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APRILANAC 18, 2007 PROUDLYNDA SERVING TIMES LSA ANACONDA Got Directions? REACHING OUT TERRAIN ANALYSIS TEAM LSAA’s 2-82 FA impacts nearby villages one classroom at a time KEEPS CLPS ON TRACK Page 6 Page 15 Vol. 4, Issue 15 Soldiers inducted to the Audie Murphy Club on LSAA Patience, adaptability by Sgt. Kevin McSwain Anaconda Times Staff LSA ANACONDA, Iraq—Eight Soldiers were inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, an elite group for noncommissioned officers April 6 here. key for mission success The ceremony was held in Sustainer Theater to See Page 6 recognize Soldiers throughout Iraq for their profes- “I am impressed with our Soldiers and their ability to balance emotion with mission.” sionalism and outstanding performance based on - Sgt. 1st Class Monte Kerchal the Audie Murphy merit board. The Soldiers inducted into the Audie Murphy Club were: Staff Sgt. Jason Fiedler, 411th Engi- neer Brigade; Staff Sgt. Rafael Ramirez, 657th Area Support Group; Staff Sgt. Jose D. Garcia, Company B, Brigade Troops Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 1st Calvary Division; Sgt. Mandi Bras- sell, 45th Sustainment Brigade; Staff Sgt. Michael Thornton, 22nd Personnel Service Battalion, 45th SB; Staff Sgt. Marada Blakely, 164th Corps Sup- port Group; Sgt. Carlos Bermudez, 164th CSG, and Staff Sgt. Charles Duke, 82nd Sustainment Bri- gade. The event, hosted by the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), had more than 200 ser- vicemembers in attendance. As part of the official party, Brig. Gen. Michael Terry, 13th SC (E) com- manding general, gave words of encouragement to the newest inductees into the club and to the Sol- diers who aspire to be a part of the organization. “Going forward I want everyone to take initia- tive to become a member of this organization,” he said. The commanding general said the group of NCOs receiving their medallions in this ceremony should feel even more pride than those who receive the same honor in the United States. “Earning this membership alone is difficult,” he said. “Earning it in this combat environment is remarkable.” General Terry challenged all the senior NCOs in the room to prepare their Soldiers to become an inductee into the Audie Murphy Club. “If you have any Soldiers remotely interested in this honor, you must begin preparing them now,” he said. As General Terry spoke about Audie Murphy, he educated Soldiers in the audience on the history

see AUDIE, Page 14 Sgt. 1st Class Monte Kerchal, noncommissioned officer in charge for the 1-167 administrative section, holds an infant in the village of Albu Hassan, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Douglas A. Schultz “I will never quit.” I am Spc. Jason Smith, from Austin, Texas 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st CD >> Cavalry Scout PAGE 2 Anaconda Times APRIL 18, 2007 Lt. Col. Anthony Wirth Whatour leaders think: 13th SC(E) Distribution Management Center Support Operations Officer (The Anaconda Times Staff will provide the toughest part of being a logistician. How would you rate the overall its readers weekly interviews with For the Support Operations of the 13th morale of Soldiers in Iraq? experienced officers and sergeants major SC(E) this distance and dispersion to explain their role within the senior extends from the fighting position So many things have happened in our 7 logistics headquarters in Iraq.) all the way back to the United States months in Iraq in which we played a part; National Inventory Control Points. Humanitarian Relief mission, support Lt. Col. Anthony Wirth is the 13th We have one of the greatest industrial to forces throughout the Iraqi Theater Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) bases in the world to support our of Operations, The surge—too many Distribution Management Center Armed forces, the challenge, which lies to list. However, the greatest success Support Operations Officer. A native squarely on the soldiers of this Support I have personally witnessed has been of downstate Illinois, he plays a critical Operations Team, is getting it to the the professional growth of the Soldiers role in the sustaining of coalition forces location, soldier, where it is needed, assigned to my Support Operations in Iraq. Like most deployed Soldiers, before it is needed. Team. I have had the pleasure of seeing Wirth is sacrificing time away from young specialists and sergeants, step up his family to help bring stability and It is said that the logistical tail to the microphone, and professionally security to the Iraqi people. His wife, wags the fighting dog. Can you brief, know, their specific tactical logistic Lisa and children, Miranda, Anthony speak to that? function. Watch an ammo specialist II(TJ), McKenna, and Delaney support coordinate with a transportation sergeant him in his service. So many adages, quotes, or motto’s on the movement of ammunition. This What is the 13th Sustainment exist today attesting to that very is high level logistics, a skill, these Command (Expeditionary)? Aside from the obvious dangers statement, all of which are true. young soldiers have grown, embraced, and arm the incoming forces is on the of combat, what are the biggest “Nothing happens until something and made successful on a daily basis. It Logistical professionals of the 13th SC challenges you face in terms of moves.” “Don’t know what this is truly an inspiration. The 13th SC (E), just as our title states, (E). The efforts of this team has been logistics stuff is…but I sure need is the single manager for the logistical immeasurable as they have literally built achieving your mission? some.” The bottom line is Logistics What has been your greatest sustainment of all forces under the Multi- Forward Operating Bases, which did not alone cannot win a battle or war, but success while deployed? National Corps-Iraq. Every tactical exist prior to May, expanded Fuel farms, without logistics, we sure will lose logistical function; Arm, Fuel, Fix, Man, increased ammunitions stocks, rations, The Tyranny of distance and dispersion. it. The modern day logistician is an Fantastic. These soldiers, volunteers Move, Sustain, Combat Health Support, water production, storage, equipment. Anticipating and getting the RIGHT integral part of the combined arms all, have made a difference each and Contracting is somehow planned, Every single tactical logistical function STUFF to the RIGHT LOCATION is team. every day. managed, synchronized, or executed has been impacted and increased because by the 13th SC (E) Support Operations of the efforts and professionalism of this staff, one of our three Sustainment team. Their efforts are truly without Brigades or two Corps Support Groups precedent. A day of celebration assigned throughout the Iraqi Theater of Operations. Is the surge sustainable? What is your job with the 13th SC (E)? Very much so. An adage I like to use is “Bring a Gun to the Knife Fight.” For the Logistical support of the Surge, I am the 13th SC (E) Distribution that is exactly what the 13th SC(E) Management Center Support Operations Support Operations Staff, along with Officer. In the civilian market, along our Sustainment Brigades are doing. with the more than 120 soldiers assigned Every logistical enabler available to us; to the DMC, I am a supply chain, we are bringing to bear to support our distribution, and warehousing manager forces. This includes incorporating the for the nine separate sites (Hubs) of the capabilities of Army Materiel Command, 13th SC (E) sites located throughout the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Iraqi Zone of Operations. I work with power of the technology in passing of Soldiers and leaders on the Support information for rapid re-supply of all Operations Team who all specialize in commodities and equipment. commodity management, warehousing, and transportation operations from How do you measure success? wholesale; all the way back to the National Inventory Control Point Measuring success for a logistician is simple. in Germany, the states; down to the We are the silent hero’s…we remain hero’s retail delivery of commodities from when there is continued silence for any geographic hubs located throughout Iraq logistical requirements on the battlefield. to the fox hole. If the maneuver commander does not have What role is the 13th SC (E) any sort of operational decrement due to logistics because we have anticipated, playing in supporting the recent delivered in all tactical logistics functions, surge? then the Logisticians have been successful.

That is exactly what the soldiers of the 13th A. WItte Sgt. Gary Photo by Staff Right now, the surge is the 13th SC (E). 1SC(E) DMC Support Operations have Army Chaplain (Capt.) Bill Robinson of Youngstown, Ohio, chaplain of the 260th Corps Support Battalion delivers the sermon for the sunrise Easter service held April 8 at the House of Abraham, a historic site in the ancient city of Ur, at Camp Adder in Tallil, Iraq. More than 200 servicemembers and civilian employees at the base The mission of setting the conditions to done as a part of OIF. attended the service. receive, equip, fuel, feed,

