BAGHDAD, Iraq — Working in

Iraq is not an easy feat. Not knowing

what is going to happen next is enough

to deter some people from even coming

to this country. Dr. Andrew Rathmell,

director of planning, policy and analysis at the Coalition Provisional

Authority, is not one of those people.

Jan. 21 was a normal day for

Rathmell. He was visiting the city of

Baquba with both civilian and military

colleagues. While there, they fell under

mortar and rocket fire on the base. One

mortar landed close to Rathmell,

knocking him to the ground and temporarily deafening him. 

Rising to his feet he, ignored his own

injuries and pulled U.S. Army Col.

Ralph Sabatino to safety. He then

returned into the line of fire three more

times to administer potentially life

saving aid to the others who were

wounded.

“Not having been in a combat situation before, one thing that I learned was

how quickly things could change. One

moment things were peaceful, we were

doing our job and the next moment

suddenly people are being killed,” he

said.

“This is not unique. This sort of incident unfortunately is fairly routine for

Soldiers and civilians here, particularly

for the past month,” said Rathmell.

“There are a lot of Soldiers and civilians out there who are undergoing this

sort of attack almost on a daily basis.

They are unsung heroes. They don’t get

awards but they certainly deserve

them.”

For his courage and self sacrifice

Rathmell was awarded the Medal of

Valor on April 27 by Ambassador L.

Paul Bremer at a ceremony inside the

CPA Headquarters in Baghdad.

The Department of Defense Medal

for Valor was created after the terrorist

attacks on September 11, 2001. It is

meant for citizens who perform an act

of heroism or sacrifice, with voluntary 

Vol. 2, No. 19 Baghdad, Iraq May 7, 2004

Inside this week ...

Chaplains visit orphanages

1st Cavalry Division chaplains visit two

orphanages in Baghdad.

Page 4

Easter in Baghdad

Soldiers visit christian school and spread

Easter joy to the children.

Page 8

The real JAG

JAG officers provide Soldiers with legal

assistance at home and abroad. 

Page 12

Mechanics fix what is broke

Helicopter mechanics prepared to fix any

maintenance problems, big or small.

Page 14

SCIMITAR

COALITION

Lt. Col. Mohammad

Faek Ra’uf Mahmood

assumed command

of the 303rd Iraqi

Civil Defense Corps

Battalion, April 25,

during a promotion

and assumption of

command ceremony. 

The First Team

Commanding

General, Maj. Gen.

Pete Chiarelli, and

the 40th ICDC

Brigade Commander,

Col. Mudir Mowla

Aboud pinned the

new rank of lieutenant colonel on the

ICDC commander. 

Iraqi commander promoted into new post

Photo by Spc. Bryan D. Kinkade, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

(From left) Mohammed Khayri Barhawi, Iraqi Police chief for

Ninevah Province, Brig. Gen. Carter Ham, Task Force Olympia

commanding general, Col. Muttar Adel Al Taha of the Facility

Protection Services Forces, and Lt. Col. Raghid Khahd

Mohamed and Lt. Col. Hashwan Ahmed Mubarik from the Iraqi

Civil Defense Corps gather while Ham delivers his speech on

the progress and future of the alliance between the Iraqi citizens and Coalition Forces. More details on page 11.

Photo by Spc. Gretel Sharpee

Brig. Gen. Ham reflects

on last year in Iraq

Heroic British doctor

receives U.S. medal

Story and photos by

Spc. Jeffrey Hillery

204th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

See VALOR, Page 11
CAMP HURRICANE

POINT, Iraq — Iraqi and

Marine leaders met here April 15

to discuss the “roadmap to

peace” between Coalition and

local forces in the city of Ar

Ramadi.

Lt. Col. Paul J. Kennedy, 2nd

Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment,

1st Marine Division commander,

hosted the meeting, attended by

nearly 100 sheiks, Imams and

other men of influence in the

community. Representatives

from the Iraqi Civil Defense

Corps and the Iraqi Police were

also present.

Before the meeting convened,

the Iraqi leaders were shown

various weapons seized by

Marines during raids following

last week’s intense fighting in

the streets of the city.

“Gentlemen, we’re showing

you these weapons, because each

one represents one enemy fighter

that no longer has a weapon to

fight with,” said Maj. Mike P.

Wylie, the battalion executive

officer.

Kennedy wanted the leaders to

see with their own eyes what the

Marines were dealing with on a

day-to-day basis.

“I’ve invited you all to come

here today to discuss the problems of the last few weeks so we

can become friends,” Kennedy

said. “My commanders and I

want to hear your ideas for the

future so we can work together

to get back to peace.”

At this, Kennedy turned the

floor over to Majid Abdal

Razzaq Al Dulaymi, known as

the sheik of sheiks. Dulaymi

addressed some of the issues

concerning the citizens of the

city.

“Many of my people tell me

that you raid their houses for no

reason,” the sheik said. “They

will just be sleeping and their

children will be sleeping and you

will just bust down the door and

frighten them.”

Dulaymi was concerned that

many of these raids were unnecessary.

“If you go into an innocent

man’s house and break his things

and scare his family,” Dulaymi

warned, “you will make more

enemies than friends.”

To this, Kennedy replied, “I

understand your concern, and I

assure you we go to great lengths

to train our Marines to respect

the people of Iraq. You also have

to understand that many of the

houses we search we find

weapons — weapons that could

be used against my men.” 

Kennedy reminded the leaders

of the pile of machine guns,

rifles, pistols, rocket launchers

and knives to back up his statement.

Dulaymi also addressed several other concerns, but the most

pressing issue for the Iraqi leaders was the number of citizens

being detained by the Coalition.

“I know so many men in my

tribe that are your prisoners,” he

said. “What is their crime? I feel

many times they are taken prisoner unjustly.”

Many of the other sheiks

agreed and told stories of people

from their tribes being detained

by the Coalition for “no reason.”

Kennedy once again reassured

the leaders that the Marines do

not intend to take innocent people prisoner, and if a detainee is

found to be guiltless, he will be

released promptly.

“All the men we have detained

for long periods of time had

weapons in their houses or were

caught shooting at us,” Kennedy

added.

Kennedy told the men Marines

are getting money and equipment for the Iraqi Police and the

ICDC. 

“Our goal is turn over the

security of Ar Ramadi to the

Iraqi security forces as soon as

possible,” Kennedy explained.

“We’ve been talking to the chief

of police and he feels that he and

his men are almost ready to take

over portions of the city.”

The overall goal is to eventually put an Iraqi face on the city’s

security, removing Marines from

the picture permanently.

After almost two hours of

heated debate, Dulaymi thanked

Kennedy for holding the meeting.

“We are going to take everything we talked about here back

with us and try to think of ways

to work together with the

Marines to have peace,”

Dulaymi said.

The Marines will also use

what they learned during the

gathering to better their relationship with the Iraqi people.

“If we work out our problems

now peacefully, there will be no

excuse for anyone to want to

make war,” Kennedy said.

Page 2 Coalition Scimitar May 7, 2004

Marines and city leaders air concerns

Story and photo by 

Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

1st Marine Division

Maj. Mike P. Wylie (Left), executive officer of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, shows

members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps weapons seized from anti-Coalition fighters in

the past few weeks. Nearly 100 sheiks, Imams and other men of power visited the camp

for a meeting to discuss the leaders' concerns. 

The governor of Kirkuk, AbdulRahmin Mustapha (left of sign),

site manager Sonny Sebastian

with the Environmental

Chemical Corporation (right of

sign), and Kirkuk city council

members, attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a new

training base for the Iraqi Army

in Kirkuk, Iraq, April 29. The

facility will accommodate an

entire brigade of soldiers. 

DoD photo by Algernon E. Crawley Jr., U.S. Army

Iraqi Army

training

base opens

in Kirkuk
May 7, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 3

Unsung Heroes 

Marching the extra mile across Iraq

Sgt. 1st Class Birkett

Sgt. Reeves Spc. Jackson

Spc. Thomas

CJTF-7 PAO

Col. Jill E. Morgenthaler

Managing Editor

Sgt. Brian Stockhoff

Editor

Spc. Jeffrey Hillery 

CJTF-7 Commander

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez

Command Info Chief

Capt. Adam W. Hackel

Staff Writer

Sgt. 1st Class Bill Sutherland

Coalition Scimitar is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this

paper are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government or Department of Defense.

The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of the Combined Joint

Task Force-7. Stars and Stripes newspaper is not affiliated with CJTF-7 and acts only as a distributing source

for Coalition Scimitar. Questions and comments should be directed to the editor at (914)360-5067 or

cpiccmdinfo@baghdadforum.com.

Coalition Scimitar 

welcomes units to submit 

their own Unsung Heros.

Photos and short summaries

of accomplishments should 

be sent to

cpiccmdinfo@

baghdadforum.com

Spc. Cathy Thomas works as a Dental

Specialist at the 31st Combat Service Hospital

in Baghdad. Thomas is stationed at Fort Hood,

Texas and has been in the army 12 years.

She said she enjoys being in the military and

wouldn’t trade it for the world. She has spent

fours months in Iraq. We have a lot of good people here doing a good mission. She is in charge

of the Project Smiles dental hygiene program.

Col. Franklin Woo, a dentist who works in the

Dental Oral Hygiene section of the 31st CSH,

said, “Spc. Thomas is a great and important part

of the dental team. She was shown this project

last February and took it up on her behalf to put

the whole thing together. She made over 300

copies of a coloring book and generally did all

the work involved in the program we are doing

for Project Smiles.”

