Published for Task Force Freedom Soldiers Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom III

Aug 22, 2005 visit us at www.tffpao.org Volume 2: Issue 19

401st CA Helps401st CA HelpsLocal CitizLocal Citizensens

Build Better IrBuild Better Iraq aq PPagage 6e 6

The Freedom Post 33

OSUL, Iraq – As the city of Mosul buildstheir police force and the ability to defend

from insurgents, they have also increased the CivilDefense Force’s ability to fight fires.

Staff Sgt. John Meyer, Government TransitionTeam member for the Department of Public Safetyfrom the 401st Civil Affairs, spearheaded a one mil-lion dollar project to purchase four fully equippedfire trucks for the City of Mosul.

“The Ninewa Civil Defense Force lacked the capa-bility to respond to fires or other emergencies withinthe area surrounding the Ras Alijada and the Ibn-Alather fire stations,” said Meyer. “All of their pre-vious fire trucks were too big to navigate through thenarrow streets of the old city.” The shortcoming wasnoted in the assessment of the fire protection for thecity and the surrounding area.

“With the expansion of the fire department for thecity of Mosul and the training of the fire personnel,the only thing they were short of was the appropriateequipment to do the job,” said Meyer, a 14-year vet-eran firefighter and paramedic from Columbus, Ohio.

The smaller trucks were delivered to the CivilDefense Force July 25. Each truck is equipped withthe specifications needed to travel down the narrowstreets and pump the amount of foam or water need-ed. The new trucks come with new personal protec-

tive equipment necessary for the firefighters to enterburning buildings.

According to Meyer, since the firefighters arealready trained, they will be able to use the trucks torespond to emergencies immediately, helping theCoalition Forces in rapid response to bombs andfires. “The new trucks will save lives,” said Meyer.

Story by Staff Sgt. Michele Uitermarkt

CDF Receives New Fire Engines

The local firefighters test drivetheir new, smaller trucks.

A driver examines the new con-trols for his fire truck.

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44 The Freedom Post

OSUL, Iraq - Iraqi Police (IP) in the area havemade great improvements over the last few

months, according to Maj. Gen. Joe Peterson, the newcommander of the Civilian Police Assistance TrainingTeam (CPATT). Peterson will be replacing the previ-ous commander, Maj. Gen. Joe Fil, later this year.

The CPATT works with IP forces to help trainthem to be more effective, according to Peterson.

During Peterson’s visit with Maj. Gen. David M.Rodriguez, TaskForce Freedomcommander, hewas able to meetand talk with IraqiArmy Gen.Sadoon Akmed.Akmed explainedto Peterson andRodriguez theprogress Iraqipolicemen havemade in the pastfew months. Theyhave worked hardto seek out moreterrorists and find

more caches. “We have a great bunch of Soldierswho do an excellent job,” said Akmed.

Akmed also discussed the rebuilding of the IPforces and the progress they have made with theirsecurity operations. “Everything is under controlthanks to Iraqi and Coalition Forces, except for asmall area of Tal Afar which should be under controlsoon,” said Akmed.

After visiting with the IPs, Peterson and Rodriguezwere given a tour by Lt. Col. Alan Neidermyer,CPATT Regional Academies Liaison Officer, of thefacilities that will soon be available for training theIPs

“We have classrooms set up for training and I’llalso show you the barracks as well,” saidNeidermeyer. “As soon as we get the footlockers thatwere ordered, these barracks should be ready foruse.” Neidermeyer also showed Peterson andRodriguez the mess hall, rifle range and gym areas.“The gym is still waiting to be filled with equipment.We will also set up processing stations to make regis-tering new recruits quick and easy,” saidNeidermeyer.

“I very much respect the hard work of the IraqiForces, they’ve made a difference,” said Peterson. “Ilook forward to working with them.”

New Commander Proud ofCPATT Accomplishments

Story and Photos by Spc. Ashly A. Mitchell

Maj. Gen Peterson receives a briefon CPATT projects.

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Maj. Gen. Peterson speaks with local leaders about thework the CPATT has accomplished.

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OSUL, Iraq - The days and nights can belonely in Iraq, and Soldiers do many things to

help pass the time; hanging with friends, playingvideo games, or watching movies.

