the grey wolf - · pdf filemnc-i csm visits warhorse pg. 10 ... you can’t improve it...

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The

GGrreeyy WWoollffhowl

INSIDE:Leadership Academy Opens Soon Pg. 3

Soldiers Showcase ‘Wild Side’ Pg. 4

Caring: A Word Both Countries Understand Pg. 8

Fallen Hero Honored with Internet Cafe Pg. 9

MNC-I CSM Visits Warhorse Pg. 10

CF Wipes Out Insurgent Stronghold Pg. 11

CDR/CSM Corner Pg. 2Soldier on the FOB Pg. 5Chaplain’s Corner Pg. 5Grey Wolf in Action Pg. 6-7FOB Photos Pg. 12

By Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Felt3BCT, 1CD CSM

Hooah, Grey Wolf!!!

Did I ever tell you thestory about…Oh, I did?Well too bad becauseI’m going to tell it again!

This story is aboutdiscipline, initiative andduty.

A couple of years ago -- okay 22 yearsago -- a young specialist went to the Soldier ofthe Month board. After winning the battalion-level competition, he proceeded to thebrigade-level competition. After winning that,he went on to the division-level competition.After winning that, a number of leaders withinthe unit congratulated him and said, “Goodinitiative…”

This comment, in particular, confusedthe young specialist. The congratulationswere understood but the initiative part wassomething he didn’t expect. What is initia-tive? Why is everyone commenting on doingsomething that seems so natural? The Armyis offering the opportunity to compete, to berewarded, to be recognized and I took it. Whyis that “taking initiative?” Isn’t it a naturalthing to do, to learn and grow within the pro-fession that one has chosen?

A year or so later, after studying the his-tory of the American Army, this young trooperreads about the after action review studies ofSoldiers shooting, moving and communicat-ing in a combat environment. The book talks

about the rarity of the self-starting individualwho will shoot, move and communicateunder fire without being told. The book goeson further to say that these 15 percenters needto be identified, promoted and given the re-sponsibility to lead the 70 percent who won’tdo it themselves -- they need an example.(The other 15 percent won’t even do it whenled.)

The concept of lead by example, selfstarter, and initiative, all fall into place. “Spc.Scmedlap” now sees why the term initiative isso important. The 15 percenters are the oneswho the Army doesn’t have to say, “Don’t juststand there, do something,” because they’realready doing it. They are part of the solution,not part of the problem. He also realized thatby taking the initiative to compete, spend histime and energy studying, training and im-proving himself, he has demonstrated initia-tive.

The Army defines discipline as theprompt obedience to orders, or the initiationof the appropriate action in the absence of or-ders. Duty is defined as fulfilling your obliga-tions. Its definition is further enhanced inField Manual 22-100, Army Leadership, bythe quotation of former Army Chief of Staff,Gen. John A. Wickham, who said, “Theessence of duty is acting in the absence of or-ders or direction from others, based on aninner sense of what is morally and profession-ally right…” These definitions combine tohelp explain the concept of initiative.

You see, when you break it down, a dis-ciplined Soldier takes initiative because he ini-tiates the appropriate action when no other

direction is given, or when the instructionsgiven do not pertain to the situation onepresently finds oneself in. His sense of dutytells him that he is supposed to act in the ab-sence of orders. Duty requires us to give 110percent, and then some.

I have been given the excuse, “I was justdoing what I was told,” or even better, “That’snot my job.” Boy, do these comments chapmy fourth point of contact. I responded to thefirst by telling the NCO that Uncle Sam paysthem for more than that. We pay the AmericanSoldier to think, to analyze, and to act. That’swhy our orders process gives task and pur-pose, and commander’s intent.

As far as the “that’s not my job com-ment,” I heard myself promising, “Well, I’llmake it your job.” The point is it’s everyone’sjob to complete the mission and improve theorganization. You can’t improve it much ifyou just do the minimum.

This subject is pertinent to our situationin that many Soldiers have gotten into a rou-tine. We have developed a personnel battlerhythm. We sometimes feel that our scheduleis sacred. We need to remember that it’s notabout our convenience; it’s not about ourcomfort. It’s about service -- service to ourNation while we are at war. It’s not easy, butif it were, then everybody could do it. Theycan’t, you can. I applaud you for it. You vol-untarily serve your Nation at war.

It’s why I’m here -- your awesome to bearound.

