12th Cavalry
News - Saber Column
March - April 2009
Ken Howser
0001 Journal Opened. Hey Sailor, new in town?
0103 Media release 25 Jan> Maintaining tactical vehicles and ensuring they are combat ready can be considered a challenging task, but for soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division who work in the motor pool on base here it’s a routine operation. Staff Sergeant Fernando Ramirez, a senior enlisted mechanic assigned to the 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., mentored his Soldiers and other troops on the importance of sustaining their vehicles before they rolled out the front gate, embarking on a vehicle convoy. Ramirez and his troopers service all the vehicles for their battalion, and they also assist the drivers and operators of those vehicles by teaching them how to correctly sustain their machines when a trained mechanic is not available. The soldiers in the Thunder Horse motor pool not only strive to sustain the vehicles, they also try to pass on their knowledge to their fellow soldiers so that the information goes down to the lowest level.
0203 6 Feb> “Thunderhorse friends and families - your Soldiers deserve a great deal of congratulations for their professional preparation and magnificent execution of the provincial elections security operations for our two provinces. Since the turn of the year, we've worked very hard alongside the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT), Iraqi Army, Police, and Iraqi High Election Commission (IHEC) preparing for what turned out to be an epic day. On 31 January, 209,000 Iraqis voted at 158 polling sites in Muthanna, which was about 57% of the eligible population. In Dhi Qhar, 51% or 475,000 people voted at 409 sites. To top the day off, there were no reports of violence or injuries in either province. We're all doing well going on the 8-month mark of the deployment. Since Christmas, we've had many visitors including two more visits from Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki as well the CENTCOM Commander, General Patreus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker. The incumbent State of Law Coalition has seemingly fared the best across southern Iraq, but many other portions of the population have gained representation as well. Just know your Soldier made an important and lasting contribution to the future of a democratic Iraq.” LTC Kendrick, CDR.
0303 AFPS 18 Feb> “4th Brigade Combat Team's 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment "Thunder Horse" soldiers put the finishing touches on the An-Nasr TV and radio station in Dhi Qar province Feb 11. When the Thunder Horse Battalion assumed duty in Dhi Qar last July, the soldiers visited the Iraqi media site to find a leaky roof and multiple electrical problems. The unit's leaders immediately started the process to enroll the station in the Commander's Emergency Relief Program. "I think it's something positive for these people here in An-Nasr," Army Capt. Matthew Guevara, the civil military operations officer for the battalion, said. "Our guys have helped [local reporters] since we got here, and we always invite them to our missions." The An-Nasr station provides regional news from Baghdad to the Dhi Qar province, and also distributes daily local news to its Iraqi audience. "It was very good working with the [American forces]. I can't believe how nice everyone was," Naceem Naseer Hussaid, a station engineer, said. "I had other engineers visit this station, and they were very impressed with the equipment and improvements that were made to the station."
0403 AFPS 19 Feb> “12th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Battalion provided tactical training to about 150 special weapons and tactics team police from Muthanna province Feb. 10. The SWAT team's leader, Lt. Ahmed, requested the training from the battalion's Company A, he said, so his police could become "Always Ready."I often execute time-sensitive missions," Ahmed said. "Most of my missions come at times of vulnerability for the suspects and times of opportunity for me.” The battalion started training the Muthana police in December by explaining the basics of vehicle maintenance, gun truck operations and urban tactical training at Convoy Support Center Cedar. The team learned leadership procedures and how to conduct risk management during patrols. Iraqi police now take the lead during tactical missions in Muthana including providing security for high-profile visits such as that of Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in December and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan C. Crocker in January. "The professionalism and training of the [Iraqi police] SWAT was evident during the joint operation, Ahmed incorporated the tactics, techniques and procedures he learned from the U.S. Army and his team's tasks were executed without fail."
