Baghdad, Iraq July 1, 2005Vol. 3, No. 26

You can’t take it with you Page 11

Anthrax vaccine available todeployed troops Page 4

Chaplain says it’s OKto be human Page 12

Inside

K-9 MPs enjoy their job, Page 8

WASHINGTON — More than 80 nations and organiza-tions from around the world gathered in Brussels, Belgium,June 22 to support the Iraqi transitional government and itsvision and priorities for the future.

“This conference is another strong expression of the supportthe international community is lending to Iraq,” said EuropeanUnion president Jean Asselborn at a news conference follow-ing the event.

“We are determined to fully support Iraqi efforts to achievea democratic, federal, pluralist and unified Iraq. We also reaf-firmed our commitment to the independence, sovereignty and

territory integrity of the country,” Asselborn said, quotingfrom a statement issued jointly by all participants.

The International Conference on Iraq was co-hosted by theUnited States and the European Union and organized at therequest of Iraqi authorities. The idea began with PresidentBush’s Feb. 22 visit to Brussels, when the EU and the UnitedStates agreed to provide a forum for the new Iraqi governmentto engage the international community, if it so wished.

The meeting was structured around three themes outlined inUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1546, which setforth the timetable for Iraq’s transition to representative gov-ernment. The main areas of discussion, led by Iraq, were thepolitical process in Iraq, economic challenges and reconstruc-tion, and public order and rule of law.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praised the Iraqi gov-

ernment for the vision and commitment to democracy it laidbefore the international community.

“We heard a vision for the future from the elected Iraqi gov-ernment, from its ministers, from members of its opposition,which demonstrates that this is an Iraq that is, indeed, well onits way to democracy,” Rice said.

“We heard of a vision of an Iraq based on the rule of law,”Rice continued, “where human rights and individual rights aresecured. ... We heard a devotion to a process that began withthe return of sovereignty to the Iraqi people less than a yearago — and it’s important to emphasize that return of sover-eignty was less than a year ago.”

And, the secretary added, the international community

By Terri LukachAmerican Forces Press Service

World community pledges to support free Iraq

U.S. Army photo by Maj. Patricia C. AndersonStaff members at Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad, Iraq, rush to transfer a patient with a gunshot wound from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to the hospi-tal’s emergency department June 22. See page 15 for story.

See SUPPORT, Page 4

WASHINGTON — The 2005 POW/MIARecognition Day poster was unveiled hereJune 15 in honor of the sacrifices made byprisoners of war and service members stillunaccounted for, spanning World War II toOperation Iraqi Freedom.

The unveiling was a highlight of theDefense Department’s annual governmentbriefings here. More than 270 family membersof servicemen still missing in Southeast Asiagathered for the three-day conclave.

The briefings give MIA family members achance to speak with casualty officers, reviewtheir loved one’s case file and meet with otherfamilies.

By custom, POW/MIA Recognition Day isobserved in Pentagon ceremonies on the thirdFriday of September, Sept. 16 this year.

This year’s poster design “recognizes thatwe’re a nation at war,” said Larry Greer,spokesman for the Defense POW/MissingPersonnel Office. “On the poster you’ll seeyoung Soldiers in combat — in Iraqi Freedom.

You’ll also see Soldiers from World War IIbeing held as POWs. With particular signifi-cance, that connection and the way it’sdesigned, you see the current warriors emerg-ing from a dark cloud where the guys fromWorld War II are under captivity by theGermans.

“What this signifies is past and present,World War II all the way through today, thenation has an obligation to account for itsmissing,” Greer noted. “For those who go inharm’s way today, our obligation is to ensurethat they come out — that they can be broughtout — rescued, if necessary. To those who per-ished in years past, our obligation is to accountfor them by the recovery and identification oftheir remains. But there’s a clear connection onthe poster between World War II and today’scurrent battlefields.”

Greer said DPMO will ship about 140,000copies of the poster, about the same number aslast year, to all the ships at sea and militaryunits around the world.

“Months ago, we contacted each of the mili-tary services and asked them to tell us wherethey want their service’s posters shipped,” henoted. Copies go to all the Veterans Affairs

medical facilities and to veterans’ serviceorganizations around the country such asAmerican Legion, Veterans of Foreign Warand AMVets, Greer added.

“This is so everybody who has been associ-ated with the military today and yesterday willhave an opportunity to see that this nation con-tinues to remember its obligation to POWs andMIAs,” he pointed out.

Part of the distribution also goes to familyorganizations particularly keyed to the fami-lies of the missing, such as the NationalLeague of Families and the National Allianceof Families.

Greer said his organization keeps severalthousand posters for people who see it on theDPMO Web site and call to ask for a copy.“We’ll ship them directly to anybody,” he said.“There will be two images on our Web site, aregular and a high resolution. If they don’t likethe image they get on their Web site, they cancall us and get their own paper copy.”

Pointing out that “art is always in the mindof the beholder,” Greer said, “It’s pretty clearthat what this poster is saying is, ‘WeRemember.’And we as a nation are committedto bringing these guys home.”

WASHINGTON — Setting a timetable for U.S. troop with-drawal in Iraq would be a mistake, Defense Secretary DonaldH. Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee hereJune 23.

“Some in Congress have suggested that deadlines be set,”Rumsfeld said. “That would be a mistake; it would throw alifeline to terrorists. Timing in war is never predictable —there are no guarantees. And any who say that we’ve lost thiswar or that we are losing this war are wrong. We are not.”

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen.Richard B. Myers, echoed the secretary’s point. “While we areall eager to see our troops come home, leaving before the taskis complete would be catastrophic — not only for Iraq, but alsofor the overall struggle against violent extremism and for ournational security,” the general said.

Rumsfeld emphasized that any troop withdrawal can’t relyon an arbitrary timetable set up without regard for the situationin the country. “The timing must be conditions-based,” he said.

In Iraq, he said, those conditions are based on the extent towhich various ethnic factions reconcile; the level of supportfrom the international community; and Iraq’s neighbors,whose behavior, he said, “continues to be unhelpful.”

He said terrorists continue to come into Iraq from Syria andIran. “Nations that serve as conduits for mass murderers are

not friends of the Iraqi people, they’re not friends of the UnitedStates, and they are certainly not friends of the civilizedworld,” Rumsfeld said. Iraq’s political and economic stabilityalso must improve, and the country must be able to takeresponsibility for its own security, he added.

“Let there be no doubt that if the Coalition were to leave beforethe Iraqi Security Forces are able to assume responsibility,” hewarned, “we would one day again have to confront another Iraqiregime, perhaps even more dangerous than the last, in a regionplunged into darkness rather than liberated and free.”

Defense leaders testified June 23 that the political process iskey to success in Iraq, and that a new government would go along way toward ending the insurgency, perhaps making itpossible then to begin setting a timetable for withdrawal. Butin any event, the secretary reminded the senators, it is not hisdecision to make. “I might make recommendations to the pres-ident, but it is for him to make those decisions, not me,”Rumsfeld said.

The secretary said it is “critically important” that Iraq keepits present timetable for establishing a permanent government.He said he does not favor a six-month delay on the constitu-tion, even though it is permitted under the transitional admin-istrative law.

Army Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. CentralCommand, also testifying June 23, said any delay in the Iraqivote would give terrorists an opportunity “to get better organ-ized.”

“It increases the number of deaths and the tempo of action,”

he said. “It would be a bad thing, but not fatal.” Myers told the committee that “significant, positive” steps

are being made each day in securing Iraq’s freedom and secu-rity. “We are on the right course, and we must stay thatcourse,” he said.

Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who commands Multi-National Forces in Iraq, noted the progress Iraq has made inthe year since the Coalition Provisional Authority turned oversovereignty to the interim Iraqi government. Casey said Iraqis,supported by the Coalition, have established an interim gov-ernment, neutralized the insurgency, and helped eliminate ter-rorist havens across the country.

“Iraqis are serious about their future,” he said. “And they areserious about building a government that respects the humanrights of all Iraqis, and they are serious about defeating the ter-rorists and the insurgents that are doing the utmost to denythem their dreams.”

Casey noted recent polls show Iraqi citizens are confident intheir government and in their security forces, are optimisticabout their future, and intend to vote in large numbers in theupcoming elections. “The Iraqi people are committed to some-thing better,” he said. “They are fighting every day for thedream of a better future.”

Rumsfeld said success in Iraq cannot be defined as “domes-tic tranquility.” Rather, he said, “Success will be when there isa free Iraq, where Iraqis are the guarantors of their own secu-rity, with minimal Coalition involvement. And that will be atruly historic accomplishment.”

Editor...................................Staff Sgt. Brett B. McMillan

Assistant Editor....................................Sgt. Misha King

Staff.......................................Staff Sgt. Timothy B. Lawn

Staff..............................................Sgt. W. Watson Martin

Staff...........................................Spc. Ferdinand Thomas

MNF-I Commanding GeneralGen. George Casey

MNF-I PAOCol. Dewey G. Ford

Command Information ChiefMaj. Patricia C. Anderson

Command Information NCOICMaster Sgt. Michele R. Hammonds

The Scimitar is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this paper are not necessarily the official viewsof or endorsed by the U.S. Government or Department of Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the PublicAffairs Office of the Multi-National Force - Iraq. Stars and Stripes newspaper is not affiliated with MNF-I and acts only as a distributing sourcefor the Scimitar. Questions and comments should be directed to the editor at scimitar@iraq.centcom.mil.

