Volume I, Issue VI
Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Johnson
Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, commanding general, USD-S; Staff Sgt. Charles Smith, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg.; Spc. Cesar Patterson, Battery B, 3rd Bn., 29th
FA Reg.; and Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne, USD-S, after the award presentation for competition for NCO and Soldier of the Quarter.
Iron Soldiers prevail in USD-S Victory Stakes
by Spc. Chastity Boykin
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs
Eight Soldiers from United States
Division – South competed in the
Iron Victory Stakes Competition
at Camp Adder for the USD-South
Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of
the Quarter Dec. 15.
In the end, two Soldiers from 3rd
Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division won the competition: Staff Sgt.
Charles Smith, an infantryman from 1st
Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, and
native of San Antonio, Texas; and Spc.
Cesar Patterson, a canon crew member
from Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field
Artillery Regiment, from Fort Myers, Fla.
Hosted by the 3rd AAB, the competition
Inside This
Issue
December 31, 2010
challenged competitors from across
USD-S, including 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment, physically and mentally
with events ranging from combatives, a
physical fitness test, Soldier tasks, and a
military board, where each Soldier had
to answer a series of questions posed by
senior NCOs.
The competition, which is held every
three months within USD-S, gives high- Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Johnson
speed Soldiers and NCOs the opportunity Spc. David Johnson, a bradley mechanic from
to compete at a division level and 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., pulls
demonstrate their overall training, skills a truck during in the physical fitness portion of the
Iron Victory Stakes Competition.
and knowledge.
Prior to the event, Soldiers were challenge, said 1st Sgt. Shawn Carnes,
deliberately uninformed of the specific noncommissioned officer in charge of the
events. They only knew that they would competition. The participants could do
face a marksmanship range, a military very little to prepare other than being a
board and some form of physical fitness well-rounded Soldier.
See COMPETITION Page 3
Soldiers Sgt. Audie Route
Stay Murphy Clearance
Iron Strong
Page 3
Induction
Page 6
goes High-tech
Page 7
 Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

Greetings again from Southern Iraq,
and Happy New Year! As we move into
2011, I would like to wish all the Soldiers,
friends, and family of the Iron Brigade the
very best.
The year is not the only thing changing
for the Iron Brigade, as the past weeks
have been a time of transition in other
ways as well. Recently, our higher
headquarters, U.S. Division-South,
changed from the First Infantry Division
to the 36th Infantry Division. We would
like to bid farewell to the old team, thank
them for their superb effort and leadership
over the last ten months, and wish them
well as they reunite with their families
and friends back at Fort Riley, Kan.
We are truly blessed that at the same
time we get to say welcome to a superb
group of professionals from the state of
Texas. The 36th Division has a proud
and distinguished history, and in the short
time since their arrival, they have already
shown that they are an exceptional unit.
We look forward to their leadership and
working together with them in the last
months of our deployment.
The last month saw a few key milestones Col. James E. Rainey
Commander
for the brigade, including sending 70
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.
Soldiers home as part of our reset team,
and holiday visits from the 4th Infantry While we look forward to our reunion, it
Division Command Team, Maj. Gen. is important to still focus on the mission
Perkins and Command Sgt. Maj. Daley. at hand, as the enemy looks for any
The 4th Inf. Div. recently took over the sign of distraction to attack. Iraq is still
mission in U.S. Division-North, and it’s dangerous, but with the great leadership
good to see our Fort Carson brothers and of our young non-commissioned officers
sisters on the job and having success. we expect the same great results we’ve
We will redeploy more Soldiers in had throughout the last year.
January and February, paving the way for As always, thank you for supporting
the main body to come home in March. your Soldier and our country. Iron Strong!

To the Soldiers, Families and

friends of the Iron Brigade,
Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson is currently on R&R leave. His comments
will return to this space next month. Instead, you see the Finish Iron
Strong logo. For Soldiers in theater, you’ve likely seen it posted around
your work and living areas. For families, this may be your first time.
Finish Iron Strong is a mindset. Great teams win in the fourth quarter,
and we’ve now entered the fourth quarter of our deployment.
Finish Iron Strong means we finish the fight and focus on our mission
until the last Soldier is home safe. It means we watch out for each
other and keep each other safe, both in Iraq and upon our return to Fort
Carson.
Finish Iron Strong means we transition our mission to the follow-on
unit professionally. We leave everything better than we got it, and we
pass on our lessons learned to our counterparts. We take pride in our
accomplishments, but we are not arrogant.
While not losing focus on our current mission, Finish Iron Strong
means that we set conditions for redeployment the same way we set
conditions for every mission: we have trained and prepared leaders and
smart and disciplined Soldiers. We make a planned, smooth transition,
and we take care of each other while deployed and at our home station.

