Training Lane Helps US, Iraqi Soldiers Prep for Missions by Sg T

The Expeditionary Times Proudly serving the finest Expeditionary service members throughout Iraq Vol. 3 Issue 9 January 20, 2010 http://www.hood.army.mil/13sce/ Engine work Providers deliver school supplies to rural Iraqi schoolchildren St o r y a n d Ph o t o s b y Mechanics keep VIPs Pf c . Li s a A. Co p e Ex pe d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f safe in Baghdad CAMP ADDER, Iraq – Staff Sgt. Imelda P. Page 5 Quiroz said delivering school supplies to Ibn Rushed School, New command a rural school outside of Na- sariyah, Iraq, reminded her of the visits humanitarians made to her school when she was a child in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico. Quiroz, the supply account- ing noncommissioned officer with the 36th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), moved to Arlington, Texas, and joined the Army, but she said the Jan. 13 trip to the Iraqi school brought back 20- Medical evacuation year-old memories. She said Staff Sgt. Mario A. Bonilla, a training noncommissioned officer with the 36th Sustainment Brigade, out of Temple, companies transfer she always looked forward to Texas, with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), delivers school supplies to a student Jan. 13, at Ibn the visits and believes they are Rushed School, near Nasariyah, Iraq. Soldiers with the 36th Sust. Bde. visited to distribute school supplies to the authority SEE SCHOOL ON PAGE 4 students and teachers to further the Iraqi civil capacity and aid the next generation of Iraqi leaders. Page 8

Straight shot Training lane helps US, Iraqi Soldiers prep for missions By Sg t . Ca n d a c e We s t l u n d facilitates training and man- 41s t IBCT Pu b l ic Af f ai r s ages the building as units come through. CAMP ADDER, Iraq – The 121st “We provide the building and Brigade Support set up the lanes,” said Staff Sgt. Battalion out of Chris Austin, a Sherman, Texas, Fort Bliss, Texas, native. “We have also done Com- conducted a bat Lifesaver certification train- convoy exercise ing. We built onto the facility with the Iraqi and have done a lot of improve- Army’s 10th ment for the next unit to take this Motor Transport Regiment at over.” the Convoy Academy Jan. 7 at The training was started by Iraqi Soldiers train at 9 mm Camp Adder, Iraq. the 121st BSB to ensure that More than 2,000 Soldiers convoy commanders are ready pistol range have been trained at the Convoy to lead the mission, said Master

Academy where the 41st Infan- Sgt. Rico Figueroa, a Puerto Rico U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cory Grogan try Brigade Combat Team, 13th native. The training lane was vol- Page 12-13 Members of the 121st Brigade Support Battalion move an Iraqi Army Sol- Sustainment Command (Expe- untarily implemented by 121st dier with a simulated injury by litter during a training exercise with the ditionary), out of Tigard, Ore., SEE LANES ON PAGE 4 Iraqi Army Jan. 7 at Camp Adder, Iraq. PAGE 2 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010

Balad Blotter January 7 - January 14 Chaplain’s Corner: success, FAILURE TO OBEY ORDER OR REGULATION: A complainant telephoned Defender Control and said a K-9 unit passed through his gate in route to a possible distur- bance between the subject and witness one. Patrolmen were self-fulfilling prophecy briefed and dispatched. They arrived on the scene, contacted the witnesses and subject and determined the subject had By Lt. Co l . Ga r r y Lo s e y French novelist, poet and journalist Anatole gained unauthorized entry to the facility after being turned 13t h ESC Ch ap l ai n France said, “To accomplish great things, we must away by the guards. not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also The subject was searched but nothing was found. All prop- enry Ford once said, “If you believe.” erty was retained on the person. The subject was transported Hthink you can or you can’t, you’re The start of a new year it is a perfect time to and advised the subject of his rights under IAW Article 31/ right.” dream and believe in yourself. UCMJ via Air Force IMT 1168/Statement of Suspect/Wit- ness/Complainant. Our minds play a powerful part in You now have 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, The subject acknowledged his rights, declined legal counsel how we see ourselves and how others 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 sec- and made a written statement. The subject said, via AF Form see us. onds. Each one of those moments is a gift from God 1168/Statement of Suspect, he and witness two approached When faced with a difficult task, if we perceive that to accomplish the tasks that you have been given. the location. The subject said he did not believe it was after we can accomplish the task, then we are at least 50 Here is the chance to take your skills, talents 8: 30 p.m. The subject said witness two escorted him and witness four into the location to show them it was closed. The percent of the way there. Our thoughts determine our and time and see what can be accomplished. subject said they exited the location and re-entered through attitude and actions, and it is those thoughts that lead I know sometimes it seems a little overwhelm- the back door. The subject said he was aware of the proper us to accomplish or struggle with the tasks before us. ing, but take one step at a time and move forward procedures but he wanted hot food. The subject said he at- Have you ever heard the term, “Self-fulfilling and, when you get down the road, you will look back tempted to walk away but the guard would not allow him to, prophecy?” What this basically means is, if you believe and be amazed at what you have accomplished. stating he could be detained. in your mind and heart you will fail, you will have set Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie once said, Witness one said, via AF IMT 1168/Statement of Witness, the subject approached the exit at the location and, when he yourself up to move in that direction. “Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparal- attempted to stop the subject, the subject continued into the On the other hand, if you believe in yourself, if you leled success. A whole clear, glorious life lies before building. Witness one said, when he followed the subject into are self-confident, if you are hopeful and optimistic, you. Achieve! Achieve!” building, the subject turned around and exited the building. good is more likely to come your way. There is a text, Philippians 4:13 which says, “I Witness one said the subject then said, “this is a military base Of course, there is more to it than just thinking can do all things through Christ who strengthens and I can do what I like.” Witness one said he then took the happy thoughts and being positive. You have to build me.” subject’s ID. Witness two said, via AF IMT 1168/Statement of Wit- skills and competencies, and you must be prepared to Think positive and enjoy achievements you nev- ness, the subject approached her entrance at roughly 8:36 accomplish the task at hand. er thought possible. You’re right – you can do it. p.m. and asked if it was closed. Witness two said the entrance was closed. Witness two said the subject then forced his way through into the entrance. Witness three said, via AF IMT 1168/Statement of Witness, he was exiting the location when he heard personnel yelling. Witness three said, when he turned the corner, he watched the subject and a guard ex- changing words. Witness three said the guard said the subject was approaching the exits attempting to enter the location. Witness three said the subject said he was an American Sol- dier and the guard could not talk to him that way. Witness four said he and the subject approached the location and saw the “Closed” sign had been placed on the location. Witness four said they did not believe it was after closing time, so they asked to speak with the noncommissioned officer in charge of the DFAC so they could get food. Witness four said he and the subject entered the location through an exit in an attempt to obtain food. Witness four said, when they entered location, all the hot meals had been removed, so they exited the location. Witness four said, when they exited location, they were approached by the guard. Witness four said the subject and the guard then got into a verbal altercation.

NIPR: 443-8602 SIPR: 241-1171 Email: [email protected]

