Dear Interested Reader,
31st Georgian BN delivers smiles to Farah prov. children. SDSU alumni and ROTC graduates serve at Camp Phoenix. Meeting held in Zabul prov. Camp Phoenix Soldiers create school's first library.
Iraq: Medics practice suturing on pigs' feet. Diligent Leader's Academy hold graduation in Tikrit. Soldier has seen changes over time. Iraqi pilots to receive F-16 pre-requisite training.
Joanna
_____________________________
AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
DVIDS
31st Georgian BN Delivers Smiles to Farah Prov. Children
Story Courtesy of RCT 2
Sgt. Zaza Chapodze, a fire support chief with Co B, 31st Georgian Bn, RCT 2, hands a stuffed toy polar bear to a young boy from Bogholabad village in Bakwa district, Farah prov., July 6. The Georgian soldiers carried out their mission during Op Desert Penguin in 110-degree heat, in order to bring smiles to school children, fostering positive relations with the local Afghan populace. BAKWA – The soldiers of Co B spread hope and good cheer while patrolling through the village streets of Bakwa, delivering stuffed animals, schools supplies, and radios to local Afghans. From the beginning of their deployment to the Bakwa, Golestan and Delaram districts, the 31st Georgian Bn. has put a strong emphasis on conducting regular patrols, most of them dismounted, meeting with locals in order to establish positive relationships with the local Afghan population and leadership.“The more we're out there and listen to the local people, the better we understand their concerns,” said Sgt. Zaza Chapodze. In order to reach local Afghans to address their concerns and foster positive relationships, Co B conducted what they nicknamed “Operation Desert Penguin,” July 6. Having recently received a donation of school bags, stuffed toy polar bears, toy penguins and solar-powered radios, the Georgian soldiers quickly went to work and handed these items out to the local school children. For the next several days, during the early morning school hours, the Georgian soldiers visited local schools in nearby villages throughout the Bakwa district, distributing the toys and school supplies to the children in need.In addition to the toys and school supplies, the parents of the children also received solar-powered radios to help them stay connected with the local and regional news, in an area where the primary news outlet is via radio broadcast. Despite the sweltering heat, the Georgian soldiers found a bit of humor in their mission, in that the stuffed penguins and polar bears they were handing out should have brought at least a hint of their natural climate to the Afghan desert.
A child holds a stuffed toy polar bear.
-30-
DVIDS
SDSU Alumni and ROTC Graduates Serve at Camp Phoenix
Story by Capt. Anthony Deiss
Twelve graduates from S. Dakota State University pose for a photo on Camp Phoenix, July 3, in Kabul. (From left to right): Maj. Todd Bartunek (1990), Maj. Peter Jerzak (1995), Col. Terry Ommen (1985), Maj. John Breyer (1992), Spc. John Hanson (1999), Maj. Trent Bruce (2000), Maj. Kevin DeJong (1993), Maj. Charles Hauck (1995), Maj. Christopher Engbrecht (1999), Maj. Jason Kettwig (1998), Capt. Anthony Deiss (2000), and Maj. Jeffery Koepke (1990).
CAMP PHOENIX – A number of SDSU graduates are with the S. Dakota Army NG’s 196th Maneuver Enhancement Bde (MEB) of Sioux Falls. The 196th recently assumed command of the Kabul Base Cluster (KBC) in the capital of Kabul, June 26, and at a time when strong leadership and direction is needed to ensure future success in the war effort. The mission of the unit is to serve as an installation mgt command, responsible for providing policy, guidance and sustainment support for nearly 9,000 U.S. and CF stationed at 11 military bases throughout the capital region. Many SDSU graduates and ROTC alumni serve in key leadership positions for the 196th command. Known as TF Rushmore, the 196th directs everything from garrison command support, force protection and security, info mgt systems, logistics sustainment, resource mgt, and public works projects.As the SDSU saying goes, "you truly can go anywhere from here." The dep. cmdr for TF Rushmore, Col. Terry Ommen has seen firsthand just how important the 196th's role is in providing the Afghan people with an opportunity for a better life. “TF Rushmore has a number of SDSU graduates currently serving in critical-leadership positions at both the officer and enlisted ranks. Every day their skills and ability to overcome adversity is put to the test,” said Col. Ommen. Much like its name, the cluster of bases brings its own unique set of challenges and requirements: varying in size, numbers of forces, infrastructure development and operational control. What makes the NG well suited for such an undertaking, is the number of civilian skill sets it brings to the KBC mission to support Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors stationed throughout Kabul. “The base camps need services that you find in cities; emergency services for firefighting; public works for adequate living and working spaces; resource mgt for new construction and maintenance projects,” said Maj. Jason Kettwig, a city administrator in Milbank. “We've a lot of people in the unit with the kind of experience needed for this mission.”“The bases, as with many municipalities, rely on detailed master plans that provide a road map for ensuring essential services are well thought out, and can handle any expansion or growth improvements,” said Kettwig, a logistics officer.
