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CURRAHEECURRAHEEPRESPRESSS

JUNE-JULY 2006

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Volume 1, Issue 4

SSG Juan Vasquez, a cavalryscout with 2nd Platoon, Troop A,1st Squadron, 61st CavalryRegiment stands watch June 22in the Samadiyah area of eastBaghdad.

Contents

3-67 AR Finds Huge Cache..................................21-61 CAV Hero Receives Award...........................42-506th Patrols Countryside..................................5MWR Provides Service.........................................6801st Supply Leads The Way................................74-320th FA Captures Terrorists.............................8Mayor Cell Keeps FOB Running...........................9PCC Help Build East Baghdad...........................101-506th Conducts Air Assault..............................111-61 CAV Scouts Find Cache.............................144-320th FA Helps IA Capture Terrorists...............15

Stories

MonthlyCurrahee 6.............1Medical.................13Chaplain...............15

Safety Guy............16CurraheePhotos.............17-22

3-67 AR Hunts AIFMortar Team.For More Go ToPage12

CURRAHEECURRAHEEPRESSPRESS

The official magazine of the 506th Regimental Combat Team and its Soldiers

The Currahee Press is a monthly magazine published in the interest ofthe servicemembers of the 101st Airborne Division’s 506th RegimentalCombat Team. The Currahee Press is an Army-funded magazineauthorized for members of the U.S. Army under the provision of AR360-1.

Content of the Currahee Press are not necessarily the official viewsof, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of Defense ofDepartment of the Army.

506th RCT CommanderCOL Thomas D. Vail

506th RCT Command Sgt. Maj.CSM Mark Atchley

506th RCT PAO OICMAJ James F. Lowe

506th RCT Asst. PAO1LT Georginia Bradshaw

506th RCT NCOICSFC Michael Brock

Editor:SGT Tanasha Stachelczyk

Staff Writers:PFC Paul David Ondik

SPC Alex Cook

Message From The Command Currahee 6

Currahee Press June-July 2006 1

Dear Currahee Family and Friends,

Greetings from Baghdad on this the 230th anniversaryof our Nation's Independence. It is indeed remarkable thatour Regiment is once again deployed in our Country'sdefense, as we have been so many times throughout ourhistory. Like those before us, it is our honor to do so.

Right off the bat, I want to recog-nize the tremendous support wereceive from our Families, Friends,Veterans, the Fort Campbell commu-nity and support organizations! TheFamily Readiness Groups have madea huge difference and the RearDetachment cadre has performedmagnificently! Currahees know theircountry is behind them and we appre-ciate the constant letters and pack-ages. In addition, Veterans every-where have raised money for contri-butions, visited our wounded Currahees and attended cer-emonies all over America. Thanks to all of you.

The camaraderie, acts of valor and raw courage are aconstant among our Currahees. The hardened resolveand vigilance to protect each other prevails, along with thepride of protecting Iraq. Our commanders and staffs arebrilliant and have developed precision targeting plansresulting in the demise of hundreds of insurgents.Currahees have directly impacted the GWOT throughaggressive combat in Baghdad and Ramadi. Our Soldiersare well led and disciplined.

The Army is taking good care of our Regiment. Over70% of the Regiment has taken EML (R&R) and manyhave taken a break at the Freedom Rest hotel in Baghdad.All Soldiers will take EML by the end of our tour. The qual-ity of life at the Forward Operating Bases continues toincrease. Since our dedication of our Chapels, the minis-terial support and participation has been superb. OurSafety record is the best in country and the force protec-

tion enhancements arrive each week. Leadership changes since the last letter include: CPT

Nathan Guthrie, C/1-506 IN; CPT Eric Tapp, D/1-506 IN;CPT Chris Beal, B/2-506 IN; CPT Jaron Wharton, C/2-506IN; CPT Joshua Ginn, F/801 BSB; 1SG Robert Lillie,HHT/1-61 CAV; CPT Ivan Anaya, A/1-61 CAV; 1SG KeithArnold, C/1-61 CAV; 1SG Travis Risley, A/4-320. The

Regiment bid farewell to MAJ BrentDecker, transferred to 159th AviationRegiment and welcomed MAJ JeffPoisson, from the 159th AviationRegiment.

We are excited to officiallyannounce our honorary COL andCSM of the Regiment! The HonoraryColonel is LTG (R) James W. Cryseland our Command Sergeant Major isCSM (R) Robert G. Nichols. We areboth privileged and fortunate to havesuch dedicated veterans as part of

our leadership team.Last month, we were the first Brigade to reach 100% in

all Reenlistment categories and will soon re-enlist our fivehundred and sixth Soldier, SGT Joshua Wicker, 1-61 CAV.In some units, we are above 200%. Reenlistment bonusesare approaching $7 million dollars for the Regiment. Ourcurrent lifecycle ends in September 2007 and manySoldiers have opted to remain with the Regiment for thenext lifecycle, which extends through September 2010.With the reenlistment options for "duty station of choice"and tax free bonuses remaining available, Currahees willcontinue to make our Army stronger.

Lastly, our Currahee Regiment reflects the strengthand honor of our fallen and wounded heroes. We willnever forget them.

Currahee!!

COL Tom VailCDR, 506th RCT

COL Vail and his PSD in Adhamiyah.

June-July 2006 Currahee Press

3/67 AR Finds Huge Cache

LT Edward Stoltenberg, executive officer for Company D, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 4thInfantry Division, communicating with command at Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah duringOperation Roll Tide, May 10 in Baghdad.

Story and photos by PFC Paul David Ondik

Company D, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment,4th Infantry Division, located a huge cache of land mines,rockets, explosives, and documents in a house in theMuhalla section of east Baghdad May 10, as a result ofOperation Roll Tide.

In one home the unit found four shaped charges, over140 mines, 58 blocks of C4 explosives, 18 rockets, andalmost 40 mortars, as well as manuals and equipment toconvert these munitions into deadly improvised explosivedevices.

Operation Roll Tide was partially in response to anti-Iraqi forces attacking Forward Operating Base Rustamiyahwith rockets. On May 2, a room in one of 3-67 AR's bar-racks on the FOB was hit with rocket fire. After the attacksthe battalion sought out the site from which they werelaunched. At the launch site they found information whichled them to an area where the cache was found.

"We took the information found at the site, and thatwas what led us to this house," said LT EdwardStoltenberg, executive officer for Company D; his roomwas the one that was hit in the initial rocket attack. Thiswas just the first target. Three additional areas were alsosearched that evening, but it was at the first site where 3-67 AR hit the jackpot.

"We found a woman when we entered the building,"said Stoltenberg, a native of Portsmouth, RI. "She immedi-ately fled the house.

Red platoon found her at one of her relative's housesnearby. She was hysterical. Family members we ques-tioned at the house where we found her immediately fin-gered the guy who was responsible."

The 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 506thInfantry Regiment responded to the site as well, as didmembers of the 519th Military Police.

2

3-67th AR

"What we do is Sensitive Sight Exploitation," said SPCRandi Lee May, of Fisherville, VA, and a nuclear, biologicaland chemical specialist with the BSTB. "We come out hereto help pick up evidence. We're on what they call 'on-call'status. If they can't handle it on their own, then we comeout. They made our team up out of Explosive Weaponsspecialists and NBC."

