Aug 25, 2010

The U.S. Army has seen significant technological, doctrinal and structural changes within the past decade. The latest adaptation, turning brigade combat teams into advise and assist brigades, reflects tremendous developments in the Iraqi Security Forces and a major change in emphasis for U.S. Soldiers in Iraq.

Aug 25, 2010

Stakeholders met Aug. 13-14 in Basra to discuss the state of healthcare in Iraq, which in the last few years has improved in some geographic areas, but remains a pressing concern, especially in most rural communities.

Aug 23, 2010

Workers on Contingency Operating Base Basra completed renovation of the Basra Combat Stress Clinic in an effort to create a more comfortable environment for Soldiers seeking assistance.

Aug 23, 2010

Company B, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, appropriately named Task Force Freight Train, didn't just gain their call sign from similarities to 19th Century trains; they have a much more unique story that goes as far back as Vietnam to the original Freight Trainers of the 243rd Assault Support Helicopter Company.

Aug 22, 2010

The soon-to-open resiliency campus at Contingency Operating Base Basra hosted Gen. Ray Odierno, United States Forces-Iraq commander, during his visit to the base Aug. 18.

Aug 22, 2010

To ensure they are providing the best support to the ISF and the government of Iraq, AABs are tailored to the unique operations environment where they operate. The units are augmented with as many as 24 specialty teams such as engineering, transportation, investigative and forensic specialists, counter explosives and counterterrorism and training.

Aug 18, 2010

Peering into the Task Force Blackjack conference room on any given Tuesday, one might be surprised at what he or she hears. On Tuesdays, Staff Sgt. John Meyer, the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division protective services detail platoon sergeant from Longmont, Colo., leads discussions on topics such as detecting "icebergs" and avoiding "thinking traps," as part of an Army-wide program called Master Resiliency Training.

Aug 17, 2010

US and Iraqi Soldiers in southern Iraq met to discuss the security and safety of Main Supply Route Tampa, the military's primary highway to transport equipment and personnel out of Iraq to Kuwait.

Aug 16, 2010

Photo of Pfc. Drew Martin providing security along with a new friend during a combined Iraqi and U.S. operation to deliver food and supplies to Iraqi citizens in Basra Province.

Aug 15, 2010

Several Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division and US Division-South headquarters in Basra, Iraq redeployed early as part of the Responsible Drawdown of Forces in Iraq.

Aug 15, 2010

The Iraqi Security Forces recently took their next step toward self-reliance with the delivery of eleven M1 Abrams main battle tanks at the port of Umm Qasr.

Aug 11, 2010

Aug 11, 2010

In southern Iraq, women are getting the opportunity to better themselves through the Umm Qasr Women's Center, where females have the chance to get an education and get into the work force. "A lot of the women are begging for first aid and medic classes," said Basamah Aboud, assistant manager of the Umm Qasr Women's Clinic.

Aug 11, 2010

As U.S. forces shift their focus from operations to advising, in southern Iraq, the healthcare sector took center-stage recently. The 1st Infantry Division set out to increase the number of skilled Iraqi birth attendants through a two-day course in Basra July 31 and August 1.

Aug 11, 2010

Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division competed in the Virginia 10-Miler at Contingency Operating Base Adder July 25. Pfc. Jarred Hall of 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. won the race with a time of one hour, six minutes, and 15 seconds.

Aug 11, 2010

Traditionally, Iraq has been an incredibly centralized country. Policy, administration and even utilities were kept tightly controlled, and everything that happened was directed from Baghdad.

Aug 11, 2010

The Government of Iraq has been concentrating on providing basic necessities to its people while striving to maintain order and security. Electricity has been an issue Iraqis are concerned about. In the southern city of Basra and throughout Iraq demonstrations have been held demanding more reliable power.

Aug 11, 2010

The scene took place in Baghdad on the Fourth of July. His temperature was high, his pulse was throbbing, and he felt faint. "Something was filling up inside me," said Pfc. Hyoung Oh. "I thought my heart was going to explode."