Scimitar welcomes columns, commentaries, articles and letters from

readers. Send submissions to scimitar@iraq.centcom.mil

We reserve the right to editfor propriety, clarity and space.

The Scimitar can also be viewed on theWeb at http://www.mnf-iraq.com/

publications_theater.htm

ScimitarPage 2 July 1, 2005

brett.mcmillan@iraq.centcom.mil

misha.king@iraq.centcom.mil

timothy.lawn@iraq.centcom.mil

william.martin@iraq.centcom.mil

patricia.anderson@iraq.centcom.mil

Timetable for troops to go home would be mistakeBy Sgt. 1st Class Doug SampleAmerican Forces Press Service

michele.hammonds@iraq.centcom.mil ferdinand.thomas@iraq.centcom.mil

2005 POW/MIA Recognition Day poster unveiledBy Rudi WilliamsAmerican Forces Press Service

Courtesy photo

The 2005 POW/MIA Recognition Dayposter was unvelied June 15 to honorPOW/MIAs of WWII through OIF.

ScimitarJuly 1, 2005 Page 3

PERSPECTIVES

WASHINGTON — When I came home from Iraq a coupleof months ago, I kept the promise I made while I was still there:I wouldn’t watch the news, and I’d step away from the war,ignoring the events that had consumed my life 24 hours a day,seven days a week. It was time to catch up with my family andmake them the focus of my life 24/7.

For about a month, I was able to successfully ignore the con-stant horrid imagery and sensational reports filed from Iraq. Butas a public affairs officer and self-proclaimed news junkie, I soonfound myself scanning headlines on the Web and tuning intoradio news programs, instead of my favorite jazz station.

I don’t think the charred skeletal remains of a vehicle-borneexplosive device are the watermark of this war. The images I seeback here are not the same indelible images I saw in Iraq —those of a resilient country making its way back from decades ofoppression — helped by the many friendly nations that liberatedthem.

But now I’m on the sidelines, and instead of feeling and hear-ing the car bomb explode and seeing its eerie black plume ofsmoke rise nearby, I read about it. And rather than witness histo-ry as I did for a year, I find myself writing my comrades to getaccurate accounts of what is happening in Iraq.

What I saw in Iraq was the boundless bravery of a seeminglyendless line of Iraqi recruits gathered to join the Iraqi army, thesmiles and waves of Iraqis as we convoyed through the city ofSulaymaniyah, the first flight of the Iraqi Air Force, and thesound of Iraqi tank guns as they thundered for the first time inyears in support of liberty, not tyranny.

I remember the jubilation of my Iraqi friends as they showedoff their ink-stained fingers, a badge of honor on their fingertips,indicating they had voted in their country’s first democratic elec-tion in decades. I remember the Iraqi female military policeSoldiers who became pioneers for women in that region by join-ing the Iraqi military, clearing not just personal hurdles, but cul-tural ones.

Mostly, I remember the thousands of Iraqi and Coalitiontroops that each day hunted the enemy and kept me safe. Iremember the drivers and gunners on convoy, the pilots and crewchiefs in the sky, the sentries and tankers at the gates, and all ofthe warriors who were out there trying to make Iraq a better andsafer place.

Someday, probably decades from now, the actions of this gen-eration and its brave men and women will grace history books.The lesson, I’m confident, will be that they left a peaceful andproductive imprint on the region and its people, and foreverchanged the landscape of the Middle East.

Despite what is being reported and what is reflected in mediaopinion polls, there is no doubt in my mind that the public isbehind the troops in Iraq.

While I was in Iraq, I received hundreds of Christmas cardsfrom students at an elementary school and from members of achurch in Florida. A sorority from Indiana sent dozens of lettersand cards of support, and Americans from all over the countrysent me e-mails from places like Chicago, Sacramento and

Texas, just to name a few. Wool caps made by an Internet knitting club kept me warm

during the cold winter months in Iraq, and donated phone cardskept me in touch with my family who waited for me more than6,000 miles away. Care packages stuffed with goodies and com-fort items were never in short supply at our command. In fact,we had to appoint a “morale sergeant” to manage all of the good-will pouring into our compound.

When I came home in uniform on R&R, strangers approachedme at the airport and shook my hand, patted me on the back andthanked me. Airline employees did what they could, offeringpasses to their VIP lounges and upgrades to first class, and thoseairlines who had nothing to offer did what they could — extrapillows, fistfuls of peanut or pretzel bags and free headsets. Buttheir “thanks” alone was enough for me.

Ask any returning war veteran, and I’m sure you’ll find theirexperience was similar. At one point, I was so overwhelmed bythe outpouring that I found myself in an airport restroom tryingto keep my composure after a mother walked passed me with hertwo sons and one of them said aloud, “Thank you, Soldier,” hisbrother waving anxiously at me.

On my return to the war after R&R, a few other Soldiers and Iwere dining on one last restaurant-cooked meal in the airportwhen the waitress approached us and told us that another patronhad paid for our meal.

We thanked the man but said we couldn’t accept his offer. Hereplied that it was “the least I can do for you guys,” adding,“We’re all proud of you.”

In my town when I came home after the war, I passed homesdisplaying yellow ribbons and flying U.S. flags. At my welcomehome party, a restaurant donated food for more than 100 guests,and people all over the city made it a point to express their sup-port and gratitude.

The support I received bordered on immense. Never had Iexpected such support, and never had I received so much formerely doing my job.

My memories of Iraq will forever be engrained in my mindalongside of the memories of the incredible outpouring Ireceived when I came home. They are one.

Last weekend, keeping true to the promise I made to make myfamily the 24/7 focal point, I attended a baseball game onFather’s Day. During the seventh inning stretch, there was asalute to U.S. military personnel serving the war on terror.

A singer proudly sang “God Bless America” and all aroundme, people joined in and sang along.

My personal opinion poll has found, plus or minus a few per-centage points, that the American people unconditionally supportthe Soldiers in Iraq. I arrive at this conclusion having experi-enced their support firsthand, and having been held in their warmembrace upon my return from the war.

And the support continues today. When I recently learnedabout the opinion poll results, I e-mailed one of my statesidesupporters who befriended me during the war. I wrote him to sayhello, and to restate my appreciation for his support during mydeployment.

I asked him if he had heard about the media opinion polls, andhe replied as I had when I learned of the poll.

“News to me.”

Support for troops never strongerBy Capt. Steve AlvarezAmerican Forces Press Service

ScimitScimitar Pulsear Pulse

“It’s usually a day to pop off fire-works.”

Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark BurlesonJoint Area Support Group - Central

“That’s our country’s IndependenceDay and a day to remember.”

Rudolph GonzalezIntecon

“It is the day that we celebrate ourindependence and those who havepreserved our freedoms.”

Air Force Tech. Sgt. John MoranMulti-National Force - Iraq

“It makes us stop and see why weare serving in the military. It helpsus see the freedoms we have.”

Army Col. Jack DroletU.S. Army War College

“It’s a day for us to celebrateAmerican pride.”

Marine Lance Cpl. Charles Christiansen4th Marine Expeditionary Batallion

“I think it represents people willingenough to sacrifice themselves toform their own ideas.”

Spc. Nathan Due392nd Chemical Company

“It’s the definition of American spir-it.”

Army Sgt. James Lorello143rd Area Support Group

What does the 4th of July mean to you?

CAMP VICTORY, BAGHDAD, Iraq — Troops and mil-itary personnel deployed to certain “high-risk” areas whohave not been vaccinated for anthrax will now be given theopportunity to receive the injections voluntarily thanks to anemergency Department of Defense authorization.

Recognizing the need to provide some kind of protectionfrom anthrax, the DoD requested through the Secretary ofHealth and Human Services that anthrax vaccinations beavailable through what is known as an Emergency UseAuthorization, said Col. Steve Jones, director, MilitaryVaccine Agency, Office of the Army Surgeon General,Washington D.C.

“This authorization was crucial because the injunction puton the vaccinations restricted the voluntary administering ofthe vaccine as well as the mandatory,” Jones said.

The EUA allows personnel to receive protection againstchemical, biological and nuclear threats, such as anthrax,through voluntary treatment. The EUA was approved Jan. 27,but there were many procedures that needed to be followedbefore the vaccinations could be distributed to where theywere needed, Jones explained.

Prior to Oct. 27, 2004, the Anthrax Vaccine ImmunizationProgram was a mandatory program implemented by the DoDthat required personnel stationed in specific regions of theworld to be vaccinated.

“On Oct. 27, a judge from the United States District Courtfor the District of Columbia put an injunction on the pro-

gram, effectively halting the mandatory vaccination foranthrax,” Jones said.

The judge put an injunction on the program because theFood and Drug Administration needed to comply with cer-tain procedures before stating the anthrax vaccine wasspecifically effective against the inhalation of anthrax, Jonessaid.

“The FDA has repeatedly stated the vaccine does in factprotect against all forms of anthrax exposure, but the judgehas required certain procedures be followed before reinstat-ing the mandatory vaccinations,” Jones explained.

To implement the voluntary program in Iraq, U.S. CentralCommand published an implementation message. Multi-National Corps - Iraq then followed by publishing a frag-mentary order, pushing information about the program downthrough each subordinate command, Jones continued.