Live the legend,Grey Wolf 9

By Col. David W. Sutherland3BCT, 1CD Commander

Grey Wolf!We are at the four-month mark of our de-ployment. I cannotexpress how proud I amof the performance ofeach and every Soldierassigned to the Grey-

wolf Brigade. Throughout this first fourmonths, our Soldiers have conducted over3,000 patrols and numerous combat opera-tions with our Iraqi Security Force counter-parts to bring peace and prosperity to thecitizens of Diyala. Your determination tosee this mission accomplished is nothingshort of outstanding. You have constantlyshown our host nation and the ISF how aprofessional Army performs its duty.Through your perseverance and sacrifice,the people of Diyala will have a chance for

a better future for them and their children. As we recognize our achievements, we

must also recognize our setbacks. One suchsetback was an escalation of force incidentthat took place during a flash tactical check-point. This EOF incident resulted in twolocal citizens killed and three others injured.While currently under investigation, this in-cident will affect our relationship with thelocal community. It is critical our Soldiersremain safe during these types of opera-tions. However, it is equally critical ourSoldiers follow the procedures emplaced asthey react to these types of incidents. I havedirected all commanders to conduct re-fresher training on EOF to ensure all propermeasures are taken prior to taking lethal ac-tions. Our Soldiers are our greatest assetand will always have the ability to protectthemselves when threatened.

As we continue with this highOPTEMPO, the safety of our Soldiers is in-creasingly at risk. We need to recognize

that with time, our Soldiers will becomecomplacent. I ask all commanders andNCOs to look at how we conduct operationsto ensure procedures and tools are in placeto keep our Soldiers safe. This is an NCO-run Brigade, and I expect all NCOs to re-main watchful of their Soldier’s actions andmitigate any risks that can affect our combatpower.

I would like to conclude this messageby calling to mind the gratitude we owe allof our Soldiers who have paid the ultimatesacrifice to make this a better place for theIraqis—you will never be forgotten. Totheir families, may God help you getthrough this most difficult time. The Grey-wolf Brigade will be here to support youand you will forever remain a member ofour family.

God bless you all.

Grey Wolf 6

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Commander’s Column

‘Hooah’ Corner

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‘Grey Wolf Leadership Academy’ to Open SoonBy Pfc. Ben Fox3rd BCT Public Affairs

Soldiers worked for days onend, filling sandbags, constructingfighting positions, placing concertinawire and setting up camouflagednetting.

Oddly, the position being forti-fied is not expected to come underattack. Instead, the building is goingto be used as a leadership academyfor Iraqi security forces.

The “Grey Wolf LeadershipAcademy” is located at ForwardOperating Base Gabe and is sched-uled to begin classes for coalitionforce Soldiers, Iraqi Army Soldiersand Iraqi Police, Feb. 11. The coursewill last seven days with a gradua-tion ceremony on the eighth day.

“It is going to entail focus onleadership development,” said Com-mand Sgt. Maj. Donald Felt, the 3rdBrigade Combat Team, 1st CavalryDivision command sergeant major,who is in charge of creating theacademy.

The course will involve classeson all seven days, including NCOresponsibilities and duties, and lead-ership principals on the first day.

The purpose of the classes is“to facilitate professional develop-

ment of the IA and IP NCO Corps,”said Felt.

On the second day, the studentswill learn Army values and generalorders.

So that the ISF can be bettertrusted by those they serve, Felt saidthe instructors will teach values andethics the United States Army isknown for.

The third day turns more handson as the students learn weapons fa-miliarization, marksmanship and re-flexive fire.

Staff Sgt. James Evans, nativeto Tuscan, Ariz., will primarily be incharge of conducting the firingranges at the academy, which he waspreviously doing for U.S. Soldiers atForward Operating Base Warhorse.

The marksmanship range willconsist of firing ten rounds in threepositions -- standing, kneeling andprone -- so that in all, 30 shots arefired, said Evans.

The students will return to theranges again on day four for buddyteam and squad live fire exercises.

The buddy team fire will havefour different cover and concealmentelements, two running lanes, and thefinal element will fit the entire teamso they can all engage the target to-gether, said Evans.

Day five involves more com-plicated leadership responsibilitiessuch as rules of engagement, firecommands and reporting.

On day six, medical trainingwill be the focus, as well as an obsta-cle course aimed to improve battlefocused physical training.

The obstacle course includeslogs to jump over, tires to runthrough, wire to crawl under and abalance beam to cross.

The last day of training empha-sizes defense and how to maintainand create defensive positions.

“(This will) teach them how tosustain their fire and stay in thefight,” said Staff Sgt. Jeff Young, na-tive to Lockhart, Texas. Young is incharge of teaching defense and hold-ing defensive positions.

