Public Affairs Office

The Iron Sights is produced in the interest of the Soldiers of the 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade,
4th Infantry Division. The Iron Sights is an Army-funded magazine authorized under provision
of AR 360-1.

Contents of the Iron Sights are not necessarily the views of, nor endorsed by the U.S.
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and Assist Public Affairs Office.

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reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the publication.

Submissions should be emailed to Spc. Boykin at: chastity.boykin@us.army.mil.

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On the Cover

Col. James E. Rainey

Commander

Command Sgt. Maj. Miles S. Wilson

Command Sergeant Major

Maj. Alan S. Brown

Public Affairs Officer

Print Staff
Spc. Chastity R. Boykin..................Staff Writer
Pfc. Khori D. Johnson.....................Staff Writer
Photo by Pfc. Khori D. Johnson
Staff Sgt. David Thomas, chaplain’s
Pvt. DeAngelo M. Wells..................Staff Writer
assistant, HHT, 3rd STB, 3rd AAB, 4th
Inf. Div., takes in the sunrise on Camp
Adder.
In This Issue
F ollowing I n G randfather ’ s F ootsteps 3

R oute C learance 5

Pacesetters M eet Their N eighbors 7

I ron F ist: I mproving U nity of E ffort 9

S taying I ron S trong 11

S ilhouette : D esert Twilight 15

G unnery : K eeping C ombat C apability 17

A ssuring S afety 20

S occer B rings S oldiers and I raqi Police Together 21

Team S teel Trains W ith I raqi Police 23

Z iggurat B rings Tourism to I raq 25

R eflecting on I raq 27
 Greetings again from southern Iraq,

Another month has passed, and with it we are into November and nearing Veterans Day. With that in mind,
I wanted to say a few words about our Soldiers and the sacrifices that they make for our country, both now and
in the past.

Currently, less than one percent of our nation serves in the military, and less than six percent have ever
served. It makes me proud every day to serve with the men and women who have raised their hand and sworn
to support and defend. Their selfless service is inspirational and just being in their presence is an extremely
humbling experience. As you enjoy the long weekend, please take a moment to think about the Soldiers,
Airmen, Sailors and Marines who serve our great country, past and present.

In October, the rear detachment for 3rd AAB changed command, with Lt.
Col. Jay Bullock taking over and Maj. Joe Bethel coming forward to join
the brigade in Iraq. I would like to extend my thanks to Maj. Bethel for his
superb work during the first half of the deployment and let the Families
back at Fort Carson know that they are getting a true professional in Lt.
Col. Bullock to continue the excellent support.

In the upcoming weeks, we will be releasing details about our

homecoming and reintegration plan. It seems early to talk about such
things, but our first big groups of returning Soldiers will be home in
less than five months, and our planning is well underway. We will be
doing some things different than in the past to ensure we are providing
the maximum possible care and assistance to our Soldiers and Families.
I encourage you to attend scheduled Family Readiness Group events and
meetings to ensure you are as informed as possible and have a chance to
provide us with input, concerns, and suggestions.

Finally, on a more somber note, I would ask everyone to keep the

family of Spc. Dylan Reid in your thoughts and prayers. Spc. Reid
passed away this month from a non-combat related illness. He
was a valued member of our team and will be deeply missed.

As always, thank you for

your continued support
of your Soldier and our
nation.

Iron Strong!

1
 Family, friends and Soldiers of the Iron Brigade,

‘Trick or treat!’ is the phrase of the day this time of year. Although we won’t have any kids trick or treating
around here, we all will be very happy to see Halloween come and go. The treat is another month behind us, but
the trick is still about four and half yet to go.

The month of October was another month of great actions by Iron Strong Soldiers. Our Soldiers continue to
log thousands of miles, driving without a single accident. When asked to turn in one piece of equipment, we
make it ten. No matter what the task or mission, Iron Soldiers accomplish each one better than it has ever been
done.

Retention is no different. On October 9, 209 Iron Strong Soldiers in five locations across two countries
reenlisted to stay Army. With the help of Maj. Gen. Brooks, Brig. Gen. Dragon,
and Brig. Gen. Gibbs, all five locations conducted the oath at exactly
1:00 p.m. The reenlistees took advantage of numerous options, like
cash bonuses, staying at Fort Carson, and new duty stations. But the
real thing they all got – the coveted black, Under Armor “Stay Iron
Strong” hat. Check out the story and great pictures in this edition.

Congratulations to the Pacesetters, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field

Artillery, for completing their fiscal year retention mission in 23 days!
They are the first battalion in the 4th Infantry Division to finish the
mission. A huge reason for this success goes to Staff Sgt. Daniel J.
Dever. His leadership, compassion for Soldiers and dedication to duty
are unmatched. The Pacesetters have set the bar high, but I’m sure all the
battalions will achieve their missions very soon.

The days are getting cooler, and the sun is setting earlier and earlier
every day. The high temperature now only has two numbers instead
of three. As the sun rises in November, we have much to be thankful
for. Veteran’s Day is always a special day for us serving here in
Iraq. I’d like to say, “Thank You” to all veterans for their sacrifice
and service to our great nation. The big holiday is Thanksgiving.
We, here, will certainly miss our friends and family very much,
but I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we are very
thankful for your thoughts, prayers and love.

Happy Veteran’s Day!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Iron Strong!!

