Dear Interested Reader,
Chief Warrant officer Robert Meeks opens Basra Ed. Center. Father-son together at COB Basra. 1st "Black Knights" Bn opens aquatic center. Sgt. Erica Rinard pushes soldier care. The 732nd out on a mission. Hurriyah Clinic converts to solar power.
In Afghanistan, McChrystal says next 18 months are critical. 4th STB arrives in Nangahar. New Wardak joint Op Coordination Center-Prov. has ribbon cutting ceremony.
Joanna
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June 22, 2009
MND-S RSS
Improving Our Foxhole
Story by Staff Sgt. Derek Smith
Chief Warrant Officer Robert Meeks, left, Basra Educational Center admin., discusses programs offered to service members, at the center, June 15. The center is now open for Soldiers interested in furthering their education while on deployment.
COB BASRA – Weeks of planning and hard work came to fruition as the Basra Education Center officially opened, June 15. Chief Warrant Officer Robert Meeks, 41st Fires Bde, said it took weeks of sun-up to sun-down work to bring his vision to life. Working with the outgoing U.K. forces' education office and going to various div. sections, Meeks was able to accumulate the tools necessary to fulfill a need which may have remained unrealized had he not made this his personal mission. "This is for the Soldiers," he said. "There was a need for the center, and I wanted to make sure it happened."
Services at the education center include college enrollment, college classes, exam proctoring and tuition assistance, said Meeks, who administrates the center. Meeks earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice, and is working on his master's. He teaches criminal justice and military science courses through Central Texas College, and encourages Soldiers to take advantage of any and every educational program the Army offers. "I do it for the Soldiers because I know how hard it is to get a degree while you're deployed," said Meeks. "If you're going to spend so much time away from home, at least you can come out with something positive."
The center also offers the widely popular Functional Academic Skills Training course to improve Soldiers' General Technical scores, which help in warrant officer candidacy and changing military occupational specialties.
The education center is currently looking for motivated service members to assist with the programs offered. Meeks is expecting to redeploy in approx. 2 weeks.
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Multi-National Division-South RSS
From the Classroom to the 'sandbox'
Story by Sgt. Frank Vaughn
COB BASRA – Sgt. 1st Class Michael Norton, ops NCO-in-charge of the engr cell of 34th Red Bull ID, is a school teacher and coach when not in uniform. There were some familiar faces among the many students who passed through his classroom during his years of teaching. "I taught all my children," said Norton, who teaches business and computer classes, and coaches women's basketball at Ogilvie High School.
Norton's son, Staff Sgt. Christopher Norton, ammunition NCO for 34th ID, took keyboarding and computer classes with his dad. Christopher said it was good having his father for a teacher, but it was a little awkward at first. "I didn't know whether to call him 'Dad' or 'Mr. Norton,' Christopher said. "I think I finally settled on 'Dad' because it just seemed weird to call him 'Mr. Norton.'"
Mr. Norton the teacher has also been a Soldier in the National Guard for nearly 33 years. Despite his length of service, this deployment is his first.
"Joining the Guard in 1976, deployment was never a thought," said Michael, whose daughter, Hannah, also deployed to Iraq in 2004. "I joined because I wanted to serve. I joined with a couple of buddies who got out a long time ago, and I just stuck with it."
Christopher said his decision to join was an independent one. "I decided to join at the end of my junior year of high school," he said. "I knew I had to pay for college somehow." Christopher actually deployed to Iraq before his father. He arrived here in August 2008 as a volunteer with the 34th CAB. He said he decided to extend his deployment when he learned that his father was coming.
As Father's Day approaches, both are thankful that they will be together, which hasn't always been the case. Christopher said he has big plans for his dad for Father's Day.
"I'm taking him out to dinner," he joked. "We'll go to either the dining facility, or maybe Echos!"
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1st BCT, 1st Cav Div Public Affairs RSS
Summer Fun: Sha'ab Pool Opens
Story by Pfc. Bailey Jester
BAGHDAD – Iraqi children in northeast Baghdad now have a fun place to cool off from the triple digit temperatures of summer. Thanks to Soldiers of Co E, 1st "Black Knights" Bn, 5th Cav Regt, attached to the 1st "Ironhorse" BCT, 1st Cav Div Soldiers, and reps from the Qaim Maqam and the District Advisory Council that attended the grand opening of the Sha'ab pool, June 17, the event marks the end of a joint project in repairing the run-down aquatic center located here.