Aug 7, 2010

As U.S. forces continue the responsible drawdown across Iraq and the number of attacks continues to decrease, there has been a decline in demand for medical supplies across the nation, presenting a unique challenge for medical logistics units.

Aug 7, 2010

By the waters of Babylon, the Youth Save Organization of Babil Province held a ceremony July 22, kicking off its third four-day workshop in the past year, aimed at preparing interested college-age students to be leaders in the tourism industry.

Aug 6, 2010

The Department of Defense's "Leap Into Fall" Fitness Challenge kicks off Aug. 16, challenging DoD personnel to include more physical activity in their daily routine.

Aug 5, 2010

With the successes American and Iraqi forces have made in the establishment of Security, the 1st Infantry Division's Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion is set to participate in the continuing Responsible Drawdown of Forces.

Aug 5, 2010

Nearly 20 Iraqi Army intelligence leaders and soldiers traveled to Contingency Operating Site Kalsu to meet intelligence leaders from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division July 18.

Aug 4, 2010

Hospitals in the Maysan Province received some much needed help for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, recently. The Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team, with support from Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, provided the Ministry of Health with six Beckman Coulter Auto Blood Analyzers.

Aug 4, 2010

Aug 2, 2010

The Army has begun deploying battery-recharging kits that run on renewable energy to Afghanistan. The Rucksack Enhanced Portable Power System, or REPPS, combines solar panels, connectors and adaptors for increased charging options.

Jul 30, 2010

For some Soldiers, the hardest part of being deployed is not the extreme weather or long hours-it's being away from home, friends and family. Leaving behind a spouse for a year-long deployment can be one of the most challenging aspects for married couples. Time apart from a spouse can be emotionally challenging for both parties. In today's military, there are a growing number of dual military couples where both spouses serve, leading to unique challenges and hardships during deployments. With the Married Army Couples Program, which helps place married service members in proximal units, some couples have the advantage of deploying together. Within 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment and the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, there are several examples of this unique status. Three dual military couples within 'Dragoon' Troop either have spouses on the installation or deployed elsewhere.

Jul 29, 2010

Jul 29, 2010

'Bikes Over Baghdad' comes to COB Adder

Jul 28, 2010

Ten Soldiers currently deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division met at Contingency Operating Site Kalsu to vie for membership in the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.

Jul 28, 2010

During several ceremonies in Iraq's Babil and Wasit Provinces, July 25, U.S. forces handed over three bases to the Iraqi government - Contingency Operating Post Zulu, Patrol Base Mahawil, and Camp Shaheen.

Jul 27, 2010

The Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team conducted a follow-up inspection of electrical lines and poles in the Dhi Qar province July 15. The PRT has supervised the Al Shababa electricity project since March by conducting periodic inspections. When finished, approximately 500 homes will have electricity.

Jul 26, 2010

The U.S. Army is leveraging its annual C4ISR integrated capabilities event at Fort Dix to assess a contoured, rechargeable battery that will allow the Soldier to be more agile in the battlefield.

Jul 23, 2010

Jul 23, 2010

Soldiers from Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division have it all mapped out when it comes to performing the advise and assist mission. On a recent visit to Al-Taan on the Iraq-Iran border July 13, the troopers trained their Iraqi partners on the finer points of map-reading.

Jul 23, 2010

Iraqi police officers from the Babil Province recently had the opportunity to learn important life-saving skills from U.S. military police at Contingency Operating Site Kalsu. The four-day course, which began July 18, was presented by the 253rd MP Company, an Army National Guard unit out of Lenoir City, Tenn., attached to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Jul 22, 2010

A team of Soldiers from 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division met with the 32nd Company, 8th Iraqi Army Division Transportation Directorate in Numaniyah July 14 to conduct a capstone situational training exercise(STX). The STX focused on convoy operations and was the culmination of more than nine months of training between the U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces that began with basic vehicle maintenance, first aid, and more advanced lessons in reacting to small arms fire and improvised explosive devices.