In this particular case, though the cache was huge, theExplosive Ordinance Disposal unit on the scene was ableto handle it. BSTB was not idle though. They, along withmembers of the 519th MPs were tasked with providingsecurity at the end of the street, where an angry crowd ofIraqi nationals had begun to chant anti-American slogans.

The crowd quickly grew in number to hundreds ofincreasingly aggressive locals, separated from the Soldiersonly by a single coil of concertina wire.

The female detainee was handed over to the IraqiNational Police after the munitions were removed from thecache site, with the help from an Imam and other civicleaders the tense situation was diffused without violence.

Though the confiscation of a huge amount of enemymunitions is a great victory for coalition forces, the victoryis in one way bitter-sweet.

The male who was implicated in amassing the cache isstill being sought. Stoltenberg, for one, hopes they canbring the terrorist to judgment soon.

An Iraqi Police officer and local leaders tried to calm the crowd. The crowd dissipated onlyafter the cache site was cleared and the one female detainee was turned over to Iraqi Policeduring Operation Roll Tide May 10 in Baghdad.

This is only a portion ofthe cache that waslocated by 3rd Battalion,67th Armored Regiment,4th Infantry Division,during Operation RollTide which took placeMay 10 in Baghdad.

3Currahee Press June-July 2006

The days immediately followingthe Sammarah mosque bombing werea tense time in Iraq. U.S. troops werenot only caught in the middle ofancient conflict drawn along ethniclines, but were also charged with theduty of keeping the region from fallinginto chaos. It was also a time whensome Soldiers rose to the challenge ofembodying the warrior ethos.

SFC Rayne Jones, platoon ser-geant for Company A,1st Squadron,61st Cavalry Regiment, 506th InfantryRegiment, was awarded the BronzeStar Medal with Valor for his actionsMarch 2 in the Adamiyah district ofnorthern Baghdad.

"We were taking part in OperationStrong Will during the violence thatoccurred between the Sunni and theShia," Jones said. "It was like the wildwest, there was a lot of fighting, drive-bys on each others mosques."

"In the middle of the night weheard a sustained gun fight."

The noise was emanating fromthe old Ministry of Defense building.Jones took his element to the fight.

"As soon as we got there wecame under fire," said Jones, whowas born in Jamestown, TN. An IraqiPolice patrol was drawing contactfrom several terrorists in the surround-ing buildings and was in dire need ofassistance. "They were taking firefrom three different spots. The IP truckwas getting torn up pretty good,"Jones said.

He moved his vehicle into positionto give cover to the wounded, thendirected his gunner to suppress thefire from the anti-Iraqi Forces, so hecould personally dismount the vehicleto deliver aid to Iraqi policemen underdirect fire.

"Yeah, those guys made it. Onehad a leg wound, and one hadwounds in his upper shoulder andarm," Jones said. "I went out and gotboth those guys."

"I had one truck in support of meand the other three were busy firingon the buildings," said Jones. "It wasreally pretty exhilarating; we hadrounds bouncing all over the truck,"

Not making an impact on the up-armored humvees with small-armsfire, the enemy began using rocket-propelled grenades.

"They shot at my truck and theconcussion shut the door on my leg.At that point I was really more angrythan anything," said Jones. "Wemoved on-line toward the main area. Istarted pointing out targets with thelaser. We stayed on station there forabout two hours, getting the occasion-al pot-shots. Once the Apachesshowed up the insurgents decidedthey had enough and pulled out."

"SFC Jones, he's legit," said SGTDerek Beal, acavalry scout.This is Jones'third combatdeployment, andhis experience isconsideredinvaluable to hisSoldiers. "He'sbeen around solong and he'sexperienced somuch that it'salmost like natu-ral to him Iguess."

"During thattime there was alot of civilian-on-civilian violence.I mean a lot,"said Jones.

"It was areally weird feel-ing that at anymoment stuffcould have wentoff. Things couldhave gotten outof control. At anymoment the situ-ation could havewent in the oppo-site direction,"said Beal.

"At the time Iwas just frustrat-ed. I was frustrat-ed because we

had been on continuous ops. In thespan of about nine days we ran 36combat patrols," Jones said. "MySoldiers did a good job. None of themfreaked out. They did a good job. I'vegot a good platoon. A lot of them gaveit some extra gusto, because it wastheir first firefight."

Even though the job is sometimesfrustrating and always dangerous,Jones likes being in Iraq, and if it werepossible would sign on for anothercombat tour. "I actually think we'redoing a good job here. We're doing agreat service." Jones said.

1-61 CAV Scout Soldier Awarded Bronze Star With ValorStory and photos by PFC Paul David Ondik

SFC Rayne Jones, Platoon Sergeant with Company A,1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 506th InfantryRegiment, received the Bronze Star with Valor for hisactions March 2 during the aftermath of the SammarahMosque bombing.

1-61st CAV

June-July 2006 Currahee Press4

2-506th Patrols CountrysideOn May 8th, Soldiers from

Company B, 2nd Battalion, 506thInfantry Regiment conducted a dis-mounted patrol in the rural area southof Baghdad. They didn't come fromForward Operating Base Falcon,where the rest of 2nd Battalion islocated, but from the "Doghouse", asmall fortified building in the middle ofthe wilderness run by Company D.

"In this sector, it's a little differentfrom a lot of Iraq because it's rural outhere," said PFC Jeffery Dillon, a rifle-man with 2nd Platoon, Company D.He glanced at the Doghouse, wherethe roof could barely be seen over theconcrete barriers surrounding it."More or less, this is our home."

The Doghouse has enough roomfor the soldiers to catch a few hours ofsleep and a bite to eat before resum-ing their mission, but that's about it.The Soldiers generally work in eighthour shifts. They have eight hours onpatrol, and then have eight hours toeat and sleep. The eight hour cyclescontinue while the Soldiers stay at theDoghouse. They spend three daysevery week at Forward OperatingBase Falcon, resting and performingmaintenance on their vehicles.

Their mission is to secure themain road through the area for localcivilians, said SSG Michael Lage, aSection Leader for 2nd Platoon,Company D. "We try to gather asmuch info as we can from the local

populace to try to catch any kind ofinsurgents."

The main road through the ruralarea was once a major target for ter-rorists. Thanks to constant patrollingby Company D and other elements of2nd Battalion the area is much safernow than it was months ago.

"This is supposed to be anunfriendly neighborhood," said Dillon"But we do find a lot of people whoare sympathetic to us. We do get alot of useful information from them."

In addition to patrolling the roadsin their humvees, Soldiers from theDoghouse also conduct dismountedpatrols. PFC Andrew Ramos, a rifle-man for 2nd Platoon, Company B,described a dismounted patrol con-ducted by his platoon, along withSoldiers from Company D, onMonday, May 8th.

"We [were] looking for the originalpoint of origin sites for recent mortarattacks," said Ramos "We checkedthe area and asked civilians if they'dseen or heard anything. Then a sandstorm hit, so we had to take cover andlay low for awhile until it blew over."

When they saw the sand stormapproaching, the Soldiers asked alocal man if they could wait it out inhis house. Smiling, the man wel-comed them into his home. It wasn'tlong before the sand storm had blownover, and the Soldiers resumed theirpatrol.

"When it blew over we continued.We searched any vehicles thatpassed along the way. We found thecasing of a homemade rocket, butthat's about it." Said Ramos.

