Vol. 2, Issue 27 Proudly serving Logistics Support Area Anaconda July 17, 2005 RiggerRiggerss supporsupportt thethe WWarar FightFighter’ser’s missionmission

By Spc. Jerome Bishop Staff writer

Inside a dark, spacious warehouse on Logistics Support Area Anaconda, nine Soldiers are making their contribution to an upcoming operation taking place hundreds of miles away. The Soldiers are parachute riggers with the 623rd Quartermaster Company in support of the 372nd Transportation Company, 129th Corps Support Battalion, 507th Corps Support Group, and their mission – to prepare two week’s worth of rations and water to be air-dropped to sustain operations in . “Right now we’re loading Meals, Ready to Eat for ongoing operations,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Hanrahan, air operations sergeant for the 623rd QM Co. “The most important thing is we’re taking people off the road by doing this. The key is sustaining the people who are setting up this operation with 15 days worth of food,” he said. “We’ll be dropping almost 4,000 cases of MREs,” Hanrahan said. “This is the only mission that has been dictated to us so far. As the operation moves on, that will dictate what we drop.” The supplies being loaded aren’t the only ones that will be dropped during the course of an operation. The riggers are prepared to get more supplies ready as time goes on. “Once [the unit we’re supplying] gets established,” Hanrahan said, “we’ll move on to support a different group.” Since their deployment started this past December, the Soldiers of the 623rd QM Co., had little opportunity to serve as parachute riggers. Much of their time is spent on the roads as convoy gun- truck escorts. Though their skills are in high de- mand, the Soldiers are excited to sup- port the war effort by doing the job they enlisted to do. “I feel like I’m making a difference,” said Pfc. Thomas Hutchinson, a para- Photo by Spc. Jerome Bishop chute rigger with the 623rd QM Co. Pfc. Thomas Hutchinson, a parachute rigger from the 623rd Quartermaster Company, 1st Corps Support Command, gathers the tops of “I think it’s necessary for us to do air the cargo net to attach it to the parachute on top of the pallet of MREs scheduled to be dropped for an upcoming mission. drops to move on with the mission of helping the Iraqis take control.” Sucessfully preparing a pallet of the cargo,” said Spc. Jameel Miller, a The riggers of the 623rd QM Co., “[The Soldiers]” are very happy to be supplies for an airborne supply drop parachute rigger from the 623rd QM Co. know the importance of the mission doing this,” Hanrahan said. “They’re all requires the utmost attention from the “Then the cargo net is wrapped they’ve been tasked, and couldn’t be excited to come off the road and actu- Soldier rigging it. around the supplies and from there we happier about what they’re doing for ally do their job. It’s very gratifying to “First you get an empty board with tie up the load to encase it all. Finally the Army and for Iraq. know your job is supporting the war ties, along with honeycomb cardboard we put the parachute on and tie it up “We’re parachute riggers,” fighter.” padding to help dissipate the weight of and that’s all you need.” Hanrahan said. “This is our job.” PAGE 2 ANACONDA TIMES JULY 17, 2005

U.S. Army photo Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment find a weapons cache along the Tigris River in the Al Rashid district of July 1. Iraqi, Coalition forces thwart attacks, discover weapons cache

Coalition forces captured terrorists and Iraq.” An East Baghdad resident alerted Iraqi tion to innocent civilians,” he said. thwarted attacks, discovered a weapons During a routine patrol in the Ameriyah Soldiers that a terrorist was preparing to Iraqi police officers and Task Force cache and assisted injured worshippers in District that same day, Iraqi and Coalition fire a rocket at around 8:30 a.m. July 10. Baghdad Soldiers responded to a car bomb and around Baghdad July 10. Forces noticed a black BMW parked in the Coalition Soldiers responded immedi- attack against a mosque in south Baghdad Task Force Baghdad Soldiers conducted driveway of a house that was typically un- ately and cordoned off the suspected site. by securing the area around the shrine and a precision raid against a terrorist safe- occupied. Soldiers searched the house and After searching the area, the Iraqi Sol- evacuating injured worshippers to a local house just west of Abu Ghraib Sunday. found a bag of raw C-4 plastic explosives diers discovered the rocket ready to be fired hospital. Two out of the 10 house occupants were and four other containers believed to be from an improvised launcher and safely The blast occurred at 10:30 p.m. and in- identified as specifically targeted terrorists filled with explosives. disarmed the rocket launcher and took it jured 15 people including at least one child. and were taken into custody for question- Also hidden in the house were 20 hand back to their base. The terrorists were not “Iraqi insurgents and foreign fighters ing. grenades, one machine gun, a sniper rifle, seen or captured. have nothing positive to offer Iraq,” said “Today we took two known terrorists off an AK-47 assault rifle, a loaded 9 millime- “The terrorists must have gotten scared Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a Task Force Baghdad the street and prevented another possible ter pistol with a silencer, and 500 to 700 by our presence. If he would have fired the spokesperson. “They deliberately choose to terrorist attack before it could even get off rounds of ammunition. A team of explo- rocket while we were in the area, he would strike civilian targets to maximize the num- the ground,” said Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a sives experts safely removed the munitions. have been captured by us,” said an Iraqi ber of dead and wounded. The violence of Task Force Baghdad spokesperson. “It was a joint Iraqi and U.S. patrol. The Soldier. the insurgents steals from all Iraqis the “Aggressive, offensive operations by Iraqi Soldiers took the lead,” said Capt. “The capture of the rocket before it was chance for employment, prosperity and to Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces Mike Benoit of 1-69th Infantry. “They were fired probably saved the lives of numerous worship peacefully.” are taking the fight directly to the insurgents aggressive and used their insight, which civilians. The terrorists often miss their in- and degrading their capabilities all across led us to the cache.” tended target causing death and destruc- (Army News Service)

