DOCSLIB.ORG

13Th ESC Signs $31 Million Contract with Iraq

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
13Th ESC Signs $31 Million Contract with Iraq October 07, 2009 www.dvidshub.net (search phrase: Expeditionary Times) Vol. 2 Issue 39 For the children Soldiers deliver hearing aids, strengthen relation- ship with Iraqis Page 5 Gearing up Vice president visits Victory Page 12-13 Official White House photo by David Lienemann Vice President Joseph Biden talks to Sgt. 1st Class Gavin Bell, a Portland, Ore., native, in the Pegasus Dining Facility at the Joint Visitors Bureau Hotel PSD Soldiers perform on Camp Victory, Baghdad. Bell is the hotel’s noncommissioned officer in charge and a platoon sergeant with the Klamath Falls based C Troop, 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry, that provided security for the vice president and the White House Press Corps during motorcade operations in and around final training in Kuwait Victory Base Complex and the International Zone. Page 10 13th ESC signs $31 million Game time contract with Iraq STORY AND PHOTO S BY "The new contract represents SPC . NAVEED ALI SHAH a remarkable opportunity and EXP E DITIONARY TIM E S STAFF achievement in terms of sup- porting Multi-National Force- JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq Iraq's responsible drawdown re- –The 13th Sustain- quirements,” said Air Force Maj. ment Command Jack L. Nemcef, the commander (Expeditionary) of the regional contracting cen- and the Miran ter here. Village Com- The previous contract cov- pany, an Iraqi- ered the repair of 3,000 ship- owned and operated business, ping containers annually. signed a multi-million dollar Repairing used containers contract during a ceremony has proven cost-effective for Sept. 29, at the container repair Coalition forces because, at an yard here at Joint Base Balad, average cost of $5,000 for a Iraq. new container, the savings add The $31 million contract calls up to anywhere from $2,000 to for the repair of roughly 30,000 $4,000 per container, said Maj. Brig. Gen. Paul L. Wentz, commanding general of the 13th Sustainment Flag footbal season kicks shipping containers in the Brian Steele, the comptroller for Command (Expeditionary), Hashim Abdalmir Mhadi, owner of the Miran course of the next fiscal year, to the 13th ESC. Village Company, Air Force Maj. Jack L. Nemcef, commander of the re- off at JBB facilitate the responsible draw- MNF-I’s economic engage- gional contracting center here, and Air Force Col. David DiMartino, signed a historic $31 million contract that will provide valuable services to facili- down of U.S. forces and equip- ment strategy calls for Iraqi tate the responsible drawdown of forces in Iraq, while continuing efforts to Page 14 ment from Iraq. SEE DEAL ON PAGE 4 create jobs and invigorate the local economy. PAGE 2 EXP E DITIONARY TIM E S October 07, 2009 Balad Blotter September 23 - September 29 Chaplain’s corner... BY LT. COL . WILLIE AIL S TOCK failures or even your victories, and focusing on the UNSECURED GOVERNMENT PROPERTY: 13TH ESC CHAPLAIN past is preventing you from moving forward. I have A patrol received an M-16 rifle that was found at a suggestion for you; forget the past. Check out what the Green Bean Coffee House in the H-6 hous- o, let me ask you: what drives Paul, the apostle, suggested to Christians in his gen- ing area. The patrol arrived on the scene and your life? Are you driven by prin- eration in Philippians 3:13-14. acquired the rifle. The patrol transported the S ciples or are emotions in control of “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what property to the law enforcement desk for safe your life’s direction? lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and keeping. We need to have a sense of pur- receive the heavenly prize for which God, through pose to survive. If you really want to Christ Jesus, is calling us,” Paul wrote. UNSECURE PRIVATE PROPERTY: live, you must go beyond just having any purpose. Although this advice was given in the context of A complainant reported losing a black bag con- taining one white MacBook laptop, one Sony You need to seek how you make this world a better Christianity, the principle can apply to you even if PlayStation Portable, a copy of his military or- place. A clue to finding this is analyzing how others you are not a Christian. That principle is: have a ders, a cellular phone, and various USB cables at around feel and think about you. Are you bringing great and selfless reason for living. The past is gone. the East Base Exchange bus stop. The complain- joy and investing in the lives of those around you? Victory or failure, it does not matter. Choose today to ant boarded and rode the bus for approximately I hope so. have a great purpose and go out and do it. five minutes when he noticed his property was You only have one life, so I invite you to make the Have a great day filled with positive thinking and missing. The complainant then went back to the best of it. Perhaps you are thinking about your past a great purpose. bus stop and noticed the property was not at the bus stop. It only takes an