The 3rd Brigade Command Team

www.facebook.com.com\3bct4id
Page 2
 Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

Iron Brigade reaches reenlistment goal in record time

by Spc. Khori Johnson
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs
The 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th
Infantry Division recently exceeded its
annual reenlistment goal 61 days into the
new fiscal year.
Every fiscal year, the Iron Brigade is
given a reenlistment goal, as determined
by the Department of the Army. The
goal for the brigade was to reenlist 427
Soldiers before the end of the fiscal year
2011. The 3rd AAB far exceeded that
goal by reenlisting 470 Soldiers by Dec.
1.
Not only is this accomplishment a first
within the Iron Brigade, but it is a new
record for the entire 4th Inf. Div. The 3rd
AAB was the first brigade to close out
its reenlistment year, not just for United
States Division-South, but for all the
brigades in Iraq.
The brigade has the hard work of the
Iron Brigade retention team and the
battalion command teams to thank for
the accomplishment. “You can’t achieve
this type of accomplishment without
having command involvement,” said Sgt.
1st Class Gregory Zielsdorf, of Conroe,
Texas, brigade senior career counselor,
Headquarters and Headquarters Troop,
3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd AAB.
“I firmly believe that each commander,
each first sergeant, and each platoon
leader is actively engaging their Soldiers Photo by Spc. Khori Johnson
and saying, ‘Hey, we want you to stay on Spc. Joshua Morris, network systems operator,
Company B, 3rd STB, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.,
the team.’”
recites the enlistment oath during his reenlistment
Along with the brigade’s overall ceremony on the top of the Ziggurat of Ur near
reenlistment goal, some battalions within Camp Adder.
the brigade have achieved similar success.
See REENLISTMENT Page 6

Competition: Iron Soldiers prepared to tackle any challenge

Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Johnson Photo by Maj. Alan S. Brown Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Johnson
Left: Spc. Cesar Patterson from Battery B, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., performs squats as he lifts 135-pound barbell. Center: An aerial view of the “Iron Death
Star” maze, designed after the 3rd Brigade’s crest. Soldiers and NCOs tested their strength with a different physical challenge in each point of the star.
Right: Staff Sgt. Charles Smith from 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., flips a tire as one of the events within the “Death Star” maze.

Continued from Page 1
“I prepared by going to the gym twice
a day and had a lot of support from my
platoon,” said Patterson.
Since the participants never had the
event itinerary, every new event was a
surprise, adding to the mental aspect of
the competition.
“Not knowing what the events are has
definitely kept me guessing on what’s
next, what the standards are, and what the
events are. It is mentally challenging and
mentally draining,” said Smith.
Starting the day off at 4:30 a.m., Soldiers
began with combatives, continuing with a
game of “Are you smarter than a Joe?”
Each competitor was represented by their
first-line supervisor, who answered one
question based on five categories. Each
correct answer gained points for the
respective Soldier.
“We switched it up a bit from previous
competitions to make it a little more
difficult and more challenging,” said
Carnes, referring to having the sponsors
actually compete in one of the tasks. “It’s
something different from the rest of the
competitions.”
After testing their accuracy on the
weapons range and sweating through
a 10 km road march, Soldiers faced
an alternative physical fitness test,
maneuvering through the “Iron Death
Star” maze, designed after the brigade
crest. Soldiers and NCOs tested their
strength and stamina with a different
physical challenge in each point of the
star.
“It’s been rough, and my competitors
have been pretty good athletes,” said
Smith. “I am proud to bring this back to
my platoon, to the brigade.”
Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, commanding
general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jim
Champagne, senior noncommissioned
officer, United States Division-South
presented Smith and Patterson with
the Army Commendation Medal at a
ceremony after the competition.
All eight Soldiers recieved a four-day
pass to Qatar for their effort in making it
to the division level competition.
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 Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