Sgt. Corey Reeves is from southwest

Oklahoma City. Although he dropped out of

high school to get away from the violence in

his city, Reeves received his general education

degree in 2000 and joined the Army. 

Reeves, 24, is serving in Iraq as a team

leader for 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 2nd

Infantry Division.

Reeves said that he always focuses on his

Soldiers before he does himself.

“On every mission, Reeves does a really

good job ensuring the safety of his Soldiers

and making sure he has them in the right position to provide security,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua

Watson, Reeves' squad leader. “It makes my

job a lot easier when I have competent team

leaders like Reeves to depend on.”

“If I've learned one thing in the Army, it's

that motivation can help you go a long way,”

Reeves said.

Spc. Julian H. Jackson is assigned to

the 429th Chemical Detachment. He was

studying computer technologies in college before being activated. He has been

in theater for more than four months.

Jackson’s principle duty is as the commander’s driver, additionally he is the

systems administrator. 

Sgt. Maj. Jackeline S. Fountain said

that, “Jackson is the type of soldier you

want on the team, he is one of our drivers. What sets Jackson apart is his

Warrior Ethos.”

She said he is always an expert and a

professional in all he does from driving

all over Iraq to supporting the mission.

Jackson always places the mission first ,

he is the type of soldier who will never

accept defeat.

Sgt. 1st Class James Birkett, 36, is

assigned to Bravo Company, 701st Main

Support Batallion, 1st Infantry Division. 

Birkett is married and has six children.

He has been in theatre for four months.

Birkett is the non-commissioned officer for 4th Platoon, consisting of heavy

equipment transporters.

He said that work in Iraq is demanding

mentally, putting in such long hours; but

it is rewarding to see the Soldiers doing a

good job and coming together as a team.

According to 1st Lt. Campbell, platoon

leader for 4th platoon, “Birkett sets the

standard for platoon sergeants. His dedication, determination, and countless
BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Australian Prime Minister,

John Howard, made a whirlwind visit to Baghdad on April

25 for ANZAC Day services with Australian troops and

talks with senior Coalition officials.

In a plan known to just a few, Howard flew into Baghdad

on board a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft just in time

for the ANZAC Day dawn service. Howard was accompanied by the Minister Assisting the Defence Minister, Mal

Brough, and the Chief of the Australian Defence Force,

Gen. Peter Cosgrove. 

Howard told troops and dignitaries, including the

Commanding General of Coalition Forces, Lt.Gen.

Ricardo Sanchez, that, “This is a challenging time. What

you are doing is for the future of the Iraqi people. It’s a just

cause. The nation is united in its prayers and hopes for your

well being and your safety and your continued contribution

to building a better future for the Iraqi people.” 

“The trip to Iraq is in recognition of the great sacrifice

and contribution Australian personnel are making there in

challenging conditions.”

At a time when Australian troops are deployed in many

parts of the world, the Prime Minister said

that “Special honor is reserved for our

Soldiers, sailors and air force men and

women in the Gulf who, in the best traditions

of the Australian military, continue to bring

credit to our country by helping liberate the

oppressed people of Iraq.” 

Australians commemorate ANZAC Day

to mark April 25, 1915, when troops in an

Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

(ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli on the Turkish

Aegean Coast. The ANZAC and Turkish

forces fought each other to a stalemate in

bloody trench warfare before the ANZAC

forces withdrew by December 20, 1915.

The fighting claimed thousands of lives on

both sides, but the ANZAC troops’

resilience, ingenuity, courage and humour

amid the shock of the fighting came to symbolize for many Australians their true national character.

The Prime Minister later met with

Sanchez and Ambassador Paul Bremer, in

talks he described in a later interview as giving him “a much better understanding of

both the challenges, but also the progress

that’s been made in Iraq over the last year”.

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Spiritual teachers

and trained counselors, U.S. Army chaplains are many things to many Soldiers.

As an element in the struggle to win the

trust and confidence of Iraqi citizens,

chaplains have found an additional role

helping those not wearing an Army uniform. 

Chaplains of the 39th Brigade Combat

Team of the 1st Cavalry Division visited

orphanages in the Rusafa and Aadhymia

districts of Baghdad, April 21.

With the 39th BCT’s recent arrival in

theater, this was the first of many visits

their chaplains will make to the orphanages over the course of Operation Iraq

Freedom II. 

“We went out to those locations today

to meet the people running them, to put

faces to names and to get an idea of how

we can help them and it’s just as important that (orphanage administrators) know

who the ‘new guys’ are,” said 39th BCT

Chaplain, Lt. Col. Coyse McLemore.

Walking through the Al-Najjat orphanage, McLemore and 1st Lt. Chan Cho, the

battalion chaplain for 3rd Battalion, 153rd

Infantry, identified areas that would benefit the most from their assistance. 

“(Chaplains) can’t directly support

these facilities with money and such,”

Cho said. “So what we do is act as a liaison between the orphanages and groups

such as Civil Affairs, (non-governmental

organizations) and others to get them the

money and resources they need.”

During conversations with orphanage

administrators, other, more long-term,

issues were raised. Administrators spoke

of the challenges they face determining

where and how often financial resources

are received by the orphanage. While

many organizations support the orphanage, funding was often sporadic making

their ability to plan for clothing and food

purchases difficult. Adding to the difficulties administrators faced, financial support often came with strings attached.

“(Orphanage administrators) are being

told what they can and can’t buy with

some of the money being provided,”

McLemore said. “To them, that’s the

number one problem they face, the ability

to spend the money given as they best see

fit.”

With wide smiles and the gleeful chatter of children saying their goodbyes,

McLemore noted the many facilities they

could not visit. Tension between Coalition

Forces and factions of the Iraqi populace

has made such visits a potentially dangerous situation.

“Several of the facilities within our

(Area of Operation) have specifically

requested that no American Soldier be

seen entering the facility,” McLemore

said. “They fear such a visit would make

them targets for violence from the many

groups not friendly to the coalition. So

we talk with them over the phone and use

interpreters to deliver what we can provide”. 

Undaunted by the minor-setbacks,

McLemore said he feels like they will be

able to make a difference in Iraq. 

“There’s a lot of work to do here, but

it’s going to be easy to do good.”

Page 4 Coalition Scimitar May 7, 2004

Chaplains visit Iraqi orphanages

Story and photo by 

Cpl. Benjamin Cossel

122nd Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Chaplain (1st Lt.) Chan Cho, battalion chaplain, 3rd Bn., 153rd Infantry,

39th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division shows children of the

Iraqi state run Al-Najjat orphange a photograph Cho took of the them during a visit to the facility April 21.

Prime Minister John Howard walks with Commander of the

Australian forces, Commodore Campbell Darby and Chief of

Staff Colonel Stephen Salmon. The Minister Assisting the

Defence Minister, Mal Brough, is at left. Prime Minister John

Howard commemorated ANZAC Day in Baghdad 

Australians celebrate ANZAC Day

Story by Capt. Mark Doggett

Coalition Press Information Center

“Wow that

was a long

article, I

should drink

some water!”

Photo by Lance Cpl. Neil Ruskin
BAGHDAD, Iraq — The

establishment of Neighborhood

and District Advisory Councils

gave the people of Baghdad an

opportunity to experience community democracy for the first

time in more than 35 years.

More than 700 Iraqi’s served

as members of their local councils, representing the 5.9 million

citizens of Baghdad. 

For the first time since

Saddam Hussein came to power

the people of Baghdad have a

democratic, representative system in place that gives them a

voice and provides a direct communication link to the governing

body of Iraq. 

In May 2003, the Coalition

Provisional Authority in coordination with the 1st Armored

Division’s brigade combat

teams launched a program to

secure the first foothold for

democracy for the citizens of

Baghdad. 

Battalion commanders, along

with a committee of Baghdad

municipal and CPA officials

held initial gatherings throughout the city’s 88 neighborhoods

to discuss democracy and to

develop the advisory council

program. 

No citizen was turned away

and every person’s ideas were

considered and discussed. 

The leaders decided that each

of the 88 neighborhoods, nine

districts and the city of Baghdad

would have an advisory council. 

Residents attending the meetings chose from among themselves the first members to

their Neighborhood Advisory

Councils. 

The size of each council was

based on the neighborhood’s

population. In addition to selecting members based upon community numbers, they were

required to ensure that their

council represented the demographic nature of their neighborhood in terms of gender, religion

and ethnicity. 

Members of the council

received training from their battalion sponsors and the CPA

governance team. Council

members were taught principles

of council procedures, protocol,

problem solving and planning. 

Battalions assigned a mentor

to each neighborhood council to

be their guide as they learned the

ropes of representing the people. 

After a few weeks, the fledgling councils were functioning

well and were ready to implement the next level of councils.

The 88 neighborhoods were

grouped into nine districts.

District council seats were

established and the neighborhood councils selected the district council members. 

The Baghdad City Advisory

Council was established and

new members were selected

from the district councils by

their members in July 2003. 

Later in the year, a Regional

and Provincial council was

selected, completing the democratic council system for the

Baghdad Province.

The councils are functioning

in an interim status until formal

elections can be held for council

membership. The councils are

advisory in nature and, although

they have no legislative powers,

they serve as the voice for the

Baghdad communities.

The councils are heavily

involved in the reconstruction of

all public services such as

schools, police stations and fire

stations. They work with

municipal authorities in coordinating sanitation operations,

repairing water and sewage systems, assist in the distribution of

propane fuel and work to resolve

other challenges arising during

the day-to-day management of a

city of six million people. 

Other council projects undertaken last year include: 

Working with city officials to

implement an $11 million program to improve public services

such as trash removal and road

repair that employed more than

75,000 people.