All of the courses are similar tocourses American Soldiers gothrough, but the visual aids havebeen translated into Arabic so thestudents can see visually what theyhear from the Soldiers through inter-preters, said Young.

“The ultimate goal is to trainIraqis so they can defend,” saidEvans. “Teach them to hold in placeand defend.”

This is allties into the main

mission of coalition forces in Iraq,which is to hand over security to theIraqis.

“Our exit strategy depends onIraqi security forces being able toprovide security,” said Felt. “Any-thing we do to build ISF capabilitiesis important.”

Young also said he hopes theacademy will “help (ISF) defeattheir enemies without us.” “If theybecome more self-sustainable andless reliable on us, it has to help,”said Young.

To prove the academy’s worth,graduation day will be different thanmost. The students will show whatthey learned from the previous weekwhen their academy comes under amock attack.

“Our graduation exercise is alive fire defense of the academy it-self,” said Felt. The Iraqi leadershipwill see their Soldiers conducting acomplicated defense of the academy,he said.

Hopefully it will provoke a re-action, and the VIPs will ask, “Howdid they train them to do this inseven days?” said Felt.

Staff Sgt. James Evans, pulls barbed wire around a poll to create alow crawl obstacle for an obstacle course at the Grey Wolf LeadershipAcademy on Forward Operating Base Gabe Jan. 26.

Spc. Rodney Macomber sets up camou-flaged netting for a fighting position at theGrey Wolf Leadership Academy.

Photo by Pfc. Ben Fox, 3BCT Public AffairsPhoto by Pfc. Ben Fox, 3BCT Public Affairs


3rd BCT CommanderCol. David Sutherland

3rd BCT PAOMaj. Raul Marquez

[email protected]

3rd BCT PAO NCOIC/EditorSgt. Serena Hayden

[email protected]

3rd BCT PAO Staff WritersSpc. Ryan Stroud, Pfc. Ben Fox

The Grey Wolf Howl is published in the interest of theSoldiers, families and friends of the 3rd Brigade Com-bat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Contents of The GreyWolf Howl are not necessarily official views of, or en-dorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of De-fense, Department of the Army or the 1st CavalryDivision. All editorial content of The Grey Wolf Howl isprepared, edited, provided and approved by the 3rdBrigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Af-fairs Office.

On the cover ...Useful Iraqi PhrasesGood morningSabaH-el-khayr

Grey Wolf Soldiers pass sand-bags to each other to createsupplementary fighting posi-tions next to the Grey WolfLeadership Academy on For-ward Operating Base Gabe.

Photo by Pfc. Ben Fox, 3BCT Public Affairs

Soldiers Show their ‘Wild Side’ During Fashion ShowBy Spc. Ryan Stroud3rd Brigade Combat Team

Saturday nights used to be the night for many Sol-diers to get dressed up and head out for a night onthe town. Since the Soldiers of the 3rd “GreyWolf” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Divi-sion, are deployed to Iraq in support of OperationIraqi Freedom 06-08, those nights are temporarilyover for the Soldiers – or so they thought.

Soldiers from the 215th Brigade SupportBattalion put together a night of “wild” fashion toentertain the rest of the units stationed at ForwardOperating Base Warhorse, Jan. 20.

Members of Grey Wolf pilled into Faulken-burg Theater for a night of laughs as Soldiers“strutted their stuff” and competed in differentfashion categories.

“We had a fashion show to have some funand boost morale,” said Sgt. 1st Class PamelaOwens, Headquarters and Headquarters Com-pany, 215th BSB,

“The show was to give the Soldiers some-thing different to do after work and to raisemorale,” added Sgt. Jacob Taylor, HHC, 215thBSB, and a native of Silver Spring, Md.

“Some of the categories the Soldiers com-peted in were most outrageous uniform, worststandards, and most athletic,” said Owens, aWorcester, Mass. native.

The Soldiers participating in the showgrouped together many different forms of theiruniform to create many outlandish costumes andaccessories, Owens said.

Soldiers mixed their physical training uni-forms with their Army Combat Uniforms and cre-

ated different ensembles to entertain the crowd ofpeople. Many of the performers also put on smallskits to add to the show, while others danced tokeep the crowds attention.

“The whole event was crazy!” said Spc.Kisha Mathurin, HHC, 215th BSB, and a nativeof Long Island, N.Y. “[The event] was a way toshow that even though we are in Iraq, we can stillhave some fun.”

