Dear Interested Reader,
Impossible to resist endearing photos of happy children! PFC is the lucky recipient and operator of the 10,000th MRAP. 3 of the 25th CAB aeromedical professionals are among Army's best. Iraqi and CF ensure Iran border security. Base recycling provides jobs for Iraqis. The Rashid public radio station is on the air. New water reservoir opens to serve 60,000 residents. In Afghanistan, opportunities for better health care continue to grow through the Int'l Medical Mentorship Training and Internship Program.
Joanna
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Feb. 22, 2009
Blackanthem Military News
Additional Photos of Happy Children
Iraqi youths were all smiles about the new toys (seen on the table in the background) which were handed out Feb. 17, donated by Illinois co-workers of deployed soldier, Maj. Robert Kirkpatrick.
(USACE photos by Norris Jones)
Army Reserve Maj. Robert Kirkpatrick says Iraqi youths definitely enjoyed the toys his Illinois co-workers provided.
Iraqi youths, ages 5 and 6, each give a flower to Gulf Region South district employees.
Iraqi youngsters from Nasiriyah enjoy their visit Feb. 17 to Gulf Region South district HQ at Tallil Air Base in Dhi Qar Province.
A little Princess
Nothing like a new red fire engine to brighten your day.
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
U.S. military fields 10,000th MRAP
Brig. Gen. Michael Lally presents a large, wooden key to Pfc. Derek Sharp, designating him as the operator of the 10,000th mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle fielded in Iraq.
(U.S. Army photos by Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord)
BAGHDAD - The U.S. military fielded its 10,000th mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle in Iraq, Feb. 20 during a ceremony on Camp Liberty, just 22 months after it was first introduced into the theater of ops.
Servicemembers and civilians from across Victory Base Complex gathered among rows of MRAPs at the largest fielding site in country to acknowledge the success the vehicle has had in protecting thousands of troops from blasts caused by roadside bombs.
"This is a historic day that represents the enduring power of our Military Industrial Base. This type of effort has been indicative of America's manufacturing capability, but it has not been demonstrated in such a fashion since World War II," said Lt. Col. Ron Fizer, cmdr, 402nd Army Field Support Bde. "The teamwork demonstrated through the combined efforts of military, civilians, and contractors through the Materiel Enterprise has been exceptional. This has set a new standard for the development, fielding and sustainment of capabilities required by our warrior for today's battlefield and future conflicts."
"MRAPs save lives every time they go out," said Brig. Gen. Michael Lally, comm. gen., 3rd Expeditionary Sust Bde, the guest speaker for the ceremony. Lally shared an instance in which 3 Soldiers in his unit walked away uninjured when an IED damaged the entire front half of their vehicle.
Also present and an honored guest at the event was Lt. Col. Greg Rawlings, chief of force mgt div, C3, MNC - Iraq, who has played a large role in the distribution of MRAPs to Army units throughout Iraq. Rawlings was recognized and applauded for building distribution plans for the dispersal of new equipment based on unit requirements, and the threat in certain areas of the country.
Concluding the ceremony, Lally presented a large, wooden key to Pfc. Derek Sharp, 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn Div, designating the Soldier who will operate the 10,000th MRAP.
The program continues to adapt the vehicles even as they are produced and fielded - upgraded armor, better suspension systems, improved seats / safety harnesses / and gunner restraints and improved night driving capability, while at the same time maintaining a 95% operational readiness rate.
Bringing to mind the added safety benefits of the MRAP, the ceremony also aimed largely at giving credit to the men and women behind those safety benefits. "It takes literally thousands of hard working, dedicated folks to respond as rapidly as we have to meet the needs of the warfighter. And it couldn't have happened without the support of the entire team - MNC-I staffers; 402 AFSB; Red River Army Depot; Science Applications Int'l Corp. acting as the Joint Logistics Integrator, BAE, General Dynamics, BAE-TVS, Force Protection, Inc, Jacobs-Sverdrup, and Navistar," said Howard Henderson, theater lead for the joint program office MRAP.
Pfc. Derek Sharp sits in the vehicle before departing in it.
Mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles sit in a row at the Camp Liberty MRAP fielding site.
Lt. Col. Ronald Fizer addresses the crowd.