Cav establishes computer LAN at Iraqi Training Center

by Sgt. David Dasilma
assessment and a recommendation by topology is that the materials were locally
4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div Asti, the squadron’s Security Transition procured, and a positive feature of the
Team presented a training plan, which logical topology is that the network was
With the help of Soldiers of 4th Sqdn., encompassed the entire operation. They created in a manner that allows for future
10th Cav. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., agreed upon the plan, and within 72 hours upgrade.
communications section, Shaiba Training the execution of the project was underway. “The STC technicians were taught by
Center in the Basra Province received a On Nov. 23, the team implemented demonstration, hands-on practice, and
major upgrade: a local area network. the final phase and the communication actual implementation,” said Asti. “We
The network construction, led by network was up and running. even showed them how fluidity and
1st. Lt. Aric Asti, a signal officer from “The network we’ve just established has dynamic critical thinking while erecting a
Milwaukee, Wis., provided a unique the [same] physical and logical topology network can bypass most challenges. The
opportunity to use the installation as as those used by major corporations current network is scalable and the Iraqi
a training event to teach the center’s worldwide,” said Asti. technicians are trained, which means they
technical staff how to maintain and add to Topology can be considered the virtual can continue to improve and expand it
the LAN in the future. shape or structure of a network. Logical long after we leave.”
A local area network is a computer topology refers to how the data is actually Asti is planning a follow-up visit to
network that connects computers and transferred, whereas physical topology the center to gain feedback from the Iraqi
devices in a limited geographical area refers to actual location, devices, and technicians and address any concerns
such as a home, school, computer lab, equipment such as cables and wires. they may have regarding their ability to
or office building. The training center A valuable aspect of the physical maintain the network without assistance.
currently maintains 25 computers, and
now those computers can communicate
and transfer data at rapid rates, increasing
staff efficiency and creating a more
productive teaching environment.
With the high volume of Iraqi security
force training conducted on a daily basis,
the center is not the average training
facility. Some recent courses held at
the center include photography, media
interviewing and story writing. The
center also conducted a 45-day basic
medical training course where the Iraqi
Army taught students from the 4th
Department of Border Enforcement and
certified them as medics.
Although U.S. forces help facilitate
training courses, Iraqis routinely conduct
training for other Iraqis.
“This training provided a local area
network that will allow the electronic
transfer of class material between class
Photo by 2nd Lt. Andrew Mayer
leadership,” said Asti.
Spc. Daniel Harvey, an information technology specialist from New Orleans, La., 4th Sqdn., 10th
During a meeting with Staff Brig. Cav. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., explains his network connection plan to Shaiba Training Center
Gen. Talal on Oct. 29, after a physical technicians during the center’s reconstruction.

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 Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

Signal Soldiers continue education

7000 miles from home
by 2nd Lt. Jason Floyd
3rd Special Troops Bn., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.
Two Soldiers from Company B, 3rd
Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Advise and
Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division,
graduated from a week-long class on how
to operate a piece of communications
equipment known as the Very Small
Aperture Terminal.
The VSAT is widely used in both Iraq
and Afghanistan at the battalion level and
below to provide communications for
units in remote locations where traditional
communications systems are less reliable
or unavailable.
Spc. Cyle Fangmeier, of Aurora, Colo.,
and Pfc. Kenny Stacey, of Jacksonville,
N.C., both signal specialists, attended the
VSAT class at Baghdad Signal University.
“This type of training ensures our
Signal Soldiers remain current with
advances in technology, advances them
with their military careers, and gives them
tools to use once they leave the military,”
said Capt. Nicole Mounts, of Midlothian,
Texas, commander, Company B.
The VSAT is portable, easy to set-up,
and provides sound communications.
Having trained Soldiers to operate it is
proving to be more essential because the
VSAT can be easily transported to remote
locations where most communication
devices fail.
“The VSAT class at Baghdad Signal
University taught me how to set up,
operate, and troubleshoot the terminal.
I am very grateful that I was able to
attend the class to help make me a better
Soldier,” said Stacey.
Fangmeier was chosen because he often
works outside his military occupation
skill and is often the go-to Soldier for
challenging tasks.
“Baghdad Signal University was a great
opportunity for hands on training for the
VSAT. It provided adequate operator-
level knowledge to be able to successfully
deploy and troubleshoot the terminal,”
said Fangmeier.
See EDUCATION Page 7

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Laritza Gardiner

Spc. Cyle Fangmeier, of Aurora, Colo., and Pfc. Class Kenny Stacey, of Jacksonville, N.C., both signal
specialists, Company B, 3rd STB, 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Display their certificates of completion after
graduating from Baghdad Signal University upon their return to COB Adder. The Signal University is
hosted by U.S. Forces-Iraq to enhance communication capabilities.
Page 5
 Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

NCOs join ranks with WWII hero, icon Audie Murphy

by Maj. Alan S. Brown
3rd Special Troops Battalion. the ranks during a separate ceremony
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs -- Sgt. Bart A. Gammon, of Bonne Dec. 17 due to his early redeployment to
Terre, Mo., Company A, 64th Brigade support the homecoming of the rest of his
Audie Murphy is arguably one of the Support Battalion. battalion.
United States’ most well-known war Sgt. Donald Mertz, from Mount The four NCOs will take their place
heroes, and his name is synonymous Clemons, Mich., Company C, 1st next to 14 others who have been inducted
with bravery, gallantry in battle and Battalion., 8th Infantry Regiment, during the current deployment.
overcoming seemingly insurmountable attached to 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., joined See INDUCTION Page 10
odds.
To be compared with Murphy and
measured by the very standards of
leadership and professionalism that he
embodied is an honor many members of
the Army aspire to, but few achieve.
Four noncommissioned officers
within 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade,
4th Infantry Division, received the
Sergeant Audie Murphy Award and were
subsequently inducted into the 3rd AAB’s
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club at Camp
Adder recently.
Three NCOs received the honor at a
ceremony Dec. 20 at Memorial Hall on
Camp Adder:
-- Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Bryant,
Company A, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor
Regiment, attached to 3rd Battalion, 29th
Field Artillery Regiment, hailing from
Shreveport, La.
-- Staff Sgt. Gary W. Hedrick, of Photo by Spc. Chastity Boykin