“It was a good change of pace,” said Sgt.Glenn Roberts, HHC, 215th BSB, and a native ofChicago. “It showed some outrageous ways Sol-diers could express themselves with their uni-forms and outfits, and to just have fun with it.”

Owens, who performed a skit that was in-spired from her time as a drill sergeant, was im-pressed by the how well received the show was.

“I liked the fact that the show was given tothe Soldiers to run,” she said. “I, as a [non-com-missioned officer], didn’t have anything to do towith the planning or the organization of the show.The Soldiers did everything and did a great jobwith the entire event.”

“I do hope many more events like this hap-pen,” Owens added. “It really is good for boostingmorale.”

As the show came to a close, it was deter-mined that the HHC, 215th Soldiers were the win-ners of the contest. For the Soldiers, it was a funand proud moment.

“We worked hard and had a good time withthis,” said Mathurin. “I do hope everyone had agood time and the Soldiers enjoyed themselves.”

“It was a great turnout and the Soldiersseemed to really enjoy it,” Taylor added. “I thinkit really went well.”

Though Soldiers will never be aloud to ex-press their true styles of fashion during the workday, Mathurin hoped the show would let the Sol-diers know that they can still look good, even witha uniform on.

“Even if we are in ACUs, we can still be a lit-tle fashionable,” she said. “You can make any-thing look good with a little imagination.”

Sgt. 1st Class Pamela Owens,HHC,215th BSB, plays with her eye pro-tection while she performs a skit atthe 215th BSB Fashion Show, Jan.20 at Forward Operating BaseWarhorse in Baqubah, Iraq.

Photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3BCT Public Affairs

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Soldier FOBon the

“What do you do in your downtime?”

Pfc. Aaron EllerCo. A, 5-73

“Weapons maintenanceand sleep. That’s it.”

Pfc. Frank HogsettHHC, 3BSTB

“I read, clean my weaponand hit the gym. I alsotry to catch a movie every

once in-a-while.”

Spc. Patrick MillerHHC, 3BSTB

“I usually clean my M4and Sleep. I also go tothe MWR to call my

wife.”

“Sit in my room andwatch movies with my

husband.”

Spc. Jackie RobertsHHC, 215th BSB

“Sometimes I go to thegym, get on the internetand make a few calls. Ihave also had a suit madeat the GW Taylor shop.”

Sgt. Leonard Price Co. E, 215th BSB

By Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3BCT Public Affairs

Chaplain’s Corner

Leadership Hosts Town Hall Meeting

The 5th Iraqi Army commander, the Balad Ruz mayor, the Diyala governor,the Provincial Director of Police and Col. David W. Sutherland, meet todiscuss security and services with 150 local leaders and citizens.

Photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3BCT Public Affairs

The majority, if not all, major television news networks run 24-hour live coverageof war’s gruesome events. We see live talk shows everywhere on the issue of war. Atthe uncertainty of war, the economy holds hostage our pockets and shows a largedroop on Wall Street due to global reservations. Families hug their loved ones oncemore as they depart for the battlefront. With this as daily fare on the predictable hori-zon, who wouldn’t be uneasy, unsettled, and afraid?

There are, however, practical steps we can take to minimize the negative affectsthat spin around us today. In order for us to remain calm and confront our fears, weneed to put some of these step into practice. By doing so, we have a better chance inmaintain a healthy life and thus, healthy relationships with our love ones. We haveeverything we need to combat these stresses if we remain calm and think clearly.When we find ourselves in an unfamiliar and unfriendly place, we must take actionand move ahead.

There are three steps that will help you and yours to keep a healthy life duringthis time away from your loved ones:

First Step: Treasure your friendsFriends are gifts. Friends can give us a different perspective to continue holding

on all the way. It is helpful for us to have sound-minded friends with whom to discussour fears, and with whom to join our voices together in common prayer.

Second Step: Keep yourself and your children busy!Nothing helps us “un-focus” on negative and fearful thoughts more than keeping

our hands busy with good things. Volunteer to serve supper at a shelter, visit the sickor shut in, or do whatever it takes to put your faith into some sort of positive action.Play sports; go to the movies, and travel. Do anything that will keep you and your chil-dren busy.

Step Three: Take a BreakIt would be better if we could “debrief” ourselves by dismissing scary and fearful

thoughts before bedtime. Toward this effort, do not watch war news or discuss eventsnear bedtime. Clearing our minds, doing relaxing activities, reading uplifting andScriptural material, and praying will ease us into a more restful sleep. Sleep deprivationand bad sleep patterns only add to our feelings of helplessness and bring on morestress. Turn off the tube and bring out the dusty board games and card decks, andspend a leisurely evening pursuing old fashioned, good activities.