EXPEDITIONARY TIMES 13th ESC Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Paul L. Wentz Expeditionary Times is authorized for pub- 13th ESC G2, Security Manager 139th MPAD Production Editor Pfc. Lisa A. Cope lication by the 13th Sustainment Command (318) 433-2155 Staff Sgt. Robert E. Fafoglia [email protected]. (Expeditionary). The contents of the Expedi- [email protected] tionary Times are unofficial and are not to be 13th ESC PAO, Managing Editor Spc. Michael V. Camacho Maj. Raul Marquez, 13th ESC PAO 139th MPAD Layout and Design [email protected] considered the official views of, or endorsed [email protected] Sgt. Jayson A. Hoffman by, the U.S. Government, including the Depart- [email protected] ment of Defense or Operation Iraqi Freedom. 13th ESC PA NCOIC Contributing public affairs offices Expeditionary Times is a command infor- Staff Sgt. Joel F. Gibson, 13th ESC 139th MPAD Photo Editor 15th Sustainment Brigade mation newspaper in accordance with Army [email protected] Sgt. Keith VanKlompenberg 36th Sustainment Brigade Regulation 360-1 and reviewed by the ESC G2 [email protected] for security purposes. 13th ESC Staff Writer 90th Sustainment Brigade Expeditionary Times is published weekly Spc. Naveed Ali Shah, 13th ESC 139th MPAD Copy Editor 96th Sustainment Brigade by the Stars and Stripes central office, with a [email protected] Spc. Brandy Oxford 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team [email protected] circulation of 5,000 papers. 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team 139th MPAD Commander 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing The Public Affairs Office is located on Capt. Brad Sinkler 139th MPAD Staff Writers New Jersey Ave. Building 7508, DSN 318-433- [email protected] Sgt. Ryan Twist 194th Engineer Brigade 2154. Expeditionary Times, HHC 13th ESC, [email protected] APO AE 09391. Web site at www.dvidshub.net 139th MPAD First Sergeant For online publication visit: 1st Sgt. Aangi Mueller Sgt. John Stimac www.dvidshub.net Contact the Expeditionary Times staff at: [email protected] [email protected] keyword: Expeditionary Times [email protected] Mission Statement: The Expeditionary Times Staff publishes a weekly newspaper with the primary mission of providing command information to all service members, partners, and Families of the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) team and a secondary mission of providing a means for units on Joint Base Balad to disseminate command information to their audiences. January 20, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 3 The Weekly Standard: behavioral Combat Stress: mental health health performance objectives reviews, treatment save lives By Na v y Ca p t . St e v e Br a s i n g t o n value among drug abusers. By Lt. Co l . Ga r y Da v i s ed officers and NCOs the importance of Co m ba t St r e s s Co n t r o l Ps y c h ia t r i s t The Depression Fact sheet from the 13t h ESC As s i s t a n t In s pec t o r Ge n e r a l their support of behavioral health goals American Psychiatric Association ex- during the initial performance counsel- oldiers receiving care plains the full benefits of taking a medica- aters of officer ing for a new rating period. Sat the Combat Stress tion may not be realized for two or three Revaluation reports Additionally, all rated officers and Clinic sometimes hear months, adding that psychiatrists usu- and noncommissioned NCOs will have behavioral health per- “you do not need antide- ally recommend the patient continue to officer evaluation re- formance objectives documented on the pressants” from co-work- take the medication for at least six more ports, there are new Department of the Army Form 67-9-1, ers who are not qualified months after symptoms are well con- counseling require- OER Support Form, and the DA Form to make mental health decisions. trolled. ments for NCOERs and OERs. 67-9-1A, Developmental Support Form, A one-time visit to talk to somebody or If a Soldier stops an antidepressant The vice chief of staff of the Army for officers or DA Form 2166-8-1, NCO- to attend a class does not usually elicit a medication during the initiation phase be- said raters will address the handling of ER Counseling and Support Form, for negative remark from the Soldier’s associ- cause the Soldier understands that mood behavioral health issues in their evalu- NCOs. Behavioral Health Performance ates. altering medication is frowned upon by ation counseling. Objectives for both officers and NCOs. However, when a Soldier starts taking the chain of command, then the treatment Part of that discussion must include For your reference, see Milper Mes- antidepressant medication, co-workers that Soldier receives will not be adequate. how behavioral health impacts com- sage Number 09-295, Leader Support tend to react. When the Soldier is encouraged to stop mand climate and overall unit perfor- of Behavioral Health Goals, issued Dec. According to the Outreach Center for coming to treatment after feeling well for mance. All raters must discuss with rat- 9. the Defense Center of Excellence, 44 per- a month or two, then a potentially lifesav- cent of 2007 suicide victims in the Army ing treatment has been compromised. Joint Base Balad (304th Sust. Bde.): DSN 433-2125 had a history of at least one mental disor- To improve crisis assessments, a com- Lt. Col. Reginald Howard (Command Inspector General) der. Mood disorder identified as the lead- mand representative or a chaplain acting Maj. Christopher Minor (Deputy) ing disorder among the dead. on behalf of the commander’s interest Master Sgt. Roy Thacker (NCOIC) According to a fact sheet on depression should send the following critical infor- and suicide published by the American mation along with the Soldier to the eval- Q-West (15th Sust. Bde.): DSN 827-6115 Association of Suicidology, depression is uation: Lt. Col. Gary Davis the most prevalent mental health disorder • a description of long term functioning associated with death by suicide. and performance; Adder/Tallil (3th Sust. Bde./41st IBCT): Although depression is common, less • recent changes in behavior; Maj. Andrea Shealy - DSN 833-1710 than 25 percent of depressed patients • disciplinary problems; Maj. Jeffrey Copek - DSN 833-5915 receive adequate diagnosis and manage- • pending investigations; Master Sgt. Marta Cruz – DSN 883-1710 ment. • past administrative actions; Treatment for clinical depression is • plus a clear articulation of the concern Al Asad: DSN 440-7049 highly effective. Medication alone helps at the time of referral; Sgt. 1st class Alexander Arce more than 60 percent of patients. • and the desired outcome following Outcomes are improved when medica- evaluation or specific question. Taji (96 Sust. Bde./155 BCT): DSN 834-3079 tion is combined with talk therapy. When the Soldier first meets a mental Master Sgt. Richard Faust A complication of untreated depression health professional, he or she faces a com- Lt. Col. Paul Bird involves high rates of substance abuse, plete stranger. which elevates the risk of suicide. People in the unit have lived and worked On a http://www.defense.gov news with the Soldier for months or years. You release (no.967-09), Gen. Peter Chiarelli are part of your unit’s suicide prevention Sexual Assault Response Coordinator was interviewed about substance abuse. program. If you are concerned enough to “The incidence of substance abuse is up seek help for a battle buddy, then follow What is a DSARC? at our camps, posts and stations,” he said. through by providing additional informa- The deployed sexual assault response coordinator is considered the center To make substance abuse services tion based on your knowledge of pertinent of gravity when it comes to ensuring victims of sexual assault receive ap- more accessible, Chiarelli expressed inter- military performance and daily interac- propriate and responsive care. They serve as the single point of contact to est in hiring more substance abuse coun- tions. coordinate sexual assault victim care. selors to provide on demand services to This is easier than a nine line casualty What is a UVA? Soldiers. The vice chief of staff of the Army report by radio. The unit victim advocate provides essential support and care to the vic- is focused on lowering the death rate by You have the power to identify a condi- tim, including providing non-clinical information on available options and suicide. tion associated with premature loss of life, resources to assist the victim in making informed decisions as they progress The American Psychiatric Association loss of manpower and loss of training. through resolution and healing. The UVA maintains communications and reported that 90 percent of people who Do not attempt to be an expert in men- contact with victims as needed for continued victim support. commit suicide have pre-existing depres- tal health. Just be an ACE – ask, care and sion, another mental disorder or sub- escort. If you need a SARC or UVA, call the Joint Base Balad SARC at 443-7272 or stance abuse in combination with a disor- To finish the job, give a report as out- contact the SARC via pager at 443-9001, pager 159 for help. Soldierss should der such as depression or anxiety. lined above when you drop the person for seek assistance with their UVA or DSARC. Soldiers may also call 433-7272 or Antidepressants are non-habit form- evaluation to combat stress control. dial 443-9001, pager 122/135 for assistance. ing. These medications produce no The author may be contacted at steve. recreational effects and have no street [email protected] SHOUT OUT!!! Contact the Expeditionary Times for more information. E-mail: [email protected] PAGE 4 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010 Soldier volunteers in Iraq, is reminded of her childhood SCHOOL FROM PAGE 1 Bistransin said chalk was the most important to public relations in Iraq. useful donation to the school because Soldiers with the 36th Sust. Bde., most of the instruction is done on the out of Temple, Texas, delivered the blackboard to help the children who supplies to the teachers and students do not have books. at Ibn Rushed School to further de- “I did not see all the kids having velop the Iraqi civil capacity and help a book,” said Bistransin. “I saw that educate the next generation of Iraq’s the teacher had a book, and they used leaders. (the blackboard a lot). With a lack “I think things like this make a dif- of books, chalk would probably be a ference in other countries, because I very key element in getting the sub- came from another country and I ject matter to the students.” remember always going to a Bible Quiroz said she knows the kids will school in the summer,” said Quiroz. remember this visits from the 36th “I didn’t speak English, so I remem- Sust. Bde. just as she remembers the ber how a whole bunch of … people Bible school from her childhood. used to come and I looked forward to “For me, it has been over 20 them coming every summer. That al- years ago and I still remember, so I ways stayed in my head.” think they will remember this,” said The trip to Ibn Rushed School was Quiroz. the first mission for Lt. Col. Peter M. Quiroz said her trip taught her Bistransin, as the civil military officer why the volunteers in Mexico were with the 36th Sust. Bde. Bistransin A classroom of children at Ibn Rushed School, near Nasariyah, Iraq, greets Soldiers with the so willing to help her when she was became the unit CMO in December. 36th Sustainment Brigade, out of Temple, Texas, with the 13th Sustainment Command (Ex- a child. peditionary) Jan. 13. The Soldiers visited to distribute school supplies to the students and “Now I understand why they kept Bistransin, an Austin, Texas, na- teachers to further the Iraqi civil capacity and aid the next generation of Iraqi leaders. tive, said the students reacted well to doing it,” said Quiroz. “It actually the visit. well disciplined. As soon as the to have the Soldiers spend time with does feel really good to go out there. “First, we went in and (the teach- teacher let them talk and stuff, they Iraqi students. So, whenever they do stuff like that ers) had the kids stand up when I were very friendly and … they were “I did not want to rush in, drop off I always try to volunteer, because walked in, and they had them sit really appreciative of us coming by.” the supplies and rush out,” said Bis- I know it made a difference in my down,” he said. “(The kids) are very He said he believes it is important transin. life.” Training strengthens US, Iraq bond Correction LANES FROM PAGE 1 Staff Sgt. Christopher Alderman, a damage and simulated casualties. BSB Soldiers to help them remain up to platoon sergeant with the 121st BSB and “This helps make sure we are on the In the Jan. 13 edition of the Expedi- date on tactics, techniques and proce- a Thomasville, Ga., native, said he has same page for training,” said Amged tionary Times, the story, “Soldiers dures, he said. been hit with an explosively formed pro- Yousef, an interpreter from Cairo. provide potable water at Poliwo- To make the training more realistic, jectile on a convoy. Yousef said he believes this training da” should have used the spelling the unit requested support from the Air The explosion during training con- serves a greater purpose in building the Paliwoda to describe the location Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, sists of noise and smoke, which causes relationship between the U.S. Army and throughout the story. The contin- he said. no damage to the vehicles in the convoy. the IA. He said the Iraqis understand gency operating location was named “It is realistic being hit with the explo- Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers then practice re- these training opportunities will not be after Capt. Eric Paliwoda who died sion,” said Figueroa. acting to the initial explosion, vehicle around forever. in Balad. What do you miss the most about home? Sgt. Moises Dieg- Pfc. Bruce Cornish, Spc. Chanell Shrop- uez, a chemical a supply specialist shire, a supply spe- sergeant and a and a Philadelphia cialist and a Jack- Houston, Texas, native, said, "My sonville, Fla., native, native said, "Su- truck and water- said, "My truck, my shi." ing my lawn." house, and my son."