and Stripes central office, with a circulation of Deputy Public Affairs Officer 27th Public Affairs Detachment Commander 5,000 papers. Maj. Sean Wilson The Public Affairs Office is on New Jersey Ave. in building 4136, DSN 318-829-1234. Anaconda Anaconda Consolidated Press Center Sergeant Major Times, HHC 1st COSCOM, APO AE 09391. Web Sgt. Maj. Joseph Adelizzi Anaconda Times is authorized for publication by the site at www.mnf-iraq.com/coalition-news/publica- 27th Public Affairs Detachment NCOIC 1st COSCOM for the LSA Anaconda community. The tions/anaconda.htm Staff Sgt. Jennifer K. Yancey contents of the Anaconda Times are unofficial and are Contact Staff Sgt. Christopher Williams via e-mail Editor not to be considered the official views of, or endorsed at [email protected] by, the U.S. Government, including the Department of Staff Sgt. Christopher Williams Defense or Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st COSCOM Commanding General Staff Writers Anaconda Times is a command information newspa- Brig. Gen. Yves J. Fontaine Spc. Jerome Bishop per in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1. Spc. Kate A. Hoit Chief of the Anaconda Consolidated Press Center Spc. Laura E. Ruscio Anaconda Times is published weekly by the Stars Lt. Col. Virginia Zoller Pfc. Mark B. Matthews JULY 17, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 3 RRecruitingecruiting ffocusocus ofof The Anaconda Times has a dedi- RRecruitingecruiting ffocusocus ofof cated Web site containing the cur- CSACSA meetingmeeting inin SeattleSeattle rent and past issues at www.mnf- iraq.com/coalition-news/publica- Less than two months after a Seattle high deal of honor and effectiveness.” school was in the national spotlight for its The resolution currently posted on tions/anaconda.htm attempt to bar military recruiters from the Garfield High School’s Web site states the school, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter PTSA’s concerns are to protect young stu- Schoomaker met with about 70 community dents from the life-and-death decision that officials in Seattle. military service presents. In May Garfield High School’s Parent- The resolution states, however, that each Teacher-Student Association voted for a Garfield student should be made aware of resolution to bar recruiting on the high – and be assisted in accessing — appropri- school campus. When recruiters returned ate and affordable career opportunities and to the school they were met by protests from educational programs, including those parents. about the military. The July 1 event at Seattle Seahawk’s The No Child Left Behind Act requires Quest Field, sponsored by the Army’s Se- educational agencies receiving assistance attle Recruiting Battalion, was aimed at under the Elementary and Secondary Edu- exposing Congressional staff members, law cation Act of 1965 to give military recruit- enforcement officers, retired military, busi- ers the same access to secondary school stu- ness managers and academic administra- dents as they provide to postsecondary in- tors to some of the issues facing the Army. stitutions or to prospective employers. With the Army having just met its June “I think we are hearing a drumbeat of active-duty and Army Reserve recruiting the Army not making its goal. I think it’s goals for the first time in four months, the important to know we set the bar high,” said discussion quickly turned to recruiting, re- Schoomaker. “I think the glass is more than enlistment, and the future of the all-volun- half full on this but everyone wants to talk teer force. about the 16 percent that we are still reach- “We really challenged ourselves to grow ing for. We’re still optimistic, but it’s going the Army and we placed the bar very high,” to continue to be a challenge.” said Schoomaker. But recruiting is only half of the end- In responding to a Seattle TV reporter’s strength equation, Schoomaker said. Re- question about how he viewed attempts by enlistment remains well above the goal groups to ban military recruiters from high with Soldiers re-upping at significantly schools, Schoomaker responded it was in- high rates across the Army. trusive and unfortunate. “Those who have been deployed are the “It’s their right to act that way,” ones who we are retaining at the highest Schoomaker said. “I trust people will make rate,” said the Army chief of staff. “So given the best decision if they are provided the the opportunity to serve, people are find- options.” ing out how important it is to be part of “What we’re finding out through sur- something that’s bigger and to be sur- veys and other means is that this genera- rounded by others like them who they can tion wants to serve,” he said. “And when trust and who have the same values and they do we find this is an extraordinary pride.” generation of young people with tremen- dous talents who are serving with a great (Army News Service)

Question of the Week WhatWhat dodo yyouou liklikee mosmostt aboutabout serserving?ving?

Spc. Jennifer Moran Sgt. Raymond Velez Spc. Dwane Phillips Pfc. Chris McCollum Staff Sgt. Rubin Mares 1st COSCOM 301st Area Support Group 50th Signal Battalion 82nd Airborne Division 368th Finance Battalion

“Traveling. In two years I’ve “The mental and physical “The medical benefits that my “Learning different job skills. It “I’ve been in since 1972, and I been to Korea, Iraq, North challenges and the camaraderie.” family and I receive. It really prepares me to work with all really enjoy mentoring my Carolina and Virginia.” helps us out.” types of people.” troops.” PAGE 4 ANACONDA TIMES JULY 17, 2005

ON THE SPOT OneOne yyearear dodown,wn, fivfivee ttoo gogo By Pfc. Mark B. Matthews training to go out and make a Staff writer difference, Laureles said. Being that Laureles has been in theater for more than a year, Soldiers look at deployment his command seems to appreci- in many different ways. Some ate his experience and knowl- see it as a way of furthering edge of the standard operating their careers and some see it as procedures of the North ECP. a stepping stone to financial “Laureles is a tremendous security. However, one Soldier asset to us. Outside of what he sees it as an opportunity to knows about the medical side make a difference and he plans of the house he also knows a lot to make that difference as long about how the North ECP is as the Army will let him. run,” said Staff Sgt. Paul- Spc. Jonathan Laureles, a Michael Hayes, 29th Spt. Bn., combat medic with the 29th 29th Spt. Bde. “He also knows a Support Battalion, 29th Sup- lot of the faces of people who port Brigade, recently began his have been kicked off the post second consecutive tour in Iraq before, so he can recognize and already extended for a them and let us know about it.” third, which will begin Febru- Although some people might ary 2006. question Laureles’ motives for Laureles works as a medic at continuing to extend his tour in the North Exit Control Point. Iraq, he assures everyone that He treats U.S. Soldiers for he is just here to help and make illness and injuries as well as a difference. Iraqi National Guard soldiers “People often say that I must by conducting a sick call and by be doing it for the money or making daily checks around the that I don’t have a family back area to ensure all the Soldiers home that loves me, and that’s are feeling up to par. not true,” said Laureles. “Of Although Laureles spent course my family misses me, more than a year in theater but they are also very support- with well over a year to go, he ive and understand that I am has his own reasons for volun- making a difference over here.” teering to stay tour after tour. As of today, Laureles has “I know it sounds crazy, but extended to do three consecu- I just really like it here,” said tive years in Iraq. However, he Laureles. “I really love doing has already spoken with his my job.” The medical field was leadership to see if he can something Laureles had always continue extending until his Photo by Pfc. Mark B. Matthews wanted to do and the Army expiration of term of service in Spc. Jonathan Laureles, 29th Support Battalion, 29th Support Brigade, checks the blood presure of an Iraqi gave him the opportunity and 2009. National Guard soldier during one of his medical rounds at the North Exit Control Point June 27. FreedomFreedom RadioRadio FrequenciesFrequencies

