Thursday, April 17, 2008

Sons of Iraq lead MND-C Soldiers to weapons cache

BAGHDAD – Sons of Iraq led Multi-National Division – Center Soldiers from Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, and Iraqi Policemen with 3rd Brigade, 1st National Police Division to a large weapons cache in Tameem, a town east of Baghdad, April 14.
The cache was buried approximately 500 meters from the NP headquarters in Tameem.
“The cache had been in the ground a long time,” said 1st Lt. Andrew Ellison, from Coleman, Ala., a squad leader in Troop C. “EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) Soldiers estimated that the munitions had been buried for over a year based on their condition.”
The cache contained 389 82 mm mortar rounds, 96 125 mm tank rounds, 172 57 mm anti-aircraft rounds, 38 60 mm mortar rounds, 30 130 mm artillery rounds, 17 122 mm mortar rounds, 15 100 mm rockets, seven 155 artillery rounds, five 100 kg aircraft bombs and four 120 mm mortar rounds.
“Even though many of the munitions were badly degraded, they could have still been used to make IEDs (improvised explosive devices),” Ellison said. “We are extremely happy to help interdict these accelerants here.”
The 3-1st Cav. Regt. is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007. The 789th Ordnance Company (EOD) is from Ft. Benning, Ga., and is currently assigned to the 3rd HBCT.

203rd BSB Takes On Eagle’s Challenge

By Sgt. 1st Class Scott Maynard, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – At 5:30 a.m. on April 6, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Soldiers throughout the brigade’s area of operations were working hard to do their part in the war on terror.

At FOB Hammer, Soldiers from 203rd Brigade Support Battalion were busy building the team through a series of physical and mental tests known as the “Eagle Challenge.”

The challenge tested physical endurance with a one-mile run with their rifles; a four- and a half-mile foot-march, which included stops to test their general Soldiering knowledge and unit history; a 30-minute physical fitness and agility session; and four testing stations which evaluated Soldiers’ ability to treat a casualty; disassemble and assemble a rifle, perform a functions check then load; and fill a radio to make a radio check.

“It’s not all Soldiers’ common task training in the challenge,” said 1st Lt. Natassia Fay, from Youngstown, Ohio, the battalion logistician. “There are rules that must be followed as well.”

The rules stipulated that contestants could compete as individuals or teams, there was no use of rank during the challenge, no disputes with the cadre and a positive attitude must be maintained.

The entire 203rd BSB could not participate due to mission tempo, but 48 out of 250 available Soldiers prequalified and took on the team building event.
Lt. Col. Kelly J. Lawler, from Monticello, N.Y., commander of the 203rd BSB, addressed the 48 203rd Soldiers, known as “Crows”, prior to the start.

“Thank you for participating in the Eagle Challenge,’ Lawler said. “Right now you are a ‘Crow’ but by the end of the day some of you will be ‘Eagles’. You are the reason for this battalion’s success and for that I thank you … I have my buckle. I want you to have yours.”

The sign of an “Eagle” is a brass belt buckle with the head of an eagle wrapped in the words, “203rd Brigade Support Battalion, Eagle Challenge, Support and Defend, 3rd Infantry Division.”

“You will be proud to wear your belt buckle after today’s challenge,” Lawler said. “Other Soldiers will ask where you earned it, and you can tell them FOB Hammer, Iraq.”

The Crows were herded off to have their rucksacks inventoried and the challenge began.

“Hurry up crows, get those rucks emptied out,” barked Capt. Fenicia L. Jackson, from Hartsville, S.C., the battalion operations officer. “Crows! You are not moving fast enough, front-leaning rest position, move!”

After the Soldiers warmed up for the one-mile run with Jackson, she inventoried the gear, had them load it up in the truck and moved them to the starting line.
Lawler was there waiting for the group.

“Are you warmed up, Crows?” Lawler asked. “Maybe another warm-up exercise will get you ready! The side straddle hop, ready, exercise one, two, three!”
After the exhausted Soldiers finished the exercises, Lawler sent them running into the sun. Some left with smiles, some with frowns and many with a set jaw and determined look.