Warsaw, Ky., assigned to Battery B, Staff Sgt. Christopher Bryant attached to 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., a native of Shreveport, La., Staff
Sgt. Gary Hedrick, Battery B, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., a native of Warsaw, Ky., and Sgt. Bart Gammon
3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg. and attached to from Company A, 64th BSB, a native of Moniteau, Mo., stand at attention after being presented the
Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Sergeant Audie Murphy Award.

Reenlistment: Soldiers decide to stay ‘Iron Strong’

Photo by 1st Sgt. Craig Collins
Staff Sgt. Charles Paris, cannon crew member,
from Englewood, Colo., Staff Sgt. Jonathan
Medina, mechanic, from Pueblo, Colo., and
Pfc. Mark Kaleel, cannon crew member, from
Jacksonville, Fla., all with Battery B, 3rd Bn., 29th
FA Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., take the oath of
enlistment during a ceremony at Camp Adder.
Continued from Page 3
Reenlistment goals are broken down
into a series of categories, such as
initial reenlistees and career reenlistees.
The 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery
Regiment, the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor
Regiment, and the 4th Squadron, 10th
Cavalry Regiment have all reached their
goals in every category, with the rest of
the battalions close behind. However in
the aggregate, the brigade has reached or
surpassed every category.
The brigade retention team must always
consider the short and long-term goals of
each Soldier. The team’s recent success is
proof that they stand firm in doing what is
best for the Soldier, the brigade, and the
Army, said Zielsdorf.
Many Soldiers have come closer to
achieving their own goals by reenlisting.
For example, Spc. Joshua Morris,
network systems operator, Company B,
3rd STB, reenlisted for the option to go
to college for his business administration
degree. Reenlisting Soldiers are afforded
the opportunity to take a semester of
college upon redeployment.
“I just wanted to set myself up for life
after the military,” he said.
A large number of Soldiers reenlisted
for their choice of another duty station.
“There’s nothing wrong with moving,”
said Zielsdorf. “I’ve moved six times
in my 15-year career. A lot of Soldiers
joined the Army to see the world.”
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 Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

Route clearance gets high-altitude high-tech

by 2nd Lt. Matthew Fumagalli
1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.

Thanks to improving technology, the

Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company E, 1st
Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd
Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry
Division, have made improvements in
route clearance in Basra.
The Soldiers in 1st Platoon are taking
advantage of relatively new technology,
such as the RQ-16A Tarantula Hawk
unmanned aerial vehicle.
The T-Hawk has the ability to launch
remotely from the back of a truck, with
Soldiers only having to dismount from
their vehicle for a few minutes. The
T-Hawk gives the platoon the ability to
observe surrounding areas and parallel
routes, and provides a bird’s-eye-view of
the convoy while it’s on the move. Photo courtesy of 2nd Lt. Matthew Fumagalli
Sgt. Brian Curd, of Woodstock, Ill., and Spc. Nicholas Boxley, of Norfolk, Va., both combat engineers,
“The T-Hawk is very easy to fly and Company E, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., prepare the RQ-16A Tarantula Hawk
is extremely stable in the air,” said Spc. unmanned aerial vehicle. Although the T-Hawk requires a great deal of maintenance, the capabilities
Nicholas Boxley, combat engineer and it provides are well worth the time spent.
T-Hawk pilot from Norfolk, Va. When using the T-Hawk, the platoon Although the T-Hawk is relatively new,
Unlike some other models of UAVs, the is able to see a greater distance in any the engineers of Company E have learned
T-Hawk can take off and land vertically, direction than before. This is a tremendous how to put it to good use during their
which makes it useful in areas with capability in the marshlands of Basra patrols. The T-Hawk allows them to sit
obstructions like buildings or mountains Province. far enough away that they can observe the
where other UAVs cannot operate. The During the rainy months of winter, many area without being seen.
ability to land vertically also allows the areas will become impassable to military The buzzing in the sky also serves as
operators to land the T-Hawk within vehicles. The T-Hawk’s ability to fly in a reminder that Company E is always
15 feet of their location, limiting their nearly any weather will help ensure these watching.
exposure while on patrol. areas remain free from insurgent activity.

Education: Signal
skills training helps
Soldiers
Continued from Page 5
The Signal University also teaches
communications security, basic
networking, and advanced networking.
These classes are intended to improve the
Signal Soldiers’ understanding of Signal
theory and enhance the unit’s ability to
communicate on the battlefield.
“This is a very unique and beneficial
opportunity, and I am very fortunate
to be able to send Company B Soldiers
to this advanced training while we are
deployed,” said Mounts.