107.7 Baghdad 107.9 Sinjar 105.1 Mosul, Fallujah 107.3 Balad, Kirkurk, Tallil, Ar Ramadi 93.3 Q-West, Tikrit, Al Asad 107.1 Ridgeway 102.5 Camp Taji

“Always There, on the Air!” JULY 17, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 5

Photos by Spc. Laura E. Ruscio Pfc. Samual Njenga, 261st Area Support Medical Battalion, checks a patient for lower back and knee injuries during sick-call at the 1065th Troop Medical Clinic July 7. ClinicClinic ofofffererss high-qualityhigh-quality carecare By Spc. Laura E. Ruscio health care specialist. Staff writer “We are a model for other clinics in theater and will continue to set that standard.” There are many valuable Sick call is available to all resources for servicemembers servicemembers from 7:30 a.m. at Logistics Support Area to 1 p.m. daily and to civilians Anaconda including the on a space-available basis. medical care provided by the Along with sick call, the dedicated Soldiers at the clinic’s mental health section is 1065th Troop Medical Clinic. open to all servicemembers and The clinic began providing civilians in need. care to servicemembers and The mental health specialists civilians during Operation are available to assist troops Iraqi Freedom I and is under suffering from combat stress the supervision of the 1065th and also offer self-improve- Area Support Medical Com- ment classes including smoking pany, a Puerto Rican National cessation. Guard unit currently attached The clinic’s emergency to the 261st Area Support ambulance service responds to Medical Battalion. all emergencies within their The medical clinic offers jurisdiction and provides many services including 24- support for Morale, Welfare hour urgent care, optometry, a and Recreation events here. pharmacy, an emergency The medical facility is ambulance service and sick call staffed with almost 80 dedi- to handle all minor injuries cated, well-trained troops who such as broken limbs and are ready to answer the call of lacerations. Since the facility is duty at any given moment. only equipped for the treat- “The troops endure many ment of minor injuries, the hardships while serving in a health care specialists work war zone,” said Capt. Matt closely with the Air Force Bershinsky, 1065th ASMC, Theater Hospital for evacua- physician’s assistant. tion of all major injuries. “We take a huge level of “This is our mission,” said satisfaction in helping them Pfc. Adam Loete, 261st ASMB, stay in the fight.” Sgt. Monica Aviles, optometry technician, conducts an eye exam at the 1065th Troop Medical Clinic July 7. PAGE 6 ANACONDA TIMES JULY 17, 2005 News Briefs

U.S. Army photo A Marine prepares a Talon II remote-controlled robot to go down range and investigate a possible IED along the shoulder of a busy highway in southern Iraq. Troops comb streets of Iraq (Army News Service) Detained U.S. citizen for IEDs released America Supports You: ride, The improvised explosive device, or IED, is the greatest concert to honor fallen, Coalition forces released Cyrus Kar, an Iranian-born casualty producer in Iraq, and the three-letter acronym has U.S. citizen July 10, Multinational Force Iraq officials an- found its place in the military vocabulary. wounded troops nounced. To help combat the problem, specially trained military Kar, his Iranian companion and their taxi driver were combat engineers and explosive ordnance disposal teams Plans are under way for the second annual Tribute to detained by the Iraqi Army near Balad, Iraq, on May 17 have joined forces to hunt and remove the IEDs that are the Troops Motorcycle Ride, to be held Sept. 9 to 11 in Min- following a search of their taxi. In the vehicle were 35 wash- hidden in tons of trash and debris that litter Iraq’s high- nesota, Wisconsin and Iowa to honor the families of fallen ing-machine timers, a common component used for the ways and roads. servicemembers and raise funds for wounded troops and construction of improvised explosive devices. The job is very tedious and dangerous as the teams em- their families. IEDs have killed or wounded over 40 members of the ploy their high-tech equipment to scour the endless miles The ride and benefit concert to follow it will correspond coalition forces and over 40 Iraqis in the vicinity where of roadway looking for signs that may reveal the location with the fourth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist Kar was detained, noted officials. of the low-tech threat. attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. After being detained by the Iraqi Army, the three men Pfc. Justin L. Buxbaum, Company B, 467th Engineer The event will include three separate motorcycle rides - were transferred to coalition forces. Battalion, said he knew very little about IEDs before he one to the north and northeast region of Minnesota, one in Kar was detained as an imperative security threat to was deployed to Iraq with his unit. the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin, and one to the Iraq under the authority of the U.N. Security Council Reso- Now the private, who has been in the service for only south, southeast and southwest Minnesota region. Up to lution 1546. six months, finds himself face to face with the deadly de- 225 motorcycles are expected to participate, according to Based on the FBI investigation, the testimony of Kar and vice as he drives a heavily armored truck called the Buffalo Gregg Schmitt, event organizer. the witness he called, and other witness statements, a De- to a suspected IED location. All three motorcycle rides will end in Hamel, Minn., tainee Status Board determined Kar was not an enemy com- The vehicle has an armored V-shaped hull undercar- where Rockie, country music band The Killer Hayseeds batant and recommended his release, which was approved. riage designed to deflect the explosion and shrapnel from and other local bands will present a benefit concert. “This case highlights the effectiveness of our detainee an IED outwards, away from the crew. Proceeds from the event will go to the Wounded War- review process,” said Brig. Gen. Don Alston, coalition “You are always going to be scared … and I have been,” riors Hospital Fund. The fund supports hospitals and forces spokesman. “We followed well-established proce- Buxbaum said. “But I have a lot of faith in my equipment medical facilities in the and Iraq theaters of dures, and Mr. Kar has now been properly released.” and training.” operation as well as in and the by “This case has been resolved appropriately,” said He added that the work is slow and meticulous. He and donating morale and comfort items such as televisions, Alston. “We understand this has been difficult for Mr. Kar his crew never lose focus as they clear the routes because DVDs and computers for use by the patients and hospital and his family, however, we owe the coalition forces, Iraqi they have people’s lives to think about and can’t afford staff. The fund also provides financial help for security forces and Iraqi civilians a thorough investiga- any doubts in what they are doing. servicemembers’ loved ones who can’t afford to be with tion, especially when the circumstances relate to serious “It is a very rewarding feeling knowing that the job that wounded troops during their recovery. and potentially dangerous activity.” we perform may save someone’s life so that they can go back home to their families.” (American Forces Press Service) (Multinational Force Iraq) JULY 17, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 7 News Briefs

