The Expeditionary Times Proudly serving the finest Expeditionary service members throughout Iraq Vol. 3 Issue 10 January 27, 2010 http://www.hood.army.mil/13sce/ Heavily armed

96th Sustainment Brigade recovers munitions at Camp Taji Page 5

Craftsmen Haitian American Soldier reacts to homeland disaster Page 4

DoD photo by Fred W. Baker III A girl peers through the legs of U.S. Army Soldiers who form a human chain to secure the distribution of humanitarian aid Jan. 19 in Port-au-Prince, Hai- ti. The 82nd Airborne’s 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, provided security for the distribution point out of its make-shift forward operating base.

Soldiers work together at Allied Trades 301st Chemical Co. provides security Page 8 for US officials at Baghdad University Road trip St o r y a n d Ph o t o s b y ervation Conference. Sg t . Jo h n St i m a c Staff Sgt. Anthony W. Faul, Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f shift leader for Raven 31 with the 299th Chemical Company BAGHDAD – Soldiers with attached to the 301st Chem. the 301st Chemical Co. and a Mayesville, Ky., na- Company, 155th tive, said the team usually has Heavy Brigade a show time an hour and a half Combat Team before the mission to do a brief went on a per- and prepare the vehicles. sonal security In the mission brief, they dis- detail mission cuss how to navigate through Jan. 17 to Baghdad Univer- traffic and avoid possible threats sity, in Baghdad, where they on the map, Faul said. provided an escort service for “I tell them to be aware,” said three U.S. Department of State Faul. “We go over actions on officials. contact, the rollover drills and I The team was at the univer- have the team read the rules of Mississippi Guardsmen sity’s architecture department engagement before going out on to escort Susan Harville, Henry the mission.” convoy all night, work all day Bisharat and Mehmed Ali, all He said he makes sure all Members of the 301st Chemical Company out of Morehead, Ky., provide state department officials, to drivers know their routes before security for Henry Bisharat, Susan Harville and Mehmed Ali, all U.S. Department of State officials, Jan. 17 at the architectural department at discuss the U.S. government’s they go out on their mission, es- Page 12-13 Baghdad University, in Baghdad. The state department officials met with involvement in Baghdad’s up- corting officials generically re- an Iraqi ministry member Jan. 17 to discuss U.S. involvement in the up- coming Urban Historic Pres- SEE PSD ON PAGE 4 coming Baghdad Urban Historic Preservation Conference. PAGE 2 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010

Balad Blotter January 15 - January 22 Combat Stress: confidentiality By Na v y Ca p t . St e v e Br a s i n g t o n STRAY ROUND: ruin his life. Joey completed the assessment A victim called the command post and reported a Co m b a t St r e s s Co n t r o l Ps y c h i a t r i s t and returned to full duty. stray round. It connected her to the Joint Defense When Joey's information passed from the thera- Operation Center and she relayed all pertinent in- yber-technology has provided a pist to the commander, the commander had the formation. A patrol was briefed, dispatched, arrived Cnew way to connect people sep- same obligation to protect the privacy of the data as on the scene, and made contact with the victim who arated by oceans, deployments and the psychotherapist. said, via Air Force Form 1168 Statement of Sus- life’s problems. Basic protected health information includes Jo- pect/Witness/Complainant, she was in bed on the Imagine that Joey learned his ey's full name, date of birth, home address and so- computer when she heard a round come through wife Jo-Elle had been playing house cial security number. It includes anything that can the roof of her room and land on the floor. She saw with Jake back home because Joey's sister Face- specifically identify the individual. Any written or the round on the floor and was not injured. book poked her brother with the scandalous de- electronic memos containing such protected health tails. information, should be deleted or destroyed when it LARCENY OF PRIVATE PROPERTY: Joey posts a Facebook comment saying, “My old is no longer needed. A complainant walked in to the Law Enforcement Desk and reported a larceny had occurred. The Ea- life as I knew it is pretty much over.” If the commander possessed any data with Jo- gles’ Nest was briefed. The complainant made con- Not contacting Joey for clarification, Joey's Elle's telephone number or address on it, then this, tact at the LED, where he was assisted in writing a family grows alarmed by what he might do. too, must be treated as protected health informa- statement. The complainant said, via Air Force IMT In particular, Joey's mother called the rear cad- tion by the commander, and unauthorized person- 1168/Statement of Complainant, his bike was taken re, reporting her son might hurt himself. nel must not be allow to see it. from outside of his location sometime between 2 Next, the cadre signaled downrange that Joey's Some information disclosed to the therapist by a.m. and 3:45 a.m. Jan. 20. He said he will return name should be on the suicide interest list. Joey was considered confidential, meaning it was to the LED with pictures of the bike. Downrange, the Soldier explained to his first spoken with the confidence that it would not be re- sergeant that he was done with his unfaithful wife peated outside the treatment setting. STRAY ROUND: Jo-Elle. Joey declared that he was going to file for While Joey was in the office for the confidential KBR Inc. security telephoned the Law Enforcement divorce while he was deployed. He said he was just consultation, Joey was afforded privacy. Joey had Desk and reported a stray round. A patrol was briefed glad he did not have any kids with her. privacy because another person was not allowed to and dispatched. The complainant said, via Air Force IMT 1168/Statement of Complainant, while inside Joey never said he wanted to die. However, he peek in during the exam or listen to the discussion. Bldg 4297, room two, he heard a loud pop. The com- did post a message that started the buzz his com- To be observed or recorded, you must first give plainant went to the hall to investigate and found a mand followed. your permission. small hole and a pyramid-shaped item on the floor Specifically, Joey's commander invited him to In general, sessions at the combat stress clinic along with drywall dust. The complainant notified go to combat stress for a safety evaluation. take place behind closed doors, in private. Your re- KBR security. No injuries were sustained by the com- Joey cooperated with the referral, but his pla- cords are either paper records that are locked up plainant. toon leader had said in front of everyone that Joey or are on security controlled electronic medical re- was excused from mission prep to spend the morn- cords. LARCENY OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY: A complainant telephoned the Law Enforcement Desk ing at the combat stress clinic. We are combat stress. We protect your privacy and reported he noticed property was missing from Joey understood his commander needed to know and help maintain your command's confidence in AMC Housing/D-89 transient housing. The com- that his mind was focused on the mission. your performance. plainant said, via Air Force Form 1168/Statement of At the evaluation, Joey explained to the thera- Ask us if you have questions or concerns about Complainant, he last saw the property Jan. 9, when pist that he never wanted to hurt himself. He in- the limits of confidentiality. We are here to serve he arrived at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The complainant sisted that he had too much to live for to let Jo-Elle you and keep the military strong. further said, when the base was put in uniform posture two, he discovered property missing. The complainant said, after conducting the sweep, the property was still missing. The complainant said the serial number and temporary receipt for property are in Baghdad. The complainant said while staying in AMC Housing he has had three roommates.

NIPR: 443-8602 SIPR: 241-1171 Email: [email protected]

EXPEDITIONARY TIMES 13th ESC Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Paul L. Wentz Expeditionary Times is authorized for pub- 13th ESC G2, Security Manager 139th MPAD Production Editor (on leave) Pfc. Lisa A. Cope lication by the 13th Sustainment Command (318) 433-2155 Staff Sgt. Robert E. Fafoglia [email protected]. (Expeditionary). The contents of the Expedi- [email protected] tionary Times are unofficial and are not to be 13th ESC PAO, Managing Editor Spc. Michael V. Camacho Maj. Raul Marquez, 13th ESC PAO 139th MPAD Layout and Design (acting P.E.) [email protected] considered the official views of, or endorsed [email protected] Sgt. Jayson A. Hoffman by, the U.S. Government, including the Depart- [email protected] ment of Defense or Operation Iraqi Freedom. 13th ESC PA NCOIC Contributing public affairs offices Expeditionary Times is a command infor- Staff Sgt. Joel F. Gibson, 13th ESC 139th MPAD Photo Editor 15th Sustainment Brigade mation newspaper in accordance with Army [email protected] Sgt. Keith VanKlompenberg 36th Sustainment Brigade Regulation 360-1 and reviewed by the ESC G2 [email protected] for security purposes. 13th ESC Staff Writer 90th Sustainment Brigade Expeditionary Times is published weekly Spc. Naveed Ali Shah, 13th ESC 139th MPAD Copy Editor 96th Sustainment Brigade by the Stars and Stripes central office, with a [email protected] Spc. Brandy Oxford 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team [email protected] circulation of 5,000 papers. 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team 139th MPAD Commander 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing The Public Affairs Office is located on Capt. Brad Sinkler 139th MPAD Staff Writers New Jersey Ave. Building 7508, DSN 318-433- [email protected] Sgt. Ryan Twist 194th Engineer Brigade 2154. Expeditionary Times, HHC 13th ESC, [email protected] APO AE 09391. Web site at www.dvidshub.net 139th MPAD First Sergeant For online publication visit: 1st Sgt. Aangi Mueller Sgt. John Stimac www.dvidshub.net Contact the Expeditionary Times staff at: [email protected] [email protected] keyword: Expeditionary Times [email protected] Mission Statement: The Expeditionary Times Staff publishes a weekly newspaper with the primary mission of providing command information to all service members, partners, and Families of the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) team and a secondary mission of providing a means for units on Joint Base Balad to disseminate command information to their audiences. January 27, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 3 The Weekly Standard: unit watch Chaplain’s Corner: get By Ma s t e r Sg t . Ro y Th a c k e r prohibiting access to alcohol and drugs; better each day 13t h ESC In s p ec t o r Ge n e r a l NCOIC minimizing contact with people who could negatively influence the mem- By Lt. Co l . Ga r r y Lo s e y in the world and the hardest to break. eployments have ber’s mental health; or ensuring further 13t h ESC Ch a p l a i n The pressure is habit, and the heat is Dleft indelible marks evaluation and treatment. dedication. Dedication makes it valu- on everyone. Stressors Such activities should never cross e all have dreams able and habit makes it almost un- include changes in mis- the line toward being hurtful or de- Wthat we want to breakable. Dead plants and animals, sion, injury or loss of a meaning. Unit watch is not a tool for reach and visions we little things, make the coal, which time fellow service member, punishment. want to put into ac- will turn into a diamond. In my life, family situations, long work weeks, These activities are meant to help tion. little things that I can do for people feeling threatened by living within ear- service members and are not to be used Sometimes we be- may, eventually, make my diamond of shot of controlled detonations 24/7 and as a means to retaliate, harass, to en- lieve we do not have the talent or excellence." hearing gunfire from the towers. It’s gage in improper search and seizure, or whatever it might take to reach these If you have not yet reached your enough to turn your hair gray. to commit any other activity that may goals. dreams or you think that there is ab- There are those in our force who be construed as approximating punish- “Excellence is not out of reach. It solutely no way in this world that you eventually find themselves in need of ment. A unit watch does not include is accomplished through deliberate will reach your treasured desires or just a little care and compassion. Lead- confinement, restriction or extra duty, actions, ordinary in themselves, per- goals, remember that it takes time to ers need to be cognizant of the signals all of which are punitive actions for vio- formed consistently and carefully, get where you wants to go. Remember and step in, in a conscientious and con- lating military policies. made into habits, compounded to- very few successes that come instantly cerned manner, and provide members A memorandum of instruction by gether and added up over time,” an bring lasting satisfaction. Time and ef- the necessary help. the United States Forces – Iraq surgeon unknown author wrote. fort make lasting results. Unit watch measures, often called explains management of unit watch It takes constant work to achieve If you have not yet reached your suicide watch, are not overly focused on programs in Iraq and provides instruc- our dreams, visions, desires or goals. dreams do not give up. suicide at all. It’s about intervention. tion on the program’s implementation. A young student, James Hughes, at Keep pushing forward and see what Intervention includes myriad activi- More information is available upon re- Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Ark., happens. Keep a positive attitude, ties, such as continuously observing the quest from [email protected]. read the above quote on a test he was strong determination, and never give member; searching the member’s be- mil taking. After finishing the test, he up until you have reached your goal. longings and living quarters for danger- Primum non nocere. “First, do no wrote this response on the bottom of Your goals are within reach, and lat- ous items and removing those items; harm.” the test he had just completed. er in life, when you look back, you will "This quote somehow reminds me of be surprised at your accomplishments Joint Base Balad (304th Sust. Bde.): DSN 433-2125 a diamond. It begins as a lump of coal. and how high you have climbed. Take Lt. Col. Reginald Howard (Command Inspector General) Over thousands of years, it is subject- this young student’s positive look at Maj. Christopher Minor (Deputy) ed to pressure and heat until one day life and go out and accomplish great Master Sgt. Roy Thacker (NCOIC) it becomes both the most valuable gem things.

