the regulator 3

7/30/2019 The Regulator 3

1/8

The 9th Division continues to raise eye

brows with another V.I.P. visit straight from

the top.

We should have known something big was

about to occur when COL Hort gave his guid-ance for the preparation of yet another high

visibility visit for our Iraqi counter-parts.

The Honorable Richard Cheney was sched-

uled to visit and observe the recent success

and fielding of the 9th Mechanized Division.

This was especially important for the team

and future development of the Division.

Once again, the midnight oil was burned as

we carefully crafted a briefing that would

explain the force generation, and the pro-

gress that the division has made during the

past 6 months. New tanks, BMPs, and

MTLBs were parked in perfect rows for a static

display. The Iraqi flag was being flown proudly

by the division. The moment finally arrived, The

Vice President was escorted and briefed by GEN

Bashar, Commander of 9th Iraqi Mechanized

Division and COL Hort, the Senior Advisor.

At the conclusion of the tour and briefing, a

large lunch was prepared with some of Iraqs

best dishes. Several members of the team had

the once in a life time opportunity to eat with the

Vice President. Afterwards Mr. Cheney posed for

dozens of pictures. He didnt stay long, but it

was definitely long enough to bring smiles to a

lot of soldiers here on Camp Taji.

M A K I N G H E A D L I N E S

9THD

IVISION

M

ITT

TEAM

1 5 A P R I L 0 6

V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 3

T H E R E G U L A T O R

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

M A K I N G H E A D -

L I N E S1

M O V I N G U P 2

W O R L D R E L I -

G I O N 1 0 12

S O M E T H I N G

W O R T H F I G H T I N G

F O R

3

T R A I N I N G G O E S

W E L L3

R E I N F O R C E -

M E N T S A R R I V E3

F R O M T H E

T R E N C H4

S E N I O R A D V I -

S O R S C O R N E R5

G O O D T I M E S

( P H O T O S )6

Col Mahamed the Division G2 shares a moment with

the Vice President

Greeting the tankers from the 9th Division


2/8

Things here at Taji continue

to improve for the 9th Mitt.

After two months of talk the

team moved into their new

home.

The building is huge! It is

two stories with over eight

large rooms on each floor.

Each floor has its own bath-

room with features that re-

mind us of home (i.e. western

toilets). Unfortunately, they

are only for looks (bad plumb-

ing). Everyone on the team

now has their own eight by

eight partition with walls con-

structed by the master car-

penter (SFC Bake)- privacy at

last!!!

Unlike the previous move, the

cleaning process was less

evasive. This time a mop

was just a cleaning tool and

not our chemical protective

posture (referring to Nuclear

Biological Chemical suit).

Even the dayroom has been

expanded in size including

new furniture. To boost the

teams moral, we added a

much needed break room

complete with a full size re-

frigerator, food shelves, table

and chairs.

We were leery at first about

leaving our precious Hooch,

but our new Hacienda has

become home.

M O V I N G O N U P

W O R L D R E L I G I O N 1 0 1

The latest cultural lesson the team

received was during February. We

were invited to attend the Feast of

the 10th of Moharum (Arabic calen-

dar) . This feast takes place every

year in remembrance of the

Prophet Mohammads grandson,

Emam Al Hussain, who was brutallyslain trying to cleanse his grandfa-

thers religion.

This event is central to the culture

of the Iraqi people. The whole coun-

try stops on this day and recogniz-

es the perseverance of this great

battle. They also view this day as

a day of renewal, commitment ,

and a new year. All people of the

Islamic faith join in a huge feast to

commemorate this event .

In closing, the feast is another

bonding tool that brings the Iraqi

culture together; similar to our

Thanksgiving.

Page 2V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 3

The Hacienda

Moharum feast at Division


3/8

Well, its official. The 9th Divi-

sion MITT team is already two

thirds of the way through our

tour in Iraq. The majority of

the team has already returned

from their two week vacation

back in the United States.

You can see the glow in every-

one's eyes when they return

from their great journey home.

Soldiers are rejuvenated and

ready to finish strong.

