Hawaii ARINEARINE MVMOLUME 36, NUMBER 30 2005 THOMAS JEFFERSON AWARD WINNING METRO FORMAT NEWSPAPER AUGUST 4, 2006 Triad Tiki Island Horseshoes A-3 B-1 C-1 3/3 welcomes new protectors of Haditha Dam, says farewell to old Fresh Azerbaijani soldiers arrive at Haditha Dam to relieve fellow comrades tasked with providing internal security for the hundreds of Marines there Sgt. Roe F. Seigle By performing these duties, said Monte. “Even though Regimental Combat Team 7 they free up a whole compa- there was a language barrier ny’s worth of Marines, who in many of the Marines made HADITHA, Iraq — turn can support operations friends with them and they Marines operating in the against anti-Iraqi forces both learned phrases in each Haditha-triad region recently throughout the region, accord- others’ languages.” bid farewell to Azerbaijani sol- ing to 1st Lt. Sam Monte, the The soldiers occupy sepa- diers who have spent the past 29-year-old executive officer of rate sections of the dam’s liv- six months providing internal the battalion’s Headquarters ing space, but dine with the security for hundreds of and Service Company. Marines everyday and often Marines headquartered at the “Each soldier volunteered watch movies together after city’s large dam. to come to Iraq and they are evening meals. A change of command cere- very eager to work with the With less than a week at mony held July 13 marked the Marines,” said Azerbaijan their new posts at the dam, the end of a six-month tour of Army Capt. Javid Abbasov, the new batch of soldiers are learn- duty in Iraq for one group of executive officer assigned to ing their jobs and routines in the soldiers and the beginning 1st Company, Guard Force the dam quickly and thor- for another. Brigade. “They are glad to be oughly, said Monte. Azerbaijan is a former able to represent their country Abbasov, who has previous- Soviet Union state located in and will do the mission to the ly served in Iraq, said serving southwestern Asia bordering best of their ability.” with Coalition Forces is a bit of the Caspian Sea between Iran All young males in an honor for Azerbaijan’s sol- and Russia and is slightly Azerbaijan are obligated to diers – the soldiers are hand smaller than Maine. serve in the armed forces for a selected by their commanders, The dam is occupied by the year and a half. However, if and only top-notch soldiers Hawaii-based 3rd Battalion, the soldiers volunteer to serve make the cut. 3rd Marine Regiment, who in a combat zone, they are “It is a great experience for have spent the past four only required to serve one me and the other soldiers to months combating insurgents year. contribute in The Global War and training Iraqi soldiers and The soldiers have had a on Terrorism and our govern- police. presence in the Haditha Dam ment supports our mission Cpl. Brian M Henner The soldiers support the and supported Coalition here as well,” said Abbasov. “I Members of the Azerbaijani Army stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at the Marines by providing perime- Forces for more than three am personally thankful to be Hadithah Dam. The Azerbaijani Army is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 7, I Marine ter security around the dam, years, said Monte, a native of here and help Iraq rebuild Expeditionary Force (FWD) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Al Anbar province of Iraq to escorting Iraqi workers, and Portland, Ore. their country, and I know all develop the Iraqi Security Forces, facilitate the development of official rule of law through democratic protecting the battalion’s com- “The soldiers have been my soldiers feel that way as government reforms, and continue the development of a market-based economy centered on Iraqi mand and control center. very professional at all times,” well.” reconstruction. Combat Camera Marine testifies Kevlar saved his life Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin was his Kevlar helmet that saved his life in the Henner, a Marine combat 1st Marine Division middle of a gunfight between Marines and photographer with Regimental insurgents in Iraq’s Al Anbar province last Combat Team 7, was shot in AL ASAD, Iraq — Though a religious week. the helmet when insurgents, man, Cpl. Brian M. Henner doesn’t attribute “If I didn’t have it on, it probably would hidden in a near-by tree-line, divine intervention, luck, fate or destiny to the have went into the top of my head,” said fired upon Marines manning a fact that he’s still alive after taking an enemy Henner, a native of Rochester, N.Y. “It didn’t vehicle inspection checkpoint bullet to the head. just graze, it dug in to the helmet, but that’s July 23. Instead, the 22-year-old U.S. Marine says it why we wear them, though.” The incident took place in Haqlaniyah – one of three Euphrates River valley cities in the western portion of Al Open for business! Anbar province which make up the Haditha Triad region. While snapping photo- graphs of Marines searching locals’ vehicles, Henner says the Marines began receiving gunfire from a tree-line across the street. The Marines imme- diately took cover behind a car, but Henner was stuck in the road, where he was photo- graphing from when the fire started, with just a small medi- an to provide protection and concealment. Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin As the insurgents continued Corporal Brian M. Henner, 22, from Rochester, N.Y., displays the to fire against the Marines, Kevlar helmet he wore July 23 when he was shot in the head by an Henner laid on his belly insurgent. The incident took place in Haqlaniyah – one of three Euphrates River valley cities in the western portion of Al Anbar behind the road’s median – the Province which make up the Haditha Triad region. only protection he and anoth- er Marine in the street had – and returned fire car, and slid across its hood – breaking his cam- with his rifle before crawling along the median era lens in the process. and away from the firing. He then used his personal camera to record He says he was shot when he was crawling short video clips of the ensuing gun battle, away from the firing. The impact of the bullet which lasted less than 30 minutes altogether, Lance Cpl. Edward C. deBree took a chunk out of the top of his helmet. he said. Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, celebrated the grand opening of its family theme park, Tiki “I saw a flash and then, ‘Wham!’ something “It wasn’t just another patrol to hand out Island, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Water Ventures (left), president, Maartin Voogd; hit me in the head real hard,” said Henner, a candy,” he said. “I remember that whole 25 Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course Manager Todd Murata; Food and Hospitality Business Operations 2002 graduate of Brookport High School in minutes pretty well.” Manager Kristin Hagen; MCBH Commanding General Brig. Gen. Steven A. Hummer and MCBH Rochester. “I knew it wasn’t a rock, and I His parents were “surprisingly calm” about Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Daniel Fierle making the final cut. Tiki Island offers patrons two miniature thought, ‘Damn, I think I just got shot in the the incident after Henner told them on the golf courses, bumper boat rides, slow- and fast-pitch batting cages and a clubhouse concession. For more information about Tiki Island, see B1; and for information about Tiki Island's coloring contest, head.’” phone what had happened, he said. see B6. With other Marines yelling at him to “Move!” – Henner sprang to his feet, ran for the See KEVLAR, A-5 A-2 • AUGUST 4, 2006 HAWAII MARINE NEWS BRIEFS By the book Deployed Marine teaches himself Arabic Women’s Leadership Conference The 3rd Annual International Women's Sgt. Roe F. Seigle Leadership Conference will be held Aug. 29 from Regimental Combat Team 7 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort, Hawaii Ballroom. Government/mil- BARWANAH, Iraq — When Pfc. Kenneth Dickerson goes to sleep at night, he keeps a bible itary rates are available. by his side, pictures of his family, and a note- The event features 12 women leaders, including book filled with hand-written Arabic words and Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, commander, Coast phrases he has learned since he arrived in Iraq. Guard District 14; Karen P. Hughes, U.S. under sec- The 19-year-old U.S. Marine has used many retary of state for diplomacy and public affairs; of those words and phrases while patrolling the Zainab Al-Suwaij, executive director, American dusty streets of Barwanah, Iraq, daily with his Islamic Congress; Grace Padaca, governor, Isabela fellow Marines in the Hawaii-based 3rd battal- Province, Philippines; and a special videotaped ion, 3rd Marine Regiment. message from Oprah Winfrey. The event is open to “He came here not knowing one word of all military and spouses. Arabic, and now we take him out on patrol and For more information or to register, visit we do not need an interpreter,” said Cpl. Daniel Robert, a 22-year-old from Philadelphia who http://www.iwlchi.org or call 586-0081. said Dickerson “is an outstanding Marine.” When the battalion arrived in Iraq four DEERS to relocate months ago, there was a shortage of inter- preters. On many patrols, the Marines were not Sgt. Roe F. Seigle Hawaii Installation Personnel Administrative able to communicate with the local populace.