Brigade arrives, sets up operations Dragons take over Camp Falcon

Vol. I, Issue 3
4IBCT, 1 ID Ensuring a free and prosperous Iraq March 9, 2007
Dragons take over Camp Falcon
Story, photo
by Pfc. Nathaniel Smith
4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs
CAMP FALCON, Iraq -- The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry
Division officially took over for the 2nd
Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in a transfer of authority ceremony here today.
Col. Ricky Gibbs, the commander of
the 4th IBCT Dragons, hailed his Soldiers’ preparation for their mission.
“You have trained hard the past 18
months standing up this great brigade,” Gibbs said. “You are welltrained, well-led and combat ready.
“I ask you to never lose sight of your principle objectives: protect the peace-loving
people of Iraq and destroy the thugs and
criminals who terrorize this country.”
Cpl. Ed Herring, a team leader from
1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment,
4th IBCT, said Multi-National DivisionBaghdad troops are fighting for a good Col. Ricky D. Gibbs, left, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jim
cause.
Champagne, Brigade Sergeant Major, unfurl the unit’s colors during the Transfer of Authority Ceremony, March 8,
“I’m a true believer that if you can help at Camp Falcon, Iraq.
someone you really should go out of your
everything.
know the capabilities of your men and your
way to do it,” he said. “I believe the United
“Anything they can throw at us, we want to unit,” he said, “and never ever underestimate
States has the capability to do that, to help these be able to have it already in the back of our our enemy or the depths to which he will stoop
people have a better life for themselves.”
minds exactly how we’re going to respond to to achieve his objectives.
Part of that better life, Herring said, is the those problems,” he said.
“I have total trust and confidence in each and
freedom of democracy and safety within their
The Dragons’ commander had advice for his every one of you, and know we will be victorineighborhoods.
troops as they set out to provide that better life ous on the battlefield.”
With that thought in mind, the Greeley, Colo., for the Iraqi citizens of the Rashid District.
The Dragons have been in Iraq since midnative said the unit has been preparing for
“Fear nothing, trust your God-given instincts, February, and activated in January 2006.
Brigade arrives, sets up operations
by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Timmons
4IBCT Public Affairs
After training intensively in Kuwait, the Dragons of the 4th Infantry
Brigade Combat Team, began arriving recently into their new station:
Camp Falcon, an old Iraqi Army base in Southern Baghdad.
Three is a gym, a Post Exchange, a Morale, Welfare and Recreation
facility and an AT&T phone center located on the base. There is also three
Internet cafes for their use. If they so chose, they can purchase access.
Soldiers also can buy goods from local vendors at the Iraqi bazaar.
2
Dragons make themselves at home
by Pfc. Nathaniel Smith
4th IBCT Public Affairs
CAMP FALCON, Baghdad, Iraq – Visitors to the 4th Infantry
Brigade Combat Team headquarters building here may have
noticed the beehive of activity going on inside and outside the
facility. That’s because one of the Dragons’ first priorities has
been beautifying the structure, as well as improving its security and functionality.
Pvt. James Byrd, an operations Soldier with Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 4th IBCT, said that when the Brigade showed up, the facility was less than adequate.
“It looked like somebody came through with a sledgehammer
and destroyed it,” the Dallas native said. “It needed all kinds
of work.”
When the unit
Timmons/4th IBCT Public Affairs
showed up, the field
adjacent to their Magnolia, Ark., native Pfc. Steven Eric Herron, an operations Soldier with Headquarheadquarters
was ters and Headquarters Company, 4th IBCT, screws a cover on electrical outlets he
submerged in water, created. Soldiers created power outlets to be used by the Brigade Tactical Operations
Center.
the building did not
have a staff duty area,
cer of HHC, said the structure needed renovated for his unit’s purand the walls were bare poses.
and filled with holes.
“Due to the fact that we’re a different type of element, we’ve
The field has already got to make improvements for our different cells,” the Rochester,
been drained and is going New York, native said. “We’re making it more operational for our
to serve as the location of specific needs.”
the unit’s Tactical OperaSome of those improvements included desks, walls to divide work
tions Center.
areas, and barriers for safety purposes.
A staff duty area has
While all these things improve the functionality of the building,
been created at the Byrd said having a nice workspace is important for morale.
entrance of the building.
“The better your workspace is the higher morale you’re going to
The walls have been have to get your job done,” he said.
replaced and painted.
