Victory Times Vol

Victory Times Vol. II, Issue 63 Telling the Multi-National Corps - Iraq story August 18, 2008

Women’s equality, Page 3

Complacency, Page 6

Graphic by Pfc. Matthew Cunningham and Marine Cpl. Frances L. Goch Half marathon, XVIII Airborne Corps Birthday, pages 4-5 Page 8 Commentary Chaplain’s Corner Be grateful for blessing of friendship Mac. I found out he was the chap- gave him a call. He was serving By Chaplain Lane M. Stockeland lain assistant at 1st Battalion, 187th with Task Force Marne as a chap- Hope Chapel OIC Infantry Regiment, Rakkassans, at lain assistant. Right before he re- 3rd Brigade. deployed back to his home station, “Mac, is that you?” I asked About two years later, I was as- we were able to visit with each oth- over the phone. It was indeed my signed to 1/187th as the chaplain er and catch up on old times. old friend, Sgt.. 1st Class Kelton and Mac was my assistant. We had The Old Testament books of 1 McLaurin. many great times together. One of and 2 Samuel describe the friend- McLaurin and I entered Basic those times was a trip to the Na- ship between King David and Jon- Training together on Dec. 3 1985, tional Training Center, Fort Irwin, athan. Their friendship is a model at Fort Dix, N.J. We were in the Calif. where we practically froze for us to follow. The Army allows same unit, Delta 3rd Bde, 3rd BN, one night waiting for an air assault us the opportunity to form lifelong but in different companies. We did the next morning. friendships. Let us be grateful for not know each other at that time. I eventually left Fort Campbell the many friends and relationships After graduation, McLaurin for another assignment. I lost track that we have established while and I went to Advance Individual of McLaurin until I arrived in Iraq. serving in the U.S. Army. Training at Fort Monmouth, N.J., I heard he was assigned here and for chaplain assistant training. We were in the same class and became friends. After AIT graduation, I was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. and he was assigned elsewhere. I completed my three-year en- listment and then began Seminary to become an Army chaplain. My first assignment was to Division Artillery, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky., in 1991. Short- ly after I arrived at Fort Campbell, all the unit ministry teams on Fort Campbell had a training event at a Civil War battlefield not far from Fort Campbell. I took my seat on the bus and I noticed a young man Chaplain Lane M. Stockeland, Multi-National Corps - Iraq Hope Chapel officer in charge, sitting about two seats in front of and Sgt.. 1st Class Kelton McLaurin, Task Force Marne chaplain assistant, had a chance me. He looked familiar. It was to meet and catch up on old times on Camp Victory, Iraq.

The Victory Times is an authorized publication for members of the Department Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III MNC-I Commanding General: The Victory Times welcomes columns, of Defense. Contents of this electronic Col. Billy J.. Buckner MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: commentaries, articles and letters from our publication are not necessarily the official Sgt. Maj. Sharon Opeka MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: readers. Send submissions or comments to views of or endorsed by the U.S. Govern- MNC-I Command Info Chief: Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante [email protected]. The edito- ment or the Department of Defense. The Spc. Samuel J. Phillips Editor: rial staff reserves the right to edit for security, editorial content of this publication is the Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp, Cpl. Frances L. Goch, Pfc. Eric Staff: accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space. responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of J. Martinez and Pfc. Eric J. Glassey Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

