TheUnited States ArmyDesert Central VoiceMay 21, 2008 D V “Transforming to Full-Spectrum Operations”

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On the clock On Leadership: Leaders and Safety Table of Lt. Gen. Jim Lovelace Command Sgt. Maj. John Fourhman USARCENT commanding general USARCENT command sergeant major Contents Editor’s note: This is the ninth before they go on leave. TRiPS is a D V in a series of articles on leadership. mandatory requirement and Soldiers CG: In USARCENT, we do the will not go on leave without Page 4 mission and protect the force. completing it. Local Kuwaiti children visit Everyone in this organization is a CSM: I agree; Soldiers and leader, and every leader is a safety their leaders need to ensure TRiPS troops and animals at Camp officer. As the Commanding is utilized. Make sure your Soldiers Arifjan. General, I am the Command’s show up for scheduled mandatory senior safety officer. “Motorcycle Safety Sessions.” CSM: Too often a Soldier is This is an individual responsibility Page 5 injured or killed because safety for your protection, but is also for standards were not practiced or enforced. We see the reports: your Family’s benefit. I challenge all leaders to emphasize First ever Signal Regimental Nearly every accident is caused by some combination the importance of motorcycle safety. Know who has a run on Camp Arifjan draws of indiscipline, overconfidence, lack of training or motorcycle or who is thinking of purchasing one; we need to complacency. have accountability. This will help save lives! large crowd. CG: And accidents that are caused by these factors are CSM: As I have said before, safety is the number one preventable. Leaders have an inherent responsibility to know thing leaders can affect, positively or negatively. Use the the standard, to make sure their people know the standard, Army Risk Management process. This process ensures Page 8 and to enforce the standard. In no area is this more important leaders and Soldiers, together, are thinking about the hazards than in the area of safety. Choosing to violate or ignore a they might encounter, and what they need to do to mitigate Navy Seabees start work on standard sets the conditions for disaster. those hazards. Conducted properly, Risk Management new town water-well in arid CSM: To enforce the standard, leaders supervise. helps set conditions for safe and effective operations – both Proper supervision significantly reduces the possibility in non-hostile and combat operations – allowing us to do Kenya. someone will violate an established standard. First line the mission and protect the force. It is up to each of us, supervisors have the power to prevent most safety violations as leaders and Soldiers, to pay attention to what is going by encouraging good judgment and enforcing standards. on around us. Keep your head up and your eyes open for Page 10 They know their Soldiers and have the greatest access to unsafe acts. It’s part of increasing your area of interest and New memorial at Camp them. increasing your area of influence. When your area of interest CG: With longer days, warmer weather, and well-earned is wide, your area of influence will be, as well. You’ll take Moreell inaugurated during vacations, the opportunity for vehicle accidents increases. I the time out of your day to prevent an accident. Being a ceremony. expect leaders at all levels to engage Soldiers and conduct leader means having the moral courage to step in and fix effective travel safety briefs. Use the Travel Risk Planning something that’s wrong. System, available at the Combat Readiness Center web site. CSM: And leaders don’t simply wait until something This is especially important for motorcycle riders. is going wrong. Leaders promote a culture in which On the cover CSM: A word about motorcycle safety: The CRC Soldiers understand the importance of good personal risk Soldiers from the United Kingdom’s reports that across the Army, privately owned motorcycle management. Our continued success in reducing preventable 9th/12th Royal Lancers conduct fatalities have doubled over the same time period last mishaps depends on strong leadership, a culture in which first aid on a training mannequin at year. Last summer, 18 Soldiers across the Army lost their sound personal composite risk management is inherent in lives while riding motorcycles. Tragically, USARCENT everything we do, including in our personal lives. We can’t the Medical Skills Training Center recently suffered the loss of a Soldier to this inherently exclude Families from this process. Protecting the force at Camp Buehring, , May 17. hazardous activity. Emphasize motorcycle safety and proper includes factoring Families and those we care about most in For the full story, see page 6. certification and riding procedures, particularly among your our decision making. Photo by Spc. Giancarlo Casem newer and less-experienced riders. CG: The objective is to create a culture of safety in CG: We will start a motorcycle mentorship program ARCENT that is second nature. Leaders at every level and a motorcycle board of directors program immediately! should make safety an integral part of every operation and This is an opportunity for leaders to take care of Soldiers and include safety in evaluation report support forms, counseling pass on their motorcycle safety tips and experience to more sessions, and overall goals. Second and third-level inexperienced riders. supervisors should be checking to ensure their subordinate Leaders need to identify high-risk Soldiers and provide leaders know the standards, enforce the standards, and use them the appropriate counseling and assessment to become a the Army Risk Management process. Leaders train their Contact us more safety-conscious motorcycle rider. people to pay attention to safety by making safety training Comments, questions, suggestions CG: Soldiers are the most valuable resource for personal, visual, and focused on activities that affect them. story ideas? Call the Desert Voice motorcycle safety but there are other proactive measures This is just good leadership – and it’s what will keep our editor at 430-6334 or e-mail at to help prevent motorcycle accidents. The “Motorcycle people alive. [email protected]. Agreement” in the POV Toolbox is a great resource to help CSM: Do the mission and protect the force. It’s what we prevent accidents and death. There is also no excuse for do on this winning team. Soldiers not completing the Travel Risk Planning System Patton’s Own!