“Now that we have authorization of the EUA, our goal isto go out and educate our troops and personnel as to the ben-efits of the vaccination program,” Jones said.

An individual who volunteers must either be briefed on thespecifics of the vaccination through a PowerPoint presenta-tion, or be given an EUA pamphlet which explains thespecifics of the vaccination procedures, according towww.anthrax.mil/EUA, a Web site providingmore specific information about the programand its history.

“The individual must also be able to ask anyquestions or address any concerns about theprocedure before deciding whether or not toaccept the vaccine,” Jones said.

Also, the military medical providers of the

vaccine are required to take a refresher course reviewing thecorrect way to administer the shots, Jones added.

After individuals decide to accept the treatment, it is justlike any other vaccination. They sign in, get screened, roll uptheir sleeve and get the shot, he said.

“We began administrating anthrax vaccinations in this the-ater on June 11,” Jones said. “The vaccinations can bereceived on the major Troop Medical Clinics of each base.

“The vaccine used for this program is the same vaccinelicensed by the FDA back in 1970,”Jones said. “We have given over 5million doses of the vaccine toover 1.3 million military andcivilian personnel sincewe started them a n d a t o r yvaccinationsin 1998.”

ScimitarPage 4 July 1, 2005

Deployed troops volunteer for anthrax vaccineStory and photo by Pfc. Matthew CliftonMulti-National Corps - Iraq Public Affairs

learned what it needs to do to support that vision. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan also had high

praise for Iraq’s efforts. “A sovereign, elected Iraqi gov-ernment has presented the international community witha comprehensive view of Iraq’s future, its vision,” hesaid. “In response, we have all jointly declared that wewill work with Iraq to help meet the priorities and theexpectations of the Iraqi people.” Annan noted thatnations participating in the conference had promised tobe “full partners in the emergence of a new Iraq.”

“We are determined to help the Iraqis fashion a trulyinclusive process,” he said, “one which makes a real dif-ference on the ground and convinces all Iraqis that theyhave a stake in the new Iraq.”

Rice underscored Annan’s remarks. “This is a newchapter for the international community, and for Iraq,”she said, “as we lay the foundation today for a new inter-national partnership for the people of Iraq on their jour-ney toward democracy.”

In addition to financial and humanitarian assistance,members of the European Union offered to assist with thepolitical and constitutional process, to help train judges,police and prison officers, and to build up Iraq’s securitycapabilities. Egypt and Jordan announced they would sendambassadors to Iraq. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait said theywould move toward restoring full diplomatic relations.

The International Conference on Iraq did not solicitdonations, but a follow-up meeting will be held in Amman,Jordan, July 17-18 to firm up commitments from severalnations that pledged aid or agreed to consider debt relief.

“Today was a good day for Iraq,” Iraqi Foreign MinisterHoshyar Zebari said at the end of the conference. Iraq facesmany challenges, he said, but the international solidaritydemonstrated at the conference will make it even moredetermined to achieve its goals.

“The differences over the war, I think, are behind[us] now,” he continued. “We are all looking forward tothe future.”

Supportfrom Page 1

FORWARD OPERATING BASEO’RYAN, BALAD, Iraq —Coalition Soldiers from TaskForce Liberty’s 1st Battalion,128th Infantry Regiment con-ducted a joint operation withIraqi Army Soldiers near hererecently to monitor the IraqiArmy Soldiers’ improvementsand to give them some opera-tional experience.

While out on the patrol, theIraqi Soldiers from 4thBattalion, 1st Brigade, 4thDivision, observed Soldiers ofTask Force 1/128 and partici-pated in a variety of missionsthroughout the day.

Task Force 1/128 comprisesSoldiers from 1st Battalion,128th Infantry Regiment,Wisconsin Army NationalGuard, and Troop K, 3rdSquadron, 278th ArmoredCalvary Regiment, TennesseeArmy National Guard, who areactively working to train andprepare the Iraqi Army to takecontrol of military operations inIraq.

Before the Iraqi Army Soldiersgo out on missions, the CoalitionSoldiers and Iraqi Army leaders

make sure they have all of their equip-ment and that it is functioning properly,said Spc. Scott Turk, a combat medic withCompany A, Task Force 1/128 and anative of Prairie Du Sac, Wis.

“We are doing some on the spot cor-rections,” Turk said. “If we see some-

thing that is not right, we will tell them,‘Hey, you shouldn’t do this, because itcould actually injure one of your guys,’or ‘If you do it this way, it will makethings a lot easier, and it will make yourguys more combat-ready.’”

Coalition Soldiers hold the IraqiSoldiers to high standards, saidSgt. 1st Class ToddKuchelmeister, platoon sergeantfor 2nd Platoon, A Co., TaskForce 1/128th and a native ofMilwaukee.

“We try to hold them to ourstandards,” Kuchelmeister said.“When we first started doingthis, they would come up to usand say, ‘We need water. Weneed food,’ and we had to startsaying, ‘No, this part of your[pre-combat checks] and [pre-combat inspections].’”

The Iraqi Soldiers, however,do not take their missions light-ly, said Cpl. Michael Geiger, ateam leader for 1st Squad, 2ndPlatoon, A Co., and a native ofDeer River, Minn.

“They are taking it seriously,”said Geiger. “They will be readyto take over when the time comes.We are just going to take it slowand make sure they have every-thing they need to do the job.”

Walking patrols through thesmall city of Fifty Dar, nearBalad, will soon become solelythe responsibility of the IraqiArmy, Kuchelmeister said.

Iraqi Soldiers watch, learn from Coalition Soldiers

Cpl. Michael Geiger, a team leader for 1st Squad,2nd Plt., A Co., 1st Bn., 128th Infantry Regt. andnative of Deer River, Minn., holds a little Iraqi girl’shand as they walk through the streets of a villagenear FOB O’Ryan, Balad, Iraq.

Story and photo bySgt. Jennifer J. Eidson22nd Mobile Public AffairsDetachment

Soldiers deployed to certain “high risk” areas of the world, suchas Iraq, are now given the opportunity to receive the anthrax vac-cination thanks to the Emergency Authorization Act, which allowsfor military personnel to volunteer for the injection.

ScimitarJuly 1, 2005 Page 5

INTERNATIONAL ZONE, BAGHDAD,Iraq — U.S. Airmen and Iraqi police will nowbe providing a watchful eye for motorists driv-ing through the International Zone. Air ForceSecurity Forces personnel throughout the IZwill keep an eye out for traffic violations andother crimes.

The latest overall mission for the Air

Force’s 732nd Expeditionary MissionSupport Group is to bring law and orderhere, said IZ patrolman Senior AirmanJaime Rivera from Woodbridge, N.J.

Air Force Lt. Col. James D. Marry, the732nd’s commander, said the mission is uniquefor the Airmen. Marry, a native of Jackson,Mich., said there was no police presence in theIZ before they arrived.

“It’s a great opportunity for both UnitedStates Air Force Security Forces and IraqiPolice.” Marry said, “We’re learning from eachother while we rebuild this small part of Iraq.”

Airman 1st Class Ryan McCarrick saidthey haven’t begun to issue citations, butthey are slowly introducing Iraqis to thenew laws.

Rivera said accidents have decreasedsince they made their debut on the roads ofthe IZ about two weeks ago.

Tulsa, Okla., native Staff Sgt. RichardDuvall, assistant flight chief, said locals arestopped far more than Coalition members.Duvall used the example of one man speed-ing at 120 mph.

Iraqi police are riding with and observingeverything the Airmen are doing. Theirgoal, said Duvall, is to provide the Iraqisenough hands-on practical experience to dothis job for themselves soon. Duvall saidworking with IPs is interesting because theirknowledge increases every day, and the IPshave a lot to teach them about Iraq and theirenvironment.

Duvall said the police are not used tobeing traffic cops, and stopping a car fortraffic violations is all new to them. Duvall,who is on his third deployment, said the bestthing about his job is that he gets to help theIraqi people.

On any given day, Duvall said there areabout 2,000 cars being driven around in theIZ. As a result of the volume in traffic in thisarea and the few controls placed onmotorists, Coalition Forces are working on

a new concept to thisarea, traffic controlpoints, which are pointsset up to stop vehiclesfor violations like speed-ing and random vehiclesearches. Senior AirmanDonald Shaut fromHornell, N.Y., said snaptraffic control points arebeing used here forspeed control. This snapTCP uses two vehicles;one has a radar gun andthe other pulls the driv-er over. Once the speed-er stops, a patrolmanfrom the second vehiclewill talk to the driverwhile the other pulls security, Shaut said.

Duvall said that when they speak to the driv-ers, they let them know how fast they weregoing and remind them to slow down. Riverasaid people are shocked to be pulled over in acombat zone. According to American ForcesInformation Service, about 20 percent of U.S.casualties are non-combat related; the majorityof those are from vehicle crashes.

The most common infractions are motoristsspeeding and going the wrong way on one-waystreets — also the most common reason foraccidents in the IZ, Rivera said. He also saiddrivers should not exceed 35-40 mph, but oftenthey have seen vehicles going 75-80 mph.

Rivera said traffic signs will be going up inthe IZ in the near future. Such signs will likelyinclude speed limit and yield signs. The mostaccident-prone area here right now is the inter-section near the crossed swords and the 14th ofJuly Bridge.

