:: Commander COL David G. Cotter :: Command Sergeant Major CSM Michael D. Howard :: Deputy Commander LTC Scott S. Naelitz :: Public Affairs Coordinator Lakia Clarke-Brown :: Public Affairs Specialist Dustin Senger :: Visual Information Manager William R. McLeod :: Photographer Ding Alcayde :: Desert Mesh Contributors COL Doug Castle Isidoro Geverola Your feedback is important to us. See the back cover for details. CONTENTS DM59: Team support THE WIRE n Troops talk politics during pass 3 n Desk officer visits Qatar base 8 n Astronauts arrive at Qatar 9 n Tae Bo creator back on tour for troops 10 n Rodeo riders support troops in Qatar 11 n Billy Blanks Tae Bo class 12 Commander’s corner n Xpose dancers visit troops 14 n USARCENT 4-5 n n ASG-QA 6-7 Football players travel for Super Bowl Sunday 15 n Overseas fundraising results peak despite recession 16 Astronauts n Deployed Soldiers battle rising suicide trend 17 arrive to show support n Spiritual fitness 18 9 n MWR events and AAFES movies schedules 19 Billy Blanks n Black history 20 back in Qatar 10 FITNESS n Powerbuilding 22 n Soldier Strong – Fitness Q&A 24 Edition 59 This Army magazine is an authorized CULTURE publication for members of the Department n of Defense. Contents of the Desert Mesh Troops attend Qatar camel races 26 are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or Depart- DOHA LIFE ment of the Army. The editorial content is the responsibility of the Area Support Group n Top Qatar general hosts beach outing 28 Qatar public affairs office. General comments should be addressed to [email protected] n Commander honors Qatari hospitality 30 or call 011-974-450-2714 (DSN: 318-432- 2572). SAFETY Desert Mesh layout and design n Beat the Qatar heat 32 by Dustin Senger. Comments should be ad- dressed to [email protected] or n Qatar base safety record breaks 300 34 call 011-974-450-2714 (DSN 318-432-2800). The year of the COVER PAGE: (Top) U.S. Air Force Capt. Aubrey Davis, from Woodbury, Minn., meets Army Lt. Col. Robert S. noncomissioned officer Kimbrough, NASA astronaut, at Camp By Command Sgt. Maj. Corps and the enormous As Sayliyah, Qatar, Feb. 2. (Middle) U.S. John D. Fourham contributions that it has made Air Force Staff Sgt. Ieaka Jones, from USARCENT Cartersville, Ga., holds a falcon at the in shaping our great nation, beach home of Qatar Army Maj. Gen. and our Army. Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah, armed forces he Army has officially chief of staff, in Al Khor, Qatar, Feb. 10. T recognized 2009 as the (Bottom) U.S. Army Maj. Isaac Peay, During the Year of the NCO, the from Cassat, S.C., rides a camel in Al Year of the Noncommissioned Army will showcase stories of Shahaniyah, Qatar, Feb. 21. (Cover Officer. This recognition is Photo-illustration by Dustin Senger) a tribute to our elite NCO (Continued on page 5) Desert Mesh : 2 : February/March 2009 CONTENTS Camp profile: Troops talk politics during pass By DUSTIN SENGER may be.” Thomas and ASG-QA public affairs his wife believe most of the Soldiers in their units CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – “We were pro Obama during just want to get things done in Iraq,” the election process; said U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. while the majority of Thomas Chamberlin, from Diamond those backing McCain Bar, Calif., at Camp As Sayliyah, f o u n d t h e m s e l v e s Qatar, Jan. 27. Chamberlin was excited about Obama enjoying a four-day break from after the inauguration on duties in Iraq by participating in the Jan. 20. U.S. Navy Lt. Micah Brewer, from San U.S. Central Command rest and Marcos, Calif., plays table-top touch recuperation pass program at the “I noticed a lot of games while waiting for the next feature U.S. military installation. The U.S. excitement during the film in the new movie theater at Camp presidential inauguration appointed inauguration,” said Navy As Sayliyah, Qatar, Jan. 27. Brewer Barack Obama as commander-in- Lt. Micah Brewer, from received a four-day break from duties in chief of the Armed Forces one week San Marcos, Calif. “We ago. Servicemembers sustaining were all watching it on Iraq by participating in the U.S. Central Operation Enduring Freedom and the televisions in the Command rest and recuperation pass Operation Iraqi Freedom eagerly dining facility.” Brewer program at the Qatar base. Since its await direction under the new was preparing to return 2004 inception, over 175,000 war fighters administration. to Iraq after spending in Southwest Asia have participated in four days at the Qatar the program. “They got a lot of stuff here “The insurgency has gone down relaxation venue. “There and we have just the