Sgt. Isaiah Pesce, a water purification specialist (waterdog) with 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, checks the fuel level in his fuel tanker at Forward Operating Base Normandy near Muqdadiya, Iraq, June 29. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Ben Fox, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SR# 062907-01
June 29, 2007

By Pfc. Ben Fox
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division


BAQOUBA, Iraq (June 29, 2007) – Waterdogs – the term refers to a group of Soldiers formally known as water purification specialists. On many military posts in Iraq, though, water and other needs are contracted out to civilians, leaving these masters of water purification to find other jobs.

On Forward Operating Base Warhorse, near Baqouba, Iraq, these Soldiers work with a liquid almost completely opposite of water – fuel.

“Back in the rear we started doing the fuel,” said Pvt. Michael Pungsujarit, a waterdog with the 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

“We didn’t know if we were going to have a water mission or not,” said Sgt. Isaiah Pesce, Pungsujarit’s section NCO.

With the training his platoon received back at home, little additional training was needed when they deployed, said Pungsujarit. His platoon consists of both fuel and water specialists.

“I got it down pretty quickly in around one to two weeks,” he said. “Besides that, it’s not hard at all to do cross training.
“It’s pretty easy, I guess, to me,” Pungsujarit said. “I don’t know about other people.

“We cross trained just to better ourselves,” said Pungsujarit.

“It gave us an advantage instead of having to learn all fresh out here,” said Pesce.
“I wish we could do the actual water job, but we don’t have a water mission out here,” he said.

“We aren’t doing any water anyway, so it’s good to help out and know more,” said Pungsujarit. “Since there’s no water we might as well just switch to fuel.”

One of the most difficult parts of the job is knowing how to take care of hazardous materials, he said.

“We just have to worry about the fuel spills… and how to clean that up,” said Pungsujarit.

A common saying in Pungsujarit’s platoon is that “fuel and water don’t mix,” but he said that the statement isn’t true.

“All of us get along,” said Pungsujarit. “We are like family I guess.”
“There is no rivalry or anything,” he said.

“Everyone does a good job,” said Pesce. “They all get along and stuff.”

There are three main aspects of fuel distribution: bulk fuel distribution, convoy, and the fuel and ammunition resupply point (FARP) where helicopters are refueled.
Pungsujarit started out at the bulk fuel distribution.

“After that I came directly to the FARP,” he said. “I haven’t had a chance to go on a convoy, but I think that is going to change.

“I enjoy the FARP because I have worked here a long time and I know it very well,” he said. “I know how to handle situations that if anything goes wrong I can fix it quickly.”

Pungsujarit said he also enjoys the FARP because he has never worked with helicopters before.

“Over here was when they first taught me how to fill up the birds,” said Pungsujarit.
“I was kind of excited the first time because I had never filled up helicopters before,” he said. “I had never been close to helicopters before.”

Pungsujarit also said that the waterdogs are making a significant contribution to the unit.

“Without us I think they (fuelers) would be undermanned,” said Pungsujarit. “We help out the platoon, and basically, the brigade.

“They would have to do a lot more work, but since the waterdogs are helping out, I think it’s good for them, too,” he said.

“I feel good that I am helping out, even if it is just a little,” said Pungsujarit.



Twisting a knob on a fuel tanker, Pfc. Javanti Banks, a water purification specialist (waterdog) with 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, allows fuel to flow from the truck to a collapsible fuel tank at Forward Operating Base Normandy near Muqdadiya, Iraq, June 29. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Ben Fox, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


Spc. Ismael Gonzalez, a water purification specialist (waterdog) with 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, turns a wheel to allow fuel to flow from a fuel tanker to collapsible fuel tank at Forward Operating Base Normandy near Muqdadiya, Iraq, June 29. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Ben Fox, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, 215th BSB, FOB Normandy, heroes, Iraq, Muqdadiyah, photos, US Army, Waterdogs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR# 030807-01
March 8, 2007


MUQDADIYA, Iraq – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division supported by Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, attached to 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered three caches and two improvised explosive devices while conducting routine patrols in Muqdadiya, Iraq, Thursday.

