Thursday, May 17, 2007

Think you know the military?

Time for a little fun…

Think you know the military? Try this test of your MQ—Military Quotient.

With summer vacations approaching, today’s theme is military history.

Maybe you soldiered through Europe during World War II, waded through rice paddies in Vietnam or drove roads paved with IEDs in Iraq—but does that make you a military expert?

Along with travel ideas, we offer the chance to make your rank or earn a promotion with your knowledge of military trivia. Every question is multiple choice. Each correct answer earns you a higher rank. Answer every question correctly and you get a star—a general’s star.

Answers are at the bottom. No peeking!

1. Where is the “Mother of All Bombs” on public display?
A. Baghdad, Iraq
B. Washington, D.C.
C. White Sands, N.M.
D. Eglin, Fla.

2. Which of these Civil War battlefield sites is not part of the National Park Service?
A. Fort Monroe, Ala.
B. Fort Pulaski, Ga.
C. Fort Moultrie, S.C.
D. Fort Donelson, Tenn.

3. Where was the Civil War’s westernmost battlefield?
A. Louisiana
B. Texas
C. Arizona
D. California

4. Where can tourists find the World War II-era minesweeper USS Hazard on display?
A. Tampa, Fla.
B. Norfolk, Va.
C. Chicago, Ill.
D. Omaha, Neb.

5. During which war did Guantanamo first make the news in the United States?
A. World War I
B. Spanish-American War
C. Civil War
D. Mexican-American War

6. How many military cemeteries does the American Battle Monuments Commission maintain?
A. 5
B. 19
C. 24
D. 37

7. Where is Minuteman Missile National Historic Site?
A. South Dakota
B. North Dakota
C. Nebraska
D. Montana

8. What was the name of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson’s horse during the Civil War?
A. Traveller
B. Little Sorrel
C. Winchester
D. Man o’ War

9. What alcoholic drink shares the name with the Cuban town where U.S. forces landed during the Spanish-American War?
A. Curacao
B. Margarita
C. Tequila
D. Daiquiri

ANSWERS:

1. D. The Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, nicknamed the “Mother of All Bombs,” is 21,600 pounds and 30 feet long. One of the largest bombs ever built, it was never used in combat. Find it at the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base.

2. A. The fort protected Mobile Bay on Aug. 5, 1864, when Union Rear Adm. David Farragut issued his famous order: “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.” The fort is a state historic site.

3. C. The Battle of Picacho Pass in Arizona occurred April 15, 1862 northwest of Tucson. It was a skirmish between a Union cavalry patrol and Confederate soldiers. Three Union soldiers died in 90 minutes of fighting.

4. D. The 185-foot-long vessel sits on dry land next to the Missouri River as a naval museum.

5. B. Guantanamo Bay was where Marines landed to set up a Navy base to support the invasion of Cuba in 1898. The Navy has leased a base on the bay since 1903. No tourists allowed.

6. C. The cemeteries, located in 10 nations, contain the remains of 124,913 U.S. casualties of both world wars and the Mexican-American War.

7. A. Daily tours of a missile silo and launch control room are offered. The visitor center is 100 miles east of Mount Rushmore, located off I-90 at Exit 131, next to a gas station.

8. B. Unlike Jackson, the horse survived the Civil War, dying in 1886. The mounted hide is on display at the Virginia Military Institute Museum in Lexington, Va..

9. D. Americans working in nearby mines created the mixed drink a few years later.

Advance one grade in rank for every correct answer. Here is how you rank:
1—Private. Go back to boot camp.
2—Corporal. Study harder and you may be promoted.
3—Sergeant. Hope you are better on the rifle range.
4—Master Sergeant. Climbing through the ranks.
5—Lieutenant. Half way to the top.
6—Captain. Over the hump.
7—Major. No longer a minor military buff.
8—Colonel. Put an eagle on your lapel to show your smarts.
9—General. Lead the troops ... in a trivia contest!

Compiled by James W. Crawley, national correspondent of Media General News Service. Email him at .