Jul 22, 2010

Recently an Iraqi Police graduation ceremony transformed into an occasion more reminiscent of a childhood birthday party complete with cake, toys and a piAfA+-ata

Jul 22, 2010

The 1st Infantry Division human resources' team of personnel administration professionals contribute much to the service members of United States Division-South. They are responsible for monitoring the personnel strength of the USD-S units, awards and personnel actions, battlefield promotions, casualty operations, environmental morale leave management, and much more.

Jul 21, 2010

USD-S handed over several locations to the Government of Iraq recently as the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters continues its efforts on base closure and drawdown of U.S. forces in southern Iraq.

Jul 21, 2010

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The professor stood at the front of the classroom as his students listened intently. The only difference from an ordinary class in the Kansas State University chemistry lab, was that this course would only be a day long and the 'students' wore Army Combat Uniforms.

Jul 20, 2010

The COB Basra community rallied together to help displaced personnel after a fire destroyed their barracks.

Jul 20, 2010

During the pre-dawn hours recently, two platoons from 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division completed their final rehearsals for a joint route clearance mission. They partnered with the 10th Iraqi Army Field Engineer Regiment stationed at Joint Security Station Sparrowhawk. For 15 hours, these Soldiers conducted the aptly named "Operation Road Dog" with the objective of clearing and classifying a new route between Maysan and Dhi Qar provinces.

Jul 20, 2010

As U.S. troops continue to make their way out of Iraq, the equipment that has sustained and protected them for the past seven years is being moved out as well.

Jul 19, 2010

Few of today's Soldiers have a perspective on how the Army has changed like 46-year-old Staff Sgt. Peter Winston does. A Palm Beach, Fla. native, Winston originally joined the Army in 1981, but was out of the Army for 19 years before returning to active duty in 2009.

Jul 19, 2010

Jul 19, 2010

United States Division-South handed over two locations to the Government of Iraq July 4 as part of the drawdown of forces in Basra Province. Sameer Alhaddad, a representative of the prime minister's chief of staff, flew from Baghdad to sign for the closing of Safwan Hill and the partial return of Camp Bucca.

Jul 19, 2010

Iraqi Army commandos with the 14th Division received training in crowd control techniques at their headquarters in Basra July 10 and 11. Soldiers from the 354th Military Police Company out of St. Louis held classroom instruction and led them through hands-on training in formations and movements.

Jul 19, 2010

The 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division held a brigade-wide combatives tournament at COS Kalsu that ended July 10. Fighters representing each of the brigade's five battalions came together for two days of competition to determine who would go on to represent the "Sledgehammers" in the All-Army Combatives Tournament later this year.

Jul 19, 2010

The Contingency Operating Base Adder community witnessed an evening of hard-hitting action during 'Fight Night' in front of a packed house at Memorial Hall July 4. 'Fight Night' is a way of bringing the Ultimate Fighting Championship experience to southern Iraq.

Jul 17, 2010

Jul 17, 2010

Jul 17, 2010

FORT RILEY, Kan. - About 20 children participated in a whole summer's worth of camping activities in just one day.

Jul 15, 2010

Jul 15, 2010

The Defense Transportation Tracking System is DOD's way of keeping tabs around the clock on various types of sensitive and hazardous materials in transit, also providing instant communication to help drivers, emergency responders and Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) deal with unexpected situations.

Jul 12, 2010

Maj. Jonathan Doyle, the 1st Infantry Division provost marshal, and a native of Alexandria, Va., was awarded the Order of the Marechaussee July 3 at Contingency Operation Base Basra.

Jul 10, 2010

Iraqi and British officials met at the Basra Operations Center to recount the success of the Youth Employment Pilot Program (YEPP), a work training initiative that in the last 10 months has placed more than 400 young Basra work trainees with area businesses.

Jul 9, 2010

Jul 9, 2010

The Soldiers of Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in conjunction with the Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team are working to rebuild a plastics factory in Maysan, which will not only provide jobs but help the agricultural industry in the region.

Jul 9, 2010

The Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division opened the gates of Contingency Operating Site Echo for the 'Brothers-In-Arms Soccer Tournament' July 4.

