identify the fault, fix Rather than ordering parts from local “I’m ready to deal with anything with
the fault and get the truck back on the road merchants and paying on their own as they these trucks now,” he stated.
in order to go on with their mission,” said used to, the mechanics now utilize a data-
Peterson, a native of Nebraska City, Neb.
Throughout the month-long training
rotation at KMTB, known as Tadreeb al
Shamil, the Iraqi mechanics learn through
classroom training and hands-on practical
exercises how to keep their army running
smoothly. Tadreeb al Shamil, Arabic for
All Inclusive Training, is an Iraqi military
training initiative providing individual and
collective training for Iraqi Army units
to create a modern, self-sustaining Iraqi
Army.
American instructors teach the course
employing a train-the-trainer concept, Pe-
terson explained. U.S. Soldiers provide the
guidance necessary to complete the task,
and in turn give the responsibility of teach-
ing the class to the students.
Kalid Mahde Mosser, a jundi awaal,
similar to an U.S. Army private, said that
although the IA started using humvees a
few years ago, the Iraqi Army never used
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shawn Miller, 109th MPAD, USD-N PAO
technical manuals or systemized parts or-
U.S. Army Spc. Brooke Lohuis, a native of Alliance, Ohio, and an instructor assigned to Bri-
dering for maintenance operations. gade Support Battalion’s Task Force 225, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Divi-
“I’ve dealt with these humvees for three sion, points out maintenance manual guidelines to Iraqi mechanics conducting preventive
or four years, but I need to learn more de- maintenance during a training course at Kirkush Military Training Base, Iraq, March 10, 2011.
5

6. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
6

7. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
‘Shield of the Ironhorse’ performs
multi-faceted base defense mission
Sgt. David Strayer The base defense mission can be broken
109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment down into three separate operations at COB
U.S. Division-North Public Affairs Speicher; maintaining and running the en-
try control point, the base reaction force,
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE and the command staff’s personal security
SPEICHER, Iraq – Twenty-four hours a detail, explained Stratton.
day the “The Shield of the Ironhorse” For each facet of the base defense mis-
guards the Gates of Contingency Operat- sion, Company D coordinates with the
ing Base Speicher, protecting the men and Base Defense Operations Center for plan-
women serving as part of Task Force Iron- ning, intelligence and support, explained
horse. Stratton.
Deployed in support of Operation New “If there are any significant events relat-
Dawn, Soldiers of Company D, Division ed to enemy activity or force protection, we
Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Di- push that information down to Company D
vision, are charged with the execution of so that they can take the appropriate actions
the COB Speicher defense and force pro- to increase security at the entry control
tection mission, said Capt. Wayne Stratton. point and increase readiness of the base re-
“Our job is to maintain base defenses action force,” said Staff Sgt. Clayton Lam,
and force protection for the COB so that BDOC noncommissioned officer, assigned
the units stationed on Speicher can conduct to Headquarters Support Company, DSTB.
their advise, train and assist missions with- Providing the personnel and planning
out having to worry about base security,” needed to ensure the execution of the base
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Ingram, USD-N PAO
said Stratton, commander, Company D. defense mission, Soldiers of Company D,
known as “The Shield of the Ironhorse,” Spc. Hezel Donre, a signal support specialist
from Pohnpei, Micronesia, assigned to Com-
must maintain a high level of mission read- pany D, Division Special Troops Battalion,
iness, situational awareness and flexibility 4th Infantry Division, conducts daily preven-
with the mission-set, said Stratton. tive maintenance checks and services on a
The Shield of the Ironhorse conducts Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle at
Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq,
weapons familiarization exercises, crew March, 1, 2011. “The Shield of the Ironhorse,”
drills, pre-combat checks and pre-combat Soldiers of Company D are responsible for
inspections of equipment and weapons to maintaining and running the entry control
remain mission ready. points, maintaining the Base Reaction Force
and providing security for the command of
“There is a lot that goes into this mis- 4th Inf. Div. and U.S. Division-North.
sion,” said Staff Sgt. Philip Hackler, non-
commissioned officer in charge of the BRF. The Soldiers of Company D place equal
“We are a small company to begin with, so importance on all parts of its mission and
planning is a big part of making sure all the realize the significance of the mission at the
pieces are in the right place.” entry control point.
