Vol. 40, No. 23 www.stuttgart.army.mil December 1, 2011 An employee of a German eatery serves Maultaschen to waiting customers at the drop zone. Photos by Spc. Ashley Keasler Residents of the communities surrounding Vose Drop Zone near Rottenburg am Neckar watch as jumpers exit a C-130 Hercules overhead, while a German special forces parachutist recovers his chute. Friendship jump Nearly 1,200 spectators lined the edges of Vose Drop Zone in Wendelsheim, Rottenburg am Neckar, Nov. 15 to watch a combined U.S. Special Operations Command Europe and German special forces air operation that included more than 100 American and German parachutists. The day was capped off SOCEUR’s 1st Sgt. Rob Elliott Dylan Moritz, 15 months, elder son of SOCEUR’s by a wing exchange, where the German soldiers awards U.S. jump wings to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Charlie Moritz and his wife were awarded U.S. parachutist and military free fall members of the German special Rhiannon, watches as members of Special Operations parachutist badges, and members of SOCEUR were forces during a post jump wing Command Europe and German special forces awarded German jump wings. exchange. parachute onto Vose Drop Zone. MFE Marines steady shaken Turkish earthquake victims Story & photos by more than 28,000 pounds of cold Sgt. Paul Gunnery Sgt. William Price weather gear, including 110 sets of 10- Evans, Marine Marine Forces Europe/Africa Public man arctic cold weather tents, space Forces Europe Affairs Office heaters and fuel cans. Embarkation chief, MCPP-N was first envisioned and releases the straps arines from Marine Forc- began development in the early 1980s on U.S. Air Force es Europe returned to as a program to store air and ground pallets and netting MNorway, Nov. 12-14, to supplies for supporting forward de- at the Vaernes begin a second round of disaster relief ployed forces, cold weather exercises, International for thousands of citizens in Turkey’s and training in the European theater. As Airport in Norway Van province, which was recently the program evolved, it was extended Nov. 14 during devastated by two massive earthquakes. to include crisis response through hu- a humanitarian Utilizing the Marine Corps Prepo- manitarian assistance. assistance mission sitioning Program in Norway, the hu- for earthquake manitarian assistance mission shipped See Marines on page 4 victims in Turkey. Pages 12-13 Page 15 InsIde Keeping holiday 8th-grader heads to hIs stress at bay All-American Bowl T While holidays are often a time of joy, they Kingston Davis, 14, is the first Europe- can also be stressful, especially for military based athlete to be selected for the Eastbay edITIon families. If you find yourself sad, anxious or Youth All-American Bowl to be played Jan. just overwhelmed, help is available. 8 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Citizen, December 1, 2011 Page 3 Page 2 OpiniOn The Citizen, December 1, 2011 news Commander’s Column News & Notes Making the most of the holidays with your ‘family’ See Army chorus perform Commentary by Col. Carl D. Bird The U.S. Army Europe Soldiers’ Chorus USAG Stuttgart commander will perform at the Stuttgart Christmas mar- We must all be aware that heightened stress, ket Dec. 6 from 6-7 p.m. in the Altes Schloss he holiday season relationship problems and impending holidays on the Schillerplatz in downtown Stuttgart. has arrived in the The free performance will be held in the TStuttgart military can trigger inappropriate coping behaviors in courtyard. community. My family and I are looking vulnerable individuals. Piranhas devour competition forward to all of the activities Almost 200 swimmers competed a that make this a special time of European Forces Swim League meet held in Heidelberg Nov. 20. year … parties, excursions to break from a hectic schedule whenever you need to. mutual “buddy care” among all services and across Col. Carl D. Bird Stuttgart finished first with 753 points, the German Christmas markets, They also say you’ve also got to make sure that the entire community. decorating the house, family gatherings and walks followed by Heidelberg (413), Brussels holiday goals are realistic and accept that things aren’t Reach out this holiday season and invite a single (338) and Geilenkirchen (222). in the snow. always going to go as planned. service member into your home. Top scorers among the 75 Stuttgart It should be the happiest time of year, right? It’s good advice. If you know a spouse who is having a hard time, swimmers, with first place finishes in three Yet for many people, it’s the time when frustra- But while it may be normal to feel overwhelmed extend a helping hand ... offer to baby sit or invite events each, were Austin Sojourner, Isabella tions