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Hundreds of Care Packages Headed To Iraq

Creshon Saunders |
News 3 On Your Side

Hundreds of Fort Benning soldiers serving overseas will soon be treated to special care packages.

Volunteers with the non-profit organization Operation Homefront are sending nearly 400 care packages to 3RD ID soldiers in Iraq.

Soldiers and volunteers gathered at the Columbus Baptist Association Tuesday to put a variety of items in the care packages.

Sarah Lorenzen’s husband is currently serving in Iraq, she says these care packages really make a difference.  “There’s a lot of single soldiers out there that do not get anything don’t get packages so I emailed out to find out who did not receive packages and these are the ones we’re sending to right now.”

The care packages are headed to Iraq and Afghanistan. They will be shipped out Wednesday morning.

If you would like to learn how you can donate items or volunteer, visit Operation Homefront.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Search for missing Soldiers continues

Multi-National Division - Center
Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Search for missing Soldiers continues
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. PAO

BAGHDAD – Coalition and Iraqi forces have been working around the clock since a pre-dawn attack Saturday morning that left one Iraqi and four U.S. Soldiers dead and three other U.S. Soldiers missing.

Every asset has been brought to bear in the hunt for the missing troops, who belong to Multi-National Division-Center, including search dogs, trucks with speakers, unmanned aerial vehicles, law enforcement advisers, and both U.S. and Iraqi troops.

Personnel monitoring Iraqi tip call-in lines have also been busy. Thousands of leaflets were dropped offering information leading to the return of the Soldiers. The leaflets list telephone numbers for tip lines, and the information given is routed to units in the area.

Maj. Kenny Mintz, a native of San Diego, Calif., and the brigade operations officer for the 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), out of Fort Drum, N.Y., said that the 2nd BCT’s participation in the search for the Soldiers is continuing by all available means.

“Right now our focus is on searching for the missing Soldiers, and we’re trying to isolate the areas where we think they could be,” Mintz said. “The (captors) don’t have freedom of movement; if they have the Soldiers, they can’t move them from where they are. We’re doing a deliberate search of the areas for the people responsible or the Soldiers we’re looking for.”

Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV was the first to speak about the incident.

“Make no mistake,” Caldwell said Saturday. “We will never stop looking for our Soldiers until their status is definitely determined.”

Monday, May 14, 2007

3-1 Cavalry detains suspected insurgent

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3-1 Cavalry detains suspected insurgent
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment detained a suspected insurgent wanted in connection with a recent rocket attack on a Coalition Forces’ base near Baghdad May 14.

Soldiers of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, moved to the suspects’ house after receiving small-arms fire and quickly secured the area. The suspect had an AK-47, two magazines of ammunition and a cell phone at the time of his apprehension.

The 3-1 Cavalry Regiment is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, out of Fort Benning, Ga.

BRATS Movie

NEWS RELEASE

Army Brat and filmmaker Donna Musil screens her documentary, “BRATS:  Our Journey Home” in Columbus, Friday, May 18, 6:30 pm at the Cunningham Center for Leadership Development, 3100 Gentian Blvd, Columbus.  The screening is free.  There will be a Q & A with the writer-director after the show.

A large audience of adult military BRATS is expected to be on hand to view the first non-fiction film about a little-known subculture that is conservatively estimated to number 15 million Americans. 

BRATS are people who grow up on U.S. military bases around the world, then struggle to fit into an American lifestyle with which they have little in common.  There are approximately 584,000 adult military brats living in Georgia.

Some of the better-known Brats who participated in the film include:  Kris Kristofferson, who not only narrated, but donated original songs to the production, and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf who is both a BRAT and the father of BRATS.  They and others discuss the profound affect growing up “brat” has had on their lives.

Major General (Retired) Jerry White, President of the National Infantry Foundation who will introduce Friday’s program, said the film hits home.  “I always wondered how my own children felt about growing up Army brats, but they never were able to really tell me.  This film speaks for them and so many others.  It moved me so much that I’ve bought copies to send to my son and my daughter and others who grew up in a world entirely different from their peers.”

