1. Volume 1, Issue 47 September 23, 2011
Medics maintain skills
Black Jack
Steadfast and Loyal
256th CSH continues training throughout deployment
Spc. Crystal Hudson
Highlander
29th MPAD
USD - N Pubic Affairs
Continuing education is more than
a concept for Soldiers with the 256th
Combat Support Hospital serving at
Ironhorse
Contingency Operating Base Speicher,
Iraq. Every week, they hold training
Devil
exercises that simulate treating Sol-
diers in an emergency situation.
The Army Reservists from Ohio
take time to maintain, refresh and im-
prove their medical skills so that they
Fit for Any Test
Fit for Any Test
are prepared for the many possibilities
that deployments bring.
“You are provided with a new
environment within a heartbeat and
you learn to function to your fullest
capability,” said Sgt. Davette Camp-
bell, laboratory technician with the
256th CSH.
Campbell explained, the resources
Ironhorse
Devil
that the hospital has, even the hospi-
tal itself, could go away at anytime.
Despite this, the Army has taught
the Soldiers to provide services and
Highlander
operate at 100 percent efficiency, even
when the times get tough.
Steadfast and Loyal
The ongoing training the Soldiers
receive helps them to deal with the
challenges they face in an atmosphere
unlike what they work in at home.
“You see a lot of different stuff that
you don’t see in the civilian environ-
BLack JAck
ment, like Malaria,” said Campbell,
U.S. Army photo by Crystal Hudson, USD-N Public Affairs
Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Martinez, 256th Combat Support Hospital emergency physician who is also a laboratory technician
from Bakersfield, Calif., performs a mock ultrasound during a training exercise Sept. 21, 2011, in her civilian career. “But the job is
at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq. Martinez, along with the other Soldiers in the
256th CSH, conduct weekly training exercises to maintain their skills while deployed. See TRAIN, Pg. 3

2. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
Spc.
Zebulon
laporte
The recent actions of Spc. Zebulon La- during an anti-tank grenade attack, Aug. action disrupted the throwers ability to tar-
porte proved that every Soldier has a vital 10, 2011. get his vehicle.
role during missions. Recently, he brought During this attack, Laporte, a Winfield, Laporte communicated to his gunner the
distinct credit to himself and Delta Battery, Kan., native, was the first to identify the location and distance of the attacker, direct-
1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, anti-tank grenade thrower by recalling re- ing him to fire upon the attacker's vehicle,
for his vigilance during counter indirect fire cent threat tactics, techniques and proce- creating identifying marks that aided in a
missions in Kirkuk. dures briefed by his platoon leader. Laporte future Iraqi Security Force partnered raid.
His actions and attention to detail were reacted to the threat by halting his Mine Laporte showed extreme poise, sound
instrumental in keeping his platoon safe Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle; this mind, and attention to detail every chain
of command hopes their Soldiers show in
critical times.
"(He) shows other Soldiers that vigi-
lance and attention to detail saves lives,
protects the force, and ensures that (violent
extremist networks) are reminded that U.S.
Soldiers remain undeterred to aide in the
safety and security of Iraq and their securi-
ty force partners," said Capt. John Nguyen,
commander, Delta Battery, 1st Bn., 5th FA
Regt.
Laporte’s actions disrupted the violent
extremist networks ability to capitalize on
the attack, leaving minimal damage to the
truck and no injuries to his crew. His ac-
tions saved lives.
For his dedication to the mission, La-
porte is this week’s “Ironhorse Strong”
Soldier of the Week.
Keeping supply lines open The Young Calling Troopers maintain TF 'Devil' shuts down
squadron gear netwrok
Page 4 Page 6 Page 7 Page 9
THE Ivy Leaf Task Force Ironhorse
Commanding General – Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins
The Ivy Leaf is an authorized publication for members of the
Command Sergeant Major – Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Dailey
U.S. Army. Contents of The Ivy Leaf are not necessarily official
views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, Department of the
Army or the 4th Infantry Division. Everything advertised in this Task Force Ironhorse Public Affairs
publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, TF Ironhorse PAO – Lt. Col. Steve Wollman
marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other TF Ironhorse PA NCOIC – Master Sgt. Craig Zentkovich
non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. All editorial The Ivy Leaf Editor and Layout & Design –
content of The Ivy Leaf is prepared, edited, provided and approved Master Sgt. Craig Zentkovich
by the United States Division-North Public Affairs Office.
1st Advise and 2nd Advise and
Do you have a story to share? The Ivy Leaf welcomes submissions Assist Task Force Assist Brigade
from readers. Send to the USD-N PAO at usdnpao@usdn4id.army. 1st Infantry Division 1st Cavalry Division
mil. The Ivy Leaf reserves the right to edit submissions selected
for the paper. For further information on deadlines, questions or 4th Advise and
comments, email USD-N PAO or call DSN 318-849-0089. Assist Brigade
1st Armored Division
2

3. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
TRAIN, Cont'd from Pg. 1
still the same. You learn to overcome and
adapt to your new environment.”
