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Vol. I, Issue 37 telling the Camp Victory story Nov. 15, 2005 Coalition safety conference held at Victory First-time, Corps-sponsored event brings theater managers together to share knowledge, ideas Pfc. Matthew Clifton MNC-I PAO

Since January, 53 Coalition lives have been lost to vehicle rollover accidents. The number one cause of those accidents was speeding. This statistic, and countless other pieces of Soldier-vital information, were discussed by more than 95 safety officers throughout Multi-National Corps-, including some civilian agencies and others from military organizations outside the Corps, during a theater-wide safety conference Nov. 8 at the Al-Faw Palace. The conference was hosted by the MNC-I Safety Office, and was the first since the begin- ning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. "MNC-I conducted a safety conference that allowed all of the safety managers throughout Iraq to come together in one location and be able to share ideas, lessons learned, things that work for them and things that don't work for them. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience out there," said David Martin, safety manager, MNC-I. "There was a lot of very useful dialogue that was Out of 133 fatalities since the beginning of January, 64 of those were from vehicle acci- exchanged between safety officers.” dents. Forty percent of all vehicle accidents were rollovers, resulting in 53 fatalities. Presentations given by MNC-I to the attendees negligent discharges happening throughout Iraq allowed them to see the big picture. The officers that are not getting reported." Safety Spotlight: and managers from the major subordinate com- Ways to prevent negligent discharges are „ Leaders must always enforce mands usually only see things that are specific to through weapons discipline, training, rehearsals standards. their units. They don't necessarily see trends that and leaders physically checking Soldiers to make are already happening to others and could poten- sure they can properly clear the weapons systems „ Seatbelts are the standard. tially happen to theirs, Martin said. they are operating. It is important to know how to „ Adjust vehicle speed to road con- Among the topics discussed at the conference perform all functions of a weapons system and to ditions. were weapons, ground and air safety. rehearse those functions at least once a week. „ Maintain strict weapons discipline. "Preventing negligent discharges is the goal Practice, practice and more practice, Martin said. when discussing weapons safety, and the problem A large part of the air safety portion of the con- „ Be aware of safety hazards with our figures on negligent discharges is the ference was unmanned aerial vehicles. around you and your buddy. safety office only has vision on negligent dis- "As the aviation safety manager for MNC-I, I charges that result in injury or damage to property. am responsible for everything from helicopters to accident causation. Of all the accidents caused, 81 Honestly, we don't have a good picture on them," UAVs," said Rich Eppler. "At the conference, one percent were caused by human error, 16 percent Martin said. "There are a significant number of of my main focuses was UAVs. were material and six percent were undetermined. "I talked to the group regarding the UAV safe- As far as increasing safety awareness, the sys- ty issues we have been having in Iraq. The prob- tems and programs are out there to mitigate these lem we have been having with UAVs has been an issues. It is just a matter of recurring training -- pri- increase in human error accidents. We analyze the marily crew coordination training, Eppler said. information that comes in on the accident reports The Army has recently mandated aircrews to and disseminate our findings to the units." go through reinforcement training and evaluation The problem is a training issue. The training annually, Eppler said. for UAVs is still new, and the Army is still devel- When focusing on ground safety at the confer- oping training systems. Another issue is that con- ence, vehicle safety issues were stressed. trol of UAVs has moved from the Military Improvements are being made to the Humvee, Intelligence Branch to the Aviation Branch of the including a single-movement combat lock, an Army, Eppler said. advanced communication system, new seat belts, The goal is to inject aviation standards into the a fire suppression system and restraints for the The safety conference held in the Al-Faw UAV program, which will have a marked gunner, Martin said. Palace Nov. 8 was designed to help safety improvement on standardization and training As well as talking about vehicles and weapons, officers in Iraq develop ways to reduce in- throughout the community. theater accidental injuries and deaths. All the other aircraft are meeting the norm for See SAFETY, Page 4 Page 2 Victory Weekly Nov. 15, 2005 Corps signal command