13th SC(E) Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Michael J. Terry

ANACONDA TIMESChief of the Anaconda Consolidated Press Center Staff Writers Anaconda Times is authorized for publication by the Maj. Jay Adams Staff Sgt. Felix Figueroa Spc. Kyndal Hernandez 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) for the LSA [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Anaconda community. The contents of the Anaconda Times 210th MPAD Commander Staff Sgt. Angela Archie Pfc. Robert H. Baumgartner are unofficial and are not to be considered the official views Maj. Kirk R. Slaughter [email protected] [email protected] of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, including the [email protected] Sgt. Gary A. Witte Department of Defense or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Print OIC [email protected] Anaconda Times is a command information newspaper Capt. Perry Jarmon Sgt. Joel F. Gibson Contributing Public Affairs Offices [email protected] [email protected] in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1. 332 Air Expeditionary Wing Managing Editor Sgt. Kevin McSwain Anaconda Times is published weekly by the Stars and 36th Combat Aviation Brigade Sgt. 1st Class Mark Bell [email protected] 402nd Army Field Support Brigade Stripes central office, with a circulation of 5,000 papers. [email protected] Sgt. KaRonda Fleming 411 Engineer Brigade The Public Affairs Office is on New Jersey Ave. in Editor [email protected] 164th Corps Support Group building 4136, DSN 318-829-1234. Anaconda Times, HHC Sgt. Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown Spc. Amanda Solitario 657th Area Support Group 13th SC(E), APO AE 09391. Web site at www.dvidshub.net [email protected] [email protected] 1/34 Brigade Combat Team Contact SFC Mark Bell at:[email protected]. Copy Editor Spc. Karly Cooper 45th Sustainment Brigade 82nd Sustainment Brigade centcom.mil Sgt. Kevin McSwain [email protected] [email protected] 593rd Corps Support Group 15th Sustainment Brigade APRIL 18, 2007 Anaconda Times PAGE 3 1744th Soldier stands Logistician siblings ruinite during ceremony by Staff Sgt. Felix A. Figueroa 82nd SB Public Affairs Office CAMP ADDER, IRAQ – out while his unit is Deployments can be difficult, especially during joyful events where one is not afforded the opportunity to deployed to Iraq share them with family, but not for two transportation siblings here recently. by Staff Sgt. Glen Chrisman sent back to the states for medical Chief Warrant Officer Michelle 1744th Transportation Company or other reasons, he is also the one Woodard, air mobility transportation LSA ANACONDA, Iraq – When that helps their transition to a U.S. coordinator, 82nd Sustainment a National Guard unit or any unit is base and acts as a vital link to the Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C., and Capt. deployed, everyone thinks about unit still in theatre. Tim Daniels, installation transportation the Soldiers in harm’s way. What “He puts out fires people don’t officer, Area Support Group Kuwait, many people don’t think about is see,” Jennings said. “It’s great to had a brief reunion during Woodard’s the Soldiers that are stateside that have a person like that back home recent ceremony. act as a liaison between the troops so that we don’t have to constantly “It’s not too often her and I get to Photo by Staff Sgt. Felix A. Figueroa Sgt. Felix Photo by Staff overseas and their families. worry about everything while we’re see each other, but when we do, we Capt. Tim Daniels, installation transportation officer, Area Support Group Kuwait, and Chief Warrant Officer Sgt. 1st Class David Perkins here. He really embodies the term capitalize on the opportunity,” Daniels Michelle Woodard, Air mobility transportation coordinator, 82d Sustainment Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C, pose of Chillicothe, Ill. planned selfless service. He’s so used to said. for a picture after Woodard’s promotion ceremony. on deploying with the 1744th giving his all that it’s second nature The two grew up in Greenville, N.C., “Since the Army’s air mobility “She’s what motivated me to come Transportation Company. Midway for him.” Woodard being the eldest of three. She program started, Michelle has been the into the military as an officer. It just through the mobilization process at Perkins says it’s just his job and he joined in 1989 due to her fun experience epitome of the Warrant Officer Corps so happened I was chosen to be a Camp Atterbury, Ind., the Streator- is very modest about what he has done in ROTC and much needed funds for with everything she’s accomplished,” transportation officer,” Daniels said. based National Guard unit realized over the course of the deployment. college. Now, after said Command As a high school student, Daniels a Soldier in a leadership position In fact, when asked questions about almost 18 years of Sgt. Maj. recalls visiting his older sister while she service, she will would have his duties, he “I feel blessed for two Woodard during was a Drill Sergeant and being surprised to remain at refused to boast soon retire with a a recent phone at how “mean”, she was. home while the “He does so much that about himself. master’s degree in reasons, I’m being promoted and interview. “This After college, Daniels joined the company was people don’t realize and Instead, he logistics. my brother is here to do it.” promotion is military and was further surprised to deployed to Iraq. redirected the “I feel blessed well deserved be in the same formation with his big he’s touched a lot of lives for two reasons; - Chief Warrant Officer So the while we have been here.” focus back to and we’ll sister during their transportation officer- plan for Perkins the Soldiers in I’m being promoted Michelle Woodard d e f i n i t e l y training phase. changed, and for - Capt. Justin Jennings Iraq. and my brother is celebrate when “Whenever I have problems, she’s the better of the “I have here to do it. He’s she returns.” always there to help me out,” Daniels unit. it 100 times the only family close to me right now,” Daniels said, the last time the two said. “When she retires, it will be well Company Commander Capt. easier than you guys being over Woodard said. siblings saw one another was in June deserved and I’ll be there because Justin Jennings of Waverly, Ill., says there,” he said. “I’m not going Woodard’s husband, Command and they can sometimes go years I know she’ll be there for me when I Perkins has had a positive impact through any hardships. I get to see Sgt. Maj. Corey Woodard, 330th without seeing each other due to their assume Company Command.” on the unit’s mission and he has my wife and kids and go home most Transportation Battalion, Fort Bragg, chosen professions. Woodard is one of the first helped in every aspect of the unit’s nights.” N.C., could not attend due to his “It’s a great feeling being here and females to enter the Army’s latest Air deployment. “He does so much Jennings said he couldn’t have redeployment after a yearlong tour in seeing all of these folks come out to Mobility portion of the transportation that people don’t realize and he’s asked for a better person to be Afghanistan. support my sister,” he said. management branch. touched a lot of lives while we have stateside helping the 1744th TC been here,” Jennings said. while the unit is mobilized. Since the 1744th TC left Camp “He is clear headed and open Atterbury in September, Perkins has minded,” he said. “He helps every Picatinny Designs Latest Advancement in Gunner Protection gone above and beyond the call of aspect of what we are doing here PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - depots and field-ready kits are arriving in protected posture while performing duty in what he has accomplished. and is dedicated to the company’s The Armament Research, Development Iraq and Afghanistan on a weekly basis. mission objectives with full visibility From helping coordinate activities overall mission.” and Engineering Center at Picatinny “The O-GPK provides significant through the windows. The kit is modular with the Family Readiness Group to Perkins will also play an important has designed a new armor shield that force protection and situational awareness and utilizes the existing features of dealing with stateside issues when role for the 1744th TC as they begin provides much needed protection for for the Humvee gunner,” said Thomas Humvee design for quick installation the unit is deployed, he has been a preparations to come home this fall. Humvee gunners in combat situations. Kiel, lead designer of the O-GPK. “The onto the overhead turret with no special major asset to the unit. He will be the link between the State The Picatinny Objective Gunner system includes a combination of steel tools required. Perkins made uncountable of Illinois and unit’s leadership as Protection Kit was a joint development and transparent armor that are configured In just six months, the system was trips to the state headquarters in plans are coordinated. He is also the by Picatinny engineers and Soldiers to protect our Soldiers against enemy transformed from conceptual design Springfield to rectify problems with connection between the troops and recently returned from active duty in rifle fire and IED blasts.” models to full-scale production - an pay, medical issues, records and their families as they prepare to be Iraq. With more than 2,500 of the systems The O-GPK includes transparent effort that would historically take more other concerns. When Soldiers get reunited. already being used in theater, the O-GPK armor windows and rear-view mirrors than a year to complete for a program of is currently in mass production at Army that allow Soldiers to maintain a this magnitude.

On the street with Staff Sgt. Angela Archie “How do you stay connected to the children in your family while deployed?”

332 Air Expeditionary Wing 36th Combat Aviation Brigade 402nd Army Field Support Brigade 411 Engineer Brigade Staff Sgt. Eric Irwin Eric Sgt. Staff Spc. Christmally Ulloa de Torres de Ulloa Christmally Spc. Walker Steven Cpl. Lance 164th Corps Support Group Beck Adam Spc. 657th Area Support Group 1/34 Brigade Combat Team “I phone my twin cousins (toddlers) and “My 10-year-old daughter and I stay close “I stay in touch with my 15 month “At least once a month, I call my 4- 45th Sustainment Brigade definitely remember their birthdays.” year-old nephew. It makes me feel 82nd Sustainment Brigade through emails at least three times a week and old son, younger brothers and 593rd Corps Support Group phone conversations. It lifts my morale up and sisters by internet and my webcam good to know that he asks, ‘Where’s 15th Sustainment Brigade keeps me focused on returning home.” everyday.” Uncle Steve?’” PAGE 4 Outside the Wire APRIL 18, 2007 National Police deliver supplies, hope to Iraqi school by Maj. Kirk Luedeke coalition forces and NPTT teams -- we 4th BCT, 1st Inf. Div. PAO all work together.” For other U.S. Soldiers who BAGHDAD – Lt. Col. Ahmed, participated, the successful operation commander of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd meant a great deal more than just Brigade, 1st Iraqi National Police dropping off supplies. Division handed out supplies to a pair “I think just getting school supplies of elementary schools in southwest to the kids shows them that we’re trying Rashid during a joint operation with to help their education,” said Staff. Sgt. Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Jeremy S. Mutart, a native of Ketchikan, Regiment, April 4. Alaska and a squad leader with 1st The mission was the first of its platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, kind in the area by the NP battalion 28th Infantry Regiment, whose unit is and its U.S counterpart, 1st Battalion, attached to Company A. “It also shows 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry the American people that we’re not just Division out of Schweinfurt, Germany. trying to combat the terrorists here, but The police commander not only took we’re trying to help rebuild Iraq from the opportunity to deliver supplies to little kids, all the way up to the top.” Photos by Maj. Kirk Luedeke the Arbid and Ibn Yakhdan schools, but (Left) Lt. Col. Ahmed, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st National Police Division, visits with As the Iraqi and U.S. troops drove made an assessment of the facilities and school children in Baghdad while delivering computers, television sets, power supplies, office furniture and a away from the schools, children waved the surrounding communities as well. water dispenser to the Ibn Yakhdan elementary school in Baghdad, April 4. (Above) Students at the Ibn Yakhdan from the windows, reminding everyone “This is a good beginning, but I elementary school in Baghdad greet Lt. Col. Ahmed, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi National Police Division of the where the real impact of the day’s want you to know that we will make commander, during his visit to the institution, April 4. activities lay. the area safe for the children. We want joint inventory with each headmistress operation was a resounding success, “It makes me realize that I’m grateful to help you to clean up the trash in this to account for the supplies. He also and an indicator of better days ahead as for what I have and that I can provide neighborhood and make the people hope for the children who will be able to toured the schools and met some of the the new NP unit begins operating in the for my own family,” said Staff Sgt. Allan proud to live here,” he told Ms. Noor, make use of these implements to enhance children. area. Russell of Layton, Utah, another squad the headmistress of the Arbid school in their education. He walked into one classroom of “He assured the administrators that in leader from 1st platoon, Company C. southwest Rashid. “Thank you for helping to care for young girls and was greeted with a chorus addition to securing the schools, he was “At the same time, I can see the poverty As he spoke, members of his the children,” Noor said to the police of cheers. The young ladies serenaded concerned about securing the surrounding in other parts of the world, and it’s kind battalion, wearing crisp new uniforms, commander during their meeting. “They the police commander with a traditional areas,” the native of Nashua, N.H. said. of hard for me as a father to see that and displaying a professional demeanor, are your key to safety for the future of Iraqi greeting of respect. He returned the “This was a great chance to get to know the children here don’t have the basic carried boxes of supplies into the Iraq.” gesture by asking the students to honor the population.” things that we do in America. It makes building. A new television set, water The battalion commander carried their families and teachers, and to work 1st Lt. David Evetts, the company you grateful for what we have, and that dispenser, computer and monitor, power a notebook with him, asking what diligently in their lessons. fire support officer from San Antonio, we can leave here today knowing that supply and office furniture were brought other things the schools needed for Maj. Joe Pierce, the commander’s Texas, said, “It shows that we have we made a positive difference for these in, all of which represented progress and future deliveries while conducting a National Police adviser, said that the good partnership- the National Police, kids.”

