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"4th Inf. Div. Reaches Out to Local Islamic Community Members During Mosque Visit" (May 2009) Sgt. Philip Klein 4th Inf. Div. PAO KILLEEN, Texas – Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, the commanding general of the 4th InfantryDivision, helped open the lines of communication when he visited a mosque at the Islamic Community of Greater Killeen community center, which is located in Killeen, May 7. The visit marks the Ironhorse Division’s inaugural effort to reach out to the sizeable Muslim community that resides in the greater central Texas region – Killeen, Temple and Austin– to foster dialogue, interaction and understanding between the...

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2009 – Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team have made a positive impact on security and quality of life in Iraq’s Basra province, their commander said during a briefing from Iraq today. Their impact can be attributed, in part, to successful training programs, Army Col. Butch Kievenaar said. “We started with an assessment of training proficiency for the Iraqi army, police and Department of Border Enforcement,” he said. “[That was] followed by a mutually agreed-upon training plan that focused on building sustainable capability.” Sustainable capability refers to building basic and realistic systems for...

BASRAH — Col. Butch Kievenaar, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, met with key Basrah province shaykhs at the Basrah Operations Center here, June 16. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the brigade commander to the shaykhs, as well as discuss partnership as it’s related to the U.S.-Iraqi Security Agreement, said Maj. Richard Fierro, fire support officer for the brigade. The commander spoke with the shaykhs and explained to them what contributions the U.S. forces were bringing to the province. "Since we moved into the province, I wanted you to hear from me what...

Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond (right), commanding general of 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad, artist Laith Fattah al-Turk (center), a renowned local artist, and Dr. Muayad Muslin Hamid al-Jaburri (left), an Iraqi cardiologist and humanitarian, unveil a gold eagle-head statue in front of division headquarters on Camp Liberty, Feb. 5. Photo by Sgt. DaleAnne Maxwell, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. CAMP LIBERTY — A new symbol of freedom and appreciation now greets Soldiers and visitors to the headquarters of Multi-National Division – Baghdad, after an unveiling ceremony in front of division headquarters here, Feb. 5. Dr. Muayad Muslin Hamid...

A campaign poster for Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki hangs from a building in Baghdad's Sadr City district, Jan. 29, 2009. The nation is holding its first free provincial elections entirely run by Iraqis, Jan 31. Photo by Sgt. Jerry Saslav, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs. SADR CITY — Something new is coming to Iraq.  The signs are in the air, plastered on walls, buildings, light posts lining the road and even strung between buildings. Provincial elections are being held today, and most public structures have, in some way shape or form, campaign posters attached to them.There have been elections in...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2009 – U.S. Marines raised the American flag yesterday during the dedication ceremony for the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker declared “a new era” for Iraq and the Iraqi-U.S. relationship. U.S. Marines raise the American flag during the dedication ceremony for the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Jan. 5, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Derren J. Mazza  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte and almost 1,000 invited guests looked on as the embassy’s Marine security detachment...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq, Oct. 17, 2008 – Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers, community leaders and Iraqi security forces handed out backpacks and school supplies to boys and girls Oct. 12 at four schools in the Abu Tshir community of southern Baghdad’s Rashid district. Iraqi National Police officers distribute backpacks laden with school supplies to children in the Abu Tshir community of southern Baghdad’s Rashid district Oct. 12, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brent Williams  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The event was one of four school-supply distributions conducted Oct. 12 to 16 in the...

CAMP ECHO, Iraq, Sept. 30, 2008 – Although most would rather be at home, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team here are enjoying the comforts and amenities of life at their temporary home away from home. Army Sgt. Leif Wood (left) and Army Spc. Thomas Anderson find a way to play football in the desert heat by playing a video game at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility at Camp Echo, Iraq, Sept. 24, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Rodney Foliente, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available....

CAMP TAJI, Iraq, Aug. 15, 2008 – Since the dawn of aviation more than 100 years ago, militaries throughout the world have pursued the development of unmanned aerial vehicles to give them an edge over the enemy when conducting combat operations. Army Spc. Raymond Poltera, tactical unmanned aerial vehicle operator serving in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, launches an RQ-7B Shadow 200 tactical UAV from a pneumatic launcher at the aircraft's primary launch and recovery site on Camp Taji, Iraq, Aug. 11, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jason Dangel, Multinational Division...

CAMP TAJI, Iraq, July 25, 2008 – As the sun begins to set beyond the Baghdad horizon, the sound of laughter and conversation emanates from the corrugated steel sleeping trailers of Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division’s Company C, 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade. Army Sgt. David Brocato, crew chief, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multinational Division Baghdad, mans the gunner's seat of a Black Hawk helicopter before the start of a mission on Camp Taji, Iraq, July 20, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt....

