Volume Four, Number 52 - 3-13-10
Mission - Soldier - Family - Team
For the latest news, pictures, and information from 4ID, regularly check:
http://www.carson.army.mil/units/4id/
Seven Day Weather Forecast (Mar 14-20):
Baghdad, Iraq: Sun, Hi - 94, Lo, 71, mostly cloudy; Mon, Hi - 100, Lo - 71, partly cloudy; Tues, Hi - 86, Lo - 61, partly cloudy; Wed, Hi - 78, Lo - 56, mostly sunny; Thur, Hi - 76, Lo - 55, sunny; Fri, Hi - 76, Lo - 53, partly cloudy; Sat, Hi - 79, Lo - 53, partly cloudy.
Kabul, Afghanistan: Sun, Hi - 71, Lo - 42, mostly sunny; Mon, Hi - 75, Lo - 44, partly cloudy; Tues, Hi - 77, Lo - 39, sunny; Wed, Hi - 76, Lo - 39, sunny; Thur, Hi - 79, Lo - 42, sunny; Fri, Hi - 79, Lo - 47, partly cloudy; Sat, Hi - 73, Lo - 45, partly cloudy.
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DOD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today (March 10, 2010) the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Pvt. Nicholas S. Cook, 19, of Hungry Horse, Mont., died March 7 in Konar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Camp Ederle, Italy (attached to 4BCT/4ID).
Let us keep the Family and fellow Soldiers of PVT Cook in our thoughts and prayers.
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65 Years Ago This Week - 4ID in France - 15-22 March 1945
15 March 1945 - D+283
Lieutenant General A. M. Patch, Commanding General Seventh Army, visited the division command post.
A pass policy permitting members of this command to visit towns in the vicinity of their units during hours prior to curfew was approved by the Commanding General. The Division band was scheduled to tour the units to present concerts and to play at dances and presentation ceremonies.
16-19 March 1945 - D+284 to 287 - Report G 3 (operations branch):
An extensive training program was conducted during four days. This period afforded an excellent chance for rehabilitation for all personnel and for maintenance of weapons and equipment. Full advantage was taken during the time available.
16 March 1945 - D+284 - Report G 1 (personnel branch):
Brigadier General J.S. Rodwell, Assistant Division Commander, was awarded the Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre avec Palme by local French Royalty. Forty-five hundred Combat Infantry Badges were received and distributed equally among the three infantry regiments. The 8th Infantry was furnished with 1500 Presidential Unit Citation Badges and the 3rd Battalion of the 22nd Infantry with 500.
17 March 1945 - D+285 - Report from G-1 (personnel branch):
The Commanding General approved a division quota of twenty-five officers and 200 enlisted men to visit rest centers at Grenoble (officers) and Lyon (EM) for 5 days.
18 March 1945 - D+286 - (Nothing reported)
19 March 1945 - D+287 - Report G 1 (personnel branch):
The 22nd Infantry Regiment was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the first badge was pinned on Lieutenant Colonel John F. Ruggles.
20 March 1945 - D+288
The 4th Infantry Division moved from the vicinity of Gerbeviller to the vicinity of Batzendorf, France, under the control of the VI Corps. Advance elements passed the initial point at 0500 and the entire division closed in the new assembly areas by 2030.
21 March 1945 - D+289
Because of the large number of officers and men away at other places of recreation, the Commanding General refused a quota to visit a rest center at Nancy.
22 March 1945 - D+290
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur S. Teague (22nd Infantry Regiment) was awarded the DSO (British Decoration).
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Not much news from Afghanistan this week but quite a lot of news in the week after the successful elections in Iraq. I'm sure we'll pick up more Afghanistan news in coming weeks.
Iraq Election Assists Drawdown Timetable
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 10, 2010 - As parliamentary election results are tallied in Iraq, a U.S. commander there said it's unlikely any outcome would require American troops to stay beyond their scheduled withdrawal.
Polling this week has been characterized by military officials as a "historic" moment for Iraq that, barring a catastrophic event, paves the way for the drawdown of U.S. forces from 98,000 to 50,000 before September.
Asked in a news conference today if a potential balloting result exists that could change the pace of U.S. withdrawal, Army Maj. Gen. Terry A. Wolff, commander of U.S. Division Central told Pentagon reporters, "At this point, no."
