Click here to subscribe August 14, 2009 Can you hear me now: IAF makes radio connection with IA Photo by Spc. Darryl L. Montgomery The Iraqi Air Force on Contingency Operating Base Basra now has an effective means of communication with the Iraqi Army after spending the morning of Aug. 11 confi guring their radios. Now that communication has been established, pilots of Squadron 70, Iraqi Air Force, can be the eye in the sky for Iraqi ground forces. This will allow real time updates of the battlefi eld, route reconnaissance, help pursuing a fl eeing target and help detecting an ambush. By Spc. Darryl L. Montgomery to help them track the objective. eyes in the sky for them.” MND-S “For two months, we have been “Today, since weather didn’t per- COB BASRA – Radioio ccommunica-omm training the Iraqi Air Force to be able mit,” continued Iuliano, a Boise, Idaho tion has been established between the to work with ground forces eff ective- native, “we worked on gett ing their Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Air Force here ly,” said Lt. Col. William Iuliano, 84th comms set up.” aft er a morning of testing the airways EASOS commander. “We have taught Most of the IAF radio devices are not from aircraft to ground vehicles Aug. compatible with the IA’s, said Iuliano. 11. “Just to get them to be able to commu- The morning was spent fi nding a Although the weather prevented the nicate with each other using the different way to get the two services linked so two services from conducting their orig- systems was a huge success ... Now that has they can eff ectively communicate with inal training mission, the day was a big been established, we need to teach the guys each other during operations. success, according to Maj. Lee Dewald, on the ground what airborne eyes can do Aft er an hour confi guring frequen- an air liaison offi cer with the 84th Expe- for them.” cies both communication devices could ditionary Air Support Operation Squad- – Maj. Lee Dewald read, communication had offi cially ron, Multi-National Division – South. Air liaison offi cer, been established between the ground At the start of the day, the plans 84th Expeditionary Air Support Operation Squadron forces and the pilots. were to have the Iraqi Army personnel RADIO train in ground operations while the them how to work with the ground Page 4 air force provided an “eye in the sky” forces by showing them how to be the The Red Bull Report August 14, 2009 Page 2 Respecting our Neighbors’ religious holidays By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Morris every installation in Multi-National Di- tion. MND-S Chaplain vision - South. Consequently, each of The second thing we need to know Our Iraqi neighbors are gearinggearing up us will have the opportunity to wish an is Ramadan is a celebration and a time for one of their most sacred holidays, Iraqi “blessed Ramadan” and respect for family and friends. The evenings Ramadan. Ramadan is a Muslim holi- their observance of the holiday. The op- in Ramadan are a time for our Muslim day and is observed by Muslims world- posite is true as well. Each of us has the neighbors to break the fast and cel- wide. This year Ramadan will begin opportunity to be off ensive, disrespect- ebrate meals with family and friends Aug. 22 and run through Sept. 19. In ful and callous toward our Iraqi neigh- while socializing. Many Iraqis will be Iraq, a nation where the vast majority bors. The choice is ours and I am hope- up and out late at night, enjoying fel- of citizens are Muslims, this holiday ful each of us will treat our neighbor lowship with friends of families. will have a pronounced eff ect on day- the way we would like to be treated. As we drive in convoys at night to-day activities for all Iraqis. I believe, with a litt le bit of knowl- around MND-S, we will need to be As guests of the Iraqis, the activities edge, we can be respectful and deepen aware of increased nightt ime traffi c of the month of Ramadan will have an our ties to our neighbors. due to Ramadan and be both alert and impact on us. Consequently, we have The fi rst thing we need to know respectful on the roads. the opportunity to deepen our partner- is that Ramadan is a time of fasting. Finally, we need to know Ramadan ship with our Iraqi allies and neighbors Healthy Muslims will fast from sun-up is a time when Muslims celebrate the by respecting their religious traditions to sun-down. They will abstain from Prophet Mohammed’s reception of the and being sensitive to customs during food and water in order to focus more revelation of the Koran from the Angel the month