Volume 29, Issue 51 USARCENT Commanding General 50th Public Affairs Detachment Commander The Desert Voice is an authorized publication for Lt. Gen. James J. Lovelace Maj. Jeff Pray members of the Department of Defense. Contents USARCENT Command Sgt. Maj. 50th Public Affairs Detachment NCOIC of the Desert Voice are not necessarily the official Command Sgt. Maj. John D. Fourhman Staff Sgt. Jacob McDonald views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government USARCENT Public Affairs Officer Desert Voice Editor or Department of the Army. The editorial content Col. Thomas Nickerson Spc. Giancarlo Casem D V of this publication is the responsibility of the U.S. Army Central Public Affairs Office. This magazine USARCENT Deputy PAO (FWD) Desert Voice Staff Writers The is published by Al-Qabandi United, a private firm, Lt. Col. Paula Jones Spc. Wes Landrum which is not affiliated with USARCENT. All copy will Pfc. Christopher T. Grammer Desert be edited. The Desert Voice is produced weekly by the 50th Public Affairs Detachment. Voice Find us online at www.arcent.army.mil.

2 The Desert Voice May 21, 2008 USARCENT Safety Corner: Motorcycle safety

Story and photo by They also heard from the Motorcycle Safety discipline while riding on a motorcycle as Sgt. Beth Lake Foundation on specific maneuvers and the they are taught to have on a daily basis in the USARCENT Public Affairs warning signs to look for when something is Army. wrong with their bike. “You can’t put a time or a date on when ccording to the U.S. Army “Safety is a top priority at USARCENT. you want to be a professional,” Holliday Combat Readiness Safety The number of motorcycle riders has in- said. “You have to be a professional at all Center, the Army lost 43 Sol- creased over the past year. We must enforce times. Remember that you are too important diers to motorcycle accidents safety on a daily basis. The more we educate to the Army Family and your Family. Take Ain 2007. Four months into 2008, the Army our riders the more safety conscious they be- extra precautions to ensure that you ride has already lost seven. come. This day will keep safety on Soldiers’ safe.” These numbers may rise as the weather minds,” Tutt said. “They are Soldiers both Tutt added that it will become second gets warmer and the urge to hit the open in and out of uniform ... safety is one of the nature to perform checks before riding, road heightens. biggest factors in surviving both on and off ensuring riders have on the proper protective U.S. Army Central sponsored its second the battlefield.” equipment and ensuring that they obey all annual Motorcycle Safety Day April 25 to Staff Sgt. Aaron Crawford, USARCENT rules and regulations of the road. “We don’t raise awareness of the dangers that exist for Headquarters and Headquarters Company want another statistic.” riders. operations NCOIC, has been riding for less In addition to the Motorcycle Safety Day, “We held this class to get our motorcycle than a year. He learned from Georgia State the USARCENT safety office is instilling personnel more educated and safety con- Police Senior Trooper Stacy Forrest’s stories many things to ensure it is on the cutting scious,” said Master Sgt. Darryl Tutt, US- about riders who have done things that are in edge of safety awareness and education: ARCENT Special Troops Battalion Safety direct violation of the law and the results of Certified Trainers: Soldiers will be able Office Noncommissioned officer-in-charge. bad decisions. to be certified through the Motorcycle Safety The class was designed to go above and Forrest spoke about speed being a factor Foundation’s course so they can then certify beyond the normal motorcycle safety course in most accidents and the importance of be- new riders. and ranged from new riders who have been ing aware on the road. Motorcycle simulator: USARCENT is on a bike under six months to those who For more experienced riders such as Sgt. looking into bringing in a motorcycle simu- have been riding for 20 years, said Lt. Col. 1st Class Christopher Amos, STB logistics lator that will introduce riders to