Arranging for water treatment

units and a distribution network

for the 100,000 inhabitants of

the Hayy Tarik Neighborhood.

Working with small business

owners and a nongovernmental

organization to fund a new

$800,000 commercial center in

the Jedidah Neighborhood. 

Obtaining $10,000 for community improvement projects

for Sadr City’s 103 sectors. Each

sector formed a resident’s committee that selected projects for

its neighborhoods.

In addition to working with

municipal authorities, the advisory council system also coordinates with national-level Iraqi

authorities and ministries to help

manage their city’s operation. 

May 7, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 5

Councils give citizens a governmental voice

Members of the Kadhimyah Neighborhood Council and Soldiers from Company B, 16th

Engineer Battalion, Task Force 1st Armored Division, pose for a photograph during one

of their recent meetings.

Story by 

Maj. Scott Caldwell

1st Armored Division 

civil-military affairs officer

Courtesy photo

— The Sun is about 150 million km from the earth.

— The Sun's diameter is around 1.4 million km. It

is approximately 109 times wider than the earth.

— There are dark blotches on the Sun’s surface

called Sunspots. These are cooler areas of the

Sun.

— The surface of the Sun is called the photosphere.

— The corona, is the outermost layer of the Sun. It

stretches millions of kilometers into space.

— The center of the Sun is made of helium.

— The Sun spins around once every 27.4 days.

— The hottest place in the world is Dallol, Ethiopia,

East Africa. It's average annual temperature is 94

degrees farenheit (34.4 C)

— The Sun is a ball of hot gases. By weight, it is

70 percent hydrogen, 28 percent helium, 1.5 percent carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, and 0.5 percent

all other elements. The Sun's temperature is

10,000 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface and

27,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit at the center

— Solar flares can sometimes leave the sun and

zoom towards Earth. When the high speed particles from the sun contact the Earth's magnetic field

it produces a lighting effect known as the aurora.

Friday’s Fun Facts H

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T

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Page 6 Coalition Scimitar May 7, 2004

CAMP MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Daily

sick call is often the only opportunity for

Marines to get looked at by a doctor and

receive medication. However, it isn’t just

Marines seeing the doctors and taking

advantage of the medical care offered

here.

“When I see someone come in here, I

don’t see American, Iraqi, Marine or

enemy,” said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class

Kwele D. Jones, a hospital corpsman with

2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. 

The 28 year-old Rosedale, N.Y. sailor

continued, “I don’t see any of that. I just

see a patient.”

Half a dozen Iraqis have sought medical care from the Shock Trauma Platoon

here, a field version of a civilian emergency room. Most of the Iraqis treated

were wounded in encounters with the

Marines at checkpoints.

“Most of the Iraqis I see come through

here have been injured by not stopping

soon enough at checkpoints,” said Lance

Cpl. Dorian T. Bailey, a 22-year old motor

transport operater from Philadelphia.

“The line companies on the scene bring

them back here to us. We treat any

wounded here, it’s our job.”

The team prides themselves on equal

and fair treatment, for Marines and potential enemy alike.

“If we had a bad guy in here, we’d treat

him the same way, and he’d get the same

medical treatment as a Marine,” Bailey

said. 

There are a few exceptions, though.

“We’d have him restrained and would

make sure he wasn’t heavily sedated or

anything so he could be questioned,” he

added.

All civilian patients who are treated at

the STP are kept company by an armed

guard to ensure the security of both the

patients and the corpsmen and Marines in

the camp.

“We don’t usually restrain civilians, but

if he threatened our safety, we would,”

Jones explained. “We’d do the same for a

Marine if he was a danger to himself or

others too.”

The team at shock trauma has treated

the full spectrum of ailments, from minor

problems to those that are life threatening.

“We’ve seen gunshot wounds and

shrapnel wounds which require surgical

treatment here,” said Lt. Charles F.

Youngblood, the battalion surgeon. “Any

bullet wound is a dirty wound, and most

likely there would be a high infection rate.

We’re increasing their chances of living,

even if it’s a superficial shrapnel wound. 

“Ideally, we would like their wounds to

be somehow involved with the Coalition

Forces,” added the Omaha, Neb., doctor.

“Everyone who walks up the front gate

can’t be treated. However, when we turn

people away, it is for stuff they can get

treatment for at a hospital in town.”

Because of the fair and even treatment

afforded to all patients here, Iraqi insurgents are sometimes brought to the base in

connection with an attack against

Coalition Forces. If they are wounded,

their wounds are treated.

“Sometimes it’s unpopular ... but part of

winning the hearts and minds is to give

people care they wouldn’t normally be

able to get.” 

Story b y Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

1st Marine Division

Marine’s sick

bay services all

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Kwele D. Jones, 28, of Rosedale, N.Y.,

checks on an Iraqi citizen suffering from shrapnel wounds. Jones, part of

the Shock Trauma Platoon for 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 1st

Marine Division, looks at all his patients the same. Working in the military

equivalant of an emergency room, patients are treated by Jones and his

peers with no regard to nationality. 

The 28th Infantry Division is the oldest division in the armed forces of the United

States. The office of the Chief of Military History certified that General Order No. 1,

dated March 12, 1879, officially established the division. 

Elements of the Division can trace their histories back to 1747,

when Benjamin Franklin organized his battalion of “Associators” in

Philadelphia. Other Pennsylvania units of the 28th Infantry Division

had their beginnings in the Revolutionary War. Troop A, 1st

Squadron, 104th Cavalry, was organized on Nov. 17 ,1774. The 109th

Artillery Regiment was formed Oct. 17, 1775 as the 24th Connecticut

Militia. Both units served with distinction in Gen.

George Washington’s Continental Army during the

war. 

During the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the

Civil War, units fought victoriously at Vera Cruz and

Cerro Cordo. Units of the Pennsylvania Militia won 29

battle streamers during these wars. In 1878, Governor John

F . Hartranft conceived the idea of forming a single National

Guard of Pennsylvania. Hartranft became the 28th Division’s

first commander. The division mustered into federal service in

1898 for the Spanish-American War. Elements saw action in

Puerto Rico and the Philippines. On Oct. 27, 1918, the Red

Keystone was designated the shoulder sleeve insignia of the division. The distinctive Keystone was the second shoulder sleeve

patch to receive official Army approval. 

Units of the 28th Infantry Division, known at the time as the 7th

Division, were called to active duty for the Mexican Border incidents

in 1916. Pennsylvania’s 7th Division was ordered to active duty at

Camp Hancock, Georgia, on July 15, 1917. On Oct. 11, 1917, the division was reorganized as the 28th Division while it was still training in Georgia. The

28th Division arrived in France on May 18, 1918. It was committed to battle on July

14. Soldiers of the division participated in six major campaigns - Champagne,

Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Marne, Lorraine, and Meuse-Argonne. During

those campaigns, over 14,000 battle casualties were suffered by the division. Its fierce

combat abilities earned it the title “Iron Division” from General of the Armies John J.

Pershing. 

Early in 1946, the 28th Infantry Division was organized

as part of the Pennsylvania National Guard. In 1950, the

Division, once again, was ordered into active service to

become part of the United States NATO force in Germany

after the North Koreans invaded South Korea. The Division was

returned to the control of the Commonwealth on

June 15, 1954. 

In October 1965, the 28th Infantry Division

was one of three National Guard Divisions selected as part of the Army Selected Reserve Force. In

1968, as part of the SRF and high on the list for activation, it was again reorganized, this time into a threestate configuration. 

Although the 28th was not mobilized in force for

Operation Desert Storm, division volunteers were

deployed to serve in the Middle East and other locations.

The 121st Transportation Company, which is now part of

the Division’s 103rd Engineer Battalion, served in Saudi

Arabia during the war. 

In early 1996, soon after the Dayton peace accords were

signed, forward observers from the 28th Division Artillery

were called up for nine months to support NATO peacekeeping

forces in Bosnia. The Target Acquisition Battery of the 109th

Field Artillery was mobilized for the peacekeeping mission two

years later. And in 1999, the Division’s Company H, 104th Aviation (Air Traffic

Control) was activated, with its tour of duty extending into 2000. 

Information gathered from http://sites.state.pa.us.

28th Infantry Division History
May 7, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 7

Iraq in

Brief

Coalition donates money to hospital

MOSUL, Iraq – Dr. Rabei Yasim Alkhahl, director

general of health, received a $10,000 check from

Coalition Forces during Ninevah Governor Osama

Kashmoula’s weekly press conference held at Mosul’s

Provincial Hall.

The money was donated for the reconstruction of the

Al Salam hospital that was damaged in a rocket attack

on April 29. 

Kashmoula stated that the Coalition forces did not

participate in the rocket attacks, but are providing

money to aid in the reconstruction of the hospital.

The Coalition forces continue to work with and aid

Kashmoula in the reconstruction of the Ninevah

province. 

Army & Air Force Exchange Service

aids humanitarian building effort in Iraq 

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Army and Air Force

Exchange Service donated more than $14,000 of food

recently to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry

Division, for distribution throughout Iraq. According

to Maj. Ken Sorenson, chaplain, 2nd BCT, the food

will go a long way towards reinforcing to the Iraqis

that the Coalition efforts are here to help.

Sorenson said the donation plays a valuable role in

the unit’s mission. When Soldiers distribute the food,

he said, it “helps local Iraqis know that we care about

them. We so appreciate AAFES going out of their way

to provide food to assist the unit in its mission to care

for the people of Baghdad.”

Dave Schloss, AAFES Baghdad area manager,

believes that it’s important for AAFES to be a part of

the rebuilding efforts. “AAFES and its volunteer associates are here to do whatever we can to support the

mission of our great service members. We are proud to

be part of the humanitarian nation building effort in

Iraq by donating food items to the Iraqi people,”

Schloss said.

