From Multi-National Force - Iraq:


A student from Abu Shear School takes an arm full of backpacks back to the classroom April 14 in the Monsouri area of Iraq. Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-76th FA, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., delivered backpacks, soccer balls and notebooks to students there. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis.


Friday, 18 April 2008
By Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis
4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — A convoy rolls up to a small school in the Monsouri area of Iraq, just outside FOB Kalsu, and at first glance the school looks abandoned. Then small faces start appearing and heads lean out the windows.

Moments later, Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and the 415th Civil Affairs Battalion, from Kalamazoo, Mich., currently assigned to 1-76th FA, are surrounded by helpful faculty and eager students, waiting to see what has been brought.

The Soldiers delivered backpacks filled with school supplies, soccer balls and notebooks April 14 to the al-Raqhaa School, for primary and secondary students, and the Abu Shear School, for primary students. Each school has approximately 800 students.

“A lot of the missions we’re doing right now are school improvements and this mission helps the kids get the materials they need in order to get an education,” said Cpl. Markbradley Vincze, a father of one from Lufkin, Texas.

Spc. Christopher Ryder, a Lake Charles, La., native and three-year veteran, said they try to put a smile on the kids’ faces.

“It makes me feel like I am actually making a difference,” Ryder said. “It shows the kids that we’re good people.”

Over time the goal is to get a backback and supplies to each student.

“Right now we’re using a systematic way of distributing our generosity throughout our (area of operation),” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Green, target acquisition platoon leader. “So we started with these two schools and we’re kind of going in a clockwise motion around our AO with school drops.”

There are approximately 10 schools in the unit’s AO.

“We’ve gotten to know the people in our AO and it feels nice doing something good for them,” said Spc. Joseph Carroll, a one-year veteran from South Bend, Ill. “It also gives the Army a positive image.”

This type of mission helps build relationship between Coalition forces and Iraqi residents.

“It shows the people that we’re not just here for ourselves; we’re going to work for the community, work for the children,” said Green, a father of three and St. Louis, Mo., native. “I think if you win the children, you win the adults. They’re kids just like our kids, they just have less.”

The unit plans to work with the CA team on a continuous basis until each school has supplies for every student, said Green.

“Hopefully the young ones remember American Soldiers as helpful, so maybe our kids won’t have to be here in 20 years,” said Pfc. Agustin Aguilar Jr., a one-year veteran from Tucson, Ariz. “They are grateful for anything and they don’t look at us and run away - they know we’re friendly to them.”

Labels: 1-76th FA, 3rd ID, 415th Civil Affairs Battalion, children, Civil Affairs, FOB Kalsu, Good News, Iraq, US Army

CHINOOK FLY OVER - A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook flies over a pick up sight on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, for a re-supply mission for Combat Outpost Summers, March 22, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tiffany Dusterhoft

Labels: CH-47, Chinook, FOB Kalsu, Iraq, photos, US Army

From Multi-National Force - Iraq:





Noor Taha Najee gives 1st Lt. Michael Kendrick, platoon leader, 2nd Platoon, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, a goodbye kiss near the end of a March 26 visit to her house in al Buaytha, Iraq. Noor, whose corneas are underdeveloped, has been blind since birth. The Soldiers of 1-30th Inf. Regt. are working with a nongovernmental organization in Los Angeles, the Eye Defects Research Foundation, to get Noor surgery that may provide her with sight. Photo by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky.


Monday, 31 March 2008

By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — Her hands run across his hand, her fingers explore his features. She asks her father: Is he fat or skinny? Tall or short? She is trying to learn about the man she cannot see, the one who strives to end the mystery surrounding him and the world around her.

First Lt. Michael Kendrick, platoon leader of 2nd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, said it is his goal to replace the mental picture young Noor Taha Najee has of her father with the actual image.

Noor, a 5-year-old girl who lives in al Buaytha, has been blind since birth, a condition caused by poorly-developed corneas, said her father Taha.

It is a problem which runs in the family. Taha's brother, Mustafa, also suffers from the birth defect, one that prevents the eyes from registering anything other than light sensitivity.

Although the condition is genetic, it is one that can be fixed through surgery. Kendrick, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., and his unit have been working closely with doctors to try to get something done for the family.