An estimated 12 million Iraqis, about 62 percent of the electorate, cast votes in the March 7 election that will appoint parliamentary seats and possibly a new prime minister, pending results due out today.
Despite attacks that reportedly killed some 38 people across the country, about 1,500 polling centers in Baghdad and 350 stations in Iraq's Anbar province remained open, according to Wolff, whose area of operation is composed of these central and western regions.
"While there were a few incidents which produced casualties, and a number of noise-bottle bombs, the Iraqi security forces secured the population and provided a secure, credible election process," Wolff said. "I'd emphasize that Sunday's election-day success didn't just happen. The [Iraqi security force] owns security responsibilities in Iraq."
Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, downplayed the impact of election-day violence and said he believes the drawdown of American forces, which will be completed by the end of 2011, is on track. "Although there was some violence, most of it was low-level violence. We had no suicide bombs, no suicide vests," he said in an interview yesterday on PBS' "Newshour."
"Unfortunately, there were some buildings that were destroyed that killed some Iraqis," he added. "But for the most part, security was very good."
Barring a catastrophic event -- something that severely undermines the Iraqi government or created a significant spiral of violence -- Odierno said plans to reduce U.S. forces in accordance with an agreement negotiated between Baghdad and Washington would not be derailed.
Odierno, heartened by the turnout and relatively low levels of violence amid balloting, said a new government likely would be formed in a matter of months, with slimmer voting margins requiring more time for a new political structure to gel. "The people of Iraq have embraced democracy," the general said. "They clearly want to have a say in their country's future."
Odierno said the period of political transition following the election represents "a time of risk." But he sounded a note of confidence in the ability of Iraqi security forces to ensure security. "We have worked very hard with the government of Iraq during this caretaker government to try to ensure that security will remain," he said. "And I believe we will be able to do that through this critical period."
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Iraqi elections in USD-N successful
United States Forces - Iraq PAO
BAGHDAD - Task Force Marne (3ID) units in United States Division-North successfully fulfilled their supporting role to the Iraqi Security Forces (March 7) as the citizens of Iraq went to the polls to vote for the next leaders of their country.
Iraqi Security Forces performed magnificently as they defeated local extremist attacks aimed at discouraging the Iraqi people from voting. At the end of the day, the Iraqi people were victorious as they successfully executed the elections in a secure environment created and maintained by their security forces.
The Iraqi Security Forces' plan was put to the test early in the day. At approximately 9:30 a.m., reports filtered into the task force headquarters describing extremist attempts to stop the voting process. Despite initial extremist attempts, the plan held together, and it soon became apparent that the ISF was in control. At the end of the day, the ISF, with minimal assistance from their Task Force Marne partners, found and cleared more than 44 IEDs before they injured or killed innocent Iraqis.
Additionally, extremist attacks were ineffective. Of the approximately 67 attacks throughout the day, only 17 caused injury to people. In all, it was reported through Iraqi sources that one Iraqi policeman lost his life in the performance of his duties protecting his countrymen.
When it became apparent that the enemy had expended most of their efforts in the early part of the day, Task Force Marne leaders noticed that the Iraqis were continuing to make the trek to the polls. As reports came in and the polling places filled up, it was obvious that the undaunted Iraqis would not allow extremists to keep them from participating in democracy.
"The Iraqi people are dismissing the extremists by their actions this afternoon," said Col. Dave Funk, commander, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, in Diyala Province.
(I will start reporting more on USD-N over the coming months - that and the south part of Iraq where 3BCT of 4ID is soon headed will be areas of interest to us as the year progresses).
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Mattis: Future Units Need Balanced Capabilities
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2010 - Although many of the U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are deployed in a mentorship and training role, they're still capable of taking the fight to the enemy, the commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command said today.
Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee and explained that such units are still configured to retain combat power, and that their multifaceted capabilities herald the future for the U.S. military. "The theme that we're seeing more and more now is the troops going in must have the ability to fight in a coalition atmosphere and be able to partner," Mattis said.
He explained that this shift in unit capabilities is part of a larger policy directed by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for the entire military. "The entire military force is becoming more attuned to this 'advise and assist' effort, whether it's in Africa, Afghanistan or Iraq," the general said.