It is my prayer that by providing these simple steps you can find a better wayto cope with separation and anxiety. Remember that your loved ones need you asmuch you need them. Keeping a healthy and balanced way of life will pay great div-idends at the end.

Chaplain (Capt.) Jesus Perez3BSTB Chaplain

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GGrreeyy WWoollff In Action

Capt. Michael Duran, platoon leader for the brigade commander’s personal security detachment,passes out candy to children during a visit to Karnabat, Iraq, an area near Baqubah, Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Cody Choate, a member of the brigade commander’s personal secu-rity detachment, provides medical care to an Iraqi child who had a minor injury,during a visit to Karnabat, Iraq, an area near Baqubah, Iraq.

soldiers from Delta Company, 1st Cavalry Division, 12th Infantry Regiment, pre-pare to remount their vehicles in the village of Kahlis, Iraq


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Grey Wolff IInn AAccttiioonn

Staff Sgt. Cody Choate, a member of the brigade commander’s personal secu-rity detachment, provides medical care to an Iraqi child who had a minor injury,during a visit to Karnabat, Iraq, an area near Baqubah, Iraq.

Above, while training members of the 5th Iraqi Army Division,Sgt. Gabriel Miramontes, Troop C, 5-73 CAV, instructs an IAsoldier on the proper stance when firing a weapon.Below, Spc. Jonathan Castillo of Co. D, 1-12 CAB, providessecurity while his team members conduct post blast analysiswhile on a foot patrol in the village of Kahlis, Iraq


soldiers from Delta Company, 1st Cavalry Division, 12th Infantry Regiment, pre-pare to remount their vehicles in the village of Kahlis, Iraq


U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall


3 BCT Senior Counselor Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Helmes3rd BSTB Staff Sgt. Luis Carter 1st-12th CAV Staff Sgt. Jason Folmar

Staff Sgt. Alegray Hamer215th BSB Staff Sgt. Annamarie Conklin

Staff Sgt. Margaret Smothers3rd-8th CAV Staff Sgt. Don Jewell6th-9th CAV Staff Sgt. Richard Erickson

Staff Sgt. Keston Dyer2nd-82nd FA Staff Sgt. Daniel Beltran

‘Grey Wolf’ Retention Team

Caring: A Word Both Countries UnderstandBy Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Favreau3-8 Combined Arms Battalion

Iraqi citizens and coalitionforces may speak different lan-guages but they care for peopleall the same.

Dr. Riyad Sabri, an Iraqidoctor, and Maj. Paul Fleenor,along with other medics from 3-8 Combined Arms Battalion,3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1stCavalry Division, set up a med-ical care operation, known as aCooperative Medical Engage-ment, for the people of the AlAudey Village inside theRawashid district of the Diyalaprovince, Dec. 23.

The mission was for IraqiArmy Soldiers along with coali-tion forces to screen the vil-lagers by checking their vitalsigns and asking for healthproblems for Sabri to take alook at.

Sabri, the primary caregiver for the operation, was as-sisted with medications andsupplies provided by Soldiersfrom 3-8 CAB.

It was because of the jointeffort that they were able toscreen and treat over 125 localvillagers.

At first the local populationcame in slowly but after a fewmoments word had gotten outthat the Iraq Army and coalitionforces were here to help, saidStaff Sgt. Ruben Garcia, Head-quarters and Headquarters

Company, 3-8 CAB.People started com-ing in more andmore, and soon itwas more than themedics had antici-pated, he said.

“It was hard tokeep count of every-one we treated,”added Garcia. “Sowe just kept goinguntil supplies wentout.”

To Garcia, it wasa chance to show theIraqi people that heand his fellow Sol-diers care about thelocal’s health and theycould trust the Sol-diers, he said.

The majority ofthe patients Sabricame across only had minor in-juries or sickness, except forone – a small boy with an in-fected cut on his hand.

The boy, who had obtainedthe cut weeks ago, had not re-ceived any medical treatmentfor his wound.

The cut was so infected thatthe infection was running up tohis wrist.

If the boy went untreatedfor as little as one more day, thechances of him losing his fingerwould have been greatly in-creased.

The medics workedquickly to help the young boy

and treat his wound.If he keeps the wound clean

and keeps taking his antibiotics,he will be fine, said Garcia.