dangerous Greg McAfee, USARCENT STB com- NCOIC, who has been riding for 20 years, situations and allow them to learn how they mander. the class was an opportunity to share ideas need to react. “When a motorcycle goes down you and ask questions but also a reminder not to Motorcycle mentorship program: A don’t have much room for error,” McAfee become complacement. motorcycle mentorship program is being said. “We are doing as much as possible to “We are all Soldiers,” Amos said. “You formed to forge relationships between new ensure Soldiers are properly educated and need to be able to enforce safety as much as riders and more experienced riders armed with the proper resources to ride possible if you are a motorcycle rider just as Group Rides: USARCENT is look- safely.” you would if you were getting ready to go to ing into bringing the military community Throughout the day, participants were combat.” together for group rides. These rides will given instructions on road safety, how to Command Sgt. Major Charles Holliday, teach the steps involved in preparing for and wear riding gear properly, and conducting STB command sergeant major, emphasized conducting a group ride while emphasizing preventive maintenance checks and services. the importance of Soldiers having the same the importance of safety.

Senior Trooper Stacy Forrest, Georgia State Patrol, talks to Soldiers about Motorcycle Safety at Ft. McPherson, Ga., April 25. The presentation was part of U.S. Army Central’s Annual Motorcycle Safety Day. Atlanta

USARCENT May 21, 2008 The Desert Voice 3 4 Camp Arifjan The Desert Voice ambassadors to them and form a lasting they saw and spoke with serve as U.S. in the Middle East. The servicemembers how servicemembers live while serving ing about American military culture and John F. Berry. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs of what Americans are like,” said U.S. Americans and forge their own opinions gives the students an opportunity to meet country. icemembers are experiencing in their learn first-handsomeofwhatU.S.serv- Kuwaiti students to Camp Arifjan to experiences heldonweekends. to include English language day-camp has expanded its classroom program organization based in Kuwait. ACCESS AMIDEAST, an American non-profit Department of State and managed by ACCESS, which is funded by the U.S. noon English language program, called and work. K ASG-Kuwait Public Affairs Maj. MichaelR.Berry Story and photos by Kuwaiti studentsvisittroops The studentswereinterested inlearn- “The visit is important because it This past weekend brought the The studentsparticipateinanafter U.S. military personnel live Kuwait, May 10, to see how visited Camp Arifjan, uwaiti high school students

May 21, 2008 - day. cream at lunch was the biggest hit of the military training or the chocolate ice Center. day at a Morale, Welfare and Recreation about military training, and finished the visited the veterinary clinic, learned ate lunch in the main dining facility, Arifjan, speaking only English. They first impression. can militarypersonnel workandlivewhile servingintheMiddleEast. the Ameri- how learning and English only speaking activities of day a in participated LocalKuwaiti students enjoy ice cream atthe main dining facility here. The students The studentscomefrommanydif- It was a tossup between whether the They spentseveralhoursatCamp USARCENT coordinating theevent. Couturier, ASG-KU officer in charge of nitely happen again,” said 1st Lt. Erika the servicememberswhomeetthem. standing between both the students and tant roleindevelopingculturalunder events suchasthis. They play animpor is committed to participating in more interact with Americans. for most of them this is a rare chance to ferent schools and backgrounds, but “Opportunities likethisvisitwilldefi- The Area Support Group – Kuwait dle East. while servingintheMid personnel workandlive the American military English andlearninghow activities speakingonly participated inadayof clinic here.Thestudents a dogattheveterinary physical examgivento Students observea - - - 335th hosts first Signal Regimental run at Camp Arifjan