Jul 8, 2010

The Soldiers of Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division recently met with Iraqi citizens while supporting the United States Division-South Human Terrain Analysis Team in its mission of conducting assessments of local infrastructure and interviewing local population.

Jul 8, 2010

The challenge of providing medical evaluations and supplies to residents in areas such as Al-Kut can be significant for military providers. Still, the need is there. Ask the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who recently set up shop in the Iraqi Federal Police headquarters building, which serves the city's Anwar and Falahiyah districts. That day, they assisted more than 100 residents with various medical issues.

Jul 8, 2010

Children in Nasiriyah, Iraq, were given the chance to let their new smiles shine through, when Smile Train Italia Onlus, a worldwide medical charity that provides free surgery to children born with facial deformities, arrived for a week-long medical mission June 20-27 at the Mittica Medical Training Center.

Jul 7, 2010

Jul 7, 2010

A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle being loaded onto a trailer at Joint Base Balad as part of the Durable Express. The Durable Express is an effort of the 1st Sustainment Brigade in the Responsible Drawdown of Forces from Iraq.

Jul 6, 2010

A total of 156 servicemembers in Iraq became U.S. citizens July 4 as Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, attended a naturalization ceremony in Al Faw Palace on Camp Victory.

Jul 5, 2010

The transition of U.S. forces out of Iraq still requires hands-on guidance for the Iraqi Security Forces. Working with the Iraqi Air Force is just one of the ongoing missions that have Task Force 12 doing just that.

Jul 5, 2010

The U.S. Army is implementing a revolutionary system that allows commanders and logistics Soldiers from the field level all the way to the top to see what they have and where they have it in real time.

Jul 4, 2010

Good leaders make sure their troops are squared away before they roll outside the wire. They check for water, ammunition and protective equipment. They check the little things to prevent big problems. They also make sure their service members are squared away by verifying their personal information is current on their Isolated Personnel Report, that they have completed and understand the online Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training and that their personal locator beacons are properly registered

Jul 4, 2010

One hundred fifty-six service members from 56 different countries recited the Oath of Citizenship in the rotunda of Al Faw Palace and marked the Fourth of July as the day they became American citizens.

Jul 3, 2010

The air was clear over Contingency Operating Base Basra June 27, 2010, as the Iraqi commanders of the Basra Air Base and the 70th Squadron prepped their CH 2000 reconnaissance airplane for a first-ever joint mission with U.S. AH-64 Apaches.

Jul 2, 2010

Soldiers of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade often greet one another with the unit greeting of "Wings of Victory," but that phrase will take on new meaning with the completion of Task Force 12's own Victory Chapel July 1 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. As U.S. Army Europe Command's premier aviation brigade nears the end of its tour, it is leaving behind a legacy of great relationships and successful partnerships with various units in Iraq. One significant legacy it will leave for those who will rotate into country is that of a place for spiritual guidance and resiliency at Victory Chapel.

Jul 2, 2010

Paladin crews from the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division take part in a live-fire exercise to end three months of training.

Jul 2, 2010

Soldiers are known for performing under pressure, but even the hard chargers need someplace to turn when the going gets tough.

Jul 1, 2010

Planners and leaders from U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S Army Reserve Command met to coordinate the next milestone in Base Realignment and Closure relocation of the two commands to Fort Bragg, N.C.

Jun 30, 2010

The Distribution Platoon of the Forward Support Company on COS GarryOwen serves as a critical lifeline to the small camps in the border province of Maysan, Iraq.

Jun 30, 2010

During an age when contractors provide a majority of support and sustainment functions on bases throughout Iraq, Soldiers seldom have to worry about fixing the air conditioner in their quarters, ensure the latrines are in working order, or make force protection improvements around the base, but at Contingency Operating Station GarryOwen in Maysan Province, Soldiers' power still reigns supreme.

Jun 27, 2010

Fort Riley launched a new e-mail notification system "Stay in Touch with Fort Riley" which provides updates about upcoming events in the surrounding communities.

Jun 27, 2010

FORT RILEY, Kan. - Zach Sheets said he's been a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs for 24 years - almost 25.