The mock injuries and mass-casualty
situations help the Soldiers to know what to
expect when actual emergencies take place.
After a severely wounded patient is trans-
ported to the hospital, Lt. Col. Dennis Marti-
nez, an emergency physician specializing in
initial stabilization and resuscitation, is tasked
with preparing the patient for surgery.
Being aggressive in terms of resuscitation,
fluids, blood transfusion, airway manage-
ment, and x-ray evaluations, can save a
patients life, Martinez said.
Martinez explained that the first hour after
a patient’s injury determines what happens to
the patient. This is referred to as the “golden
hour.”
The golden hour includes the time that it
takes to transport the patient to the nearest
care facility.
Martinez added that, especially in a
deployed environment, greater distances
between hospitals present an additional chal-
lenge in the timely treatment of seriously
injured Soldiers.
The regular training provided to the Sol-
diers of the 256th CSH gives them the tools
necessary to quickly evaluate and assess an
injured Soldier during an emergency.
Martinez concluded, “It is my duty to
make sure that American Soldiers return
home.”
The 256th CSH will continue to conduct
weekly training until their mission in support
of Operation New Dawn is complete.
(Above) Soldiers with the
256th Combat Support
Hospital stabilize a mock
patient during a training
exercise Sept. 21, 2011.
The Army Reserve Soldiers
from Ohio perform weekly
training exercises to main-
tain their skill level while
deployed.
(Left) Soldiers with the
256th CSH assess a mock
patient during the exercise.
Lieutenant Colonel Dennis
Martinez, an emergency
physician specializing in
initial stabilization and re-
suscitation, explained that
the first hour after a pa-
tient’s injury dictates what
happens to the patient, this
is referred to as the “golden
hour.”
3

4. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
Black Jack logistics Soldiers ...
Keeping supply lines open
Sgt. Justin Naylor
2nd AAB Public Affairs
1st Cav. Div., USD - N
With the continued clo-
sure of U.S. bases throughout
northern Iraq, the need for the
timely movement of supplies
and equipment to central-
ized locations has shown the
value of well-trained logistics
Soldiers.
Five such Soldiers from
15th Brigade Support Bat-
talion, 2nd Advise and Assist
Brigade, “Black Jack,”
1st Cavalry Division, U.S.
Division-North, operate a
central receiving and shipping
point that is responsible for the
movement of their brigade’s U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 2nd AAB, 1st Cav. Div.
supplies and equipment both Spc. Preston Purnell, from Baltimore, directs Spc. Clayton Vroon, a Nashville native, as he moves ship-
coming to and leaving Joint ping containers at the central receiving and shipping point yard at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Sept. 8. Both
Base Balad, Iraq. Soldiers are with 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
As bases shut down This particular CRSP yard start our own CRSP yard that we had if it weren’t for this
throughout our brigade’s area was established a few months would focus on handling our CRSP yard,” said Schmidt.
of operation, the equipment on ago in response to the par- brigade’s needs, said Schmidt We received all of the
those bases has to be moved ticular logistical needs of 2nd from Crown Point, Ind. equipment that our transporta-
out to a centralized location, AAB, 1st Cav. Div. The CRSP yard has already tion convoys brought in from
and this CRSP is responsible The current receiving yards helped make possible the Cobra, and we got all of that
for receiving that equipment on Balad couldn’t handle the timely closure of Contingency equipment on its way to where
and either storing it or helping amount of equipment and con- Operating Site Cobra, a small it needed to be, continued
it move on to its next location, tainers our brigade was bring- base in Salah ad-Din province. Schmidt. In addition to that,
explained Capt. Paul Schmidt, ing in as it started to shut down “Without a doubt, it would the yard also helped facilitate
a supply operations officer small bases within its AO, not have been possible to close the movement of the brigade’s
with 15th BSB. so we worked out a deal to down Cobra on the timeline unmanned aerial surveillance
platoon.
Private First Class
Darren Crowe, an
When the UAS platoon
Atlanta native and needed to start operating
truck driver with here, we were able to receive
15th Brigade Sup- their equipment for them and
port Battalion, 2nd
Advise and Assist
quickly get it out to the loca-
Brigade, “Black tion that they needed to set up
Jack,” 1st Cav- at, said Spc. Damien Moore, a
alry Division, U.S. Findlay, Ohio, native and sup-
Division-North,
moves pallets
port operations Soldier with
using a forklift at 15th BSB.
the central receiv- This enabled them to
ing and shipping have their aerial surveillance
point yard at Joint
Base Balad, Iraq,
equipment back up in the air
Sept. 8. as quickly as possible, giving
See SUPPLY, Pg. 10
4

5. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
Mathis Matters
NCO leads Devil 'Clean Sweep' efforts
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert DeDeaux, 1st AATF Public Affairs
Staff Sergeant Roderick Mathis, Forward Issue Turn-In Point Noncommissioned-Officer-in-Charge, Company B, 101st Brigade Support Bat-
talion, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, receives a Task Force Ironhorse Coin for Excellence from Maj. Gen. David
Perkins, 4th Infantry Division and United States Division – North commander, at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Sept. 15, 2011.