2
 by Spc. Jerry Ellis
1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div

For many years the U.S. Army

has been a melting pot of Soldiers
from different cultures, races and
religions, all joining the Army for
reasons as different as their diverse
backgrounds.
For Pfc. Chelsea Draper, Forward
Support Company, 1st Battalion,
8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Advise
and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division, joining the military
meant following in the footsteps of
her grandfather.
A member of the Navajo tribe
located in Chinle, Ariz., Teddy
Draper Sr. served in the U.S.
Marine Corps over 60 years ago,
utilizing the Navajo language,
or Diné Ke’Ji, to transmit coded
messages as a code talker.
Native Americans served in the
U.S. Military as code talkers in
the Marines from World War I to
Vietnam. Used to transmit coded
messages over radio and telephone,
the languages they spoke were
unwritten and undecipherable by
the enemy.
Draper grew up very close to her
grandfather, hearing of his service
as a code talker during World War
II. Draper Sr. retired as a Sergeant
Major. He received a Purple Heart,
the Congressional Gold Medal and
his own personal Congressional

3

Pfc. Chelsea Draper, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div. prepares to drive
her military vehicle to its guard point to protect Camp Garry Owen in Maysan.
Silver Medal, among numerous
other honors.
Draper, a Chinle, Ariz., native
said her grandfather is the reason
she even thought about joining the
Army.
“Even at a young age, I could
see the pride my grandfather took
in having served his country, and
I also understood the sacrifices he
made,” Draper said.
Draper has traveled a long way
from the beautiful red-rocked
mesas of Arizona to the golden
sands of Iraq. Growing up on
the reservation, she was raised
within the native culture of her
grandfather.
“I speak and write in our native
Navajo language, in addition to
English, following in a tradition
our clan has kept alive as part of
its heritage, along with its religion,
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Plowman
beliefs, legends and values,”
Draper said.
When she was considering
carrying on the tradition of military
service, Draper’s grandfather
didn’t coax her at all. But when
she told him she had decided to
join, she could see how proud he
was of her.
“He gave me his full support,
calling me ‘my Soldier,’” she said.
“I miss her and I worry about
her,” Draper Sr. said. “But America
needs its defenders, and I support
Chelsea.”
From the peaceful wind
chimes of Chinle, Ariz., to the
swirling heat of Maysan, Iraq, the
connection between grandfather
and granddaughter remains a
strong and vital force in Draper’s
life.
4

Pfc. Seth Jones, a combat engineer, Company E, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., tests the functions of the
TALON robot before a route clearance mission along main supply route Tampa. The robot is used to safely probe for and
interrogate suspected explosive devices.
by Staff Sgt. Christopher Jelle
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Office
Denying the enemy opportunities
to place explosives is the focus
and mission for the Soldiers of
Company E, 1st Battalion, 8th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade
Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division. The roads and routes
of Iraq are frequently patrolled
by Soldiers and their high-tech
equipment to help ensure the safety
of U.S. and Iraqi security forces.
‘Beast’ Platoon, Company E,
performs a route clearance mission
several times a week with vehicles
5
outfitted with cameras, probing
arms, remotely operated weapons
and high-powered spotlights. Five
of the vehicles are variants of the
proven Mine Resistant Ambush
Protected vehicle, while the
smaller, but still heavily-armored,
Husky resembles an MRAP fused
with a tractor.
“[Route Clearance] has changed
dramatically since my last two
deployments,” said Sgt. 1st Class
Byron Flakes, platoon sergeant,
Beast platoon, Company E,
attached to 3rd Battalion, 29th
Field Artillery Regiment. “Now
we actually have the means to
Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Jelle
interrogate IEDs with the Buffalo,
the Husky and the TALON robot.”
The Husky is a one-person
vehicle that travels out front and
acts as the first method of detection
for potential ambush points. Using
special technology, the Husky
allows Soldiers to “see” the
surrounding area at a safe distance.
The information provided helps
the Soldiers find objects recently
placed on the side or the median of
the road and distinguish possible
threats.
The arm attached to the Husky
can be used to investigate small
and suspicious objects but heavier