Random vehicle search TCPs are also beingconducted here. They stop a random number ofcars and search their vehicles. Alabaster, Ala.,native, Staff Sgt. Robert Garner, said the patrol-man do an initial search, making sure the occu-

pants of the vehicle have the proper credentialsand then he brings in his partner, Loy, a GermanShepherd, to seek out controlled substances.

Garner said he has been working with dogsfor 10 years and has worked with Loy for two-and-a-half. They both deployed from MaxwellAir Force Base in Montgomery, Ala. He saidthey make a presence at the TCPs and at check-points. Although Department of Defenseemployees are used to being stopped andsearched, Garner said the local Iraqis don’t real-ly like the dogs.

Shaut also works in the office as a dispatcher.He and other staff members work side-by-sidewith personal security details, the U.S.Department of State, Army quick reactionteams and Marines.

Shaut said what he likes is “getting to meeteveryone and interacting with people,” and headded that he has made a lot of good friends.

Airmen patrolling the IZ will not be fininganyone in the near future, but will eventually beissuing points to law violators, said Rivera.

Marry said, “We have a vital role to play bothin helping Iraq take full control and contributingto Coalition Forces’ success.”

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Kate Neuman214th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Airmen, IP begin patrolling IZ, enforcing laws

Senior Airman Heidi Polanski, of Mililani, Hawaii, andSenior Airman Jaime Rivera, from Woodbridge, N.J., standready for random vehicle searches in the IZ.

Staff Sgt. Robert Garner, deployed fromMaxwell Air Force Base, presents an area ofa vehicle to Loy, from the Drug DogDetection Team, to search for controlled sub-stances at a traffic control point in the IZ.

ABOARD AL BASRAH OIL TERMINAL, Iraq — AnIraqi Marine, working with U.S. security forces, said he and hisfellow Iraqis look forward to taking full responsibility for the

security of the Al Basrah (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya(KAAOT) Oil Terminals.

“It’s my duty to defend [the oil terminal]. It belongs to mycountry. It belongs to my people. Our economy is based on it. Itake pride in doing so,” said the Iraqi Marine.

Forward deployed Sailors attached to Mobile SecurityDetachment 25, the unit currently assigned to protect Iraq’s twocritical oil platforms, train Iraqi Naval Marine Force personnel totake over all close-in point defense operations aboard ABOT andKAAOT.

“We are not just helping the Iraqis with the safekeeping of theiroil terminals, we are teaching them how to soon takeover the pro-tection of their country’s major asset,” said Lt. Cmdr. ChrisJacobsen, officer in charge of MSD 25.

ABOT and KAAOT are significant sources of revenue for theIraqi people — revenue that is important to rebuilding Iraq.

“It’s very important to the way ahead and future of Iraq,because it represents about 90 percent of the income for thecountry of Iraq at this point,” Nichols said. “That economicactivity and the continued growth of economic activity is key forIraqis determining their future and continuing the politicalprocess.”

U.S. forces have provided security for the oil terminals sinceApril 2004, after terrorists attempted to attack the oil platformswith an explosives-filled fishing dhow.

MSD 25 arrived on station May 23, relieving MSD 22 after

that detachment’s six-month tour aboard the oil platforms. MSD25 and Coalition Forces in the area surrounding the Iraqi oil ter-minals conduct maritime security operations to set the conditionsfor security and stability in the maritime environment. Theseoperations complement the counter terrorism and security effortsof regional nations as well as deny international terrorists use ofthe maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transportpersonnel, weapons, or other material.

Coalition Forces from the United Kingdom and Australiajoined the United States in providing Iraqi Sailors and Marineswith instruction on basic military procedures and techniques.

“We train on how to stand a proper watch, how to work as ateam and how to deal with manning,” said Petty Officer 2ndClass Michael Myers, an MSD 25 training team member.

MSD 25 Sailors drill with Iraqi personnel three to four times aday, stand under-instruction watches and give one-on-one feed-back.

“The common goal that we’re trying to reach is to get them ontheir feet and be able to eventually stand the watch themselves,”Myers said.

The Iraqis appear eager to master their new role and take onthe responsibility.

“It is my duty to protect the future of my people and its econ-omy,” said an Iraqi Marine officer aboard ABOT. “My people areso grateful that the United States, Great Britain, Australia andother Coalition countries have reached out to help us.”

Story and photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph EbaloNaval Forces Central Command5th Fleet Public Affairs

Iraqi Marines prepare to take over platform security

An Iraqi Sailor armed with a .50 cal. machine gunjoins Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Myers for secu-rity duty aboard Al Basrah Oil Terminal in Iraq.

Rice: Insurgency can’t disrupt Iraqi politicalprogress

WASHINGTON — The recently escalating insurgency inIraq cannot stop the rapid, revolutionary political change thatis occurring there, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said ina TV interview June 20 in Cairo, Egypt. Insurgents have beendoing their best to disrupt the political process that is essentialto America’s success strategy in Iraq, Rice said on Egyptiantelevision station Nile TV. But, Rice added, she believesdemocracy will prevail. “As Iraqis see their future, as in thatpolitical process — and now I mean the Iraqi people, not theIraqi leaders — then the Iraqi people will not tolerate thisinsurgency,” she said. The destruction caused by insurgents iseasy to see because the media covers it extensively, but a lotof progress is being made that people aren’t aware of, Ricesaid. The Iraqi government has figured out how to accommo-date the Sunnis’ request to have 25 seats on the constitutionalcommittee by appointing 15 Sunni members of the committeeand 10 Sunni consultants, she said. This will get the Sunnisinvolved in the government, which Rice has stressed is key toa successful democracy in Iraq. (By Sgt. Sara Wood, AmericanForces Press Service)

Zarqawi terror group hideout destroyedWASHINGTON — Coalition Forces raided and destroyed ahideout used by associates of fugitive Jordanian terrorist AbuMusab al-Zarqawi June 23, military officials in Baghdadreported.

During the raid, terrorists occupying the hideout near theHamadi Fayadah area of Baghdad attacked the CoalitionForces, officials said. The house caught fire during the clash,causing explosives inside the house to detonate. Multi-National Forces secured the area for Baghdad emergency serv-ices personnel to extinguish the fire.

In other news from Iraq, nine Iraqis were killed and morethan 30 were wounded in a series of explosions in centralBaghdad as shopkeepers were opening their businesses forearly-morning customers June 23.

Iraqi Security Forces quickly responded to the scenes of theblasts, which started at 7:40 a.m. Among the dead were threeIraqi police and six Iraqi civilians.

Police cordoned off the scenes to prevent further civiliancasualties as Iraqi firefighters and explosive ordnance dispos-al teams rushed to the locations to extinguish fires and dis-mantle any unexploded ordnance. At one site, the EOD teamfound 200 pounds of explosives rigged with a timing deviceinside a van; they quickly and safely dismantled the impro-vised explosive device.

“The quick reaction and remarkable courage of the IraqiEOD team saved an untold number of lives today,” said Lt.Col. Clifford Kent, Task Force Baghdad spokesman. “It’sbrave individuals like these who are leading the war on terrorhere in the sovereign nation of Iraq.”

Iraqi Soldiers captured four terror suspects after their patrolwas attacked in west Baghdad, and Iraqi Army, Iraqi policeand Coalition Forces teamed up to find weapons caches innortheast and central Baghdad on June 22.

Shortly before midnight, an Iraqi patrol from the 4thBattalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, was attackedby terrorist gunfire. The Iraqi Soldiers cordoned off the area,executed a search, and captured four of the attackers. The unittook the men into custody for questioning.

At 9 a.m. June 22, Iraqi policemen teamed up with CoalitionForces to capture car-bomb makers and equipment. The jointforce found 16 AK-47 assault rifles, three other guns, a pro-tective mask, 25 assault rifle magazines and 417 rounds ofammunition.

“Every day, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces areconducting more than 30 combined and independent opera-tions,” Kent said. “Iraqi Forces are taking the lead in many ofthose operations, and they’re capturing terrorists, financiersand bomb makers, plus they’re finding weapons caches thanksin part to more citizens coming forward to provide informa-tion.” (Compiled by American Forces Press Service fromMulti-National Force - Iraq and Task Force Baghdad newsreleases.)

Car bomb assembly site captured BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Security Forces arrested eight

suspected car bomb manufacturers and seized a nearly-com-pleted car bomb, bomb-making materials and weapons during

ScimitarPage 6 July 1, 2005

NEWS IN BRIEF

Continued on next page

INTERNATIONAL ZONE, BAGHDAD, Iraq —U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Bostick said CoalitionForces, Iraqi Security Forces and local residents areworking together to improve electricity, water, transporta-tion and schools to provide a better way of life for theIraqi people.

“In the area of water, a tremendous amount of workneeds to be done – about $1.7 billion is planned forwater,” said Bostick as Baghdad residents suffered a watershortage last week after terrorists hit a water plant.

Some of the funding earmarked to pay for water andelectricity had to be reprogrammed to pay for securityforces “to give the security forces the funding they need,”said

Bostick is commander of the Army Corps of EngineersGulf Region Division, headquartered in Baghdad. Thegeneral works hand in hand with the Iraqi government tohelp rebuild the country’s infrastructure, and he overseesreconstruction efforts throughout Iraq. Bostick spoke withreporters here at a press conference June 23.

Of the more than 2,500 projects planned, 1,300 of thoseprojects have been completed at a cost of approximately$1.5 billion.

