April 22, 2009

www.dvidshub.net (search phrase: Expeditionary Times) Vol. 2, Issue 16 JOB HUNTING WA ARNG helping 154th Transportation Company Soldiers find jobs upon redeployment repositions to Afghanistan Page 6

PASSPORT IN IRAQ Understanding ways to get a U.S. Passport while deployed Page 8

T.H.I.N.K. SAFE Simple steps to prevent negligent discharges Page 12 - 13

Joint Base Balad Tax Center

Taxes are prepared and filed Soldiers of the 154th Transportation Company load onto a C-17 aircraft for their flight to Afghanistan at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, April 14. d for all Soldiers, Airmen, Sail- The 154th Trans. Co., an active-component unit from Fort Hood, Texas, is the second 3 Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) unit in three weeks to move directly to Afghanistan from Iraq. ors, Marines and Coast Guard, as well as DOD/DA/DAF Civil- STORY AND PHOTOS BY mander, said the move would ians; and for those filing a Form SGT. ALEX SNYDER not change her unit’s mission 1040EZ, 1040, or 1040A, as well EXPEDITIONARY TIMES STAFF – only its location. as Schedules A, B, C and D. “We’ll go wherever we are The JBB Tax center is open CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – A needed,” McClellan said. “The until April 30, 2009; Monday, transportation Soldiers are ready to go.” Tuesday, Thursday and Friday company here Deployed to Iraq in January, 0800-1700 hrs; Saturday: 1600- was moved from over 150 Soldiers of the 154th 2300 hrs; Closed: Wednesday Iraq to Afghani- Trans. Co. operated under the and Sunday stan on April Fort Hood’s 553rd Combat The center is located at: 332 14, mark- Sustainment Support Battal- EMSG Building (Mission Sup- ing the sec- ion. While stationed at Camp port Group/JBB Info Center), ond time in Liberty, the unit moved sup- directly across the street from three weeks a 3d Sustainment plies to camps across Iraq, al- DFAC 2 Command (Expeditionary) unit though most missions were in For more information, e- has moved directly from one or around Baghdad. mail: Master Sgt. Katrina Mar- combat theater to another. 1st Sgt. Eric A. Moree, the tin at [email protected] The 154th Transportation company’s senior noncommis- cent.af.mil, Spc. Jaclyn Mims at Company, an active-component sioned officer, said he is proud Spc. Keith E. Stoner, a gunner with the 154th Transportation Company’s [email protected] unit from Fort Hood, Texas, of his unit’s performance thus newly formed gun truck platoon, waits with other unit Soldiers for his or call DSN: 443-8304 or stop was repositioned to southern far and believes they are “ab- company’s flight to Afghanistan at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, by during business hours. Afghanistan where it will con- solutely” ready to assume their April 14. The 154th Trans. Co., an active-component unit from Fort Hood, Personnel may be referred tinue its mission of transport- mission in Afghanistan. Texas, is the second 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) unit in to a paid preparer for any tax ing supplies to Coalition forces, “We haven’t lost a vehicle,” three weeks to move directly to Afghanistan from Iraq. returns that are complicated, unit leadership said. Moree said. “We haven’t lost or involve filing multiple forms Capt. Corinne F. McClel- a Soldier. We haven’t lost any See REPOSITIONED TO AFGHANISTAN, and schedules. lan, the 154th Trans. Co. com- cargo. And in doing so we were Page 9 PAGE 2 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009 332 ESFS Blotter April 8 - 14

HIT AND RUN COLLISION: The victim driver telephoned the law enforcement desk and stated a vehicle collision had occurred. Secu- rity forces arrived on scene, and made contact with the victim who said he was driving his vehicle when it was struck by another vehicle causing some damage. The victim did not make contact with the driver of the sec- ond vehicle after the collision. The victim reported the collision to his flight chief, who relayed the need to com- plete a written statement.

VEHICLE DAMAGE: A reporting party telephoned the law enforcement desk and reported damage to a vehicle. Security forces ar- rived on scene and made contact with the RP who said he was attempting to open a rear driver side sliding win- dow when it fell and broke.

PATROL RESPONSE/STRAY ROUND: A reporting party telephoned the law enforcement desk and reported a stray round which had come through the roof. Security Forces arrived on scene and made contact with RP who said he was standing at the end of his bed when he heard a loud pop and noticed a round had come through the roof of his pod and embedded in the floor.

911 CALL/PATROL/FIRE RESPONSE: A reporting party called the law enforcement desk via 911 and reported an MRAP was on fire. Security forces were dispatched along with the fire department person- nel. Fire department personnel stated a flame ignited in the battery compartment due to a short in the relay box. On scene personnel attempted to put out the fire with their fire extinguisher, but the flame reignited once fire arrived on scene. Fire department personnel extin- guished the fire.

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

EXPEDITIONARY TIMES 3d ESC Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally

Expeditionary Times is authorized for publication by Managing Editor 123rd MPAD First Sergeant Spc. Kiyoshi C. Freeman the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). The Maj. Paul Hayes, 3d ESC PAO 1st Sgt. Reginald M. Smith [email protected] contents of the Expeditionary Times are unofficial and [email protected] [email protected] are not to be considered the official views of, or en- d dorsed by, the U.S. Government, including the Depart- 3 ESC PAO NCOIC 123rd MPAD Production Editor Sgt. 1st Class David McClain, 3d ESC ment of Defense or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. Tonya Gonzales [email protected] [email protected] Expeditionary Times is a command information news- Contributing Public Affairs Offices paper in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1 and 3d ESC Staff Writers 123rd MPAD Layout and Design reviewed by the ESC G2 for security purposes. Spc. Michael Behlin, 3d ESC Spc. Mario A. Aguirre 10th Sustainment Brigade Expeditionary Times is published weekly by the Stars [email protected] [email protected] 16th Sustainment Brigade and Stripes central office, with a circulation of 5,000 287th Sustainment Brigade d papers. Spc. Amanda Tucker, 3 ESC 123rd MPAD Photo Editor 304th Sustainment Brigade [email protected] The Public Affairs Office is located on New Jer- Spc. Brian A. Barbour 371st Sustainment Brigade sey Ave. Building 7508, DSN 318-433-2154. [email protected] 3d ESC G2, Security Manager 555th Engineer Brigade Expeditionary Times, HHC 3d ESC, APO Lt. Col Dale Davis, 3d ESC 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing AE 09391. Web site at www.dvidshub.net [email protected] 123rd MPAD Staff Writers Sgt. Crystal G. Reidy For online publication visit [email protected] www.dvidshub.net; Contact the Expeditionary Times staff at: 123rd MPAD Commander keyword: Expeditionary Times [email protected] Maj. Christopher A. Emmons Sgt. Alexander Snyder [email protected] [email protected]

Mission Statement: The Expeditionary Times Staff publishes a weekly newspaper with a primary mission of providing command information to all Servicemembers, partners, and Families of the 3d 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. April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 3

Chaplain’s Corner Hooah of the Week "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

- John 11: 21-23 (NIV)

This is a passage of hope and optimism. The Creator wants us to know that our gloomy situation is not doomed. Let us not tarry in the valley of despair; let us run with joy in our success and accomplishments.

God is conveying to us through this passage that He is able to restore and revive hope where there is hopelessness.

God wants the privates and specialists to know they can be effective leaders. He wants the Soldiers to believe in themselves, and know they can overcome all things, and with Him nothing is impossible. If you are having financial hardship, your finances can change from a deficit to a surplus. Your bad can be transformed into good.

How do we begin walking in this belief? • Develop a spiritual connection with your Creator. You don’t U.S.U S Army photo by Spc. Spc Amanda Tucker have to be religious in order to be spiritual. • Know that God loves you. God wants you to succeed and excel in all that you do. • We must believe that God is able. If we believe; we will receive. Spc. Brian A. Barbour is congratulated by Brig. Gen. Michael J. d If you believe, you will walk in belief that all things are pos- Lally, 3 Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commanding general, for being selected this week’s “Hooah of the Week”. sible. Barbour, from Phoenix, Ariz., is a member of the Arizona Army National Guard’s 123rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment from Even now, your situation can change for the best. Never give up! The Phoenix, Ariz. Barbour was selected for the award for his out- great thing about life, you can change your situation at any moment -- standing work as command photographer for the 3d ESC. especially with God.

Submitted by CH (CPT) Dwayne Jones USAF, 3d ESC Chaplain

Tune In To

Telling the Sustainer Story from all across Iraq Now airing on the Or log on to Pentagon Channel every Tuesday at 2000 IZ www.dvidshub.net every Thursday at 0930 IZ every Saturday at 1530 IZ keyword: Balad and Beyond PAGE 4 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009 Military doctor makes medical history