oversight, and day-to-day management of AKO operations mobilized, hopefully they’ll remember back to the exercise were moved from Network Enterprise Technology Com- and know how to react in a given situation. mand/9th Army Signal Command to Program Executive “This type of exercise really brings the noncommis- Office Enterprise Information Systems. sioned officers into the action,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Lockheed Martin will provide systems operations and Gary Glenn, command sergeant major of the 332nd. maintenance; network communications, hardware and Glenn explained that often times during drill weekends software integration and 24/7 help desk support for both or smaller exercises, the NCOs either plan the event or teach the unclassified and secure Army networks. classes. They do not have many opportunities to use their The award is for a base year with six option years and first line leaders and follow through with checking on Sol- is a performance-based, fixed price, time & materials con- diers’ basic needs, but this operation will force them to tract established by the Army Contracting Agency’s Infor- perform pre-combat checks and after action reviews. mation Technology and Electronic Commerce Commercial Wilmoth said it is an opportunity to bring enlisted Sol- Contracting Center, known as ITEC4. diers and NCOs into the plan and let them grow into fu- Bryon Young, director of ITEC4, said he believes the ture leader and the same goes for the junior officers. AKO-ES competition and resulting award “is an excellent For some, this might be the last training exercise before example of the benefits that can be achieved through a per- heading out to help fight the war on terror. Wilmoth said formance-based acquisition strategy.” she hopes all Soldiers come away with a renewed sense of “Combining the great things that AKO has done in the confidence in their military occupational specialty and past with the net-centric future that Army modularity will ability to deploy. provide - this is a great opportunity for the Army,” said Kevin Carroll, PEO EIS executive officer, as the contract (Army News Service) Courtesy photo Divers with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command search announcement was made from his Fort Belvoir office. for downed aircraft from the Vietnam War in the Gulf of Tonkin. Army programs combat (Army News Service) rising divorce rate Army divers search waters of Vietnam for wreckage An increase of divorces among Active-duty Soldiers has Rumsfeld, Rice: U.S. will Army chaplains undertaking a number of programs to com- Dive teams returned home to Oahu this month after a stand by Britain bat the rising trend and help Soldiers cope. 30-day deployment to Vietnam in support of the Joint POW/ Divorces among officers tripled from fiscal year 2002 to MIA Accounting Command, or JPAC. If terrorists thought they could intimidate the people of 2004, according to statistics compiled by the Defense Man- The groundbreaking JPAC mission was the first in a set a great nation during today’s attacks in London, “they power Data Center. After Operation Iraqi Freedom began, of programmed trips to Vietnam to conduct underwater picked the wrong people and the wrong nation,” said De- there was an increase of 3,024 divorces Army-wide. searches for downed aircraft from the Vietnam War. fense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. “These statistics are a sign of a loss of a dream. People The mission was truly joint endeavor, containing ele- History is filled with examples of tyrants, fascists and don’t get married to divorce,” said Army Chaplain Col. ments from all four branches of service. terrorists intent on carrying out violence against the Brit- Glen Bloomstrom, director of the Ministry Initiatives Di- 1st Lt. Charles Denike and Staff Sgt. Matt Hayden led ish people “only to founder,” Rumsfeld said. rectorate for the Office of the Chief of Chaplains. seven Army divers from the 7th Engineer Detachment (Dive) “Before long,” the secretary predicted, “I suspect that Several programs now help Soldiers cope with life and and five Navy divers from Fort Shafter, Hawaii, to Vietnam those responsible for these acts will encounter British steel.” parenting after divorce. Divorce Care Support groups and to locate aircraft wreckage on three suspected crash sites It’s a steel of “uncommon strength” that “does not bend or parenting classes are mandatory for Soldiers at Fort Hood, in the Gulf of Tonkin. break,” he said. Texas. The teams worked from two different shore locations “The British people have learned from history that this Also available is Army One Source which is a toll-free and surveyed 12 square kilometers of sea floor over three kind of evil must be confronted. It cannot be appeased,” nationwide number as well as a Web site that allows Sol- separate crash sites. They used side-scan sonar and ma- Rumsfeld said. Giving in to terrorists’ demands will only diers to contact a consultant regarding life’s issues. rine magnetometer equipment, and that survey mission increase their demands, he said. Although deployment is an indicator of the stress on alone proved to be the most comprehensive underwater David Manning, British Ambassador to the United the force, both Bloomstrom and Lt. Col. David Scheider, survey ever conducted by JPAC in Vietnam. States, called the outpouring of support from the Ameri- director of Family Life Chaplin Training Center, agreed Toward the end of the 30-day mission teams located an can people today “enormous and overwhelming.” the problem is many couples do not have the skills needed aircraft wing section proving to be the most significant “We are very touched by it” and feel “a great solidarity” to make their marriage work. “Anytime there is a lot of discovery for the underwater investigation team. with the American people, he said. stress, there is a higher opportunity for people to stray,” The team also took advantage of a rare opportunity to Terrorists “want to move the world backward” while said Scheider. interact with veterans from the Vietnam War — the war the rest of the freedom-loving world, including those at There has been a doubling of total Army divorces from the veterans referred to as the “American War.” Some Viet- today’s Group of Eight summit of leaders from industrial- the 2000 fiscal year to the 2004 fiscal year – an increase of namese veterans had actually witnessed the aircraft ized nations, are working to move it forward, Manning nearly 5,000 divorces over this period. crashes, so they provided dive teams with information to said. “We recruit a Soldier, and retain a family,” he said. “We narrow down search areas. “They will not prevail,” he said of the terrorists. “We need to listen to the other part of the fighting force which is The dive mission was one of many missions sponsored shall prevail. And it is enormously encouraging to know the family that stays home and supports the Soldiers.” by JPAC, worldwide, to locate, recover and identify per- that we have such a close bond with our American part- sonnel still missing in action from service to the United ners.” (Army News Service) States. (American Forces Press Service) (Army News Service) Golden Medic exercise Army awards new AKO challenges Reserve Soldiers contract Soldiers from Miami to Michigan descended upon Fort A contract valued at more than $152 million has been Gordon June 11-24 to participate in the largest Army Re- awarded to Lockheed Martin Corporation to manage Army serve medical exercise of the year. Knowledge Online, the Army’s enterprise Web portal. Golden Medic 2005 brings various medical and sup- Under the agreement, Computer Sciences Corporation port units together, and immerses them into a realistic war- and Science Applications International Corporation, or time scenario to test their battle plans. SAIC, are major subcontractors with Lockheed Martin to “This exercise makes us put everything together,” said help manage the AKO portal. Col. Margaret Wilmoth, commander of the 332nd Medical This past year, the Army’s Chief Information Officer/ Brigade. “We combine pre-mobilization, mobilization, war U.S. Army graphic G-6, Lt. Gen. Steven Boutelle, directed two fundamental fighter and de-mobilization activities all into one exercise.” Defense Manpower Data Center. Divorce rate statistics business process improvements for AKO. Wilmoth sees Golden Medic as a benefit to all Soldiers. among Active-duty Soldiers as submitted by the Army Re- As of June 1, responsibility for system development and She said they may not appreciate it now, but if they get sources Command during fiscal years 2000-2004. PAGE 8 JULY 17, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES JULY 17, 2005 PAGE 9