Construction work continues, and to date more than 600schools out of 840 educational facilities are complete.Leaders are working with headmasters and school teach-ers to upgrade schools.

“We are working on what’s called ‘mud schools,’ andthey are mud schools because the children inside theclassrooms have their feet in mud along with the teach-ers,” Bostick said. “We are pulling them out of the mudschools and building masonry schools, and they are get-ting a better education.”

Although Iraqi citizens endure limited electrical powerevery day, Coalition Forces have added 2,000 megawattsto the national grid. Workers plan to add 700 megawattsby September.

“There have been challenges in operations, mainte-nance, training and repair parts, and we are working veryclosely with the Iraqis to help in each one of those areas,”he said.

Improving electricity has come with a cost.“The insurgents have challenged us in electricity [by]

damaging power lines and continuing to attack oil infra-structure,” Bostick said.

In the area of health care — another concern of the Iraqipeople — more than 160 clinics and 30 hospitals areplanned and about one-third of the hospitals are complete.

“This is a real team effort with the major subordinatecommands, the men and women in uniform — both theCoalition Forces and the ISF. It’s a team effort with civil-ians in government and contractors, who are out there put-ting their lives on the line each and every day,” he said.

Iraqi people want to build a better future for themselvesand they are doing it every day, Bostick said. “They are onthe front lines of these projects. The majority of the proj-ects here are being completed by Iraqis for Iraqis.”

Projects under waydespite terrorists

What a blast!

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suzanne M. DayU.S. Army Soldiers from Headquarters Troop, Mortar, 2nd Squadron, 278th Regimental CombatTeam fire 120 mm mortars from Forward Operating Base Bernstein, Iraq.

The place to access the latest MNF-I/MNC-I news, information and

policies, is online. Check out www.mnf-iraq.com

to stay informed.

Story by Master Sgt. Michele R. HammondsCommand Information NCOIC

ScimitarJuly 1, 2005 Page 7

a cordon-and-search operation here June 15.In the opening phase of a major, sustained operation —

dubbed Operation Overload — 3rd Battalion, 1st BrigadeIraqi Intervention Force and D Company, 1st Battalion, 64thArmor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division,discovered a significant cache of explosives, weapons andequipment at the site of a terrorist “car bomb factory.”

The nearly-completed car bomb consisted of eight, 125millimeter mortar rounds, a remote detonating system and atimer. Inside the house where the car was parked the IraqiSpecial Commandos found more car bomb making materials,including 10 mortar rounds, 50 pounds of high explosives,3,000 feet of detonation court, 20 blasting caps and 10 firingdevices.

Based on a tip from a local resident, elements of the IIFand D Co. approached a home where they had been told carbombs were being produced.

One Soldier quickly evaluated the car parked in front ofthe house and assessed it to be a car bomb. An artillery roundwas found in the trunk, which was partially open. TheSoldiers searched the house and discovered a room wasbeing used as a cache.

Earlier in the day, an Iraqi police patrol captured seven ter-ror suspects during a cordon-and-search operation in theShawra Wa Um Jidir district of northeast Baghdad. The IPsalso found one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, 29 AK-47assault rifles, four bolt action rifles, four cases of ammunition,three boxes of mortar fuses and 15 old regime insignia stamps.

In north Baghdad, Iraqi Army Soldiers, acting on a tipfrom a local citizen, detained four more terror suspects andseized another partially-constructed car bomb. The car bombconsisted of 20 artillery rounds fused with detonation cord.

The Soldiers took the four suspects into custody for ques-tioning and impounded the car.

Joint operation nets more than 80 suspect-ed terrorists

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Members of the 1st of the 4th PublicOrder Brigade and 1st Battalion, Wolf Brigade conducted ajoint raid June 21 to capture anti-Iraqi forces in the AlRasheed District of Baghdad.

The POB detained 47 suspects and confiscated numeroussuspected car bombs, rocket-propelled grenades, machineguns and ammunition.

The 1st Bn., Wolf Bde. captured 42 detainees and confis-

cated one AK-47 rifle and a variety of materials used in theconstruction of suicide vests. First Bn. later released one ofthe detainees.

Suspects in water plant attack detained BAGHDAD, Iraq — Task Force Baghdad Soldiers

detained two men who may have been involved in sabotag-ing the water access chamber to the Karkh Water Treatmentplant in Baghdad.

The Soldiers went to the Nassir Factory in northwest

Baghdad shortly after midnight June 23 and questioned threeguards who were guarding the water access chamber thenight it was sabotaged by terrorists.

One of the guards was not working the day of the attackand was released. The other two guards’ stories were verydifferent from one another and they were both taken into cus-tody for further questioning.

The water access chamber was damaged at 4:40 a.m. June19. The Baghdad Water Supply Authority worked around theclock to repair the damage until it was restored.

Worship and Prayer Schedule for the International ZoneAll services at the Community Center Chapel unless otherwise noted For more information, call DSN 318-239-8659

Sunday9:30 a.m. — Choir Rehearsal10 a.m. — Catholic Mass (Camp Prosperity)10:30 a.m. — General Christian WorshipNoon — Episcopal/Lutheran/Anglican2 p.m. — Latter Day Saints4 p.m. — Catholic Confession4:30 p.m. — Catholic Mass6 p.m. — Contemporary Protestant

Monday-Friday11 a.m. — Bible Study (Fri.)Noon — Catholic Mass (Mon.-Thurs.)Noon — Catholic Communion Service (Fri.)5:30 p.m. — Catholic Mass (Fri. at Camp Steel Dragon)6 p.m. — Catholic Bible Study (Wed.)6 p.m. — Jewish Shabbat Services (Fri.)7:30 p.m. — Prayer Service (Tue.)8 p.m. — Bible Study (Tue-Thurs.)8 p.m. — “The Measure of a Man” series (Mon.)

Saturday9 a.m. — 7th Day Adventist (CSH)10 a.m. — Catholic Mass (CSH)12:30 p.m. — Buddhist Prayer4 p.m. — Catholic Confession4:30 p.m. — Catholic Mass8 p.m. — Alpha Course

Daily Islamic PrayerSee schedules posted at prayer locations.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Trading places...

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian M. HennerMembers of the former Iraqi National Guard sit in formation at 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment,Firm Base during recruitment for the new Iraqi Army in Fallujah, Iraq June 10.

107.3 FM107.3 FM 107.7 FM107.3 FM105.1 FM 107.3 FM107.3 FMFr

eque

ncie

s MosulQ-WestTajiTalil ABTall AfarTaqqadumTikrit

105.1 FM93.3 FM

107.3 FM107.3 FM107.3 FM107.3 FM100.1 FM

Always there and always on the air!

Do youknowwhereyour

Is?...DiscJ Al Asad

Ar RamadiBaghdad Balad FallujahKirkukKirkush

FREEDOM FREEDOM RADIORADIO

CAMP ABU GHRAIB, Iraq — Theysay it is a labor of love. That’s why they doit. Not for ascension through the ranks, notfor the glamour, but because they lovedoing what they do. They are the K-9troops of the Abu Ghraib detention facili-ty, and being military working-dog han-dlers is their passion.

The Soldiers and Sailors of the AbuGhraib K-9 unit are military policementrained specifically to handle and carefor their four-legged friends. Theteams provide narcotics, contraband,and explosive detection while alsoacting as a visual deterrence todetainees at Abu Ghraib.

The Abu Ghraib kennel mastercharged with ensuring the welfareof the handlers — along withthe four dogs in the kennel— is Staff Sgt. Chad O.Jones with the 529thMilitary PoliceCompany, 95th MPBattalion, Heidelberg,Germany.

Jones’ partner Bo isa 100-pound BelgiumMalinois trainedspecifically in nar-cotics and contrabanddetection. He and Bohave been working,eating and sleeping inthe same quarters forone year-and-a-half, andJones wouldn’t trade hisjob for anything in theworld, he said.

“I’ve always had a softspot for dogs,” Jones said.“Being a dog handler, youhave to have a love foryour job.”

If someone doesn’t have apassion for being a doghandler, they “just shouldn’tdo it,” Jones said, adding thatwhen the opportunity for himto go to school to be a doghandler came up, he jumpedat the chance.

Jones and fellowhandlers wererequired to attend athree-monthDepartment of Defense school before beingqualified to be military working dog han-dlers.

“We learned the fundamentals of controltraining for the dog, along with the funda-mentals of detection.” Jones said.

The service members also learned allaspects of caring for the dog, including itshealth needs, Jones said.

“We’re our dog’s parents,” Jones said.

“I’m the one that makes sure he goes to thebathroom, he’s fed every day, he’s gotwater, he’s bathed and combed. I even takehim to the vet to get his teeth brushed.”

Along with caring for and workingwith the dogs, the troops are mandat-

ed by the military to put in a mini-mum amount of training each week

with the dogs.“We have to do a minimumof four hours a week with our

dog just to keep him base-line proficient,” Jones said.

Just putting in that fourhours isn’t enough, he

said. “We put hoursand hours of time

on top of whatwe are

required totrain

withthese dogs.”

The welfare ofthe dog is para-mount when con-ducting training said

Sgt. Craig T.Lawyer, a militaryworking dog handlerwith the 272nd MPCo., 95th MP Bn.

The heat in Iraq cancause a lot of prob-

lems for the dogson patrols, he said.

