RIFLEMAIFLEMA THE MOUNTED Nbattlefield, but they are a critical part of the Regiment’s success. August once again was another scorcher here in the desert of Iraq and in the city

THE MOUNTED RIFLEMAN/AUGUST 051

THE MOUNTEDRIFLEMANRIFLEMAN

Maintainingthe Regiment

3d ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT AUGUST 2005

Maintainingthe Regiment

THE MOUNTED RIFLEMAN/AUGUST 05 2

ISSUEABOUT THIS

The Regiment of Mounted Riflemen has had manytroopers serve with distinction throughout the unit’shistory. There are countless stories of heroism and selflessservice recorded in the Regiment’s history books.

In recent history, most of the lore and legacy is attrib-uted to those troopers serving as cavalry scouts and tank-ers. But the success of those fighting on the battlefield isattributed to the men and women who do the “dirty work”to ensure the Regiment’s equipment is ready to bring thefight to the enemy.

Those unsung heroes are the welders, mechanics (bothlight and heavy-wheeled), and flight crew chiefs who eitherburn the midnight oil or brave the elements of MotherNature to tighten a screw, change the oil, or ‘break track.’

This edition of the Mounted Rifleman recognizes theefforts of those troopers for their dedication to duty andmission accomplishment.

During my interview with Sgt. Andy Pratt, a crew chiefassigned to Longknife Squadron, it was evident this youngnoncommissioned officer was a professional and lovedtaking care of his ‘birds.’

They may not get all the ‘atta boys’ in the world andthey may not get all the glory the warfighter attains on thebattlefield, but they are a critical part of the Regiment’ssuccess.

August once again was another scorcher here in thedesert of Iraq and in the city of Baghdad. Despite themerciless temperatures in theater, the troopers of the 3rdArmored Cavalry Regiment continue to do great things insecuring the lives for the Iraqi citizens.

Once again it is my honor to put together through thefollowing pages just some of the accomplishments of ourtroopers. Each time I get to raise my camera to capture animage of one our troopers, I know I’m allowing the familymembers to see the great job we’re doing.

Sadly the Regiment lost five Soldiers - Sgt. 1st ClassRobert Derenda , Sgt. 1st Class Brett Walden , Cpl. JosephMartinez, 2nd Lt. Charles Rubado, and Chief WarrantOfficer Dennis Hay.

These heroes paid the ultimate sacrifice for serving ournation and will never be forgotten.

-- The Editor

THEMOUNTEDRIFLEMAN

Published monthly by the3d Armored

Cavalry Regiment

71ST REGIMENTAL COMMANDERCol. H.R. McMaster

XVII COMMAND SERGEANT MAJORCommand Sgt. Maj. William Burns

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERMaj. Gary Dangerfield

PUBLIC AFFAIRS NCOIC/EDITORSgt. 1st Class Donald Sparks

The Mounted Rifleman is the officialpublication for the Troopers, Noncommis-sioned Officers, Officers, family membersand friends of the 3d Armored CavalryRegiment. Views expressed herein arethose of the authors. The Mounted Rifleman is the primaryCommand Information tool of the Regi-mental command leadership. Its missionis to foster esprit de corps, enhancemorale and keep Troopers informedthroughout the Regiment.


FEATURES

Left: An Iraqi Army soldierunloads food supplies duringa humanitarian mission withFox Troop, Sabre Squadron, inTal Afar. See related story andphotos on Page 16. Cover:Cpl. Bryan Law, OH-58D crewchief, assigned to OutlawTroop, Longknife Squadron,performs a spring tensioncheck on the main rotaryexpandable bolts on CampSykes, Iraq. See related articleand photos on Pages 22-26.

4 71ST COLONEL OF THE REGIMENTCol. H.R. McMaster recaps the Regiment’s accomplish-ments throughout the month of August.

7 XVII REGIMENTAL COMMAND SGT. MAJ.Command Sgt. Maj. William Burns highlights the newlyformed Al Kisik Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

11 TIGER SQUADRONKing Battery trooper initiative leads to improvement forIraqi Army weapons system.

16 SABRE SQUADRONFox Troop humanitarian mission brings much needed foodto Tal Afar citizens.

18 THUNDER SQUADRONTankers from Mad Dog Company bring a new dimensionto the fight for Thunder Squadron’s success.

21 LONGKNIFE SQUADRONCommand Sgt. Maj. Stephen Waller shares his apprecia-tion of the troopers serving in Longknife Squadron.

29 MULESKINNER SQUADRONMuleskinner troopers bring hope, medical care to smallIraqi village.

31 REMINGTON TROOPCapt. David Olsen recaps the Regimental staff and supportSoldiers successes during August.

32 CHAPLAIN’S CORNERRecounting on pleasant memories can one get throughwhen times get tough.

33 RETENTION - STAY 3D ACRMore money available for those troopers who reenlist andstay Army.

Cover photo by Sgt. 1st Class Donald Sparks

34 SAFETYLeishmaniasis disease can be prevented with properclothing protection.

43 REGIMENT HISTORYBravery, courage, devotion part of Mounted Riflemanlegacy and lore.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Donald Sparks


A message from the

71st Colonel of the Regiment

Photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Robert M SchalkCol. H.R. McMaster, 71st Regimental Commander,3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, concludes a com-mand message during filming of the 3d ACR videohighlighting service to the Regiment.

In early September, the Regiment ofMounted Riflemen entered a new phasein the battle against the insurgents inWestern Ninewa Province and SouthBaghdad. The Regiment is pursuing the

enemy relentlessly while continuing to build theIraqi Army, police, and Border Police forces.

The Regiment demonstrated tremendousflexibility and agility while conducting majorcombat operation in complex urban terrain,initiating projects to address the needs of thepopulation, preparing for the constitutional refer-endum, and building toward long term securitythrough partnership with Iraqi Security Forces.

Sabre Squadron continued to build on itssuccess in Tall Afar. The Squadron supervised anddirected the construction of an obstacle around TallAfar that prevents insurgents from entering orleaving the city without traveling through IraqiArmy checkpoints.

This, combined with aggressive reconnais-sance, raids, and continuous security efforts, hasgreatly reduced the enemy’s ability to conducteffective attacks against our forces and the popula-tion.

Sabre has successfully engaged tribal andpolitical leaders in the city to isolate the terroristsfrom the population.

They also, reinforced with Dragon Company,maintained security along key supply routes andensured the safe passage of logistical convoysthroughout their area of operations.

Beyond these achievements, Sabre has helpedreconstitute a police force while continuing toimprove the Iraqi Army’s capability.

Tiger Squadron is securing what was thelawless Syrian border region of Ninewa Province.Cavalry Troops routinely interdict illegal bordercrossings and have captured numerous smugglersand foreign fighters.

The 43rd Engineer Company at the Rabiyahborder crossing has also severely impeded the flowof terrorists into Iraq. Sapper company instituted

reforms at the crossing point, taught Iraqis how toidentify fake passports, and severely restricted themovement of weapons and foreign fighters into Iraq.

To achieve long term security, Tiger is building anIraqi Border Police Brigade and is rooting out corrup-tion that was once endemic to this force. Like Sabre,Tiger continues to train its partner Brigade from the 3rd

Iraqi Army Division to assume security responsibilitiesthroughout the area of operations.

Thunder continued to provide security south ofBaghdad, and is now serving as part of the 4th Brigadeof 3rd Infantry Division.

They have maintained security along major Coalition


supply routes and provided protection to the interimIraqi government as it completes its historic work onthe Iraqi Constitution.

Thunder has also successfully integrated special-ized Iraqi units during raids that resulted in thecapture of over 100 suspected insurgents.

Thunder continues to provide the 3rd InfantryDivision with the power and flexibility it needs tocontrol south Baghdad and will soon be developingthe capabilities of an Iraq Army Battalion and aPublic Order Battalion.

Support Squadron continued to make criticalcontributions to the fight in Ninewa Province.

Muleskinner has maintained support to our widelydispersed forces; their extraordinary efforts haveallowed the Regiment to maintain a high operationaltempo while fighting aerons a area spanning 240,000square kilometers.

Support Squadron has also commanded basedefense operations at FOB Sykes, run the Regimentaldetention facility with the highest degree of profes-sionalism, and conducted humanitarian assistance anddetainee screening operations.

Muleskinner has also provided logistical supportto multiple Iraqi security forces to ensure that ourpartners had the equipment and supplies they neededto carry the fight to the enemy. Rarely has any unitbeen asked to do so much; Muleskinner has continu-ously exceeded expectations.

We have benefited immersurably from the assis-tance of the Special Forces and the Military InterimTransitition Teams (MITT) that have become part ofthe Regimental team.

These courageous, experienced Soldiers haveincreased our effectiveness, particularly in the criticalmission of developing security forces.

“The Regiment demonstrated tremendousflexibility and agility while conducting major

combat operation in .”

Tiger and Saber worked together alongside ourgreat Special Forces Soldiers to break up insurgentnetworks in the many towns throughout our area.Thunder integrated Special Forces advisors and IraqiSpecial Forces into their counter-insurgency opera-tions in South Baghdad to prevent the enemy fromemplacing roadside bombs.

Navy Seal Sniper teams, working with SabreSquadron, have had great effect against terrorists.

Longknife continues to demonstrate its ability toaccomplish multiple tasks simultaneously. TheSquadron continued to provide air cavalry, attack,logistical, and command and control capabilities forthe Regiment, while conducting independent areasecurity operations in a large area of operations.Stetson Troop has flown non-stop to support theRegiment.

Renegrade has operated across the entire area ofoperations and has conducted devastating attacksagainst the enemy, including the destruction of six carbombs intended for use against our forces and Iraqicivilians.