Sgt. Kandi Huggins FITIP oversees, Regular Retrograde and turn-ins.
1st AATF Public Affairs Clean Sweep, equipment turn-in allows “We helped with turn-ins and Clean
1st Inf. Div., USD - N money to return back into the budget, Sweep to help the units get money for
enabling the budget to be extended versus repairable parts, and turn those parts and
As ‘Devil Brigade’ Soldiers of the 1st discarding the items that could otherwise supplies in to JBB,” he continued.
Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry be reused. Hernandez said he admires Mathis
Division, continue their phased redeploy- Under Operation Clean Sweep, equip- as an NCO, however, he said his most
ment from Iraq, Soldiers continue work- ment is returned to either Joint Base significant moments were when Mathis
ing to ensure property and equipment are Balad or Kuwait to be demilitarized. helped him personally.
appropriately turned in to be reused by the “This is a force protection measure,” Hernandez said he felt he had limita-
Army or other organizations. said Mathis. “With us returning unusable tions to communicating or remembering
Staff Sergeant Roderick Mathis, equipment through Clean Sweep, we are what he had to do, and often felt fearful
Forward Issue Turn-In Point Noncom- ensuring the items are not getting into the and intimidated about speaking up, but
missioned-Officer-in-Charge, Company hands of those who could possibly use knew had had a lot of support.
B, 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st (them) against us.” “He was encouraging, but at the same
AATF, said while his primary mission On the other hand, Mathis said Regular time always offered productive criti-
in supporting Operation New Dawn is Retrograde allows the supplies to recycle cism with methods for me to improve
to supervise the supply distribution for back into the Army’s inventory so money and correct where I made mistakes,” said
the Devil Brigade, he never forgets his is not being spent on the same items. Hernandez.
responsibility to his Soldiers. “He is good to work with,” said Spc. “I have a good group of Soldiers,”
“Our primary function is to receive, Ralph Myers, supply specialist, Company said Mathis. “A number of them are
issue and turn in multiple classes of sup- B, 101st BSB. “I’d like to be a sergeant pending transition from between being
ply,” said the Atlanta native. like him.” a Soldier and becoming a civilian, and I
Mathis said they turn in everything During his tenure at Contingency just encourage them in whatever . . . they
from Class II items, which include stan- Operating Site Warrior, Spc. Michael decide.”
dard office supplies, to Class IX items, Hernandez, a logistics specialist from San Like Mathis’ Soldiers, U.S. Forces are
which include major repair parts. Antonio, Texas, said his job entailed filing preparing to return home at the conclusion
Through the two main operations the and organizing the paperwork for unit of Operation New Dawn.
5

6. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
Young's Calling
South Korean native follows path to chaplaincy
Sgt. Kandi Huggins war, as linguists or medics. time and a different type of (service),
1st AATF Public Affairs Initially, Jung joined the Army in in comparison to the U.S. Army, but
1st Inf. Div., USD - N April 2009 as a medic. He said three I learned a lot of patience and endur-
weeks into his basic training he ob- ance.”
“Before I joined the Army, I was a tained his citizenship. After recalling some of the hardship
local church minister,” said Chaplain After basic training, Jung went to he endured during his time as a R.O.K.
(Cpt.) Young Jin Jung, 1st Battalion, Fort Lewis, Wa., for his Advanced Indi- soldier, Jung said he initially struggled
5th Field Artillery, 1st Advise and vidual Training, and met with a career with the idea of life in the U.S. Army
Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Divi- counselor who presented him with an but, through encouragement from his
sion. “During which time I met with opportunity to become a chaplain. wife, he applied to join.
Soldiers, held several counselings, and Nearly a year and a half after his “I feel everything I went through
made up my mind to become a chap- initial entry into the Army, in Sept. was God’s way of preparing me,” said
lain—but I didn’t have a green card.” 2010, Jung arrived to his first duty sta- Jung. “Most chaplains don’t go through
“As an immigrant there was a tion to serve as the chaplain for 1st Bn., basic training and the same experiences
limitation to my ministry in the Los 5th FA. of a Soldier, but I did, and I feel that
Angeles area,” continued the South Prior to joining the U.S. Army, Jung allows me to know Soldiers and relate
Korea native. “But a door was opened served in the Republic of Korea army to them better.”
through the (Military Accessions to from 1994-1996 as an 81-mm mortar “Working with him has been a great
Vital National Interest) program; I was soldier. learning experience,” said Pfc. William
blessed to find the right place for my “In the (South) Korean army, it Norris, chaplain’s assistant for Jung,
ministry.” was mandatory for males between the from Forrestone, Ill.