Briglin said that Soldiers morale seems to be going up as the unit
In addition to the prog- gets more settled in.
ress that has already been
“We’re actually getting to move from preparation to operational
made, installation of phase,” he said. “We’re moving into where we’re supposed to
electricity, Internet and be.”
Spc. Floyd Cryderman, a military policeman
office spaces are in the
In addition to morale, Briglin said that 4th Brigade’s time invested
with Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
works.
on
their workspace says something about the pride of the unit.
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry
Staff Sgt. Jason Brig“It shows that we really care,” he said. “Soldiers have
Division from Sault St. Marie, Mich., screws
lin, the reconnaissance a better work environment, and we want to improve it.”
together wiring for the unit's new tactical operanoncommissioned offi- “We want to make it as close to home as possible.”
tions center at Camp Falcon February 28.
This is an official Department of Defense publication published in the interests of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat
Team family. The views stated herein are not the official
views of the Army. The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Public Affairs Office can be contacted via e-mail at kirk.
[email protected].
Desert Dragon editorial staff is:
Col. Ricky Gibbs ...................................................Brigade Commander
Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne ...................Brigade CSM
Maj. Kirk Luedeke.................................................Brigade PAO
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Timmons..............................PA NCOIC
Spc. Ben Washburn ...............................................Broadcaster
Pfc. Nathaniel Smith..............................................Journalist
Dragons First
3
Lt. Col. Joseph Birchmeier, commander 4-1 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, and Command Sgt. Maj. James Foreman unfurl the battalion's colors.
Wolverine colors wave in Kuwait
Command Sgt. Maj. James Foreman salutes Lt. Col. Joseph Birchmeier at 4-1 Brigade Special
Troops Battalion's flag uncasing ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
Above: Spc. Kevin Gulley, the Unit Level
Logistics System-Ground Clerk of Company
A, 4-1 BSTB, from Broken Bow, Okla.,
stands at ease while Lt. Col. Joseph Birchmeier addresses the Wolverines.
Right: Lt. Col. Joseph Birchmeier addresses
the 4-1 BSTB after the unit's colors were
uncased at Camp Buehring.
March 9, 2007
Photos by
Pfc. Nathaniel Smith/
4th IBCT Public
Affairs
Desert Dragon
4
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Above: Staff Sgt. Jason Briglin, Rochester, N.Y. native
and an engineer with 4IBCT Operations, hands a
magazine to Spc. Maxim Kabachenko, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4IBCT during a zero
range at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Timmons/4th IBCT
Public Affairs)
Above right: Pfc. Elena Andrus, with Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 4-1 Brigade Special
Troops Battalion, holds up a piece of medical equipment, during medical training prior to the unit heading
into Iraq. (Smith/4th IBCT Public Affairs)
Right: Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Daniels, Operations NCO,
with 4th IBCT, Oregon native and range officer for
a zero range, counts off Soldiers prior to taking the
range. Before heading to Iraq. (Timmons/4th IBCT
Public Affairs)
Desert Dragon
March 9, 2007
5
Left: Pfc Nix, with Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 4-1
BSTB, is dragged during casualty
training. (Smith/4th IBCT Public
Affairs)
Below right: Sgt. Maj. Wiley
Hutchison, 4th IBCT Operations
sergeant major coaches a Soldier on
how to zero his weapon. (Timmons/
4th IBCT Public Affairs)
Above: Pfc. Johnny Record with Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
4-1 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, raises his M9 pistol during an exercise
where he switched from his M249 machine gun. (Timmons/4th IBCT Public
Affairs)
Top Right: Members of 4-1 Brigade Special Troops Battalion, practice magazine changing drills. (Timmons/4th IBCT Public Affairs)
Bottom: Dragon Brigade Soldiers march towards buses before heading for
training in the desert. (Smith/4th IBCT Public Affairs)
March 9, 2007
Desert Dragon
6
Patriots adapting to infantry life
by Pfc. Nathan Smith
4th IBCT Public Affairs
a fantastic job.”
Christy said the unit has made
great progress from the beginning
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait
of their close-quarters marksman-- Less than a century ago, the
ship training in October to now.
U.S. Army engaged in trench
Sgt. 1st Class George Allen, the
warfare. Soldiers have adapted
platoon sergeant of 2nd platoon,
to different forms of combat
Battery B, said the training is more
over the years, and the battle in
intense than when the training
Iraq is no exception. Today, the
began during the unit’s rotation at
Army must adjust to the rigors
the National Training Center at Fort
of urban combat.