Writer-director Donna Musil is excited to be bringing the film to Columbus.  “I was born at Fort Benning.  We were stationed here, I graduated from Columbus High School and my mom still lives in town.” Musil, who earned both her B.A. and Law degrees at the University of Georgia graduate, also said Columbus is the perfect city to screen her film.  “With the rich military history of the area and the large population of adult BRATS and retired military, we have the opportunity to reach the military BRAT audience and their extended families and friends at this special screening.”

“We BRATS have no true hometowns and our friends are scattered to the winds.  As a result, we often go through adulthood feeling lost and alone,” commented Musil.  “This film is dedicated to those who have known that feeling.”

For further information about the documentary, the filmmaker and to see a trailer of the film, please go to…

www.bratsfilm.com

CAV Searches Four Corners

NEWS RELEASE

Story by Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd HBCT, PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER - The 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment conducted a cordon and search and an economic assessment of the Four Corners market area southwest of Narhwan Thursday. It was the regiment’s first squadron-sized mission since their arrival to Iraq in late March.

“We came here and were looking at ways we could help stimulate the local economy and create job opportunities for the people of this area,” said Lt. Col. John Kolasheski, from Knoxville, Tenn., the 3-1 Cavalry commander. “I think it was very successful and we were able to make a statement, ‘We are here to help.’”

Squadron members cordoned off the market place at 10:30 a.m. and spent the day talking with local business owners and searching cars for anything suspicious. “The people had a lot to talk with us about, but their main concern was security,” said Capt. Tavares Tukes, from Savannah, Ga., the 3-1 Cavalry adjutant. “We have a massive amount of projects we want to assist the Iraqi government with and we used today to get a gauge of what was most important to the people.”

Cavalry Soldiers and the Iraqi National Police conducted random vehicle searches but found nothing suspicious. “The fact that we didn’t find any weapons or explosives was a good sign that the local police force is doing a good job,” said Tukes.

Kolasheski was equally happy with the INP performance. “A huge part of this operation involved the Iraqi police and the National Iraqi police,” said Kolasheski. “I think it was reflective of their ability.  They can reach out and help their own people a heck of a lot faster than we are able to.”

The cavalry unit secured the Four Corners market district, of Narhwan and Salaman Pak region’s economic hubs, locked it down in a matter of minutes. “I think that this shows the insurgent element what we are capable of,” Tukes said, “By shutting down such a big area that quickly, we demonstrated to them that we can stop their entire operation in a short amount of time.”

While the display showed 3-1 Cavalry’s ability to perform, they were conscious not to disrupt the average citizens’ daily lives anymore than needed. “The challenge was to ensure the populace understood that we were doing it for their safety and security,” said Tukes. “It can be a very fine line, but I think we accomplished that with the police. People were very accommodating. They allowed us to search with no problems. We were invited into several homes and shops. So that is a good sign.”

“Our guys were very professional and did a good job of executing their duties,” said Tukes. The squadron will work hard to keep a good rapport with the citizens that frequent the Four Corners and plan on monitoring the area frequently with their Iraqi partners, according to Tukes. “I think the operation was a good way to start operations in the Four Corners area.” said Tukes.

3-1 detains gunman

NEWS RELEASE

STAFF SGT. SEAN RILEY
3/3RD INF. DIV. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - Soldiers of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry came under small arms fire from two gunmen during a foot patrol early this morning near Baghdad, east of the Diyala River.

Soldiers of the 3-1 Cavalry approached the men for questioning concerning the violation of curfew when the extremists engaged the Soldiers.

As the attackers attempted to evade the Soldiers, Troop A Soldiers returned fire, killing one and wounding the other.

A 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew is in effect in the 3-1 Cavalry sector.

The wounded gunman is currently detained by Coalition Forces.

The 3-1 Cavalry Regiment is assigned to 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Benning, Ga.