Our Air Cavalry Troops continue to give us thespeed and flexibility that makes the Regiment unique.Our aviation mechanics and crew chiefs continue tosustain our fleet despite the highest tempo of opera-tions in the Iraqi Theater.

One of last month’s highlights was the establish-ment of Northern Iraq’s first Non-commissionedOfficer Academy.

The strength of our Army is the leadership of oursergeants. A small and professional team from SupportSquadron and Longknife established this Academywith the help of our Special Forces brothers.


Sergeant Major Rodney Plazek of Tigersquadron is serving as the commandant.The first course lasted 23 days, and gradu-

ated 51 future Iraqi Army leaders; the second coursehas already begun. The pride of the graduates waspalpable.

After graduation, the NCOs engaged in a sponta-neous pep rally of sorts led by a charismatic youngleader, and the graduation festivities made nationalnews in Iraq.

The successes of this month have not comewithout loss. The Regiment lost Sgt. 1st Class RobertDerenda from the 98th Army Support Team (AST) -from the Kentucky National Guard; Sgt. 1st ClassBrett Walden from ODA 534, 5th Special ForcesGroup, Cpl. Joseph Martinez, assigned to EagleTroop, Sabre Squadron; 2nd Lt. Charles Rubado,assigned to Crazyhorse Troop, Tiger Squadron andChief Warrant Officer Dennis Hay, assigned toPegasus Troop, Longknife Squadron.

These fine Soldiers were respected and loved bytheir comrades. We will press the fight to honor themwith out deeds. Their families will remain in our

thoughts and prayers.For our wounded brothers, we want you to know

that your Regiment has this fight well in hand andwants you to continue your fight to recover.

Your courage and example remain sources ofstrength for us. The chain of command and I areproud of you. We think of you everyday and lookforward to seeing you when we return from thismission.

The troopers of this great Regiment are buildingon the legacy of the courageous Soldiers who havegone before us.

We all miss our families tremendously, yet we aregrateful to be in the company of our fellow Soldierswho have answered our nation’s call to service.

Together, we are fighting against terrorists whowould enslave 26 million Iraqis and use this countryas a base to attack our nation and destroy the valuesthat define who we are as Americans.

Command Sgt. Major Burns and I are proud toserve alongside the brave and dedicated Troopers ofthis great Regiment.

Brave Rifles!

Photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Robert M SchalkCol. H.R. McMaster, 71st Regimental Commander, 3rd Armored CavalryRegiment, pauses during filming of the 3d ACR video highlighting ser-vice to the Regiment.


A message from the

XVII CSM of the Regiment

a morale visit on Camp Sykes, Iraq.

The Month of August will prove to be thewatershed moment for the Iraqi Army’sThird Infantry Division. The 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment helped the 3rd

Iraqi Army Division establish their first Non-commis-sioned Officer Academy.

Unlike the United States Army, the Iraqi Armydoes not have a tradition of leadership from withinthe enlisted ranks; instead, they rely on officers to dothe tasks that our officers never have to worry about.

Consequently, the Iraqi Officer Corps is not ableto do the long term planning that a successful,modern army requires. More importantly, the IraqiArmy has not developed the junior leaders that winthe fight on the ground.

Tiger Squadron’s Sgt. Maj. Rodney Plazeck led asmall, handpicked group of NCOs in establishing theNoncommissioned Officer Academy.

The Regiment also received invaluable assistancefrom soldiers of the 5th Special Forces group, whoserved as instructors for the Academy.

Fifty-eight students arrived on the first day oftraining. After seeing the trials ahead, one Soldierexcused himself from the course due to illness.Another Soldier claimed that he could not read, andtherefore could not continue.

When we told him that literacy was not a gradua-tion requirement, he asked what the first Soldier hadtold them to leave the course.

When he found out that he had claimed to be sick,he replied, “well, I am sick also.” We quicklyassigned these two soldiers as bunk mates, and got towork!

Over the next twenty three days, these twoSoldiers – and forty-nine of their comrades – rose to

the challenge and became Non-commissionedofficers.

They learned the core of what an NCO mustmaster, and more importantly, instill in his unit:physical fitness, training management, rifle marks-manship, first aid, hand-to-hand combat, small unittactics, and Troop-leading procedures.

The graduation ceremony was the capstone eventfor the NCOs, where they proudly recited – bymemory – the Noncommissioned Officer Corpscreed: the pride that the cadre and I felt at thismoment will be one of the highlights of our time inIraq.

The NCO Academy will not be a success, how-ever, unless it endures when we depart. The secondclass of the NCO Academy is now in training; fourIraqi NCOs from the first graduating class haveremained as instructors.

As the monthly classes continue, more of theresponsibility for training will be passed along to theemerging Iraqi NCO Corps.

Units in the field are already feeling the impact ofthis training. Commanders are grabbing hold of thesenew leaders and empowering them to train theirSoldiers.

Newly minted NCOs are demanding trainingschedules and range time for their Soldiers. Thebackbone of this new Army is forming.

The past month has been very productive for theRegiment. The enemy is on the ropes, and the newIraqi Army is gaining strength everyday.

The Troopers continue to make a difference in thisremote, but important region of Iraq. I continue to beamazed and humbled by the dedication and courageof our Troopers.Brave Rifles!


B-r-e-a-c-k-i-n-gTTTTT-r-r-r-r-r-a-c-k-a-c-k-a-c-k-a-c-k-a-c-k

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Donald SparksTroopers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment performs daily maintenance on a M1A2tank. The crew broke track on the vehicle to keep it servicable and combat effective.

By Sgt. 1st Class Donald SparksNCOIC, 3rd ACR Public Affairs

It is the grimiest, greasiest and dirtiest of jobs in theArmy – but it has to be done. For the troopers who serveas tankers, cavalry scouts and tank mechanics in the 3rdArmored Cavalry Regiment, “breaking track” is morethan a way of life.

It is their life when conducting maintenance on thevehicles in which they love to hate and hate to love.

“I love it,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Hodges,Remington Troop, 3rd ACR. “I enjoy doing the hands onmaintenance. It’s a good way to have some team buildingwith the Soldiers, but don’t get me wrong, it’s hardwork.”

According to Hodges there are several reasons for“breaking track” – when replacing an entire track, if ashoe is broken, replacing track pads or replacing asprocket.

As a cavalry scout with nearly six years in service,

Pfc. Shaun Molver, tank mechanic, Headquar-ters, Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, usesa hammer to undo the bolts on the center glideof a M1A2 tank.


Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Donald SparksSpc. Kontar Briggs, metal worker, Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron,welds a nut on the sprocket of a M1A2 tank during unit maintenance.

Hodges has broke track too many times to rememberand under different weather conditions ranging fromcold and muddy fields in Germany to the blisteringdeserts of Kuwait and Iraq.

Although he’s only broke track on the BradleyFighting Vehicle, Hodges, from Mississippi, doesn’tcomplain compared to the labor done by tankers. TheBradley track has eight shoe sections, each weighingnearly 300 pounds.

“I feel sorry for those boys,” Hodges said. “TheBradley track is a pain in the butt, but the tank trackis a nightmare because it’s heavy as hell.”

Those ‘boys’, the tankers and tank mechanics,agreed with Hodges, but added for one scout it takesto break track on a Bradley, it takes four tankers toperform the same task on a tank.

“A good tank crew can break track in five min-utes,” said Sgt. Pablo Diemecke, a tanker fromSocorro, N.M., assigned to Eagle Troop, 2nd Squad-ron, 3rd ACR. “But out here you don’t want to breaktrack because it’s so hot during the day.”

As part of preventive maintenance checks andservices, both scout and tanker agree the importanceof taking care of their vehicles.

“This is part of our daily maintenance,” said Pfc.

Joseph Turner, a tanker from Concord, N.H., assignedto Eagle Troop, 2-3 ACR. “We do this on a dailybasis because it adds to our combat effectiveness. Wedon’t have to worry about our track, so we canconcentrate and complete our mission.”

All in all the art of “breaking track” is not for themeek of heart. It takes a muscle-aching and backbreaking hard labor to get the job done. For thetankers, cavalry scouts and tank mechanics – it’s justall in a day’s work.


TIGER SQUADRONBy Lt. Col. Gregory ReillyTiger Squadron Commander

Tiger Squadron continues to make outstandingprogress in Iraq improving area security, providingopportunities for the Iraqi people, and improvingIraqi security forces.

During the last month, the Squadron conductedseveral successful operations across Northwest Iraq,by isolating areas where insurgents are operating andrecruiting more than 1,100 Iraqi citizens to join theIraqi Army.

As we were improving security within our area,we also improved our overall living conditions as wecontinue to operate from austere and remote loca-tions.

The units of Tiger Squadron are performingmagnificently in all areas. There are just so manydiverse missions the Squadron conducts daily, buthere are a few highlights of how we are improvingsecurity and overall living conditions in Iraq.

We are actively engaged in providing surveillancealong the Iraqi and Syrian border with the Iraqiborder guards, interdicting smugglers and insurgentsactively on a daily basis.

Our air and ground forces are unmatched when itcomes to seeing illegal activity and being able torespond to it.

We are training and employing three battalions ofthe Iraqi Army, making them much stronger andcapable so that some day soon they will be able toprovide security for their own country.

We have units that are training and teaching IraqiPolice forces to conduct police functions and improvesecurity in their areas.

The Squadron has initiated over 60 civil affairsprojects worth 1.4 million dollars to improve medicalclinics and schools, to dig water wells, to improve See TIGER, Page 14

roads, and to provide opportunities for employmentto young Iraqi adults.