BY STAFF SGT. DILIA AYALA “In the operating room here at Balad, we have 332nd AEW Public Affairs pretty much anything we need to handle any emer- gency or surgery just like back in the States. We’ve JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – A surgeon and his team been very well-supported as far as vascular surgery,” made medical history at the Air Force Theater Hospi- added Doctor Jones. tal here March 30. Nearly two hours later, upon completing the sur- Lt. Col. (Dr.) Wilmer Jones, 332nd Expeditionary gery, the Iraqi woman’s life was not completely out of Medical Group vascular surgeon, and his team per- harm’s way. formed only the ninth medically documented trans- “Within the first five minutes of her waking up, we position of the internal carotid artery, the artery that wanted to get a very good neuro-exam on her,” said provides blood to the brain. Capt. (Dr.) Chad Stine, 332nd MDG anaesthesiolo- “A 42-year-old lady was seen at the (Iraqi) Balad gist. “By neuro-exam, I mean we want her to follow Hospital by Iraqi physicians,” Doctor Jones said. “She commands, we want her to move all four extremities. had a six-month history of headaches and a throb- U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dalia Ayala That signifies to us that during that procedure she bing mass in her neck. (The Iraqi doctors) did an ul- Lt. Col. (Dr.) Wilmer Jones, 332nd Expeditionary Medical didn’t get a part of her brain that had a stroke. tra-sound down at the Balad Hospital and saw what Group vascular surgeon, reviews medical images here “She woke up very well; I used an anesthetic that looked like an aneurism of the carotid artery, which April 13. Doctor Jones recently performed only the ninth wore off quickly,” added the doctor, deployed here is the artery that goes to the brain and the face. medically documented transposition of the internal ca- from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. “We were rotid artery, the artery that provides blood to the brain. He “Hers was actually the portion of the artery that performed the operation on a 42-year-old Iraqi woman. able to have her follow commands before we even re- went to the brain, so it was much more serious,” con- Doctor Jones is deployed here from Lackland Air Force moved the breathing tubes.” tinued the doctor deployed here from Wilford Hall Base, Texas, and is a native of Baltimore. Doctor Jones shared his feelings on his patient’s Medical Center in San Antonio. “If it was just the state after the surgery: “It worked out very well and artery going to the face, you could simply tie it off, this particular kind of vascular surgery. she went home three days later and is at home with ligate it, and that would take care of it. Since it was “On reviewing the literature before treating her, her family. The only thing she has now is a small neck going to the brain, you can’t really do that because if I found there are eight other documented cases of incision, which is healing nicely. you ligate it, one-third of those people have a massive repairing a true aneurism of the internal carotid ar- “She was very appreciative that she was going stroke.” tery,” he said. home to her family and this problem was taken care Furthering the woman’s need for the surgery was Doctor Jones and his team of professionals took to of,” Doctor Jones continued. “Her stroke risk was the size of the aneurism. the operating room. lowered to that of a normal person. I think that with- “The normal artery going to the brain is about During the surgery, Doctor Jones and his team, in the next couple of years, had we not done the sur- eight-tenths of a centimeter in diameter and hers was to include a cardiovascular specialist, Lt. Col. (Dr.) gery, she would have had a massive stroke and that’s three centimeters,” Doctor Jones explained. “It was Jerry Pratt, took the healthy artery going to her face, supported in the literature.” larger than a golf ball. If you don’t do anything, 50 and used it to replace the aneurismal portion of the Despite the medically historic significance of the percent of those people will have a stroke.” diseased artery going to her brain. surgical procedure, Doctor Jones and his team re- Due to the seriousness of the woman’s condition, “We just moved (the carotid artery providing blood main humble. the Iraqi doctors consulted with the medical staff to her face) over and attached it to the normal portion “It’s neat to have done that particular procedure,” here and determined a plan. (of the artery) going to her brain,” Doctor Jones said. Doctor Stine said. “At the time, when we were doing Approval was granted by higher headquarters to “It’s similar to a by-pass; it’s called a transposition it, I didn’t think, ‘oh, this is a historic thing.’ It really proceed with the elective surgery since it was not a because the artery was there; we just moved it over didn’t seem like that.” battle-related injury. and sewed it over above the aneurism and (removed) “Performing the surgery was great,” Doctor Jones Although Doctor Jones had previous experience the aneurism.” said. “It is the reason we came into the business -- performing similar surgeries, he did research, seek- Despite performing the delicate surgery in Iraq, to take care of and help people. Certainly, I think we ing other cases like hers to further his knowledge on the doctors did not encounter any problems. helped her a lot.” Airman field-tests modified PT uniform in the AOR

BY STAFF SGT. JOHN GORDINIER here from Dyess Air Force Base, Tex- proof,” Airman Debiase added. “Yes- 332nd AEW Public Affairs as. “The uniform is made from a much terday (April 12), it rained for the first lighter material. It is more flexible, time since I received the uniform, and JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – An Air- and it breathes better. the water just beaded off the coat and man was selected to field-test the Air “When I start sweating, the new uni- pants with ease.” Force’s modified physical training form seems to absorb the sweat bet- Another change in the uniform is uniform while deployed here to pro- ter than our current PT uniform, and the sizing. vide feedback to leadership at the end it doesn’t weigh down as much either,” “With the normal PT gear, I had to of the testing process. Airman Debiase continued. “The new buy a large-sized shirt with XXL- or Senior Airman James Debiase, pants and coat are also more breathable, XXXL-sized shorts to fit me properly,” 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer and they don’t make the, ‘swish, swish, Airman Debiase said. “This modified Squadron emergency manager, said swish’ sound when you walk or run.” uniform is a large; every item is large he received an e-mail from his chief Overall, Airmen here are noticing the – pants, coat, shirt and shorts – and it asking for a volunteer to field-test the modified uniform and are quick to ask fits me perfectly.” modified PT uniform. After jumping at questions and touch the new fabric. So far, Airman Debiase said he the opportunity, he received an e-mail “The first thing people notice is the hasn’t found a problem with the uni- from Chief Master Sgt. David William- difference in material,” Airman Debi- form yet, and he is going to report the son, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing ase said. “When they get up close, they pluses and minuses of the uniform to command chief, that he had been cho- notice the lighter and more comfort- leadership at the end of the month. sen. able material. Second, they notice the However, he will be wearing the modi- U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lionel Castellano The only Airman in Iraq field-test- PT uniform doesn’t make the swishing fied PT uniform for the remainder of ing it, Airman Debiase has been wear- sound when I move. Third, they notice his deployment. Senior Airman James Debiase, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron ing the uniform for approximately one my shorts are longer. I have pockets “I am really excited and thankful emergency manager, models the current week now and is very impressed with for keys, wallet or MP3 player. I have for this opportunity,” he said. “It’s not physical training uniform (left) and the the changes thus far. received a lot of good feedback from every day you get the chance to par- modified PT uniform (right). Airman De- “I can describe the new uniform curious Airmen. ticipate in something that can make biase was selected to field-test the modi- with one word: comfortable,” said the “Another great quality about the a difference and a change throughout fied PT uniform while deployed here from Glastonbury, Conn., native deployed coat and pants is that it is still water- the entire Air Force.” Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 5 PAGE 6 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009 Guardsmen taking steps to help troops find employment 81st BSTB, talion, and a DuPont, Wash., native. enhance their military job skills, in- conditional release request is typically 16th Sust. Bde. Public Affairs “Our battalion has made a great effort crease their resume, and bridge the gap easier to obtain while serving on Title in spreading the word about the oppor- between civilian jobs,” says Command 10 mobilization orders than when back CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q- tunities available to Guardsmen after Sgt. Maj. David Nunn, the 81st BSTB at home station. Soldiers should review WEST, Iraq — With economic challeng- our deployment. We want to make sure command sergeant major. “Many of their state personnel policy, however es in the United States, it we do our best in taking care of our Sol- the leadership skills we learn in the for the WA ARNG they require at least has been daunting for diers.” military transfer straight over to the 30 days after demobilization to submit many National Guard Many Soldiers have already heard civilian side, and in many cases, can their request. Soldiers here thinking from their previous employers that help the person obtain a higher wage Another opportunity for those Na- about whether or their position no longer exists in the because of their demonstrated ability to tional Guard Soldiers serving an Iraq not they will have a company. Losing their job was not make decisions and supervise others.” tour may qualify to apply for the Opera- job when they re- what these Soldiers had planned for A Soldier wishing to remain in the- tion Warrior Trainer (OWT) program, turn home. when the National Guard members ater can request an extension by sub- operated by First Army. This program Guardsmen from the 181st Brigade mobilized. Although they are protected mitting a CO-ADOS packet. Usually, retains Soldiers who complete a deploy- Support Battalion and 81st Brigade by the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief a few months before a Guard unit pre- ment on active duty and utilizes them as Special Troops Battalion, Washington Act (SSCRA), it is not a safety net in ev- pares for transfer of authority, they will instructors/trainers to train units who Army National Guard, are taking steps ery case. identify any Soldiers who like to stay are preparing to mobilize. They employ to ensure they have jobs upon redeploy- Fortunately, there are some active with other incoming units. If the Sol- various positions in various mobiliza- ment this fall. duty job options available to National dier would like to stay with another unit, tion sites across the United States. “With the economy the way it is right Guard Soldiers upon returning from a they can request that as well, although now back home, the 81st Heavy Brigade deployment. it is the responsibility of the Soldier to Any National Guard Soldiers who Combat Team is really showing its sup- “Operation Warrior Trainer and CO- find a position within another unit. are interested in these job opportuni- port for Soldiers and Families,” said ADOS (contingency operation for ac- While serving on Title 10 active duty, ties, should consult their unit adminis- Capt. Jackie Baird, administrative of- tive duty operational support) tours are National Guard Soldiers can also ap- trator for guidance and obtain infor- ficer, 81st Brigade Special Troops Bat- a great opportunity for Soldiers to also ply to transfer to the regular Army. A mation.

Check CHUsdays Do you have a

Each Tuesday Check The Following in Your CHU story idea? 1. Power strips are free of debris and clothing 2. Electrical devices not in use are unplugged 3. Power strips and outlets are not overloaded 4. Smoke detector is operational Contact the 5. Fire extinguisher is serviceable (in the green) 6. Room is neat and orderly Expeditionary Times This Simple Act Could Save You, Your CHU and Your Buddy Too [email protected]

Safety Topic of the Week Courtesy of PS Magazine. For service members us- ing Army equipment needing more informa- tion for on-going equip- ment issues and chal- lenges, visit PS Magazine online: https://www. logsa.army.mil/psmag/ psonline.cfm SAFETY April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 7 PAGE 8 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009 Puerto Rican cargo transfer company completes deployment