The Soldiers didn't find any leadsregarding the mortar attacks in theirarea that day, but they did receive atip about men wearing black maskswho were making threats to local civil-ians the day before.

"They were telling us that someintruders would come in with maskson their faces and different sorts ofweapons," said Lage. The maskedmen told them that if they don't moveout of the area, they would be mur-dered along with their family.

Soldiers don't take threats like thislightly, and they sent the informationup to their battalion intelligence officer.They thanked the man who had giventhem the tip, and promised them pro-tection.

Outside the hustle and bustle ofBaghdad, in an area known for terror-ist activity, the Soldiers at theDoghouse receive tips and help fromthe local people every day. They'reinvited into homes and thanked fortheir protection of the area. Despitethe actions of a few terrorists, the Iraqipeople are glad that the Doghouse isthere, standing like a pillar of hopeand freedom in the countryside.

Story by SPC Alex Cook


10 MAY 1970 — BASE AREA 702 SANCTUARY COUNTEROFFENSIVE, CAMBODIA

On the 10th of May the On the 10th of May the Currahees of 3/506 were in the Currahees of 3/506 were in the fifth day of sustained combat fifth day of sustained combat operations in Cambodia. Based operations in Cambodia. Based upon intelligence reports, TF upon intelligence reports, TF 3/506 INF was deployed into 3/506 INF was deployed into Cambodia to find, fix and Cambodia to find, fix and destroy enemy personnel and destroy enemy personnel and equipment.equipment.

The Currahees found the The Currahees found the combat on the 10th to be very combat on the 10th to be very heavy, and the enemy was well heavy, and the enemy was well equipped and motivated. B/3equipped and motivated. B/3--506 was hit particularly hard 506 was hit particularly hard and suffered 8 Soldiers KIA with and suffered 8 Soldiers KIA with 28 others wounded. At 1850, the 28 others wounded. At 1850, the pressure on B/3pressure on B/3--506 was finally 506 was finally relieved with the assistance of relieved with the assistance of A/3A/3--506. 506.

2-506th Infantry

For the troops of the 506thInfantry Regiment the cruel flames ofthe Iraqi sun are the crucible in whichthe Soldiers spirit is forged. Fire froma faceless terrorist enemy, and theweight of the responsibility to maintainthe discipline they owe to themselves,their comrades and the Iraqi people.

At Forward Operating BaseLoyalty in east Baghdad Morale,Welfare and Recreation providesSoldiers with a place to go, and thingsto do, such as flag football throughoutthe month of May, to get away fromthe stress that accompanies workingin a combat zone.

The FOB Loyalty MWR also pro-vides a theatre, pool, gymnasium anda number of sporting events and com-petitions in addition to its main loungewhere Soldiers can play ping pong,arcade games, read or relax andwatch television.

Even if an individual troop doesn'ttake advantage of everything MWRhas to offer, every Soldier comes intocontact with it in some way.

"The only part that I really knowwell is the gym. It's well set up, hasgood equipment, and the staff is veryhelpful," said PVT Darrell Penny, aradio technician with Headquartersand Headquarters Company, 506thInfantry Regiment.

One of the strengths of the MWRis its dedicated staff. "I help run thefacilities, run the tournaments," saidDanielle [last name not released], whoworks in the MWR. "There is a super-visor, two techs and three coordina-tors."

"Any type of event that is goingon, we send out fliers at the end ofthe month. There is a deadline forSoldiers to sign up for competitions sowe can schedule them," Danielle said.

Many of the people working inthe MWR have been here sincebefore the 506th, since 3rd InfantryDivision had responsibility for this sec-tor.

"3rd ID really liked the talentshows. But with these guys now, ithas really been flag football. We have14 teams for flag football."

Soldiers interested ininformation on the manyevents and services theMWR provides should stopin building 10, the mainMWR building, which islocated across the hall fromthe aid station.

In addition there issome kind of competitiongoing on at the field by thedining facility every day,said Danielle. In fact, MWRis currently seeking out ref-erees for upcoming sportingevents, anyone with sportsknowledge is welcome tovisit the MWR and inquire.

"This just gives peoplesomething to do to focustheir mind. You can come toany event we hold and youcan tell that the peoplethere are not thinking aboutthe mission, work or miss-ing home," Danielle said.

"It makes me feel pret-ty good. Every time we holdthese events I get excited.”

MWR Provides Services, Events And FunStory and photos by PFC Paul David Ondik

1SG Daniel Bates, Company A, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battlion dropsback to pass while defenders kick up dust during a game of flag footballbetween 506th Infantry Regiment Soldiers competing in an MWR spon-sored tournament outside of the Forward Operating Base Loyalty diningfacility May 16.

This ball carrier from the 506th InfantryRegiment evaded at least three defenders,running for the first-down during an MWRsponsored flag football tournament.


FOB Loyalty

Often times when large tasks arecompleted everyone tends to put thespotlight on those they think areresponsible for the success; howeverthere is a small group of Soldiers whodon't get to share that spotlight, butyet because of their actions and dedi-cation, missions are successful.

The three Soldiers of our supplysection are the very strong, healthyheartbeat of Company A, 801stBrigade Support Battalion, 506thInfantry Regiment and make the unitsuccessful.

"SFC Dawn Philmore has lead theway to success by managing not onlythe supply room, but the arms roomand communications room as well,said 1LT Jessica Leonard, executiveofficer of Co. A. She has mentored theSoldiers working for her by showingthem how to organize their areas ofoperation so that they are efficient andeasily accessible to those who needto use them."

Their organization has paid offmultiple times as the Gambler ele-ments have been activated for QuickReaction Force missions and they hadeasy access to all that they needed.Also, Soldiers going on EML cancount on a supply clerk being stead-fast and ready as they turn in theirweapons before heading home. Eventhe recent change of commandoccurred with ease because of theSoldiers knowledge and proficiency intheir jobs.

"SFC Philimore is a mastermind oforganization, she is the driving forcethat allows the company to runsmoothly through multiple inventoriesand countless missions," saidLeonard.

SPC Iesha Massengale and PFCAindrea Mizusawa, the supply special-ists, are always on call; making thempart of the handful of Soldiers thatwork seven days a week.

"They are true apprentices to their

mentor and it shows through theirseemingly endless amount of energy,dedication, and drive for success in allthat they do," said Leonard.

"Both supply clerks are the cor-nerstones for the company," saidPhilimore. "They are able to operateat levels af responsibility much higherthen that of their pay grades. In myabsence, Massengale takes charge ofand runs the supply room so well, it'sas if I'm not even gone. Mizusawa notonly assist's Massengale in the supplyroom but also manages the armsroom."

The supply section of the compa-ny is never in the spotlight, but yetthey are the puppet masters that giveevery Soldier what they need to winon the battlefield.

Leonard added, if one listens hardenough as they walk through our hall-ways they can hear our heartbeatcoming from the office housed by themasterminds.

Story by PFC Sarah RiekeCompany A, 801st BSB

Alpha 801st Supply Leads The Way


PFC Aindrea Mizusawa, supply specialistfor Company A, 801st Brigade SupportBattalion carries supplies to her officeMay 27.

SPC Iesha Massengale and SFC Dawn Philmore, Company A,801st Brigade Support Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment work onsecuring an optical sight onto a M-16 rifle.