Do you have a story idea? Contact us at: [email protected] January 20, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 5 Mechanics keep VIPs safe St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y tion, fill out the paperwork and give it Sp c . An i t a Va n d e r Mo l e n to the mechanics. 41s t IBCT “After we get the paperwork, we troubleshoot to see what is wrong with VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Bagh- the truck,” said Egbert. “Usually, it is dad –The mechanics with C just a switch not put in the (correct) po- Troop, 1st Squadron, 82nd sition all the way and no fault is found. Cavalry, 41st Infantry Bri- There are a lot of switches.” gade Combat Team, are Many of the issues are due to idle part of the personal se- time, leaving the vehicles sitting with curity detachment on the engines running. mission at the Joint Visitors Bureau “The vehicles are fired up in the hotel at Victory Base Complex in Bagh- morning and are not shut off until they dad. come back here,” said Spc. Jacob Olson, These Soldiers take care of the tac- mechanic and a Prineville, Ore., native. tical vehicles used to transport visit- “The vehicles are left on during meeting dignitaries to VBC, said Sgt. Daniel ings. If the VIPs need to leave quickly, Egbert, senior mechanic and a Salem, then they can jump in the trucks … and Ore., native. go when they need to go.” “We work on the Humvees and the Idle time creates carbon build-up in (Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected) ve- the engines. Sgt. Daniel Egbert, senior mechanic with C Troop, 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry, 41st Infan- hicles,” he said. “Carbon build-up causes the entry Brigade Combat Team, and a Salem, Ore., native, is stationed at Victory Base Complex He said the problems that arise are gines to not last as long,” said Olson. in Baghdad, with the personal security detachment at the Joint Visitors Bureau hotel. The usually not critical. The PSD makes “One hour of idle time equals 33 driven PSD’s mission is to provide security to visiting dignitaries as they travel around the VBC note of vehicle issues that need atten- miles.” area, as well as manage and provide security at the hotel. Personal security Soldiers learn new routes, areas St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Pf c . Li s a A. Co p e Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCA- TION ADDER, Iraq – The 36th Sustainment Brigade personal security detachment left Contingency Operating Location Adder, Iraq, Jan. 1, to conduct a ride-along with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Tigard, Ore., to learn the route between Victory Base Complex, Iraq, and Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. As part of the upcoming drawdown The 36th Sustainment Brigade personal security detachment out of Temple, Texas, poses for a group picture in Al Faw Palace during its of forces from Iraq, Al Asad will become eight-day mission Jan. 1 through Jan. 8, at Camp Victory, Iraq. part of the area of operations for the 36th Sust. Bde. out of Temple, Texas. to return to COL Adder Jan. 6, but mis- able to team build with the (command route clearance is definitely doing their Command Sgt. Maj. Elizabeth Shock- sion requirements kept them out until sergeant major).” job, because they are finding the IEDs ley, with the 36th Sust. Bde. and a Rich- the night of Jan. 8. This shows how im- While traveling one of the routes, the before we find them.” ardson, Texas, native, said the main portant it is for the members of the PSD team halted for roughly an hour as an Although the mission went well, ev- goal of the mission was to familiarize to be flexible and reactive to changing explosive ordnance disposal team de- eryone was relieved to get back to COL herself and her team with the area and missions and extended timelines, said stroyed an improvised explosive device Adder, Shockley said. the units at Al Asad. Shockley. directly in its path. “It is kind of funny, because you are Although the PSD was not assem- Sgt. McArthur W. Jones Jr., the non- “That is something we train for, that not home but you consider it home,” she bled until July 3, Shockley said she is commissioned officer in charge of the is something we prepare for, we under- said. “I think everybody had that sense amazed at how well the team works to- 36th Sust. Bde. PSD and a Fort Worth, stand the dangers that are out there on of homecoming when we rolled in. We gether and said she has full trust in the Texas, native, said another goal of the the (main supply routes),” said Jones. knew not only that we were back home, Soldiers’ abilities and skills. mission was team building. “It just so happened that a unit in front but job well done and mission complete “I would go anywhere, with anyone “It went great,” he said. “The mission of our convoy found the IED, and EOD with everybody safe. If we have that ev- of them, at any time,” she said. was accomplished. … We became more and (quick reaction force) took care of ery time, that is the best that we could The team was originally scheduled familiar with the route, and we were it. … It gives us more confidence that ask for.” ON THE http://www.hood.army.mil/13sce/ WEB PAGE 6 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010 Engineering commander visits Rawhides new fuel farm St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y struction projects of this nature. Ma j . Ti m Oh l h a v e r Spring said, “The way I see it, we 36t h Su s t . Bd e . Pu b l ic Af f a i r s can choose between civilian contractors and military engineer units to CAMP ADDER, Iraq – Brig. Gen. Robert build the fuel farm and other projects. Harris, commander of the While we have good support from 194th Engineer Brigade civilian contractors, the military en- Rawhides, visited the gineers are also a good resource and 36th Sustainment Bri- we need to utilize them while they are gade’s new fuel farm available.” Jan. 5 at Contingency Harris said as the drawdown moves Operating Location closer, plans need to be submitted Adder, Iraq. quickly for future engineering work. Service members from the Army, Each project will be accomplished in Navy and Air Force met Harris at the site accordance with its priority. of the new fuel farm at COL Adder. Harrill discussed running the fuel The fuel farm, which is still under con- farm after its construction, and ex- struction, is the center piece of the new plained his involvement. Adder Convoy Support Center. Harris “The Army has been taxed heav- said Maj. Gilbert Spring, with the 36th ily with United States’ commitments Sust. Bde., 13th Sustainment Command around the world in recent years,” he (Expeditionary), planned the fuel farm Capt. Smiley Garcia, petroleum officer in charge with the 36th Sustainment Bri- said. “The Navy is contributing forces to maximize efficiency for its future us- gade, Lt. Cmdr. Brock Harrill, with the Navy petroleum oil and lubricants team, 36th to the land effort in ways not directly ers. Sust. Bde., and Brig. Gen. Robert Harris, 194th Engineer Brigade commander, dis- involving combat. … The Air Force It is the military version of a full-ser- cuss the design and efficiency of the Camp Adder, Iraq, fuel farm currently under is building the new fuel farm for the construction, Jan. 5. vice truck stop, offering fuel, a mechani- Army, to be run by the Navy, to give cal repair shop, food and temporary The Air Force’s 557th Expedition- charge, is responsible for ground fuel to the Marines.” sleeping facilities. ary Red Horse Squadron is tactically moving, which includes grading and After Harris’ visit concluded, The CSC is being constructed to help controlled and locally directed by his dirt wall construction. Spring said, “We request support from resupply contracted truckers during the command. At least one member of Lt. Cmdr. Brock Harrill, with the Brig. Gen. Harris and his brigade in increased traffic as the United States pre- each service discussed his or her part Navy petroleum oil and lubricants many areas. They have given us very pares to draw down its forces from Iraq. in the planning, building and running team, 36th Sust. Bde., will run the fa- solid support. We work well together. Harris visited his subordinate units of the unfinished facility. cility once it is operational. Their priority of work and their follow to update himself on their ongoing proj- Air Force Capt. Seth Foulkes, the Harris and Spring discussed two through on projects has been excel- ects. 557th’s construction site officer in basic options for completing con- lent thus far.” Homes moved from Cedar II to Adder in $60 million project Spring said the third phase St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y of the project, moving of the Pf c . Li s a A. Co p e structures and hooking up Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f the facilities in Adder, will CAMP ADDER, Iraq – Moving the con- cost roughly $10.6 million of tainerized housing units from Camp the $60 million designated Cedar II, Iraq, to Contin- for the project. gency Operating Loca- Spring said any project tion Adder, Iraq, began costing more than $750,000 Jan. 8 in preparation is considered a military con- for the responsible struction project and must be drawdown of U.S. approved by Congress. forces and equip- Spring said this will be the ment from Iraq. last MILCON project in Iraq. Almco Group, the company con- “This project, CFC phase tracted to do the construction work three, is the only funded on the project, moved 34 of the 847 MILCON project in Iraq this structures in the first three days of year,” said Spring. construction. Spring said the completion Maj. Gilbert M. Spring Jr., the bri- of this project will bring to gade engineer with the 36th Sustain- fruition his work and that of ment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Com- the two engineers who pro- mand (Expeditionary) out of Temple, ceeded him. Texas, works on the Cedar movement “It is like a legacy project,” project and has a hand in the construc- said Spring. “The other engi- Workers with Almco Group, the company contracted to move the containerized housing tion of a new convoy support center at neers prior to me, my prede- units from Camp Cedar II to Contingency Operating Location Adder, Iraq, continue with the relocation of the structures Jan. 12, a project they started seven days ahead of schedule. Adder. cessors for the past two years, Spring, a Lufkin, Texas, native, said they designed, planned the stuff; I am as well as a couple of other projects at right now, which is good,” said Ros- Almco began the moving and construc- executing it.” Iraqi Army Camp Ur, Iraq. siter. “We are just trying to make that tion seven. days ahead of schedule to Daniel C. Rossiter, a design engi- Rossiter said everything is project- Aug. 1 date work for everybody, trying move all of the structures by their Oct. neer with Almco Group, and a Steven’s ed to be moved from Cedar to Adder to get everything across, and (make) a 20 deadline. He said they will easily Point, Wis., native, said he works on the by Aug. 1. seamless transition … from Cedar over meet that deadline. CSC phase three project at COL Adder, “We are a little bit ahead of schedule to here.” January 20, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 7 Oklahoma unit completes Operation Clean Sweep at Normandy St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y reached its completion, Vance said his Sg t . Ke i t h S. Va n Kl o mp e n b e r g team had gathered nine or 10 connexes Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f full of excess and overstock equipment from units on the base. CONTINGENCY OPERATING LO- He said the cargo obtained ranged CATION NORMANDY, from a few books to large generators and Iraq – The 910th Quar- refrigeration units. termaster Company, an “We’ve seen everything,” said Vance. Army Reserve unit out “It’s always something different.” of Ardmore, Okla., Vance said Operation Clean Sweep completed Operation begins when a liaison visits a location Clean Sweep Jan. 14 in Iraq and tells the Mayor’s Cell a team at Contingency Operating Location Nor- is on its way. The individual units then mandy, Iraq. locate any excess and prepare to send it Operation Clean Sweep is an 80th out. Ordnance Battalion project that brings “They’re really good about having ev- teams to locations throughout Iraq to re- erything ready,” said Spc. Bernardo De move excess and unused equipment and Luna, a petroleum supply specialist with property that is not on units’ property the 910th and a Wichita Falls, Texas, na- books, said Staff Sgt. Jimmy Vance, an tive. automated logistics specialist with the De Luna said he volunteered to be a 910th Quartermaster Co., 80th Ord. Bn., member of Operation Clean Sweep after The 910th Quartermaster Company, an Army Reserve unit out of Ardmore, Okla., completed 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustain- the petroleum supply mission at Joint Operation Clean Sweep Jan. 14 at Contingency Operating Location Normandy, Iraq. Opera- tion Clean Sweep is an 80th Ordnance Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustain- ment Command (Expeditionary). Base Balad, Iraq, was completed. ment Command (Expeditionary) project that brings teams to locations throughout Iraq to “The goal is to save the U.S. gov- “It was an opportunity to see differ- remove excess and unused equipment and property that is not on units’ property books. ernment and taxpayers a tremendous ent parts of Iraq and get outside JBB,” amount of money,” said Vance. he said. completed the mission at COL Nor- the 910th’s scheduled redeployment in Vance said the project also helps units Before the mission at Normandy, mandy in 11 days. February. avoid ordering unnecessary equipment Operation Clean Sweep took De Luna “We work as a team and we don’t stop He said his team will go home know- by redistributing it from units that have and the team to COL Warhorse. until the mission’s done,” he said. “We ing it was a vital part of Operation Iraqi too much but, as the responsible draw- “We picked up a lot of experience at don’t want to leave anything behind.” Freedom. down approaches, they focus more on Warhorse,” he said. “We knew what to Vance said the Operation Clean “This is very rewarding, helping sending the excess home. expect (at COL Normandy).” Sweep team will likely conduct an- clean up the country so we can return it When the project at COL Normandy De Luna said the nine-man team other mission in northern Iraq before to Iraq,” said Vance. Joint Distribution Center Soldiers retrograde equipment Check CHUsdays Each Tuesday By Ca p t . Sc o t t Pe t e r s o n Command (Expeditionary). phone calls and e-mails, we will gladly 96t h Su s t . Bd e . Swaim said the Al Asad JDC handles return their cargo back to the sender – a Check The an average of more than one million procedure we have made clearly known,” AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq – Three Sol- pounds of cargo per day. That cargo can he said. Following diers with the 1218th be as small as a spare part or as large as The JDC team has a pair of palletized in Your CHU Transportation Company shipping containers and combat vehicles. loading system trucks and an M915 trac- work in the Joint Distri- Swaim said the one million pounds of tor-trailer system at its disposal for on- 1. Power strips are free of debris bution Center Jan. 8 at daily cargo has only 96 hours to sit idle. post deliveries. Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, After that, it is considered late or becomes “It is a win-win – customers get their and clothing. ensuring the flow of frustrated cargo. He describes the process stuff and we can meet our 96-hour goal,” cargo throughout the of pushing cargo to recipients inside of he said. country. those first 96 hours as a “melee of coordi- However, the approach of strictly en- 2. Electrical devices not in use are They handle phone calls, keep up with nation,” cross referencing radio frequency forcing the standard has worked. Sgt. 1st e-mails, maintain spreadsheets, address identification tags, checking transporta- Class Shawanna Brown, JDC noncom- unplugged. concerns and answer questions from Sol- tion movement requests, and making and missioned officer in charge and a Belle diers, Airmen and Marines who drop in. answering countless phone calls. Glade, Fla., native, said due in part to the Their mission is to push cargo out of Al “That is our biggest challenge – push- efforts of her Soldiers, not a single piece of Asad Air Base. ing cargo out to the receiver inside of that cargo has had to be returned to the sender 3. Power strips and outlets are not Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Swaim, JDC assistant 96 hour window,” Swaim said. “We spend or sending unit. She said that is a signifi- noncommissioned officer in charge and a a good portion of our time trying to keep cant accomplishment considering the vol- overloaded. a West Palm Beach, Fla., native, said the cargo from becoming ‘frustrated’ or just ume and team’s short time frame. Soldiers assist units and agencies in ship- sitting here too long.” First Sgt. Bobby Parlor, a Wellington, ping and receiving goods and cargo by air Since the 1218th Trans. Co. took con- Fla., native, said two months ago, the Sol- 4. Smoke detector is operational. and by ground. trol of operations Nov. 21, Swaim said diers with the JDC team were conducting “We are the heart of the logistics sys- nearly 45 million pounds of cargo have convoys, managing the unit’s operations tems here on the base; everything goes been pushed through this logistics node. center, operating the airfield departure through us whether it’s coming in or go- Swaim said the key to a successful flow control group, and providing some man- 5. Fire extinguisher is serviceable ing out,” Swaim said. of cargo is adopting a customer service agement to the dining facilities at Al Asad. The JDC is operated by a 12-Soldier oriented approach while simultaneously Parlor said the JDC Soldier’s flexibility (in the green) team of the Florida National Guard’s enforcing that the yard is not a storage and ability to learn this new task, which 1218th Trans. Co., 751st Combat Sus- facility. none of them trained for, is a testament to tainment Support Battalion, 96th Sus- “If the customer doesn’t come and their character and the inherent ability of tainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment get their stuff, and they don’t return our all Soldiers to adapt and overcome. 6. Room is neat and orderly PAGE 8 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010 Medical evacuation companies transfer authority By St a f f Sg t . Je f f Lo w r y pressed confidence in Ta s k Fo r ce 38 Pu b l ic Af f ai r s the incoming unit. "What a professional JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Two med- group,” he said. “We all ical evacuation companies feel good about leav- transferred authority in a ing the mission in good ceremony Jan. 5 at Joint hands.” Base Balad, Iraq. He then thanked his C Company, 7th Bat- troops for their hard talion, 101st Aviation work during the nearly Regiment assumed authority for medi- 10-month deployment. cal evacuation operations at JBB from "I appreciate your ef- C Company, 7th Battalion, 158th Avia- forts,” he said to them. tion Regiment, Task Force 38's mede- “You did an outstand- vac unit. ing job.” As the drawdown of U.S. forces and Col. David Wood, equipment moves forward, C Com- Task Force 38 company, 7-101 Avn. will now report to 1st mander, praised the Air Cavalry Brigade and U.S. Division medevac Soldiers for Center, said Maj. Brady Gallagher, the their performance in unit’s commander and a Cullman, Ala., support of Operation native. Iraqi Freedom. "We now stand ready to answer the "Maj. Vallee, you call of the wounded without hesitation and your Soldiers have and without fail," he said. earned a well-deserved U.S Army photo by Sgt. Zach Holden Gallagher's unit replaces C Compa- rest," said Wood. “De- Maj. Brady Gallagher (center), commander of C Company, 7th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment ny, 7-158 Avn. from the Oregon Army part theater and ex- and a Cullman, Ala., native, uncases the unit flag during a transfer of authority ceremony Jan. 5 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The unit, out of Fort Campbell, Ky., assumed authority of the medical National Guard, commanded by Maj. ecute your de-mobili- evacuation mission at JBB from Task Force 38’s medical evacuation unit, the Oregon Army Na- Geoffrey Vallee, a Eugene, Ore., na- zation as safely as you tional Guard’s C Co., 7th Bn., 158th Aviation Regt. tive. arrived. Thank you for The Oregon-based unit flew more your service to Task Force 38. Thank “During your deployment there will "Maj. Gallagher, you have brought than 3,000 hours, conducted roughly you for your service to all the Soldiers be change here in Iraq,” Wood said. an experienced team to the fight. I 380 missions and carried roughly 900 in Iraq and to the nation.” “Do not become distracted. Your mis- have no doubt you will skillfully ex- patients. He then offered some advice to the sion is critical and you must stay fo- ecute your mission. I look forward to During the ceremony, Vallee ex- incoming unit. cused. serving with you." Provider medics teach Iraqi officers combat medicine