instant UNSECURE PRIVATE PROPERTY: A complainant reported a larceny at the East Base BY CAPT . STEVE BRA S I N GTO N See “Joe” drink at the bar. Listen to Joe charm the Exchange parking lot. The complainant said af- COMBAT STR E SS CONTROL PSY C HIATRIST ladies. Watch Joe try to hook up. Later, our Joe fol- ter leaving the BX he returned to his vehicle and lows his object of romantic interest out of the bar and found that one iPod, one pair of ProSpecs glasses, ife can change in an instant. The enemy tried to into the night, looking for love. Shortly after, Joe utters one black bag and one U.S. Passport were miss- Leliminate you in the flash of an explosion, in the su- something akin to “come on baby, I know you want ing from his vehicle. The complainant also said personic flight of a bullet, or the flames of battle. You me.” Joe commits sexual assault. the vehicle was left unsecure. survived. You never quit and you defeated the enemy. In each case, the choice to drink excessively has elim- You stayed alive by remaining vigilant, by completing inated the Soldier from the fight. A sequence of poor UNSECURE PRIVATE PROPERTY: the mission, and by watching out for your battle buddy. decisions accomplished what the enemy never could. A complainant reported someone had taken one Look out for your battle in the rear, while off duty. Do you think drinking more than one or two servings Camelbak, one 32GB iPhone with case, one Play- Don’t leave a fallen comrade. If a Soldier has had too of alcohol will actually improve your decision making? Station Portable and four PlayStation Portable much to drink, stay with him or her. Can you tell the The evidence says no, it won’t. games, one 16GB micro SD chip, one pair of difference between alcohol poisoning and alcohol in- Soldiers will go home on leave to reunite with friends Ray-Ban sunglasses, one M-16 magazine holder, toxication? Ensure that you stay in control by remain- and spend time with family. Show them you are a pro- two M-9 magazine holder, one nametag and one ing sober and effective. Beware of Soldiers drinking as fessional, who understands you are always accountable Alaska state flag from outside the Dining Facility fast as they can or as much as they can. They are trying for maintaining the image of the United States Army 2 area. The complainant said he left the property to become the next casualty. Take action. You could and your unit. Some say, “This is what we do; we are prior to entering DFAC-2. When he returned to save a life or a career. Soldiers; we drink a lot, we like to get rowdy and have a the location, he found the property missing. Do more than take the keys. Escort the person to good time.” This is a sorry excuse for flagrant disregard safety. Seek medical attention if the individual is vom- of health and safety. SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY: iting or falling. A person can choke on his or her own Your chain of command wants you healthy and mis- A complainant reported an unknown third coun- vomit and die. Imagine letting a drunken Soldier fall sion ready. The call to report might come on a Sunday try national wearing a yellow shirt with blue asleep alone in a room. The Soldier chokes and never morning. Are you too hungover to answer the call? On jeans in the vicinity of H-5L for the past 5 days. wakes up. It only took an instant. Monday, after a weekend of excessive drinking, is your The complainant said the subject was observing Imagine an impaired driver gets behind the wheel. buddy moving a little slow? Do you joke with your bud- Coalition forces. In an instant, as the driver careens through an intersec- dy or make it clear that excessive use of alcohol is not tion crushing another vehicle, lives are changed forev- acceptable? Drunkenness is never a part of good order er. “Good time Charlie” has eliminated another human and discipline. Will you allow it to be part of you unit’s NIPR: 443-8602 SIPR: 241-1171 being, who very likely had a family or folks who were behavior off duty? Be courageous. Report unsafe be- Email: [email protected] waiting for the dead driver to come home.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Pilot Study of Airborne Hazards and Other Toxic Exposures in Iraq War Veterans
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article A Pilot Study of Airborne Hazards and Other Toxic Exposures in Iraq War Veterans Chelsey Poisson 1,2,3 , Sheri Boucher 2,3,4, Domenique Selby 3,5,6, Sylvia P. Ross 2, Charulata Jindal 7, Jimmy T. Efird 8,* and Pollie Bith-Melander 9 1 Emergency Medicine, SMG Norwood Hospital, Norwood (Greater Boston Area), MA 02062, USA; [email protected] 2 School of Nursing, Rhode Island College, Providence, RI 02908, USA; [email protected] (S.B.); [email protected] (S.P.R.) 3 HunterSeven Foundation, Providence, RI 02906, USA; [email protected] 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA 5 Joint Trauma System, Defense Center of Excellence (CoE), Fort Sam Houston, Houston, TX 02905, USA 6 Emergency Medicine, Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), San Diego, CA 92134, USA 7 Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle (UoN), Newcastle 2308, Australia; [email protected] 8 Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Health Services Research and Development, DVAHCS (Duke University Affiliate), Durham, NC 27705, USA 9 Department of Social Work, California State University, Stanislaus, Stanislaus, CA 95382, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: Jimmy.efi[email protected]; Tel.: +1-650-248-8282 Received: 16 April 2020; Accepted: 7 May 2020; Published: 9 May 2020 Abstract: During their deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), many Veterans were exposed to a wide array of toxic substances and psychologic stressors, most notably airborne/environmental pollutants from open burn pits. Service members do not deploy whilst unhealthy, but often they return with a multitude of acute and chronic symptoms, some of which only begin to manifest years after their deployment.
    [Show full text]
  • Part I - Electrocution of Staff Sergeant Ryan D
    INSPECTOR GENERAL DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 400 ARMY NAW DRIVE ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22202·4704 JUL 2 4 2009 MEMORANDUM FOR DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR ACQUISITION AND TECHNOLOGY COMMANDER, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND COMMANDER, MULTI-NATIONAL FORCES - IRAQ COMMANDER, ARMY SUSTAINMENT COMMAND DIRECTOR, DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AGENCY ARMY ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF FOR INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT SUBJECT: Review ofElectrocution Deaths in Iraq: Part I - Electrocution of Staff Sergeant Ryan D. Maseth, U.S. Army (Report No. IE-2009-006) We are providing this final report for review and COlUlnent. We considered luanagelnent COlnlnents to a draft ofthis repOli in preparing this final report. We requested and received nlanagenlent COlluuents from the COlumander, U.S. Central Conunand; Conl111ander, Multi National Forces - Iraq; C0l11111ander, Multi National Corps - Iraq; Director, Joint Staff; U.S. Anny Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Managenlellt; and the Director, Defense Contract Managelllent Agency. We also received ll1anagement COl1unents fronl the COlnnlander, Al'111Y Materiel COllll11and, and the COll1l11ander, U.S. Ar1l1Y Crilllinal Investigation Conulland. All COn1l11ents confornled to the requirelllents of DoD Directive 7650.3, "Follow-up on General Accounting Office (GAO), DoD Inspector General (DoD IG), and Internal Audit Reports," June 3,2004. As a result of l11anagelllent COllllnents, we 111ade changes to recoll1111endatiol1s A.l.2, A.4, and B.4. The COllllnander, Multi National Corps - Iraq, disagreed with recol1Ullendation A.l.2. We request that the Comlnander, Multi National Corps - Iraq, reconsider his position and provide additional conllnents to this final report. A response by August 15, 2009, would be appreciated. Please provide COllunents that COnfOl'l11 to the requirelnents ofDoD Directive 7650.3.
    [Show full text]
  • Switching Sides: Political Power, Alignment, and Alliances in Post-Saddam Iraq
    SWITCHING SIDES: POLITICAL POWER, ALIGNMENT, AND ALLIANCES IN POST-SADDAM IRAQ by Diane L. Maye A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of George Mason University in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Political Science Committee: _________________________________________ Mark N. Katz, Chair _________________________________________ Colin Dueck _________________________________________ T. Aric Thrall _________________________________________ Ming Wan, Program Director _________________________________________ Mark J. Rozell, Dean Date: ____________________________________ Fall Semester 2015 George Mason University Fairfax, VA Switching Sides: Political Power, Alignment, and Alliances in post-Saddam Iraq A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at George Mason University. by Diane L. Maye Master of Arts Naval Postgraduate School, 2006 Bachelor of Science United States Air Force Academy, 2001 Director: Mark N. Katz, Professor School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs Fall Semester 2015 George Mason University Fairfax, VA Copyright 2015 Diane L. Maye All Rights Reserved ii DEDICATION This is dedicated to my wonderful husband, without whose love and support this dissertation would have not been completed. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge those who assisted me throughout my doctoral studies over the years. I would first like to acknowledge my chairman, Dr. Mark N. Katz, for agreeing to serve as my advisor and mentor during this process. Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Colin Dueck, and Dr. T. Aric Thrall for serving as committee members. A very special thanks to my dear friend Sa’ad Ghaffoori for our countless meetings, emails, and conversations. I would also like to thank Governor Ahmed al Dulaymi, Thamir Hamdani, Waleed Mashhadani, Colonel Dale Kuehl, Colonel William Wyman, Colonel Richard Welch, Colonel Simon Gardner, as well as, Michael Pregent, Michael Sweeney, Paul D.