The remote manipulator arm, operated by Pfc. Nicholas Bolchak, combat engineer, Company E, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd
AAB, 4th Inf. Div.,flips over a plastic pallet and probes a piece of training debris during a functions check before being used
for a mission later that evening.
debris calls for a little more
muscle.
The Buffalo’s remote
manipulator arm is used to sweep,
push, and lift debris out of the
way to either investigate a threat
or move it to a safer location
to prevent its use as cover for a
possible improvised explosive
device. The arm also has a spur,
resembling a bird’s talon, which
can root around to look for wires
or attached devices buried in the
dirt and sand.
Pfc. Nicholas Bolchalk, the
main operator for the manipulator
arm, says he enjoys operating the
arm because it’s like using a giant
robotic Lego set.
“It’s actually kind of neat. And
then to know that you’re actually
helping Soldiers and preventing
IEDs from going off – well, there’s
a lot of pride in this job,” he said.
It isn’t always practical
or possible for one of the
interrogation vehicles to inspect
a potential threat. That is where
Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Jelle
smaller remote devices like the IEDs that are already emplaced.
TALON robot come in. Sgt. Kevin Sosa, combat
With its small and lightweight engineer, said he enjoys actually
design, under 100 pounds, the finding and clearing the hazards,
tracked robot can move off-road because it’s one less IED to worry
and around immovable obstacles. about.
Using four cameras, the Soldier “It’s always a good day when
operating the device can get a you don’t find anything, but it’s
close-up view of the target. The a better day when you do,” said
TALON also has a movable arm Sosa.
that can sweep, pick-up, or drag an
object to a safer location
without exposing the
Soldiers to further risk.
“It’s kind of
like playing
a video game,”
said Sgt. Robert Antoff,
the main TALON operator.
“You get to use a joystick,
and you sit there and watch
the screen. It’s a lot of fun
to use.”
So while the unit’s
main objective is to
limit the enemy from
emplacing IEDs, it also
is fully capable of disabling
6
 by Capt. Andrew Huth
3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.
On the evening of Sept. 11,
members of Headquarters Battery,
3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery
Regiment, took some time to meet
and get to know their neighbors.
In this case, the neighbors
were members of Bedouin tribes
that live close to Camp Adder, a
sprawling hub of military activity
located in southern Iraq, near the
city of An Nasiriyah.
The Pacesetter Battalion operates
out of this base, and frequently
traverses areas occupied by
Bedouins. Because of this, Capt.
Ryan Mendenhall, of Efrum, Utah,
headquarters battery commander
Sgt. Jamal Davis, of Tuskegee, Ala., and Sgt. Jonathan Arvay, of La Porte, Ind., provide security while their patrol talks to
a Bedouin tribe.
7
at the time, thought it would be a
good idea to develop relationships
with some of the tribes.
“Back home, most people try
to get to know the other people
in their community. That way
everyone can live together without
any issues. Essentially, we’re
trying to do the same thing here,”
said Mendenhall.
After conducting a safety brief,
where they covered everything
from what routes to take to what
to do in the event of a fire, the
convoy, led by Sgt. 1st Class
Ovidio Mejia, of Aguadilla, Puerto
Rico, set out towards the sandy
expanse where the Bedouins live.
The lumbering vehicles known as
MRAPs had to take it slow over
the uneven terrain, but before long,
the patrol spotted several tents set
up in the desert and stopped about
100 meters away from them.
Once the Soldiers got out of their
vehicles, some of the Bedouin
elders approached them, offering
the traditional greeting of a kiss on
the cheek. The elders then invited
the Soldiers into one of the tents
to sit and talk. Inside the tent, the
Bedouins brought out chai tea, and
discussions erupted on subjects
ranging from the Eid festival,
marking the end of Ramadan, to
democracy and the role of United
States forces in Iraq.
Several hours later, and after
Photo courtesy of Capt. Andrew Huth
 Photo courtesy of Capt. Andrew Huth
[Top] Capt. Andrew Huth, Capt. Ryan Mendenhall, and Sgt. 1st Class Ovidio Mejia talk with several elders of a Bedouin tribe
with the help of an interpreter, Alex. [Bottom] A Bedouin woman and girl look on as Soldiers meet with the elders of the tribe.

many spirited discussions, the

Soldiers said their good-byes and
left, but not before promising
to return again later to continue
building the relationship with the
Bedouin tribes.
Afterwards, the unit’s executive
officer, Capt. Donald Mills, of
Rome, N.Y., reflected on the trip
saying, “I think we accomplished
a lot, even though we just sat
and talked and enjoyed their
hospitality. Now, they know us and
we know them, so they’re more
likely to tell us when something is
wrong, or if they notice something
out of the ordinary. That can be all
the difference between us being
successful in our mission or not.”

8

Iraqi soldiers and police sit in a map and communication skills class led by the Department of Border Enforcement at Camp
Basra, Iraq on Oct. 12. Task Force Blackjack, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., provided support for the
event.
by Sgt. David Dasilma
4th Sqdn., 10th Cav., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.
In coordination with the Iraqi
Army and Iraqi Customs Police,
and with the advisory support
of Task Force Blackjack, 4th
Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment,
3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th
Infantry Division and Security
Transition Team Janus, the Fourth
Region Department of Border
Enforcement conducted a staff
and leader focused map and
communication exercise Oct. 5.
Dubbed “Iron Fist,” this was
the first DBE-orchestrated, joint
security forces effort during
Operation New Dawn and the first-
ever exercise of its kind conducted
in Basra Province.
The exercise served to train
DBE leaders to more effectively
9
command and control subordinate
units, while improving cooperation
and communication between
DBE, Iraqi army, and Iraqi police
in order to counter any threats to
Iraq’s sovereignty and security.
“The security and sovereignty
of Iraq is totally dependent on
the ability of the individual ISF
organizations to control their
area of operations and, more
importantly, their ability to work
together toward a common goal,”
said STT Chief, Col. Steven
Scioneaux, of New Orleans, La.
“Events such as this exercise stress
the importance of cooperation
as well as improve the ability of
the ISF to do their job right, thus
providing security for the Iraqi
people.”
The exercise was executed
Photo by Maj. Anthony Parker
without combat forces and
consisted of a training scenario
based on a fictional set of insurgent
smuggling operations.
“Our primary role was to help
the DBE achieve its desired
end state and training results by
offering our advice, experience,
and assistance,” said Lt. Col.
Christopher Engen, the TF
Blackjack commander.
“Along with the Team Janus
advisors, we reviewed and
provided feedback to the exercise
directive, and offered suggestions
from our own command and
control exercise experience,”
said Engen. “The DBE leaders
and staff were very receptive and
appreciative of our collaboration.”
Iron Fist participants from both
Iraqi security forces and U.S. forces
 Photos by Maj. Anthony Parker
[Top] A birdseye view from the gunner’s hatch in a helicopter during aerial reconnasaince missions held near Camp Basra
Sept. 30. [Bottom] U.S. Forces sit with 4th Region Department of Border Enforcement Commander, Staff Brig. Gen. Dhafar,
during the briefing.