Page 7
 Volume I, Issue VI
New Year’s:
Reflections
Can you believe the New Year is already
upon us? Soon, we will be heading back
home when we have the change of
mission order to redeploy to FCCO.
We all look forward to that time and
being reunited with our loved ones back
home. We’ve spent our Thanksgiving and
Christmas with our fellow Soldiers and
civilians who work and eat alongside us.
We’ve truly grown as a team over the past
several months.
Our lives are intricately woven together
as we share our laughter of joy and tears
of heartache at times. Indeed, being part
of the Army family is a privilege and
special blessing that only those who have
been deployed together can experience.
As much as we would like to be with
our families, there is no finer group of
people could spend our time with, away
from our loved ones, than the patriots
wearing the uniforms for the call of the
nation.
As the New Year dawns upon us, we
want to reflect on the year gone by and
anticipate how the year 2011 will unfold
December 31, 2010
before us. What is past is now behind us
and we want to start the New Year with a
renewed sense of determination that we
want to make the most of the time allotted
to us. Life is too short not to live happily.
As we continue to focus on the mission
at hand and stay vigilant for the safety of
our brave Soldiers, we also need to prepare
slowly for the upcoming redeployment.
We want to remind ourselves to be
resilient throughout our remaining days
here and transition to reunion. Maintain
flexible posture to life’s constant changes.
Nothing ever stays static.
There will be new challenges and new
opportunities. As long as we remain
resilient, we’ll do fine this coming New
Year.
Happy New Year!
Maj. John Lim
Brigade Chaplain
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.
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 Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

64th BSB Soldiers give Iraqi army the power to succeed

by Pvt. DeAngelo M. Wells
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs

Soldiers assigned to 64th Brigade

Support Battalion, 3rd Advise and Assist
Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, along
with the Logistics Training and Advisory
Team, have trained the 10th and 14th
Iraqi Transportation and Field Factory
Brigades since their arrival in March.
According to Lt. Col. Geoff DeTingo,
commander, 64th BSB, the battalion
has completed more than 50 missions
alongside the transportation and field
factory brigades.
“Honestly it’s not about how many
missions we have completed with the
IA, it’s about the quality of the things
we have done in conjunction with them,”
said DeTingo. “The LTAT is made up of
volunteers who truly wanted to do this
and help. So it’s not really about how
much we do but the partnership between
the Soldiers of 64th and the Iraqi army.”
The LTAT, which has 15 full- Photo courtesy of 64th BSB
Spc. Skipp Robertson, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., a wheeled vehicle mechanic, Company B, 64th BSB
time personnel, trains the Iraqi army
conducts Humvee maintenance training with an Iraqi mechanic from the 14th Iraqi Transportation and
See CONFERENCE Page 10 Field Factory Brigade.