The donation, which included nuts, juice, candy,

gum, cookies and other ready-to-eat snack items, will

be handed out at predetermined communities in the

near future.

Iraqi Civil Defense Corps catches 

counterfeiters

MOSUL, Iraq - Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers

conducted three cordon and search missions in the

Qayyarah area April 27, resulting in the detention of

two known counterfeiters and the confiscation of

counterfeiting material supporting anti-Coalition

activities.

This mission was the first independent operation

planned and conducted by the ICDC.

The ICDC, with Coalition Forces acting as advisers,

searched a local photo shop suspected of conducting

illegal activities and found several fake identification

cards along with computer equipment used to produce

them. Two individuals suspected of involvement in the

counterfeiting operation were apprehended at their residences. Interrogation of the suspects is ongoing.

Coalition Forces continue to assist Iraqi Security

Forces in working with the citizens and leaders of Iraq

to make it a safe, prosperous, and democratic nation.

KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq

Feedback from Soldiers previously

deployed in Operation Enduring

Freedom has helped the Program

Executive Office Soldier in developing new and improved combat

equipment for those currently

deployed in combat areas. Soldiers

from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team

are among the first receiving the

new equipment in theater through a

rapid fielding initiative here. 

One of the major items they are

acquiring is the new advanced combat helmet. This replaces the old

Kevlar helmet that has become

familiar to Soldiers. “It’s a lighter

version of the old helmets,” said

Sgt. Maj. Martinez Alexander, sergeant major for PEO Soldier. “The

way it1s trimmed around the edges

allows Soldiers to hear better and

have improved situational awareness,” he said. Also, padding inside

the ACH provides additional comfort to the Soldiers and can absorb

shock better than the old one. “The

ACH definitely has ballistic protection,” Alexander said. “I actually

saw it stop a 7.62 round.” 

The ACH is one of 21 individual

items currently being issued to 2nd

BCT and its combat elements.

Some of the items are improved

desert combat boots, field assault

packs, aviator gloves, wick-away

undershirts and sports bras for

female Soldiers. “Not only is it a

morale booster for the Soldiers, but

they are getting the latest and greatest individual Soldier items,”

Alexander said. “I have heard a lot

of great feedback about the

advanced combat helmets, along

with the new desert combat boots.” 

The latest desert boots are

becoming popular with the 2nd

BCT, as one Soldier comments

“they are lighter, more comfortable

and feel like they can breathe better,” said Spc. Byron Brown, a personnel clerk for Headquarters and

Headquarters Company, Task Force

1-21 Infantry. With this enhanced

equipment Soldiers here can be

more effective when on missions,

since it is the Soldier’s gear that is

the concrete of Soldier combat

capabilities, Alexander said. 

In late January, 2nd BCT Soldiers

received their first RFI issue at

Camp Virginia, Kuwait, while waiting to deploy into Iraq. Some of the

items in the previous issue included

their Interceptor Body Armor plates

and protective goggles. The current

issue is the second installment of a

more than 40-item RFI that will

eventually be issued to all Soldiers

in Iraq and Afghanistan. “It’s an

enormous responsibility to move

around and field all the Soldiers in

theater with these items of equipment,” Alexander said. “This is the

first time in history for the Army to

have a logistical operation like this

in theater.” 

More than 65,000 Soldiers in

Iraq will receive the RFI. In the

Kirkuk area alone, about 3,500

Soldiers will be issued the equipment. PEO Soldier is looking to

field all Soldiers in theater no later

than September 2004. After this is

completed, they will go back to the

States and equip all other Army

units.

Soldiers receive latest gear

Story and photo by Spc. Sean

Kimmons

25th ID (L) Public Affairs

Larry Souder, a warehouse specialist with Military Professional

Resources Incorporated, grabs a new and improved desert combat boot from a row of them for a Soldier to try on.

Slogging it out each day in a combat zone has plenty of drawbacks, not the least of which is getting shot

at routinely by the bad guys. 

One of the good things a combat zone offers us is

that our wages here are not subject to federal or state

income taxes. That tax-exempt status adds a little bit

more money to our paychecks. 

Another good thing is that our Thrift Savings Plan

contributions are tax-free as well. That adds a little bit

more money to our future retirement checks. 

For those who need a reminder, the Thrift Savings

Plan is a voluntary retirement savings-and-investment

plan. We pay no taxes on the money we save and earn

through TSP until we withdraw them from our

account. And we never pay any taxes on our TSP combat-zone savings (only on the earnings from those savings).

Thrift Savings Plan Open Season, which runs from

April 15 to June 30, is a fine time to review our

investment choices and rebalance our accounts to

match our retirement savings goals. We may choose to

start or change contributions to our TSP accounts. We

can do this in several ways: by making inter-fund

transfers, by changing our contribution allocations, or

by combination of the two. 

This year, for instance, we may elect to contribute

up to 9 percent of our basic pay each month. We may

also invest up to 100 percent of our incentive and special pays, such as those for hostile fire and hardship

duty, and any enlistment bonus pays, into the TSP.

(For details, visit the TSP Web site at www.tsp.gov or

log onto https://mypay.dfas.mil.)

Taking a close look at what TSP offers us is important for a big reason; one day this war will be over.

Those of us who return home will serve out our military obligation and one day retire. 

Also, when we are less healthy and less able we’ll

draw military pensions, for which we’ll pay tax and

we’ll draw dollars from traditional Individual

Retirement Accounts, for which we’ll pay tax. 

But, when we draw from our TSP accounts, we

won’t pay tax on that portion we socked away while

we served in this combat zone. 

The more money we save now with TSP will mean

more tax-free money in our old age when we are boring our grandchildren with tales of life in a combat

zone in the great Global War on Terrorism. 

Story by Capt. Patrick Swan

Coalition Press Information Center

TSP equals tax-free investment
Page 8 Coalition Scimitar May 7, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Easter

came late to the 300 Christian

children of a Baghdad elementary school this year. That’s

because members of the 478th

Civil Affairs Group from

Miami, Fla., had to wait until

security concerns subsided

before delivering Easter baskets. The Easter baskets filled

with chocolate eggs and other

goodies were delivered with

stuffed animals to the children

of the “Al Tameen” Christian

elementary school, on April 24. 

Much to the disappointment

of the children, the event had

been cancelled several times

before the 478th could deliver

the goodies; finally the 478th

was able to drive to the Karada

District of Baghdad.

“This was because of security

concerns and other arrangements,” said Capt. George

Angle, assistant team leader

with the 478th CA Company,

who works the Karada District

of Baghdad. 

Reverend Mother Mahba

Farag, head instructor of the

Christian school, has been

teaching at the school for 30

years. Farag admitted that she

was born in 1946 and has seen

many changes in Iraq. She

yearns for her life to be normal. 

“We are thankful for the

American help and the help they

are giving us to improve our

schools. The children are happy

to see the Soldiers,” said Farag,

who said that until recently they

couldn’t celebrate Easter

because no one helped them for

this occasion. Admittedly,

Christian children came last on

Saddam’s list. 

“I think we are not just looking at a new Easter, but a new

beginning,” said Farag.

“I feel good about bringing

candy to the kids of this

school,” said Spc. Kenneth

Gordon of the 478th Civil

Affairs.”

Gordon has been deployed to

Iraq for a little more then a

month. He said he likes it better

then just riding around, working

on force protection missions. 

“You don’t get to interact

with the kids normally while on

other missions. They are so

innocent and happy to get what

we gave them.” 

Another Soldier that helped

was taken back at the laughter

and smiles of the children. 

“It’s really good to see the

smiles on the faces of all the

children,” said Spc. Jonas

Bogdon, 478th Civil Affairs

Group

The 478th has been very successful coordinating donations

with different charities in the

United States that are willing to

help for the benefit of Iraqi children. So whenever the unit can

help out Iraqi children, it’s a

very positive thing. 

Angle said in order to change

the mind set for the future of

Iraq that you have to start with

the children. 

“We had an opportunity to do

something good for the benefit

of the children of Iraq, and it’s

an awesome thing and things

like this pave the way for a

brighter future for Iraq,” said

Angle. 

Service members of the 478th

readily admitted that by doing

things for Iraqi children, shows

that Americans are their friends

and their allies, and hopefully

that will carry on through their

adult lives. 

“The children were excited

and the faces proved it as

chocolate eggs and stuffed animals were passed out,” Angle

said as he passed out some of

the Easter goodies. 

Seeing the smiles on the faces

of Iraqi children is like watching ones own children whenever

they enjoyed a holiday or

Christmas or birthday, added

Angle. 

In order to do charity work,

Angle said the types of organizations that the team

approached were all are nongovernment organizations. 

“A lot of times those NGO

groups provide donations for

what was done here today. The

delivery delay was cancelled

due to security problems,” said

Angle. 

Bogdon also added that with

all their training they never

thought they would be giving

out Easter baskets in Iraq.

He said he feels that he is

making an improvement in the

community and doing something positive. 

“Maybe these kids will

remember this Easter, I hope so,

— since they are the future of

Iraq,” Bogdon said. 

Story and photo by Sgt 1st

Class Bill Sutherland

Coalition Press Information

Center

Easter arrives late at Baghdad Christian school

Spc. Jonas Bogdon, 478th Civil Affairs Group, smiles as he passes out chocolate goodies for Easter which came late to the Baghdad Kardara District elementary students.

