Dear Interested Reader,
July 4th Naturalization Ceremony at Victory Base Complex. Iraqi-born U.S. soldier becomes American citizen. Staff Sgt. Todd Olson is remembered and honored in renaming ceremony. Taza continues to recover after attack. 445th CAB patrols Basra's 5-mile market.
In Afghanistan, FOB Joyce medics aid Kunar prov. Agricultural projects benefit farmers of Parwan prov. COP Penish uses military cooks. Militants killed or detained in Paktika.
Joanna
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July 7, 2009
114th Public Affairs Detachment RSS
Naturalization Ceremony
Photos by Sgt. Ferdinand Thomas
VP Biden and MNF-I Cmdr Gen. Raymond Odierno greet each troop as they complete the naturalization process in becoming U.S. citizens. The MNF-I Naturalization Ceremony recognized 237 troops July 4, at Al Faw Palace, Victory Base Complex, Baghdad.
Army Pfc. Aldo Flores holds up the coin Gen. Odierno presented to him during the completion of his naturalization process.
Marine Cpl. Marcelino Sanchez lays her naturalization certificate on her seat as she stands for the pledge.
Troops from throughout Iraq raise their right hand while reciting the Oath of Citizenship.
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225th Engineer Brigade RSS
Iraqi-born U.S. Soldier Comes Home to Become American Citizen
Photos by Lt. Col. Pat Simon
Iraqi-born U.S. Soldier turned American citizen, Spc. "Brown," an interpreter attached to the 225th Engr Bde, stands in front of a giant American flag inside al-Faw Palace before a naturalization ceremony, July 4. Brown, who uses that nickname to protect family members who live in Iraq, joined other service members representing over 50 countries, to become a U.S. citizen.
Spc. "Brown" (right) served as a translator during the training of members of Iraq's 2nd NP in a recent Army engineering route clearance class. Brown has been instrumental in bridging the language barrier during the historic transition phase of ops in Iraq.
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Multi-National Division - North PAO
Renaming ceremony in Samarra honors past sacrifice
Soldiers of 2nd Bn salute behind a memorial display to Staff Sgt. Todd Olson, as IP raise the Iraqi flag during a renaming and transition ceremony, Samarra, June 30. The patrol base was formerly known as Patrol Base Olson in honor of Olson, who died of wounds sustained during an attack in Samarra in Dec. 2006. The new name of the base is Fond'k Abo Hera, which means "Lake Hotel" in Arabic.
(Army photo by Spc. Jazz Burney)
COB SPEICHER, TIKRIT - "We've won this war because of men like Staff Sgt. Todd Olson and the efforts and sacrifices of all of our Iraqi brethren in attendance today," said Lt. Col. Samuel Whitehurst, cmdr, 2nd Bn, 35th Inf Regt., 3rd IBCT, 25th ID addressing a crowd of local and provincial govt officials, and U.S. military and ISF leaders. "Today we're witnessing a transition that does not divide us, but further unifies us in our combined vision to protect and serve the Iraqi people, and specifically the people of Samarra," he continued. "This ceremony is recognition of a new mission for the bn. The bn is now focused on reconstruction and support to local govt, not combat ops in the city," he added.
Samarra, home to the al-Askari (Golden Dome) Mosque, plays an economic and cultural role in Salah ad-Din prov. The patrol base was previously a hotel that supported the tourists who visit the city. "This facility represents the tourist potential for the city of Samarra," said Maj. Kareem Montague, the bn EO. The ceremony demonstrated the success of combined security efforts between Iraqi and CF over the years in Samarra. "The efforts over the last 6 years prepared Iraq for this day to come," said Montague.
"This is definitely a stepping stone for CF and Iraqi locals showing that we're working together to build confidence, respect and trust amongst each other for the betterment of Samarra," said Sgt. 1st Class Omar Mosley, a plt sgt in the bn.
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Multi-National Division - North PAO
Iraqi city continues recovery after attack
Capt. Nathan Jennings (center), Palmer, cmdr of Co C, meets with Talib (right), the mayor of Taza, June 27, to discuss recovery efforts in the city Taza, following a truck bomb attack, June 20.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Jason Douglas)
FOB WARRIOR, KIRKUK - Reps from the 2nd BCT, 1st Cav Div, and Kirkuk's PRT traveled to Taza June 27 to assist in the recovery. Capt. Nathan Jennings met with Mayor Talib of Taza.
Jennings said, the purpose of the visit was to assess the security situation in the city, deliver much needed water, and examine a tent city that was established using tents donated by the Turkish govt and several non-governmental orgs for displaced residents, who lost their homes in the blast. "The town's been feeding at least 3,000 people a day since the blast to accommodate the family members and friends who came to attend funerals," Jennings said.
Mayor Talib, who has worked on recovery efforts since the attack, said water lines leading to the destroyed homes have been temporarily repaired, and water to the city has been restored. The Iraqi Soldiers will establish a field kitchen to feed the victims, and a fence for additional security. "The tents have electricity for a portion of the day and will have power 24 hours a day shortly," Talib said.
Chris Jennings, the Kirkuk PRT representative offered his agencies assistance in the recovery as well. With much of the debris removed from the blast site, reconstruction and rebuilding homes was top priority during the meeting. "In the coming weeks, we can start looking at offering micro grants to help businesses that were damaged in the attack, rebuild," Jennings said.
Talib, who also is on the reconstruction and humanitarian committee, said there was a plan to rebuild in place and that it would take up to a year to complete. "If terrorists knew this explosion would have unified Arabs, Turks, and Christians, they wouldn't have done it," Talib said. "It has united us!"