The first of the designated advise-and-assist brigades began arriving in Iraq over the summer. They've done well to empower Iraqi security forces and to help ensure the gradual drawdown of U.S. troops, Mattis said.
"When those troops go in, they will focus on the train-and-assist [mission]," he said. "But it would be ill-advised to the enemy to mess with them. They will still have their abilities to fight, and these forces are quite capable of rocking the enemy back on their heels.
"The troops are trained and adjusted to the advise-and-assist mission in Iraq, and from our perspective, these troops are exactly the right thing at the right time," Mattis added.
The Iraq model is adaptive, and is being used by U.S. troops in Afghanistan as well, said Mattis, whose command is responsible for providing efficient training programs to combatant commanders.
U.S. forces in Afghanistan are focusing more on improving the capabilities of Afghan soldiers through training and mentorship. Rather than U.S. forces being the sole tip of the spear in combat operations in the volatile south, U.S. and Afghan forces consistently fight side by side, he said. "I'd go so far as in saying now that the troops that are going into southern Afghanistan are completely capable on their own as combat units or in partnering with the Afghans," Mattis said.
Military officials in Afghanistan's Helmand province estimate that there is one Afghan soldier per every three American troops rooting out Taliban in the Marja offensive. Only months ago, that ratio was estimated at one Afghan soldier for at least 10 Americans.
Mattis explained that the behavior of the U.S. troops in this capacity is just as important as the shift in their capabilities, shining light on the need to expand advisor and mentorship training to all combat units. Units must be organized to have the best-possible components and elements to execute any mission, he said, and must be tailored to provide maximum flexibility to deal with a wide range of conflicts and contingencies.
"While we cannot accurately predict the type of warfare in which we must be ready to engage in the future, we recognize that we cannot adopt a single, preclusive view of war," he said. "Balance is key. We are learning, [and] we've got it right this time. We are using lessons learned to change the very makeup of the unit training."
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U.S. Troops in Iraq Adopt New Role
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 10, 2010 - Some of the 98,000 U.S. military forces in Iraq already have made the transition from security to stability operations ahead of the September deadline, American military commanders said.
In accordance with an agreement brokered between Baghdad and Washington, the drawdown to 50,000 U.S. troops before September will happen as the American mission shifts from its current role as a partner of Iraqi security forces to primarily one of training and advising.
But on the heels of what has been touted as a "historic" parliamentary election in Iraq this week -- months before the drawdown milestone -- U.S. forces in some instances have begun to change missions, said Army Maj. Gen. Terry A. Wolff, commander of U.S. Division Central. "We're pretty close to what that will look like already," Wolff, whose area of operations includes Baghdad and the western Iraqi province of Anbar, told Pentagon reporters in a news conference.
What allows U.S. forces to pivot from accompanying Iraqi units in joint operations and providing aerial and intelligence support upon request to a role that centers on training, advising and assisting is the evolution of Iraq's indigenous forces, the general said.
Since his previous rotation in Iraq in 2006 and 2007, Wolff said, Iraqi security forces have passed tests of their quality "with flying colors." He cited security during the March 7 election in which attacks reportedly killed some 38 people across the country but failed to close any polling sites or dissuade any of the estimated 12 million Iraqis -- about 62 percent of the electorate -- who cast ballots.
"I worked helping to train the [Iraqi security forces] on my last rotation," Wolff recalled. "It was an army of about 110,000. Well, it's grown to about double that. It was a police of barely 150,000; it's nearly triple that. And so the Iraqi security forces demonstrated on Sunday that they're up to the task.
"I'm pretty confident that they can continue to secure the government of Iraq and the Iraqi people," he continued. "There's no doubt in my mind that they can do that exceptionally well. And as the next government settles in, they're more than up to the task, and they demonstrated that."
Asked about the Iraqi army's progress since reports in 2006 of disloyalty, unreliability and a lack of professionalism in the ranks, one defense official said the Iraqi forces have "matured beyond our wildest expectations"; echoing the resilience Wolff described today. "I kind of liken them sometimes to a boxer," he said. "They're very robust, they take a jab, once in a while they take a body blow, but they rarely get knocked down any more."
Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said the United States already has shifted from performing counterinsurgency operations to taking on the task of training, advising, enabling and partnering with Iraqi forces. "I believe that's really what we're doing today. We are not doing any independent operations any more," he said at the Army and Navy Club here last month. "We are doing counter-terrorism operations, but we're really not even doing those independently. All our highest-end counter-terrorism operations are done in complete coordination with Iraqi security forces, and with Iraqi security forces."
Asked today if a reduced combat role of American troops was tantamount to a reduction in overall productivity in Iraq, Wolff sought to dispel such impressions. "There are aggressive operations every day and every evening to deal with terrorists and extremists that try to have an impact on the Iraqi people," he said. "So it's not as if we're all sitting on our operating bases and doing nothing.
"There's this belief at times that no one's doing anything; that 96,000 Soldiers are just kind of waiting for something to happen," he continued. "We are not in the observe-and-write-about-it mode. We are effectively out there doing things every single day."
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This is part of the area where 3BCT will be operating once they get to Iraq.
New Iraqi Army post opens in southern Iraq
BASRAH - A new Iraqi post officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony here March 1. The Shaibah Location Command will logistically support the 14th Iraqi Army Division's vital mission of protecting southern Iraq. The $38 million project took almost a year to complete and training the location command soldiers on operation and maintenance of the new facilities will continue for another year.
"We thank the United States Armed Forces for making this project possible," said Brig. Gen. Shabeeb, commander of Shaiba Location Command. "This project is critical for the support of the 14th Iraqi Army Division and the security of southern Iraq."
The new location command holds 82 buildings and facilities that include a fuel storage and distribution system, and ice factory, bakery, firehouse, two water treatment plants, a dining facility, offices and living quarters.
"This project is important and is another key step in the rebuilding of the Iraqi Army," said Brig. Gen. Gazi Gasham, from the Directorate of Location Command.
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Additional Phases Identified for Iraq Campaign Medal
The Department of Defense announced today that additional campaign stars are authorized for wear on the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM). The campaign stars recognize a service member's participation in DoD designated campaigns in Iraq.
Service members who have qualified for the ICM may display a bronze campaign star on their medal for each designated campaign phase in which they participated. The stars will be worn on the suspension and campaign ribbon of the campaign medal.
The additional campaign phases and associated dates established for the ICM are:
· Iraqi Surge - Jan. 10, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2008.
· Iraqi Sovereignty - Jan. 1, 2009 through a date to be determined.
Four other phases, previously identified, include:
· Liberation of Iraq - March 19, 2003 to May 1, 2003.
· Transition of Iraq - May 2, 2003 to June 28, 2004.
· Iraqi Governance - June 29, 2004 to Dec. 15, 2005.
· The "National Resolution" phase, which began Dec. 16, 2005, has been determined to end Jan. 9, 2007.
Service members should contact their respective military departments for specific implementation guidance.
Note from Bob – not official but I believe that troops who served with 4ID during our previous three deployments qualify for the following, assuming they served in all three deployments:
Liberation of Iraq – Mar 19, 2003 to May 1, 2003 (OIF I)
Transition of Iraq – May 2, 2003 to June 28, 2004 (OIF I)
National Resolution Phase – Dec 16, 2005 to Jan 9, 2007 (OIF 05-06)
Iraqi Surge – Jan 10, 2007 to Dec 31, 2008 (OIF 07-09)
Iraqi Sovereignty – Jan 1, 2009 through date to be determined (OIF 07-09)
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Afghan unit learns new area of operation
By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte
300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – An Afghan National Army unit met with villagers in eastern Afghanistan’s Naray District this week to introduce itself and hear residents’ concerns.
Leaders with the ANA’s 1st Coy, 1st Kandak, 2nd Brigade, headed meetings with elders in the Arzigal and Nangal villages, thereby continuing efforts to bring residents closer to their government. “They were very friendly,” ANA Lt. Said Rahman, a platoon leader, said after talking with men in Nangal, March 8. “We got acquainted with the elders.”
The unit, which arrived at Forward Operating Base Bostick about a month ago, is working with International Security Assistance Forces to learn more about the area. It has visited three other major villages in the district, including Saw, Shirgal and Kamtali, since its arrival.
U.S. Army Capt. Stoney L. Portis, troop commander for Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Destroyer, said ANA meetings with the populace are essential. His Soldiers have served as support for the missions. “We’re working for long-term solutions,” Portis said of the ANA missions. “Their direct involvement is the link between security for the people on behalf of the government and the government’s ability to improve the quality of life for the people.”