There is also a sense of ac-

complishment in the minds of

the team. We have overcome

great adversity under tremen-

dous stress. In hindsight, we

can see the fruit of our labor as

the Division becomes more

capable by the day.

I have not met a soldier yet that

said he didnt have a wonderful

time on leave. The stories of

fun and families are so plentiful,

because I know we have a won-

derful country with wonderful

people.

To all the families at home,

we are proud to serve, and

do appreciate the countless

things you do for us . As the

song says- we are American

by Gods Amazing Grace!

These reinforcement have giv-

en us the ability to work more

high priority task. The team is

imaginative, aggressive, and

combat ready. These guys

have, in their short tenure in

country, already proven them-

selves reliable and capable in

combat situations and support

to the division Headquarters.

We welcome these guest Ameri-

cans and what they bring to the

fight.

In February the Regulators were

augmented by the arrival of the

Division Logistics Battalion MiTT

lead by Major Thomas

Armes. Co-located with the Reg-

ulators, this team is beginning

the force generation phase of

their

battalion mission while simulta-

neously providing valuable sup-

port to the Division Headquarters

in their ongoing operations. This

team is a welcomed addition.

S O M E T H I N G W O R T H F I G H T I N G F O R !

R E I N F O R C E M E N T S A R R I V E

T R A I N I N G G O E S W E L L

Coalition forces being with-

drawn and the Iraqi Army tak-

ing control.

The exercise took place over a

five day period from 15-19

February. During the first

three days, the staff conduct-

ed and prepared a plan for the

Division to assume combat

operations. Once completed,

the last two days we adminis-

tered a scenario driven exer-

cise which made them exe-

cute their plan.

The US media may send out

some clouded views, so we

would like to give you a inside

scoop of the Divisions pro-

gression. Our assessment of

the exercise is that they are

starting to become more confi-

dent and self sufficient. They

may never be like the US Ar-

my, but day by day we see the

Division taking the reigns.

In February, the 9th Division

headquarters staff made a huge

step forward in becoming opera-

tional.

After months of preparation and

late nights for many of the 9th

Division Mitt team members,

the validation training exercise

was complete. The exercise was

a realistic scenario, based on

current issues pertaining to the

Divisions future. The founda-

tion was laid and focused on

Our assessment

of the exercise is

that they are

starting to

become more

confident and

self sufficient.


Group photo of new Logistics MiTT team


4/8

Its hard to believe we have almost completed

our one year tour in Iraq. As the days pass by

and our day finally does arrive, there will be

some regrets, there will be sadness and there will

be relief. Emotions will certainly range back and

forth like a pendulum of a clock as we say

Masolama and farewell to those whom we have

bonded with for the last twelve months. Make no

mistake about it, your Soldiers would not trade

their tickets home for all the money in the world.

However, we will all feel as though we will have

left something behind, just as we all did that

saddened Friday, June 10th 2005.

It unquestionably has been an honor serving withyour husbands, fathers and sons as well, your

loved ones. There will be many stories they will

share and there will be many that will be stories

untold. I would like to take this opportunity to

share my personal story; maybe observation

would be best described about.your Soldier.

First off, I truly believe they are all different today

then they were what has seemed decades ago to

us all. They have worked harder than most, long-

er than many and the demands upon their perfor-

mance mountainous. None of us were truly pre-

pared for what laid ahead of our tour as an im-

bedded Iraqi Army Division Advisor. Words andaccolades alone will never give credit to the

daunting tasks they have accomplished and in

some cases, failed to accomplish, but never was

it from the lack of effort.

The only truly day off they have seen were the

ones spent back home within the embrace of

family, friends and occasionally within their

minds at the end of many exhausting days and

nights. I believe all would agree that even though

they may have performed tasks at home, they

were enjoyable and wanted. These men have

gone above and beyond many I have seen in my

27 year career. They have felt the joys of suc-cess, the panic of the unknown, the frustrations

of overwhelming obstacles, and the sting of the

fight. But never have they laid down their arms

in defeat.

