The Ivy Leaf, volume 1, issue 16

Volume 1, Issue 16 February 18, 2011

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A challenge fit for a

‘DEVIL’

Cpl. Joe Gregg, spots Cpl. Robert McGhee, both infantrymen of 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, during the Push-Up Event of the Diablo Company Squad Challenge at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Feb. 11, 2011. In this event, the Soldiers had two minutes to correctly execute a minimum of 50 push-ups in order to contribute to their squad’s total combined score. In order for the push-up to count, the Soldier had to touch the fist of the spotter with their chest, then lock their elbows out while maintaining good form.

“Diablos” of Company D, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regi-ment, attached to 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kan., held a squad chal-

lenge at Contingency Oper-ating Site Warrior, in Iraq’s Kirkuk province, Feb. 11.

The second contest held by the company since deploying in support of Operation New Dawn, the Diablo Company Squad Challenge tested the physical and technical abilities of Soldiers of Company D.

According to 1st Sgt. Phil-son Tavernir, a Queens, N.Y.

native, and first sergeant of Company D, 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt., the competition is a fit-ness challenge designed to test the muscular strength, cardio-respiratory endurance and tac-tical knowledge of Soldiers conducting the advise, train and assist mission.

A multi-task event, the squad challenge featured push-ups, sit-ups, stress shooting

and an infantry tactics quiz. Between each event, Sol-

diers conducted a forced foot march carrying a 50-pound rucksack. The squads marched approximately eight miles from start to finish during the challenge, which contributed to their overall finishing time and score.

Spc. Kandi Huggins1st AATF Public Affairs1st Inf. Div., USD-N

See DEVIL, pg. 3

CONTINGENCY OPERAT-ING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq –

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div.

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The Ivy Leaf February 18, 2011

Spc. Edmund Adjei, a combat medic assigned to Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Bri-gade, 25th Infantry Division, earned recognition as the “Ironhorse Strong” Soldier of the Week for his decisive medical evaluation and treatment of wounded Iranian tourists following an Impro-vised Explosive Device attack near a joint checkpoint in northern Iraq, Jan. 19.

Adjei quickly assessed and triaged the injured civilians, deter-

mining three of the tourists would not make it to the hospital with-out immediate medical treatment.

The combat medic from Osu, Ghana, applied tourniquets and field bandages to injured civilians, ensuring the wounded were stable enough to travel before being transported to the nearest hos-pital for further treatment.

“We are all proud of Spc. Adjei,” said Sgt. 1st Class Santiago Larriva, platoon sergeant, Troop A, 2nd Sqdn., 14th Cav. Regt. “His work ethic is unreal; he is the hardest working medic I’ve encountered in 14 years in the Army.”

Adjei continually strives to learn more, studying scout tactics with his platoon, in addition to maintaining and building upon his medical skills and proficiency, said Staff Sgt. Ryan Hill, combat medic, Troop A, 2nd Sqdn., 14th Cav. Regt., 2nd AAB, 2nd Inf. Div.

Adjei provides medical care for members of his platoon, and first aid training for ISF operating at combined security check-points in northern Iraq.

“He went out of his way to treat those patients,” said Hill. “What it comes down to is he is skilled enough and proficient enough to save lives, and that is what he did.”

Adjei deployed with Soldiers of 2nd “Warrior” AAB, 25th Inf. Div. in June 2010 as part of U.S. Division-North, undertaking the mission to advise, train and assist Iraqi Security Forces in support of Operation New Dawn.

Adjei’s dedication to training and genuine care for people re-sulted in decisive action, saving the lives of three people and earn-ing the “Warrior” medic the honor of Ironhorse Strong Soldier of the Week.

THE Ivy LeafThe Ivy Leaf is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. 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 publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other 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.

Do you have a story to share? The Ivy Leaf welcomes submissions from readers. Send to the USD-N PAO at [email protected]. The Ivy Leaf reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the paper. For further information on deadlines, questions or comments, email USD-N PAO or call DSN 318-849-0089.

Commanding General – Maj. Gen. David G. PerkinsCommand Sergeant Major – Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Dailey

TF Ironhorse PAO – Lt. Col. Steve WollmanTF Ironhorse PA NCOIC – Master Sgt. Carmen Daugherty-Glaze

The Ivy Leaf Layout & Design – Spc. Thomas Bixler

2nd Advise and Assist Brigade

25th Infantry Division

1st Advise and Assist Task Force

1st Infantry Division

4th Advise and Assist Brigade

1st Cavalry Division

Task Force Ironhorse

Task Force Ironhorse Public Affairs

Page 4 Page 5 Page 7Page 6

Iraqi battalions test logistical proficiency at

GWTC

IA develop urban fighting skills at KMTB

GWTC tailors training to fit Iraqi combat roles

Building trust between IA and community

U.S. Army PhotoSpc. Edmund Adjei, a combat medic assigned to Troop A, 2nd Squad-ron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th In-fantry Division, teaches Iraqi soldiers how to bandage a head wound at a security checkpoint in northern Iraq, Feb. 8, 2011. Adjei, origi-nally from Osu, Ghana, earned recognition as the “Ironhorse Strong” Soldier of the Week for his medical evaluation and treatment of three wounded Iranian tourists following an attack near his checkpoint, Jan. 19, 2011.