AROUND ANACONDA

Photo by Spc. Kate A. Hoit Photo by Spc. Laura E. Ruscio Side out Once, twice, three times the private Soldiers take advantage of the never-ending supply of sun as they play pool volleyball at the LSA Anaconda outdoor pool. A Soldier is doused with water while doing push-ups during a promotion ceremony July 8.

Photo by Spc. Jerome Bishop Cross over to the bronze? A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III ascends along the horizon as it prepares to take off from LSA Anaconda’s airfield.

Interested in submitting your photos to the Anaconda Times? Photo by Spc. Laura E. Ruscio Photo by Capt. Sonise Lumbaca Contact Public Affairs at DSN 318-829-1412 or e-mail the editor at And the verdict is ... It’s gettin’ hot in here Petty Officer 2nd Class Nick Webster, 939th Military Police Detachment, guides military working dog Jury, in and around dining facility four A Soldier from the 536th Maintenance Company welds metal together to up-armor an Iraqi [email protected] to check for explosive devices during a mass casualty exercise. 7-ton vehicle in continuing efforts to help strengthen the Iraqi military. PAGE 10 ANACONDA TIMES JULY 17, 2005 “You lika the sauce, sauce is good, no?”

By Spc. Laura E. Ruscio Staff writer Kellogg, Brown and Root

During deployments servicemembers Q & A are forced to say goodbye to many of the You ask the questions and KBR luxuries they know so well; however, answers ... Logistics Support Area Anaconda has several facilities to make life a little more like home. Q: Why can't the DFAC server con- One of the most recent additions to tinue to serve if soldiers are not LSA Anaconda is the Balad Café. The café allowed to leave the DFAC? Servers is located under the Sustainer Stadium, leave for shelters, but soldiers can't next to the outdoor pool. leave until the All Clear is given. The restaurant opened in May to give servicemembers and civilians more A: KBR has a contractual agreement to dining options. provide for the safety of the DFAC Originally the menu consisted of coffee, serving staff. In the case of red alerts, cappuccino, slushies and other soft this includes requiring them to seek drinks, but recently expanded the menu shelter. It is LOGCAP agreement that all to include chicken and beef doners, military food workers are prohibited from french fries, hotdogs and ice cream. serving food, and it is the military In the near future, the Balad Café will command that prohibits personnel from also be serving cheeseburgers and leaving the DFAC. chicken wings as well as bake cakes for special events and host barbeques. Q: The DFAC hours are not optimum Jimmie Bryant, resturant owner, is for a 24 hr/day flying operation. A 24- constantly thinking of ways to improve hour DFAC would help. If this the café to better serve the troops. solution is not feasible, due to The resturant will soon expand it’s budgetary constraints, can you slide menu and hours to include breakfast one DFAC hour to the right 3-4 beginning at 6 a.m., and more options hours? This would allow folks on a for lunch and dinner. shift or mission during normal DFAC The breakfast menu will feature hours to get a meal. coffee, cappuccino, donuts and pastries. The lunch and dinner menu will A: The LOGCAP contract calls for KBR to include chicken wings, chicken and beef prepare 4 meals daily. A few alternatives doners, hamburgers, hotdogs, french to your time-shift solution are currently fries, slushies and ice cream. being considered by the military and The Balad Café is open 9 a.m. to 9 KBR. In addition, the ACO is looking for p.m. seven days a week. other solutions that will still fall within “We do this for the servicemembers the military, LOGCAP, and KBR guide- because we care,” Bryant said. lines. “We will continue to do all we can to Customer Surveys can be found at all Morale, Welfare and Recreation centers and DFACs. make life a little better for the troops.” Photo by Spc. Laura E. Ruscio Stop by and fill one out today! Inci Bryant, Balad Café employee, prepares chicken for troops during lunch July 8.

On LDRSHIP

“Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.” Robert E. Lee

If you have any suggestions for Quotable Quotes contact Public Affairs at DSN 318-829-1412 or e-mail the editor at [email protected] JULY 17, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 11

Photos by Spc. Kate A. Hoit Upon winning best dining facility three months in a row, Col. David W. Fitzgerald, 301st Area Support Group commander and Logistics Support Area Anaconda mayor, presents a DFAC One received a trophy, numerous awards and 1,000 trophy to several of DFAC One’s food service personnel for their hard work. dollars. DFAC One wins best dining facility three months in a row

By Spc. Kate A. Hoit the dining facility what is it today. The $1,000. Mr. Tanvir Azmi, Tamimi Globe common in their country; if you win a Staff writer DFAC has battled the other three dining Company, area manager, promised them trophy three times in a row you get to keep facilities throughout the year based on $1,000 if they won three months in a row. it. Col. David W. Fitzgerald, 301st Area several procedures including: facility’s Azmi kept his word, and at the cer- Support Group commander and LSA Every month the four dining facilities on cleaniness inside and out, food prepara- emony he presented them with the Anaconda mayor, agreed and allowed Logistics Support Area Anaconda compete tion, temperature of the food being stored money. them to have the trophy permanently. to be named the top DFAC. Over the past and served, tracking of inventories, and “I’m going to distribute the $1,000 to All of the food service personnel and three months, DFAC One has taken the following recipes. my day and night shift workers for them Soldiers recognize the hard work and title and trophy. “We base the score on percentages, and to spend on whatever they want,” said determination everyone has put into On July 7, DFAC One’s 158 Tamimi food they received 99.4 percent,” said Chief Faisal Yhan, Tafga Company, food service making DFAC One, one of the best in service personnel, Kellogg, Brown and Root Warrant Officer Walter Hart, 301st Area supervisor. theater, Fitzgerald said. employees, and Soldiers gathered to Support Group installation food advisor. Considering that the majority of the food Fitzgerald added, “On behalf of all the celebrate the accomplishments of the Along with being awarded a trophy, the service personnel are from India they Soldiers on Anaconda, we want to say hardworking employees who have made workers also looked forward to collecting wanted to continue a tradition that is thank you for a job well done.” AirAir ForForcece recognizesrecognizes hishisttoricalorical namename ofof IrIraqiaqi airair basebase