The units of Tiger Squadron recently went on arecruiting campaign to hire additional Iraqi Armysoldiers and signed up 1,100 qualified candidatesover a five-day period.

This achievement is unprecedented and will surelycontribute to providing many Iraqi families withopportunities for the future.

Additionally, the Squadron conducts meetingsweekly with Iraqi leaders across our vast area,building relationships that foster cooperation towardsimproving security and living conditions for the Iraqipopulation.

It is a direct result of the superb leadership of ourunits and the determination of our soldiers that theseaccomplishments are possible.

Taken together, the Squadron is making tremen-dous progress in accomplishing our mission.

A significant accomplishment of the Squadroncame recently as we were called on to deploy nearlyhalf of our total forces to another area of operation torid the area of insurgents and those who would bringturmoil to the area.

The Squadron deployed in darkness, moving over40 miles, conducting continuous reconnaissanceoperations for eight days without a single incident oraccident.

When called, the Squadron stands ready toaccomplish any mission, anywhere, anytime.

In addition to our many mission successes, theSquadron is sustaining itself the old Army way, onour own with the equipment and supplies the Armyprovides.

Our cooks prepare over 3,000 meals per day forour soldiers using Army food and equipment. Our


Mounted Rifleman ReportsKing Battery, 1/3

When King Battery began operations inthe Western Ninewa Province of Iraq, theyalso began a unique partnership with theSoldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigadeof the Iraqi Army.

During initial joint operations, itbecame apparent that the 3rd BattalionIraqi Soldiers were a group of testedveterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

These soldiers had the benefit of quickmaneuverability in their vehicles and areliable crew served weapon, the RPK.

“However, they were limited in firingcapability due to the lack of a weapon’smount,” said 1st Lt. Lloyd Felix, executiveofficer, King Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rdArmored Cavalry Regiment. “At the time,the vehicle’s gunner was limited to a 45-degree field of fire directly in front of thevehicle.”

Felix began discussing possible solutions withMaj. Abbas, operations officer 3rd Bn., 3rd Bde., onhow they could maker the weapon more effective inthe vehicle.

Both officers agreed that an effective crew servedweapon mount would have to be designed for theweapon to be more of a combat multiplier.

Felix decided to use a little ‘Soldier ingenuity’ andplaced the idea in the capable hands of his experi-enced motor sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Gibby.

Gibby gathered his crew of mechanics andreminiscent of the popular TV show Monster Garage,the team made a blue print for the mount.

The team consisting of Staff Sgt. KennethGuinard, Spc. Brian Torkelson, Spc. Jason Smith andSpc. Howard Veasley was excited to work on theanticipated project.

“The maintenance team’s primary focus was tobuild a versatile and tactical system for crew servedweapons that could be mounted in the rear of all IraqiArmy tactical vehicles,” Gibby said.

The team went about it by using an existing RPKtripod mount, however, in order to use the mount

‘Gibby Mount’ increases Iraqi Army firepower

they had to tear it apart and simplify it.Next they broke down the mount to just the basic

cradle and trunnions, and then began designingaround that particular piece.

They decided on a basic tripod template designthat the cradle and trunnion mount would bolt onto,and acquired a 1-inch stock and a quarter-inch steelplate to use as the frame and base for the weaponmount.

The maintenance team formed the stock steel intoa triangular frame, welded the frame to the plate, andbolted the mount directly into the top of the triangularframe allowing the weapon system to achieve maxi-mum range of motion.

The final stage was to bolt the mount directly intothe center of the bed of the vehicle.

“The Soldiers affectionately called the contraptionthe ‘Gibby Mount,’” Felix said.

Felix took the ‘Gibby Mount’ to the local Iraqipopulace in hopes to find a contractor that could massproduce this new product.

Courtesy photoThe ‘Gibby Mount’ pictured above helps Iraqi Army Soldiersto move comfortably in a complete circle, thus providing thegunner with a 360 degree field of fire. The mount was namedafter Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Gibby, King Battery, 1st Squad-ron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment,

See GIBBY, Page 12


GIBBY from Page 11

He was fortunate to find Faris HajiKhudieda from the town of TallQassab who was chosen contractor forthe project.

The biggest test for the mainte-nance team was to see how the ‘GibbyMount’ would hold up during a testfire.

After the first test fire resulting ina failure Gibby and Abbas agreed on afew changes that would be improvethe product.

The mount was returned to Faris,who made the corrections, and on thesecond test fire the mount was acomplete success.

A total of 43 of the ‘GibbyMounts’ were purchased and outfittedon the fleet of Iraqi Army vehicles.

“The ‘Gibby Mount’ and itsplacement in the vehicle allow theIraqi gunner to move comfortably in acomplete circle, thus providing thegunner with a 360 degree field offire,” Felix said.

Although the mount has Gibby’snamesake he underplays it and isproud to do his part in assisting theIraqi Army fight against the insur-gents.

“This design is a more tactical,proficient way to utilize the IraqiArmy’s weapons system that offersmaximum security for that vehicle,”Gibby said. “The new addition of thismount improves the entire combateffectiveness of the 3rd Battalion twofold and gives added security to itssoldiers.”

The joint project was a perfectcombination of Coalition Forces, theIraqi Army, and local citizens workingtogether in union to design newtechnology in order to improve theIraqi Army’s capabilities to fight Anti-Iraqi Forces in northwestern Iraq.

Mounted Rifleman ReportsPredator Battery, 1/3

The cliché “the enemy never sleeps” is the best way todescribe the motivation behind the mission of 5th Platoon,Predator Battery.

Every day the platoon, assigned to1st Squadron, 3rdArmored Cavalry Regiment, conducts a route reconnais-sance patrol just before dusk and then sets a series ofobservation posts throughout the night focused on pat-terns of enemy behavior.

The purpose of these observation posts is to deter andinterdict any Anti-Iraqi forces from placing these IEDsalong the route. The mission typically lasts anywherefrom nine to fourteen hours.

Based out of Forward Operating Base Al Nimr inSinjar, Iraq, the platoon’s primary mission is to preventthe insurgent emplacement of Improvised ExplosiveDevices (IEDs) along Route Sante Fe, the long stretch ofhighway that runs from Tall Afar to Sinjar.

“Our platoon is best suited for this mission because ofthe night capabilities of the Avenger system,” said 2nd Lt.Albert Elam, 5th platoon leader, Predator Battery. “Wecan observe large sections of route Sante Fe at nightbecause of the Avenger’s use of the Forward LookingInfrared (FLIR) system and the range of the M3P .50caliber machine gun.

“Our equipment combined with the determination ofthe soldiers makes 5th Platoon a lethal fighting force.”

Avenger gunners spend countless hours on observationposts, searching and scanning with their FLIR monitors,attempting to detect insurgents.

Their team chiefs can typically be found on the grounddirecting their gunners on which areas to focus theirobservation.

While 5th platoon carries out its mission with prideand enthusiasm, it takes extreme patience, according toElam. On any average night, they will sit at an observa-

Predator platoonaims to eliminateIED emplacements

See IED, Page 13


tion post for two to three hours without seeingmuch if any activity.

Elam mentioned the waiting can sometimes bevery frustrating to the Soldiers, and added, “Theyrealize that their continued presence is ultimatelyhelping contribute to the total operational successof Tiger Squadron and the Regiment.”

“It can be quite boring out there sometimes butI think we’re doing some good,” said Spc OmarSuarez, an Avenger gunner assigned to 5th Platoon,when askedabout themission. “Therehas only beenone IED attackin our area ofRoute Sante Feon nights we’vebeen doing ourmission.”

Most daysthe platoonconduct itspatrols of RouteSante Fewithout inci-dent, however,there are timeswhen it doesget dangerous.

Staff Sgt.ChristianWilson, one oftwo sectionsergeants in theplatoon, has a great eye for spotting IEDs. On oneroute reconnaissance patrol, he spotted a 60mmmortar round on the side of the road.

Upon inspection of the mortar, it was deter-mined that the only way to remove it was to callthe Explosive Ordinance Detachment (EOD) andhave them control detonate it.

“I’d rather wait on EOD to dispose of a piece ofunexploded ordinance, than mess around with itand something bad happens,” said Wilson.

Unfortunately, even with the best technologythe Army has to offer, not all IEDs are discovered

in time. Two Soldiers in the platoon were hit by anIED, luckily with no injuries to either of them.

Cpl. David Wheatley and his gunner, SPCJeremy Breckenridge were in the lead Avengerwhile escorting Iraqi Army vehicles and militarypersonnel to Tall Afar.

Wheatley recalls the incident well.“When the IED went off, I was just worried

about my gunner,” Wheatley said. “The lightswere blown out, the truck went completely dead,

and shrapnelsprayed mywindshield.Also, mycommunicationswent out and Icouldn’t talk tohim for acouple ofminutes whichseemed like aneternity.”

Soon after-wards,Wheatley heardBreckenridgeyelling from theturret to informhim that he wasokay.

“That was ahuge relief,”Wheatley said.

Currently,5th platoon

continues to conduct daily route reconnaissanceand security of Route Sante Fe. The Soldiers areconstantly praised by their commander for theirprofessionalism and dedication to their mission.

“These Soldiers’ consistent and dedicatedefforts bring great pride and credit to PredatorBattery, Tiger Squadron, and the Regiment ofMounted Riflemen,” said Capt. Troy Bucher,commander Predatory Battery. “It is because oftroopers like this and their brothers in arms that theIraqi people are one step closer to the total transi-tion of securing their own country.”