Words of Wisdom

“The superior man, when resting

in safety, does not forget that

danger may come. When in a

state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When

all is orderly, he does not forget

that disorder may come. Thus his

person is not endangered, and

his States and all their clans are

preserved.” 

Confucius
May 7, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 9

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq -

A Marine reserve infantry battalion had a change of pace from

their duties of providing camp

security here, when they let their

guard down and lent a hand to

residents of a nearby Iraqi fishing village April 22.

Marines of 3rd Battalion, 24th

Marine Regiment, currently

assigned to the 1st Force Service

Support Group, delivered shoes

and school supplies to children

and also gave rudimentary medical check-ups to villagers.

The St. Louis-based unit has

made several such visits to the

small village, and others like it,

where they work with locals in

an effort to improve their communities and their lives.

During previous visits the

reservists have coordinated construction efforts, delivered food

and water, and even worked to

renovate the fishing village’s

school, said Capt. James Suh,

the battalion’s logistics officer,

who is in charge of planning the

visits to the villages.

There is still some work left to

be done on the school, but Lt.

Col. Milton L. Wick, battalion

commanding officer, said that he

expects the battalion to complete

renovations by the fall.

“We need to get the school

schedule up and running ... to

have classes in session, and

those kids getting an education,”

said Wick, a 42-year-old native

of Winfield, Kan.

Another ongoing effort for the

battalion is providing medical

care to the villagers.

During a recent visit to the

fishing village, the battalion’s

doctors and corpsmen quickly

set up a makeshift aid station on

the tailgate of a humvee, and

began checking ears and throats,

listening to heartbeats and treating cuts and scrapes.

“Since they’re all at a poverty

level, they look a lot sicker than

what they are,” said Petty

Officer 3rd Class Stanley M.

Duing, a 40-year-old native of

Cadet, Mo., who explained that,

other than minor problems, the

locals seem to be fit.

While the doctors saw to the

health of the villagers, the grunts

were busy spreading happiness

amongst the children by handing

out donated shoes, school supplies and even candy.

Most of the donated items are

collected and sent by friends and

family of the Marines and sailors

in the battalion, which is spread

across four different states.

Though regular shipments of

goods have continued to arrive

from home, some say their loved

ones’ wallets are getting

stretched thin. The reservists

have been calling and e-mailing

people and businesses stateside,

in an effort to drum up more

donations.

The battalion is also seeking

money from the United Nationsfunded Commander’s

Emergency Response Program

to help finance their efforts.

However, getting authorization to use the funds is a long

process and requires special

training, said Maj. Kenneth L.

Crabtree, the 1st FSSG comptroller, a 34-year-old native of

Nazareth, Pa., who oversees use

of the funds.

The battalion is trying to get

as much funding and as many

donations as possible so they can

provide supplies for several

schools that they have visited in

the surrounding area, said Suh, a

31-year-old native of Orlando,

Fla.

“They are all very short on the

basics: pens, pencils, markers,

crayons, erasers, sharpeners,

paper,” Suh said.

Some of the battalion’s

Marines and sailors said that

despite the effort involved in

collecting the donations and

making the visits, they enjoy

interacting with the children,

and the feelings appear mutual.

“It’s a blast. The kids definitely love us,” said Lance Cpl.

Frank J. Addison, a 22-year-old

native of Salem, Ill.

“I wish we could do a lot

more,” said Gunnery Sgt. Chad

E. Gillihan, the battalion’s career

planner and a 35-year-old native

of Placerville, Calif., who said

that his hope for the villages is

that some of the children “would

get a chance to have the things

that we as Americans take for

granted.”

Wick said that he has high

hopes for the future of these visits, which are a change from the

tense dealings Marines have had

in cities like Fallujah and Ar

Ramadi.

He said that some of the

smaller villages have been concerned about seeking help from

the Americans, fearing reprisals

from anti-coalition insurgents.

He has promised to keep visits to

those villages discreet and said

that village leaders are willing to

work with his battalion.

“Once we get the bad guys out

of the way, our original plan and

our original intentions for operations here - they’ll start to kick

back in,” he said.

(Editor’s note: Third

Battalion, 24th Marine

Regiment’s companies are geographically separated from the

battalion headquarters. They are

based in Springfield, Mo.,

Broken Arrow, Okla., Nashville

and Johnson City, Tenn. and

Terre Haute, Ind.)

Story by Sgt. Matt Epright

Public Affairs Office, 1st

Force Service Support

Group

Marines adopt Iraqi villages, schools

Capt. James Suh, the logistics officer for 3rd Battalion,

24th Marine Regiment, checks the size of an Iraqi child's

feet before giving him a pair of new, donated shoes during

a visit to a village in the Al Anbar province. 

Maj. Rollin F. Jackson, the information operations officer

and Weapons Company commander for 3rd Battalion, 24th

Marine Regiment, takes an Iraqi child to be fitted for new,

donated shoes during a visit to a village west of Fallujah

in the Al Anbar province of Iraq April 22. 

Petty Officer 3rd Class Stanley M. Duing, a corpsman with 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine

Regiment, gives a check-up to an Iraqi child, who is complaining of a sore throat in the

Al Anbar province of Iraq.
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Now

Coalition Provisional Authority

employees and service members

alike can use a new post office. It is

located on the Camp Steel Dragon

compound. Hours of operation are

every day, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

seven days a week. Prior to the post

office’s opening, the CPA’s was the

only mail room within the green

zone and they wouldn’t send packages. That duty was left up to the

individual units to take packages to

Camp Victory for mailing.

Although the trip to Camp Victory

is only 16 kilometers from the

green zone, it would usually

include a myriad of problems such

as security, vehicles and personnel. 

“We got here on April 14 and

started taking mail to the units the

same day. Two days later, we started taking packages,” said Sgt. 1st

Class Russell Knix, postal officer,

attached to the 729th Postal

Company at Camp Victory. Knix

and his five postal team members

are reserve Soldiers with the 993rd

Postal Company from southern

Illinois. 

The team applies the rules and

regulations for shipping packages

to the United States as applied by

the United States Postal System,

which apply to package size weight

and other restrictions. Packages

cannot be oversized from 108 inches in girth, and the package cannot

weigh more then 70 pounds. Some

of the restrictions refer to the location here in Iraq. 

“There are those who think they

can beat the system,” said Knix.

Restricted are weapons, parts of

weapons, ordinance casings,

knives, hookah pipes, sand, soil,

and plants. There is a list of other

items visible in the post office. 

The post office currently has certain operational restrictions due to

the location being new. They are

also awaiting the arrival of the regular unit personnel, who will run

this facility. 

Some of the operational restrictions are they can’t issue money

orders, offer express and official

mail and all transactions are on a

cash basis. 

“In fact,” said Knix, “we can

only offer pennies as change since

we don’t have anything else for

coin change.” 

Knix said that when the regular

unit arrives in country they might

be able to offer the same services as

a regular military post office.

Plans are for incoming and outgoing mail to increase. 

“Even though we’ve been open

for just two weeks, we’re now getting about 45 packages and it’s

increasing daily,” said Spc.

Charlton Dryden 993rd Postal

Company attached to the 729th

Postal Company at Camp Victory.

The new post office can also deliver mail to local units if the correct

procedure is taken. 

“If a unit’s mail is delivered to

Camp Victory and the command’s

want to have it delivered here, there

are simple procedures the commander has to complete to change

that,” said Kinx. 

According to Kinx, the process is

simple and takes about a week. All

a commander needs to do is fills

out the necessary forms and have it

processed through the Joint

Military Mail Terminal or JMMT.

The form is generated from the

unit’s commander to the current

APO. In turn that current APO

processes the change of station

request to the new APO. The mail

is then routed and delivered to this

post office. 

A general misconception for

most is what constitutes free mail. 

“Most Soldiers think that all letter mail is free. Even though most

letter mail is under the weight limit,

only personal correspondence is

acceptable for the free mail,” said

Pfc. Jeremy Childress, 993rd AG

Postal Company attached to the

729th Postal Company at Camp

Victory.

The only real free mail is to other

APO’s within the country or to

Germany. 

So bills and business correspondence has to have a stamp on it.

The problem is the APO doesn’t

have or sell stamps. 

“We can find a way to get your

letter mailed if it’s not free mail.

We can mail most other items such

as boxes and foot lockers,” said

Childress. 

Foot lockers that are mailed from

here will normally run around $20

from here to New York. Locks can

only be attached to foot lockers

after inspection, and every piece is

inspected. 

“We inspect everything and

we’re looking for what’s commonly on the list, such as live round

ammunition, weapons parts, pistols, cigars and other such things

that can’t be sent back,” said

Dryden.

While inspecting most of the

packages Dryden admits seeing

several unusual things. 

“The most unusual, package I’ve

seen so far that was sent home, was

a wooden carton that was nailed

shut. It just looked funny. 

Page 10 Coalition Scimitar May 7, 2004

Special delivery

in Green Zone

Spc. Charlton Dryden, administrative specialist, weighs a

package before he sets it out for delivery. Prices for postage

vary depending on weight, location of the delivery to the

United States and priority of mail. 

Story and photo by Sgt.

1st Class Bill Sutherland

Coalition Press 

Information Center

744th Postal Company opens

new post office in the green zone

Baghdad, Iraq – The first of a series of shipments of

brand new and refurbished M1114 (humvee) arrived in

Baghdad this week. The M1114s include extra armor, a

heavy-duty chassis and other safety features designed

to better withstand explosive blasts and increase protection from other threats. 

First Team Soldier’s patrolling the streets of

Baghdad encounter frequent attacks from small arms

fire, improvised explosive devices and rocket propelled grenades. The new M1114s will augment other

armored humvees that are already used in theater. 