Though Fleenor, head sur-geon for 3-8 CAB, and hismedics had their hands full withscreening patients, they knewthis operation was more aboutsupporting the Iraqi doctor andgiving the people in the villageconfidence in the ability of theirlocal doctor to take care ofthem.

“It’s good to start workingwith the local doctors,” saidFleenor. “The people of AlAudey were very thankful.”

Dr. Riyad Sabri, an Iraqi doctor, carefully examines a local Iraqi boyfrom Al Audey Village inside the Rawashid district of the Diyalaprovince, during a Cooperative Medical Engagement lead by theIraqi Army and coalition forces, Dec. 23.

Maj. Paul Fleenor, head sur-geon for 3-8 CAB, checksthe vision of a small Iraqiboy during a CME in theDiyala province.

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Favreau, 3-8 CAB


In Memory Of....PFC Ryan BergCo. B, 1-12 CAB3BCT, 1CD

SGT Gregory Wright72nd Eng. Co., 1st Eng. Batt.

3BCT, 1CD

CPL Stephen RaderstorfCo. A, 3-8 CAB3BCT, 1CD

PFC Nathan FairlieTrp. B, 6-9 ARS3BCT, 1CD

MAJ Alan Johnson402nd Civil Affairs Batt.

3BCT, 1CD

Fallen Hero Honored with Internet CafeBy Pfc. Ben Fox3rd BCT Public Affairs

Circled in front of a small building besidethe movie theater on Forward OperatingBase Warhorse was a small group of Sol-diers, waiting to honor their fallen friend.

“Gauthreaux Internet Café” reads thetop of the sign above the entrance to thesmall building. Inside, computers line twowalls on either side, and above those com-puters are pictures that bring to life thememory of a fallen Soldier.

Sgt. Jay Gauthreaux, the fallen Soldierwho is honored with the café, was killed inaction Dec. 4 in Baqubah, Iraq.

Just inside the building on the wall tothe right, is a letter from Gauthreaux’smother, Faye Crawford. In the letter, sheshares encouraging thoughts about Gau-threaux and what he lived and died for.

“Some people would think that amother would be bitter that her son waskilled… but she was actually the oppositeof that,” said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Lee,Headquarters and Headquarters Company,3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Di-vision.

“She was very proud that her son washere, doing what he loved to do,” said theZanesville, Ohio native.

Sgt. James Redick, native to Asuncion,Paraguay, said it is often hard for familymembers to cope with their children dying.

“I know it is hard for them to under-stand when we go, but it is our decision that

we are in the Army,” said Redick.Lee explained that the café was a way

for others to know Gauthreaux the way hisfriends did.

“I think it was important that we leavesome kind of memorial behind so that…people can know a little bit more about himand see what kind of person he was,” saidLee.

“When we dedicate a building, it issomething that stays on so that people canknow about him,” said Redick. “Es-pecially how we felt about (him).”

The internet café was chosenas a memorial to Gauthreaux,known by his friends as “G,” be-cause of the job he had in the Army,said Lee.

“Since G belonged to thebrigade (communications shop), wethought it would be appropriate tohave something communicationsrelated,” he said.

The building was an internetcafé before it was named and re-opened, but it wasn’t in very goodshape, said Lee.

“When we first took this placeover, it was in pretty bad shape,”Lee said. “You just walked in and itfelt dirty.”

All of the old wood wasstripped out, and they were issuednew computers, he said.

With the games and books thatpeople can use while they are wait-

ing on computer access, the room wasmeant to be a comfortable place, said Lee.

“We also want it to be a fun place;somewhere Soldiers can gather and be to-gether,” said Lee. “People can come andrelax in an environment where they don’thave to worry about work or their mission.”

When the ceremony was over, the caféwas opened for Soldiers to relax and enjoythe memory of Sgt. Jay Gauthreaux.

Capt. Mitchell Gronewold, commander ofHHC, 3BCT, gives a speech in front of the“Gauthreaux Internet Café” at FOB Warhorse,Baqubah, Iraq, before officially opening it.

Photo by Pfc. Ben Fox, 3BCT Public Affairs

SPC Eric SiegerCo. B, 1-12 CAB3BCT, 1CD

PVT Clarence SpencerCo. B, 1-12 CAB3BCT, 1CD


MNC-I CSM visits Troops at WarhorseBy Spc. Ryan Stroud3rd BCT Public Affairs

The Soldiers of the 3rd “GreyWolf” Brigade Combat Team,1st Cavalry Division weretreated with a visit from theMulti National Corps – Iraqcommand sergeant major, Com-mand Sgt, Maj. Neil Ciotola,Dec. 28.

