Good News from Iraq: 11 Feb 2008

From MNF-I, 1,000 landmines unearthed (Iskandariyah).

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – One thousand landmines were unearthed in a weapons cache Feb. 3.

Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army Soldiers found a total of six weapons caches during the joint operation northeast of Iskandariyah.

The operation was designed to locate weapons caches and deprive al-Qaeda in Iraq of their ability to attack Iraqi and Coalition forces.

In addition to the 1,000 landmines, a substantial amount of munitions was found in two other caches, including 24, 57 mm rounds; nine, 130 mm artillery rounds; and 60 pounds of unknown bulk explosives.

The other three caches contained lesser amounts of munitions and improvised explosive device-making materials.

The caches were destroyed with the assistance of air support and an explosive ordnance disposal team.

Good News from Iraq: 10 Feb 2008

From MNF-I, SOF train Iraqi Security Force unit.

BAGHDAD – Twenty-five Iraqi Security Forces troops recently graduated from a three-week training course taught by U.S. Special Operations Forces.

Iraqi Security Force will work closely with SOF during the transition of Al Anbar’s security back to the Iraqi Government.

This graduating class is one of the first units in the area consisting of people from all of tribes in the area.

The SOF unit instructed ISF recruits on the importance of physical training, how to secure a building and how to conduct searches once the area is secure. The unit was developed to fight terrorism in Ramadi.

On giving

It is time for paying for what I get for free.

Say what?

There are two nonprofit media organizations that I rely on daily.

NPR is having its fund drive. Time to give to your local station if you listen and find what you get for free to have value.

Another nonprofit media organization is also doing some fund raising. The nonprofit that brings us The Long War Journal is asking for donations to help support their embed program. Teflon Don just landed back in Iraq to provide original reporting for LWJ. So it is time to give if you read and find what you get for free to have value. Here is the link to the donate page or click on the logo.

Good News from Iraq: 9 Feb 2008

From MNF-I, Sons of Iraq provide tip, Soldiers seize cache (Sabah Nissan).

BAGHDAD – A Sons of Iraq [formerly known as Concerned Local Citizens] group discovered a weapons cache near Sabah Nissan, a village east of Baghdad, and turned it over to Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, Feb. 5.

The Soldiers secured the site, awaiting the arrival of an explosive ordnance disposal team from the 789th EOD Company, from Fort Benning, Ga., to dispose of the munitions.

The cache consisted of two rocket-propelled grenades, one 130 mm artillery round, one 120 mm tank round, one 60 mm mortar round and one 57 mm mortar round.

“The Sons of Iraq continue to prove their worth when they provide us these tips on weapons caches,” said Capt. Charles Cannon, from Moultrie, Ga., commander of Battery A. “They hear and learn things that some local Iraqis may be hesitant to approach Coalition Forces about. The Sons of Iraq allow them an outlet and this information eventually trickles down to us, at which time we can properly dispose of the ammunition and ordnance.”

Soldiers from 1-10 FA have seized 11 caches as a result of Sons of Iraq tips since last November.

The 1-10 FA is assigned to 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Benning, Ga. The 3rd HBCT deployed to Iraq in March 2007.

Today is Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day for Team Badger. Badger 6, Teflon Don, and Mel are all deeply affected by the deaths of Sergeant James Holtom, Sergeant Ross Clevenger, and Private First Class Raymond Werner one year ago.

Today may be a good day to visit our fellow bloggers.

Good News from Iraq: 8 Feb 2008

From MNF-I, Two ton explosives cache found in Salah ad Din province.

BAYJI, Iraq – Iraqi Police, Sons of Iraq [formerly known as Concerned Local Citizens] and Coalition Forces discovered a 4,400 pound cache of explosives, in Salah ad Din province during a joint operation, Feb. 6.

Iraqi Police and SOI noticed freshly disturbed dirt off an unimproved road. Coalition Forces investigated the site with IP and SOI assistance. Buried under a hidden tarp were 40 bags filled with a mixture of ammonia nitrate and cocoa powder, each weighing approximately 110 pounds or 50 kilograms. This mixture is commonly used as a homemade explosive commonly used by al-Qaeda in Iraq.