2-5-6 MiTT celebrates Iraqi NCO graduation after week-long training

by Spc. Alexis Harrison victory. 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs The training culminated in a formal FOB HONOR, Iraq – For a week, graduation ceremony at the Tomb of the Iraqi soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Unknown Soldier in the International 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, Zone, but leaders from the transition were put to the test in order to become team said it took a lot of dedication non-commissioned officers. from the soldiers to get to where they The 2-5-6 Military Transition Team are and where they hope to lead the from 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Iraqi Army. Regiment attached to the 2nd Brigade According to the team’s top NCO, Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division 1st Sgt. Harold Drager, the idea to train led the NCOs while training them into the NCOs into better leaders came from the leaders and warriors that would one the Iraqi army battalion’s commander day lead their soldiers and country to and top NCO. Photo by Sgt. Armando Monroig Photo by Sgt. An Iraqi police SWAT team member takes aim while practicing movement techniques, March 22, prior to a live-fire exercise at Forward Operating Base Gabe near Baqubah, Iraq. The training session was conducted by International Police Liaison Officers and members of the 571st Military Police Company from Fort Lewis, Wash. Baqubah Police participate in training, with ‘attitude’ by Sgt. Armando Monroig Baqubah SWAT team during the training accurate.” 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment session. “You’ve got to come through that Sgt. Kurt Stroude, also with the 571st door with that attitude.” MP Co., has seen improvements in the BAQUBAH, Iraq – The Iraq For several hours, members of the TST’s performance, as well. police’s Tactical Strike Team and SWAT SWAT team worked on developing “Our convoy was struck by an IED team participated in weekly training in confidence as they moved through a in February. We were about to have them Baqubah, March 22, at Forward Operating mock building called a shoot-house. They dismount – they were already doing it,” Base Gabe. practiced individual movements and their he said. “They had the right side of the The training was conducted by role in the squad. street covered. They were behind cover, members of the Iraqi police force, the This was the fifth training session for watching the rear. They had guys on the 571st Military Police Company, from Fort the teams. Although their members are other side of the street watching the flanks. Lewis, Wash., and International Police improving, they are a work in progress, So, yes, they’re doing pretty good.” Liaison Officers. said Taylor. The attitude required to be a Stark said that he’s noticed an They practiced individual movement member of the SWAT and TST had to be improvement in marksmanship, too. techniques, marksmanship and the learned said Staff Sgt. James Stark, from “They (were) shooting from 25 meters searching and clearing of rooms. the 571st MP Co. and not hitting anything on the target,” he According to Jerry Taylor, an IPLO and The SWAT team has shown marked said. “Now we’ve got some guys out there expert in SWAT tactics and techniques, improvement, said Stark. It is no longer that are actually really good shots.” such law enforcement organizations are timid when attacking an objective. While Stark and Stroude agree that by Spc. Alexis Harrison by Spc. needed in Baqubah to respond to terrorist “Last week, we did a cordon and such improvements can be attributed to

Photo by threats. search with the SWAT team over in the the training itself, they also agree that the An Iraqi soldier from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division takes aim at a target while “You’ve got to be arrogant and New Baqubah area. They went through positive attitudes of team members have practicing his marksmanship skills at the Muthana Airfield range March 29. deliberate,” he said to members of the pretty fast,” said Stark. “They were pretty helped increase their efficiency. APRIL 18, 2007 Our Neighbors PAGE 5 Family Matters story by Air force Capt. Ken Hall Duluth Guard’s Iraq deployment BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Like Schaub, and her cousins are computer The colonel is a traditional a ‘Family Affair’ - 41 family any other Monday, they were off to work. support administrator Tech. Sgt. Ryan Guardsman and 29-year veteran But today’s commute would last a day Niesen and non-destructive inspection of the regular Army and Air members serving together at and a half and take them more than 7,000 specialist Tech. Sgt. Todd West. National Guard. He’s proud miles. Full-timer Senior Master Sgt. Stephen of his fellow guardsmen’s airpower hub More than 250 Minnesota Air National Vanderburg is on his third tour here. He contributions, characterizing Guardsmen replaced counterparts in a shared his first one with his son Trever, the Guard as a huge force combat rotation deploying to Iraq’s combat celebrating Father’s Day 2005 at Balad. multiplier. “Duluth Airmen airpower hub. Among them, 41 relatives He supervises the avionics intermediate have stepped in and seamlessly comprise 19 families who deployed here shop where they troubleshoot the taken over the with this tight-knit unit to join the famed Fighting Falcon’s many ‘black boxes,’ mission from our Tuskegee Airmen of Balad’s 332nd Air radar systems, and heads-up-display predecessors,” he Expeditionary Wing. In their wake, many components. The 32-year veteran began said. “Every day ‘blue star’ tapestries fill windows back his career with a KC-97 Stratotanker we fly, it takes home. refueling unit. some of the load Duluth boasts a population of “Being here together with my son ... off the active more than 86,000, but hundreds of its it’s just hard for me to talk about ... it’s just Guardsmen flying off to war still impacts so emotional for me,” he said falling the mid-western community. The base is silent for a moment. “To see him the seventh largest employer in the area, here doing such great things, I’m having an economic impact of nearly $11 just so proud of him.” The elder million. “Our Guardsmen come from Vanderburg adds he’s grateful to a variety of backgrounds and bring a his wife Joan and daughter Jen. plethora of skills, so we’re experiencing a “I’ve been gone a lot over the large number of jobs in their absence that years, and it takes a lot of support are difficult to staff,” said Andy Peterson from our families and community from the Chamber of Commerce. for us to be able to do what we He realizes, though, how critical the have to do.” sacrifices are to the Global War on Terror. Son, Staff Sgt. Trever “They know in their heart it’s their duty, Vanderburg, is an electrical and and when they come back, it’s like they environmental specialist in never left because they’re so ingrained in the maintenance unit here. the community,” Peterson said. “We’re The near 10-year veteran behind them 100 percent, and we look has deployed here twice forward to their safe return.” with his father and twice for These citizen-Airmen fulfill a myriad Operation Noble Eagle when of roles providing combat airpower the unit’s F-16s patrolled the over Iraq. The pilots themselves are skies over Washington, D.C. essentially a flying “insurance policy” for and Dallas/Ft. Worth after Coalition ground forces through close-air- September 11. His section is support and non-traditional intelligence, responsible for maintaining, in a surveillance and reconnaissance of the nutshell, everything electronic on battle space. Keeping these pilots ready the squadron’s F-16s. to fly and their jets airworthy, nearly 200 The teamwork he’s witnessed fellow Airmen perform countless critical is the key, he said. “Over here we roles. pull together even more, taking Having served on active duty, in care of each other, helping each the Reserve and now the Guard, 20- other out, because everything we year-plus veteran Senior Master Sgt. do goes to supporting the guys Marcia Dumancas deployed here with on the ground who call in for her daughter. The last time the sergeant close-air-support.” deployed, daughter Leilani was a high Keeping the unit’s Airmen school junior undecided on her future. healthy and pilots fit for duty “Mom,” she decided during a going-away are flight surgeon Col. Jay Butcher ceremony for deploying Airmen, “this is and medical technician Master Sgt. what I want to do.” Anne Lied, who both deployed here Airman 1st Class Leilani Dumancas is on her first deployment here, serving as a life support technician. “Being responsible for all the gear that keeps pilots alive makes me feel very proud of what I do here,” she says. Dumancas is the operations section component.” He supervisor where she and her fellow adds that guardsmen Airmen work 12-plus-hour shifts, bring an amazing seven days a week, ensuring pilots get continuity to the fight airborne for 24-hour operations. She is with family. The because of their longevity on her second tour in Iraq and fifth major sergeant sees her husband Alek serving together. deployment overall. “You go through ever so often given their different work His son couldn’t agree more. Ben years and years of training. But this is it shifts, but says she keeps up with him is a 20-year-old airman first class and -- this is the real thing -- it’s why we’re in a few times a week. Her boss, Colonel weapons load crewman with the aircraft the military.” Butcher, gets to see his son, Airman 1st maintenance unit. “With my dad serving Keeping the F-16s airworthy requires Class Ben Butcher, occasionally as well. in the Army while I was growing up the specialized technical skills of the Sergeant Lied is a 10-year vet and and now with the Air National Guard, squadrons’ maintainers -- another ‘family’ traditional Guardsman studying for her I’ve really learned to like the lifestyle,” stronghold. Master’s Degree in Biology. “I really like he says. The Airman was just able to Lt. Col. Penny Dieryck, officer in taking care of people and trying to make graduate technical school and get in all his charge of the aircraft maintenance unit, their lives better,” she explains of her qualifications in time to be able to deploy Adding the ‘Duluth’ marquee to the unit’s signpost are Master Sgt. deployed here with her husband, sister, ambitions. This is the sergeant’s second with his father. “I wanted to feel like I Dave Ritsche and Staff Sgts. Ryan Barlau and Keith Erickson, 332nd and two cousins. She oversees ‘on- Iraq deployment and third overall. After was doing something ‘real’ with my life-- Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Wing. Of the more than 250 aircraft’ maintenance in the unit. Her sister returning to Duluth, she plans on applying something important,” he said about what Duluth Guardsmen deployed here to the 332nd Air Expeditionary is operations technician Tech. Sgt. Kerry to medical school. motivates him to serve. Wing’s ‘Tuskegee Airmen,’ 41 are related. (Photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan Doza) PAGE 6 Anaconda Times APRIL 18, 2007 Minn. cavalry scout stays on point during tour Combat Stress by Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Schultz eggs”, Kerchal said. Control 1-167 Public Affairs Office Right away he was a celebrity with 113th Medical Company (CSC) the locals. In the village of Albu Hassan, LSA ANACONDA, Iraq - An old- he spoke with a family. He spent a good school Cavalry Scout can find time to get amount of time speaking with a local man into the mission, in addition to his new who spoke English. Kerchal developed a office capacity. rapport with the family very quickly. Sgt. 1st Class Monte Kerchal is the “No matter where you go, a little mu- 829-1402 NCOIC of the 1st Squadron 167th Recon- tual respect goes a long way,” he said. naissance, Surveillance and Target Acqui- “One thing all cultures seem to share is individual counseling by sition administrative section. His duties the importance of family.” appointment or walk-in include casualty and personnel strength The family was curious to learn of his reporting, Soldier status, and many other family as well. Kerchal showed the locals command referrals related duties associated with the more than photographs of his family. One woman 700 Soldiers within the Squadron. even let him hold her baby. His main profession in the Army Na- However, the area is still a combat en- services for combat and tional Guard is a Cavalry Scout. Due to vironment. During the mission the local operationally stressed his present assignment, he does not al- police informed the patrol of a potential soldiers