"To have her see her family, her brothers, to put a face to the voice, it would be a blessing," Taha said of the opportunity to help give sight to his daughter and brother.

The Eye Defects Research Foundation, a nongovernmental organization based in Los Angeles, is already trying to schedule a surgery for the girl.

On March 14, the Soldiers took Noor and her uncle to the 86th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad to get an evaluation done on the two, which showed a higher potential for success with Noor.

"We're on standby now, waiting for a doctor in L.A.," Kendrick said.

He said they are now trying to find a local Iraqi doctor who would be willing to travel with Noor and her family to California. An Iraqi doctor is needed who could be shown the necessary follow-up care.

Such a gift would seem appropriate for a girl who is described as very generous and giving by her father.

"She's different from many other kids," Taha said. "She's always sharing. She'll give you anything."

It is a personality trait which has endeared her to the 2nd Platoon Soldiers.

"We've taken a real vested interest in the people here," Kendrick said, adding his Soldiers spend a lot of time on the ground, interacting with residents. "We empathize with the people. It pays dividends winning the hearts and minds. It keeps things quiet."

Noor has developed quite an attachment to Kendrick, Taha said.

"She likes to sit by him, and is always asking me about him and loves it when I tell her stories about him," he said. "She's only like that with Kendrick."

As a father of two young girls himself – Presley, 3, and Parker, 1, – Kendrick said he knows the importance of family and providing for them.

While she may not be able to see what the Soldiers are doing for her, Taha said Noor can definitely sense the good will of Kendrick's platoon.

"Love begins in the mind, not the eyes," Taha said.


In other news from Iraq:
Iraqi Policeman killed preventing car bomb attempt on SOI leader (Tikrit)
Iraqi Army, MND-B Soldiers kill 7, detain 4 criminals

Labels: 1-30 Infantry Regiment, 3ID, children, FOB Kalsu, Good News, Iraq, photos, US Army

SLING-LOAD
Soldiers assigned to Company A, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, and soldiers assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, participate in a nighttime sling-load training exercise, March 6, 2008, at the airfield on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. U.S. Army Pfc. Amanda McBride

Labels: 2-69th Armor Regiment, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, FOB Kalsu, helicopter, Iraq, photos

From Multi-National Force-Iraq:



Udi, a United States military working dog stationed at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, poses for the camera after he completes his daily training, Dec. 25. Photo by Pfc. Amanda McBride.



Monday, 31 December 2007

FOB KALSU — With their strong sense of smell and their immeasurable loyalty, the highly trained military working dogs (MWD) in the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, are proving to be essential in the fight against terrorism.

Military working dogs first entered the United States armed services in March 1942. Today, the dogs are still providing support to the troops on the battlefield.

A single dog can search more area in less time than an entire company could do, said Staff Sgt. Charles Graves, a dog handler with 241st Military Police Detachment, Fort Meade, Md.

“By using the dogs, you are leaving your shooters to other aspects of the mission, rather than having them go out to start a search capacity,” Graves said.

Knowing the commands taught by the dog handler, the MWDs search for improvised explosive devices, weapon caches and other devices meant to harm Coalition forces and local citizens.

“They’re a good deterrent for any terrorist activity," Graves said. “They see the dogs out and know that (the dogs) will spot items humans won’t necessarily find on the first search or even with an in-depth search.”

While deployed in support of the war against terrorism, the dogs serve a one-year tour.

“Right now, we are the only service doing 12 months with the dogs,” said Sgt. Steven Ramil, a dog handler attached to 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

When not on missions, the dogs train daily to sustain the skills they already have.

“The dogs go through obedience, detection and protection training,” Graves said. “Patrol dogs also go through aggression training.”

Graves said that even though the dogs are trained to search and find items that could hurt fellow Soldiers, they are also a big morale booster.

“When we go out on some missions where the guys have been out in the field for three weeks with no hot water or hot chow, they will just brighten up when they see the dogs,” Graves said.

While deployed, the MWDs depend solely on their handler to take care of them.

“The handler is responsible for everything dealing with the dog,” Graves said. “The dog is like your child; you feed him, clean up after him and take care of him.”

The handler and dog team go out on missions knowing that they have each other’s back, said Graves.

