Multi-National Division – Baghdad “First Team.....Team First” Saturday, May 2, 2009

Engineers walk away from RKG attackStaff Sgt. Mark Burrell MND-B PAO

BAGHDAD — Two deaf-ening booms followed bright, orange flashes. The Mine-Re-sistant Ambush-Protected ve-hicle shook violently. Smoke engulfed the vehicle inside and out. The engineers travelling inside the MRAP in western Baghdad, April 25, knew they had just been attacked with two RKG-3 anti-tank hand gre-nades, but that wasn’t all they knew.

“I pretty much knew it was over with, we got hit and braced for impact,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Daigrepont, the per-sonal security detail noncom-missioned officer in charge assigned to the Headquarters Support Company, 46th Engi-neer Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade. “I’m tremendously surprised it didn’t breech,” the Baton Rouge, La. native con-tinued. “The armor and the glass are the only reasons we’re alive, I guarantee it.”

The 46th Eng. Bn. Soldiers survived the insurgent attack because of the heavily-armored MRAP and also because they were wearing the right personal protective equipment (PPE).

“It was a really loud metallic ding and a really big boom. The concussion felt like somebody kicked me in the chest,” said Spc. James Belcher, the turret gunner from Paducah, Ky., also assigned to HSC, 46th Eng. Bn., 225th Eng. Bde. “All the glass on the right side flew up and

over into the turret. The only thing that kept it from putting my eye out was my eyewear.”

It wasn’t a coincidence Belcher was wearing his eye protection; PPE is a ritual for these engineers.

“We check our [ballistic ar-mor] plates to make sure the lot numbers aren’t defective, the gunner’s harness to keep you in the turret so you don’t get thrown out, eyewear ‘cause you don’t want large scratches to make it defective, your Kevlar ‘cause there are a few out there that are defective; and gloves because of burns and the heat of the metal on your weapon,” explained Belcher from behind his dark eye protection that stopped shrapnel just a few days prior while on mission.

Before every mission, the engineers check each other dur-ing pre-combat and inspections, enforcing safety standards.

“Though we sit there and cry and complain about [PPE] everyday…when you need it and it comes down to it, this is why the commander says to wear it,” admitted Belcher. “We wear all this equipment for a reason, but you don’t see it un-til you need it!” he added while smiling and adjusting his eye-wear. “If I didn’t have these, I’d have one eye right now, I’d be blind…it’d be a hell of a way to let down your team.”

For these Soldiers, letting down their team and not ac-complishing the mission is un-thinkable.

“Considering we were hit twice and the damage to the ve-hicle, it could have been a mo-bility kill,” stated Sgt. Michael Starkey, a personal security de-tail driver from Spokane, Wash., assigned to the 277th Eng. Co. attached to HSC, 46th Eng. Bn., 225th Eng. Bde. Instead, the engineers had a mission to accomplish and continued on for the next seven hours.

“We were still mission capa-ble after all that,” he continued. “I kept checking the gauges and they were good. We had seven people in that vehicle and we’re all here to talk about it, so I’d say [the MRAP] is worth every tax dollar!”

“It’s like the NCO creed says, ‘My two basic responsi-bilities will always be upper-most in my mind – accomplish-ment of the mission and the welfare of my Soldiers,’” said Belcher about why they didn’t just return to base with their damaged MRAP.

“It gives you a lot more con-fidence in your equipment,” added Tacoma, Wash. native, Sgt. Troy Bannister, a personal security detail mechanic as-signed to the 227th Eng. Co. at-tached to HSC, 46th Eng. Bn., 225th Eng. Bde., with a serious look. “You perform your job better when you have confi-dence in your equipment.”

The 46th engineers survived an RKG-3 antitank grenade at-tack because they did the right thing, used the right equipment and had the right attitude. It is

an important lesson that these engineers take to heart.

Daigrepont explained, “I got seven grateful guys that lived through a hellacious attack!”

Spc. James Belcher, a personal security detail gunner from Paducah, Ky., checks the turret and cleans up brass after a mission at Camp Liberty here, April 28.

Tacoma, Wash. native, Sgt. Troy Bannister, a per-sonal security detail me-chanic, inspects the fluids in his MRAP on Camp Lib-erty here, April 28.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, MND-B PAO

Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, MND-B PAO

PAGE 2 May 2, 2009

Power of cooperation: MPs, IPs work togetherSgt. Joshua Risner MND-B PAO BAGHDAD — The heat of the day is rising as military police-men of the 463rd MP Company, 93rd MP Battalion, 8th MP Bri-gade, along with their Iraqi Po-lice counterparts, move through a market in the Amariyah neigh-borhood here, April 29.

They move through an inter-section that looks just like the others they have encountered during the day but this one has significance, according to Staff Sgt. Preston O’Neal, a squad leader assigned to the 463rd MP Co.

“You see this intersection here, there used to be a lot of [improvised explosive devices] at this intersection,” the native of Dixon, Mo. said. “Now people let us know if they see somebody placing something.”