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Blackanthem Military News
25th CAB aeromedical professionals among Army's best
By Sgt. Mike Alberts
Maj. Bradley Pearson (left), emergency medicine specialist and flight surgeon, 3rd Bn, 25th Aviation Regt, 25th CAB; Capt. Wayne Johnson (center), aeromedical physician asst, 3rd Bn; and Capt. Ryan DeBoard (right), emergency medicine specialist and flight surgeon, 2nd Bn, were recognized by the Society of the U.S. Army Flight Surgeons, for excellence, Feb. 13. Pearson earned the Society's 2009 Spurgeon H. Neel U.S. Army Distinguished Flight Surgeon of the Year award, and Johnson and DeBoard each received a 2009 Aeromedical Outstanding Achievement Award.
WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii - It's often said that doctors and nurses treat sick people in normal environments while flight surgeons and aeromedical physician's assistants treat normal people in abnormal environments - namely, while in flight.
The Society of the U.S. Army Flight Surgeons exists to foster the professional growth and development of its members, and strives to improve the practice of Army Aviation Medicine. Annually, the Society identifies and awards a select few for their contributions to their respective Army aviation units.
According to Lt. Col. Luis R. Rivero, bde surgeon, 25th CAB, Pearson was instrumental in the mass evacuation of approx. 8,000 patients throughout northern Iraq, while deployed from Nov. 2006 through Oct. 2008. Pearson's excellence was showcased during 2 particularly noteworthy events. In March 2007, a coordinated set of large bombs in Tal Afar, left hundreds of Iraqis wounded and quickly overwhelmed the local U.S. military hospitals. Pearson and his team personally treated and transported 3 severely injured boys, among others, all of whom were on ventilators and required intensive medical care.
About 6 months later, 4 massive VBIEDs were detonated in a remote part of northern Iraq killing at least 500 people and injuring hundreds more. It was the single deadliest attack of the war. That evening, Pearson and his team, consisting of himself, his aeromedical physician assistant and 2 medics, would be the main resource to relieve a hospital that was already overwhelmed. When they arrived, Pearson assumed responsibility for the worst 18 patients, all of whom were transferred by helicopter to the Kurdish city of Dahuk. Pearson and his team didn't lose a single patient in flight.
"I do this work and love this work because I really feel like I am making a difference, immediately," said Pearson. "That's gratifying. It's easy to love your job where the benefit of the work is clearly obvious," he continued. Regarding his achievements, Pearson recognized his team. "It was a tremendous honor to be part of such a great team. We don't work alone and nothing that I've done could have been accomplished without others. This award had more to do with the collaborative efforts of a whole lot of different people."
For Rivero, DeBoard is a consummate educator and has produced a sustainable system for on-the-spot medic training that encompasses all 25th CAB medics. In addition, in several off-Island training exercises throughout 2008, DeBoard -- on his own initiative -- trained not only his unit's medics, but the medics of other units involved in pre-deployment ops in various medical topics of interest and relevance, and conducted regular, daily medic training lectures and exercises.
Johnson was recognized for his significant role during the 25th CAB's rotation to the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, Calif., in Oct. 2008, according to Rivero. The 25th CAB deployed TF 3-25, to NTC to support 1st Bde, 1st Cav Div. The TF deployed with a shortage of flight medics, given 1-1 Cav's needs. Foreseeing this shortage, Johnson planned and trained to cover the deficiency by assuming flight medic duties in addition to his deployed physician assistant duties.
For both DeBoard and Johnson, their key to success is their passion for the work. "I simply enjoy taking care of Soldiers," said DeBoard. "And if my presence gives them the confidence to fight without reservations, knowing that I am available to take care of them, then my job is done," he said. His colleague agreed. "I love taking care of patients, and getting the sick and wounded back to their families," said Johnson. "As far as the recognition is concerned, I consider training my job. As a medical advisor to the bn, when a unit is short flight medics, it's my job to train them, and to train as many as possible," he continued.
Although each awardee downplayed the significance of his respective accomplishments, the bde's surgeon wasn't as modest on their behalf. "It really is remarkable for the 25th CAB to have 3 providers selected for recognition by the Society," said Rivero. "Understand this: Major Pearson and Captains DeBoard and Johnson were selected and recognized from the Army worldwide," he continued. These awards are truly a testament to their actions, their commitment and their initiative. I'm proud to work and serve with them."
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Iraqi and Coalition forces ensure border security
TIKRIT - When approaching the border between Iraq and Iran in Diyala province, travelers often find a distinct lack of fences, drawn outlines or even signs stating that the border is near. Often the only way of knowing the border is near is by noticing one of the 100 or so checkpoints varying in distances along the imaginary line that delineates the border. Each one of these checkpoints is manned by Iraqi Dept of Border Enforcement (DBE) personnel who stand ready to detain anyone trying to cross over from Iran to Iraq illegally.
Working in conjunction with the DBE, U.S. Army Border Transition Team (BTT) 4312 assists in keeping the borders safe and secure. "Our job is to track, confirm or deny illegal border access," said MSgt. Michael Henle, a team sgt with BTT 4312. "We strictly work with the Iraqi (DBE), but we try to integrate the IA and the IP into the systems, so they can work hand-in-hand, instead of operating unilaterally."
"A lot of our ops resemble U.S. border patrol missions," said Capt. Eric Wagoner, with BTT 4312. "There's no way to block off a border - you're more of a deterrent. You can't put the fence up and expect everyone to stop coming across. Our job is to make sure the Iraqi (DBE) has good methods to sustain their deterrence." Wagoner said they work with the DBE to force the movement of those illegally crossing the border, to locations where it is easier to catch them. "We train our Iraqi counterparts. Even though they are very good at training themselves on their border tasks, they do not have the resources...the experience in certain areas. Those are the areas we are trying to train them in."
Success of each mission is not just dependent upon the DBE, but also upon the locals living in the area. "Border villagers are the guys who live right there and see everything," Wagoner stated. "When we go talk to the people, we want the Iraqi DBE to do it, because we want to make sure the local people know that the DBE is a legitimate force in the area, and that they are recognized."
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Recycling Provides Jobs, Hope for Iraqis
By Sgt. Frank Vaughn
CAMP VICTORY — Soldiers eating at the Coalition Dining Facility here stop to deposit plastic bottles into one bin, aluminum cans into another and trash into a third before leaving. This quick, 3-step process has enabled servicemembers to do their part in improving the local environment.
Many Iraqis have found employment opportunities, in part, due to this effort to clean up the environment, said Doug Harger, dir. of central Iraq’s business development for the First Iraqi Contracting Co. “Our recycling center here has around 40 Iraqi employees,” he said. The workers have been collecting bottles and cans, and their work now has expanded to include the collection of cardboard and ink cartridges. “We ran an experiment with collecting cardboard recently,” Harger said. “We started with the post exchange at Camp Liberty, and in one week we collected over 4 metric tons of the stuff.”
"The reuse of ink cartridges will help eliminate needless waste," said Sonia Parker, recycling programs coordinator for 10th Mtn Div. “The less we have in trash dumps the better,” she said. If left as litter, bottles and cans often wash into the sewer system and back up treatment plants when it rains. The bottles and cans that make it to trash dumps present a major environmental problem as well, Parker said. Other methods of material disposal create health risks. “Burning this stuff creates toxic fumes,” she said. “When it rains, that stuff that burned into the air comes right back down.”
Harger said education is an important element in turning this problem around. “50% of Iraq’s population is under the age of 20,” he explained. Learning now how to properly care for the environment will improve the health for future generations.
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Rashid Public Radio Station On the Air
By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Williams
Ali al-Shati, dir. of programming for the Jamaheer Radio Station, cues audio from pre-recorded radio programs during a broadcast from the Rashid District Council Hall building in the Doura community of southern Baghdad.
FOB FALCON — U.S. Soldiers joined local community leaders to officially recognize the opening of a new public info radio station in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, Feb. 18. The Jamaheer Radio Station is an important achievement for the district leadership, and benefits Iraqi citizens of southern Baghdad, said Hashem Dahash, dep. chairman of the Rashid District Council. “We know the needs of the people. It's important to educate the people."
The public info radio station is operated by the Rashid District Council to provide listeners info about local govt initiatives and opportunities within the local communities in southern Baghdad, said Acosta, a civil affairs officer, assigned to the 404th CAB.
“This radio station exists to spread the news as far as reconstruction efforts, civic events and political objectives being sought to meet the needs of the people of Rashid,” said Acosta. Based on the success of the programming, the station could be picked up by local media organizations for greater funding and a larger audience, he said. “The public has to be aware of all the efforts going on in the Rashid district,” Acosta said. “The people out there are out there doing their job, but unless that plan is shared with the people, they think that no one is trying to work on their behalf or there is no plan.”
The “politically neutral” station also offers a variety of programs to engage the people and build the culture, which will eventually foster the development and expansion of the independent radio station, said Acosta. “It builds hope for the future, provides info to get health and medical treatment, or educational opportunities,” he said. “This radio station is a necessity for the future, and encourages leaders to find initiatives for their communities.”