Ciotola made a trip toForward Operating BaseWarhorse to speak with the en-listed Soldiers of the brigade,meet and interact with the lead-ers he hadn’t met yet and takesome time to recognize some ofthe brigade’s hardest workingindividuals.

After his arrival to theFOB, Ciotola quickly headed tothe Wood Dining Facility toshare lunch with the leaders ofGrey Wolf, an event Ciotolasaid was very important to him.

“I think the sergeant majorsand first sergeants need to be re-minded that are the linchpin tothis operation here in Iraq,” saidCiotola. “When it comes towhose going to push, pull orshove in an operation, it’s a non-commissioned officer.”

“The success or failure ofan operation sometimes comesdown to the NCO who, day-inand day-out, gives everythingthey can to their unit,” he con-tinued. “I think it’s very impor-

tant that they understand that Ithink they are doing a goodjob.”

Ciotola also said one of hispurposes in the lunch was toopen up the floor to the leadersto tell him what they thoughtneeded to change or happenaround their area of operation.

“My main purpose forcoming was to subject myself tothe scrutiny of the seniorNCOs,” Ciotola said. “If theyneed something that I can helpthem with, I will do my best tosee that things get changed orthat something productive willhappen.”

This event also providedCiotola the chance to meet thenew leadership he hadn’t metback in garrison.

“I wanted to introduce my-self to those I don’t know sowhen I come back, I can placemyself in one of their units to goon patrols, get to know theirSoldiers and do what needs tobe done,” he said.

“Its one thing for someoneto come in and give a speech toeveryone but it’s another to ac-tually go out there and work andsweat with those Soldiers,”Ciotola added.

After spending time at theCombat Logistics Patrol point,led by the Soldiers of the 3rdBrigade Special Troops Battal-ion, Ciotola made his way back

to the DFAC to have a mealwith some of Grey Wolf’s finestlower enlisted Soldiers. Oncethere, Ciotola took the time tomeet with the Soldiers and to letthem know he was proud oftheir hard work and dedicationto the brigade’s efforts in com-bat.

“The foundation of this op-eration might be vested in theability of the senior [NCOs] orin the officers, but the successor failure of this effort ulti-mately rests squarely on theshoulders of our young Soldiersand young sergeants,” saidCiotola.

“They are the ones walkingthe streets,” he continued.“They are the ones exposingthemselves to the hostile natureof this environment that wehave to conduct operations in.They have to deal with a lot ofpressure that others might notunderstand.”

“Any opportunity an[NCO] gets to recognize a Sol-dier…and to let them know thatwe believe in them needs to betaken,” Ciotola added.

“A few hard-working Sol-diers were invited to have din-ner with Command Sgt. Maj.Ciotola,” said Pfc. LatoriyaJones, an Aviation OperationSpecialist for 3rd BCT. “I wasinvited because I am a privatefirst class filling a sergeant firstclass’ position.”

“It was for Soldiers whohave gone above and beyondexpectations,” she continued.“We were all coined for our ef-forts.”

Jones said she was glad tohave the chance to meet Ciotolaand to share some of her experi-ences with him.

“He surprised me a lot be-cause he was more about theSoldiers than anything else,”she said. “He was interested ingetting to know us personallyand finding out what we did atour jobs.”

“He really took the time tolearn about who we were aspeople, not just Soldiers,” shesaid. “It made me feel impor-

tant. He gave us the opportunityto talk directly to him.”

“He wanted us to know thathe was there for us,” Jonesadded. “Any questions or con-cerns we had, we could askhim.”

“These Soldiers lift me up,they are amazing,” Ciotola said.“They do so many things thatare profound.”

Ciotola said he wanted theSoldiers to remember their ef-forts out here were not goingun-noticed. The Soldiers aremaking a difference in Iraqeveryday, he said.

“The Soldiers need to re-member that even when Ameri-can fought for our ownindependence, it took time,”Ciotola said. “Things do nothappen over night. They needto remember they are making adifference. They are making thelives of the Iraqi people somuch better.”

“Since Sadaam’s [Hussein]reign has ended, 64,000 newbusinesses had opened,” he con-tinued. “The American Soldiershave already helped make a dif-ference in the economy of theIraqi people.”

“I think the economy inIraq is going to get greaterthrough time,” he said. “Butnone of these things could havehappened without security pro-vided from the Soldiers.”

Ciotola took one last op-portunity to speak with the lead-ers of Grey Wolf to share hisappreciation of what they doeveryday for their country. Hechallenged them to uphold stan-dards and take the time to spendquality moments with their Sol-diers.