Page 2 Victory Times August 18, 2008 Feature Women help change path of our nation Carrie Catt saw that reward as By Sgt.. 1st Class Monica Bailey women having influence over MNC-I EO Office the political future of the nation. Approximately one year Through courage and de- later, the president responded termination, women such as and introduced his personal Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady support for women’s suffrage. Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony Today women are seen in inspired generations of women much larger roles throughout and helped change the path of our country than they were in our nation’s history. In 1848 at 1920. Women shape the future a convention in Seneca Falls, for American society by influ- N.Y., a mass movement for encing politics, government women’s voting rights gained legislation, science, law, educa- support from women of all ages tion, athletics, and of course-- and cultural backgrounds. This our great military. Today female would change the way women servicemembers make many would be viewed for years to sacrifices daily by leaving their come. Wyoming became the loved ones at home and serv- first state in 1890, by virtue ing side-by-side with their male of its constitution, to allow counterparts. In 1970 the Army Brig. Gen. Anna M. Hays received her Army women to vote. Twenty-eight Nurse Corps promoted the first Nurse Corps commission in May 1942. Her overseas assignments included service in years later, 14 additional states Army brigadier general, Col. India, Korea, and Japan. On June 11, 1970, would follow Wyoming’s lead, Anna Mae Hays. Thirty-eight she became the first woman and the first giving equal rights to women years later the balance of equal- nurse in American military history to attain general officer rank. During her tenure as in the voting booth. Finally in ity has changed. Today the chief, she continued to deal with the impos- 1920, women secured the right military has 56 active duty fe- ing challenges of recruitment and retention as the Vietnam War reached its height. She to vote nationwide through the male flag officers in the Armed received the Distinguished Service Medal, passage of the 19th Amend- Forces-- five of which are in the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, and ment. In 1971, President Jimmy rank of lieutenant general and the Army Commendation Medal among her awards and recommendations. Carter designated Aug. 26 over 12,000 women supporting as Women’s Equality Day. the Global War on Terrorism This year’s theme, “Celebrat- During World War I, women in Iraq. Women are becoming ing Women’s Right to Vote,” took on many different roles in senior leaders and combat mul- expresses the enthusiasm that the household and in the work- tipliers in today’s military with our nation shares knowing the place. Many women were work- amazing speed. Recently the right to vote is shared by all. ing in factories and other male- announcement of the nomination That right to vote has allowed oriented jobs to support their of the first female general, Lt. women to segue into politics, households and their country at Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, made science, law, education, and na- war. After the war, the National national news and the award- tional defense sharing the same Woman’s Suffrage, headed by ing of the Silver Star to Spc.... accomplishments and opportuni- Carrie Chapman Catt, reminded Monica Lin Brown of the 82nd ties as men. On Aug. 26 all ser- the President that women’s Airborne Division, the second vicemembers and leaders should support during the war should women to receive the Silver Star take time to reflect on the his- be rewarded and not ignored. since World War II made history. tory of women’s right to vote.

August 18, 2008 Victory Times Page 3 XVIII Airborne Corps Birthday XVIII Airborne Corps celebrates 64 years of history

Story by Marine Cpl. Frances L. Goch MNC-I PAO

From World War II to the War on Terror, the As the core of Multi-National Corps – Iraq, the XVIII Airborne Corps has made its mark, and XVIII Airborne Corps is responsible for a 160,000- its Soldiers have a long and proud history to cel- man ground force, said Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph ebrate on the Corps’ 64th birthday Aug. 25. R. Allen, command sergeant major of Multi-National The XVIII Airborne Corps be- Corps – Iraq and the XVIII Airborne Corps. gan its proud history during WWII. “The Corps is spearheading the efforts in “WWII was a very different war all together,” said Iraq and taking the fight to the enemy,” he said. Sgt. Maj. Amos Fischer, communications informa- “The XVIII Airborne Corps will continue to tion systems division sergeant major, Multi-National play a significant role in the Global War on Ter- Corps – Iraq. “Those paratroopers went to war ror with Soldiers deployed around the world.” and didn’t come home until the war was over.” It isn’t just the rich history that keeps the para- During more recent combat operations, the troopers of the XVIII Airborne Corps holding 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) made their heads high, it is also the Corps values. the largest and farthest reaching helicopter as- “The XVIII Airborne Corps has always been a sault in history during Operation Desert Storm. Corps synonymous with high standards, high morale Today the XVIII Airborne Corps continues mak- and tough discipline,” said Allen. “Soldiers want to be ing history fighting the Global War on Terror. apart of the XVIII Airborne Corps for these reasons.”