begin to build, and anxiety and depression set in. during this time of year, as part of the military family her over for coffee. McIlvene, Marina Zielinski, Katie Oldham, Between preparing big meals, shopping for that we must all be aware that heightened stress, rela- Help a less fortunate family by participating in Savion Porterfield, Joseph Viana, Hayden perfect gift, decorating the house and spending money tionship problems and the impending holidays can the Angel Tree program. Kasavicha, and Edward Arrington. on others, many people find the holidays are a time trigger inappropriate coping behaviors in vulnerable If your celebrations include the use of alcohol, Luke Elliott Santa to visit family housing of overwhelming stress. individuals. make sure you drink responsibly and don’t allow Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter receives the U.S. Army Installation Management Command colors from Gen. Thanks to American Legion Post 6, San- Add to that day after day of gray, dreary skies; Ray Odierno, Army Chief of Staff, at the IMCOM change of command ceremony Nov. 17. Pay close attention to the personal needs of those your battle buddies to get into situations that may ta Claus will tour the U.S. Army Stuttgart being stationed thousands of miles away from fami- around you, and be on the lookout for signs of stress embarrass or hurt them, their families or their units. family housing areas Dec. 13-16, beginning lies and friends; or a family separation because of a and depression. If you see signs of either in someone Sometimes we can forget what the holiday season at 6:30 p.m. deployment, and suddenly, life can seem very tough. you know, don’t ignore them. is really about. It’s not the presents, elaborate decora- Ferriter takes command of IMCOM Residents can expect to see Santa touring To combat stress, experts recommend that you It doesn’t matter what we label ourselves — battle tions or gourmet food. the streets of family housing in a fire truck should keep up a regular exercise routine, maintain a buddies, shipmates, wing men or devil dogs — we It’s about family, and that includes our military By Tim Hipps The strength of our Soldiers is our families. And that’s on Robinson Barracks Dec. 13, Kelley Bar- healthy eating schedule, get plenty of sleep and take a need to make sure we are promoting a climate of family. U.S. Army Installation Management Command what makes us ‘Army Strong.’” racks Dec. 14, Panzer Housing Dec. 15 and Public Affairs Office Odierno thanked Lynch, the only commander Patch Barracks Dec. 16. IMCOM has known, for a career well done, capped For more information, call Gary Miller at t. Gen. Michael Ferriter took the reins of by the complex move of an Army command from the 430-4500/civ. 0711-680-4500. the U.S. Army Installation Management he nation’s capital to the heart of South Texas. Command from Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch dur- Time for snow tires T L “We thought he was the perfect person to lead German law states that motor vehicles, CITIzen ing a change of command ceremony Nov. 17 on Fort IMCOM and transform it into a world-class organiza- Sam Houston, Texas. including motorcycles and four-wheel drive Col. Carl D. Bird tion focused on our customers. The customers are our U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Commander Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno pre- vehicles, must have clearly marked winter or What Soldiers and their families and our retirees.” sided over the changing of the guard for the command, all-season tires when there is black ice, snow, Public Affairs Officer He also cited the 120,000 people who make up which relocated from suburban Washington, D.C., to slush, ice or frost on German roads. Mark Howell IMCOM. South Texas during the past two years as part of Base All-season tires, whether European or U.S. [email protected] “We are grateful for the dedicated Army civilians made Realignment and Closure. manufactured, are stamped with an “M+S” and contractors that have made IMCOM such a large CI Chief / Editor Assistant Editor Ferriter, a 1979 graduate of The Citadel, came to symbol. Tires that meet the highest standards success,” Odierno said. “In short, the IMCOM team Susan Huseman Vacant Texas from a tour as deputy commander for advising for winter driving bear a snowflake logo. [email protected] has been and will remain a key ingredient in our abil- and training for U.S. Forces Iraq, supporting Opera- The minimum legal tire tread depth ity to protect and sustain combat forces around the Contact Information you tion New Dawn. Before that, he commanded the U.S. for Germany is 1.6 millimeters, although Telephone: 431-3105/civ. 07031-15-3105 Army Infantry Center and the Maneuver Center of world.