During the March 6 meeting in Arzigal, 1st Sgt. Zahoorullah Noori, the ANA unit first sergeant, discussed concerns voiced by the residents. Those who participated in the meeting said residents asked for security forces to be closer to the village – even requesting an observation post be placed nearby.
Portis said the meeting produced results. Just two days later, a pair of elders from the village appeared at the base’s front gate, asking to meet with the ANA about problems in the community.
After the March 8 meeting, Rahman said the villagers described the difficulties they had in receiving support from the Naray District since they are originally from Nuristan province. He said the villagers promised to cooperate with the government and asked for help in the future.
Portis said the missions, which also help the new ANA unit become familiar with the geography of the district, will continue for about another month.
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General Leads Effort Against IEDs
By Ian Graham
Special to American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 12, 2010 - Improvised explosive devices are one of the most deadly threats to service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Though they're often as unsophisticated than a homemade pipe bomb, they have has forced the U.S. military to dedicate entire units to find and destroy them.
Army Lt. Gen. Michael L. Oates, director of the Joint IED Defeat Organization, discussed the effort to provide comprehensive counter-IED support to warfighters, as well as the organization's direct support of the surge in Afghanistan, in a "DODLive" bloggers roundtable today.
"Although [the organization is] only four years old, a lot of great things have been done," he said. "But we have a ways to go yet in ensuring that we can provide the equipment and training that's necessary for our Soldiers as the enemy adapts its techniques and procedures."
Oates said he has seen a number of differences between Iraq and Afghanistan concerning the IED threat. Two to three years ago in Iraq, the issue was military-grade weaponry being sold and used in IEDs, with fairly sophisticated detonation equipment that Oates said he believes came from Iranian sources. Since then, the threat has dwindled.
In Afghanistan, the volume of IEDs has about doubled, he said, and the casualty numbers reflect that growth. The quality of explosives is much lower; they're largely homemade explosives, centered on potassium chlorate and ammonium nitrate fertilizers with "very rudimentary" detonation mechanisms such as trip-wires, pressure plates or remote control.
"In Afghanistan, we've seen evidence of support coming from Pakistan, so we're working with the Pakistani government to shut out these shipping routes to keep the fertilizers away from bomb makers," Oates said.
But whether the explosive is a military-grade bomb or something made in a garage with household products, both have still proven a very dangerous threat to troops on the ground. "The effectiveness is still good in both [Iraqi and Afghan IEDs]," Oates said. The fertilizer bombs are still effective because they provide a unique challenge for detection, he added.
Because of the nature of fertilizer bombs in Afghanistan, the government there has banned ammonium nitrate-based products. No such fertilizer is produced in Afghanistan, so in theory, the ban will help to weed out bomb-makers from people who use ammonium nitrate products legitimately.
"But the enemy, as you know, adapts, and we have to stay ahead of the game," Oates said. "As ammonium nitrate becomes more difficult to employ against us, they'll shift to some other forms. We're already anticipating and preparing for those contingencies."
The Pakistani government has discussed placing restrictions on ammonium nitrate and potassium chlorate, since their country has been the primary source for the chemicals. But the same chemicals used in IEDs in Afghanistan are used for mining, farming, road construction and in products like safety matches. "This is a very complex challenge, because a flat-out ban on these chemicals will affect commercial industry," Oates said. "A lot of these homemade explosive chemicals are used for very benign purposes."
Oates said getting the resources needed to Afghanistan has been a problem of physics - a lack of enough room on transport vehicles to carry all of the equipment requested. It hasn't been a critical problem, he said, but it is a limiter.
Congress has allowed the Joint IED Defeat flexibility for spending, Oates said, a benefit the services as a whole don't enjoy. As the warfighters see a new threat, the organization can respond as rapidly as possible to get troops more suitable equipment and training.
"There is a tyranny of time to acquire, produce and transport [those resources], so nothing happens overnight," Oates said. "But I can assure you we are in the 'urgent response' mode, as often as we can push industry and training to make [quick response] happen. Our business is very serious; it's a matter of life and death."