right amount of and things are really improving,” are a lot of unknowns time to experience it all,” said Brewer, said Chamberlin, “But we want right now,” he said. ready to return to Iraq after spending the Iraqis to be able to sustain four days at the Qatar relaxation venue. themselves before we leave.” According to Chamberlin, a lot of the Marines in his deployed unit were hoping McCain would win the U.S. presidency, but happy to see the historic moments unfold for African Americans and ready to execute orders under the new commander’s guidance. “We’re all looking for firm leadership and policies,” said Army 2nd Lt. Will Thomas, from Temple, Texas, who was reconnected with his wife by participating in the USCENTCOM respite program in Qatar. The U.S. Army 1st Lt. Erin Thomas, from Temple, Texas, plays military couple received orders to arcade games while her husband, 2nd Lt. Will Thomas, enjoys separate locations in Iraq several the excitement at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Jan. 27. The military months ago. “Over the last year, couple was deployed to separate locations in Iraq last year, but there was a lot of discussion about found it easy to reconnect by participating in the U.S. Central policy in Iraq – I think we’ve all Command rest and recuperation pass program at the Qatar come to the point where we’re base. “Who would have thought, in the middle of the desert, a simply ready for direction and little oasis!” said Chamberlin, during his four-day respite with ready to support it… whatever it his wife. (Official Army Photos/Dustin Senger) Desert Mesh : 3 : February/March 2009 James J. Lovelace Lieutenant General Commanding General USARCENT h e N C O c r e e d b e g i n s Last year, when faced with shortages T with the words, “No one is of mid-grade officers, CSM Fourhman more professional than I, I am a and I made a conscious decision to noncommissioned officer, a leader of fill 20 of those positions with senior Soldiers” and ends with the words, NCOs. We did this because we have “I will not forget, nor will I allow my the highest degree of confidence in comrades to forget, that we are our NCO Corps. professionals, noncommissioned officers, leaders!” These are powerful You have exceeded every words that express what our NCOs expectation… it’s a real pleasure to Year of the are all about… professionals… see our NCOs making a difference noncommissioned leaders of Soldiers. in this organization. officer Our senior Army leadership recently There continues to be a most announced that 2009 is the Year noticeable positive change in the of the Noncommissioned Officer. culture and bearing of ARCENT This sends a clear message Soldiers. acknowledging those wearing stripes make significant contributions to More and more Soldiers are the success of our Army each and conducting physical training, saluting, every day. and correcting shortcomings. It’s because our NCOs and active chains NCOs… you have provided for the of command are enforcing standards strength and security of the Nation and discipline. for more than 200 years. You are the source of our success on the Strong NCOs make things happen battlefield and the reason other each day… you make the organization nations’ armies aspire to be like ours. better… and you make yourselves and everyone around you better. You are the Backbone of the Army… Strong NCOs understand the value our standard keepers… training, of teamwork. leading, mentoring and caring for Soldiers in so many ways. They know what it means to take care of Soldiers and their Families. Every officer and every Soldier Strong NCOs strive for and achieve remembers his first NCO leader… the highest order of leadership. I sure do. Whether a seasoned platoon sergeant or a hard-charging During the year, the Army will drill sergeant, we remember these showcase its first-rate NCO Corps leaders because of their wealth and support these great professionals of experience, mastery of Soldier with initiatives in education, fitness, skills, and guidance through difficult leadership, and pride in service. As challenges. we give noncommissioned officers well-deserved recognition… we will The NCO leaders that fill our ranks also challenge the NCO leadership to make ARCENT a winning team. You continue to make a positive impact on are the epitome of what we want our our Soldiers and the mission. Soldiers to Be, Know, and Do. NCOs… we appreciate all you do for You live by the NCO Creed and the our command… you are the key to Warrior Ethos. You are incredibly our success. competent and bring out the best in your subordinates. You have broad Patton’s Own! shoulders, because you consistently carry the load.