“The weapons and supplies found during this patrol have multiple uses, however, the primary reason for their use is to disrupt the future of the Iraqi people living in the Diyala province,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav. commander and senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala province. “The people in the province are choosing reconstruction, stability, and development. The choices being dictated to them by the terrorists are fear and oppression. The Iraqi Security Forces are committing themselves to removing the terrorists’ tools.”

The caches consisted of improvised explosive device making materials including approximately 20 propane tanks and several mortar rounds.

A Coalition Forces’ explosive ordnance disposal unit conducted controlled detonations of the caches and the IEDs.

The unit also detained three individuals riding on a motorcycle with a mortar round prepared to explode. The detainees will be processed for further questioning.

Labels: 1-505th Infantry, 1st Cavalry Division, 3BCT, 5th Iraqi Army Division, 6-9 armored Reconnaissance Squadron, Iraqi Security Forces, Muqdadiyah, Operation Iraqi Freedom, US Army, weapons cache

By Sgt. Armando Monroig
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MUQDADIYAH, Iraq – For many Soldiers, a deployment can be a heavy burden to bear. Long hours, firefights and being away from loved ones are just some of the challenges faced by Soldiers in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Jerry McCloud and his Bradley Fighting Vehicle crew know this well and have decided that keeping things light is what will help them make it through their deployment.

McCloud and crew are assigned to Troop A, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Their job consists of route clearance, patrols and security operations, said the 38-year-old vehicle commander.

A reconnaissance mission Feb. 17, took them to the hills of nearby Hamrin, Iraq, marking their 109th mission since arriving in Diyala in October.

As the senior Soldier in the vehicle, McCloud said he is not only responsible for the safety of his Soldiers, but also making sure they cope with the day-to-day stress that comes with combat missions.

"It's stressful, but the less stress I inflict on them, the better they perform," said McCloud, from Tulsa, Okla.

To do that, McCloud keeps things lighthearted and playful. He jokes around with his crew. They sing songs from shows like Sesame Street and mimic the characters. His Soldiers call him daddy in jest, and he takes care of them as if they were his own kids.

"The more relaxed you are, the better you do your job," added McCloud, a 20-year Army veteran.

He said the Fort Hood, Texas crew eventually developed a good working relationship. But it wasn’t always the case.

“When we first got together, we were a terrible crew,” Sgt. John Richter, Bradley gunner, from Lynnville, Ind.

He said initially they had a hard time building cohesion and weren’t used to working together.

“After a while, you learn the rhythm or pattern of what the other people want and things fall into place,” he said.

“It takes time. You can’t just throw a crew together. It takes baby steps. How long have I been tortured by you all?” McCloud asked his Soldiers.

“About a year-and-a-half,” Richter said with a grin. He is on his second Iraq rotation. His first deployment was in 2004.

The crew agreed that going through combat on a daily basis together has helped them form a strong bond. They recalled the first time their Bradley Fighting Vehicle was hit by a road-side bomb only three weeks after arriving in Iraq.

It was the worst roadside bomb they had encountered, said McCloud, who is in Iraq a second time as well. His first time here was in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.

This Bradley crew has been hit by road-side bombs seven times.

They keep things lighthearted despite the dangerous missions because it’s what helps them stay alert and calm in stressful situations.

“You expect it. You’re prepared. But you laugh about it. You continue the mission and you expect it to happen again,” said McCloud.

The two experienced Soldiers, McCloud and Richter, do what they can to train Flanary, who is on his first deployment, and help improve his driving skills.

“I’ve learned to … maintain my distance, and to stay calm and not get too excited,” said Flanary.

“He’s come a long way,” said McCloud. “He’s a little hesitant to think on his own, but as long as he doesn’t run over any people or trucks – we’re good.”

Flanary and Richer attribute their “dad’s” leadership skills and good training to their improved performance.