0503 1/12 Cavalry> “Hello from Iraq to all Charger Families and Friends! It is finally official, on 16 January 2009 we received authority of our portion of Iraq from the 1st Squadron, 3rd ACR. After several weeks in Kuwait receiving our equipment and completing mandatory training, the battalion started moving up north just after the New Year. During the past two weeks, we have been busy occupying our new homes, meeting our Iraqi partners (army, police, and others), and learning our area of operations. It was by all accounts a very smooth relief in place with the outgoing unit and they did all the right things to receive us and set us up for success. Currently, three of the companies (B, C, and D) are living at combat outposts throughout the area as is A Co who is currently attached to 2-82 FA and occupies ground on the north side of Mosul. Our area encompasses the southern third of Ninewa province - very vast and open desert except for the area immediately around the Tigris River that cuts our sector in half. The first large event we are facing is the provincial elections that will occur at the end of the month and we will be supporting the Iraqi's to allow a fair and credible election to occur. I want to dispel any current rumors - we are still in Iraq with no plans to go to Afghanistan, and we are still on 12-month deployment orders - nothing has changed. Until next time, rest assured your Soldiers are making a difference everyday in Iraq and we will accomplish every mission given! Always Ready!” - LTC Michael Fadden, CDR.
0603 1/12 Cavalry FRG is once again offering an extraordinary cloth throw to all Cav families and troopers, raising money for, and awareness of their programs. If you remember the past year's styling, this year's model is in 'Basic Black' for the discerning connoisseur. Cost is a minimal $35 and $8 for shipping and handling outside the Ft Hood area. Contact Brenda Fadden, <Information Redacted>, or <Information Redacted>. Be sure to order your 12th Cavalry throw before supplies are exhausted!
0703 Sergeant Major (Ret) Joseph L. Norman, Jr. 76, passed away on January 29, 2008 at his home in Hopkinsville, KY. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953 as an infantryman and paratrooper. He became an All-Army boxer while at Fort Campbell, earned a Ranger Tab as a young NCO, and subsequently was assigned as an instructor at the Fort Benning, Georgia, Ranger School. While serving at Fort Benning as a staff sergeant and rifle squad leader of 1st BN (ABN) 187th INF, 11th Air Assault Division he became an original member of C Co, 1st BN (ABN) 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. He served in Vietnam in a rifle platoon from 1965-1966 and had two other tours in VN in support of Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol units and logistics elements. He also served in Korea and retired from the Army in 1983. He is survived by two daughters, Dorthea and Vickie, and a son, Anthony. “We who served with him will always remember his courage, inspiration, leadership, devotion to his men, and that he was a true gentleman who loved his family and Country.“ From Trooper Bob McClellan, “I had the privilege of serving as Joe's platoon leader in the 1st BN (ABN) 187th INF at Fort Benning and for a year in Viet Nam in C Co 1st BN (ABN) 12th CAV. A master parachutist and Ranger qualified, he was the epitome of a non-commissioned officer; he had great infantry technical skills, he led in training and on the battlefield, he cared for the men he was responsible for as well as others in the company, and his advice was always solicited prior to and during a mission. I had such great confidence in Joe's ability that I probably overworked him - his rifle squad was "on point" more than any other and our platoon was frequently the company lead. An exceptional infantryman, Joe was a soldiers soldier.”
0803 Found on the net> Army Capt. Sean Gilfillan, a reservist who served four years on active duty and a tour in Iraq, started 'To the Fallen Records' in 2006. The record label, which takes its name from a tattoo Gilfillan bears to commemorate fellow service members who died in combat, signs only musicians who are military members or veterans. Since its inception, the record label has grown into a platform to showcase all military musicians, even those not talking about combat. The bottom line, Gilfillan said, has always been quality music, "If the music isn't good, if the quality isn't there, then we won't feature you," he said. "It has to be radio quality." Give them a look-see! <http://www.tothefallenrecords.com/>.
0903 An open invitation is extended to all present and former members of B Company 2nd Battalion 12th Cav to join the Bravo 2/12 Yahoo Group. On site you will find a place to keep in contact with those with whom you served, and a place to meet with others that served at different times. This Yahoo list and group is restricted to only active and Veteran B 2/12 and their Next Of Kin. A reunion by this group is held every year over Veterans Day in the Washington, DC area. To join, send an e-mail with your name of choice and when you served in B 2/12 to Al Zeller at: <Information Redacted> or go to the home page and request membership. <Http://Groups.Yahoo.Com/Group/Bravo212/>.
