New Locations

Many of the Soldiers from FOB Hammer are moving or have already moved to various Combat Outposts. This gives us a little insight to the COPs and the new locations of our troops.

Spc. Jeff Nutter, 27, Redding, Calif., Pvt. Dillon Bella, 19, Fredrick, Md., and Sgt. Anthony Shuta, 27, Daytona Beach, Fla., all from Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, relax in their living quarters May 2, at Combat Outpost Cashe, Iraq.

Blackanthem Military News, COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, Iraq — Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team have established three combat outposts in the unit’s area of operation, all named after their fallen comrades. While in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, V, 1-15 Inf. moved from Forward Operating Base Hammer, where the brigade headquarters is located, to Combat Outposts Cleary, Cahill, and Cashe in the areas of Wahida, Salman Pak, and Tuwaitha, respectively.

According to Maj. John Cushing, of Rochester, Mich., Operations Officer for 1-15 Inf., the battalion was assigned to the outposts to be closer to the communities and people they are here to secure. He said moving closer to the towns where they will be conducting their operations also allows for the battalion to better intermingle with the locals. “To live with the populace and experience what they experience, you get a better appreciation for the area,” Cushing said.

COP Cleary is named after 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary, 2nd Platoon Leader for Company E, 1-15 Inf., who was killed during an IED strike Dec. 5, 2005 during OIF III in Ad Duliayah, Iraq.

According to Capt. Mathew Garner, of Dallas, Texas., commander for Company C, the unit had moved from a pharmaceutical plant to COP Cleary almost immediately. When they arrived at the former government building and greenhouses, there was nothing but one run-down building. Rubble and broken glass covered the ground, rendering it nearly impossible to maneuver vehicles. “It only took one day, really, for the inside of the building to be cleared,” Garner said, “and about a week or two to get all the glass cleared away.” After hard work and dedication from the Soldiers at COP Cleary, the outpost now has toilets, a shower facility, and the Dragon Inn dining facility area. “It’s gotten so much better here,” said Sgt. 1st Class Quentin Fenderson, of Tuscaloosa, Ala. “Especially with the new chow hall and showers. Most of the Soldiers would rather just stay here than go back to (FOB Hammer) for showers and chow.”

Company D occupies COP Cashe, which is named after Sgt. 1st Class Alwynn Cashe. Cashe was a platoon sergeant in Company A during OIF III. He died on Nov. 8, 2005 from injuries suffered during an IED strike on Oct. 17, 2005 in Ad Duliyah, Iraq.

The outpost is located in the town of Tuwaitha, just north of Salman Pak. Directly next to the building is a fire station where the Soldiers get most of their water. “The firefighters help us out,” said Staff Sgt. Quentin Heard, 33, Lagrange, Ga., tank commander for 2nd Platoon, Company D, 1-15 Inf. “They bring bread; they help us get our water running. We help them too. Like, if one has a headache or something, we will get with our medic to try to help them.” COP Cashe currently has two man-made toilets, a new chow kitchen, and a shower made from ponchos, old lockers, and a fire hose. The living quarters are rooms within the building capable of housing eight to 16 Soldiers.

COP Cahill, named after Capt. Joel Cahill, Commander of Company B, 1-15 Inf. during OIF III, who was killed Nov. 6, 2005 in an IED attack in Ad Dwar, Iraq, is the smallest of the three outposts and is believed to be the former Hunting Club security building for Saddam Hussein’s sons, owned by the Ministry of Agriculture.

“It’s getting better everyday,” said Spc. Anthony Hartley, 22, Delaware, Ohio, Company A, 1-15 Inf. “We have the phones and internet, all we need is a place to wash clothes and I’ll be set.” The COP has one makeshift shower, dining facility, and phone and internet access. According to 1st Lt. Chris Pearson, Executive Officer for Company A, improvements to be made to the outpost includes additional living space and air conditioning.

Although it is not clear how long 1-15 Inf. will be living at their designated outposts, the Soldiers are making tremendous progress with the resources they are given and are prepared for what could be an 18-month deployment. “It’s my job,” Hartley said. “If I wasn’t prepared to do whatever I needed to, I wouldn’t have signed on the dotted line.”