ways get the chance to experience mis- Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Schultz improvised explosive device site. sions outside the confines of LSA Ana- Sgt. 1st Class Monte Kerchal takes a few minutes to pose for a picture with local Iraqis at a nearby village. Kerchal was holding an infant one conda. moment; the next, pulling security and “It’s hard moving from the ‘line’ unit has a better understanding of Soldiers’ and visiting villages surrounding LSA sentinel duties. Although the site ren- Relaxation Techniques to Staff,” Kerchal said. “My heart is in needs and what they encounter on a day Anaconda. dered nothing of significance, he quickly Monday to Saturday conducting combat operations at the to day basis. Kerchal enjoyed the mission with the changed gears and displayed the Warrior 3:30 to 4 p.m. troop level.” Recently, Kerchal had the opportu- CMO team. He said it was a chance for him Ethos and acted as a professional Sol- Kerchal said that after 22 years of ser- nity to ride along with a convoy escort to see first hand how the people of Iraq live dier. vice, “you have to let go and try some- team. He spent time with the 1st Brigade and the conditions they endure, as well as Kerchal noted that operations are about, Stress Management thing different.” Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division see first hand the progression of coalition “patience and adaptability.” monday and Thursday However, Kerchal has taken it upon conducting a reconnaissance mission, operations. “I am impressed with our Soldiers and 10 to 11 a.m. himself to get out and see how the Sol- and also with the civil-military opera- “People are pretty much the same ev- their ability to balance emotion with mis- diers of the squadron operate. Thus he tions section, meeting with local Iraqis erywhere. There are good eggs and bad sion,” he said. Home Front Issues monday and Thursday Terrain team ensures roads are mapped out 5 to 6 p.m. Conflict Resolution by Sgt. Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown said Pfc. Evan L. Brasseur of West part of moving Soldiers from one place “Some people may think we just Charleston, Vt., a terrain analyst. to another, and continually make a push print to make a map,” Faulk said. Wednesday and saturday Anaconda Times Staff Sometimes equipment breakdowns complicated job look easy. “But that is not the case.” 11 a.m. to noon LSA ANACONDA, Iraq - Printers. and waiting for repairs can put them Most offices have them, but trailer six behind in production, Brasseur said, but Anger Management in the 13th Sustainment Command they are usually able to keep up with (Expeditionary)’s compound here, demand. tuesday and friday holds a very large one. The active-duty contingent said 11 a.m. to noon Trailer six is home to a four- their job is different in Iraq than at member contingent of the 70th home station. Brasseur said they have Anxiety Awareness Engineer Company, (currently attached a slower work pace in the States, and wednesday to the 13th SC(E) ), who have the there it is mostly training; while in Iraq, responsibility of making maps by they have real-world demand on a daily 3 to 3:30 p.m. request of the ever-changing roads of basis. Saturday Iraq. And of course, they have a very “We basically train to deploy,” he 10:30 to 11 a.m. large plotter printer for printing out said. their custom-made maps. The Soldiers seem to enjoy their Sleep Hygiene “All of our maps are mission- work, and take pride out of helping dictated,” said Sgt. Byram D. Faulk their comrades. Monday and Thursday of Washington, D.C., the terrain team “The coolest part about this job is 6 to 6:30 p.m. NCOIC. even though I’m not outside the wire, The team creates maps requested I get to use imagery software every day Goal Setting by units who need the maps for that shows me what the land looks like,” Monday and Thursday specific reasons. They may need a Brasseur said. “Even if I never leave the map outlining bodies of water, or other base, I know what’s out there.” 11 a.m. to noon terrain features, or they may just need Part of the terrain team’s job is a more current map then they already to analyze the roads and land where Depression Awareness have, Faulk said. Soldiers will be traveling, and identify wednesday Many of the maps the team creates areas which may cause potential 2 to 3 p.m. are pieced together from scratch using problems. They use their expertise, imagery and data gained from other along with intelligence information on saturday sources. These maps may take a while past problems, to determine what kind 10 to 10:30 a.m. to generate, but maps made from of situations are most likely to pose a information already in their system can threat. Communication Skills be finished in a day, Faulk said. “I get gratification when someone tuesday and friday The map-making process has come a comes back and says, ‘hey, that map long way since its inception. Faulk said you made really helped us out,’” Faulk 10 to 11 a.m. Soldiers in his military occupational said. specialty used to draw out sketches The unit creates maps for anyone relationship Skills of maps by hand, and creating a map going off the base who asks for one, wednesday from scratch could be a very lengthy regardless if they are military or 9 to 11 a.m. process. civilian. “It used to take about a month to “Being able to support different for more information, make a map,” Faulk said, “now it takes branches of the military with our a day.” products is great,” said Pfc. David B. email: The map-makers now use current Nicholson of Indianapolis, Ind., also a [email protected] map-constructing digital software to terrain analyst in the unit. “People seem piece together their maps, but even to be happy with our work, because Hemmerly-Brown Alexandra Sgt. their modern equipment can run into they keep coming back.” glitches. The unit, based out of Baghdad and Photo by Pfc. Evan L. Brasseur of West Charleston, Vt., a terrain analyst with the 70th Engineer “It only takes one little error, and scattered throughout Iraq, arrived here Company, organizes some maps in his office April 9 on Logistical Support Area 829-1402 it can mess up the whole production,” in September. They are an important Anaconda. APRIL 18, 2007 Anaconda Times PAGE 7 “Shake’n Bake” Paratroopers in Adhamiyah use brains over brawn by Sgt. Mike Pryor 2nd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. Public Affairs BAGHDAD – Staff Sgt. Darin Morgan’s platoon had just snatched a suspected insurgent off the streets. They had done it without Apache gun ships hovering overhead and without Stryker vehicles blocking the roads. They did it without blowing open any doors or damaging any property. And they did it without firing a single shot. All of which, Morgan said, means they did Submitted Photo it the right way. (Left) A Soldier speaks with a resident of Al Batha, Iraq, last summer before the new construction of the city’s roads. (Right) An Iraqi road crew moves quickly to repair a roadway in Al Batha. There’s a time and a place for overwhelm- ing force, but in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah District, paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division are learning that sometimes a soft touch can be Minnesota National Guard improves roadways in Iraq just as effective. by Spc. Brian D. Jesness streets impassable for municipal vehicles, daily rou- provement of more than 540 kilometers of roadways tines and commercial transit,” said Capt. Colin Flem- through a highway maintenance program employing “We live here. If we have to go in hard, we 1/34 Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs still have to come back the next day. So if we ing of Burnsville, Minn., 1/34 BCT deputy civil mili- local workers to clean up highways. The program re- can take an insurgent off the streets with the CAMP ADDER, Iraq –Minnesota Army National tary operations officer. moved debris along highways to provide routes safe minimum amount of firepower and resources Guard Soldiers and Iraqi citizens of Al Batha recently The project restored many streets in Al Batha to from road-side bombs for civilian traffic and Coalition necessary, it’s a good thing,” said Morgan, a restored 15 kilometers of Al Batha city streets in south- serviceable gravel roads free of the sewage and debris Forces. platoon sergeant with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, ern Iraq. that partially obstructed many of the city’s streets. Last fall, the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, from The Soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, The repair of the streets inspired Al Batha city of- CMO team constructed a new bridge over a canal in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. 34th Infantry Division’s civil military operations team ficials to work with provincial authorities to pave the the rural date-farming village of Bahkan in Babil prov- It all began at the tail-end of a long foot pa- supervised projects to grade the city’s streets, which streets and complete the project. ince near Camp Scania. The project coordinated by 1st trol April 1, when Morgan’s platoon leader, 1st had not been repaired in the last 20 years. Most of the To date more than 30 miles of roads have been re- Lt. Stephen Hall of Austin, Minn., deputy effects of- Lt. Larry Pitts, stopped to talk to a man on the streets were nothing more than dirt trails with deep ruts paired in Dhi Qar province by these CMO projects. ficer for 1-125 CMO team, selected a contractor and steps of his house in Graya’at, a poor, mostly- from vehicle traffic. The 1/34 BCT CMO teams have completed several workers from Bahkan. Sunni neighborhood in the Adhamiyah district. “Many of the streets had eight-foot-wide pot holes other road projects throughout Iraq. “I picked a contractor from that community and all 2nd Platoon had spent the past five hours filled with mud, sewage and garbage; making the Since April 1, 2006, south-central Iraq has seen im- the workers were hired from Bahkan so they took pride knocking on doors and talking to people about in the work. Now the main access to their village is their problems. Everyone up to that point had open again,” Hall said. been happy to talk, chattering away as Pitts The old bridge, made of concrete only a foot thick, wrote their answers down in his little green was the only access across canals surrounding the vil- composition pad. lage, home to more than 100 families. It had degraded But the owner of this house was different. to the point the underlying support beams were show- He and his wife were defensive, reluctant to ing as travelers passed over it. give Pitts any information. After a few minutes In Dhi Qar and Babil provinces, civil transporta- of getting nowhere, Pitts took the man’s name, tion offices are rare. Many roads are left impassable thanked him for his time, and walked back to year round from heavy erosion during the winter rainy his platoon. seasons. Residents are left to find alternative passage Pitts couldn’t shake the feeling something to basic necessities of agriculture, clean drinking water was wrong. He pulled aside intelligence ana- and schools. lyst Sgt. Zac Manafort of Moondus, Conn., After more than one year in Iraq, more than 270 and asked if he recognized the man’s name. projects have been completed by 1/34 BCT CMO Manafort had memorized the names and aliases teams throughout the country to assist the provinces of hundreds of suspected insurgents in the area, and gain support for Coalition Forces. and this one set off an alarm in his head. The Minnesota National Guard 1/34 BCT has more “That guy’s dirty,” Manafort said. than 2,600 Guardsmen in Iraq plus Soldiers from Iowa, Pitts immediately radioed the man’s name Nebraska, Kansas, New Jersey, Georgia and Califor-