Story and photo by the entire theater. contractors like those with ITT,” Free- Maj. Greg Majewski James Duffy, a project manager for man said. 335th Signal Command Public Affairs ITT Corporation, and a former com- The 160th Signal Brigade deputy mander of the 54th Signal Battalion, brigade commander Lt. Col. Keith he 335th Signal Command said seeing the run brought back a flood June, helped organize the run and hopes and the 160th Signal Brigade of memories. to make it an annual event. hosted the first ever Signal “I wish I could do it all over again,” “Absolutely,” June exclaimed. “We Regimental 5K Run on Camp Duffy said. “The enthusiasm, esprit [de are already working on next year’s Arifjan,T Kuwait, May 13, to draw at- corps], and camaraderie are still there run.” tention to the important role the Signal and I am extremely proud of our Sol- June said the run was great fun for Corps plays in the Global War on Ter- diers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.” all Signal Soldiers. rorism. ITT sponsored the run and provided “It helps build cohesion and espirit Nearly a thousand participants t-shirts for runners and walkers who de corps among the Signal regiment in turned out on a warm May morning completed the race. Kuwait,” June said. with representatives from all the serv- Duffy said ITT’s role in the regimen- Freeman added that this is not the ices in attendance to have a little fun, tal run is the least they could do. only event the Signal community in learn a little about Signal Soldiers and “Any time that industry partners can Kuwait has planned. celebrate the Signal Regiment. make a small difference for the team, it Later this month, the 335th, the “About half the runners were from makes us feel good,” he said. 160th and the Armed Forces Commu- other services, and I’m sure many of More than 1,300 ITT employees nications and Electronics Association the Army runners were non-Signal- support the 160th Signal Brigade will host a Technology Fair on Camp eers,” said Brig. Gen. Geoffrey Free- throughout , Kuwait, Afghanistan Arifjan. man, 335th Signal Command com- and Qatar. “Our purpose will again be to raise manding general. “They now realize According to Freeman, ITT’s impor- awareness, specifically of technology’s that it takes lots of Signal support to tance in the Signal community can not ever increasing role in our communica- keep this camp running.” be underestimated. tions support efforts to the warfighter,” The event was sponsored by ITT “It is a fact that we could not ac- Freeman said. Corporation, a strategic partner for complish all we do throughout the The technology fair will be held on many of the Signal services throughout AOR without the continuous support of Camp Arifjan June 1-3.

Camp Arifjan

USARCENT May 21, 2008 The Desert Voice 5 Medical skills trainer provides troops dose of reality Mind Story and photos the by Kingdom had a dose of Spc. Giancarlo Casem reality during a First Aid Desert Voice editor clarettraining session, May 17. “This is really good midst the training here,” said Cpl. gunshots, Jon Hobson, Cavalry the screams, Troop Reconnaissance, explosions 9th/12th Royal Lancers. Aand blood, Soldiers must “It’s a way to get the guys concentrate on their task ready for operations in at hand, to save their Iraq and these are the best buddy’s life. facilities.” This is the situation The troops from the presented at the Medical United Kingdom are Skills Training Center at training in Kuwait in Camp Buehring, Kuwait. preparation for their mis- Soldiers from the United sion in Iraq. Coalition Forces utilize U.S. Army Central facilities at Camp Buehring and the nearby ranges to fine-tune their Soldiers’ war-fighting and life-saving skills. The MSTC team’s mis- sion is to aid Soldiers in learning how to properly (Above and inset) Soldiers from apply first aid skills. the United Kingdom conduct first “The MSTC’s primary aid on a training mannequin at mission is to give these the Medical Skills Training Center at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, May Soldiers the skills they 17. The Soldiers are in Kuwait conducting training operations prior to their deployment in the summer.

Lance Cpl. Shawn Easter, a combat medical technician with 9th/12th Royal Lancers, provides additional advice for Brtish Soldiers at the Medical Skills Trainer at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, May 17.