"The pool was designed to provide the families of Sha'ab a safe place for summertime recreation," said Capt. William Murphy, a civil affairs team leader. Originally built in the early 1980s as the premier recreation facility of the area, the Sha'ab pool needed renovation work after more than 20 years of hard use by area kids, and the demanding Baghdad environment, said Capt. Brent Kinney, Co. E cmdr.
"After numerous times of asking and being denied any support from the GoI, CF and the U.S. military supported us," said Ali Muften, the Adhamiyah DAC chairman.
"Because there were no written plans of the pool, finding the underground filter system was a bit difficult," said Murphy. "Luckily, that was the only real problem we had. The pool will be self-sustaining, so no major problems for the pool are foreseen. The pool will be run very similar to an American YMCA pool," Murphy added. "There will be a small entrance fee, lifeguards and access to showers and changing rooms." An entrance fee, of about 50 American cents, will cover expenses such as landscaping, maintenance and security.
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16th Sustainment Brigade RSS
Athletic NCO Pushes Soldier Care
Story by Sgt. Keith Anderson
COB SPEICHER — Sgt. Erica Rinard, Charlie Co., 1st Bn, 185th Armor, 16th Sust Bde, said Soldier care is an important facet of leading Soldiers. "Soldier care is the key to a good NCO. Gain the respect of your enlisted personnel and, only if they show you the same respect, in turn, you have succeeded as a good NCO," said Rinard. "I look to all my leaders and mentors, even the ones that fail, so in turn I know what makes and breaks the 'Backbone of the Army.'"
Sgt. 1st Class John Lee, Rinard's supervisor and motor sgt, Charlie Co., 1-185 AR, said she is always there for other Soldiers. "Sgt Rinard helps others in the section by being a sounding board for the Soldiers," Lee said. "She is always willing to lend an ear or shoulder. She takes the time to be a leader, mentor, and friend. Her dedication to work inspires others to do their best and strive for excellence."
Rinard, who works as a tank mechanic at Ft. Irwin, Calif., as active Guard, and whose husband is also active Guard, said many NCOs have shaped her career and made her who she is today, but she credits her grandfather. "I've met a number of extraordinary NCO's that have made an impact on my life, but hands-down it would have to be my adoptive Grandfather Lynch, a former staff sgt in the U.S. AF, who served in World War II, was a member of a bomber crew that was shot down behind enemy lines, and held captive as a POW," Rinard said. "Till his passing in 2007 he remained an active retired member of the AF. To have served and continued to serve after retirement to me justifies honor and valor to one's country." The athletic NCO said she brought her competitive drive with her into the military.
Rinard accomplished a personal goal when she won "best overall" in a bodybuilding contest judged by Billy Blanks, creator of Tae Bo, held at Speicher, April 25.
Rinard said the Army's Year of the NCO was about living up to NCO Creed. "It's my duty to know and recite the NCO Creed, word for word, either from memory or read," said Rinard. "It's a requirement of an NCO, and to be honest with you, I don't
remember it line for line, but I do know how to live it, and what it takes to be a leader. If an NCO can live and abide by that simple task then every year is an NCO Year."
She now works as a Standard Army Maintenance System – Enhanced clerk. "I've been able to adapt to the constant change of learning new work-related traits not pertaining to my MOS," said Rinard.
Rinard said not to worry about things, but to enjoy life. "You can plan life to the fullest and stress over your shortcomings when those goals are never met," said Rinard. "I'm a firm believer that you never know what's going to happen in life, and that the best thing to do is live life to the fullest and embrace all negative and positive impacts that may come. Even though the negative seems to outweigh the positive in most cases, 'What else are you going to do?'"
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U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs RSS
On the Way to the Market
Story by Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary
FOB FALCON -- It was an early morning show. The plywood conference room was filled with Airmen packed around an oblong table. The mission was briefed and everyone participated in recalling proper procedures in the event anything happened.
