Joint Missions Disrupt Insurgent Activities

Sgt. Jacob Facemyre, a cavalry scout from Charleston, W.Va., steps up and over a canal as 1st Lt. Will Hargis (left background), a platoon leader from Huntington, W.Va., and Iraqi Army 1st Lt. Mohammed Adel Jassim (right background), 17th IA Division, wait for their turn to cross during a joint patrol in southwestern Baghdad, Sept. 21. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

Patroling Patika Province - Part 3

U.S. Army Soldiers sleep in a hasty fighting position on a cold morning in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 4. The Soldiers are deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith


U.S. Army Pfc. Christopher Williams, from Winter Park, Co., sleeps in a hasty fighhting position on a cold morning in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 4. Williams is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith


U.S. Army Soldiers awake in their hasty fighting position after a night patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 4. The Soldiers are deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith


U.S. Army Soldiers sleep in a hasty fighting position on a cold morning after a night patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 4. The Soldiers are deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith

Patroling Paktika Province - Part 2

U.S. Army Soldiers sleep on a hilltop after a night patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2009. The Soldiers are deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith


A U.S. Army Soldier sleeps on a rocky slope after a night patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2009. The Soldier is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith


A U.S. Army Soldier sleeps on a cold, rocky slope after a night patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2009. The Soldier is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith


A U.S. Army Soldier sleeps on a hilltop after a night patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2009. The Soldier is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith

Patroling Paktika Province

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Roger Schilling, left, and Pfc. Peter Mehall sleep on a hilltop in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 5, 2009. The Soldiers are deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith


U.S. Army Soldiers sleep in a hasty fighting position on a hilltop in the mountains near Sar Howza, Afghanistan, Sept. 5, 2009. The Soldiers are deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith


U.S. Army Spcs. Samuel Wetzl, left from Youngstown, Ohio, and Ryan Langlois from Dallas, Texas, wake up in their hasty fighting position in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 5, 2009. The Soldiers are signals intelligence specialists deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith


U.S. Army Soldiers sleep on a hillside as the moon sets in the distance near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 5, 2009. The Soldiers are deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith

1/40 Cav On Patrol In Paktika Province - Final

U.S. Army Soldiers walk through a stream during a patrol near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. The Soldiers are deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sean Bailey observes the terrain while patrolling in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Bailey is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sean Bailey grasps his weapon while observing the mountainous terrain near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Bailey is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.

1/40 Cav On Patrol In Paktika Province - Part 5

U.S. Army Spc. Daniel Conception, from Edgewood, Ky., patrols in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Conception is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Soldiers from Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment carry a bag filled with food and water that will sustain them while on a multi-day mission near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. The Soldiers will hide the re-supply bag until they return to gather and distribute the contents before moving to a different location. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Soldiers from Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment carry a bag filled with food and water that will sustain them while on a multi-day mission near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. The Soldiers will hide the re-supply bag until they return to gather and distribute the contents before moving to a different location. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Soldiers from Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment patrol the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Pfc. Billy Wright, from Atlanta, patrols the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Wright is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.

1/40 Cav On Patrol In Paktika Province - Part 4

U.S. Army Soldiers from Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment carry a bag filled with food and water that will sustain them while on a multi-day mission near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. The Soldiers will hide the re-supply bag until they return to gather and distribute the contents before moving to a different location. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Sgt. Randy Dombrowski, from Ocklawaha, Fl., walks through a stream during a patrol near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Dombrowski is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Soldiers from Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment carry a bag filled with food and water that will sustain them while on a multi-day mission near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. The Soldiers will hide the re-supply bag until they return to gather and distribute the contents before moving to a different location. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Spc. Samuel Wetzl, from Youngstown, Ohio, walks through a stream while on a multi-day mission near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Wetzl is a signals intelligence specialist deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Pfc. James Walkingstick, from Talequah, Okla., walks through a stream during a patrol near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Walkingstick is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.