Fully equipped and ready to jump, 16th Military Police Brigade Soldiers, XVIII Air- these paratroopers climb into a borne Corps, stand guard in a prisoner-of-war C-47 transport plane. holding area during Operation Urgent Fury. 82nd Airborne Divi- sion troops jump, for a demonstration at Oujda, French Mo- rocco, North Africa, on June 3 1943.

Page 4 Victory Times XVIII Airborne Corps Birthday XVIII Airborne Corps celebrates 64 years of history

Airborne Facts Andre’ Jacques Garnerin makes a parachute jump from a balloon approximately 2,000’ over Paris in 1797. In the early days of parachuting, jumpers sat on a trapeze type swing attached to flat circular silk para- chutes. It was a woman named Georgia “Tiny” Broadwick who gave the first demonstration of a parachute jump to the U.S. government in 1914. While some Soldiers value the history, tradition and the esprit de Corps, some Tiny Broadwick also claims the of them just love the thrill of jumping. first free fall jump when she cut the “There is a rush that goes with jumping that static line to manually release her I don’t think I have found anywhere else,” said chute during the fifth jump of the Pfc. Matthew Cunningham, information manage- demonstration. ment officer, MNC – I C-3. “There are four seconds from going out that door with that thought Matthew Bunker Ridgway served ‘where is that pull that tells me everything opened?’ as a Spanish language instructor at and that snap that says it is going to be fine.” West Point Military academy in 1918 while he was a 2nd Lt. The combination of history, tradition and adven- ture makes Soldiers proud to be part of the pres- 1940 – tigious, history-making XVIII Airborne Corps. “Some people call it arrogance, but para- First United States Army Airborne troopers get indoctrinated to a society where Test Platoon, the forerunner of you are held to a higher standard, and we are the U.S. Parachute Troops. proud of it and it shows,” said Fischer. William T. Ryder first Army Paratrooper.

16th Military Police Brigade Soldiers, XVIII Air- borne Corps, stand guard in a prisoner-of-war William “Red” King was the holding area during Operation Urgent Fury. first enlisted paratrooper. 124 mph is the terminal velocity for the average human body. It takes between 13-14 seconds of U.S. Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps troops wait for takeoff in a C-130 Hercules free falling to reach terminal velocity. transport aircraft of the 1630th Tactical Airlift Wing for transit to Fort Bragg, N.C., following the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm.

Victory Times August 18, 2008 Page 5 Features Get to know an Airman... and shopping online.” one sentence: “It can be Interview and photo by Person you most chaotic, fun, stressful, Marine Cpl. admire: “My parents.” miserable, exhausting, Frances L. Goch Why you joined: “I and mind-numbing, MNC-I PAO wasn’t really ready for but I wouldn’t trade college. I didn’t want to it for anything.” Staff Sgt.. disappoint my parents Something you wish Natalie F. Gonzalez so I followed my brother everyone would into the military.” do: “Smile.” Unit: Multi-National One thing you’d Words of wisdom: you feel like you’re Force - Iraq C-6 change about the Air “You can’t make flying. It was the best Job title: Palace Force: “Nothing.” everyone happy.” feeling I’ve ever had.” Helpdesk IMO One thing you’d Best thing about being Best Boot Camp Age: 24 never change about deployed: “Meeting memory: “Singing Time in Service: 7 years the Air Force: “Its new people.” ‘Contagious’ by Mr. Big Family: Husband ability to adapt.” Most exciting thing you’ve and R. Kelly with our and 2 daughters Goals: “To be a good role ever done: “At King’s flight and having the Hobbies: “Talking, model for my children.” Dominion, they have this T.I.’s yelling at us over downloading music Describe your job in freefall ride that makes the intercom to shut up.”