“The Iraqi Police and the Sons of Iraq are committed to bringing stability to their country,” said Lt. Col. William W. Prior, commander of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment. “They prove this on a daily basis. Today they were able to make a significant impact in securing their country, their homes and their families.”

Additionally, IP, SOI and CF consisting of 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment and 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment cleared several villages in the area.

Being busy = less to miss ??

I keep myself insanely busy. And after having hours to do nothing on Sunday night in the ER, I know why I stay so busy. Less time to think about, dwell in, wallow in the fact that my husband isn't here. Nothing quite like a few hours alone in the middle of the night with nothing to read, no internet to surf, no one to talk to -- well, there was the lady who was talking to herself, I'm sure I could have joined in -- to free up some time for thinking. Nothing but me and my thoughts, for hours on end.

It sure would have nice to have Jack Bauer there to hold my hand and to rest my sleepy, drooping head on his rugged shoulder. To feel the warmth of his touch as he comforted me stroking my hair and kissing my forehead. That's what I missed the most.

Good News from Iraq: 7 Feb 2008

From MNF-I, Coalition, Iraqi Army Bring the Heat, Fuel Iraqi Fires.

BAGHDAD — When the joint patrol arrived in Saydiyah, there was already a crowd of more than 150 families waiting for kerosene, Jan. 31. On this momentous occasion, Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from Company A, 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, along with policemen from 1st Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police (NP) Division, distributed the fuel to the neighborhood’s residents for the first time since September.

The distribution was important for the residents since Iraqis primarily use kerosene to provide heat for their homes as well as cooking.

The local residents lined up hours before so they could receive the fuel, said Capt. Benjamin Fielding, of Youngstown, Ohio, who is the A Co. commander.

“You can tell these people really needed this precious resource,” Fielding said. “Some of the locals have told me they came out to get a place in line as early as 5:30 a.m. this morning.”

The NP helped keep order so the thousands of people who made their way through the line could get their kerosene.

Iraqi Lt. Basher, the NP platoon leader, worked well with the locals and was able to relate to their concerns by using his troops, as well as local leaders, to keep the crowd orderly and the operation running smoothly.

First Lt. Aaron Hall, the patrol leader who conducted the joint patrol with the NPs, was responsible for securing the site for the kerosene issue and said the event was a good way to get in touch with the people in Saydiyah.

“Every time we conduct a mission like this, we get positive feedback from the community,” he said. “We always have citizens asking us for phone numbers, which they call later to report extremists in their neighborhoods. They obviously want to see conditions improve.”

Lt. Col. Johnnie Johnson, a Tampa, Fla., native, and the commander of Task Force 4-64, arrived with Staff Brig. Gen. Baha, the 5th Battalion, 2nd Iraqi National Police Brigade commander, to see how the operation was going.

When they arrived, some of the citizens voiced concerns about their ration cards or explained reasons why they were not currently in possession of rations cards.

Baha promptly explained to the crowd that without a rations card, people could not receive their allotted 100 liters of Kerosene but would still receive 20 liters, which should be enough to get them by as they rectify their issues with the ration cards.

“This is the first time in months this type of operation has occurred, so it is expected there will be some administrative challenges, such as this issue with ration cards,” Johnson said. “Despite minor challenges, this is a very positive outcome because the citizens were told they would receive kerosene on Thursday – and it is here. That builds trust and confidence.”

The Tuskers and the NP returned the following day with another shipment of kerosene for the Families who did not receive any the day prior.

The “Tuskers” of 4th Bn., 64th Armor Regt., are a 3rd Infantry Division unit, stationed out of at Fort Stewart, Ga., and are currently attached to Task Force Dragon.

More packages to the CTU Gang

This past Saturday I sent Jack Bauer and his gang some goodies.

5 lbs Kaldi's coffee

2 pairs of tevas, old used ones mind you, cuz he didn't want to buy new ones.

From Whole Foods

• Magnet with pic of dog that says "All the things I like to do are either immoral, illegal, or fattening." - Alexander Woollcott (1887-1943). How totally true is that statement?
  