Courtesy photoSpc. James Cassidy (front) points out target reference points forSpc. Omar Suarez while on OP along Route Sante Fe near Sinjar,Iraq. Both Soldiers are assigned to 5th Platoon, Predatory Battery,First Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

IED from Page 12


mechanics are working overtime in 120-degreeweather, changing tires, engines, repairing brakes,and keeping our fleet ready for every mission.

Our staff, logisticians, signalers, medical person-nel, and support fleet plan operations; move over 200tons of supplies a week; distribute fuel, water, parts,mail, and food and our medical personnel ensure thatwe are healthy and safe conducting routine inspec-tions of living and working conditions.

Our Mayor Cell personnel, with the help of manypeople chipping in daily, burn our trash, repair ourfacilities, and keep water and power generationrunning.

It is an incredible effort that is not replicatedanywhere in Iraq to this degree of difficulty orexcellence.

Although conditions for our Soldiers remainaustere, as the result of a lot of hard work by ourSoldiers, living conditions have improved im-mensely.

All of our Soldiers now have access to power,air-conditioning, showers, laundry services, email,phones, and latrines.

There is still a lot of dust, heat and many still

TIGER from Page 10

live in tents, but conditions have improved drasti-cally since we first occupied these areas that offeredvery little in the way of shelter, power, security, orplumbing.

The ingenuity, industry, and grit of our Soldiersis just phenomenal and you would all be so veryproud to see what they have accomplished in Iraq ina such a short period of time.

As we enter the political election phase of ourtour and the third quarter, I am confident that TigerSquadron will continue to excel in all aspects. I amso proud of our team and what they have accom-plished both at Fort Carson and in Iraq.

The Family Readiness Group is providingoutstanding support to our families and bondingtogether in their own special way, having recentlyconducted a FRG Spur Ride and Tiger Family Day.

I am extremely proud of our entire team as wecrest the half-way point on our mission. I thank ourcommunity, our families, our leaders, and ourSoldiers for their sacrifice, commitment, and selflessservice to our country at war.

Brave Rifles!Tiger 6

The ingenuity, industry, and grit of our Soldiersis just phenomenal and you would all be so very

proud to see what they have accomplishedin Iraq in such a short period of time.


SABRE SQUADRONBy Lt. Col. Christopher HickeySabre Squadron Commander

Greetings again from Tal Afar! As the Cavalrymenof Sabre Squadron enter yet another month in theater,we realize how vital our presence is to the lives of thecitizens here in Tal Afar.

Our Soldiers, in conjunction with the Iraqi Army,have provided much needed assistance to the localpopulace, while continuing to quell the insurgency.

I have spent a great deal of time meeting withlocal leaders to address the issues pertaining to thefuture of this city.

The progress made in these meetingsthus far has given us a feeling of opti-mism and dispelled many of our fearsand worries. Obviously, the situation inTal Afar is the number one priority ofSabre Squadron.

However, great strides have also beentaken to ensure the continual improve-ment of living conditions for our men andwomen here at Camp Sykes and out at Fort Tal Afar.

Furthermore, the Squadron has recently seen somenew additions and also undergone numerous changesof command.

Our camp has also seen the addition of DragonTroop, brought over from Tiger Squadron. They havebeen assisting us in keeping Route Santa Fe open andrunning convoy escorts.

Several Troops from Sabre Squadron have hadchanges in leadership. Capt. Darrell Watkins of EagleTroop was succeeded by Capt. Richard Blackburn;Capt. Christopher Marquez has taken Capt. JamesDayhoff’s position as the Howitzer Battery Com-mander; and Capt. Mitchell Kusmier has replacedCapt. Gasperini as Sabre’s Rear Detachment Com-mander.

Over the past few weeks, Sabre has providedcitizens of Tal Afar with much needed food andwater. A seemingly simple gesture can go a long wayin gaining confidence of the local population.

We also have elements working daily on certainelectrical systems in the city. Rebuilding the electricinfrastructure is vital, especially to buildings such asthe hospital.

Actions always speak louder than words and asIraqi families begin to realize the importance of ourefforts, I feel that the insurgency foothold willcontinue to slip.

Frequent meetings with the localleaders have been progressing well. Manyof them show a true desire to secure TalAfar for democracy. Our main focus is toprovide a stable setting for the electionsin December.

Another goal is to keep strengtheningthe Iraqi Police force in Tal Afar. Sabreelements have continued training the IraqiArmy.

Now that IA soldiers have been trained to driveand perform preventative maintenance checks andservices on M113 vehicles, they are growing intomore versatile assets to their country.

As we approach the half way point in this deploy-ment, our Troopers are maintaining their resilienceand confidence that we are making progress here inTal Afar continues to increase.

Our presence here is directly contributing to thesafety of the people of Tal Afar as well as thosethroughout the region and the world.

Sabre Squadron has made many accomplishmentsso far and I have the utmost confidence that ourforces, alongside the Iraqi Army, will complete themission successfully. Ai-ee-yah

Sabre 6


Meals onWheels

Fox Troop assists Iraqi Armywith food delivery to Tal Afar

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Donald SparksMore than 20 Iraqi Army Soldiers unloaded nearly one tonof food which included rice, canned vegetables and otherraw food products to the Sunna district in the city.

An Iraqi Army Soldier unloads a boxof food during a humanitarianmission aimed at distributing food toneedy citizens in Tal Afar.

By Sgt. 1st Class Donald SparksNCOIC, 3rd ACR Public Affairs

Troopers from Fox Troop, Second Squadron, 3rdArmored Cavalry Regiment conducted a humanitar-ian mission alongside Iraqi Army Soldiers in Tal Afaron Aug. 15.

Delivering nearly one ton of food to the Sunnadistrict of the city, the intent of the mission was toprovide food for the citizens and show the good willof the American and Iraqi forces.

Throughout August, elements of Sabre Squadronparticipated with their Iraqi counterparts in varioushumanitarian missions to improve the lives of Iraqicitizens in the city of Tal Afar.

A curious Iraqi child peeps over a wall to look at a3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment trooper providingsecurity at the food distribution site.


THUNDER SQUADRONBy Lt. Col. Ross A. BrownThunder Squadron Commander

Dear friends and family members of the ThunderTeam, greetings from southern Baghdad. I could notbe prouder of how the Squadron has performed thepast month.

As I reported in my last letter to you, the Squad-ron joined the 4th (Vanguard) Brigade, 3rd InfantryDivision, on the July21 and the units continue toflourish in their daily operations.

Our continuous operations have seen many suc-cesses against the enemy in August and we continue towork hard to maintain the initiative everyday.

In the complex environment of this counterinsurgency, the squadron is making progress inestablishing a stable and secure environment andwinning the war in our area of operations.

Many of you have seen our Soldiers return to FortCarson for well-deserved environmental leave.

In the complex environment of this counter-insurgency, the squadron is making progress in

establishing a stable and secureenvironment and winning the war in ourarea of operations.

Continue to receive these heroes with open arms.The two weeks that they spend home with family

and friends has proven to be very beneficial asSoldiers have returned recharged and ready to rejointheir troop, company or battery, and continue ourmission.

Our thoughts and prayers are with each one of ourfamilies and friends – particularly those who we havelost.

We will continue to honor our fallen and keepthem alive in our hearts by using them and theirexample of duty, of selflessness and honor, and ofgoodness to guide our decisions and actions.

Thank you very much to those who have assistedin memorializing our Soldiers back at Fort Carson. Iknow their families are very appreciative.

I want to thank each and every family member foryour continued love and support- our thoughts arenever far from you.

Thunder 6


Mounted Rifleman ReportsMad Dog Company 3/3

The role of the tank company is usually the mainor supporting effort in a conventional fight on thebattlefield. However in Iraq, the tank company isfighting an unconventional enemy in an unconven-tional fight.

For the tankers of Mad Dog Company, they’vebeen the spearhead of Third Squadron, 3rd ArmoredCavalry Regiment since the Regiment’s arrival toOperation Iraqi Freedom 04-06.

Mad Dog led the first convoy into Iraq fromKuwait and has never looked back and continues tolead many of the critical operations Thunder Squad-ron conducts as well as securing one of the most vitalsupply routes in all of Iraq, according to Lt. Col. RossBrown, commander, Thunder Squadron.

From day one in their area of operation, the unithas made an immediate impact on the enemy whichoperated freely in the area.

The company secured checkpoints at strategiclocations along the route and took over the vitalRoute Security mission on MSR Tampa on a stretch

of road that had been plagued by over 75 improvisedexplosive devices in the previous month.

Only hours after departing Forward OperatingBase Falcon, Mad Dog came under small arms firefrom a van and a truck that were driving by.

Soldiers from Mad Dog immediately returned fire,killing one of the passengers of the truck.

The unit’s success has been evident and hasproduced dramatic results during its first five monthsin the area.

The number of IEDs has decreased more than 80percent on the route allowing civilian and militarytraffic to flow nearly unimpeded throughout MadDog’s area of operation.

The mission has been a grind for both the Soldiersand the tanks, as they perform a different type offight.

During the first month and a half, the TankCompany performed operations solely from itsM1A2 tanks and conducted operations for over 40days without a dedicated maintenance day.

“Soldiers would go out on missions for eight to 12

Mad Dog Company spearhead ofThunder’s success during OIF 04-06

See MAD DOG, Page 19

Courtesy photoM1A2 Abram tanks assigned to Mad Dog Company line up in preparation for a mission. The unit hassolely been responsible for decreasing IED attacks along Main Supply Route Tampa in Baghdad.


MAD DOG from Page 18

hours and then perform at least four hours ofmaintenance on their vehicles to keep them run-ning,” Monhaut said. “The platoons were puttingnearly 800 kilometers a week on their tanks.