The MAVNI is a program that ages of 19-25 to serve two years and Norris, a chaplain’s assistant for
enlists foreign nationals, in times of a two months,” said Jung. “It was a hard two years, said although he has only
worked under Jung for eight months, it
is easy working with him because they
share similar ideologies when it comes
to assisting and helping Soldiers.
Jung said being able to personally
relate to Soldiers encourages him to do
as much as he can for them, and makes
the Soldiers feel more comfortable
about talking to him.
Jung said that the transition from
serving as a combat Soldier to being a
chaplain was not always easy.
“During those transition times, I
talked to God and told him I wanted
to join the Army and have a job that
helped with healing and comforting
others, but I didn’t want to have to use
a gun,” said Jung.
Now, in support of Operation New
Dawn, Jung uses his ministry to help
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF Public Affairs Soldiers as well as local Iraqis.
Chaplain (Capt.) Young Jin Jung, chaplain, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, 1st Advise “I’ve known Jung for nearly eight
and Assist Task Force, chats with a Soldier at Contingency Operating Site Warrior,
Sept. 16. Jung, now a U.S. citizen, previously served in the Republic of Korea army. See YOUNG, Pg. 11
6

7. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
Troopers maintain squadron gear
'Dark Horse' mechanics from 4th Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt., keep it working
Sgt. Justin Naylor Troop D mechanics are required to
2nd AAB Public Affairs work on specific pieces of equipment that
1st Cav. Div., USD - N align with their various specialties.
Pfc. Zach Stanley, a Woodstock, Ga.,
It takes all kinds of equipment to keep native, works as a generator mechanic for
an Army battalion operational while Troop D.
deployed. “My job is to make sure that generators
With that much equipment in action, are running correctly by doing scheduled
there are bound to be a few breakdowns, services, preventative maintenance checks
and that’s when Army mechanics shine. and opening up and repairing broken
For 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regi- generators,” he explained.
ment, “Dark Horse,” 2nd Advise and Stanley works on generators used to
Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, U.S. power small working and living areas.
Division-North, the majority of mainte- “If we don’t have power, we can’t do
nance and repairs of the unit’s equipment our mission,” explained Stanley.
is handled by a small group of mechanics As civilians, who operate the larger
with the squadron’s Troop D. generators on base, begin leaving, our unit
This one maintenance shop does auto- will have to be prepared to power its own
motive, electronic, communication, arma- equipment, added Stanley.
ment and generator repairs, explained the Additionally, Dark Horse acquired
U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Justin Naylor, 2nd AAB Public Affairs
shop’s motor sergeant, Staff Sgt. Jason generators in need of repair, performed Private First Class Zach Stanley, a generator
Cohrs, from Evansville, Ind. maintenance on them, and used them mechanic with Troop D, 4th Squadron, 9th
Cohrs explained that whenever a unit to maintain power for several check- Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Bri-
within Dark Horse has equipment they points within its area of operations, he gade, 1st Cavalry Division, from Woodstock,
Ga., works on power generator electronics at
cannot fix, they rely on his mechanics to said. Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Sept. 13, 2011.
do the repairs. “Our generators ran the radios and
The mechanics also help maintain equipment at the checkpoints,” explained keeping their squadron’s vehicles opera-
working equipment by doing routine Stanley. tional.
maintenance and upkeep. The mechanics also play a big role in “We fix track vehicles, wheeled ve-
hicles and the armor on the vehicles; we
do a little bit of everything,” said Sgt. An-
tonio Espino, a wheeled vehicle mechanic
for 4th Sqdn. 9th Cav. Regt.
The majority of the operations our
squadron conducts are vehicle-based, and
those vehicles need to be maintained,
explained Espino.
“Vehicle operators can only do so
much; whatever the driver and crews
can’t fix, it up to us to do the rest,” said
Espino, from Phoenix.
No matter the type of equipment that
needs fixing within the squadron, Troop
D mechanics are usually the first to be
called. The mechanics in this troop enable
our squadron to be fairly self-sufficient
when it comes to repairing equipment,
said Cohrs.
Whether it’s trucks, radios, weap-
ons, generators, or just about any other
piece of equipment in our squadron, our
Private First Class Michael Pritchard, a Venice, Fla., native and small arms mechanic with mechanics help make sure it stays up and
Troop D performs repairs on an M2 .50 caliber machine gun at JBB, Iraq, Sept. 13, 2011. running, Cohrs explained.
