‘Longknife’ Squadron participates in Aggieville St. Patrick’s Day Run while deployed

Courtesy Photo | Troopers with 5th “Longknife” Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center ready themselves for the start of the two-mile fun run March 19, 2011 at Joint Security Station Falcon, Iraq. The Longknife Squadron held a two-mile fun run and 10K race to coincide with the Aggieville St. Patrick’s Day run back in Manhattan, Kan. (Photo by: Spc. Ryan Weeks)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.19.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

By: Capt. Skip Jacobs

BAGHDAD — Troopers with the 5th “Longknife” Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Divison, United States Division – Center participated in a companion race to the 33rd annual Aggieville St. Patrick’s Day Race at Joint Security Station Falcon.

The Squadron troopers ran either a 10-kilometer race or a two-mile fun run. The Manhattan, Kan., event, held yearly in the Aggieville business district, consists of a 10K race, a two-mile fun run, and a two-mile walk.

More than 50 troopers participated in the event, intended to boost morale and increase relations with partnered Iraqi Security Forces and local Iraqi leaders, as well as the greater Fort Riley community back home. Members of the Iraqi 2nd Federal Police Division and local Baghdad civilian leaders participated in the two-mile run.

Leadership from Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment began preparation for the race in February by securing sponsorships for t-shirts and an authentic Iraqi feast. With help from the Aggieville race planners, the Squadron secured sponsorship from Varney’s Bookstore and Kansas State Bank who supplied the Squadron with 50 shirts, which were provided to the participants of both the 10K and the two-mile run.

Events like the St. Patrick’s Day race are important to keep the morale level up and give soldiers an extra incentive to maintain a good physical fitness level.

“It helps me to have a short-term goal like this 10K race to work towards,” said Maj. Robert Ricks, executive officer of 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., 2nd AAB, 1st Infantry Division, USD – C and a Charleston, S.C., native. “With the constant grind of a deployment, it is easy to put off physical fitness training, but these group events keep soldiers focused and give them something to work toward.”

The weather was warmer than the soldiers are generally used to this time of year. The temperature was in the mid-80s with clear skies and a slight breeze.

Those that did not run in the race were helping with supplying water to the runners and cheering them on as they made each lap around the course.

Sgt. Sammy Ngatia, with HHT, 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, won both events with a two-mile run time of 11 minutes, 15 seconds and a 34 minutes, 35 seconds 10K finish. For his accomplishments, Sgt. Ngatia was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.

Sheikh Ayad, a prominent local Iraqi leader and race participant, provided the squadron with a freshly prepared authentic Iraqi feast after the races.

“This was a great event for not only our soldiers, but for our federal police partners, the local community, and the Fort Riley community back home,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Moore, commander of 5th Squadron., 4th Cavalry Regiment and an Ophelia, Va., native.

Due to the success of the event, the Squadron intends to continue with monthly competitions and is currently planning an invitational soccer tournament.

• Date Taken: 03.19.2011
• Date Posted: 03.26.2011 08:01
• Story ID: 67777
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