“It doesn’t takemuch for the dogs toget overheated when

it’s 110 or 120degrees outside,”Lawyer said. “Wejust make surewe keep

them cool and hydrated.”All the training is put to use on a

daily basis for the handlers and theirdogs. The teams conduct patrolsthroughout the detention facilityand provide prisoner escorts todeter insubordination amonginmates. They also performsweeps of the prisoner housingareas, searching for anything out

of the ordinary. Working day in and day

out together, both handlerand dog inevitably create abond together. The bondJones and Bo built almostcame to a crashing halt in anApril terrorist attack onCamp Abu Ghraib.

Mortars, rocket-propelledgrenades, and small-armsfire rocked the foundation ofBo’s home. All that stoodbetween Bo and safety was alocked plywood door.

“He just dug in andrammed the door until itcame open,” Jones said. Bowas seen running around thecompound that day, but hecouldn’t be corralled, andthen all sight of him waslost.

The hours rolledby, and there wasno sight of Bo.“After 24 hours,I thought hewas dead,”

Jones said. Two days

after the attack, Jones’ hopefor finding his companion waswaning.

“I felt like I lost my son,”Jones said.

On the third day, a Marinefound Bo lying in an unusedroom on the camp. Alive, butunresponsive and bleeding, Bo

was taken to the International Zone inBaghdad for treatment. He is still a littletender from his escape during the attack,Jones said.

“We were worried that he would be trau-matized by all the gunfire and mortarrounds hitting so close, like a human get-ting shell-shocked,” Jones said. “But once

the injuries and the pain weregone, he was back tohis normal self.”

Bo is now back tofull strength,

healthy and training. He is able to conducthis normal patrols and training exercises,and he shows no sign of slowing down.

As Jones and Bo’s time in Iraq nears itsend, Jones reflected back. “Time has flown

by,” he said. Thanks tohis labor of love,Jones’ time in Iraq

was a littleeasier, he

said.

ScimitarPage 8 July 1, 2005

Story and photos by Spc. Jeremy D. CrispMulti-National Corps - Iraq Public Affairs

Military working dog handlersAbu Ghraib military police have passion for their unique trade

Staff Sgt. Chad O. Jones, Camp Abu Ghraib kennel master, 529th Military Police Company,Heidelberg, Germany, has his dog, Bo, observe Sgt. Craig J. Lawyer, military working doghandler, 272nd MP Co., Mannheim, Germany, during a training session at Camp AbuGhraib, Iraq. During the training session, Jones practices searching maneuvers on Lawyerwhile Bo observes for any sporadic or threatening movements from Lawyer.

Staff Sgt. Chad O. Jones stands inthe waning evening sun with Bo, hisdog, at Camp Abu Ghraib, Iraq.

Sgt. Craig J. Lawyer fights back during a training ses-sion with a military working dog with the Camp AbuGhraib, Iraq, K-9 unit.

ScimitarJuly 1, 2005 Page 9

Gas-nn-GGo: Rock of the Marne style

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — There was a timewhen full-service gas stations were the norm.A driver would pull in, greeted by an atten-dant who pumped gas, checked fluid levelsand even did the windows, then gave a smileand tip of the hat as the customer left.

For the Soldiers of the 3rd InfantryDivision, Headquarters Service & SupportCompany, 603rd Aviation Support Battalion,Aviation Brigade, who run the ForwardArming and Refueling Point, the goal is thesame, but the threat is a lot higher then themerry men of those gas stations ever imag-ined.

“It’s our job to support all rotary blade air-craft of all the Coalition members, and makesure when they land here they get the fuelthey need and any armament, and get themout of here as fast as possible,” said Sgt. 1stClass Antonio Martinez, 3/5 platoon ser-geant.

He added that the average time for a heli-copter on the pad varies because of theamount of fuel needed, but it can be as lowas three minutes for some aircraft.

The mission of the FARP Soldiers is evi-dent in the platoon’s name, according to 1stLt. Espie George, 3/5 platoon leader.

“The platoon is named for Class III andClass V supplies, the fuel and ammunition.

That’swhat we

do,” said George, who callsMcMinnville, Tenn., home.

The FARP team handlesabout 120 aircraft a dayaccording to George, andshe said her Soldiers takegreat pride in their safetyrecord, which has been per-fect so far, with no acci-dents, no fuel spills and noSoldiers injured.

Martinez, who was in the2003 invasion of Iraq, saidit may sound simple to fueland rearm a helicopter, butdoing so at night, with nolights, as the rotors arewhirling overhead makesfor a ballet of men andmachinery, where one smallmistake can mean disaster.

While they are working,the Soldiers cannot wearjewelry, watches or any-thing that might cause staticelectricity, Martinez said,because the smallestamount of current canignite the whole pad.

“When someone is fuel-ing a Humvee, if a littlespills it’s not good, but youcan throw sand on it andclean it up,” said the 29-year-old, Philadelphia, Pa.,native. “If we have a spill, the fuel will besucked up into the rotor where the staticelectricity will ignite it, leading to a very sig-nificant emotional event,” he said.

“The fact we have had a perfect safetyrecord so far is a direct reflection on the

[noncommissioned officers] on the line,” hesaid.

The constant training the FARPSoldiers go through makes verbal

communication unnec-essary, and

every person knows where the other is andwhat they are doing by instinct, according toBell, Fla., native Sgt. Michael Mayo, thearmament FARP NCO.

“I will go to the aircraft and ask what theyneed. We can do any type of armament, notjust bullets, and then load from the oppositeside from where they are pumping fuel,” saidthe 22-year-old veteran of four years, whoparticipated in the invasion of Iraq in

2003.

“Working a FARP is all about teamwork;we have to be in sync,” said Martinez. “Wehave to get these pilots in, fill them up andget them out to the fight,” he added.

Having the capability to pump over110,000 gallons of fuel, Martinez said hisFARP team takes great pride in acting as a“gas ‘n’ go” in the states for the aviators.

“Only we aren’t charg-ing them $3.19 a

gallon,” he saidsmiling.

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Nick Minecci214th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Martinez, 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, watches a UH-60 Black Hawk take off after fuel-ing up at the Forward Arming and Refueling Point here. Martinez, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., said the FARP handles over 100 aircraft a day, and has hadno accidents, no fuel spills and no injuries during the time 3/5 Platoon has been in charge.

Sgt. Michael Mayo, a Bell, Fla., native and armament Foward Arming and Refueling Point noncom-missioned officer in charge, slides a 2.75 inch rocket onto an Apache attack helicopter during a stopat the FARP. Mayo is with the 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.

ScimitarPage 10 July 1, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Most people see thewar on terrorism as a global engagementwhere bombs and bullets are the biggestthreat against Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors andMarines. However, there is a strike forcehere made up of two Airmen who are fight-ing the battle against another serious threat— a microscopic one.

Throughout history, more armies lose theirability to accomplish theirmission because of illnessthan by enemy fire, andAirmen of the 447thExpeditionary MedicalSquadron’s public health flightare waging war against thoseillnesses.

“Our biggest threats herecome from insect-borne dis-eases, food handling practices,and most of all, personalhygiene habits,” said Capt.Gabrielle Childs, the flight’scommander who is deployedfrom the 56th Fighter Wing atLuke Air Force Base, Ariz.“We are doing everything pos-sible to monitor for insect-borne diseases, but individualpersonal protective measuresare a critical part of force pro-tection.”

Deployed service members should ensureuniforms are treated with permethrin, apply aDEET-based insect repellant to exposed skinand take anti-malarial medications as direct-ed, she said.

In the battle against disease-infectedinsects, Childs and Staff Sgt. BeckyPatterson, a public health technician, placetraps to gather sand flies and mosquitoes atdusk on a weekly basis. The traps are thencollected at dawn and the insects are sortedby type and sex.

Since the females of each species are theones that bite and carry diseases, Pattersonseparates them for shipment to testing facili-

ties. Mosquitoes are test-ed for malaria and sandflies are tested for leish-maniasis, a disease ofparticular concern forpeople deployed to Iraq.

Food safety is also anissue here.

“Although the peoplewho operate ourdeployed dining facilitiesdo a great job at bothfeeding and protectingthe troops from food-borne illness, sometimesit’s how troops handletheir food that can putthem at risk,” Childssaid. “By far the biggestthreat is when peopledon’t wash their handsfrequently, especiallybefore eating.”

Patterson, who is deployed from the 42ndAeromedical Dental Squadron at MaxwellAFB, Ala., said educating deployed servicemembers about hygiene is a primary goal.

“Hand washing is the single most effectiveway to prevent the spread of disease,” shesaid. “Even just one person who disregardsgood hygiene can [affect] the health ofcountless other people.”

Deploying Airmen are encouraged to

check their reporting instructions for requireditems to be issued to reduce the dangers ofcontracting an insect-borne disease, officialssaid. Once deployed, service membersshould also follow all guidance for food safe-ty and hygiene measures.

“It’s the only way we can stay ‘fit tofight,’” Patterson said. “It’s the only way wecan prevent needless causalities and accom-plish our mission.”

Airmen use ‘germ warfare’ to ensure force readinessStory and photos byTech. Sgt. Brian Davidson447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

Capt. Gabrielle Childs (left) and Staff Sgt. Becky Patterson sort sand flies andmosquitoes that will be tested for insect-borne diseases that threaten U.S.forces deployed to Iraq. They are assigned to the 447th Expeditionary MedicalSquadron’s public health flight.

Staff Sgt. Becky Pattersonsets a trap to catch sandflies and mosquitoes thatwill be tested for insect-borne diseases.

Task Force Liberty guardians never sleep, always ready

FORWARD OPERATING BASEGABE, BA’QUBAH, Iraq —There are nowalls here, just some patched razor wireon mounds of dirt and sand. There are noattack helicopters patrolling the sky, just afew lonely guard shacks atop cement tow-ers — no elaborate fortifications, just tentsand a few battle-ridden buildings.

But FOB Gabe has a secret; a very loudsecret. Metal behemoths, machines offormed steel, called Paladins, take theplace of walls of this base and draw theline in the sand — seemingly beckoning toanti-Iraqi forces to cross it.

Soldiers of Battery B, 1st Battalion,10th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade CombatTeam, stand ready and resolved to protectFOB Gabe and guard other FOBs as well.

“Our mission is threefold,” said Capt.Joshua A. Snyder, commander ofHeadquarters, Headquarters Battery and anative of Carlyle, Pa. “We provide [fire]support for missions outside the FOB andprovide counter-fire against insurgent mor-tar and rocket attacks. We also provide[fire] support for Forward Operating BasesWarhorse and Scunion and the Iraq citiesof Ba’qubah and Balad.”

Weighing 31 tons, the 155 mm Paladin

stands motionless, waitingfor the command torelease the fury heldwithin it — enough fire-power to level a smallcity.

“This is the main artillerypiece of the Army … it isthe Cadillac of guns,” said StaffSgt. Hefence C. Lubrin, a nativeof Pembroke Pines, Fla., and gunchief of 5th section. “We have tomake sure if anyone goes out thegate, we are ready to support them.”

In the early hours, they got theirchance — terrorists launched amortar round just north ofBa‘qubah, Iraq, with hopes ofhitting FOB Warhorse, notknowing that six miles away,the crew of thePaladin wait inthe last shad-ows of dawn.

The radio ingun five camealive. “Firemissioncomin’ down!”said StaffSgt. VincentAnderson, thefire direction

control noncommissioned officer in chargefrom Fort Pierce, Fla. Within seconds, firecoordinates flashed across the automaticfire control system. In unison, Lubrin andhis crew yelled “Fire mission!”

Lubrin’s crew jumped to action andflowed over the controls with the harmonyof an orchestra to bring the Paladin to life.The Paladin driver and Fort Worth, Texas,native Pfc. Thomas P. Johnson, jumped inthe driver’s hatch and reved the engine to1,000 rpm as Lubrin turned on thehydraulics and raised the tube. Pfc. LukeF. Connelly, number one man for 5th sec-tion from Wautoma, Wis., prepared the

100-pound projectile for placement intothe tube.

“Permission to ram,”Connelly said to the chief.Lubrin confirmed the

round and gave thecommand to ram.

Connellyrammed theround into thetube and steppedback as the gun-ner, Spc.Christopher L.McCall, anative ofMobile, Ala.,cut the gun

powder, verified the cut and charge withthe chief, placed it into the tube andyelled,“I see red!” letting everyone knowthe powder was in correctly and the breachwas ready to close.

Lubrin gave the command to close thebreach. “Gun laid on target,” Lubrin said.

“Permission to prime and hook up,”Connelly said, and Lubrin gave the OK toprime the cannon and hook up the lanyard.Eleven seconds had passed as Lubrin, withhis hand raised in the air, awaited the finalapproval to unleash the deadly weapon.

He received the order, brought his armdown and yelled, “Number five, FIRE!”

The silence of the morning was brokenas the Paladin fired. Smoke and fire filledthe air as the ground trembled with a terri-fying power. The cannon rocked as thetube slammed back and the breach opened.

Inside the smoke-filled gun, the crewwas ready with another round, and withinseconds, another round went downrange;then another was fired. Four rounds in allwere fired toward the enemy.

As the smoke cleared, the sun broke thehorizon. The crew heared “mission com-plete” over the radio, and the chief orderedeveryone to stand down. The crew gave asigh of relief as the tube was moved backinto place and the Goliath waited again.

“We come in, we occupy, we fire,”Lubrin said. “It is that simple.”

Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Peter K. Towse42nd Infantry Division Public Affairs

A 155 mm Paladin howitzer with 1st Battery, 10thField Artillery, 3rd BCT, Task Force Liberty,stands ready for a fire mission at FOB Gabe.

ScimitarJuly 1, 2005 Page 11

LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, BALAD,Iraq — Few things color a deployment story better thanshowing off that “war trophy” discovered during one of yourmany exploits. You just know no one else has one like it, andyou may never see the likes of it again.

True — don’t expect that sword in your duffle bag to eversee American soil.

Customs officials from the Naval Expeditionary LogisticsSupport Forces work around the clock to ensure that prohibit-ed and restricted items found in Iraq, stay in Iraq.

Restricted items range from over-the-counter medicationsto war souvenirs (unless the individual obtained writtenapproval from a reviewing official). Some prohibited itemsinclude alcoholic beverages; privately-owned weapons; coun-terfeit coins, money, postage or revenue stamps; drugs/nar-cotics and drug paraphernalia; and personal effects of enemysoldiers.

As of April 15, cigarette lighters joined the growing list ofprohibited articles.

U.S. Navy Lt. Thomas D. Appelbaum, Company A com-mander, NAVELSF, said customs officials are responsible forthe pre-clearance of personnel as well as personal bags andequipment.

At the Personnel Processing Center, travelers are escortedto the customs tent and each directed to one of 18 unoccu-pied tables. Here personnel are briefed on prohibited andrestricted items and referred to the amnesty area as a last-minute opportunity to get rid of unauthorized items.

Amnesty boxes help make honest people out of travelers.But if it still appears someone is blatantly trying to smuggleunauthorized items, said Appelbaum, they get to spend sometime with the Provost Marshal.

Still, most people are given the benefit of the doubt. “Wewant to make the process as painless as possible,” he said.“They may honestly not have heard certain parts of thebrief.”

Personnel are then directed to empty the contents of theirpersonal bag onto the table and await further instructions

from a customs border clearanceagent. Once that bag is cleared,it is repacked and placed on theside of the table. The sameprocess applies for all subse-quent bags.

Afterward the bags are pal-letized and personnel are redi-rected to a “sterile” holding tent.

If anyone leaves the “sterile”area, they will be subject to re-inspection, possibly causing fur-ther delay in reaching theirflight.

There’s always an unwittingfew who still try to slip unautho-rized items through the cracks.Assortments of prohibited itemslike pornographic materials,switchblades, plants, ammuni-tion and smoke grenadesbecome all-too familiar to customs inspectors. Once customslogs them in, Explosive Ordnance Disposal takes custody ofthe items, and disposes of them.

Among the most memorable confiscated items — a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and one civilian hand-carrying$10,000 cash.

“If you’re carrying more than $10,000 you have to declareit,” Appelbaum said.

Customs also conducts “container” missions throughoutthe LSA for larger numbers of personnel (redeploying units,for example). But it seems the larger the unit, the larger theitems found during some searches.

“We find things every day,” Appelbaum said.The NAVELSF is the first Navy unit to assume the role of

customs. Originally an Army mission, it was passed on to theAir Force for approximately one year. The Navy inherited thetask in February.

These inspectors are not customs officials by trade, howev-er. They represent various military occupational specialtiestrained for two to two-and-a-half months on the customsprocess prior to deployment.

It’s not just people, however, that endure the rigors ofinspections.

Likewise, vehicles and aircraft are not immune to search.Appelbaum warns they should come spotless — free of earth,sand or soil to eliminate possible spread of disease throughcertain microorganisms found in soil and sand. Those thatreceive a “no-go” at this station are turned away for furthercleaning and re-inspection. Inspectors pinpoint all troublespots and violators can correct those deficiencies right thenand there, Appelbaum said. Although there is a quick turn-around period for correcting the deficiencies, they try toadhere to the unit’s timeline.

“We try to treat them like the heroes they are,” saidAppelbaum.

For more information regarding the dos and don’ts atCustoms on Logistics Support Area Anaconda, call DSN443-7474. For general questions concerning the area ofoperations, contact the Coalition Forces Land ComponentCommand liaison officer at 430-6438. Air Force person-nel can access information on the AF Intranet: http://blab-web-n.blab.aorcentaf.af.mil/Customs/Customs.htm.

You can’t take it with you ... can you?Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer K. Yancey27th Public Affairs Detachment

INTERNATIONAL ZONE, BAGHDAD,Iraq — With more than $270 million worthof projects open for local contractor bids,130 Iraqi women attended a Women’sBusiness Day at the convention center hereto learn more.

The workshop, sponsored by the Projectsand Contracting Office with co-sponsorshipfrom the Gulf Region Division of the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers and the JointContracting Command - Iraq was designed tobenefit the Iraqi business woman and thereconstruction program, said Karen Durham-Aguilera.

Durham-Aguilera, senior executive servicedirector of programs at PCO, said the goalwas “to create diplomatic and long-lastingrelationships based on our mutual desire forpeace.”

With every one in five in the Iraqi work-force being a woman, Durham-Aguilera toldthe group she is encouraged by their progressand pleased to be part of the workshop tofurther promote the involvement of women

in the reconstruction process. As a womanwith Middle Eastern roots, she noted that it’srare in the Arab world for women to enjoy asmuch power as they do in Iraq.