(Ian Graham is assigned to the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)
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USNS Comfort Completes Haiti Mission
American Forces Press Service
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, March 9, 2010 - The hospital ship USNS Comfort will leave Haiti tomorrow, as U.S. Southern Command officials have determined its crew has completed its humanitarian relief mission in the aftermath of the Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated the Caribbean nation.
Medical facilities and field hospitals in Haiti have assumed a greater role in addressing the health-care needs of Haitians, and the need for urgent, life-saving medical care steadily declined, officials explained.
"Over the last 10 days, we've seen over a 65 percent reduction in patients on board the [Comfort], as they have been appropriately transferred to local hospitals for follow-on care," Army Col. (Dr.) Jennifer Menetrez, Joint Task Force Haiti's command surgeon, said during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable March 4. The last patient treated for earthquake-related injuries aboard the Comfort was discharged from the ship on Feb. 27, Menetrez added.
The hospital ship began supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti after receiving its first patients a day before anchoring off Port-au-Prince on Jan. 20. Over the course of seven weeks, the ship's U.S military and civilian medical personnel treated 871 patients, receiving one patient every six to nine minutes at the height of the recovery effort, officials said.
Comfort's medical staff also performed 843 surgeries aboard the ship during the mission, treating more than 540 critically injured earthquake survivors within the first 10 days.
The hospital ship ran 10 operating rooms at full capacity to care for injured Haitian and U.S. earthquake survivors requiring surgical care. Comfort's medics also treated U.S. and international military personnel transferred to the ship by physicians on the ground for surgical and nonsurgical care.
Volunteer experts from the Orthopedic Trauma Association, Project Hope, Operation Smile, National Nurses United, Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine and other nongovernmental organizations provided the ship's medical team with orthopedic trauma, surgical, nursing and anesthesia support.
"We are immensely proud of the contributions made by everyone who helped treat critically injured earthquake survivors aboard [the] Comfort," said Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, commander of U.S. Southern Command. "Their efforts saved the lives of many patients and helped everyone treated begin the important process of recovery.
"Their rapid response and contribution to the international relief efforts in Haiti helped the country overcome an urgent medical crisis at a time when access to surgical care on the ground was very limited," the general added.
Comfort's crew worked closely with Haiti's health ministry and health care professionals from the U.S. Agency for International Development, international relief organizations and nongovernmental organizations to secure follow-on care for patients in recovery.
By early February, as relief efforts in the areas near the earthquake's epicenter gained momentum and medical treatment facilities began or resumed operations in those areas, the numbers of patients with earthquake-related injuries arriving aboard Comfort gradually declined. By Feb. 28, Comfort was no longer treating patients with earthquake-related injuries, officials said.
Comfort is scheduled to return to its home port in Baltimore on March 14.
USNS Comfort previously deployed here for 12 days in April as part of Operation Continuing Promise 2009 -- a four-month humanitarian and civic assistance deployment to seven countries in the Caribbean and in Central and South America. During the Haiti segment of the mission, Comfort's medical staff treated 6,731 patients, performed 161 surgeries and filled 15,504 prescriptions.
(From a U.S. Southern Command news release.)
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It's always great to see former 4ID commanders getting promoted to a higher level of leadership in the Army. New BG Don MacWillie commanded 4th Combat Aviation Brigade during OIF 05-06 and his wife, Sherri, was a key player in the 4ID gift shop during that timeframe.
MacWillie promoted to brigadier general
Posted On: Tuesday, Mar. 9 2010 05:20 PM
By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Fort Hood Herald
The three-star general handed a square patch of camo to an ROTC cadet from Texas A&M University Monday morning at West Fort Hood. "You're gonna need that one of these days," the general said in a warm drawl to the cadet.
A bird stitched in black was on the patch in the young man's hand. In the spot to which it was once stuck sat a star — the first for the man standing next to the general and the cadet.
Kyle MacWillie will soon graduate from Texas A&M and commission as a military intelligence officer. He's the sixth generation in his family to serve in the military.
Lt. Gen. (promotable) James Thurman (former 4ID CG) was at Fort Hood earlier this week to promote Kyle's father, Donald, to brigadier general.
One of the Army's newest generals commanded the 4th Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade when Thurman led the division from 2004 to 2007. MacWillie now leads the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, a position he's held since June 15.
Thurman is set to be promoted soon, too. Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Feb. 5 that Thurman was nominated for his fourth star and would serve as commander of U.S. Army Forces Command.