1/40 Cav On Patrol In Paktika Province - Part 3

U.S. Army Spc. Ryan Langlois, from Dallas, Texas, patrols in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Langlois is a signals intelligence specialist deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Cpt. Gary McDonald, left, from Kanab, Ut., and 1st Lt. Kevin Harris, from Billings Mt., use a topographical map to verify their location during a night patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. The Soldiers are deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


A view from a blocking position in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


An interpreter for the U.S. Army takes cover from the mid-day sun in a scarce bit of shade while on a patrol with U.S. Soldiers in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.

1/40 Cav On Patrol In Paktika Province - Part 2

U.S. Army Soldiers from Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment carry a bag filled with food and water that will sustain them while on a multi-day mission near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. The Soldiers will hide the re-supply bag until they return to gather and distribute the contents before moving to a different location. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Capt. Gary McDonald, from Kanab, Ut., identifies his position on a map while on a patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. McDonald is the commander of Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Spc. Samuel Wetzl, from Youngstown, Ohio, walks through a stream while on a multi-day mission near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Wetzl is a signals intelligence specialist deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Spc. Samuel Wetzl, from Youngstown, Ohio, maintains security during a brief rest while on a multi-day mission near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Wetzl is a signals intelligence specialist deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sean Bailey indicates the direction in which his Soldiers must travel while on patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Bailey is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.

1/40 Cav On Patrol In Paktika Province

A view from a blocking position in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Soldiers from Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment toss rocks to pass the time while waiting for a helicopter on Forward Operating Base Sharana, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Pfc. Anthony Collett, from Fairfield, Ca., rests at the top of a hill during a patrol in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Collett is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Pfc. James Walkingstick, from Talequah, Ok., patrols in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Walkingstick is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.


U.S. Army Pfc. Thomas Holcomb, from Gordon, Ga., prepares for an incoming dust storm while occupying a blocking position in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Holcomb is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith.

For You Pilot Types - Rotary Wing of Course....

The Anal Equinox Prevents The Reversal Of The Adiabatic Lapse Rate

The Anal Equinox is a rare event that occurs when some helicopter pilots make ever tightening, successive, 360 degree turns. They actually cross the rectal event horizon and fly up their own alimentary canals.

This phenomena was seen mainly among helicopter Scout pilots in Vietnam. Occasionally they could completely disappear for short periods of time. Cobra high bird crews can attest to this fact.

WARNING! Non-Scout type aviators must not attempt this maneuver without the supervision of an onboard, qualified instructor pilot.Some less skilled pilots attempting the maneuver only partially encountered the Equinox to their shoulders and suffered the dreaded Rectal/Cranial Inversion (RCI) and thus exacerbated the condition by depriving the brain of oxygen, usually resulting in catastrophic uncontrolled aircraft contact with the ground.

The secrets of the Anal Equinox were never taught in flight school and are closely guarded by the Aero-Scout community. The uninitiated are unable to complete the process and are often doomed to repeat iterations of the RCI.

"There Ain't No Cav in Heaven"

An old infantry soldier died and went to Heaven.

At the pearly gates he was greeted by Saint Peter, "Hey! Glad to see you made it! You deserved to come to Heaven and we need more "grunts" up here.

The old grunt smiled and was about to step into Heaven when he stopped and said, "Saint Pete, you don't have any "CAV" up here, do you? They picked on me my whole career, throwing MRE's, beer, and Coke cans at me as they rode by. I hate "CAV"!

"No way!" said Saint Peter. "There ain't no "CAV" here. They stay down at Fiddlers Green.

"So the old grunt stepped into Heaven and immediately saw a gigantic cloud with a gun tube sticking out of it. The old grunt heard all hell breaking loose - girls laughing and screaming. raucous music playing, and bottles breaking. "Hey! That's "CAV"! You lied to me!"

"No, no, no", said Saint Peter. "That's the mechanized infantry."

