Dear Interested Reader,
New Predator takes flight with pilot, Lt. Col Debra Lee. Kudos to Senior Airman David Norton, Tuskegee Airman of the Week. Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airmen help IA build from the ground up. Ali Base and Cob Adder docs teach Iraqi med. students cardio procedures. Airmen and soldiers experience Iraq's ancient history dating back 4000 years. A inspiring story from Afghanistan, of a wounded special ops weatherman, and the love and strong bonds of his Marine teammates.
Joanna
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Feb. 19, 2009
U.S. Air Forces Central
New Predator takes flight in Iraq
by Maj. Stan Paregien
Lt. Col. Debra Lee flies an MQ-1 Predator, Feb. 13. The entire unmanned aircraft system is made up of the ground-control system, a satellite link, personnel and the aircraft. Colonel Lee is the 46th Expeditionary Recon and Attack Sqdrn cmdr.
(AF photos/Senior Airman Tiffany Trojca)
JOINT BASE BALAD -- The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) received a new MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft and immediately put it into action. "As far as getting a new aircraft, it's not very often in the Predator community you are launching a brand-new plane that's never been flown operationally before," said Lt. Col. Debra Lee. "The one we received today only had 4 hours on it, which includes testing time back in the U.S."
After arriving here disassembled and packed in a crate, the remotely-piloted plane used for recon and strike missions (if needed) was reassembled within 2 days, and up and flying its perfect first trip into blue Iraqi skies on "Friday the 13th."
The MQ-1 aircraft launched from the desert base without a hitch, rising high into the light blue sky to help provide overwatch and security for U.S., CF and Iraqis alike. Back in the control booth, Colonel Lee and sensor operator Senior Airman Charlie Cui were busy talking to controllers and each other while working a multitude of buttons, controls and radios.
Day in and day out, the Predator mission continues at Balad. "One of the pilots will go out and preflight the plane, which includes getting all the numbers on the aircraft that we need to launch it, and come into one of our ground-control stations and we'll set it up locally and enter all the significant data we need to control it locally," Colonel Lee said. "Once we get that initial information then we'll get in touch with our launch and maintenance personnel to do a series of checks to make sure the airplane is airworthy and all the systems are good to go before taking off."
Smiling when he walked out to see the new Predator, Maj. Morgan Andrews is one such pilot. "It is great anytime you get a new airplane, just like getting a brand new car is nice," Major Andrews said. "Being part of OIF has been a good deployment for me, to be over here and be involved on this side with a new Predator."
Airman Cui said he is proud of his work alongside the pilots. "What is nice and unique out here is that we work with SF locally to help with security for both our base and the Iraqis. We set the Predator up to launch its first flight in Iraq. "It's quite involved in setting up computer systems and, on my side in sensor ops, I'm responsible for the camera," Airman Cui said. "Good communications between the pilot and me are important so you know what both the pilot and the plane are doing. You have to keep the overall mission in mind. It's a lifetime opportunity; you are responsible for a lot of people on the ground, helping them as their eye in the sky," said Airman Cui. "I have a great chance to help people down below the plane, especially SF. Overall, it's a pretty cool mission."
Senior Airman Charles Cui assists in the flight of an MQ-1 Predator.
Maj. Morgan Andrews inspects an MQ-1 Predator before its flight.
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Farewell
Iraqi Brig. Gen. Dabown, cmdr., says farewell to Col. John Hort, cmdr. of the 3rd BCT, 4th ID, during a transition ceremony Feb. 14, at FOB Loyalty. The 3rd Bde., 4th ID, completed a 15-month tour.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. James Selesnick)
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Right There
Army 1st. Lt. Joshua Kordela, left, looks on with an IP during an op to rid the Adhamiyah district of eastern Baghdad, of weapon caches Feb. 13, 2009. Kordela is a plt leader with the 25th ID's 1st Bn, 27th Inf Regt, 2nd Stryker BCT.