Society Against Sexual Assault looks at prevention

self confidence among Soldiers and helps
to develop life skills and camaraderie
to create positive changes in attitudes
and behavior in order to prevent sexual
harassment and sexual assault.
“All it takes is one voice, one Soldier
to stand up to their buddies to stop an
event. The first step is eliminating
sexual harassment. Stop the cat calls
and mentality by some that females [and
males] are objects,” said Maj. Rebekah
Photo by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin Lust, the brigade deployed sexual assault
Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Jordan, sexual assault advisor United States Division-South and Capt. Naomi response coordinator.
Flowers, clinical social worker, mental health services, practice a self defense technique, taught at the
Society Against Sexual Assault conference at Camp Adder.
The program is also heavily dependent
on the support of senior leadership
by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin The Sexual Assault Prevention and supervisors to create a climate that
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs and Response Program reinforces a minimizes sexual assault incidents, which
commitment to eliminate incidents of impact Soldiers, civilians, and family
The 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th sexual assault through a comprehensive members. If an incident should occur,
Infantry Division, hosted a Society Against policy that focuses on awareness and the program aims to ensure that victims
Sexual Assault conference at Camp prevention, training and education, and subjects are treated fairly, without
Adder Dec. 2 titled “Prevention before victim advocacy, response, reporting, and predjudice.
Reaction,” aimed at servicemembers and accountability.
civilians. The program uses education to build See SASA Page 10
Page 9
 Volume I, Issue VI
Induction: Representing the spirit of Audie Murphy
Continued from Page 6
“When you talk about the name
Audie Murphy, you think about bravery,
initiative, training and discipline. What
I saw here today represents all of those,”
said Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L.
Coleman Jr., senior enlisted advisor to
the Deputy Commanding General—
Operations, United States Forces-Iraq,
who travelled to southern Iraq from
Baghdad to take part in the ceremony and
speak to the new inductees.
The rigorous selection process includes
a nomination by a senior NCO, a thorough
review of the candidate’s performance
and achievements, and two successive
military selection boards. Those still
standing are among the top 2 percent of
the active duty NCO corps.
For the four new inductees, the
ceremony is the culminating event in a
long, challenging process that, for some,
begins shortly after joining the Army.
Hedrick, who has aspired to become
part of the Audie Murphy Club for years,
has always been impressed with Murphy’s
actions both on and off the battlefield. He
said that he has been particularly inspired
Conference: Finding solutions
Continued from Page 9
on logistics in order to improve its
capabilities and effectiveness.
The support battalion, in conjunction
with the LTAT, continues to train the
Iraqis on everything from combat life
saving skills to maintenance for military
vehicles.
Although under the great supervision
of professional leaders, the Iraqi army
still has room for improvement, said
De Tingo. The IA brigades still have
problems with faulty equipment being
shipped out to different Iraqi army bases
and need more qualified mechanics to
work on the growing number of vehicles,
he said.
In order to help the Iraqi army improve
in these areas, 64th BSB held a conference
for the three divisions in southern Iraq.
The conference at Camp Adder allowed
Brig. Gen. Salah, a senior logistics
officer in the Iraqi Ministry of Defense,
to listen to each division and facilitated
by Murphy’s emphasis on education,
an area he pays close attention to when
counseling his Soldiers.
For Hedrick, such a deep respect for
the World War II Medal of Honor winner
only makes induction into the club that
much sweeter.
“My knees were shaking. It was truly
one of the best days of my life to learn
that I was accepted,” he said.
The inductees agreed that the
preparation was tough and involved
stacks of additional reading, one-on-one
counseling with mentors, and of course
living the values exemplified by Murphy
himself.
Bryant advised other NCOs to take
the induction process and preparation
seriously. “This is the hardest board I’ve
ever been to in my military career,” he
said, advising prospective award winners
to “know your Soldiers, know your
equipment and lead from the front.”
Smiling, Gammon admitted that he
was humbled to be compared to Audie
Murphy and offered one small bit of
advice: “Let your actions speak louder
than your words.”
a productive, two-way dialogue aimed at
finding solutions.
Identifying their issues to the Ministry
of Defense is the first step in improving
to a point where the Iraqis can sustain
themselves without U.S. assistance.
“When we first started working
alongside the Iraqi army, there was not
a very viable logistics unit. I believe we
helped them establish what they have
now,” said De Tingo. “The conference had
three division logistics units come into
one room and discuss their suggestions
and requests, where they had the most
honest dialogue I’ve ever seen[among
Iraqi leaders].”
At the end of the conference, many of
the Iraqi officers walked away smiling,
optimistic about the way forward.
“Every problem that has stopped us
from being able to work or be effective,
was presented and brought to Brig. Gen.
Salah’s attention,” said Brig. Gen. Ali,
chief assistant for the 8th IA Division.
December 31, 2010
Photo by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin
Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman, senior
enlisted advisor to the deputy commanding
general for operations, United States Forces -
Iraq, presents Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Bryant,
attached to 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., and a native of
Shreveport, La., with the Sergeant Audie Murphy
Award.
SASA: Prevention
Continued from Page 9
“Everyone deserves dignity and respect
and everything in our Army values is
surrounded by dignity and respect,”
said Lt. Col. Renee McDonald, brigade
executive officer, 224th Sustainment
Brigade. “The ideal work place is a room
full of professional Soldiers with everyone
treated with dignity and respect.”
McDonald’s experience in the Army
has shown her that awareness of one’s
surroundings and appropriate measures
can prevent a possible negative situation
from occurring.
According to speakers at the
conference, the personal and destructive
effects of sexual assault crimes affect
not only the victims but those all around
them, causing a ripple effect all the way
through their family and community.
According to Lust, it comes down
to being active when a situation arises.
Helping someone walk away from a
dangerous situation, like a sexual assault,
can change the trend.
Page 10
 Volume I, Issue VI
Young climber becomes ‘Iron-tastic’ gymnast
by Maj. Alan S. Brown
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs
While being an “Iron Strong” kid is
really just a metaphor for the tremendous
talent that children of the Iron Brigade
possess, Heather Dalbec interprets the
term much more literally when referring to
her daughter.
Seven-year-old Bonnie is catching
the attention of her gymnastics coaches,
having only been enrolled in classes
for several months. According to her
mother, Bonnie’s coaches have been very
impressed with her potential and believe
she has a bright future in competitive
gymnastics.
“She can do all kinds of tricks that I do
not even know the names of after just a
few short months of class,” said Dalbec.
Bonnie, whose father is Sgt. Benjamin
Dalbec, Headquarters and Headquarters
Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Infantry
Regiment, seems to have unique talents for
climbing, tumbling and acrobatics.
“I first really noticed her special abilities
at only the age of three when the girl began
walking up doors with hands and feet to
reach the ceiling,” said Dalbec.
At the park she would cross the monkey
bars and do pull ups practically nonstop,
rather than follow around the other kids,
she said.
December 31, 2010
Photo courtesy of Heather Dalbec
Bonnie Dalbec suspends herself in the hallway
of her home by using her hands and feet to climb
the walls on either side. Her mother, Heather
Dalbec, says she has been climbing like this
since the age of three.
As Bonnie grew older, her mother says
she began flipping around the bars like a
Photo courtesy of Heather Dalbec
gymnast. In the hallway at home, Bonnie Bonnie Dalbec performs a handstand during
would walk up one wall with her feet her gymnastics class. Bonnie is the youngest
and the other with her hands, suspending student in her advanced gymnastic courses and
herself in the air. her coaches all say she has great potential that
can take her very far.
Bonnie has no shortage of strength for a
seven-year-old, as she can climb repeatedly
up the rope at Iron Horse Park on Fort prematurely, Bonnie has faced many face.
Carson. Dalbec says, rather humbly, that challenges that most kids don’t have to.
her daughter will beat her in a race to the Dalbec said that Bonnie’s physical strength
top and then want to do it all over again. has led to a new-found self confidence and
Aside from making Dalbec a proud inner strength.
gymnastics mom, she said that her “With her new inner strength she is
daughter’s talent has come as a blessing fighting it. Her fears are being lifted,” she
in another way. As a result of being born said.
We would like to recognize
Iron Kids and feature extraordinary
children throughout the Iron
Brigade. If you have or
know of a child who has recently accomplished something
extraordinary or set themselves apart from the rest, we’d like
to hear about it. If you’d like to highlight an Iron Strong kid,
please submit a digital photo along with a 3-4 paragraph write up
that describes why he or she deserves to be featured. Selected
submissions may be published in upcoming issues of the Iron
Advisor. Please send submissions and photo attachments to:
ironadvisor@gmail.com.
Page 11
 Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