transfers from 35th to 22nd Story, photo by time in March 2003. Pfc. Matthew Clifton "The 22nd is fully prepared to MNC-I PAO assume our wartime mission," said Cross. "I want to thank the 35th for The 35th Signal Brigade, XVIII their warm reception, and our goal Airborne Corps, , N.C., is to improve upon the success of handed over command responsibil- the 35th Signal Brigade." ity for corps-level signal capabili- It is a different fight and a differ- ties in Iraq to the 22nd Sig. Bde., V ent enemy. Soldiers must be ready Corps, Hoechst, Germany, in a to engage at all times, Vines said. transfer of authority ceremony "Many people may think that the Wednesday, at Building 43 at threat of Islamic Jihadists started Camp Victory. with the 9/11 attacks on the World More than 100 service members Trade Center," Vines said. "In fact, stood at attention as Command Sgt. the threat started at least 25 years Maj. James Jordan, sergeant major, ago … we are facing a global prob- and Col. Bryan Ellis, commander, Command Sgt. Maj. James Jordan (left), sergeant major, and Col. lem," Vines said. "We must have 35th Sig. Bde., cased their colors Bryan Ellis, commander, 35th Signal Brigade, XVIII Airborne the courage and commitment to and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C., case their unit's colors during a transfer conquer it." Clark, sergeant major, and Col. of authority ceremony Wednesday. It doesn't matter when the threat Frederick Cross, commander, 22nd year, such as contributing to the Iraq. Vines was the guest speaker started. It only matters that the Sig. Bde., uncased theirs. success of Iraq's elections and the for the ceremony. threat is recognized, and the "Many people have played an drafting of their constitution, Ellis "To all of the warriors in the Coalition is committed to the elim- integral part in our success in the said. 35th, I want to say well done," ination of that threat, Vines added. past year," Ellis said. "While Thanks to the 35th, with the help Vines said. "To the 22nd who are "When we get back to Fort deployed, we have successfully of other units and contractors, the returning: it is great to have you Bragg, our thoughts and prayers introduced and used new technolo- Coalition has been successful in back." will be with all of the Soldiers who gy that has been a key to the fight." running the most complex commu- The 22nd Sig. Bde. is starting continue to fight here," Ellis said. Most 35th Soldiers measure their nications system throughout Iraq, its second deployment in sup- "We will also continue to remem- success by what they have done for said Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, com- port of Operation Iraqi Freedom ber and honor those Soldiers who the Iraqi people during the past mander, Multi-National Corps - after having deployed the first have made the ultimate sacrifice." Troops gather in Al-Faw Palace to observe Veterans Day Story, photo by Sgt. David Foley the face of 600 hardened British MNC-I PAO Regulars," said Multi-National Corps -- Iraq Commander Lt. Hundreds of Coalition service Gen. John R. Vines, as he members gathered in the Al- addressed the service members Faw Palace ballroom Nov. 11 at the ceremony. "As the British for a Veterans Day observance soldiers raised their weapons, ceremony held in honor of past Capt. Parker ordered, 'Don't fire and present service members unless fired on, but if they want from around the globe. a war, let it begin here.'" The holiday, which was origi- "Those colonial Soldiers died nally observed as Armistice that day at Lexington," Vines Day, began in 1919 as a way to said. "But they died for an idea celebrate the Treaty of -- the idea that they could form Versailles, the final peace treaty their own nation; a nation between Allied Forces and unlike any other. Germany during WWI, which "Since then, generations have Hundreds of service members watch a patriotic video during a was signed on Nov. 11, 1918. worn the uniform and fought on Veterans Day observance ceremony Nov. 11 in the Al-Faw Palace President Dwight D. both domestic and foreign soil," the War on Terror. odds and died saving the lives Eisenhower, the 34th president he said. "Our veterans crouched "Soldiers represent what is of fellow Soldiers," Vines said of the , signed leg- in the trenches of Europe, scaled good and right about our somberly. "Hampton, the stu- islation on June 1, 1954, chang- the Italian Alps, waded ashore nation," Vines added. "Soldiers dent body president at her high ing the name to Veterans Day, a on the beaches of Normandy, like Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, school, was killed when the national holiday that has been Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, the recipient of the first Medal Kiowa Warrior helicopter she observed at the 11th hour of the Panama, Iraq, the Balkans, of Honor in the War on was flying was shot down in the 11th day of the 11th month ever Somalia and . Terrorism, … and