Q-West (15th Sust. Bde.): DSN 827-6115 Lt. Col. Gary Davis

Adder/Tallil (3th Sust. Bde./41st IBCT): Maj. Andrea Shealy - DSN 833-1710 Maj. Jeffrey Copek - DSN 833-5915 Master Sgt. Marta Cruz – DSN 883-1710

Al Asad: DSN 440-7049 Sgt. 1st class Alexander Arce

Taji (96 Sust. Bde./155 BCT): DSN 834-3079 Master Sgt. Richard Faust Lt. Col. Paul Bird Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Sexual violence can occur in any type of relationship, but most perpetrators of sexual assault are known to their victims. Among victims ages 18 to 29, two- thirds had a prior relationship with the offender. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports, in 2000, six in 10 rape or sexual assault victims said they were assaulted by an intimate partner, relative, friend or acquaintance. Call the Joint Base Balad sexual assault response coordinator at 443-7272 or contact via pager 443-9001, pager 159 for help. Army members should seek assistance with their unit vic- tim advocate or deployed SARC; you may also call 433-7272 or 443-9001, pager 122/135 for assistance. ON THE http://www.hood.army.mil/13sce/ WEB PAGE 4 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010 Haitian American Soldier reacts to homeland disaster By Sg t . Ke i t h S. Va n Kl o m p e n b e r g Command (Expeditionary). “My second thought was, ‘I wish I unit so those who were able could do- Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f Cadet is from Croix-des-Bouquets, could go there instead of being here,’” nate as well. Haiti, a city eight miles northeast of she said. “It’s hard to see your people “You have to count your blessings JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – When Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital going through that.” and give what you’ve got,” said Cho. Sgt. Marinez Cadet saw where, according to Associated Press Capt. Hyo Cho, the commander of “We’ve got a lot of giving Soldiers news reports of a massive reports, the earthquake has left an es- the 547th Trans. Co. and an Ellicott here.” earthquake in Haiti Jan. timated 200,000 people dead and 1.5 City, Md., native, said Cadet was quick Cho said her unit has also expressed 12, she immediately million displaced. to find out how she could help and how interest in going to Haiti as part of the ran to the phone. Cadet, who moved to the U.S. almost her unit could assist the devastated na- relief effort. “I heard it on TV 10 years ago, said her first thoughts tion. “If the opportunity arises, they are and called my dad to make sure ev- were for the safety of her relatives, “Most of what we have done is what going to volunteer,” she said. eryone was OK,” said Cadet, a mail especially an uncle who lives in the everybody has done, just donate,” said Cadet said even if she is not able to clerk with the 547th Transportation affected area. After calling her father, Cadet. go to Haiti with the Army, she will find Company, 1st Battalion, 155th Infan- she learned her uncle was safe, but Cho said Cadet made a generous do- a way to go and be part of the relief ef- try Regiment, 155th Heavy Brigade some distant relatives were believed to nation to the American Red Cross and fort. Combat Team, 13th Sustainment have died in the earthquake. provided information to the rest of her “I’m definitely going,” she said. 301st provides safe trip for officials Correction In the Jan. 13 edition of the Expedi- PSD FROM PAGE 1 tionary Times, the article “Personal ferred to as principals. security Soldiers learn new routes, “After we do rehearsals, we then areas” should have said Staff Sgt. stage, pick up the principals and head McArthur W. Jones Jr. out to the venue,” said Faul. “We usu- ally don’t go into the meeting, our main job is to go out with the officials and Where do you read keep them safe.” Sgt. Trent A. Ogden, tactical com- your mander with the 301st Chem. Co. and a Sardinia, Ohio, native, said he is re- Expeditionary sponsible for planning the routes to get Times? to the venue. “I plot the route on blue force track- er, send it to the shift lead and to the For distribution, con- limo,” said Ogden. “The limo is what tact the 13th ESC PAO at we call the vehicle that the principals are riding in.” Joint Base Balad, Iraq Ogden said they receive missions from the Regional Security Office, then plan the mission and routes accord- Joint Base Balad : ingly. 318-483-4603 “We take the principals from the (International Zone) to the venue and stage the motorcade so we can leave at Camp Adder: a moment’s notice,” said Ogden. “When Sgt. Trent A. Ogden, a tactical commander with 301st Chemical Company and Sardinia, Ohio, 318-833-1002 we arrive at the venue, we send an ad- native, and Ashur Elisha, an interpreter and a Surprise, Ariz., native, wait outside Baghdad vance party to check the meeting room University to provide security for three U.S. Department of State officials in Baghdad. The out, get the principals and guide them state department officials met with an Iraqi ministry member Jan. 17 to discuss U.S. involve- Camp Taji: to the meeting room, then go back out- ment in the upcoming Baghdad Urban Historic Preservation Conference. 318-834-1281 side and deal with the motorcade.” 45 missions providing security for the “A lot of units don’t get to go out to Ashur Elisha, an interpreter with state department officials. the Red Zone and we get to go out quite COL Q-West: the RSO, is a civilian contractor and a “I like knowing that our job makes often,” said Ogden. Surprise, Ariz., native, who has been in a difference,” said Scott. “When we go Faul said traffic is the biggest con- 318-827-6101 Iraq for seven years. out on venues, they are doing their job cern when they go out on missions to “I go out with the PSD teams and and we are a part of it.” Baghdad. Al Asad Air Base: Army teams, handle all PSD move- Ogden said he was pleased with how “We have to make sure our gunners 318-440-4103 ments and interpret with Iraqi and smoothly the mission went. are vigilant of all the people and the American diplomats,” said Elisha. “There were some vehicles that were surroundings,” said Faul. He said they take them to ministries in the way, so I had to dismount and He said he has noticed a change in COL Speicher: in Baghdad and try to help rebuild the direct traffic, but other than that, there Iraq since the last time he was here. 318-849-2501 municipalities and schools to establish were no problems,” said Ogden. “The biggest thing I have seen that a rapport with the Iraqi’s. Ogden said he enjoys his job and gets is different is that the Iraqi’s are trying Spc. Jonathon L. Scott, a driver with to interact with Iraqi civilians, receiv- to take more control of situations,” said e-mail: the 301st Chem. Co. and Vanceburg, ing good intelligence information from Faul. “To me, that is a good thing, that [email protected] Ky., native, said he has been on roughly them and establishing good rapport. they are trying to take charge.” TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS HOW MUCH YOU MISS THEM E-mail: [email protected] January 27, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 5 96th Sustainment Brigade recovers munitions at Taji St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Ca p t . Am y Fl o r e s 96t h Su s t . Bd e . CAMP TAJI, Iraq – In the past year, the military has begun prepar- ing for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and equipment from Iraq, including the retrograde of millions of dollars worth of ammu- nition accumulated at the ammunition storage points. Identifying, handling and safely mov- ing ammunition around Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan requires considerable safety precautions, said Denise Batch- elor, a quality assurance specialist with ammunition surveillance working under the joint munitions command. She said these responsibilities are primarily han- dled by JMC ammo logistics representa- tives and quality assurance specialists at the ammunition transition and holding points. The 96th Sustainment Brigade over- sees five such ATHPs and one ASP, said Capt. Gabriel Flores, 96th Sust. Bde. mu- nitions officer and a San Antonio native. “As part of the ongoing responsible Sgt. Geoffrey Holdorf, an ammunition specialist with the 96th Sustainment Brigade and a Denver native, transports expended M136, AT4, withdrawal mission, the military is ret- anti-tank rockest tubes from the Iraqi warehouse to the Camp Taji, Iraq, ammunition transition and holding points for retrograde. rograding a particular anti-tank weapon – the M136 AT4 anti-tank rocket, which tubes, he said. Upon receipt of this news, dispose of them. This act alone prevented more than $1,100, Flores said. Success- is the Army's primary light anti-tank Flores began planning with Batchelor to the munitions from falling into the wrong fully transporting more than 300 of them weapon,” said Flores. “Since U.S. occupa- rectify the situation, he said. hands – giving the terrorists one less for future use, as opposed to destroy- tion of Iraq began roughly 10 years ago, In a combined effort to remove the chance for using our ammunition against ing the ammunition and the paying the we have shipped thousands of AT4s into expended tubes of these serial numbered us.” costs associated with the destruction, has theater.” U.S. munitions from the Iraqi property, After the area had been cleared, the saved the U.S. military roughly $1 mil- He said the military discovered a as well as salvage as many transport team returned to clear the expended AT4 lion, Flores said. shortage of the pins used to secure the safety pins as possible, they planned a tubes, more than 50 M-47 Dragon anti- “Who says it doesn’t pay to recycle?” AT4s for shipment as soon as it began to mission with the brigade’s ammunition tank guided missiles and assorted ord- Flores said. retrograde them. handlers, the Taji explosive ordnance nance of unknown origin, Batchelor said. Batchelor said the Camp Taji QASAS “These transport safety pins, which team, the Taji mayor cell and the military Overall, the ammunition specialists team praised the 96th’s efforts toward ac- are required by regulation to move the advisory teams from both the Air Force with the 96th Sust. Bde. recovered more complishing the mission. AT4s, have been absent in theater since and Army, he said. than 300 transport safety pins, Flores “I hope we will someday be able to about 2008 and, so far this year, the or- Flores said the first mission was con- said. find out how these AT4 tubes came to be ders through U.S. Army tank-automotive ducted in November and the team suc- “Because they are such a high-demand in this warehouse,” she said. “I am sure and armaments command have not pro- cessfully retrieved more than 200 empty item, they were hand delivered to the there is some history there but, for now, duced the correct-sized pins – bring- tubes and 60 transport safety pins. (Army Materiel Command) ammunition I am very grateful to all those who helped ing the overall movement of this high- “During this operation, the Soldiers and manager (at Joint Base Balad, Iraq) for get them back into our ATHP. value weapon to a screeching halt,” said QASAS recognized that there were some distribution throughout Iraq in order to “It is evident that the 96th Sust. Bde. Flores. live anti-tank rockets and rocketry of pos- retrograde AT4s in accordance with the (munitions) team sets the mark for being An inventory of Camp Taji real estate sible Russian origin in the warehouse,” responsible drawdown plan,” Batchelor subject matter experts in ammunition revealed a warehouse on the Iraqi side Batchelor said. “They safely segregated said. – far exceeding expectations placed on filled with more than 500 expended AT4 those items until EOD could properly Each anti-tank missile is valued at them as a brigade staff.” SHOUT OUT!!! Contact the Expeditionary Times for more information. E-mail: [email protected] PAGE 6 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010 Providers conduct advanced anti-terrorism training St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Lt. Richelle Gibson, force protection St a ff Sg t . Jo e l F. Gi b s o n officer in charge, with the 13th ESC. Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f Anti-terrorism officers identify vulnerabilities, critical assets and any JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Soldiers terrorism threats, Gibson said. with the 13th Sustain- Scanners at the gates, and the ment Command (Expe- placement of the Soldiers and tower ditionary) participated guards are critical force protection is- in anti-terrorism lev- sues addressed in the class, she said. el two training at the “I learned a lot more about what education center was behind the scenes of keeping this Jan. 10 to Jan. 15 at base safe and other bases, what most Joint Base Balad, Iraq. people take for granted,” Gibson said. This marks the first time level two She said units are required to ap- training was offered to Soldiers in Iraq point an ATO for every 300 Soldiers since the global war on terror started, assigned above the company level and said Staff Sgt. Alfred Salazar, force one ATO for every 50 Soldiers at the protection noncommissioned officer, company level. with the 13th ESC. “I think you get a lot of people from “There was a need for in-country different branches and (military oc- (anti-terrorism officers), a request cupational specialties) who get tagged came up through the chain of com- with an additional duty of ATO and mand and we came here to provide they don’t know what it means, they instruction and assist various com- have no idea what it entails,” she said. mands in providing anti-terrorism “They know how to fly a plane or how officer training to in-theater units,” to track personnel. This was one place said Albert Warren Fielding, a physi- where we could put all the branches cal security specialist with the Naval on one page and give them a general Criminal Investigative Services and understanding of what it really en- an anti-terrorism instructor. Albert Warren Fielding, a physical security specialist with Naval Criminal Investiga- tails.” This class is offered to anti-terror- tive Services and an anti-terrorism level two instructor, discusses force protection Fielding said the key to force pro- ism officers, with three days of class- measures with Staff Sgt. Alfred Salazar, a force protection noncommissioned officer tection is vigilance. room instruction, two days of practical with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Kohles, “The terrorists are always thinking a force protection NCO in charge with the 13th ESC, before the commencement cer- exercise and an exam, Salazar said. of ways to attack us,” said Fielding. emony of the AT level two training course Jan. 15 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. “The course is designed to teach “Our goal is to stay one step ahead of AT officers what they need to know to not be in ATO positions who have a Force protection and anti-terror- them and be correct 100 percent of perform their duties, as well as other need to know some of the things the ism are important parts of everyday the time, because they only have to be students taking the course who may ATO does,” Salazar said. life for all deployed Soldiers, said 1st correct once.” Wranglers host commanders’ conference St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y were: first, get everyone together and 1s t Lt. Mi c h a e l An d e r s o n second, have the opportunity to per- 15t h Su s t . Bd e . sonally work with the leadership to give my guidance and intent,” Lodi CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCA- said. TION Q-WEST, Iraq – Leaders heard from all the staff Leaders with the Special sections, legal, safety and a variety of Troops Battalion Wran- sources to increase their knowledge glers, 15th Sustain- and more effectively help their units, ment Brigade, 13th Lodi said. Leaders directly asked Sustainment Com- questions to solve any problems their mand (Expedition- respective units had, said Lodi. ary) participated in a three-day com- Among the many leaders who par- mander’s conference from Jan. 11 to ticipated was Capt. Michael Thomas, Jan. 13 at Contingency Operating Lo- commander of the 82nd Financial cation Q-West, Iraq. Management Company Detachment The conference was designed to in- and a Montgomery, Ala., native. troduce leaders to the Wranglers’ stan- “I learned that we really need to dards and give leaders a chance to hear focus on our principles of leadership directly from the battalion commander in order to take care of our Soldiers,” The 15th Special Troops Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command and command sergeant major. Thomas said. (Expeditionary) company and detachment commanders listen to opening remarks during the The conference included 17 leaders Sgt. 1st Class Larry Roberts, the de- battalion commander’s conference Jan. 11 at Contingency Operating Location Q-West, Iraq. representing 11 units and more than tachment sergeant with the 82nd FMC 900 Soldiers spread throughout Iraq, and a Hampton, Va., native, said the whole was overwhelmingly success- er, the battalion senior noncommis- said Lt. Col. Paula Lodi, the 15th STB conference taught him and his fellow ful.” sioned officer, and Lodi were directly battalion commander and a Franklin, leaders to focus on NCOs to enforce The conference’s main objectives involved with the leadership, she said. Mass., native. standards. were achieved, feedback was received, The STB plans on holding another “My objectives for the conference Lodi said, “The conference as a and Command Sgt. Maj. Clarence Mill- commander’s conference in March. January 27, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 7 169th Seaport Operations Co. takes over shipping, receiving yard St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y 169th SOC, 260th Combat Sustainment 1s t Lt. Br i a n Or l i n o Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment 96t h Su s t . Bd e . Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) took over operations at CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – At 3 a.m. in the CRSP yard in December. Baghdad, the night shift Capt. Andrew Kocsis, company com- Soldiers at the Victory mander and an Omaha, Neb., native, Base Complex Central said it is challenging to fully prepare Sol- Receiving and Ship- diers before such a mission. ping Point Yard had “Concentrating on the basics, cross- six hours left on their training, and looking for various types shifts. of training on automation and computer Generator lights illuminate the dark- systems has directly contributed to the ness as the roar of diesel engines from rapid success the unit has had since 40 tractor trailers, both military and TOA,” Kocsis said. civilian, enter the VBC CRSP yard to be The main sections of the CRSP in- Spc. Jessie Vasquez, an Amarillo, Texas, native, ground guides Pfc. Henry Simpson, a off-loaded. clude the database section, a medical Fayetteville, N.C., native, as he uploads a trailer using a forklift. Both cargo specialists Staff Sgt. Willie Hillman, the shift supply lane, a container lane and a cargo are with the 169th Seaport Operations Company, 260th Combat Sustainment Support noncommissioned officer in charge and lane. Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). a St. Augustine, Fla., native, directs the The CRSP yard organizes cargo by convoy commander to send the vehicles destination. that the pieces have valid RFID tags, neski said. “In addition, the 169TH SOC to be off-loaded in the lanes for vehicles, When a loaded convoy comes in, the while simultaneously checking the cargo Soldiers must be proficient on the as- 20-ft. containers and palletized cargo. database section verifies the validity of description on the TMRs. signed unit equipment, which includes Simultaneously, Sgt. Thomas Harris, transportation movement requests for As a final check, the lane NCOIC an- various types of material handling lane NCO and a Lansing, Mich., native, the inbound. notate every piece of cargo that is down- equipment such as forklifts.” takes charge of Soldiers and distributes After validation, the database section loaded along with the TMR numbers and First Sgt. Terrence Scarborough, a the duties. disperses paperwork containing tally radio frequency identification numbers. New Haven, Conn., native, said the lead- First Lt. Jacob Vishneski, the CRSP sheets and TMRs with cargo descrip- As the cargo is downloaded, the filled ership is working on site improvements, yard officer in charge and a Shawsville, tions, radio frequency identification tag out packets are entered into the data- including renovating a facility for the Va., native, said, the CRSP yard func- numbers, and container numbers, to base. Soldiers to have an area to eat meals and tions on organized chaos, but the 169th each lane NCOIC. “Soldiers must be versatile to work complete paperwork. Seaport Operations Company Soldiers The shift NCOIC brings the loaded in the CRSP environment because they “Even though the VBC CRSP is the handle it well. trucks into their respective lanes to be must be able to drive multiple types of smallest yard in terms of area, (it) pos- Vishneski said the CRSP yard operates inspected by the lane teams. vehicles to include M-1115 (Humvees), sesses the highest volume of cargo going as a centralized supply distribution cen- The lane teams verify each individual Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected-Ve- through it on a daily basis,” said Scar- ter that transfers and tracks cargo. The piece of cargo on the trucks to ensure hicles and M-1A1 Abrams tanks,” Vish- borough. Mobile Container Inspection Team works to ensure containers’ seaworthiness St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y of an inch could render a container im- Sg t . Ke i t h S. Va n Kl o m p e n b e r g mobile. Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f “We’re here to see what containers are ready to go,” said Nichols. “We’re not CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCA- here to fix them.” TION NORMANDY, Iraq Nichols said the team can make some – As the U.S. prepares level-one repairs on site, such as fixing for the upcoming draw- small dents or bends in the frame, but down of troops and more complex jobs are sent to the con- equipment from Iraq, tainer repair yard at Joint Base Balad, its service members Iraq. work together to Stokes said small dents or other dam- make positive the footprint it leaves be- age may not seem important at first, but hind. they become critical when it comes time The Mobile Container Inspection to redeploy or redistribute them. Team with the 514th Maintenance Com- “If they don’t sit level, it causes prob- pany, 80th Ordnance Battalion, 15th lems with stacking on the barges,” he Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustain- said. ment Command (Expeditionary) travels Nichols said the importance of having the country to ensure the thousands of had an MCIT travel to a unit’s location containers in theater are seaworthy and and inspect containers beforehand be- ready to be sent back to the U.S. or sup- Spc. Justin Nichols, a metal worker with the 514th Maintenance Company Mobile Container comes clear when it comes time for them port contingency operations in Afghani- Inspection Team and a White Hall, Ark., native, fixes a bend in the frame of a container Jan. redeploy. stan. 14 at Contingency Operating Location Normandy, Iraq. “It saves a lot of their time,” he said. “The problem we’re having here is they can be shipped out, said Stokes. to the container and nothing else,” said “It’s a very valuable asset.” there are so many containers and no one Stokes said his team has inspected Nichols, a White Hall, Ark., native. Though the MCIT speeds up unit re- was tracking them,” said Staff Sgt. Don- roughly 1,500 containers since its arrival Nichols said the team performs a walk deployment and saves the Army money ald Stokes, the noncommissioned officer in Iraq in June. around of the container, checking the in- on container repair, Stokes said he is in charge of the 514th MCIT and a Wa- The inspection process is thorough side, outside and bottom for any dents, most proud of the fact that his team is terbury, Conn., native. and the team must maintain a strict frame or floor damage, and leaks in the playing an important role in the upcom- When a unit puts in an inspection focus to ensure nothing is missed, said door seals or walls. The container is then ing drawdown of Soldiers and equip- request to the battalion, a two or three- Spc. Justin Nichols, a metal worker with categorized as seaworthy or placed in ment from theater. man MCIT is sent out to track the num- the 514th Maint. Co. and a member of one of three levels of repair based on the “It’s the whole process of removing ber of seaworthy containers and decide the MCIT. amount of damage, he said. our footprint in Iraq,” said Stokes. “Ev- which ones will require repair before “When we’re here, we’re dedicated Even a dent as small as three-fourths erybody does their part.” PAGE 8 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010 Adder area leaders meet, discuss US, Iraqi relations St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y support U. S. troops in the area.” Pf c . Li s a A. Co p e Ryan said Al Shrshap has fulfilled some Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f logistical contracts in the past and is work- ing on a couple of projects for U.S. forces. CAMP ADDER, Iraq – The 36th Sustain- “As the leader of the Bdure Tribe, ment Brigade and Shaykh Shaykh Uday (Al Shrshap) understands Uday Aber Fahed Al Shr- the relationships between the Iraqi people shap, of the Bdure Tribe, and U.S. Forces is imperative for contin- hosted a key leader en- ued partnership as the military begins to gagement Jan. 20 at downsize ,” said Ryan. “He is just (letting) Al Shrshap’s home to us know that he has manpower, he has strengthen the rela- logistics and he has trucks, so if there is tionship between U.S. forces and the local something he can do for us, he is available population. to do it.” Col. Sean A. Ryan, commander of the Al Shrshap said, through an interpreter, 36th Sust Bde. out of Temple, Texas, 13th the meeting was important and that he and Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Ryan should work together “to strengthen had lunch with the shaykhs and discussed the relationship between the American upcoming projects. and Iraqi parts and talk about the (upcom- Ryan said the meeting was important ing) work between the two sides.” because he had only been able to meet Al Shrshap said he and his tribe want to with the area leaders once since the unit’s continue to be a part of American security arrival in country. and will continue to support the troops “We have not been able to get out there with their mission. and do a key leader engagement with (al Ryan said these types of meetings are Shrshap) for some time,” said Ryan, a Ce- important in keeping a good rapport in the dar Park, Texas, native. “I have not been area surrounding Camp Adder. Col. Sean A. Ryan, commander of the 36th Sustainment Brigade out of Temple, Texas, able to go out there just to let them know “It gives us a chance to talk through any 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a Cedar Park, Texas, native, and Shaykh that we appreciate what he has done to issues that the local populace may (have),” Uday Aber Fahed Al Shrshap, of the Bdure Tribe, discuss the relationship between U.S. keep it safe for us and that he continues to he said. forces and the local population Jan. 20 at Al Shrshap’s home near Camp Adder, Iraq. Soldiers build together at Allied Trades St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y case to the Soldier’s family in person. Sg t . Ke i t h S. Va n Kl o m p e n b e r g Spc. Chad Moncada was a mechanic with the Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f 514th and said he was asked to become a wood- worker in the shop because of the skill set he devel- JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Soldiers with the oped outside the Army. 514th Maintenance Company’s Allied “My stepfather was a carpenter,” said Moncada, Trades shops solve problems at Joint a Holiday, Fla., native. Base Balad, Iraq, ranging from repair- Although he was content fixing vehicles, Monca- ing shipping containers to renovat- da said he is proud of the work he does in the shop, ing old vehicles to flag cases. especially making keepsakes like the flag case for Allied Trades comprises a wood- the fallen Soldier. shop, a machinist shop and a weld- “I’m happy doing this,” he said. ing shop with a container repair yard. Armstrong said her Soldiers put mission-essen- “You name it, we do it,” said Spc. Dominick tial tasks first but work long hours to ensure they Brown, a metalworker at the Allied Trades welding complete side projects and keepsakes. shop for the 514th Maint. Co., 80th Ordnance Bat- “It’s not our everyday mission, but it helps mo- talion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment rale,” said Armsrong. “It keeps my (Soldiers’) skills Command (Expeditionary).“We get anything from honed, especially on the machinist side.” huge trucks to small boxes (to repair). Basically The Allied Trades machinist shop is home to the anything the Army needs.” Army’s only Computer Numerical Control system One of the most important missions for Allied in Iraq, said Armstrong. Trades is the inspection and repair of containers, The CNC machine allows Soldiers to input de- said Brown, a Los Angeles native. tailed images and have the computerized machine The metalworkers repair low-level damage to cut them accurately, she said. connexes, fixing small holes, damaged seals and Allied Trades uses the CNC system, along with dented or bent support beams, so redeploying units manual equipment, to fabricate parts for Army ve- can ship equipment home without having to buy hicles and equipment faster than they can be ob- new containers, he said. tained through the standard ordering process, she Container repair is their main mission, but it’s said. just the tip of the iceberg of Allied Trades’ capabili- The equipment is also used to make awards and ties, said Staff Sgt. Margaret Armstrong, the non- keepsakes, such as detailed, brass unit patches and commissioned officer In charge of Allied Trades nameplates. Spc. Chad Moncada, a woodworker with the 514th and a Hazleton, Penn., native. Armstrong said her team has a passion for the Maintenance Company, 80th Ordnance Battalion, In the woodshop, skilled woodworkers build fur- work it does and uses its combined skills to not only 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Com- niture for units and, when the mission-essential complete the mission-essential tasks but provide mand (Expeditionary) and a Holiday, Fla., native, work is done, awards and keepsakes. quality pieces of art that units could not get any- puts the finishing touches on a flag case at the Al- Armstrong said one of her proudest moments was where else. This takes some sacrifice, she said. lied Trades woodshop Jan. 20 at Joint Base Balad, when her Soldiers built a flag case for a 514th Sol- Iraq. When they are not building mission-essential “They work 15 to 20 hour days sometimes,” she furniture, Moncada and the other woodworkers build dier who died before the deployment. When their said. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of Soldiers.” keepsakes for units at JBB. first sergeant went home on leave, he delivered the January 27, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 9 PAGE 10 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010 Ohio Guardsmen protect assets transported throughout Iraq St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y that move food, water, supplies, equip- Spc . Mi c h a e l V. Ca m a c h o ment and mail to the smaller locations, Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f said Boots. B and C troops regularly run security CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Ohio guardsmen operations for the sustainment and ret- provide convoy security for rograde materials that have been slated the transportation assets for movement, said Capt. Louis Longh- of the 13th Sustainment enry, commander of B troop 2/107th Command (Expedition- Cav. ary) and the convoy “With sustainment runs, we move logistical patrols that supplies to people who need them,” leave regularly from said Longhenry, a Cincinnati native. Camp Taji, Iraq. “Some of the smaller (contingency op- B and C troops with 2nd Squadron, erating locations) rely on water and 107th Cavalry Regiment, 155th Brigade fuel we provide.” Special Troops Battalion, 155th Heavy Longhenry said the redistribution of Brigade Combat Team, 13th ESC, serve retrograde assets has become a primary as security for sustainment support mission with the reposturing of equip- convoys leaving Camp Taji, said 2nd Lt. ment and personnel. Jason Funderburk, intelligence officer B Troop 2/107th Cav. supported with convoy security, 155th BSTB. Operation Back to School, a series of “They provide logistics security for humanitarian missions that started at any of the combat sustainment con- Camp Taji in support of the rural Iraqi voys from the Taji area,” said Funder- grade schools in the area, said Long- burk, a Starkville, Miss., native. horn. They provided convoy security They support regular sustainment for the volunteers as they delivered missions destined for Joint Base Balad Pfc. Blake Owens, a driver with B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment, school supplies, he said. 155th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 13th or Victory Base Camp, Iraq, he said. “We’re helping the community and Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Versailles, Ohio, native, dries the Traditionally, both troops are com- the country,” said Longhenry. mirrors on a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle prior to a mission Jan. 20 bat arms units specialized in mounted at Camp Taji, Iraq. Both troops have completed more operations, he said. than 800 missions and traveled to most For this deployment, they trained still able to shoot, move and communi- lyst with C Troop 2/107th Cav. of the major COLs in Iraq, he said. They in the use of Mine-Resistant Ambush- cate.” “We rehearse battle drills often,” said ensure the safe transportation of sup- Protected vehicles and convoy secu- Roughly half of the Soldiers with Boots, a Cincinnati native. “We make plies to their destination, said Funder- rity procedures, said 1st Sgt. Edward the 2/107th Cav. have been deployed sure every Soldier, from the lowest rank burk. Schmerber, the senior noncommis- at least once before, said Schmerber. to top, knows everybody’s job.” After nine months in country, the sioned officer with B Troop 2/107th Soldiers with overseas experience With this method, Soldiers are con- 2/107th has suffered no loss of life, se- Cav. helped mentor the other Soldiers in fident when they need to replace a Sol- rious incidents or major injures while Schmerber said the transition was the mission objectives they faced, said dier who is injured or unable to per- performing its missions, said Schmer- easy for Veterans of previous deploy- Schmerber. form his duties, Boots said. ber. ments and the Soldiers experienced in The Soldiers always prepare for each Convoy security elements are just as “They’ve done a remarkable job,” tactical vehicle movement operations. mission and know all of the important important as the trucks that move sup- said Schmerber. “Bottom line is that “Weapons systems are the same, information before they ever leave the plies, said Boots. Without them, they the mission was to come here and per- but the vehicles have changed,” said gate, said Staff Sgt. Adam Boots, a risk losing the cargo, he said. form our duties, but ultimately bring Schmerber, a Cincinnati native. “We’re truck commander and intelligence ana- The 2/107th secures the convoys home every Soldier.” Security paramount in 301st Chemical Company visit to Baghdad orphanage