One company has found an innovative way to helpclose the distance for Soldiers and their families.HomeMovies.com Corporation had the original ideafor OperationEnduring Love(OEL), whichedits movies shotfrom home anduploads them ontheir website,allowing militarymembers to seetheir families andmessages theysend.

John Larsen,CEO ofHomeMovie.com,said the originalidea for OEL wasenvisioned by his wife, Michelle Larsen. “She wasmoved by the story on the evening news about a newmother who was deploying to Iraq and would bemissing important milestones in her baby’s life.”

Christopher Jenkins, a former paratrooper whoserved eight years with the 82nd Airborne Division,coined the name and spearheaded the project whichMichelle had envisioned. “My ongoing correspon-dence with friends serving overseas makes me keenlyaware of the value of staying connected to the homefront during times like these,” said Jenkins.

That connection was realized recently by Staff Sgt.Mark Mulvaney, who watched a video of his threedaughters: Ashley, 14, Samantha, 8, and Jordan, 3,and his wife Michelle, through tearful eyes andhearty laughter.

His kids sang, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star,” andhis youngest, Jordan, decided to snack on a few bub-bles during bath time. The video also included a

heartfelt message from Michelle after the kids wentto bed. She explained how tough the deployment wason her and how much she loved her husband.

Mulvaney was excited when he finished viewingthe video. “I will recommend this to everyone I know.I think it’s just great, it really gave me a sense ofbeing home and made me feel as if I was not missing

out on everything. Iplan on watching it anumber of times duringthe rest of my stayhere.”

The videos taken byfamily members areposted on a securewebsite(HomeMovie.com)where they are view-able for one year whilethe service member isdeployed. DVD’s arealso available to orderfrom the website.

“Operation EnduringLove is a unique way to help connect our servicemembers overseas with their families,” said U.S.Senator Patty Murray (Wash.). “It is a touchingexample of how technology can bridge the distanceand help unite the many families who are sacrificingfor our country.”

“I want to thank [OEL] so much for what everyoneinvolved is doing,” said Mulvaney. “I can’t put intowords how much it means to me. It was great to beable to see and hear my wife and children. It truly isthe best time I’ve had in almost six months. Thankyou a million times.”

Story by Staff Sgt. Ray Calef, Photo by Sgt. Rick W. Way

Staff Sgt. Mulvaney watcheshis family from his computer

WWW.OPERATIONENDURINGLOVE.COM

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66 The Freedom Post

AHUK, Iraq -Soldiers of the 401stCivil Affairs (CA),

based in Dahuk, have themission of developing posi-tive relations between theIraqi people and theCoalition Forces, ensuringthe future success for thisregion's infrastructure withhumanitarian projects.

"We are concentrating onfour major districts inNorthern Iraq: Dahuk,Zakho, Semel and Amedi,"said Maj. Calvin Robinson,Civil Affairs Team (CAT) Bleader. "We work with thelocal government, assessprojects on the scope ofwork to be done, and over-see their development, pro- duction, and manage the funds of those projects."

There are two CATs, and a security team lead byStaff Sgt. John Tyvela who works with police andborder patrols, in Dahuk.

Capt. Steven Hayden, CAT A leader and projectofficer, takes his team to oversee the reconstructionof humanitarian projects for the people in this region.

"What we are doing for the Iraqi people is: over-seeing the development of health center renovations,school renovations, and water projects,” saidHayden. “We work with the local government toensure that the project is on schedule and it is beingperformed to specifications.”

No challenge seems too large for this smallgroup as they meet with contractors or make pay-ments on projects. The 401st CA is helping renovateschools, food storage and care facilities. They deliv-er medical supplies and educate Internal DisplacedPersons (IDPs), on simple sanitation methods andoffer other needed supplies.

"In some of these IDP villages there can be asmany as 400 people that had their homes destroyedduring Saddam’s reign," said Hayden. "Because theyget their drinking water from the river, we explainedto them how to boil water to lessen disease, andother basic sanitation practices. There is a need for

401st Civil Affairs Builds Story and Photos by Maj. James A. StreetD

A Team members oversee construction of the Barberiwell site.

Sgt. Robert Osborne, a Soldier of the CAT A, with children outside the newKasara Health Center in Dahuk.

