Sunday, December 30, 2007

Concerned Local Citizens Deliver Cache To Coalition Forces

BAGHDAD – Members of a Concerned Local Citizen group seized a cache of munitions southeast of Forward Operating Base Hammer and east of the city of Al Nijidat Dec. 26.

The cache consisted of 23 rocket motors, two 82 mm mortars, four 81 mm illumination shells, one rocket-propelled grenade, one 115 mm high-explosive tank round, one 106 mm high-explosive anti-tank round and several other explosive items, including an artillery fuse.

The CLC group delivered the cache to FOB Hammer, where Capt. Chas Cannon, from Moultrie, Ga., commander of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, met with the group.
“The CLCs allow us to focus more on governance and economics,” said Cannon. “The fact we have help out there with security allows us to maintain our focus on essential services and the local Iraqi government.”

Cannon notified explosive ordnance disposal specialists from the 789th Ordnance Company (EOD), from Fort Benning, Ga., who received the cache items. The EOD unit secured the munitions for future disposal.

Cannon believes the CLCs provide his unit, recently transitioned from detainee operations in Bucca to the 3rd HBCT’s area of operations, with vital information.

“They know the area better than we do,” he said. “We’ve only been here a couple of months; they’ve been here all their lives.”

The 1-10 FA Regt., and the 789th Ordnance Co. (EOD), are assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga., and have been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Army Chief Of Staff Visits FOB Hammer

Ten Soldiers from 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division stand at parade rest awaiting the arrival of Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., before receiving Army Chief of Staff coins at Forward Operating Base Hammer Dec. 19.

After handing the Soldiers coins, Casey spoke to 3rd HBCT Soldiers and leaders who gathered around the podium on the parade field in front of brigade headquarters. “You are taking Iraq off the front page and that’s a good thing,” Casey told the audience.

“What’s at stake here is nothing less than the ideals this country is based on and our way of life. We have to defeat the insurgency here so we don’t have to fight them in the United States. What you are doing now is allowing our country, which was formed with the Declaration of Independence, to continue on in the 21st Century.” (Photo by Sgt. Natalie Rostek)

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Soldiers Open Well Facilitate Water Distribution

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment joined local leaders and Iraqi Security Forces at a well opening in Al Wardiya Dec. 14.

Leaders from the 1-15th Inf. Regt. worked with local leaders for four months to construct the well and provide a long-term, reliable source of water for the community which had long dealt with water distribution problems.

“The contractor performed exceptionally and the facility is extremely well done,” said Capt. Matt Givens, from Columbus, Ga., the civil-military operations officer for the 1-15th Inf. Regt.  “The facility is currently producing water for the people of Al-Wardiya.”

During the summer, local leaders from Al Wardiya came to the regiment, stressing that improved water distribution in their community was a top priority. Utilizing funds from the Commander’s Emergency Response Program, Givens hired a local contractor who began work in late August. Givens monitored progress by conducting bi-weekly inspections to ensure the work was being done properly.

“The project has served two purposes,” Givens said. “The first was that it employed 28 people from the local community for almost four months. The second, and most important effect, is that this project will provide the people of Al-Wardiya with a clean, reliable source of water for years to come.”

Givens explained that improved security conditions in Al Wardiya have allowed projects like this to take place. Iraqi National Policemen are maintaining a checkpoint within 400 meters of the well. A caretaker will live on the grounds of the well to assist in securing and operating the facility.

The facility contains a 40m well, a water compact unit, four storage tanks, an electric pump, a generator, a dispensing station and living quarters for the caretaker.

“Out of all the projects we conduct, the ones that I am happiest with are the ones that provide the most amount of good for the most people,” Givens said.  “This well provides an essential need to a people who have struggled for water for a long time.”