By Sg t . Jo h n St i m a c tail team has not been on a humani- have to follow the traffic laws, be obe- “They have to be confident enough Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f tarian mission like this in two to three dient of the Iraqi’s and not press too to want to follow you,” said Hoppius. months, he said. hard on getting through traffic,” said “I try to give my team direction on CONTIGENCY OPERATING LO- Even for humanitarian missions, Gilliam. “We work with the Iraqi po- what they do so there are no surprises CATION PROSPERITY, preparation to ensure the safety of lice and Iraqi Army and that makes at the venue.” Baghdad – Members of team members is paramount, he our life a whole lot easier.” He said he has a lot of interaction the 301st Chemical Com- said. Because Army personnel can no with the officials on all of his PSD mis- pany visited the Dar Al “We do communication checks longer do route reconnaissance, they sions and wants to establish a rapport Zuhor orphanage in with the handhelds; plan the route on followed the map to this particular and show charisma with them imme- Baghdad Jan. 16 and Blue Force tracker, mount weapons venue, Gilliam said. diately. handed out packages and gifts to the on the vehicles and check the cleanli- Sgt. Larry J. Hoppius, personal se- “If you are calm and collected, they children. ness of the vehicle,” said Gilliam. “We curity officer, 301st Chem. Co. and a will probably be (calm) if something Their goal was to observe and have two M1151 Humvee’s we call li- Southgate, Ky., native, said he is the ever happens,” said Hoppius. “It just improve the quality of life at the or- mos – we take pride in keeping those liaison between the shift leader and makes the job easier in the long run.” phanage, a place they had never been vehicles extra clean.” the principals. Gilliam said his team is one of only before, said Sgt. 1st Class Joseph K. He said the personnel they escort, “We deal with a lot of civilians and four U.S. Department of State mili- Gilliam, shift leader with the 301st nicknamed the principals, ride to the I act as a buffer between them and tary PSD teams in country and the Chem. Co, 155th Heavy Brigade Com- venue in the limos. our team,” said Hoppius. 301st Chem. Co. has all four teams. bat Team, 13th Sustainment Com- Gilliam said driving through the He said he is personally responsi- “I think we are one of a few units mand (Expeditionary) and Morehead, streets of Baghdad can be hectic. ble for their security and takes pride that still run through the streets of Ky., native. The personal security de- “When we drive out to the city we in his job. Baghdad,” said Gilliam. January 27, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 11 Providers teach Iraqi Army check point search procedures St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y sics and stresses “If they ever had to search a female, Spc . Mi c h a e l V. Ca m a c h o key steps for they’ll know how to do it according to Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f personnel and their cultural guidelines,” said Young. vehicle searches, Young said he uses his experiences CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Every Sunday, U.S. said Young, a from deployments to both Iraq and Af- Soldiers teach Iraqi Army Benoit, Miss., ghanistan to help teach Iraqi Soldiers. Soldiers vehicle and per- native. Some of He said the classes gave the Iraqi Sol- sonnel search procedures the Iraqi Sol- diers confidence and proficiency in their at Camp Taji, Iraq. diers have been tasks. The class teaches the briefed on simi- “They started understanding that this Iraqis the U.S. Army’s lar techniques was (standard operating procedure) and standard techniques and procedures and this class they have to apply to these standards,” to promote strong force protection at builds on to that said Young. Camp Taji, said Chief Warrant Officer training and tac- Young said the Iraqi Army check- 4 Billy Brassel, officer in charge of force tical knowledge, points operate with little U.S. military protection with the 155th Brigade Spe- said Young. support. They are at the point where cial Troops Battalion, 155th Heavy Bri- “I ask (the they run and maintain their own opera- gade Combat Team, 13th Sustainment Iraqi Soldiers) tions, he said. Command (Expeditionary). what they know The instruction is very informative “It makes our side safer because of the and use it as and the teaching style helps with first- convoys and amount of Iraqi personnel building blocks hand experience in the search meth- that enter through their (entry control to increase their Sgt. Darcell Young, class instructor and sergeant of the guard ods, said Iraqi Army Spc. Haider Abbas points),” said Brassel, a Grenada, Miss., efficiency,” said at Gunners Gate with Headquarters and Headquarters Com- Gaffier, a military police officer in the pany, 155th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 155th Heavy Bri- native. Young. “It’s a Taji Location Command Military Police gade Combat Team, 13th Sustainment Command (Expedition- Iraqi Army Soldiers operate the east hands-on class. Brigade and a Baghdad native, through ary) and Benoit, Miss., native, observes as two Iraqi Soldiers and south gates, said Brassel. I talk them demonstrate personnel search techniques and procedures a translator. For roughly six months Sgt. Darcell through it and Jan. 17 at Camp Taji, Iraq. Young teaches vehicle and person- It is important that Iraqi Soldiers who Young, the sergeant of the guard at Gun- then I watch nel search procedures and techniques to the Iraqi Soldiers work on the gates know these procedures ners Gate with Headquarters and Head- them do it them- who man the entry check points at Camp Taji. when the time comes to inspect vehicles quarters Company, 155th BSTB, has selves and over- and personnel, he said. worked side by side with Iraqi Army Sol- view how they do it. I’ll critique parts and to inspect vehicles and to search both When U.S. Forces leave, the Iraqi diers and officials to set protocol to help tell them what they need to improve in. male and female personnel. When fe- forces will stand and defend their coun- improve their operational efficiency at It gives them more confidence in what male personnel need to be searched, the try and its people, said Brassel. the Iraqi-monitored ECPs at Camp Taji, they are doing out there on the gates.” training respects Arabic cultural cus- Helping Iraqis maintain the same said Young. With the use of a translator, Young toms while keeping force protection top standard as U.S. forces ensures the safe- The class teaches the Iraqi Soldiers ba- said he teaches Iraqi Army Soldiers how priority, said Young. ty of all parties, he said. Camp Adder area Soldiers visit local shaykhs, pump houses St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Blair said it is obvious his Soldiers the local shaykhs Pfc . Li s a A. Co p e have a good relationship with the local that … actually have Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f children in particular, as the children a contract to main- generally run to greet the Soldiers, tain the pumps and CAMP ADDER, Iraq – Soldiers with who bring them candy or other items make sure that we the 546th Maintenance that have been donated to the unit for have water. Company and the 36th distribution. Ryan said the Sustainment Brigade, The closing of Cedar II will cut his shaykhs help ensure 13th Sustainment Com- teams’ mission in half as only two of the security of his mand (Expeditionary) the pumps will be needed to keep Ad- troops while they met with local lead- der running, Blair said. are on missions in ers Jan. 18 and vis- “(The closing of Cedar II) will affect the area. ited the four pump stations along the it drastically, 50 percent of what we “They help us,” Euphrates River that provide water do outside will fundamentally be cut,” said Ryan. “If there to Camp Adder and Camp Cedar II, said Blair. “We deliver 900 to 1,000 is … anything going Iraq. gallons (of fuel) to each site per week. on, on their land, First Lt. Nicholas R. Blair, the offi- This will drop it down from 4,000 they let me know cer in charge of the Canal Pump Team gallons to 2,000 gallons. We will just about it and help to with the 546th Maint. Co. out of Fort deliver fuel to the Tallil site, and the keep our Soldiers Col. Sean A. Ryan, commander of the 36th Sustainment Brigade out of Temple, Texas, 13th Sustainment Com- Polk, La., said his team delivers fuel Euphrates 2 site.” safe here.” mand (Expeditionary) and a Cedar Park, Texas, native, is to all four pumps about three times a Col. Sean A. Ryan, commander The pump houses given a tour, Jan. 18, of one of the water pumps on the week. of the 36th Sust. Bde out of Temple, are a vital link be- Euphrates River that supplies water to Camp Adder, Iraq. Blair, a Norton, Mass., native, said Texas, and a Cedar Park, Texas, na- tween the local pop- local shaykhs own the pump sites and tive, visited the pump houses and had ulation and U.S. forces in the area, flict, or friction points, with the pump local Iraqis are in charge of the gen- lunch with two of the local shaykhs. said Ryan. houses because it is a win-win situa- eral upkeep and maintenance of the “I think it was successful,” said “We are starting to interact more tion. It is how we get our water and pumps. Therefore, when the team Ryan. “The engineers were out work- with the local population,” said Ryan. our lifeline here on Adder, and it pro- goes out to the sites, they always in- ing on one of the pumps where the “We see a lot more acceptance with vides some business to the shaykhs, teract with the local population, he earth had kind of fallen in some, and the shaykhs, as well as the local popu- and ultimately spreads throughout said. (it was) a good chance just to meet with lace that work there. There is not con- their communities.” PAGE 12 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s urviving S EFP Alley Mississippi Rifles’ convoy attacked, three Soldiers earn Purple Hearts St o r i e s a n d Ph o t o s b y Spc . Na v e e d Al i Sh a h plosively formed projectiles and small arms fire. Donald Harrod, a platoon leader with D Company, Expditionary Ti m e s St a f f Three Mississippi Soldiers in a gun truck team on 1/155th Inf. Regt. a late-night convoy in Iraq did exactly that, surviving A routine night changed in a brilliant flash of light JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – For Soldiers deployed to EFP Alley Nov. 13. and deafening noise. Unable to see clearly or hear one combat, danger is outside the base, on the They were wounded but, for their quick actions, were anoher, the situation almost descended into chaos, but other side of the hill, always somewhere rewarded with their lives that night and Purple Hearts the Soldiers said their training took over. else, never near him or his team. Until it two months later. Instinctively, Spc. Adam Gordon, the driver, steered is. the mammoth Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected ve- Then the danger and terror are ev- The attack hicle away from the blast site, bringing their disabled erywhere at once, over just as quickly Every day, the Soldiers with the Mississippi National truck to rest about 70 meters away. as they began, and those Soldiers are safe again. Until Guard’s 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 13th Sus- “I didn’t think it hit the truck directly,” said Gordon, next time. tainment Command (Expeditionary), provide convoy a Brookhaven, Miss., native. “I didn’t realize how bad The Army trains its Warfighters never to settle into security for the trucks that deliver supplies to all of the truck was hit.” those moments of security, never to become compla- northern and central Iraq. Simultaneously, Spc. Avery Moore, the gunner, be- cent. Instead Soldiers must always look for the next For the Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry gan scanning the area for targets, weary of an ambush. great threat. This saves lives. It is what sets Soldiers Regiment, at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Nov. 13 was just “I reverted back to my training – scanning and look- apart from civilians. another night on another convoy as they approached ing for people, looking for whoever did this to me,” said They serve a year or more in the thick of combat, EFP Alley, a section of the route between Balad and Moore, a Harrisville, Miss., native. away from their families and the comfortable familiari- Baghdad. Soldiers nicknamed the area EFP Alley, be- Sgt. Kristina Jones, the gun truck commander, said ties of home, facing improvised explosive devices, ex- cause the area is heavy with activity, said Sgt. 1st Class she had only one thought on her mind. “It was: ‘Alright, this really happened,’” said Jones, a Deer Park, Wash., native. “First thing we did was check to make sure everybody was OK. Immediately, our (communication system) went down, the vehicle went down. So the driver steered the truck safely and tried to signal the other trucks to let them know what was going on, and the gunner pulled security until the other trucks came up. All the drilling we do made it second nature. We didn’t really have to think about anything, it just kind of happened.” Later, the Soldiers learned the full extent of the damage to the truck was not as bad as it could have been. Thanks to the standard operating procedures and guidelines set by the battalion and followed by the team, serious injury was averted. “Two patrols had already passed through that area that night with no problem,” said Harrod, a Hatties- burg, Miss., native. As the truck approached a concrete barrier, rather

