Turning FOB Blackhawk Over to Iraq
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in the Vol. II, Issue 4 ZONE September 2009 1 in the ZONE September 2009 —Table of Contents— 3 From the Top in the 5 Farewell Baghdad E.R. Troops render a final salute to Ibn Sina Hospital ZONE 6 Opening new doors NATO mission has new home 7 Monday Morning Football Wisconsin troops cheer for the Packers 8 Baghdad Yacht Club Soldiers take remote controlled boats for a spin 10 A learning opportunity An Iraqi General shares personal insights with JASG troops 11 A doctor treating different breeds Vet clinic keeps working dogs mission-ready 13 The changing face of the IZ Produced by the Joint Area Turning FOB Blackhawk over to Iraq Support Group-Central Public 14 Chaplain’s word Affairs Office New strength 15 JAG brief Family support JASG-C Commander: 16 Outside the zone: Camp Bucca Col. Steven Bensend 18 Know where to go: Life on the FOBs JASG-C CSM: Command Sgt. Maj. Edgar Hansen 19 Around the zone 20 End zone The last page JASG-C Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Tim Donovan In The Zone editor: Sgt. Michelle Gonzalez JASG-C Public Affairs Staff: Capt. Joy LeMay Sgt. Frank Merola Spc. Tyler Lasure In The Zone is published monthly as an electronic news magazine under provisions of AR 360-1, para 3-6 by the Command Director- Sgt. Carl Seim retrieves his boat from one of Prosperity’s lakes ate’s (JASG-C) Command for all after competing against two other members of Prosperity’s military personnel serving in the Baghdad Yacht Club. Photo by Spc. Tyler Lasure Operation Iraqi Freedom Interna- tional Zone. The views and opin- ions expressed herein are not nec- On the Cover: essarily those of the Department of Color guard soldiers from the 10th Combat Support Hospital rehearse Defense, the U.S. Army, Air Force, retreat for a ceremony held Sept. 3 marking the end of U.S. forces Navy or the Marine Corps, or the providing medical services at Ibn Sina Hospital. Photo by Sgt. Michelle National Guard Bureau. Gonzalez 2 in the ZONE September 2009 From the Top JASG-C Commander Over the past few months, I more are scheduled in the com- have confirmed that change is ing weeks and months. In order constant in the IZ. Each new to turn properties over, we must day brings with it changes and either consolidate or reduce challenges. I expect that trend operations. will continue through my tenure On Sept. 30, we turned over here. FOB Blackhawk to the GOI and It is crucial that each of us on Oct. 1 we will turn over Ibn embrace change and support Sina Hospital. The level III Col. Steven Bensend the strategic objectives of our hospital that resided at Ibn Sina Commander Commander in Chief. We must has relocated to VBC without Joint Area Support Group—Central continue to support efforts work- a reduction in medical support ing toward a stable and function- provided. A level II facility is are vitally important to security ing Iraqi government that is able located at FOB Prosperity to operations. The 93rd MPs will to provide security, economic handle all immediate medical continue to maintain soldiers on opportunity and freedom for the needs. each entry control point to aid in people of Iraq. FOB Blackhawk operations issue resolution as convoys and Our Iraqi partners continue to have also transitioned to other personnel move in and out of the increase their ownership of the properties. We will maintain IZ. security of Iraq. Timelines are in the current conference center on The JASG-C Joint Defense place to support the transition of Blackhawk until a new facility Operations Center (JDOC) is the U.S. forces and reduce the U.S. is prepared sometime in early key contact location for any and footprint. 2010. every incident in the IZ. The As easy as that sounds, it is Security continues to be one of JDOC has immediate contact a most difficult task. It takes the JASG-C’s primary missions. with the 93rd MP Battalion, IZ cooperation and teamwork at 1-7 Field Artillery Battalion police, KBR Fire, Embassy RSO, every level. It involves give and recently conducted transfer of Triple Canopy, and the Iraqi 56th take between commands and authority with the 93rd MP bat- Brigade. In fact, most of these directorates. It takes compre- talion from Fort Bliss, Texas. elements have representatives hensive planning, leadership and I would like to thank Lt. Col. that sit in the operations center. initiative. Bailes and the 1-7 FA Battalion Please ensure all personnel Our part in the transition