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New water reservoir opens to 60,000 Iraqi residents
SAFWAN – Nearly 60,000 southern Iraq residents will have access to twice their normal amount of water thanks to a new U.S. funded reservoir that opened, Feb. 18. The new tank will save residents money by reducing the amount of bottled water they need to purchase for home use other than drinking. “As long as we are elected by the people, we will continue to work for the people,” said Basrah Provincial Councilman Alsharaa. “We appreciate this project and look forward to more in the future.”
Previously, the city and its outlying areas relied on 2 old water towers and well water to meet its residential and farming needs. One of the towers was destroyed in the war and the second will remain operational, supplementing the new tank. The water will be good for bathing, cooking, and drinking if treated, but is not potable by western standards. The plumbing systems in Safwan are substandard with leaks and rust, which can contaminate the water.
Outlying areas of the city will continue to use well water for farming and residential use.
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Blackanthem Military News
US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs
Internship injects the right prescription for Afghans
An Afghan citizen holds his daughter after receiving treatment at the Egyptian Field Hospital, that has an open clinic for Afghan citizens to receive free medical care.
KABUL - Opportunities for better health care continue to grow for Afghans with the assistance of the U.S., Republic of Korea and Egyptian medical personnel through the Int'l Medical Mentorship Training and Internship Program. The Alliance nations strive to enhance the Afghan Ministry of Public Health's goals of establishing their own health care system and have developed 2 programs to aid Afghanistan in seeing a dream become reality.
"The goal is to give students an opportunity to see all the factors that it takes to manage an effective hospital," added Army Maj. Maureen Nolen, coordinator for a 2-week Medical Mentorship Program. "We work with and build on the education and training in the various ANA and ANP facilities."
While initially, the 2-week class was targeted specifically to the Afghan NA to provide them with the skills needed to manage a medical facility, it has now grown to include the Afghan NP, National Development Strategy health care providers and civilian doctors from district hospitals.
In July 2007, the program hit the ground running with a 2-week residency course. Then, a little over a year later, the program expanded by adding a 3 month course, when they realized there was a need to include more civilian health care providers. The 3 month instruction was created for Afghan civilian doctors and experienced health care personnel. The curriculum requires students to attend the course twice a week for 3 months. During this time, they participate in lectures at Craig Joint Military Hospital at Bagram and then are given opportunities to implement their training by treating local nationals at the Korean and Egyptian hospitals on base.
Egyptian Col. Salem, who also serves as a pediatrician, works diligently with the interns to ensure their level of care also targets the young people within the community. "We are enthusiastic about working with the Afghan doctors," said Salem, the chief physician at the Egyptian hospital.
At the Korean hospital, the interns are introduced to evidence-based medicine and how to properly treat communicative and non-communicative diseases in addition to common illnesses. "We expect through this program that the interns will become aware of their public health care programs," said Dr. Park, the medical director at the Korean hospital.
So far, the internship program has trained and graduated more than 100 Afghan practitioners, including 3 females. AF Lt. Col. Montserrat Edie-Korleski, who oversees a 3 month program, was quick to point out the importance of female graduates, and how their success makes an impact on the program and within the local community.
"We're planting the seed that gender shouldn't be an issue when it comes to being a health care provider," Nolen added. "Women are a key element in the health of the nation," Edie-Korleski said. "We would like to see more female recruits."
As the program continues to grow, one constant remains for this group of professionals working to improve the medical care in this country: teamwork. "It's a great working relationship," Edie-Korleski said. "The Koreans have a fabulous system already developed and working for them. The Egyptians have a great doctor staff who are also very capable. We learn from them, and they learn from us."
Word continues to spread about the success of the program, and classes are filled through 2009. Local nationals are encouraged to contact their Ministry of Public Health and PRTs to enroll and receive more info about the internships. "Someone, somewhere always wants to hear about our program," Edie-Korleski added. "Health care providers from all over BAF are expressing interest in lecturing and training." A plan is in place for the internships to include more options in the near future. By the end of March, Afghan practitioners from Kabul are scheduled to begin a new veterinary program offered at Craig Joint Military Hospital. The continuing interest and commitment of the Afghans have been a huge boost to the ongoing success of their mission, said Edie-Korleski. "The purpose of the program is to train Afghan health care providers in the health care arena, so they can take what they learn and develop their own health care system," she said. "It's been amazing the positive responses we've gotten."
Egyptian Col. Foad, an opthamology consultant, checks a patients eye for cataracts and other abnormalities at the Egyptian Field Hospital.
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