Irwin, Calif.
The Proud Americans of the
“Here we have subject matter
2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artilexperts who help assist not only
lery Regiment not only had to
myself and the platoon leader,”
train up on their Military OperAllen said “as well as those lower
ations in Urban Terrain skills,
enlisted to grasp what it’s like to
but they also had to make the
maneuver and engage on a target.”
transition from functioning as
“Not only is this training intense,
artillery to infantry for their
but it prepares us for our next step
Washburn/4IBCT Public Affairs
deployment to Iraq.
headed toward Iraq," he added.
Sgt. Joshua Hess, with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, preTo facilitate this transition, pares to lead a stack of Soldiers into a building during a Military Operations in Urban
Allen said his Soldiers are acceptthe Soldiers of Battery B, 2-32 Terrain mission at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
ing their tasks enthusiastically.
FA conducted close-quarters
“I can honestly say I wouldn’t
marksmanship training at the MOUT Range ing admirably.
want to deploy with another group of Solhere Feb. 17.
“They’re absolute sponges,” Christy diers,” he said. “The Soldiers of 2nd Platoon,
First Lt. Jeff Christy, the platoon leader of said. “Each time we train, a new Battery B, are very highly motivated, eager to
second platoon, Battery B, said his Soldiers dynamic is introduced into this training.” train, and eager to learn.”
have accepted this challenge and are perform“They’ve really absorbed it, and they’re doing
“They’re focused on the mission at hand.”
Sanders brothers unite in Kuwait
by Pfc. Nathaniel Smith
4th IBCT Public Affairs
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait -- Most people go
home for family reunions. Lt. Col. Michael Sanders, 44, and Master Sgt. William Sanders, 42, are
not most people. The brothers, who hadn’t seen
each other in 3-and-a-half years, reunited half a
world away in a combat zone while both answered
their nation’s call to service.
The last time these brothers-in-arms saw each
other was at a high school graduation ceremony in
Portland, Maine. This meeting between the two is
quite different as one of the brothers, Master Sgt.
Sanders, is preparing to go into Iraq.
Lt. Col. Sanders said that watching his brother
deploy to Iraq for the second time has made him
appreciate what the spouses of service members
go through watching their loved ones leave for
war.
“I never realized how hard it was to see somebody deploy forward because you never think
about it because you’re always deploying forward,” he said. “We train to do that, but we don’t
train to watch somebody deploy.”
Desert Dragon
Sanders brothers
“If you’d asked me, I wouldn’t have picked it
this way.”
Despite the circumstances and the austere surroundings, the Sanders brothers have been making
the most of this reunion by enjoying the simple
things together: drinking coffee, talking, and playing checkers.
“I kicked his butt,” Master Sgt. Sanders said.
While the two brothers have spent a lot of time
apart, they have both been united through serving
in the Big Red One.
Lt. Col. Sanders served with the 1st Infantry
Division during Desert Storm.
“It’s interesting how the Army is a family, the
1st Infantry Division is a family and we end up
serving in the same division at different times,”
LTC Sanders said. “That’s a bond that’s kind of
hard to break.”
The elder Sanders brother welcomed his younger
sibling to the Army family by swearing him in at
the beginning of his service. Today, the brothers
say they each benefit from having a brother in
the commissioned and noncommissioned officer
ranks.
“I’ll do something and he’ll tell me ‘Bill, that
was a bonehead move,” Master Sgt. Sanders said.
“The open candor that we have helps both of us
out.”
Lt. Col. Sanders is currently serving a 13-month
assignment at the Security Assistance Office at
the Kuwait embassy as an advisor to the Kuwait
armed forces.
Master Sgt. Sanders is at Camp Buehring with
Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division serving as the
intelligence noncommissioned officer in charge.
March 9, 2007
7
Home away from home at FOB Union III
by 1st Lt. Mario Millender
1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry
FORWARD OPERATING BASE UNION
III, Iraq -- It goes without saying that war
time is very stressful for Soldiers. They
deal with the realities of war in many different ways. On Forward Operating Base
Union III, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation
has formed a recreational facility to meet
the need of every Soldier seeking a place to
relax and recuperate from a previous mission.