The BRF has the task of ensuring the “The ECP is the main avenue on and
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Strayer, 109th MPAD, USD-N
integrity of the COB perimeter, and acts as off of the COB,” said Spc. Joshua Burch, a
Spc. Joshua Burch, Company D, Division Spe- a quick reaction force should the base be- wheeled vehicle mechanic, who serves as a
cial Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, come the target of enemy attacks, Hackler gunner and driver for Company D.
assumes a good firing position to make ac- said. “If someone with bad intentions is going
curate, precise shots during weapons famil- “We are on call 24 hours-a-day, seven to attempt to enter the COB, chances are
iarization training at Memorial Range located
near Contingency Operating Base Speicher, days-a-week because the enemy is unpre- they are not going to jump over the wire
Iraq, Jan. 14, 2011. Burch, a wheeled vehicle dictable, and we need to always be ready,” or do something crazy,” said Burch. “They
mechanic who serves as a gunner and driv- said Spc. John Rohrback, a cook assigned are going to try to sneak through the ECP.
er for Company D, is part of the unit’s Base to the Company D BRF. That’s why we have to stay ready.”
Reaction Force. The Company D mission of
upholding force protection standards on the The BRF conducts routine patrols inside Burch said Company D Soldiers remain
COB means that Soldiers, who serve as “The and outside the COB perimeter wire to en- committed in their efforts to ensure that the
Shield of the Ironhorse,” must maintain a sure the integrity of the base and the safety multi-faceted base defense mission is ex-
high level of mission readiness. of its Soldiers. ecuted to standard.
7

8. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
‘Chaos’ Soldiers enhance proficiency,
clear path for ‘lost art’ of engineering
Spc. Kandi Huggins Stride Breaching, Siebert said
1st AATF Public Affairs validating his Soldier’s abilities
1st Inf. Div., USD-N through tough, realistic training
remains important to the devel-
CONTINGENCY OPERAT- opment of his Soldiers and the
ING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – successful accomplishment of
“Fire in the hole,” yelled “Cha- the mission.
os” Soldiers of Company C, 1st Since the majority of the Sol-
Brigade Special Troops Battal- diers had not practiced manual
ion, 1st Advise and Assist Task breaching since basic training,
Force, 1st Infantry Division, Siebert began the breach train-
from Fort Riley, Kan., follow- ing with simple familiarization.
ing the second simulated deto- As the event progressed,
nation of an explosive-laced Soldiers completed different
wire. A path cleared, the Sol- scenarios, combining situations
diers continued breaching the such as casualty evacuation
notional “minefield.” exercises, to make the training
Combat engineers conduct- more varied and realistic.
ed In-Stride Breach training Spc. Kevin Gibson, a com-
at Contingency Operating Site bat engineer from Pulaski,
Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, March 5. Tenn., Company C, 1st AATF,
The training provided ju- 1st Inf. Div., said he liked the
nior enlisted Soldiers of Com- hands-on training because it
pany C the opportunity to re- added to the fundamentals he
fine skills that are becoming a was taught during basic train-
“lost art” for combat engineers, ing.
explained Staff Sgt. Patrick Si- In the days prior to the
erbert, acting platoon sergeant training exercise, engineers
and combat engineer serving practiced mine breaching tech-
with Company C, 1st STB, 1st niques without using vehicles.
AATF. Once the training began, in-
“What we’re doing today dividual teams positioned their
is a squad manual minefield vehicles approximately 50 me-
breach drill,” said Sierbert. “As ters from the breach site.
combat engineers, our task is The ‘grappler,’ the Soldier U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alyxandra McChesney, 1st AATF PAO,1st Inf. Div., USD-N
to enable mobility for our sup- charged with the light weight Spc. Nathan Miller, combat engineer, Company C, 1st Brigade Support
porting units with breaches, grapnel hook, exited the ve- Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Inf. Div., casts a grap-
nel to clear an area of notional trip wires during a breaching exercise
like the one we’re practicing.” hicle and made his way toward at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, March 4, 2011. Miller, a combat
Engineers deployed in sup- the minefield, throwing the engineer from Rexburg, Idaho, practiced the minefield breaching ex-
port of Operation New Dawn grapnel hook into the minefield ercise as part of proficiency training conducted by “Devil” Brigade en-
conduct primarily route clear- while taking cover. The grap- gineers to maintain and develop skills required of combat engineers.