Don’t let complacency take over

or outside the wire, you must always you improve your odds if you main- By Jesse Martin maintain mission focus and situation- tain the correct attitude and follow Corps Safety Office al awareness. Otherwise, you will proper procedure. not maintain the standards you have We all need to stay vigilant, keep It is human nature to adapt to our learned, and you can put yourself and our mission focus, watch out for our surroundings. Given enough time, others at risk. battle buddies and subordinates, and almost any conditions can become Here is an example. How many keep sight of the fact that our lives “normal” to us, and we can grow com- times have you witnessed, or been could change in a split second. All fortable in our new environment. Nor- guilty of, a lackadaisical attitude when it takes is one lucky (or unlucky) mally, this adaptability is a good thing. the warning siren goes off? The first indirect fire round, one accidental But in Iraq, it can be life threatening. few times, it gets your attention, your discharge, one person to skip the Complacency is defined as “a feel- heart rate goes up, and you follow handwashing stand and spread an ing of quiet pleasure or security, often proper procedure. But after the novel- illness or disease, or one moment while unaware of some potential dan- ty wears off and complacency sets in, of distraction to cause an accident ger” (Dictionary.com). We become you want to look tough in front of your as you drive down the road. Dont complacent as we become familiar friends, and so you respond slowly to let your guard down. And don’t let with the daily routine, and so we start the siren or ignore it entirely. While those around you let their guard to lower our guard both on and off the it’s great to impress your friends, it’s down, either. Stay focused, and job. Whether your duties are inside even better to survive an attack, and let’s all make it home safe.

Page 6 Victory Times August 18, 2008 Community Announcements Operating Hours Coalition Cafe Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. Supply career progression Victory that you think should be covered Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dinner 5 - 8 p.m. The Victory Chapter of the National for the Victory Times? Please submit your Midnight Dining 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. ideas to Staff. Sgt.. Joy Pariante at joy.pari- Sports Oasis Property Management Association, the first Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. international chapter to be formed by the [email protected]. Please include any Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dinner 5 - 9 p.m. NPMA, a leader in property and asset man- interesting facts about the topic and point of Education Center 8 a.m.-midnight agement is offering bachelor’s and associ- contact information. Camp Liberty Post Exchange 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. ate’s degrees completely online. NPMA can Fitness Center Open 24 Hours meet your professional development needs R&R Briefings Victory Main Post Office Monday-Sunday 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through educational courses, training, and Reunion and Suicide Intervention Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. certification programs. For more informa- Briefings are at the Victory Chapel, MNC-I STB Mailroom 9 a.m. - noon tion, email Monty Spicer at monty.spicer@ Monday at 3 p.m., Wednesday at 9:30 5 - 7 p.m. Al Faw Palace Post Office gmail.com. a.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. All service- Wednesday and Sunday 1-6 p.m. members who are going on leave or re- Golby Troop Medical Clinic Sick Call CISSP Exams offered deploying must attend this briefing. Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon Posting of Certified Information System Dental Sick Call Monday - Friday 7:30 - 10:30 a.m. Security Professional (CISSP) Examination Toastmasters Saturday 9 - 10:30 a.m. Mental Health Clinic for interested military of civilian personnel. Improve your public speaking skills Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - noon POC is Capt. Richard Y. Kofie, 822-5108. while having fun with creative – goal ori- Post-Deployment Health Briefings Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 p.m. ented people. No speaking experience nec- Pharmacy Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon; Story ideas for Victory Times essary. Capt. Armin Reyes 318-822-7627 1 - 4:30 p.m. [email protected]. Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon Do you know of a good story on Camp Legal Assistance/Claims Saturday-Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Corps Report Worship Hours The “Corps Report” is a 15 minute monthly television newscast highlighting the stories and events Victory Chapel (Bldg. 31) happening in the Multi-National Corps-Iraq area of operations. The program airs Sunday at 8:15 pm and Thursday 7:30 p.m...... Latter Day Saints Seminary Monday at 11:15 a.m. on the Pentagon Channel here in Baghdad. The August edition of the newscast will Saturday 11 a.m...Seventh Day Adventist Service feature stories on Hope Chapel at Camp Victory, Logistics Training Advisory Teams at Taji and the Guam 8 p.m. Catholic Mass Liberation Celebration Day at Camp Victory to name just a few. Be sure and catch the latest edition of Sunday 7 a.m...... Liturgical Protestant Service “The Corps Report” and contact the broadcast team here at MNC-I if you have a story idea. (822-8719). 2 p.m...... Latter Day Saints Service 4 p.m...... Epicopal/Lutheran Service Mini Chapel (Bldg. 24F) Tuesday Al Asad...... 107.3 Fallujah...... 105.1 Taji...... 107.3 7:30 p.m...... Latter Day Saints Service AFN Ali Base...... 107.3 Kirkuk...... 107.3 Tal Afar...... 107.3 Wednesday Freedom Radio Ar Ramadi.. 107.3 Kirkush...... 107.3 Taqqadum... 107.3 7 p.m...... Men’s Fellowship Baghdad..... 107.3 Mosul...... 105.1 Tikrit...... 100.1 Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Balad...... 107.3 Q-West...... 93.3 All stations are FM 11:30 p.m...... Roman Catholic Mass Friday 1 p.m...... Muslim Prayer Service 6:30 p.m...... Jewish Service Camp Victory Bible Studies 8 p.m...... Women’s Fellowship Sunday Sun. 8 a.m...... Eastern Orthodox Service Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. 10 a.m...... Protestant Sunday School Women’s Bible Men’s Bible Study 3 p.m...... Church of Christ Service Women’s Young Adult Foundations SeventhDay Men of the 7:30 p.m...... Latter Day Saints Service Study 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Victory Bible Study Bible Study Bible Study, Adventist Bible Study Hope Chapel (Bldg 24B) Bldg 24F; Chapel; 7 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Mini Chapel 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Monday Gospel Protestant Spanish Bible 12 p.m...... Charismatic Prayer Meeting Bible Study Bldg 24F Hope Study 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Victory MLB Room, Sunday 7 p.m. Hope Chapel Bldg 24F Chapel Oasis DFAC 8:30 a.m...... Collective Protestant Service Chapel 10 a.m...... Roman Catholic Mass 12 p.m...... Gospel Service 6:30 p.m...... Contemporary Protestant Service Do you have an announcement about an event of interest to the Camp Victory community? Warrior Chapel (Camp Liberty) Friday Contact Spc.... Samuel J. Phillips at [email protected] with the information. 6:30 p.m...... Victory Base Open Circle Information for community announcements needs to submitted at least two weeks prior to the event to allow for timely publication.