McCloud has helped Richter become one of the best gunners in the squadron. Richter is one of only three Soldiers out of 40 in the squadron to get a perfect score in accomplishing 10 gunners tasks successfully.

Although McCloud likes to joke around, his Soldiers know that when it comes down to it, he’s all business.

“He gets down and dirty, leads by example, works right there beside us,” said Flanary. “That’s why I respect him. He’s a good listener and a good teacher.”

“He’s a mentor, a tutor. He has a great work ethic. The Army is running out of Soldiers like him. He stands up for us. That’s why I call him daddy,” said Richter smiling at his NCO.

“They’re a pain, but I have a good crew,” he said as he glared at his protégés.

“I’ve got a sense of pride for my crew,” said Richter. “Working with them makes my job easier. They help me laugh off the hardships of combat.”

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, 3BCT, 6-9th Cavalry, Iraq, Muqdadiyah

As he climbs the stairs of a home in Balour, Iraq, Feb. 20, a Soldier from the 6th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment from Fort Hood, Texas, checks for insurgents or insurgent activities during a squadron-level operation in the area.


By Sgt. Armando Monroig
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MUQDADIYAH, Iraq – Soldiers with the 5th Iraqi Army Division detained seven suspected terrorists during a cordon-and-search mission in Balour, Iraq, Feb. 20, aimed at capturing insurgents hiding in the area.

Members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, of Fort Hood, Texas, supported the mission in an area believed to be a safe haven where insurgents plan attacks on residents and coalition forces in nearby Muqdadiyah.

Coalition forces found a roadside bomb and detonated it, and took several AK-47s with ammunition from the scene of the squadron-sized mission.

Staff Sgt. James Davis, a mortar platoon sergeant assigned to 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, said most of the suspected insurgents fled the area before coalition forces arrived.

“They (the insurgents) are afraid of us. They won’t fight us man to man. They’ll plant roadside bombs or wait until we’re asleep to attack us,” Davis said.

But Davis and his Soldiers won’t be deterred from doing their job, he said.

“We’re going to track them down. We’re going to catch them or run them out of this area,” said Davis.

One of the alleged terrorists, a suspected roadside bomb emplacer, was nowhere to be found, said Davis.

Davis questioned residents about the insurgents he was searching for, and their activities in the area, but didn’t get any answers. He believes locals are afraid of retribution from insurgents if they talk.

“(Insurgents) will walk up to someone, shoot and kill them. And then they tell everyone else, ‘This is what will happen to you if you talk,’” Davis said.

Davis said conducting missions like this one will be the only way to break the grip insurgents have on communities like Balour.

“We just have to keep going out there and doing it,” said Spc. Thomas Gruenberg, a fire support specialist assigned to Headquarters platoon, Troop A, 6-9 Cav. Regt. “The more we go out there, (residents) will see they can help us and that we can help them.”

Help them, he said, get the insurgents out of their neighborhoods and make it a safer place for the locals to live and for coalition forces to operate.

“It will make it so the attacks on us and each other (sectarian violence) are less frequent,” Gruenberg said. “That way we can eventually pull out and let the Iraqi police and Iraqi army, take over, do their jobs fully and run their country without our support.”



Soldiers search a residence in Balour, Iraq, Feb. 20 for enemy activity during an operation led by members of the Iraqi army with the assistance of 6th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment from Fort Hood, Texas. The squadron-level operation was aimed at finding suspected insurgents in the area.


Staff Sgt. James Davis, a mortar platoon sergeant assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas, searches for signs of insurgent activity in a residence of Balour, Iraq, Feb. 20. The squadron-level operation was aimed at finding suspected insurgents in the area.


Staff Sgt. James Davis, a mortar platoon sergeant assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas, looks through a list of suspects his unit is searching for in Balour, Iraq, Feb. 20. The squadron-level operation was aimed at finding suspected insurgents in the area.

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, 3BCT, 5th Iraqi Army Division, Balour, Iraq, Iraqi Army, Muqdadiyah, photos