This peaceful intersection is indicative of the security progress made in Amariyah, said O’Neal, who attributes it to the increased competence of the Iraqi Police.

“One thing a lot of the people wanted to know today was the phone number to the police sta-tion, so they could call them in the future if something bad hap-pens,” he said.

The patrol through a market in Amariyah was not just about keeping the bad guys at bay, O’Neal explained. It was also about letting the IPs take the lead to establish a presence in the community and to be involved with the concerns of the local populace.

The IPs, along with the 463rd MPs, stopped by several shops to talk with shop owners.

“We just asked them, you know, how business is and how things are going in the commu-nity,” said O’Neal. “It helps show the people that we care and that we’re concerned with their well-being.”

When children would happen

past, the IPs handed them gifts: boxes of colored pencils and oth-er things, to cultivate good will.

“We bought some things from one of the local stores to help the economy and then let the IPs hand it out to kids,” O’Neal said.

But gifts were not all that was handed out today. Part of the mis-sion involved the distribution of anti-RKG-3 anti-tank grenade fliers.

“It has a picture of an RKG-3 on it; what to do if a local sees one lying around and how to identify if somebody is carrying one around,” O’Neal explained. “That way they can notify the [Iraq Security Forces] and hope-fully we can get it before it’s de-ployed.”

At the end of the mission, the IPs and MPs travelled back to the Amariyah Station and conducted an after action review. After dis-cussing the strengths and weak-nesses of the day’s mission, the two units, differing in culture but united in purpose, parted ways. The 463rd MPs returned to Victo-ry Base Complex, confident that their operation had contributed to the continued security of Iraq.

Spc. Jaclyn Guzman, a military policeman from Stockton, Calif., pulls security in the Amariyah neighborhood here, April 29.

Photo by Sgt. Joshua Risner, MND-B PAO

Staff Sgt. Preston O’Neal hands a flier to a local in the Amariyah neighborhood here, April 29.

Staff Sgt. Preston O’Neal, a squad leader, assigned to 463rd MP Company, 8th MP Brigade, assists a local restaurant by helping unload a truck of frozen food. The Dixon, Mo. na-tive, along with local IPs, met with a number of local businessmen during their joint patrol through the Amariyah neighborhood here, April 29.

Photo by Sgt. Joshua Risner, MND-B PAO

Photo by Sgt. Joshua Risner, MND-B PAO

PAGE 3 May 2, 2009

Cav Round-Up radio newscast availableMND-B PAO

BAGHDAD — The Cav Round-Up is a three-minute radio newscast from Baghdad covering military units and events across Multi-National Division — Baghdad.

Today’s Cav Round-Up No. 58 was produced by Sgt. Lisa Heise, MND-B Public Affairs Office.

The May 1st newscast includes the following stories:

1. Operation Crazy Wombat sounds like the zoo, but actually it provides se-

curity on the outskirts of Baghdad to pre-vent contraband from entering the city. Patrols are north and south of the canal to make sure no one is transporting hazard-ous materials or weapons.SGT Erik Far-dette, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, PAO.

2. The 227th Engineers train Iraqi Engineers from the 6th Iraqi Army Divi-sion at the Baghdad International Airport on equipment operation as well as how to run a construction site.

ArmyReserve Unit from San Antonio

conducts on the job training on how to maintain a general construction work-site. IA learns proper maintenance and then builds their skills on heavy equip-ment, including bulldozers, excavators and front-end loaders.

To hear the Cav Round-Up, click on the following links:

NIPR LINK: Cav Round-UpSIPR LINK: Cav Round-UpCheck out more news at the 1st Cav-

alry Division’s homepage:www.cavcountry.net

IA engineers ready for missions

BAGHDAD – Brig. Gen. Owen Monconduit (left), com-mander of the 225th Engineer Brigade, and Brig. Gen. John Murray (right), Deputy Commanding General-Ma-neuver for MND-B, listen as the 9th Iraqi Army Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Qasem explains how proud he is of Soldiers with the 9th IA Engineers during a train-ing exercise on route clearing at al-Rasheed. “I have re-ceived good reports on you … you will benefit from this hands on and teaching training’” Qasem said.

BAGHDAD – Soldiers with the 9th Iraqi Army Engineer Regiment conduct a demonstration on clearing routes of improvised explosive devices to culminate training they received from instructors with the 515th Engineer Com-pany, 225th Engineer Brigade at al-Rasheed. “We are capable of conducting missions on our own,” said Col. Alaa, commander of the 9th Engineer Regiment.

Photo by Maj. Pat Simon, 225 Eng. Bde.Photo by Maj. Pat Simon, 225 Eng. Bde.

Read MND-B stories, see photos, humor, games

PAGE 4 May 2, 2009

Iraq 3-Day

Weather Report Today

91° F | 68° FTomorrow 89° F | 69° F

Monday91° F | 73° F

On This Day In Military History 1970 - American and South Vietnamese forces continue the attack into Cambodia that began on April 29. This limited “incursion” into Cambodia (as it was described by Richard Nixon) included 13 major ground operations to clear North Vietnamese sanctuaries 20 miles inside the Cambodian border. Some 50,000 South Vietnamese soldiers and 30,000 U.S. troops were involved, making it the largest operation of the war since Operation Junction City in 1967. The operation began on April 29 with South Vietnamese forces moving into what was known as the “Parrot’s Beak,” the area of Cambodia that projects into South Vietnam above the Mekong Delta. During the first two days of the operation, an 8,000-man South Vietnamese task force, including elements of two infantry divisions plus four ranger battalions and four armored cavalry squadrons, killed 84 communist soldiers while suffering 16 dead and 157 wounded. The second stage of the campaign began on May 2 with a series of joint U.S.-South Vietnamese operations aimed at clearing communist sanctuaries located in the densely vegetated “Fishhook” area of Cambodia (across the border from South Vietnam, 70 miles from Saigon). The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division and 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, along with the South Vietnamese 3rd Airborne Brigade, killed 3,190 communists in the action and captured massive amounts of war materiel, including 2,000 individual and crew-served weapons, 300 trucks, and 40 tons of foodstuffs. By the time all U.S. ground forces departed Cambodia on June 30, the Allied forces had discovered and captured or destroyed 10 times more enemy supplies and equipment than they had captured inside South Vietnam during the entire previous year. Many intelligence analysts at the time believed that the Cambodian incursion dealt a stunning blow to the communists, driving main force units away from the border and damaging their morale, and in the process buying as much as a year for South Vietnam’s survival. However, the incursion gave the antiwar movement in the United States a new rallying point.

Nixon w/ map

Dust and particulates in the air can be a health hazard if not managed appropriatelyDuring exercise, you breathe many times the volume of air (and dust) compared to breathing at rest. Soldiers can only tolerate heavy exercise in dust for variable periods of time. Decreasing exercise in dust storms keeps you mission-ready.

Recommendations:1) Hydrate.2) Wash hands and face before eating and going to sleep, also use hand sanitizer.3) Avoid direct flow of air from ACs or heaters as these may increase repiratory irritation.4) Stop smoking.5) Seek medical attention for wheezing.6) Breathe through a wet cloth.7) Keep windows, doors and tent flaps closed. 8) Close vents on AC units.9) Don’t wear contact lenses.10) Heavy aerobic activity should only be done in clear weather or in the gym.

ATTENTION!

Here’s an invitation to play Wordplay!

Find words inside of words.

Today’s word is: OFFICER

Proper nouns do not count, nor does the word shown.

Words should be at least 5 letters long.

Try to find 4 words. Good Luck!

Last issue’s wordplay: American anemia/camera/maniac/anemic/marine/airmanarcane/cinema/marina/airmen/iceman/remain

Multi-National Division - BaghdadPublic Affairs Office

Commanding General:Maj. Gen. Daniel Bolger

Public Affairs Officer:Lt. Col. Philip Smith

Public Affairs Chief:Master Sgt. Nicholas Conner

Editor:Spc. Howard Alperin

Staff Writers:Sgt. 1st Class Ron Burke

Sgt. 1st Class Joel QuebecStaff Sgt. Mark BurrellStaff Sgt. Jon CuppStaff Sgt. Peter Ford Sgt. Joshua Risner

Spc. Jon SolesSpc. Laura Johnson

Spc. Phillip Adam Turner

The Daily Charge is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of The Daily Charge are not official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of the Army, or the 1st Cavalry Division. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army, the 1st Cavalry, or The Daily Charge of the products and services advertised.

All editorial content of The Daily Charge is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Multi-National Division – Baghdad Public Affairs Office.

Do you have a story to share?The Daily Charge welcomes columns, commentaries,

articles, letters and photos from readers. Submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs NCOIC

nicholas.conner@mnd-b.army.mil and include author’s name, rank, unit and contact information. The Daily Charge reserves the right to edit submissions selected for the paper.

For further information on deadlines, questions, comments or a request to be on our distribution list, email the Editor at jon.soles@mnd-b.army.mil

Pvt. Murphy by Mark Baker

PAGE 5 May 2, 2009

PEGASUS OASIS DFAC HOURSBREAKFAST 0530 TO 0830

LUNCH 1130 TO 1330DINNER 1700 TO 2000

MIDNIGHT CHOW 2300 TO 0100SUNDAY ONLYBRUNCH 0730 to 1330DINNER 1700 to 2000

MIDNIGHT CHOW 2300 to 0100

“Of all the aminosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by a difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be deprecated.”

— George Washington, 1732-17991st President of the United States

Quote For Today

Trigger’s TeasersThe objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. There are three very simple constraints to follow: Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.

Every Sudoku game begins with a number of squares already filled in, and the difficulty of each game is largely a function of how many squares are filled in. The more squares that are known, the easier it is to figure out which numbers go in the open squares. As you fill in squares correctly, options for the remaining squares are narrowed and it becomes easier to fill them in.

Yesterday’s Answers