(Background) The training mannequins are controlled from a computer console which can affect the casualties’ vital

Camp Buehring signs.

6 The Desert Voice May 21, 2008 USARCENT Medical skills trainerprovidestroopsdoseofreality oa Lnes poie adtoa avc fr rih odes t the Medical SkillsTrainer atCampBuehring,Kuwait,May 17. at Soldiers Brtish for advice additional provides Lancers, Royal 9th/12th with technician medical combat a Easter, Shawn Cpl. Lance within thefirst10minutes. casualty andrendertheproperfirstaid Soldiers tobeableresponda eyes towhattheyaregoingsee.” simulation trainingtoreallyopentheir “We givethemsomerealisticmedical technician fromHattiesburg, Miss. battlefield,” saidEdGunter, anMSTC care thattheyaregoingtoseeinthe need forthatfirstfiveto10minutesof Gunter saiditisparamountfor through loudspeakersandpoolsof gunshots andexplosionsblasting they arewelcomedbyabarrageof the MSTCtoassesscasualties, a Soldier’s lifeoryou’renot.” to stopbleeding,fixairwaysandsave people liveordie. You’re eithergoing medical aid,”Guntersaid.“Itiswhen the ‘GoldenHour’ whenitcomesto As theBritishSoldiersruninside “The firstfiveto10minutesis USARCENT trol eachmanne Gunter cancon bright-red liquid. which squirtsthe dismemberment – to traumatic gunshot wounds from burnsand injuries range The mannequins’ ing mannequin. team layatrain In frontofeach of thesituation. to theconfusion dimmed toadd The lightsare uid onthefloor. bright-red liq - - - - years ago? We wouldhavelovedit!’” couldn’t wehavethistrainingfive we hadthistraininglasttime,why Gunter said.“They’llsay‘wewish breathing, bleedingandfeelpulses,” realistic asyoucanget,see hear comments,wetrytomakeitas only addstotheMSTCexperience. tive feedbackfromtheSoldierswhich MSTC team. ees aswellprovidefeedbacktothe training. They offer advicetothetrain Easter coachtheirSoldiersonthe find them.” able todothisandtreatguysasthey Easter said.“It’s reallyimportanttobe technician. Cpl. ShawnEaster, acombatmedical excellent refreshertraining,saidLance doing thetraining,MSTCprovides situation, Guntersaid. deal withtheshockandtraumaof it morerealistic.ItalsohelpsSoldiers to thetheatricsofMSTCandmake liberally toaddtheintensityand goes alongway. The liquidisused nation ofwaterandredfooddyethat simulate blood.Itisasimplecombi Hobson said. what theyaredoingreallyworks,” mannequins stop. they areabletoseethebleedingof rise consequently. Moreimportantly, ingly, thecasualty’s pulsewilldropor training mannequinsrespondaccord at thebackofMSTC. quin’s vitalsfromacomputerconsole “The Soldiersareveryreceptivewe Gunter saidheappreciatestheposi After eachiteration,Hobsonand “It isasrealisticyoucanget,” For someoftheBritishSoldiers The bright-redliquidisusedto “It’s importantforthemtoseethat As theSoldiersrenderaid, May 21,2008 The Desert Voice - - - -

7

Camp Buehring 8 Kenya S water,” Welch said.“Inaddition,for for livestock–it’s notgooddrinking water. going tothenearby Tana Riverfor better alternativeforthevillagersthan the well,oncecomplete,willbea mechanic andderrickoperator, said Welch, NMCB74waterwelllead capable command. into aFullSpectrumOperations- cooperation missionasittransforms U.S. Army Central’s theatersecurity Seabees’ action in Kenya complements the qualityoflifeforvillagers. The – Hornof Africa projecttoimprove as part of a Combined Joint Task Force the districtofGarissabySeabees of Kenya, April 22. on awaterwellintheGarissadistrict NMCB 74 Petty Officer3rdClassJohnHulle Story andphotosby Seabees breakgroundonwaterwell The Desert Voice “The riverisprimarilyonlygood Petty Officer2ndClassPeter This wellisoneofthreeplannedin Gulfport, Miss.,brokeground Battalion 74,basedat Mobile Construction eabees assignedtoNaval Public Affairs May 21,2008