BY SGT. 1ST CLASS Cargo transfer Soldiers operated a JENNYANNE CANLAS central receiving shipping point yard, UPAR, 18th CSSB, 16th Sust. Bde. safely conducted convoy escort missions for contractor fuel trucks from the move- CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE ment control team yard to the bulk fuel MAREZ-EAST, Iraq — Soldiers from the farm, provided material handling equip- 268th Cargo Transpor- ment in support of the re-deployment of tation Company, 18th the South Korean forces and provided Combat Sustainment support for the Iraqi provincial elec- Support Battalion, 16th tions. Sustainment Brigade, Ayala, a native of Bayamon, P.R., is completed a suc- very proud of his Soldiers’ accomplish- cessful ten-month ments in support of Operation Iraqi deployment during Freedom. a transfer of authority ceremony here “I am very satisfied and proud,” April 1. Ayala said. “The Soldiers safely moved During their deployment, the unit over 20,000 pieces of equipment without conducted numerous cargo transfer and a single accident.” linehaul missions for units throughout While in Iraq, the 268th CTC Soldiers Multi-National Division – North. from Ft. Buchanan, P.R. were based at “Without transporters, there are no Forward Operating Base Marez and Lo- bullets and beans for the combat Soldiers gistical Task Force Sykes. on the ground,” said 1st Lt. Joel Ayala, The 18th CSSB welcomed the Sol- commander, 268th CTC. “We not only diers of the 359th CTC from Fort Eustis, supported our own troops, but the unit Va., who assumed responsibilities from U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Patrice Elmes also helped to rebuild the country of Iraq the 268th CTC while continuing to sup- The 268th Cargo Transportation Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Bat- by moving essential equipment to the lo- port the ongoing logistical operations talion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, transfers authority during a ceremony at the cal communities.” throughout MND-N. Contingency Operating Site Marez-East, Iraq, April 1. Got Passport? Learn how to get your passport in Iraq STORY AND PHOTO BY member needs to take emergency leave SGT. ALEXANDER SNYDER to a foreign country. Expeditionary Times Staff An emergency situation might include a case where a Soldier's Family member has unexpectedly passed away in a for- JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Rifle? eign country, and the Soldier needs a Check. Body armor? passport to visit the Family. In this case, Check. Passport?! Uh… the application will receive special prior- If you’re traveling to ity. a combat zone, obtain- Nomi said he has not yet processed ing a passport may be such a request since arriving in theater the last thing on your in November. mind. Because of the strict limitations and But if you hope to high demand, Nomi suggests that ser- spend your rest and recuperation leave vice members try to obtain their passport sunbathing in the Greek Isles, enjoying prior to leaving the states. Also, he said the sights Dublin or trailblazing the Aus- they shouldn’t be upset if they aren’t able tralian Outback, you’ll need to have one. to receive one before taking leave. If you don’t have one, you may not be The legal assistance office is located entirely out of luck. The Combined Legal in the JBB CLC, building 7235 at the Center here accepts 20 passport appli- intersection of Hawk and Pennsylvania cations per month for processing at the Avenue at JBB eastside, (the barriers are U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. painted like a castle with a blue sky above However, other military legal offices it). For further assistance, please contact in Iraq that accept passport applications to the 304th Sustainment Brigade. ing leave. Service members can expect the JBB LAO at DSN 318.433.2836. are: Al Asad Airbase; Logistical Support To apply for a passport, service mem- to receive their passports approximately Other legal office accepting passport Center (LSA) Camp Adder; Camp Taji bers must apply in person and bring the five weeks after submitting their applica- applications around Iraq: and Victory Base Complex. following items: two passport photos, tion, he said. Camp Taji – DSN 834-3109; COB Maj. Brian Nomi, from Camarillo, a completed but unsigned application Nomi said the most common mistake Adder – DSN 833-1469; For Al Asad, Calif., and chief of legal assistance at the form (DS-11, 2008 version), a $100 mon- Soldiers make is failure to produce an e-mail: [email protected]. JBB CLC said the application limit is ey order payable to "U.S. Department original copy of their birth certificate. mil, The Consular Section of the U.S. reached early each month as they accept of State,” an original birth certificate or Although temporary passports (good for Embassy in the International Zone in applications on the first of each month naturalization certificate, a leave form or up to one year) may be obtained stateside Baghdad accepts applications continu- and process them on a first-come, first- signed passport prioritization form, and without a birth certificate, this service is ously on first-come, first-serve, walk-in serve basis. two forms of identification. not offered in theater, Nomi said. basis during certain window hours and “We fill up all of our slots on pretty Nomi said service members should Despite the limitations, Nomi said days. For questions and operating hours, much the first or second day of every apply for a passport as early as possible, there are special situations that can be e-mail [email protected] or call month,” said Nomi who is also assigned but no later than two months before tak- accommodated, such as when a service DSN 239-2413 April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 9

REPOSITIONED TO AFGHANISTAN CONTINUED from page One able to provide the support to the even coming to Iraq.” warfighters.” The 154th Trans. Co. drives the mil- Moree said the unit will face some itary’s Palletized Load System, a vehi- challenges, however, and cited the cle designed with self-loading capabil- narrow dirt roads and mountainous ities that reduces the need for forklifts terrain of southern Afghanistan as two and other equipment that may not be examples. readily available in smaller military In preparation for the move, the camps in southern Afghanistan. unit trained on various tasks that According to current Department of could prove useful to the unit’s mis- Defense policy, the length of the 154th sion, including weapons training and Trans. Co.’s deployment will not be af- first-aid training. The unit conducted fected by the unit’s move. additional training on vehicles the company will use in Afghanistan. The unit reorganized itself by creat- Soldiers of 154th Transportation Com- pany from Fort Hood, Texas, stand in ing a “gun truck” platoon – a special formation prior to leaving for Afghani- convoy security element for its mis- stan at Baghdad International Airport, sion in Afghanistan. Iraq, April 14. The 154th Trans. Co. is the “They are fully prepared to execute second 3d Sustainment Command (Ex- that mission,” Moree said. “They had peditionary) unit in three weeks to move months of extensive training prior to directly to Afghanistan from Iraq. Sustainers upgrade Internet Café to keep Soldiers, Families connected

BY 1ST LT. ANGELA ROKEY new internet café during a ribbon cut- protection,” Sulak said. “This was a re-opening. UPAR, 259th CSSB, ting ceremony here April 3. long process and it passed through a lot “I’m so glad it’s finally opening,” said 304th Sust. Bde. Staff Sgt. Mike Sulak, from Denver of hands before its final approval, but Asmat. “But I think once everyone finds Colo., and 259th CSSB information all the same rules apply as before.” out that we’re open, it will be really JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — After manager, took over the restoration of Although Sulak will continue to as- busy.” five months of hard the internet café after closing for safety sist the internet café in many ways, Staff The 24-hour internet café offers work, Soldiers from reasons last November. The building Sgt. Hector Rodriguez, with the 356th eight phones, SPAWAR service with 19 the 259th Combat has since received an electrical upgrade Quartermaster Company and native of desktop computers, four include head- Sustainment Sup- with new breaker panels, electrical re- Sebring, Fl., will control and manage phones and webcams. To accommodate port Battalion and wiring, light fixtures and an outdoor the operation of the Café. all Coalition forces, the current time 356th Quarter- spotlight, as well as the computers. Sgt. Juan Asmat, a St. Paul, Minn. limit is: 20 minutes per phone call; 30 master Company “Everything is all up to date to in- resident said, a lot of service members minutes for computer use. re-opened their clude [computer] firewalls and virus have been looking forward to the café’s Sustainers host redeployment conference

BY SPC. KIYOSHI FREEMAN ment process, said Maj. B. Eric White- T’s and dot the I’s. Nothing’s going to tamination from overseas, he said. Expeditionary Times Staff lock, officer in charge for the 840th get past me,” said Master Sgt. Inez D. The consequences of failing to do so DDSB’s redeployment support section. Battle, noncommissioned officer in were highlighted earlier last year, when JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Approxi- “It was an opportunity to get all the charge, redeployment support team, a British paratrooper inadvertently mately 180 Soldiers from players (together) who have a hand in 840th DDSB, and native of Pasadena, brought a camel spider home from Af- across Iraq attended a assisting or moving cargo as units re- Md. UMOs should share a similar at- ghanistan, according to a report from two-day redeployment deploy … to make sure they had all the tention to detail, she said. the BBC. The creature allegedly killed conference hosted by skills that they needed,” he said. Unfortunately, most UMOs when a dog and chased the Soldier’s Family the 840th Deploy- The 840th DDSB — whose motto is: units redeploy are not the same UMOs from their home. ment and Distribu- “Move the Force!” — supports brigade- a unit had when they went overseas. Although units traditionally begin tion Support Bat- level operations in a role Whitelock, a “Bringing them back home could prac- preparing for redeployment 120 days talion here March native of Seaford, Del., likened to trans- tically be anybody,” and a new, inex- out from their scheduled departure 25 and 26. portation consultants. perienced UMO might not be aware of date, Whitelock’s advice is to start as “(The 840th DDSB) provides a link “We don’t actually drive trucks or how big a job it is, Battle said. early as possible. An early start is espe- into the global pipeline through com- operate forklifts,” he said, “but we assist Another goal of the conference was cially important if units participate in mercial transportation providers and and guide units through proper cargo to refresh skills and train new UMOs. the Army’s Reset Induction program, the use of the Port of Um Qasr,” said preparation procedures, HAZMAT la- “If nothing else, they’ll have points of which removes equipment from a unit’s Col. Cheri A. Provancha, support oper- beling, shipment and documentation.” contact of who to go to if they need fur- property book and ships it to a depot in ations officer in charge, 3d Sustainment Consequently, the conference’s tar- ther assistance,” Whitelock said. the United States for maintenance and Command (Expeditionary). “It is this geted audience was smaller support The biggest difference between going repairs. partnership that ensures we are able to units, which are typically National to Iraq and coming home are the more Battle went one step further. support the deployment and redeploy- Guard or Army Reserve, Whitelock said. strict regulations and restrictions, said “[Units should] make sure that they ment of units and the redistribution of Often such units must rely on their own 1st Lt. Darnell T. Reese, Bravo Com- have their redeploying equipment at all commodities.” Unit Movement Officers, or UMOs, and pany, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry times ready. Know what they’re going The event was held to train attendees logistics personnel to prepare them for Regiment. Everything has to be clean, to send back,” she said. “Be on top of it and introduce them to the agencies they the redeployment process. spotless, right down boots and bags, from day one, and then they wouldn’t might work with during the redeploy- “I’m the type of person – cross the because customs doesn’t want any con- have to run around.” PAGE 10 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009

Mauthausen survivors cheer the soldiers of the Eleventh Armored Division of the U.S. Third Army one day after their actual liberation. May 6, 1945.

A transport of Jews from Subcarpathian Rus, the historic Jews in the Warsaw ghetto awaiting their turn in the soup kitch- term for Transcarpathian oblast, or (still formerly) east- en. 1941, Warsaw, Poland. ern part of Czechoslovakia, is taken off the trains and as- Two children beg for food on the sembled on the ramp at Auschwitz-Birkenau. May 1944. streets of the Warsaw ghetto. Septem- Auschwitz, Poland. ber 19, 1941.