up to headquarters for verification. They said Photo by Capt. Paul Rickert nia, plus several active-duty units. it would take a few minutes. In the meantime, A Soldier shakes hands with an official from Bakhan, Iraq on the newly constructed bridge to the village surrounded by canals. Pitts told the platoon to look busy. The paratroopers spread out, pretending like they were checking out some shops on the sus- pect’s street. Staff Sgt. Antonio Alvarado and a few others crowded into a record store around the corner, pretending to look for CDs. The shocked shopkeepers stared wide-eyed at the paratroopers as they browsed the shelves, their bulky body armor, radio antennas, and weapons making it a tight fit inside the cramped shop. “Here’s that Ricky Martin CD you wanted,” one paratrooper teased his buddy. Pitts was across the street in a smoothie bar when the response finally came back from headquarters – the suspect’s name matched that of a wanted insurgent. Detain him, they told Pitts. Pitts and Morgan quickly huddled together to come up with a plan. They needed to sepa- rate the suspect from his family. “We knew they had kids inside (the house), the family was all there, so instead of blowing the door down or kicking it in, we decided to try to gain entry without force,” Pitts said. Pitts and Morgan decided the circumstances called for a little deception. They went back to the house. Pitts knocked on the front gate, waving a scrap of paper. It was his phone number, he said, in case the man

see SHAKE, Page 14 Photo by Capt. Paul Rickert The old bridge to the village of Bahkan, Iraq before the 1-125 Field Artillery Civil Millitary Operations team began the project of constructing a new bridge through local contractors.

PAGE 10 Anaconda Times APRIL 18, 2007 13th SC(E) chemical Kuwaiti Naval without putting a person outside.” Base, Kuwait—In Fortunately, NBC attacks are not a frequent occurrence in an effort to keep the Kuwait area, but this does not mean that the Soldiers in the company clears the troops safe, groups unit let their guard down. of highly trained “In the case of a chemical attack, we are the first to head out individuals are always there,” Sletto said. “We need to be prepared.” ready to tackle potential Since they are not out decontaminating the terrain every day, nuclear, biological and this leaves lots of time for training and maintaining for that one air in Kuwait chemical threats. time that something does happen, Graber said. Working at the small The Soldiers check their equipment every day for deficiencies Kuwaiti Naval Base just off and are always doing drills, said Pfc. Matthew Long, a chemical by Spc. Amanda Solitario the coast of the Arabian Gulf, operations specialist with the unit. the 44th Chemical Company “Maintenance is our main priority to make sure the equipment strives to offer NBC protection is working properly,” said Long, a Tishimingo, Okla., native. to the servicemembers and Operating primarily with decontamination systems, Long civilians in Kuwait. said the teams spend long hours training for all sorts of different For the last six months, the scenarios. Soldiers in the unit have been donning “We need to be ready for whatever the insurgents may throw their gas masks and protective gear as at us,” he said. they patrol the area looking for NBC Graber said he tests the Soldiers on everything from dangers. responding to mock chemical incidents to sampling soil on their Their mission of protecting normal routes. Kuwait is an important one, “We kind of vary it up,” he said. “One week, we will focus said Capt. Timothy Graber, on decontamination. Another week, we will focus on responding the commander of the 44th to an unknown liquid.” Chemical Company. But not all chemical scares are inflicted by the enemy. This small Middle Eastern Recently, the 44th Chem. Co. had to react to an actual chemical country, just southeast of the explosion not too far away from KNB. Iraq border, is the major hub for A civilian company off the shore of the Arabian Gulf had a the thousands of troops who are pipeline belt explode, which leaked large amounts of sulphur training and in-processing before into the environment. Just a half a mile down the beach, the moving up north. Seaport of Debarkation, a coalition-run facility had to be “We ensure Soldiers get to Iraq evacuated. safely to do the job they were sent to do,” 2nd Lt. Nathalia Harvey, the Toxic Industrial Chemical said Graber, from Bethlehem, Pa. platoon leader for the unit, said the unit responded within 90 The company has a variety of equipment minutes of the explosion and shut down the area for more than to help them in surveying, detecting, and four hours. decontaminating NBC hazards. One of During that time, the unit checked for casualties and their greatest assets is the Fox M93A1 NBC continued to monitor the air. Reconnaissance System, said Pfc. Bradly Sletto, a “As a first responder, we checked for skin irritations and chemical operations specialist with the unit. lung irritations,” she said noting those are all the signs of To the average person, this massive vehicle sulphur exposure. with all its protruding wires and mechanical limbs Harvey said the high winds helped to clear the air and may look like some specialized military vehicle. brought the sulphur concentration in the area back down to safe Squirting water about 75 feet across and Sletto, who normally drives the Fox, said it is like levels quickly. empty parking lot, Spc. Toran Price, a a chemical laboratory on wheels. “This is the first time within three years that a belt actually chemical operations specialist with the 44th He said one of the Fox’s best features is exploded or broke and hopefully the last,” she said. Chemical Company, holds on tightly to this high- that Soldiers can test the terrain for Harvey attributed the success of the containment and control pressure decontamination hose. contamination without exposing of the chemical explosion to the unit’s preparations. themselves during the “Our platoon is trained to do these missions,” she said. “We process. loaded our vehicles and moved down range.” “We can detect, identify Graber said he is very proud of his Soldiers, their and sample the environment accomplishments, and their mission in Kuwait. from inside the vehicle,” “Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it’s not,” he said. “But, Sletto said. “We can do this like all other Soldiers we accomplish our mission.”