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2008 – The U.S. two-star general responsible for operations in Baghdad today expressed optimism about the current state of anti-insurgent efforts in and around Iraq’s capital city. Video Tactically, “the situation I see ourselves in here right now -- it’s encouraging,” Army Maj. Gen. Jeffery W. Hammond, commander of Multinational Division Baghdad and the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division, told Pentagon reporters during a satellite-carried news conference from his Baghdad headquarters. Multinational Division Baghdad is also known as Task Force Baghdad. Since December, the 4th Infantry from Fort Hood, Texas, has provided its headquarters element. Hammond...

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces killed and captured dozens of enemy fighters and terrorists during operatrions conducted throughout Iraq over the past three days. Coalition forces captured two suspected Iranian-trained insurgents early this morning in the Rashid district in Baghdad. Intelligence information led coalition forces to the location of an individual suspected of smuggling Iranian weapons. He is also suspected of providing information to other insurgent leaders that led to rocket attacks against coalition and Iraqi forces. The terrorist surrendered without incident. Coalition forces conducted a follow-on mission to capture another suspect. There, they detained an...

BAGHDAD – A Multi-National Division—Baghdad aerial weapons team killed two criminals in eastern Baghdad April 19. At approximately 3 a.m., the AWT was conducting an aerial surveillance patrol when the crew saw two criminals with a mortar tube. The AWT engaged the criminals with one hellfire missile and killed the criminals. The mortar tube was also destroyed. There have been numerous mortar and rockets attacks originating from eastern Baghdad in the past two days. “Our primary mission is to protect the Iraqi people from terrorists and criminals, “ said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, MND-B and 4th Infantry Division spokesman. “This...

Spotting irregularities is a tactic that is drilled into the minds of Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers throughout training and in practice while in Iraq. Soldiers recently watched as a car pulled up to an entry control point at Forward Operating Base Callahan in northern Baghdad. They continued to watch as a woman stepped out of the car holding a bag. Once the woman dropped the bag near the gate, internal alarms were ringing and a careful search was called for and conducted... ...That search yielded a newborn baby wrapped tightly in several cloths. Soldiers raced to the bag, retrieved...

BAGHDAD — The Raider Brigade Combat Team has a new ally in its mission to help the Iraqi government and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers build upon the predominately Sunni community of Doura in Baghdad’s Rashid district. The 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, “Warriors” will be attached to the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team next week as part of its mission to help the government and the Iraqi people. “It is our intent to create a safe and stable living environment for the people of the Doura district,” said Army Lt. Col. Timothy Watson, commander of 2-4th Infantry Regiment,...

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad soldiers killed 12 criminals after a small arms and rocket-propelled grenade attack in northern Baghdad March 30. At approximately 1 a.m., a 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division patrol was attacked, and Soldiers pursued the criminals as they fled. An air weapons team arrived on scene to provide support. After positively identifying the attackers, the air weapons team engaged and killed the 12 individuals. “We are exercising great effort to protect the people of Baghdad,” said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, MND-B spokesman. “We are only targeting criminals and those acting outside the rule...

BAGHDAD — After stomping around for a few days with the new Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV), 4th Infantry Division Soldiers reported both pros and cons about the new tactical gear. The new vest has several design differences and some added features, which keep the Soldiers in mind when they're in times of trouble. The first noticeable difference in the vest design is the way Soldiers don the IOTV. Rather than slipping into it like a jacket, as with the Interceptor Body Armor, they lift it over their head and pull down, which sometimes requires another person to help get...

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers supported Iraq Security Forces operations around Sadr City March 28-29. The two operations resulted in 9 terrorists killed. During checkpoint inspections at approximately 11 p.m., March 28, militants attacked Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division with small-arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. The Soldiers returned fire and killed seven. At approximately 1 a.m., Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division identified two roadside bomb emplacers. The Soldiers killed the emplacers in an exchange of gun fire. “We continue our successful operations to protect the Iraqi citizens with our...

    ~The FReeper Canteen Presents~ Road Trip: Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas Fort Hood, named after Confederate General John Bell Hood, is a U.S. Army post located halfway between Austin and Waco, in Killeen, Texas. John Bell Hood (June 1, 1831 – August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Hood had a reputation for bravery and aggressiveness that sometimes bordered on recklessness, and was considered one of the best brigade and division commanders in the Confederate States Army.A 340 square mile installation (217,337 acres), Fort Hood is the only post in the United States...

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, Dec. 19, 2007 – There must be a “full and complete” partnership between coalition and Iraqi security forces for success in the country, the coalition’s day-to-day commander of ground operations in Iraq said here today. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, spoke as the 1st Cavalry Division – commanded by Army Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil – transferred authority for Multinational Division Baghdad to the 4th Infantry Division – under Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Hammond – during a ceremony here. Odierno said that when the 1st Cavalry took command of the Multinational...