capitalized on the opportunity to
strengthen their readiness and gain
planning experience.
During the day-long exercise,
the DBE reacted to different
situational training scenarios
designed to improve speed of
response, mission effectiveness,
interoperability and unity of effort.
This type of integrated and
combined training helps to
ensure the right mix of forces and
equipment at the right place and
time and builds a cadre of inter-
agency leaders working together
for a safer country with self-
sustaining security forces.
It also served to identify any
communication and coordination
issues between the IA, IP, and
DBE, which allows the U.S.
advisory forces to focus training
the ISF on any deficiencies.
“I’m appreciative of the staff and
U.S. forces’ efforts,” said Staff
Brig. Gen. Dhafar, commander
4th Region DBE. “ I am looking
forward to the DBE working up
to the next level of capability and
coordination. I encourage you to
share your opinions with the DBE
staff as a means to improve.”
“The key outcome of this exercise
is improved communication and
coordination between the ISF
as well as the establishment of
confidence in the abilities of the
4th Region DBE,” said Scioneaux.

10
 by Maj. Alan S. Brown
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Office
USD-S, each administered the oath Iraq and Kuwait to take part in the
of enlistment to “Iron” Brigade concurrent ceremonies. Eighty-
At the halfway point of their Soldiers at Camps Basra, Adder one Soldiers took the oath Camp
current deployment, 209 Soldiers and Garry Owen, respectively. Basra, 64 at Camp Adder, and 61
from 3rd Advise and Assist Soldiers came together from 12 at Camp Garry Owen. In addition,
Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, different bases across southern one Soldier took the oath at Camp
simultaneously raised their right
hands and reaffirmed the enlistment
oath Saturday, Oct. 9 during a
mass reenlistment ceremony at
five locations across southern Iraq
and Kuwait.
Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks,
commanding general, United States
Division-South; Brig. Gen. Randal
Dragon, deputy commanding
Photo by Pvt. DeAngelo M. Wells
general--support, USD-S; and Soldiers from Task Force Eagle, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., stand
Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs, deputy in formation waiting to raising their right hands to reaffirm the enlistment oath
commanding general--maneuver, Saturday Oct. 9.

11
Cropper, and two reenlisted in
Kuwait.
“You have expressed an
extension to your commitment
to your service to our nation and
not everyone does that in our
nation. Really one percent of our
fellow citizens. One percent,” said
Brooks. “That’s how small of a
group you’re in when you say ‘yes
I will support and defend. Yes, I’ll
do it again.’”
Brooks credited the Soldiers’
chain of command, saying that
Soldiers will only want to stay
in the Army if they have strong
leadership and feel they are part of Photo by Pvt. DeAngelo M. Wells
a great organization. Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs, deputy commanding general—maneuver, United States
The number 209 is noteworthy, Division—South, congratulates Soldiers from Task Force Eagle, 1st Bn. 8th
as it represents nearly half of the Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div, after administering the reenlistment oath to the
formation of 61 Soldiers, Saturday Oct. 9.
anticipated reenlistment goal for
the upcoming fiscal year. To put
this into context, during FY 2010 Photo by Maj. Alan S. Brown
the Iron Brigade’s reenlistment Brig. Gen. Randal Dragon, deputy commanding general--support, United States
goal was 472 for the entire year. Division--South, administers the oath of enlistment to 64 Soldiers from 3rd Bn.,
29th FA Reg., 64th BSB, and 3rd STB., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., at Camp Adder.
That goal is anticipated to stay
about the same this year.
To have 209 Soldiers reenlist
this early in the fiscal year is a
tremendous accomplishment for
the brigade, said Sgt. 1st Class
Gregory Zielsdorf, of Conroe,
Texas, brigade reenlistment
noncommissioned officer. He
also noted that the 209 Soldiers
volunteered for a cumulative total
of 961 years of service.
“It shows how effective and hard
the battalion career counselors
work to get their Soldiers’ needs,
wants, and desires met; not just for
the Soldiers, but for their families
as well,” said Zielsdorf
Command Sgt. Maj. Miles
Wilson, 3rd AAB, said that the
high number of reenlistments is a
direct reflection of the outstanding
quality and dedication of this
generation’s Soldiers.
“The average soldier reenlisting

12

today is on his third deployment.
They are combat veterans three
times over, and they still want to
serve their country and remain in
an organization that provides for
them and for their families,” he
said.
For Sgt. Reginel Tagalicod, of
Waipahu, Hawaii, a petroleum
supply specialist, assigned to
Company B, 64th Brigade Support
Battalion, 3rd AAB, this ceremony
13
marks his fourth reenlistment
over an 11-year career. He said
his motivation to stay Army is
attributed to the Soldiers he serves
with every day.
“It’s the brotherhood,” he said.
“It’s the people to my left and to
my right that keep me going.”
Spc. Jonathan McMullen, of
Lindale, Texas, cannon crew
member, assigned to the personal
security detail at Headquarters
Photos by Pfc. Khori Johnson
[Top] Lt. Col. Christopher Engen,
commander, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav.
Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div. and
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Crosby,
battalion sergeant major, 4th Sqdn.,
10th Cav. Reg., stand proudly with a
group of their Soldiers after the mass
reenlistment ceremony at Camp Basra.
[Bottom] Lt. Col. Christopher Engen
speaks with Spc. Stewart Gusti, of
Estes Park, Colo., 4th Sqdn, 10th Cav.
Reg., about how to enroll at the United
States Military Academy at West Point
after a mass reenlistment ceremony at
Camp Basra.
and Headquarters Battery, 3rd
Battalion, 29th Field Artillery
Regiment, 3rd AAB, took the
reenlistment oath for the first time
and said he plans to stay in until he
can complete his college degree.
“Since the fourth grade, I’ve
always wanted to join the military,”
said McMullen. “I never had a
doubt about reenlisting.”
 Photo by Pfc. Khori Johnson
Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, commanding general, United States Division—South, administers the reenlistment oath to 81
Soldiers from 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., and 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., and 64th BSB, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.

