Pfc. Richard Chamberlin, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, poses with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, during their visit to Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Feb. 25. The Jills signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed a routine for the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SR# 022607-02
Feb. 26, 2007

‘Buffalo Jills’ visit Troops in Baqubah

By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

BAQUBAH, Iraq (Feb. 25, 2007) -- Most Soldiers stationed in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 don’t wake up to cheerleaders, but that’s exactly what happened to the Soldiers stationed on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Feb. 25.

The National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Buffalo Jills, arrived, via helicopter, in the morning to greet the anxious crowd of Soldiers stationed on Warhorse.

The Jills partook in an autograph session, took pictures and hung out with the Soldiers at the FOB’s Faulkenburg Theater, all in hopes of raising morale.

“We, the Cheerleaders from the Buffalo Jills, are here for a meet-n-greet, signing autographs and hangout with the troops,” said Natale. “We came to support our troops, show them we love and appreciate everything they do for us.”

“[The Jills’ visit] shows there are a lot of people back in the states that support us and care about what we do,” said Pfc. Freddie Scott, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “These cheerleaders really have raised morale out here. It was a good experience.”

“They have shown support by signing autographs and taking pictures with the Soldiers,” added the Tallahassee, Fl., native. “I feel like the really have made an extra effort to show they support us and care.”

Natale added she hoped the visit would make the Soldiers smile, have a good time and give their morale a big boost.

“We really enjoy getting the chance to boost some morale and have fun with the Soldiers,” Natale said. “I love signing autographs and taking pictures with them.”
“To actually be here and see everything, it’s amazing,” she added. “I feel we are doing a good thing. I hope the Soldiers feel the same as well.”

She also said the experience of meeting Soldiers would be one she would never forget about.

“I’m having a great time here [with them],” said Natale. “I hope this does show that we love them and care.”

Natale, along with eight other cheerleaders, also performed a dance routine for the Soldiers. But the routine performed would cost the Soldiers – they also had to dance for the Jills.

“If you make an agreement, you have to live up to it,” said Pfc. Brad Thomas, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 25th Infantry Division.
The Jills said they would dance only if the Soldiers danced as well, said the Kansas City, Mo. native.

And that’s what the Soldiers did – they performed the “Macarena” for the Jills.

“We don’t normally get the chance to have fun like this, so when it comes, you make the most of it,” added Thomas, who got on stage and strutted his stuff.

As their visit came to an end, the Soldiers said their last goodbyes to the Jills, laughing about the experiences they just had. The Soldiers started on their way to work, joking with each other about who was the best and worst dancer amongst them.

“The cheerleaders were really nice,” said Scott. “They were just talking and interacting with the Soldiers like they’ve known them for years. It was a good visit.”

Natale agreed with Scott, the experience was one of the best.

“To see the smiling faces, it really makes us feel amazing,” she said. “I hope we just made the day a little extra special for them.”


Soldiers stationed on Forward Operating Base Warhorse were treated to a visit from the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, Feb. 25. The Jills signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed a routine for the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


Soldiers from Forward Operating Base Warhorse were told if they didn’t dance for the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, the Jills would not perform their routine for them. These Soldiers quickly jumped on stage to perform the “Macarena” for the Jills. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


Soldiers from Forward Operating Base Warhorse dance at the Faulkenberg Theater with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, during the Jills’ visit to the FOB, Feb. 25. The Jills also signed autographs, posed for pictures and performed a routine for the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Labels: Baqubah, Central Criminal Court of Iraq, FOB Warhorse, photos, Supporting the troops, US Army

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Brad Kelly speaks through an interpreter to Iraqi men about the activity in the Ur area of Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2007. Kelly is assigned to the Black Hawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland


U.S. Army Cpl. Joseph Casiano pulls security outside a shop during a combined cordon and search with the Iraqi National Police in the Ur area of Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2007. Casiano is assigned to the Black Hawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland


U.S. Army Cpl. Joseph Casiano pulls security in the stairwell of an apartment building while other soldiers search rooms in the building during a combined cordon and search with the Iraqi National Police in the Ur area of Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland


U.S. Army Cpl. Joseph Casiano pulls security during a combined cordon and search with the Iraqi National Police in the Ur area of Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland


Iraqi National Police officers pull security outside a house during a combined cordon and search with U.S. Army soldiers in the Ur area of Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2007. The soldiers are assigned to the Black Hawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland


U.S. Army Spc. David Tunstall pulls security as fellow soldiers search an auto service shop and talk to the owner about activity in the Ur area of Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland


U.S. Army Cpl. Joseph Casiano checks an Iraqi mans hands for chemicals used to make improvised explosive devices during a combined cordon and search with the Iraqi National Police in the Ur area of Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2007. Casiano is assigned to the Black Hawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland


U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Coco Gunther, assigned to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, gives an Iraqi baby a kiss during a combined cordon and search with the Iraqi National Police in the Ur area of Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 14, 2007. Gunther is patrolling with U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the Black Hawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland

Labels: 1-23 Infantry, 2ID, 3BCT, Baghdad, Black Hawk Company, Central Criminal Court of Iraq, Iraqi National Police, photos, US Army, USAF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR# 022207-01
Feb. 22, 2007

BALAD RUZ, Iraq – Last week, a three-judge panel with the Central Criminal Court of Iraq, convicted four terrorists detained during November’s operations in Turki Village, Iraq, of possession of illegal weapons. The panel sentenced them to 30 years imprisonment.

“This is a just verdict. It is significant because it is an Iraqi panel dispensing justice to Iraqi defendants,” said Maj. Paul T. Brooks, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division’s effects coordinator.

The defendants were detained Nov. 15, 2006, after a small-arms engagement with a group of Coalition Forces. This engagement resulted in one U.S. Soldier’s death. During the engagement, Coalition Forces killed the triggerman responsible for the death.

When Coalition Forces detained the individuals, they discovered several small-arms munitions and hand grenades.

“My Soldiers now have clarity concerning the Iraqi justice system. Equally important, these criminals are no longer able to spread their hatred amongst the Iraqi people,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav. commander and the senior U.S. Army officer in Diyala province.

During November’s operation, Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces unearthed more than five weapons caches, killed more than 60 anti-Iraqi forces and detained more than 10 suspected terrorists.

“Our Soldiers continue to work with the Iraqi Security Forces to defeat the terrorists and secure the population. Victories like this reinforce our efforts,” Sutherland said.

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, 3BCT, Central Criminal Court of Iraq, Good News, terrorists