    [Show full text]
  • IRAQ COUNTRY of ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service
    IRAQ COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service 25 March 2011 IRAQ 25 MARCH 2011 Contents Preface Latest News EVENTS IN IRAQ FROM 2 FEBRUARY 2011 TO 24 MARCH 2011 Useful news sources for further information REPORTS ON IRAQ PUBLISHED OR ACCESSED BETWEEN 2 FEBRUARY 2011 AND 24 MARCH 2011 Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................ 1.01 Size and population.............................................................................................. 1.01 Ethnicity and religion........................................................................................... 1.04 Language .............................................................................................................. 1.06 Measurements ...................................................................................................... 1.07 Public holidays ..................................................................................................... 1.08 Maps ...................................................................................................................... 1.09 2. ECONOMY ................................................................................................................ 2.01 Currency................................................................................................................ 2.05 Employment.........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Balloon Wars: an ISR* Operator's Account of the Wars in Iraq
    Balloon Wars: An ISR* Operator’s Account Of The Wars In Iraq & Afghanistan * Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance by Robert Crimmins Robert Crimmins 5012 Killens Pond Road Felton, Delaware 19943 302-632-4972 www.robcrimmins.com [email protected] © Copyright 2014 Robert A. Crimmins 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................2 1. Overview ..........................................................................................................................................4 2. About Rob Crimmins ....................................................................................................................5 3. Photos ...............................................................................................................................................7 4. Comparable Works .......................................................................................................................9 5. Marketing ........................................................................................................................................9 6. Promotion .................................................................................................................................... 11 7. Chapter Outline .......................................................................................................................... 11 Book 1 Iraq ......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Victory Times
    Victory Times Vol. II, Issue 93 gpyy Aug. 22, 2006 49th MP Bde. farewells troops in Rustamiyah Story and photo by Barham. This is unlike any war we have “You guys have done an outstanding Sgt. Joe Battle fought before. job training the Iraqi police and helping MNC-I PAO “This is a war about our way of life,” bring democracy here,” said Barham. he added. “We have to help the Iraqi Command Sgt. Maj. Andres H. Col. Rod J. Barham, commander, 49th people understand that we aren’t going to Roman, command sergeant major, 49th Military Police Brigade, traveled to Al change.” MP Bde., also spoke to the troops and Rustamiyah Saturday to say goodbye to The troops have to help the Iraqis see relayed a little advice for their upcoming some of the troops redeployments. that served in the “Don’t go home and brigade for the past do something stupid,” year. said Roman. “You guys After a year- have made it a year in long tour, Barham this place and it would and the 49th MP be a shame for you to Bde. will be leaving get hurt when you get Iraq within the next home.” month. Before departing, The 49th MP Barham and Roman Bde. is currently KDQGHG FHUWL¿FDWHV RI in control of three participation to every companies of troops Soldier within their three in Al Rustamiya, companies. and Barham wanted “I really appreciate to personally thank your hard work and all of them for the dedication,” said Roman. work they have “Be safe and remember completed in the to keep your head in the past year.