7

8. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
RAID team helps get gear home
Spc. Crystal Hudson
29th MPAD
USD - N Public Affairs
Two U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officers
are part of a team that assists service mem-
bers with the proper declaration, classifica-
tion, labeling and packaging of shipping
containers leaving Contingency Operating
Base Speicher, Iraq.
Petty Officers First Class Alfred Jurison,
from Waipahu, Hawaii, and Eric Sobczak,
from Chesapeake, Va., are assigned to the
U.S. Coast Guard Redeployment Assis-
tance and Inspection Detachment.
Established in 2003, RAID is responsi-
ble for assisting the Department of Defense
with the safe redeployment of container-
ized cargo. The detachment supports U.S.
Army Surface Deployment and Distribu-
tion Command and is embedded with the
U.S. Army photos by Spc. Crystal Hudson, 29th MPAD, USD-N Public Affairs
840th Transportation Battalion, under the
Petty Officers First Class Alfred Jurison and Eric Sobczak, members of the U.S. Coast Guard
595th Transportation Brigade. Redeployment Assistance and Inspection Detachment, inspect a shipping container for dam-
“We are advisors,” said Sobczak, a ma- age during a final inspection on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Sept. 13, 2011.
rine science technician. “We want to make The team ensures that containers are properly packed and labeled before shipping.
sure the containers get back home, safely.” partment of Defense for each day they hold son said.
Shipping containers without proper a container that was improperly labeled, To cut down on possible problems dur-
documentation slows down the process at Sobczak said. ing the journey home, the team evaluates
its port of entry. The ports charge the De- Proper documentation and labeling has, the containers to ensure each one is sea-
“... prevented containers from being (de- worthy.
layed) at ports, which has saved the Depart- A normal inspection starts with a visual
ment of Defense (money) and time,” said assessment of all sides of the container, in-
Sobczak. cluding the top and bottom. A light check
Not only does this is also performed during
level of attention save the inspection by go-
the Army money, but ing inside the container,
it also ensures that "We want to make sure shutting the door com-
hazardous materials the containers get back pletely to verify that no
are packaged prop- light enters the container
erly to avoid danger-
home, safely." from the outside.
ous situations during Once it is determined
transportation, Jurison Petty Officer 1st Class that the container can
said. Eric Sobczak safely make the journey
Many units send to the U.S., the petty of-
hazardous materi-
Inspector ficers confirm that all
als back home; these U.S.C.G RAID of the numbers on the
include flammable containers match their
liquids, batteries, and records. If everything
other sensitive items. checks out, the container gets an inspection
When it comes to HAZMAT, the team sticker that is good for 30 months.
makes sure that the items are properly load- With the help of the U.S. Coast Guard
ed, labeled correctly, and the container is RAID team, Army units at COB Speicher
Sobczak, from Chesapeake, Va., places an
safe to carry the cargo. move one step closer to returning home.
inspection sticker on a container at COB “In case there is an emergency, the first Sobczak concluded, “It is rewarding
Speicher prior to shipment back to the U.S. responders will know how to react,” Juri- helping Army units get home.”
8

9. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
Task Force 'Devil' shuts down network
Sgt. Kandi Huggins shop has been the communica-
1st AATF Public Affairs tion and network section, who
1st Inf. Div., USD - N officially took down the 1st
AATF network, Sept. 20.
If one visited Contingency “Right now, we’re in the
Operating Site Warrior, Iraq, middle of transitioning from our
in the fall of 2010 and returned servers to those of 4th AAB,”
now, they would see a mir- said Maj. John Drake, brigade
rored image of Soldiers walk- signal officer, 1st AATF, 1st
ing around with ‘The Big Red Inf. Div. “As we close down for
One’ and ‘Old Ironsides’ patch- redeployment, our capabilities
es representing the 1st Infantry have reduced, but we’re con-
and 1st Armored Divisions. tinuing to work to ensure we
Unlike the fall of 2010, have a smooth transition.”
U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF Public Affairs
when the 1st Advise and Assist The Fort Leavenworth, Staff Sergeant Jonathan Battles, network operations noncommis-
Task Force, 1st Inf. Div., took Kan., native said his section sioned officer in-charge, Company B, 1st Special Troops Battalion,
over the advise, train and assist was responsible for automa- 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, helps prepare
mission in Kirkuk, Iraq, from tions, phones, radios, commu- the brigade signal network communications section for their customs
inspection on Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Iraq, Sept. 21, 2011.
the ‘Ready First Task Force’, nication security, frequency
1st Armored Div., they are now management, information as- section also had to transition time after everyone gets back,”
preparing to transfer their au- surance and the protection of the key leaders to the 4th AAB, said Parrish, from Augusta, Ga.