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“It was designed to be a fun competition that builds team spirit,” said Tavernir. “The physical portions of the chal-lenge engaged their fitness lev-el and conditioning, while the exam tested their knowledge of the basic skills and tasks they should know.”

“As an Infantryman, it’s our job to close the distance between … the enemy and de-stroy them. If we can’t do that, then we can’t fight; and that’s why this challenge was more engaging than the first one, and encompassed all the basics of our duties and responsibilities as infantrymen.”

Conducting the advise and assist mission in U.S. Division-North, while working with their Iraqi Security Forces counter-parts, Tavernir said the Soldiers of Diablos Company are not conducting a traditional infan-try mission.

Nonetheless, the need to maintain proficiency in infantry skills remains critical, he said, especially since U.S. Soldiers must set the example as they train the Iraqi Army to prop-erly conduct infantry tasks on a daily basis.

The challenge began with the Push-Up Event held behind

the company headquarters. Sol-diers had two minutes to cor-rectly execute a minimum of 50 push-ups in order to contrib-ute to their squad’s combined score.

Completing the push-ups, the Soldiers conducted a foot march, moving approximately half-a-mile to the first technical challenge, the Weapons Assem-bly Site.

During the weapons as-sembly, Company D Soldiers assembled either an M4 rifle, M249 squad automatic weapon or the M240B machine gun in less than 90 seconds. Each Sol-dier had to perform a success-ful functions check after reas-sembling the weapon.

Staff Sgt. Derek Vess, a Greenville, S.C. native, and in-fantry squad leader, Company D, 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt., said he thought his squad of Sol-diers would face their biggest challenge at the Weapon As-sembly Site.

“We went over the events prior to the challenge,” said Vess. “I had my guys practice assembling the various weap-ons systems in 60 seconds, be-cause if they could accomplish it in that time frame, I knew they could do it within the 90

seconds that were allotted for the challenge.”

“We had a few stumbles on the M240, but it wasn’t any-thing my guys didn’t have the confidence to push through and continue on with the mission at hand.”

After they cleared the first event, Diablos Soldiers marched to the Sit-Up Event, and then to the range for stress shooting before finishing with an infantry tactics quiz.

Vess said he loved the quiz portion of the challenge, testing their military knowledge and experience as an infantryman.

“It not only built all-around confidence, but prepared (the Soldiers) to step out of their comfort zone, while taking them back to the basics of them knowing what they are doing,” Vess said.

After the challenge, the Dia-blos Soldiers rested and con-ducted maintenance on their gear, while the company lead-ership tallied the scores from the different squads.

The scores revealed that Vess and his Soldiers of 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Company D, won the challenge.

“It was good to win,” said Vess. “We went into it feeling good. My squad was motivated to accomplish the goals we set, and drove themselves and each

other past any limitations they may have thought they had.”

“We performed as a team, and we finished as a team,” said Spc. William Martin, a Porum, Okla. native, and infantryman, 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Com-pany D.

Vess and Soldiers of 2nd Squad will each receive an Army Achievement Medal for besting the competition during the challenge, said Tavernir.

The squad who placed sec-ond will receive a certificate of achievement, Tavernir said, and third place will receive a “Devil” Brigade Coin from the brigade command sergeant ma-jor, Command Sgt. Maj. John Jones.

Tavernir said Company D leadership geared the awards for the specialists and privates in the squads.

“It’s a small incentive to help the Soldiers who need points for the promotion board as well as distinguish them from their peers, especially whenever we redeploy, and oth-ers can see how many ribbons they’ve earned while out here,” said the first sergeant.

Tavernir also said Diablo Company is planning for an-other challenge, and hopes they will be able to host the third team-building event before re-deploying later this year.

Continued from DEVIL, pg. 1

Staff Sgt. Derek Vess, left, 2nd Squad leader, 2nd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Advise and As-sist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, leads his squad from the Weap-ons Assembly Site to the Sit-Up Event during the “Diablos” Company Squad Challenge at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Feb. 11, 2011. As part of the challenge, Soldiers conducted a forced foot march from each of the event sites with a 50-pound ruck sack.

Spc. Nathaniel Dahleim, infantryman, 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Com-pany D, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, reassembles an M249 squad automatic weapon during the Diablo Company Squad Chal-lenge at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Feb. 11, 2011.



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bread drifted from the command cell area of the Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center as a small group of Iraqi soldiers mixed batches of dough and prepared the daily meals for comrades of 2nd Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division. Iraqi cooks rushed back and forth between their small kitchen and their generator-powered bakeries, preparing the large pots of food independent of U.S. assistance.