Once the run was complete the contestants put on their rucksacks and moved on to the foot march. Sgt. Michael Decker, from Columbus, Ga., was in the lead with Spc. Clinton Biddle, from Paris, Ky., close behind. They were followed by team “Wolfpack,” which consisted of Sgt. Paul Zadzura, from Sturges, Pa.; Spc. Mark Shaheer, from Chicago; and Spc. Louis Pinault, from Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

After the march, the leader board remained the same. Decker stayed out in front, Biddle a close second and Staff Sgt. Willie Farris, of Pinebluff, Ark., in third place for the singles competition. Team Wolfpack led in the team category; the leader board remained the same for the rest of the events.

The march was followed by a mandatory rest period at the home station.
However no one got any rest.

Behind the break area lurked a giant water truck. They were soon both drenched and covered in mud.

“I didn’t see that coming,” said Sgt. 1st Class Perry Flournoy, of Columbus, Ga. “It felt good at first. I was hot and sweaty after moving out with that ruck on. Next thing I know, we were covered in mud.”

The 30-minute ‘mandatory break’ turned into an exercise in discipline, dedication and motivation where Soldiers had to demonstrate low- and high-crawl techniques.

“At that point we were half way through. I have never been a quitter - I wasn’t going to start then,” Flournoy said who was elected the event’s Most Valuable Player by the cadre. “By the time the break was over, I needed a break. My eye-pro was covered in mud, which meant I was covered in mud.”
After the break, contestants were released to the testing stations according to the time they came in to home station.
Wet and dripping with mud, the Crows took their score sheets and were directed from station to station by the cadre.
At each station, they dried out a little more, until they finished the challenge.
“I knew this team had what it takes to win,” said Zadzura, whose team, Wolfpack finished in 1st place. “We pushed each other hard ... We won together.”
The day capped off with a banquet to award the Soldiers their belt buckles and recognize the winners with Army Achievement Medals.
The event started with 48 Crows and finished with 48 Eagles earning their right of passage - an Eagle Challenge belt buckle.
The day was best described by Capt. Emanuel Velez, from Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, and the commander of Company A.
“For a few moments today; I forgot I was in Iraq, he said.
The 203rd BSB is assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

789th Ordnance Company (EOD) Detonates Cache

Soldiers of the 789th Ordnance Company (EOD), from Fort Benning, Ga., prepare a cache of landmines, mortars and 107 mm rockets to be disposed of by a high explosives charge April 13 at the Besmaya Range Complex southeast of Baghdad, Iraq. The cache was found nearby earlier the same day by Soldiers from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, and Policemen with the 1st National Police Division.

Soldiers Aid Business Owners In Al-Bawi

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion provided financial aid to local business owners in al-Bawi, Iraq, to boost entrepreneurship April 5.

The civil affairs team, currently attached to 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, visited three business owners and provided them with $500 each to facilitate improvements to their stores.

The team visited the row of stores in al-Bawi earlier in the week and chose the three stores they designated for the grants.

The stores chosen were a snack and drink shop, an air conditioning repair shop and a construction supply store that also sells swamp cooler filters and tubing.
The owners already have plans for their money. Air conditioners and fans, refrigerators, shelving units and trade-specific tools will be purchased in the near future, according to the shop owners.

During the business stimulus operation, Soldiers were accompanied by Selam Nassif Jassim, the local Sons of Iraq leader. Jassim verified the identity of each store owner and talked to the businessmen to ensure the money will be spent to meet the intent of the small business program.

“This small amount of money goes a long way towards re-energizing the shops in al-Bawi,” said Maj. John Wolfe, from Scottsboro, A
la., a 489th CA team leader.

Coalition forces and SoI members will visit the shops in the future for inspections to make certain the financial aid is being used appropriately.
The 489th CA Battalion, from Knoxville, Tenn., and the 1-15th Inf. Regt. are attached to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga. The 3rd HBCT has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

3rd HBCT Leaders Give MND-C Commander Farewell Dinner

Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., commander of 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team; Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, from Hamilton, Ohio, commander of Multi-National Division – Center; and 3rd HBCT Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Pearson, from Philadelphia, bow their heads in prayer during an invocation April 11 at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq. Grigsby hosted a farewell dinner for Lynch.

Government Of Iraq Leaders Meet with Mada’in Qada Officials

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Key Iraqi governmental officials from Baghdad met with tribal and civic leaders of the Mada’in Qada during the Narhwan Development Conference held at a health clinic there, April 12.

An assistant to the governor of Baghdad; the director general of agriculture; the Mada’in Qada director of education; the director general of rural planning; and the mayor of the Mada’in Qada talked with local leaders about improving essential services in the area.