St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y of the Taji Loca- to refresh and improve the life-saving Sp c . Mi c h a e l V. Ca m a c h o tion Command techniques of his medical staff. Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f Medical Clinic The three-day class includes in- Level 2, said Al- struction on the proper use of medi- CAMP TAJI, Iraq – U.S. military med- len. cal equipment, said Staff Sgt. Michael ics held a three-day class “Once the lan- Carlson, a medic with the 1161st Trans- in first aid and combat guage barrier and portation Company Task Force, 541st medical assessment for the comfort level Combat Sustainment Support Battal- Iraqi Army medical of- were established, ion, 96th Sust. Bde., 13th ESC. With ficers, starting Jan. 12 then the class be- this knowledge, they can continue to at Camp Taji, Iraq. came much more train and update one another, he said. This marks the interactive,” said “We’ve just begun training with the first comprehensive medical response Allen. Iraqis,” said Carlson, a Yakima, Wash., training the Iraqi Army officers have The course native. “They would be considered to had in years, said Maj. Christy Allen, featured an in- be at a paramedic-trained level with medical operations officer with the depth approach the training they have received prior. 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sus- to promote great- It makes them more trauma-based as tainment Command (Expeditionary). er retention of the Spc. Christopher Graham, a brigade medic and health spe- far as the things they’re going to face It took roughly two months to coor- learned material, cialist with the 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment as they repatriate their own country.” dinate all the groups involved, using said Brewer. The Command (Expeditionary), and a Pleasant Grove, Utah, native, The Iraqi officers all have prior visual learning aids written in English Iraqis were eager assists Iraqi medical officers with the use and application of medical experience, primarily with the and Arabic to bring the officers up to to learn and par- a tourniquet. Graham was an instructor teaching combat medi- Ministry of Health in Iraq, said Spc. cal procedures to staff members Jan. 12 through Jan. 14 at Taji date on combat-lifesaving techniques, ticipated readily Christopher Graham, a brigade med- Location Command Medical Clinic level 2 at Camp Taji, Iraq. she said. in the classes, he ic and health specialist with the 96th The three-day course focused on said. U.S. Soldiers, said Brewer. Sust. Bde. This training reinforced combat medical procedures to sta- “Several years ago, they had some This type of training is vital to help what they already knew and gave them bilize injured Soldiers so they can be lectures but not a hands-on class,” increase the survival rate of combat- a deeper understanding of medical transported to a medical facility to re- said Brewer, an Aurora, Colo., native. injured service members, said Brew- treatment for combat and trauma in- ceive proper treatment, said Col. Mark “They need to get their hands dirty and er. juries, he said. Brewer, brigade surgeon with the 96th practice what we’re teaching them.” Naji, a Baghdad native, said he had “It gives them a real world appli- Sust. Bde. Iraqi medical training is not at the two major priorities for his staff dur- cation on how you actually do these The U.S. Army medics’ lectures level it should be, he said. The U.S.-di- ing this training. First, he said, his procedures on people who are injured were translated and explained in de- rected classes are intended to change medics should be trained to use the in combat,” said Graham, a Pleasant tail by Iraqi Army Maj. Adnan Naji, a that and give the Iraqis medical expe- supplies and equipment they have on Grove, Utah, native. “It brings them senior medical officer and commander rience and expertise similar to that of hand in Taji. Naji said he also aimed up to date.” January 20, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 9 Force protection Soldiers make Victory Base Complex hard target St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Sp c . An i t a Va n d e r Mo l e n 41s t IBCT Pu b l ic Af f a i r s VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Baghdad – Force protection Soldiers at Victory Base Complex set blast barriers weigh- ing between 8,000 to 16,000 pounds each around an entry control point Jan. 9 in Baghdad. Those force protection Soldiers, with the 1st Squadron, 82nd Cav- alry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), upgrade, repair and maintain the entry control points and towers at VBC, said Sgt.1st Class Kevin Safley, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 1/82 CAV, force protection team and a Vancou- ver, Wash., native. “In the most general term, force protection is construction,” he said. Taking care of the ECPs and towers began shortly after the battalion arrived in Iraq in July, said Lt. Col. William Prendergast, commander of the 1/82 CAV and a Portland, Ore., Force Protection Soldiers with B Troop,1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, move the stairs of an observation post at an entry control point to Victory Base Complex Jan. 9. The entry point was upgraded to provide native. more security for VBC. Blast walls were added and more Hesco barriers are being replaced and added to support the base of “My sole focus, along with the com- the observation point. manders, was with the ECPs – in an infantryman’s terms ‘improving the traffic patterns and the flow of indi- support and protection to an obser- and maintaining the light towers on foxhole’ – meaning the way we did viduals and vehicles onto VBC, he vation post and the perimeter wall convoy security companies’ gun lines. business, how the ECPs looked, and said. with Hesco barriers and sand bags, he “Doing those things may deter how it operated,” Prendergast said. “We are adding T-walls so there said. someone who wants to do harm to The improvement came in the form will be no more driving through, only Other duties of force protection in- VBC from going out and actually do- of setting standards and putting up foot traffic,” Safley said. clude stringing concertina wire and ing it because they say ‘That’s a hard more jersey barriers, which altered The project also includes adding cables along the tops of the barriers target,’” Prendergast said.

Telling the Providers Story from all across Iraq Tune In To

Now airing on the Pentagon Channel Or log on to every Thursday at 0830 IZ www.dvidshub.net every Saturday at 1430 IZ keyword: Balad and Beyond PAGE 10 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010 Transportation unit slated to transfer vehicles to composite company By Sp c . Mi c h a e l V. Ca m a c h o Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f CAMP TAJI, Iraq – A transportation task force began preparing to relocate its fleet of more than 55 tractors and 110 40-foot flat bed trailers Jan. 13 at Camp Taji, Iraq. The 1161st Trans- portation Company Task Force, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battal- ion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expedition- ary), will not be replaced when it leaves Iraq in the coming weeks. The unit’s fleet will be relocated and transferred to a transportation company at Contingency Operating Location Speicher, Iraq, said Capt. Leslie Jines Jr., commander of the 1161st Trans. Co. TF. The unit will gain more than 55 M915 line-haul tractors to increase its mission readiness and capabilities, he said. The receiving unit, the 724th Trans- portation Company, 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 15th

Sustainment Brigade, 13th ESC, is tran- U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Anthony Latham sitioning to a composite transportation Spc. Katrina Briggs, a communications support specialist with the 1161st Transportation Company Task Force, 541st Combat Sus- unit, said Jines, a Selah, Wash., native. tainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a Moses Lake, Wash., “During the strategic drawdown of native, conducts a radio systems check on an M915 line-haul tractor prior to a convoy mission leaving Camp Taji, Iraq. forces, they’ve decide to form two composite transportation companies in the- most any transportation mission given ther, a West Richland, Wash., native. materials, primarily rolling stock and ater,” said Jines. “(The 1161st Trans. to them, Jines said. Each part of the system, the tractor repair parts, said Fisher, a Kirkland, Co. TF) has become a donor unit to help “That commander will have at his and its primary and secondary trail- Wash., native. build these composite transportation disposal a variety of vehicles to choose ers, took roughly eight hours to inspect, As an M915 line-haul tractor unit, organizations.” from to support missions,” said Jines. said Luther. the 1161st Trans. Co. TF provided valu- Composite transportation com- The maintenance teams with 1161st “It’s well worth it,” said Luther. able transportation support to the sus- panies’ vehicle assets include heavy Trans. Co. TF inspected and repaired “We’re giving them the best equipment tainment operations at bases in the equipment transporter systems, M915 the unit’s fleet to ensure mission readi- we can.” surrounding areas of Camp Taji, said line-haul tractors and palletized load ness when the equipment is transferred, During its 10 month tour in Iraq, the Fisher. systems, said Jines. This array of ve- said 1st Sgt. David Luther, senior enlist- 1161 Trans. Co. TF conducted roughly The final mission of the 1161st Trans. hicles allows for versatility in mission ed adviser with the 1161st. 350 missions and drove more than Co. TF will be delivering its tractor capability, he said. “Our maintenance department and 136,700 miles throughout Iraq, said trailer systems to the 724th Trans. Co., What a 915 fleet could move is dif- operators did a full (technical inspec- Sgt. 1st Class Mark Fisher, truck mas- said Jines. ferent from what a HET system could tion) on all the vehicles, getting every ter with the 1161st Trans. Co. TF. The Jines said, “It’s a great mission for move, said Jines. The composite com- little thing fixed, so we turn them over unit transported more than 32 mil- my Soldiers to finish up their deploy- panies will be able to accomplish al- in the best condition possible,” said Lu- lion pounds of multiclass supplies and ment with.” Arkansas mechanic up to elbows in missions throughout Iraq By 1s t Lt. Ri c h a r d Pa r a d i s o Support Team, a group of Soldiers com- “He is approached regularly by se- it,” said Capt. Philip McDowell, com- 15t h Su s t . Bd e . posed of mechanics, communications niors, peers and subordinates alike for mander of 159th SOC and a Charlot- experts and a senior vehicle opera- his mechanical knowledge,” said Sgt. tesville, Va., native. “We almost always JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – An Ar- tor. He and his co-workers ensure the 1st Class Shelly Brewer, the 159th SOC send him because we know he can get kansas mechanic serving 159th’s vehicles remain mission ready motor sergeant and a Virginia Beach, the job done.” with the 159th Seaport at all times, which can equal long hours Va., native. “We are proud to have such Stacy said he learned the tricks of the Operations Company has for Stacy and his co-workers. a resource as him in the company and it trade from his father, a former Army put a decade of work in “Spc. Stacy is already working at a will be a sad day when he leaves us.” motor sergeant. his field to use for the level echelons above a normal special- Stacy volunteers for missions to out- “I’ve been working on vehicles for Army, serving in and ist, he would be a great asset to the lying bases in addition to his duties at about 10 years now and my knowledge around Joint Base Bal- maintenance Warrant Officer Corps,” JBB. just comes from my experiences with all ad, Iraq. said Warrant Officer Thomas Mims, “Whenever we have a maintenance of the people and vehicles that I work Spc. Jason Stacy, a Pangburn, Ark., the 159th maintenance technician and issue out at (Contingency Operating on,” said Stacy. “It’s my job, it’s what native, serves as a light wheeled vehicle a Montgomery, Ala., native. “This guy Location) Grizzly or Caldwell, he is the I do. If something breaks we are sup- mechanic with the 159th SOC’s Convoy can fix anything.” first one to volunteer to go out and fix posed to fix it, plain and simple.” January 20, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 11 PAGE 12 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s Iraqi Soldiers train at 9 mm pistol range tor who helped translate U.S. Army instructional charts By Cp l . Ri c h m o n d Ba r k e m e y e r into Arabic, he said. 96t h Su s t . Bd e . Pu b l ic Af f a i r s “I got with an interpreter and we developed a plan CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Members of the 96th Sustainment based on what we do in the Army for classes, and what Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Ex- we do prior to going to the range,” he said. “We intro- peditionary) traveled to the Iraqi side duced that by coming up with different charts showing of Camp Taji, Iraq, Jan. 11 to train Iraqi what to do in their language.” Army officers on the proper use of a 9 Meyers said he taught the students in a different way mm pistol. than he teaches U.S. Soldiers. The event was also meant to build “We did a dry run, and I worked with the transla- camaraderie between the U.S. and tor on a few occasions,” he said. “I taught the class, Iraqi armies, said Staff Sgt. John Richardson, noncom- slowing it down to his pace, so he’d be able to get the missioned officer in charge of the Logistics Training point across. It was a little difficult at first because I’m Advisory Team, 1161st Transportation Company, 96th used to talking to other Soldiers and communicating Sust. Bde., and a Tacoma, Wash., native. with them. I had to remember to slow down and take a “The Iraqi Army is a new army,” said Richardson, breath to let the translator do his job.” who also acted as NCOIC for the range. “This partner- When preparing his lesson, Meyers said he took the ship is important for building relations. If they have cultural differences between U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers any questions, or don’t understand something, we can into consideration. help them. It’s a give and take. I’ve learned a lot from “The Iraqi officers don’t like to be offended, and they working with the Iraqi Army, more about their culture don’t like to be told what to do,” he said. “Basically, and who they are than I knew when I first deployed.” we just had to show them what we do and maybe they Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Meyers, an air operations would want to use it.” manager with the 96th Sust. Bde., and a Cortland, Richardson said the U.S. Soldiers’ role was largely N.Y., native, trained the Soldiers on basic shooting advisory, with question and answer opportunities to al- techniques. low the Iraqis to learn in a comfortable environment. “Basically, … we just showed them the techniques “When we’re working with them, we follow their cus- so that they could teach them to their junior Soldiers,” toms,” said Richardson. “We understand that it’s their Meyers said. military and they’re in control.” “Most of my career in the Army has been teaching With live ammunition and some students who were Soldiers. For the past 10 years I’ve been in that ele- completely unfamiliar with the 9 mm pistol before, the ment, and I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing the instructors said they took extra time to stress proper end product, and seeing somebody succeed.” safety techniques and procedures. To prepare to instruct students with whom he did not “When you go out and try to train and be proficient, share a common language, Meyers met with a transla- if you don’t have that element of safety there, it’s really easy for someone to get hurt,” said Richardson. “With a weapon, it could be fatal. We emphasize these things because we want the Iraqis to U.S. Army photo by Capt. Anthony John understand that safety is paramount. Iraqi Army officers aim at their targets at the 9 mm pistol firing range Jan. 11 at Camp Taji, Iraq. Mem- We always say, ‘Train how you fight,’ bers of the 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) instructed the of- and we’re trying to instill that in the ficers in proper shooting technique and safety methods. Iraqis.” Both the U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers agreed the training was effective, not only in teaching Iraqi officers how to An Iraqi officer fires use a 9 mm pistol, but also in build- on the target at a ing the relationship between U.S. and 9 mm pistol famil- Iraqi Soldiers. iarization range. “I think they’re starting to under- Soldiers from the stand that we’re here working for 96th Sustainment them,” said Meyers. “This is their Brigade, 13th Sus- country, and we want them to even- tainment Command tually sustain it and be their own ele- (Expeditionary) trav- ment here. To work with the leaders eled to the Iraqi side was especially nice because we showed of Camp Taji, Iraq, them what they can show their junior Jan. 11 to instruct Soldiers. It was a joint effort between the Iraqi officers in both of us, and it was really fun.” proper shooting and safety techniques. Iraqi Army Pfc. Sarmad Abd-aljlil, a quality assurance/quality control Sol- dier for information technology, dis- plays his target after shooting at a 9 mm pistol range Jan. 11 at Camp Taji, Iraq. Lt. Col. Harry Kim, the officer in charge of the Iraqi Security Forces with the 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expe- ditionary) and an Agoura Hills, Calif.,

native, said Abd-aljlil was given an U.S. Army photo by Capt. Anthony John award for being the top shooter. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Anthony John Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 13 Iraqi Soldiers train at 9 mm pistol range

U.S. Army photo by Capt. Anthony John Sgt. 1st Class Michael Tanner, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Per- sonal Security Detail with the 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a West Jordan, Utah, native, clears an Iraqi officer’s 9 mm pistol at the firing range Jan. 11 at Camp Taji, Iraq.