As part of the collective training con-cept of Tadreeb al Shamil, or All-Inclusive Training, Iraqi battalions attending the GWTC learn the combat skills necessary to win on the battlefield and the logistical sup-port critical to keeping the units in the fight.

Support Company, 2nd Bn., 11th Bde., provides food, maintenance, supplies, in-telligence and medical attention to more than 500 Iraqi jinood, Arabic for soldiers.

“Without logistics, you’re not going to get much done,” said Sgt. Michael Wallin, cavalry scout and maintenance instructor assigned to Troop A Combat Ready Team, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment.

Part of “Long Knife,” 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, de-ployed to Contingency Operating Site Marez outside Mosul, Wallin and U.S. Sol-diers of 1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt., serve as mentors and instructors at the adjacently located GWTC.

A large part of educating the Support Company jinood is stressing the impor-tance of developing proper logistical plans in order to ensure mission completion, not-ed Wallin.

Wallin, a resident of Houston, led Iraqi truck crews through the process of pre-ventive maintenance, checks and services for their vehicles, and the procedures for requesting new parts to keep the vehicles mission ready.

Wallin said the maintenance techniques learned during the classes will enable Iraqi jinood to maintain the battalion’s ability to train and complete tactical missions in their own operating environments.

As U.S. forces continue the advise, train and assist mission in support of Operation New Dawn, the instructors at GWTC are allowing Iraqi unit leadership to assume more of an active role in their own training, particularly with the Support Company.

At the vehicle maintenance area, Wal-lin and a handful of U.S. Soldiers offered guidance as the Iraqi mechanics methodi-

cally worked through washing and fixing their trucks.

“As the (Iraqi) battalion commander is observing his combat training, he is also watching his support elements in their training and seeing how well they can do,” said 1st Lt. Jeremiah Yaden, an operations officer assigned to Headquarters Troop, 1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt.

All the support entities combined make the combat units stronger, Yaden said, and provides Iraqi jinood confidence that their battalion can and will provide for the IA units in the field.

If a unit cannot provide food, vehicle parts and supplies, the Iraqi jinood will not be able to function effectively during com-bat, he remarked.

While Iraqi infantry companies conduct the 25-day training cycle at GWTC, U.S. forces continue to train and mentor Iraqi ji-nood of Support Company, testing the Iraqi unit’s capabilities in providing quality mis-sion support to Iraqi forces during Tadreeb al Shamil.

Iraqi battalions test logistical proficiency at GWTCSgt. Shawn Miller109th Mobile Public Affairs Det.U.S. Division-North Public Affairs

Iraqi soldiers assigned to Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Divi-sion, review intelligence information during a class at the Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center, Feb. 10, 2011. Support Company soldiers train on logistics, intelligence and supply missions during the battalion’s 25-day training cycle as well as feeding and providing quarters for fel-low Iraqi soldiers participating in Tadreeb al Shamil at GWTC. Iraqi battalions attending GWTC learn the combat skills necessary to win on the battlefield and the logistical support critical to keeping the units in the fight as part of the military training initiative, Tadreeb al Shamil, or All-Inclusive Training. IA battalions are rotating through GWTC during 2011 to conduct collec-tive training as part of an Iraqi-led training program to improve IA units’ ability to defend and protect the country.

A cook with Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, pre-pares food at the Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center, Feb. 10, 2011. The cooks bake fresh bread and deliver meals daily to more than 500 fellow Iraqi soldiers of the battalion un-dergoing a 25-day training rotation in support of Tadreeb al Shamil, an Iraqi-led training ini-tiative to modernize Iraqi Army capabilities.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shawn Miller, 109th MPAD, USD-N PAO

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shawn Miller

GHUZLANI WARRIOR TRAINING CENTER, Iraq – The smell of fresh baking

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toons assigned to 2nd Battalion, 21st Regiment, 5th Iraqi Army Division, learned to safely en-ter buildings and clear rooms under the direction of U.S. Division-North Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infan-try Division, during Tadreeb al Shamil at Kirkush Military Training Base, Feb. 8.

Enhancing IA soldiers’ abil-ity to seek and effectively en-gage targets in urban environ-ments, room clearing drills are one of several training exercis-es 5th IA Div. units conduct as part of a 25-day training rota-tion called Tadreeb al Shamil, Arabic for All Inclusive Train-

ing, said Spc. Scott Butz, an infantryman assigned to Com-pany A, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt.

“Gimlet” Soldiers of Com-pany A, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt., 2nd AAB, are training Iraqi ji-nood, providing modern unit tactics and logistical procedures, while guiding Iraqi officers and noncommissioned officers to take a leading role in training.

This is the second iteration of battalion-level training at KMTB, providing Iraqi Army units with skills needed to maintain troop readiness and external security capabilities as part of the IA initiative Tadreeb al Shamil.

Supervised by Company A Soldiers, the Iraqi jinood, Ara-bic for soldiers, trained on how to clear a room using operation-al three-man teams, learning to properly and safely enter and exit a building, he said.

“This is critical,” said Butz

who hails from Merztown, Pa., to his Iraqi counterparts. “It all starts with the stack.”