1003 Dennis Brink, A 2/12 Ace High 10 India> “I started out as just infantry but one day during a fire fight someone needed a radio up front and they volunteered the new guy to low crawl it up to whomever. As I recall I was the new guy; from there I guess I was stuck. When I was in VN it was a position you worked up to; I started as a radio operator for the Lt of the 3rd platoon, then 5 India, 6 India for the company commander, then 10 India. 5 India was in charge of taking the orders from all of the platoons for what was needed in the field and passing the order on to base camp. Ace High 10 was in charge of the company CP under the 6. Finally, I went to the Battalion for my last three months and was Roving Gambler 65 working with a Col, the CO.
1103 David Dentinger, President of your Regiment Association, had a date with the doctors and staff of the VA hospital in Louisville, KY during February. Dave had a diseased gall bladder removed and seems to be well along the road to recovery, following his GPS and Lynn's clear instructions. While he cannot recommend his pain and sickness to anyone following in his footsteps, he does reservedly commend the treatment he received, if not the vittals. While flat on his back enjoying the ceiling, he received a courtesy visit from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki on a tour of the facilities. The SoVA asked to and was granted an interview of Dave. Gen Shinseki spent over 20 minutes chatting with Dave as he was friend to Dave's platoon CO in VN, the later Gen Ackerman. It pays to be Cav, what?
1203 'Are You Kidding Me?' by Keith Morin.> {Saturday, 17 Jan, 2009 the First Cav Div Assoc Connecticut Chapter was meeting in Manchester, CT. The new attendee was Col (RET.) Kipp 0. Miller, a helicopter pilot who had served with the 229th AHB in Vietnam 1968-1969. Kipp answered various questions about the Airmobile assaults and combat flights that most of the cavalrymen and chapter members took part in during their Vietnam tours. Stephen A. Carter started talking about his time on LZ Grant when he was a trooper with 2/12 Cavalry, about one night that LZ Grant got hit for the third time in a few weeks. Kipp listened to Steve's remembrance of that night and the Huey pilot that came to the rescue of the WIA'S. The only guide the pilot had was a Cavalry trooper with two flashlights to signal his approach. Steve helped to bring the wounded out to the landing area on stretchers and also load them aboard the aircraft. Steve said the man was like a God to the guys on the ground. Steve stated that he had thought about this pilot for all of the forty years since he had been home. Steve asked if by any chance he knew who that pilot was so many years ago? Kipp stood with what looked to us a stoic expression. He looked at Steve and shocked Steve by saying "Steve, that pilot was me." "I can't believe it, are you kidding me?", Steve said. "For forty years I have thought about that crazy night." That night, March 11, 1969, both men met each other briefly halfway around the world. For forty years they had both wanted to know who the other man was. They finally met at a meeting of the Div Assoc forty years later, halfway around the world and back to where they both live in the same CT town. Chances that they both are members and live in the same town in Connecticut? “Are you kidding me?”} When you read this article, the full story should be posted on the Regimental website, please read the complete story there.
1303 NOTICE – Dates on the calendar are closer than they appear! Don't let the reunion train pass you by; get out the phone and credit card and make your reservations for the 62nd Annual 1st Cav Reunion, ASAP! This year we pilgrimage back to the old home-place, Killeen/Fort Hood, Texas. Dates certain are in the range of 3-7 June, 2009, but you are certainly allowed to choose others also. I trust you will meet with all of your old comrades and their wives, and the myriad friends made at your previous reunions. I also wish you the 'golden experience' of meeting the person or persons from your service days you have long wished to reacquaint with. You are highly encouraged to attend the general meeting to learn the accurate and current affairs of the Division, your era and Regimental luncheons, and the grand soirée on Saturday evening. If at all possible, never miss the long roll muster of battles and the honored dead on Sunday morning to close your reunion. This is my opinion only and worth every dollar I charge for it! Nothing of note happened the rest of the day, please write if you get work.
2400 Journal Closed.