The Airmen of the 732nd Expeditionary SECFOR Sqdrn Det. 3 have combined to form the current Police Transition Team. This group provides outside-the-wire combat support to the IP. They are responsible for training the IPs on tactical maneuvers.
The PTT's mission is to travel via convoy to the local IP stations and provide training and guidance as oversight of Baghdad is transferred to the local law enforcement sectors.
"Our mission is to train, mentor and advise the IP within the 17 stations housed within the Rasheed area of Baghdad," said Capt. Matt Ballanco, Det. 3 PTT team S3 ops officer. "We run missions everyday covering everything from overseeing administrative needs to training, to conducting walking patrols with the IPs."
Soon the men don their protective equipment, perform a systems maintenance check on the vehicles and then load up. Before they even cross outside the gates of FOB Falcon, the convoy goes through drills on rollover procedures, what to do if a grenade lands inside the vehicle, and how to get out of ugly scenarios.
The team then makes its way onto the relatively metropolitan streets of Baghdad. After textbook driving and following a well-planned travel ticket to the station, the PTT team gets to work getting an assessment of the station since their last visit, gauging the training needed for today's mission and getting a plan in motion.
"The IPs are serious about wanting our help," said Staff Sgt. William Charto, deployed from the 62nd SECFOR Sqdrn at McChord AF Base, Wash. "Colonel Luay asked for force protection training for his men."
While the IPs did a good job hustling to perform the training mission, the PTT members decided that extra training would be a good idea. Sgt. Charto and his interpreter, Danny, come up with real-life scenarios for the IPs to train on when the PTT are not around. The training will focus on vehicle search; personnel search; how to use the vehicle mirror; first aid; and weapons and ammo training.
After today's training, the IPs seem proud of what they accomplished and are ready for the patrol. The PTT members have taken notice, too. "This has been the most constructive training we've had in the last 6 months," said Senior Airman Mackenzie Sterns, deployed from the 509th SECFOR Sqdrn at Whiteman AFB, Mo.
Speaking through an interpreter, the trainers instruct the IPs on proper care and handling of their weapons. They have decided that a joint interactive patrol through one of the muhallahs would be an efficient way to wrap up a good day of training. With the IP trucks in the lead, the convoy sets out for a bustling market square.
Here, Airmen and IPs alike dismount and begin interacting with the locals as they shop for clothes or haggle over the price of a pound of seasonal fruit. "Even as little as a year ago when we first got here, we wouldn't have been able to consider dismounting except in a combat situation," Capt. Ballanco said. "Now, we're starting to see life come back to the muhallahs and trust is being built. The IPs have been a big reason for that success." After an hour walk through the market square, the IPs shake hands with their PTT counterparts. Their faces show they are pleased with how well the patrol turned out.
"We're at a historic turning point here," Capt. Ballanco said. "When we first came, we were still heavily involved in running the day-to-day police ops. Now, things have improved to the point where our role is more as advisors instead of hands-on control of securing Baghdad. The IP have a lot to be proud of."
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2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs RSS
Hurriyah Clinic Converts to Solar Power
Photos by Sgt. Dustin Roberts
Maj. Andrew Attar, joint project management officer, 2nd BCT, 1st ID, inspects the newly installed solar panels on the roof of the Dahkel Clinic in the Hurriyah neighborhood of northwest Baghdad, June 17. As the main health clinic in Hurriyah, the solar panels will keep the clinic powered longer, providing more service to 500,000 Iraqis.
Col. Joseph Martin, cmdr, 2nd BCT, speaks with Mark Powell, team leader of the 2nd BCT's ePRT. The clinic is solar-powered, which extends the clinic's electricity from 6 hours per-day to 24 hours per-day.
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American Forces Press Service
Next 18 Months Critical in Afghanistan, McChrystal Says
By Jim Garamone
WASHINGTON, June 19, 2009 – The next 18 months will be crucial in Afghanistan, the new cmdr of NATO and U.S. forces, said today. “I think that the next 18 months are probably a period in which this effort will be decided,” Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal told Tom Bowman in an NPR interview. “I don't think it will be over, but I think that not only the American people, I think the Afghan people are looking and deciding which way this will go.”