“The discipline of the tank crews to maintaintheir vehicles despite the rigorous pace of missionsproves the amount of dedication they have to themission and to each other.”

Mad Dog’s maintenance team has been critical inthe sustaining readiness of the vehicles, changing 10engines, four transmissions, hundreds of roadwheels, arms, hubs, hub caps and led the Squadronthroughout this deployment in operational readiness.

The unit suffered a personal tragedy with the lostof Sgt. Timothy Hutton to an IED attack on July 11.The same attack also injured Capt. Joseph Albright,commander, 2nd Lt. Josh Porter, and tank driverPfc. Lowery; requiring all to return to the states.

The loss of Sutton hit the unit extremely hard.“He was one of the best Soldiers and one of the

best people I’ve ever worked with,” said Staff

Robert Cornett said at his eulogy.The leadership of the unit has now transferred to

Capt. Michael Hensley. Despite the obstacles MadDog had experienced, Hensley mentioned the unit isstill determined to defeat an enemy that is veryresilient and adaptive.

“Mad Dog Company continues to strive toeliminate all enemy forces within its area, tweakingand adjusting its tactics to try and stay one stepahead of the enemy,” Hensley said. “Having one ofthe most demanding missions tasked to Mad Dog isa credit to all of the Soldiers who work every day tomake Iraq a better place.

“The Soldiers have gone through quite a bit inthe past few months but they refuse to give up andare constantly taking the fight to the enemy.”

The success achieved by Mad Dog has beennoticed throughout the Squadron and all of the 3rdInfantry Division’s Area of Operations, and contin-ues to be one of the most critical missions in all ofIraq.

Spc. Dan Balda4th Brigade Combat Team PAO

Nobody ever said war is easy, and that has notchanged for 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored CavalryRegiment during its second rotation to OperationIraqi Freedom.

The Mounted Riflemen are back in Iraq afterserving here during OIF 1. The unit redeployed inApril and, as of mid-July, 3-3 ACR fell under thecommand and control of 4th Brigade CombatTeam, 3rd Infantry Division.

The unit’s mission is now focused on buildingIraqi Security Forces, counter-insurgency opera-tions, and setting the conditions for the construc-

3rd ACR facesdifferent missionthis time around

See DAILEY, Page 20

tion of a newIraqi govern-ment—a farcry from thescenario of thefirst days ofIraq’s libera-tion in Spring2004.

The changehas not alwaysbeen easy.

“Themission hasbeen verydifficult thusfar,” said

Command Sgt. Maj. Glen Dailey, 3-3 ACR’ssenior noncommissioned officer.

The Soldiers’ mission has evolved somewhatfrom what the squadron trained for at its home,Fort Carson, Colo., but Dailey has no fears

CSM GLEN DAILEY


DAILEY from Page 19

have to tell them, ‘Guys this is what we did last time,and this is what we are going to do now.’ They haveto differentiate between the two fights.”

During 3-3 ACR’s previous deployment, theywere in a more rural area, which allowed the unit’sBradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks to getout after the enemy with their main guns.

The face of the enemy is the biggest challengefacing the Thunder Squadron.

“Before the enemy would present themselves, asthey would in a normal battle. This time the enemyare not presenting themselves.”

Dailey understands how the frustration in the “fogof war” can build and he does his best to combat it.

“They are keeping focused on the mission, that’spart of my job, to make sure they have things avail-able to release that stress when they come in off amission,” Dailey said. “I don’t want them to just sitthere and think about it. I’d rather them go to the gymor watch TV instead of getting angry.”

He knows the squadron needs to achieve tangibleresults to maintain its level of motivation.

“We are catching a lot of guys, and the Soldierswant to see that, they want to see us making headwayagainst the insurgents,” Dailey said. “We want tocatch the guys that killed my friend, my brother, mysergeant, my Soldier, and see them face justice. Wemake sure the guys are maintaining their composure,their professionalism.”

Dailey believes his Soldiers will carry the day,partly for selfish reasons—they want to go homeafter having completed the mission—but moreimportantly, for altruistic reasons.

“We are not here to destroy the Iraqi communityor the Iraqi people, we are here to give them thesupport to see how they can live and evolve torunning their own country.”

regarding his units’ ability to adapt.“Back at home station we trained for a lot of

cordon and searches and traffic control points,” theRepton, Ala., native said. “Here, it’s mostly routesecurity, reconning the area to check for improvisedexplosive devices and other attack areas.

“We are a cavalry unit, we know how to adjustfire and get trained up on a changed mission with noproblem.”

The top NCO has heard nothing but positiveaffirmation from his Soldiers regarding the changingof direction.

During Dailey’s deployment in support of Opera-tion Iraqi Freedom 1, he was 2nd Squadron’s opera-tions sergeant major which gave him differentresponsibilities.

This time, Dailey’s job allows him to interact withhis Soldiers on a daily basis.

“With my new responsibilities, I am most con-cerned with the Soldiers themselves,” Dailey said.“It’s a different ballgame from operations. I get to bewhere the Soldiers are at, making sure they are doingthe right thing and they are being taken care of.”

Like any NCO worth his or her salt, Daileyprefers to be out with the Soldiers.

“I can honestly know what it feels like being outthere working hard in the heat,” he said. “I get to dowhat the Soldiers are doing and see what the Soldiersare seeing.”

Dailey said 70 percent of his Soldiers havedeployed to Iraq before the current deployment. Thisis something he sees as both a blessing and a curse.

“It’s good because the people know the condi-tions, they know what to expect. It’s kind of not goodbecause it’s not the same fight that we had before.

“They also have to get the information down tothe younger Soldiers who were not here before. I

“We are catching a lot of guys, and the Soldiers want to seethat, they want to see us making headway against the insurgents.

We want to catch the guys that killed my friend, my brother,my sergeant, my Soldier, and see them face justice.”

-- CSM Glen Dailey,Thunder Squadron


LONGKNIFE SQUADRONBy Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen WallerLongknife Squadron Command Sergeant Major

Dear family and friends of the Longknife Squad-ron, hello again from Camp Sykes! Thank you forreading our monthly newsletter, we hope that itbrings you just a little more in touch with what’sgoing on over here and entertains you a little with ourphotos and often funny Troop updates.

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any warmer,August came rolling in. August has been yet anotherexceptional month for the Squadron despite thesoaring temperatures.

Soldiers have continued to perform at levels farbeyond that expected and show no sign of slowing asthe deployment wears on.

From the beginning we have looked at thisdeployment as a marathon, not a sprint and it is withpride that I report that your Troopers continue toamaze me with their performance under less thanideal work conditions, sustained time away fromhome, and an impressive stamina.

With five months and counting, the mid-tour leaveprogram is in full swing, and almost daily, Soldiersare departing or returning from their leave destina-tions.

Some Soldiers are electing to go on R&R insteadand have reported back that the accommodations andexperience was well worth the trip down south toKuwait.

The Squadron is fully engaged in the fight as, N,O, P and R Troop find themselves conducting mis-sions as varied as Blackhawk chase to security andrecon in direct support of the ground squadrons.

HHT is supporting from the front as always andhas been doing an exceptional job at Camp Sykes aswell as other Forward Operating bases in northernIraq. S Troop continues to carry the Regiment as

571st continues its exceptional work – based out ofAl Asad Airbase.

Quickstrike Troop has contributed a great dealover the last month to the training and integration ofthe Iraqi Army during combat mission in theLongknife Area of Operations.

And as always the aircraft maintainers of T Troopand AVIM Troop have kept our Aviation fleet in theair – a remarkable task considering the extraordinarynumber of flight hours accumulated by the Squadroneach month.

As always we look forward to hearing fromeveryone back at home.

I personally thank you for the support you provideto your deployed loved ones; family is the backboneof the military, and without supportive family andfriends at home the deployed unit would not be ableto focus on the missions at hand and successfullycombat our enemy.

Thank you for all that you do and for the personalsacrifices you make each day in support of themilitary and your loved one.

Very respectfully,Longknife 7


Longknife cre

F


ew chiefs bring new meaning to

light ServiceSTORY BY SGT. 1ST CLASS DONALD SPARKS

Photo by U.S. Navy Photographer’s Mate2nd Class Robert M Schalk

fter returning back to Germany following hisAdeployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom Sgt. AndyPratt was celebrating at a club when a Soldier approached

him at the bar. The two had never known each

Pratt realized just how much his jobother before, but after their conversation,

as an OH-58D Kiowa crew chiefmeant to the men who

fought on the ground.


“He told me that because of what I did to keepbirds flying in the air, his squad was saved during afire fight with the enemy when one of my birdscame and gave air support,” said Pratt, now assignedto Fourth Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regi-ment.

The Soldier bought Pratt four beers, one each forthe Soldiers whose lives he saved on that day.

That story is one that the native of Burns, Ore.,shares with his Soldiers in Outlaw Troop to remindthem of their importance and what they bring to theoverall fight and mission of the Regiment.

The life of an aircraft mechanic or crew chief isnot one of the glamour jobs such as the pilots whofly the various helicopters assigned to the Squadron;in fact the job is one that Pratt calls a daily “raceagainst time.”

The ‘race against time’ includes a quick

handover from the shift supervisor, what has beenaccomplished and what needs to be accomplished onthe next shift.

Pratt mentioned his crew is briefed on whichairframe is a hard down, what aircraft are flyingcurrently, and which aircraft is prepped for flight.

“As soon as you come on shift you automaticallyhave to put hours on the airframe,” Pratt said. “Youhave eight to 12 hours to do it depending on themission. You’re putting hours on the aircraft that theycan fly and do what it needs to do the next time itflies, so the main object is to put hours on the bird.”