He also hoped the Soldiersof Grey Wolf would be proud ofthemselves for their efforts andcontributions to their units andto Iraq.

“When they leave Iraq, Ihope they think to themselves,‘I did what I swore I would do,I did it to the best of my abilitiesand I did what others would notsee fit,’” Ciotola said. “‘I didmy best.’”

Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola, command sergeantmajor of MNC-I, takes a moment to interact with “GreyWolf” Soldiers at the Combat Logistical Patrol point.

Photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud, 3BCT Public Affairs


Army wipes out insurgent stronghold in DiyalaMassive assault nets key leaders, Katushya rocketsSgt. Armando Monroig5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

The U.S. Army concluded a massive, nine-day assault Jan. 13, centered on a series ofsmall villages in the Diyala province thatfor the past 18 months had been used as asafe haven for insurgents.

During the operation, Soldiers from the5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment Re-connaissance, 82nd Airborne Division,killed more than 90 insurgents and detained54 suspected of involvement with terrorismactivities in the area, which is located justsouth of Balad Ruz.

The unit, located at Forward OperatingBase Caldwell, also reported capturing sixunnamed leaders of an underground organ-ization thought to have ties to Al Qaeda andother terrorist groups hiding in the villagesof Turki, Hamoud, and 30 Tamuz.

In outlying palm groves and canals,Soldiers found weapons caches containingmore than 1,100 Katushya rockets, 1,500rocket-propelled grenades, 500 mortars anda variety of bomb-making materials.

Sunni insurgents defended the areawith small arms fire, anti-tank mines andimprovised explosive devices.

“The effects will be felt just outside thisarea in places like Baghdad, Baqubah andfurther out to the west,” said Capt. StephenDobbins, the commander of Troop B.

Leaders of the 5-73rd Cav. Regt. sus-pected that insurgents were using the areaas a training ground for conducting terroristactivities elsewhere.

The villages are an hour’s drive fromBagdad.

Last month, the unit raided the areaafter finding a large weapons cache there.

More than 100 insurgents and two U.S.Soldiers were killed in the fighting.

This last assault was bolstered by theIraqi Army and U.S. Army units from for-ward operating bases in Muqdadiyah andBaqubah.

Air Force B-1 bombers and F-16fighter-bombers dropped bombs on nearbycanals and tunnel systems to destroy insur-gent defenses before Soldiers moved in tosecure the area.

Soldiers battled ankle-deep mud asthey cleared canals and villages.

The 5-73rd Cav. Regt., along with theIraqi army, is now in the process of settingup a combat outpost in Turki from which tocontrol the area.

“It will be a place where CoalitionForces and the Iraqi army can work jointlyto develop intelligence, plan rehearsals, andexecute missions out here,” said Dobbins.

The outpost will also be used to facili-tate infrastructure improvement projectsand strengthen the area’s education system.

“With the outpost, the Iraqi securityforces can provide a safe and secure envi-ronment for those in the area who want abetter opportunity for their families,” saidLt. Col. Andrew Poppas, the commander ofthe 5-73rd Cav. Regt.

Poppas said that once the outpost is es-tablished, his unit will also begin to assistwith the repatriation of village residentsdriven out by a mostly Sunni insurgency.

“The end state is to create a safe and se-cure region with a continuous Iraqi SecurityForces presence,” said Poppas.

“That way, we deny the enemy a safehaven in which they can conduct illegal actswith impunity,” he said.

“You can’t let an environment of ex-tremism remain in a free and safe society.”

Iraqi soldiers stand guard over de-tainees who were rounded up as partof a massive operation to clear theTawillah region of Iraq of insurgents.The 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Reg-iment Reconnaissance (Airborne),along with members of 1st Battalion,1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division and3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th In-fantry Division, participated in themission that began Jan. 4.

Soldiers from the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment Reconnaissance(Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., prepare to enter a series of small mud huts in theTawillah region of Iraq. The 5-73rd participated in an insurgent seek-and-capture-or-destroy mission that began Jan. 4 and lasted until Jan. 12.

Photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig, 5th MPAD

Photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig, 5th MPAD


Photos From the FOB...

Got Photos?If you’d like to see your photo in The GreyWolf Howl, e-mail Sgt. Serena Hayden [email protected]. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall

Sgt. Benny Alicea from Company A, 1-12Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Com-bat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, prepares afire for dinner at the Iraqi Police EmergencyResponse Force building in Baqubah, Iraq.

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