“A lot of coordination went into planning this meeting by the Narhwan council,” said Capt. Josh Beard, from Opelika, Ala., the civil military operations officer for 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery.

“They set this opportunity up and both groups acted on it. The representatives sent up a list of concerns to the proper officials ahead of time, so they could be prepared to discuss the issues.”

Beard explained that the conference was crucial for Narhwan residents.

“The lack of essential services has caused a lot of frustration here,” he said. “The officials from Baghdad did a good job of listening and explaining what is happening on their side. Being able to discuss things face to face cleared up a lot of issues.”

Beard said the meeting allowed officials to see the progress Narhwan has made in the last year.

“This was a good opportunity for the people of Narhwan to show the people from Baghdad where the money the Government of Iraq has provided has gone,” he said.

“The officials could actually see the projects that have improved the area. Of course, there are still areas that need improvement, but Narhwan has come a long way from where it was a year ago.”

The area’s stability is a key reason that Maj. James Carlisle, from West Palm Beach, Fla., the civil affairs officer for 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, believes the GoI will invest more in the region.

“Select areas of Baghdad are seeing an increase in violence,” he said. “The leadership in Narhwan has kept violence away from this area. The provincial-level leaders got to see that today. I believe they know they can afford to invest more in the area to reinforce the success of the area.”

Beard agrees with Carlisle’s assessment and believes that the area’s security will help lead to more meetings between the two groups.

“This meeting was an enormous step in the right direction,” he said. “It is great that officials were willing to come out here today. I think that them being able to see the security situation here will make them more willing to continue dialogue in the future and continue to come back.”

The 1-10 FA is assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

S. C. Lieutenant Promoted At FOB Hammer

David Burkman, a retired Soldier currently working for Army Material Command, pins rank on his son-in-law 1st Lt. Mike English, from Monks Corner, S.C., an intelligence officer in Company A, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, during English’s promotion ceremony at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq, April 11. Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, from Hamilton, Ohio, commander of Multi-National Division - Center, traveled with Burkman from Baghdad for the event.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Commander Awards Order of St. Maurice to Smiths Station Soldier

Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., congratulates Master Sgt. Peter B. Black, from Smith Station, Ala., formerly of Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, after presenting him the National Infantryman’s Association Order of St. Maurice March 5 at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq.

Local cooperation brings in HVT in Jisr Diyala

Story by Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, conducted a clearing operation with Policemen from 3rd Brigade, 1st National Police Division in Jisr Diyala, southeast of Baghdad, April 11.
The operation resulted in the detention of eight suspects, including a high-value target connected to improvised explosive device attacks, sectarian violence, indirect fire attacks and weapons smuggling in the Mada’in Qada.
The combined force cleared 35 houses and confiscated several weapons and ammunition drums.
“It was a very good combined operation,” said Capt. Brian Gilbert, from Boise, Idaho, the commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 3-1st Cav. Regt. “There was excellent communication between our air support and our troops on the ground. We were able to track down people that were trying to run. Our cordon was very effective. Everything went perfectly.”
The Soldiers and NPs, acting on information provided by local citizens, were able to quickly find their target without endangering residents in the area.
“The people of Jisr Diyala have sent a loud and clear message to the extremists there: ‘We no longer support you. We only support progress,’”
said Capt. DaMond Davis, from Montgomery, Ala., the fire support officer for 3-1st Cav. Regt. “The numerous tips that we received validate that the people of this area are fed up with violence.”
Gilbert said the NP brigade has made tremendous strides.
“Our cooperation is a perfect example of the relationship the surge created between Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces,” Gilbert said. “This police brigade is a perfect example of what right looks like and should be used as a model. These guys definitely do the right things when no one is looking … I will fight with them every day. They performed well during this operation.”
The 1-15th Inf. Regt. and 3-1st Cav. Regt. are assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and have been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

Soldiers And Residents Remove Weapons Cache

By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – The Sons of Iraq in Nine Nissan, a village east of Baghdad, led Soldiers in Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, to a weapons cache buried at a remote location near FOB Hammer, April 10.

The cache was destroyed by Soldiers from the 789th Ordnance Company (EOD), from Fort Benning, Ga., currently attached to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, at the site.

The cache contained 18 rockets, 14 mortars, 10 105 mm shells, 10 103 mm shells and two tank rounds.

The SoI in Sabbah Nissan have found and led the 3rd HBCT to multiple caches since their group formed two months ago.