completing twofieldexercises trained extensivelyforthismission, Let’s changelives,positively.” like takingbettercareoftheirchildren. which canbeusedforbetterthings, have totaketimegotheriver, water closeby, Iknowwomenwon’t going tobechanged,”hesaid.“With life inhisdistrict. dramatically improvethequalityof Officer JackMbiso,thewellswill technical knowledge. cooperative relationshipandexchange of Defensewaterwellteamtoforge a working withaKenyanDepartment have towalkseveralkilometers.” the wellsinvillagessotheywon’t helpful forthem. We aregoingto[dig] drinking waterisdefinitelyextremely Welch wentontoadd“togiveclean children, beingkilledbycrocodiles.” reports ofpeople,especiallysmall be verydangerous. We haveheard are crocodilesandhippos,whichcan the rivertogetdrinkingwater, there the individualswhododecidetogo The crewofSeabeeshave “It isagoodthingbecauselivesare According toGarissaDistrict In addition,thediggersarealso USARCENT

consultant forSeabeesdeployedto been adriver, translator, andinformal Alfred Kiragu,anativeofNairobi,has more thanjustcleanwatertodrink. Seabees andthiswellmayrepresent Welch said. done, soitgoesrelativelysmooth,” their jobandknowswhatneedstoget pretty routine,andeveryoneknows and begindrillingeverythinggets once yougetintothegrooveofthings until theyhitwater. the drillingcontinuesaroundclock Tolland, Conn.,native.Oncestarted, together,” said Welch, a22year-old good relationshipwhichhelpsuswork over twoyearsnow, sowehavea together. For theresidentsofGarissa, “The firstdayisprettyhectic,but “I haveworkedwiththeguysfor Kenya, April 22. during drillinginShaba, while removingcuttings lubricant andacoolant, a mixtureusedas ency ofthedrillingmud, checks theconsist- out ofGulfport,Miss., tion Battalion74,based Naval MobileConstruc- operator assignedto Barczak, anequipment Officer 1stClassSteve (Left andinset)Petty (Background) Seabees from Naval Mobile Construc- tion Battalion 74 drill a water well for the villagers of Shaba, Kenya, as part of a Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa project, April 22.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew White, left, a utili- tiesman assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Bat- talion 74, inspects the mud pump of a drill rig in Shaba, Kenya, April 23.

CJTF-HOA in Kenya for the past two years. During that time he’s seen the bonds between the United States and Kenya strengthen. “The Seabees are doing more than just giving the people water,” he said. “They interact with the locals. Almost every evening they play soccer with the children. They drive the message that we are here to help, which they take home to their parents.” Kenya

USARCENT May 21, 2008 The Desert Voice 9 Navy Seabees construct monument for own fallen