• Organic Caramel Truffles
• Truffled Espresso Clusters
• Allegro Celebration Coffee (1/2 pound) cuz they can never seem to get enough good coffee.
• Fleur de Sel caramels
• Little bites chocolates
• Newman's Own ginger mints
• College Farm hard candies

Good News from Iraq: 6 Feb 2008

From 1AD Task Force Iron, Task Force Iron Soldier teaches Latin dance class to deployed troops in COB Speicher, Iraq. (h/t KJ, who emailed me her suggestion; this is her Soldier)

TIKRIT, Iraq – One, two, three … five, six, seven …

He swayed to the left and he swayed to the right as his students looked on in amazement. He swung around and his students started to mimic his movements. He stopped to help them.

He looked at his watch. There was just a few minutes left before the salsa dancing class would be over and Latin Night would commence.

“Okay, great job. All of you have improved and are ready to show your new talents tonight,” he said. “If no one has any questions, then that is all I have this week.”

He watched them as they began to leave and noticed a student staying back trying to improve his steps.

“I can’t dance,” the student said. “Maybe I should give up and not dance tonight.”

“Don’t worry, I’m staying until you get it down,” he said.

One, two, three … five, six, seven ….

‘I understand soldiers can get so busy’

Federico White II, a sergeant first class in Bravo Company, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, can trace his kindness way back to a boyhood tranquil lifestyle in Laramie, Wyoming.

His mother, Iva, never wavered in giving her love and kindheartedness to Federico, his little brother, Reynaldo and her husband Fred.

“She has always been there for us,” said Federico, who has served in the military for 23 years. “She’s had a helping hand in our lives, and she helped the Salvation Army many times a week. I admire her love for us and others.”

His father, Fred, was instrumental in many students’ lives at the University of Wyoming, retiring from the zoology department.

“My dad was very strict, but he always made time to take me fishing,” said Federico. “He would talk to me about his life during our fishing adventures and I learned what a wonderful man he truly was. He loved to be there for his family.”

His little bother, Reynaldo, is studying at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas to become a math professor and serves as a counselor for troubled kids.

“My brother has been an inspiration because of what he does for the troubled kids,” Federico said.

With a household full of humanitarians, its no wonder Federico can freely give his time to help others learn how to dance … in Iraq.

That’s right.

The 1st Armored Division based in Wiesbaden, Germany deployed to Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq last fall, and Soldiers were looking for a way to wind down from the daily rigors of war.

Federico, who has taught Latin dancing classes in North Carolina, Colorado, Germany and Korea, was quick to offer them the chance to learn how to Latin dance.

“I understand Soldiers can get so busy out here and I just wanted them to have something to relax,” he said. “Most of them want to learn to dance, but are afraid to take that first step.”

So one could find Federico feverishly helping, instructing and teaching Soldiers how to Latin dance every Friday night at the main Morale, Welfare and Recreation building. The class, which started with a handful, now is so packed that Federico added assistants to help him.

“Word is spreading about this class and that is why it’s so big,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter because I enjoy helping others learn this great art. I hope many others come to class because being in a war zone is very stressful. Hopefully, this class can help them not focus on being away from their families.”

One, two, three … five, six, seven …

‘A sense of satisfaction’

The crowd was dancing to the blaring music out the speakers. As expected, the room turned Latin dance hall was packed. At every corner Soldiers could be found listening to the Latin song playing or dancing to its beat.

He stood near the back of the dance hall, so he could see all of his students dancing.

He waved at those who saw him.

He felt a sense of satisfaction because they were enjoying themselves in spite of being in a war zone.

He looked around the room for the student who almost quit.

He found him laughing, smiling and dancing.

Just then, Federico left the dance hall.

One, two, three … five, six, seven …

300

Picked up 300 while shopping at Target on Sunday. I thought would watch that instead of the Super Bowl. The men in the movie have less clothes on and they are Soldiers. What could be hotter?

Well, life had other plans for me and I spent the entire night in the ER waiting to get stitched up. (I can now type with 9 fingers for a period time.)

But after getting a few hours of sleep during the day, I lied down to rest my arm and hand and watched 300. And all I can say is wow. Those are some ripped bodies. At one pint I realized I wasn't listening to what they were saying.

Hottie hot hotties aside, I thought is was a great movie. Excellent tale of Spartans going off to battle. It was simply a great looking movie. I loved the way it was shot. It is adapted from a graphic novel and keeps to that genre in the spectacular scenes. Here is the link to the trailer.