U.S. Army photo by Capt. Anthony John Iraqi Army officers aim at their targets at the 9 mm pistol firing range Jan. 11 at Camp Taji, Iraq. Mem- bers of the 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) instructed the officers in proper shooting technique and safety methods.

U.S. Army photo by Capt. Anthony John First Lt. Anthony Latham, the officer in charge of the Logistics Training Advisory Team, 1161st Transportation Company, 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expedi- tionary) and a Burlington, Wash., native, addresses a group of Iraqi officers Jan. 11 at Camp Taji, Iraq. Latham was part of a group from the 96th Sust. Bde. sent to run a 9 mm pistol famil- iarization range for the Iraqi Soldiers.

U.S. Army photo by Capt. Anthony John PAGE 14 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010 Mississippians mark six months at Q-West entry control point St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y as SOG or ASOG,” Ca p t . Mu r r a y Sh u g a r s said Hughes. “This 2/198t h CAB keeps us fresh, ver- satile and confident. CONTINGENCY OPERATING LO- No matter what the CATION Q-WEST, Iraq – rank, when a Soldier Members of a Mississippi is in a leadership Army National Guard position, he has to unit marked their sixth make decisions and month of entry control everyone has to fol- point operations and low those decisions. no security breaches Jan. 10 at Con- That also helps to tingency Operating Location Q-West, build future lead- Iraq. ers.” Soldiers with A Company, 2nd Bat- Rotating duties talion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th and practicing battle Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 13th drills keep everyone Sustainment Command (Expedition- focused, said Spc. ary) a mechanized infantry unit out of Jonathan A. Mercer, Hernando, Miss., took little notice of an Independence, the occasion, though they approach Miss., native. their duties with pride. “This is a fairly “As far as protecting the force, I safe job, but we keep feel this is the most important job on in the back of our Pfc. Quintavis B. Byrd, a gate sentinel and a Tutwiler, Miss., native, watches gun trucks pass the post,” said Pfc. Quintavis B. Byrd, a heads that anything main entry control point Jan. 10 at Contingency Operating Location Q-West, Iraq. Byrd serves with gate sentinel and a Tutwiler, Miss., could happen,” said A Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th Brigade Combat Team, a mechanized in- native. “I’m not knocking any other Mercer. “We prac- fantry unit out of Hernando, Miss., that provides force protection to Q-West. This day marked the job, but we stop threats here from tice battle drills to unit’s sixth month of ECP operations. There have been no security breaches during its tenure. getting on post. I’m proud of doing stay ready and rotate this.” jobs every day. That way, we have no fights,” Hughes said. “This time, the Iraq,” said Howze. “The younger Sol- Sgt. Russell R. Rippy, an assistant choice but to stay on our toes.” biggest fight we have is with compla- diers get to know the people and the sergeant of the guard on his fourth Hughes said nearly every member cency, keeping Soldiers sharp and fo- culture. They interact every day with deployment, said he agrees. of the ECP operation volunteered for cused. We go to the weapons range local nationals, probably more than “All missions are equally impor- the duty and their morale is high. as much as possible. Otherwise, we most Soldiers in the battalion. My tant, no matter what, but operating ECP operations have a predictable practice our 26 battle drills to im- Soldiers get to know the people by the entry control point is extremely battle rhythm, a contributing factor prove our response times, especially name, get to know about their lives.” important,” said Rippy, a Nashville, to the high number of volunteers, for medical evacuations.” Meeting local Iraqis is one reason Tenn., native. “If anything goes said Sgt. Schedrick O. Johnson, a Staff Sgt. Robert L. Howze, an- Spc. Thomas L. Hill, a badge special- down, the Soldiers here are the first sergeant of the guard. other sergeant of the guard, said he ist and a Southaven, Miss., native, line of defense.” “During my last deployment, I did agrees complacency was a challenge, said he prefers to work at the ECP. Duty positions with the ECP in- convoy escort missions, and I never but his biggest challenge was prepar- “I like working with the local Iraq- clude gatekeepers, tower gunners, had a set schedule,” said Johnson, ing Soldiers on their first deployment is very much,” said Hill. “I meet hun- surveillance system monitors, radio- a Magnolia, Miss., native. “The ECP on how to do the mission. dreds who come in and off the base telephone operators, badging spe- mission is more predictable. It’s more “They had to learn the rules of en- every day. We talk, and I learn about cialists, and sergeants and assistant laid back and less stressful.” gagement, the ECP battle drills, but their lives. I know a lot more about sergeants of the guard, said Staff Sgt. Spc. Ryan E. Ohlendorf, a gate sen- they caught on quick,” said Howze, a this country because I know so many Nicholas Hughes, sergeant of the tinel and a Horn Lake, Miss., native, Hattiesburg, Miss., native. “We con- Iraqis personally. No matter where guard and a Batesville, Miss., native. said he preferred the ECP mission for tinue to practice our battle drills, but I go on the base, I run into Iraqis I Hughes said the gatekeepers mon- the same reason. they have performed well. I have a lot know from working here.” itor the flow of civilian and military “We have a set schedule, and I like of confidence in my Soldiers. They Ohlendorf said becoming famil- traffic and validate civilian badges, that,” said Ohlendorf. “Our families stay focused and don’t complain.” iar with Iraqis who frequent the ECP over-watched by the tower gunners get used to it, so they know when The battle drills prepared the ECP helps them recognize unusual behav- and surveillance system monitors. they’ll hear from us. That’s a big rea- personnel to handle an Iraqi Army ior or circumstances. The badge specialists validate the son a lot of guys volunteered for this vehicle rollover, said Rippy. “We get so we recognize everyone, paperwork of civilians and issue tem- job.” “Through diligent practice, ev- and we know their moods, if they are porary visitor passes or badges to Spc. Calvin L. Davis, a machine eryone on the gate that day knew relaxed or anxious,” said Ohlendorf. Iraqi workers who enter the base. gunner and a Red Banks, Miss., na- their tasks,” said Rippy. “They knew “It’s easy to spot unfamiliar people The RTO maintains regular com- tive, said exactly that. where they needed to be and what and vehicles, or familiar vehicles that munications with the base defense “I volunteered for this duty be- they needed to do. There was a lot of have something out of the ordinary. operations center and informs higher cause I wanted set work hours to panic among the Iraqis, but my Sol- We always watch the faces, whether command of any issues. make it easier to communicate back diers were calm as they dealt with the we know them or not, to look for All of this is supervised by the ser- home,” said Davis. situation – securing the scene, pro- signs of nervousness. If we see any- geants and assistant sergeants of the These volunteers are diligent viding immediate first aid, reporting thing suspicious, we halt the vehicle guard, Hughes said. workers and have performed very to higher command and coordinating far back from the gate.” Hughes said cross-training and ro- well, but the key is relevant and rig- the medical response team.” Staff Sgt. Kevin L. Brown, an SOG tating duties is a standard operating orous training, said Hughes. Howze said this is good duty for and a Hernando, Miss., native, said procedure at the ECP. “Those of us who deployed in 2005 Soldiers deployed for the first time. passing through the ECP is a tedious “We rotate duty positions so every- with the brigade faced (improvised “Working at the ECP gives them process that can cause delays and test one gets time in every position, even explosive devices), rockets and fire a general idea of what’s going on in the patience of commuters. January 20, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 15 Traveling Soldiers pursue higher education St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Pf c . Li s a A. Co p e difficult to access the Internet or find the time to keep up Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f in her courses, said Salazar, but her leadership supports her educational goals and helps her achieve them. CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION KALSU, Iraq “I had to reschedule an exam twice, on top of waiting – Soldiers with the 36th Sustainment Brigade personal until the last minute to do the paper but (Staff Sgt. McAr- security detachment out of Temple, Texas, thur W. Jones, Jr.) has been good about it, too,” she said. find time to further their education, de- “He let me stay back on one mission so I could get the spite spending a majority of their time on paper done.” the road conducting missions. Jones, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Cpl. Dawn M. Salazar, a combat 36th Sust. Bde. PSD, said he supports the Soldiers on medic with the 36th Sust. Bde. PSD, his team who pursue a higher education, because he too completed a psychology course is enrolled in a Fundamental Academic Skills Training through Park University out of course to improve his general technical and overall armed Parkville, Mo., and is taking two more sociology courses services vocational aptitude battery scores. to earn a degree in nursing. This will help him advance his military career, said Salazar, an El Paso, Texas, native, said Park University Jones, a Fort Worth, Texas, native. is convenient for her because it offers courses on base, the He said some of his Soldiers have also taken correspon- semesters are only eight weeks long and the school is paid dence courses, and never negatively affected the mission. Cpl. Dawn M. Salazar, a combat medic with the 36th for by the Army’s tuition assistance program. She said it “My Soldiers are outstanding,” said Jones. “They can Sustainment Brigade personal security detachment can be difficult to stay focused on her studies, however, continue on with their education and the mission at the and an El Paso, Texas, native, gets caught up on her because she likes to play cards with fellow Soldiers on her same time. It has never been a problem. schoolwork during a break in her mission Jan. 8 at down time. “I encourage all of my Soldiers to continue their educa- Contingency Operating Location Kalsu, Iraq. The amount of travel required by her job makes it more tion.” PAGE 16 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010 Force protection uniform postures

U4 January 20, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 17 US, Iraqi Soldiers work together St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y The Iraqi Army guards the east and Sp c . Mi c h a e l V. Ca m a c h o south gates as well as its area of respon- Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f sibility at Camp Taji, said Sgt. 1st class Jacob Thomas, noncommissioned of- CAMP TAJI, Iraq – U.S. Army Soldiers ficer in charge of operations with the work with Iraqi Army Sol- 155th HBCT. In the Saif BDOC, two diers to provide 24-hour U.S. Soldiers assist in monitoring the support in the base defense Iraqi Army’s area of responsibility with operations center on the the use of a camera surveillance system, Iraqi Army-monitored he said. half of Camp Taji, Iraq. If any incident occurs, they alert Camp Taji is separated into two both commands, he said. They then ob- halves, one monitored by U.S. Forces serve and provide information to Iraqi and the other monitored by Iraqi mili- Soldiers who communicate to the com- tary, said Master Sgt. Jimmy Smith, mand, said Thomas, a Union, Miss., na- noncommissioned officer in charge of tive. The information collected is used partnership with the 155th Heavy Bri- to assess the situation, he said. gade Combat Team, 13th Sustainment “They can get eyes on whatever is Command (Expeditionary), BDOC. happening,” said Thomas. “(The Iraqi The partnership between the 155th Army) commanders can get a better HBCT and the Iraqi Army promotes an feel for sending their guys out to (ap- equal level of base security and force prehend) someone or react to any situ- protection on both halves of Camp Taji, Spc. Brendan Mummart, a surveillance operator and with the 155th Brigade Special ation accordingly.” said Smith, a Huntsville, Miss., native. Troops Battalion and a Hattiesburg, Miss., native, instructs Iraqi Army Sgt. Hussein Although both sides have their own Kareem, a radio transmitter operator with the Taji Location Command Military Police “We have only half the post,” he said. BDOCs, a constant communication flow Brigade and a Babil, Iraq, native, on the use of the camera systems that monitor the “If we had a problem over here or op- provides intelligence on occurrences perimeter of Camp Taji, Iraq, Jan. 14. U.S. Army Soldiers serve with Iraqi Army MPs posite, there could be a problem on that within and around the Camp Taji pe- to provide base defense operations to the Iraqi monitored side of Camp Taji. side; then both sides can react togeth- rimeter, said Thomas. er.” ficer 4 Billy Brassel, officer in charge of was referred to as the Saif BDOC, rather Force protection at any installation Since the time of the reformation of force protection with the 155th HBCT. than the IADOC, said Brassel, a Grena- prepares every service member to de- the Iraqi Army, U.S. military forces have The 155th HBCT was responsible for da, Miss., native. Saif is the Arabic word fend and serve his or her country, said made it a goal to train Iraqi service mem- BDOC operations at Camp Taji after it for sword, he said. Brassel. bers in standard operating procedures replaced the 1/108th FAR in July, said This allows for almost immediate “The partnership between the two similar to those used by U.S. forces. Brassel. At the same time, it was respon- reaction on both sides, said Smith. Be- military groups provides base-wide The presence of U.S. Soldiers in the sible for carrying on the mission to sup- fore the partnership, there was a much security at Taji,” said Brassel. “It also Iraqi BDOC started with the 1st Battal- port the Iraqi BDOC, Brassel said. slower and more disorganized commu- gives Iraqi forces the experience they ion, 108th Field Artillery Regiment, out As the Iraqi Army’s BDOC became nication flow between the two forces, he need when U.S. Forces withdraw out of of Pennsylvania, said Chief Warrant Of- more established in steady operations, it said. Iraq.” Soldiers reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