The lesson began with how to properly stack outside an en-trance to a room. Iraqi jinood first practiced in a “glass house,” a terrain map replicating an out-lined building with no walls, so every IA soldier could observe how each member of the team entered the room.

U.S. Soldiers made on-the-spot corrections, training each Iraqi fire team to move in co-hesion and work together as a team.

After team drills, Company A Soldiers stepped up the training, placing Iraqi squads in a mock house, teaching the jinood how fire teams bound through build-ings, clearing each room while providing security.

“Security is more impor-tant that speed,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Limbocker, infantry

squad leader, Company A. “If your buddy goes down, you lose effective fire and security in that sector.”

Once each squad success-fully cleared the structure, U.S. trainers added variables, cre-ating scenarios ranging from wounded teammates to enemies and hostages, to demonstrate how confusing a room clear-ing operation can become if not conducted properly.

“Room clearing is a high-intensity event,” said Butz to Iraqi soldiers. “You need to be prepared for any situation.”

Using techniques learned from U.S. forces, Iraqi cadre at KMTB watched over 5th IA Div. jinood as they trained, providing instruction during each phase of the exercise and assisting Soldiers of Company A in creating scenarios for the squads.

Limbocker, who calls Eksridge, Kan., home, said he sees Iraqi leadership and their units improving continuously as they work each day with U.S. forces.

“They are always looking for ways to improve the train-ing, so their units get the most out of it,” he added.

Under U.S partnered men-torship, IA soldiers continue training at KMTB, further en-hancing their external security and war fighting capabilities, a process that began with each Iraqi soldier.

“We train the individual first, making sure they know the training, before we move to collective unit training,” said Limbocker. “There has been progress, and it can be seen all the time.”

Iraqi jinood of 2nd Bn., 21st Bde., deployed for KMTB in late January to train on modern military tactics, as part of an ongoing initiative to train IA units to become proficient at individual and collective tasks.

Sgt. Coltin Heller109th MPADUSD-N Public Affairs

Iraqi Army develops urban fighting skills at KMTB

After stacking on a “wall,” members of an Iraqi platoon assigned to 2nd Battalion, 21st Regiment, 5th Iraqi Army Division, enter and clear a room during a “glass house” exercise, an imaginary room with outlined walls simulating an actual building structure, at Kirkush Military Training Base, Feb. 8, 2011.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Coltin Heller, 109th MPAD, USD-N PAO

KIRKUSH MILITARY TRAINING BASE, Iraq – Pla-

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and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, “Gimlets,” 2nd Ad-vise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, conducted a partnered security patrol with Iraqi Army counterparts in the city of Jazani al Chol, Diyala province, Iraq, Feb. 6.

U.S. and IA forces partnered during the security operation to disrupt violent extremist opera-tions in the area and show lo-cal Iraqi citizens that the Iraqi Army remains committed to maintaining security.

“Partnered operations are important to highlight to the lo-cal populace that (U.S. forces) are here to assist the ISF in se-curing local communities and Iraq,” said Capt. Benjamin Wil-liams, commander, Headquar-ters and Headquarters Compa-ny, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt.

Williams, who hails from Augusta, Ga. said Iraqi sol-diers of 1st Battalion, 19th Bri-gade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, worked closely with HHC, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Regt., in planning the mission.

Augmenting security pro-vided by the IA during the pa-trol, the Gimlets also coordi-nated two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for a tactical air in-sertion, adding pressure to vio-lent extremists seeking refuge within Jazani al Chol.

Working with Jazani al Chol

citizens, IA soldiers displayed determination to remove ex-tremist threats from the area.

During the patrol, the part-nered forces interacted with local Iraqi citizens in the com-munity, distributing flyers de-picting the faces of extremists suspected of hiding in the city.

The interaction raised awareness of possible extremist activity in the area and estab-lished a level of trust between the citizens and the IA.

“The Army works for the country,” said Pvt. Hasan, an IA soldier with 1st Bn., 19th Bde., 5th IA Div. “People trust us to protect them.”

In addition to fostering trust between the IA and the local community, the mission showed the people of Jazani al Chol that U.S. forces plan to continue their advise and assist mission with their IA counter-parts.

By building rapport and strengthening the trust between the soldiers and the community, the IA increased its chances for success in removing violent ex-tremists from Jazani Al Chol.

Building trust between IA and community5th IA soldiers conduct awareness patrol in Diyala provinceCpl. Robert England2nd AAB Public Affairs25th Inf. Div., USD-N

Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy Bonilla, left, platoon sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battal-ion, 21st Infantry Regiment, “Gimlets,” 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, works with an Iraqi Army jundi, Arabic for soldier, questioning a local citizen about security conditions in Jazani al Chol, Diyala province, Iraq, Feb. 6, 2011, during a partnered security patrol. The patrol provided Iraqi Army soldiers the opportunity to interact with citizens in the community, building rapport and instilling trust that the IA remains committed to the safety of the Iraqi people.