Words such as warrior, brother, battle buddy, and confidant all describe these men

in my eyes---and occasionally, chucklehead. We have shared laughs and shared

tears, shared the memories of our past and the hopes of our futures with one an-

other. We have also been at each others throats but always stood side by side

against our enemies and in concert in our nations goals.

I have said on numerous occasions, the future of Iraq lays within the youth of the

their people. It is one thing to read the stories, watch the news, or listen to the

radio, but the realization of the struggle and conflict only comes when you can feel

skin of those whose lives are counting on your help. You can be proud to know

that your Soldier has directly influenced Iraqs prospects for a better life through

their efforts.

No these men are not the same as the day they left home. They are much mucholder, wiser, and grounded in the memories of their time spent that will never be

forgotten; nor ever to be relived. Your men are heroes who stood up and where

counted on when they were asked.

Lastly, I wish to thank all of you, family, friends, and supporters of your Soldiers

who without your acknowledgments and support could have never made their work

bearable or doable.


F R O M T H E T R E N C H

Sergeant Major Herbert as he stands tall in Tarmiyah


5/8

Well, we are quickly approaching

the latter part of our tour and 9th

Iraqi (Mechanized) Division is really

starting to come together. With the

help of all the great advisors, we

now have two full brigades and a

division headquarters fighting along

side the Americans in and around

Taji. Nine months ago, we barely

had desks and chairs-let alone units

that could fight. Today, I am proud

to report that the 9th Iraqi

(Mechanized) Division is taking overmore and more of the security re-

sponsibility in the surrounding area.

Iraqi tanks and armored personnel

carriers (BMPS) are now out on the

streets where US soldiers once

stood. This is a great news story,

one you dont often hear about in

the other media outlets.

With that said, each member of

the team has performed miracles in

this part of the Iraqi Army ready. There

were times when all of us just wanted

to throw in the towel. Perseverance,

patience, persistence and of course

prayers were what kept us going. Your

thoughts and prayers form stateside

were also a great source of energy and

confidence in our work. We know we

still have a long way to go but all us on

every advisory team at Taji knows that

the course we are on, is right one.

I would be remiss if I didnt welcome

the Division Logistic Advisory Team to

Taji. They come with tremendous ex-

pertise and knowledge in all matters

relating to supply and maintenance

something the Iraqi Army desperately

needs. They have all hit the ground

running and found out quickly that lo-

gistics is going to be the main effort for

this division in the upcoming year.

From worrying about fuel to tank spare

parts, this team is already making great

headway in supporting our Iraqi coun-

terparts.

Finally, this will likely be our last

Newsletter prior to redeploying the Divi-

sion Advisory Team. I want to say than

you for all your support while we have

been deployed. The strength and safe-

ty of this team in large part has to do

with your support and foundation we

have at home. I hope to meet all of you

who helped keep us going through this

very tough , dangerous, and demanding

mission. You can be very proud to

know that every one of the team mem-

bers truly represented our Nation and

will leave a positive and lasting impres-

sion on our Iraqi offices, NCOs, and

soldiers. I have been honored to serve

with such fine American soldiers and

warriors. God Bless you and our great

country!


S E N I O R A D V I S O R S C O R N E R MG Bashar briefs Vice President Cheney


6/8

Iraqi NCO giving an inspirational speech Sponsors of the Big Brother Program in Iraq

Where did they find this bucket of bolts (Before)

Spring break 06. Still waiting on the MTV Live from Iraq

Tigris River bikini contest

How did they fix that bucket of bolts (After)

New recruits of Iraqi soldiers after Basic Training

G O O D T I M E S


7/8

SSG Pettigrew preparing for the Iraqi afternoon nap Now thats comedy!!!!

Why cant we all just get along? Man, Subway in Iraq what a great concept!!

SGM Herberts looking for a few good men. Member of the 9th DIV MiTT team winning the heart and mind

Of the local populace.

G O O D T I M E S


8/8

The 9th Division leadership meets with Key Leaders in troubled areas

Iraqi solutions for Iraqi problems. Gen Bashar talks business and changes for the future of the town

Ask yourself, do you feel lucky????

Senior Advisor as he mentors the Commander of the 9th DIV

G O O D T I M E S

the regulator 3

Documents