The Expeditionary Times Proudly serving the finest Expeditionary service members throughout Iraq Vol. 3 Issue 11 February 3, 2010 http://www.hood.army.mil/13sce/ Special delivery More than 3,000 Soldiers moved in first- fixed-wing redeployment out of Taji St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Sp c . Mi c h a e l V. Ca m a c h o Wagonmasters deliver Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f school supplies to Iraqi CAMP TAJI, Iraq – More than 3,000 Soldiers par- children ticipated in the first fixed-wing rede- ployment opera- Page 5 tion out of Camp Taji, Iraq, Jan. 27. Traditionally, Soldiers would Tune-up be transported via helicopter to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, or Bagh- dad International Airport in Baghdad before they departed to Ali Al Salim Air Base in Kuwait, said Staff Sgt. Rufus Brumfield, the senior enlisted adviser with the 384th Movement Control Team, 49th Transportation Bat- talion (Movement Control), 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sus- tainment Command (Expedi- tionary). Louisiana maintenance “We are able to move numer- ous (passengers) straight from team keeps vehicles on here and they don’t have to stop road at another installation like BIAP,” said Brumfield, a New Orleans Page 10 native. “They can fly from (Camp Taji) straight to Ali Al Salim and then to the states. We can cut out a lot of travel time and moving back and forth.” Recovery team This major redeployment in- volved the transportation of more than 3,000 Soldiers in roughly Redeploying Soldiers with the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, file onto a C-17 Globemas- ter III Jan. 26 at Camp Taji, Iraq. More than 3,000 Soldiers left Camp Taji in a 16-day period, marking the first-fixed SEE WING ON PAGE 4 wing redeployment operation from Camp Taji, Iraq. Use of US dollar to be eliminated in Iraq St o r y a n d Ph o t o s b y Sgt. Brittany A. Raimer, a Pf c . Li s a A. Co p e dispersing manager with the Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f 368th Finance Management Company, out of Wichita, Kan., CONTINGENCY OPERATING 36th Sustainment Brigade, BASE BASRA, 13th Sustainment Command Iraq – United (Expeditionary), said eliminat- Guardsmen recover States currency ing the use of U.S. currency may soon be- on the battlefield will help to vehicles throughout come difficult SEE CASH ON PAGE 4 northern Iraq to find in Iraq as part of an The contents of the cash drawer Jan. 27 at the finance office at Con- effort to Page 12-13 tingency Operating Base Basra, protect Soldiers and increase the Iraq. The use of U.S. cash is being value of the Iraqi dinar. eliminated in Iraq. PAGE 2 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s February 3, 2010 Balad Blotter Chaplain’s Corner: finish with honor January 21 - January 28 By Ca p t . Ca r l o s Mo l i n a who can decide to rise above the turmoil and let THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY: 13t h ESC Ch a p l a i n your true colors shine through. A complainant entered the Law Enforcement Desk The third exercise is similar to the second, ex- and reported a Humvee had been stolen. Law en- s the responsible drawdown ap- cept this time I want you to focus on the future. forcement officials responded and assisted the com- proaches and more of us prepare Think about your plans and were you want to be. plainant in writing a statement via Air Force IMT A 1168 from location. The complainant said he com- to return home, we can be exhausted If you do not where know you want to go, how bat parked the vehicle at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 adjacent from the long deployment. will you know when you have reached your desti- to Pennsylvania Avenue He said the rear doors were Perhaps others are anxious about nation? combat locked and the front two doors were locked the employment prospects when they If you do not state your goals clearly, you will with padlocks. There are two sets of keys to the pad- get home. Still others might be struggling with the re- abandon them before you reach them. locks – his set and the set belonging to the motor pool. alization that their marriages are coming to an end. Last but not least, recognize when it is out your The complainant contacted personnel at the motor The bottom line is that we all face some kind of control. Life is hard. pool who said they did not move or take his vehicle. situation in our lives that tends to wear us out. This Sometimes events happen that we cannot con- The complainant said he and a fellow service mem- sentiment of exhaustion can be more prevalent dur- trol. Learn to recognize these situations and do ber locked their Army combat helmets and improved ing the last leg of our deployment. not beat yourself up for what you cannot control. outer tactical vests inside the vehicle for the next day It is during this period that you and I need to This not an excuse for not doing what you of duty. The complainant discovered the Humvee was monitor our hearts closely so we do not fall prey of should, but it is a realization that we are but hu- missing at roughly 6:30 a.m. Jan. 21. He searched for unreasonable thought patterns, which would lead us man beings who need each other, and there are the Humvee and evidence the locks had been cut but to unhealthy feelings that can be expressed with er- some factors we just can't control. found nothing. ratic behavior. As a Christian chaplain, I am encouraged be- How do we do that? How can we take care of our- cause I know that God has got my 6 – and my 3, SEIZED CONTRABAND: selves so we can finish with honor? The first thing my 9, and my 12 for that matter. A mitigation check was conducted and a contraband that I want you to consider is those things you know One passage from the scripture highlighted in external media storage device was seized from the to be true. my Bible is found in the book of the prophet Isa- subject via Department of Defense Form 4137 Evi- When we go through a crisis, we tend to question iah, chapter 40:28-31. dence/Property Custody Document. The subject said everything and even doubt what we know to be true. "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The he bought the contraband from a Soldier more than a It's OK to have questions and doubts, but don't allow Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends year ago at the Iraqi Free Zone. The subject said the device contained only music and he did not know the yourself to deny the principles and truths that have of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and item was considered contraband. The patrol trans- guided you up to this point. his understanding no one can fathom. He gives ported the device to the Law Enforcement Desk for The second exercise that will help you survive dur- strength to the weary and increases the power of safe keeping. ing difficult times is to remember the good events the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and you have experienced in the past. Remember when young men stumble and fall; but those who hope SEIZED CONTRABAND: you achieved real success, how you overcame simi- in the Lord will renew their strength. They will A complainant telephoned the Law Enforcement lar situations or how you resolved previous stressful soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not Desk and said a contraband phone was found during situations. grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." a checkpoint search by security personnel. A patrol Granted, every situation is different and you may Yes life is hard, but is nice to know that you can was briefed and dispatched. The patrol arrived on the not have the same resources that you had in the past, count on someone greater than you to help you scene and made contact with the subject and seized but you remain the same. And you are the only one through it all. the contraband via Department of the Army Form 4137 Evidence/Property Custody Document. The subject said he purchased the phone in Kuwait and took it with him to India. When he came back from India, he realized he could not have it and kept it in his room. The subject said he was leaving for India again in three days. The subject said he did know the item was considered contraband. The patrol transported the phone to the LED for safe keeping.

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. February 3, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 3 The Weekly Standard: shoulder sleeve insignia By Lt. Co l . Pa u l Bi r d vidual Ready Reserve Soldiers should contingency operation. A review of the they wear the IRR patch. 13t h ESC De t a i l e d In s p ec t o r Ge n e r a l wear as their current SSI. Many as- personnel policy guidance and several If they are mobilized as individu- sumed they should wear the SSI of the ARs did not provide the answer. als and cross trained, attached to or here are several all- unit they deployed with, but there was After much discussion, the Depart- assigned to, or temporarily stationed TArmy activity mes- an apparent discrepancy. ment of the Army personnel command with a unit for a deployment, the IRR sages concerning what Army Regulation 670-1 Chapter policy and programs division clarified Soldiers wear the patch of the first com- former wartime service 28-16 d. 11 (e) states IRR Soldiers will the issue. pany level unit they belong to. shoulder sleeve insignia wear the IRR patch. It does not specify IRR Soldiers wear the SSI of the The AR 670-1 information means Soldiers wear. when they will wear the patch, whether company sizes unit they deploy with when an IRR Soldier is not in one of However, none of these messages in a stateside tour, outside of the conti- based on their orders. If they deploy as those situations, they should wear the specifically addressed what SSI Indi- nental United States, or on an overseas an IRR unit of at least company size, IRR SSI.

Joint Base Balad (13th ESC): DSN 433-2125 Adder/Tallil (36th Sust. Bde./41st IBCT): Lt. Col. Reginald Howard (Command Inspector General) Maj. Andrea Shealy - DSN 833-1710 Maj. Christopher Minor (Deputy) Maj. Jeffrey Copek - DSN 833-5915 Master Sgt. Roy Thacker (NCOIC) Master Sgt. Marta Cruz – DSN 883-1710

Q-West (15th Sust. Bde.): DSN 827-6115 Al Asad: DSN 440-7049 Lt. Col. Gary Davis Sgt. 1st class Alexander Arce Taji (96th Sust. Bde./155 HBCT): DSN 834-3079 Master Sgt. Richard Faust Lt. Col. Paul Bird Better yourself, your career Sexual Assault By St a f f Sg t . Ro b e r t J. Fa u l k n e r the Microsoft Office products. downloading the study guide and pre- Response Coordinator Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s St a f f You’ll also find basic finance, ac- paring for the test. Do you know your reporting op- counting, business management, com- You can take courses in your MOS tions? An unrestricted report is made or the first time in munication and personal development or in most other job skills. Personally, when a victim wants to participate in more years than as part of the cirriculum. I’m interested in learning to weld, so I F the military justice process or when I’m willing to admit, Many of these skills can easily be ap- signed up for the metal worker course. the chain of command or law enforce- I am taking classes – plied to your career in the military as While I will still need to practice my ment becomes involved. A victim ad- not college classes, but well as after you return to civilian life. welding technique, I learned the basics vocate is assigned, command and law online classes through An interesting benefit of these and can operate a welder with minimal enforcement are notified, and medical Army e-Learning. courses is the certifications you can supervision. care is provided. Active duty victims You might actually be surprised to attain through your studies. Soldiers Possibly the biggest benefit of the have the option of making a restricted find out what is available to you, at no who want to get into an information programs are that you’ll earn promo- report. Restricted reports are kept con- charge, just for being a Soldier. technology profession when they re- tion points and possibly college credit fidential – command and law enforce- The MyEducation link on Army turn to civilian life can get a head start for your efforts. For every five credit ment are not notified. The victim can Knowledge Online brings up a portal by earning certifications from leading hours of correspondence courses you access care and services without par- of online opportunities. Most notably computer and networking companies. complete, you will earn one promotion ticipating in the military justice sys- are Army e-Learning and The Army In- It’s not going to replace years of point. It may not sound like a lot, but tem. Call the Joint Base Balad sexual stitute for Professional Development, work in the industry, but it will demon- believe me, it can add up quickly. assault response coordinator at 443- which hosts the Army Correspondence strate that you have a solid foundation Specific Army e-Learning curricula 7272 or contact via pager 443-9001, Course Program. in those areas of expertise and may give have also been approved by the Ameri- 159 for help. Army members should Army e-Learning is tailored toward you a leg up over other applicants. can Council on Education for college seek assistance with their unit victim information technology, business man- The ACCP is another great program credit. Check the e-Learning portal on advocate or deployed SARC; Soldiers agement and foreign languages, while that can help you stay on top of the AKO for a complete listing and instruc- may also call 433-7272 or 443-9001, ACCP focuses on military occupation skills you use in your military occupa- tions on how to get credit. pager 122/135 for assistance. specialty proficiency and soldiering tional specialty. Self-development is a growing trend skills. Finding exactly what you’re look- in the Army. Fortunately, Uncle Sam Both programs require a valid AKO ing for can be a little tricky on this provides opportunities that carry over e-mail address and a quick registra- Web site, so be sure to try a few dif- to civilian careers in addition to the tion. ferent keywords when you search for a benefits to your military career. Army e-Learning has a vast catalog course. Of course, your own personal inter- of courses. If you’re an amateur user Once you enroll in a course, you’ll ests will determine what is valuable to of the Microsoft Office suite, this is have to wait until you receive a verifi- you, but no matter what you’re inter- the place to be. You can take beginner cation e-mail to actually take the exam, ested in learning, there’s probably a through advanced courses on any of but you can get started immediately by correspondence course available.