Earlier that day, Soldiers from Battery A and local Iraqi leaders conducted a humanitarian mission to deliver food, medicine, water and supplies to the people of Najidat, southeast of Baghdad.

Leaders of the Nine Nissan council had requested aid for the small village at their regular meeting earlier in the week.

The 1-10 FA is assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

Friday, April 11, 2008

3rd HBCT Leaders Go Live On Local Radio Show

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., commander of 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, and Richard Hawkins, 3rd HBCT’s embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team leader, talked to residents of the Mada’in Qada during a live radio show on FM 107.1, “Voice of the Mada’in,” April 8 in al Wahida.
“While we are here to talk about governance and economic growth, I want to remind our listeners that the progress we have seen was possible because of the increased security,” said Grigsby, a native of Prince George’s County, Md. “It was security that opened the window for the dramatic progress in the Mada’in Qada.”
Since Soldiers of the 3rd HBCT deployed to the qada in March 2007, security has improved with significant decreases in violent crime and attacks against Coalition forces.
Grigsby spoke about criminal activity in the qada spiking over the past few weeks. The people of the Mada’in do not want to return to the times when more than 50 citizens on average were murdered each month, he said. The past three months have witnessed an average of 6 murders.
“People do not want to go backwards to having no clean water, no water for agriculture and no goods available in the markets,” he said.
Grigsby explained there is nothing wrong with people exercising their right of free speech without violence. A legitimate government does not fear open expression, he said.
“I have come to greatly admire the courage and commitment of the leaders in the Mada’in Qada,” Grigsby told listeners. “I have complete faith in their ability to work through the problems to find practical solutions.”
When Grigsby was finished speaking, Hawkins, from Washington, D.C., talked about security and projects in the qada.
“Our common objective, one that we share with the Government of Iraq, is to rebuild the qada and to open new opportunities for prosperity and happiness for all its citizens,” he said. “We Americans and members of the Coalition cannot command that effort and we are pleased that many dedicated Iraqis are stepping forward to lead the rebuilding process. Brave Iraqi Security Forces and Sons of Iraq have sacrificed to ensure security.”
After Grigsby and Hawkins spoke, citizens of the qada had the chance to call to the radio show and ask the leaders questions.
Maj. Nathan Haas, from The Dalles, Ore., the 3rd HBCT information officer, said the radio station is a quick way to get information out and counter misinformation.
In Iraqi culture, word-of-mouth is one of the most popular ways to spread information, Haas said. Although not everyone in the qada owns a radio, the station can have great influence.
“We think there is potential to increase the number of listeners,” Haas said. “We are planning on distributing radios with rechargeable batteries for citizens to listen to when the power is out. We are also planning to give radios to checkpoints to give them something to listen to when they are out there.”
The 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., has been deployed in support of Operation Iraq Freedom since March 2007.

2-69th Armor Regt. Soldiers Remember Fallen Comrade

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers gathered to honor a fallen comrade of 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment at the chapel on Forward Operating Base Rustimiyah April 9.

Sgt. Dayne Dhanoolal, from Trinidad, was a driver in Company E, the battalion’s engineer company. The company’s responsibilities include route clearance of improvised explosive devices.

“Sgt. Dhanoolal was talented and confident,” said Lt. Col. Troy Perry, from Belfast, Maine, commander of 2-69th Armor Regt. “He loved the Army and he knew the dangers. He was the bravest of the brave.”

Dhanoolal, who was 26 years old, was killed when an explosively-formed penetrator hit his vehicle March 31 in Baghdad.
In his comments, Perry recalled an instance when Dhanoolal received injuries in a combat related incident. Perry spoke to Dhanoolal when he was recovering from his injuries.

“When I saw him, he told me, ‘Sir, I was just doing my job and I’m ready for the next mission,’” Perry remembered.

Dhanoolal enlisted in the Army Sept. 18, 2002. He was later assigned to 2-69th Armor Regt. and deployed with the unit during the battalion’s 2005 and 2007 deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During the memorial service, Dhanoolal smiled at the crowd in images projected on a screen from the current deployment.

“He brought the best out of all of us with his infectious smile,” Perry said. “We are all better people because we had the honor of serving with him.”
“He always had a joke, a song, or a speech to lighten the mood of everyone around him,” said Capt. Stewart Bailey, from Yelm, Wash., Company E commander.