(Army photo by Spc. Colton Allred)
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U.S. Air Forces Central
Tuskegee Airman of the Week: Feb. 2 - 9
by Staff Sgt. John Gordinier
Senior Airman Daniel Norton, 532nd Expeditionary SF Sqdrn SF apprentice, provides protection for Joint Base Balad, Feb. 16. Norton is the Tuskegee Airman of the week for Feb. 2-9. He is deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
(AF photo/Senior Airman Elizabeth Rissmiller)
JOINT BASE BALAD -- Senion Airman Norton, provides entry control point processing for all local nationals, and helps protect JBB. While on duty, he provided combat life-saving treatment for 22 local nationals. Also, Norton provided heavy-weapon close precision engagement protection for an Iraqi-based industrial zone site survey, which enabled the groundbreaking of an economic stimulus project.
Off-duty, Norton volunteered more than 40 hours supporting Balad AF Theater Hospital. He also completed the Army's 12-mile "ruck" march in approx. 3 hours, obliterating the 4-hour standard.
In recognition, Col. John Dolan, 332nd AEW vice cmdr., presented Norton with a wing commander coin and certificate. Tech. Sgt. Marvin James, Norton's supervisor, attended the event. "Norton is a go-to Airman," said James. "He is very knowledgeable and knows all duties and responsibilities critical to all aspects of the entry control point. "When we have a medical situation, Norton is already out the door with his combat life-saver bag in hand," added the sgt, who's here deployed from Shaw AFB, S.C. "Whenever we have work projects that need to be completed, Norton steps up and gets it done."
"I just like to help people," Norton said. "That's why I've taken the Combat Life Saver Course twice. I want to make sure I have all the skills required to treat injured people that come through the ECP. "It gets hard sometimes seeing the things that happen," he added. "I remember assisting with treatment to a burn victim who had burns over 60% of her body. She was just a little girl."
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Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
ISF, MND-B Soldiers arrest three alleged IED makers
BAGHDAD - Iraqi NP working with Soldiers from Co C, 1st Bn, 505th PIR, 1st BCT, 4th ID, arrested 3 suspected criminals, using Baghdad Ops Center warrants, during combined neighborhood clearance ops in the Masafee community, Feb. 16.
The patrol transported the detainees, wanted for bomb making and terrorist attacks against Iraqi Security and CF, to a JSS for processing.
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U.S. Air Forces Central
JET Airmen help Iraqi army build from the ground up
By Tech. Sgt. Craig Lifton
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
The main entrance of Multi-National Security Transition Command, in the Baghdad Int'l Zone.
(AF photo/Tech. Sgt. Craig Lifton)
2/16/2009 - BAGHDAD INT'L ZONE -- Locked away deep inside a tan office building, behind walls, guards and bomb-sniffing dogs, is the home of the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, and a small group of Airmen that assists in instructing the Iraq military to function independently.
The Coalition Army Advisory Team is comprised of servicemembers and civilian experts from a wide range of nations, to include Joint Expeditionary Tasking (JET) Airmen with the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Sqdrn. Members of MNSTC-I coach, mentor and train the Iraqi military.
One of the team members is Capt. Jeffrey Durand, a logistics officer deployed from Wright-Paterson Air Force Base, Ohio. "We train the Iraqis about logistics. Anything to set up their govt, we are partners with them."
Durand and the other members of the CAAT act as subject-matter experts in logistics, and advise senior Iraqi military. Durand explained that the Iraqis currently under their supervision are in the capabilities phase, and close to running themselves independently.
"We teach the Iraqis how to build a base," said Lt. Col. Eric Ellmyer, a logistics readiness officer from Kirkland AFB, N.M. "Also, we explain how to man the base and keep it running. "We are helping them rebuild the infrastructure and train the Iraqis on how to provide the life support to their ground-combat unit. They are learning how to organize, train and equip themselves." Ellmyer is also the senior advisor to the Iraqi Dir. of Location Command. He has helped the Iraqis purchase more than $128 million in equipment for 13 separate locations.
"There are challenges to this job, and one of them is the language barrier," said Ellmyer. "I do get a translator to help communicate with the Iraqis. "The other challenge is learning to understand the current Iraqi process," Ellmyer said. "Their current logistics system is based on paper, relationships and cell phones." Ellmyer explained that the current Iraqi program does move and gets logistics done. He remarked that the Iraqis are learning to push their decision-making down to the lowest-possible level.
"We work with the Iraqi force generation and with the Ministry of Defense," said Capt. Lance Vann, deployed from Scott AFB, Ill. "We then determine what types of forces are needed to rebuild the IA. "After that, we then determine what is the proper equipment needed," continued the logistics readiness officer. "Weapons, vehicles, uniforms, everything from the ground up. "This has been great building my career specialization in a totally joint environment," the captain noted. "I'm here working with all the services, from all of the CF to the IA."