The engineers, serving with U.S. Division-North in support of Opera-
ance missions, which leaves pler pulled the grapnel hook tion New Dawn, began training on core tasks in January to maintain
some of the Soldiers, especially through the notional minefield proficiency.
the junior enlisted troops, with- to clear a path for the Soldiers,
out the actual experience or searching for any trip wires that field and clearing a lane for the the pathway.
training on the breaching skills could be harmful to his team in vehicles, assembled and deto- Siebert said a successful
relevant to their military oc- completing the mission. nated an explosive line charge. search is conducted within a
cupational specialty, explained After the grappler reached Once the squad leader ap- 10-minute standard, which
Sierbert, a Jackson, Mo. native. the minefield, the demolition proved the breach lane, a Sol- Chaos Soldiers of Company C
Tasked to advise, train and team moved out. The team, dier marked it with traffic cones will validate during a live fire
assist Iraqi Army engineer units responsible for breaching the that formed a funnel to guide exercise in the near future.
in military exercises such as In- concertina wire surrounding the the following vehicles through
8

9. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
Safety manager combats complacency
through diligence and dedication
Cpl. Robert England devices.” Longa.
2nd Advise and Assist Brigade PAO In addition to providing safety standards Longa’s eye for safety developed during
25th Infantry Division, USD-N for Soldiers, Longa visits various operating 21 years of U.S Army service as a weapons
areas around Contingency Operating Base technician, which, he said, has greatly as-
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Warhorse, ensuring civilian contractors use sisted him during his eight years as a safety
WARHORSE, Iraq – During the course of safety gear according to policy. inspector.
a 12-month deployment, Soldiers perform Preventing accidents and eliminating “Safety for me started out as an addi-
the same tasks daily, establishing and rein- complacency allows Soldiers and civil- tional duty while in uniform,” he said.
forcing a routine to increase their efficien- ians to accomplish daily duties with mini-
cy in a skill or profession. A negative and mal danger to themselves and others, said See SAFETY, pg. 11
potentially dangerous side-effect to rep-
etitious performance of routine tasks and
missions, is that even the most dedicated
Soldiers can become complacent.
The Department of Defense employs
knowledgeable professionals to assist
troops in maintaining high safety standards
and counter complacency to accomplish
their missions.
“The Army doesn’t train Soldiers to do
the wrong thing; it’s not that kind of insti-
tution,” said David Longa, Safety officer
of 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th
Infantry Division. “Sometimes, however,
Soldiers get complacent, and my job is to
curb that complacency.”
A native of Mangilao, Guam, Longa
said he provides professional and tactical
advice to commanders regarding individu-
al and unit-level safety policies and proce-
dures.
In addition to advising commanders on
creating a safe environment for their Sol-
diers, Longa combats complacency by con-
ducting routine safety inspections of living
and working areas around post.
“You can never find him in his office,
because he’s always out at each of the units
seeing how he can help them,” said 1st Lt.
Olha Vandergriff, assistant personnel offi-
cer, Headquarters and Headquarters Com-
pany, Special Troops Battalion, 2nd AAB,
25th Inf. Div.
Longa randomly inspects Soldiers’ per-
sonal protective equipment for quality con-
trol, and advises commanders on imple-
menting policies for Soldiers’ safety.
“I always stress the importance of safe-
ty, even if it takes a few extra minutes to
do something the right way,” he said. “It U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Robert England, 2nd AAB PAO, 25th Inf. Div., USD-N
takes less than that for someone to get hurt, David Longa, a veteran with 21 years of service with the U.S. Army and the Safety officer of
so I check for the proper uses of all safety 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, inspects the electrical grounding for a
generator Mar. 2, 2011, at Contingency Operating Base Warhorse, in the Diyala province of Iraq.