By Capt. David Small “As part of the 23rd Squadron activation ceremony, maps. U.S. Central Command Air Forces Forward Maj. Gen. Kamal Abdul Satar Al-Barazenchi, chief of “Ali Base has a history that is important to the local Public Affairs staff of the Iraqi air force, unveiled a new sign: Ali Iraqi community, and as coalition partners, it is Base. We learned then that the base had always been important we respect that,” General Buchanan said. Ali,” General Buchanan said. “In fact, we learned that Built in the 1970s and serving as the busiest military SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) — What’s in a name? General Kamal himself had even been the Ali Base airfield during Iraq’s war with in the 1980s, it is In the case of Ali Base, years of history. commander during part of the Iran-Iraq War.” now home to the 407th Air Expeditionary Group, the Ali Base, situated near the city of An Nasiriyah, in General Buchanan said he looks on that day as a Iraqi air force’s 23rd Squadron, and the U.S. Army’s south central Iraq, is the main airfield in southern Iraq milestone in the cooperation between the U.S. Air Logistics Support Areas Cedar and Adder. from which Iraqi, Coalition and U.S. Airmen operate. Force and the new Iraqi air force. When the 1991 Gulf War occurred, the airfield was Until January, Coalition forces called the base Tallil. “It was a great day for our partnership. We assisted heavily bombed and virtually destroyed. Ultimately, Now, all use the legacy name: Ali Base. Iraq by giving them three C-130s and committing to the base became off limits to Iraqi forces while U.S. “Our Iraqi partners have always referred to this training Iraqi pilots, navigators and (maintainers) so and British patrols enforced the no-fly zone over installation as Ali Base,” said Col. Dennis Diggett, they can in turn work to secure stability for their own southern Iraq. former 407th Air Expeditionary Group commander at country,” the general said. Airmen in air and space expeditionary force rota- the base. “I thought it was a great sign of our mutual respect tions with Ali Base as an endpoint can expect some “It appears that sometime after Operation Desert that General Kamal and his staff were willing to tell us confusion concerning the name change, officials said. Storm in the early 1990s, Ali Base was incorrectly about our oversight.” No money will be spent to correct institutional dis- labeled ‘Tallil’ on Department of Defense maps,” said General Buchanan then directed Airmen to call Ali crepancies between the two names, having erred in Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan III, U.S. Central Com- Base by its legacy name. calling it Tallil for so long, CENTAF officials said. mand Air Forces commander. “It’s a bit of a mystery. Because Tallil had become the commonplace name Some of these institutional discrepancies include e- We don’t know why that was done.” used by Airmen but was never its official name, there mail on the global address list, administrative codes, The discrepancy came to light in January at a joint was no need to take any official act to rename it Ali phone books and directories. ceremony where Iraqi and coalition forces stood up Base, CENTAF officials said. Coordination is under Many of these things have already been corrected the 23rd Squadron, the new Iraqi air force’s C-130 way with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency here, but may be slow to change throughout the rest of Hercules unit there. to incorporate the revision into future charts and the Air Force. PAGE 12 ANACONDA TIMES JULY 17, 2005

LSA Anaconda Soldiers WWesestt MWRMWR Legal Center EastEast MWRMWR Bldg. 4113 DSN 829-1538 www.1cc.balad.iraq.centcom.mil/subs/sja.htm ScheduleSchedule Dedicated to providing a variety of ScheduleSchedule services including: MADDEN Powers of Attorney and Notaries Citizenship Application Preparation and Immigra- Karaoke Night 2005 tion Issues Divorce and Family Law Issues Open-mike nights will Tournament Guardianships A Madden 2005 Tax Services be every Saturday at 8 p.m. tournament will Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act Issues FLIPL and Reprimand Rebuttals be at 8 p.m. July 21. Personnel Claims and Wills Spades LSLSAA AnacondaAnaconda Table-Tennis Tournament Tournament A Table-tennis tour- Spades tourna- FitnessFitness CenterCenter nament will be every ments will be Sun- Sunday at 3 and 8 p.m. days at 8 p.m. Pilates The LSA Ana- 8-Ball conda Fitness Cen- DOMINOES ter offers Pilates “Doubles” Tournament classes at 5:45 a.m. “Doubles” 8 Ball tournaments will Monday, Wednes- Tournament be Wednesdays at day and Friday. July 26 8 p.m. at 3 and 8 p.m. Aerobics There will be an aerobics class Mon- day, Wednesday and Friday at 6 p.m. Freestyle aerobics is Saturday at 9 Darts a.m., and today at 1 p.m. 8-Ball Tournament Tournament A darts tournament Karate will be July 30 at 8 Karate classes will be today, Mon- An 8-ball tourna- p.m. day, Wednesday and Friday at 7:15 ment will be held p.m. every Monday at 3 Pingpong Tae Bo and 8 p.m. The LSA Anaconda Fitness Center Tournament offers Tae Bo classes Tuesday, Thurs- day and Saturday at 5:30 a.m. Pingpong tournaments Eastside will be Tuesdays at Kobushi Sessen Jutsu The LSA Anaconda Fitness center 8 p.m. offers classes in the feudal warrior Recreation combat art Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Center Capoeira Game Night The LSA Anaconda Fitness Center “Talent Game night will offers capoeira classes today at 6 p.m and Monday, Wednesday and Friday Show” be every Friday at at 8:30 p.m. 8 p.m. A talent show will be held Games featured Nihon Goshen Aikido will include Risk, The LSA Anaconda Fitness Center July 23 at 8 p.m. Battleship and offers Nihon Goshen Aikido classes at Sign up at the Eastside Recreation Center today! Dominoes. 5:30 p.m every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in the Sprung Gym. JULY 17, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 13