Photos by Chastity R. Boykin

Brig. Gen. Randal Dragon, deputy commanding general—support,
(left center) United States Division—South, and Command Sgt.
Maj. Miles Wilson, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., (right center) stand among
64 newly reenlisted Soldiers from 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., 64th BSB,
and 3rd STB., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.

14
 Silhouette:
Desert Twilight

15
16
 by Pfc. Khori D. Johnson Headquarters and Headquarters gain as much practices as possible.
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Office
Company, 3rd Special Troops “Some Soldiers have had
The 3rd Advise and Assist Battalion, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div. the opportunity to be part of a
Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Each three-man Bradley crew, mechanized unit, so they’ve been
is revisiting its old stomping or four-man Tank crew, tests its around the Bradley for a good part
grounds, the gunnery range, near skills in a series of offensive and of their career. But we also have
Camp Buehring, Kuwait to enable defensive engagement scenarios a some Soldiers who are coming
Soldiers to train and stay proficient minimum of three times without from units, like the 82nd Airborne
on two of their main weapons ammunition before progressing to or the 101st, who have always been
systems. the live-fire exercises. on the ground and have never been
The gunnery range enables the The range cadre encourages able to be a part of the Bradley
brigade to maintain its combat Soldiers to conduct the training system,” he said.
capability, while conducting meticulously and efficiently to In addition to Soldiers
the advise and assist mission in
southern Iraq, a role that does
not allow the brigade’s Soldiers
to work or train with their large
weapons systems.
During the gunnery rotation,
which began in September and
will continue until December,
Soldiers from all six battalions
will cycle through the week-long
iterations, which alternate between
Bradley and M-1 Tank gunnery.
Each gunnery rotation begins with
re-familiarization, followed by the
two-day gunnery. Photo by Pfc. Khori Johnson
“Our main objective was, to first, Staff Sgt. Cesar Alemon, of Los Angeles, Calif., Headquarters and Headquarters
get the new crews familiarized with Company, 3rd STB, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div. ground-guides Pfc. Dane Will, Salt Lake
the Bradley gun system,” said Sgt. City, Utah, HHC, 3rd STB, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div. on the way to upload their Bradley
onto a truck for transport to the range for gunnery training at Camp Beuhring,
1st Class James Glenn, of Redding, Kuwait.
Calif., range officer in charge,

17
transferring from non-mechanized
units, there were some Soldiers
that hadn’t received any Bradley
or Tank training since they left
advanced individual training.
“This is my first time driving a
Bradley since getting to the unit,”
said Pfc. John Biven, of Kansas
City, Mo., driver and scout, Troop
A, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry,
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div. “I learned
a lot about driving a Bradley that I
wasn’t taught in A.I.T. It was good
training.”
For many of the more experienced
Soldiers, this training provides an Photo by Pfc. Khori Johnson
important refresher. A Bradley fires a burst of ammunition down-range during the 3rd AAB, 4th Inf.
“With the missions that we had Div., gunnery training in Camp Beuhring, Kuwait.
going on for the past seven or so
years, we have guys that don’t get
to spend that much time on the
Bradley,” said Glenn. “So those
Soldiers are just shaking off the
rust.”
Some of the experienced NCOs
not only “shook off the rust” but
learned some new skills as well.
“This was more of a refresher for
me, but I also got a chance to work
with the new computer systems
in the Bradleys,” said Staff Sgt.
Thomas Leyva, of Piscataway,
N.J., Bradley commander and
scout, Troop A, 4th Sqdn., 10th
Cav. “The new system is more

18
 complex. For instance, while my
gunner is engaging a target on
his screen, I can be looking at a
different target on my screen.”
So far the rotations have gone
smoothly due to the range detail’s
emphasis on safety. “A big
thing for us out here is weapons
orientation,” said Glenn, meaning
weapons were always pointed in
the proper direction. “Also, we
make sure everyone is wearing the
proper head gear, and when on top
of the vehicles, we make sure that
our Soldiers are using three points
of contact.”
During each iteration, the range
detail must also ensure that every
training task can be completed to
standard within the allotted time.
This is no small feat in a foreign
training area with a mixed group
of Soldiers from all six battalions.
Still, the master gunners who run
the range have cracked the code.
“We’ve kind of fell into a good
rhythm with running the range,”
said Glenn. “Every person on the
range detail has specific things that
are their responsibility. That way,
we get our ammunition drawn by
a certain time, we get our vehicles
fueled by a certain time, we have
Photo by Pfc. Khori Johnson chow at a certain time, and we have
Sgt. 1st Class James Glenn, of Redding, Calif., range officer in charge, HHC,
3rd STB, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., assists Spc. Wannie Olvera, of Austin, Texas,
everything on a set schedule.”
Troop D, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., in properly clearing of the
ammunition feeder in a Bradley after Olvera’s crew finished its night run of the
gunnery training at Camp Beuhring.