1-15 Infantry establishes combat outposts

Spc. Jeff Nutter, 27, Redding, Calif., Pvt. Dillon Bella, 19, Fredrick, Md., and Sgt. Anthony Shuta, 27, Daytona Beach, Fla., all from Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, relax in their living quarters May 2, at Combat Outpost Cashe, Iraq.

NEWS RELEASE

Story by: SGT. NATALIE ROSTEK
3/3RD INF. DIV.

COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, Iraq – Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team have established three combat outposts in the unit’s area of operation, all named after their fallen comrades.

While in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V, 1-15 Inf. moved from Forward Operating Base Hammer, where the brigade headquarters is located, to Combat Outposts Cleary, Cahill, and Cashe in the areas of Wahida, Salman Pak, and Tuwaitha, respectively.

According to Maj. John Cushing, of Rochester, Mich., operations officer for 1-15 Inf., the battalion was assigned to the outposts to be closer to the communities and people they are here to secure. He said moving closer to the towns where they will be conducting their operations also allows for the battalion to better intermingle with the locals.

“To live with the populace andexperience what they experience, you get a better appreciation for the area,” Cushing said.

COP Cleary is named after 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary, 2nd Platoon Leader for Company E, 1-15 Inf., who was killed during an IED strike Dec. 5, 2005 during OIF III in Ad Duliayah, Iraq.

According to Capt. Mathew Garner, of Dallas, Texas., commander for Company C, the unit had moved from a pharmaceutical plant to COP Cleary almost immediately. When they arrived at the former government building and greenhouses, there was nothing but one rundown building. Rubble and broken glass covered the ground, rendering it nearly impossible to maneuver vehicles.

“It only took one day, really, for the inside of the building to be cleared,” Garner said, “and about a week or two to get all the glass cleared away.”

After hard work and dedication from the Soldiers at COP Cleary, the outpost now has toilets, a shower facility, and the Dragon Inn dining facility area. “It’s gotten so much better here,” said
Sgt. 1st Class Quentin Fenderson, of Tuscaloosa, Ala. “Especially with the new chow hall and showers. Most of the Soldiers would rather just stay here than go back to (FOB Hammer) for showers and chow.”

Company D occupies COP Cashe, which is named after Sgt. 1st Class Alwynn Cashe. Cashe was a platoon sergeant in Company A during OIF III. He died on Nov. 8, 2005 from injuries suffered during an IED strike on Oct. 17, 2005 in Ad Duliyah, Iraq.

The outpost is located in the town of Tuwaitha, just north of Salman Pak. Directly next to the building is a fire station where the Soldiers get most of their water.

“The firefighters help us out,” said Staff Sgt. Quentin Heard, 33, Lagrange, Ga., tank commander for 2nd Platoon, Company D, 1-15 Inf. “They bring bread; they help us get our water running. We help them too. Like if one has a headache or something, we will get with our medic to try to help them.”

COP Cashe currently has two manmade toilets, a new chow kitchen, and a shower made from ponchos, old lockers, and a firehose.

The living quarters are rooms within the building capable of housing eight to 16 Soldiers.

COP Cahill, named after Capt. Joel Cahill, Commander of Company B, 1-15 Inf. during OIF III, who was killed Nov. 6, 2005 in an IED attack in Ad Dwar, Iraq, is the smallest of the three outposts and is believed to be the former Hunting Club security building for Saddam Hussein’s sons, owned by the Ministry of Agriculture.

“It’s getting better everyday,” said Spc. Anthony Hartley, 22, Delaware, Ohio, Company A, 1-15 Inf. “We have the phones and internet, all we need is a place to wash clothes and I’ll be set.”

The COP has one makeshift shower, dining facility, and phone and internet access.

According to 1st Lt. Chris Pearson, Executive Officer for Company A, improvements to be made to the outpost includes additional living space and air conditioning.

Although it is not clear how long 1-15 Inf. will be living at their designated outposts, the Soldiers are making tremendous progress with the resources they are given and are prepared for what could be an 18-month deployment. “It’s my job,” Hartley said. “If I wasn’t prepared to do whatever I needed to, I wouldn’t have signed on the dotted line.”