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all the water projects we do.""Another upcoming IDP project, that

costs close to half a million dollars, is awinterization project,” said Hayden. “Wepurchased mattresses, covers, blankets,heaters, fuel cans, and lanterns for over180,000 IDPs in this region. This projectalone will affect a large number of livesthis winter."

The buildings and projects need thestaffing and training to make them func-tional. Soldiers like Sgt. Dana Kurt Hellen,a CA specialist and medic with the 401stprovides that instruction.

"We assess the health care and clinics inour local area and supervise the construc-tion of those clinics. I facilitate with thetraining of the medical personnel and helpcoordinate supplies," said Hellen

Hellen has treated IDPs who have beenbitten by venomous snakes, examined hun-dreds of IDP children, and completed fol-low-up treatment on other IDPs.

The goal of the 401st is to assist theregion in building and expansion. Yetanother undertaking, is to "enterprise" thepeople of this region. The fable about giv-ing a person a fish for one day's food orteaching them how to fish so they havefood for life strikes so true with the 401st.

"One of the key points that we allconsider is to empower the citizens tobe able support themselves. One wayto do that is to get them motivated tostart their own businesses by creatingincome generating projects,” saidRobinson.

While traveling and meetingnumerous Iraqis, their resoundingmessage is; they are grateful to theCoalition Forces for everything thatthey have done here.

Foundation For Iraq

Sgt. Robert Osborne and Sgt. Dana Kurt Hellen inspect the outsideof the Hassen Perka Health Center with local contractors.

88 The Freedom Post

Story and Photos by Sgt. David J. Nunn

-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq - In early2004, the water treatment facilities andpumping station of the Q-West Base

Complex were refurbished after falling into disre-pair during the last years of Saddam's reign. It wasdiscovered that the untreated system was being ille-gally tapped by local farmers to supply their homesand livestock in the desert climate; a lifeline thatwas the difference between life and death.

The mission to repair the whole system wasdevised to supply safe drinking water to the baseand the people of six nearby Iraqi villages.Recently, as the project neared completion, aninspection of the facilities found there was stillwork that needed to be done.

"We are working with members of the mayor’scell to get the last stages of this project finalizedand completed," said 1stLt. Frederick CharlesCarpenter, contractingofficer for the 917th CorpsSupport Group.

"We have identified the deficiencies in the systemand are now working on repairing them."

The faulty installation of many of the pumpingstation's flanges and improperly fitted connectionscould have caused some serious problems.Carpenter's experience as a civilian working at awater treatment plant yielded invaluable assistancein getting the facility on the right path to becomingfully operational.

"If the pumping systems were not working prop-erly, there would be unnecessary wear and tear onthe facility and piping networks," said Carpenter.

Coalition Forces Help Clean

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"In the event that the system had come apart, therewas a chance of electrocution to any individualsworking here. We want to make sure the immediatearea is safe before we turn our attention to purifyingthe untreated water system."

The system is not ready for human consumptionbecause of the lack of a chlorination treatment system.The water from thepumping station iscurrently used for Q-West resident's show-ers and toilets.Drinking water isstill supplied exclu-sively through bot-tled water, accordingto Carpenter.

This project, slatedto be completed bythe end of 2006, isjust one more way of proving our resolve and com-mitment to the mission of improving the living condi-tions and overall life of the Iraqi people.

"We continue to fund these projects to further

improve this country," said Lt. Col. Richard Curry,commander of 1st Brigade, 107th Calvary Regiment."We are teaching the Iraqis the proper maintenance ofthis water treatment plant, so that they can continue tosupply their people well after we leave."

“Now, they have the peace of mind that havingaccess to safe drinking water provides,” said

Carpenter. “[The Iraqis] no longer need toworry about the constant struggle ofdrought and supplying water for theirfamilies."

Up Water in Q-West

Soldiers gather informationabout the pumping stationfrom locals.

1100 The Freedom Post

Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq - The citizens ofIraq have enjoyed an increasingly safe and secureenvironment since the successful free elections inJanuary, thanks to the joint efforts of the Iraqi peopleand the Coalition Forces. The cooperation betweenthese groups is working towards achieving the goal ofrebuilding this country.

One example of the Coalition Forces working self-lessly to further develop this partnership into a friend-ship are the Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 8th FieldArtillery (FA) and the 3rd Battalion Iraqi Army (IA).