Photo by Spc. Khori D. Johnson

Spc. Johnathan McMullen, of Longview, Texas, 3rd Bn. 29th FA Reg., performs a guillotine choke on his opponent during his match at the Fight Night event
at Memorial Hall on Camp Adder.

Pacesetters prevail at Camp Adder Fight Night

experience in boxing. pushed each other,” said Steffani, who
by Spc. Khori D. Johnson
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs “Scott and I helped McMullen with his received his second Fight Night victory
ground game, and he helped us with our with a knockout. “No one was going
Although the skill set of most stand-up,” said Steffani. to get disowned if they lost, but we all
Pacesetters deals with dropping artillery When the moment of truth arrived, agreed to leave everything on the mat.”
shells on their enemies on the battlefield, each fighter clinched victory due to the Although this group of Pacesetters
lately the 3rd Battalion, 29th Artillery assistance they gave each other while experienced some close calls and hard
Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, training. punches throughout the night, Scott’s
4th Infantry Division has become known “I had to thank Steffani for helping me favorite moment did not come in the form
for dropping opponents in the ring. with my take-downs,” said McMullen. of a punch or a kick, but when he sat
Spc. Casey Steffani, of Nampa, Ind., “That’s what helped me get my opponent down to dinner with the other victorious
Spc. Jonathan McMullen, of Longview, down on the ground, leading to my win.” Pacesetters after the event.
Texas, and Pfc. Zachariah Scott of Des The trio of Pacesetters also attributes “The fights were cool and everything,
Moines, Iowa, had their hands raised its victories to the drive and will they but nothing’s better than grabbing some
in victory at Camp Adder’s most recent instilled in each other. pizza with two of your closest buddies,”
Fight Night Nov. 29. “We all helped each other out, and we he said.
After Steffani’s first match on the
Fourth of July, Scott showed an interest
at trying his skills in the ring and began
training with Steffani and McMullen.
Steffani was eager to don his MMA
gloves once again after his last victory,
while McMullen was ready for his debut
match after being unable to compete
during the last contest.
Since the Pacesetters have frequent
missions, the team had to train whenever
they could. They identified their strengths
and weaknesses early on and helped each
other to become more effective fighters. Photo by Spc. Khori D. Johnson
Stefanni and Scott have a wrestling Pfc. Zachariah Scott of Des Moines, Iowa, 3rd Bn. 29th FA Reg., locks in a rear-naked choke on his
background, while McMullen has more opponent as the referee stops the fight during his match at the Fight Night event at Memorial Hall.
Page 12
Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

Photo courtesy of Kristin Thornton

Photo courtesy of Pfc. David Hull

Photo courtesy of Elicia Sayco Photo courtesy of Rachel Newbauer

Page 13
Volume I, Issue VI December 31, 2010

Photo courtesy of Kasey Trodahl Photo courtesy of Casey Blah

Photo courtesy of Lorna Lannom

Photo courtesy of Maj. Joseph Bethel Photo courtesy of 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg.