3rd HBCT honors fallen heroes

Multi-National Division - Center
Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3rd HBCT honors fallen heroes
Story and photos by Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, honored two fallen heroes in a memorial service held May 12 at FOB Hammer.

Sgt. Blake C. Stephens and Spc. Kyle A. Little, both members of the Command Security Detachment for the 3rd HBCT, were killed May 8 when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle as they were patrolling near Jisr Diyala.

Stephens, 25, of Pocatello, Idaho, was assigned to the 3rd HBCT, September 2006 as a Fire Support Specialist. During the current deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V, he was serving as vehicle commander for the unit’s Command Security Detachment.

“(Stephens) was a disciplined, hard, physically fit, good-looking Soldier who took his job seriously,” said Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., commander of 3rd HBCT.

Stephens is survived by his wife Erin.

Little, 21, of West Boylston, Mass., was assigned to the 3rd HBCT, September 2006 as a Fire Support Specialist. During the current deployment, he was serving as a driver for the CSD.

“(Little) was an outstanding Soldier, a great friend, and for some, a brother,” said Sgt. Wayne E. Felkins, a forward observer for the 3rd HBCT who worked with Little. “He was a giver, not a taker. He always had your back.”

Little is survived by his wife Tiffany.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

3rd HBCT provides Soldiers 15 days of Rest and Recovery

Multi-National Division - Center
Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3rd HBCT provides Soldiers 15 days of Rest and Recovery
Story by Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – While deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom V, Soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team have one common milestone during their time in country.

Each Sledgehammer Soldier can look forward to taking a 15-day Environmental and Morale Leave to a location of their choice during their deployment.

“The program is designed to allow Soldiers a break from the deployment where they can take leave anywhere in the world,” said Maj. Joseph Pridgen, 48, Tampa, Fla., Personnel Officer for the 3rd HBCT.

EML is based on an eight month scale beginning May 11, 60 days after the 3rd HBCT arrived in country, and ending Jan. 11, 60 days before the brigade was originally scheduled to redeploy back to Fort Benning.

“Although the announcement was made to extend the deployment, we are still stopping leave in January just in case things were to change again, we want everyone in the brigade to get their leave,” Pridgen said.

According to Sgt. Maj. Willie Washington, Townsend, Ga., NCO in charge of the 3rd HBCT Personnel Office, Nov. and Dec. have been the most popular months requested for leave by 3rd HBCT Soldiers.

“People did want to take leave in May for their children’s high school graduations,” Washington said, “but with the extension, everyone wants to take leave later in the year. May, June, and July are now the unpopular months to go on leave.”

Along with the much needed break Soldiers get from the EML program, they are also able to save some money. The program is fully funded by the Army to get the Soldiers from their “home” Forward Operating Base or Outpost, to the airport closest to their final destination outside of Iraq.

Soldiers requesting to take their EML outside of the United States are required to comply with that country’s requirements regarding passports and visas, Pridgen said.

Before Soldiers leave for EML, they must strip their Interceptor Body Armor of everything but the front and back Enhanced Small-Arms Protective Inserts. This includes side plates, throat and groin protectors, and ammo pouches.

According to Pridgen, Soldiers will leave FOB Hammer, where the 3rd HBCT Headquarters is located, and fly to the Baghdad International Airport, FOB Hammer’s closest airbase. There, Soldiers will ensure they are on the manifest to fly to their final destination.

From BIAP, Soldiers will fly to Ali Al-Salem Airbase to turn in the rest of their gear to include helmet and IBA. If Soldiers plan on flying anywhere other than the Atlanta or Dallas Airport, the Army’s two stateside airhubs, they must make arrangements at the travel office.

Also, at AAS, Soldiers will be entered into a tracking system. This system will begin tracking when the Soldier enters the system and will be updated when the Soldier returns to AAS from the US.