This friendship was strengthened as members ofeach Army gathered together to enjoy a barbequehosted by Maj. Gen. Ali Atala Malowh, commanderof the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division IA, athis home in Qarrayah.

"Since November, I have worked with theCoalition Forces. We are one team, like brothers,"said Ali during the barbeque. "Together we have cap-tured a lot of bad guys and uncovered many terroristcells that worked in this area. Through our teamworkwe brought them to justice. It is proof of our successwe can all be here today and enjoy the food and be

Coalition, Iraqi Forces Build Lasting Friendship

continued on next page

Story and Photos by Sgt. David J. Nunn

Maj. Gen. Malowhbrings out a platter offood for his guestsduring the barbeque.

Soldiers from 2-8 enjoy a joint barbeque, hosted by Maj. Gen. Malowh.

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MALARIA – What you need to know

If you have not noticed yet, we are not taking med-ication for the prevention (prophylaxis) of malaria thisyear. In this edition of Medical Matters we’ll discussthe above, review what you need to know and under-stand about malaria and how to protect yourself fromgetting this disease.

The incubation period for P. vivax is an average of14 days but with a range from 12 days to 10 monthsbefore showing symptoms. The symptoms beginabruptly with a shaking chill, followed by fever andsweats with irregular remittent fever. You may alsoexperience a period of malaise or headache before theinitial fever. The symptoms can last from one to eighthours then subside and you feel normal. The cyclerepeats itself every 48 hours. Diagnosis is made byexamining your blood under a microscope looking forthe parasite.

Most cases resolve spontaneously but treatment willresolve the symptoms more quickly and preventpotential complications of this disease.

So why am I telling you all this good stuff aboutmalaria. During Desert Shield/Storm, OIF-I and OIF-II, Soldiers took mefloquine (“mefloquine Monday’s”)weekly from April until November. Due to the lowcompliance and subsequent low incidence in USSoldiers, it was MNC-I’s policy that chemoprophylax-is not be initiated for OIF-III. Does this mean thatthere in no risk? Absolutely not! This is a risk (be itsmall) of acquiring malaria during your deployment.To decrease your risk, you should be wearing a perme-therine treated uniform and applying DEET in theevening, night and early morning hours. If you aresleeping in an area with a lot of mosquitoes, the use ofpermetherine treated bed netting is recommended.

We protect ourselves daily by wearing our IBA.There is an environmental risk in the form of a mos-quito that you need to protect yourself from. Treatyour DCUs with permetherine and treat yourself withDEET as needed. If you have any concerns or unex-plained fevers, please see your health care professionalfor advice.

safe."Together, the two Armies have been models for

the rest of the country. They have been very success-ful in their area of operation and are constantly mak-ing great strides in the continued training of the newIA.

"The people here have a positive opinion of[Coalition Forces]. When my Soldiers enter a villagethey go in with the idea of how many friends theyare going to make," said Lt. Col. Bradley A. Becker,commander of the 2-8 FA. "They have developed agreat rapport with the people. Their perception ofthe Coalition Forces is we are here to help."

According to Becker, people [in the U.S.] are sur-prised by how the Iraqis are just like [Americans],they just want security and to be safe. The peopleback home think the Iraqis don't like Americans andjust want us to go home, but most of the people heregenuinely appreciate our work and frequently inviteus into their homes.

"This level of success demands a lot of trust toinclude the [IA] in joint operations," said CommandSgt. Maj. Victor Martinez, 2-8 FA command sergeantmajor. "We eat together, live together, and plan mis-sions together. I think the trusting relationship wehave with our counterparts really defines our suc-cess."

This combined effort to transform the IA into adisciplined unit of fighting men brings us one stepcloser to leaving the responsibility of protecting theIraqi people solely in the hands of Iraqis. The 2-8FA has succeeded in aiding the development of theIA by helping create institutions that are the founda-tion of a developing Army, welcoming their com-rades into their families and thus strengthening thebond between our two nations.

"I think the greatest events are ones like this.When I tell people back home and show pictures ofwhat is happening, people have no idea things likethis occur. They look at the news and see negativestories about the war," said Martinez. "They don'tsee the uplifting events like picnics and barbeques atan Iraqi home."

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