Brig. Gen. Paul L. Wentz, commanding general of the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), pins the Purple Heart on Sgt. Kristina Jones, a vehicle command- er with the Mississippi National Guard’s D Company, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 13th ESC, who was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Badge Jan. 13 for wounds received Nov. 13 in an improvised explosive device, ex- plosively formed projectile attack on her vehicle. Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 13

than give it a wide berth, Jones instructed the driver to the birth of his daughter, Allie Gordon, in January. probably the hardest part,” Jones said. pull close so he could clear the area around the barrier Moore said he called his sister and left a message Eventually, all three Soldiers returned to duty. Moore and the gunner could clear above it. when she did not answer. and Gordon continue to run convoys throughout Iraq. “They were doing what they were directed to do, “They weren’t too happy about that,” he said. “Everybody has helped and made it a lot easier,” said what they were trained to do,” said Harrod. Though their wounds were relatively minor, they Moore. “I don’t feel any different.” When the vehicle commander’s side of the MRAP were pulled from their missions for roughly two to four The three were further honored Jan. 13 when they was parallel to the barrier, the blast struck. It showered weeks to ensure their complete recovery. were awarded the Purple Heart in a ceremony at their shrapnel from the front bumper to the back, from the Jones said sitting on the sidelines went against his battalion headquarters at JBB. wheel-well to the gunner’s turret, and punched a hole nature as a Soldier. “It feels a little strange, I didn’t expect anything like in the vehicle commander’s compartment. “Watching everybody go out without you, that was this to happen,” said Moore. “I’m honored.” Because they pulled up close to the obstacle, they put pressure on the trigger-man and diminished the ef- fectiveness of the EFP, which has been known to kill Soldiers even in the up-armored MRAP, said Harrod. Mississippi Guardsmen convoy Explosively formed projectiles The Mississippi Rifles were hit by an explosively formed projectile, an improvised explosive device used by terrorists in Iraq specifically against armored mili- tary vehicles, according to the Pentagon’s joint IED all night, work all day task force. The EFP is usually a cylindrical object with a concave JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – If they were scared, they well in advance, at home, in Kuwait and at JBB. copper disc at the head. When triggered, a blasting cap never showed it. “Back in March, we did pre-mob training at Camp sets off explosives packed behind the copper disc. The Instead, the Soldiers with E Company, Shelby, (Miss.),” said Jones. “We did (improvised ex- detonation wave, moving at roughly 8,000 meters per 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, plosive device) training, convoy security training, and second, strikes the liner, which inverts into a spear-like prepared for their convoy from Joint some weapon familiarization. It made the guys a little slug, capable of piercing most armor, spraying metal Base Balad to Contingency Operat- more aware of what we’d be doing here.” shards across the crew compartment, according to the ing Location Seitz, Iraq, Jan. 16, and The NCOs stressed teamwork and cooperation in task force. gathered around the convoy com- their briefings and said those two qualities would be According to a 2007 Washington Post report, an mander, Sgt. 1st Class David J. Cage, 2nd Battalion, required to successfully accomplish their mission. EFP eight inches in diameter is capable of throwing a 198th Combined Arms, with the 155th Heavy Brigade “You have to be able to depend on the truck in front seven-pound copper slug at Mach 6, or 2,000 meters Combat Team Mississippi National Guard, 13th Sus- of you or behind you,” said Jones. “But the Soldiers of per second. Copper is preferred because it is ductile tainment Command (Expeditionary), for the convoy this unit are really good about that. They run to help and malleable, and does not shatter like steel, accord- briefing. Afterward, they conducted last minute vehi- each other.” ing to the same report. cle maintenance, cleaned weapons, grabbed food, or When the mission is to run convoys throughout Prior to the deployment, the 1/155th trained at napped before the mission. Iraq, often in dangerous areas, including a portion of Camp Shelby, near Hattiesburg, Miss., and then at Sgt. Bryan Fuller, a combat engineer serving as the the route between Balad and Baghdad known as EFP Camp Buehring, Kuwait, learning about EFPs and oth- lead vehicle’s commander, said he has more than 50 Alley, where one of the unit’s convoys was hit by ex- er potential weapons, in preparation for their convoy missions under his belt. plosively formed projectile Nov. 13, it comes down to security operations. Now, at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, the “It’s nothing new to me,” said Fuller, a Columbus, relying on every Soldier, said Cage. unit maintains readiness with training, such as coun- Miss., native. Cage said the Jan. 16 convoy went off without a ter-IED training, said 1st Sgt. Plez Summers, the senior He ate his dinner out of a Styrofoam tray on the hitch. noncommissioned officer with D Co., 1/155th. The unit front of his vehicle while his gunner, trained for a total of almost three months before arriv- Spc. Dustin Donald, a diesel me- ing in Iraq in July, he said. chanic on the civilian side, sat near “We trained back home and when we got to the the- by and smoked a cigarette. ater,” said Moore, a gunner that day. “At Camp Shelby, As go-time approached, Fuller we simulated small arms fire (and) IEDs, and the train- had Donald go over the steps leading ers made it seem real.” up to the convoy’s departure. “First, we do the pre-mission Reaction, recovery, Purple Hearts brief and then we do the last minute After the EFP hit that night Pfc. David J. White, checks and put our gear on,” said tasked to the 1/155th from the 90th Sustainment Bri- Donald, an Independence, Miss., gade, 13th ESC, Harrod said he jumped into action, native. “We head over to the stag- assessing injuries and treating the wounded Soldiers ing lanes, and then, once the other as quickly as he could. White was on one of his first trucks are ready, we head out the combat missions, serving as the convoy’s lone medic, gate.” Harrod said. At the last minute, they learned “Before we left, I told him that if something hap- they would have to run the mission pens, he should just ignore rank structure and just tell one gun truck short because the us what he needs,” Harrod said. truck needed maintenance. All of the Soldiers who were there that night spoke “Usually we take care of vehicle highly of White and his calm under fire. maintenance before the mission, “He really earned his (combat medical badge) that but this just came up last minute,” night,” said Harrod. “He did an outstanding job and said Sgt. Markie Jones, a vehicle we’re all grateful to him.” commander with 2/198 Combined The three wounded Soldiers were evacuated by Arms. ground to the combat support hospital at Camp Vic- The unit prepared for its mission tory, in Baghdad, for treatment. After they were treated, the doctors there made them Maintenance personnel with 2nd Bat- call their families to let them know what happened. talion, 198th Combined Arms, with Gordon, whose wife, Maggie Gordon, was about the Mississippi National Guard’s six months pregnant with their first child at the time, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, dreaded the call. 13th Sustainment Command (Expe- “She handled it better thn I thought she would,” ditionary), check a Mine-Resistant Adam Gordon said. “She cried and she thought I would Ambush-Protected vehicle Jan. 16 come home, but I told her that’s not the case.” prior to a convoy from Joint Base Although he didn’t go home right away, Adam Gor- Balad to Contingency Operating Lo- don went home for leave in late December, in time for cation Seitz, Iraq. PAGE 14 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010 Camp Taji Soldiers complete Martin Luther King Jr. Day 5K run By Cp l . Ri c h m o n d Ba r k e m e y e r The top three male and female fin- 96t h Su s t . Bd e . ishers from each of the three age cate- gories received $40 Army and Air Force CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Nearly 400 run- Exchange Service gift certificates. ners competed in the 5K After the race, a drawing was held to for MLK run Jan. 18 at award such prizes as a portable DVD Camp Taji, Iraq, in honor player, gift certificates to the Green of Martin Luther King Bean Coffee shop and the Movies 2 Jr. Day. shop here, and a 30-day Internet pass. Sponsored by the Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah Winn, the 1st Battalion, 227th Attack Reconnais- noncommissioned officer in charge of sance, the event featured commemora- transportation with the 96th Sustain- tive T-shirts for the first 100 registrants, ment Brigade, 13th ESC and a Magna, prizes for the top finishers, and a raffle Utah, native, has taken advantage of following the race. the races at Camp Taji, and has run in The top finisher was Capt. Louis all of the 5Ks held here since his ar- Longhenry, commander of B Company, rival, he said. Winn said he runs to stay 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment, in shape, to support the various causes and a Cincinnati native, with a time of associated with the events, and for the 19 minutes, .02 seconds. free T-shirts. Second place went to Capt. Robert “It’s a great opportunity for us to U.S. Army photo by Capt. Anthony John Lejawa, a flight surgeon with the 615th come and stay in shape a little bit, and Soldiers from throughout Camp Taji, Iraq, begin the 5K run in celebration of Martin Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cav- also come to support the everlasting ex- Luther King Jr. Jan. 18 at Camp Taji. alry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division and a ample of Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Chicago native, with a time of 20 min- Winn. he helped out the country, not just Afri- Mustafa came to cheer on his troops utes, 5 seconds. Spc. Christopher Read, an intelli- can Americans,” said Read. “Everyone who participated in the race. Although Third place went to Cpl. Terrance gence analyst with the 96th Sust. Bde. started seeing things in a new light, and they had received little notice of the Clausell, a vehicle operator with the and a West Valley, Utah, native, said he helped to shift that paradigm and event, Mustafa said he was proud to 498th Transportation Company, 541st this was his second race since coming bring about equality for all men, so he support his Airmen in the race. Combat Sustainment Support Battal- to Taji. He said his reasons for running needs to be celebrated.” “This is a very good thing, especially ion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th coincided with Winn’s, but he particu- Members of the Iraqi Air Force from since this is a new Iraqi Army,” said Sustainment Command (Expedition- larly supported the reasons for the 5K Camp Taji were also present for the Mustafa, through an interpreter. “The ary) and a Mobile, Ala., native, with a for MLK. event. Iraqi Army with Coalition forces doing time of 20 minutes, 24 seconds. “He was a great man and, obviously, Iraqi Air Force Maj. Salam Asmeal this kind of thing is very good.” Balad observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, Spc . Na v e e d Al i Sh a h said he was proud to participate in the Expditionary Ti m e s St a f f ceremony as a part of the honor guard. “This is actually why I chose to do this JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Soldiers ceremony; myself and my wingmen … we with the 13th Sustainment felt it would be special for us to handle the Command (Expeditionary) rifles for the ceremony, as kind of the pro- and Airmen with the 332nd tectors of the colors,” said Scott, a Jack- Air Expeditionary Wing, sonville, Fla., native. “It makes me feel as well as service mem- honored to be part of this ceremony.” bers from the sea servic- The guest speaker, Col. Fredrick es, came together Jan. 22 to “Remember! Brown, the operations officer with the Celebrate! Act!” at the Dr. Martin Luther 13th ESC, thanked Taylor for his poem King Jr. Commemoration Luncheon here and spoke about equality in the military. at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. "The United States armed services are The event included a joint honor Col. Fredrick Brown, the operations officer with the 13th Sustainment Command together the most racially integrated mass guard, a musical selection, a buffet-style (Expeditionary) and the guest speaker at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemora- organization in the world," said Brown, a lunch and a guest speaker. Sgt. 1st Class tion Luncheon, spoke about equality in the military. Soldiers with the 13th ESC and Natchez, Miss., native. Johnnie Mitchell, the 13th ESC equal op- Airmen with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, as well as service members from Brown said King's work brought the portunity adviser, helped to coordinate the sea services, came together Jan. 22 to “Remember! Celebrate! Act!” at the lun- inadequacy of the American civil rights the event. She said the event was more cheon at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. policy to the attention of the American than just honoring a holiday. people and the people of the world. “To me, it’s about awareness and just point; we can do everything in a nonvio- “But he never died, he realized he was “I do feel like I’m carrying on his lega- bringing people together,” said Mitch- lent manner,” said Mitchell. “I think his a vessel, and though a man’s flesh may cy because it’s all about diversity, cultural ell. “It’s not for one ethnic group, but it’s methods were the correct approach to get wither, the spirit lives on just as long as awareness, education and treating people about everybody.” over (inequality).” he’s remembered,” said Taylor, whose with dignity and respect … that’s what Dr. King’s message of peaceful demon- Pfc. Jeremiah Taylor, with the 910th poem was received with a standing ova- King wanted,” said Mitchell. “He paved stration and cooperation was the theme Quartermaster Company, recited an tion. the way for everyone. He wanted every- throughout the event. original poem he wrote for the service in Airman 1st Class Sean Scott, a radar body to be considered equal, regardless “We don’t have to fight to make a honor of King. maintenance technician with the 727th of your skin color.” January 27, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 15 Guardsmen pen pals write hometown grade-schoolers St o r y a n d Ph o t o s b y “As an ongoing project, my second Ca p t . Mu r r a y Sh u g a r s and third grade Discovery students, a 2/198t h CAB gifted education class, continue Stan- ley’s adventures,” Hays said. “Students CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCA- create their own Flat Stanley, giving him TION Q-WEST, Iraq – Mis- a unique identity as seen through the sissippi Army National eyes of a 7- to 9-year-old. We send him Guardsmen at Contingency through the mail to places all around the Operating Location Q- world, where friends and family mem- West, Iraq, wrote to ele- bers take him on trips.” mentary school children, In previous years, her students sent their “Flat Stanley” pen-pals from Moor- the paper doll throughout the U.S. and eville, Miss., in December and January. the world, including France, China and Soldiers with A Company, 2nd Bat- Japan, Hays said. This year, the class talion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th discussed the war in Iraq and the stu- Brigade Combat Team, the Q-West force dents brainstormed ideas for what they protection company out of Hernando, might do to help, said Hays. Because one Miss., with the 13th Sustainment Com- student, Harley Hamblin, had a father mand (Expeditionary) participated in deployed to Iraq with the Mississippi the Flat Stanley Project with second and Army National Guard, they decided to third grade children in Cheryl Hays’ Dis- send holiday supplies to hometown Sol- covery Class at Mooreville Elementary diers, she said. School, in Mooreville, Miss. “Every year, during the Christmas For Flat Stanley, an international lit- season, our Discovery students partici- eracy and community-building activity, pate in a project designed to teach chil- Cpl. Justin R. Strickland, a truck commander and a Memphis, Tenn., native, poses projects students make a paper cutout dren to help others,” said Hays. “We call with Flat Stanley, a paper doll used in a pen-pal program Jan. 13 at Contingency of Flat Stanley and write a journal about it our Enhancing Lives Forever, or ELF, Operating Location Q-West, Iraq. Third-graders with Cheryl Hays’ Discovery class him, then mail these to recipients who Project.” at Mooreville Elementary School, in Mooreville, Miss., sent the paper doll along treat Flat Stanley as a guest and com- The students sent 12 care packages with cards and letters. Strickland participated in the activity with fellow Soldiers with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th Heavy Brigade Com- plete the journal, returning Flat Stanley to Sgt. James J. Hamblin, a machine bat Team, a mechanized infantry unit out of Hernando, Miss. and the journal to the original senders, gunner with A Company, 2/198th CAB, according to the official Flat Stanley whose son is in Hays’ class. Spc. Lorence K. Strange, a gun truck ley would have to go through the proper Project Web site, http://www.flatstan- “My son Harley’s class sent packages driver and a New Albany, Miss., native, training before we could issue him a ley.com/how.html. and Christmas cards and postcards they posed with Flat Stanley and wrote a let- weapon, but we did show him the weap- In 1995, Canadian teacher Dale Hu- made, along with Flat Stanley and a note ter back to the children. ons we carry to protect the force.” bert created the project, basing it on asking me to show him around and send “This was a fun thing to do,” said Another student, second-grader Joe “Flat Stanley,” a 1964 children’s book, him back with letters about his visit,” Strange. “I wanted to thank the kids for Ray, asked if Stanley had seen any Army written by Jeff Brown and illustrated by said James Hamblin, a Tupelo, Miss., sending the packages and for wanting to equipment. Tomi Ungerer, that tells about a boy flat- native. know about our lives over here. I’ve got “Has Flat Stanley looked at the ma- tened by a toppling bulletin board who James Hamblin said he distributed three kids myself, two girls and a boy, chinery? Hey, Flat Stanley, I can’t wait mails himself in envelopes to distant the care packages throughout his com- and another on the way. I would love to see you and the pictures,” he said. places, according to http://www.flat- pany and solicited the help of his fellow for my kids to do this Flat Stanley pen- James Hamblin said the A Co. Sol- stanleybooks.com. Soldiers with the Flat Stanley Project. pal activity. To send a paper doll all the diers took Flat Stanley along with them The Flat Stanley Project is an ex- “I want to try to help the kids un- way to Iraq and have it travel around the during a Dec. 30 mission to the Al- cellent learning tool, said Hays, a Lee derstand what we’re doing over here, country, even on missions, that’s pretty Qyarrah pump station, the Tigris River County, Miss., native. During the activ- what life is like for Soldiers,” said James cool.” source of water supplying Contingency ity, children learn more about careers, Hamblin. “I want my son to know I’m Spc. Daniel S. Moore, a gunner and a Operating Location Q-West, Iraq. geography, foreign languages and other well, that all the guys here are doing Horn Lake, Miss., native, said he hoped “Flat Stanley rode in our gun trucks cultures and practice skills, including well. We’re over here now so, hopefully, his own children would have the chance during the mission,” said James Hamb- reading, writing, researching, commu- our kids won’t ever have to be over here to participate in a similar project when lin. “He even helped inspect the engine nicating, thinking creatively and solving when they grow up.” they are older. of one.” math problems, said Hays. Spc. Philip A. Pigford, an A Company “It’s a pretty cool way to teach kids by All of the students thanked the Mis- gunner and a Memphis, Tenn., native, getting feedback from us, giving them a sissippi Guardsmen for their service and posed for pictures with a Flat Stanley bigger picture of the world,” said Moore. told them to take care. Several students paper doll. “We want them to know that we’re doing were also concerned for Flat Stanley’s “This is a great idea,” said Pigford. all we can for them, over here and when safety, including Lauren Elliot. “It’s a great way to tell the kids about we get home. I have two toddler daugh- “Soldiers, do you like my Flat Stan- what we’re doing over here, and it’s nice ters myself, and I can see my daughters ley?” said Elliot. “Can you please keep to know they are thinking about us.” doing pen pals with Flat Stanley.” Flat Stanley safe for me? I bet your fam- Cpl. Justin R. Strickland, a truck com- ily misses you.” Flat Stanley, a paper doll used in a mander and a Southaven, Miss., native, James Hamblin said he and his fellow pen-pal program, sits propped on the said the project lifted his morale. Soldiers were keeping Flat Stanley very western shore of the Tigris River Dec. “I thought it was great,” said Strick- safe. 30, near the Al-Qyarrah pump station land. “It showed us the people at home “You don’t have to worry about Flat compound, the source of water supply- still care, especially to get cards and let- Stanley’s safety,” said James Hamblin. ing Contingency Operating Location ters from the kids. It’s good to know that “We are the force protection company Q-West, Iraq. Third-graders with Cheryl they know what’s going on, that we’re for our base. Our job is to make sure Hays’ Discovery class at Mooreville El- over here.” everyone on the base stays safe, and we ementary School, in Mooreville, Miss., Hays e-mailed messages from her take that very seriously. Flat Stanley is sent the paper doll along with cards class, which James Hamblin answered. safe.” and letters to Soldiers with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, One student, third-grader Kayla Buse, James Hamblin’s son, a third-grader, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, wanted to know if the Soldiers gave had a special message for his father. a mechanized infantry unit out of Her- Stanley an M4 carbine rifle. “Be Safe,” said Harley Hamblin. nando, Miss., that provides security for “No, Kayla, Stanley did not get a “Come home soon in one piece. I love missions to the pump house. weapon,” said James Hamblin. “Stan- you.” PAGE 16 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010 Country singers entertain at Camp Adder St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Pfc . Li s a A. Co p e Burleson, Texas, native, said he has been a country Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f music fan for about 16 years. Jackson said he was impressed with the concert CAMP ADDER, Iraq – Country singers Kellie Pick- and was particularly excited to hear Johnson per- ler, Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser form. performed a concert Jan. 17 as part of “I really enjoyed Jamie Johnson’s songs; Randy a United Service Organization tour at Houser was a close second,” said Jackson. “I got to memorial hall at Camp Adder, Iraq. listen to them sing and crack jokes, it was pretty This was Johnson and Houser’s fun.” first USO tour, but the military set- Jackson said he would like to see more shows ting was nothing new for Johnson, like this one. who served in the Marines from 1994 to 2002. “I would like to see more country singers over “I have enjoyed this whole week,” said Johnson. here, I know they come over here when they can … “It has been a lot like hanging out with my (Marine but I have never really heard of too many country Corps) brothers.” singers who do tours at this many (bases),” said Johnson said the tour was a good learning expe- Jackson. rience for him. Johnson said he was impressed with his experi- “It is incredible,” said Johnson. “My unit was ence so far and the service members he met during deployed the same week I got discharged. I barely his tour. missed it the first time. So, it was about time I got “I do not think I had any idea what to expect,” over here to kind of see what was going on out here. said Johnson. “(It is) exactly what I kind of hoped It was eye-opening.” to find when I got here, you know, just a bunch of Country singer Jamie Johnson performs at the Jan. 17 Spc. Phillip G. Jackson Jr., a computer repair good men and women pulling together. We have the United Service Organizations concert at Memorial Hall at specialist with the 36th Sustainment Brigade and a world’s best military force.” Camp Adder, Iraq. American Forces Network access to be expanded in theater smaller bases that are scheduled to re- Hoefs said he acts as a subject mat- and recreation funds, USF-I will assist in By Sg t . Ke i t h S. Va n Kl o m p e n b e r g main in place through the upcoming ter expert for the initiative and provides the funding, he said. Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f withdrawal of troops and equipment solutions for units looking to add AFN to Decoders and satellite dishes for pub- JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – United from Iraq are the focus of the initiative. their locations. lic areas such as dining facilities and States Forces – Iraq is begin- Locations such as Joint Base Balad and The initiative requires the mayor’s cell MWR centers can be obtained at no cost, ning a new initiative to stan- Victory Base Compound are already at of every enduring base in Iraq to provide but installing AFN in CHUs at bases dardize the American Forces or very near the standard, he said. information detailing where they sit in scheduled to close will be at the cost of Network’s broadcasting AFN programming provides con- regard to 100 percent coverage by Feb. the units, said Hoefs. capabilities on all endur- structive recreational and healthy en- 5, said Hoefs. Hoefs said units can contact him with ing bases in theater. tertainment options to service members After USF-I has this information, their needs and what they are looking “The bottom line is we have the best and is essential to their morale, said El- it will work to bring all locations up to for, and he will work with them to come armed forces in the world and they deserve lison. standard by Feb. 19, Ellison said. up with an appropriate plan of action. the best quality-of-life programs we can In addition to entertainment, AFN “It’s not just about enduring bases,” Ellison said USF-I wants to help all provide,” said Air Force Lt. Col. David El- provides valuable education, said Air said Ellison. units, but has to take costs into consider- lison, the chief of programs for the person- Force Master Sgt. Jody Hoefs, the non- Units on bases scheduled to close ation when setting up AFN for locations nel sector of USF-I. “Our goal is to ensure commissioned officer in charge of the during the upcoming withdrawal can that will close during the drawdown. that, at a minimum, all enduring (bases) AFN maintenance field office with still have AFN set up with USF-I’s assis- “We all deserve AFN, but we have to have AFN TV drops in all (containerized USF-I. tance, Ellison said. be good stewards of taxpayer money,” he housing units) so that members have ac- “If you have AFN where you can relax, Ellison said the technology used to said. cess to AFN programming. It provides a you’re going to get that good command broadcast AFN in Iraq is mostly wireless To inquire AFN installation, units can taste of America, a taste of home.” information,” said Hoefs, a Pelican Rap- and inexpensive for units to purchase. If send their requirements to AFN-iraq- Ellison, a Columbia, S.C., native, said ids, Minn., native. units lack the money in morale, welfare [email protected]. January 27, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 17 Stress Doc: country road gospel John Denver Swiss and German immigrants majestic and miraculous mystery. As The heat and light are as nurturing knew what he originally settled the town roughly wonderful as cyberspace is, it can't as the fresh fruit cup, warm banana was talking 130 years ago. Escaping religious compete with the real thing. bread and preserves, oatmeal and about in the persecution, these folks landed in Growing up in New York, living in brown sugar and hot tea. Such a meal song “Country Brooklyn and somehow did the cov- Washington, one hardly remembers has me sleepy. And for now, alas, the Roads.” ered wagon tour to their new world the night sky. dreamy journey must end. Yet, each mountain hamlet. Yet I complain Viewing clearly the Milky Way and Having set down my trip in words year, I debate about my long trip. myriad stars surely places everything and images heartens me. This gets taking my No phone, no TV. More than 36 in a vastly different perspective. saved to a readily accessible file to solo, overnight hours detached from the virtual vir- And on this screen, one does not remind me that man can't live by retreat to the tues and vices of cyberspace. just find constellations, there are al- intellect and words, psychology and “The Stress Doc” mountains of Maybe that's the moral of this es- most limitless projections. Silhouett- virtual reality alone. Mark Gorkin West Virginia. say: when so absorbed in my online ed against the darkened, yet starlit, There must be time for space and It's a five to and offline writing and workshop ac- panorama the towering black-grey, color, light and shadows, and pitch six hour drive, and I've done it before. tivities, I sometimes forget how criti- tree-covered mountain ridge morphs darkness, for the animated sounds of At times money has been a concern. cal it is to nurture the larger senses into the elongated spine and tail of a nature, along with tactile and olfac- I make excuses: October's usually and spirit. slumbering brontosaurus. tory pleasures and bracing cold pain, a busy month; the leaves probably Let me sketch and relive this vi- Down a darkly deserted road, Hol- for a quiet sanctuary to recover our won't be that spectacular this season brant picture. A babbling stream, lywood has nothing on the primal primal essence. with the lack of rain, etc. a stone's throw from my bedroom images and urges encountered when Yes, take me home country road. A Fortunately, it's not a logical de- window, bisects the town, gurgling we plug our imagination into the ul- world for simply being not of human bate. It's a spiritual one, an act of and splashing me to sleep. How rest- timate mountain momma, mother doing and, surely, a time and place faith. ful that late afternoon nap after an nature. for practicing safe stress. In some silent subterranean nexus hour's hike up and down that forest- I can still detect a lingering sore- of psyche and soul, there's a need to ed country road. ness in my neck from not being able Mark Gorkin, LICSW, “The Stress be connected intimately and tangi- For me, the color of the leaves to stop gazing heavenward. Doc” ™, is an acclaimed keynote and kick- bly with the big picture. So I go and evokes an overpowering chemical Day follows night. Again, I'm a off speaker, training/organizational develop- return quieter, wiser and spiritually reaction. When bathed in sunlight, lonely traveler along another hal- ment and team building consultant, psycho- richer. the shimmering waves of lemons and lowed and hushed path, before the therapist and “motivational humorist.” He is This year I journeyed to Helvetia, apricots and orange-cranberry hues sun has climbed above the mountain the author of “Practice Safe Stress: Healing W.V., also known as Little Switzer- overwhelm the logical left-hemi- ridge. It's the coldest part of the day. and Laughing in the Face of Stress, Burnout land. sphere. All I can do is gaze and some- There is frost on my car windshield. & Depression” and “The Four Faces of An- Helvetia is an idyllic mountain vil- times gasp. Seeing the stream, a gently flow- ger: Transforming Anger, Rage, and Conflict lage with maybe 30 residents. While While not brilliantly breathtaking, ing, dark purple sheet of glass with a into Inspiring Attitude & Behavior.” A kickoff Heidi doesn't live here anymore, one the colors have a more subtle, more hint of light, reminds me of how rare- speaker for Estrin Legal Education Confer- of the natives is, in fact, that delight- mature beauty this year. Maybe it's a ly I observe my environment at this ences, Gorkin is America Online’s online psy- ful and dynamic "mountain momma," projection of a fifty-year-old psyche. hour of the morning, even though I'm chohumorist ™ and pioneer of a USA Today a grandma who returned to her roots When the color disappears and a morning person. Online “HotSite” – http://www.stressdoc. after a divorce and living abroad. She night descends, then the other big Yesterday's late afternoon rustling com – recognized as a workplace resource built a bed and breakfast, that is along picture show takes center stage. of deer just beyond sight is replaced by National Public Radio. For more info on with separate sleeping quarters. The Walking in the cool, clean, crisp by the morning song and medleys of Gorkin’s speaking and training programs latter is a rustic, wooden, two storied mountain air, down another country birds. and products, e-mail [email protected] or cabin-like structure that captures the road, beyond the last remnants of I'm ready for the hearty breakfast call 301-875-2567. feel of old world Europe. man-made lighting reveals the truly in front of a fiery pot-bellied stove.