Pfc. Christopher Mulcahey, a chemical reconnaissance specialist with the 44th Chemical Company, demonstrates the use of some of the highly technical equipment APRIL 18, 2007 Anaconda Times PAGE 11 22nd PSB inducts 40 Soldiers during LSAA ceremony Sgt. 1st Class Mark Bell are the only family they have. I want Anaconda Times Staff them to know that I’m here for them.” Lurks said being an NCO is about LSA ANACONDA, Iraq – With being a part of a team. the precision of a military drill team, 40 “No matter how much you achieve or Soldiers were inducted into the ranks how good you are, you are only as strong of the noncommissioned officer corps as your weakest link,” she said. “It’s up during a ceremony held here April 7. to us to keep that link intact so we can The Army’s newest NCOs stood at hold our chain of leaders and Soldiers attention and filled the large Marale, together.” Welfare and Recreation center with the To make the chain stronger, Sgt. Cheryl reciting of the NCO Creed – overpowering Nelson, a communication specialist the senior leaders and sergeants attending from Arlington, Va., said training and the traditional ceremony, sponsored by mentoring is a key ingredient for success the 22nd Personnel Services Battalion, within any unit in the Army. based in Fort Lewis, Wash. “Becoming an NCO was important to With noticeable dignity and honor, the me because I wanted to help mentor and junior Soldiers took pride in the newest train the Army’s future leaders,” she said. chapter of their military career. Being a junior leader means “Becoming an NCO is important to me responsibility for your actions and those because it is a time-honored corps that the under you, she said. military is built on,” said Sgt. Alexander “You are not only responsible for Lopez, assigned to Headquarters your own well-being, but you are now and Headquarters Detachment, 22nd responsible for your Soldiers,” she said. Soldiers form a chevron as they recite the NCO Charge during the induction ceremony April 7 on LSA Anaconda. Personnel Services Battalion. “It is an “That, in itself is a full-time job.” honor to uphold that tradition.” Nelson said this “full-time job” means The McAllen, Texas, native said the many more hours are spent listening and level of responsibility changes once a learning from your Soldiers. Soldier crosses the bridge to the corps. “I have learned to listen,” she said. “I “It is the NCO that makes sure the used to be the host of most conversations, mission gets accomplished,” he said. but I now use my most important sense, Lopez said if there is one thing he which is listening. By listening, I now learned, it is that NCOs are all about understand more and learn from others’ taking care of Soldiers. insight and experiences.” “If you take care of your Soldiers, they Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Young, will take care of you,” he said. “It builds of the 657th Area Support Group, was teamwork and unit cohesion.” the guest speaker for the nearly-packed Sitting next to Lopez was his friend room for the ceremony. He told the junior and one of the battalion’s newest NCOs that leadership is and will remain NCOs, Sgt. Dominique Lurks, a supply a continuing challenge throughout their specialist assigned to Headquarters and careers. Headquarters Detachment. “I ask that you stay the course,” he said. Like Lopez, Lurks said being a junior “When you have spent 25 years leading leader is, and is always, about helping some of the finest men and women in the fellow Soldiers. most powerful fighting force this planet “Becoming an NCO is important has ever seen, you will be able to look to me because I’ve always believed back on your performance and smile with in helping Soldiers even when I was a quiet pride: no one was more professional Photos by Sgt. Kevin McSwain private,” she said. “I always believed in than I.” 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Command Sgt. Major. Terry Fountain shakes hands and congratulates all 40 newly-inducted junior leaders after the ceremony. helping my peers, and now that I am a NCO. I not only want to, but need to help my subordinates to get to where I am and maybe even become a better NCO than I am.” The Chicago native asked: if the NCOs didn’t help Soldiers become future leaders of the Army, who would? “I am proud to be an NCO, and I will always be there for any Soldier who needs me,” she said. Lurks said before earning her stripes, she used to think about only her career and well-being. “Now I have to think about my Soldiers and their well-being,” she said. To remember the courage of past, present and future NCOs, a table represents watches that Soldiers used to “We are away from home here, and we conduct. On the first watch privates appeared and claimed a gift of bread and brandy. The company NCOs came to the second watch for beer and tobacco, and the first sergeant reserved his visit for the third watch, when he Command Sgt. Maj. Earlene Lavendar, 22nd PSB command sergeant major, congratulates the inducties after the was presented with a glass of wine and a piece of tobacco on a tin plate. ceremony for their hard work and effort for a near-perfect ceremony.

LSA AnacondReligiousa R schedulee subjectligiou to change s Schedule Roman Catholic Mass Sunday 1 p.m. Provider Chapel Sunday 11:30 a.m. Freedom Chapel Sunday 5:30 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Saturday 5 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sunday 4 p.m. Freedom Chapel Sunday 2 p.m. Air Force Hospital Chapel Sunday 8:15 p.m. Air Force Hospital Saturday 8 p.m. Provider Chapel Sunday 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sunday 7 p.m. Provider Chapel Non-Denominational Sunday 7:30 a.m. Freedom Chapel Church of Christ Protestant Praise and Worship Sunday 9 a.m. Signal Chapel Sunday 9 a.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sunday 2 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sunday 9 a.m. MWR East Building Non-Denominational Spanish Sunday 5:30 p.m. Provider Chapel Islamic Prayer Sunday 9 a.m. Eden Chapel Sunday 2 p.m. Freedom Chapel Sunday 11 a.m. Air Force Hospital Friday 12:30 p.m. Provider Chapel Sunday 7 p.m. Freedom Chapel Protestant-Gospel Monday - Friday 5 p.m. Tuskegee Samoan Congregational Service Sunday 7:30 p.m. Eden Chapel Sunday 3:30 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sacrament of Reconciliation Sunday 4 p.m. Provider Chapel Wednesday 7 p.m. Freedom Chapel Protestant-Liturgical 30 minutes prior to each mass Friday Shabbat Service Protestant-Traditional Sunday 11 a.m. Tuskegee Chapel Protestant-Contemporary Friday 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel Sunday 9:30 a.m. Air Force Hospital Sunday 10 a.m. Town Hall Protestant-Gospel Sunday 9:30 a.m. Provider Chapel Latter Day Saints Sunday, 11 a.m. MWR East Building Sunday 10 a.m. Freedom Chapel PAGE 12 Anaconda Times APRIL 18, 2007

April 18 Pilates 7 p.m., West Fitness Center Green Bean Karaoke ANACONDA ACTIVITIES 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation Your one-stop connection to activities around LSA Anaconda Martial Arts to add your activity to the event calendar, email [email protected] 9 p.m., West Fitness Center 8-Ball Tourney 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation Aikido Tae Kwon Do Bingo Night Swim Technique 5:15 a.m., East Fitness Center 9-Ball Tourney 7 p.m., East Fitness Center 8:30 p.m., H6 MWR Recreation 8 and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 7 p.m., East MWR Recreation Indoor Pool Tae Kwon Do Combative Training Wrestling 7 p.m., East Fitness Center Music Producing Class 8:30 p.m., East Fitness Center 9 p.m., West Fitness Center 7 p.m., East MWR Recreation April 23 Combative Training Spin Center Aerobics 8:30 p.m., East Fitness Center Spades & Ping Pong 6 a.m., H6 Fitness Center 7 p.m.West Fitness Center Poetry Jam 8:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation Spin Class H6 MWR Recreation Korean Martial Arts Boxing 3:30 and 8:30 p.m., H6 Fitness 4:30 p.m., H6 Fitness Center 3 to 4:30 p.m., West Fitness Center 9-Ball Tourney Center Dance Aerobics 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation 5:30 a.m., East Fitness Center Pilates Korean Martial Arts April 20 7 p.m., West Fitness Center Karaokee 4:30 p.m., H6 Fitness Center Aikido 8 p.m., East MWR Recreation 5 p.m., East Fitness Center Scrabble Tourney Aikido Kung Fu 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation 5 a.m., East Fitness Center Texas Hold’em 7 p.m., H6 Fitness Center Step Aerobics 8:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. 5:30 p.m., East Fitness Center Chess Tourney Tae Kwon Do H6 MWR Recreation 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation 7 p.m., East Fitness Center April 25 Open Volleyball Aerobics 6 to 8 p.m., MWR Circuit Gym Hip Hop Dance Class 7 p.m., West Fitness Center Green Bean Karaoke 7 p.m., East MWR Recreation April 22 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation Floor Hockey Martial Arts 8 to 10 p.m., MWR Circuit Gym R&B Music Night Magic, The Gathering 9 p.m., West Fitness Center 8-Ball Tourney 9:30 p.m., H6 MWR Recreation 11 a.m., West MWR Recreation 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation Dance Aerobics Spin Class Open Volleyball Green Bean Karaoke 5:30 a.m., East Fitness Center 9-Ball Tourney 3:30 p.m., H6 Fitness Center West Fitness Center 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation 7 p.m., East MWR Recreation Tae Kwon Do Cardio Funk Self Defense Class Spades, Dominoes & R&B 8 to 9:30 a.m., East Fitness Center Music Producing Class 8 p.m., H6 Fitness Center 7:30 p.m., West Fitness Center 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation 7 p.m., East MWR Recreation Step Aerobics 50m Backstroke Step Aerobics Poker 5:30 p.m., East Fitness Center Spades & Ping Pong 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m., East Fitness Center 7 p.m., East MWR Recreation 8:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. Indoor Pool Boxing H6 MWR Recreation Boxing Poetry Night 7:30 to 9 p.m., East Fitness Center Pyscho Swimming 7:30 to 9 p.m., East Fitness Center 7 p.m., East MWR Recreation Dance Aerobics 5:30 a.m., noon and 7:30 p.m. Floor Hockey 5:30 a.m., East Fitness Center Indoor Pool Dance Aerobics Salsa Dance Class 8 p.m., MWR Circuit Gym 5:30 a.m., East Fitness Center 8:30 p.m., H6 Recreation Aikido Spin Class 5 p.m., East Fitness Center April 19 Friday Night Spikes Gaston’s Self Defense 3:30 p.m., H6 Fitness Center 7 p.m., East Fitness Center 7:30 p.m., West Fitness Center Step Aerobics Console Game Tourney Cardio Funk 5:30 p.m., East Fitness Center 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation Spin Class Boxing 8 p.m., H6 Fitness Center 3:30 p.m., H6 Fitness Center 3 to 4:30 p.m., West Fitness Center Open Volleyball Country/Western Dance Classs 50m Backstroke 6 to 8 p.m., MWR Circuit Gym 7 p.m., East MWR Recreation Psycho Swimming Aikido 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. 5:30 a.m., noon and 7:30 p.m. 10 a.m. to noon, East Fitness Center Indoor Pool Floor Hockey 9-Ball Tourney Indoor Pool 8 to 10 p.m., MWR Circuit Gym 8:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. Capoiera Pyscho Swimming H6 MWR Recreation noon to 2 p.m., East Fitness Center 5:30 a.m., noon and 7:30 p.m. Spin Class April 21 Indoor Pool 3:30 p.m., H6 Fitness Center Karaoke Night Swing Dance 8:30 p.m., H6 MWR Recreation Country/Western Dance Class 7:30 p.m., East Fitness Center Cardio Funk 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation April 24 8 p.m., H6 Fitness Center Pilates 7 p.m., West Fitness Center Texas Hold’em Spin Class Foosball/Ping Pong 50m Backstroke 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation 1:30 a.m., H6 Fitness Center 8 p.m., West MWR Recreation 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Open Court Basketball Indoor Pool West Fitness Center Salsa Dance Class Abs Salute 8-Ball Tourney 7 p.m., East MWR Recreation 8 p.m., H6 Fitness Center 8:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. Pyscho Swimming Aikido H6 MWR Recreation 5:30 a.m., noon and 7:30 p.m. 5:15 a.m., East Fitness Center Indoor Pool

for more information, contact Capt. Janaia Nash at 829-1015 or email at [email protected] Share your unit’s story Contact [email protected] APRIL 18, 2007 Anaconda Times PAGE 13