9

10. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
Officer brings years of experience to OND
Pfc. Alyxandra McChesney of 18, Walter deployed for the was the only female, her lead- “I was fortunate enough to
1st AATF Public Affairs Persian Gulf War as a combat ers and peers didn’t treat her have leaders that didn’t single
1st Inf. Div., USD-N medic and the only female in differently. me out as a female,” she said.
her company assigned to 4th “Being the only female I was “They gave me the same oppor-
CONTINGENCY OPERAT- Squadron, 4th Calvary Regi- never asked to do less than the tunities as every other Soldier
ING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – ment, 3rd Armored Division. male Soldiers fighting next to under them. They pushed me to
“I was the first female in my Recounting the memories of me,” she said. “I was expected strive and work hard to be the
Family to join the military,” Operation Desert Shield/Desert to do the same as everyone else, best Soldier I could be.”
said Capt. Kim Walter, opera- Storm, a distant look settled on and that’s what I did.” In 2007, Walter decided to
tions officer serving with 101st Walter’s face, describing some In 2004, Walter deployed make the change from enlisted
Brigade Support Battalion, 1st of the experiences that made in support of Operation Iraqi to officer.
Advise and Assist Task Force, her the Soldier and officer she Freedom as a platoon leader “I have seen the Army
1st Infantry Division. “I didn’t is today. and flight medic with 50th change … in so many different
join for the money, and I didn’t “It was my first time away Medical Company, 101st Air- ways since I joined,” she said.
join for school. I joined to serve from home—I had no idea what borne Division, also known as “I have seen it go from ‘Be all
for my country.” to expect,” said Walter. “I was the Air Ambulance unit, based that you can be’ to ‘Army of
Walter credits her military exposed to things I had never out of Fort Campbell, Ky. One,’ and now ‘Army Strong’,”
experience in helping to ensure seen before.” “I’ll never forget the expe- said Walter.
the Soldiers of 101st BSB, 1st “When we moved from Ku- riences I had in OIF. I still re- “I do miss being (a noncom-
AATF, succeed in accomplish- wait to Iraq ... the moment we member every patient I worked missioned officer) and working
ing their mission in support of engaged the enemy we had to on, every detail of their injuries directly with my Soldiers. An
Operation New Dawn. jump out of the vehicle, dig fox and every face. Those are some officer’s job does more of the
The journey began for Wal- holes and get into our fighting of the things I will never for- preparation and planning of
ters, who calls Crowley, La. positions, until the enemy fire get,” said Walter. missions and the NCO works
home, when she enlisted into was suppressed,” described While deployed as a flight directly with the Soldiers to
the U.S. Army as a private in Walter. medic, her job was to respond execute, and get the missions
1990. One year later, at the age Walter said even though she to medical evacuations by heli- done.”
copter, where in most cases the Walter uses her experience
wounded Soldiers were seri- and knowledge to help her staff
ously injured or killed in action. and Soldiers grow in their mili-
“I joined as a combat medic tary careers and overcome any
to help people,” she said. “Until obstacles they may face while
then, I didn’t realize the capac- deployed.
ity in what I could do to save “Because of her experience
people’s lives.” as an NCO, we can turn to her
Walter was recognized for for any questions, advice or
her achievements in a National concerns we may have,” said
Geographic Book “Count On Staff Sgt. Jonathan Grape,
Us: American Women in the battle operations NCO of 101st
Military” by Amy Nathan, pub- BSB, 1st AATF, 1st Inf. Div.,
lished in 2004. U.S. Division-North. “She
“Count On Us” paid tribute teaches me new things about
to the American women in the the Army every day, and I use
military, women who served in her as a learning tool to help me
the U.S. Armed Forces from the grow as an NCO.”
Revolutionary War to Opera- Walter said she is approach-
tion Iraqi Freedom and to those ing 21 years of active military
who made the ultimate sacrifice service and plans to continue
in their service to the nation. active service until 2017.
“Females in the army are “I am honored and proud to
U.S. Army photo courtesy of Capt. Kim Walter, 101st BSB, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N significant; we are important. say that I serve and fight with
Capt. Kim Walter, operations officer with 101st Brigade Support Bat- Our military needs us, and our the most diverse organization
talion, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, then a country needs us,” said Walter, in the world, the U.S. military,”
Sgt. 1st Class flight medic serving with 50th Medical Company, 101st
Airborne Division, in front of her U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicop- referring to the book and to her said Walters.
ter in Taji, Iraq, 2004, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. own service.