“There is a never-ending loyalty with these dogs,” Graves said. “They would save my life and I would save theirs.”

(Story Courtesy of Task Force Marne Public Affairs)


In Other Recent Developments Here:

BAGHDAD — Members of a Concerned Local Citizen group seized a cache of munitions southeast of Forward Operating Base Hammer and east of the city of Al Nijidat, Dec. 26.

BAGHDAD — Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained 14 suspects Saturday and Sunday during operations targeting al-Qaida in central and northern Iraq.

Labels: 3rd ID, FOB Kalsu, military working dog, MWD, photos, US Army

Just goes to show you're never too old to make a difference....and why you shouldn't piss off senior citizens...



Thursday, 18 October 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071018-04
October 18, 2007

2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – A 72-year-old man stopped a suspected suicide bomber from detonating himself at a checkpoint in Arab Jabour Oct. 14.

The man approached a checkpoint where Mudhehr Fayadh Baresh was standing guard, but did not make it very far.

Baresh, a tribal commissioner and member of the Arab Jabour Concerned Citizens program, said he ordered the man to lift his shirt - using training received from Coalition Forces - when he did not recognize him as a local villager.

The suspect refused to lift his shirt. Baresh repeated the command again, and the suspect exposed his suicide vest, running toward the checkpoint.

Baresh opened fire which caused the vest to detonate, killing the suspect.

“I did it for the honor of my family and the honor of my country,” said Baresh, when he met with Col. Terry Ferrell, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Lt. Col. Kenneth Adgie, commander of the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment presented Mudher with a battalion coin for his valor Oct. 16.



FOR QUERIES, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – CENTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT: MND-CENTER_PAO-AT-IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL OR BY PHONE AT DSN 318-822-7482 OR COMMERCIAL 912-767-4114.

Labels: 3ID, Arab Jabour, FOB Kalsu, Good News, heroes, Iraq

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rain Albertson drills holes in the framework of the first of four tactical operations centers in order to run wires which will provide electrical service in the building June 22, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. Albertson is an electrician assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron deployed from Pope Air Force Base, N.C. He and his fellow Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, or RED HORSE, airmen are forward deployed from Balad Air Base, Iraq, to build four tactical operations centers for the Army's 2nd Brigade combat team, 3rd Infantry Division. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi


U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chris Belknap adjusts the spacing between roof trusses June 22, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. Belknap is the site foreman assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, one of the Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, or RED HORSE, airmen who are forward deployed from Balad Air Base, Iraq and tasked to build four tactical operations centers for the Army's 2nd Brigade combat team, 3rd Infantry Division. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi


U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyler Peterson cuts truss pieces for the roof of a tactical operations center June 22, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. Peterson is a utilities journeyman assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron deployed from the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron at Grand Forks, N.D. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi


Airmen assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron work on the roof of a tactical operations center June 22, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. The Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, or RED HORSE, airmen are forward deployed from Balad Air Base, Iraq, to build four tactical operations centers for the Army's 2nd Brigade combat team, 3rd Infantry Division headquarters. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi


U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Albert Turner and another airman carry their tools to their compound after a day of laying roofing material on the first of four tactical operations centers June 22, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi


U.S. Air Force Capt. Kelvin Haywood (right) signs for a shipment of 17 trailers full of supplies from Army Staff Sgt. Chad Kollar June 22, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. Haywood is the engineering flight commander assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and Kollar is logistical convoy commander assigned to the 1207th Transportation Company attached to the 82nd Airborne Brigade. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi


U.S. Air Force airmen assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron work on the roof of a tactical operations center June 22, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi


U.S. Air Force airmen assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron scrounge for scrap material to cobble together a compound for securing equipment and material which will be used to build tactical operations centers, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi


Staff Sgt. Sean Gann reads data from a total station used to position offset corner markers for the placement of a tactical operations center June 22, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. Gann is an engineer assistant assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron deployed from the 820th RED HORSE Squadron at Nellis Air Force, Nev. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi


Master Sgt. Lori Bordman runs electrical wires up into the rafters in the first of four tactical operations centers June 22, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. Bordman is an electrician assigned to the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and a reservist deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi



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Labels: 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, FOB Kalsu, Iraq, photo essays, photos, USAF