“The M1114 is extremely well suited for countering

the IED threat on the road,” said Lt. Col. Larry Phelps,

the division’s chief logistics officer. “It offers the soldier 360 degrees of protection inside the cab.”

In addition to it’s sophisticated armor package, each

M1114 comes equipped with a turret mount, the latest

in Army communications system technology and a

turbo-charged motor system. 

“It’s the robust vehicle that you need when you are

working the streets of Baghdad,” Phelps said.

“(M1114s) allow us to move quickly around the urban

terrain and they give the best force protection posture

that we can have while out on the road.”

Sgt. 1st Class Juan Rodriguez, an operations noncommissioned officer with the 1st Squadron, 7th

Cavalry Regiment, works with a troop that is familiar

with the streets of Baghdad. Between raids, patrols,

traffic control missions and cordon and searches they

leave their forward operating base in humvees nearly

every day. 

Though the 1-7 Cav. uses armored humvees now,

they aren’t brand new. Rodriguez said adding some of

the new M1114’s to their assets will give their other

vehicles some respite from the stress of constant operation. There is also the benefit of making Soldier’s feel

better protected, he added. 

“Some of the humvees that we have now have been

shot at,” Rodriguez said. “(The M1114s) give the soldier a better mindset. When they go out, they’ll feel

more protected. When they feel better about their mission, they’ll (focus more) on their mission.”

This shipment of new M1114s is part of the division’s efforts to take care of Soldiers. Phelps said force

protection on the battlefield is the top priority, and the

division is committed to being on the forefront of new

technology, especially if it saves life, limb or eyesight. 

“As new ideas come up, they are attacked and we

find sources for them,” Phelps said. “(There are) commercial sources or Army sources. The up-armored

humvees happens to be an army source, and I think it’s

a success story that we were able to field them as

quickly as we were.”

1st Cav. Div. up-armored for better protection

Story by Spc. Andy Miller

122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

A Soldier ground guides one of the 150 new

HUMMVEEs while it dismounts a flatbed trailer

to be delivered to troopers of the 1st Cavalry

Division. The vehicles came with full armor,

air conditioning, more comfortable seats and

almost no mileage on the odometer.

Photo by Spc. Bryan D. Kinkade, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
risk of personal safety in the face of

danger. The last time this award was

given was for the heroism displayed

on September 11th. Rathmell is also

the first non-U.S. citizen to receive

the medal. Rathmell is from London,

England where he lives with his wife

and two small children.

The medal itself has meanings tied

into it. The star

represents the

United States of

America. The five

points on the star

represent courage,

unselfishness,

risk, challenge,

and boldness. The

facets of the star

represent the different ways that

these acts of valor

may take place.

The broad scarlet

bands on the ribbon represent

valor and sacrifice; the white bands signify integrity and idealism. The blue background refers to the land of the

United States, its seas and skies. The

laurel wreath is associated with

honor and achievement.

“Valor at risk of your own life

requires strength of purpose sufficient to overcome the love of life,

the fear of death. Andrew Rathmell

is not a professional warrior, but he

displayed the courage and coolness

under fire to which all warriors

aspire,” said Bremer.

May 7, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 11

Worship and Prayer Schedule

for 

CPA - Chapel

Daily Islamic Prayer

Tuesday

1630 — Catholic Mass

(Convention Center)

1930 — Ladies Bible Study

Wednesday

0630 — Morning Bible Study

(Chaplain’s office)

1900 — Bible Study

(Ministries Conference Room)

Thursday

1630 — Catholic Mass

Friday

1800 — Jewish (Shabbat) Services

2000 — Contemporary Christian

Gathering

Saturday

1230 — Buddhist Meditation

1630 — Catholic Mass

(Convention Center

Sunday

0730 — Episcopal / Lutheran/Anglican

0930 — Choir Rehearsal

1030 — General Christian

1400 — Latter - Day Saints

1630 — Roman Catholic Mass

1800 — Contemporary Protestant

MOSUL, Iraq – Brig Gen. Carter Ham, commander,

Task Force Olympia delivered a speech April 25 to the

citizens of Mosul marking the one year anniversary of a

speech given by the 101st Airborne Division’s Maj. Gen.

David H. Petraeus on the goals of the Coalition forces in

the area.

Standing at one of the historic gates of Ninevah, Ham

was joined by Mohammed Khayri Barhawi, Chief of

Iraqi Police for Ninevah Province, Col. Muttar Adel Al

Taha of the Facility Protection Services Forces, and Lt.

Col. Raghid Khahd Mohamed, and Lt. Col. Hashwan

Ahmed Mubarik from the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps.

During his speech, Ham outlined the accomplishments, the progress, the challenges and the future of the

alliance between the citizens of Mosul, the Iraqi Security

Forces and the Coalition forces. 

Ninevah Province was the first to elect a governor and

establish local and provincial councils within Iraq. They

were also the first province in Iraq to train local police

forces and establish joint Iraqi security forces.

A free and responsible Iraqi press, more readily available fuel, water and electricity, and improved roads and

schools are just some examples of the progress that has

taken place in Mosul over the last year.

“Every day the citizens of Mosul have more confidence in the Iraqi Police and that is a real accomplishment,” said Ham.

Ham said that there are still people who appose

progress, freedom and democracy. Those criminals, terrorists and outsiders will fail in taking away the dreams

of the good citizens of Iraq. Coalition forces and Iraqi

Security Forces are working hard to insure the safety and

success of Iraq’s future.

The citizens of Iraq are 67 days away from regaining

control of their country, but Ham assured the people that

Coalition Forces will remain in the city of Mosul to help

guarantee its safe future.

Brig. Gen. Ham speaks on

goals met and a prosperous

future for people of Mosul

Story by Spc. Gretel Sharpee

139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

British doctor first foreigner to receive medal

Dr. Andrew Rathmell received the Department of

Defense Medal of Valor on April 27 for his courageous acts on Jan 21.

Servicemembers are encouraged 

to submit articles to the Coalition Scimitar. 

E-mail submissions to 

cpiccmdinfo@baghdadforum.com

VALOR

Continued from Page 1

Dr. Andrew Rathmell stands next to Ambassador L. Paul Bremer at the

medal presentation ceremony at the Coalition Provisional Authority

headquarters in Baghdad April 27.
Page 12 Coalition Scimitar May 7, 2004

CAMP VICTORY NORTH,

Baghdad, Iraq – War is not anarchy.

The current law of war and Uniform

Code of Military Justice were written to

maintain order and discipline, even in

time of war. 

The United States is party to several

treaties and conventions regarding battlefield conduct, and Soldier’s of the 1st

Cavalry Division are bound by the

UCMJ. Interpreting these documents,

and advising the command on legally

available courses of action on the battlefield is the job of Office of the Staff

Judge Advocate’s office, 1st Cavalry

Division. 

“If we didn’t have the law of war, we

would have anarchy and chaos on the

battlefield,” Maj. Jim Agar the Deputy

Staff Judge Advocate said. “The law of

war is not just a matter of fighting in a

civilized manner. It’s also trying to convince people, that although we have a

military objective and we will achieve

that objective, we won’t do it at all

costs. “We’re not bad guys, ... we play

fair ... we fight fair, and that can go

along way toward winning a war.”

In addition to advising commanders

about conduct on the battlefield, the

OSJA works issues concerning powers

of attorney, wills and marriages for

Soldiers deployed to this theater.

Deployed troops often don’t have the

time or expertise to deal with legal matters, according to Spc. Jon Coen, a court

reporter.

“Our real goal is to help make the

command and the Soldiers not have to

worry,” Coen said. “We try to provide

them with the best and most accurate

service that we can. We try to make life

as easy as possible for them.”

Life isn’t easy for all Soldiers who

find their way to the OSJA office

though. Those on the wrong side of the

law may ultimately realize that they’ve

made life difficult for themselves. 

Agar has seen a number of punishable

violations in this theater, including

attempts to mail firearms home and the

consumption of alcohol. According to

General Order Number One, these activities are punishable under UCMJ. 

“The range of punishments can go

from a letter of reprimand ...all the way

up to a court martial,” Agar said. “We

are enforcing the rule of law in our own

ranks, and I hope the Iraqis see that.”

If Soldiers think ahead and realize

there are consequences to their actions,

then they can prevent a lot of the violations that happen in theater, Coen noted. 

He added that knowing General Order

Number One and conducting yourself in

a polite and professional manner could

avoid a lot of unpleasantness.

Story and photo by Spc. Andy

Miller

122nd Mobile Public Affairs

Detachment

The real JAG, it’s better than the TV show

Maj. Jim Agar, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate and Sgt. Gabriel Galindo, detention operations noncommissioned

officer, discuss weekly reporting procedures at the office of the Staff Judge Advocate. The Soldiers of the OSJA

provide legal guidance to the command staff regarding operational procedures. 

If you ever wondered about the group that is running around the Green Zone

looking like they are lost and blowing horns, rest assured they are sane. The

group calls themselves Hash House Harriers. The HHH is a group of runners

with over 1600 groups in every major city in the world; it's now in Baghdad and

easier than ever for you to find fun, follow trails, and join in on the friendship.

The HHH is a more of a social version of Hare and Hounds, where you join the

pack of hounds (runners) to chase down the trail set by the hare or hares

(other runners), then gather together for a little social activity known as they

hashers call it, the "On In" or "Down-Down."

Hash House Harriers run for fun

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Bill Sutherland
May 7, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 13

CAMP BLACK JACK,

Baghdad – It wasn’t the only

time Pfc. Merrick “Doc”

Barnes patted himself down to

make sure he had all his body

parts, and it wouldn’t be the

last.