This issue of the Expeditionary Times contains a reader submitted article written by Mark Gorkin, also known as “The Stress Doc.” Gorkin’s views are not necessarily those of the Department of Defense and the inclusion of his submission is not meant in any way as an endorsement of his services. PAGE 18 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010 Soldiers prepare fallen heroes for final homecoming St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Spc . Na v e e d Al i Sh a h mented, the body is placed on ice to preserve it for Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f the flight to Dover Air Force Base, Del., he said. Then the transfer case is sealed and draped with a JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – When a U.S. service freshly ironed American flag, he said. member makes the ultimate sacrifice From there, the 54th QM Co., the chaplain and in theater, Soldiers with the Mortu- Soldiers from the fallen Soldier’s unit perform a ary Affairs Collection Point at Joint ramp-side ceremony to pay their last respects be- Base Balad, Iraq, prepare them for fore the body is transferred to the U.S. their trip home. With the impending withdrawal of U.S. forces Since February, when Secretary and the coinciding scale back in combat missions, of Defense Robert Gates lifted the the level of casualties has fallen to record low lev- Clinton-era ban on media coverage of the return of els, meaning less work for the mortuary affairs Sol- fallen service members, families have been able to diers, Wheatley said. choose whether or not to have media coverage of “I was here in 2004 and it was really busy and, the transfer. The Balad MACP is where fallen ser- at this point, thankfully, we haven’t had a lot of vice members start their journey home. work in our business,” said Wheatley. “I remember “Our mission here is the disposition of remains processing at least 300 remains in the six-month … with dignity and respect,” said Sgt. Tyrell Wheat- period in my first deployment, but we’ve been here ley, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the about three months now and I believe we’ve only JBB MACP with the 54th Quartermaster Compa- processed five.” ny. Spc. Amanda Soldano, the assistant NCOIC with The first step in the process is to use a metal- the MACP, said she loves her job, but it is certainly detecting wand to ensure the body does not have not easy, especially when she has to go through the any sort of unexploded ordnance, he said. This step pockets of the fallen Soldiers and pull out pictures protects both the Soldiers who take care of the re- of their family or letters they wrote. mains here at Balad and those who will care for the “I love it; it has a lot of honor and respect,” said body upon its arrival in the states, said Wheatley, a Soldano, a Murrieta, Calif., native. “I love the feel- Baltimore native. ing of accomplishment of sending a fallen hero “We have a ‘dirty guy’ and a ‘clean guy,’” said home. I feel like I’ve done something for the fam- Wheatley. “The dirty guy actually goes through ily, but detaching yourself emotionally, that’s the touching the remains with his gloves searching hard part. I try not to get attached to the person, for any UXO, anything that could possibly be dan- because I do view them as a hero.” Spc. Amanda Soldano, the assistant noncommissioned gerous. The ‘clean guy’ keeps an eye on him, has The Soldiers with the 54th QM Co. take pride officer in charge of the Joint Base Balad Mortuary Affairs Collection Point with the 54th Quartermaster Company the paperwork ready to jot down anything that he in knowing they are the first step in sending fallen out of Fort Lee, Va., drapes an American flag over an emp- finds.” heroes on their journey to their final resting place, ty transfer case as if preparing it for movement to the U.S. Once all the personal affects have been docu- Wheatley said. during a demonstration Jan. 18 at the JBB MACP. Chaplain encourages Soldiers, spouses to take love dare St o r y a n d Ph o t o Il l u s t r a t i o n b y from a deployment, the ideas discussed are still relevant to Spc . Mi c h a e l V. Ca m a c h o several divorces oc- any marriage, Partin said. They contain Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f curred in the next examples to help spouses connect or re- few months, Partin connect, whatever the case may be, he CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Chaplains with the said. With the high said. 155th Heavy Brigade Com- recommendations Partin said Soldiers carry out the dai- bat Team began to circu- and positive reviews ly dares despite the physical distance. late “The Love Dare” in all “The Love Dare” re- They put forth effort to show their of its battalions around ceived, Partin said spouses a sign of love and affection. Jan. 15 to prepare he encouraged the It is how much effort they will put their Soldiers to rede- unit’s chaplains to into their marriage that will really effect ploy and reunite with use any material its development, said Partin. their spouses in the approaching weeks. available to aid its Spc. James Douglas, a unit clerk with “The Love Dare” is a book that be- Soldiers in their 155th HHC who has been married for came a popular marriage enrichment marriages. nearly nine years, completed “The Love tool for couples that want to improve “The Love Dare” Dare” prior to his overseas deployment and strengthen their marriage; it was is an in-depth re- to strengthen and maintain the health highlighted in the 2008 independent source, Partin said. of his marriage. Douglas said he plans film “Fireproof,” said Maj. Terry Partin, “It challenges those willing to take the that are not developed over night, espe- to use it again on his return home. brigade chaplain with Headquarters and love dare to go on a 40-day journey,” said cially a healthy military marriage, Par- “Reading the book put a lot into per- Headquarters Company, 155th HBCT, Partin. “It gives you different directions tin said. spective,” said Douglas, a Vardaman, 13th Sustainment Command (Expedi- to show affection toward your spouse.” The first two years of marriage are Miss., native. “How to respect and honor tionary). The dare is not as easy for couples split the hardest, he said. what a husband needs in a marriage and Divorce rates are high in marriages by deployments, considering the physical As marriages endure and develop, what his wife needs from her husband.” with one or both spouses deployed, in- distance between the partners, he said. they can become stronger and longer “The Love Dare” uses practical exer- creasing the need for tools to help Sol- The major goal is to expose them to the lasting, said Partin. cises spouses can do to show tokens of diers prepare as they reunite with their materials and ideas before they redeploy Multiple deployments put a strain affection and respect to their partner, spouses when they return home, said to lessen the possible conflicts when they on marriages through time spent apart, said Douglas. Actions speak louder than Partin, a Richton, Miss., native. The U.S. get home, said Partin. said Partin. words when communicating emotions, military puts emphasis on preserving the The exposure Soldiers gain from this This is why there are so many tools he said. marriages of its service members and material encourages them to consciously and services offered to Soldiers, he “Action is the proof of love,” said provides a wealth of helpful material to decide to work for their marriage, he said. Douglas. “We can’t make up for the time Soldiers, he said. said. Both the book and the film “Fire- we missed, but we can make the most of The last time the 155th HBCT returned A healthy marriage requires skills proof” are Christian in background but the time we have together.” January 27, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 19