thority over to the ‘Highland- computers and networks from 1st Armored Div., network, en- Before taking down the net-
ers,’ 4th Advise and Assist Bri- viruses and intrusions. suring they maintained the abil- work, Drake said they archived
gade, 1st Armored Div. Staff Sergeant Chad Parrish, ity to communicate internally all the files and folders they had
In the past few weeks, ‘Dev- automations noncommissioned and externally. for future reference and use,
il Brigade’ Soldiers have been officer in-charge, said the task “With us flying the equip- and also to assist 4th AAB dur-
packing connexes, turning in of taking down the network in- ment back STRATAIR, we will ing their time in theater.
equipment, and doing a left volved shutting down and dis- get back all the information and “It’s critical to have all
seat/right seat with their respec- assembling the servers for their data we have, on both our se- that information stored,” said
tive replacements. flight back to Fort Riley, Kan., cure and non-secure network, Drake. “Discovering and learn-
One of the last sections with- on strategic air. in a timely fashion so it will be ing everything on your own is
in the brigade to close down During the shutdown, the available in a decent amount of too dangerous and complex,
and in this environment you
don’t have time to learn tactics,
techniques and procedures with
all . . . you have to deal with.
“So we took what worked
and helped support them by
providing information systems,
for continuity,” he continued,
“and it helps us, in the future,
for training purposes, or when
we go to (the National Train-
ing Center) because we have all
the formats and operating pro-
cedures we created that we can
continue to reuse.”
While the final reset will not
occur for some systems until
the transfer of authority, Drake
said they have had a good
handover to 4th AAB, who are
now operating the network with
Specialist Antwane Smalls, combat net radio operator, 1st AATF, dusts off a command post platform in Devil Soldiers simply acting as
preparation of the TF Devil communications network being taken down on COS Warrior Sept. 21, 2011. observers.
9

10. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
A new mission:
Sgt. Kandi Huggins
Support from artillery Soldier
does not include indirect fire
still deployed to support the current for his company, where he fights a more
1st AATF Public Affairs operation. personable fight for his fellow Soldiers.
1st Inf. Div., USD - N While certain jobs, such as infantry- “As the operations NCO, he deals
men, have been utilized in the training with the paperwork for the unit and
Although Operation New Dawn of Iraqi Security Forces or as personal works with the battalion human resourc-
marked the end of combat operations security details for their respective com- es section to take care of administrative
by U.S. Forces in Iraq, Soldiers with manders and key leader engagements, tasks such as awards and various pack-
combat military occupation specialties other Soldiers, such as tankers and ets,” said Cpt. Jason Lang, executive of-
artillerymen, have been tasked to work ficer, Company A, 1st Bn., 94th FA Reg.
outside of what they have been trained to Lang, a native of Fort Collins, Colo.,
do in the Army. said Boschi has been flexible in his new
Beginning his career in April 2001, job and takes care of what needs to be
Sgt. Jason Boschi, operations NCO, done for the Soldiers in his unit.
Company A, 1st Battalion, 94th Field “A lot of people don’t see my job as
Artillery Regiment, attached to the 1st important because I don’t go outside the
Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infan- wire,” said Boschi. “But I make sure the
try Division, deployed from 2002-2003 Soldiers can concentrate on their mission
in support of Operation Desert Spring, without worrying about if their records
conducting force protection in Kuwait, are up-to-date or if their legal needs and
eventually heading north at the onset of paperwork is taken care of.”
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Although his mission has drastically
“Then it was a war,” said the William- changed over the past 10 years from
sport, Pa., native. “We pushed into the combat to support, Boschi enjoys the
country and did what we had to do.” opportunity to contribute to Operation
Working in field artillery operations at New Dawn.
that time, Boschi said he also conducted “It seems ironic and fitting to be here
missions with various units in Iraq. for the last chapter,” he said. “It’s like
As a fire direction specialist, he reading the first chapter of a book and
supported infantry and armor units by then skipping everything in the middle
directing artillery and rockets in combat to get to the end,” added Boschi, refer-
using fire direction systems and radios. ring to his being part of OIF I and then
Now, with the U.S. and ISF working returning to support the conclusion of
U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF Public Affairs
Sergeant Jason Boschi, operations NCO, together in the advise, train and assist OND.
Company A, 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery role, Boschi does not need to use his Boschi believes the situation in Iraq is
Regiment, attached to the 1st Advise and As- fire direction skills as part of TF Devil’s a lot better than it was when he was first
sist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, looks mission. here, and that “... our Soldiers are doing
up information for a Soldier in the company
operations center on Contingency Operating Instead, his expertise is being utilized a great job training the ISF so they will
Site Warrior, Iraq, Sept. 11, 2011. as the operations and training room NCO be able to take over once we’re gone.”