Bailey said Dhanoolal was a caring leader, exceptional Soldier, a friend to Soldiers and leaders of Company E, and a dedicated husband.
“He always talked about the great plans and the future he had with his wife,” Bailey said.
The fallen hero is survived by his wife, Kynesha.

One of Dhanoolal’s best friends, Sgt. Larry Parker, from Baker City, Ore., talked to the large audience about the character of his comrade-in-arms.
“He was one of the most caring men I have ever met,” Parker said. “He would give and give no matter what he had to sacrifice.”
At the end of his speech, Parker talked, not to the crowd, but to his fallen comrade.

“I will always hold you close to my heart and I’ll never forget you,” Parker told Dhanoolal. “It’s been fun, brother. I love you.”

Dhanoolal’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, a Meritorious Unit Citation and a Combat Action Badge.

The 2-69th Armor Regt. is currently attached to 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. The unit is assigned to 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Fort Benning Soldier Dies In Iraq

The Department of Defense announced the death of Staff Sgt. Jeffery Hartley, 25, of Hempstead, Texas.

He died Tuesday in Kharguliah, Iraq.  His vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was based at Fort Benning and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Hartley was an Army Ranger and finished three deployments with the 3rd Ranger Battalion.  Then, he went to the 3rd Infantry Division.  He was on his second deployment when he was killed.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

New rule of law expert meets Mada’in judges

Story and photos by Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Col. Doug House, a military lawyer assigned to the Baghdad-8 embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team, attached to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, met with three judges at the courthouse in Jisr Diyala to gauge their needs April 8.
Judge Razaq Jabbar Alwan, chief investigative judge of the qada, welcomed House.
“I am glad that you are here and we have the opportunity to meet you,” Alwan said. “It is because of people like you that we are all sitting here in my office today. Your country has helped my country a great deal.”
The current judicial expert for the 3rd HBCT believes House, a native of Little Rock, Ark., will be able to work with the judges to facilitate their permanent return to the courthouse in Salman Pak.
“I thought Col. House made a good impression on the judges,” said Spc. Ryan Burkholder, a native of Houston. “After an hour of discussion, he was able to work through some issues.”
Before joining the Army to become a cavalry scout, Burkholder was a practicing attorney in Texas. During the current deployment, he was assigned to the 3rd HBCT’s staff and appointed as rule of law chief for the brigade, despite being a lower-enlisted Soldier. Over the past year, Burkholder has worked with judges in the Mada’in Qada and Baghdad to help return rule of law to the area.
“He has done his job quietly and well,” said Maj. James Carlisle, from West Palm Beach, Fla., Burkholder’s supervisor. “He represents the stellar caliber of young men and women in the Army that makes it the best army in the world.”
Burkholder was proud of the role he played in bringing the judicial branch back to the qada and said House would be the perfect person to replace him.
“We have seen a significant decrease in violent crimes since the judges have come back,” Burkholder said. “Before, when someone was arrested, there was no transparency. People were arrested and they would disappear. Some would come back and some wouldn’t, but people couldn’t see rule of law in action.
“People now know that when they do things wrong here, they will have to sit before the judge,” he said. “I believe that is deterring a lot of crimes from happening.”
The 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, is from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.

1-15th Inf. Regt. leaders receive Bronze Stars

By Staff Sgt. Sean Riley
3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Seven company commanders and seven first sergeants of 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment were awarded a Bronze Star Medal here April 4. They received the awards for leadership contributions to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team’s current deployment to Iraq.
The 3rd HBCT Commander, Col. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., was hard pressed to find words to describe the contributions of the Soldiers in the battalion and companies.
“It’s just incredible what this infantry battalion has done since I’ve been in command,” he said.
Grigsby expressed his confidence in the leaders of the battalion and their dedication to the mission.
“From leading the way in the train up at Hammer Focus, live fire exercises and air assault training,” he said. “You led the way into Kuwait, into Iraq, and into AO (area of operations) Hammer, where we had nothing. Then, you immediately went out into the fight.”
Grigsby and 3rd HBCT Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Pearson, from Philadelphia, along with the 1-15th Inf. Regt. Commander, Lt. Col. Jack Marr, from Minneapolis, Minn., and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Moore, from Waverly Hall, Ga., presented the medals.
The 1-15th Inf. Regt. is assigned to 3rd HBCT, from Fort Benning, Ga., 3rd Infantry Division, and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.