801st BSB


Over the two weeks ending 18 May, the Soldiers ofthe 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 506thInfantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, have capturedthree high value and also three lower level terrorists in pre-cision operations where no shots were fired in eastBaghdad.

As part of Operation Valiant Currahee, a brigade-levelintelligence-driven operation geared to capture leaders ofterror cells, the Tomahawk Soldiers with assistance fromlocal Iraqi Police, captured the three wanted individuals.One detainee is suspected of engineering kidnappings,murders and torture in the Zafarania area and in greaterBaghdad over the last six months. In the following week,the Tomahawks detained three additional terrorists relatedto the same crimes.

During the search of one suspect's home, Soldiers dis-covered orders appointing him a militia chief for Zafarania.One of the other suspects also is alleged to have partici-pated in kidnappings, murders and bombings. The thirddetainee is suspected of providing financing for those ter-rorist activities.

"We are focusing our efforts to defeat these guys. TheU.S. Army has adapted to gain intelligence on the coun-terinsurgency fight. We understood very early in ourdeployment that this would not be as much of a kineticfight as the first stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom," saidCPT Robert Snyder, 4-320th FA intelligence officer.

"We took four months to compile compelling evidenceof these alleged crimes so we had enough intelligence todetain them," said MAJ Rick Ullian, 4-320th FA operations

officer. Each man detained is now at Abu Gharib afterreview of that evidence and that gained during the sitesearch by Iraqi authorities.

"The Quick Reaction Force did a bang-up job," saidUllian.

1LT Andrew Jeser, platoon leader of Headquarters andHeadquarters Battery, led the QRF for two of the captures.1LT Carl Medeiros, platoon leader of Battery B, led theoperation which detained the other suspect.

"We prepared for possible resistance but after thetough rehearsals my noncommissioned officers led, weexecuted the mission and captured the two targets withminimum resistance. Within five minutes we had the highvalue targets in custody and the area secured," said Jeser.

"These criminals have been killing or helping kill Iraqisecurity forces and American Soldiers. Bringing them inhopefully helps speed the process of providing a saferBaghdad for all Iraqis," said Jesser.

Operations like these help build trust with law abidingIraqi citizens. "The battalion understands and embracesthat every Soldier's interactions with Iraqis, strengthensrelationships," said Snyder.

"The capture of our top three terrorists has had a pro-found impact on Anti Iraqi Forces in Zafaraniyah, desyn-chronizing their operations and assisting local IraqiSecurity Forces to effectively combat them. Over the lasttwo weeks, we have also seen a dramatic increase in tipsvia our tip hotline, by local Iraqi's now empowered to standup against terrorism in their respective communities," saidSnyder.

4-320th FA Captures Three High Value TerroristsStory by MAJ James Lowe

2-506th Soldiers Support Civil Affairs Team

Company B, 414th Civil Affairs Battalion is new toForward Operating Base Falcon located south of Baghdadwhere they conducted their first mission on May 5.

They have studied their predecessors and trained fortheir missions, but they won't be alone. Soldiers from 2ndBattalion, 506th Infantry Regiment were right alongside theCivil Affairs Soldiers on their first mission, and will stay bytheir side as they travel the city streets speaking to localcivilians and initiating civil repair projects.

"We provide security for them because they don't haveenough people." Said PFC Brandon Sabala, a Soldier fromHeadquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion,506th Infantry Regiment.

CPT John Flippen, the leader of Civil Affairs Team A,described his team's first mission.

"We were conducting what they call atmospherics,which is basically interviewing local citizens to see howthey feel about government, how they feel about utilities,security, and situations like that." said Flippen. "The

atmospheric missions are very simple missions, so that'swhy we're starting off with them."

Sabala accompanied the previous Civil Affairs team onmany mission, so is able to compare 414th to their prede-cessors.

"A lot of the guys are real good guys, so it shouldn'tbe too much of a problem once they get used to rollingout," said Sabala.

The new Civil Affairs team's first mission went off with-out a hitch. Flippen and his Soldiers spoke to many localcivilians, and the 2nd Bn. Soldiers handed out soccer ballsto children.

"The best thing about it is the kids," said Sabala "It'sgreat interacting with the kids."

The 414th CA Battalion uses the information they getduring atmospherics missions to make recommendationsfor civic projects such as water, sewage, and electricityimprovements.

Story by SPC Alex Cook

4-320th FA

Currahee Mayor Cell KeepsFOB Loyalty RunningStory and photo by SGT Tanasha Stachelczyk

The Mayor Cell's mission is to ensure quality of life forthe Soldiers, KBR contractors, and Department of Defensecivilians with many services including but not limited tofood, water, electricity and lodging on Forward OperatingBase Loyalty.

The Mayor Cell, run by CPT Chris Buckley, command-er of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4thBrigade Special Troops Battalion, 506th Infantry Regimentis essential to prevent confusion when someone has aproblem, said Buckley.

"It sometimes is a challenge to be a compnay com-mander of the company and the mayor cell at times, but Idelegate the responsibility to a few NCO's who can handlethe job and get things done," said Buckley.

"We handle every complaint on the FOB from doorhandles, vendors and house cleaners. We are also liaisonto KBR," said SSG Sean Irick, mayor cell rep and platoonsergeant.

"We handle the fire rescues, contracts, the post-exchange and log packs," said SSG Jonnie RobinsonMayor Cell noncommissioned officer in charge.

Robinson knew he was going to this job position backat Ft. Campbell when the former commander CPT AndrewYoder picked him for the job.

"I really didn't know what to expect in this position, Ithought I would just work for the First Sergeant and theCommander. I ended up working for everybody," said SSGRobinson.

Robinson who is an integral part in the day to day

functions of the Mayor Cell prefers the negotiating portionof his job. He likes getting the most for as little as possiblefor the Soldiers.

Unlike Robinson, Irick recently became more involvedwith the Mayor Cell's missions.

"I came in the picture when more situations wereraised," said Irick.

"He is someone who likes to be multi-tasked," saidRobinson about Irick.

The commander and first sergeant are the overseerswhile we are the executers. They also have a company torun, emphasized Irick.

Our function at the mayor cell is to handle the areawhile the battalions and the brigade focus on their mis-sions, said Irick. We are here to facilitate everyone.

"We go through every work order that comes throughhere. We also do evaluations on the latrines, fuel pointsand buildings just to name a few. We make sure everythingis being done right," said Robinson.

Although we work in the mayor cell and this is an addi-tional task the whole company is involved. I even haveSoldiers who work with the beautification of the FOB, saidBuckley.

"We work hand and hand with KBR workers, who aremostly retired from the military. They take care of the facili-ties and build anything that is needed and fix everythingthat is broke," said Buckley. "My role is to ensure the serv-ices are being provided to the Soldiers."

Mayor Cell Representative SSGSean Irick Headquarters andHeadquarters Company, 4thBrigade Special Troops Battalion,506th Infantry Regiment talks to alocal national vendor at ForwardOperating Base Loyalty on May19.


FOB Loyalty


Story by SGT Tanasha Stachelczyk

Projects Coordination CellHelps Build East Baghdad

29 MAY 2006 — BAGHDAD, IRAQ MEMORIAL DAY

Please take a moment today and Please take a moment today and remember all the Service Men and remember all the Service Men and Women, past and present, who Women, past and present, who gave all so that others would be gave all so that others would be freefree……

We Stand Alone; Together; Always.We Stand Alone; Together; Always.Currahee! Currahee!