If you are up for watching battle, this is definitely a good movie for the wife of a deployed Soldier.

Good News from Iraq: 5 Feb 2008

From MNF-I, Security Gains by Coalition Allow Families to Return to Zambraniyah.

ZAMBRANIYAH — Nearly 1,000 residents returned to Zambraniyah throughout the last week of January after learning the area had been secured by Coalition and Iraqi forces. When heavy fighting in the Zambraniyah area broke out in early January, Coalition Forces advised families to evacuate the area to stay out of danger.

As residents fled, blending in was difficult for al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) members, enabling Soldiers to identify and target them. Over the course of combat operations, more than 40 extremists were killed.

The 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, currently attached to 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., is now helping displaced families return to their homes.

“In the past 48 hours approximately 1,000 Zambraniyah residents have returned to their homes,” said Captain David Lively, 6-8th Cav. Regt. assistant operations officer.

Last year, AQI infiltrated Zambraniyah. Local citizens said those who refused to support AQI were killed. Now, citizens are standing up to protect their community. Coalition forces have organized a neighborhood watch program of concerned citizens, called ‘Sons of Iraq’.

To date, more than 500 Sons of Iraq in the Zambraniyah area have been recruited and organized into a force that works closely with the Iraqi Army and Coalition forces. More than 100 improvised explosive devices have been uncovered and disposed of with their help.

As the civilian population returns to this agricultural community, the hope is that economic activity will increase. U.S. Army civil affairs teams working with the 6-8 Cav. Regt. are assisting in economic assessments of the Zambraniyah community and plan to offer micro-grants to small businesses in the community.

light blogging

i cut my thumb last night while making dinner. spent the entire night at the er. got some stitches. i will be just fine but for right now i am typing one handed.

Saturday Cards

The cards are continuing to go out to our wounded servicemembers through Soldiers' Angels Germany.

Sent out 16 yesterday.

Running total: 767

Good News from Iraq: 3 Feb 2008

From MNF-I, More Electricity Projects Improving Lives in Dhi Qar Province.

DHI QAR — Electricity for any country means prosperity for its people; improvement to their lives and more opportunities for employment. In Iraq, a country that long has suffered from a serious lack of electricity production, a gleam of a light for a child in a dark night is a gleam for a new future.

To avoid the darkness of winter, many Iraqis buy oil lanterns. And for many Iraqis, electric flash lights are very important if their private generators run out of fuel. Others have an electrical connection to generators run by local businesses to feed them with power when the supply from electrical plants shuts down.

“There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.” said Rebecca Wingfield, project engineer with the Adder Area office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “We are trying to improve Iraqi lives. It bothers us, it hurts us and saddens our hearts to see and hear about the severity of the conditions that some Iraqi families endure. We are here to help.”

To bolster the local electricity supply, the Corps has awarded a $1.54 million project to build, supply, install, test and commission a double 33kV electrical feeder line of the Al Nasiriyah powerline, according to Taha Jabber, an Iraqi engineer with USACE Gulf Region South district.

The project includes towers, cable and accessories necessary to connect the Old Nasiriyah substation and Al Shamiyah substation, the engineer said.

“The Nassiriyah powerline project will rehabilitate electrical systems in the Nassiriyah area that supply electricity to the Al-Shamiyah substation,” said Wingfield. She said the project is funded by the Provincial Reconstruction Team funding source--Economic Support Funds from the State Department.

“Al-Shamiyah substation has only one critical feeder from the oil directorate substation, which is overloaded,” Wingfield said. “The project will provide the Ministry of Electricity with a more reliable and secure transmission network in the south of the country while supplying electricity to keep the oil refinery working.”

Al-Shamiyah city is located southeast of Nasiriyah city in Dhi Qar province in a rural area. This project will provide its people with more electricity and reduce blackouts. The project began last year and is now 15 percent complete. It is scheduled to be completed in May 2008.

“Electrical projects are important because they are a part of the basic infrastructure of the country,” said Wingfield. “Everyone wants to be able to feed and cloth and house his or her family. Electricity, water and sewer systems are the basics that are necessary for a stable society.