Story and photos by Spc. Wes Landrum Desert Voice staff writer

embers of the U.S. Navy’s Seabees held a memorial service gath- ered at Camp Moreell, MKuwait May 5 to honor the memories of 14 Seabees who lost their lives during Operation Iraq Freedom. The ceremony included the unveiling of a monument, erected in the fallen’s memories. More than 150 Seabees from the different bases in Kuwait attended the ceremony. Also in attendance was Capt. Ricky Richards, Camp Moreell’s command- ing officer and Rear Admiral Rich Rear Admiral Rich Cellon, 1st Construction Division commander, addresses Sea- bees during a memorial ceremony at Camp Moreell, Kuwait, May 5. Cellon, 1st Construction Division commander. Cellon said the statue is a home too. called out, a bell rang twice for each reminder that freedom is not free. “When you know people or know Seabee. Even though the Seabees “It’s no surprise to anybody here people who know people, you realize fell in Iraq, the memorial was held in that since the beginning of how much you’re affected by Kuwait. The reason was because the Operation Iraqi Freedom, the their passing,” the person- small camp located next to the Army’s Seabees have made sig- nel specialist from Mont- Life Support Area – Kuwait camp is nificant contributions in gomery, Ala., said. the starting and ending point for all the war-fight,” Cellon said. The statue was the Seabees in the theater. Hullett said “Camp Moreell is an ap- idea of Senior Chief Petty this way all who come through Camp propriate place to unveil this Officer James Cochran, Moreell will know and remember the memorial as every Seabee Naval Mobile Construction memories of the fallen. unit that comes into and out Battalion 14. Seven of the “Every battalion that passes of this theater of operations 14 fallen heroes were from through won’t forget the sacrifices passes through Camp Moreell his battalion. He said the made by these Seabees,” she said. and will get an opportunity to earlier memorial did not do Hullett said a ceremony like the see the memorial and reflect the fallen Seabees justice. one held for the fallen Seabees is upon it.” “There was a small wall important because it keeps the fallen’s Petty Officer 2nd Class of pictures that did not memories alive. More importantly, Aisha Hullett, Naval Mobile say anything – it just she added, it is a reminder that their Construction Battalion 74, had their names and friends lived. said the ceremony was pictures on it,” “We’re celebrating their lives. It’s a great way to honor Cochran said. important, even after people have the fallen. She said “We thought it passed on, that we don’t forget who the fallen needed some- they are, what they meant to us and sacrificed thing to re- the sacrifice they made,” Hullett said. themselves member them. “When we wake up, we don’t know for some- It was deserv- what’s going to happen or take place thing they ing of more, I and moments like that should not believed in, The memorial in honor of fallen Seabees was thought.” be taken lightly. We must go on and however, the idea of Senior Chief Petty Officer James Co- As each celebrate their lives, celebrate their chran, Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 14. It their deaths was unveiled during a ceremony at Camp Mo- name of the Families and remind ourselves of the

Camp Moreell hit close to reell, Kuwait, May 5. fallen was reason we’re here.”

10 The Desert Voice May 21, 2008 USARCENT Central “Patton’s Own ... Always First!” Just One Question ... “Why are you proud to be in the Armed Forces?”

“The good we do in the world. If I’m doing good, it helps.”

Staff Sgt. Theodore Kwafo 345th Combat Support Hospital Generator mechanic New York

“Because in my opinion there is no better way to demon- strate patriotism and provide service to the greatest coun- try in the world.”

Sgt. Rachel E. Betsch Area Support Group-Kuwait Force Protection Los Angeles

“Because I know there are a lot of guys that are home and overtasked. This is my second deployment and hopefully I’ve kept a few home.”

Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Parsons Jr. Leading the way to Full Spectrum Operations 211th General Support Aviation Battalion UH-60 instructor pilot Trenton, N.J.

“The Navy is by far the best Capt. Toby Bowyer Why I institution I’ve ever worked 345th Combat Support Hospital for. I never got such a sense serve: ER trauma flight nurse of belonging and fulfillment, The Dallas native explains as when I joined.”

why he chose to join the Lt. Adnan Ahsan military. Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 74 Headquarters company commander Detroit “I’m a Vietnam Vet- eran. I can serve those “Because I serve my country. The U.S. has been good to who serve. I felt I could me since I came here from help out, give my ex- Vietnam and I wanted to give pertise here and make a back.” difference.” Petty Officer 3rd Class Dien Tang EMF-Kuwait Hospital corpsman Boston Kuwait

USARCENT May 21, 2008 The Desert Voice 11 What’s happening around USARCENT ... A grand welcome

U.S. Army Central and USO officials cut the ribbon officially opening the new USO center at Life Support Area – Kuwait, May 10.

Photo by Sgt. Douglas Demaio Ready, set, GO!!!

Photo by Staff Sgt. W. Watson Martin Hundreds of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and civiliansjoin in on a 5K at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, on Armed Forces Day, May 17. Michael Armstrong ran across the Photo by Master Sgt. Shama Crumes finish line at 18:57 for the 40 and under males and 21:28 marked Terry Brown’s A toast time for the females. The 50 and over runners fared nearly as well with Dennis Thompson and Elwood Hopkins recording times of 21:58 and 23:12; the female Master Sgt. Jessie Tyson, U.S. Army Central G6 Operations category brought in Lynn Bergen at 25:44 and Marlene Summers at 33:59. noncomissioned officer, highlights the Fallen Comrade ta- ble while a silent toast is proposed during the USARCENT Ball in Atlanta, May 10. D VUnited States Army Central