By Sg t . Jo h n St i m a c At 35, he was the youngest man to re- Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f ceive the Nobel Peace Prize, after which he announced he would donate the prize JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – As Mar- money to the furtherance of the civil tin Luther King Jr. Day ap- rights movement, according to the site. proached, Jan. 18, Soldiers Pfc. Bruce E. Cornish, unit supply throughout Joint Base specialist with the 13th Sustainment Balad, Iraq, reflected on Command (Expeditionary), and a Lou- what Dr. Martin Luther isville, Ky., native, said King had a vision King Jr.’s legacy means of blacks joining hands with other races

to them. and, for the most part, that is happen- Courtesy photo In 1963, King directed a peaceful ing. march on Washington, where he de- “It may not be like that for all of speaks in terms of history. He said he livered his “I Have a Dream” speech to America but, for some, we are all getting looks at race relations in 10 to 15-year more than 250,000 people. along the way he would have wanted us increments, starting around 1967. “When we let freedom ring, when to,” said Cornish. “I remember when Richard Hatcher we let it ring from every village and ev- Cornish said King’s speeches touched became the first black man elected may- ery hamlet, from every state and every most Americans and his words maintain or in Gary, Ind., in 1967 and, 40 years city, we will be able to speed up that their power today. later, we elected a black man as presi- day when all of God’s children, black “We have a black president,” said dent,” said Kozlowski. “I don’t think that men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Cornish. “That means, for the most part, significance can be lost.” Protestants and Catholics, will be able to every race voted for President Obama.” “As you look back, it seems we may join hands and sing in the words of the Lt. Col. Dan Kozlowski, brigade judge have taken two steps forward and one old Negro spiritual, "Free at last, free at advocate for Task Force 38 and an In- step back,” said Kozlowski. “Overall, it last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at dianapolis, native, said MLK Day has seems that progress is being made.” last,” King said. meaning for him because he was alive He said race relations have improved, According to http://nobelprize.org, prior to the civil rights act of 1964 and allowing more people to be judged by in the 11 year period between 1957 and can remember 1968, not vividly, but he their character than the color of their 1968, King traveled more than 6 million remembers how he felt. skin. miles and spoke more than 2,500 times, Kozlowski, who has taught race re- “We can pat ourselves on the back for promoting peaceful protest to injustice lations at Oakland City University, in society that we have come a long way,” in the United States. Oakland City, Ind., since 1996, said he said Kozlowski. PAGE 18 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010 Iraqi Soldiers receive Humvee evacuation training By Ma j . Ti m Oh l h a v e r of training after the introductory power 36t h Su s t . Bd e . point presentation: orientation drill, 180 degree egress and 90 degree water CAMP ADDER, Iraq – Soldiers with egress with casualties involved. During the 10th Iraqi Mobilized the orientation drill, Soldiers learn the Transportation Compa- angles the vehicle may come to rest at ny participated in Hum- after a flip: 25 degrees, 90 degrees and vee egress assistance upside down at 180 degrees. trainer rollover train- The second exercise is the 180 degree ing Jan. 7 at Contin- egress. During this phase, students use gency Camp Adder, individual restraint systems inside the Iraq. HEAT simulator while it is rotated 180 HEAT training takes roughly four degrees to the upside down position. hours and consists of a power point The students must then egress from the presentation on vehicle safety and his- vehicle with all weapons and personnel, tory, correct ways to get out of, or egress including the simulated wounded. The from, a flipped vehicle, types of tactical students who sustained no injuries then vehicles, and situations in which Sol- provide 360 degree security around the diers would need to evacuate a flipped vehicle. vehicle. After the presentation, hands- Finally, students are tested on a on practical exercises using the HEAT 90 degree water egress with casual- trainer simulate vehicle rollovers in a ties. Here, students must all evacuate Courtesy photo controlled environment. through the gunner’s hatch at the roof Lt. Col. Marvin D. Johnson, with the 36th Special Troops Battalion, shakes hands Sgt. Kevon Williams, noncommis- of the vehicle. They must once again with Iraqi Army 1st Lt. Samih Noori, class officer in charge with the 10th Iraqi Mo- bilized Transportation Company, after the Iraqi Soldiers completed Humvee egress sioned officer in charge of the HEAT provide 360 degrees of security and as- assistance trainer rollover training Jan. 7 at Camp Adder, Iraq. training facility with the 36th Special sess each team member for injuries. Troops Battalion, 36th Sustainment After each phase of training, stu- HEAT Trainer they work together and seatbelts. From now on, I will be en- Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command dents discuss what they have learned, make sure everyone is out. Also, when forcing the wearing of seatbelts with my (Expeditionary) and a Fort Worth, Tex- what they did well, what could have casualties are involved, they make sure Soldiers. I also will have my Soldiers as, native, said the joint training chal- been done better and how they could to get them out and pull security .” practice proper procedures during and lenges have been minimal. improve their results in the future. Iraqi 1st Lt. Samih Noori, class of- after a roll over.” “Since we have started training the “Iraqi Soldiers pay close attention to ficer in charge with the 10th Division Williams said safety is a priority in Iraqi Soldiers over the past month, I what we have to tell them and take it to IMTR, said his Soldiers failed to wear the training. have noticed only a small language bar- heart,” said Spc. Derek Carraway, an as- seatbelts and use the gunner restraint “Our goal is providing the safest roll rier,” Williams said. “However, the bar- sistant HEAT trainer with the 36th STB systems. over training possible with the clos- rier that exists is easy to move beyond and a Portleyden, N.Y., native. “The “Now I understand the importance est to real world experience as we can because the Iraqis bring excellent inter- Iraqi Soldiers actually work very well of using the seatbelts,” Noori said. make it,” William said. “We are proud preters with them to the training.” as a team. I was surprised to see that. “Seatbelts can save lives or cause lesser to be able to share this training with our Students participate in three phases When trying to get in and out of the injuries as compared to not wearing Iraqi friends.” Comedians offer service members relief from deployment stress St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Sg t . Jo h n St i m a c ally glad that I decided to come here.” Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f Sgt. Chanel Reagan, a human resource noncommissioned officer with Task Force 38 out of Shel- JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Three comedians vis- byville, Ind., and an Indianapolis native, said she ited Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Jan. 13 at enjoyed the show. the Morale, Welfare and Recreation “They all brought something different to the center west to offer service members plate,” said Reagan. comedic relief from the deploy- She said she liked Ross because he treated his ment’s daily grind. comedy like a normal conversation and related well The JBB show was the second to the audience. stop for the 10-show Lone Wolf “I definitely feel that these are a big morale Comedy Tour, which started in Kuwait and will con- booster for all the Soldiers,” said Reagan. “I wish tinue on to Baghdad, said comedian D’Sean Ross. we could have these at least once a month.” Ross, a Los Angeles native, said this marked his Yoursie Thomas and Jeremy Greenberg accom- first trip to Iraq and the Middle East. panied Ross on the tour. “Besides the wind and the sand, I have really en- Both said performing for the troops was a great joyed it over here,” said Ross. “The (service mem- experience. bers) have taken really good care of us and I am re- Ross said everyone should stay strong and continue their hard work. Jeremy Greenberg, a comedian with the Lone Wolf Comedy “This trip has really opened up my eyes,” said Tour and a Los Angeles native, performs at Morale, Welfare Ross. It’s really cool to kind of get firsthand knowl- and Recreation center west Jan. 13 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. edge of what (service members) go through every Greenberg was one of three comedians who performed at the show. day.” TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS HOW MUCH YOU MISS THEM E-mail: [email protected] January 20, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 19

Sudoku Test your The objective is to fill Level: Hard knowledge the 9×9 grid so each 1. What landmark invention did Ts’ai Lun invent column, each row and 9 3 from bark and hemp in the second century? each of the nine 3×3 2 6 1 7 2. What “foot doctor” had more than 300 patents? boxes contains the dig- 3. What Italian astronomer invented the thermom- its from 1 to 9 only one 5 8 3 2 eter in 1592? time each. 8 6 7 4. What did George Nisser invent after observing high Last week’s answers wire performers bouncing on safety nets?

4 2 5 7 3 1 6 9 8 1 7 5 2 5. Who averaged one patent for every three weeks of 8 7 1 9 4 6 3 2 5 his life? 3 9 6 5 2 8 4 1 7 5 3 2 6 3 4 1 8 5 9 7 2 2 8 7 4 6 9 5 3 1 1 7 4 9 5 1 9 2 7 3 8 6 4 1 4 8 6 9 2 7 5 3 4 8 1 3 9 5 3 8 1 7 2 4 6

7 6 2 3 5 4 1 8 9 9 7 Edison Thomas 5. trampoline The 4. Galileo 3. Scholl Dr. 2. Paper 1. JB BALAD JB BALAD ACTIVITIES INDOOR a.m., p.m. CC Cross Fit: Hold’em: Ping-pong Friday- 7 p.m. WORSHIP SERVICES POOL 5-6 p.m Caribbean Monday- Mon., Fri.,- 2 tourney: Aerobics: TRADITIONAL - Sunday MASS - Saturday Swim Lessons: Edge Weapons Night: Saturday- p.m., Tuesday- 8 Monday, 0200 Air Force Hospital Chapel 0930 Provider Chapel 1700 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Mon., Wed.,- 6 & Stick Fight- Friday- 8 p.m. 10:30 p.m 8:30 p.m. p.m. Wednesday, p.m. ing Combative Chess & Domi- Cross Fit: 8-ball tourney: Foosball Friday- 7 p.m. 1030 Freedom Chapel (West side) 1100 Castle Heights (Bldg. 7562) 2000 Freedom Chapel (West Side) Tue., Thu., Training: noes Tourney: Mon., Wed., Tuesday- 2 tourney: Body by Sat.,- Tue., Thur., Friday- 8 p.m. Fri.,- 5:45 a.m., Tuesday- 8 Midgett Toning 1400 Air Force Hospital Chapel 1730 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Sunday 0830 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) 6:30 p.m. Sat.,- Salsa Class: a.m., 7 a.m., 3 8:30 p.m. p.m. Class: 2000 Air Force Hospital Chapel 1100 Provider Chapel 1100 Air Force Hospital AquaTraining: 8-10 p.m. Saturday- 8:30 p.m., Ping-pong Jam Session: Tue., Thu., - 7 Tue.,Thu.,- p.m. 6 p.m. tourney: Tuesday- 7:30 p.m. GOSPEL - Sunday Thursday 1100 Air Force Hospital 7:30 p.m., 8:30 EAST REC- Poker: Tue., Thu.,- 7 Tuesday- 8:30 p.m Dodge ball 1100 MWR East Building 1200 Freedom Chapel (West Side) Mon., Wed., Fri. 1700 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) p.m. REATION Saturday- 7:30 a.m., p.m. 8-ball tourney: Game: CENTER p.m. 3 p.m. Spades: Wednesday- 8 Tuesday- 7:30 1230 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Monday-Friday 1130 555th Engineer Bde. (Bldg. 7200) EAST FIT- 4-ball tourney: Sunday- 5:45 Wednesday- 2 p.m p.m. 1900 Provider Chapel JEWISH SHABBAT SERVICES- Friday NESS Sunday- 8 p.m H6 FITNESS a.m., a.m., Guitar Lessons: Furman’s CENTER 8-ball tourney: CENTER 7 a.m., 3 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Thursday- 7:30 Martial Arts: CONTEMPORARY- Sunday 1700 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Open Court Monday- 8 p.m Spin: P90x: Salsa: p.m Mon., Wed., 0900 Chapel- Next Iraq/MWR East Saturday 0930 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Volleyball: Karaoke: Sunday- 9 a.m. Monday- Sat- Wednesday- Game tourney: Sun.,- 1 p.m. Sunday- 6 p.m. Monday- 8 Mon., Wed., urday- 4:30 8:30 p.m. Thursday- 1 Gaston’s Self- 1030 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) 1700 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Aerobics: p.m. Fri.,- 2 a.m., 8 a.m., 4 p.m., 9-ball: p.m, 8 p.m. Defense Class: 1400 Castle Heights (Bldg. 7562) 1900 Freedom Chapel (West Side) ISLAMIC PRAYER - Friday Mon., Wed., Swing Class: a.m. 2 p.m., 7 10 p.m. Thursday- 2 Enlisted Poker: Fri., Sat.- 7 Fri.- Tuesday- 8 p.m., 12 a.m. a.m., Friday- 1 p.m., p.m. Wedneday 2000 Gilbert Memorial Chapel 1230 Provider Chapel 5:30-6:30 a.m. p.m. 9 p.m. Soccer: 8:30 p.m. 8 p.m. Open court LITURGICAL (Episcopal, Anglican, Presbyterian) - Sunday PAGAN/WICCAN FELLOWSHIP - Thursday Yoga Class: Table Tennis: Tue., Thu., Tue., Thu.,- 8 Karaoke: Officer Poker: basketball: Mon., Fri.- 6-7 Tuesday- 8 -5:45 a.m., p.m. Thursday- 8:30 Saturday- 1 Thursday- 7 1700 Provider Chapel 1900 The Shack a.m. p.m. 9 a.m., 8:30 Yoga: p.m. p.m., 8 p.m. p.m. Step Aerobics: Plastic Models p.m. Wednesday- 8 Dominos: Squat Compe- Open court SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST - Saturday Saturday 1900 The Shack Mon., Wed., Club: Saturday- 9 p.m. Saturday- 8:30 tition: soccer: 1000 Provider Chapel GREEK ORTHODOX - Sunday Fri.- Wednesday 7 a.m., 7 p.m. MACP Level p.m. Saturday- 8 Mon., Wed., - 7 5:30 p.m. p.m. Boxing: 1: Darts: p.m. p.m. CHURCH OF CHRIST - Sunday 0900 Provider Annex Conditioning 9-ball tourney: Sunday- 4 p.m. Friday- 8 p.m. Saturday- 8:30 Zingano 1530 Castle Heights (Bldg. 7562) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: Training Class: Wednesday- 8 Tue., Thu.,- 2 5 on 5 Basket- p.m. WEST FIT- Brazilian Jui Mon., Wed., p.m. p.m. ball: WEST REC- NESS Jitsu: LATTER DAY SAINTS (MORMON)- Sunday Gilbert Chapel: 443-7703 Fri.- 7:15- Dungeons & Boot Camp: Saturday- 8 REATION CENTER Tue., Thu.,- 1300 Provider Chapel 1530 Freedom Chapel (West side) Provider Chapel: 433-2430 8 p.m. Dragons: Sunday- 8:45 p.m. CENTER 3 on 3 basket- 8:30 p.m. Brazilian Jui- Thursday- 7:30 a.m Green Bean ball 1900 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Freedom Chapel: 443-6303 Jitsu: p.m. Tue.,Thu.,- 7 H6 RECRE- Karaoke: tourney: CIRCUIT Mon., Wed., Poetry Night: p.m. ATION Sun., Wed., Saturday- 7:30 GYM Fri.- Thursday-8 Power Abs: CENTER 7:30pm p.m. Floor hockey: 8-9 p.m. p.m. Mon., Tue., Bingo: 9-ball tourney: 6 on 6 vol- Mon., Wed., Abs-Aerobics: 6-ball tourney: Thu., - 8 p.m. Sunday- 8 p.m. Monday- 8 leyball Fri.,– Tue., Thu., 6-7 Thursday- 8 Friday- 9 p.m. Texas p.m. tourney: 8-10 p.m