1. Power strips are free of debris and Check CHUsdays 4. Smoke detector is operational. clothing. Each Tuesday 2. Electrical devices not in use are un- check the 5. Fire extinguisher is serviceable (in the plugged. green) following 3. Power strips and outlets are not over- 6. Room is neat and orderly loaded. in your CHU PAGE 4 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s February 3, 2010 Fixed-wing flights reduce travel time out of Iraq WING FROM PAGE 1 The 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, The operation out of Camp Taji re- eration is about 10 times better than any two weeks, said Capt. William Bailey, 1st Cav. Div. and the 30th HBCT rede- duced the units’ overall travel time by brigade redeployment or deployment commander of the 384th MCT. ployed at the same time, said Michaels, four days, said Michaels. With two to we’ve experienced out of BIAP,” said Mi- “Soldiers get to Kuwait faster by of- a Jefferson City, Tenn., native. With two three flights flying out a night, the opera- chaels. “Having a whole C-17 dedicated fering a fixed-wing solution out of Taji, heavy brigade combat teams being re- tion took roughly 16 days, said Michaels. to a redeployment has been huge to the as opposed to having to connect some- deployed at once, BIAP would have had “This allowed us to keep the Soldiers mission’s success.” where else,” said Bailey, a Huntsville, more than 800 Soldiers a day bound to in the battle space doing (transition The operation was a major success due Miss., native. Ali Al Salim, said Michaels. training) with the incoming unit, for two to cooperation with the different military Roughly 200 to 300 Soldiers were This would have caused heavy con- days longer,” said Michaels. “This gained branches and groups that played a role, moved each night, he said. gestion in the terminal and complicated them a little more efficiency with their said Michaels. The success at Camp Taji The Soldiers are moved in a Boe- the redeployment process, he said. (relief in place) and their efficiency of was a testament to what can be accom- ing C-17 Globemaster III or a Lockheed To mitigate travel flow congestion, getting out of Iraq.” plished when the branches come togeth- C-130 Hercules out of Camp Taji, said they decided to use the flight line at Several units assisted in the process, er in the aid and support of one another, Bailey. Their gear is palletized and load- Camp Taji to conduct a mass redeploy- Michaels said. The MCT, the Air Force he said. ed onto the plane, he said. ment of 1st Cav. Div., he said. The 30th logistics teams on the flight line and the “Being able to leverage all the joint ca- The operation had been in the initial HBCT would leave the Baghdad area senior airfield authority combined with pabilities that reside within this theater planning stages since August, said Maj. through BIAP, said Michaels. expertise from the 1st Air Cavalry Bri- to redeploy Soldiers and get them out on Richard Michaels, division transporta- “Redeploying the 30th and 1st Cav. gade, made for quick and efficient opera- time is certainly what we have to work tion officer with the 1st Cavalry Divi- was 8,000 Soldiers leaving Iraq at the tion execution, said Michaels. for even as the drawdown approaches,” sion. same time,” said Michaels “The ease and smoothness of this op- said Michaels. Iraqi dinar to protect Soldiers, stimulate local economy CASH FROM PAGE 1 Lake Charles, La., native, said the Eagle stimulate the economy of Iraq. Cash Card is designed to help prevent “One of the main focuses of finance service members from losing money or is to ultimately eliminate U.S. currency being robbed while in country. from the battlefield,” said Raimer, a “Carrying a single card is better than Lake Charles, La., native. “Our gov- carrying a wad of money in your pocket, ernment is implementing the use of but one concern that I do have is … on the Iraqi dinar, to both undermine the the kiosks, you have to use a pin num- dependency the Iraqi nationals have ber in order to access the money, but on American currency and to back the when you go to vendors, you do not,” Dinar, greatly increasing its weight on said Guillery. “If you (fill the card) up the market.” to the max, and you lose that card, and The use of electronic fund transfers somebody picks it up and finds it and to pay vendors and contractors, and they are a dishonest person, they can urging service members to rely on the go and spend that money.” Eagle Cash Card, rather than cash, are Guillery said the unit only disburses two major changes that have been im- U.S. cash to service members who are plemented in Iraq to eliminate the use about to go on mid-tour leave or re- of cash, said Raimer. deploy. “The Eagle Cash Card enables per- Guillery said the unit disburses less sonnel to have a direct link to the bank than $10,000 in U.S. cash per month, account without the hassle of hard but disburses more than 351,000,000 Pfc. Scott A. LeBert, cashier with the 368th Finance Management Company, out of Wichita, cash,” said Raimer. “The stored value IQD, the equivalent of roughly Kan., 36th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Lake Charles, La., native, assists two Soldiers with a transaction Jan. 27 at the finance office at card has been instrumental in effec- $300,000, per month. Contingency Operating Location Basra, Iraq. tively moving toward a cashless battle- The current exchange rate is 1,170 field.” IQD to $1, said Guillery. sion of the banking industry in Iraq. ported the modernization of the bank- Sgt. Toni M. Guillery, a dispersing Raimer said the transition away from Raimer said, “The progression (away ing system, thus improving and instill- agent with the 368th FM Co., and a the U.S. dollar has aided the progres- from U.S. currency) has greatly sup- ing trust in the local economy.” February 3, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 5 Wagonmasters deliver school supplies to Iraqi children St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y last the school two or three years, and St a f f Sg t . Ro b St r a i n the brigade plans to bring more items 15t h Su s t . Bd e . to the school, including soccer balls, in the coming months, Phelps said. JEDELLAH SOFLA, Iraq – Members For some Soldiers, the trip was an of the 15th Sustainment opportunity to get away from the dai- Brigade, 13th Sustainment ly business on the base. Command (Expeditionary) “It’s really interesting – different,” delivered boxes of school said 1st Lt. Meghan Flynn, an opera- supplies to Iraqi chil- tions officer with the Special Troops dren Jan. 20 in Jedellah Battalion, 15th Sust. Bde. Sofla, a small village near Contingency Flynn, a Blairstown, N.J., native, Operating Base Q-West, Iraq. said the best part was handing out Soldiers delivered boxes filled with the supplies, especially the stuffed pens, paper, crayons and other supplies animals, and being around the chil- to the school of roughly 100 children, dren. said Maj. Scott Wadyko, an operations “The kids are adorable,” she said. officer with the 15th Sust. Bde. “(Iraqi children) are the future of “It’s building partnership, it’s build- Iraq,” Phelps said. “We’re doing what ing bridges,” said Wadyko, a Jackson- we can to assist with the future.” ville, Fla., native. “Helping these chil- Phelps said he is confident the dren learn and making a better life for supplies will be put to good use, and Lt. Col. Paula Lodi, the commander of the Special Troops Battalion, 15th Sustainment Bri- themselves is our ultimate goal.” gade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a Franklin, Mass., native, talks to explained that the local Iraqis, led by The supplies were donated by family Iraqi students during a visit to their school Jan. 20 in the village of Jedellah Sofla, Iraq. a local doctor, have done an excellent and friends around the 15th Sust. Bde.’s job with the children and the school. home station of Fort Hood, Texas, said “Everything we brought here today across the country and around the “Looking in those eyes, you can Col. Larry Phelps, the brigade’s com- was donated from our families, our world,” Phelps said. see that the future of Iraq is in good mander and a Greenville, Ala., native. friends, in central Texas and from Enough supplies were donated to hands,” he said. Retention sergeants work to better Soldiers’ careers By Sg t . Ke i t h S. Va n Kl o m p e n b e r g Post 9/11 Montgomery G.I. Bill. Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f “My mission is important because I’m helping Sol- diers, and I’m helping meet the Army end strength,” JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Soldiers deployed over- said Harvey. seas count down to the day they can re- Bowers said benefits such as the new G.I. Bill have turn home to their families and friends. made his job a bit easier. With the troubled economy and un- “That really benefits a lot of younger Soldiers who certainty of civilian jobs, Soldiers are looking for that bachelor’s (degree),” said Bow- should take this time to make a plan, ers. said Sgt. 1st Class Lloyd Bowers, a He said the education benefits also help older ser- forward deployed career counselor with the National vice members who may already have a college degree Guard Bureau out of Arlington, Va. by allowing them to pass it on to their spouse or chil- “I would encourage all the Soldiers out here … dren. while you’re out here and have some downtime, Harvey said one of the biggest concerns with Sol- make it constructive,” said Bowers, an Elkhart, Ind., diers looking to reenlist is the possibility that bonus- native. es could decrease or disappear because enlistment Bowers said his job allows him to travel the coun- numbers are up. try and assist Guardsmen who are looking at con- “If they hear something, they come running,” she tinuing their education or extending their military said. service. Bowers said because bonuses are constantly “We basically try to put our finger on the pulse of changing and unit retention representatives may the units,” he said. not always have the latest information, he travels Army career counselors can help Soldiers get the the country to provide assistance to the Soldiers and education they need for promotions and find bonus- their noncommissioned officers. es for Soldiers interested in reenlisting, said Mas- “Everyone likes to get a little bonus,” said Bow- ter Sgt. Charolette Harvey, the 13th Sustainment ers. Command (Expeditionary) career counselor and a Though their main mission is to retain Soldiers, Clarksville, Tenn., native. Harvey said Army career counselors can also assist U.S. Army photo by Spc. Naveed Ali Shah Harvey said her job is to assist any active Army Soldiers with planning their education and careers Sgt. Jose Graulau, the executive chauffeur for the Soldiers with their retention needs by helping them after they leave the Army, and that they want to help 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a get what they want in reenlistment contracts, such Soldiers in general. Bayamon, Puerto Rico, native, takes the oath of re- as tax-free bonuses, permanent change of station “When I see Soldiers happy, I’m happy,” said Har- enlistment from 13th ESC commanding general Paul L. Wentz. wishes, and education benefits, including the new vey. PAGE 6 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s February 3, 2010 Chemical company provides security for United Nations, state department in Baghdad St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y “We go out on PSD missions with Sg t . Jo h n St i m a c the provincial reconstruction team and Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f we have a good rapport and they call us when they are ready to go on missions CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCA- with them,” said Smith. TION PROSPERITY, Capt. Richard Huber, commander of Baghdad – The 301st the 301st Chem. Co., said his company Chemical Company, was tasked with this mission in Novem- 155th Heavy Brigade ber 2008. Combat Team de- “Most of the Soldiers were deployed ployed to Baghdad previously as (military police officers),” to provide personal said Huber. security, United Nations security and act Huber said the operating environment as a quick reaction force in the country’s has changed since 2005 and 2006, when capital city. the company was deployed here last. They received special training at Camp “It is much more of a political envi- Shelby, Miss., to be certified to complete ronment and we are working with not their mission in Baghdad. opposing the Iraqi government,” said First Lt. Joey E. Todd, 3rd platoon Huber. leader with the 301st Chem. Co., 13th He said he enjoys working with the Spc. Michael D. Mullins, gunner for the 301st Chemical Company, out of Morehead Ky., Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and Iraqi people in Baghdad and has taken said the week-long course, called Raven an Alexandria, Ky., native, scans the area at Baghdad University, in Baghdad. part in such missions as protective ser- training, was taught by Triple Canopy, a vices for actress Angelina Jolie and se- civilian contactor with the U.S Depart- “Every third day, we rotate a team building and standby, ready to react if curing the International Zone for Vice ment of State. to provide quick reaction force security anything happens,” said Smith. “We take President Joe Biden’s visit in August. “We went through the training and for the embassy in case of attack,” said all our command from the Regional Sup- The 301st Chem. Co. conducts opera- cleared buildings and performed other Todd. “If anything happens, we go out port Office and they inform us what to do tions out of Al Salam palace, in Bagh- security aspects of what we would be do- and secure the embassy and all the state and where to go.” dad. ing here,” said Todd. “After that, we were department offices.” Smith, a Morehead, Ky., native, said “It took quite a bit of damage, but this Raven certified.” Todd said this company is the only they have six sections that pull 12-hour palace is historical and it is a beautiful Todd, a Flemingsburg, Ky., native, is military PSD team conducting missions shifts every third day. He said they ap- place to come to work every day,” said in charge of two Raven teams that per- in Baghdad. preciate the break they sometimes get Huber. form personal security detail missions Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Smith, section while on QRF detail. Huber said he is proud of his 301st for state department personnel, and act leader with the 301st Chem. Co., said he Smith said he has been on roughly Chem. Co. Dragon Warriors and their as embassy and UN security in Bagh- enjoys doing the QRF at the embassy. 120 missions, not including the QRF professionalism throughout this deploy- dad. “We stage in this little apartment missions. ment. Adder hosts equal opportunity course By Sg t . Ca n d a c e We s t l u n d with promotion points and a lifetime toon sergeant and operations non- Texas, native, also assisted Lunceford 41s t IBCT qualification to be an equal opportu- commissioned officer for the 412th with the course. nity leader. Aviation Support Battalion and a Kat- “The current challenges are con- CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE “These people are the eyes and ears terbach, Germany, native, assisted cerning Soldiers that practice the ADDER, Iraq – For the of the command,” said Lunceford. Lunceford with the course. She taught Muslim faith, open homosexuals and first time in two years, a “They are helping solve problems with the concepts of culture and effective females in combat arms,” said Rup- unit Equal Opportunity morale and cohesion within the unit.” listening components. pel. Leaders’ course was Lunceford said the goal of the Army “I’m doing the personnel in my bat- Lunceford said the class assists with held at Contingency is to provide quarterly EO training to talion justice,” said Rodriguez. these challenges by offering leaders a Operating Base Ad- each unit, and for each unit to have Rodriguez said she hopes to see better understanding of racism, sex- der, Iraq, graduat- two trained EO leaders to facilitate more integration of different obser- ism and religious accommodations, ing 19 students Jan. 8. awareness and resolve complaints at vances to increase Soldiers’ aware- as well as the history of equal oppor- Capt. Jason Lunceford, Adder’s the lowest level. ness of other cultures. tunity. equal opportunity adviser with the The class is 60 hours and focuses Master Sgt. Shane Ruppel, the op- “The Army is a microcosm of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team on big picture concepts, such as cul- erations noncommissioned officer United States and diversity is one of and a Tigard, Ore., native, organized tural values, attitudes and behavior. in charge with 3rd Battalion, 141st its greatest strengths,” said Lunc- the class, which provides graduates Staff Sgt. Manny Rodriguez, a pla- Infantry Regiment and a Weslaco, eford. TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS HOW MUCH YOU MISS THEM E-mail: [email protected] February 3, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 7 Alaska unit leaves Task Force 38 St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y it's stubbornness and refusing to quit. St a f f Sg t . Je f f Lo w r y There's no quit to the Tomahawks.” Ta s k Fo r c e 38 Pu b l i c Af f a i r s Sanders said his Soldiers came togeth- er as a team, even though it was newly JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – An aviation assembled. company with Task Force "When you look in the dictionary 38 left Joint Base Balad, for team players, you'll see A Co.," said Iraq, as part of the up- Sanders. coming drawdown. Spc. Michael Baker, a crew chief and The Alaska-based mechanic, and a St. Petersburg, Fla., na- A Company, 1st Bat- tive, reiterated Sanders’ statement. talion, 52nd Aviation "We're always working together, al- Regiment Tomahawks left the desert ways as a team, especially when we leave and headed home after a year-long de- the ground; that's when it's game time," ployment in support of Operation Iraqi said Baker. "We're really tight knit." Freedom. While in Iraq, the unit moved twice: "Overall, it's been a wonderful year from Baghdad to Basra and then to JBB. with a great group of professional Sol- "Every organization we went to, we diers," said Capt. Russ Vander Lugt, became part of that organization and the company commander and a Breezy helped them and they helped us," said Point, Minn., native. "We really got a Sanders. great group of Soldiers here, and they Task Force 38 was one of its head- make my job easy." quarters units. The TF 38 Soldiers helped First Sgt. Gary Sanders (center), A Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment’s Vander Lugt and 1st Sgt. Gary Sand- A Co. through the loss of Spc. Michael senior noncommissioned officer, salutes Capt. Russ Vander Lugt (left), the unit’s com- ers, the unit's senior noncommissioned Cote, a crew chief with the company who mander, during the company’s end-of-tour awards ceremony Jan. 22 at Joint Base Bal- officer, said the unit comprises new Sol- died in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter ad, Iraq. Vander Lugt, a Breezy Point, Minn., native, and Sanders, a Cincinnati native, led the UH-60 Black Hawk company that flew 4,100 aircraft hours, more than 14,000 diers and Soldiers from other units. crash Sept. 19. crew member hours, and roughly 1,200 missions during its year-long deployment in "We started off with a really young Sanders praised the leaders too. support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. group of Soldiers," said Sanders, a Cin- "A lot of battalions (and headquarters cinnati native. "(The Army) put us to- units) could've just checked the block, was done right for Spc. Cote, his unit and "We're known for having a high esprit gether and sent us on our way – new but the sergeant major made sure what all the task force Soldiers." de corps because we enjoy what we do, crew chiefs, new pilots. They all learned we felt we wanted was put into the cer- The A Company Soldiers moved past and (Sanders) and I enjoy leading the their jobs and were ready to go." emony," Sanders said. the event and continued their deploy- troops because of the group we have," While in Iraq, the unit flew special Command Sgt. Maj. John Watson ment with the aid of their fellow Sol- said Vander Lugt. "There's a trust be- forces Soldiers, high-ranking generals said he was honored to help with the diers, the unit's family readiness group tween the Soldiers and command, and I and ambassadors, and battlefield circu- ceremony that helped the A Co. Soldiers and families. can trust them to get the job done.” lation flights throughout Iraq. move through the grieving process of "If it wasn't for them taking care of A Co. flew 4,100 aircraft hours, more Vander Lugt spoke positively of their Spc. Cote's death. things back home, our guys would be go- than 14,000 crew member hours, and Soldiers and of their troops' tenacity. “We did something that was neces- ing crazy," said Sanders. roughly 1,200 missions during its year- "It shows you exactly what kind of sary to give them the best professional, Team work, families and the Soldiers' long deployment, he said. Soldiers we have," said Vander Lugt. military ceremony that we could," said attitude made A Co.’s deployment suc- "The Army got its bang for its buck “We kept driving our Soldiers – maybe Watson. "We made sure that ceremony cessful, said Vander Lugt. with us," said Vander Lugt. Army leaders meet to discuss drawdown plans St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment out Iraq requirement for this training to BCT’s as they go through Camp Buer- Sg t . Jo h n St i m a c of Knoxville, Tenn., and the 41st In- occur, but we want to get as many hing, Kuwait, between February and Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f fantry Brigade Combat Team, which people as we can trained up in Kuwait March. will be replaced by the 256th Brigade before they get here,” said Gomez. Loyd said he plans for the recep- JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – The Combat Team out of Lafayette, La. Gomez said the big training push- tion staging, onward movement and 13th Sustainment Com- “This is to make sure that we cover es are scheduled to cover three-week integration of roughly 7,000 Soldiers mand (Expeditionary) all processes so we can have a seam- periods in February and March to co- who will conduct security escort mis- command staff hosted less transition,” said Brown. incide with the arrival of the incom- sions for the 13th ESC in Iraq. a conference to dis- He said all incoming units must be ing personnel. Brown said he enjoys being in- cuss training and lo- properly trained and outgoing units “We have approximately 5,000 volved at the most critical time in the gistic operations in should understand all processes of Soldiers that need to receive the C- responsible drawdown of equipment the next six months turning in theater-provided equip- IED Level II training by the end of and personnel in Iraq. Jan. 26 at the Oasis dining facility in ment in a timely manner. This drill March and our goal is to be at 100 “There are a lot of moving parts,” the Sgt. Audie Murphy room at Joint was designed to accomplish that, he percent by the end of the RIP TOA,” said Brown. “We are moving non- Base Balad, Iraq. said. said Gomez. essential and essential assets out The meeting, called the security “We have to ensure all security He said the intent is to train them of theater and it takes a lot of plan- forces rehearsal of concept drill, fea- forces understand the timeline and and give them the skills they need to ning.” tured 13th Sustainment Command sequence,” said Brown. operate safely before getting to Iraq, Brig. Gen. Paul L. Wentz, com- (Expeditionary) subordinate leaders Lt. Col Edwin N. Gomez, the so they will already know the threat manding general of the 13th ESC, said from contingency operating locations counter-improvised explosive device indicators, instead of waiting the 60 now is the time to start working with throughout Iraq. training officer in charge with the days to finish the training. the contingency operating locations Col. Fredrick Brown, the opera- 13th ESC and a Ceiba, Puerto Rico, “We have had great support from to get everyone on the same page in tions officer in charge with the 13th native, said part of the process is get- everybody,” said Gomez. “Task Force preparation for the drawdown. ESC, said the purpose of the ROC ting all incoming personnel trained Troy in Kuwait is sending two addi- “We had a great session today,” drill was to synchronize the relief in on C-IED level two training within tional trainers to assist us.” said Wentz. “Clearly, everybody is place and transfer of authority for the first 60 days of getting in coun- Lt. Col. Sidney J. Loyd, the Kuwait moving down the right path and we the 155th Heavy Brigade Combat try. 13th ESC liaison officer in charge, just have to work on some details Team, which will be replaced by the “This is a United States Forces – discussed the training plan for the now and iron things out.” PAGE 8 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s February 3, 2010 Mississippians recognized for safety record St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y ing accidents and helped Ca p t . Mu r r a y Sh u g a r s ensure that buildings, 2/198t h CAB vehicles, equipment and companies maintained CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE safety standards. They Q-WEST, Iraq – Mississippi also submitted accident Guard members received reports on all injured Sol- recognition for helping to diers placed on light duty maintain their battal- or profile, and submit- ion’s safety record in a ted reports on damaged ceremony and cookout equipment.” Jan. 20 at Contingency Operating Base Sayle said the safety of- Q-West, Iraq. ficers attended monthly Company safety officers, safety non- safety council meetings, commissioned officers and fire war- conducted required train- dens with 2nd Battalion, 198th Com- ing for their Soldiers, and bined Arms, out of Senatobia, Miss., ensured their units met received certificates of recognition the Occupational Safety from the battalion commander at the and Health Administra- base defense operations center. tion standards and 155th “In the more than 87,000 miles this Heavy Brigade Combat battalion has traveled across Iraq in Team, 13th Sustainment the last seven months, there have been Command (Expedition- no major accidents, no fatalities or ary) guidance. The fire Capt. Robert P. Sayle (left), a battalion safety officer and a Lake Cormorant, Miss., native, reads permanent disabilities,” said Lt. Col. wardens attended train- a certificate of recognition as Lt. Col. Kerry Goodman, commander of 2nd Battalion, 198th Com- Kerry Goodman, battalion command- ing with the Q-West Fire bined Arms, out of Senatobia, Miss., and a Meridian, Miss., native, presents a certificate to Sgt. er and a Meridian, Miss., native. “The Department and met the George S. Welch, a truck commander and safety noncommissioned officer with B Company, 2/198 CAB, out of Greenwood, Miss., during a ceremony Jan. 20 at Contingency Operating Loca- same is true here at Q-West in the liv- Army policy of conducting tion Q-West, Iraq. ing and working areas. We owe thanks monthly fire safety inspec- to the safety officers and NCOs and the tions on every building, including the report deficiencies. This was a lot of sure they followed safety procedures fire wardens for leading the way for us proper documentation. extra work, important work that I am and used their safety equipment prop- to achieve this high level of accident Sgt. George S. Welch, a truck com- glad the battalion recognized.” erly and, at all times, wearing their seat prevention.” mander and safety NCO with B Com- Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. Williamson, belts and harnesses, their personal Capt. Robert P. Sayle, the battalion pany, 2/198 CAB, out of Greenwood, operations and safety NCO and fire protection equipment,” said William- safety officer who organized the event, Miss., said the recognition surprised warden with C Company, 2/198 CAB son, a Senatobia, Miss., native. said he was grateful to the company him. out of Oxford and Indianola, Miss., Williamson said the safety repre- safety representatives. “I didn’t expect to be congratulated said the recognition was gratifying. sentatives had a lot of help. “They have done a great job on the for the safety work I did, which was an “It made me feel good to get the “The real recognition goes to the many tasks placed on their shoulders additional duty,” said Welch, a Jack- certificate, because it represents a lot Soldiers because they maintained stan- during this deployment,” said Sayle, a son, Miss., native. “My job was to make of work we did with the vehicle crews, dards on post and out on the roads,” Lake Cormorant, Miss., native. “They sure the company working and living giving classes, inspecting them, their said Williamson. “They kept us free of helped educate their units on prevent- areas maintained safety standards and equipment and their vehicles, making major accidents and injuries.” February 3, 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 February 3, 2010 Louisiana maintenance team keeps vehicles on road St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y we are on call 24 hours a day, seven Pf c . Li s a A. Co p e days a week,” said Kenney. “If a vehicle Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f breaks down in the middle of the night and it is supposed to be rolling out on a CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE mission the next morning, if (the teams) BASRA, Iraq – The 546th need it fixed fast, they can get a hold of Maintenance Support us. We have not had to do that yet, but Team out of Fort Polk, we are ready.” La., keeps vehicles at Spc. Benjamin M. Wood, a small Contingency Oper- arms artillery repairman with the 546th ating Base Basra, MST, and a Lapine, Ore., native, said Iraq, mission ready this deployment has been a learning ex- and on the road. perience for him. First Lt. James A. Kenney, the of- “(The) 546th (MST) is based around ficer in charge of the 546th MST, 36th maintenance on vehicles, not so much Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustain- weapons, and I am a weapons guy,” ment Command (Expeditionary) and a said Wood. Clarksville, Ind., native, said the main- Wood said he has kept himself busy tenance Soldiers work primarily on ve- by becoming the unit mail handler, hicles, but the unit is also equipped to information management officer and repair weapons and generators. learning some of the vehicle mainte- He said they provide maintenance nance. support to military transition teams, “I am not a certified mechanic; I Spc. Darryl R. Saffell, a utility equipment repairer with the 546th Maintenance Sup- port Team out of Fort Polk, La., and a Fairbanks, Alaska, native, and Pfc. Matthew border transition teams and port of have not been through the (advanced J. Caudle, a utility equipment repairer with the 546th MST, and a Lebanon, Mo., na- entry transition teams in their area of individual training) or the school to tive, work together Jan. 25, to replace the windshield of a vehicle at their workshop operation. become a mechanic, but I am always at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq. “We do all levels of maintenance for working with a mechanic, and they are them,” said Kenney. “Vehicles (are) pri- always showing me and teaching me,” the 546th MST, and a Beaufort, N.C., teamwork they demonstrate on a daily marily what we do, but we can also do said Wood. “When something comes in native, said his unit handles all types of basis. weapons, generators, pretty much any- that is not working properly and I take maintenance on the vehicles belonging “I like the team we have and the out- thing that breaks. … Ninety-five percent it apart, I look at it, I fix it, put it back to the transition teams they support. put of work that they do,” said Delaney. of our workload is vehicles.” together and it is working perfect, I get “We are tasked with … anything “(They) are very consistent. At first I The unit is on call 24 hours a day to a lot of satisfaction out of doing that. It from changing a light bulb to fixing an thought (our mission) was going to be a do emergency repairs, said Kenney. is a good feeling.” engine,” said Delaney. little difficult, but we managed … and it “We do a standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sgt. 1st Class Robert L. Delaney, the Delaney said he is proud of the ef- is running smoothly.” every day – we take Sundays off – but noncommissioned officer in charge of forts of his Soldiers and appreciates the

Telling the Providers Story from all across Iraq Providers teach Iraqi Army check Tune In To point search procedures

Now airing on the Pentagon Channel Or log on to every Thursday at 0830 IZ www.dvidshub.net every Saturday at 1430 IZ keyword: Balad and Beyond February 3, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 11 Mechanics keep New Mexico unit mission-ready By Sg t . Ca n d a c e We s t l u n d If any incidents oc- 41s t IBCT Pu b l i c Af f a i r s curred during a mis- sion, they have been CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE fixed by the mechan- ADDER, Iraq – With the ics, he said high number of miles the “It is like maintain- Army’s Mine-Resistant ing a successful rela- Ambush-Protected ve- tionship,” Pirtle said. hicles log on the roads “You get to know the in Iraq, the mechanics vehicles very well and with the New Mexico if you treat them right National Guard’s 720th Convoy Secu- they will never give rity Company, out of Las Cruces, N.M., you a problem.” at Contingency Operating Base Adder, There is no higher Iraq, work overtime to keep their unit’s level of maintenance; vehicles fully mission capable. everything is per- The 720th mechanics, with 1st Battal- formed at the unit ion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infan- level, he said. try Brigade Combat Team, 13th Sustain- “There is civil- ment Command (Expeditionary) work in ian support, but we the motor pool, but also go on missions can do in one day because the unit is shorthanded. what they do in one Spc. Brent Pirtle, a mechanic and a Las month,” Pirtle said. Cruces, N.M., native, has served as a me- The 720th CSC me- Spc. Jaun Barela, a mechanic with the 720th Convoy Support Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry chanic for six years. chanics are trained to Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a San- “I have been tasked out to be a gun- work on each kind of ta Rosa, N.M., native, checks the fluids in his Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle at a motor pool ner and a driver on missions here,” Pirtle MRAP the unit has. Jan. 24 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. said. Pirtle said the main- He said he was proud to have had no tenance is implemented differently on same, so it is easy to learn each system. Santa Rosa, N.M., native, said, “Without serious breakdowns on the road. each type of truck, but the parts are the Spc. Jaun Barela, a mechanic and a us, they don’t roll.” Providers enforce uniform policy at JBB

St o r y a n d Ph o t o Il l u s t r a t i o n b y Sg t . Jo h n St i m a c Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – The proper wear of uniform is not only paramount in being a Sol- dier in the Army, but here at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, it is a matter of safety. Noncommissioned officers with the 13th Sustainment Com- mand (Expeditionary) set out to observe Soldiers and civilians for nine days in mid-December to make sure they ad- hered to U.S. Army regulation 670-1 and United States Forces – Iraq Memo 11-1. Sgt. Maj. Oliver B. Chisholm, the op- erations sergeant major with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and a Montgomery, Ala., native, said the NCO patrol was put in place to alleviate command concerns that Soldiers were Senior leaders with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expedtionary) make sure not wearing reflective belts as part of Soldiers and civilians adhere to the uniform policy at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Non- their uniforms when visibility is low. commissioned officers were posted at dining facilities, post exchanges and Mo- “With this being a transient installa- rale, Welfare and Recreation centers for a nine-day period. tion, some people don’t know the actual “We let the Soldiers know that there on in your vehicle before you enter the standards of JBB,” said Chisholm. still is an Army standard that we need to PX,” said Chisholm. “If you don’t have a The NCO patrol was set up at hot adhere to,” said Halmsteiner. “We are weapon on you, you’re not going to get spots throughout JBB, he said. also concerned for the Soldiers safety. in.” “We identified the post exchange, If you look around at night, there aren’t Civilian personnel must also wear dining facilities, Morale, Welfare and any street lights on.” their reflective belts during times of low Recreation centers and the gyms as high He said this served as a reminder to visibility and must adhere to the same traffic areas, and we posted NCOs there senior NCOs that making on the spot United States Forces – Iraq policy that for a nine-day stretch,” said Chisholm. corrections is part of their job. Soldiers do. First Sgt. Francis J. Halmsteiner, the Chisholm said force protection proce- For now, the patrols have stopped, first sergeant with Headquarters and dures still apply at JBB and Soldiers have said Chisholm. Headquarters Company, 13th ESC and a no excuse for failing to keep a magazine “If we feel that things are reverting Harker Heights, Texas, native, said ev- with ammunition with their weapon at back to the way they were, we will turn to erything went well, aside from a few eas- all times. NCO leadership to make sure the stan- ily corrected small infractions. “This also means locking your weap- dards are being met,” said Chisholm. PAGE 12 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s Guardsmen recover vehicles throughout northern Iraq St o r y a n d Ph o t o s b y Ca p t . Mu r r a y Sh u g a r s building, and the Soldiers like having their own space,” 2/198t h CAB said Kilgore. “It helps build team cohesion, and as long as we are completing our missions and meeting Army CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq – standards, nobody bothers us.” Mississippi Army National Guardsmen con- C Co. received the Q-West recovery responsibility ducted a record number of vehicle recovery well into its deployment, so the unit had to re-assign missions Jan. 18 to Jan. 19 at Contingency Soldiers from other tasks to fill the new requirement, Operating Base Q-West, Iraq. Kilgore said. The quick reaction force for recover- “Our team is made up of any available or willing ing vehicles – a small detachment of Sol- Soldiers,” said Kilgore. “Some came from the company diers from C Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined command post and had never been outside the wire. Arms, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, out of Ox- Some came from the maintenance shop. Others came ford and Indianola, Miss., 13th Sustainment Command from the convoy security platoons. About half my peo- (Expeditionary) – completed six recoveries in two days ple deployed to Iraq with the 155th Heavy Brigade in with only a few hours of sleep. ’05, and that gives us a lot of experience. The Veterans During their first 30 days of the recovery mission, were a big help with the challenge of building cohesion from mid-December to mid-January, C Company Sol- and getting everyone on the same page. Everybody is diers conducted 16 recovery missions, nearly doubling doing great, and they all like this mission.” the 60-day record of 10 missions for the previous unit, Sgt. Demarquis T. Maybell, a truck commander and said Staff Sgt. Douglas S. Kilgore, a section leader and a a Hollandale, Miss., native, said he enjoys the mis- Burnsville, Miss., native. sion. “Sometimes we’re very busy, especially when the “Before this mission, I was in the company com- weather gets bad, and sometimes we are waiting for a mand post and never got off the base,” said Maybell. mission,” said Kilgore. “Three, four days we might do “It’s real fun going (outside) the wire. Sometimes our nothing but wait. Then we might have three or four mis- route takes us through cities and we can see how the sions in one day. The operational tempo can be extreme people interact in the market.” at times, but this has been a good mission, and so far Another reason Maybell said he preferred the mis- we’ve had no hostile contact, though we have recovered sion was that he saw tangible results. vehicles damaged by improvised explosive devices.” “I like helping people on the road, and this mission The recovery QRF has to be ready to move on a mo- helps people,” he said. “We go out to help recover a ment’s notice, and this means long hours inspecting vehicle, and the Soldiers waiting for us are happy to and maintaining the gun trucks, said Kilgore. see us. … When we take care of them, we can see the “We get a mission, we have 40 minutes to be out results of our efforts. We go out and we see the people the gate,” said Kilgore. “With the convoy security mis- we’re helping.” sion, we prepared vehicles 24 hours before rolling out Sgt. Joshua Tharp, a team leader, a Grenada, Miss., the gate, whereas here we have to be ready to roll at native, and a veteran of the 2005 deployment, said the all times. So we spend a lot of time taking care of our operational tempo of the recovery mission brought gun trucks, and it’s essential that everyone does their back memories. preventative maintenance, checks and services thor- “This reminds me of the old days, back in ’05, when Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, 204th Military Police Company, 519th Military Police Battalion, out of Fort Polk, La., haul a tow cable toward a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected oughly.” we’d just lay out a map and say, all right, this is where vehicle mired in a sinkhole in Ninewa province, Jan. 18. Members of Q-West’s quick reaction force for vehicle recovery – manned by C Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Com- Kilgore said, functioning as a detached element from we’re going and this is how we’re getting there, let’s go bined Arms, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, out of Oxford and Indianola, Miss., 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) – recovered the vehicle. the company, the recovery QRF has a lot of indepen- – simple as that,” said Tharp. dence. The mission has its challenges as well, said Tharp. native, agreed. “We’re over here working and living in a separate “The other night when we ran 30 hours straight “This mission reminds me of 2005 – get a mission with no rest,” said Tharp. “A and move out,” said Ramseur. “This is completely dif- lot of missions, the weather (is) ferent from the convoy security mission. We spend less cold and nasty, and when the time planning, and we haven’t got a set schedule. Most weather gets bad, we get busy. of us spent months doing the CS mission, and that’s We’ve recovered vehicles dam- good because we know all the roads. We know where aged by (improvised explosive we’re going.” devices) and breakdowns, but Spc. Arthur Carpenter, a gun-truck gunner, said he lately it’s been weather-related prefers recovery QRF to the convoy security mission. recoveries – vehicles stuck in “I like this a lot better than the convoy security mis- the mud.” sion,” said Carpenter, a Cordova, Tenn., native. “Every When the operational tempo mission is a turn-and-burn; we go out, recover the dis- increases, sleeping becomes an abled vehicle and come back to base. We’re not gone issue, said Pfc. Allen R. Stid- three, four days, staying in transient housing on other mon, a driver and a Hernando, bases. Also, we don’t have to deal with our Convoy Miss., native. Readiness Center, the long process to go on a mission, “When things get busy, the which is necessary but takes a long time.” biggest challenge is getting Soldiers who previously served in convoy security enough sleep,” said Stidmon. platoons said they are happy they no longer deal with “In the past few days, we’ve the long planning process of the CRC, said Spc. Michael been lucky to get four hours T. Hawkins, a gunner and a Greenwood, Miss., native. of sleep, but that’s part of this “The best thing about the recovery mission is that job. I can live with less sleep. we don’t have to spend all that time preparing to go A shepherd walks his flock past a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle I like going out on the road, out the wire, doing final checks and long briefs at the mired in a sinkhole in Ninewa province, Jan. 18. The gun truck belongs to Sol- being out there doing a mis- CRC,” said Hawkins. “We get a mission, and we have diers with 3rd Platoon, 204th Military Police Company, 519th Military Police Bat- sion instead of staying on the to go as soon as possible. We get a quick brief and we talion, out of Fort Polk, La. Members of the Q-West quick reaction force for base.” roll.” recovering vehicles – manned by C Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Ram- The convoy security missions restricted Spc. Undrae Arms, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, out of Oxford and Indianola, Miss., seur, a gun truck commander S. Ratliff’s view of the Iraqi countryside, said Ratliff, a 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) – recovered the vehicle. and an Independence, Miss., Soldier on his first deployment. Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 13 Guardsmen recover vehicles throughout northern Iraq

(Above) Spc. Jesse A. Jenkins (left), a gun truck driver and a Bruce, Miss., native, and Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Ramseur, a gun truck com- mander and an Independence, Miss., native, tighten an engine panel on their truck during preventative maintenance checks and ser- vices, Jan. 20. Both men serve with Q-West’s quick reaction force for vehicle recovery, which Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, 204th Military Police Company, 519th Military Police Battalion, out of Fort Polk, La., haul a tow cable toward a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected is manned by members of C Company, 2nd Battalion, vehicle mired in a sinkhole in Ninewa province, Jan. 18. Members of Q-West’s quick reaction force for vehicle recovery – manned by C Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Com- 198th Combined Arms, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat bined Arms, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, out of Oxford and Indianola, Miss., 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) – recovered the vehicle. Team, out of Oxford and Indianola, Miss., 13th Sus- “The convoys could be miles long, and they moved mission. tainment Command (Expeditionary). The recovery slow, and we always stayed on the hardball roads,” said “The biggest difference I noticed is that you’re closer QRF conducted a record number of vehicle recovery Ratliff, a gun truck driver and an Indianola, Miss., na- to the other gun trucks with this mission,” said Jenkins. missions, Jan. 18 to Jan. 19, completing six recover- tive. “Those CS missions were always at night and on “I can actually see the other gun trucks because we’re ies in two days on few hours of sleep. main highways. With the recovery mission, we go out escorting only a couple of recovery vehicles. Our secu- any time, day or night, and we might be running desert rity is tight, and the vehicles cover each other. With semble the crews, went on a few of the early missions, trails. One night, we went into the desert to recover a the CS mission, the gun trucks are separated by all the but that’s it. The NCOs run the show, and they have couple of vehicles out of the mud, and that was the first transport trucks they’re escorting.” done a great job with a mission that was thrown in their time I was out in the desert, seeing it close up, instead Sgt. 1st Class Tim Campbell, noncommissioned of- lap. I help when they need me, but they don’t need me. of from the highway. We were following a desert trail. ficer in charge and a Pope, Miss., native, praised his They have well-trained and motivated Soldiers. They’ve That was pretty cool.” Soldiers. never missed their 40-minute window for rolling out- Spc. Jesse A. Jenkins, a driver and a Bruce, Miss., “I’m proud of these guys,” said Campbell. “When we side the wire. They’ve done outstanding.” native, said he believes he is safer doing the recovery received this mission, I chose the NCOs and helped as-

Members of the Q-West quick reaction force – manned by C Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, out of Oxford and Indianola, Miss., 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) – recover a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle mired in a sinkhole in Ninewa province, Jan. 18. The gun truck belongs to Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, 204th Mili- tary Police Company, 519th Military Police Battalion, out of Fort Polk, La. PAGE 14 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s February 3, 2010 Military officials, Muslims renovate mosque at Taji By Spc . Mi c h a e l V. Ca m a c h o mosque, said Partin, a Richton, Miss., native. Cultural Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f awareness and religious customs were a priority, said Partin. CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Two officials with the 155th Heavy Partin and McDonald were allowed to special per- Brigade Combat Team, 13th Sustainment mission enter, observe and make assessments of the Command (Expeditionary) began super- mosque on the U.S. Army monitored half of Camp vising the renovations of the mosque Taji. Jan. 1 at Camp Taji, Iraq. “The biggest part of doing it right, is when we have In 2009, Multi-National Force – it ready for turnover, it is done to their cultural and re- Iraq put out an order to repair any ligious standards,” said McDonald. “We went through mosque on an American base to make it usable for the several iterations of plans to make sure we were doing Iraqis when American forces turn the bases over, said everything properly.” Maj. Terry Partin, a religious customs adviser for the Partin said there was no major damage inside, but project and brigade chaplain with Headquarters and lack of maintenance allowed water to damage the in- Headquarters Company, 155th HBCT, 13th ESC. terior. The project totaled roughly $17,000, he said. In ad- The goal of the renovation was to keep it safe from dition to the structural repairs, the electrical wiring any further damage and to make it operational, he was redone and the building put on the primary pow- said. er grid, said Lt. Col. Paul McDonald, brigade engineer “The mosque here has not been vandalized,” said with the 155th HBCT. Partin. “It had taken a rocket or mortar round that Reliability Management Solutions, which has the had hit the roof and it caused some damage to the maintenance contract at Camp Taji, was assigned parapet, which is the wall around the top.” to renovate the mosque, said McDonald, a Jackson, Cultural affairs liaisons, who were civilian contrac- Courtesy photo Miss., native. tors with the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Civilian contractors began to renovate a mosque Jan. The mosque renovation would provide a safe re- Cavalry Division, gave advice about what was needed 1 on the U.S. military monitored side of Camp Taji, Iraq. ligious structure for the Islamic Soldiers in the Iraqi to make the mosque meet religious standards, said Military officials with the 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Army, said McDonald. Partin. Team, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) “The structure would be restored for their use when “He made sure we didn’t do anything that might be were tasked with overseeing the proper renovation of (U.S. forces) turn over the base in the near future,” offensive to (Muslims),” said Partin. the mosque and ensuring that respect was shown to said McDonald. There were no major complications or delays on Islam and the mosque during the reconstruction. Due to religious and cultural sensitivities, the proj- the renovation process, said McDonald. The process ect was not just a simple home improvement opera- is well within the planned time frame, he said. McDonald. “While its structure is not complex, it is a tion, said McDonald. McDonald said the renovation is scheduled to be matter of treating their culture and religion with re- To help ensure respect for Islam, Partin requested finished in the first week of February. spect and establishing a safe and functioning facility that predominantly Islamic contractors repair the “Much of the building was good condition,” said for them.” Paratroopers build combined operations center in Iraq By Sg t . 1s t Cl a ss Mo n e y , Br i a n A. sonry blocks. Second, it was designed diers from both nations shared lunch, The Iraqis with prior construction 37t h En g . Bn. to serve as the nucleus for the upcom- drank chi tea, and told one another sto- experience enhanced their understand- ing elections which will be monitored ries about home on a daily basis, Cullen ing of concrete walls, wooden trusses, DIYALA PROVINCE, Iraq – Iraqi and by the 5th Iraqi Army Division and said. the corrugated steel roof, and how to U.S. Army engineers part- demonstrates the growing capacity of “While construction continued to establish a solid foundation of stan- nered to construct a new Iraq. progress, so did the relationships of the dards for the future construction proj- Combined Tactical Op- First Lt. Courtenay Cullen, vertical Iraqi Soldiers and the U.S. paratroop- ects they take on independently, said erations and Informa- construction platoon leader and a New ers,” said Cullen. Cpl. William Mesing, a senior electri- tion Center in Diyala York native, said the month-long proj- Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, com- cian with JTF Eagle and a Fayetteville, province, Iraq, which ect provided the 5th IA FER and the en- pany commander of Headquarters and N.C., native. opened its doors Jan 20. gineers with JTF Eagle an opportunity Headquarters Company and a Fayette- “It was a great experience working Lt. Col. Paul Huszar, commander to cross-train on carpentry and mason- ville, N.C., native, said in the U.S. Army beside the Iraqi Soldiers,” said Mes- of the 37th Engineer Battalion – Joint ry during construction of the 30-by-70 platoon leadership uses construction ing. “I feel that, with what I have taught Task Force Eagle, out of Fort Bragg, foot concrete block building. This pre- project management to manage time them, they can utilize these skills to N.C., and a Fayetteville, N.C., native, sented a great opportunity for the Sol- and resources. make Iraq a better place.” said this joint construction mission, diers to work together on the technical “The Iraqi Army, however, does not Huzar said, “The efforts of the Sol- executed by the 52-Soldier vertical aspect of construction, using tools and currently have vertical construction en- diers of the 5th IA FER and the vertical construction platoon and their coun- techniques that serve in a critical aspect gineers that serve in a similar capacity construction platoon resulted in, not terparts from the 5th Iraqi Army Field of structural integrity, Cullen said. for quality control and quality assur- only the completion of a tactical opera- Engineer Regiment, was significant for In this building, the division will host ance purposes,” said Bowman. “This tions center for our Iraqi counterparts, two reasons. First, the combined oper- intelligence and operations meetings in became an opportunity for JTF Eagle but also a partnership that forged yet ations center is the first of its kind to be the Diyala province, Cullen said. engineers demonstrate their skills and another superior relationship between solely constructed from concrete ma- During the construction, the Sol- teach their counterparts.” the two great nations.” ON THE http://www.hood.army.mil/13sce/ WEB February 3, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 15 Iraqi Soldiers test skills in mass casualty exercise at Taji St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Spc . Mi c h a e l Ca m a c h o “A little bit of extra pressure adds to their ability to get Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f their own confidence built up, (so) that they can actually take care of casualties in an emergency situation,” said CAMP TAJI, Iraq – U.S. military medics held a mass ca- Sciammarella. sualty simulation for Iraqi Army medics to Within 20 minutes, the Iraqi medics went through all exercise their combat medicine skills Jan. of the proper procedures as they evaluated the victims, 27 at Camp Taji, Iraq. said Carlson. They provided medical treatment to the Medics with the 96th Sustainment injured victims and transported them to medical rescue Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command vehicles, he said. (Expeditionary) conducted two three- “They were eager,” said Carlson. “They officially uti- day combat medicine courses for the Iraqi Army medics lized all the training and equipment that was provided to prior to the MASCAL exercise. them for this exercise.” The classes built on what the Iraqi medics already The simulated victims made the training realistic, knew, said Staff Sgt. Michael Carlson, a medic with the said Sgt. Maj. Ahmed Jabbar, a lab technician with the 1161st Transportation Company Task Force, 541st Com- Taji Location Medical Command, through a translator. bat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sust. Bde., 13th The yells and screams of people in distress increased the ESC and a Yakima, Wash., native. intensity of the experience, said Jabbar, a Baghdad na- U.S. Soldiers and medics with the 96th Sust. Bde. tive. The training greatly improved the combat medicine posed as casualties injured in a vehicle hit by an impro- knowledge of the medical staff, said Jabbar. vised explosive device, said Maj. Joseph Sciammarella, The medical staff of the 96th Sust. Bde. provided in- a battalion field surgeon with the 96th Sust. Bde. This depth training with life-saving skills for combat situa- MASCAL simulation required the Iraqi Army medics to tions, said Iraqi Army Maj. Adnan Naji, commander of use the knowledge they learned in a controlled environ- the Taji Command Medical Clinic Level 2. ment, he said. Naji, a Baghdad native, said the Iraqi’s are still learn- “They had a chance to practice the skills they learned ing, but their skills are steadily improving with training. in the classroom over the past several weeks on patients Carlson said the Iraqi’s were provided with education- with simulated injuries,” said Sciammarella, a Linden- al material like that they were trained with, so they could hurst, N.Y., native. “This gives them a chance to actually train their own personnel and strengthen their skills as do a hands-on scenario in a life-like situation, so they get they do so, he said. the pressure of being at an emergency where things can The MASCAL exercise, coupled with the training they Iraqi Army medics with the Taji Location Command be a little chaotic.” received, better prepared the Iraqi medics to save lives, Medical Clinic Level 2 pull a simulated victim out of The classes taught the ideas and the how to portion, said Sciammarella. a vehicle during a mass casualty exercise Jan. 27 at and the practical exercise required quick reactive thought Sciammarella said, “They’ve proven to themselves that Camp Taji, Iraq. and application of the training, he said. they can do these techniques on actual victims.” New oil service center to open at JBB By Sg t . Ke i t h S. Va n Kl o m p e n b e r g “We have a really good Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f working relationship,” she said. JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – A new That relationship also ex- oil service center, owned tends to the Iraqi Based In- and operated by local dustrial Zone and the 13th nationals, is scheduled Sustainment Command (Expe- to open Feb. 8 at Joint ditionary) Soldiers who work Base Balad, Iraq. closely with local businesses. The relocated and Sgt. Maj. Charles Scriven, expanded service center, which re- the sergeant major of the IBIZ, places the center located near the said his team provided assis- north entry-control point with a lo- tance and technical expertise cation closer to the vehicle mainte- on the project. nance sites and the dispatching of- “We are the sponsors, so to fice, will provide services to more speak,” said Scriven, a Colum- vehicles on base, said Air Force 1st bia, S.C., native. Lt. Donna Besley, the installation Scriven said the new loca- management flight commander with tion of the oil service center is the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics going to make a big difference Readiness Wing, 332nd Air Expedi- to those on base who need ve- tionary Wing. hicles serviced. Besley, an Elmira, N.Y., native, “This puts them in the same said the old service center main- area where the maintenance is Courtesy photo tained mostly small trucks, but the being done,” he said. An Iraqi man details a vehicle at the Joint Base Balad Oil Service Center at Joint Base new facility will work on buses and The old location was dif- Balad, Iraq. A new and expanded location is scheduled to open Feb. 8 next to the vehicle dispatch center. large trucks, such as the trash re- ficult for some to find and moval trucks on base. The old service caused some vehicle operators to go The local shaykh who owns the the business as well as help with the center was responsible for 600 ve- too long between oil changes, said oil service center has been involved construction. The IBIZ also facilitat- hicles with the new center taking on Scriven. with JBB for years, said Capt. Joseph ed a partnership that allowed Army roughly 1,700, she said. “It’s now less complicated to keep Ayoub, the officer in charge of the civil engineers to construct a hard- The Iraqis perform basic oil and up with services,” he said. IBIZ. ened roof over the service bays. filter changes, as well as windshield Scriven said the new location will “He’s been on base a while and has “They’ve received help from us wiper changes and other minor main- have five service bays as opposed to done good work,” said Ayoub. (because) they’ve done good work,” tenance, said Besley, who oversees two and they expect the work volume Ayoub said his team gave the oil said Ayoub. “We make sure they’re the operation. to triple. center guidance and tips on running happy.” PAGE 16 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s February 3, 2010 Operations company maintains presence at Basra St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y (COB) support anymore, but we still do Pf c . Li s a A. Co p e the convoy support.” Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f Norris said in about a month, when another group takes over for his unit, CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE the remaining detachment will join the BASRA, Iraq – The other 34 members of the unit to con- 159th Seaport Opera- duct a similar operation at Contingency tions Company, an in- Operating Base Adder, Iraq. land cargo transfer All but five of the units’ vehicles have company, is directly already been transferred to Adder, said responsible for the Norris. Central Receiving Sgt. Quintin E. L. Jones, the opera- and Shipping Point tions noncommissioned officer for the at Contingency Operating Base Basra, 159th SOC, and a Charlotte, N.C., na- Iraq. tive, said the unit has proportionally Sgt. 1st Class Damon L. Norris, the decreased how much cargo it handles first sergeant for the COL Basra detach- because only a quarter of the unit re- ment of the 159th SOC, 80th Ordnance mains at COB Basra. Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, The unit handles roughly 75 to 100 13th Sustainment Command (Expe- containers per month, which was the ditionary), out of Fort Story, Va., said weekly volume when the unit arrived in the unit’s primary mission is to receive, country, said Jones. stage and document all incoming and “The convoy stuff still comes through Sgt. Quintin E. L. Jones, the operations noncommissioned officer with the 159th Seaport outgoing unit equipment within the here, we just do not do quite as much Operations Company out of Fort Story, Va., and a Charlotte, N.C., native, ground guides Sgt. Michael R. Cyphert, a squad leader with the 159th SOC and a Middleton, Penn., native, COB Basra CRSP yard. base support,” said Jones. “The unit as he uses a 10-K Atlas to load a generator on a truck for a civilian contractor Jan. 28, at the The 159th SOC has been reduced from (has) to provide their own transporta- Central Receiving and Shipping Point at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq. its original 45 members to 11 members tion to get their containers here and out and no longer conducts 24-hour opera- of here, whereas before we used to do it ment request is then sent to the 601st time and ensures that it gets delivered tions or base support operations, said ourselves.” Movement Control Team, which allo- to the right person or unit, said Jones. Norris, a Washington native. Each container or piece of equip- cates the vehicles to move the equip- Norris said he believes his Soldiers “We are responsible for receiving, ment moved through the CRSP yard ment. have been working well together to ac- documenting and staging equipment goes through a process to ensure each Each piece of equipment is given a complish their mission. for supporting units on (COB) Basra,” item is tracked properly, said Jones. radio frequency identification tag to “Anytime you do not have any injury said Norris. “We were doing (COB) sup- The requesting unit fills out a transfer help keep track of the incoming and to personnel, you do not have any se- port as well, which pretty much entails movement request with the 159th SOC outgoing equipment, said Jones. rious damage to equipment … and the moving … containers and bulk stock for the equipment they need moved, The process is designed to keep an or- basic outline of your mission has been equipment to different locations on the specifying the type and dimensions of ganized and accurate account of where successful … I cannot help but to be (COB). As of recently, we do not do the the equipment being moved. The move- each piece of equipment is at any given pleased,” said Norris. Clinic staff keeps JBB warriors healthy By Ai r m a n 1s t Cl a ss Al l i s o n M. Bo e h m ronmental, public health and immunization sections, 332n d Ai r Expeditionary Wi n g Pu b l i c Af f a i r s and the primary care clinic, takes on the responsibil- ity of seeing 350 to 500 patients weekly. JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Needle sticks, dressing In doing so, the Airmen who work in the clinic stay changes and ointment applications are all busy scouring the base for possible hazards, seeing in a day's work to keep deployed troops patients for sick call, giving required immunizations, in the fight. and managing records to ensure the quality of health The 332nd Expeditionary Aero- at JBB. space Medical Squadron Primary Care "We have a big responsibility here at the clinic," Clinic contributes to the health and said Staff Sgt. Rebecca Bramlett, 332nd EAMDS Pri- welfare of the inhabitants of JBB. Along with aiding mary Care Clinic noncommissioned officer in charge service members, it also takes care of third-country of immunizations. "If we weren't here, the emergen- nationals and civilians who work on base. cy room would be overrun. For that reason, we are "We are here for everyone," said Master Sgt. Jo- equipped to do any minor procedure. We also have seph McCorquodale, 332nd EAMDS primary care the means to immunize people with 10 vaccines that

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman clinic flight chief. "We see health concerns before they treat for possible threats determined in deployed lo- get to the point where people have to be operated on cations." Staff Sgt. Rebecca Bramlett, 332nd Expeditionary Aero- or evacuated. We are able to treat our patients quickly The work the Air Force clinic provides helps keep space Medical Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of immunizations, takes a look at Senior Airman for the small things, which mitigate the health risks the mission at JBB going. Wesley Carter’s small pox shot to ensure it is healing prop- that have the potential to become a bigger issue and "A five-minute sick call may save three weeks worth erly Jan. 20 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The average patient become a health hazard." of work," said McCorquodale. "We expedite and make load for the clinic is roughly 350 to 500 people a week. The Air Force clinic, which is made up of bio-envi- their quick return back to the fight possible." SHOUT OUT!!! Contact the Expeditionary Times for more information. E-mail: [email protected] February 3, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 17 Force protection uniform postures

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U4 PAGE 18 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s February 3, 2010 Pop singer Keri Noble visits Q-West St o r y a n d Ph o t o b y Noble said all Sg t . Ma t t h e w C. Co o l e y Americans should be 15t h Su s t . Bd e . required to come to Iraq once to see what CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE service members do Q-WEST, Iraq – Pop for them every day. singer Keri Noble, a “The Middle East Detroit native, sang at feels like another the Morale, Welfare planet,” she said. and Recreation cen- “(The tour) is a little ter Jan. 16 at Con- peek into some world tingency Operating … it’s an adventure.” Base Q-West, Iraq, as part of her two- Noble rode in a week Iraq tour for the troops. CH-47 Chinook heli- Noble and the rest of her Minneap- copter and the Hum- olis-based band performed music from vee egress assistance her latest self-titled album, a blend of trainer, which simu- pop, rhythm and blues, and gospel. lates a Humvee roll- She sang an unreleased song writ- over, at other U.S. ten specifically for deployed service bases in Iraq before members and their families entitled coming to Q-West, “You’re Home” and written from the she said. point of view of the wife of a Soldier “That was super Keri Noble, a Minneapolis-based pop singer and Detroit native, performs at a concert for the troops Jan. 16 who recently returned from war. Com- cool,” she said. at Contingency Operating Base Q-West, Iraq. ing to Iraq was a logical step for her, She noted the dif- she said. ference between seeing Iraq on the watch the news differently because (of on tour,” said Laurie Ziegler, Noble’s “I got asked and it didn’t even seem news and seeing the faces of service those) faces.” manager. like a question,” she said about her de- members. Noble’s tour encountered delays and Maj. John Herd, the MWR officer in cision to entertain the troops in Iraq. “You see these people who defend cancellations due to bad weather. charge and a Florence, Miss., native, “Because of what (Soldiers) do, we get us and they’re so young – it makes it “Everything has sort of been backed invited Noble back for Q-West’s up- the luxury of freedom.” so real,” she said. “I know I’m going to up … it happens every time (we) go coming Super Bowl party. Quartermaster Soldiers tear up gridiron at JBB By 1s t Lt. He r b e r t Ka r g the first game and only lost by a touch- 15t h Su s t . Bd e . down,” Rivera said. “This team has a lot of heart and has the capability to win it JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Soldiers all. I see we are getting better game by with the 716th Quarter- game.” master Company, 80th After finally having a practice, they Ordnance Battalion, took on the Air Force’s 49ers Jan. 10 15th Sustainment Bri- and won 13-6. gade, 13th Sustain- The team doesn’t go into their games ment Command (Ex- alone, there are always Soldiers clap- peditionary), out of ping and cheering from the stands, Ri- Jersey City, N.J., relieve stress with vera said. football games. “Having a company flag football Their team, the Dark Knights, gath- team is good for morale,” Rivera said. er at Killeen Field at Joint Base Balad, “I would like to thank our fans for all of Iraq, to compete weekly in flag foot- their support so far this season.” ball. The team now practices once a week One of the Soldiers, Sgt. Marcus before each game, he said. They took on Smith, Corps Distribution Center ser- Tha Goats Jan. 17, and worked to gain geant, with the Supply Support Activity a lead in the first half. A scoring drive complex and a Pittsburgh native, said in the second half set the Dark Knights

he wanted to get in on the flag football Coutesy photo back to an 18-13 loss to Tha Goats. action already at JBB. “It’s a great thing to come out here Together with Staff Sgt. Robert Ri- Dark Knight’s quarterback Spc. Todd Boban, an automated supply specialist with the 716th and cheer on our team,” said 1st Sgt. Quartermaster Company and a Manor, Pa., native, runs the football up the sideline during a vera, the team’s coach and Jersey City, game against the Air Force’s 49ers Jan. 10 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Nilsa Davila-Aranda, the 716th’s senior N.J., native, the Soldiers formed the noncommissioned officer and a Bronx, Dark Knights. first game against the 514th Mainte- Rivera said he has seen progress in N.Y., native. “I’m very proud of my Sol- The team joined late in the already nance Company Bulldogs out of Fort the team since the first game. diers.” running regular season and played its Drum, N.Y., Jan. 3, but lost 13-6. “The team never practiced before The Dark Knights are now 1-2. Do you have a story idea? Contact us at: [email protected] February 3, 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. In what 1975 blockbuster does Roy Scheider utter: column, each row and “We need a bigger boat?” each of the nine 3×3 2. What statuesque actress earned a living by standing boxes contains the dig- still in department store windows prior to her film its from 1 to 9 only one debut in “Tootsie?” time each. 3. What two-word term does The Cynic’s Dictionary Last week’s answers call: “A movie seen about 50 times by about that 7 8 1 3 4 5 9 2 6 2 4 6 8 9 7 3 5 1 many people?” 9 5 3 6 1 2 4 8 7 4. What brand of underwear does Marty McFly wear 6 7 9 1 8 4 5 3 2 in “Back to the Future?” 3 1 4 5 2 6 8 7 9 5. What actress scored a record 12 Oscar nomina- 8 2 5 9 7 3 1 6 4 1 3 2 7 5 9 6 4 8 tions, winning her first in 1933 and her last in 1981? 5 9 7 4 6 8 2 1 3

4 6 8 2 3 1 7 9 5 Hepbern Katherine 5. Klien Calvin 4. film Cult 3. Davis 2.Geena 1.Jaws JB BALAD JB BALAD ACTIVITIES INDOOR a.m., p.m. CC Cross Fit: Hold’em: Ping-pong Friday- 7 p.m. WORSHIP SERVICES POOL 5-6 p.m Caribbean Monday- Mon., Fri.,- 2 tourney: Aerobics: TRADITIONAL - Sunday MASS - Saturday Swim Lessons: Edge Weapons Night: Saturday- p.m., Tuesday- 8 Monday, 0200 Air Force Hospital Chapel 0930 Provider Chapel 1700 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Mon., Wed.,- 6 & Stick Fight- Friday- 8 p.m. 10:30 p.m 8:30 p.m. p.m. Wednesday, p.m. ing Combative Chess & Domi- Cross Fit: 8-ball tourney: Foosball Friday- 7 p.m. 1030 Freedom Chapel (West side) 1100 Castle Heights (Bldg. 7562) 2000 Freedom Chapel (West Side) Tue., Thu., Training: noes Tourney: Mon., Wed., Tuesday- 2 tourney: Body by Sat.,- Tue., Thur., Friday- 8 p.m. Fri.,- 5:45 a.m., Tuesday- 8 Midgett Toning 1400 Air Force Hospital Chapel 1730 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Sunday 0830 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) 6:30 p.m. Sat.,- Salsa Class: a.m., 7 a.m., 3 8:30 p.m. p.m. Class: 2000 Air Force Hospital Chapel 1100 Provider Chapel 1100 Air Force Hospital AquaTraining: 8-10 p.m. Saturday- 8:30 p.m., Ping-pong Jam Session: Tue., Thu., - 7 Tue.,Thu.,- p.m. 6 p.m. tourney: Tuesday- 7:30 p.m. GOSPEL - Sunday Thursday 1100 Air Force Hospital 7:30 p.m., 8:30 EAST REC- Poker: Tue., Thu.,- 7 Tuesday- 8:30 p.m Dodge ball 1100 MWR East Building 1200 Freedom Chapel (West Side) Mon., Wed., Fri. 1700 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) p.m. REATION Saturday- 7:30 a.m., p.m. 8-ball tourney: Game: CENTER p.m. 3 p.m. Spades: Wednesday- 8 Tuesday- 7:30 1230 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Monday-Friday 1130 555th Engineer Bde. (Bldg. 7200) EAST FIT- 4-ball tourney: Sunday- 5:45 Wednesday- 2 p.m p.m. 1900 Provider Chapel JEWISH SHABBAT SERVICES- Friday NESS Sunday- 8 p.m H6 FITNESS a.m., a.m., Guitar Lessons: Furman’s CENTER 8-ball tourney: CENTER 7 a.m., 3 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Thursday- 7:30 Martial Arts: CONTEMPORARY- Sunday 1700 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Open Court Monday- 8 p.m Spin: P90x: Salsa: p.m Mon., Wed., 0900 Chapel- Next Iraq/MWR East Saturday 0930 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Volleyball: Karaoke: Sunday- 9 a.m. Monday- Sat- Wednesday- Game tourney: Sun.,- 1 p.m. Sunday- 6 p.m. Monday- 8 Mon., Wed., urday- 4:30 8:30 p.m. Thursday- 1 Gaston’s Self- 1030 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) 1700 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Aerobics: p.m. Fri.,- 2 a.m., 8 a.m., 4 p.m., 9-ball: p.m, 8 p.m. Defense Class: 1400 Castle Heights (Bldg. 7562) 1900 Freedom Chapel (West Side) ISLAMIC PRAYER - Friday Mon., Wed., Swing Class: a.m. 2 p.m., 7 10 p.m. Thursday- 2 Enlisted Poker: Fri., Sat.- 7 Fri.- Tuesday- 8 p.m., 12 a.m. a.m., Friday- 1 p.m., p.m. Wedneday 2000 Gilbert Memorial Chapel 1230 Provider Chapel 5:30-6:30 a.m. p.m. 9 p.m. Soccer: 8:30 p.m. 8 p.m. Open court LITURGICAL (Episcopal, Anglican, Presbyterian) - Sunday PAGAN/WICCAN FELLOWSHIP - Thursday Yoga Class: Table Tennis: Tue., Thu., Tue., Thu.,- 8 Karaoke: Officer Poker: basketball: Mon., Fri.- 6-7 Tuesday- 8 -5:45 a.m., p.m. Thursday- 8:30 Saturday- 1 Thursday- 7 1700 Provider Chapel 1900 The Shack a.m. p.m. 9 a.m., 8:30 Yoga: p.m. p.m., 8 p.m. p.m. Step Aerobics: Plastic Models p.m. Wednesday- 8 Dominos: Squat Compe- Open court SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST - Saturday Saturday 1900 The Shack Mon., Wed., Club: Saturday- 9 p.m. Saturday- 8:30 tition: soccer: 1000 Provider Chapel GREEK ORTHODOX - Sunday Fri.- Wednesday 7 a.m., 7 p.m. MACP Level p.m. Saturday- 8 Mon., Wed., - 7 5:30 p.m. p.m. Boxing: 1: Darts: p.m. p.m. CHURCH OF CHRIST - Sunday 0900 Provider Annex Conditioning 9-ball tourney: Sunday- 4 p.m. Friday- 8 p.m. Saturday- 8:30 Zingano 1530 Castle Heights (Bldg. 7562) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: Training Class: Wednesday- 8 Tue., Thu.,- 2 5 on 5 Basket- p.m. WEST FIT- Brazilian Jui Mon., Wed., p.m. p.m. ball: WEST REC- NESS Jitsu: LATTER DAY SAINTS (MORMON)- Sunday Gilbert Chapel: 443-7703 Fri.- 7:15- Dungeons & Boot Camp: Saturday- 8 REATION CENTER Tue., Thu.,- 1300 Provider Chapel 1530 Freedom Chapel (West side) Provider Chapel: 433-2430 8 p.m. Dragons: Sunday- 8:45 p.m. CENTER 3 on 3 basket- 8:30 p.m. Brazilian Jui- Thursday- 7:30 a.m Green Bean ball 1900 Gilbert Memorial Chapel (H-6) Freedom Chapel: 443-6303 Jitsu: p.m. Tue.,Thu.,- 7 H6 RECRE- Karaoke: tourney: CIRCUIT Mon., Wed., Poetry Night: p.m. ATION Sun., Wed., Saturday- 7:30 GYM Fri.- Thursday-8 Power Abs: CENTER 7:30pm p.m. Floor hockey: 8-9 p.m. p.m. Mon., Tue., Bingo: 9-ball tourney: 6 on 6 vol- Mon., Wed., Abs-Aerobics: 6-ball tourney: Thu., - 8 p.m. Sunday- 8 p.m. Monday- 8 leyball Fri.,– Tue., Thu., 6-7 Thursday- 8 Friday- 9 p.m. Texas p.m. tourney: 8-10 p.m