19
 by 2nd Lt. Mark Ver Burg
1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.

The Soldiers of 3rd Platoon,

Company E, 1st Battalion, 68th
Armor Regiment, 3rd Advise
and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division, recently worked
with a specialized engineer
reconnaissance team to assure the
safety of a key bridge in Basra
Province.
The north Rumaylah oil field,
which is located in Basra Province,
produces a significant share of
the country’s oil, Iraq’s economic
staple. Rumaylah’s vast area,
which is spotted with oil refineries
and webbed with pipeline, is cut
off in the north by a swamp. This
Photo courtesy of 2nd Lt. Mark Ver Burg
presents a challenge for trucks Maj. Joseph Miozzi, Army Corps of Engineers, Sandy Zelen, and Master Sgt.
transporting heavy machinery Sheila Stewart take and record measurements from the north Rumaylah Bridge
and industrial supplies which while Spc. Cody Vaughn, of Louisville, Ky., provides local security.
are necessary for ongoing oil
production. deployments is staying trained on and supplementing 3rd Platoon’s
Access points onto the field from our engineer-centric tasks,” said security measures.
the south are plentiful, but only Capt. Evan Munson, of Glendale, Sgt. Douglas Vaughan of
one bridge connects the oil field’s Ariz., engineer, 1st Bn., 68th Colorado Springs, Colo., who
northern border to the rest of Iraq. Armor Reg. “This mission was a led the security element for the
Recently the integrity of this bridge chance for our platoon to stretch its mission, said, “I miss getting to be
has been called into question. legs on the ground and accomplish on the ground and interacting with
When United States Division a core engineer skill with other people like this.”
– South determined that the engineers.” The engineer recon team took
Rumaylah bridge required United States Division--South a number of measurements and
attention, they looked to Camp provided 3rd Platoon, Exile with pictures from the top and underside
Basra’s only engineer company. four civil engineering experts to of the bridge to determine the
“Exile” Company is an engineer survey the bridge on the northern bridge’s capacity to withstand
unit of combat engineers and border of the Rumaylah oil field. heavy vehicles. They also looked
infantryman capable of civil Once at the site, 3rd Platoon for damage to structural elements
engineer tasks like the bridge secured both sides of the bridge to of the bridge.
reconnaissance, but its primary allow the bridge classification team Pending the results of this
mission on this tour is to provide to work safely. Within minutes the reconnaissance mission, the bridge
route clearance for routes around Iraqi security forces personnel may see some repairs which will
the city of Basra. who work near the bridge offered enable safer and easier access to
“One challenge of back-to-back their assistance, controlling traffic the oil fields from the north.

20

Members of the 38th BDE, 10th Div. IA, along with 1st Lt. Conor Trulsson, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.,
and Col. Ronald Rose, 10th Div. IA Transition Team, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., pose for a group photo after winning the soccer
tournament.
by 1st Lt. Matthew C. Landon
1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.
Soldiers assigned to the quick
reaction force Company A, 1st
Battalion 8th Infantry Regiment,
3rd Advise and Assist Brigade,
4th Infantry Division, train with
members of the Amarah Iraqi
Police in an effort to shorten their
response time to any threatening
situations in the Maysan Province.
This partnership also provides
additional security for any actions
against Camp Garry Owen.
The police stationed on Camp
Garry Owen have received multiple
days of training from the various
platoons of “Assault” Company.
The training included tasks such
as how to employ machine guns,
how to secure areas, and how to
conduct sensitive site exploitation.
21
Photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Matthew C. Landon
The police are learning to conduct
the same defensive actions as the
Iraqi army.
“We love the training that
the U.S. forces give us,” said a
noncommissioned officer from the
Maysan police. “It makes us better
police and helps us to accomplish
things.”
With the emergence of Operation
New Dawn, Iraqi Police have
become a bigger part of the security
mission in Maysan province.
The Army’s partnership with the
Maysan IP provides training that
will allow Iraqi Police to take full
control of the province and support
the city of Amarah once the Army
completes its mission. At that time,
the IP will have the mission of
providing security and protection
for Maysan province.
“We really are accomplishing
things with the IP quick reaction
force being here on Camp Garry
Owen,” said 1st Lt. Conor
Trulsson, of Cape Girardeau, Mo.,
1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. “With our
training and their positive energy,
I think we are making Maysan
province a better place.”
To further bolster the newly
formed partnership, members of
Assault Company recently hosted
a Maysan-wide U. S. forces and
Iraqi Security Forces soccer
tournament Sept. 25 at Camp
Sparrowhawk.
ISF teams from all over the
province were invited to play in
an eight-team, single-elimination
tournament. These teams included
members from each company
of 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., as well
as Iraqi Department of Border
Enforcement, Iraqi Police, Iraqi
army, and Federal Police.
From the moment the tournament
started, U.S. teams realized they
didn’t have a chance versus the
Iraq security forces that practice
soccer almost every day. This was
evident as each of the Fighting
Eagles’ teams was eliminated in
the first round.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity
to have fun and play against U.S.
forces, as well as other Iraq Security
forces,” said a 10th Division Iraqi
Army Soldier, despite losing
earlier in the tournament.
In the second round, two of the
ISF teams were eliminated, leaving
only the 38th Brigade Iraqi Army
and the Maysan Federal Police for
the championship.
The match between the 38th
BDE IA and the Maysan Federal
Police was intense. At the end
of regulation the score was 0-0,
causing the championship game to
go into a shoot out.
Each team selected their five best
players. After the first six shots
were taken, the shootout was tied
at three goals apiece. The next shot
came from the Federal Police and
was blocked by the goalie from
38th IA. The 38th IA then made
the following two shots with the Photos courtesy of 1st Lt. Matthew C. Landon
Federal Police missing their last. [Top] A Maysan Federal Police officer takes a shot during the championship
The 38th BDE IA won the game shootout versus the 38th BDE IA goalie. The police made the shot tying
the score at 3-3. [Bottom] 1st Lt. Matthew Landon,
tournament with a final score of 5-3
fire support officer, Company A, 1st Bn., 8th Inf.
in the shootout. The champions Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.and the Maysan Iraqi
stormed the field, dancing and Police quick reaction force.
celebrating with members of the
crowd.