SUPPLY, Cont'd from Pg. 4
Soldiers on the ground the eyes said the Bronx, N.Y., native.
in the sky that they need to stay Whether receiving equip-
safe, he continued. ment, moving it for transporta-
Although none of the Sol- tion or helping devise an orga-
diers that operate the CRSP yard nizational system for containers,
have ever worked on this type my Soldiers are always up to the
of mission before, being able to tasks at hand, he continued.
adapt quickly is part of their job. As the Black Jack Brigade
“They’ve done wonderfully,” continues to close down bases,
Staff Sgt. Charles Grant, the the brigade’s CRSP yard will
non-commissioned officer in- ensure every piece of equip-
charge of the CRSP yard, said of ment and container that passes
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 2nd AAB, 1st Cav. Div.
his Soldiers. “They are compe- through it gets to where it needs Staff Sergeant Charles Grant, a Bronx, N.Y., native with 15th BSB,
tent Soldiers that know how to to go in a timely and organized looks over shipping paperwork at the central receiving and ship-
work in all aspects of their job,” manner. ping point yard at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Sept. 8.
10

11. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
Serving in an active capacity
Sgt. Kandi Huggins longer,” said the Penn Run, tion, providing a new capabil-
1st AATF Public Affairs Pa., native. “Since the U.S. ity to the ‘Devil Brigade’ that
1st Inf. Div., USD - N was doing a majority of the we did not have,” said Capt.
targeting and missions, with John Roder, Kirkuk counter-
After serving in the Army the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police terrorism officer-in-charge, 1st
Reserves for three years as a having less of a joint impact AATF.
combat engineer, Sgt. Sean on the mission, we had to stay Roder, a Kansas City, Mo.,
Barnett, imagery and intel- on constant alert because we native, said Barnett conducts
ligence analyst, Headquarters were in greater danger of being all GEOINT operations for the
and Headquarters Company, targeted.” units on Contingency Operat-
1st Advise and Assist Task With OIF being five years ing Site Warrior by providing
Force, 1st Infantry Division, in Barnett’s past, he is in Iraq intelligence, detailed analysis
decided he wanted to serve a second time now supporting and products to the 1st AATF
his country in an active-duty Operation New Dawn in the and its supporting units, U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF
capacity. intelligence section as a geo- including national level intel- Sergeant Sean Barnett, imagery
While in the reserves, spatial intelligence specialist, ligence agencies. and intelligence analyst, Head-
Barnett served in support of known as GEOINT. Now that the Iraqi Security quarters and Headquarters Com-
pany, 1st Advise and Assist Task
Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2005 A GEOINT combines Forces are leading major op- Force, 1st Infantry Division, en-
to 2006, as a combat engineer multiple sources of intelligence erations, Barnett said the U.S. ters data in his imagery work sta-
with the 571st Engineer Com- into an overall picture to assist can now focus on protecting tion on Contingency Operating
pany out of Fort Lewis, Wash. in targeting, operations and our force while helping train Site Warrior, Iraq, Sept. 6, 2011.
Stationed at then Forward missions. They analyze and the ISF to protect all Iraqis. what they are doing for over
Operating Base Warhorse, produce real imagery data of “The advise, train, and one thousand years and it takes
Barnett said his job was driv- the battlefield in order to pro- assist (mission) is a great time to change old habits,” he
ing a gun truck outside the vide timely, concise and clear concept,” said Barnett. “It’s added. “But I feel with them
wire every day, adding that information to the commander. just a matter of them keeping, having the most advanced and
the danger to U.S. forces and “In order to ensure our maintaining and improving well-trained Army in the world
threat of improvised explosive intelligence section was well- the standards they have been to pass on what works for us,
device attacks were far worse rounded and able to conduct taught, versus falling back to everything we have taught
than they are now. any mission, we ensured old habits and getting compla- them can be beneficial if it is
“IEDs and mortar attacks Barnett was fully trained in cent.” used correctly, appropriately
were greater, and the days were GEOINT and could lead a sec- “They have been doing and repeatedly.”
YOUNG, Cont'd from Pg. 6
months and he’s been a great assistance Jung said he sees the people of Iraq fire to achieve their goals, it makes you
in helping (us) accomplish different as friends, a people trying to survive and reassess yours and want to put effort into
things we have done, such as support or live their lives. achieving those you have for yourself,”
drives, to help support Iraqi civilians,” “A lot of the younger children were said Findlay. “It’s easy to say you have a
said Cpt. Michael Findlay, battalion born during war time and that built their goal, but a different thing to say you’ve
safety officer, 1st Bn., 5th FA. more aggressive characteristics to sur- accomplished it.”