McChrystal took command of coalition and U.S. efforts in Afghanistan on June 15. His job is to carry out the new strategy for the region. McChrystal has spent much of his career in special ops, hunting down and killing or capturing terrorists. “What I learned is that much of the terrorism we fought years ago was very small groups that were finite. They were fanatical, and they could be attacked that way,” he said. “Nowadays, we have to fight the cause of terrorism, because terror is a tactic. You win by taking away from the enemy the one thing the insurgent absolutely has to have, and that’s access to the population.”
Hunting terrorists still has a place in the war in Afghanistan, McChrystal said, but the overall effort requires a mix of aggression and rebuilding. “I very much lean toward the importance of the building side,” he said.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
4th Special Troops Battalion arrives in Nangarhar
By Army PV2 Elizabeth Raney
Provincial leaders from Nangarhar, congratulate Lt. Col. Jody Nelson, cmdr of the STB, 4th BCT, on assuming Nangarhar province responsibilities.
(Photos by Army Sgt. Michael Masterson)
Nangarhar Province - The 4th STB, 4th IBCT, 4th ID assumed responsibility June 17, from 3rd STB, 1st ID of Fort Hood, Texas. The transfer of authority ceremony occurred at FOB Finley Shields in Jalalabad.
Soldiers from the 4th STB have trained for the past year at Fort Carson, Colorado, in preparation for the deployment, said Lt. Col. Jody Nelson, cmdr. "We're dedicated to supporting a secure, prosperous Nangarhar through partnership with ANSF," Nelson added.
Lt. Col. Jody Nelson and Command Sgt. Maj. Danny Day, command sgt maj of STB, uncase their unit colors.
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CJTF-82 in Afghanistan, Bagram Media Center
New joint operation coordination center established in Wardak
By Army Spc. Jaime' DeLeon
TF Spartan
Army Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Trimble, with the help of an interpreter, speaks to members of the ANP as they arrive for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
WARDAK PROVINCE - When a report comes in that someone in Wardak needs help, the ANA and the ANP are trained to spring into action. Until recently, however, they didn't have an easy way to coordinate with each other. June 14 marked a turning point on better communications, as the grand opening of the Op Coordination Center-Prov. facility will make their synchronization efforts easier.
"The OCCP is a place for the ANA, ANP, and ISAF to have a centralized local in order to better coordinate between all 3 forces, but with the ANA and ANP spearheading efforts," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Trimble, acting Officer-in-Charge of the OCCP for ISAF.
The building itself is small and neat, surrounded by high stone walls that obstruct the view of the picturesque Wardak countryside. Within the walls of the compound geraniums bloom in neat planters and small trees provide needed shade. The beautiful setting makes it easy to forget the imminent threat nearby. That is, until the radio begins to crackle with the sound of reports coming in.
In a split second, men of all 3 forces leap from their chairs and set down their cups of chai. The report warns of a possible VBIED attack. Instantly a member of the ANA sits down at one radio and a U.S. Soldier sits at another to spread the word.
It didn't take long for the OCCP to reach this level of competence. "Once the building was complete, it only took the ANP and ANA a week to move in and get things running," said Trimble, who despite his fair skin and piercing blue eyes, fits right in with his Afghan co-workers. "The ANA and ANP are very dedicated to making their country a better place; they're really jumping in with both feet."
As the ceremony began, ANA Gen. Choopan greeted the guests. "Today is a happy day," said Choopan. "We now have the OCCP to work together in, as we work together for Afghanistan. "
Choopan was not the only one feeling the excitement of this momentous occasion. ANA, ANP and U.S. Soldiers and civilians toured the OCCP while drinking chai and talking excitedly with each other. "We're happy the Americans are coming to our country, and the peace is coming with them," said Col. Rahimi, ANA AF Ops Officer. "This new building is allowing us to work together with them, and our own ANP much easier."
"The U.S. is just here to mentor and help the ANA and ANP out, but they definitely have the lead on this," Trimble said. "I'm really looking forward to seeing what we can get accomplished here," Trimble said with a smile.
ANA Maj. Yousazia uses a radio in the new OCCP before the ribbon cutting ceremony.
ANA Gen. Choopan welcomes guests.
ANA Gen. Choopan, with the help of Provincial Gov. Fidai, cuts the ribbon officially opening the OCCP.
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