Spc. Christina Alvarado and Sgt. Shanequa Cardona, members of the Female Engagement Team with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, talk to some local women with the help of their interpreter Hayda Azizi, in Subdistrict 6, Aug. 4. “The women have a lot of concerns about their children’s education and medical needs,” Alvarado said.

The Female Engagement Team with 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is enhancing the ability to gain intelligence from an untapped resource: Afghan women.

“Our mission is to go where the men can’t,” said Sgt. Shanequa Cardona, a team leader with the FET of 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. “Because of their customs, it is seen as inappropriate for women to talk with men who live outside their home.”

“Without the FET we would have no way to engage the female populace,” said Capt. John Intile, the commander of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. “In some cases we get different perspectives and points of view on things.”

Spc. Christina Alvarado, a Female Engagement Team member with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, passes out pencils to local children in Diwatiano, Aug. 5.

“The women have a lot of concerns about their children’s education and medical needs,” said Spc. Christina Alvarado, a FET member with 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment

Not only do the Afghan women have different points of view on things but sometimes they are more willing to talk.

“The men are targets of intimidation tactics; the women might talk because they don’t have those pressures,” Intile said.

The job isn’t as easy as just going in to talk to the women. An Afghan Uniformed Police officer will go in and secure the premises, then tell the women to all go into one room and if there are men in the home the AUP will question them.

“The men don’t want the females to talk to us,” Alvarado said, “sometimes they will hover around and try to take over the conversation and that can be frustrating.”

Sallamjn, an officer with Police Sub Station 15, Hayda Azizi, an interpreter and Sgt. Shanequa Cardona, a Female Engagement Team member with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, wait at the door of a family in Subdistrict 6, Aug 4. The Afghan Uniformed Police always go into the homes first to secure a location so that the FET may be able to enter and talk with the women of the house.

“It’s challenging to try to get the women to feel comfortable with us and trust us enough to give us good information,” Cardona said.

It’s important to gain a good rapport with the women because they are more likely to confide real information instead of the bland answer that everything is fine within the community, said Hayda Azizi, an interpreter who works with the FET.

“I try and show them that I’m a wife and mother, just like them,” Cardona said. “I carry a family photo that I pass around for them to see.”

“Our interpreter plays a huge role; we would be useless without her,” Alvarado said. “She really knows how to get in and talk to the women and make them feel more comfortable.”

Even with some difficulties, the FETs have proven their effectiveness.

“We have seen great success when we use FETs; they are like any other enabler, you just have to realize how to utilize them properly,” Intile said.

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Photos and Story by Sgt. Ruth Pagan

First Lt. Matthew Dean from Richmond, Ohio, 1st Lt. Di’Anna Newton from Hallettsville, Texas, and 1st Lt. Theresa Ockrassa from Austin, Texas, explore the tomb of King Shulgi, the king of Ur who originally built the Ziggurat of Ur. The Ziggurat is one of Iraq’s many historical sites and is located just north of Camp Adder near Nasiriyah. All three soldiers are assigned to Company G, 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div. (Army photo/1st Lt. Theresa Ockrassa)

The soldiers of Maintenance Platoon, Company G, visit the historical Ziggurat of Ur. The Ziggurat is one of Iraq’s many historical sites and is located just north of Camp Adder near Nasiriyah. Company G is assigned to 3rd Bn., 29th FA Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div. (Army photo/1st Lt. Theresa Ockrassa)

The soldiers of Company G, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division took a break from their support operations to experience some of the culture and history of Iraq.

The Ziggurat of Ur stands proudly outside Camp Adder and is believed to be 4,000 years old. While originally a temple to the moon god, it has become a symbol of honor for Iraqi ingenuity and culture, as well as being the birth place of the prophet Abraham.

Over the course of three weeks, the entire Company ventured out to the Ziggurat and met with the local tour guide Dhiaf Mahsen, who willingly shared his knowledge of Iraq as well as the historical site. The trip started with a trek to the top of the Ziggurat where Dhiaf discussed the history of the people of Ur, the significance of the Ziggurat and the temple that used to stand on top of it.