Monday 01/25/10 Bob Hope Classic: Final Round, Live 12 a.m. AFN/prime atlantic Upcoming sports Iowa @ Indiana, Live 1 a.m. AFN/xtra NFC Championship Game: Teams TBD, Live 2:30 a.m. AFN/ sports on AFN Australian Open Tennis Championships 2010, Live 3 a.m. Thursday 01/21/10 Saturday 01/23/10 AFN/ xtra Wednesday Night Hoops: Wake Forest @ North Carolina, Live 3 a.m. Miami Heat @ Washington Wizards, Live 3 a.m. AFN/xtra Tuesday 01/26/10 AFN/sports NBA Friday: Los Angeles Lakers @ New York Knicks, Live 4 Big Monday: Georgetown @ Syracuse, Live 3 a.m. AFN/sports South Florida @ Cincinnati, Live 3 a.m. AFN/xtra a.m. AFN/sports NHL on VERSUS: Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers, Live NBA Wednesday: Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs, Live 5 a.m. Australian Open Tennis Championships 2010, Live 5:30 a.m. 3 a.m. AFN/xtra AFN/sports AFN/xtra Big Monday: Missouri @ Kansas, Live 5 a.m. AFN/sports Baylor @ Kansas, Live 6 a.m. AFN/ xtra NBA Friday: Chicago Bulls @ Phoenix Suns, Live 6:30 a.m. Atlanta Hawks @ Houston Rockets, Tape Delayed 5 p.m. AFN/ AFN/ sports sports Friday 01/22/10 Sunday 01/24/10 Wednesday 01/27/10 NBA on TNT: Los Angeles Lakers @ Cleveland Cavaliers, Michigan @ Purdue, Live 12 a.m. AFN/sports Super Tuesday: Michigan State @ Michigan, Live 3 a.m. Live 4 a.m. AFN/sports Texas @ UConn, Live 12 a.m. AFN/prime atlantic AFN/sports NBA on TNT: Los Angeles Clippers @ Denver Nuggets, Live North Carolina State @ Maryland, Live 2 a.m. AFN/prime atlantic NHL on VERSUS: Phoenix Coyotes @ Detroit Red Wings, 6:30 a.m. AFN/sports South Carolina @ Florida, Live 2 a.m. AFN/sports Live 3 a.m. AFN/xtra Australian Open Tennis Championships 2010, Live 11 a.m. Los Angeles Kings @ Detroit Red Wings, Live 3 a.m. AFN/ xtra Super Tuesday: Kentucky @ South Carolina, Live 5 a.m. AFN/sports AFN/sports PAGE 20 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010

‘American Central Dust,’ what country music was meant to be Jeff Tweedy, Uncle Tupelo’s secondary songs could stand alone with just an There are no bad tracks on this al- By Sg t . Ke i t h S. Va n Kl o mp e n b e r g songwriter, formed Wilco. acoustic guitar. Farrar’s age is just start- bum. It’s a bit slow and somber, but is Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f The two men have been rivals ever ing to catch up to his voice. perfect for lying in bed with your head- merican Cen- since, but comparing their bands is like My favorite track is probably the pia- phones on. This might just be my new “Atral Dust” is my comparing apples and oranges. no-driven “Cocaine and Ashes” – a nod rainy day record. first real foray into Wilco consistently infuses avant- to Keith Richards and the rumor that he Son Volt probably would have been the works of Son Volt, garde and pop with alt-country and has once snorted the remains of his father. much more at home in the 1960’s, but its though, when I was in become a fairly mainstream rock band. The strings and the vocal harmonies re- music is a welcome option to those who college, I used to listen Son Volt has remained very traditional ally complement this song without add- refuse to call what they hear on the radio to old Uncle Tupelo albums at the radio to the definitions of alt-country and ing unnecessary density to the track. real country. station where I worked. Americana. Another standout track is “Sultana,” Jay Farrar isn’t going to Nashville to Uncle Tupelo, young performers, “American Central Dust” is more the story of a paddle-wheel ship that buy his songs from another artist, he made real country music and, to me, country than it is alternative. Electric exploded and sank on the Mississippi isn’t making tens of millions of dollars started the alt-country genre. guitar comes in two flavors, fuzzy or River in 1865, killing an estimated 1,800 and he isn’t using studio production When Uncle Tupelo broke up in 1994, twangy, and is sparse. Lap steel and fid- people. It offers a history lesson wrapped tricks to make him sound good. He is the front man Jay Farrar formed Son Volt. dle are abundant, though each of these in a great song – bonus. real thing, and Son Volt is real country. ‘Rudo y Cursi,’ a mediocre dramedy about soccer, brotherhood By Sg t . Ja y s o n A. Ho f f m a n spiral they may not recover from. he was the first to defend him. mother, and often fighting for her affec- Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f This movie deals with some heavy Bernal (“The Motorcycle Diaries”) tion, which is very entertaining and, in themes but manages to convey them in was just as good as Cursi. His passion the end, heartbreaking. udo y Cursi” is a humorous manner. It deals with single was singing and women, and he saw soc- The other strong aspect was the drug “Rfunny and seri- motherhood, poverty in Mexico, drugs cer as his way to attaining these dreams, culture in Mexico. Rudo gets involved ous, with a mix a bit like overtaking parts of Mexico, the high price but when he lost focus of his true talent, with drugs when his gambling begins to water and oil. The film of fame, and sibling rivalry. playing soccer, his life spiraled out of reach dangerous levels, and the brothers’ has its moments, but These themes keep the audience in- control. sister marries a local drug lord in their it never quite kicks the terested in the film, but the pacing of the Cursi and Rudo’s relationship in the home village. Drugs lead to Rudo’s down- winning goal. movie is a little bit off at times. I also felt movie reminded me a lot of my relation- ward spiral. However, in their village the Two brothers, Beto (Diego Luna), like the drama and comedy in this movie ship with my younger brother, always drug lord gives local villagers work, fixes nicknamed Rudo for his tough playing clashed. Where films like “Little Miss criticizing but the first to defend each roads, builds schools and supports the goalie techniques, and Tato (Gael Garcia Sunshine” and “Juno” meshed the two other. brothers’ family. It shows the double edge Bernal), nicknamed Cursi for his corn- genres well, this movie failed. The film’s strongest aspect was its sword of the drug culture in Mexico. ball antics after he scores goals, live and The lead actors in this movie were social commentary on Mexican culture, This movie had solid themes and great work in a poor farm village in Mexico. great. much of which I had no idea about un- acting, but poor direction. I advise this A soccer recruiter notices the two star Luna (“Milk”) was great as Rudo. He til I watched the extra features on the movie for people who have knowledge, soccer players during a dirt field league was a family man who wanted to be rec- DVD. The gender gap is much different or interest in, Mexican culture and for match. The duo makes its way to the pro- ognized for his goalie skills but is con- in Mexico than in America. The women anyone with a strong bond with their fessional league in Mexico City playing stantly tortured by his gambling addic- rely heavily on the men and, in poor re- brother. on different teams. They become super- tion. He was a hard worker who criticized gions, single mothers come to rely on However, for a solid dramedy through stars, but the price of celebrity takes toll his brother for being lazy, but the minute their sons. This film showed the two and through, stick with “Little Miss Sun- on them and sends them in a downward anyone said a negative word about Cursi, brothers defending and supporting their shine.”

Classic Pvt Murphy Sustainer Reel Time Theater

Wednesday, Jan. 20 Sunday, Jan. 24 5 p.m. Armored 2 p.m. The Book Of Eli 8 p.m. Daybreakers 5 p.m. Everybody’s Fine 8 p.m. The Blind Side Thursday, Jan. 21 Monday, Jan. 25 5 p.m. Daybreakers 5 p.m. The Book Of Eli 8 p.m. Ninja Assassin 8 p.m. Everybody’s Fine Friday, Jan. 22 Tuesday, Jan. 26 2 p.m. Everybody’s Fine 5 p.m. The Blind Side 5 p.m. The Blind Side 8 p.m. The Book Of Eli 8:30 p.m. The Book Of Eli Saturday, Jan. 23 Wednesday, Jan. 27 2 p.m. The Blind Side 5 p.m. Everybody’s Fine 5 p.m The Book Of Eli 8 p.m. The Blind Side 8 p.m. Everybody’s Fine January 20, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 21 Ph o t o s Ar o u n d U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samantha R. Ciaramitaro r a q IU.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeff Chandler, with the 810th Military Police Company, 203rd MP Battalion, 17th Fires Brigade, takes on an Iraqi police officer in a push- up contest during a break in class. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brien Vorhees U.S. Army Lt. Col. Shaun Tooke, commander of the 1at Battalion 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, gives an inter- view with an Iraqi journalist after a dinner Jan. 6 at Con- tingency Operating Location Delta, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Holley Baker

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Holley Baker An Iraqi Army battalion commander assigned to 27th Iraqi Army, raises the Iraq flag with U.S. Army Capt. Roger Wang, commander D Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute In- fantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, during a ceremony Dec. 29 at Camp Ubaydi, Iraq.