Spc. Danial Amos, infantryman, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 21st In-fantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Di-vision, stands watch during a partnered security patrol, Feb. 6, 2011, in Jazani al Chol, Diyala province, Iraq.

U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Robert England, 2nd AAB PAO, 25th Inf. Div., USD-N

Photo by Cpl. Robert England

CONTINGENCY OPERAT-ING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq – Soldiers from Headquarters

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continue to train at the Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center near Mosul, U.S. instruc-tors adapt classes to best aid the current unit’s future operational needs.

U.S. mentors from 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, adjusted class schedules, focusing on room clearing and techniques for military urban opera-tions for Iraqi soldiers assigned to 2nd Bat-talion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Divi-sion, Feb. 6.

“This group spends a lot more time in the city of Mosul, so urban operations is something they are going to need more of,” said Staff Sgt. Don Gillam, an instructor from Troop C, 1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt.

Gillam and fellow U.S. trainers ran Iraqi squads through a step-by-step process of how to properly approach a building and how to effectively and methodically clear each room safely.

Iraqi soldiers began the drills with “glass houses,” outlines of rooms marked off on the ground, before moving to walled rooms and hard-sites, or buildings as their skills progressed.

“The training is very good for my sol-diers,” said Sgt. Maj. Saaod Mustafa, se-nior Iraqi noncommissioned officer at the event. “If they pay attention to this class and practice on it, it will make them better in their jobs.”

Mustafa said that the room clearance training is particularly useful to his men, whose operational responsibilities include cordon and search missions in the urban environment of Mosul.

The Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center is very important to the Iraqi Army because it teaches Iraqi soldiers, while building a foundation to train and sustain the force af-ter U.S. forces leave, said Gillam, a native of Portland, Ore.

Gillam, who spent two years as a drill sergeant at Fort Jackson, S.C., said he has

seen distinct growth and progression in the Iraqi troops who successfully completed his classes.

“They’re motivated to be out here,” he noted. “They like what they’re doing; they like learning, and they want to get better.”

The Iraqi NCOs within the units are stepping into leadership roles and taking charge of their squads and platoons more effectively than before, Gillam added.

Watching the Iraqi soldiers within the battalion execute the drills, Saaod said he has seen the unit’s skills advance through the continued mentorship by his U.S. coun-terparts.

“My soldiers see a new way of train-ing,” he said, noting the knowledge gained from the collective training. “It’s a new ex-perience.”

Saaod mentioned the hands-on aspect of the training, as well as simulations and training aides, which helped to build moti-vation among his soldiers.

On his second deployment to Iraq, Gil-lam said the Iraqi Army units have made significant progress and are more willing

and able to take control and protect the people of Iraq from external threats.

As succeeding iterations of IA battalions rotate through GWTC during Tadreeb al Shamil, the U.S. role will diminish, Gillam said, with Iraqi cadre assuming more of the training responsibility for the Iraqi units.

Throughout 2011, 3rd IA Div. will ro-tate its battalions through the 25-day train-ing cycles at Ghuzlani as the IA transitions to autonomous military training operations.

GWTC tailors training to fit Iraqi combat rolesSgt. Shawn Miller109th Mobile Public Affairs Det.U.S. Division-North Public Affairs

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Don Gillam, a Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center instructor assigned to 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, ob-serves Iraqi soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, practicing room clearing techniques, Feb. 6, 2011.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shawn Miller, 109th MPAD, USD-N PAO

Iraqi soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 11th Bri-gade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division conduct a walk-through of room clearing techniques during a training class at the Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center, Feb. 6, 2011. U.S. “Long Knife” Sol-diers assigned to 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division supervised the course in order to prepare the Iraqi troops for military operations independent of U.S. involvement following Operation New Dawn.

GHUZLANI WARRIOR TRAINING CENTER, Iraq – As Iraqi Army battalions

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shawn Miller

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JOINT SECURITY STATION INDIA, Iraq – Outfitted with a first aid bag filled with combat application tourniquets, combat gauze and dressings, the combat medic, an instructor for the Tactical Field Care class stepped to the front of the room, preparing to teach Iraqi Security Forces how to save a life.

Staff Sgt. Willie Gray, a senior combat medic assigned to Company C, 27th Bri-gade Support Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, led a combat lifesaver class for ISF at a patrol base in northern Iraq, Feb. 8.

“It makes me feel good to teach the ISF CLS,” said Gray, a native of Greenville, S.C. “I joined the U.S. Army to be able to teach and help others, and it feels great knowing that I’ve provided them with skills that could possibly save a life one day.”

Gray, currently on his third tour to Iraq, and fourth deployment with the Army,

is the senior medic on for the patrol base in northern Iraq and provides Level-One Patient Care for the Soldiers assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, operating from the patrol base.

“We are out in a remote base, and we don’t have some of the luxuries a large for-ward operating base or joint security sta-tion would have, such as a large medical facility, but we do have the ability to teach each and every Soldier here how to care for one another until more professional medi-cal help arrives,” said Gray.