“It’s done this way so Soldiers won’t have to check in with their rear detachment when they get home and before they come back,” Pridgen said. “All the information is in the computer so we know when they come back through Ali Al-Salim.”

Total travel time to the US should take approximately three days. The Soldiers’ 15 days of leave begin the day after they arrive in the US.

In addition to the EML program, 3rd HBCT Soldiers may be given the opportunity to participate in the Fighter Management Program, a four day pass program to either Baghdad or Qatar.

The Freedom Rest Center in Baghdad is a hotel-like establishment located in the former Republican Guard officer’s club, according to Pridgen. Soldiers will be able to use the dining facility, pool, internet, game room, fitness equipment, and movie theater all within the limits of the establishment.

Qatar, located on the eastern shore of Saudi Arabia, offers Soldiers a chance to visit areas outside of the center as well as taking advantage of the amenities on the base.

While relaxing within The Freedom Rest Center, Soldiers will be able to visit the pool, Chili’s restaurant, Morale, Welfare and Recreation center, movie theater, and various bar and club facilities where they will be allowed limited alcoholic beverages. Trips outside of the base include parasailing, fishing, shopping, and beach activities.

Regardless of their destination, Soldiers in the past have benefited tremendously from the leave and pass programs.

“Last time I was over here and went on leave, I rented a cabin in North Georgia,” said Spc. Aaron Schneider, 23, Milwaukee, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd HBCT. “With the travel time and the 15 days of leave I was away from work for almost a whole month. It was great.”

Those who have never been overseas are looking forward to their time away from the stresses of deployment.

“If I get a chance to go on pass I think I’ll just take advantage of the time off to relax,” said Pfc. Leslie Allen, 19, Buffalo, NY, Headquarters Troop, 3rd HBCT. “It’s a great idea, especially with the deployment extension, Soldiers deserve a break.”

Soldiers defeat assault on Iraqi National Police station

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 11, 2007
Soldiers defeat assault on Iraqi National Police station
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division thwarted a small arms and mortar attack on an Iraqi National Police Station near the town of Salman Pak May 9.

The attack began when several gunmen engaged the station with small arms and mortars.

Two 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment AH-64 attack helicopters responded to the call for help from Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry and Company E, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment. Company E Soldiers, currently serving as an Iraqi police training team.

The AH-64’s engaged and destroyed one vehicle with 30mm cannon fire after identifying the occupants as hostile. The helicopters fired on three more gunmen as they fled through a palm groove, killing two.

The 1-15 Infantry Regiment is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and the 1-227th Aviation is part of the 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas. Company E, 1-125th Inf. is a Michigan National Guard unit.

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died May 8 in Salman Pak, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.

Killed were:
Sgt. Blake C. Stephens, 25, of Pocatello, Idaho.
Spc. Kyle A. Little, 20, of West Boylston, Mass.

Both soldiers were assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga. 

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Pocatello Soldier Dies in Iraq

KPVI-TV, the NBC affiliate in Pocatello, Idaho is reporting that a Fort Benning soldier was killed.

Pocatello Soldier Dies in Iraq

The Department of Defense has not yet confirmed this information.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Sledgehammer Families Cope with Separation

Iraqi National Police coordinates with 1-15 Infantry to combat extremists

Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Iraqi National Police coordinates with 1-15 Infantry to combat extremists
Story by Maj. Joe Sowers
3rd HBCT PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - U.S. Army Apache helicopters killed eight to 10 insurgents southeast of Salman Pak, Iraq, following a short clash between Iraqi National Police and extremists late Friday night.

Extremists engaged Iraqi National Police with machine-gun fire and mortars at a checkpoint along a main thoroughfare outside of Salman Pak. Coalition AH-64 attack helicopters from the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment were on site within minutes of Company C, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division relaying reports from the INP.

The attack helicopters identified two trucks fleeing the scene, both with multiple armed occupants.

The attack helicopters engaged the trucks destroying both vehicles and killing eight to 10 extremists.

1-15 Infantry is a part of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Benning, Ga. and the 1-227th Aviation is part of the 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas.