Departures to OIF Continue for 25Th PFC
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VOL. 35 NO. 32 | AUGUST 11, 2006 INSIDE Departures to OIF continue for 25th PFC. MATTHEW C. MOELLER 17th Public Affairs Detachment HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE — After months of deployment preparations, 25th Infantry Division (ID) Soldiers spent their last day saying goodbye to families, and at the same time making final preparations for the long journey to their mission, Tuesday. “It’s hard leaving behind your family and your friends,” said Pfc. Charles J. Popov, chaplains assistant, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “But you know you have a mission to do, you know you’re deploying for them, for everyone.” However, deployment does not just hap- pen. A lengthy process of pre-deployment got the Soldiers, families and their units ready for this day and the upcoming year. Since being notified of their upcoming de- Deployment ployment, 25th ID Soldiers have worked tirelessly to master their warrior tasks and drills. They have worked night and day on download marksmanship, land navigation and phys- ical fitness. Soldiers endure Soldiers’ readiness is not only based on training and maintaining equipment, but 130-degree heat while also involves ensuring personal belongings unloading helicopters and and families will be cared for during de- equipment for deployment ployment. The Army Community Service and unit A-3 Family Readiness Groups are valuable tools available for families during this difficult time. “Leaving my fiancé behind is the hardest I have ever had to do,” said Popov. “But I know with all the programs in place here we will be taken care of.” Other pre-deployment preparations in- Pfc. Matthew C. Moeller | 17th Public Affairs Detachment clude power of attorney, family care plans, wills, and the storage of household goods Above — A Soldier with the 2nd Battalion, and vehicles. 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade The last step for deploying Soldiers was Combat Team, hugs his son before the Soldier Readiness Program (SRP). Staff deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. reviewed Soldiers’ medical and financial issues to ensure everyone was fit to fight. Left — Soldiers from the 25th Infantry “From a medical and financial stand- Division's 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry point, the most important step to pre-de- Regiment, 3rd Brigade, board their plane ployment is the Soldier Readiness Program,” enroute to OIF. said Maj. Randel Cassels, SRP medical con- sult manager. Bryanna Poulin, Headquarters and Head- The final day was fast paced for Soldiers. quarters Company, 25th ID. “I just can’t Just hours before deployment, they drew Spc. Teirney Humberson | 17th Public Affairs Detachment wait to start.” their weapons and rendezvoused with their For these Soldiers, Tuesday marked their Mobile mucous units to receive a final brief from Maj. Gen. you will have a successful mission.” spent a few last moments with their fami- last day in Hawaii for the next year. Benjamin R. Mixon, 25th ID commanding Mixon also stressed the need for families lies until the departure time arrived. However, the departing Soldiers didn’t Kids experience traveling general. to stay in contact and to use the Army’s re- After piling their overloaded rucksacks see it that way; for them, the departure exhibit on all things “I’m proud of you,” Mixon said sources, such as the FRG, so no Soldier will and duffle bags into trucks, a bus trans- was actually the first day of a mission they during a deployment brief. “You’ve have to dwell on problems back home. ported Soldiers to the plane. have been preparing for the past few disgusting about the done great, and I have no doubt that Following the general’s brief, Soldiers “I’m nervous but exited,” said Pfc. months. human body at Bishop Museum B-1 Five-finger discounts cheat more than retailers Shafter’s Shoplifting may be like an puter, digital camera, and printer; or the same scenario that featured a customer, a loaded addiction, but stores and the wagon, and a complete electronic home en- EA now legal system call it a crime tertainment package. Shoplifters stuff items inside their clothes, CHRISTA B. THOMAS drop them into strollers, switch price tags, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs swap old shoes for new, or push carriages of available hot goods out the door, all the while feign- The canvases upon which most Soldiers’ ing innocence. FORT SHAFTER – An environ- stories are told are woven with respect, hon- Brian Bores, an AAFES LP associate, mental assessment (EA) addressing or and integrity – core values adopted by the can rattle off the most common excuses proposed major changes to units U.S. Army. That same canvas can be shredded like words to a familiar song. stationed here will be available for in an instant with one selfish, dishonest act of “The one’s we hear the most are ‘I public review and comment for 30 shoplifting. forgot.’ ‘Oh, this is mine.’ ‘My child must days beginning Tuesday, August 8, Schofield Barracks Army Air Force Ex- have put that in there.’ ‘Can I pay for it 2006. change (AAFES) Loss Prevention (LP) associ- now?’ Or the Spanish-speaking suspect, who The documents will be available ates have far too many sad, but true, anecdotes admitted to theft on a telephone conversation, for review at public libraries on of Soldiers and family members, all who have not realizing that [an LP associate] was bilin- Oahu and the Island of Hawaii. so much to lose, operating contrary to the gual and was able to interpret her confes- The EA addresses changes asso- values they’ve been taught. sion,” he said. ciated with the Army’s ongoing Ewa Beach The LP associates have seen and heard it all. efforts to realign major headquar- There is the one about the sergeant major Needy or greedy? ters to more effectively and effi- and his spouse committing return fraud; the ciently manage resources to sup- enhancement Sailor who tried to exit the store with a shop- Plug “celebrities shoplifting” into any port combat operations in the ping cart loaded with home office supplies – Kay Blaschke | Gettyimages Global War on Terrorism and to re- 5-14th Comanche Troop not paper clips, pens, or Post-its, but a com- SEE SHOPLIFTING, A-10 spond to natural disasters. and community team up At Fort Shafter, this realignment will restructure the United States to remove invasive plants Army Pacific (USARPAC) from a B-5 Housing, commissary, DUI checks among town hall issues primarily administrative head- quarters to a war-fighting unit, Story and Photo by deployed Sgt. 1st Class Angelo Stewart of 3- Stewart learned that housing purchases ap- with rapidly deployable subordi- AIKO BRUM 25th BSB, wanted to know why amenities pliances based on need, and Besherse received nate commands. Managing Editor such as refrigerators and stoves are so old in new construction updates on all communities: The proposed actions, which “When do I get my new home?” and “Why her Helemano home, while Dawn Besherse, Kalakaua, Porter, Aliamanu Military Reser- will be incremental and occur over This issue can’t I park on both sides of my street?” were wife of deployed Maj. Keith Besherse of G-3, vation, Red Hill Mauka and Leader Field. three years, include relocation of some of the questions Mary Lobo, communi- 25th Infantry Division (ID), wanted some ac- “They also need water sprinklers [in hous- up to approximately 1,650 per- Lightning Spirit A-2 ty manager for Solomon, Leader Field and curate information about the latest construc- ing areas]; though people come around and cut sonnel, introduction of additional Kalakaua communities, expected to answer at tion. grass, it’s so dry,” Stewart said before the vehicles and equipment, accom- Deployed Forces A-3 the Schofield Barracks town hall meeting, In keeping with the town hall format, sen- meeting, and then she asked during the Q&A modation of administrative space Tuesday evening. ior representatives from AHFH; the Provost period, “Are there any links the military has set for these restructured operating News Briefs A-6 The sparse crowd delivered. Question and af- Marshal Office (PMO); Morale, Welfare and up for my mom who’s staying with me while units within existing facilities, and MWR B-2 ter question concerned Army Hawaii Family Recreation (MWR); Military OneSource; and my husband is deployed?” construction of two permanent Housing (AHFH). the 25th ID’s G-1 and G-3 offices responded and several temporary facilities at Community B-3 Family member Lorraine Stewart, wife of directly to their queries. SEE TOWN HALL, A-8 Fort Shafter. A-2 | AUGUST 11, 2 0 0 6 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY NEWS & COMMENTARY We want to All in DoD hear from you... ‘Lost’ databases can put lives at risk The Hawaii Army Weekly welcomes articles from Army or- Whether by carelessness or stolen due to irresponsibility. Some are even computer equipment is often an opportunis- must heed ganizations, announcements from sold illegally by the very people to whom tic crime — even a few moments of not pay- the general public about communi- criminal activity, identity theft these assets were entrusted. ing attention can lead to lost machines, data ty events of interest to the military What makes it more surprising is that many and careers. community, and letters and com- seriously harms individuals of these devices contain information that While responsibility for valuable equipment election mentaries. ED BEEMER could put Soldiers in danger. and sensitive data is taken seriously by the vast If you have newsworthy ideas or Computers and related equipment are ob- majority of Army personnel, there are far too stories you’d like to write, Army News Release viously prime targets for thieves.