The Defense Department announced MacWillie's promotion 15 days earlier.
Thurman and MacWillie, both veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, have known each other for more than 20 years, first working together early in their careers when Thurman was executive officer of Fort Hood's 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Brigade, and MacWillie was a troop commander.
MacWillie was a terrific troop commander, Thurman said Monday, adding that he knew MacWillie would be a general after watching him lead the 4th Infantry's aviation brigade.
MacWillie has the essential qualities for leadership, Thurman said. He is calm, unflappable and courageous, and a man of conviction, faith and compassion. He's the kind of leader who takes unsolvable problems and makes solutions, he went on to say, and understands it's about people.
MacWillie hasn't been alone in his service to the Army and its Families. His wife, Salado native Sherri Gallagher MacWillie, has always made a difference, Thurman said.
They have two children: Kyle and Melyssa-Anne, a sophomore at the same school. A 1978 graduate of Killeen High School, MacWillie graduated from Texas A&M in 1982.
Among the family's military service, MacWillie's great- grandfather fought in China with the British military, his grandfather during World War II and his father in the Vietnam War.
While it may be a love of serving with Soldiers, MacWillie said the Family has devoted itself to the military because "we love this lifestyle."
MacWillie was surrounded by Family and friends during Monday's ceremony. They ranged from Family members to junior high friends to his high school science teacher — the one who first sparked his love of science, he said. "We belong to the Central Texas community," MacWillie said.
One of the Army's newest generals said that it wasn't about the promotion, but about serving Soldiers and their Families and "attempting — as best we can — to make a difference."
Copyright 2010 - Fort Hood Herald
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers
1) From my Vietnam Vet Marine friend: Thanks Bob. Hard to believe sometimes that that happened 45 years ago. I can still remember that time in Vietnam just as easily as I can still remember our senior football season and I am sure you can as well...
2) From a 4ID Vietnam Vet: As I read your latest update I realized that my brother landed with those first Marines. We both made it back in good shape but our parents had some rough years while we were gone.
Thanks for your great work. (Note from Bob - parents' concerns are timeless, regardless of the war they are worrying about - same now as it was in previous wars).
3) Hi Bob.. Thank you for all you are doing for us!! Love reading your updates. Wanted to let you know that my Soldier came home for his two weeks of R&R and we got married March 1st! Very glad this tour is almost up.. *hugs* and keep up the great work!!!
4) Hi Bob, Hope this finds all well with you and your family. My soldier (3STB,4ID) has been stateside for almost a year, he's doing well! Met his soulmate in Colorado Springs and they were married Jan. 22, she's a wonderful young woman that make's my son smile from the inside out!! They came for the holiday's, definitely was one of the best Christmas's we've ever had. He will be leaving in a couple of weeks for Iraq, as he says,"Time to do what I've been trained to do." He wanted to know if I still received your updates, to which I replied, "Of course, Bob's updates are my "lifeline" to you!" Again, I thank you for all that you do, God Bless You!!!
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I had a typically great day at the Atlanta airport USO on Thursday, talked to the assistant PAO of 4BCT/4ID and a couple of troops from 3-61 CAV, among many troops I spent time with. Weather was a problem in Atlanta so our volunteers' cell phones got a good workout as Soldiers called Family members about canceled flights and changed travel plans.
Don't forget to set your clock forward an hour before you go to bed tonight - Daylight Savings Time officially starts at 2:00 am Sunday morning in most of the US.
For you full time Irish, enjoy St. Patti's day on Wednesday, as I know you will. For us one day a year Irish, I'll be sure to find some green beer and drink a toast to you.
Continue to pray for our Soldiers and their Families. Lots of March madness basketball to watch this weekend as all the major tournaments are underway and headed into the finals tomorrow. As for Jan and me, we'll be in Perry, GA on Sunday at our son's second bike race of the season. Next update will be next Saturday.
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Bob Babcock - "Deeds not Words"
President, Deeds Publishing - www.deedspublishing.com
President, Americans Remembered - www.americansremembered.org
Past President, 22nd Infantry Regiment Society - www.22ndinfantry.org
Past President, Historian, National 4th Infantry Div Assn - www.4thinfantry.org
PO Box 682222, Marietta, GA 30068 - Phone 678-480-4422 (cell)