Sudoku Test your The objective is to fill Level: Hard knowledge the 9×9 grid so each 1. On what vegetable did an ancient Egyptian place column, each row and 1 9 6 his right hand when taking an oath? each of the nine 3×3 2 4 8 2. What are the two top selling spices in the world? boxes contains the dig- 3. What flavor of ice cream did Baskin-Robbins in- its from 1 to 9 only one 5 1 2 troduce to commemorate America’s landing on the time each. 7 1 8 3 moon July 20, 1969? Last week’s answers 4. What nation produces two-thirds of the world’s

9 4 1 5 2 7 3 6 8 3 1 7 9 vanilla? 2 6 3 1 8 9 7 5 4 5. What was the first commercially manufactured 5 8 7 6 3 4 9 2 1 2 7 3 6 4 3 2 8 9 6 1 7 5 breakfast cereal? 1 9 6 7 4 5 8 3 2 7 5 4 7 5 8 3 1 2 4 9 6 8 1 5 2 7 3 6 4 9 8 1 3 6 7 4 9 5 8 2 1 3

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Monday 02/01/10 Winter X Games 14 (Aspen, CO), Live 3 a.m. AFN/xtra Upcoming sports AFC/NFC Pro Bowl , Live 3:20 a.m. AFN/sports Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons, Live 8:30 a.m. AFN/xtra 2009 San Diego Open: Final Round (Torrey Pines Golf Course; on AFN La Jolla, CA), Tape Delayed 11 a.m. AFN/ sports Thursday 01/28/10 Saturday 01/30/10 Virginia @ North Carolina, Tape Delayed 4 p.m. AFN/ sports Wednesday Night Hoops: Notre Dame @ Villanova, Live 3 a.m. AFN/ Winter X Games 14 (Aspen, CO), Live 3 a.m. AFN/xtra Tuesday 02/02/10 sports Boston Celtics @ Atlanta Hawks, Live 3:30 a.m. AFN/sports Big Monday: UCONN @ Louisville, Live 3 a.m. AFN/sports Wednesday Night Hoops: Texas A&M @ Oklahoma State , Live Colorado Avalanche @ Dallas Stars, Live 4:30 a.m. AFN/prime NHL on VERSUS: Buffalo Sabres @ Pittsburgh Penguins, Live 3:20 a.m. AFN/xtra pacific 3 a.m. AFN/xtra Florida State @ Duke, Live 5 a.m. AFN/sports NBA Friday: Charlotte Bobcats @ Golden State Warriors, Live Big Monday: Texas @ Oklahoma State, Live 5 a.m. AFN/sports Australian Open Tennis Championships 2010, Live 5:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. AFN/ sports Charlotte Bobcats @ Portland Trail Blazers, Live 6 p.m. AFN/ xtra AFN/ xtra Friday 01/29/10 Sunday 01/31/10 Wednesday 02/03/10 Thursday Night Showcase: Teams TBD, Live 3 a.m. AFN/xtra Winter X Games 14 (Aspen, CO), Live 12 a.m. AFN/xtra Super Tuesday: Ole Miss @ Kentucky, Live 3 a.m. AFN/ NBA on TNT: Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic, Live 4 a.m. Vanderbilt @ Kentucky, Live 12 a.m. AFN/sports sports AFN/sports ESPNU Campus Connection Week: Notre Dame @ Rutgers , Live NHL on VERSUS: Minnesota Wild @ Dallas Stars, Live 4 Winter X Games 14 (Aspen, CO), Live 5 a.m. AFN/xtra 2 a.m. AFN/xtra a.m. AFN/xtra Thursday Night Showcase: Gonzaga @ Santa Clara, Live 7 Kansas @ Kansas State, Live 3 a.m. AFN/sports Super Tuesday: Michigan State @ Wisconsin, Live 5 a.m. a.m. AFN/ xtra Chicago Blackhawks @ Carolina Hurricanes, Live 3 a.m. AFN/ AFN/sports prime atlantic PAGE 20 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010

‘Daybreakers’ not a classic, but good blood, guts fun By Sg t . Ja y s o n A. Ho ff m a n what he wants to find is a cure for vam- film in a future with humans going the The movie’s biggest problem is that Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f pirism. Eventually, he teams up with way of the dodo. it took itself too seriously at times. It a rag-tag group of human survivors to Hawke (“Training Day”) plays his would have benefitted from a little aybreakers” will try and save the human population and character as a vampire torn by those more camp and a little more over-the- “Dnever become a eradicate the vampire disease. last remnants of humanity in his mind. top action. Give this movie the 1980’s classic, but it is over- The visual setting of the movie was He does a fine job, but his performance treatment, ala “The Warriors,” which is the-top, gory fun that’s solid. It was very dark with a gothic feel wasn’t incredibly noteworthy. technically 1979, but who’s really check- everything “Twilight” is that set a dismal atmosphere not only Willem Dafoe (“Spiderman”) plays ing, or “They Live,” and you have a new not. for a world without humans, but also as Lionel “Elvis” Cormac, a former human, cult classic ready to be shown to a group It’s 2019 and vampires have over- a world that was starving to death. turned vampire, turned human … it’s not of gore fanatics. taken the world. Humans who refused The special effects were unremark- as confusing as it reads. He gives a great This film wasn’t great, and I very to be turned are now trapped in giant able, but this movie wasn’t overbur- performance, probably saving this movie much doubt that I will give it a second factories and farmed for their blood. dened with special effects, so it’s not a from becoming completely mediocre. He viewing, but it was definitely worth The problem is, humans are going ex- real distraction. is the heart and humor of the movie and watching once. It was nice to see vam- tinct and the vampire world is starving The story line for “Daybreakers” was the clear fan favorite based off of the au- pires ripping people to shreds for a to death. pretty interesting. The movie had many dience’s reaction. change. I suggest waiting till this one is It’s up to Dr. Edward Dalton (Ethan of the classic vampire myths, such as no The film’s main theme about greed available on Netflix, but I would defi- Hawke), a hematologist, to find a blood mirror reflection, the wooden stake bit, leading to the world’s demise was quite nitely check it out if you enjoy a bloody, substitute to save the vampire world, but etc., but it gave it a twist by setting the timely and effectively drew in the crowd. good time. Clancy meets Romero, ‘Patient Zero’ chillingly good The protagonist is a bit prototypi- from the villain’s ownership of several the book is the abundance of product By St a ff Sg t . Jo e l F. Gi b s o n cal, a hardened cop with a haunted large pharmaceutical companies. placement. I should say it was the only Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f past. Despite what would seem to be a The zombie fight scenes are spec- truly frightening part of the novel. onathan Maberry very flat character model, he gains the tacularly written and really give a At first it was a bit refreshing to Jcombines elements reader’s interest and empathy. sense of the terror involved in hand to have everyday products mentioned by of science fiction, in- The main story line is where Mab- hand combat with the undead. name, but soon the deluge of coffee, ternational intrigue, erry really shows his comic book Multiple points of view help the soft drink and even specific cell phone secret agents and roots. reader identify with the protagonist. model name drops had me concerned zombies into a sur- An incredibly wealthy villain fi- All the auxiliary point of view chap- that, like current movies and televi- prisingly good piece of fiction in the nances terrorists to create a super ters are written in the third person, sion shows, books will soon be mas- inaugural installment of the Joe Led- disease, based on mad cow protein, whereas the Joe Ledger chapters are sive advertisements. It was positively ger series, “Patient Zero.” that turns victims into mindless ves- written in the first person. While it can chilling to consider product placement I say surprisingly good because, sels intent on eating people – well, be dangerous for an author to switch in literature. when I read the synopsis, I actually at least, biting them to death – thus between multiple points of view and As far as zombie stories go, I rate groaned, but a friend sent me the spreading said disease through saliva. perspective styles, Maberry pulls it off “Patient Zero” about a step behind book, so I decided to read it anyway. They’re creating an unstoppable army seamlessly. Max Brooks’ “World War Z,” but still I’m glad I did. of zombies for profit. The profit comes The only truly irritating aspect of a very respectable eight out of 10. Pvt Murphy Sustainer Reel Time Theater Wednesday, Jan. 27 Sunday, Jan. 31 5 p.m. Everybody’s Fine 2 p.m. Legion 8 p.m. The Blind Side 5 p.m. The Princess And The Frog 8 p.m. Brothers Thursday, Jan. 28 Monday, Feb. 1 5 p.m. The Blind Side 5 p.m. Brothers 8 p.m. The Book Of Eli 8 p.m. Legion Friday, Jan. 29 Tuesday, Feb. 2 2 p.m. The Princess And The Frog 5 p.m. Legion 5 p.m. Brothers 8 p.m. The Princess And The Frog 8:30 p.m. Legion Saturday, Jan. 30 Wednesday, Feb. 3 2 p.m. Brothers 5 p.m. The Princess And The Frog 5 p.m Legion 8 p.m. Brothers 8 p.m. The Princess And The Frog January 27, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 21 Ph o t o s Ar o u n d Spc. Joshua Mc- Carthy, with Com- manche Troop, 3rd Squadron,1st Caval- ry, prepares to dem- r a q onstrate the Raven I Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Jan. 11 dur- ing a tour of Contin- gency Operating Lo-

cation Delta, Iraq. Sgt. Brien Vorhees Army photo by Staff U.S.

U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Ali Hargis (Above) Soldiers with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infan- try Division, prepare to demonstrate how to clear a room for Iraqi Security Forces during a combined check point training Jan. 9 at Contingency Operating Location Marez, near Mosul, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. David M. Sharp U.S.

(Left) Soldiers with D Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team, stand guard with Iraqi police as a vehicle with detainees arrive for the Detainee Re- leasing Ceremony Jan. 10 in the Al Anbar Province, near Ramadi, Iraq

Cadets stand in for- mation during a pa- rade in honor of the graduation and com- missioning of new officers into the Iraqi Army Jan. 10 at Camp Ur, Iraq.