Army Soldiers pull security during a recovery assessment by a U.S. envoy.
Tents donated by the Turkish govt fill a field in the city Taza.
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Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq RSS
U.S Soldiers Patrol Basra's Five Mile Market
Photos by Staff Sgt. Chrissy Best
Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Rourke poses with Iraqi children. The Army's 445th conducts foot patrols into the heart of the Five Mile Market, to gain knowledge of how the local population perceives U.S. forces, and projects being funded by CF.
Army Staff Sgt. Ramon Ramos with 445th CAB, walks with Iraqi children during a foot patrol into Five Mile Market, Basra, June 22.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
FOB Joyce medics aid Afghans in Kunar
Photos by Army Sgt. Matthew Moeller
Army Pvt. Joshua Rothstein, combat medic, 1st Bn, 32nd Inf Regt, 10th Mtn Div, flushes 14-year-old Abdallah Sarmal's ear at FOB Joyce, in Kunar Prov., June 30. According to Rothstein, Sarmal first came to the FOB's aid station a week earlier, after complaining of ear aches to Soldiers out on patrol.
Capt. Ryan Smith, bn surgeon for 1st Bn. examines 10-year-old Halsmatullah Sarmal. Although the tiny aid station treats mostly service members, the FOB's medical personal have seen local Afghans on a case-by-case basis since arriving in early January. Before deploying, Smith practiced internal medicine at Tripler Army Medical Center in Oahu, HI.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
Agricultural Projects Benefit Farmers, Local Afghans
By U.S. Army 1st Lt. Lory Stevens
Members of the Nebraska ADT and TF Warrior Dep. Cmdr., Col. Stephen Jeselink met with a group of local landowners and contractors for the well and greenhouses in Janqadam Village, Bagram District, Parwan Province, June 30.
BAGRAM AIR FIELD - "These 2 Cmdr's Emergency Response Program (ERP) projects are nearing completion and will benefit many farmers and people in this area," said ADT Agronomist, Sgt. 1st Class Eldon Kuntzelman.
Jeselink visited with the blind landowner of the vineyard, describing the appearance of the trellising and grapes, as well as what work remains for the landowner's son to complete in order to produce a successful crop. "There're a lot of weeds and grass in this field, competing with the grapes for water and nutrients," said Jeselink. Kuntzelman inspected the trellising posts with the landowner's son, discussing how to implement an irrigation plan to water the plants.
A short distance away at the site of the 18 greenhouses, a group of landowners and contractors for the well and greenhouses met with members of the ADT and Jeselink to inspect progress and discuss maintenance issues for the well and generator. "The landowners are eager for the locals to come work and learn in the greenhouses," said Kuntzelman, explaining how tent panels to retain heat throughout the winter, as well as drip irrigation systems inside the greenhouses will allow a longer growing season and increased food production for consumption and market.
Within a week, seeds and peat moss starters will be delivered to the greenhouses. "In the years ahead, the grape vineyard and greenhouses should benefit all local farmers and people in the surrounding areas," Kunzelman said.
Sgt. Thomas Rabo of TF Warrior patrols Janqadam Village.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
10th Mountain Division's combat cooks
By Army Sgt. Matthew Moeller
Pfc. Robert Oddy sprinkles seasoning on cajun turkey in preparation for that night's meal at COP Penich, in Kunar prov., July 2. The tiny outpost is one of only a handful of American military instillations in eastern Afghanistan that uses military cooks.
KUNAR PROV. - In Afghanistan, it's pretty hard to find the person serving your food wearing combat fatigues. Most military bases here use civilian contractors in their dining facilities. Military cooks usually fill other roles outside their occupational specialty of cooking, such as guard duty.
"Everyone says that we cooks are a dying breed, and we're going to be phased out soon," said COP Penich's Head Cook, Sgt. James Gandy. "But as long we're in places like this, I don't see that happening."
Working out of a mobile kitchen trailer the size of large pickup truck, the outpost's 3 military cooks from Echo Co, 1st Bn, 32nd Inf Regt, 10th Mtn Div, tear into bags of ingredients, offering 3 warm meals a day, from what they affectionately call "the Olde Penich Eatery."
"We don't have a lot of everything, but what we have is always good," said Gandy. Making it "always good" is the cooks' motto. When one of the Soldiers overcooks the peas for that night's dinner, Gandy makes him start over from the beginning. "If I wouldn't eat it, why should I expect them to," Gandy explains.
As dinner ends, preparation for the next meal begins. Breakfast is less than 12 hours away, and there's much work to do before then. "I wouldn't say that these guys are spoiled now," says Gandy, smiling. "But I think they're getting what they deserve. Everyone deserves a warm cooked meal, and that's our job out here."
Pfc. Robert Oddy (left) and Sgt. James Gandy (right) pour a pot of boiling water into their cajun rice during preparation for the night's meal.
Pfc. Robert Oddy reviews the mobile trailer kitchen's inventory list after serving the night's meal. "We try to mix it up as much as possible. We don't like to cook them the same thing over and over again."
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ISAF HQ Public Affairs RSS - Afghanistan
10 Militants Killed, 1 Detained As ANA, ISAF Respond to Attack in Paktika
KABUL - Insurgents attacked with indirect fire, including multiple rockets and mortars, at least one of which contained white phosphorous, small-arms fire and a VBIED. ANA and ISAF responded with counter fire, close air support and attack helicopters, killing at least 10 of the attackers and detaining one.
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