Jewish girls sheltered at the Centre de Sainte-Mande, children’s home on rue Granville in Paris. Only a few escaped deportation to Auschwitz. June 1943. Paris, France

Editors Note: This is in recognition of Holocaust Days of Remembrance. Jewish men, women, and children await execution in a ravine. October 14, 1942. Photos courtesy of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 11 Sustainers receive combat lifesaver extreme training

BY SGT. 1ST CLASS not bleeding.” them.” ADAM SHAW With a new advanced military casu- Soldiers learned care under fire, tac- 16TH SUST. BDE. PUBLIC AFFAIRS alty moulage kit, a remote-controlled tical field care, combat casualty evacu- simulation kit spurting fake blood onto ation care, and the ABC’s of checking CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE live, volunteer-casualties, the medics airway, breathing and circulation. Q-WEST, Iraq — For 40 Soldiers here, taught the Soldiers from a spectrum “Today’s combat lifesaver is highly this was combat lifesav- of Army occupational specialties life- skilled, learning pertinent life-saving er training with a new saving medical skills. medical skills such as tactical combat twist, a combat lifesav- “I thought the day we did IVs on casualty care, managing a casualty’s er extreme, from April each other would be the hardest part, airway, treating penetrating chest trau- 6 to 9. but the trauma lanes, with the shout- ma, decompressing a tension pneu- Staff Sgt. Rob- ing and squirting blood and multiple mothorax, hemorrhage control, and ert Norton, troop injuries was definitely harder,” said initiating intravenous infusions as well medical clinic Sgt. Keith M. Anderson, 16th Special as performing casualty evacuations,” noncommissioned officer in charge, Troops Battalion, 16th Sust. Bde. “I said Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Hardiek, sur- 16th Sustainment Brigade, wearing a was so nervous I started to IV a casu- geon cell noncommissioned officer in drill sergeant hat shouted at the CLS alty that was not breathing and had no charge, 16th Sust. Bde. “These care- students who placed their CLS train- pulse.” fully chosen lifesaving skills provide ing into action and saved the bleeding Soldiers from seven companies the most intervention to the major Soldier-volunteers of casualties during within the 16th Sust. Bde., learned the preventable causes of death on today’s the trauma lanes here April 9. fundamentals of “combat lifesaver,” a battlefield and thus save lives.” “We added the extra pressure to course of instruction the Army teaches Medics from the “Jedi Base” have U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Keith M. Anderson ensure that Soldiers can tune out the to ensure that Soldiers won’t die on trained more than 300 Soldiers at Staff Sgt. Robert Norton, troop medi- noise and confusion and focus on sav- the battlefield. COB Q-West since assuming responsi- cal clinic noncommissioned officer ing a Soldier’s life,” said Sgt. Evelyn “In the 16th SB there are less than a bility of the troop medical clinic here in charge, 16th Sustainment Brigade, Pollard, medical noncommissioned of- hundred medics, and some are doing in August. wearing a drill sergeant hat, shouts at ficer, 16th Sust. Bde., and combat life- other jobs,” said Pollard. “There are During the 40-hour course, CLS stu- combat lifesaver students as they fight saver instructor. “When there is a ca- thousands of Soldiers in the brigade, dents received two days of classroom to save a bleeding Sgt. Terrell Fox, 2nd sualty that may have injuries that are and medics can’t go on every mis- instruction, one day learning how-to Battalion, 146th Field Artillery, 16th distracting, you may forget to check sion and can’t be at every place on the and administering the intravenous in- Sust. Bde., during the casualty trauma things that may kill. Something like COB or on the battlefield; so the CLS fusions, and the last day was spent out- lanes at Contingency Operating Base the tongue blocking the airway is more is taught the life-saving steps that will side - running through trauma lanes. Q-West, Iraq, April 9. of a problem than a broken arm that is save a Soldier’s life until we can get to Memorial Service Honors Fallen 3d ESC Soldier

STORY AND PHOTO BY him. “It was because I told everyone that father Ulysses Beard, two older brothers MASTER SGT. CARL MAR he was a lot leaner. But Specialist Beard and sisters -- all residing in Buffalo, New 287TH SUST. BDE. PUBLIC AFFAIRS joked that didn’t want anyone to see him York. before his big ‘reveal’ in Kuwait before CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE redeployment. His last APFT was his per- ADDER, Iraq – Over 300 U.S. Soldiers of sonal best and was impressive to all of the 3d Sustainment Com- us,” she said. mand (Expeditionary) Spc. Samuel Boadi, who was Beard’s mourned the loss of fel- roommate and battle buddy, was unable low soldier, Spc. Daniel to attend the memorial but his remarks Jay Beard, 24, in a were read by another soldier. memorial service at Boadi’s message was that Beard was the Memorial Hall an inspiration and a source of strength here, April 10. to everyone around him. He credited Beard, a member of the 3rd platoon, Beard’s energy and motivation for their 147th Adjutant General Company (Post- platoon acquiring the name “The Aggres- al), assigned to the 408th Human Re- sor” while training in Germany. sources Company, 287th Special Troops “You were indeed the backbone of our Battalion, 287th Sustainment Brigade, platoon. Thank you for not hesitating to 3d ESC, died April 3. His death was non- Over 300 Soldiers assigned to the 287th come to war with us…you always kept a combat related. Sustainment Brigade assembled to positive attitude and never let a day go by His friends and comrades remem- honor fallen 3d Sustainment Command without smiling on something,” the mes- bered him as a motivated Soldier with (Expeditionary) Soldier, Spc. Daniel J. sage read. a “healthy dose” of humor. Those traits, Beard at the Memorial Hall in Contin- Beard’s awards and decorations in- according to Beard’s platoon leader, 1st gency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, April clude the Army Achievement Medal Lt. Jacqueline Woods, “made him a very 9. (three oak leaf clusters), Army Good popular Soldier, yet humble. He could Conduct Medal, National Defense Ser- always make you laugh. From a leader’s Beard came to Iraq, she said, with a vice Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global A memorial service was held at Contin- standpoint, I was always most impressed resolution of improving his physical fit- War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army gency Operating Base Adder Memorial by what a warrior he was. He never ness. Within months he had transformed Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Hall, April 9, to honor a fallen 3d Sustain- showed any weakness; he was tough in himself, and Soldiers from other COBs Ribbon. ment Command (Expeditionary) Soldier, every way.” were asking her to send them pictures of Beard is survived by his wife Yolanda, Spc. Daniel J. Beard. PAGE 12 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009 sustainers train to prev

BY SPC. KELLY ANNE BECK d AND SGT. ALEX SNYDER Timms said all the safety officers and 3 ESC command are Expeditionary Times Staff working together to continually train and re-train their Sol- diers by conducting safety stand downs in order to remind Soldiers of proper safety procedures while deployed. JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – For many 3d Sustainment Com- Since the majority of negligent discharges occur within the mand (Expeditionary) Soldiers here in Iraq to- first 30 days a Soldier arrives in Iraq and 90 days before leav- day, clearing their weapons properly may seem ing, the 3d ESC requires all units to have safety stand-downs like a simple task, but not done correctly it can during those times in their deployments. result in serious injury or death. Timms explained that for many Soldiers this is their first Most negligent discharges are caused by deployment and first time in their lives where they are han- Soldier complacency. Some Soldiers are not dling a weapon on a daily basis. When having to load and un- going through each individual step of the load the weapon daily it’s very important to take every step in weapons clearing process, said Charles the weapons clearing procedure they’ve been taught. Timms, a native of Houston, Texas and safety director for the Once Soldiers start clearing their weapons without follow- 3d ESC. ing each step, that’s when problems occur, Timms said. Since June 2008 units reporting to the 3d ESC had approx- “When you’re doing something without a thought process, imately 12 recorded negligent discharges. Fortunately none you’re doing it as second nature,” Timms said. “When it be- have resulted in a serious injury or death, Timms said. comes second nature without that thought process, that’s According to the Army Combat Readiness Center, weapons complacency.” handling is one of the most basic Soldiering skills. Regardless Timms said in order to lower the risk of negligent discharg- of a Soldiers’ weapon status, they must treat it as if it’s loaded, es, it takes responsibility from Soldiers as well as involvement Timms said. Remembering basic muzzle and trigger aware- from leadership. That is why they need to work together to ness is the key to handling weapons safely. keep everyone safe. April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 13 vent negligent discharge

M16 rifle proper Unloading and Clearing procedures:

1 2 3 1) Orient weapon in a safe direction (Into 2) Remove the magazine from the 3) Attempt to place weapon selector le- a clearing container if available) weapon ver on SAFE.

4 5 6 4) Lock bolt to rear (ensure weapon is on 5) Inspect the receiver and chamber to 6) With NO ammunition in chamber or re- SAFE). ensure no ammunition is present. ceiver, allow the bolt to go forward.

7 8 9 7) Aim weapon into clearing container, 8) Charge the weapon once. 9) Place selector level on SAFE. rotate selector lever to SEMI, squeeze the trigger. PAGE 14 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009