22
 by 1st Lt. Adam Appleberry
1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.
The Soldiers of Team Steel,
Company C, 1st Battalion, 68th
Armor Regiment, 3rd Advise
and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division, recently began training
the Iraqi Police at the Provincial
Joint Coordination Center in Basra
in order to help develop the Rule
of Law in Iraq.
The PJCC is the headquarters
for all Basra law enforcement.
The PJCC houses headquarters
Spc. Marc Lloyd, of Chicago, stands alongside his Iraqi partners at the Provincial Joint Coordination Center’s Joint Operating
Center.
23
for the Basra Provincial
Directorate of Police, the crime
lab, the Department of Federal
Investigation and the Explosive
Ordinance Disposal team. Included
within the complex is a U.S. patrol
base, permanently housing both
military and state-department law
enforcement specialists.
Team Steel is co-located with
the Iraqi Police at the PJCC and
has developed a relationship with
these policemen over the past
several months.
“The Iraqi Police who work at the
PJCC and the facility itself have
both improved drastically since we
arrived this past spring,” said Spc.
Marc Lloyd, of Chicago, member
of the company intelligence
support team. “We have developed
a great relationship with our Iraqi
counterparts, and this relationship
is starting to show results within
Basra.”
Now that Team Steel has
successfully partnered with the
law enforcement personnel, they
Photo by 1st Lt. Adam Appleberry

1st Lt. Ian Norwalk, of Albuquerque, N. M., and his platoon conduct a joint patrol in the City of Basra. The platoon often
conducts patrols with members of Basra’s 10th Emergency Response Bn.
will spend the next few months
training the Iraqi Police to become
a more competent force.
“The joint missions that have
been conducted with the Iraqi
Police were successful, but there
is always room for improvement,”
said 1st Lt. Ian Norwalk, platoon
leader, Company C, 1st Bn., 68th
Armor Reg., of Albuquerque,
N.M.
Norwalk’s platoon has been able
to work with the Basra SWAT team
on several occasions. The joint
patrols have allowed Norwalk
and his platoon to show their Iraqi
partners various techniques that
Photo by 1st Lt. Adam Appleberry
will allow them to keep increasing
capability.
“Construction of the PJCC was
challenging, but the effort has
been rewarding. Every time we
see a suspect arrested for terrorism
by Iraqis, tried in a court of law by
Iraqis, and put in prison by Iraqis,
it is a validation of our work,”
said Capt. Kristofer J. Thompson
of Colorado Springs, Colo.,
commander, Company C, 1st Bn.,
68th Armor Reg. “The Police
in Basra province are becoming
the type of law enforcement
professionals that the Iraqi People
deserve.”
24
 Photo by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin
The Ziggurat of Ur sometimes called the “Great Ziggurat of Ur” is a Neo-Sumerian ziggurat which is located in the city of Ur
near Nasiriyah in the present-day Dhi Qar Province.

by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin

3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs Office

The Ziggurat, and the

surrounding remains of the ancient
city of Ur, are a symbol of the great
history of Iraq. The ruins, tombs,
and home of the prophet Abraham,
who lived here before journeying
toward what is now called the Holy
Land, provide a glimpse of human
civilization over 4000 years ago.
Archeologically, the site is
extremely important for what
has already been discovered, but
maybe more important because it
is believed that only 20 percent of Photo by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin
the complex has been excavated. Dhiaf Mahsen, Ziggurat curator and tour guide, and a native of Tallil, Iraq, explains
It is likely the hills just to the north the history and culture of the Ziggurat, a 2,100 B.C. historical site.