U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Ali Hargis (Above) Iraqi Security Forces rush to save a Soldier with a simulated injury, during the emergency medical drills portion of combined check point training Jan. 9 at Contingency Operating Location Marez, near Mosul, Iraq

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gavriel Bar-Tzur PAGE 22 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010 Ne w s a r o u n d Ir a q ing while confronting terrorism. He said terrorism will be defeated with their leadership, profession- Iraqi Security Forces alism and dedication. The Iraqi Ministry of Defence plans to extend arrest 2 suspected future commissioning courses to three years, which will give graduates a university degree and a more advanced set of skills to bring to the secu- Promised Day rity forces. British forces founded the academy in 1924 and Brigade members based it on the Royal Military Academy in Sand- hurst, England. The first class of Iraqi officers BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces arrested two sus- graduated in 1927. pected terrorists Jan. 4 during a joint se- NATO Training Mission – Iraq has supported curity operation in northern Baghdad to the academy since 2005. arrest a suspected leader of the Promised NTM-I has been training, mentoring and ad- Day Brigade terrorist group. vising officers in the Iraqi Security Forces since Acting in accordance with a warrant issued by an 2004, to assist the Government of Iraq resume its Iraqi court, ISF and U.S. advisers searched a residen- important place in the international community tial building for a suspected PDB leader believed to and to improve the security of all Iraqi people be responsible for coordinating attacks on security with democratic security forces. forces and civilians within the city. NTM-I advises and supports the National De- ISF arrested an individual who attempted to flee fence University, National Defence College, War the scene as the security team approached the build- College, Joint Staff and Command College, the ing. A second suspect was arrested based on evidence Military Academy, the Defence Strategic Stud- found on the premises. ies Institute and the Defence Language Institute. The PDB terrorist organization has claimed re- The Iraqi Military Academy and the Joint Staff and sponsibility for deadly attacks against security forces. and U.S. advisers searched a residential building for a Command College are based at Ar Rustamiyah to Recent attacks conducted by PDB have resulted in ci- suspected leader of an Iranian-linked assassinations the east of Baghdad with the other institutions in vilian deaths, which have not deterred the group from cell, who is also believed to be involved in a weapons- Baghdad. Other cooperation projects for NATO in planning and executing additional acts of violence. smuggling network. Iraq are out-of-country training courses for Iraqi Joint security operations throughout Iraq target in- After conducting preliminary questioning and as- nationals at NATO schools as well as National Po- dividuals who threaten Iraqi citizens and disrupt na- sessing the evidence on the premises, ISF identified lice training led by Italian Carabinieri. tional stability. and arrested the suspected cell leader and his crimi- NTM-I officers also provide mentoring and ad- nal accomplice without incident. vice to the Prime Minister's National Operations Centre, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior Command Centre and the Iraqi Ministry of Defence Joint Op- Iraqi Army arrests Hundreds graduate erations Centre. alleged Promised Day from Iraq’s oldest Security forces Brigade explosives- military academy capture suspected cell member BAGHDAD – In an historic ceremony, 231 Iraqi female suicide- BAGHDAD — The 44th Iraqi Army arrested a suspected Army and 247 Iraqi Air Force cadets Promised Day Brigade explosives-cell member graduated from Basic Officers Commis- and two suspected criminal associates during sioning Course 100 at Ar Rustamiyah bomber recruiter a joint security operation Jan. 11 in northeast- Military Academy Jan. 10 in Baghdad. ern Baghdad. The year-long commissioning course stressed BAGHDAD — Iraqi Security Forces arrested two sus- Acting upon a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, 44th leadership and ethics training while instilling the pected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist-group mem- IA Soldiers and U.S. advisers searched a residential values and standards required of the future lead- bers Jan. 11 during two joint security opera- building for a suspected PDB explosives-cell member ers of the Iraqi military. Additionally, the course tions in Baghdad and northern Iraq. who acquires and employs improvised explosive devices covered tactics, weapons training, physical fitness, Both security operations were conducted and rockets in attacks against security forces within the first aid, current affairs and geography. based on warrants issued by Iraqi courts. region. Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, director of the Iraq In northwest Baghdad, ISF and U.S. advisers searched Based on the results of preliminary questioning and Training and Advising Mission with the Air Force, a residential building for a suspected female terrorist the evidence collected at the scene, the 44th IA identi- represented the commander of NATO Training who is believed to be actively recruiting female suicide fied and arrested the warranted PDB member and two Mission – Iraq, Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, as he bombers for use in high profile, AQI-sponsored attacks suspected criminal associates without incident. joined more than a thousand relatives, friends and against government officials and innocent civilians. Iraqi military dignitaries who traveled to attend Based on preliminary questioning and evidence the graduation. found on the premises, ISF identified and arrested the Staff Lt. Gen. Abud Kanbar, Iraqi Deputy Chief wanted female and a suspected AQI associate without Security forces arrest of Staff Operations praised the graduates for their incident. daily sacrifices and emphasized the importance During a second security operation in Esaiwid, north- of their role in fighting terrorism. He encouraged east of Baghdad, the 3rd Emergency Response Unit and suspected cell leader them to be proud and serve in the spirit of unity U.S. advisers searched two buildings for a member of a and integrity of Iraq while avoiding divisive sec- Kirkuk-based improvised explosive device cell, who pro- BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces arrested a suspect- tarianism. vides safe haven to cell leaders who are running from ed Iranian-linked assassination cell leader On a similar note, Maj. Gen. Majeed Hassan ISF. and his suspected criminal accomplice dur- Zgaat, academy commander, reminded cadets that Information and evidence collected at the scene led ing a joint security operation Jan. 7. the challenges of the course prepares them for the the 3rd ERU to identify and arrest the warranted AQI In a rural area southeast of Baghdad, ISF daily challenges that the security forces are endur- member without incident. January 27, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 23

The suspect, Abu Na’im al-Afri, refused to exit the the Defense Attaché Association with the main goals building and began shooting at the security team. The NTM-I plans to achieve in Iraq. Security forces target security team fired back and killed al-Afri, an alleged "We are here at the request of the government AQI wali of northern Iraq and is believed to be re- of Iraq," said Brig. Gen. John Wootton, chief of the al-Qaeda in northern sponsible for overseeing the movement of explosives Division of Training Educational Doctrine Advisors. and suicide bombers traveling into Iraq. "We're here in a non-combat role to help profession- At a different location in northeastern Mosul, in- alize the ISF – to train, advise and mentor." Iraq, arrest 6 telligence reports led ISF and U.S. advisers searched The meeting with the international military repre- a residential building where a suspected AQI leader sentatives included an overview of NTM-I structure BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces arrested six sus- lived. As the security team entered the building, an and branch tasks. pected terrorists during three joint security individual armed with a pistol raised his weapon as Wootton emphasized the key role of officers in operations conducted Jan. 6 and Jan. 7 to if to shoot the security team members. Perceiving a the development of the Iraqi Security Forces and the arrest members of the al-Qaeda in Iraq ter- direct threat to the safety of the team, a security team importance of officer education and training. The rorist group operating in northern Iraq. member shot and killed the gunman. The identity of NTM-I was committed to supporting the ISF and de- Near the town of Arij, south of Mosul, ISF and the gunman has not yet been confirmed. Based on evi- livering a self-sustaining officer education and train- U.S. advisers searched a residential building Jan. 6 dence found on the premises, two suspected criminal ing system, and focused on making the most of the for a suspected AQI member who is believed to be accomplices of the alleged AQI leader were arrested time available. acquiring and transporting supplies and explosives without incident. "We have less than 24 months until the NATO material to assist cell members to carry out attacks mission is due to end," he said. throughout the region. Col. Mauro Isidori, Carabinieri Training Division Based on preliminary questioning and evidence New commander commander, informed military guests of the tremen- discovered at the scene, ISF arrested three suspected dous growth in professionalism of the Iraqi police criminal associates of the warranted individual. forces. In northeastern Mosul Jan. 7, ISF and U.S. advis- takes 321st Air "So far, we have trained more than six thousand ers searched several buildings for a suspected AQI personnel for the Ministry of Interior," he said. leader. Brig. Gen. Max Marriner, British Defence Attaché After examining the evidence at the scene, ISF ar- Expeditionary Wing and Head of the Defence Attaché Association said, rested two suspected criminal associates of the war- "Your work is really needed by the Iraqi people. Keep BAGHDAD – Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, Southwest Asia ranted individual. going in that direction, we really appreciate what you commander with U.S. Air Forces Central During another security operation conducted Jan. are doing." Command, presided over an assumption of 7 near Bahiyah, northeast of Baghdad, the 3rd Emer- NTM-I has been training, mentoring and advising command ceremony for the 321st Air Expe- gency Response Unit and U.S. advisers searched officers in the Iraqi Security Forces since 2004, to ditionary Wing Jan. 7 in Baghdad. several buildings for a suspected AQI member who assist the Government of Iraq in resuming its place Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson replaced Maj. Gen. Robert assists an explosives cell with acquiring vehicles for in the international community and to improve the Kane as the new commander of the 321st AEW and new use in vehicle-borne improvised explosive attacks security of all Iraqi people with democratic security director of Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission – Air throughout Baghdad. forces. Force. Iraqi Police arrested a suspected criminal associ- NTM-I advises and supports the National Defence “The year ahead will no doubt not be without its chal- ate of the AQI suspect based on information and evi- University, National Defence College, War College, lenges,” said Hanson. “Yet, I am confident the strength dence collected at the scene. Joint Staff and Command College, the Military Acad- of our partnership and the professionalism of our Air- emy, the Defence Strategic Studies Institute and the men will lead to many new achievements.” Defence Language Institute. The Iraqi Military Acad- The mission of the 321st AEW is to train and advise emy and the Joint Staff and Command College are the Iraqi Air Force and advance the fundamental air- 2 suspected al- based at Ar Rustamiyah to the east of Baghdad with power capabilities of Iraqi airmen. the other institutions in Baghdad. Other cooperation The Iraqi Air Force produces more than 200 hours projects for NATO in Iraq are out-of-country training Qaeda terrorists of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support courses for Iraqi nationals at NATO schools as well as weekly and provides critical battlefield mobility and National Police training led by Italian Carabinieri. medical evacuations daily. NTM-I officers also provide mentoring and advice killed, 21 arrested “I look forward to continuing to build this capable to the Prime Minister's National Operations Centre, and professional Iraqi Air Force,” he said. “The strong BAGHDAD – Joint security teams killed two and ar- the Iraqi Ministry of Interior Command Centre and relationship between our two air forces is mutually ben- rested 21 suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terror- the Iraqi Ministry of Defence Joint Operations Cen- eficial and reflects the growing self-reliance of the Iraqi ists Jan. 5 during a series of coordinated tre. Security Forces and their advancing prominence in the security operations in Mosul to weaken the Gulf Region.” terrorist network and prevent future at- As a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying tacks. hours in various aircraft, Hanson brings a wealth of Throughout the northern Iraqi city, Iraqi Secu- Salah ad Din celebrates experience to the position. As he took command of the rity Forces from Nineveh province and U.S. advisers wing, he expressed his appreciation for the men and searched buildings to locate and arrest suspected AQI women serving. Police Day with basic members believed to be working within the top ech- “Thank you for your service, your dedication, and de- elons of the terrorist group. Accurate intelligence col- votion to this critical mission,” he said. “You enable and lected prior to the operation led the security teams to recruit graduation empower the Iraqi Air Force through your daily world- the buildings. class efforts and set the conditions for mission success.” Initial reports indicate that the AQI wali of north- TIKRIT, Iraq — Hundreds of citizens of the Salah ern Iraq was killed, while those arrested included the ad Din province celebrated Police Day as terrorist group’s administration emir for northern they cheered for the 88 Iraqi police offi- Iraq, an adviser to the sharia emir of northern Iraq Defense Attaché cers who graduated from the Basic Recruit and the detainee affairs emir of northern Iraq. Training Course Jan. 9 in Tikrit, Iraq. Suspected terrorist activities conducted by AQI Association meets The graduates completed four weeks of orien- range from extorting and kidnapping Iraqis to con- tation and basic police education that included ducting assassinations and improvised explosive de- physical fitness training, marching, disciplinary vice attacks throughout the country. with NATO Training actions, police operations and tactics. During one security operation in northeastern Mo- The course emphasized professionalism, ethics sul, a suspected AQI leader was killed after he refused Mission – Iraq and the importance of the rule of law. to exit a building and opened fire on a security team Police students from the BRT course led a pa- of ISF and U.S. advisers. Prior to the exchange of BAGHDAD – Military defense attachés from 13 rade with Iraqi flags and banners during the pa- gunfire, the security team instructed those inside the countries conducted an official meeting rade, which was one of many across Iraq. building to exit. Except for one suspect, all individuals with NATO Training Mission – Iraq offi- Following the ceremony, the graduates were re- within the building exited and were led to a safe area cers Jan. 10 in Baghdad. leased to their assigned positions at police stations for questioning. This event was organized to acquaint throughout the province. PAGE 24 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s January 27, 2010 Phantom Support

U.S. Army photo by Capt. Murray Shugars Spc. Richard M. Webb, U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cory Grogan U.S. a driver and a Pickens, Miss., native, checks the oil of his Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected ve- hicle during a quality assurance / quality con- trol inspection in the company motor pool Jan. 5. Webb serves with B Company, 2nd Bat- talion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th Heavy Bri- gade Combat Team, out of Greenwood, Miss. A mechanized infantry unit, B Co. runs convoy security missions to (Above) Members of the Iraqi bases across northern Army and the 121st Brigade Sup- Iraq. port Battalion work together dur- ing a Convoy Academy training Cpl. Fredrick Porter (left) a Heidel- exercise Jan. 7 at Camp Adder, burg, Germany, native, and Spc. Iraq. The training academy was Manuel Vargas, a Vass, N.C., native, started by the 121st BSB to ensure both truck drivers with the 396th U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers will be mis- Transportation Company, 260th sion ready. Combat Sustainment Support Bat- talion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Ex- peditionary), replace old split-ring

U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. William O. Horton II U.S. palletized load system trailer tires. The unit recently embarked on a mission to replace all older-gen- eration split-ring trailer tires to in- crease mission readiness within the company.

U.S. Army photo by Capt. Murray Shugars Spc. Calvin L. Davis, a gunner and a Red Banks, Miss., native, mans a machine gun in a tower at the main entry control point Jan. 10 at Contingency Operating Location Q-West, Iraq. Davis serves with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Com- bined Arms, 155th Heavy Brigade Com- bat Team, a mechanized infantry unit out of Hernando, Miss., that provides force protection to Q-West. This day marked the unit’s sixth month of ECP operations. There have been no security breaches during its tenure.

Spc. Ryan E. Ohlendorf (left, distance), a gate sentinel and a Horn Lake, Miss., native, gives a signal for fellow sentinel Pfc. Quintavis B. Byrd, a Tutwiler, Miss., native, to open the gate at the main entry control point Jan. 10 at Contingency Operating Location Q-West, Iraq. Both serve with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, a mechanized infantry unit out of Hernando, Miss., that provides force protection to Q-West. This day marked the unit’s sixth month of ECP operations. There have been no security breaches during its tenure. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Murray Shugars