is to for their hard work over the past have the JDOC contact informa- consolidate the U.S. footprint in several months and also welcome tion. The phone number for the IZ. We began this process in Lt. Col. Tom Byrd and the 93rd JASG-C JDOC battle captain is earnest on 1 January following MP Battalion to the IZ. Conduct- DSN 239-1915 and SVOIP 243- the signing of the Security Agree- ing the IZ mission with the 93rd 1391. ment. Since that date, JASG-C are the 551st MP Company, 571st Thank you for your continued turned over several properties to MPs and the 301st Chemical cooperation and effort to keep the Government of Iraq receiv- Company. the IZ secure and take care of ership directorate and several Our security force soldiers each other. 3 in the ZONE September 2009 JASG-C Command Sergeant Major Time continues to move on, the being a few years later. I received a seasons are changing and fall is desk, a lamp and a carpet, but the upon us. On the night of the 19th, pay stayed the same. There were we got our first rain since May beer machines in the day room and and the trees on Prosperity and four German Marks to the dollar. across the IZ are green again. Well, That was a long time ago. almost–it takes a long time to wash During the early years of the Command Sgt. Maj. Edgar J. Hansen off five months of dust storms. all-volunteer force there was still Command Sergeant Major Another sign of autumn, if you limited opportunity for female sol- Joint Area Support Group—Central run outside, the flies are enjoying diers. Over the next few years, the the cooler weather too, along with Army did a number of RIFs (reduc- room for wasted effort. It is crucial harassing my morning runs. Flies tions in force) and in 1976, while I that we bring the right people to are a sure sign fall is here. Next was stationed in Korea, there began the right mission, whether they are thing you know, it will be snowing– a large influx of female soldiers into Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines, wait, not here–that will be back the support battalions. The same whether they are officer or NCO, home in Wisconsin! However, it trend continued when I returned to whether they are men or women. will get cold here and the nights Fort Polk. It is not just limited to our will get below freezing. Do not ship I left the active Army in 1980 military services; civilians of the all your cold weather gear home and joined the Wisconsin National Department of State, the Depart- yet, you will need it. Guard in 1990. One of the first ment of Defense all play an integral I have been writing these pieces things I noticed after joining the part in accomplishing our mission. for the last four months and I al- Guard was the number of female In addition, there are the civilian ways end each with “One team, one officers and mid- to senior-grade contractors all providing support. fight!” For me, these are not just NCOs. That trend has continued So here we are in the IZ, the words, but a way to soldier by. Over over the last 19 years. Women now JASG-C consists of National Guard many years, I have seen the mean- make up 14 percent of the active Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and ing evolve. While the team has Army, 19 percent of the National civilian enablers. We work closely become smaller in numbers, it has Guard, and about 20 percent across with MNF-I, MNC-I, MNSTC-I, become more diverse and dynamic. all services. I think those numbers DOS, US Embassy Baghdad, DOD, We now use human assets from all will only rise over the coming years contractors of all sorts, the list goes services to accomplish the mission, and I think if you look at key staff on, but the mission is the same, the truly, “One team, one fight.” positions that percentage is much transfer of the International Zone This has taken on enormous higher. and all of Iraq back to the GOI. importance during this war and es- My point is the makeup of the Moreover, the mission is getting pecially now working within a Joint Army and all services has changed done and it is getting done because Force here in the IZ. This month I dramatically over the last 40 years we all are here with the same basic would like to talk about how we got and now better reflects our nation; intent, to serve our nation, to here and why it is a good thing! while not perfect, I think we have defend it. In 1969 when I arrived in created opportunity for talented In closing, I ask, do not forget Vietnam, it was a much different people.