The recreation center is fully equipped
with big screen TV’s, ping-pong tables,
pool tables and littered with comfortable
leather couches for reading and lounging.
Jerseys decorate the walls at the MWR Recreational
Center at Forward Operating Base Union III.
Once you take a step into the main entrance
of the Recreation Center, the atmosphere
Last Promotion
at Cross Sabers
by 1st Lt. Mario Millender
1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry
FORWARD OPERATING BASE UNION III, Iraq
-- Standing triumphantly in the center of Baghdad’s
International Zone, the Cross Sabers Monument is a
constant reminder to the Iraqi people of the former
dictator leader Saddam Hussein. Erected shortly
after Saddam’s self proclaimed victory in the IraqIran War, the reign of the Cross Saber’s symbolism is
quickly coming to an end. Within the coming weeks,
the Cross Sabers will be demolished in the same
manner as other monuments dedicated to Saddam
Hussein’s regime.
By demolishing the Cross Sabers the Iraqi government is hoping to close the door on the past and usher
in a new era for the Iraqi people. Also ushering a
new era are three Junior Officers from 1st Squadron,
4th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Second Lts. Michal Castillo, Danny Jones and
David Johnson were all promoted to first lieutenant
in a small ceremony in front of the soon to be demolished sabers. Although all promotions are special to
military personnel, this one could possibly go down
in history as being the last one conducted at this historic site.
After crossing this milestone in his career 1st Lt.
Castillo said, “It is truly an honor to serve this unit,
the Iraqi people and most importantly my country.”
With less than 30 days in country, Castillo and
his counterparts are all looking forward to the challenges of war. As the “Raiders” of 1-4 Cav continue
to prep for mission readiness, they understand that
they still have a lot to accomplish as the war on terrorism continues.
March 9, 2007
reminds you of an everyday sports bar back
in the states. The walls are decorated with
an array of jerseys representing some of
America’s favorite teams.
MWR also sponsors various tournaments
throughout the year. Dominos, ping pong
and spades are some of the featured festivities for March this year. If a soldier wants to
participate in any of the activities provided
by the center, he or she can just simply stop
by and sign up free of charge.
MWR dose not charge an entry fee to participate in any of its tournaments.
For the Soldiers who reside on FOB
Union III, the MWR Recreational Center
can definitely be called their “home away
from home”.
Troopers brave
lines for cash
by 1st Lt. Mario Millender
1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry
FORWARD OPERATING BASE UNION III, Iraq -- If you took a stroll up the main
street on FOB Union III you can’t help but notice the massive amount of vendors. There
are several venues in which Soldiers can purchase rugs, cell phones, DVD’s and the
latest in technology. The only problem that seems to be associated with the presence of
so many vendors is the lack of an ATM. Yes it’s true; FOB Union III does not have an
ATM. This fact compounded with the vendor’s inability to accept Credit/Debit cards has
slowed many Soldiers’ efforts to purchase goods.
To combat this problem, senior leaders have been working very closely with the Finance
Department to develop a schedule in which Soldiers can collect Casual Pay. Casual Pay
is a very simple process. A representative from Finance is dispatched on location, paper
work is signed by the deployed Soldier, and each Soldier can withdraw up to $350 dollars out of his or her paycheck a month or cash a check.
On a high note, not having an ATM could prove to be very beneficial for the Soldiers
in many ways. It could aid in saving efforts and also deter Soldiers from making impulse
purchases by limiting the amount of money they can access.
The Finance Department made their first appearance today as the line for Casual Pay
extended outside the entrance of the MWR Theater. 1LT Alex Kehler put it best when he
said “It is what it is” when he was asked how does it feel to be standing in line for such
a long time? PFC Chance Wagonfield simply smirked and said, “I’m extremely agitated
but getting money will be well worth it” when asked the same question. The group of
Soldiers he was standing with all nodded their heads in agreement.
With the assurance that good things come to those who wait the Squadron Chaplain
made his presence known by passing out candy to unsuspecting Soldiers while they
were enduring the wait. The Finance Department is constantly developing methods to
expedite the manner in which Casual Pay is distributed to make the process a little less
time consuming. But due to the influx of Soldiers within the last week, the staff was
overwhelmed and unable to meet the needs of all the individuals desiring casual pay.
This situation has been presented to senior leadership and a solution is currently in the
works to accommodate the Soldiers who were not serviced.
Desert Dragon