During the first aid class, the 2nd Bn., 7th Cav. Regt., Soldiers assisted their Iraqi counterparts by demonstrating how to use the tactical field care items like the combat application tourniquet.

“I believe the Iraqis learned a lot from the medical class Staff Sgt. Gray was in-structing,” said Pfc. William Garthwaite, a native of Clinton, Conn., and armor crew-member assigned to Company B. “This class was good for me too, because I got to assist the ISF and refresh my own combat medical skills by teaching them.”

Garthwaite and the other U.S. troops demonstrated how to correctly apply the tourniquets and bandages, and let the ISF practice their freshly learned techniques on the Americans.

After the medical class ended, Cpl. Aead Uanehs, a native of Dohk, Iraq, and an Iraqi Army driver assigned to 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, thanked Gray and the other U.S. troops for providing the combat lifesaver training.

“Unlike my friends and ISF soldiers here I have received a military medical class (before), but this is the best CLS class I’ve ever had,” said Uanehs, an eight year combat veteran who works with the U.S. Soldiers stationed at the patrol base. “I’m looking forward to using these skills to teach my soldiers and neighbors at home.”

With a smile on his face and medical kit in hand, Gray walked away from the class he instructed knowing the training and knowledge the U.S. Soldiers passed on to the ISF made a difference, as his unit con-tinues its efforts to advise, train and assist the ISF in Ninewa Province.

Senior ‘Ghost’ medic trains ISF on life-saving toolsSpc. Terence Ewings4th AAB Public Affairs1st Cav. Div., U.S. Division-North

Staff Sgt. Willie Gray, a combat medic assigned to Company C, 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Divi-sion, draws Iraqi Security Forces attention to a visual aid during a combat lifesaver class at a patrol base in northern Iraq, Feb. 8, 2011. Gray, a native of Greenville, S.C., trained the Iraqis on tactical field care skills and provided medical tools for the ISF to become proficient on the first aid tasks.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Terence Ewings, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD-N

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Military police and members of the Access Control Platoon, Headquarters and Headquar-ters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kan., conducted force protection training with Iraqi airmen from the Iraqi Air Force at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Feb. 7-12.

Force protection training is an essential task for preparing Iraqi Security Forces to take responsibility for providing se-curity on the base, said Capt. Vance Morgan, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st BSTB, 1st AATF, 1st Inf. Div.

“This training has two pur-poses,” said Morgan, a Chesa-peake, Va. native. “First, it puts an Iraqi face at the gate where the Iraqi military will be able to

come onto COS Warrior in or-der to encourage their interac-tion with each other, with little U.S. involvement. Second, it prepares them to be able to op-erate the gates whenever we be-gin the base closure process.”

In the classroom, the Iraqi airmen studied the fundamen-tals of site security and used a terrain model to replicate an entry control point.

First Lt. Andre Marshall, platoon leader of the Access Control Platoon, HHC, 1st BSTB, said using the model helped to familiarize the Iraqi airmen with the different sec-tions of a gate and the tasks as-sociated with maintaining force protection at that particular gate.

“There are different levels of both physical and mental secu-rity,” said Marshall, an Albu-querque, N.M. native. “We’re here to ensure those (who are responsible) to protect our base have the proper training.”

After classroom instruction and a walk through of the ter-rain model, the students prac-

ticed manning gates and search-ing individuals and vehicles.

Ensuring the airmen under-stood the proper procedures for searching vehicles, cadre from HHC, 1st STB evaluated the Iraqi Air Force airmen during

the practical exercises. HHC cadre also evaluated

how the Iraqi Air Force airmen worked together to ensure the safety of the checkpoint, their comrades and people living at COS Warrior.

“It was an honor to train our Iraq Security Force partners for this mission,” Morgan said. “We’re going to continue to work with them to ensure that COS Warrior remains safe and secure.”

The Iraqi students and U.S. cadre celebrated the completion of the training with a gradua-tion ceremony at the COS War-rior dining facility, Feb. 12.

Spc. Kandi Huggins1st AATF Public Affairs1st Inf. Div., USD-N

U.S. forces partner with Iraqi Air Force during force protection training

An Iraqi Air Force airman search-es a vehicle during force pro-tection training at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Feb. 10, 2011. The exercise, overseen by military police and Access Control Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Ad-vise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, trained Iraqi Air Force airmen to provide base defense. The Iraqi airmen trained on how to conduct personnel and vehicle searches, escalation of force measures, traffic stops and rules of engagement.

Capt. Vance Morgan, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kan., presents Iraqi Air Force airmen with certificates commemorating their completion of force protection training at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Feb. 12, 2011. “The number of people who perform security is small com-pared to the percentage of people who live here,” Morgan said. “You all will be responsible for the life of thousands, and it was our honor to train you to accomplish that mission.”

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N


CONTINGENCY OPERAT-ING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq –

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CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Spc. Nyan Prater takes extra pride ensuring his fellow Soldiers stay healthy, keeping his comrades mission ready as they advise, train and assist their Iraqi counterparts.