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U.S. Air Forces Central
Ali, COB Adder docs teach Iraqi medical students cardio procedures
By Staff Sgt. Kenya Shiloh
407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
Lt. Col. William Hook, 407th Expeditionary Medical Sqdrn physician, teaches local Iraqi medical students how to properly use an automatic electrical defibrillator during a joint advanced cardiac life support training class, Feb. 12. The class was taught at the Dhi Qar PRT medical facility by doctors from the AF, Army and Navy.
(Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Marasky)
ALI BASE -- Military doctors from several branches of service deployed here, recently taught an Advanced Cardio Life Support familiarization class to a group of Iraqi medical students. According to Dr. Mike Bunning, Dhi Qar PRT senior health adviser, the team operates a facility that houses classrooms, equipment, a medical ward, and a mobile surgical unit which can travel to villages in the community, providing medical assistance to the local people. This facility is the only one in the country of Iraq. The PRT has been working with officials at a nearby medical school and university to implement programs like ACLS familiarization to medical students for several months. To date, this is the second class to go through the program.
"Dr. Bunning invited me and my colleagues from the other branches of service to help teach Iraqi students in their 5th and 6th year of medical school," said Lt. Col. (Dr.) William Hook."
Students used mannequins in the class to learn how to properly use an automatic electrical defibrillator and the proper way to intubate a patient. In the future, the American Heart Assn will sponsor a certified ACLS class with all the equipment to medical personnel needing certifications.
According to Colonel Hook the students were very proficient in their studies, but were shy in their hands-on approach. "It's all great to know what the theory is of compression and getting ventilation, but to actually perform compression on a chest can be very difficult and tiring. These students were actually experiencing that for probably the first time."
Dr. Ahmed Mossa, Dhi Qar Dept of Training and Development dir., said this he hopes to implement other programs, like women's health for female medical students, and some specialized training. "These students are the first graduating class from the university," said Dr. Mossa. "The American military has done a good thing by bringing training like this here. Students have learned how to apply what they've learned about cardiac life support, CPR and emergency care. I believe this program is going to be beneficial in the long run, because education is so important to physicians and students."
One student expressed her appreciation, and said she sees how much the U.S. military wants to help. "We learned a lot, especially the ACLS class, because you can see what you want to do," she said. "If they have future classes like this one, I would definitely participate again."
Colonel Hook said he looks forward participating and teaching future classes. There's nothing more rewarding than teaching, and having the light come on for the student, according to the colonel. Having these motivated Iraqi students grasp the concept, and now improve on their application of their cardiac skills it is very gratifying, he said.
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U.S. Air Forces Central
Airmen and Soldiers experience Iraq's ancient history
ALI BASE – SSgt. Ariel Sauvey, 407th Expeditionary Op Support Sqdrn, takes in the view of the ruins of King Shulgi’s palace from atop the Great Ziggurat of Ur, Feb. 9. The Ziggurat construction was finished 4000 years ago by King Shulgi in the ancient city of Ur, which is near An Nasiriyah in present-day Iraq. Members of the 407th Air Expeditionary Group Chaplains Office, offer 3 tours weekly of the Ziggurat and ruins of the city of Ur. Sgt Sauvey is deployed to Ali from the 78th Op Support Sqdrn, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
(AF photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Marasky)
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U.S. Air Forces Central Afghanistan
Wounded special ops weatherman keeps eyes forward for new battle
Lt. Gen. Donny Wurster, cmdr. of AF Special Ops Command, pins the AF Combat Action Medal on Senior Airman Alex Eudy's shirt during an informal ceremony at the hospital, Feb. 3. Airman Eudy also received the Purple Heart for injuries he received during his deployment in Afghanistan. Airman Eudy is a special ops weatherman in the 10th Combat Weather Sqrdn at Hurlburt Field, Fla.
(AF photo and story/Chief Master Sgt. Ty Foster)
In an instant, Senior Airman Alex Eudy went from battling the enemies of Afghanistan to battling for his life. It was just after 1 a.m., Jan. 24. He was only 2 months into his first deployment after graduating from advanced-skills training, Sept. 2008. The special ops weather team journeyman and the Marines he served with were on patrol about 30 miles from their firebase in the western province of Farah.