Stressed? NCO paints to relax Relax and go BY SGT. KEITH M. ANDERSON Ninjutsu. 16TH SUST. BDE. “I think that it is very important for see a movie. PUBLIC AFFAIRS me to be reminded of these elements which represent more spiritual concepts CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE such as balance, adapting, instincts, te- SPEICHER, Iraq — When Sgt. 1st Class nacity and perseverance,” Tackett said. Robert Tackett, medical It took Tackett more than a month platoon sergeant, 1st to paint the four-foot mural of his mar- Battalion, 185th Armor, tial arts system on the card table. It is isn’t training his med- a six-sided hexagon, with three layers ics to save lives, he of bright enamel white, two layers of trains to inflict inju- bright blood-red and two traces of sharp ry on his enemies, midnight black as the main focus. under a form of The mural brings the spirit of this fighting called Bujinkan Ninjutsu. martial arts system to life, he said. But Tackett branched-out to Nin- “Well, as you can see, it is one big jutsu artist this deployment, when he circle in the middle with six smaller cir- painted a mural on an old card table to cles surrounding it at the edges,” Tack- present to his sensei (teacher), 8th Sho- ett said. “The large, center kanji trans- U.S. Army photo by Capt. Renato Rossignoli dan Ryan Lowe. lates to ‘Bujikan Ninjutsu,’ which is the Sgt. 1st Class Robert Tackett, medical “I recognized the potential immedi- name of my style of martial arts. The platoon sergeant, 1st Battalion, 185th Ar- ately and began to turn this discarded six smaller circles starting from the top mor, stands next to the mural he painted See page 21 for table top into something much more,” and progressing in a clockwise manner on an old card table as a gift to his sensei Tackett said. He said painting the table translate to ‘earth,’ ‘water,’ ‘emptiness,’ (teacher), 8th Shodan Ryan Lowe, at Con- movie schedule with elements of the fighting discipline ‘scorpion,’ ‘fire’ and ‘air.’” The Scorpion tingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, was a way to relax during his down kanji represents his sensei. March 29. time here, and a way to remind himself Tackett plans to send his mural to it to Sensei Lowe in person. of the important concepts of Bujinkan his wife in California, who will present Sustainers keep Normandy water running STORY AND PHOTO BY Visalia, Calif., and water purification we make sure we get.” SPC. KELLY ANNE BECK noncommissioned officer in charge. Ev- “Our water is consistently at pH level 304TH SUST. BDE. PUBLIC AFFAIRS eryone on this FOB uses this water so we of 6.8,” McVicker said. The pH levels for want it to be the best by making sure it’s pure water should be between five and FORWARD OPERATING BASE NOR- safe and always meets the standard, he seven. MANDY, Iraq – Many Soldiers take said. Sandoval adds, “It’s good enough to clean uniforms, showers The water is initially drawn from a drink. I actually prefer drinking this wa- or hand washing stations 180-meter- deep ground well and placed ter than the bottled water I drink back in a dining facility for in large water storage bags before its home.” granted. All these privi- transferred into a reverse osmosis water Once tested and treated, the water leges transpire from purification unit to remove any harm- is ready to be pumped into large water one source - clean ful chemicals or substances. After puri- trucks and delivered around the forward water. fication, the water is checked for proper operating base here and neighboring Two Soldiers chemical and chlorine levels. Iraqi Army Camp Falock. The water is Spc. Gerald McVicker, from Fairmont, from the 20th Quartermaster Compa- “One of the most important steps is used by the dining facilities, laundry fa- W.Va., and the water treatment specialist ny, an active-duty component from Ft. checking the chlorine levels because you cilities, restrooms and wherever potable with the 20th Quartermaster Company, tests the water’s chlorine levels after the Campbell, Ky., purify approximately a need enough chlorine to protect the wa- water is needed. water purification process at Forward Op- half million gallons of water each week. ter from bacteria, but there shouldn’t be “I’m a hard worker and am proud of erating Base Normandy, Iraq. Pure water The water is then used by more than too much in it either,” said Spc. Gerald what I do here,” Sandoval said. “Every- is then delivered around the various base 1,200 Soldiers and contractors here. McVicker, native of Fairmont, Va., and day I’m doing something to help my fel- facilities to include the Iraqi Army Camp “We take a lot of pride in our water,” water purification specialist. “There has low Soldiers, and that’s what makes this Falock, while accommodating more than said Sgt. Henry A. Sandoval, a native of to be the perfect balance and that’s what job rewarding.” 1,200 service members and contractors.

eb W e th n O

10th Sustainment Brigade, Camp Taji http://www.taskforcemuleskinner.army.mil/mm.asp April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 15 Mortuary affairs Soldiers in

Mosul deal with stressors http://www.army.mil/3rdesc

BY CPT. NATALIA MERCEDES-WILLIAMS UPAR, 18TH CSSB, 16TH SUST. BDE.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ-EAST, Iraq -- The mortuary af- fairs Soldiers here deal with stress in different ways. “It takes a lot to do this job,” said Staff Sgt. John Stittgen Jr., mortuary affairs collection point noncommissioned of- ficer in charge, 111th Quartermaster Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sus- tainment Brigade. The mortuary affairs personnel spe- cialize in the recovery, processing, and shipment of the remains of U.S. service members, Department of Defense con- tractors, Coalition forces and Iraqi Secu-

rity Forces while supporting Operation On the Web the On Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jerome Gisclair Stittgen said he goes for long runs Members of the mortuary affairs collection point team, 111th Quarter- most days. master Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th “It is a real stress burner and I feel Sustainment Brigade, at Contingency Operating Site Marez-East, Iraq. They recover, process, and ship the remains of those who lost pretty good physically and mentally,” their lives while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. (From left to Stittgen said. “That is one way to handle right) Spc. Jesus Munoz Aviles, Spc. Kimberly Gallegos, Spc. Britney this job and the situations that come with Brooks, Spc. Kenneth McWilliams, and Staff Sgt. John Stittgen Jr. it.” Stittgen’s team arrived at Marez-East in November of 2008. They will be deployed for Eduardo Santiago Bonilla, from Aguada, P.R., and only six months due to the psychological stress, an Staff Sgt. John Stittgen Jr., from Frederick, Md. occupational performance hazard of mortuary af- “The way I cope with the stress of the job is by fairs personnel in a combat zone. reading my Bible and praying,” said McWilliams. “I This particular team is composed of the following love my MOS (military occupational specialty).” Soldiers: Spc. Britney Brooks, from Virginia Beach, The priority of the team is to treat all remains Va., Spc. Jesus Munoz Aviles, from Arecibo, P.R., with dignity and respect; ensuring American ca- Spc. Kimberly Gallegos, from Pueblo, Colo., Spc. sualties return to the continental United States as Kenneth McWilliams, from Philadelphia, Miss., Spc. quickly as possible. Sustainers, Iraqi Army: A profile of partnership STORY AND PHOTO BY “I was surprised Americans were nice people,” Me- SPC. KIYOSHI C. FREEMAN khlef said through a translator. He admitted he had an EXPEDITIONARY TIMES image of Americans being ruthless killers, one rein- CAMP MEJID, Iraq – Sustainers and the Iraqi Army forced by the media under Saddam Hussein ever since continue a training and advisory mis- the end of the first Gulf War. sion focused on the Al Asad medium However, Mekhlef said his perception of Americans workshop here. has changed over the years. They are a very serious After nine months of training, on people and hard working, he said, and he believes they Dec. 15, 2008, the Iraqi Army 7th want to help rebuild the Iraqi Army and police force, to Division Location Command as- stabilize the government and secure the people. sumed authority for the multi-mil- In addition, Mekhlef said he was impressed by the lion dollar facility, which performs professionalism of the American Army’s NCO corps. In all major vehicle repairs for the IA in Anbar province. the IA, officers perform many of the roles and respon- Staff Sgt. Gualberto M. Ramos, 584th Maintenance Co., It was an important step toward becoming com- 101st Airborne Div., poses for a picture with Iraqi me- sibilities traditionally reserved by NCOs in a Western pletely self-sufficient, said 1st Lt. Isaura I. Ramirez, the chanic Rafeh Jameel Mekhlef at the Al Asad medium army. Logistics Training and Advisory Team officer in charge, workshop, Camp Mejid, Iraq, Feb. 19. Ramos is part of a All his life, Mekhlef said all he’s ever known about is 69th Transportation Co., 548th Combat Sustainment Logistics Training and Advisory Team who are partnered war. Even before the first Gulf War, he went on to say, Support Battalion. Previously, civilian contractors were with the Iraqi Army to train and mentor mechanics at the Iraq had fought a disastrous war with Iran which nearly running everything. facility. ruined the country. Mekhleft said he only wants some- The Iraqis are not alone, though. of experience. thing different, something better, for his children and The LTAT, led by Ramirez, a native of Guanynabo, One such Soldier is Rafeh Jameel Mekhlef, a fulltime he remains cautiously optimistic for the future. Puerto Rico, has been by the Iraqis’ sides since August, mechanic from Habbaniyah. In the meantime, Mekhlef will continue working at training and mentoring their counterparts in the IA. A conscript Soldier under Saddam Hussein in the the Al Asad medium workshop, learning how to main- Even with the help of translators, language barriers 1990s, Mekhlef rejoined the Army in 2007, both to sup- tain humvees and working side-by-side with the LTAT. and cultural differences remain significant challenges port his family and secure his country. On his days off, “With us being here as an advisory team, letting to the training staff, said Staff Sgt. Gualberto M. Ramos, Mekhelf continues his job as a cab driver to earn more them know how stuff is supposed to be done . . . We can the noncommissioned officer in charge, 584th Mainte- money. be a little more secure in knowing that once we actually nance Co., from Fort. Campbell, Ky. The key, he said, The LTAT mission is not only about training or men- leave Iraq, they’re going to be able to (sustain) them- is patience, especially when working with the Iraqi Sol- toring, but also about developing trust between the Co- selves,” Ramos said. “It feels like we’re actually making diers, who come from various backgrounds and levels alition forces and IA. a difference.” PAGE 16 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009 Emergency leave and how it works

BY SPC. KIYOSHI C. FREEMAN said they are preferred and will help EXPEDITIONARY TIMES expedite the emergency leave process. Indeed, Mary E. Messina, the Red JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Service Cross station chief here, said the Red If a service member should need to go members may need to Cross’s principal mission here in the- on emergency leave, the following steps go home for a Family ater is handling these emergency com- emergency at any mo- munications, which also include birth should be followed: ment during a deploy- announcements. ment. “We’re the messenger. The rea- Knowing what to son for the messages is to help com- do, who to talk to, manders make good leave decisions,” Step 1: The service member Step 4: The Red Cross will and how emergen- Messina said. “In the couple of weeks should inform their chain of contact the hospital to ob- cy leave works could be important for we’ve been here, we’ve handled almost command of the situation. tain a Doctor’s Interpretive any service member, especially when 600 messages.” Statement, or a DIS. This time is critical. Messina said the military relies on Step 2: The service member statement helps command- “It’s always stuff that comes up the Red Cross for third-party verifica- right away that the Soldier needs to tion, which is usually in the form of a and/or the service member’s ers make better decisions go home now to take care of (it),” said doctor’s interpretive statement, also Family should contact the on whether or not to grant Sgt. Jessica L. Faith, human resources known as a DIS. A DIS includes a di- American Red Cross. The emergency leave. sergeant, 259th Combat Sustainment agnosis, prognosis of life expectancy Red Cross will need to know Support Battalion. Faith, a native of and the doctor’s recommendation how to contact all interested Step 5: An emergency leave Littleton, Colo., is one of two people of whether or not a service member who process emergency leave packets should be present. parties, such as the hospi- packet, including the Red for her unit. In the event of an emergency, Mes- tal where a Family member Cross message, is submitted Service members will usually go sina said Families should contact their is being treated. Keep in to the appropriate authority on emergency leave for the death or local Red Cross to initiate a message, mind: It will take more time for approval. critical illness of an immediate Family making sure to include the service for confirmation if a Family member, although exceptions could be member’s name, rank, social security made on a case-by-case basis. A finan- number, unit and overseas address. member is located in a for- Step 6: The service mem- cial crisis or an important court date, Their local Red Cross chapter can be eign country. ber will fly down to Kuwait, such as a child custody hearing, could found at http://www.redcross.org/ where they will out-process also constitute an emergency. where/where.html. Step 3: Be sure to give the from theater and arrange An emergency leave packet is usu- The service member may also con- service member’s name, for a return flight back. The ally signed and processed within two tact a Red Cross office here in theater to three hours, and the leave itself is to either track an emergency message rank, social security num- process is similar to going typically for 15 days. or start their own. In Iraq, Red Cross ber, assigned unit and over- on normal R&R leave with If the Family emergency does not offices are located at Tikrit, Balad and seas address to the Red a few administrative dif- concern death, bereavement, or criti- Baghdad; and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Cross. Likewise, write down ferences. Service members cal illness, it’s important for service If a service member needs an ex- the case number the Red should remember to iden- members to know they may not be tension on his emergency leave, it granted emergency leave, Faith said. is a simple matter of contacting his Cross uses to track emer- tify themselves as going on For example, if the life expectancy of unit and then submitting another Red gency messages. emergency leave. a Family member was more than a Cross message, Faith said. Though it month, service members could have to will then be the service member’s re- wait until their scheduled rest and re- sponsibility to contact the travel office cuperation leave begins, she said. in Kuwait to arrange for a new return Finally, if a service member is unsure if the However, Faith was quick to point flight. out, going on R&R leave or not hav- An emergency could occur at any situation warrants going on emergency ing enough accrued leave dates, would moment with any Soldier. In order to leave, they should talk to someone in their not prevent service members from go- be prepared, Faith said leaders should ing on emergency leave. In that event, have their paperwork in order and chain of command or contact any Red service members could get advanced know what’s going on with their ser- leave days, she said. vice members and their Families back Cross offices in theater. Although Army regulations do not home. require a Red Cross message, Faith Sustainers join the NCO corps