“When I opened my eyes, I

was laying between the radios

and back seats,” Barnes, the

Scout Platoon’s medic, said

while reminiscing about the

explosion.

It was a routine mission. The

2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry

Regiment, Scout Platoon, was

driving around the outskirts of

the Abu Ghraib market, waiting

for something to happen; and it

did. An improvised explosive

device detonated under the

driver-side tire and sent shrapnel through the truck.

“We’d driven down the street

three or four times earlier that

day,” the Grand Rapid, Mich.,

native said. “There was a huge

puddle (in the road), and about

15 minutes left in (the mission). We rolled through it

again and, boom, an IED went

off. It blew my door off.

(There was) shrapnel in the

dash and the top of the roof

about two inches from my

head. My floorboard was torn

up like a sardine can.”

Barnes has survived an IED

explosion, grenade attack, mortar attack and several smallarms-fire attacks, during his

four months in Iraq. His comrades call him the ‘nine-lives

medic.’

“I have some shrapnel in my

room,” Barnes said, about the

pieces of metal that came from

the IED that blew his truck up.

“I pressed it against my face

and I was like, ‘ooh, this would

rip me apart.’”

When Barnes joined the

Army, he had the vision of

working in a hospital. He

wanted to be a medic, but never

knew what the Army had

planned for him. When he

arrived at Fort Hood, Texas, the

Scout Platoon was looking for

a medic.

“I asked for someone ...

smart and pretty high speed,

because we’re out there by ourselves a lot,” Staff Sgt. Jerry

Helton, the Scout Platoon sergeant, said. “We needed someone that would be able to take

care of us if we get hurt.”

That’s where Barnes fits in.

He was assigned to the scouts

and began training to go to

Iraq. 

“We asked Doc if he wanted

to be a driver and it didn’t

bother him one bit,” Helton

said. “He still takes his aid bag

on patrols and still does his doc

role.”

But Barnes is not only a

medic in these Soldiers’ eyes:

he is also a scout.

“(During training), sometimes he would be the first person to lay down cover fire for

the (Soldier) crossing the

street,” Helton said. “We consider him more of a scout than

a medic. At times, we have to

remember that.”

Now in Iraq, he stares danger

in its face while he performs

patrols, reconnaissance,

searches, cordons, escorts, and

other missions with the scouts.

During another mission, the

scouts were performing an

exterior cordon with some

Estonian troops. Everything

was going fine until, pulling

security, Barnes caught something in the corner of his eye.

Children throw rocks at the

scouts all the time, but Barnes

thought differently.

“I saw something fly over the

wall, took one step and dove

into a doorway,” Barnes said.

“It blew up about 5 feet away

from me. That was a big boom.

“When I was diving, I was

like, ‘I hope that’s a grenade, or

else I’m going to look stupid,”

Barnes said with a chuckle.

But when Doc hit the dirt, he

called out ‘Grenade!’ and possibly saved the lives of the

Estonian troops nearby.

“Luckily when I dove, it was

a slight incline, and it saved my

legs from getting hit,” Barnes

said.

He has been lucky so far and

plans to stay that way. He has

lost only one tooth and was hit

by shrapnel in his lip. But he

doesn’t plan to stop these dangerous endeavors with the

scouts.

“Through all of that, Doc’s

still on mission with me,” Sgt.

Joe Shultz, Barnes’ section sergeant, said proudly. “He still

goes on mission every day,

drives, and still does his doc

duties.”

“Doc is a good kid (and a)

good Soldier,” Helton said. He

does his job and does it well,

both as a driver and as a medic.

No matter what Doc does down

the road, (we’ll])always look at

him as a scout.”

Scouts say ‘Doc’ has nine lives

Story and photo by 

Spc. Bryan D. Kinkade

1st Cavalry Division 

Pfc. Merrick “Doc” Barnes checks his section sergeant,

Sgt. Joe Shultz’ blood pressure. When Doc isn’t out on

mission, he is making sure his Soldiers are healthy. 

Iraqi kids get

new kicks

Members of the U.S. Army 2nd Brigade

Combat Team (BCT)2-12 Calvary comprised

of Civil Affairs, PSYOPS, and Public Affairs

personnel prepare to hand out shoes for

Iraqi children on April 21. This was near the

White Gold projects in Baghdad, Iraq during

Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Ricky A. Bloom
Page 14 Coalition Scimitar May 7, 2004

MOSUL, Iraq – The distinct whoop,

whoop sound of steel helicopter blades

slicing through the air can be heard 24

hours a day over northern Iraq. The UH60 Blackhawk and OH-58D Kiowa

Warrior helicopters are sky-bound workhorses that cover an area the size of the

state of Kansas, but these aircraft could

not fly without a little help.

With wrenches, field manuals and long

workdays, the aviation mechanics of the

3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry get their

hands dirty every day working on keeping

these helicopters in the air. These Soldiers

are confident that there’s no aircraft in

their inventory they can’t fix, and the

pilots know they couldn’t operate without

aviation mechanics. 

“Basically without aviation mechanics,

there’s no way we could send aviation

support to the infantry conducting raids or

transport the distinguished visitors

around the area,” said Maj. Andy

Kaufman, the operations officer for 3rd

Squadron, 17th Cavalry and a Kiowa

Warrior pilot. “In other words, without

mechanics, there are no aviation missions.” 

In just three months, the Cavalry’s helicopters have logged 7,500 flight hours,

more than five times what they log in a

year at their home base in Fort Drum,

N.Y. Through reconnaissance, security

and transportation missions, the Cavalry

supports Task Force Olympia, the command and control element of

Multinational Brigade-North. The

Cavalry is on pace to fly 15 times more

than it normally does in a year.

From the crew chief providing on-thespot maintenance before takeoff to the

engine specialist inside the hanger, the

aviation mechanics are prepared and

ready for the work that comes along with

the increased flight hours.

“As long as I have a book and the right

tools, I can fix anything,” said Sgt. Bryan

Messick, D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th

Cavalry.

Located at Forward Operating Base

Regular, south of Mosul, are two aviation

maintenance units – D Troop and

Company C – that provide maintenance

support on every UH-60 Blackhawk and

OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter in

northern Iraq. 

With increased flight hours, the

mechanics experience long days inside

the hanger and are up to their elbows in

helicopter parts.

“I don’t even know how late it is sometimes when we’re working, because I

really enjoy the job and am always learning something new from my other team

members,” said Spc. Joon Kang, a crew

chief for D Troop. “Before I joined the

Army, I seriously didn’t even know how

to use a wrench. Now, I’m completely

taking apart helicopters, which I never get

tired of.”

There are two phases of aviation maintenance: progressive service and

unscheduled maintenance. Progressive

service entails the basic lubrications and

engine repairs as well as loading weapon

systems on Kiowa Warriors. For the

Blackhawks, the mechanics periodically

take apart an entire bird and carefully

look over each part to ensure it’s serviceable.

“What we do is like doing a

Preventative Maintenance Checks and

Services on an humvee times 20,” said

Sgt. Jason Suddeth, an aviation mechanic

for D Troop. “There are literally hundreds

of things we’re looking for.”

If unscheduled maintenance is

required, both D Troop and Company C

mechanics troubleshoot until they know

exactly what’s wrong with the helicopter.

Company C is responsible for the majority of the unscheduled maintenance. 

On any given day, 10 to 30 pallets of

parts can be seen in Company C’s work

area. Company C maintains 24 hour operations.

“We seem to work more each month

and the Soldiers are becoming very proficient at their jobs,” said Maj. Darrin

Lewis, Company C commander.

In the event of a helicopter crash,

Company C is responsible for sending

repair and recovery teams to the site

immediately. 

“When we’re recovering or repairing a

helicopter outside of a safe area, our priority is security,” Lewis said. “Then, we

search all around the site and pick up

every part and piece of debris, because

we could possibly use them in re-building

the aircraft.”

Kang said it’s every aviation mechanic’s goal to never hear about one of their

helicopters crashing due to mechanical

failure.

“We know how critical our job is and

we work hard to ensure each bird is fully

serviceable for every mission,” he said.

“We don’t let a helicopter fly unless we’re

100 percent sure it’s ready.”

Before Kang reports to duty and after

he’s done for the day, he looks toward the

runway and watches his work fly.

“When I see a helicopter I worked on

take off, it’s really a neat feeling,” he said.

Story and photo 

by Sgt. Fred Minnick

139th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Mechanics keep

helicopters flying

Spc. Kevin Hogan, Auburn, Ala., works on the rotor wiring of an OH-58D

Kiowa Warrior helicopter. Hogan is a crew chief for B Troop, 3rd

Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 10th Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.

Signs and symptoms of

depression

- Change in eating and sleeping habits

- Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities

- Violent or rebellious behavior, or running away

-Unusual neglect of personnal appearance

-Radical personality change

-persistant boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a

decline in the quality of work

-Frequent complaints about physical symptoms often

related to emotions, such as stomach ache or

headache, fatigue

- Loss of interest in pleasurable activities

Where to seek help

-Chaplain or chaplain’s assistants are all qualified to

help you

-Talk to the combat stress control team in your area

Let them know you care
May 7, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 15

FORWARD OPERATING

BASE DUKE, Iraq – The public eye often focuses attention

on siblings, spouses, or other

relatives serving in the military

together in a theater of combat

operation.

But after a year of close quarters living and working and the

stresses of war, men and women

who came together as nothing

more than seniors, peers and

subordinates have formed bonds

thicker than blood.

A plot of dry, dusty desert,

somewhere between the Iraqi

holy cities of Al Kut and An

Najaf, is home to the Fort Polk

based 2nd Armored Cavalry

Regiment.