    [Show full text]
  • © Osprey Publishing • IRAQ FULL CIRCLE from Shock and Awe to the Last Combat Patrol
    © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com IRAQ FULL CIRCLE From Shock and Awe to the Last Combat Patrol COL. DARRON L. WRIGHT © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com NOT FOR FAME OR REWARD, NOT FOR PLACE OR FOR RANK, NOT LURED BY AMBITION OR GOADED BY NECESSITY, BUT IN SIMPLE OBEDIENCE TO DUTY AS THEY UNDERSTOOD IT, THESE MEN SUFFERED ALL, SACRIFICED ALL, DARED ALL, AND DIED. —Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery I dedicate this book first and foremost to my loving wife Wendy and my amazing children Dillon, Chloe, and Kyle, for enduring all the months and years that I was forward deployed doing what I love to do. To my mom, stepfather, brother, sister, and their families, thanks for all your love and support over the years. To all the men and women who wear the uniform both past and present defending democracy abroad and serving as the beacon of freedom for America, you represent less than 1 percent of our nation’s population who have stepped forward to serve a cause greater than yourselves. You all are heroes and deserve the highest regard and praise that our nation can bestow upon you. You are America’s finest. To the brave and courageous soldiers of 1st Battalion –8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team–4th Infantry Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team–4th Infantry Division, 1st Battalion Airborne–509th Infantry, and the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team–2nd Infantry Division, thanks for your service and most of all your sacrifice. You made your mark on this war at different stages and times over the past years, but, most noteworthy, you brought freedom and hope to a country that only knew tyranny and oppression.
    [Show full text]
  • News Release
    NEWS RELEASE Lt. Col. Tim Donovan Public Affairs Officer [email protected] 703-270-1158 November 18, 2009 Coming around the far turn: Across the 32nd Brigade With a little less than two months left in the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s mission in Iraq, this is an update on some of our units from their locations around the country over the past month. By Lt. Col. Tim Donovan 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team BAGHDAD — When detainees at Camp Cropper want to get under the skin of guard force soldiers from the 829th Engineer Company, they employ a tactic that would be more at home along the St. Croix River than inside a theater internment facility in Iraq: they needle the Wisconsin Guard troops about Brett Favre‘s success as a Minnesota Viking. It seems the Green Bay Packers logos that sprouted up all over Camp Cropper since May tipped off detainees that Packer fans were in the house. It‘s a small world. The 3,200 men and women of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team have accomplished a lot during their time in Iraq so far: big accomplishments like closing the largest detention facility on Earth at Camp Bucca; small accomplishments like winning the flag football championship at Camp Cropper. And wherever they are serving in Iraq, Red Arrow soldiers are making a difference. Here is what some of our units want their Wisconsin hometowns to know about their service in Iraq — the big things, the small things, and all of the individual and organizational accomplishments in between.
    [Show full text]
  • JCISFA-Iraqipolice
    Handling and Releasability Caveats for JCISFA Published Electronic and Print Media The JCISFA designates this document for official use by US government agencies with specific releasability (REL) caveats to participating nations of the NATO Training Mission Iraq (NTM-I) and the Iraqi Police Forces. Certain operating and generating force concepts provided within this document may not be approved or currently in use by US Joint and Service doctrine and or policy. Official, US military/government personnel to include their supporting contractors, as well as current coalition and allied partners may restate, cite, integrate sentences, phrases, paragraphs, and graphics contained within this document for inclusion into their official products or research. However, the integration of JCISFA “US UNCLASSIFIED, FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY [FOUO]” information into official products or research renders them FOUO. As such, originators or official holders of said products and research must maintain and control the information within official channels and may not release said products containing JCISFA FOUO to the public without the expressed written consent of the JCISFA. The JCISFA furnishes this information with the expressed understanding that holders of this information will use it for official defense-related purposes only. All information contained within this document must have the same degree of protection that the United States affords information marked “US UNCLASSIFIED, FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY [FOUO]” in accordance with Joint/Service Regulations, the NATO Codification System (NCS), and coalition agreements. Participating partner nations of NATO and ISAF will not release information within this document to another country or international organization beyond the established coalitions of NATO Training Mission Iraq (NTM-I) and the Iraqi Police Forces without the express written permission from the JCISFA.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraq War 1 Iraq War