31 MAY 1944 — ALDBOURNE, ENGLAND NORMANDY CAMPAIGN, WORLD WAR II

May 31st found the Currahees May 31st found the Currahees completing the move from their completing the move from their base in base in AldbourneAldbourne, to the airfield , to the airfield where they were to stage for Dwhere they were to stage for D--Day.Day.

The move was done over the period The move was done over the period of a few days so as not to tip off of a few days so as not to tip off any possible German efforts to spy any possible German efforts to spy on Allied troop movements.on Allied troop movements.

During the journey, the Currahees During the journey, the Currahees of the 506th PIR took the train of the 506th PIR took the train from Hungerford, near from Hungerford, near AldbourneAldbourne, , to the town of to the town of HonitonHoniton, where they , where they then boarded busses to travel to then boarded busses to travel to UpotteryUpottery Airfield, the Regimental Airfield, the Regimental marshalling area.marshalling area.

The Project Coordination Cell oversees and coordi-nates with local and city government leaders and theUnited States Army Corps of Engineers for infrastructureprojects while deployed to eastern Baghdad at ForwardOperating Base Loyalty.

"We are the project managers and liaisons with east-ern Baghdad government officials and with the coalitionforces," said 1LT Christopher Beal, liaison for the PCC,Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th BrigadeSpecial Troops Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment.

"We go out and meet with the local leaders about fourtimes a week," said 2LT Jessie Augustine, liaison for thePCC, HHC, 4th BSTB.

At the meetings ongoing projects and work to solveany problems are discussed. The PCC and local leaderscreate priority lists for upcoming projects, Augustine said.

Captain Andrew Yoder, HHC, 4th BSTB, runs the PCC,which handles projects in the 506th area of operations.

As the projects vary, so does the cost for the rebuildingof these neighborhoods. Some projects cost as much as$500,000. The projects range from health clinics andschool renovations to water plants and sewage problems,Augustine said. The larger projects are handled throughUSACE.

"We started to see success in these projects, especial-ly with schools and quick-fix sewage problems," Augustinesaid.

Local citizens have responded well to a road pavingproject in Zafaraniya. The people in the area can alreadysee the difference, Augustine said.

"Many of the larger projects range from electrical

power plants, water networks and sewage waste plants,"said Craig Robinson lead project engineer of the residentoffice of USACE. "We are here to administer the construc-tion projects. We have about $250 to $300 million, which isall used on projects."

The challenging conditions found in the neighborhoodsprompted the need for the projects.

"We go to certain areas and they are living terribly,"Robinson said. "They may have electricity, but they don'thave running water or sewage drainage. There is no placefor them to bathe."

Photo by PFC Paul Ondik

In an example of what the PCC oversees, local officialscut the ribbon to open a renovated school in JisrDiyala.

4th BTB

The eerie silence of an unusually quiet night in EastRamadi was interrupted by the familiar and welcomedsound of helicopter rotors as Scouts from 1st Battalion,506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combaty Team,"Task Force Red Currahee" prepared to board aircraft foran Air Assault raid. Under normal conditions, an AirAssault mission requires detailed planning and coordina-tion by both ground and aviation forces well in advance ofthe operation; however, this mission was far from normal inEast Ramadi. In this case, TF Red Currahee literally coor-dinated an air assault raid "on the fly" with Marine Corpsaviators and their attached US Air Force Joint Tactical AirControllers (JTAC) to capture insurgents who emplaced acache of arms, ammunition and equipment in their area ofoperations.

While conducting surveillance, the TF Red CurraheeTactical Operations Center identified three dismountedinsurgents in the process of uncovering a cache site andtook decisive action against them. The insurgents movedfrom the cache under the cover of darkness without know-ing their movements were under observation by coalitionforces. The Red Currahee TOC established positive identi-fication of the enemy and based on their activity requestedclose air support to engage them with direct fire fromMarine Corps helicopters. However the fires did not havethe desired effect against the enemy who escaped into abuilding unharmed. The mission would have most likelybeen complete at this point were it not for the quick think-ing of the Battalion S3, MAJ David Womack. "Air Assaultoperations are essential to who we are, and this operationillustrates a capability that our battalion brings to the fightin Ramadi," said MAJ Womack. The air assault operationwas the method of choice because of the remote nature ofthe target. Insurgents can often detect vehicular movementwell before coalition forces arrive and often defend theirlocations with IEDs as protective obstacles. A verticalenvelopment could defeat their early warning.

Task Force Red Currahee went to work planning ahasty Air Assault. The JTAC, U.S. Air Force MAJ A. J.Gaston, requested that the helicopter pilots, flying a UH-1,land and pick up the battalion's scouts to conduct a raid ona known insurgent location. At first the request seemed abit out of the ordinary, but after a brief discussion betweenLTC Ron Clark, the Task Force Commander, Womack,Gaston and the Marine Corps pilots, the decision was sim-ple, the Red Currahees would conduct an Air Assault mis-sion to capture the insurgents. The scouts formulated asolid ground tactical plan and identified a suitable landingzone. The battalion effects coordination cell devised agood plan for supporting fires. The TACP and aviatorscoordinated flight routes and the mission was set.

The helicopters landed at Combat Outpost only min-utes later to conduct final coordination and pick up thescouts. The execution was flawless. The scouts landed ontheir objective and seized the buildings, capturing theinsurgents who possessed evidence which led to theirdetention.

The speed and precision of the operation caught theenemy off guard.

"I don't think the insurgents realized what was happen-ing until we were inside their building because the missionwas executed so quickly. We seized and cleared theobjective without firing a shot," said 1LT Scott Jones, theplatoon leader and ground assault leader.

"We had Airmen controlling Marine Corps aircraft whoinserted Soldiers onto the objective. This operation wasan excellent example of the adaptive nature of the fightand how we can bring joint assets to bear with greateffects against our adversaries at a moments notice," saidGaston.

The dynamic nature of the mission and its positiveresults illustrate the viability of Air Assault operations andthe added flexibility that the troopers of the 101st AirborneDivision (Air Assault) provide in Ar Ramadi everyday.

Red Currahees Conduct Air Assault Raid "On The Fly"Story by CPT David Grambling

Soldiers from 1st Battalion,506thInfantry Regiment, 4th BrigadeCombat Team, 101st AirborneDivision, on an aircraft getting readyto conduct an Air Assault mission tocapture insurgents in Ramadi. Courtesy photo.

1-506th Infantry



Before any mission troops receive a comprehensivebriefing. It includes objectives, safety concerns, and perti-nent information about the mission they are about toembark on. In the global war on terrorism the ability toread and react is just as, if not more valuable.

On May 25, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 67th ArmoredRegiment, 4th Infantry Division, was faced with a situationwhere they had to adjust their plan, to catch a man sus-pected of taking part in recent mortar attacks on ForwardOperating Bases Rustamiyah and Loyalty.

"Basically, last night there was indirect fire on Loyalty,"said SGT Chris Bales, team leader.