“In the end – regardless of the task or mission at hand, it’s all about making a difference in the quality of life for those, not only stationed here in Afghanistan, but more importantly, for those who call it home,” said Ommen. “Rest assured, TF Rushmore and our SDSU alumni are serving with pride. Go Jackrabbits!”
Maj. Jeffery Koepke (left), ops officer for the Joint Receiving, Staging and Onward Integration section for TF Rushmore, discusses rifle range ops with Lt. Col. Tim Butts, JRSOI officer-in-charge, June 25.
Maj. Jason Kettwig (standing) and Sgt. 1st Class Nathaniel Johnson, both with the Directorate of Logistics for TF Rushmore, review supply orders for the KBC, July 3, at Camp Phoenix in Kabul.
Maj. Peter Jerzak, director of Resource Mgt for TF Rushmore, writes down a list of takers for the KBC.
-30-
DVIDS
Meeting held in Zabul Province Photos by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon
QALAT CITY - Pvt. Thomas Peddicord, 2nd Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt, personnel security detachment team member, secures the perimeter of the gov's office, during a meeting, July 12.
Officials from around Zabul prov. discuss the security of the outlying districts, during a meeting at the gov's office. The meeting included military reps from PRT Zabul, 2nd Sqdrn, 2nd Stryker Cav Regt, ANA and ANP.
Army Lt. Col. Omar Jones, Cmdr of 2nd Sqdrn, listens to a security briefing.
Spc. Matthew Yeatts provides security.
-30-
DVIDS
Camp Phoenix Soldiers Create School's First Library(Photo by Capt. Chris Neeley)
KABUL - Camp Phoenix Soldiers deliver 60 boxes of children's books to the Mehrabudin School, for the creation of the school's first library, July 12. The Soldiers are volunteers with Op Outreach Afghanistan, a soldier led volunteer org., designed to provide humanitarian aid to Afghan local nationals. The books were donated by the founders of Judith's Reading Room, Scott and Cathy Leiber, in honor of Ms. Judith Krug who passed away last year. Ms. Krug was the former dir. of the American Library Assn's Office for Intellectual Freedom, and executive dir. of the Freedom to Read Foundation. More than 9,000 students at the Mehrabudin School will benefit from the donation of the books.
-30-
IRAQI STORIES:
DVIDS
1st AR Division Medics Practice Suturing on Pigs' Feet (Photos by Sgt. Teri Hansen)
BAGHDAD - Pfc. Josia Potukalian, a medic at the 1st AR Div Special Troops Bn Aid Station, applies an iodine solution to a laceration on a pig’s foot, during a training exercise at Camp Liberty, July 11. He used the iodine to properly sanitize the area prior to suturing the cut.
Spc. Tanja Heidingsfelder, a medic assigned to Co B, Div STB, 1st AR Div, sews up a laceration on a pig’s foot. Heidingsfelder said that she benefitted from the training, as she had little prior experience in suturing.
Spc. Denise Ismerio, a medic with Co B, injects a pig’s foot with sterile water. The water was used in place of a local anesthetic.
-30-
DVIDS
Diligent Leader's Academy hold Graduation
Story by Sgt. Richard Colletta
Army 1st Sgt. Doreen Rose of Co C, BSTB, 4th IBCT, 1st ID speaks to Soldiers at a graduation ceremony, for the Diligent Leader's Academy, June 24.