Behind the wheel of the fourth of 4 humvees, Airman Eudy and the 5 others in his vehicle kept their eyes peeled for variations in the road surface, exposed wires, freshly dug soil - "Scab left" or "scab right" they called out. The driver adjusted his path of travel accordingly to mitigate the threat to the special ops patrol. Then the roadway erupted. Two 155-mm mortars and a Soviet anti-tank mine were command-detonated under the front of the vehicle. The engine flew 30 feet away, as the six-ton rig somersaulted 3 times. The concussion of the blast rendered Airman Eudy unconscious. His personal protective gear had done its job. There were no puncture wounds or lacerations from flying debris. In the violence of the explosion, however, his helmet chinstrap had sawed through the skin on his lower jaw. Everything else seemed fine, except his legs.
When he came to, he said he was lying nearby, outside the vehicle. He thought he'd been thrown out. "My Marines told me when they pulled me out of the vehicle, they could hear the bones crunching," the 22-year-old warrior said. "Of the 6 of us in that vehicle, I was one of two who were non-ambulatory." So Airman Eudy became the casualty collection point as the Marine special ops team set a defensive perimeter and requested med-evac airlift. He didn't just lie there, Airman Eudy said. He checked his buddies, and put his combat lifesaver first aid training to work. He checked his weapon. The 9-mm pistol was still in its holster, but his M-4 rifle had been lost in the explosion.
Despite dozens of fractures from both knees down, the special ops weatherman kept his mission focus, Mr. Eudy said. With a medical evacuation helicopter, Airman Eudy's special ops weather team mission was paramount. "When the medevac was inbound, Alex was telling his Marines how to use his instruments to pass critical weather data for the helicopter landing zone," Mr. Eudy said. "That's what we do, generate high-fidelity, localized, mission-tailored forecast for ingress, employment and egress of air, land and sea forces," Airman Eudy said.
His training and discipline had earned him his gray beret, fulfilling a dream he'd held as a 17-year-old. Now it would bolster him for survival and recovery. "When the med-evac helicopter touched down, the flight medical technician knelt down to Alex who was strapped down on the stretcher," Mr. Eudy said. "'We're gonna take care of you,' he said. 'You're going to be okay.'"
In triage later that morning, Airman Eudy said he heard the doctor saying, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." The quote by Sir Edmund Burke is tattooed on Airman Eudy's back. "That's why we're here," Airman Eudy said. "That's why special tactics is so important. We can't sit around and let evil triumph."
Less than 10 days after the explosion, the Airman was lying in a waiting room in the hospital at Eglin AF Base, Fla., swaddled from the knees down in bandages, bones pinned, screwed and grafted. He was surrounded by family and friends, "and everyone is Alex's friend," Mrs. Eudy said.
The only time Airman Eudy's "eyes leaked," as Lt. Gen. Donny Wurster put it, was when he offered tribute to his fellows who were wounded with him, and to the Marines who had adopted him as one of their own. They adopted him, as they do all special ops battlefield Airmen, because despite their high-ops tempo, these Airmen seamlessly integrate with their sister service brothers.
"We're in the field in direct contact with enemy fighters and friendly air assets, keeping them abreast of real-time conditions on the target," said Senior MSgt. Scott Gilbert, 10th Combat Weather Sqdrn ops NCO in charge.
Despite the months of painful healing, rehabilitation and reliance on others, he is not dissuaded. "Wallowing in sorrows doesn't do anybody any good," Airman Eudy said. "I'm not out of the fight. This is just a different kind of fight."
He approaches his recovery just like any other mission. "Just like we pack our gear for a mission, I know what's going on with my treatment," he said. "I'm packing my tools for a different battlefield. As a patient, I'll never be uneducated. I'll know my treatment options and medications." He hopes his recovery will lead him to the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Airman Eudy said there is a chance he will not return to duty as a fully functioning and deployable special ops weather team member. Regardless, his special tactics brethren offer unflagging support to Airman Eudy and his family. That camaraderie, seemingly forged in the DNA of special tactics Airmen, will carry Airman Eudy down the road to recovery, he said. "They become your family and families intertwine," Airman Eudy said. "In special tactics, you're held to a higher calling. It's something more that protects you, not only on the battlefield, but on the home front as well."
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