"The helicopters saw three individuals illegally enteringthe location," said SSG William Barrett, platoon sergeant."As we were about to hit the suspected launch area, theysaw a vehicle leave the area," Barrett said. The platoonchanged routes to intercept the vehicle. The suspect wasfound at a construction site. The suspect was sighteddeparting from the suspected launch area, said Barrett."He left there, and then he dropped a guy off before com-

ing here."With the aid of an interpreter, the Soldiers ques-

tioned the suspect on the scene. The information theygleaned was relayed by radio back to the command ele-ment at FOB Rustamiyah. The decision was made to bringthe suspect back for further questioning. He will be ques-tioned until he has given all the information that is needed,then, if he's clean, he will be released, Collins said.

If the suspect is in fact connected with the mortarattacks it will be another victory in what has been a bigmonth for 3-67 AR. The battalion located a huge cacheonly a couple of weeks earlier, taking weapons out of thehands of anti-Iraqi Forces and striking a major blowagainst their activities. Regardless of the status of the sus-pect, the minds of Company A's Soldiers are more on theother goals that were set forth in their mission briefingearly that morning.

"After this we'll probably be heading back out to dothe rest of the stuff we were originally supposed to dotoday," Barrett said.

1LT Matthew Bandi, platoonleader, Company A, 3rdBattalion, 67th ArmoredRegiment, utilizes an inter-preter to question a suspect onMay 25. The man may be con-nected to mortar attacks insouthern and eastern Baghdad.

SGT Chris Bales, a team leader withCompany A, 3rd Battalion, 67th ArmoredRegiment, searches the vehicle of a mansuspected of being linked with mortarattacks in eastern and southern Baghdadon May 25.

3-67 AR Hunts AIF Mortar TeamStory and photos by PFC Paul David Ondik

FOB Loyaltyand

FOB RustamiyahPost Office Open Everyday!!!

Mail letters and packages home today!The mail room is open Monday through

Saturday from 0800 until 1500 and Sundays from 0800 until 1000 in Building 4 next to the

Brigade TOC at LoyaltyThe post office in Rustamiyah is located at

building 5A6 next to the Chapel.

12 MAY 1970 — BASE AREA 702 SANCTUARY COUNTEROFFENSIVE, CAMBODIA

Operation Operation BinhBinh TayTay II continued for the continued for the Currahees of 3/506 and the highlight of Currahees of 3/506 and the highlight of activities on 12 May occurred when C/3activities on 12 May occurred when C/3--506 discovered a very large weapons 506 discovered a very large weapons cache. cache.

Among the captured equipment were Among the captured equipment were 760 small arms of various types, 101 760 small arms of various types, 101 57mm recoilless rifle rounds, 20 75mm 57mm recoilless rifle rounds, 20 75mm rounds, 525 82mm mortar rounds, 8,100 rounds, 525 82mm mortar rounds, 8,100 rounds of small arms ammo, 155 pairs rounds of small arms ammo, 155 pairs of NVA binoculars, and about a of NVA binoculars, and about a thousand grenades and mines of thousand grenades and mines of various types and descriptions.various types and descriptions.

36 years later, Currahees would be 36 years later, Currahees would be finding similar caches in Iraqfinding similar caches in Iraq……

3-67th AR

Soldiers strive for excellence ineverything they do whether it isweapons qualification, MilitaryOccupational Skill proficiency, physicalfitness or extra curricular activities. AsSoldiers we look for the road lesstraveled, we relish the opportunity tosucceed in the face of adversity. Ourinnate "type A" quality which drives usto succeed makes the temptation toincrease our physical capacity by tak-ing performance enhancing supple-ments seem justifiable. But what doyou really know about the supple-ments you are about to take?

Before I discuss the "good," orproven, effects of some exercise sup-plements it is important to understandthat this article outlines exer-cise supplements, not neces-sarily nutritional supplementssuch as calcium, mineralsand other vitamins. Of allexercise supplements thereare only a few which havesufficient scientific basis forimproving physical activity.One popular product is crea-tine which can be taken orallybut is also a naturally occur-ring amino acid that servesas an energy source for muscle con-traction. This "wonder drug" whichmay put inches on your pipes doesnot come without its share of sideeffects which can include anincreased susceptibility to heat relatedinjury. The American College ofSports medicine also concluded that"there is no direct evidence thatCreatine supplementation contributesto the development of dehydration orheat exhaustion," however "high-doseCreatine supplementation should beavoided during periods of increasedthermal stress, such as sports activi-ties performed under high ambienttemperature/ humidity conditions."This study concludes that the physicalbenefits of oral Creatine consumptioncan and does occur at a much lowerdose than is recommended on theback of your jug of Get-big-juice andan increase, or too much, is notadvised. If you choose to take

Creatine supplements ensure that youare not exceeding the recommendeddose and drink plenty of water.

Dietary supplements are regulatedby the federal government, but unlikewith prescription drugs, manufacturersdon't have to prove that their productsare safe or effective before marketingthem. It's not hard to find the badside of exercise supplement manufac-turers which often hide behind the factthat their products don't have to claim,or prove their effectiveness. Commonsupplements which rely on this provi-sion are the fat-burning, or weight lossvarieties. Until recently most of theseproducts used the drug ephedrine, orephedra. The FDA banned the use of

ephedra based products after it waslinked to dozens of high profiledeaths. Recently a Federal Judgeoverruled this ban stating that the lawrequires the FDA to prove that adietary supplement is harmful, ratherthan requiring the manufacturer toprove it is safe, as is required withdrugs. I think it is safe to say that theFDA will continue to press the issueon this ban. Army and Air ForceExchange Services chose to removeephedra based products from itsstores shortly after the ban. TheAmerican Counsel on Exercise con-firms the medical risk of ephedraproducts despite the legal loop-holestating "Ephedra has been linked tomany life-threatening side effects,even when taken at suggesteddosages by presumably healthy indi-viduals. Exercise and the use of otherstimulants like caffeine can exacer-bate the adverse effects associated

with ephedra use." Legality and med-ical issues aside, think about it for aminute…if there was a pill that wouldmake fat people skinny, then why arethere so many fat people around?Weight loss products often rely onstimulants like caffeine, ephedra orother herbs in order to increase a per-sons metabolism in an attempt atincreasing the body's ability to burnfat. However, a healthy reduced calo-rie diet in conjunction with regularphysical exercise is proven to be saferand more effective. Excessive stimu-lant use is dangerous in hot weatherconditions, or during strenuous exer-cise, and can lead to problematicmedical conditions such as hyperten-

sion and heat injuries.The ugly side of exercise

supplements is the cost. Itdoesn't matter if you want to getbigger, skinnier, stronger orquicker there is a manufacturerout there designing a productwith you in mind…and it will costyou! Thumb through the back ofany fitness magazine and youwill find scantly clad, ripped,lean, buff models advertising thewonderful miracle pill/drink/pow-

der that turned them into what yousee before you. Okay, now wake up!The reality is that these people areprofessional models who get paid tolook that way. The have their ownchefs, work out twice a day, have theirown tanning bed, and did I mentionthey get paid to look that way? Weare all designed differently, some peo-ple are tall, some short, some skinny,some round.. We all have the abilityto enhance what we have by exercis-ing common sense. Increasing yourcaloric intake and weight training reg-ularly will help you put on muscle.Decreasing your caloric intake andexercising (to include regular cardio-vascular activity) will decrease youroverall body fat percentage. Spendyour hard earned money on booksand materials which promote healthylifestyle changes geared toward yourown personal fitness goals.

Exercise Supplements: The Good, The Bad And The UglyStory by CPT Darren Harper506th RCT Brigade


Health And Nutrition

“Excessive stimulant use is danger-ous in hot weather conditions, or duringstrenuous exercise, and can lead toproblematic medical conditions such ashypertension and heat injuries.”