10

11. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
Chaplain’s Tame Your Inner Two-
Corner: Year Old, buy with sense
Maj. Paul Foreman when they get a payment book about as it now!
Family Life Chaplain thick as a Bible.” Each of us has a “never enough” activ-
4th Infantry Division, USD-N Some of you say, “But you’re only ity, food or behavior—and we are ready to
talking about a $15-, $20- or $30,000 car. throw a grown-up tantrum when we don’t
Did you know that when the average No one would ever get that careless about get it.
person gets in a car buying mood, they making a really important decision.” The problem is that our wants and de-
usually buy it within 48 hrs? Well, I talked with a real estate agent sires can actually starve out our true needs.
It’s called the forty-eight hour phenom- once and asked him, “What happens when The more we starve what we really need,
enon and it’s understood by car dealer- people get in a home-buying mood?” the greater our hunger grows, causing us
ships everywhere. That’s why cars are He replied, “You got to work real fast to stuff ourselves with more and more of
displayed so seductively. because the mood doesn’t last that long. our wants.
I asked a friend who was a car dealer You have to close within a day or two After stuffing ourselves full of our
whether this was true. He told me, “People … because when the home buying mood wants, we find that we’re still starving,
in the car buying mood are really some- passes it’s all over; but when the mood is empty and desperate—and the mad cycle
thing … they’ll often get fascinated with there, it’s unbelievable … a woman will repeats.
or fixate on one single feature of a car walk in and fall in love with the laundry What was a desire now becomes a
they’re looking at and they’ll make a room or a man will walk into the garage necessity, and then a necessity prolonged
decision to buy that car primarily based on and envision where his shop can be some becomes an emergency. Our “wants”
their excitement about that single feature. day. They don’t call someone to check begin masquerading as “needs.”
And you never know what it is. Some- the heating, plumbing, electricity, attic, When we spend too much time focus-
times it’s the radio. They’ll get in and fall basement, the roof … not if they are in the ing on our wants, we lose sight of the
in love with it so much they’ll buy the mood.” deeper needs of our lives. Needs like
car. Sometimes they are fascinated by the Well that is only a house. Surely no one relationships with others, love, peace, pur-
design of the dash board. Makes them feel would ever make a quick decision about pose, hope, security and needs that only
like they’re in a 747 cockpit. Sometimes something really important, like say, a life- our Creator can meet. When those needs
it’s the wheels; they always wanted a car time partner. Surely no one would slip into are met, there is contentment in life and
with raised lettered tires. the marrying mood and make a decision of the “wants” lose their stranglehold on us.
They don’t read Consumer’s Report— that magnitude. Are you spending so much time trying
don’t check the repair record of that mod- Surely no one would be foolish enough to get what you want that you have no
el. They neglect to analyze how quickly to fixate on one or two features of another energy left to get what you really need?
the car’s going to depreciate. They don’t human being, get engaged and set a wed- My encouragement to you, as well as
even look at the warrantee information. ding date without carefully scrutinizing to myself, is to focus on our true needs,
They’re in the ‘mood.’ So they do the the other factors—but it happens all the and remember the words of the warrior
deal, sign the papers and drive it usually time. King David who said in Psalm 23:1-3,
within 48 hours from the time they got “I’ve got to have it. I can’t wait.” “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be
in the ‘mood.’ I wonder how they feel We’ve all said those words. We tend to in want. He makes me lie down in green
two or three days later, when buyer’s think we have to have certain things in pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
remorse sets in—when reality comes— order to be fulfilled, and, usually, we want he restores my soul.”
Continued from SAFETY, pg. 9
“My job in the service dealt investigation. finding and noting all the viola- military experience and love for
with weapons and explosives, He also learned to gather in- tions. When we got back to the Soldiers as the primary reason
and I didn’t want my Soldiers formation from the field, during class, we used what we were he has devoted so much of his
to get hurt, so we were always the interactive segment of the taught in the previous class- life to promoting the benefits of
safety-conscious.” class, which allowed trainees to room portion of the training to living and working safely.
