Ham Takes Control of U.S. Africa Command
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Vol. 40, No. 6 U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart March 24, 2011 Ham takes control of U.S. Africa Command By Danielle Skinner lenges — some of those we can see very U.S. Africa Command clearly today, while others will emerge Public Affairs Office in unexpected ways and in unexpected places. I remain wholly confident that .S. Army Gen. Carter F. the Africa Command team will meet Ham assumed command of each and every one of those challenges UU.S. Africa Command from with agility, imaginative thought and Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward during a unselfish dedication. My fundamental ceremony March 9 at the Stadthalle in belief is that we can and will accom- Sindelfingen. plish more when we work together with Ham is the second commander of our African partners,” he added. U.S. Africa Command, which was es- Ham brings diverse experience to tablished in October 2007. In October the command from his former posi- 2008, AFRICOM became the U.S. tions, including serving as the director military’s sixth and newest unified of operations for the Joint Chiefs of combatant command, coordinating Staff, conducting peacekeeping opera- U.S. military relations with more than tions in Macedonia and commanding 50 nations in Africa. troops in northern Iraq. In his most “Those of us who are privileged recent position, he served as the com- to serve today often say that we have manding general of U.S. Army Europe, the great honor [of] walking in the headquartered in Heidelberg. footsteps of giants. Today, as Christi The change of command ceremony Richard Herman and I follow Kip and Joyce Ward, that was attended by approximately 700 Gen. Carter F. Ham (right), U.S. Africa Command’s newest leader, passes the phrase has never been more meaningful people, including staff members and guidon to Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Ripka, AFRICOM’s senior enlisted leader, to me,” Ham said. during a change of command ceremony March 9 at the Sindelfingen Stadhalle. “I know we’ll face many chal- See AFRICOM on page 4 Shopping for a good cause The Stuttgart Community Spouses Club hosted its Spring Bazaar March 18-20. Thousands of people converged upon Patch Barracks to shop, eat and socialize during the club’s annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the bazaar are returned to the Stuttgart military community in the form of scholarships and financial support to clubs, schools and other Volunteer cook Brian Gershkoff Photos by Susan Huseman worthy causes. serves up a bratwurst for Jennifer Smith (from left), Christy Christesen and Gamze Eser shop for Tamara Cobb March 19. jewelry at vendor Krystyna Drozdowska’s (far right) booth on March 19. Pages 12-13 Daylight saving time begins INSIDE Get ready for Month of the Military Child Most of Europe will move its clocks forward THIS by one hour when daylight saving time From baby-sitting classes and parent begins on Sunday, March 27. In Germany, education to an egg hunt and kiddie boot daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. (set EDITION camp, April is loaded with Child, Youth and clocks to 3 a.m.) School Services-sponsored events. The Citizen, March 24, 2011 Page 3 Page 2 OPINION The Citizen, March 24, 2011 NEWS Survivor Outreach Services supports Soldiers’ families News & Notes Commentary by Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch friend, a fellow warrior — who feels the Installation Management Command The important thing for survivors to know loss of a Soldier. Every survivor is not FICO scores free to active commander entitled to the same benefits under law duty service members is that they are a part of the Army family or regulations, but SOS coordinators commanded the 3rd Infantry Active duty service members and their will work with any survivor to access spouses now have free access to FICO Division out of Fort Stewart as for as long as they want to be. counseling and other resources. part of the surge in Iraq in 2007- scores and other credit management tools, I SOS staff has made tremendous thanks to the Financial Industry Regulatory ’08. During that time, 153 Soldiers progress in a short time, receiving more Authority Foundation. died in combat. I pray for their families we are doing with one of our newest benefits; financial counselors who assist than 24,000 cases from Casualty and Eligible personnel interested in obtaining every day. Their loss is something I, as programs: Survivor Outreach Services. through investment and estate planning Mortuary Affairs and continually reach- their FICO scores should contact the Army a leader, have to live with. Survivor Outreach Services was education; and support coordinators who ing out to survivors, both those who have Community Service Financial Readiness Of- For any lead- established in April 2008 to support facilitate support groups, provide life suffered a loss recently and those whose fice at 431-2085/civ. 07031-15-2085. er, the loss of a and care for those left behind. Chief of skills education and connect survivors loss pre-dates the program. This past (This information was provided by Army Soldier hits hard. Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. propelled with counseling resources. year, when it became clear that survivors Community Service) But the loss that the effort to support survivors beyond More than 200 SOS personnel are who do not have ID cards were having survivors expe- casualty assistance. Casualty assistance now working on installations throughout difficulty getting onto post, SOS devel- Local photographers win in rience is magni- officers work with families during a the U.S. and overseas, including National oped a survivor vehicle decal program. Army-level contest tudes deeper and heartrending time when they are notified Guard and reserve locations. The loss of a Soldier is not a topic Three USAG Stuttgart artists were win- wider because of their Soldier’s death and have to make people want to talk about, but it is a There is no time limit on SOS ser- ners in the 2010 Army Digital Photography they have lost not funeral arrangements and decisions vices. SOS coordinators extend a hand to reality of military life. We do what we Lt. Gen. Lynch Contest sponsored by the Army Family and just a Soldier, but about entitlements and benefits. survivors in the first few months after a can to prevent losses. In the end, though, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command. But grief cannot be resolved in a set Soldier’s death, but survivors do not have despite our best efforts, we cannot pre- U.S. Army Health Clinic Stuttgart’s Spc. Godson Onyeije, a supply sergeant, (left) and Maj. Mary Whitney, a friend, a son or daughter, a husband Lt. Col. David Tygart and Col. Joseph time period. With the help of a panel to accept assistance right then or ever. vent every loss. That is why SOS is so chief nurse, test an opthalmoscope for the new health clinic annex opening March 28 on Kelley Barracks. or wife, a father or mother. Mancy competed against 1,348 other active of survivors selected by Casey, SOS They can decide to return months or years crucial. We can do one last thing to honor When I visit installations, I meet duty military personnel. Tygart took third was developed to provide longer term, later. The important thing is for survivors the fallen Soldier’s service and sacrifice with those who have lost loved ones on in Design Elements and second for People. expanded support and care, taking up to know that they are part of the Army for our nation — offer support for the active duty because they need to know Health clinic annex to open on Mancy took third place in the People cat- that the Army recognizes and honors where casualty assistance ends. family for as long as they want to be. loved ones the Soldier left behind. egory. Stephen Cullum, competing against their Soldiers’ service and sacrifice. I SOS, an Army OneSource program, There are also no exclusions in the For more information on SOS, 2,343 other eligible civilians, took second also speak with them because, as the offers support through benefits coordi- definition of a survivor. For the SOS visit www.myarmyonesource.com and Kelley Barracks March 28 place in the digital darkroom category. commander of Installation Manage- nators who help survivors understand program, a survivor is anyone — im- click on the “Family Programs and After winning at the garrison level, the ment Command, I need to know how and apply for local, state and federal mediate family, extended family, a Services” link. Story & photo by Tanya Fogg Young The Kelley health clinic annex will not provide Special to The Citizen emergency health care services and will initially pro- three photographers’ work moved on to De- vide primary care acute services. The annex on Kelley, partment of the Army judging, where Army hose living on Kelley Barracks or work- which has five examination rooms, will be staffed Knowledge Online account-holders voted ON THE STREET ing in U.S. Africa Command will soon be for their favorite photo in each division. HE with a physician, two nurses, a medic, a pharmacy able to receive primary care health care (This information was provided by Fam- T T technician and patient liaisons. CITIZEN What is your nutritious go-to snack? and limited laboratory and pharmacy services on site. Appointments for care at Kelley are to be made ily and Morale, Welfare and Recreation) Col. Carl D. Bird Starting March 28, a new U.S. Army Health through central appointments by calling 371-2622 or MEB/PEB assistance U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Commander Clinic, Stuttgart Annex, located in Building 3312 on civilian 06221-17-2622 and specifying that the patient Service members new to the Medical Public Affairs Officer/Editor Kelley, will begin providing by-appointment services wants to be seen at the annex on Kelley Barracks.