On May 3, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 61st CalvaryRegiment, 506th Regimental Combat Team, found a cacheand two suspected terrorist with the help of an informant inAl-Duraiya.

"An informant came to speak to the battalion S2. Whilethere he told them about possible terrorist activities in oursector," said CPT William Arnold, B Troop Commander ."At that time the S2 linked him up with a quick reactionforce team who then brought him out to first platoon whichwas already out on patrol in the area."

The informant took the platoon out to the locations

where the caches were found. The caches consisted oftwo 122 mm artillery rounds, two 125 mm artillery rounds,five AK 47's, one SKS, two shotguns, 2,250 linked roundsof 7.62 mm, 5,420 loose rounds of 7.62 mm and 35 shot-gun shells.

This mission not only led the Soldiers to finding acache but they were also able to detain two suspects. Theparties detained are suspects of an improvised explosivedevice cell in the 1-61 CAV sector and have been suspect-ed of being responsible for attacks on Iraqi Police inSalman Pak.

Cav. Scouts Finds Cache Through InformantStory by SGT Tanasha Stachelczyk

19 MAY 1969 — HILL 937 OPERATION APACHE SNOW, VIETNAM

Local Montagnard tribesmen called Local Montagnard tribesmen called Ap Bia Ap Bia "the mountain of the "the mountain of the crouching beastcrouching beast.."" Official histories Official histories of the engagement refer to it as Hill of the engagement refer to it as Hill 937 937 ---- but to the Soldiers who but to the Soldiers who fought there it was simply fought there it was simply "Hamburger Hill""Hamburger Hill"……

On the 19th of May, the Currahees On the 19th of May, the Currahees of 1of 1--506 (under LTC John Bowers) 506 (under LTC John Bowers) were still struggling through triple were still struggling through triple canopy jungle and intense NVA canopy jungle and intense NVA defenses in order to get into defenses in order to get into position on the south side of Ap Bia position on the south side of Ap Bia for a four pronged assault on the for a four pronged assault on the mountain scheduled to start at mountain scheduled to start at 1000hrs on the 20th. The four 1000hrs on the 20th. The four kilometer move had started two kilometer move had started two days priordays prior……

26 MAY 1970 — THUA THIEN PROVINCE NEAR FIRE BASE RIPCORD, VIETNAM

On the 26th of May, the Currahees On the 26th of May, the Currahees of 2of 2--506 INF continued to pursue 506 INF continued to pursue an aggressive patrolling schedule an aggressive patrolling schedule around Firebase Ripcord in order around Firebase Ripcord in order to prevent the NVA and VC from to prevent the NVA and VC from probing the Baseprobing the Base’’s defenses and s defenses and attacking the Base with Mortars or attacking the Base with Mortars or Rockets.Rockets.

Companies rotated in and out Companies rotated in and out from the Fire Base, capturing or from the Fire Base, capturing or destroying numerous caches and destroying numerous caches and bunkers. Little contact was made bunkers. Little contact was made with enemy Soldiers, although with enemy Soldiers, although evidence of their presence was evidence of their presence was found daily. The Currahees knew found daily. The Currahees knew all too well that the enemy was all too well that the enemy was always watching.always watching.

73%

27% Soldiers whohave takenleave

Soldiers whohave nottaken leaveyet

EML Statistics

As of 08 July

Reenlistments in the Brigade

Total Reenlisted:

520

Total Money Spent:

$6,833,979

1-61st CAV

From the Chaplain’s office...

4-320th FA Helps Capture TerroristsStory by 1LT Georginia Bradshaw

Building Stronger Marriage RelationshipsStory by Chaplain James Choi

One of the privileges I have as anArmy chaplain is helping Soldiers andtheir family members improve theirmarriage relationships through numer-ous counseling sessions includingpre-marital counseling and marriageenrichment retreats and seminars.Unstable marriage relationships affectour personal lives as well as our mis-sion capabilities. It is a fact that main-taining a strong marriage relationshipin the military is very difficult.

An Army statistic shows that ourfrequent deployments make the situa-tion even worse. Even so, I know afew members of our unit that have

been married more than 20 years andare still serving the military proudly. Irespect those who were able to main-tain a healthy marriage relationship fora long time. It is not uncommon tohear young Soldiers saying that boththeir parents and their fiancé's parentsare divorced and how difficult it hasbeen…they would never let it happenagain. However, often times, I realizethat they do not know how to create astrong and healthy marriage relation-ship even though they want to. Thereare not many good examples they canfollow either from their homes or ourculture. It was funny to hear one sol-

dier stating that, "I thought my mar-riage was sound and steady but sinceI came to this marriage retreat, I foundout I've got a serious problem. "

There are many tips we can findto improve our marriage relationships.However, in this limited space, I wantto share just two to help you maintaina healthy marriage. First, Strong com-mitment is the foundation and themost important key to our successfulmarriage relationship. Janis Spring,the author of After the Affair says"Love is a concept as much as a feel-ing." What is the concept of yourlove? Psychologist James Dobson,


The goal of increasing the Iraqi Security Forces pres-ence in Baghdad and using Coalition Forces primarily assupport has provided Iraqi citizens with an opportunity tobuild their confidence in the Iraqi army's military police.

A local informant provided LTC Ma'ad, battalion com-mander, Iraqi Military Academy, with key information abouta possible insurgent cell location, leading to IA soldiersconducting an early morning cordon and search on multi-ple locations in the Southern part of Zafariniya June 21.

A platoon from Battery A, 4th Battalion, 320th FieldArtillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101stAirborne Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, led by2LT Robert Morris worked with the MPs to provide an outercordon and onsite consequence management of the mis-sion.

Upon arriving at the Iraqi Military Academy, Morris andhis platoon were briefed on their involvement in this mis-sion prior to movement.

"Our platoon had to provide security and overwatch forthe IA soldiers when they entered the homes and theninspect the homes to ensure the residence was not dam-aged due to entry," said SSG Jamie Villarreal, Battery A,4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th BrigadeCombat Team, 101st Airborne Division. "The IA was fast,professional and organized when conducting the raids."

During the combined cordon and search, the IA wasattacked by small-arms fire but suffered no injuries or dam-

age to personnel or equipment. The operation netted atotal of 10 detainees, along with numerous bottles ofunknown chemicals. The IA also uncovered two notableterrorist cells, one of which involved a militia battalion com-mander in Baghdad.

"They were very happy to have captured this insur-gent, (whom) they called the big fish," said Morris. Thenext location led to another high-valued individual and hissix sons.

"This cell had their own specialty in the operation, suchas the internet, making improvised-explosive devices, ran-som and murder," said Morris.

"By capturing this (terrorist) and his sons, we put a bigdent in the militia military operation," said Morris. "Theydon't just work for the militia military, but they are hiredguns for the highest bidder."

The IA conducted tactical questioning at a holdingfacility with the assistance of Morris, which resulted in theconfessions from the (terrorist) and his sons in theirinvolvement in the recent attacks in Zafariniya, indirect fireattacks on one of Coalition Forces' forward operatingbases, murder, kidnapping of female Iraqi citizens for sexthen killing them, and kidnapping Iraqi citizens for ransom.