Page 14
 Volume I, Issue VI
Memorial honors fallen Iron Brigade Soldiers
by Spc. Chastity R. Boykin
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs
Before the deployment to Iraq, there
was hope to bring every Soldier home
from the “Iron Brigade.” Sadly two
Soldiers will not be returning to their
families this spring as the brigade returns
home to Fort Carson, Colorado.
The 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade,
4th Infantry Division, held a dedication
ceremony Dec. 8 to honor the two
Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry
Regiment, who lost their lives in Iraq.
Those honored were Pfc. Charlie C.
Antonio and Spc. Dylon T. Reid.
Photos of the two fallen Soldiers hang
Troops construct PT field, motivate other Soldiers
by Pvt. DeAngelo Wells
3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., Public Affairs
Soldiers in 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist
Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, recently
constructed a fitness field at Camp Garry
Owen to provide a better variety of
physical training options for Soldiers at
the Base.
The Soldiers constructed the Eagle
Fitness Field, including pull up bars, a
quarter-mile track, a climbing rope and
other exercise stations on the site of the
former helicopter landing zone.
Throughout the day, many Soldiers
and service members run on the track,
do squats at one of the circuit stations, or
play football in the athletic field inside the
track.
“It’s nice to have a track to use instead
of just running around the [small] camp,”
Public Affairs Office
Col. James E. Rainey
Commander
Command Sgt. Maj. Miles S. Wilson
Command Sergeant Major
Maj. Alan S. Brown
Public Affairs Officer
Staff Sgt. Nathaniel G. Johnson
Public Affairs Noncommissioned Officer
Staff Writers
Staff Sgt. Christopher Jelle
Spc. Chastity R. Boykin
Spc. Khori D. Johnson
Pvt. DeAngelo M. Wells
within the memorial, under the banner
which reads, “In Memory of Our Fallen
Heroes.” The memorial hangs in the
brigade headquarters main conference
room as a symbolic reminder and tribute
to those lost during this deployment.
Col. James E. Rainey, brigade
commander, encouraged the Iron Brigade
Soldiers to continue on with their duties in
an effort to win the war, thereby honoring
their two teammates and all the others
who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.
“We honor our dead and their families,”
said Rainey, defining one important aspect
of what it means to be ‘Iron Strong.’ “And
that is what this is all about today-two
great teammates being honored.”
said Pfc. Marc-Anthony Gita, of Reno,
Nev., a tanker with Company D, 1st Bn.,
8th Inf. Reg.
Photo by Pvt. DeAngelo Wells
A Soldier assigned to 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd
AAB, 4th Inf. Div., flips a military vehicle tire down
a trail on the Eagle Fitness Field at Camp Garry
Owen Dec. 11. The space offers an athletic field,
a track, and an area for Soldiers to do push-ups
and sit-ups.
The Iron Advisor is produced in the interest
of the Soldiers of the 3rd Advise and Assist
Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. The Iron Advisor
is an Army-funded newsletter authorized under
provision of AR 360-1.
Contents of the Iron Advisor are not
necessarily the views of, nor endorsed by the
U.S. Government, Department of Defense,
Department of the Army or the 4th Infantry
Division. All editorial content of the Iron Advisor
is prepared, edited, provided and approved by
December 31, 2010
Photo by Spc. Chastity Boykin
A plaque honoring Pfc. Charlie C. Antonio
and Spc. Dylon T. Reid hangs as symbolic
reminder and tribute to their service. A dedication
ceremony was held Dec. 8 for the two Soldiers
who lost their lives in Iraq.
While the gym at Garry Owen is
still being used for weight training and
cycling, the new field allows Soldiers to
create more diverse workouts.
“It’s nice to see other Soldiers and
non-commissioned officers out here
having fun. There is something here for
everyone,” said Sgt. Jesus Carmona,
of Hale Center, Texas, an infantryman
assigned to 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg.
Although the field will help keep
Soldiers fit, it also allows them to
build camaraderie through friendly
competitions.
According to Gita, the ‘Fighting Eagles’
have started a football league in order to
build camaraderie and stay competitive.
“I think it’s a good thing to keep
Soldiers fit and it plays a big role with the
Soldiers here in keeping their morale up,”
he said.
the 3rd AAB Public Affairs Office.
The Iron Advisor welcomes articles,
commentary, and photos from readers. The Iron
Advisor reserves the right to edit submissions
selected for the publication.
All issues of the Iron Advisor can be viewed
online from your home computer at:
www.facebook.com/3bct4id
Submissions should be emailed to
Staff Sgt. Nathaniel G. Johnson at:
nathaniel.g.johnson1@3bct4id.army.mil
Page 15