BY SGT. 1ST CLASS JEREMY REEVE finance supervisory responsibilities in Sgt. Heather Miller, a Reading, Pa. native, gets 3RD DET., 374TH FM CO., Basrah and Camp Bucca. pinned the sergeant’s 10 SUST. BDE. The Fort Lee, Va., based Soldiers: Sgt. TH rank by Staff Sgt. Alicia David Carmody, an Altoona, Pa. native; Chandler, a native of CAMP STRYKER, Iraq - The Stryker Sgt. Heather Miller, a native of Reading, Dover, Del., and squad Finance Office promoted Pa.; Sgt. Gregory Beerli, a native of Bal- leader and 1st Lt. Floyd four outstanding and timore and Sgt. Nickolas Trayer, a Dills- Jordan, from Etters, Pa., motivated Soldiers to burg, Pa. native are all ready to lead after during a promotion cer- the noncommissioned demonstrating the potential and ability emony at Camp Stryker, officer corps here in to handle any task with little or no super- Iraq. These Soldiers are February. vision. deployed with 3rd De- tachment, 374th Finan- These new NCOs Mobilized in July 2008, these Sol- cial Management Com- filled several vacant diers showed continuous motivation pany, 10th Sustainment NCO positions in the 3rd Detachment, while coming together to build a team Brigade in support of 374th Financial Management Company, and helping make their finance mission Multi-National Division – 10th Sustainment Brigade, and execute successful. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thanh Luu Baghdad. April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 17 Iraqi Logistics gains momentum toward self-sustainment BY LT. COL. RENEE ROUSE resident, from the 602nd Maintenance (SAMS-E). 304TH SUST. BDE. PAO Company of Fort Hood, Texas, said his Staff Sgt. unit played a pivotal part of the Iraqi David Tim- KIRKUSH MILITARY TRAINING advisory endeavors. mons, trained BASE, Iraq – The Kirkush Bauer said they work diligently with the warehouse Military Training Base their Iraqi counterparts while instruct- operations pro- Logistics Training Ad- ing the Iraqi officers on vehicles and cedures to pro- visory Team, consist- parts status and implementing pre- cess receipts, ing of Soldiers from ventive maintenance measures of their storage, issuing the 602nd Support equipment. This is to ensure safe main- and account- Maintenance Com- tenance practices, he said. ability of Class pany, 356th Quar- In addition to Bauer, two Ocala, Fl., IX repair parts. termaster Company and the Headquar- based 356th QM Co. noncommissioned This process ters and Headquarters Company, 259th officers also train the Iraqi Soldiers on will facilitate Combat Sustainment Support Battalion the logistics aspects of the maintenance timely repairs have been mentoring the Kirkush Re- and warehouse operations. and return of pair and Maintenance Company of the Sgt. Michael Ammons, taught the equipment. 5th Iraqi Army in Diyala province since Iraqi Soldiers how to use the Iraqi The LTAT U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alicia Slate Dec. 2008. Army Maintenance Program (IAMP) has accom- Capt. Michael Hannah, from Nacogdoches, Texas, and Sgt. Mark This mentorship and collaboration and was developed by ANHAM LLC., a plished a lot Bauer, from Killeen, Texas, mentor leaders of the Kirkush Repair has been paramount in transferring Colorado based logistics contractor that in a relative- and Maintenance Company during a maintenance meeting discuss- skills and knowledge to an Iraqi Army provides equipment work order status ly short time ing vehicle status at Kirkush Military Training Base, Iraq. unit in order to develop their own main- and information. The system is simi- while allowing tenance work practices. lar to the U.S. Army logistics Standard the Iraqis to gain trust and confidence torship is one part of training the Iraqis Sgt. Mark Bauer, a Killeen, Texas Army Maintenance System – Enhanced in their own system. The LTAT men- to eventually become self-sustaining. Turkish brothers open million-dollar restaurant at Q-West BY 1ST LT. ANTHONY R. MARION Alan Dorow, 181st Brigade Support Bat- Turkish meals like kabob and doners as UPAR, 181ST BSB, 16TH SUST. BDE. talion commander and Q-West Mayor, well as spaghetti, specialty steaks, grilled cut the ribbon before a hungry crowd of chicken breasts, and chicken tava. CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Soldiers and contractors. Soldiers and civilians welcomed the Q-WEST, Iraq — Two brothers from “It’s good to taste authentic Turkish new restaurant as the base currently op- Adana, Turkey, Memet food, and it will boost the morale of the erates a Pizza Hut, Subway and several and Omar Katar, and a Soldiers, by giving them an alternative to dining facilities. cousin, Abit Baska, of- the DFAC (dining facility),” said Sgt. 1st ficially opened a mil- Class Robin Forrey, 16th Special Troops lion-dollar restau- Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade. Two brothers opened Katar Restaurant, rant venture here The restaurant, with state-of-the-art a new Turkish restaurant at Contingency April 1. equipment including a special bread- Operating Base Q-West, Iraq, April 1. Memet and Lt. Col. making oven, will serve traditional Courtesy photo

Maintenance and Supply Topic of the Week

Courtesy of PS Magazine. Soldiers using Army equip- ment needing more information for on-going equip- ment issues and challenges, visit PS Magazine online:

https://www.logsa.army.mil/psmag/psonline.cfm & SUPPLY MAINTENANCE PAGE 18 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009 JBB Religious Service Schedule

PROTESTANT LITURGICAL JEWISH SHABBAT SERVICES Sunday 1500 Gilbert Chapel (H-6) Friday 1700 Gilbert Mem. Chapel (H-6) TRADITIONAL Saturday 0930 Gilbert Mem. Chapel (H-6) Sunday 0200 Air Force Hospital Chapel SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST 1700 Gilbert Mem. Chapel (H-6) 0930 Provider Chapel Saturday 0900 Provider Chapel 1030 Freedom Chapel (West side) ISLAMIC PRAYER 1100 Castle Heights (Bldg 4155) CHURCH OF CHRIST Friday 1230 Provider Chapel 1400 Air Force Hospital Chapel Sunday 1530 Castle Heights (Bldg 4155) 1730 Gilbert Memorial Chapel PAGAN/WICCAN FELLOWSHIP 2000 Air Force Hospital Chapel LATTER DAY SAINTS (MORMON) Thursday 1900 The Shack Sunday 1300 Provider Chapel Saturday 1900 The Shack GOSPEL 1530 Freedom Chapel (West side) Sunday 1100 MWR East building 1900 Gilbert Mem. Chapel (H-6) GREEK ORTHODOX 1200 Freedom Chapel (West side) Sunday 0900 Provider Annex 1230 Gilbert Mem. Chapel (H-6) ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS 1900 Provider Chapel Saturday 1700 Gilbert Mem. Chapel (H-6) HISPANIC CHURCH SERVICE (Sacrament of Reconciliation Sat 1600 or by Saturday 1930 Provider Chapel CONTEMPORARY appointment) Sunday 0900 MWR East building 2000 Freedom Chapel(West side) 1030 Gilbert Mem. Chapel (H-6) Sunday 0830 Gilbert Mem. Chapel (H-6) 1400 Castle Heights (Bldg 4155) 1100 Provider Chapel For more information, call 1900 Freedom Chapel (West side) 1100 Air Force Hospital Chapel Gilbert Chapel: 433-7703 Wednesday 2000 Gilbert Mem. Chapel (H-6) Thursday 1100 Air Force Hospital Chapel Provider Chapel: 433-2430 Mon, Wed, Fri 1700 Gilbert Mem. Chapel (H-6) Freedom Chapel: 443-6303 Mon - Fri 1130 555th Eng. Bde. Bldg 7200 AF Hospital Chapel: 443-2547/2546 JB BALAD ACTIVITIES