The old grunt took no more than a few steps when he heard an even louder racket coming from another cloud which had an even bigger gun tube sticking out of it. "That's "CAV"!, he screamed hysterically.

"Calm down", said Saint Peter. "That's the field artillery - the guys that used to bail you out when things got rough on the battlefield."

So the old grunt took another few steps and was immediately confronted by a Kiowa Warrior helicopter screaming around the corner, the gunner hunched over his sights, firing rockets and Hellfire missiles everywhere. The pilot wore a Stetson, was holding a bottle of Jack Daniels in his left hand and a beautiful blond in his right arm. Crossed sabers were painted on the side of the chopper. "CAV! CAV! That's the CAV!", screamed the old grunt.

"NAW", said Saint Peter, "That's GOD. He just thinks He's "CAV".

(VIDEO) AH 64 Action Afghanistan

AH 64 Action Afghanistan...

Wounded Soldier Reaffirms Commitment to Fight

By Pfc. Bradley J. Clark
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FOB MAREZ — Soldiers re-enlist in the Army everyday, but for one Soldier with the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, re-enlisting was an experience far from ordinary.

Frankenmuth, Mich., native, Pfc. Daniel Weber, cavalry scout, 2nd Platoon, Troop B, 1-9 Cav., re-enlisted June 13 only hours after being involved in an improvised explosive device attack in Mosul, Iraq.

“I was planning on re-enlisting that day for a while now,” said Weber. “Why should I let something like this change my mind?”

Weber’s company commander, Capt. Bradley Nelson, was in a convoy heading to Forward Operating Base Marez for a meeting and Weber just hitched a ride so he could re-enlist.

“We were riding along just fine when we heard over the radio that Delta Troop was in some trouble, so we decided to turn around and help them out because we had a medic with us,” said Weber.

When the convoy had decided to turn around, Weber, along with his fellow Soldiers, was surprised at what happened next.

An improvised explosive device detonated right beside their vehicle.

(PHOTO: Pfc. Daniel Weber, cavalry scout, 2nd Platoon, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment re-enlists June 13 at the helicopter landing pad on Forward Operating Base Marez, Iraq. Just hours prior to Weber re-enlisting, he was wounded in and improvised explosive device attack. Photo by Ted Tae, Platoon Magazine.)

Read the Rest...

New Retention Slogan Hits Cav Country in Iraq

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
RELEASE No. 20070111-13

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Army slogans have come and gone. They have adapted to the generations. You all remember “Be all that you can be” and the most recent “Army of One,” but the Army has now changed the slogan to “Army Strong” to embody the spirit and guts of the new age Army, an Army at war.

Using pictures taken from the most recent deployment to Iraq, the Multi-National Division- Baghdad now has a new retention poster.

“The poster represents all of us in MND-B. All of the division patches are shown on the poster,” said Sgt. Maj. Derek Dahlke, the division command career counselor.

The new poster is about to hit the streets of Baghdad and some of the troops are inspired by it.
“I love all of the pictures on the poster,” said Staff Sgt. Nick Strong, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Cavalry Division. “I am trying to get the poster as the background on my computer.”

The poster has more than just pictures. There are a few inspiring words as well. “The most important part of the poster is the phrase ‘You can’t be replaced.’ It is true. Every Solider, no matter what your job or rank is in the Army, you can’t be replaced,” Dahlke said.

Others have a different take on what the phrase “You can’t be replaced” means.

“Cav can’t be replaced. We are the best unit in the Army,” said Sgt. Hal Spiller, HHC, 1st Cav. Div. “The poster just makes me want to stay Cav.”

The First Team has taken a new approach on the Army Strong theme and added their own Cav touch with the phrase “Cav Tough” tagged on to the end of the Army slogan.

If Spiller’s reaction to the new poster and the new slogan are any indication, the division retention office has hit the mark as their latest product hits the streets of Baghdad.