Andrew Rochstein Brian Zimmerman Dear A. Rock! WE LOVE AND MISS YOU DADDY!! COME I am so in love with you and can’t wait ‘til our big HOME SOON! ADAM SAID ME LOVE YOU trip to the beach! Shout outs from home DADDY THIS BIGGA MUCH!! Love Vickie and Chapelle Anthony Kinnick us be safe and we will talk to you soon love You are everything to us and much more. You Amber Parsons Michael Fosness Hello sweetheart, I miss you, and love you you daddy! Thomas Feagin make us proud to be your son and wife for all Hey Red Rosie! U R Lovd & Misd More Than U I wanted to let you know we are always thinking mucho mucho, baby. Cant wait for your return We love our Superman/dad! We can\’t wait to the things you do over there! Keep your smiles Know! Auntee B of you and love you very much! Take care! home. Christy Mark Bell have you back home with us . . .but always going knowing we\’re here waiting for you! You Just wanted to say that i love you and can\’t know that even are every breath I take! Greg Morales John Kirkendoll Anthony Housey wait for you to get home! WE LOVE YOU to infinity and beyond! I love you baby and I miss you so much ..I can\’t Hi Dad! We are doing fine. We miss you. Come Thank you again for everything you do. I am though we\’re far apart, our hearts are always Elias & Jen wait for you to be home.. home safe. so proud to be your girl! I can\’t wait to see Tommy Hughes there with you. We love you, miss you, are so you again and to be in your arms! I love you so We’re another season closer to you coming very proud Brian Yardley Vince Dvorak Richard Lassek much, and I miss you tons and tons. home! Stay safe and we miss you! Hugs and Hey Love, I wish we could have seen you while you I hope you remember in the quiet moments of Kisses ;) Jana, Tori, Auston and Danielle and of you, and are praying for you always! MWAH!!! I want to let you know that we miss you, love were back! You are in our thoughts and your days, how very proud we all are of you, Allen Mason Lucky Kisses and hugs from your girls here at home! you, and need you. prayers everyday. We are so proud of you for and how much we love you!!! You truely are Hey baby! everything that you do! OUR HERO! Come home soon! Ari and I love you and miss you so much! Sabino Hernandez All my friends in D1/5FA Brian Zimmerman Shannon and the kids Come home soon! I love you baby. Hi there Daddy!!!! Just a few more months to Hey guys just wanted to say HI and I miss yall hi bro whats goin on not much here cept that im Robert Hartzog Love, Jess go and you will be home. We are all waiting Keep up the good work and we will see yall havin another brat im hopin its a boy cuz i dont We are counting down the days until you come Gabriel Morgan for you!!! soon! want another damn girl anyways i miss you guy back home. We miss you and love you very Hey son!! time keeps ticking away and before Glen Hancock cant wait til youget home so we can get drunk much! Stay safe. Lots of Love from your Girls you know it you will be back in the good ole\’ I love you and cant wait until you come home Love you son Sabino. P.S. Mommy and big Jeremy Eubanks again together and play some damn pool like in Texas! Meredith, Amy, Sarah and Maggie! USA!! Sure miss you and sending all our love to soon brother Mark send their love!!! We love you and miss you! We can\’t wait to before you left we will have to get a butt load of you! Adam is on a boat in Alaska!! Hes getting see you again! peeps together to do it though anyways ill talk Ron Tyhurst married in August also. Wedding bells are all Henry Torres Joe Kelly to you love you later i love you bro be safe and You are the love of my life over this family huh? I have my dress picked Hi Papa - it’s me Macy!! Can’t wait for you to Only a few more months, Hon!! YooHoo!!! We cant wait for you to come home and hang out my soul, my heart, my present, my future out for your wedding!! LUV, Your Mama come home and take me riding and walking had such a good time laughing and loving with Richard Cortez with eveyone again!!!!1 love ya mickey and share vanilla ice cream. Be safe and hurry you over Spring break. We love you and miss To our hero Richard Cortez, We are so proud Douglas Whetstone MARCOS MARTINEZ back. Love, from Macy you!! We pray for your protection and peace of you. You are always in our prayers. We love Thomas Schultz Think of you, can’t wait to see you again HEY MARCOS MY LOVE, every day!! Come home to us soon! Love, you and miss It was good to have you home for your R & R. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW HOW Albert Ericson Patty, Cortney, Krista and Tess We only have 5-6 months to go. Take care of Matt Talafuse MUCH I MISS YOU. YOU ARE THE BEST Wishing you much love and we miss you! so much. can\’t wait to see you. Big hugs and yourself and stay safe. GOD is Control. Love Matt, hurry home! The snow is gone and the PERSON/HUSBAND IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE Thinking of you always. Clayton Yielding kisses. Mari & Ysabella Cortez you, Dana and kids grass is growing...we need you to mow! Love WORLD. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. THE BABY Hey Clayton, you and Miss you! AND I CAN\’T WAIT TO HAVE YOU HOME. michael noyes The girls and I can’t wait until you get home. Chad Dickerson Andrew Yates GOD BLESS YOU AND EVERYONE OUT i love you!!! joe says hi We love you and miss you more every day. Be We love and miss you. See you soon! Love, I miss you so much and can\’t wait until you Matt Talafuse THERE AND I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOOOO safe and come home soon!!!! Christina, Kyle and Kayla come home! Then we can go wakeboarding, Uncle Matt....We’re ready to go to Chuck E. MUCH!!!! LOVE ALWAYS AND FOREVER, William J. Pace We love you, Connie, BeBe and CoCo yea!!!! Love you! Ashley Cheese...come home soon! Kisses and Hugs CRYSTAL AND BABY:) Hey Will- We could use some of the warm Matthew S. Burke weather you are having over there- over here- Richard Stedman Happy Birthday and Happy Belated Easter to John Michael Schultz Ashley McClammy To 755th Chem it has been really cold- and more snow on the Hey Buddy~~ We Love You So Much!! Don’t you! with Love from Mom, Dad, Chris, Jakob We hope you had good flight over there. See Hey Baby, Take care guys, I’m thinking of you! way :( We all miss you and love you :) forget to look at your yahoo mail, there are pics and Tori!?!?!? you in Sept. Take care. We will be praying for Hoping things are going well for you. Keep your of your new you and your family while you are away. We head up and keep doing the right thing. We A. Fix JENNIFER COLE Tanya Cortez love, Dana, Samantha, Sydney, and Seth Love and miss you. Tell your friends “HEY” for Happy Birthday and Best wishes on your 30th Heres to the defenders of our freedom. We are niece. We love you bunches!! TO MY NINA TANYA CORTEZ, I LOVE YOU & me. Gods speed, Mom (oops!) Love Dad, Mom, Chris and Max . all praying for you and your safe return! We MISS YOU,CAN\’T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN, Albert Ericson love you! Adam Branshaw TAKE CARE. GOD BLESS YOU haven’t heard from you for awhile hope you are 36th CAB Soldiers Susan Hoag I am shouting out at the top of my lungs I am ALWAYS. YSABELLA CORTEZ doing well. We miss you and can’t wait till it is Hope everyone is doing well and plowing Say hi to all the rats at Taco Bell for me. :) Paul Henderson so proud of you Baby! We miss you and love time for you go come home again. Dad says through. Take Care and we are looking forward LOVE, mommy Hi daddy we love you and miss you so much you. Keep up the good work and hurry home! Vincent Dvorak hey Bud! Love ya mom and dad to seeing everyone. were 1/2 way there and you will be home w/ SWAK MUAH* Know we\’re holding down the fort till you return!