Movie Schedule RReligiouseligious ScSchedulehedule SusSusttainerainer Roman Catholic Mass Jewish Prayer Wednesday 11 a.m. Air Force Hospital Friday 6:30 p.m. Provider Chapel Annex Saturday 5 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Reconciliation by appt. 4:45 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Lutheran RReeleel TimeTime Sunday 8:30 a.m. Freedom Chapel Sunday 8 a.m. Provider Chapel Sunday 9 a.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sunday 11 a.m. Provider Chapel Protestant-Gospel TheaterTheater Mon.-Fri. 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sunday 11 a.m. Sustainer Indoor Theater Sunday 11:30 a.m. Freedom Chapel (schedule is subject to change) Sacrament of Reconciliation Sunday 7 p.m. Provider Chapel (30 minutes prior to Mass) July 17 Protestant Praise and Worship 3 p.m. Hitchhiker’s Guide to Galaxy Church of Christ Sunday 9:30 a.m. Sustainer Indoor Theater 6 p.m. Sahara Sunday 11 a.m. Avn. Village 1/245th ATS Conf. Rm. Sunday 5:30 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel 9 p.m. xXx: State of the Union Sunday 6:30 p.m. MWR Tent 29th Spt. Bn. Islamic Prayer Sunday 7 p.m. Freedom Chapel July 18 (Special Premiere) Friday 12:30 p.m. Provider Chapel Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Freedom Chapel 3 p.m. The Great Raid 6 p.m. The Great Raid Samoan Congregational Service Protestant-Contemporary 9 p.m. The Great Raid Sunday 4 p.m. Provider Chapel Sunday 11 a.m. Town Hall

July 19 Latter Day Saints Protestant-Traditional 3 p.m. Cursed Sunday 1 p.m. Provider Chapel Sunday 7:30 a.m. Air Force Hospital Chapel 6 p.m. War of the Worlds Sunday 3 p.m. Freedom Chapel Sunday 9:30 a.m. Provider Chapel 9 p.m. The Interpreter Sunday 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sunday 10 a.m. Freedom Chapel

July 20 Religious schedule subject to change 3 p.m. xXx: State of the Union 6 p.m. House of Wax 9 p.m. Sin City

July 21 3 p.m. House of Wax Movie Synopsis for July 17 - 23 6 p.m. xXx: State of the Union 9 p.m War of the Worlds The Great Raid Balian is mourning the deaths of his wife and baby R, War when his father arrives and asks him to join the Cru- July 22 Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Joseph Fiennes sades in Jerusalem. Balian agrees, and embarks on the 3 p.m. Kingdom of Heaven perilous journey. Along the way, he reveals his gifts 6 p.m. Unleashed Set in the Philippines in 1945, "The Great Raid" tells of inherent goodness and fair treatment of all human 9 p.m. Fantastic Four the true story of the 6th Ranger Battalion, under the beings. Upon reaching Jerusalem, a city where his command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci (Ben- meager beginnings no longer matter, Balian earns re- July 23 jamin Bratt) who undertakes a daring rescue mission spect. 3 p.m. Unleashed against all odds. Traveling thirty miles behind enemy 6 p.m. Fantastic Four lines, the 6th Ranger Battalion aims to liberate over War of the Worlds 9 p.m. Kingdom of Heaven 500 American prisoners-of-war from the notorious PG-13, Sci-Fi, 117 min Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp in the most auda- Tom Cruise, Miranda Otto, Dakota Fanning cious rescue ever. A contemporary retelling of H.G. Wells's seminal classic. The sci-fi adventure thriller reveals the ex- Fantastic Four traordinary battle for the future of humankind PG-13, Action/Adventure, 123 min through the eyes of one American family fighting to Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba survive it.

When an experimental space voyage goes awry, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy four people are changed by cosmic rays. Reed , inven- PG, Action/Adventure, 103 min tor and leader of the group gains the ability to stretch Martin Freeman, Mos Def his body, and takes the name, Mr. Fantastic. His girl- friend Sue, gains the ability to turn invisible and cre- Earthman Arthur Dent is having a very bad day. ate force fields, calling herself the Invisible Woman. His house is about to be bulldozed, he discovers that Her younger brother Johnny gains the ability to con- his best friend is an alien and to top things off, Planet trol fire, including covering his own body with flame, Earth is about to be demolished to make way for a becoming the Human Torch. Pilot Ben is turned into hyperspace bypass. Arthur’s only chance for survival: a super-strong rock creature calling himself Thing. hitch a ride on a passing spacecraft. For the novice Together, they use their unique powers to explore the space traveler, the greatest adventure in the universe strange aspects of the world, and to foil the evil plans begins when the world ends. Arthur sets out on a jour- of Doctor Doom. ney in which he finds that nothing is as it seems: he learns that a towel is just the most useful thing in the Kingdom of Heaven universe, finds the meaning of life, and discovers that R, Epic Warfare, 145 min everything he needs to know can be found in one book: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. PAGE 14 ANACONDA TIMES JULY 17, 2005 MCTMCT phonephone homehome By Pfc. Mark B. Matthews only between Soldiers in “Our Signal officer con- Staff writer theater, but also Soldiers and tacted us and asked if we could their families back home. contact people back home to “These 12 telephones we see if we could get a few It is always a great feeling received are an example of the telephones donated to us,” said for servicemembers to get care kind of small-town support Sentell. “So I contacted the packages. Most of the time that the military is receiving president of our chamber of these packages include small from all across the nation,” commerce in Minden, Miss. and “creature-comforts” that help said Maj. Sherb Sentell, 519th she immediately went to the make life seem a little more like MCT Hub commander. board of directors to pass a home. The 519th MCT found out resolution, which they did, that However, what better way to that due to the progression of would authorize the chamber make you feel more at home the operations in Iraq and the to purchase these phones.” than the gift of communication. availability of new Defense The resolution allowed the Soldiers in the 519th Move- Information System Network chamber to accept donations ment Control Team were (DSN) lines, that they could and for any amount of money adopted by the town of receive phone lines. However, that was still needed to pur- Minden, Miss., and received they were lacking one very chase the telephones the telephones to help break down important element - tele- chamber would pay, said the communication gaps, not phones. Sentell. Twelve telephones were purchased for the battalion’s communication needs and the chamber is authorized to buy 18 more telephones if they are needed. The communication needs of the 519th MCT have been met, due the help of one small community in Mississippi where this commander is proud to be from. “I am so blessed to be a part of a community that is whole- heartedly behind the military,” said Sentell. “My unit is 88 Photos by Pfc. Mark B. Matthews Soldiers with the 519th Movement Control Team stand in front of their percent cross-leveled and this Maj. Sherb Sentell, 519th Movement Control Team Hub commander, tries battalion after receiving 12 new phones in the mail. The Soldiers were is just one of the many commu- out one of the new donated telephones in his office at Logistics Support adopted by the town of Minden, Miss., to help with communication. nities that have adopted us.” Area Anaconda June 27. JULY 17, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES PAGE 15 FightingFighting CrimeCrime onon AnacondaAnaconda The MPs can fight it, you can prevent it IllegalIllegal alcoholalcohol sstilltill problemproblem onon pospostt