Putting ‘hours on the bird’ is slang for conduct-ing maintenance and preparing it for the amount offlight hours the helicopter will be in the air beforeit’s next inspection.

“Every time the bird lands, hands are on it,” saidCpl. Bryan Law, from Kanab, Utah, a Kiowa crew

Photo by 2nd Lt. Mollie KedneyCrew chiefs from Tomahawk Troop conducts an inspection of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter duringroutine maintenance following an operation.


chief who deployed with 3rdACR during OIF I. “Somemissions require the birds to haveeight to 10 hours available to flybefore its next inspection.”

Just as Soldiers conduct dailyPreventative Maintenance Checksand Services on wheeled vehicles,the crew chiefs check for defi-ciencies which could prevent theaircraft from flying.

“The time we have to preparethe aircraft for the next missioncan be exhausting,” Law said. “Itdoesn’t help that maintenance isdone outside in temperaturessometimes exceeding 115 de-grees.”

Longknife Squadron has sixaviation troops at Camp Sykes,Iraq: Stetson Troop which main-tains the UH-60L Blackhawkhelicopters, Renegade Troopwhich maintains the AH-64Apache helicopters, Outlaw,Nomad and Pegasus Troopswhich maintains the OH-58DKiowas and Tomahawk Troopwhich supports aviation unitmaintenance.

The Soldiers with diverseaviation military occupationalspecialties inspect the aircraft forfrayed hoses and pressure lines,leaks, and most importantly –bullet holes and battle damage.

“Usually if an aircraft isengaged, we’ll know about itbefore it touches the ground, so weknow what to look for,” Law said.

During OIF I, the Longknife’saircraft wasn’t as actively en-gaged with the enemy, howeverduring this current deployment,the Squadron’s aircraft has beenengaging the enemy as it con-ducted more combat-orientedoperations.

“If a bird gets hit and makes

an emergency landing, we have torepair it and still cover down onmaintenance on the other birds,”said Spc. Juan Moreno, OH-58Dcrew chief from San Antonio,Texas.

Stetson Troop’s crew chiefsare the only crew chiefs who

actually fly with the pilots ontheir missions.

Halfway through the troop’sone-year deployment, Stetson’screw members have flown morethan 3,000 hours.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Donald SparksSgt. Jonte Williams, crew chief, Renegade Troop, braves the heatwhile conducting maintenance on an AH-64 Apache helicopter onCamp Sykes, Iraq.

See CREW, Page 26


The crew members notonly conduct dailymaintenance on theaircraft, but during flightoperations, they providesecurity as gunners insidethe Blackhawk.

The pilots praise theefforts and dedication ofthe crew chiefs andmechanics for keeping theaircraft mission ready.

“As far as operationallevel of it, that’s theirjob,” Moreno said. Whenit comes to the diagnosispart of it, they come to us.The pilots are verydependent on us to keepthe bird flying for them,making sure they have asafe flight and keepingthem alive.”

The operation tempofor the entire Squadron isone that is literally off the charts. Every day a bird isin the air whether it’s a Blackhawk, Kiowa orApache.

Outlaw Troop alone has flown nearly 2,700 flighthours. During a normal year at garrison on FortCarson, Colo., the Kiowas fly 400 hours according toPratt.

“Our optempo is unreal,” Pratt said.The hard labor of the troops maintaining the birds

have not gone unnoticed by the Squadron’s seniorleaders.

“Since the beginning of this deployment, ouraircraft combined has flown more than 20,000hours,” said Maj. Wayne Gilstrap, operations officer,Longknife Squadron. “It is absolutely remarkablewhat our crew chiefs are doing and despite theoptempo, they continue to maintain a high level ofmotivation.”

Gilstrap added what the average Soldier on theground doesn’t see is that the crew chiefs are working24 hours a day, seven days a week to maintain theaircraft so the birds can accompany the ground troops

on their combat missions.Most importantly, Gilstrap said the crew chiefs

are part of the Regiment’s overall combined armsfight against the enemy in which air/groundintegrations brings superiority and dominance tothe battlefield.

“They’re not out in the streets like the cavalryscouts, but they bring so much to the fight,”Gilstrap said. “If we can provide a little moreconfidence in the cavalry scout’s minds, thenwe’re doing our jobs. That’s the reason the crewchiefs do what they do.”

Gilstrap added the aircraft is the eyes for thescout on the ground and “the crew chiefs makethat happen.”

As for Pratt, once again he’s found favor andrespect from the men who take the fight to theenemy in the urban battlefield.

“I hear it from the other troops, from some ofthe tankers, so I know how much they appreciatewhat we do,” Pratt said with a sense of pride in hisvoice. “It’s good for the guys on the ground. If wecan keep a bird up, it makes them feel a lot saferand to conduct their missions more effectively.”

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Donald SparksSpc. Daniel Walter, UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crew chief, assigned toStetson Troop, Longknife Squadron, conducts a test fire of the M240Bduring a flight near Tall Afar, Iraq. Blackhawk crew members are respon-sible for providing security and engaging the enemy during flight opera-tions.

CREW from Page 25


MULESKINNER SQUADRONBy Lt. Col. Richard O’ConnorSupport Squadron Commander

Dear Muleskinner family and friends, I ampleased to report that as we enter our six month ofdeployment, Muleskinner continues provide superbmaintenance, great supply support, medical supportand base security which allow the Regiment to retainabsolute freedom of maneuver through the 34,230square miles of Veterans Area of Operations.

This is of course is due to the impressive accom-plishments of the Muleskinner Team of Champions.Here is a brief overview of each unit and their role tothe team.

Chaplain (Capt.) Leo Moras continues to keep hisfinger on the morale of the Squadron conducting awide range of counseling and holding three separateCatholic services every Sunday.

As the only Catholic priest, he makes time totravel to outlying Forward Operating Bases (FOB)providing catholic services to the Regiment.

Bullwhip continues to manage the security ofCamp Sykes through their Base Defense OperationsCenter. Part of their success is attributed to theirknowledge of the local area surrounding the camp.

They have conducted several humanitarian aidemissions to local villages and have worked with thelocals on improving their standard of living.

We have successfully delivered numerousamounts of food and water to the surroundingvillages and made several assessments on long termimprovements such as drilling wells and improvingmedical care.

Bullwhip also serves as the command and controlof the Convoy Security Detachment (CSD) which hasa two-fold mission to secure our combat logisticspatrols and serve as the quick reaction force for thecamp in order to defeat any enemy engagements. See MULESKINNER, Page 28

Packhorse recently completed their 100th combatlogistics patrol and our Soldiers display the disci-pline, confidence, and competence to complete everymission.

They are the quick reaction force for the Regimentwhen it comes to logistics. With the CSD, they candeliver anything at anytime of the day and do so withthe lethality and prowess of any combat unit.

Packhorse currently has a water purification teamthat is forward deployed to FOBAl Nimr at Sinjarsupporting Tiger Squadron with the necessary bulkpotable water.

Last month this water team purified and issuedalmost enough water to fill an Olympic size swim-ming pool.

Packhorse also prepared, stored and issued 215tons of bagged ice which is the equivalent in weightto three fully combat loaded M1A2 Abrams Tanks.

Blacksmith continued their amazing 24/7 mainte-nance support to the Regiment this past month.

One section I’d like to mention is the OperationalReadiness Float Maintenance Team, which has thevery important mission of restoring tanks and Brad-ley Fighting vehicles that are damaged.

This past month they were able to turn aroundseveral, ensuring the Regiment remain prepared fortheir mission.

The Service and Evacuation section used theirwelding skills recently to build targets for the IraqiArmy to train and qualify on their weapons systems.Also they were instrumental in repairing andstrengthening the new cabs on the FMTVs.

While performing these amazing feats of mainte-nance support, they continue to provide the securityat the main gate ensuring all personnel and vehiclesare cleared before entering.


MULESKINNER from Page 27

The Tech Supply Platoon in the Supply SupportActivity (SSA) continues to keep the Regimentmoving by receiving, processing, storing, and issuingthe critical parts that keep the tanks, Bradleys, andother equipment rolling.

In the past month they have received and issuedalmost 27,000 parts in order to keep the Regimentpostured for success.

Air Raider continues to keep Longknife Squadronflying as they repair critical armament and aircraft.Since Renegade Troop returned to the Regiment, AirRaider completed their first Apache Phase Mainte-nance, complete aircraft inspection and repair.

An aircraft must be completely rebuilt after somany hours of flying and it takes several days. Due tothe amazing efforts of their mechanics and techni-cians, they allowed the Apache to return to the fightin record time.

The aviation SSA continues to manage all thethousands of parts needed to keep the aircraft flying.

Scalpel’s medical support is top class and theycontinue to heal the wounded and cure the sick at arecord pace.

Between mid-July and mid-August, Scalpeltreated almost 1,600 patients including U.S. Soldiers,Iraqi Army soldiers, local nationals and detainees.

Chemdawg continues to balance their twofoldmission of combat logistic patrol security and operat-ing the Regimental Internment Facility (RIF). Theydo so by employing their smoke platoon in the RIFand their Recon Platoon with the CSD.

While they are the smallest unit in the Squadron,they continue to accomplish Herculean feats byreceiving and guarding more than four times theamount of their company size in detainees just thispast month.

The Recon platoon recently completed their 100thCombat Logistics Patrol, ensuring every CLP wassecured and guided to their final destination.

I want to extend my utmost appreciation for theimpressive support by your loved ones who aredeployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This is truly one of the most noble and historicacts of kindness performed by our fellow Americans.

I thank you for your contribution and I applaudyour unwavering support to your loved ones who aredeployed to win this Global War on Terrorism.