Jun 27, 2010

FORT RILEY, Kan. - "It's more just getting them educated without them really knowing that they are learning," said Jeanne Schantz about the 2010 Camp 911 June 16 and 17at Camp Brown south of Abilene, Kan.

Jun 27, 2010

Fort Riley celebrated Father's Day with a Sunday brunch in honor of the military fathers.

Jun 27, 2010

Fort Riley CDCs celebrate Army and 1st ID birthdays on June 14.

Jun 26, 2010

The Army's top noncommissioned officer visited Soldiers in southern Iraq to see how they are living in a deployed environment and to answer questions about the way ahead as the drawdown in Iraq approaches. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston, the Army's senior enlisted member, visited Soldiers of United States Division-South at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Patrol Base Minden, and the Shalamcha Point of Entry along the Iraq-Iran border.

Jun 26, 2010

Soldiers of Troop D's maintenance section invited members of the 3rd Battalion, 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade, to COB Delta for joint training. The troopers seized the opportunity to share the importance of doing a proper PMCS.

Jun 26, 2010

Jun 26, 2010

While the concept of Iraqi partnership centers around the many projects, missions, and events involving U.S. Forces and Iraqi Security Forces, there is another layer to developing relationships that is becoming stronger - the partnership between the various ISF elements themselves.

Jun 26, 2010

The Muthanna Province has seen much progress thanks to construction projects that are result of the partnership between the Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Government of Iraq.

Jun 26, 2010

Soldiers of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division conducted urban maneuver training for the Iraqi Police's Muthanna Tactical Skills Unit at the Provincial Regional Training Center recently.

Jun 26, 2010

Ten policemen from Babil and Karbala Provinces graduated from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division's tactical combat medical care course at Contingency Operating Site Kalsu.

Jun 26, 2010

The Contingency Operating Base Adder community was treated to a night of high-flying acrobatics and smiling faces, courtesy of the X Games Tour, which made a stop at Memorial Hall June 17.

Jun 26, 2010

COB Adder Soldiers recently took a day off from their normal mission of providing security for the Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team and toured the historic Great Ziggurat of Ur.

Jun 26, 2010

The 1st Infantry Division holds a Soldier of the Quarter Competition every three months to determine the best Soldiers and noncommissioned officers in United States Division - South. The Soldiers compete in several events, both physical and technical, to prove themselves the best in their field.

Jun 19, 2010

An end of mission ceremony for 203rd Military Police Battalion June 6 marked the end of more than ten months of operations in southern Iraq.

Jun 19, 2010

17th Fires Brigade Soldiers show their replacements the ropes and prepare their equipment for redeployment to Fort Lewis, Wash. The 17th FiB turned over authority for U.S. efforts in Basra to the 3rd Bde, 4th Inf Div, on June 17.

Jun 19, 2010

A transfer-of-authority ceremony marked a significant reduction of forces in southern Iraq as the 17th Fires Brigade relinquished control over operations in Basra Province to the Soldiers of 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

Jun 19, 2010

Lines of communication were opened and concerns addressed as U.S. and Iraqi military leaders met at the Basra Operations Center to discuss border security in Iraq.

Jun 19, 2010

Army Reserve fire departments from various units throughout the United States finished two weeks of training June 18. The training was conducted by the Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute - part of the University of Kansas continuing education - for Army firefighters to acquire their firefighter certification. Classes offered were airport firefighter, pumper driver operator, aircraft rescue firefighting, driver operator, fire instructor 1 and fire officer 1.

Jun 19, 2010

State, local and Fort Riley officials celebrate the beginning of the contruction that will tranform highway K-18 to a four-land road between Junction City, Fort Riley and Manhattan, Kansas. The project was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Jun 19, 2010

FORT RILEY, Kan. - For Soldiers looking for something to do, a place to hang out or a place get a quick bite to eat, the Warrior Zone has it all.

Jun 19, 2010

FORT RILEY, Kan. - Shannon Heintz, biology teacher, Abilene High School, got to see firsthand what an Army tank driver sees from the seat of a tank simulator June 10.