25
of Camp Adder contain many more
priceless artifacts from ancient
history.
“To think of the amount of effort
required to build the temple over
4,000 years ago and the sense
of community and spirituality
required to organize a project of
this magnitude is overwhelming,”
said Maj. Brian North, executive
officer, 3rd STB, 3rd Advise
and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division.
Soldiers assigned at the 3rd
AAB, 4th Inf. Div. headquarters
can literally walk outside to view
the Ziggurat approximately two
kilometers away.
The impressive size and
architecture of the structure is truly
something the people of Dhi Qar Photo by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin
are proud of, and those ties to the The Ziggurat’s souvenir shop sits nearby. At the stand, visitors can purchase
past are very important, he said. items such as rugs, handbags, jewerly, and hookahs.
“You can clearly get a sense
of the pride Iraqis have in their during the Neo-Babylonian era,” threat of violence could
history walking through the ruins,” said Mike Francis Dhaif Muhsen, significantly deter the biggest
North said. Ziggurat curator and tour guide, potential source of income for this
Examples of cuneiform, one and a native of Tallil, Iraq. area – tourism. The Ziggurat is one
of the earliest forms of writing, It is one of three well-preserved of the best preserved archeological
can still be seen on bricks in the structures of the Neo-Sumerian sites in Iraq, drawing both
ancient ruins of the city of Ur. city of Ur, alongside the Royal professional archeologists and
One of section of ruins within Mausolea and the Palace of Ur- thousands of tourists.
Ur contains one of the earliest Nammu, he said. “Treasures found on the grounds
surviving archways in the world. Occasional attempts by are currently in a British museum
The Ziggurat is the most insurgents to fire rockets at and it helps for two reasons: they
recognizable structure in the city Camp Adder pose a great risk to are protected and it shows our
of Ur and loosely resembles an the Ziggurat. From a physical history and culture to those that
ancient pyramid with the top half perspective, these buildings are come from all over the world to
missing. 4,000 or more years old, and the visit the museum,” said Muhsen.
“The Ziggurat is made of a explosions from these rockets Already this year, many
three-layered solid mass of mud could cause irreparable harm. international groups have
and brick, completely solid with Even when rockets land in what scheduled tours with the site
no chambers, which was a shrine appears to be empty land, they manager, but those groups could
to the moon god Nanna. The could very well destroy items go elsewhere if the area is not
lower layer is from the original thousands of years old buried considered safe, costing the local
construction by Ur Nammu, while under the sand, said North. economy hundreds of thousands of
the two upper layers were restored Economically, the continued dollars in revenue.

26
 by Capt. Mark Nettles
1st Bn., 68th Armor. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.
Many things have changed
in Iraq since the first American
forces crossed the border into Iraq
more than seven years ago. Those
changes are especially evident
in the Distribution Platoon of
Company F, 1st Battalion, 68th
Armor Regiment, 3rd Advise
and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division at Camp Basra.
For many within the platoon, this
is their third or fourth deployment.
Collectively they have driven tens
of thousands of miles through
some very hostile environments
to deliver food, water, ammo,
repair parts and equipment to the
Soldiers of the brigade. Some have
been driving the mean streets of
Iraq since the very beginning.
In 2003, there were no such
things as counter IED systems,
electronic warfare systems, armor
kits or even a radio in every
vehicle.
“No bells or whistles,” said 1st
Lt. Mark Klenk, then a freshly
graduated private first class with
the 3rd Brigade Combat Team,
82nd Airborne Division.
Then in his first tour, Klenk drove
the streets of Fallujah in a heavy
expanded mobility tactical truck
fueler. “There wasn’t anything up-
armored. We had sandbags on the
floor and pieces of steel attached to
the doors,” he said.
When Klenk, a native of North
Hills, Pa., returned to Iraq in the
spring of 2010, it was not the
same Iraq he left behind seven
years before. His distribution
platoon was given M1230 Caiman
mine resistant ambush protected
vehicles that could withstand
massive explosions and weighed
in excess of 40,000 pounds.
“That thing is huge, but you feel
a lot safer in it,” said Klenk.
That safety has changed the way
supplies are delivered in Iraq.
Since April 2010, the distribution
platoon of the “Forerunner”
Company has conducted more
than 100 combat logistic convoys,
covering more than 2,300 miles
within Basra Province. The platoon
delivers much needed supplies
to more than 500 Soldiers at four
joint security stations.
“During my first tour, we got
hit the most; two or three times

Photos by Capt. Mark Nettles

[Left] Spc. Charles Stokes guides Spc. Steven Baughman as he positions a pallet of cement blocks for transport to Iraqi
Army at Camp Wessam. [Right] Spc. Scott J. Harris, an American Canyon, Calif. native, and Spc. Christopher Cloud, a
Farmington, N.M. native, wheeled vehicle mechanics, in Maintenance Platoon, Forerunner Company, 1st Bn., 68th Armor
Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., prepare a M1230 Caiman MRAP for transport.

27
 Photos by Capt. Mark Nettles
Soldiers with Company F, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., direct
the loading of an M1151 HMMWV onto a commercial semi-trailer at Camp Delta,
Camp Basra for transport to Camp Minden. Since deploying in March 2010, the
Company F Distribution Platoon has hauled more than 80 vehicles across Basra
Province.

a week,” said Spc. James Yount,
of San Antonio, Texas, motor
transport operator, Forerunner
Company.
Things are safer in Iraq today.
The distribution platoon has
delivered more than 80 vehicles
on flatbed trailers and 1,700 tons
of water, food, repair parts and
equipment to various bases in
southern Iraq. The convoys travel
at slower speeds and every vehicle
is equipped with a functioning
electronic warfare system and air
conditioning.
“It was great to get air
conditioning,” said Sgt. Preston
Williams, of Oklahoma City,
Okla., water treatment specialist,
as he recalls past deployments
with little or no functioning air
conditioning in the vehicles.
In the early days of the war,
convoys seldom stopped and relied
on speed to stay safe.
“We were ordered by our
lieutenant not to stop the convoy
for anything,” said Sgt. Kyle
Watanabe, of Saipan, Northern
Mariana Islands, motor transport
operator, Forerunner Company.
Things have changed
dramatically for convoys traveling
through Iraq. The rules of the
road have also changed. Under
the current Iraqi status of forces
agreement, all U.S. force convoys
must be courteous and share the
road with the Iraqi citizens. When
traveling through towns or cities,
U.S. convoys are required to be
escorted by the Iraqi police or
army.
On the battlefield change is
inevitable, but this time the changes
are positive for the Forerunner
Distribution Platoon as it looks
forward to wrapping up what will
hopefully be its last deployment to
Iraq.

28