“It was really cool to stand on top of the Ziggurat and see the whole area we have been working in for months. It gave me a new perspective,” said Pvt. Dante Tate, of St. Louis, Mo.

While learning about the historical city of Ur, as well as the structural specifications of the Ziggurat, Soldiers also learned a few interesting bits of trivia from Dhiaf. They learned that the city of Ur had the first written law under king Ur-namu and that it predated the Code of Hammurabi by almost 300 years. Dhiaf shared that the first wheel had been built in the area and that despite its lasting impact on human society and technology, it was originally designed as a child’s toy.

“The wealth of knowledge we got from our guide was amazing. This guy knows his history,” said Spc. Dorian Johnson of Stoudsburg, Pa.

After the view from the top of the Ziggurat, the Ghost Riders headed down into the ruins of the Ur-namu Shugli Palace near the base. Despite being over 4000 years old, the Ghost Riders were able to see the original foundations and got to walk into the excavated royal tombs.

Within the tombs, many of the ancient technology fascinated the Ghost Riders. The door hinges made of wood tied to a door in a stone base and the ancient written language of cuneiform were particular favorites.

“It was amazing to be around all the old artifacts and structures,” said Spc. Cody Bryan of Dayton, Ohio. “The most interesting part was the three original bricks still engraved with cuneiform.”

The Ziggurat stands by the remains of the biblical prophet Abraham’s birth home and many soldiers were excited to see this portion of religious history in person. The house had fallen to its foundations over time, but was rebuilt in 1999.

“Actually seeing Abraham’s house and knowing an actual prophet lived there was really awesome and a once in a lifetime experience,” said Spc. David Adkins of Harker Heights, Texas.

The time at the Ziggurat and the surrounding historical sites was beneficial for the Ghost Riders and helped them understand a portion of Iraq’s history in a way they had not understood before.

“It was interesting to see something from so long ago still standing and show the ingenuity and progress of mankind,” said Johnson. “The trip was enlightening.”

The soldiers returned from their adventures feeling inspired and more connected to the history of the country they have been working to support.

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By 1st Lt. Theresa Ockrassa

A soldier from the 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., distributes equipment from the micro-grant program to a local Iraqi businessman who plans to expand his business. The micro-grants are expected to boost the local economy. Photo by Spc. Chastity Boykin

With the improvement of security, the business community is in a better position to grow. But in order to grow, some small businesses need some help.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, recently distributed micro-grants to 36 small business owners in Maysan province.

The micro-grant program is designed to stimulate the local economy by improving and expanding local businesses, said Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team economic advisor, Donna Carter.

U.S. forces issue micro-grants in sums of up to $5,000 to Iraqi small business owners who are chosen after a deliberate application process. Approximately 30 days after the micro-grants are issued, U.S. troops will follow up to assess the business owners’ progress.

A micro-grant recipient and local car-repair shop owner said he plans on using the new equipment, a car jack, tools, and a generator, from the grant to improve his business and expand his shop.

According to Sgt. 1st Class William Riley, project manager for Maysan, with Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, assigned to 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt., business owners who wish to receive a grant must first provide a plan of action of how the grant will be used. Businesses are then screened according to how the grant will impact the individual business and the local economy.

“Many of these shops lack the essential equipment to efficiently conduct day-to-day operations. By providing tools to help make these shops viable economically, it provides an opportunity for them to grow and contribute to the overall economic health and stability of the province,” said Riley.

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Story by Spc. Chastity Boykin

Sgt. Brian Curd, of Woodstock, Ill., and Spc. Nicholas Boxley, of Norfolk, Va., both combat engineers, Company E, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., prepare the RQ-16A Tarantula Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle. Although the T-Hawk requires a great deal of maintenance, the capabilities it provides are well worth the time spent. Photo by 2nd Lt. Matthew Fumagalli

Thanks to improving technology, the soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company E, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, have made improvements in route clearance in Basra.