    Iraq War 1 Iraq War Further information: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Post-invasion Iraq The Iraq War (or War in Iraq) began on March 20, 2003[1] [2] with the invasion of Iraq by the United States under the administration of President George W. Bush and the United Kingdom under Prime Minister Tony Blair.[3] The war is also referred to as the Occupation of Iraq, the Second Gulf War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom by the US military. Prior to the invasion, the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom asserted that the possibility of Iraq employing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threatened their security and that of their coalition/regional allies.[4] [5] [6] In 2002, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1441 which called for Iraq to completely cooperate with UN weapon inspectors to verify that it was not in possession of weapons of mass destruction and cruise missiles. The United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) was given access by Iraq under provisions of the UN resolution but found no evidence of weapons of mass destruction. Additional months of inspection to conclusively verify Iraq's compliance with the UN disarmament requirements were not undertaken.[7] [8] [9] [10] Head weapons inspector Hans Blix advised the UN Security Council that while Iraq's cooperation was "active", it was not "unconditional" and not "immediate". Iraq's declarations with regards to weapons of mass destruction could not be verified at the time, but unresolved tasks concerning Iraq's disarmament could be completed in "not years, not weeks, but months".[7] [11] Following the invasion, the U.S.-led Iraq Survey Group concluded that Iraq had ended its nuclear, chemical, and biological programs in 1991 and had no active programs at the time of the invasion but that Iraq intended to resume production once sanctions were lifted.[12] Although some degraded remnants of misplaced or abandoned chemical weapons from before 1991 were found, they were not the weapons which had been the main argument to justify the invasion.[13] Some U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • 107 Soldiers Become US Citizens at Al-Faw Palace Weeks Prior, and I Couldn’T Do It St O R Y a N D Ph O T O S B Y Without the Help of the Profes- Sg T
    The Expeditionary Times Proudly serving the finest Expeditionary service members throughout Iraq Vol. 3 Issue 14 February 24, 2010 http://www.hood.army.mil/13sce/ Pit stop 107 Soldiers become US citizens at Al-Faw Palace weeks prior, and I couldn’t do it STORY AND PHOTO S BY without the help of the profes- SGT . JOHN STI M AC sional (noncommissioned of- EXP E DITIONARY TIM E S STAFF ficers) that I have working with VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, me,” he said. Soldiers travel miles for Iraq – The United Baker said new citizens tell States Forces – him their naturalization cer- students’ smiles Iraq command staff emony marks the best day of held its 16th nat- their life, and he is proud to be a uralization cer- part of that. Page 5 emony Feb. 15, “We had 107 Soldiers that welcoming 107 new U.S. citizens we naturalized today, from 44 in Al-Faw Palace at Victory Base different countries,” he said. Complex, Iraq. “Today, we had 12 Iraqi citi- Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., zens serving in the Army be- Mud flaps the deputy commanding general come U.S. citizens. I think it for operations with USF-I and adds special meaning for all the a Detroit native, presided over Soldiers to do this in a combat the ceremony and gave a coin to zone.” each Soldier. Pfc. Edilma Martinez, a In his speech, Jacoby said he transportation logistics spe- was proud to go through this cialist with the 612th Move- process with the candidates and ment Control Team, 49th told them they demonstrated Transportation Battalion, 15th their patriotism by serving in the Sustainment Brigade, 13th U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Al-FAW PALACE Victory Base Complex, Baghdad, Iraq
    Al-FAW PALACE Victory Base Complex, Baghdad, Iraq Al-Faw Presidential Palace • Al-Faw is one of 8 presidential palaces used for hunting and recreation by Baathist party members, Saddam Hussein and his family. Both sons, U’day and Qu’say had villas on the artificial lake. There were houseboats to move them around; often they would cruise the lake and take tea at one of the artificial islands. One of the houseboats can be seen, housed in a metal roofed boathouse near LZ Griffin. • The palace was built to commemorate the sacrifices made by the Iraqi Army during the Iran-Iraq War in regaining the Al-Faw peninsula, located in southern Iraq. In February 1986 the Iranian Army successfully launched a 30,000 man amphibious style attack across the Shatt Al-Arab river that captured the area as part of a plan to cut Iraqi oil export. Hussein vowed to retake the Al-Faw peninsula at all costs. It would take the Iraqi Army two years to recapture the lost ground. Mustard gas and other chemical weapons were targeted at approximately 8,000 to 10,000 Iranian troops during this period. Thousands of Iraqi soldiers would die in the Al-Faw Peninsular campaign – a true war for oil. • Visitors walking into the palace are greeted with the words “Peace be to the fighters of the Al-Faw Peninsula.” • The palace is surrounded by a lake and villa complex. The lakes are filled with fish and carp. The rumors that the lake contained bodies of victims of Hussein have not been proven – nor has the lake been drained to find out.
    [Show full text]