The regiment, as part of Task

Force 1st Armored Division,

was recently extended in Iraq

for a follow-up mission.

Sgt. Rand Hultz sits on a cot

in front of his humvee and jokingly questions how he can possibly live with these “guys” any

longer. 

Hultz, a former National

Guard officer who resigned his

commission then rejoined active

service after the September 11th

terrorist attacks, is part of the

2ACR combat observation lazing team, or COLT. 

And, “these guys” are his fellow forward observers, a modern-day “Band of Brothers.” 

“It’s funny,” Hultz said, “The

more we hate each other the

closer we move together.” These

nine men have gone from living

on their vehicles, to an open-bay

barracks in a warehouse with to

makeshift walls of cloth, and

back to living on their trucks.

They have been forced to

learn each other’s intricacies

and personal quirks.

“This is closer than I’ve been

to anyone,” said Spc. Jonathan

Graf. “I haven’t had privacy for

a year. These guys know me

more than my own siblings.”

Graf stands tall and thin. He is

young and does not have the

outward appearance of a battlehardened warrior.

The group started out their

tour in Baghdad, patrolling the

streets of Sadr City, the northern

portion of Iraq’s capital and a

notoriously hostile area, providing convoy security and acting

as a protective service detachment for the regimental commander and command sergeant

major.

They have been shot at,

mortared, rocketed and blown

up; yet they appear as jovial as

the day they arrived in theatre.

No onlooker could tell the pain

they experienced: the pain of

losing one of their own. Losing

a brother.

In June 2003, one COLT team

on patrol struck an improvised

explosive devise. The IED

killed one and wounded two

severely enough for redeployment.

“I had just gotten back inside

the gate, dropped my gear and

took me boots off. That’s as far

as I got when I heard the IED go

off,” Hultz recalled, his tone

now solemn.

Hultz had just returned from a

patrol. “I thought (the other

team was) still inside the gate.” 

Cpl. Tomas Sotelo was

instantly killed in the attack. 

His death hit his teammates

hard. “We didn’t do anything for

the next 48 hours,” Hultz said.

And as he explained it, they

couldn’t, because they would

have shot anything or anyone

that moved.

“Sotelo was my brother,” said

Sgt. Michael Treat, as he

revealed a tattoo on his shoulder

with the corporal’s name. “If we

lost any others, their names

would go on my arm.”

Treat seems to be a family oriented man. In his 30s, he is one

of the oldest men in the group.

The forward observers

described Sotelo as a generous,

warm-hearted Soldier, who

never said a bad word and never

complained. He just wanted to

get the mission done.

They all agreed that he was

the one most likely to be a

career Soldier.

“In that one instance,” said

Hultz, “they got the best of us.” 

But the mission couldn’t stop.

Shortly after, the COLT platoon received a couple of

replacements.

Initially, there was a sense of

un-welcomeness all around.

“I didn’t know how to react,”

said Pfc. Jeremy Humphreys. “I

was just coming in; I was the

new guy. They didn’t know

me.”

Sgt. Jeremy Hubler was the

other new guy. He came in from

1st Squadron. 

Still, “I didn’t know what to

think,” he said. “I wanted to fit

in, but how do you jump in with

a group of guys just after they

lost someone?” 

“It’s like this,” said Hultz:

“Frank Byrnes (pointing at

Hubler) and Hawk Eye Pearce

(pointing at himself referring to

two characters from the television series, M*A*S*H.)”

But now it is the other way

around. 

“We have a lot of spats, but

they’re like family spats,”

Hubler continued.

Hubler, the youngest of the

three NCOs in the group, admits

to having maturity issues at

times, but justifies it with “I get

things done.”

The men have given each

other nicknames, picked up

traits from one another and

pulled pranks on each other. 

Hubler says their relationship

is “more than a brotherhood,

because brothers wouldn’t do

this to each other.”

But very seldom does anyone

take the joking and ridicule to

heart.

Despite what seems to be perpetual fun and games, morale

hasn’t always been at its peak.

“We’ve had some really rough

days,” Hultz said. “Being

extended, that was a rough day.

When Sotelo was killed, that

was a rough day. The holidays

were pretty rough too.”

But what kept them going was

that they weren’t alone.

“You always had a friend to

talk to ... someone always had

your back,” said Spc. Andrew

White.

The men have been together

through the worst of times over

the last year, and will continue

over the coming months.

After an estimated 3,600 missions, and seeing how the men

work and watching how they

react, the senior sergeants in the

COLT Team agree that their

men are a driving force behind

the success of the

regiment..“Most 40-years-old

executives couldn’t handle the

stress that these kids have been

under,” Hultz said. “We have the

best Soldiers in the regiment.”

Team forms bond stronger than friendship

Story and photo by 

Sgt. Christopher Stanis

1 Armored Division 

Public Affairs Office

From left:: Sgt. Michael Treat, Sgt. Jeremy Hubler, Spc. Andrew White, Spc. Daniel

Hartley, Spc. Tony Harper, Pfc. Jeremy Humphreys, Spc. Jonathan Graf, Sgt. Rand Hultz

and Spc. Bendigo Agnew stand ready for their next mission. The men make up 2nd

Armored Cavalry Regiment’s combat observation lazing team and have formed a brotherhood through war.

FRIDAY

5 a.m., 7 p.m. — Islamic Prayer

9 a.m. — Catholic Mass (Sky Soldier

chapel)

SATURDAY

7 p.m. — Catholic Mass

SUNDAY

8 a.m. — Gospel Service

9 a.m. — Catholic Mass (Sky Soldier

chapel)

10 a.m. — General Protestant

11:30 a.m. — Catholic Mass

1 p.m. — Latter-Day Saints

2 p.m. — Catholic Mass (Sky Soldier

chapel)

7 p.m. — Protestant Service

TUESDAY

6:30 p.m. — Growing as a Chrsitian:

Studying the Book of James

WEDNESDAY

8 a.m. — The Bible in Light of Current

History and Local Events

5:30 p.m. — Building Your Faith:

Studying the Book of Hebrews

*All services are held at the Ten Days

From Tomorrow Chapel unless otherwise

noted.

Kirkuk Airbase Chapel Schedule
Faisal I or Faysal I , 1885–1933,

king of Iraq (1921–33). The third

son of Husayn ibn Ali, sherif of

Mecca, he is also called Faisal ibn

Husayn. Faisal was educated in

Constantinople and later sat in the

Ottoman parliament as deputy for

Jidda. In World War I he served

with the Turkish army in Syria

until 1916, when, escaping to

Arabia, he joined with T. E.

Lawrence in an Arab revolt.

Faisal was disappointed in his

hope to rule as king over all Arab

territory in the Ottoman Empire.

His aspirations were partly satisfied in 1920, when a Syrian

nationalist congress proclaimed

him king, but France, the mandatory power, forced him to abdicate later that year. In 1921 the

British, who held the mandate of

Iraq, nominated Faisal as king,

and he was confirmed by a

plebiscite. As king, he generally

cooperated with the British and

actively participated in the affairs

of government, particularly in

achieving Iraq's independence

and membership in the League of

Nations in 1932. He was succeeded by his son, Ghazi.

Page 16 Coalition Scimitar May 7, 2004

Iraqi History

King Faisal I, birth of a monarchy

Information compiled from

www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0

818163.html & http://icias.com/e.o/faisal_1.htm

Courtesy photo from http://i-cias.com/e.o/faisal_1.htm

May 20 1885: Born in Mecca, Arabia as the third son of

Husseini bni Ali, king of Hijaz.

About 1900: Lives in Constantinople, where his father is kept

under surveillance.

1908: Returns to Mecca with his father, who is appointed governor of Mecca. Faisal works closely with his father in the

administration of Mecca.

1915: Travels to Damascus in order to secure support from

Arab nationalists.

1916: Leads an Arab revolt in Hijaz against the Ottomans,

resulting in the independence for Hijaz. His father becomes

King of Hijaz.

1917: Torgether with British troops, Faisal takes control over

Transjordan.

1918: After conquering Damascus, he establishes an Arab government under the auspices of Allied forces.

1919: Under the Paris Peace Conference, Faisal claims the

right to establish an Arab kingdom or a federation of Arab emirates, but has no success.

— Faisal negotiates an agreement with the French, in which

he allows them to take control over modern Lebanon and

Syria.

January 1920: Faisal returns to Damascus.

— March: Faisal is declared King of Greater Syria (today's

Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine).

— April: The French authorities are handed the mandate to

administer Syria and Lebanon by the League of Nations.

— July 14: Fights between French troops and the troops of

Faisal result in Faisal's loss of Aleppo and Damascus. Faisal

leaves Damascus and ends up in exile in Britain.

March 1921: As the British experience opposition to its presence in Iraq, they forge an agreement with Faisal, where he

will become king of the country, but with the British keeping up

its mandate. The agreement, however, provides for the eventual independence of Iraq.

— August 23: Faisal is crowned as King of Iraq, a country

where he is enthusiastically received by the people, in which

he is chosen in an election with 96 percent of the votes.

1923: Faisal is conferred the title of constitutional monarch by

the national assembly of Iraq.

1930: Faisal signs an agreement with Britain, which is intended

to lead to the independence of Iraq. The agreement secures

that British troops can still be stationed in Iraq, and it binds him

to coordinate his foreign policy with the British political line.

Oct. 3, 1932: Iraq becomes independent and enters the

League of Nations.

Sept. 8, 1933 : Faisal dies in Bern, Switzerland. He is followed

by his son, Ghazi. 

Time line of his life

and political career