As a result of the combined operation, Zafariniyah andthe surrounding areas should see less mortar activity, saidMorris. "At the end of the day we shook hands with the IAsand told them it was a pleasure working with them."

4-320th FA

16

Safety Guy Speaks...Story by Rod Lowell506th Inf. Regt. Safety Officer

Well, the hot weather has finally arrived. We have already had several days over 100, and a fewpushing 115. The good news is that we've had minimal heat related injuries to date. The bad newsis it is going to get a lot hotter. We have the potential to see temperatures in the 130 degree areabefore all is said and done. With the continued operational tempo, and participation in sports activi-ties, there are a few things we should do to keep heat injuries low, or non-existent:

1. Use the Buddy System. Watch for the telltale signs of on-coming or present heat casualtysituations.2.Increase your water intake. Even if you're not thirsty.3.Avoid drinks that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, and soda.4.Take regular breaks in the shade.5.Loosen, or wear loose clothing.6.Do not take non-prescribed stimulants or performance enhancers.7.Do not take non-prescribed medications, and know what the potential heat related sideaffects are of all prescribed medicines.8.Know what the signs of the various heat injuries are and the first aid for each.9.If you suspect you are suffering from a heat injury, seek medical attention immediately.10.Be aware, when wearing PPE, add 10 degrees to the current temperature.11.Ensure vehicle AC units are operating properly.12.All vehicles in convoys must have 3 liters of normal saline solution plus IV starting equip-ment. Make sure all personnel know how to use it.

We're on the downhill side of our tour. You've done great in the safety arena to-date; let's make itan even safer last six months.

an author of many books and thefounder of "Focus on the Family"developed a marriage enrichmentseminar titled, "Love is a decision." Iagree with this concept one hundredpercent. If we decide to commit our-selves in the marriage relationship, wewill have a much better chance of sur-viving times of trouble which are notunusual to any marriage. Back inthose days when divorce was not anoption to resolve problems in a mar-riage relationship, somehow, theywere able to keep their marriageintact. The Bible says, "For this rea-son a man will leave his father andmother and be united to his wife, andthe two will become one flesh" (Gen2:24). One flesh is not supposed tobe separated.

Second, continual development ofour skills in the marriage relationshipis another key. I often compare our

marriage relationship to a driving skill.To obtain a driver's license, one has toget a driver's permit. Then practicedriving to pass the test. But it takes awhole lot more time to become a con-fident, safe, and defensive driver. Ittakes patience and experience. Beinga skillful husband and wife is similar.But most of us did not have manyopportunities to learn how to be agood husband and wife and most ofus don't think we need to learn.When we realize we are in trouble, itoftentimes is too late to learn how tobuild a stronger marriage relationship.That is one of the reasons why theArmy offers programs to help Soldierslearn to maintain healthy marriagerelationships. I heard of an old couplemarried over 40 years that wereasked what the hidden secret of theirlong successful marriage was. Theanswer of the husband was, "I kept

making mistakes and kept learningfrom the mistakes to improve our rela-tionship."

No one is perfect but as long aswe try to learn from our mistakes, wecan improve our relationship daily.There are many books to read, semi-nars to attend, and counseling oppor-tunities available to help sharpen ourskills in marriage relationships. Thereare so many things to learn…how tohonor your spouses, how to communi-cate better, how to resolve conflictbetter, how to plan your future better,how to be better friends to each other,etc. We, chaplains, continue to offerthose opportunities to our Soldierseven during deployment.

We, as a brigade, will conductmarriage seminars and retreats uponour redeployment. I hope you cantake advantage to increase your skillsin those areas.

June-July 2006 Currahee Press

Photos of 3rd Battalion67th Armored Regiment

Currahees in Action


Photo of Headquartersand HeadquartersCompany, 506thInfantry Regiment

SPC Kyle Butler,Headquarters andHeadquarters Company,506th Infantry Regiment,gets ready to leave the FOBby making last minutechecks of the vehicle andhis equipment.

Left: Soldiers from Company E, 3rd Battalion, 67th ArmoredRegiment inspect a sign for an upcoming Iraqi checkpoint.

Above: SPC Spencer Waugh, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 67thArmored Regiment, talks with other Soldiers while out on partol.

Photos of 1st Squadron,61st Cavalry Regiment

Currahees in Action


Left: SSG Michael Ketchen, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 61stCavalry Regiment searches a house during a cordon andsearch operation.

Above: PFC John Keck, Company C, 1st Squadron, 61stCavalry Regiment, walks down a road during a dismountedpatrol.

Above: SPC Jarrett Mitchell, Troop B, 1st Squadron,61st Cavalry Regiment, looks through binoculars duringa recent patrol.

Left:SPC Florence Aldana and CPL Brian McAlister bothfrom Company D, 801st Brigade Support Battalion,inspect a properly mounted M249 for SGT PedroCastillo, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment.

Photos of 4th Battalion,320th Field ArtilleryRegiment

Currahees in Action


Left: SPC Edoe Agbodjan, Battery A, 4th Battalion,320th Field Artillery Regiment, looks for suspicousactivity during a dismounted patrol.

Above: SGT Michail Goodson, Battery A, 4thBattalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, standsguard while on a patorl.

LTC Kevin Milton, commander, 4th Battalion, 320th Field ArtilleryRegiment, talks with local Iraqi Police on an operation near theTigris River.

SPC Javier Deorta-Feurte, BatteryB, 4th Battalion, 320th FieldArtillery Regiment, patorls thestreets of east Baghdad.

Photos of 801st BrigadeSupport Battalion

Currahees in Action

Photo of 2nd Battalion,506th Infantry Regiment


Top: SPC Ruth Rivera, Company A, 801stBrigade Support Battalion, processes paper-work with a customerduring a combat logis-tics patrol.

Top Right: An M969 5,000-gallon fuel tankerfrom Company A, 801st Brigade SupportBattalion, is delivered to FOB Loyalty duringa combat logistics patrol.

Right: SPC Luis DeSantiago, Company B,801st Brigade Support Battalion, repairs anengine on a M1088 MTV Tractor.

1LT Warren Sears, platoon leader, kneels behindSPC Philip Sanders, a combat medic, and SPCJohn Potter, an infantryman, while they set upcommunication equipment as SSG David Hapney,an infantryman, watches from the right during theDivision Ready Reaction Force's mission readi-ness exercise July 4 at Camp Taji, Iraq. The DRRFis part of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 506thInfantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team,101st Airborne Division, and is currently attachedto the 4th Infantry Division's Combat AviationBrigade as an aerial quick reaction force.

Photos of 4thBrigade SpecialTroops Battalion

Currahees in Action


Left: SPC Randi May, Company B, 4th Brigade Special TroopsBattalion, talks with local Iraqi children during a patorl.

Above: LTC Christopher Hall, commander, 4th Brigade Special TroopsBattalion, talks with MG William Caldwell, Stratigic EffectsCoordinatorfor Multinational Force Iraq during a visit to the R3 Water TreatmentPlant.

Above: CPL Yusha Thomas, Headquarters andHeadquarters Company, 4th Brigade Special TroopsBattalion watches the road from the gunners positionwhile on an EOD escort mission.

Right: Chaplain (CPT) Mike Griffith, Battalion Chaplainfor 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, talks withBritish MG Peter Everson, deputy commander forMulti-National Corps-Iraq,

23Currahee Press June 2006

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