Monday 02/08/10 Super Bowl XLVI: Teams TBD (Land Shark Stadium, Miami, Upcoming sports FL), Live 2 a.m. AFN/sports 2009 Fed Cup: USA vs France - Day 2: Rubber 3, Tape Delayed 6 a.m. AFN/xtra on AFN UFC 109: Relentless, Tape Delayed 10 a.m. AFN/xtra Thursday 02/04/10 Saturday 02/06/10 Super Bowl XLVI: Teams TBD (Land Shark Stadium, Miami, Wednesday Night Hoops: DePaul @ Marquette, Live 3 a.m. AFN/ Atlanta Thrashers @ Washington Capitals, Live 3 a.m. AFN/xtra FL), Tape Delayed 12 p.m. AFN/ sports xtra NBA Friday: Chicago Bulls @ Atlanta Hawks, Live 4 a.m. Tuesday 02/09/10 NBA Wednesday: Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics, Live 4 a.m. AFN/ AFN/sports NHL on VERSUS: New Jersey Devils @ Philadelphia Flyers, sports Phoenix Coyotes @ Chicago Blackhawks, Live 5 a.m. AFN/ Live 3 a.m. AFN/xtra Wednesday Night Hoops: Kansas @ Colorado, Live 5 a.m. AFN/xtra prime pacific NBA on TNT: New Orleans Hornets @ Orlando Magic, Live 4 NBA Wednesday: Portland Trail Blazers @ Utah Jazz, Live 6:30 a.m. NBA Friday: Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Lakers, Live 6:30 a.m. AFN/sports AFN/ sports a.m. AFN/ sports NBA on TNT: San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Lakers, Live Friday 02/05/10 Sunday 02/07/10 6:30 a.m. AFN/sports NBA on TNT: Miami Heat @ Cleveland Cavaliers, Live 4 a.m. Gonzaga @ Memphis, Live 12 a.m. AFN/xtra Wednesday 02/10/10 AFN/sports Texas @ Oklahoma, Live 12 a.m. AFN/sports Super Tuesday: Tennessee @ Vanderbilt, Live 3 a.m. AFN/ NBA on TNT: San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Red Wings @ Los Angeles Kings, Live 12 a.m. AFN/prime sports Live 6:30 a.m. AFN/sports atlantic NHL on VERSUS: Detroit Red Wings @ St. Louis Blues, Thursday Night Showcase: Teams TBD, Tape Delayed 11 a.m. New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers, Live 3 a.m. AFN/prime Live 4 a.m. AFN/xtra AFN/sports atlantic Super Tuesday: Purdue @ Michigan State, Live 5 a.m. AFN/ NFL Total Access @ The Super Bowl, Tape Delayed 2:30 p.m. UFC 109: Relentless, Live 6 a.m. AFN/ xtra sports AFN/ sports PAGE 20 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s February 3, 2010

‘Eli’ is no ‘Road Warrior’ By Sg t . Ja y s o n A. Ho f f m a n his westward journey, Eli runs through effects in the background. It was very seemed like a combination of the char- Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f a town run by a man known as Carn- distracting. acters he played in “The Professional” egie (Gary Oldman), who is looking The movie had solid action scenes. and “The 5th Element,” a little over- he Book of Eli” for a book, the same book Eli is carry- The first time the audience gets to see the-top, but wholly believable. “Thas solid ac- ing. Then, through a tussle between Eli Eli’s fighting skills is a very well-choreo- Kunis (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) tion and is well-paced, and Carnegie’s men, Carnegie finds out graphed scene. It was pretty awesome to was OK. She was about as middle of the but the whole time I about the book and sends Solara (Mila get to see Washington (“Training Day”) road with this role as she could be. She watched the movie I Kunis), his lover’s daughter, to seduce have over-the-top fight scenes. After wasn’t memorable or forgettable, just couldn’t help thinking, Eli for the book. The attempt fails, but this movie, I wouldn’t be surprised if he OK. “What would Mad Max do?” Eli and Solara head out west, and much gets more action movie offers. The hands down, worst part of this “The Road Warrior,” Mad Max, action ensues as both sides battle for Washington played the role very movie was the product placement. Ev- would have made this film much more the book. well. He was a noble man who was eryone had expensive, name-brand entertaining and he would have de- I will admit, I liked this movie more completely dedicated to his cause of sunglasses and electronics accessories stroyed every ounce of product place- than I thought I would. I mean, it was protecting the book. He was tough, but galore. There was an apocalypse … ment in the film. entertaining enough, but very flawed. very humble, which isn’t always easy to right? Many movies do it, but with an The movie takes place in the distant The cinematography did a good job pull off. If there were any issues I had apocalypse storyline, it tends to stand future, after an unstated apocalypse has of making the world look very barren, with the character, it’s that he was too out. turned America into a barren desert and gave everything a slight tinge of tough. I blame that on direction, not “The Book of Eli” overall was not a wasteland. Eli (Denzel Washington) is gray. The problem it had was that there acting, though. bad movie, but as I’ve said through this a nomad heading west with a book he were too many close-up shots of char- Oldman (“The Dark Knight”) was a whole review, just watch “The Road vowed to protect with his life. While on acters’ faces with very bad green screen great egomaniac, as always. This role Warrior.” ‘Contra’ does not pick up where Vampire Weekend left off By Sg t . Ke i t h S. Va n Kl o m p e n b e r g that three awesome New York bands end. Maybe the desire to leave behind I think this album will be remembered Expeditionary Ti m e s St a f f would feel like they have to fit in with the monotonous day jobs filled the band with as one of those that, while not bad, could Los Angeles crowd. a sense of urgency that came through in not match the magic of the one that pre- wo years ago, Vam- Now that I think about it, how weird their music, or maybe back then the mu- ceded it. I have to wonder how many out Tpire Weekend ex- is it that indie-rock is making the East sic was just for fun, and as such, the music there are as disappointed as I am. ploded onto the indie- Coast, West Coast split? Lucky for us, all was more fun. Either way, that energy is If this album did anything for me, it rock scene with its these guys are way too skinny and nerdy lacking in “Contra.” made me remember just how good the self-titled debut album. to get violent. That being said, a couple of songs stand band’s debut was, and I’m listening to it Fusing African sounds So “Contra” sounds different than out as winners. every day again. with string arrangements, trebly guitars Vampire Review’s self-titled first album My favorite track is definitely “Holi- Indie-rock is really going in two differ- and smart lyrics, they were a surprise hit and I certainly don’t predict as many sin- day.” It’s full of jangly guitars and defi- ent directions, with some artists picking and became a mainstay on satellite ra- gles as their debut, but it’s not entirely a nitely would have fit in on their debut. up synthesizers and moving to L.A., while dio. bad album. A close second is “Giving up the Gun,” a others are moving to the country, grow- I don’t think there is a song on their The African pop is still there, along with big synthesizer track with a solid beat and ing beards, and aligning themselves more first album that I didn’t love, but that the same guitar sound, but they’ve added clear vocals. This is the only track where with country and folk. might not be a good thing for the band. synthesizers and everything sounds just a I consider embracing the new Vampire If you like the more electronic stuff, How do you follow such a good album? bit more produced. Weekend. pick up “Contra,” but if you prefer your In the case of “Contra,” the band seems Overall, this album feels less energetic “Contra” debuted at number one in the indie-rock with do-it-yourself production to have tried to do the same as the Yeah than the last. Billboard 200 charts in its first week, likely values, listen to Vampire Weekend’s self- Yeah Yeahs and Julian Casablancas by In 2007, the members of Vampire riding on the strength of the first album titled album and enjoy what will probably buying a bunch of synthesizers and mak- Weekend were all working full time jobs rather than the two songs, “Horchata” and end up being the best work of the band’s ing an L.A. indie rock album. How weird and writing and recording on the week- “Cousins,” that we’re released early. career. Pvt Murphy Sustainer Reel Time Theater

Wednesday, Feb. 3 Sunday, Feb. 7 5 p.m. The Princess and the Frog 2 p.m. Edge of Darkness 8 p.m. Brothers 5 p.m. It’s Complicated 8 p.m. Invictus

Thursday, Feb. 4 Monday, Feb. 8 5 p.m. Brothers 5 p.m. Edge of Darkness 8 p.m. Legion 8 p.m. It’s Complicated

Friday, Feb. 5 Tuesday, Feb. 9 2 p.m. It’s Complicated 5 p.m. Invictus 5 p.m. Invictus 8 p.m. Edge of Darkness 8:30 p.m. Edge of Darkness

Saturday, Feb. 6 Wednesday, Feb. 10 2 p.m. Invictus 5 p.m. Edge of Darkness 5 p.m Edge of Darkness 8 p.m. Ninja Assassin 8 p.m. It’s Complicated February 3, 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 U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Matthew D. Leistikow Ir a q

(Below) A group of Iraqi Army Soldiers assigned to 4th Battalion, 16th Iraqi Army Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Di- vision, conduct hands-on training in their compound Jan. 16 at Tuz Qada, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Canaan Radcliffe

(Above) First Sgt. Kevin Donegan, with the 1st Armor Division, struggles with an Iraqi Soldier with 3rd Battalion, 49th Iraqi Army in an arm wrestling match Jan. 11 at Dibbis, Iraq.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ernest E. Sivia III (Above) Iraqi police officers march on the street behind the Provincial Joint Com- mand Center Jan. 4 at Na- siriyah, Dhi Qar, Iraq.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Matthew D. Leistikow