(Army photo by Spc. Jeremy Tanner)
TIKRIT – Ten Soldiers deployed to northern Iraq with the 701st BSB, 4th IBCT, 1st ID, out of Fort Riley, Kan., graduated. The Diligent Leader’s Academy is a 10-day course designed by Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Moser, to prepare future and junior leaders for the additional responsibilities that will be expected of them, as they get promoted and progress through their military careers. Moser created the course because he saw a need for Soldiers, who are focused on combat in a deployed environment, to also focus on their basic Soldier skills. He also saw it as an opportunity to further prepare for professional training, such as the Army's Warrior Leader Course and Basic NCO Course.“Our leaders need to learn and know how to use Army agencies, programs, and how to counsel and evaluate their Soldiers. My philosophy for this is getting back to the basics,” said Moser.According to 1st Sgt. Doreen Rose, the course served as a building block for becoming an NCO. “It gives Soldiers a foundation they can build on and makes them stronger to successfully lead and train Soldiers,” said Rose.The course “gave me a pretty good idea of everything that I'm going to have to do as an NCO, and what I'm going to be facing in the future,” said Spc. Kerissa Moore. “That's what the Army is based on,” said Cpl. Correy Johnson. “Get to know the person you're working with. You can't accomplish every mission by yourself.” “Like our motto says, 'we're the backbone of the Army,'” said Sgt. Michael Szoyka. “We get the plans and we execute them. We have to be the standard bearers, because we're the ones looked up to by the Soldiers. Stronger NCOs means greater success,” he said.
-30-
DVIDS
Soldier Has Seen Changes Over Time
During his 1st period of enlistment, Winston served with the 82nd Abn, and was later assigned to 4th Bn, 9th Inf Regt, in Alaska. “Back then the Army was run mostly by Vietnam Veterans. We'd so much respect for them,” he said. “When you walked in and saw a guy with that patch from some unit from Vietnam, or he was in his dress greens and had that yellow and green ribbon on their chest, you had an idea what they'd been through.”Master Sgt. Anthony Schofield, Senior Garrison Career Counselor, Fort Riley, served with Winston in Alaska. “His work ethic and his character are by far the best that I've had the opportunity to serve with,” Schofield said. “I'd be proud to have him work for and with me anywhere and anytime.”Winston eventually completed Jumpmaster school. He later volunteered for SF and was injured during the assessment course. In 1989, Winston was medically separated from the Army as a staff sgt.“During my time out, I really felt like I had a lot of unfinished business. There were things I had trained to do that I never got to do,” Winston said. “I wanted to do for my Soldiers what the Vietnam vets, my leaders, my mentors, did for me,” he said. “I owe a lot of what I'm today to the time and efforts of the Vietnam veterans, who taught me the ropes.”After 4-1/2 months of seeing doctors and making his case, he was finally told he could enlist. He returned to the Army as a cav scout, and was assigned within the 1st ID. Encountering the new generation of Soldiers has been a bit of a culture-shock for Winston, but he credits the success of our nation and advancement of technology, with making life better for today’s youth.“Parents always say 'I want to do for my kids more than my parents did for me,'” he said. “I think we were successful in doing so.” However, Winston is not sure all the changes have been positive. “I think the Army now has to gear itself toward taking these somewhat-coddled youngsters, and gradually bring them up to a level of awareness, that was much higher in my generation,” he said.Winston quickly reevaluated his leadership style to accommodate the changes. “You find as a NCO you're even more challenged to find a way to communicate your message in a politically correct fashion,” he said. “The sensitivity requires you to really have to reposition your message in a less aggressive, less abrasive way. I find I have to take a different approach.”On a positive note, Winston's very impressed with the technological advancements the military has made in the last 20 years. “The technology amazes me. I'm blown away by the technology.”Since deploying with Security Co, Winston was previously assigned to the Entry Control Point, and recently volunteered and was selected to be part of the Personal Security Detail for the 1st ID Command Group. “I’m really proud to be in the 1st ID. There’s a lot of esprit de corps here; there’s a lot of history,” Winston said.In the future, Winston plans to apply to become an Army career counselor. “That’s what I really want to do more than anything else right now, and it’s how I think I can best serve the Army. I've a unique perspective.” When asked about his future plans, Winston’s love of the Army shines through. “I’m going to stay until they chain me up to a humvee and drag me off the base.”
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Melissa Applebee
Staff Sgt. Peter Winston (right), and Sgt. Daniel Acevedo, both with Security Co, Div HHB, 1st ID, prior to a mission to the Basra gov’s palace, July 12. Winston deployed to Iraq with the ‘Big Red One’ after a 19-year break in service.