Jenny, the Military Spouse (Schedule is subject to change)

Wednesday, April 18 5 p.m. The Messengers (PG-13) 8 p.m. Epic Movie (PG-13)

Thursday, April 19 5 p.m. Perfect Stranger (R)

heater 8 p.m. Blood and Chocolate (PG-13) T Friday, April 20 2 p.m. Breach (PG-13) 5 p.m. Letters from Iwo Jima (R) http://jennyspouse.com ime 8:30 p.m. Vacancy (R) Pvt. Murphy’s Law

T Saturday, April 21 2 p.m. Perfect Stranger (R) 5 p.m. Vacancy (R) 8 p.m. Hanibal Rising (R) eel Sunday, April 22 2 p.m. Vacancy (R) R 5 p.m. Breach (PG-13) 8 p.m. Letters from Iwo Jima (R) http://www.pvtmurphy.com Monday, April 23 Back of the Formation 5 p.m. Hanibal rising (R) 8 p.m. Breach (PG-13) tainer Tuesday, April 24

u s 5 p.m. Letters from Iwo Jima (R) 8 p.m. Vacancy (R) S PAGE 14 Anaconda Times APRIL 18, 2007 AUDIE, from Page 1 SHAKE, from Page 7 of this brave Soldier and introduced the put into being selected into the club. When a Soldier is inducted into the needed to reach him. The suspect came “I think it’s actually more of a sur- guest speaker, Multinational Corps-Iraq “This is an opportunity to lift these Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, they are out to get it. As he took the paper from prise than a traditional raid,” he said. Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola. Soldiers up during this ceremony,” he given a medallion, which is approxi- Pitts’ hands, Pitts took a step back. “You’re shaking the dude’s hand and Ciotola began by giving the audience said. “And there is no other group of mately 2 inches in diameter. The me- “Get him,” he said, out of the corner then you slap the cuffs on him.” a word of advice he received from Com- people I would want to be with right dallion is suspended by a broad pow- of his mouth. He said he wasn’t sorry about grab- mand Sgt. Maj. Terry Fountain, 13th SC now on my birthday.” der-blue ribbon, which represents the San Antonio native Sgt. Hector Her- bing the man under false pretences. (E) command sergeant major. Ciotola said the eight Soldiers be- traditional color of the infantry. nandez stepped forward and took the “(Insurgents) live a two-faced life, “In everything you do, there is a ing inducted have done more than just The club, which originated in Fort man by the hand, pulling him outside so this was just a taste of their own chance to train,” he said. “There is al- say what they could do, they proved it. Hood, Texas, only inducts exceptional into the street. A humvee pulled up. medicine,” he said. ways time.”’ “Their deeds are the personifica- NCOs who exemplify the characteristics The man looked confused. Within 30 Pitts was just happy that the platoon As he spoke, he explained what his tion of their words,” he said. “You all of the Soldier the club was founded in seconds, he was flex-cuffed, searched, had been able to take the man outside, quote meant while he talked about the made a choice to excel, to become the memory of. and bundled into the waiting vehicle. in the open, when they knew he was achievement of the Soldiers who were best, and be a part of the Audie Mur- Audie Murphy was one of the great- The rest of the platoon rushed up unarmed. being inducted at the ceremony. phy Club.” est combat Soldiers in the history of the to clear the house and search for evi- “It’s safer for our guys and it’s safer “Take every opportunity to do it all The inductees received an Army United States serving during World War dence. for the family,” Pitts said. “If we had to the best of our ability,” he said. Commedation Medal, an Audie Murphy II. He was decorated with every single Pitts found Morgan inside. Morgan to go in blind, that’s when bullets start Ciotola said this was an opportunity Club medallion and coins from all three American medal for valor, along with congratulated the platoon leader on his flying.” to recognize the hard work each Soldier members of the official party. three French and one Belgian medal. performance with the phone number. On the ride home in Morgan’s truck, “Smooth,” said Morgan. someone realized that it had been a fit- “Shake and bake,” replied Pitts. ting day for the kind of deception they Afterwards, Morgan was pleased at had just pulled off. how it had all gone down. It was April Fool’s Day. Photo by Sgt. Mike Pryor Spc. Michael Davis, a mechanic with 298th Trans. Co. checks the wheels on a M915 truck to ensure all the

Photo by Sgt. Kevin MsSwain bolts are tight and the tires are properly inflated. Staff Sgt. Michael Thornton, 22nd Personnel Service Battalion (center) recieves a loud applause from a packed Sustainer Theatre during the ceremony. visit us on Show me the Money the web at www. LSA Anaconda Tax Center Open Through Consolidated Legal Center (Bldg 9103) May 15 dvidshub. Hours of Operation Mondays Wednesdays Fridays net 9 a.m. to noon Noon to 8 p.m. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. read all your stories, Please be sure to bring any related documents (W2s, interest statements, spouse and/or childrens’ SSNs, etc.) We will assist with preparation of Forms 1040a or 1040EZ. The Form 1040 and any kind of business ownership are outside the scope of our program browse thousands of and we will not be able to assist customers with these issues. If you have any questions, contact Sgt. Bethany Becker at 829-1838 or email her at: images and videos [email protected]. Be Alert during HOT WEATHER WATCH YOURSELF AND YOUR BUDDY FOR SYMPTOMS OF HEAT INJURIES PAGE 15 Anaconda Times APRIL 18, 2007

Spc. Mark Belcourt of Hastings, Minn., Company B, 194th Combined Arms Battalion, interacts with Iraqi Policemen Feb. 15 at their headquarters in Anah, Iraq. Belcourt is a member of a Police Transition Team training the IPs here. Landscaper goes from treating lawns to Soldiers story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Wood

ANAH, Iraq – Back home in to protect his family and the Iraqi people. Brainerd, Minn., this Minnesota Army Spc. Brent Haataja, a carpenter from National Guardsman treats lawns as a Menahga, Minn., said he also noticed that landscaper. Here in this 5,000 year-old the IPs “work pretty hard to try and do city of about 20,000 people, Pfc. Adam good.” Starry is tasked with treating his fellow The team’s officer in charge and a Soldiers and several Iraqi Policemen. Fargo, N.D., policeman, 2nd Lt. Vitaly Starry, of Company B, 194th Sherbina, said he has met IPs from Combined Arms Battalion, has been in Rawah and Baghdad but they weren’t as the Guard for almost three years as a motivated as the Anah force. medic. “These guys motivate us and tell us this “I kind of wanted to experience the mission is possible,” said Sherbina, who medical field,” he said a few hours after came to the United States in 1999 from he and several of his fellow Guardsmen Russia and became an American citizen patrolled through the streets of the city on a after Sept, 11, 2001. “These guys are doing joint security and intelligence patrol in the everything to take control of the situation.” city with the IPs. The team’s noncommissioned officer Starry and 15 of his fellow Soldiers in charge, Sgt. Jon Morris of Salisbury, also are experiencing what it is like N.C., expanded on this statement. He said being an IP in a city that is still a “hotbed the IP leadership tells his team where they of insurgent activity.” They form a want to go on patrols. Police Transition Team whose task is Morris said the IPs haven’t led any of to train the IPs to learn how to take these patrols or raids. control of their own communities and “They want their town cleaned up of Cpl. William Parker of Redwood Falls, Minn., (right) and Spc. Brent Haataja of Menahga, Minn., both of Company B, 194th Combined Arms Battalion, pause before keep order. Training includes learning the insurgency,” he said. leading Iraqi Policemen to a checkpoint Feb. 15, in Anah, Iraq. basic organizational skills, leadership Trust between the the PiTT team and mentoring, and patrolling techniques. the IPs has also been built. Starry, who said he gets an adrenaline “There is not a guy in the room right rush every time he goes on a patrol, now that I wouldn’t stand in front of or let admitted that working with the IPs can stand behind me,” Morris said. be frustrating at times because of the Sherbina said, “I can risk my life for language barrier. any of these guys.” “It is definitely inspiring and exciting,” This bond seems to be getting stronger he said. “They amaze me more and more every day. each day.” Cpl. William Parker of Redwood Falls, The PiTT is able to watch this Minn., said the IPs are very friendly. transformation because it shares the same “They always want us to come over floor of a building in the city as the IPs. and hang out with them,” he said. There is also a Marines Corps headquarters Spc. Mark Belcourt, 19, of Hastings, in this former sports complex. Minn., “hangs out” with the IPs Be Alert during HOT WEATHER A newly promoted IP lieutenant said frequently. The night after the patrol, he he loves being a policeman and he loves interacted with about 10 of the IPs and peace. talked about what any young soldier talks “We’re here to help you guys,” he about. He also is the youngest Soldier in said. At a gas station, he arrested a citizen the company. who attempted to bribe him. He told the “I want to try and learn Arabic as WATCH YOURSELF AND YOUR BUDDY FOR man, “No bribes accepted here” as he tore much as possible, Belcourt said, whose the money up. mother is a sergeant in the Minnesota He also said that he joined the force Army National Guard’s 34th Infantry SYMPTOMS OF HEAT INJURIES for several reasons, including his belief in Division. “(The IPs) treat you with such 2nd Lt. Vitaly Sherbina of Fargo, N.D., Company B, 194th Combined Arms Battalion, pauses before leaving on a patrol Feb. 15 from Anah to Combat Outpost Rawah, Iraq. his country, personal honor, and wanting respect.” Sherbina is the officer in charge of a Police Transition Team at Anah. APRIL 18, 2007 Anaconda Times PAGE 16

Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, based out of Fort Hood, Texas, deliver boxes of supplies. A Soldier keeps a sharp look out for trouble on top of a Iraqi police station near Balad, Iraq. Anaconda’s 2-82 FA maintains vital relationships with local villages Hood-based artillerymen visit nearby school during recent humanitarian visit

photos by Sgt. 1st Class Mark Bell

An Iraqi boy waves at 2-82 FA Soldiers during their visit to his school. An Iraqi girl waits patiently as American Soldiers prepare to pass out donated school supplies during a recent visit near LSA Anaconda.

(Above) Iraqi school children show off their new noteboks , papers and penciles donated and delivered by the Fort Hood-based Soldiers assigned to 2-82 FA during a recent humanitarian visit. (Left) Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment talk to local school leaders about the needs of the small school near Logistical Support Area Anaconda.