By Spc. Jerome Bishop Staff writer

Getting together with a group of friends, watching some TV or a movie, and enjoying a few frosty beers is a perfectly normal activity for anyone back in the states, but not on Logistics Support Area Anaconda. Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, alcoholic beverages of any type have been prohibited for servicemembers, and in most places, including LSA Anaconda, it’s prohibited for everyone else as well. “For some people it’s been so long without a drink,” said Sgt. 1st Class Kerry Buckner, Law and Order noncommis- sioned officer in-charge from the 939th Military Police Detachment, 42nd MP Brigade. “When they do drink, their tolerance is different.” “Some people just handle it differ- ently,” he said, “so there’s people picking fights and getting in trouble with their chain of command with disorderly conduct. Plus you have the whole dehy- dration issue with the heat.” A common problem of a more deadly nature also occurs from time to time on post as a result of drinking. “Lately, we’ve had a couple of drunk drivers coming in the south gate,” Buckner said. “We had to go down there a few times to apprehend them.” Servicemembers, especially, know that there’s no consumption of alcohol in theatre, as stated in General Order 1A. Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors alike don’t have to know why it’s prohibited, the simple fact that it is an order not to consume it is enough. “You can get any kind of Article 15 (or Courtesy photo service unique equivalent),” Buckner Various brands and types of alcohol are being discovered throughout LSA Anaconda by the MPs, like this stash found earlier this year. said. “It also falls under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice which is from other Soldiers on post. they think might contain alcohol by the Afterward, the alcohol is either a failure to obey an order or regulation.” “The gate guards do some checking. smell of a leaking product or the de- burned or emptied completely. “In our case, it’s a failure to obey All of the trucks get x-rayed before scription on the label, they call us.” Anyone on post has the ability to General Order 1A which we use to govern coming on post but some things don’t “We have drug dogs that go through prevent alcohol from disrupting opera- this post,” he added. show up,” said Buckner. the post office daily,” he added. tions and safety on post, not just the MPs The maximum punishment as written “We also rely on random searches “A lot of help that we get also comes or the gate guards. in Article 92 of the UCMJ states a service through the third country national lanes from tips that we get which lead us to “If a Soldier or anyone knows someone member can be punished with a “dis- at the movement control yards along large raids, as well as when Soldiers’ who has alcohol they can talk them into honorable discharge, forfeiture of all with civilian parts of post.” chain of command turn up results destroying it or they can come into the pay and allowances and confinement Although alcohol made its way onto during unit health and welfare inspec- MP station and leave an anonymous for two years.” post by car or truck, it’s also been snuck tions,” Buckner said. tip,” Buckner said. A problem as big as illegal alcohol in by air. After a raid or confiscation of any Illegal consumption of alcohol is a can’t be ignored by MPs. “Sometimes it also comes in on alcohol, the remaining contraband is problem that Soldiers have the ability to As a result, several methods have planes that land on post,” Buckner said. stored as evidence until the end of legal prevent. been implemented by the MPs of rooting “We also work with the post office to action against the servicemember or Stepping in at the right time could out booze as well as seeking assistance detect alcohol. When they get a package civilian who was caught with it. result in saving someone’s life. PAGE 16 ANACONDA TIMES JULY 17, 2005

Photos by Capt. Sonise Lumbaca Maj. John A. Larowe, executive officer for the 620th Corps Support Battalion, turns to to make an over-the-shoulder catch while a Marine attempts to defend him during a rugby match. EuropeanEuropean paspastimetime hitshits MiddleMiddle EasEastt By Capt. Sonise Lumbaca required to stop and touch the football- Through flyers placed on community sive sport,” Larowe said. “Above all, its 1st COSCOM public affairs office shaped ball to his or her foot and then bulletin boards, Larowe, also an avid fun and something that builds esprit de pass it to a teammate. It’s faster than player, answered the call and brought a corps.” regular rugby and requires more run- few Army comrades along. “On (Taqaddum), there’s really TAQADDUM, Iraq — With a little ning and passing skills, Larowe said. “I’ve played in the past and was nothing to do here after the duty day is networking between the Army and Marine Col. Bob DeStafney brought excited when I saw that there were completed and I like to be active,” said Marine forces on a small installation out the sport to the installation in early others interested. I brought a few other Sgt. Tung Li, 620th CSB. west, one sport favored among the March. Soldiers on board who never knew how Li has been involved with the sport Europeans has achieved popularity with “I never go anywhere without my to play until they arrived here in Iraq, since June. Americans and is on the rise in Iraq. ball and shoes,” DeStafney said. “I’ve and they have since excelled,” Larowe “Just playing this game does a lot for The sport is Rugby - Touch Rugby to brought them with me on every deploy- said. me. It keeps me fit. I am playing on a be exact. ment.” “This game is ideal for members of team with others in my unit and I get to The groups here play touch rugby DeStafney put the word out that the the military because it requires fitness, a meet new people like the Marines who I rather than the full-contact version sport was coming to Taqaddum. lot of thinking and it is a very inexpen- might not have under different circum- because of the turf that is available to stances,” Li said. them, which is made up of a combina- The group of 10 to 25 Soldiers and tion of sand, gravel, various-sized rocks Marines participate in the game every, and foreign debris. Sunday and Thursday. “Players can get seriously hurt They are currently trying to put playing on this type of ground if en- together matches where they can gaged in full-contact rugby,” said Maj. compete against other installations in John A. Larowe, executive officer, 620th Iraq. Corps Support Battalion, 561st Corps “We know that there are other Support Group, 1st Corps Support groups out there involved in the sport Command. and would like the chance to play To limit injuries, the players play against them. However, the mission, touch rugby in a similar manner that which is why we are here in the first flag football is played, he said. place, takes priority,” DeStafney said. “Even during touch rugby players “Rugby is a game that you have can get scrapes and bruises,” Larowe either played and loved or not played said. and don’t understand. In either case, it Touch rugby is very similar to play- gives the new guys something they can ing rugby. Instead of being tackled by take back home with them,” Larowe the opponent, the player on the oppos- A Marine passes the ball to a teammate while a Soldier from the opposing team tries to break said. “The best thing about this sport is ing team is tagged. The player is then up the offensive during a rugby game at Taqaddum, Iraq. that it is an outlet for us.”