Capt. skies over Afghanistan. since. While looking back at those Kimberly Hampton." Hampton was so loved by the "The tradition of the Soldier who have given so much in the Smith made the ultimate sac- people of her hometown that her began at Lexington Green, name of freedom, Vines rifice a few hundred meters funeral was not held in a chapel where Jonas Parker and 74 cor- somberly pointed out Soldiers from Al-Faw palace when he nered Minutemen stood up in who have given everything in "fought against overwhelming See REMEMBRANCE, Page 3 Page 3 Victory Weekly Nov. 15, 2005 REMEMBRANCE but a football stadium, to accommodate the overwhelm- ing number of family friends and admirers. While many might think the U.S. is the only country to honor veterans on this day, many of our allies place the day in high regard for the same reasons. About 100 Australian serv- ice members attended the cere- mony, which represented Remembrance Day in their country, each wearing a poppy flower tucked gingerly into photos by Sgt. David Foley/MNC-I PAO Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, com- their lapels. The flowers repre- mander, XVIII Airborne Corps, sent all the lives that have been Fort Bragg N.C., and Multi- lost on the battlefield. National Corps - Iraq, speaks The correlation between the to service members during a poppy and fallen Soldiers dates Veterans Day observance cer- back to the Napoleonic Wars, emony Friday. when an unnamed writer exclaimed, "Fields that were the Australian servicemen and barren before battle exploded women who have given their with the blood-red flowers lives in wars and conflicts dur- after the fighting ended." ing the past 100 years. The poppy's symbolism was "More than 420,000 cemented in Australian culture Australians volunteered for after WWI because of an service in World War I. Of anomaly that occurred as a these, 350,000 served overseas result of extensive bombing and more than 60,000 were SSG St.Clair PFC Clifton SSG Banks campaigns. killed, including 45,000 who Schedule This Week’s Picks During WWI, the chalk soils died on the Western Front in Eagles at Giants Giants Giants Giants became rich in lime from the France and Belgium and more Cardinals at Rams Rams Rams Cardinals rubble of bombed-out build- than 8,000 who died on the Saints at Patriots Patriots Patriots Patriots ings, allowing the poppy Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey," Raiders at Redskins Redskins Raiders Redskins flower to thrive. When the war said Australian Commodore Steelers at Ravens Steelers Steelers Steelers ended, the lime was quickly Geoffrey A. Ledger, command- Jaguars at Titans Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars absorbed, and the poppy began ing officer, Joint Task Force Buccaneers at Falcons Buccaneers Falcons Falcons to disappear again. 633. Panthers at Bears Panthers Panthers Bears Since 1921, wearing a poppy It is important to remember Dolphins at Browns Dolphins Dolphins Browns has enabled Australians to the sacrifices these service Lions at Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys show they have not forgotten members made, he said. Seahawks at 49ers Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Bills at Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers Jets at Broncos Broncos Broncos Jets Colts at Bengals Colts Bengals Colts Chiefs at Texans Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Vikings at Packers Packers Packers Vikings

Last Week’s Results: 10 - 4 11 - 3 9 - 5 Overall: 87 - 57 83 - 61 85 - 59 Notes Week 10’s big winner was Pfc. Clifton, who’s slowly but surely climbing out his hole. If his Bengals can manage just two more wins, they will have their first winning season in 16 years (or since Clifton was five years old). They managed to beat the last team who started 9 - 0. Should Indy worry? Staff Sgt. St.Clair’s lead over the guests was extended by one thanks to a Dallas Monday Night upset win over Philly, and the now 7 - 2 Seahawks have both a stranglehold on the NFC West with a season sweep of divi- sion rival St. Louis, and a possible MVP candidate in TB Shaun Alexander, who with 165 yards and 3 TDs this week, is leading the league in rushing. This week’s guest picker is Staff Sgt. Marvin Banks, communications Members of the Hard Corps Chorale, a volunteer choir com- team leader, Company A, 280th Signal Battalion. Don’t be scurred! You know you want to be a guest picker, so pick up prised of service members assigned to Multi-National Corps that phone or mouse today! 822-1414 or [email protected]. - Iraq, sing The Armed Forces Medley during Friday’s Veterans Day observance ceremony. Page 4 Victory Weekly Nov. 15, 2005

Voices of Victory: What is your favorite Morale, Welfare and Recreation event or activity?

"I love to go to Salsa "I haven't been here that "I like playing pool, but I Night. I go every week." long, so I don't know yet." think MWR has plenty of good options for Soldiers to relieve stress."