The soldiers in 1st Platoon are taking advantage of relatively new technology, such as the RQ-16A Tarantula Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle.

The T-Hawk has the ability to launch remotely from the back of a truck, with soldiers only having to dismount from their vehicle for a few minutes. The T-Hawk gives the platoon the ability to observe surrounding areas and parallel routes, and provides a bird’s-eye-view of the convoy while it’s on the move.

“The T-Hawk is very easy to fly and is extremely stable in the air,” said Spc. Nicholas Boxley, combat engineer and T-Hawk pilot from Norfolk, Va.

Unlike some other models of UAVs, the T-Hawk can take off and land vertically, which makes it useful in areas with obstructions like buildings or mountains where other UAVs cannot operate. The ability to land vertically also allows the operators to land the T-Hawk within 15 feet of their location, limiting their exposure while on patrol.

When using the T-Hawk, the platoon is able to see a greater distance in any direction than before. This is a tremendous capability in the marshlands of Basra province.

During the rainy months of winter, many areas will become impassible to military vehicles. The T-Hawk’s ability to fly in nearly any weather will help ensure these areas remain free from insurgent activity.

Although the T-Hawk is relatively new, the engineers of Company E have learned how to put it to good use during their patrols. The T-Hawk allows them to sit far enough away that they can observe the area without being seen.

The buzzing in the sky also serves as a reminder that Company E is always watching.

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By 2nd Lt. Matthew Fumagalli

Pfc. Chelsea Draper, Forward Support Command, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, prepares to drive her military vehicle to its guard point protecting Camp Garry Owen in Maysan, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Plowman

For many years the United States Army has been a melting pot of soldiers from different cultures, races and religions, all joining the Army for reasons as different as their diverse backgrounds.

For Pfc. Chelsea Draper, Forward Support Command, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, joining the military followed in the footsteps of her grandfather.

A member of the Navajo tribe located in Chinle, Ariz., Teddy Draper Sr. served in the U.S. Marine Corp over 60 years ago, utilizing the Navajo language, or Diné Ke’Ji, to transmit coded messages as a code talker.

Code talkers were Native Americans who served in the Marines from World War I to Vietnam. Used to transmit coded messages over radio and telephone, the languages they spoke were unwritten and undecipherable by the enemy.

Draper grew up very close to her grandfather, hearing of his service as a code talker during World War II. Draper Sr., retired as a sergeant major. He received a Purple Heart, the Congressional Gold Medal as a Code Talker and his own personal Congressional Silver Medal, among numerous other honors.

Pfc. Chelsea Draper with her grandfather, Teddy Draper Sr., in Chinle, Ariz. Photo courtesy of Pfc. Chelsea Draper

Draper, a Chinle, Ariz., native said her grandfather is the reason she even thought about joining the Army.

“Even at a young age, I could see the pride my grandfather took in having served his country, and I also understood the sacrifices he made,” Draper said.

Draper has traveled a long way from the beautiful red-rocked mesas of Arizona to the golden sands of Iraq. Growing up on the reservation, she was raised within the native culture of her grandfather.

“I speak and write in our native Navajo language in addition to English, following in a tradition our clan has kept alive as part of their heritage, along with their religion, beliefs, legends and values,” Draper said.

When she was considering carrying on the tradition of military service, Draper’s grandfather didn’t coax her at all. But when she told him she had decided to join, she could see how proud he was of her.

“He gave me his full support, calling me ‘my Soldier,’” she said.

“I miss her, and I worry about her,” Draper Sr. said. “But America needs its defenders, and I support Chelsea.”

From the peaceful wind chimes of Chinle, Ariz., to the swirling heat of Maysan, Iraq, the connection between grandfather and granddaughter remains a strong and vital force in Draper’s life.

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By Spc. Jerry Ellis
1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div.