An Iraqi investigator from a counter terrorism unit tags a piece of evidence from a simulated crime scene involving a car with a vehicle borne improvised explosive device that was detonated Dec. 17 at a range outside Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Tyrone Clakely An Iraqi police officer spotted an improvised explosive device while walking through the training course Jan. 5 at the Taji Law Enforcement Academy, at Camp Taji, Iraq. PAGE 22 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010 Ne w s a r o u n d Ir a q Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general of USF-I. Multi-National Security “While we are thankful that no troops were killed in action in December, we are equally mindful of those Transition Command – who have lost their lives while serving our nation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and all that have lost a loved one in Iraq.” Iraq cases its flag The leadership of USF-I reiterated its commitment to supporting the Government of Iraq and its security BAGHDAD – Multi-National Security Transition forces in maintaining a secure environment in which Command – Iraq held its final ceremony security incidents have been sharply reduced. Dec. 31 at Phoenix Base in Baghdad. “There is still work to be done,” said Odierno. “We Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, the final will continue to advise and support our Iraqi partners MNSTC-I commander, recognized the to pressure terrorist networks and reduce their capa- command’s contributions to a safer, more secure bility to conduct high-profile attacks. We will continue Iraq since 2004 to an audience of Iraqi officials, to support the government and people of Iraq as they U.S. service members and civilians. progress toward credible and legitimate elections in Among the honored guests were Salih Sarhan, March followed by a peaceful transition of power.” Minister of Defence secretary, Al Husseini, senior adviser to Defence and Security Council Chairman Hadi Al Ameri, and Lt. Gen. Al Awadi, Federal Police com- missioner. Iraqi Security Forces Army Gen. David Petraeus was the first MNSTC-I commander when it activated June 28, 2004. Barbe- arrest 4 suspected ro and each of the five commanders before him wit- nessed the Iraqi security forces’ evolution to a stream- lined and professional security force. al-Qaeda terrorists “This ceremony is an opportunity to remember to evaluate how we can continue to increase their ca- we did this together,” Barbero said about the part- pacity here for the MoD members, their families and BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces arrested four sus- nerships and relationships among Iraq, the U.S. and the people in the local vicinity,” said Barbero. pected terrorists Dec. 30 during a joint secu- other nations who worked with MNSTC-I. The hospital has used USF-I funding assistance to rity operation in northwest Mosul to arrest a Barbero commended the hard work and sacrifices rebuild a helicopter pad, establish a satellite phone suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who oper- of the countless Iraqis, U.S. service members and ci- communication system and train clinic staff as well as ates in eastern Mosul. vilians who accomplished so much under difficult cir- make a host of smaller repairs and improvements. Acting pursuant to a warrant issued by an Iraqi cumstances. Barbero examined the hospital laboratory, radio- court, ISF and U.S. advisers searched a residential “We built a proud and capable security force of over graphic center, dental service area, pharmacy, inten- building for a suspected AQI leader who has acquired 650,000 strong,” said Barbero. “A force that today is sive care unit and operating suites before seeing the vehicles, pistols and silencers used by the terrorist well-led, trained, professional and dedicated to pro- prosthetic center. group to carry out assassinations in the area. tecting their countrymen and a democratic Iraq.” The center, which opened January 2009 is one of Following preliminary questioning and examin- As the new United States Forces – Iraq, deputy com- 50 in the world capable of virtual-casting, a process in ing evidence at the scene, ISF arrested four suspected manding general for advising and training, Barbero’s which a three-dimensional image of the limb is cre- criminal associates of the warranted individual with- duties remain essentially the same, to train and equip ated via laser. out incident. the Iraq security forces and ministries. Although the The clinic staff has helped more than 2,100 patients name is changing, the transition will be largely trans- and produced 680 prosthetic limbs. parent to the majority of former MNSTC-I personnel. The hospital’s emergency room staff treated seven “We cannot rest,” said Barbero. “The tasks we face patients injured in bombings Dec. 8 and transported Iraqi Soldiers complete in the future are no less important than the ones we others to Ministry of Health hospitals. One of the ex- faced in 2004.” plosions occurred within 500 meters of the hospital. logistics training The activation of USF-I is part of the evolution of "Although we provide health care for the members the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces as they pre- of the MoD and their families, we also receive civil- AN NUMANIYAH, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers pare to reduce the number of troops in Iraq to 50,000 ians in emergency situations,” said Col. Aamer Nejim, graduated from the Field Workshop by Aug. 31, 2010, as stipulated in the security agree- hospital commander. “We treated those that we could military occupational skills qualification ment. within our capabilities on the day of the blasts.” course Dec. 30 in An Numaniyah, Iraq. The class of more than 200 noncommissioned officers with the 8th and 17th Iraqi Ministry of Defence United States Forces Army divisions learned basic Soldier skills before mastering their individual military occupational medical facilities use specialties, ranging from administration to trans- – Iraq completes portation, during the 26-day course. “The motivation and dedication of these Sol- latest technology diers has been exceptional,” said U.S. Army Lt. month without Col. John F. K. Jones, senior coalition adviser. BAGHDAD – Members of the Ministry of Defence and “They have embraced their training, have shown their family members did not have a work- combat action death steady improvement, and will be an asset to their ing hospital one year ago, but, as of Jan. 3, units.” they have that and a prosthetics clinic with BAGHDAD – December passed with no service mem- The MOS qualified cadre issued certificates of 10 trained doctors and five dentists. bers killed in action. completion to the Soldiers and congratulated them Staff members at the MoD Hospital at al This was the first month in the history of on their achievements. Muthana showcased their advanced equipment for Lt. Operation Iraqi Freedom with no U.S. mili- “You are all good examples for the younger en- Gen. Michael D. Barbero, U.S. Forces – Iraq deputy tary killed in combat. listed Soldiers to follow,” said Lt. Col. Usam Has- commanding general for advising and training, Dec. However, three USF-I troops died from san, 8th Division commander. “I challenge you to 29. “This medical facility provides an additional ca- non-combat related incidents. “ continue learning to ensure that the Iraqi Army is pability for the Iraqi forces and we are visiting today “We enter the new year with mixed emotions,” said successful in maintaining peace in Iraq.” January 20, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 23

The Soldiers learned to prepare suspected IED their search for explosive materials. sites for explosive ordnance disposal teams. As part During the search of three separate buildings, the Iraqi operation nets of their route clearance training, they were required ERB discovered roughly 2,500 kilograms of materi- to recognize IEDs, perform vehicle recovery and com- als commonly used to create homemade explosives, 20, proves abilities plete turning maneuvers within the exercise area. as well as agricultural supplies. “Our advisers were very impressed with the 3rd The constables secured the area and removed the KIRKUK, Iraq – Brig. Gen. Khatub Umer Aref led FER,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Concannon, the material without incident. more than 400 Iraqi Emergency Service Besmaya CTC deputy senior advisor. “They have done Unit Lions in Operation Lion Dragon Hunt an exceptional job of executing this training.” in December, proving the skill, determi- To graduate, the Soldiers had to complete live-fire Iraqi Security Forces nation and professionalism of his unit in events to demonstrate their marksmanship in a close- Kirkuk. quarter urban environment. The Lions had assistance from D Company, 1st Bat- The 3rd FER worked together strengthening inter- arrest suspected talion, 30th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st nal bonds in training as its Soldiers honed their skills Armored Division, Dragons, led by Capt. Jeremiah for combat. While increasing their competencies with explosives expert Fritz, the commander of D Co. In addition to the D Co. weapons, they also strengthened their decision-mak- Soldiers, the U.S. Army also provided military working abilities and built confidence in their abilities to BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces arrested a sus- ing dogs to assist in the mission, said Fritz. work as a team. pected al-Qaeda in Iraq explosives expert "We had two main purposes today," said Fritz. The 3rd FER is scheduled to resume its engineer Jan. 4 during a joint operation in southern "One was to demonstrate the ability of the Kirkuk mission of supporting the 3rd Iraqi Army in the Nin- Baghdad. ESU to perform clearing operations and also to dis- ewah Province following a brief respite from opera- ISF and U.S. advisers searched a residen- rupt the enemy." tions. tial building for the suspected explosives expert, who In addition to these missions, the ESU and U.S. they suspect works directly for AQI leadership to co- military searched for anyone staying in the area ille- ordinate and carry out attacks within the capital city. gally, said Fritz. Iraqi Army Soldiers Within the building, the security team discovered "Every day the ESU is getting better and better; circuitry, wiring and tools often used to make impro- they are very close to being completely independent," vised explosive devices, as well as several IED trig- said Fritz. complete urban gers. Although no hidden weapons were located, more The evidence discovered at the scene and prelimi- than 20 people were detained and taken to the Amal combat training nary questioning led ISF to identify and arrest the tar- Shabi Iraqi Police station for lacking proper identifi- geted individual without incident. cation to be in the area, said Fritz. SHAIBA, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers graduated from “This mission was very successful,” said Aref. “To- the Shaiba Training Center’s M16 Urban gether we made the insurgents fearful and met our Combat Refresher Training course Dec. 24 objectives. We will continue to do missions like this. Iraqi Army Bomb in Shaiba, Iraq. We will not give the insurgents a break.” The 53rd Brigade, 14th Infantry Divi- sion students learned urban combat tactics and pro- Disposal School triples cedures during the six-day program, which began by testing their knowledge and handling of the M16 rifle training capacity Emergency response and ended with a close-quarters, live-fire exercise. The Soldiers completed a weapons refresher phase, BESMAYA, Iraq – The Iraqi Army Bomb Disposal which included demonstrating perfect comprehen- School at the Besmaya Combat Training Soldiers arrest sion of the M16A2 rifle’s characteristics, mastering Center held its last graduation of the year assembly and disassembly, constructing proper firing Dec. 30 in Besmaya, Iraq. suspected kidnapper positions and conducting safe range procedures. The school has roughly 50 instructors Students then moved on to hone their individual and the capacity to train more than 300 Soldiers TIKRIT, Iraq – The Baqubah Emergency Response and squad level movement techniques, conduct build- per cycle. This capability has tripled in the past Battalion, partnered with U.S. forces, ar- ing clearing operations and finally complete a close- three years due to an expansion of resources avail- rested a suspected terrorist Jan. 3 in Diyala quarters marksmanship live fire exercise. able through the Iraqi Army, which has a dedicated province. Iraqi Army Capt. Anwar, the Shaiba training officer school to help them develop this skill. Under the authority of a warrant issued by and weapons wing commander, spoke to the graduat- “This graduation signifies the courage of the Iraqi the Government of Iraq, the ERB made the arrest of ing class after recognizing the top squad and marks- Soldiers to stand strong and face the dangers pre- an individual suspected of kidnapping, intimidation man. sented to the freedom of Iraq,” said U.S. Navy Lt. and displacement of local citizens in Dhiyabah and “This course brought your tactical skills to a higher Cmdr. Oliver Herion, commander of Combined Joint Abu Sayda. level,” he said. “You must remember your instruc- Task Force – Troy Combined Exploitation Cell. The suspect is allegedly linked to another individ- tion.” BDS has trained more than 1,700 bomb disposal ual detained with a warrant by Iraqi Security Forces Anwar concluded with words of encouragement to technicians in areas ranging from ordnance identifi- Nov. 22, on suspicion of murder, kidnapping and vio- his students. cation, explosive storage and safety, and demolition lent explosives attacks against Iraqi citizens and ISF “All of you will be called upon to protect your operations to vehicle search and clearance opera- units. neighbors and friends,” he said. “If you apply your tions since its inception in 2006. new knowledge, you will prevail over the terrorists The BDS was originally in Basrah and manned by and our enemies.” the international professional services firm RONCO Iraqi operation detains Consulting Corporation in 2005, before it relocated to Besmaya in 2006. The Iraqi Army took full con- Emergency response trol of the school in late 2007. 20 persons lacking ”The Iraqi Army BDS instructors have set high standards in professionalism and technical ability proper identification constables find for their students to achieve,” said U.S. Army Mas- ter Sgt. Christopher Ellette, the explosive ordnance BESMAYA, Iraq – Soldiers with the 3rd Field Engineer explosive materials disposal senior enlisted adviser. “These high stan- Regiment, 3rd Iraqi Army Infantry Division dards result in a commitment to excellence in their completed unit set fielding training Dec. 26 TIKRIT, Iraq – Emergency Response Battalion con- profession once they graduate and return to their at the Besmaya Combat Training Center. stables, partnered with U.S. forces, recov- units.” The comprehensive three-week training ered explosives-making materials in Ras al The school cadre expects to train an additional program included classroom and hands-on instruc- Jada Dec. 30 near Mosul. 1,700 Soldiers this year. tion that included marksmanship, route-clearance Credible information and local reports led “We stand ready to answer our nation’s call to techniques, and identifying and responding to impro- the ERB to a warehouse complex in the Ninawa prov- duty and meet its future challenges with strength vised explosive devices. ince where the constables gained entry and began and honor,” said Col. Jasim, BDS commander. PAGE 24 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 20, 2010 Phantom Support

U.S. Army photo illustration by Spc. Cory Grogan An Iraqi Army member pulls security as Soldiers with the 121st Brigade Support Battalion load a casualty by litter during a Convoy Academy U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cory Grogan training exercise Jan. 7 at Camp Adder, Iraq. A line of vehicles are mission-ready at the motor pool for Task Force Atlas with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

U.S. Army photo by Capt. Murray Shugars Staff Sgt. Jonathan C. Love, a squad leader and a Southaven, Miss., native, scans the rooftops of Al- Qayyarah during a visit to the filtration plant pump- ing water Dec. 27 to Contingency Operating Location Q-West, Iraq. Love serves with A Company, 2nd Bat- talion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th Brigade Combat Team, out of Hernando, Miss. The force protection company for Q-West, A Co. provides security for all missions to the pump house and filtration plant, supplying potable water for the base.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nayara Torres Staff Sgt. Jermaine Millwood, a heavy wheeled vehicle operator with the 445th Transportation Company, 260th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, U.S. Army photo by Capt. Murray Shugars 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a Randolph, Capt. Drew Clark, a company commander and a Madison, Mass., native, was among eight Soldiers awarded the Combat Miss., native, places specialist rank on Spc. Michael Murtagh, Action Badge by Col. C. J. Read, 96th Sust. Bde. commander an entry control point guard and a Pickens, Miss., native, dur- and a Layton, Utah, native, Jan. 5. The Soldiers were on a ing a promotion ceremony in the company area Jan. 5 at Con- logistical convoy when they encountered small arms fire. tingency Operating Location Q-West, Iraq. Murtagh serves with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th Brigade Combat Team, out of Hernando, Miss.