August 18, 2008 Victory Times Page 7 Feature Half marathon tests servicemembers’ endurance Story and photos by Pfc. Eric J. Martinez 13th Public Affairs Detachment

Servicemembers from throughout Victory Base Complex gathered just before sunrise to test their endurance during the 13-mile course around Camp Liberty’s Z Lake. The “Run It...Until the Wheels Fall Off” half marathon was sponsored by Victory Base Complex’s Petty Officer 1st Class Association to raise moral. The overall male winner was Sgt.. Brendan Spell- man, Multi-National Corps-Iraq with a time of 1 hour, 17 minutes and the top female finisher was Capt. Michelle Kamon, targeting officer, 4th Infan- try Division, with a time of 1 hour, 38 minutes. The participants showed up at 5 a.m. to adjust for the added length the run. “It was beautiful out here, we started early enough that there was not a lot of heat,” said Cmdr. Orloff Conrad, chief of operations, C-9 MNC-I, second place male finisher. “We got to see the sunrise, but when it started getting close to 6, it started to get hot.” The length of the race was a challenge, both seri- ous competitors and first timers showed up to test themselves. “I like competing, I run back in the states,” Kamon said. “I run on most days and win- ning this race makes me feel like my work is paying Sgt.. Brendan Spellman, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, crosses the off.” finish line with a time of 1 hour, 17 minutes.

Winners and participants of the “Run It...Until the Wheels Fall Off” half marathon gather for awards ceremony. Page 8 Victory Times August 18, 2008