“If a person can’t provide basic services for his family then disease, malnourishment and death usually follow,” she continued. “People get desperate when they can’t provide for their families and that makes them unhappy and angry. Unhappy and angry people will become violent to try to get the services that they want, especially if they are egged on by insurgents.”

Groundhog Day ... Again

I loved the movie Groundhog Day. Bill Murray has to get up in the morning to relive the same day until he gets it right.

Well, I sure hope that I get today right. Three Groundhog Days without Jack Bauer is two too many. So as I go off to yoga and Weight Watchers, go about mailing care packages and cards, I will do my best to make it the best Groundhog Day possible. Maybe then, next year Groundhog Day won't play out the same.

Regardless, the Camp Toenges doggies are predicting at least four more months of deployment.

Old technology meets Jack Bauer

Sarah sent me this yesterday in light of my recent post on rotary phones. Hysterical! I love it. :D

Good News from Iraq: 2 Feb 2008

From MNF-I, Coordinated Medical Engagement Treats Hundreds in Khidr.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — Working side-by-side, surgeons and medics from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and the Iraqi Army came together in a coordinated medical engagement Jan. 28 in Khidr, Iraq.

“By us coming out here and doing this with the Iraqi Army, the families know that we are serious and want to help them,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Newsome, commander of 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.

Throughout the day, Coalition and Iraqi Army surgeons treated more than 500 people. Many seen during the day received medical care for injuries or illnesses that otherwise may not have been treated.

“Most of the people being seen today were because of cold and flu symptoms,” said Sgt. 1st Class Monty Ranisate, medical platoon sergeant of Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 3-7th Inf. Regt. “We also saw many chronic diseases.”

Due to the previous medical facility in the town being destroyed by al-Qaeda in Iraq, many have been unable to get the healthcare they need.

When residents arrived at the school to be seen, they were first sent to the preventive medicine room to learn information on how to stop diseases before they start. During the preventive medicine class, residents were taught how to properly boil water and to practice good personnel hygiene.

With some residents not having clean drinking water, many have developed diseases from the unclean water. Mohammed, an Iraqi medic, explained how boiling water would kill germs making it healthier for them to drink.

Children from the community were also taught not to play with plastic weapons because of the similarities between real and toy weapons.

“I told them not to use the guns,” Mohammed said. “Anyone who sees them might think they are real.”

After the class, patients received a standard medical questionnaire and had their vital signs checked. After checking vital signs, those who needed to be seen waited in line to see a doctor.

Doctors diagnosed the patients on what exactly was wrong with them, Ranisate said. “And if they need to make follow up appointments, we help them make it with local doctors.”

In addition to receiving medical care, residents received humanitarian assistance bags.

On Snow

It is snowing in Middleville. It started around 11 AM yesterday and isn't supposed to stop for until noon today. We got about 7 inches so far.

I love it when the snow is falling. All the sounds of world are silenced. The world disappears. Other things don't matter. Just the peace, the quiet, the sanctity that emerge. The walls of the house are reinforced by the snow and protect us from all that lies outside.

So long as we have electricity, coffee, dog food, and internet service, I say let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Good News from Iraq: 1 Feb 2008

From MNF-I, Hospital Project is About Iraq’s Children.

BASRAH — The Basrah Children’s Hospital project can get its hooks into people.

Take Lt. Col. Kenneth McDonald, an Area Deputy Commander in the Gulf Region Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

He leads the Basrah Area Office in the Southern District where part of his job is overseeing the Basrah Children’s Hospital project--one of the highest profile, most complex and potentially most rewarding projects undertaken by USACE in its four years in Iraq. He extended his tour in Iraq to two years from one to help bring the project to a successful conclusion.

“Where else as an Engineer would you want to be?” asked McDonald, who taught in the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Department at West Point before coming to Iraq in 2006.

The hospital is designed and being constructed as a 94-bed pediatric tertiary care referral hospital with a focus on pediatric oncology. Intended to support the population of southern Iraq, including Basrah, the country’s second largest city, the facility also will be a training center capable of improving and expanding the training of health professionals throughout Iraq.

In a very real sense, the project is about children. “Sick kids,” said McDonald, citing the grim statistic that 15 out of 100 children in southern Iraq die before the age of five. Childhood cancers are 8-10 times more common in Iraq than in the West. ...

Read the rest here.