of Ramadan. intently on their relationship with Al- Gabriel. It is a joyous, sacred and awe- There are Iraqis working on almost lah and to purify themselves spiritually. inspiring holiday. Ramadan is a time to draw As we meet our Iraqi partners and nearer to Allah and to refo- friends we need to be respectful of their cus one’s life on submission beliefs and courteous in our conversa- to the will of Allah. tions about their holiday. We are Amer- As we work with Iraqis icans. We value religious freedom, during Ramadan, we need diversity and tolerance. Let’s bring to be aware they may be the best of our values to Iraq during fasting. This may aff ect Ramadan. Wish your Iraqi neighbor a their energy level, att en- blessed Ramadan. The Golden Rule is dance at work and ability still a great guide for each of us. This to withstand the heat. If we Ramadan: Treat our Iraqi neighbor are planning to eat or drink the way you would want them to treat in front of our Iraqi friends, you. we need to reconsider do- ing so in their presence, out For more from the Chaplains, visit their blog at: of respect for their situa- www.TheRedBulls.org/RedBullChapel The Red Bull Report is an authorized 34th Inf. Div. PAO: Lt. Col. Kevin Olson 172nd Brigade Combat Team publication for members of MND-S. OIC, Command Information: Maj. Page Baldwin 2nd BCT, 4th Infantry Division NCOIC, Command Information: 1st Sgt. Larry Mears Contents of The Red Bull Report are not 4th BCT, 1st Armored Division NCOIC: Staff Sgt. Dave Lankford necessarily offi cial views of, or endorsed 343rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment Managing Editor: Staff Sgt. Derek Smith 193rd Military Police Battalion by, the U.S. Government, Department of Assignment Editor: Sgt. Debralee P. Crankshaw Defense, Department of the Army or the Special Troops Battalion, 34th Inf. Div. Graphics Designer: Sgt. Eric Jungels Task Force 28 34th Infantry Division. All editorial content Photo Editor: Spc. Tyler Maulding 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) of The Red Bull Report is prepared, edited Layout/Design: Spc. Stephanie Cassinos provided and approved by the 34th Infantry Staff Writers: Sgt. Frank Vaughn, Division Public Affairs Offi ce. Sgt. Brandon LeFlore, Spc. Darryl Montgomery, Media Queries please contact 34th Inf. Div. Public Pfc. J. Princeville Lawrence Affairs Offi ce at [email protected] The Red Bull Report August 14, 2009 Page 3 PRT in Dhi Qar helps Iraq help itself By Spc. Darryl L. Montgomery MND-S COB BASRA – The Provincialovincial Reconstruction Team is put- ting the specialized training facility in Iraq’s Dhi Qar province to good use by helping Iraq help itself through teaching fun- damental skills to local citizens. These skills include teaching literacy to Iraqi Soldiers so they will be able to read and write their language, certifying English teachers and educating farmers to enhance the local economy through agriculture, according to the Dhi Qar PRT team leader, Anna Prouse. “One of the main goals we have here is to build capacity of the province,” she said. “So, by building this training center, which is built on an Iraqi base, we are helping the province by teaching the locals how to continue to perform tasks that allow them to get the most out of their resources.” In the past year, the PRT has taught students how to pro- duce buff alo milk and how to use everything in the milk so Photo by Spc. Darryl L. Montgomery nothing goes to waste. They are currently teaching their stu- Brig. Gen. Jerry Lang, deputy commanding general of support, Multi-National dents how to process dates from the palm trees fl ourishing Division - South, views a sample of honey and date syrup the school produces. In throughout Iraq to create syrup, much like maple syrup. the past year, the Provincial Reconstruction Team of Dhi Qar has taught students Honey is also produced at the school which, according to of the school how to use their resources to make the products that will one day Prouse, is a surprise to many locals in the area, because they be exported and ultimately lead to economic growth for Iraq. didn’t know bees could survive in the harsh environment of “One day, the electricity went out and instead of going Iraq. home and cooling off ,” said Prouse, “the students stayed in Once students learn how to process these food products, the hot school to continue learning.” the PRT teaches them how to package them so they can even- One area of the school she has seen the most dedication in tually start exporting the products, which will help build the Iraqi economy, she said.