COB BASRA – The look of the Army has changed significantly over the last 30 years. Vietnam-era utility uniforms gave way to the Battle Dress Uniform, and finally, to the Army Combat Uniform. Humvees replaced jeeps and later became armored for modern-day warfare. The M16A1 assault rifle was replaced by the M16A2, and presently most Soldiers are assigned an M4. Many Soldiers today are more familiar with Global Positioning Systems, than they are with a compass and a map. From uniforms to technology to the attitudes and perceptions of today’s young Soldiers, the changes are endless. Few members of today’s Army have a perspective on these changes like that of 46-year-old Staff Sgt. Peter Winston, who joined the Army in 1981 at the age of 17, and received training in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare. After serving nearly 9 years, he was separated in 1989 for medical reasons. Following a 19-year break in service, Winston was watching a speech by Pres. Obama on television, and his comments on the war in Afghanistan inspired him to rejoin the Army in Jan. 2009. Now, Winston has a unique perspective few Soldiers ever experience. He's seen the many changes the Army has made as if they had happened all at once, rather than as a gradual transition. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Winston’s passion for the Army. “I always wanted to be a Soldier,” he said. “I felt I needed to do what was my responsibility, which was to serve my country.
During his 1st period of enlistment, Winston served with the 82nd Abn, and was later assigned to 4th Bn, 9th Inf Regt, in Alaska. “Back then the Army was run mostly by Vietnam Veterans. We'd so much respect for them,” he said. “When you walked in and saw a guy with that patch from some unit from Vietnam, or he was in his dress greens and had that yellow and green ribbon on their chest, you had an idea what they'd been through.”Master Sgt. Anthony Schofield, Senior Garrison Career Counselor, Fort Riley, served with Winston in Alaska. “His work ethic and his character are by far the best that I've had the opportunity to serve with,” Schofield said. “I'd be proud to have him work for and with me anywhere and anytime.”Winston eventually completed Jumpmaster school. He later volunteered for SF and was injured during the assessment course. In 1989, Winston was medically separated from the Army as a staff sgt.“During my time out, I really felt like I had a lot of unfinished business. There were things I had trained to do that I never got to do,” Winston said. “I wanted to do for my Soldiers what the Vietnam vets, my leaders, my mentors, did for me,” he said. “I owe a lot of what I'm today to the time and efforts of the Vietnam veterans, who taught me the ropes.”After 4-1/2 months of seeing doctors and making his case, he was finally told he could enlist. He returned to the Army as a cav scout, and was assigned within the 1st ID. Encountering the new generation of Soldiers has been a bit of a culture-shock for Winston, but he credits the success of our nation and advancement of technology, with making life better for today’s youth.“Parents always say 'I want to do for my kids more than my parents did for me,'” he said. “I think we were successful in doing so.” However, Winston is not sure all the changes have been positive. “I think the Army now has to gear itself toward taking these somewhat-coddled youngsters, and gradually bring them up to a level of awareness, that was much higher in my generation,” he said.Winston quickly reevaluated his leadership style to accommodate the changes. “You find as a NCO you're even more challenged to find a way to communicate your message in a politically correct fashion,” he said. “The sensitivity requires you to really have to reposition your message in a less aggressive, less abrasive way. I find I have to take a different approach.”On a positive note, Winston's very impressed with the technological advancements the military has made in the last 20 years. “The technology amazes me. I'm blown away by the technology.”Since deploying with Security Co, Winston was previously assigned to the Entry Control Point, and recently volunteered and was selected to be part of the Personal Security Detail for the 1st ID Command Group. “I’m really proud to be in the 1st ID. There’s a lot of esprit de corps here; there’s a lot of history,” Winston said.In the future, Winston plans to apply to become an Army career counselor. “That’s what I really want to do more than anything else right now, and it’s how I think I can best serve the Army. I've a unique perspective.” When asked about his future plans, Winston’s love of the Army shines through. “I’m going to stay until they chain me up to a humvee and drag me off the base.”
-30-
USF-I
Iraqi Pilots to Receive F-16 Pre-requisite Training
BAGHDAD - The GoI has signed an agreement with the U.S. for the training of 10 IqAF pilots, July 14. This agreement follows a March 2010 Iraqi request to purchase 18 new Block 52 F-16s. If the F-16 foreign military sale is approved by the US Congress, and the 2 govts can reach agreement on the terms of the deal, the F-16 program would not only significantly enhance Iraq's air sovereignty capability, but also serve as a key enabler for a long-term partnership between the 2 countries.
"It's been a pleasure to work with our Iraqi partners to put this program together," said Brig. Gen. Scott Jansson, Dir. of the Iraq Security Assistance Mission. Through this and other security cooperation programs, we've developed a strong environment of mutual trust and friendship."
The intensive flight training will be complemented with specialized English language training for aviation. The training for each student will last from 12 to 17 months depending on the experience level of the pilot.
"This agreement is the most significant commitment to date by the MoD for an F-16 program that will prove to be a key element for an enduring partnership between Iraq and the U.S.," said Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, USF-I Dep. Comm. Gen for Advising and Training ISF.
-30-