Joining the Army two years ago, Prater, a preventive medicine specialist assigned to Company C, 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, is deployed in support of Operation New Dawn as part of U.S. Division-North.

The native of San Diego works closely with his officer counter-part to assess and eliminate potential health threats. His work also benefits U.S. Soldiers, Iraqi Security Forces and Department of Defense employees.

“I really love my job,” said Prater. “Taking the necessary steps to prevent issues before they happen, keeps them more manage-able if they do happen …”

Since arriving in Iraq in September 2010, Prater has partici-pated in more than 50 patrols to various checkpoints and joint se-curity stations in the brigade’s area of responsibility to prevent and control the spread of disease.

“Spc. Prater is an excellent Soldier,” said 1st Lt. Dixon Irizarry, the brigade’s environmental science officer assigned to Company C, 27th BSB, 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div.

“He is like a sponge. He is always willing to learn some-thing different and works hard to be the best that he can be,” said

Irizarry, a native of Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of three unfilled posi-

tions in his company, to include two junior enlisted Soldiers and a noncommissioned officer, Prater successfully completes all of the tasks given to him, said Irizarry.

Experiencing many nights with limited sleep, Prater continues to do his job with great motivation knowing that his work is vital to the health of those around him.

“He truly makes a difference in maintaining our fighting strength,” said Capt. Arthur Knight, commander, Company C, 27th BSB, 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div. “He finds the issue and resolves it—he knows what he’s doing.”

“He has helped to correct many of the issues that can cause ill-nesses,” said Knight, a native of New York. “I have a lot of respect for what he does.”

Prater also works with Iraqi Army soldiers, teaching funda-mentals of preventive medicine and helping to improve the Iraqis’ quality of living.

“If we do a good job, we can save someone’s life,” Prater said. “If we can impart a little knowledge to our Iraqi counterparts as to what we do and how to do it, it will improve their quality of life and prevent diseases.”

Prater said he joined the Army with his wife as a stepping stone to something greater.

“My ultimate goal is to go to law school,” said Prater, who is currently working towards his doctorate in Public Health. “Being in the Army helps me to propel myself in the field that I’m working in, and at the same time, gain more experience.”

Upon completing his doctorate, Prater said he plans to become a commissioned officer and continue his military career.

Spc. Angel Washington4th Advise and Assist Brigade Public Affairs1st Cavalry Division, U.S. Division-North

‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’‘Long Knife’ Soldier helps maintain brigade’s fighting strength

Spc. Nyan Prater, right, a preventive medicine specialist assigned to Company C, 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, teaches soldiers assigned to 3rd Iraqi Army Division, the proper techniques to minimize carriers of airborne diseases, as 1st Lt. Dixon Irizarry, left, the brigade’s environmental science officer, observes preventive medicine training at Contingency Operating Site Marez, Feb 3, 2011. Prater, a native of San Diego, trav-els to the brigade’s different areas of responsibility to prevent and control the spread of disease and also teaches his Iraqi counterparts individual and community health.

Spc. Nyan Prater, a preventive medicine specialist assigned to Com-pany C, 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Bri-gade, 1st Cavalry Division, and a native of San Diego, prepares to test a water sample at the battalion’s troop medical clinic on Contingency Operating Site Marez, Feb. 12, 2011. Prater has been on more than 50 patrols in the last four month to ensure Soldiers and Iraqi Secu-rity Forces stays healthy while deployed in support of Operation New Dawn.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Washington, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Washington, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div.

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CONTINGENCY OPERAT-ING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – “Who’s ready to rock?” said Steve Harwell, lead singer of rock band, Smash Mouth, as he took the stage at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Kirkuk Feb. 14.

“We want to thank you for everything you do,” said Har-well, a San Jose, Calif. native. “This one is for all of you!”

The band then played a song from their greatest hits, “Everyday Super Hero,” as the audience roared, whistled and cheered and the band jumped and banged their heads with the music.

“The best part about the concert was watching everyone enjoy themselves as much as I did, rocking to the music and singing along,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. April Hewitt, who serves as a plans and in-tegration coordinator with the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing out of

Duluth, Minn. “That kind of release isn’t

something very common here,” said Hewitt, referring to the way the troops moved with the music.

Hewitt said the concert reminded her of singing along with high school friends to some of the band’s greatest hits.

“The concert made me forget that I was in Iraq,” said Hewitt, a native of Lonsdale, Minn.

“I was able to enjoy the moments of great music, fond memories of the past and make new memories with my friends here—definitely a memorable Valentine’s Day,” Hewitt said.

Senior Airman Jennylyn Hisola, who hails from An-chorage, Alaska, serving with U.S. Air Force 341st Global Strike Command, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., said the performance was a special treat on Valentine’s Day, especially considering the rock band left their families and loved ones to be with the service members deployed in support of Opera-

tion New Dawn. Before the show, Soldiers

of 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Reilly, Kan., provid-ed members of Smash Mouth an opportunity to experience a Soldier‘s life during their second tour stop in Iraq.