It is truly an honor for me to serve alongside eachand every Muleskinner Trooper and I look forward tomeeting each and every one of you when we rede-ploy.

Godspeed, Brave Rifles!Muleskinner 6

This is truly one of the most nobleand historic acts of kindness performed by

our fellow Americans.


Mounted Rifleman Reports

Looking directly into the eyes of his M249 SAWGunner, Capt. Todd Allison asked the question healways asks when the two leave the ‘wire.’

“Are you ready to go?” said Allison, S-1, assignedto Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regi-ment.

Spc. Leonard Bowen quickly responded, “Yes Sir,I am ready to go and win the hearts and minds of theIraqi people.”

The two Soldiers participated in a short-plannedhumanitarian mission that was specifically gearedtowards helping the local Iraqi population living in

Muleskinner troopers bringhope, care to small village

the town of Zariqi located just outside of CampSykes.

Because of insurgent violence in the city of TallAfar, many families fled the city to seclude them-selves from the danger.

Zariqi, home to members of the Shii tribe, has apopulation consisting of about 250 families who areloosely tied to each other through family lines.Approximately 100 to 150 families had recentlysettled there to escape the insurgency in Tall Afar.

Due to the increase of population the citizens werein desperate need of some basic necessities such aspotable water, sufficient food, and medical care. Alsothe town had an unusually large population of

children; so it was in need of apediatrician.

Entering the small town ofstone and clay homes, theresidents quickly assembledaround the Soldiers to welcometheir presence.

Shortly after the convoy’sarrival, the Soldiers were takento the existing well whichsupplied water for the town.

Capt. Steven Williams,commander, Bullwhip Troop,Support Squadron, along withcivil affairs and medical person-nel had visited Zariqi severaltimes during the past month andidentified several communityprojects – including the well.

“We came to the well whichwas nothing more than an L-shaped rusted pipe coming fromthe ground,” Allison said.“Around it was old concertinawire to keep thieves from taking

Photo by Capt. Todd AllisonPfc. Danielle Gerboc, medic, assigned to Medical Troop, SupportSquadron, checks the heart rate of an infant girl name “Munta.” Muntasuffers from a hole in the heart that makes her weak and deprives herbody of oxygen. See VILLAGE, Page 30


what was left of the well.”The Civil Affairs team, along with 1st

Lt. Trevor Crandall, S-4, Support Squad-ron, began to make an assessment of thewell.

It was determined the well was about20-to-50 meters deep and it was lastoperational when the 101st Airborne (AirAssault) Division had been in the areamore than a year and a half ago.

The villagers pointed out a workingwell that was owned by one of the villag-ers who paid for the parts and laborhimself.

“It was decided that the old well sitewas most likely not operational in the pasttwo years, but it was decided Zariqiwould get a new well there,” Allison said.

The townspeople were aided by Capt.Jennifer Rael, a doctor and pediatrician,and Pfc. Danielle Gerboc, medic, bothassigned to Medical Troop, SupportSquadron, who came along to providemedical care and treatment.

Rael and Williams engaged conversa-tion with a local Iraqi named Mustafa.

Mustafa was recently hired on one ofthe visits to the village to work on CampSykes as general labor in the warehouse.

On a previous visit he had sought treatment andmedicine from the medical personnel for his daughterMunta, who appeared to be about three years of age.His daughter had a ‘hole’ in her heart.

“This is a medical condition that does not allowthe heart to pump blood through the body as normalchildren, causing Munta to be weaker than others herage,” Rael said.

It was explained to the worried father that hisdaughter needed heart surgery to repair her condition.Unfortunately the chances of finding a cardiologistthat specialized in treating children in Iraq wasconsidered remote, particularly in their region of thecountry.

“She would survive without treatment, but she

would remain weaker than others and she wouldhave to be cared for in different ways.”

Not long after Rael examined the little girl,many families began bringing their children to herfor medical treatment. One by one, she begancaring for the children who were sick and injured.

As the humanitarian effort came to a close,Allison began to wonder if he’d fulfilled hisSoldier’s response of “winning the hearts andminds of the Iraqi people.” He’d just handed a bagof candy to a little girl clutching her little brother.

“Is she old enough to understand what theAmericans are doing in her little village?” Allisonsaid. “This young girl and children like her are thefuture of a democratic and free nation of Iraq.Time will only tell in this little village.”

Photo by Capt. Todd AllisonCapt. Jennifer Rael, doctor and pediatrician, Medical Troop,Support Squadron, prepares medical instructions for thetownspeople of Zariqi during a humanitarian mission.

VILLAGE from Page 29


REMINGTON TROOPBy Capt. David OlsenRemington Troop Commander

Dear Dear Remington families and friends, hellofrom Camp Sykes. As the month of August passesbehind us, the weather here outside of Tall Afar isbeginning to cool ever so slightly – a sign of morefavorable fall temperatures.

The Regiment is making final preparations for theconstitutional referendum next month – this effort isdemanding long hours from everyone in the Regi-mental Headquarters as we work with local leadersand polling officials.

The Regimental Iraqi Security Forces team hashelped the Iraqi Army reach a key milestone on thepath to developing the leaders needed to help securethis country.

The Border Security Forces and Iraqi Police arelikewise making significant progress towards stop-ping the flow of insurgents and weapons into NinewaProvince.

The Regimental staff has worked closely with theregional government to help establish these organiza-tions in northwest Iraq.

The Regimental Engineers and Civil Affairs teamare coordinating projects throughout the area ofoperations to help rebuild infrastructure in villagesand towns, including wells, schools, police stations,and sewage systems, much of which has been dam-aged by conflict and neglect.

These projects are an important part of the processof re-establishing the local economy and returning asense of normalcy to the region.

Even as combat operations are continuing, ourSoldiers are improving the lives of the people ofNinewa Province every day. Their hard work willleave a lasting impression on this country long afterthe Regiment has redeployed.

Remington Troopers continue to train in basic

Soldier skills to maintain their proficiency throughoutthe deployment.

Together with the 66th Military IntelligenceCompany, we conducted a small arms range over twodays on Camp Sykes to re-qualify Soldiers on theirpersonal weapons and familiarize them with variouscrew-served machine guns.

The Troop Headquarters and the NCOs ofGhostrider Company did an outstanding job oforganizing and executing this range.

Construction of the large MWR facility here atCamp Sykes was delayed by some funding issues, butwe hope to see it completed later this fall.

In the meantime, our Troopers have been partici-pating in the camp’s softball league and organizing aflag football team for the upcoming season. OtherSoldiers are enjoying Karaoke at the dining facilityand poetry readings at the MWR building to relaxand help pass the time.

We had the opportunity to reward several of ourTroopers last month for their hard work during thisdeployment.

Spc. Danielle Carpenter and Privates First ClassBenjamin Cochran, Christina Jenkins, and BrodyTaylor were all promoted here at Camp Sykes, aswere Captains Adam Grow and Eric Pittman.

Sgt. Gene Braxton and Spc. Joshua Stanley wereselected as the Remington Troop NCO and Soldier ofthe Month, respectively.

And last, but not least, 1st Sgt. Rodney Greenehas been selected in his first look for promotion toSergeant Major.

Congratulations to each of these Soldiers and theirfamilies – their dedication is helping to make ourmission a success here in Iraq.

I hope that everyone back home is enjoying thelast few weeks of summer. Thanks for all yourcontinued support! Brave Rifles!

Remington 6


CHAPLAIN’SCORNER

By Chaplain (Maj.) David CauseyRegimental Chaplain

Author Leslie Flynn tells the story of a sailor whowas shipwrecked on a South Sea island. He wasseized by the natives, carried shoulder-high to a crudethrone and proclaimed king.

He learned that, according to custom, a king ruledfor one year. The idea appealed to the sailor until hebegan to wonder what had befallen previous kings.

He learned that when a king’s reign ended, he wasbanished to a deserted island where he starved.

Knowing he had power of kingship for a year, thesailor began issuing orders: carpenters were to makeboats; farmers were to go ahead to this island andplant crops. Builders were to erect a sturdy home.When his reign finished, he was exiled, not to abarren isle, but to a paradise of plenty.

There is a world in which we can create a virtualparadise for ourselves, an escape from the pain andloneliness that deployment brings upon us.

What is this place, this haven to which we can fleeand by which we survive the toughest of times? Thisworld is our memory.

In a Science Digest article entitled “The Magic ofMemory,” Laurence Cherry says: “Our memories areprobably our most cherished possessions. More thananything else we own, they belong uniquely to us,defining our personalities and our views of the world.

Getting through the tough times“Each of us can summon thousands of memories

at will: our first day at school, a favorite family pet, asummer house we loved.”

Oscar Wilde had all this in mind when he said,“Memory is the diary that we all carry about in us.”And the German writer Jean Paul Richter said, “Ourmemory is the only paradise out of which we cannotbe driven.”

A memory filled with a garden of pleasantthoughts and recollections can be a paradise for us indifficult times.

This is why it is so important to build happymemories with our families and loved ones when wehave the opportunity – on mid-tour leave, in-betweendeployments, on four-day weekends (when we get toobserve them).

Too often we opt for more “practical and profit-able” uses of our time or we dismiss such family funtimes as unnecessary.

But having a treasury of pleasant experiencesstashed away in our memories will sustain us and ourmarriages through the grinding tough times.

James Matthew Barrie once explained, “God givesus memory so that we may have roses in December.”

The Scripture says, “Whatever is true, whatever ishonorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, ifthere is any excellence and if anything praiseworthy,think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Sunday serviceChaplain (Capt.) Paul Fritts,conducts service for worship-pers during Sunday Service atthe Camp Sykes chapel. Reli-gious services are provided for3rd Armored Cavalry RegimentSoldiers on the camp.