INDOOR POOL 8-9 p.m. Thursday- 8 p.m. Power Abs: H6 RECREATION Sun., Wed., 7:30pm 6 on 6 volleyball Swim Lessons: Abs-Aerobics: Caribbean Night: Mon., Tue., Thu., - 8 CENTER 9-ball tourney: tourney: Mon., Wed.,- 6 p.m. Tue., Thu., 6-7 a.m., Friday- 8 p.m. p.m. Bingo: Monday- 8 p.m. Friday- 7 p.m. Tue., Thu., Sat.,- 5-6 p.m Chess & Dominoes Friday- 9 p.m. Sunday- 8 p.m. Ping-pong tourney: Aerobics: 6:30 p.m. Edge Weapons & Stick Tourney: CC Cross Fit: Texas Hold’em: Tuesday- 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, AquaTraining: Fighting Combative Friday- 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday- Mon., Fri.,- 2 p.m., Foosball tourney: Friday- 7 p.m. Tue.,Thu.,- 7:30 p.m., Training: Salsa Class: 10:30 p.m 8:30 p.m. Tuesday- 8 p.m. Body by Midgett Ton- 8:30 p.m. Tue., Thur., Sat.,- Saturday- 8:30 p.m. Cross Fit: 8-ball tourney: Jam Session: ing Class: 8-10 p.m. Poker: Mon., Wed., Fri.,- 5:45 Tuesday- 2 a.m., Tuesday- 7:30 p.m Tue., Thu., - 7 p.m. EAST FITNESS Saturday- 7:30 p.m. a.m., 7 a.m., 3 p.m., 8:30 p.m. 8-ball tourney: Dodge ball Game: CENTER EAST RECREATION 6 p.m. Ping-pong tourney: Wednesday- 8 p.m Tuesday- 7:30 p.m. Open Court Volley- CENTER H6 FITNESS CEN- Tue., Thu.,- 7 a.m., Tuesday- 8:30 p.m. Guitar Lessons: Furman’s Martial Arts: ball: 4-ball tourney: TER 3 p.m. Spades: Thursday- 7:30 p.m Mon., Wed., Sun.,- 1 Sunday- 6 p.m. Sunday- 8 p.m Spin: Sunday- 5:45 a.m., Wednesday- 2 a.m., Game tourney: p.m. Aerobics: 8-ball tourney: Sunday- 9 a.m. 7 a.m., 3 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Thursday- 1 p.m, 8 Gaston’s Self-Defense Mon., Wed., Fri.- Monday- 8 p.m Mon., Wed., Fri.,- 2 P90x: Salsa: p.m. Class: 5:30-6:30 a.m. Karaoke: a.m., 8 a.m. 2 p.m., 7 Monday- Saturday- Wednesday- 8:30 p.m. Enlisted Poker: Fri., Sat.- 7 p.m. Yoga Class: Monday- 8 p.m. p.m., 4:30 a.m., 4 p.m., 10 9-ball: Friday- 1 p.m., 8 p.m. Open court basketball: Mon., Fri.- 6-7 a.m. Swing Class: 9 p.m. p.m. Thursday- 2 a.m., Officer Poker: Thursday- 7 p.m. Step Aerobics: Tuesday- 8 p.m. Tue., Thu., -5:45 a.m., 12 a.m. 8:30 p.m. Saturday- 1 p.m., 8 Open court soccer: Mon., Wed., Fri.- Table Tennis: 9 a.m., 8:30 p.m. Soccer: Karaoke: p.m. Mon., Wed., - 7 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Tuesday- 8 p.m. Saturday- 9 a.m., 7 Tue., Thu.,- 8 p.m. Thursday- 8:30 p.m. Squat Competition: Zingano Brazilian Jui Conditioning Training 9-ball tourney: p.m. Yoga: Dominos: Saturday- 8 p.m. Jitsu: Class: Wednesday- 8 p.m. Boxing: Wednesday- 8 p.m. Saturday- 8:30 p.m. Tue., Thu.,- 8:30 p.m. Mon., Wed., Fri.- Dungeons & Dragons: Sunday- 4 p.m. MACP Level 1: Darts: WEST FITNESS 7:15- Thursday- 7:30 p.m. Tue., Thu.,- 2 p.m. Friday- 8 p.m. Saturday- 8:30 p.m. CENTER CIRCUIT GYM 8 p.m. Poetry Night: Boot Camp: 5 on 5 Basketball: WEST RECRE- 3 on 3 basketball Floor hockey: Brazilian Jui-Jitsu: Thursday-8 p.m. Sunday- 8:45 a.m Saturday- 8 p.m. ATION CENTER tourney: Mon., Wed., Fri.,– Mon., Wed., Fri.- 6-ball tourney: Tue.,Thu.,- 7 p.m. Green Bean Karaoke: Saturday- 7:30 p.m. 8-10 p.m April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 19

Sudoku Test your The objective is to fill Level: Medium knowledge the 9×9 grid so that 7 4 each column, each row, 1. What British princess died on February 2002, one month and each of the nine before 69 Things to Do With a Dead Princess hit the shelves in 4 5 1 7 Britain? 3×3 boxes contains the digits from 1 to 9 only 3 8 4 2. What lightweight gas makes up 90 percent of Jupitor’s at- one time each. 5 9 2 4 1 moshere? Last weeks answers 3. What U.S. protest song did Tiananmen Square protesters 6 9 1 5 4 3 2 7 8 9 5 adopt as their anthem in 1989? 8 2 3 9 7 1 5 6 4 7 5 4 2 8 6 9 1 3 1 2 7 3 9 4. What city’s Donnell Library is home to the original stuffed 1 7 9 3 5 8 4 2 6 Winnie-the-Pooh bear? 5 6 8 1 2 4 3 9 7 6 8 4 3 4 2 6 9 7 8 5 1

2 1 7 4 3 9 6 8 5 4 1 2 7 5. What’s “NPC” short for, to a videogamer?

5. 5.

4 8 5 7 6 2 1 3 9 character Non-player

4. 4.

9 3 6 8 1 5 7 4 2 6 8 City York New

We shall Overcome Overcome shall We 3.

Hydrogen 2.

Princess Margaret Princess 1.

Iraq according to Opet upcoming sports on afn

Wednesday 4/22/09 Sunday 4/26/09 2009 NBA Playoffs - First Round, Game 2009 Fed Cup - Semifinal: USA vs Czech TBD: Teams TBD, Live 2 a.m. AFN/sports Republic - Day 1: Rubber 1 (Starobrno 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round TBD, Rondo Arena; Brno, Czech Republic), Tape Game TBD: Teams TBD, Live 2 a.m. AFN/ Delayed 8 a.m. AFN/xtra xtra NASCAR Nationwide Series: Aaron’s 312 Oakland Athletics @ New York Yankees, (Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL) , Live 8 p.m. AFN/sports Tape Delayed 3:30 p.m. AFN/xtra Thursday 4/23/09 2009 NBA Playoffs - First Round, Game 4: 2009 NBA Playoffs - First Round, Game Teams TBD, Live 8 p.m. AFN/sports TBD: Teams TBD, Live 2 a.m. AFN/sports 2009 NBA Playoffs - First Round, Game 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round TBD, 1: Teams TBD * 2-hour ESPN Cutdown Game TBD: Teams TBD, Live 2 a.m. AFN/ Version , Live 10 a.m. AFN/sports xtra NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Aaron’s 499 Milwaukee Brewers @ Philadelphia Phillies, (Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL), Live 8 p.m. AFN/sports Live 9 p.m. AFN/xtra Friday 4/24/09 Monday 4/27/09 New York Red Bulls @ Kansas City New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox, Live PVT. MURPHY’S LAW Wizards, Tape Delayed 8 a.m. AFN/xtra 3 a.m. AFN/prime atlanitc 2009 NBA Playoffs - First Round, Game 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round TBD, TBD: Teams TBD, Tape Delayed 10 a.m. Game TBD: Teams TBD, Tape Delayed 4 AFN/xtra a.m. AFN/xtra Saturday 4/25/09 2009 NBA Playoffs - First Round, Game 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round TBD, TBD: Teams TBD, Live 4:30 a.m. AFN/ Game TBD: Teams TBD, Live 2 a.m. AFN/ sports xtra 2009 Fed Cup - Semifinal: USA vs Czech 2009 NBA Playoffs - First Round, Game 3: Republic - Day 2: Rubber 3 (Starobrno Teams TBD, Live 3 a.m. AFN/sports Rondo Arena; Brno, Czech Republic), Tape Tampa Bay Rays @ Oakland Athletics, Live Delayed 7 a.m. AFN/xtra 5 a.m. AFN/prime pacific Zurich Classic of New Orleans: Final Round Atlanta Braves @ Cincinnati Reds, Live 8 (TPC Louisiana, Avondale, LA), Tape p.m. AFN/prime atlantic Delayed 11 p.m. AFN/sports Washington Nationals @ New York Mets, Tuesday 4/28/09 Live 8 p.m. AFN/xtra 2009 NBA Playoffs - Round TBD, Game 2009 NFL Draft (Radio City Music Hall; TBD: Teams TBD, Live 2 a.m. AFN/sports New York, NY), Live 11 p.m. AFN/sports 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round TBD, New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox, Live Game TBD: Teams TBD, Live 2 a.m. AFN/ 11 p.m. AFN/prime atlantic xtra Chicago Fire @ Columbus Crew, Live 2 Oakland Athletics @ New York Yankees, a.m. AFN/prime atlantic Delayed 5 p.m. AFN/sports PAGE 20 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009

Network Security Focus is Everyday

The U.S. Air Forces Central directed a Network Security Focus Day to increase information awareness. The 332 Air Expeditionary Wing calls on all service members, civilians and contracts using their computer network to continuously conduct mandatory training and review network security briefs. For further information on assurance education and training, the web site is http://iase.disa.mil/eta/. It is everyone’s responsibility to understand the threat to our networks and prevent vulnerabilities. April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 21

Check out the http://www.armymwr.com/portal/fam- ily/childandyouth/momc.asp or http://www.military- child.org/ to find latest events, activities happening on military installations, the pentagon, National Guard and Reserves Families.

Movie Times

Wednesday, April 22 17 Again Last House On the left 5 p.m. The International MikMike O’Donnell A pairp of teenage girls 8 p.m. Street Fighter ((MatthewMa Perry) araree brutally raped and teterrorizedr by a vicious Thursday, April 23 was a high-school babasketballs star with gagangn of psychopaths, 5 p.m. Madea Goes To Jail a brightb future. But whwho subsequently find 8 p.m. Fast And Furious hhee threw it all away ththeire cruelty returned Friday, April 24 to mmarry his girlfriend tetenfoldn when they anandd raise their child. seseeke sanctuary in 2 p.m. Miss March AlmAlmost 20 years later, ththee home of one of MikMike’s marriage has ththee victim’s parents 5 p.m. Watchmen failefailed, his kids think 8:30 p.m. 17 Again hehe’s’s a loser, and his in this contemporary Saturday, April 25 jobj is going nowhere. rereworkingw of Wes HHee gets a chance to CCraven’sra controversial 2 p.m. Watchmen corrcorrect the mistakes 1197297 shocker. 5 p.m. 17 Again of his past and chachange his life when 8 p.m. Last House On The Left hhee is miraculously Sunday, April 26 transformed back into a teenagerteenageg (Zac Efron), but in trying to fix his past, past Mike may ma be jeopardizing 2 p.m. 17 Again his present and future. 5 p.m. Last House On The Left 8 p.m. Watchmen Monday, April 27 5 p.m. Watchmen 8 p.m. Miss March Tuesday, April 28 5 p.m. Miss March 8 p.m. 17 Again

(Schedule is Subject to Change) PAGE 22 April 22, 2009 PHOTOS AROUND IRAQ

(U.S. ArmArmyy photo bbyy SSgt.gt. Jacob H. SSmithmith U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Hedetniemi of East Norriton, Pa., assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment (Associators), 56th Stryker Bri- gade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, Multi- National Division-Baghdad, tests out the tactical capabilities of his new Iraqi friend’s umbrella while on a patrol to Nadeem Village, Iraq, on April 9.