Spc. Timothy Miller, with 1st Armor Division, jukes U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Matthew D. Leistikow past an Iraqi Soldier from the 49th Iraqi Army, during a soccer game Jan. 11 at Dibbis, Iraq. A young girl is happy to see The Lion of Kirkuk, portrayed by Spc. Brandon Smith with the 3rd Infantry Division, during a humanitarian aid drop at the Emer- gency Response Unit compound Jan. 18 at Kirkuk, Iraq. PAGE 22 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s February 3, 2010 Ne w s a r o u n d Ir a q Based on credible intelligence tips, ISF and U.S. Sister services teach advisers searched two residential buildings associated with a suspected PDB official believed to coordinate military operations and attacks for the terrorist group comrades valuable throughout the capital city. After questioning those at the scene and examin- lifesaving skills ing the evidence within the buildings, ISF identified and arrested the wanted individual and two suspected BAGHDAD – A U.S. Soldier and Airman from United criminal accomplices. States Forces – Iraq, deputy commanding general of Advising and Training, Health Affairs, taught critical first-responder skills to fellow service members and civilians Vice President Dec. 30 in Baghdad. Combat lifesaver training is a three-day, hands- on course during which participants learn how to Biden visits Iraq apply tourniquets, stop bleeding and stabilize the in- BAGHDAD- Vice President Joe Biden arrived in jured until they can be cared for by professional medi- Baghdad to visit U.S. troops and meet cal personnel. with Iraqi leaders Jan. 22. While their primary mission in Iraq is to train and It is Biden’s third trip to Iraq in the equip the Iraqi security forces’ medical healthcare sys- last year. He will visit with United States tems, Air Force Master Sgt. Krystal Marks and Army Forces – Iraq service members partnering with Sgt. Donell Hughes teach a CLS course that draws the Iraqi Security Forces as they prepare for the students from both military and civilian organizations upcoming elections. deployed in Iraq. Imagery and video of the Vice President’s visit “We are all in this together – no service goes to war During a separate security operation in Baqubah, can be accessed on the Digital Visual Information alone,” said Marks, USF-I deputy commanding gen- roughly 54 km northeast of Baghdad, the 3rd Emer- Distribution System Web site at http://www.dvid- eral and A&T Health Affairs senior enlisted medical gency Response Unit and U.S. advisers searched a shub.net. adviser. “The way combat has evolved, we have to be building for an AQI member believed to be involved able to talk to each other and convey the same ideas. If in IED attacks, assassinations and kidnappings in Di- everyone is taught the same way to save people, then yala province. it brings us together.” Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi Police to 1 killed, 9 arrested in At the end of the course, students are required to arrest three suspected criminal associates of the war- take a written test and successfully insert an intrave- ranted individual. nous line to earn CLS certification. security operations in “We don’t teach our students to be combat med- ics,” said Hughes, a combat medic and USF-I, DCG, Iraqi Security Forces Baghdad A&T Health Affairs medical training adviser. “They are trained to stabilize the patient and call in a report, operate against suspected BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces arrested nine so medical personnel know what to expect and how to suspected terrorists Jan.22 during two care for them.” extremist leader joint security operations in northern Because the sister services train together, USF-I, Iraq targeting suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq DCG, A&T civilians and military members receive members. congruent training. TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, partnered with One additional suspected terrorist was killed “If someone recognizes a life-threatening wound, U.S. forces, conducted an operation against during one of the security operations. knows the signs and symptoms and applies the skills the suspected cell leader of a Shi’a extremist ISF executed both operations pursuant to war- learned here, then deaths can be prevented,” said group Jan. 20 in the Diyala province. rants issued by Iraqi courts. Marks. The ISF-led force targeted an individual In northwest Mosul, Iraq, ISF and U.S. advisers who is accused of crimes against Iraqi citizens and searched a residential building for a suspected AQI security forces. The ISF believe the individual is re- member wanted for facilitating the illegal entry of Iraqi Security Forces sponsible for carrying out numerous kidnappings of hundreds of foreign fighters into Iraq. In addition, Iraqi civilians. He is also suspected of coordinating, the warranted AQI member is also suspected of ordering and carrying out improvised explosive device distributing weapons and money to other terrorist- target northern Iraq attacks in the region as well as rocket attacks against group members. local security forces. Following preliminary questioning and examina- explosives cells, arrest 6 The alleged cell leader is believed to be associated tion of evidence at the scene, the security team ar- with other criminals responsible for improvised explo- rested a suspected criminal accomplice of the war- BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces arrested six indi- sive device attacks on the ISF. ranted individual. viduals Jan. 23 during two joint security operations As the security team conducted further examina- conducted to arrest suspected al-Qaeda in tion of the scene, the suspected terrorist freed him- Iraq explosives-cell members in northern self from his restraints and attacked his guard. The Iraq. Iraqi Security Forces security team member shot and killed the suspected In the city of Hit, roughly 145 km north- terrorist. east of Baghdad, ISF and U.S. advisers searched a res- capture senior Promised In a separate security operation conducted in idential building for a suspected AQI explosives-cell Sharqat, roughly 102 km west of Kirkuk, Iraq, ISF member believed to be involved in staging vehicle- Day Brigade member and U.S. advisers searched residential buildings for borne improvised explosive device attacks and kid- an AQI leader believed to be involved in conduct- nappings in the region. BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces captured a sus- ing improvised-explosives device attacks and help Preliminary questioning results and evidence col- pected senior Promised Day Brigade mem- foreign fighters gain entry into Iraq. lected at the scene led ISF to identify and arrest the ber Jan. 23 and two suspected criminal ac- Evidence collected at the scene resulted in the wanted individual and two suspected criminal accom- complices during a joint security operation arrest of nine suspected criminal accomplices of the plices. in northeast Baghdad. warranted individual. February 3, 2010 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s PAGE 23

Americans and Iraqis, regardless of religious affilia- platoons from the 4th and 12th IA divisions success- tion, politics or ideology,” said Lt. Col. Richard John- fully completed a literacy and mathematics exam to US forces return son. “Providing detainees with improved literacy, job ensure they possess the requisite skills to serve as skills and a positive self-image prior to release will mortar men. Samarra hotel to enhance their prospects to successfully re-enter Iraqi Initial team training focused on advanced military society, support their families, support the rule of law instruction in land navigation, terrain association and and avoid a return to violence.” map reading. Iraqi government This is the second time in two months new tools In the second week of training, the mortar platoons have been donated to the TIFRC by the Sunni Endow- learned the intricacies of the forward observer, fire di- SAMARRA, Iraq – The Iraqi Receivership Secretari- ment. The increased amount of tools, such as saws, rection control and how to properly set up and fire the at signed for a patrol base from U.S. forces hammers, rakes, shovels, drills, levels and screw- mortar. during a ceremony Jan. 22. drivers, means more detainees will receive hands-on This indirect fire process demands that all Soldiers Lt. Col. Sami Gayath, the Iraqi Army’s training in agriculture, carpentry, HVAC repair and on the mortar team have expert knowledge on mul- director of the Samarra Joint Coordination masonry. tiple military disciplines, to include target identifi- Center, said it was an important day and the turn- The presentation ceremony included displays fo- cation, map reading, navigation and precision math over of the hotel to the Iraqi government was a good cused on each of the subjects taught here, as well as skills. indication that Iraq Security Forces were capable of finished products, including a full-size picnic table Brig. Gen. Abdulla, commander of the K1 Train- maintaining security in Iraq. complete with a roof. ing Center, addressed the students on the first day of “We are very proud of our security, and we hope The Soldiers with the 211th Military Police Bat- training. to continue what we have accomplished here in cities talion have worked to improve the job skills training “This rigorous training program designed by the and villages throughout Iraq,” he said. programs here and ensure they are running efficiently K1 Training Center tests each Iraqi Soldier’s ability to Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry upon the transfer of the TIFRC to the Government of perform under pressure while achieving the accuracy Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Iraq in early spring of 2010. necessary to effectively engage targets several thou- Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kan., signed Pa- sand meters away,” he said. trol Base Olsen over to Sameer Al-haddad, the Iraqi After these Soldiers complete mortar training and Receivership Secretariat during the ceremony. graduate Jan. 28, platoons will be able to provide Before turning over the former patrol base the Academy sets new their battalions with an indirect fire capability rang- Soldiers completely demilitarized the hotel, remov- ing nearly 5,000 meters. ing barriers and restoring it closely to its previous standard for senior When the scheduled fielding and training are com- condition. pleted later this year, all IA brigades will have an or- The patrol base was actually an old hotel called ganic mortar capability, serving as a combat multi- Albohera, which means hotel by the lake. The hotel noncommissioned plier for Iraqi infantry units. boasts a scenic lake view and from its roof, the fa- mous Al-Askari golden mosque can be seen in the officer course distance. Iraqi Army Commandos CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The Iraqi Noncommissioned Officer Academy began its fifth Senior Noncommis- complete warrior Sunni Endowment sioned Officer Course at the national training facility Jan. 18. This is the first senior NCO course to use training donates tools the newly-published “Art of Leadership” manual that KIRKUK, Iraq - The 4th Iraqi Army Division’s Com- combines both leadership and small group interaction. CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The job-skill training offered to mando Battalion completed three weeks of in- The senior NCO course is 45 days of standards-based detainees at the Taji Theater Internment tensive training at the K-1 Training Center Jan. training that covers qualification and certification in Facility and Reconciliation Center got a 14 in Kirkuk, Iraq. many areas including leadership, ethics, physical train- boost with the addition of scores of new The commandos performed air assault train- ing, basic computer application, land navigation and tools donated by the Sunni Endowment of ing and learned rapid movement techniques that enable marksmanship. It also covers staff planning, tactical Iraq, Jan. 15. them to function as a quick reactionary force or as an operations, military law, training management and ba- Shaykh Ahmed Adbul Khafour al-Samara’e, head operational reserve against unsuspecting enemy forces. sic instructor training. of the endowment, and Shaykh Mahmoud Ali Ahmed The training began with battalion physical training. The primary objective of this course is to give the stu- al-Falahi, director of the endowment’s human rights Then the noncommissioned officers focused on ad- dents the knowledge and skills to lead and train Soldiers office, visited Camp Taji to present the tools to Rear vanced leadership training and squad and platoon tac- at their home units, and is a prerequisite for NCOs to Adm. Lothrop Little, special assistant to the deputy tics while the officers learned staff policies and proce- earn promotions to pay grades E-7 and higher. commanding general for detainee operations. Also dures. “This is a big step for the academy,” said Iraqi Army on hand to receive the gifts were Col. John M. Huey, Advanced training for individuals included counter- Sgt. Maj. Ahmed, senior enlisted NCO to the academy. commander of the 89th Military Police Brigade and ing improvised explosive devices, performing commu- “It will be the first time that the students have published Task Force Griffin, and Lt. Col. Richard Johnson, nication procedures and land navigation. doctrine to use throughout the course.” commander of the 211th Military Police Battalion, Physical conditioning continued throughout the The NCOA staff and instructors held an opening cer- who directly oversees the vocational and technical course as the battalion began practicing air mobility emony for the students and Col. Alaa, the NCOA com- training provided to detainees at the Taji TIFRC. Taji training, identifying types and characteristics of helicop- mander and guest speaker, who stressed the importance Warden Hassan Al-Mohammadawi, of the Iraqi Cor- ters, and planning for air assault missions, which were of the training. rections Service, represented the Government of Iraq supported by the Iraqi Air Force Military Intelligence 17 “The staff and instructors here continue to improve at the event. Squadron out of Camp Taji, Iraq. this course each time,” Alaa said. “We are working dili- “Thanks to Dr. Ahmed and the Sunni Endowment; As the training progressed, the focus transitioned to gently to establish the Senior NCO Course as one of the their contribution of tools is going to allow the Min- platoon and company level operations conducted in a premiere training courses of the Iraqi Army.” istry of Justice to train detainees for a better life in simulated urban town called a MOUT facility. The senior NCO course graduation is scheduled to be Iraq,” said Little. The commandos completed the training by planning held Feb. 28. During the ceremony, al-Samara’e extolled the vir- and executing a series of raids against simulated enemy tues of hard work and articulated that the first step forces with air assault support provided the by the Iraqi toward a better life for the detainees is to train and Air Force. teach them job skills they can use upon their release. Iraqi Army Soldiers The 4th Division Commandos are now fully capable He said the vocational training provided here is an of conducting air assault operations in addition to the effective way to prevent many of the detainees from begin mortar training variety of new critical skills acquired in the Warrior returning to violence. He said he believed many who Training Program. are responsible for violence in Iraq have not been af- KIRKUK., Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers from the 4th “This is a good day for our great country,” said Brig. forded the opportunity to learn peaceful and produc- and 12th divisions began training to sharp- Gen. Abdulla, commander of the Kirkuk Training Cen- tive job skills. en their skills as mortar men Jan. 13 at the ter. “The training received in the Warrior Training Pro- “Education and vocational training for detainees Kirkuk K1 Training Center. gram is vital to our efforts in maintaining a safe and se- is a topic upon which there is total consensus among During the first week of training, the four cure Iraq.” PAGE 24 Ex p e d i t i o n a r y Ti m e s February 3, 2010 Phantom Support

Soldiers, led by noncommis- sioned officers and guidons, take off running during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 5K run Jan. 16 at Contingency Oper- ating Base Q-West, Iraq. “The NCOs ran today to show appre- ciation to Dr. King and all he’s done for society,” said Com- mand Sgt. Maj. Nathaniel Bar- tee Sr., the 15th Sustainment Brigade senior NCO. “Let all of us remember to be united as one.”

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rob Strain

U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Lisa A. Cope A woman and two children walk down a dirt road, Jan. 18, near the Euphrates River near Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.

A Soldier with Task Force Atlas with the

41st Infantry Brigade U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Keith S. VanKlompenberg Combat Team pre- (Above) Country music singer Sheila Marshall sings pares for a Convoy during an acoustic performance for service members Security Mission at Jan. 21 at Sami’s restaurant before holding a larger, Al Asad, Iraq. full-band concert at Morale, Welfare and Recreation west at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cory Grogan U.S.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Anita VanderMolen A Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle with a 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team convoy heads down the road shared with Iraqi civilians Jan. 7 near Al Asad. The share the road policy allows Iraqi drivers to travel through and pass military convoys.