Courtesy photo


RETENTIONBULLETIN


Four moreyearsSpc. ChristopherCoats, MedicalTroop, SupportSquadron, 3rdArmored CavalryRegiment, is giventhe reenlistmentoath from Col. H.R.McMaster, 71stcommander of theRegiment, duringhis reenlistmentceremony.


SAFETY

By Antonio PadilliaSafety Officer, 3rd ACR

Since the beginning of Opera-tion Iraqi Freedom, many Sol-diers and other servicemembershave been diagnosed with cutane-ous leishmaniasis, or “BaghdadBoil.”

The 5/20th Infantry Divisionhad 119 cases after leaving TallAfar last year. The disease,spread by sand flies, causes mildto severe skin lesions that takemonths to heal and can be disfig-uring.

Like malaria and other insect-borne afflictions,leishmaniasis has been around for a long time and isfound all over the world. There isn’t a vaccine tothwart it, but leishmaniasis is treatable and, mostimportantly, preventable.

Prevention begins with awareness, and Soldiersshould be aware of the sand fly’s habits. Only one-third the size of mosquitoes, these silent flies aremost active from dusk to dawn, but frequently feedduring daylight hours.

They easily can fit through the mesh of bed netsand are nuisance biters, meaning they bite repeat-edly—some Soldiers have reported being bitten morethan 100 times.

Once infected, it may take several months for aSoldier to exhibit the sores typical of leishmaniasis.These single or multiple ulcers can be extremelypainful and don’t get better on their own.

Over a few weeks, the sores enlarge, crust over,and break down into slow-growing ulcers up toseveral centimeters in diameter.

Soldiers with suspicious sores should seek medi-cal attention immediately for accurate diagnosis andtreatment.

The ulcer will heal without treatment after 6-9

months but will leave a scar.It’s important to remember that if you take the

proper steps, you won’t have to wait for the doc tocome around.

The Department of Defense Insect RepellentSystem—properly worn DCUs treated withpermethrin and DEET on exposed skin—is the bestprotection against insect bites and diseases likeleishmaniasis and West Nile Virus.

The DCU top should be worn with the sleevesdown and the undershirt tucked inside the pants,which should be tucked into the boots. Permethrin isavailable as an aerosol spray or an impregnation kit

To protect exposed skin, apply a thin, even layerof DEET-containing product to uncovered areas suchas your hands, neck, and face.

Don’t forget to protect yourself while you sleep.Always use a permethrin-treated bed net in yoursleeping quarters or tent.

There is enough product in a single can of aerosolpermethrin to treat one bed net. DCUs should betreated with the impregnation kit

For more information on leishmaniasis, visit theU.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preven-tive Medicine Web site at http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil.

Proper protection, educationkey to preventing leishmaniasis


REGIMENTHISTORY

REGIMENT’S ENGAGEMENTS

MONTH LOCATION UNITS ENGAGED

1 Aug 1870 Skirmish Canyon, FApache Mountains, Ariz.

2 Aug 1860 Near Albuquerque, N.M. Detachment I

2 Aug 1861 Dug Springs or Dry Creek, Mo. Company of recruits

7-31 Aug 1918 Vesle Front, France (2nd Battle Kof the Marne)

13 Aug 1990 Desert Storm railhead 3d ACRoperations -Train movement of 2160 pieces of majorequipment, weighing over3 million pounds, on 13 trainsfrom Fort Bliss to Beaumont, Texas

15 Aug 1869 Near San Augustine Pass, N.M. F and H

16 Aug 1944 Rambouillet, France 43d Cav Recon(MECZ)

18-20 Aug 1847 San Antonio, Contreras and A, B, D, E, F,Churubusco, Mexico G, H, I, and K

25 Aug 1871 Arivapaya Canyon, Ariz. D, H, andDetachment F

29 Aug 1858 Near Bear Springs, N.M. I

31 Aug 1900 Near Sinait, Ilocos Sur, PI Detachment K

On Aug. 3, 1861, the Regiment was re-designated as the Third U.S. Cavalry.


REGIMENTHISTORY

Compiled by Jim Mallette3rd ACR Museum Technician

On Aug. 20, 1847 General Scott addressed theRegiment of Mounted Rifles after the Battle ofContreras.

The following is the text of the address as remem-bered by First Sergeant Sam McCurdy, D Co.Regiment of Mounted Rifles.

“BRAVE RIFLES, VETERANS—you have beenbaptized in fire and blood, and have come out steel.Where bloody work was to be done, the Rifles wasthe cry, and they were there.

“All speak of them in terms of praise and admira-tion. What can I say? What shall I say? Languagecannot express myfeelings of gratitudefor your gallantconduct in theterrible conflict ofyesterday and thismorning.

“But, my braveboys, in the course of one hour more you will beengaged in a more sanguinary engagement than theone you have just passed through, and I hope andtrust that you will take the same noble stand you didyesterday and this morning. And now, men of theRifles Regiment, God bless you all.”

“First Sergeant McCurdy,” according to hiscommander, Col William P. Wood, was an honorableand brave man, always with his company and alwaysfor duty.”

[William B. Lane. (1895, October). “The Regi-ment of Mounted Riflemen;”]

Nearly 100 years later (late July and early August1944) found the Regiment completing their trainingand making final preparations for crossing theEnglish Channel into France; beginning their 274 daycharge across France, Germany and Austria into

history as “Patton’s Ghost Troops.”According to Major Utterback (43rd Executive

Officer and later Commander), when the 43rd Squad-ron and Group Headquarters received their vehiclesthey were amazed that the armored cars had no racksto hold the crew’s duffle bags and the turret had noring mount to hold the 50 caliber machine gun.

The light tanks had no racks to hold the crew’sduffle bags and there were no duffle bag racks orwire cutter and machine gun mounts on the Jeeps.

So the final preparations the Regiment had tocomplete included making machine gun mounts,racks to hold the crew’s duffle bags on their vehiclesand wire cutters for the Jeeps.

The only people available to perform these taskswere the Troopers ofthe Regiment.

The Regiment hadno money to pur-chase the materialsthat were needed. Sothe Supply officersand Sergeants of theSquadron were

ordered to barter, trade and scrounge for the suppliesthat were needed.

The Regiment did have several cases of Scotchwhisky (their monthly ration) that they could and diduse for bartering with the locals near the SalisburyPlains, site of Stonehenge.

One evening an English general told the Regimentto stop welding at night. The Germans would be ableto see the lights from the welding and then target theareas for bombing.

The Regiment continued to weld around the clock.They completed the project as they received theirmovement orders for deployment into France.

Thomas Carlyle (a nineteenth century Scottishessayist and historian) said, “Tell a man he is brave,and you help him to become so.”

Bravery, courage, devotion part ofMounted Riflemen’s legacy, lore

Tell a man he is brave,and you help him to become so


CLOSERANKS


Final saluteA rifle squad consisting of noncommissionedofficers of the 1st Battalion, 5th Special ForcesGroup and 98th Division (Advisory SupportTeam) salute their weapons during the play-ing of Taps honoring fallen comrades Sgt. 1stClass Brett Walden and Sgt. 1st Class RobertDerenda held at Al Kisik. Both Soldiers werekilled on Aug. 5.

Mounted Rifleman Reports

Although he led the Regiment of Mounted Rifle-men during Operation Iraqi Freedom I and has movedon, Col. David Teeples, has not stop caring for thosetroopers wearing the Brave Rifles patch.

The 70th Colonel of the Regiment visited WalterReed U.S. Army Hospital on Aug. 19 to visitwounded troopers and also pin Purple Heart medals.

He was joined by 1st Lt. Brian Oman, a platoonLeader in Grim Troop, who was home on mid-tourleave. Oman presented Sgt. Leroy Scott, a medicattached to Grim, his Purple Heart.

“It was an honor for me to present two PurpleHearts to Pfc. Jamie Kiklis for wounds he received onJune 16 and 26,” Teeples said.Kiklis is assigned toEagle Troop, Sabre Squadron.

There were other Brave Rifles Troopers andfamilies present. Sgt. Jeremy Wolfsteller was rolledin lying in his hospital bed and Spc. Adam Beintemawas also there in his wheel chair.

“Most impressive was Brian Oman, and thegenuine love he has for his Soldiers,” Teeples said.“And his wife, Ellen, who is enduring Brian’s secondtour in Iraq. What great Americans and what greatrepresentatives of the Regiment.”

70th Colonel of theRegiment visits woundedtroopers at Walter Reed

1st. Lt. Brian Oman, far left, pla-toon leader, Grim Troop, SabreSquadron, Sgt. Leroy Scott, GrimTroop medic, Col. David Teeples,70th Colonel of the Regiment, andPfc. Jamie Kiklis, Eagle Troopcavalry scout, pose for a photoafter Scott and Kiklis received theirPurple Hearts for wounds incombat in support of OperationIraqi Freedom 04-06 in Tal Afar,Iraq. The event took place Aug. 19at Walter Reed U.S. Army Hospitalin Washington, D.C.

Courtesy photo


August’s Fallen Troopers

Aug. 5 - Sgt. 1st Class Brett Walden, 1-5, SFGAug. 5 - Sgt. 1st Class Robert Derenda,

98th Div. ASTAug. 27 - Cpl. Joseph Martinez, 2/3

Aug. 29 - 2nd Lt. Charles Rubado, 1/3Aug. 29 - Chief Warrant Officer Dennis Hay, 4/3

RIFLEMAIFLEMA THE MOUNTED Nbattlefield, but they are a critical part of the Regiment’s success. August once again was another scorcher here in the desert of Iraq and in the city

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