U.S.US Navy photo by Mass CommunCommunicationicatatitiono SpSpecialistecialist 2nd 2nd Class Class WWalteralter J.JP Pelsels An Iraqi man brings his daughters for a medical checkup at a makeshift medical clin- ic in Abu Bakr, Iraq on April 7. Iraqi medical personnel from the Ministry Of Health are providing free medical care and consultation sto the residents of Abu Bakr.

U.S.U.S. NavyNavy photophoto byby Mass CCommunicationommunication SpSpecialistecialist 2nd CClasslass Walter J. PelsPels An Iraqi man speaks with U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Mackey from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at a makeshift medical clinic in Abu Bakr, Iraq on April 7. Iraqi medical personnel from the Ministry Of Health are providing free medical care and consultations to the residents of Abu Bakr.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jacob H. Smith U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Josh Hedetniemi of East Norriton, Pa., from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment (Associators), 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, does some pushups with several Iraqi children outside of a school near Sheik Hammad Village, Iraq, on April 8. April 22, 2009 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES PAGE 23 NEWS AROUND IRAQ

from the Taji Vocational Institute staff were also recog- CoCoalition,al Iraqis ‘jazz up’ nized. The mission of the TVI is to produce soldiers that ZiggZiggurat have a requisite knowledge of a specific trade skill, so CONTINGENCYCONTIN OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – that they are prepared to enter the on-the-job phase of The smooth sounds of keyboard, drums and their training in a specific maintenance shop. saxophone echoed off the walls of the 5,000- The duration of the course is six weeks long. During year-old Ziggurat of Ur at a concert here April the first two weeks, students learn the overall mission 1. of the depot, security procedures, supply accountability “This concert is because of all of you,” said Dr. Anne and safety, among other important topics. The second Prouse, the Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team phase of TVI is four weeks of skill specific training in leader, as she stood on the stage in front of more which students receive instruction in the theory and than 200 Iraqi and Coalition forces. “Iraqi citi- principles of a particular industrial trade required to zens, the Iraqi Army and the rest of the Coali- rebuild vehicles in support of the Iraqi Army combat tion forces are the reason why this is happening weapons systems fleet. today.” Graduates receive instruction in electroplating, heavy Prouse and her PRT assisted the Iraqi Security equipment leader, material examiner and tow trac- Forces, Coalition forces and Dhaif Muhsen, the Ziggu- tor operator skill sets. The Multi-National Security rat curator, to plan the event. The musical event show- Transition Command – Iraq advised on 63 different cased the Ali Joda band, from Iraq, and the Alvin and ceived a areas of instruction, which resulted in 771 graduates Atkinson Jazz Band, from America. Purple Heart from the TVI being ready to help support the Iraqi “In some other countries in the world, like Egypt or from Col. Ryan Army in its mission to provide a secure and stable Jordan, they depend on tourism,” said Muhsen. “This Gonsalves, the com- Iraq. is a good thing and I hope that Iraq can depend on its mander of the 2nd BCT, tourism using places like the Ziggurat.” 1st Cav. Div., during which The Ali Joda band started the night by performing his battalion commander and Task Force Bucca Civil some of their internationally known music, which has fellow Soldiers were present. been played worldwide, including at the White House. “What you are doing is absolutely amazing,” said Affairs presents Safwan After a standing ovation, America’s Alvin Atkinson Jazz Gonsalves to the gathered crowd. “3rd Bn., 82nd FA has Band took the stage. done a tremendous amount of work in a short amount and Umm Qasr with “It was wonderful to see the (Iraqi citizens) united of time.” through music,” said Lt. Col. Mark Nelson, the deputy “This is a citation we don’t like to give out, and no agricultural equipment commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav- one likes to receive,” explained Gonsalves. “This could CAMP BUCCA, Iraq—The Task Force Bucca Civil Af- alry Division. have turned out tragically. We appreciate all of your ef- forts every day.” fairs team presented agricultural equipment Wounded Soldier receives Although the event came as a shock, Williams is still April 11 to members of the Umm Qasr and looking forward to hitting the streets of Kirkuk again Safwan Farmers Associations and Town Purple Heart after a little bit more time for recuperation. Councils at Camp Bucca. “I am looking forward to going back in [Kirkuk city] A total of six water trucks and eight trac- FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, Kirkuk, with them,” said Williams. tors were presented to Mr. Majid Talib Muzam, Umm Iraq – “Let it be known that he who wears the The Purple Heart medal has a long history in the Qasr Town Council President and Mr. Munadhel Sha- military order of the Purple Heart has given U.S. military and the medal bears the likeness of the nin Manahe, Safwan Town Council President, who ac- his blood in defense of his homeland and first president of the United States, George Washing- cepted the keys on the towns’ behalf. The project is part shall forever be revered by his fellow coun- ton, who implemented the medal Aug. 7, 1782, calling of a $2.34 million investment Coalition forces made to trymen.” These are the words that were once it the Badge of Military Merit. The medal is awarded assist the community’s economy, which also included written on the orders received when a Soldier earned to service members who have been killed or wounded the newly renovated Safwan Agricultural Center, seeds, a Purple Heart; and for every Purple Heart, there is a by an opposing force, and three service members from generators, greenhouse kits and plastic sheathing. story to accompany it. 2nd BCT have received the medal during this rotation “According to the United States Agency for Interna- Spc. Robert Williams, a water purification special- in Iraq. tional Development (USAID), agriculture is Iraq’s larg- ist with 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, est employer, the second largest contributor to Iraq’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, added economy, and an effective engine for promoting stabil- his own story to the history of the Purple Heart April 9. Taji Vocational Institute ity through private sector development, poverty reduc- Williams’ convoy was hit in downtown Kirkuk city, Iraq, tion and food security,” said Col. David P. Glaser, com- by an RKG-3, a hand-held anti-tank grenade, wounding Graduation Prepares Iraqis mander, 42nd Military Police Brigade and Task Force him and other Soldiers in the vehicle. Bucca. “We stopped our vehicle and I started scanning,” re- for Work at Joint Base “For a long period, the agricultural sector has suf- called Williams. “Then all I remember was a ‘boom’ that fered the challenges of crop production being threat- knocked me out for about eight seconds.” Factory ened by the shortage and saltiness of water and old ag- “After I came to, I pretty much knew what had hap- ricultural machines. The borders need exceptional care pened,” said Williams. TAJI, Iraq – The Taji Vocational Institute has achieved and support, and security protection to enable them to The event left Williams disoriented and peppered another important milestone in its educa- stand on their own again,” said Mr. Majid. with shrapnel from the blast; fortunately the training of tion of Iraqi soldiers for future employment “We are celebrating in this occasion to thank all the the Soldiers in his convoy prepared them for just such at the Taji National Maintenance Depot, now hands who participated for their generous support,” he an event. known as the Joint Base Factory, with the added. His unit reacted exactly how they were supposed to, combined graduation of four classes on April 8 here. The towns of Safwan and Umm Qasr each received said Williams. The ceremony, co-hosted by Iraqi Brig. Gen. Scha- three water trucks and four tractors. Each 4,000 gal- “My medic was on the ball, and he patched me up lal, commander of the Joint Base Factory at Taji and lon water truck will be used to distribute water to local in record time,” said Williams. “You couldn’t ask for a Iraqi Brig. Gen. Sabah, commander, Taji Location farms to irrigate crops and vegetation. The tractors will better group.” Command, recognized each of the previous TVI honor be used by local farmers to strengthen the town’s farm- Williams was then rushed back to Forward Operat- graduates that have completed their on-the-job training ing industry. ing Base Warrior’s Emergency Medical Station, where experience in their respective industrial maintenance The local economy will benefit by creating long-term he was treated for shrapnel wounds in his arm. shops. Each honor graduate was presented an award of jobs, business center development, agriculture initia- The following day, inside of the EMEDs, Williams re- achievement of their outstanding work. Key personnel tives, and civic clean-up activities. PAGE 24 EXPEDITIONARY TIMES April 22, 2009 S ustaining the Line

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brian A. Barbour Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., commanding general, Multi-National Corps-Iraq is greeted by Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commanding general, during a visit to the 3d ESC headquarters at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, April 11. Jacoby, who recently assumed command of MNC-I, was at JBB for a briefing overview regarding the 3d ESC logistics operations.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Isaac. Capt. Selina Riedel, from DuPont, Wash., and the Alpha Com- pany, 181st Brigade Support Battalion, commander, domi- nates her opponent during the Sustainer Challenge combat- ives event at Joint Base Balad, Iraq in March.

courtesy photo Sgt. Magno Orellana, Spc. Hiram Rivera, Spc. Gonzalo Medina, Sgt. Joseph Hernandez, and Pfc. Justin Czerwinski, all from 506th Quartermaster Co., 16th Sustainment Brigade, hold up a Letter of Appreciation presented by 1st Lt. Mar- shall Kulp, platoon leader, 574th QM Co., 16th Sust. Bde, for providing effective and efficient service at the renovation shop on Contingency Operating Base Q- West Feb. 23. The 506th Soldiers support all uniform repairs and special proj- ects. “We help keep the Soldiers mission ready,” said Hernandez. “We pride

ourselves with same day service, so the Soldiers remain on the highest level of U.S.U S Army photo by 1st Lt. Lt Dusty Sargent readiness.” The 506th QM Co. is out of Ft. Lee, Va. Spc. Danny Sengsouvannpreseuth, a Fort Worth, Texas native, receives a certificate of achievement from Capt. Edward Angle, an Austin, Texas native after winning the 10th Sustainment Brigade Troops Battalion Soldier of the Quarter board at Camp Taji, Iraq. Sengsouvannpreseuth, a Bravo Company, 949th Brigade Support Battalion Soldier will continue to study and compete in the 10th Sust. Bde., Soldier of the Year board.