“We had an awesome time today,” said Harwell. “We met

some great people here.” “This was a humbling and

inspiring experience to be amongst guys and gals fighting for us and our country,” said Randy Cooke, drummer for Smash Mouth, and a native of Los Angeles. “I’m honored to have had the opportunity to play for our country’s heroes.”

Smash Mouth Rocks COS WarriorPfc. Alyxandra McChesney1st AATF Public Affairs1st Inf. Div., USD-N

Rock band, Smash Mouth, rattles the gym floor at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, performing their hit song “All Star,” Feb. 14, 2011. The West Coast band brought Soldiers home with energetic performances of their 90‘s Rock music. Their first tour for service members deployed to Iraq, Smash Mouth said they enjoy bringing their music to the troops and would love to come back in the future.

Command Sgt. Maj. John Jones, senior enlisted leader of 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Reilly, Kan., awards Steve Harwell, lead singer of the rock band, Smash Mouth, a “Devil” Brigade Coin following a special Valentine’s Day performance at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Iraq, Feb 14, 2011.

U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alyxandra McChesney, 1st AATF PAO

U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alyxandra McChesney, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N

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You may have witnessed the scene:

A 14-month old child, sitting in a high chair eating spaghetti and tomato sauce for dinner. Within a few minutes, some of the spaghetti is eaten; some is well-massaged into the hair; most smeared around the face and then dumped onto the floor. It is a real mess.

We raised two children, a son and a daughter. Both went through the “messy” stage of wearing whatever food product they were working on. It always resulted in food landing on the floor with a crash and an upset child wondering why their meal had unexpectedly ended. However, the mess was always worth making—both for us as a parent feeding them, and for our child who was hungry. A messy meal-time was followed up by a much-needed scrub time in order to recover from the mess.

A friend and former colleague, Dr. Paul Tripp, has co-authored a valuable book with an amazing title, “Relationships: A Mess Worth Making.” This title, and the book itself, present two essential truths. All relationships are messy and the mess is worth making.

Like my 14 month-old son eating spaghetti, relationships can be extremely messy. Chaplain Maj. Paul Foreman reminded us in last week’s “Ivy Leaf” that “idealized notions of intimate relation-ships are unrealistic.” They are never neat and tidy but have predicable times when they come apart at the seams and can even be hurtful. Keep in mind that this truth ap-plies to the full spectrum of relationships.

Whether it be with best friends grow-ing up, our parents as they pass through changing stages of life, our siblings, our spouse, our children and even with our co-workers sitting in Iraq, relationships can be a mess. Tripp writes, “All of our relationships are less than perfect. They require work if they are going to thrive.”

Spaghetti in the hair is a rather inno-cent mess that causes us to chuckle at the thought. Aggressive anger in a relation-

ship, on the other hand, can be very destructive. Strategies that seek to control and dominate another person create a one-sided relationship that can suffocate the other party. Deceit, lack of forgiveness, impatience and self-centeredness produces a mess far more serious than a child’s mealtime.

We all own messy relationships some-where in our life’s story. Many may not be our fault, but we still have to deal with them.

Why are relationships “a mess worth making?” Human relationships are an absolutely unique phenomena, and people are of great value. When we look at the animal world, we observe that animals react to each other out of instinct. They operate out of a small set of behaviors designed to ensure their survival. People, on the other hand, not only hunt and gather, but can do this incredible behavior called “shopping.” It is preferably done in pairs—just ask my wife—or sometimes a small herd—when you have to bring the kids.

Human relationships are extremely valuable because we are made in God’s image and He has made us all different.

John Gray, author of “Men, Women and Relationships,” has identified four quali-ties that are critical to building healthy relationships:

1) Purposeful Communication. Communicate with the intent to understand and be understood. It is interesting … purposeful communi-cation is a labor intensive activity. It takes time and a lot of words to get there.

2) Right Understanding. Under-standing, appreciating and respect-ing our differences. Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins, commanding general of 4th Infantry Division and U.S. Divi-sion-North, has long been teaching us to move beyond data, information and knowledge. The goal is always to “understand.” He frequently says that the biggest challenge is getting to the level of properly understand-ing the problem set. This also ap-plies to relationship building.

3) Giving up judgments. As we grow to understand the other person

in the relationship, we are freed up to not be judgmental and critical.

4) Accepting responsibility. Take equal responsibility for the relation-ship and practice forgiveness.

Relationships are a mess worth making. In this deployed environment, the mess can be more difficult and the attempts to clean it up can be frustrating. Please let us help you. Find your unit chaplain or chap-lain assistant and start the dialogue about how you can grow to be a more effective relationship builder.

Chaplain’s Corner:Maj. Ken HurstDeputy ChaplainU.S. Division-North

A mess worth making

In observance of African American History Month:

“Living Up to Your Potential”

The Ivy Leaf, volume 1, issue 16

News & Politics

Transcript of The Ivy Leaf, volume 1, issue 16