Story and photo by Sgt. Daniel Stoutamire, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C BAGHDAD—The olfactory capabilities of man’s best friend, canis familiaris—dogs, that is—are well-known and have been used by law enforcement to detect illicit drugs for decades. Soldiers with the 2nd “Dagger” Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center are hoping to impress upon Iraqi Security Forces the utility of working dogs to fulfill that function, but more importantly to become the first line in the detection of explosive materials. Four dogs, trained by and inherited...
Story and photo by Spc. Breeanna J. DuBuke, 29th MPAD, USD-C BAGHDAD – Changing light bulbs, repairing floors and other routine maintenance are things a Military Maintenance Team are used to. A MMT is responsible for making sure all facilities are mission-ready for the unit they are assigned.A part of being in a MMT is being ready at a moment’s notice to fix any maintenance problems that occur throughout a unit.“We’re just trying to make everything happen at the drop of a hat,” said Sgt. Christopher Brown, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 25th Infantry Division’s MMT.But for Brown...
Story by Spc. Heidi Paynter, 116th Cavalry Brigade - Garrison Command, USD-C BAGHDAD— Members of Alpha Troop, 2nd Squadron, 116th Cavalry Regiment, are reflecting on their tour as they prepare to re-deploy back to their home state of Idaho in the fall. The unit has spent nine months providing security for two camps at Victory Base Complex in Baghdad as one of the force protection units under the 116th Cavalry Brigade, United States Division – Center, in support of Operation New Dawn.Alpha Troop, stationed out of Emmett and Payette, Idaho, traditionally has two platoons of reconnaissance scouts...
Story by 1st Lt. Billy Murphy, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C BAGHDAD—Soldiers with Company B, “Griffin” Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center conducted a thorough cleaning of their assigned theater-provided equipment July 28 at Camp Liberty, Iraq in preparation for turn in.The end of the mission for the remaining American Soldiers in Iraq also marks the end of mission for some of the greatest workhorses of the conflict—the TPE that has been handed down from unit to unit since their arrival to the country in 2003. With...
Since arriving to Iraq in November 2010, Soldiers with the personal security detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st “First Lightning” Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center have showcased their versatility, responding to the demands of an ever-changing environment at Joint Security Station Loyalty, Iraq, most recently during partnered force-protection patrols with their Iraqi counterparts.For the greater part of the deployment, the PSD had little involvement with the 1st Iraqi Federal Police...
Story and photo by Spc. William A. Joeckel, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C BAGHDAD— Cavalry scouts bundle into two Black Hawk helicopters on a flight line at Camp Taji, Iraq. Loaded with weapons, ammo, radios, and metal detectors, the Scouts take off and fly to an area containing suspected weapons caches.The cavalry scouts, with “Ghost” Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st “Vanguard” Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, constantly take on an ever-evolving list of duties. With the protection of U...
Story and photo by 1st Lt. Joseph Malins, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C BAGHDAD—Soldiers with 5th “Longknife” Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center handed over control of Joint Security Station Falcon back to Iraqi Security Forces in July, partially because of the reposturing of the U.S forces.Logistics convoys moved assets almost continuously from JSS Falcon weeks before the final changeover was complete. Virtually every piece of equipment was loaded into shipping containers and hauled away on...
The voice of the soldier has been heard: The Army announced the patrol cap will replace the black wool beret as the default headgear for the Army Combat Uniform (ACU).Also changing are the options for how soldiers can attach certain items to their ACU shirts.The Army chief of staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, said soldiers will soon be able to sew on name tapes, service tapes, rank insignia and skill badges, instead of using Velcro.The changes were made after Dempsey received input from Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III, who had been tasked to gather opinions from soldiers in the...
Maj. Gen. Mary E. Clarke, USA, Ret., the last director of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and the first woman to attain the rank of major general, died June 10 at the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, Texas. She was 87.Known as a military pioneer and historic figure, she joined the Army’s Women’s Army Corps during World War II, rose from the rank of private to major general and commanded units from detachments to a major Army installation – Fort McClellan, Ala. – where she became the first woman to command an Army post and the first woman to serve as commandant of the U.S. Army Military...
DS Logons for retired reservists. Retired reservists can now get a DoD Self-service Logon (DS Logon) account at any TRICARE Service Center (TSC) worldwide. Once they have a DS Logon, they can use it to go online to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) health care coverage. (To locate the nearest TSC, visit www.tricare.mil/contacts.)In-person proofing at Veterans Administration regional offices or remote proofing through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)/Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office (DSO) remain available as well.The DS Logon can be used to access the...
Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif.Member, House Armed Services CommitteeFrom the highest levels of the Pentagon to the fox holes on the front lines in Afghanistan, women are integral to the success of the United States military, and they sacrifice their lives every day to protect our country.Whether pilots, medics, translators or base commanders, women are saving, leading, and invigorating our nation’s armed forces.As the highest ranking woman on the House Armed Services Committee, I have worked hard to make military service a strong working environment and career option for female service members...
"The best recruiting tool we have is a reserve [component[ soldier who feels he or she is making a meaningful contribution, being trained well to do the job and relates that satisfaction to friends at work and in the community."– SMA William A. Connelly, Sixth Sergeant Major of the Army***** We have a world-class Army.I don’t think anyone would dispute that statement. We have the best of everything; the best training, the best leaders and the best equipment, but that’s not what makes the United States Army the best.It’s our great soldiers, the young men and women who step forward and volunteer...
Four months older than the Navy, five months older than the Marine Corps, the nation’s oldest military branch began its 236th birthday celebration with senior Army leaders presenting a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., June 14.Secretary of the Army John McHugh, the Army chief of staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III presented the red, white and green wreath with blue ribbons to the tomb’s Relief Commander after which Taps was sounded.Even though the Army’s birthday is June 14, festivities in the nation’s capital...
The U.S. Senate voted unanimously June 21 to confirm Leon E. Panetta as the next secretary of defense.Panetta received broad bipartisan support following his June confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in which he said his foremost mission as defense secretary would be to protect the United States and ensure it has the "best-trained, the best-equipped and the strongest military in the world."President Barack Obama nominated him earlier this year to replace outgoing Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.Panetta, who currently serves as CIA director, is a former congressman...
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he’d rather have a smaller "superbly capable" military than a hollow force.Gates told the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee June 15 that even as the department looks for savings, there has to be an admission that reductions will increase risks. It was his last appearance before Congress before his retirement June 30."This process must be about identifying options for the president and for you, the Congress, to ensure that the nation consciously acknowledges and accepts additional risk in exchange for reduced investment in the military...