As a Soldier, Longa said he correctly identify safety viola- generate our own reports.” “To do this job and be suc-
attended a week-long training tions and hazards. After completing inspec- cessful, you need to understand
program where he learned the “We were taken to a han- tions at COB Warhorse, Longa how the military operates as a
administrative responsibilities gar with all of the violations compiles data, using his train- whole,” he said. “That and you
of being a safety officer; how already in place,” Longa said. ing and relays it to his counter- have to want to save Soldiers’
to properly gather and report “We were split into groups as parts at U.S. Division-North. lives.”
information during an accident trainees and were tasked with Longa cited his extensive
11

12. The Ivy Leaf March 11, 2011
Hey Doc: ‘Should Hey IRAQ! ReAd stoRIes And cHeck
we be worried about out ouR pHotos And moRe on u.s.
dIvIsIon-noRtH’s socIAl medIA sItes!
Leishmaniasis?’ “Like” the United States
Division-North, 4th In-
Capt. Nathan Teague What you can do to protect
Preventive Medicine yourself? fantry Division Face-
U.S. Division-North 1. Understand the enemy: book page to get all the
Sand flies make no sound
“Hey Doc, I’m a big fan of when they fly and are very recent news on events
the television series, “Mon- difficult to see. Generally, sand taking place in U.S. Di-
sters Inside Of Me.” Unfortu- flies feed at dusk and during
nately, I’m also prone to worry. the night. The first sand fly vision-North, such as Tadreeb al Shamil,
Recently, the series featured bite you receive may not be Arabic for All Inclusive Training, where
a disease called Leishmania noticed; however, successive
bites become painful quickly.
our troops stationed throughout north-
… something or other. You
Preventive Medicine folks are 2. Wear your permethrin ern Iraq advise, train and assist our Iraqi
protecting us aren’t you?” – treated uniform properly as a counterparts in creating self sustaining
Signed “Nervous Nelly” physical barrier.
3. Use insect repellent 20 to training modules in conjunction with
Dear “Nervous Nelly,” I’m 50 percent DEET—N, N-di- learning modern tactics and increasing
sorry you are nervous about ethyl-meta-toluamid—to cover
this. Welcome to my world. exposed skin.
their external war fighting capabilities.
I’ve been worrying about 4. Don’t feed or shelter feral Don’t forget to look over this issue of the
Leishmaniasis for a while now. animals, which are reservoirs Ivy Leaf, as well as past issues!
This disease is indeed worthy of disease.
of “careful consideration.” “Nervous Nelly,” fear is a www.facebook.com/UnitedStates-
As the rainy season ends proper and healthy motiva-
and warmer months approach, tor in some instances. I’ve DivisionNorth4thInfantryDivision
insects such as sand flies, mos- included pictures which will
quitoes and ticks will begin to help others acquire the same Is your work station pre-
emerge. respect for this disease. Spread
Along with the pesky the word sister, and Task Force venting you from access-
nuisance comes the inevitable Ironhorse keep those questions ing social media sites?
resurgence of insect-borne coming!
diseases.
Worry not, as CNN iRe-
As our presence in Iraq port makes it possible to
becomes more expeditionary keep up with recent news
in nature, the threat of insect-
borne disease becomes greater. in U.S. Division-North, along with vivid
Leishmaniasis, also known photos of U.S. Soldiers during Operation
as the “Bagdad Boil,” is
one of the most worrisome New Dawn, as they perform route clear-
insect-borne diseases. In Iraq, ance missions, parterned patrols with
Leishmaniasis is characterized
by chronic nonhealing skin
Iraqi Security Forces and provide secu-
lesions. rity for Provincial Reconstruction Teams
We acquire the disease Leishmaniais, a degenerative as they assist local Iraqi communities re-
through the bite of infected skin disease, infected this Sol-
sand flies. Indeed, Preventive diers’ hand. Sand flies, a prevel- build their infrastructure.
ant pest in Iraq, carries the virus
Medicine personnel are taking
measures to reduce disease,
which it transfers after biting and
feeding on the host. The disease
www.ireport.ccn.com/
and one of our primary mea- is not to be taken lightly as some
types of Leishmaniasis can be fa-
people/4thInfDiv
sures is Soldier education.
tal if not treated promptly.
12