Sgt. Mark R. Hall, Kristine Dudure, Sgt. Monica Estrada, signal team chief, subcontractor, Communications NCO, Company B, Army and Air Force 49th MP Bde, 440th Signal Battalion, Exchange Service California Army National Guard Darmstadt, Germany

Operating Hours SAFETY Coalition Cafe conference members dis- and separate brigade will Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. cussed accident statistics. soon receive a letter from us, Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Since January, there have charging them with reducing Dinner 5:30 - 8 p.m. been 1,435 ground acci- their accidents," Martin said. Midnight Dining 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. dents. March had the high- "If we can get every major Sports Oasis est number of accidents with subordinate command and Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. 161, and vehicle accidents separate brigade to reduce Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. accounted for 47 percent of their accidents by 50 per- Dinner 5:30 - 9 p.m. those, Martin said. cent, we will obviously Shopette Out of 133 fatalities since reduce our overall casualty Open 24 Hours the beginning of January, 64 rate and save Soldier’s Camp Liberty Post Exchange of those were vehicle acci- lives." Everyday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Fitness Center dents. Forty percent of those Leader involvement is Open 24 Hours accidents were rollovers. vital to the success of any Chapel (Bldg. 31) "A challenge was given safety program. There Sunday: during the conference for should be a safety officer Protestant Service 7 and 8:45 a.m. units to reduce their total assigned to every unit and Catholic Mass 10:30 a.m. accidents by 50 percent by section. Leader involvement Gospel Service Noon this time next year. Each will prevent unnecessary Mormon (LDS) 2 p.m. major subordinate command accidents, Martin said. Episcopal 4 p.m. Full Life Service 6 p.m. Victory Weekly welcomes columns, commentaries, arti- Saturday: 7th Day Adventist 11 a.m. cles and letters from our readers. Send submissions or Catholic Mass 8 p.m. Mini-Chapel (Bldg. 2) comments to [email protected]. Friday: We reserve the right to edit for security, accuracy, Jewish Service 6:30 p.m. Eastern Orthodox services: propriety, policy, clarity and space. Saturday; Vespers 5 p.m. Confession 5:30 p.m. Victory MWR Events November 15 - 21 Bible Study 7 p.m. Today: Spades Tournament at 8 p.m. at Bldg. 51; At the Gym: Latin Night at 9 p.m. at Bldg. 51; At the Gym: Aerobics from Sunday; Tae-Kwon-Do from 6 - 7 p.m.; Fencing from 7:30 - 9 p.m.; 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.; Fencing from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Divine Liturgy 9 a.m. Volleyball coaches meeting at 5:30 p.m. in Bldg. 124. Post Office Saturday: Hip Hop night at 8 p.m. in Bldg. 124; College football Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday: Chess tournament at 8 p.m. at Bldg. 51; At the at 8 p.m. at Bldg. 51; At the Gym: Tae-Kwon-Do from 6 - 7 p.m.; Saturday - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday 1 - 5 p.m. Gym: Aerobics from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.; Boxing from 8 - 9 Boxing from 8 - 9 p.m.; Soccer tournament, Volleyball tournament. Golby Troop Medical Clinic p.m.; Soccer coaches meeting at 12:30 p.m. in Bldg. 51. Sick Call Hours: Sunday: NFL football at 9 p.m. at Bldg. 124; NFL football at 9 Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon Thursday: Country Night at 8 p.m. at Bldg. 124; RISK tour- p.m. at Bldg. 51; At the Gym: Fencing from 7:30 - 9 p.m.; Turkey Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon nament at 8 p.m. at Bldg. 51; At the Gym: Tae-Kwon-Do from Trott at 6 a.m. at Bldg. 51. Dental Sick call: 6 - 7 p.m. Monday - Friday 7:30 - 10:30 a.m. Monday: MVP baseball at 8 p.m. at Bldg. 124; At the Gym: Saturday 9 - 10:30 a.m. Friday: Comedy Movie marathon at 5 p.m. in Bldg. 124; Aerobics from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Boxing from 8 - 9 p.m. Mental Health Clinic: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. John R. Vines MNC-I Production Chief: Staff Sgt. Mark St.Clair Saturday 9 a.m. - noon MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Col. Billy J. Buckner Victory Weekly Editor: Sgt. David Foley Post Deployment Health Briefings: MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. John E. Brenci Monday - Friday 1 p.m. Pharmacy: Victory Weekly is an authorized electronic publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this electronic publica- Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon tion are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Department of Defense. The editorial content Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of Multi-National Corps - Iraq.