Findlay, a Hudson, Wis., native, vive,” said Jung. “But I see the possibil- Although 1st Bn., 5th FA, is Jung’s
recalled an incident that took place dur- ity to be friends with them and to help first assignment, he said he is confident
ing a mission he went on with Jung he provide them with the things they need he is where he is meant to be.
felt showed Jung’s sincerity in helping and the things that will bring a little joy “Through my various Army train-
anyone he can. to their lives.” ing and chaplain school, my counseling
“While we were out in sector, we Findlay also said Jung constantly skills and understanding continues to
were informed about a woman who was helps Soldiers by actively seeking out expand, allowing me to become more
diagnosed with a brain tumor,” said those with potential problems and coun- professional and efficient in carrying
Findlay. “Jung requested to see her and seling them. out my mission,” said Jung. “I enjoy the
he went and prayed for her.” Though Findlay has known Jung for time I’ve spent with Soldiers and the
“He encouraged her by telling her such a short period of time, he said he memories I’ve shared with them. I’m
that despite the bad things happening sees Jung’s story and aspiration as a confident in my heart I’m in the right
in her life, God is good and he was still personal encouragement for himself. place to help Soldiers better themselves
with her,” Findlay continued. “When you meet someone with such and their families.”
11

12. The Ivy Leaf September 23, 2011
Chaplain’s Corner:
Keep your eye on the ball
Chaplain (Capt.) Scott Ingram to be counter-intuitive to our notion of today, it was common place and expected
DSTB, 4th ID Chaplain being on leave to “be on guard” or “fol- in ancient times for the farmer to eat what
low the rules”, these ideas translate into s/he grew from the land. You have worked
In the near future, we will be redeploy- good judgment and a more enjoyable rest hard this past year. Many of you have
ing back to Fort Carson to reunite with period. I just want to lift up a couple of served in various jobs that can be physi-
our families and friends. We will spend a themes from what Paul says to underscore cally, mentally, and spiritually taxing.
week or more while going through reverse his instruction to Timothy and how this Part of what you were “growing” this past
Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) and can benefit us. year through your hard work was leave.
participating in reintegration classes until Performing your job with the integrity,
we are finally released to begin our block Follow the rules honor, and faithfulness that you have over
leave. No doubt, our Soldiers have earned In Paul’s day, Roman Soldiers were not these past 12 months has afforded not only
it and are due to a well-deserved period of permitted to get “entangled in civilian af- others, but yourself an opportunity to en-
rest and recuperation. fairs”. In other words, we need to remem- joy time away from the job. Spend it with
We have all heard the familiar Army ber that we are in the Army and to manage your family and friends. Spend it away
phrase, “We can’t afford to give safety that honor accordingly. This means that from the Army. Spend it doing activities
and discipline a day off.” The temptation even on our time off, we need to pay atten- that you enjoy. Above all, spend it wisely.
that we all face is when we get back home tion to how we live. We need to maintain
to abandon a healthy regimen of diet, a healthy regularity in our sleep hygiene, Reflect on what you accomplished
exercise, sleep, spiritual nourishment, and diet, exercise, spiritual connection, and We write articles, like this one, and
render ourselves to a weakened condition interpersonal interactions. If you neglect speeches that sound as if life was either
than is desirable or necessary. sleep, it won’t be long before you will re- one momentous occasion or span of
The Apostle Paul gave some sage wis- duce your problem-solving skills, weaken time or a dismal existence to be dreaded
dom to his young son in the faith, Timo- your immune system, and cloud your and forgotten. That is what it feels like.
thy. Paul was telling Timothy, metaphori- thinking. Similar symptoms abound as you The truth, however, is that this deploy-
cally, to “keep his eye on the ball” and neglect other important matters of the self. ment, like life itself, is a series of ups
not to “let down his guard” even when it Furthermore, Paul says that athletes and downs. Reflect on both. How did
seems like the natural thing to do. only receive a crown if they compete ac- you grow this past year? What are some
“No one serving as a soldier gets entan- cording to the rules of the game/event. If “growing edges” that need your attention?
gled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to we want to be successful, we have to do What are some things that you want to be
please his commanding officer. Similarly, the same. Until we depart from the Army, different? What do you want to remain the
anyone who competes as an athlete does there is never a time when the rules do same? Reflecting is the first step in living
not receive the victor’s crown except by not apply and we are expected to govern an intentional life rather than simply living
competing according to the rules. The hard ourselves accordingly. So, don’t get “en- life in reaction mode.
working farmer should be the first to re- tangled” in things that are harmful to you, On a final note, consider how you can
ceive a share of the crops. Reflect on what your family, or your career and “follow the support your favorite charity or religious
I am saying, for the Lord will give you rules.” organization through the Combined
insight into all this” (2 Timothy 2:4-7). Federal Campaign. Now is the time to be
We are all expected to enjoy our leave Enjoy your leave thinking extending your impact through
period and should. Though it might seem Though we are not an agrarian society giving to CFC.
USD-N Social Media www.facebook.com/4thid
To read more stories and see the www.youtube.com/the4id
photos that go with them, as well www.flickr.com/photos/the4id
as some videos, check out the
proceeding links. Read and share www.slideshare.net/the4id
what you see and pass along the www.twitter.com/4thInfDiv
Soldiers' stories.
12