“You have the freedom to build a betterfuture for all of Iraq and insure that the doorof opportunity is open to everyone,”Durham-Aguilera said. “I had coaches whohelped open doors for me, and we’re heretoday to help Iraqi women — to be theircoaches, to help open that door.

“Our aim is to help the women of Iraq tonetwork and gain a helping hand for businessopportunities and increased professional andeconomic growth,” she added.

Ella Snell, director of contracting at GRD,told the women contractors about upcomingcontract opportunities and solicitations.Managers from six companies workingreconstruction program projects addressedthe group and presented exhibits of theircompanies.

The conference provided women-ownedcompanies an opportunity to get to know dif-ferent contracting officers from the Corpsand JCC-I; an opportunity for the women tomeet large business contractors to enhancetheir sub-contracting opportunities; and an

immediate opportunity for women to proposeon a project, Snell said.

“Know exactly what your company has tooffer — service, product and construction —and be the best at what you do,” said DeanSinclair, business development manager ofIAP worldwide. Further challenging them hetold the women to visit all of the vendors’exhibits and “tell us what you can do for us.”

One Iraqi woman contractor, Kate, said sheusually doesn’t communicate with other con-tractors because it’s not safe to do so.

“I am surprised at the large number ofwomen here today,” she said. “It is encourag-ing.” After living in England for 20 years,Kate returned to Iraq six years ago, andalthough her company is general construc-tion, she expressed that she does want to spe-cialize someday. “Right now, we just take allconstruction work we can get.”

Another contractor, Nadia, said her compa-ny consists of five specialty companies —printing, catering, supply, maintenance andtransportation.

“We have projects in Anaconda, Bayji, AlAsad, and at Camp Victory and FreedomCamp in Mosul. Some of the areas are dan-gerous, but what am I going to do? We have

to go there to work. It’s our duty,” Nadia said.The day after the conference, event organiz-

er Iraqi-born Azza Humadi, women’s issuecoordinator for the PCO, received an e-mailfrom a woman in Kirkuk saying, “… yourconference is proof that Iraqi women have themain role in rebuilding Iraq … I hope yournext conference is for women and how theycan develop business … and about investmentin order to foster economic growth for Iraq.”

Durham-Aguilera got the same feedbackthe day after the conference. “Many Iraqiladies told me afterwards, and some sent mee-mails, that I touched their hearts and theirminds that day with my words and ouractions.”

Army Col. Edwin Martin, a principal forthe JCC-I, said, “We want to encourage ourprime contractors — through award incentives— to provide maximum opportunities forwomen-owned businesses to compete for sub-contracts. We also encourage informal men-toring by our large prime contractors with theIraqi women-owned small businesses.”

Currently, 91 electricity and five potablewater projects are in the reconstruction pro-gram that will be available for local con-tractor bids.

Women’s conference boosts Iraq’s redevelopmentBy LuAnne FantasiaU.S. Army Corps of Engineers

This is not the weapon of choice in the customs tent at the PersonnelProcessing Center at Logistics Support Area Anaconda.

ScimitarPage 12 July 1, 2005

Have you ever had this experience? Youwalk into your workspace or office and youfeel that life is good. You want to share thejoy with your co-workers and with a bigsmile on your face, you ask, “Good morning!How are you doing?”

The people are so wrapped up in what theyare doing you barely get a grunt or a nod inreturn. You feel hurt and disappointed, per-haps wondering, did I do something wrong?

It is sad that we can all easily fall into thetrap of putting paperwork and projects beforepeople. Sometimes we forget how importantit is just to be a warm and approachable fig-ure in our units. God knows I have falleninto this hole myself. Then I think about an incident that happened and stillremains with me, and probably a number of others as well.

Years ago, I was riding a crowded subway in New York City. The train wasgoing from uptown to midtown during the morning rush hour. As usual, somepeople were sleeping, some reading the newspaper, some doing the crossword,and some just staring into space wishing they were back home in their warmbed. No one spoke. No one had the look of a happy camper on their face.

Then the conductor got on the public address system. In addition toannouncing the stops, he went far beyond. He gave us little factoids about thefamed landmarks overhead that we were racing by. He updated us on theweather conditions outside and reminded people to be careful as they exited onthe platform because “we want to see you back tomorrow.”

His voice was warm and friendly, just like an old uncle. As he spoke youcould see the jaded New Yorkers (I’m not one of them) waking up and payingattention. People looked alive and started to talk to one another about the con-ductor. No one left the subway without a big grin. It made our day.

Too often we live in our own bubble, getting so caught up in our problemsand needs we forget the simple things that are so important. “Small” things likewishing our fellow Soldier or shipmate a good day. Like smiling because lifeis a great gift to enjoy. Like noticing all the landmarks we run across instead ofracing past them. Like saying thank you and really meaning it. Like lettingourselves just be human.

In a tube of steel going 60 mph on a cold New York morning, I learned apowerful lesson from that subway conductor, and his warmth continues tocheer me. May his example inspire us in our humanity and in our relationshipswith others.

The fear of The Lord is the instruction of wisdom;And before honor goes humility. - Proverbs 15:33God bless and stay great!

By Chaplain (Cmdr.) Mitchell SchranzMulti-National Force - Iraq Chaplain

Just be humanCHAPLAIN’S TALK

Chaplain Schranz

WASHINGTON — Louis H. Wilson, 85,Medal of Honor recipient for heroic actionsfighting enemy forces at Fonte Hill, Guam,Mariana Islands, in World War II, and 26thCommandant of the Marine Corps, died June 21at his home in Birmingham, Ala., with his fami-ly present.

A hero by any definition, Gen. Wilson wasjust a young captain and placed in command ofCompany F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rdMarine Division, when, although wounded sev-eral times, he succeeded in capturing and hold-ing the strategic high ground in his regimentalsector against a numerically greater force, whichcontributed significantly to the ultimate victoryon Guam.

Wilson “repeatedly exposed himself to themerciless hail of shrapnel and bullets, dashingfifty yards into the open on one occasion to res-cue a wounded Marine lying helpless beyondthe front lines. Fighting fiercely in hand-to-handencounters, he led his men in a furiously wagedbattle for approximately 10 hours,” according tohis Medal of Honor citation. Because of thewounds he received in the fierce fighting, thenCapt. Wilson was evacuated to U.S. NavalHospital San Diego where he remained untilOct. 16, 1944.

President Harry S. Truman personally thankedWilson by presenting his award in a special cer-emony at the White House in Washington.

Besides earning the nation’s highest honor forheroism in combat, Wilson served in a variety ofcommand and staff positions, which includedservice in Korea and command of The BasicSchool at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. Hegraduated from the National War College in June1962 and after a second tour at Headquarters, hereturned to 1st Marine Division at CampPendleton, Calif., as the assistant chief of staff,G-3, deploying with the division first toOkinawa, Japan, and then to Vietnam.

This was followed by duty as commandingofficer of 6th Marine Corps District in Atlanta.

Wilson was promoted to brigadier general inNovember 1966 and was the legislative assis-tant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps in1967 and 1968. This was followed by a tour aschief of staff, Fleet Marine Forces, Pacific andcommanding general, I Marine AmphibiousForce and 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa.Wilson became director of the Education Centerat MCB Quantico in 1971, and in 1972 heassumed command of Fleet Marine Forces,Pacific.

He was appointed Commandant of the MarineCorps July 1, 1975. In October of 1978, Wilsonachieved full membership on the Joint Chiefs ofStaff.

Wilson retired June 30, 1979, and will alwaysbe remembered as skillfully guiding the MarineCorps through the turbulent and challenging

post-Vietnam era. During his tenure as comman-dant, he laid a firm foundation of high standardsand demanding training that ensured that theMarine Corps remained a modern, mobile, gen-eral purpose, combined arms force withamphibious expertise prepared for low and highintensity combat against a wide-spectrum ofpotential foes around the globe.

“The entire Marine Corps family is saddenedby the passing of Marine Gen. Louis HughWilson, Jr., our 26th Commandant, and weextend our deepest sympathies to his family andfriends,” said Gen. Michael W. Hagee,Commandant of the Marine Corps.

“Gen. Wilson was a forward-thinker who wasahead of his time. As commandant from 1975-1979, he stressed modernization, readiness,expeditionary capabilities and integrated fire-power — areas that we still concentrate ontoday. His legacy of valor and leadership willlive forever in the Marine Corps.”

After his military retirement in June of 1979,Wilson lived in Mississippi and California, andsubsequently moved to be near family inBirmingham. During this time he felt privilegedto serve on the boards of Merrill Lynch,Burlington Resources and the FluorCorporation.

Wilson’s culminating act of public serviceoccurred in October of 1995, when at age 75 headdressed a Joint Meeting of the U.S. Congresscommemorating the 50th Anniversary of the endof World War II.

Wilson is survived by his wife, Jane ClarkWilson; daughter, Janet Wilson Taylor; son-in-law Jarred O. Taylor II; and grandsons Jarred O.Taylor III and Louis Wilson Taylor, all ofBirmingham, Alabama.

Wilson’s full biography is available atwww.usmc.mil.

WWII Medal of Honor recipient,former commandant dies at 85By Headquarters Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps photoGen. Louis H. Wilson, 85, Medal of Honorrecipient for heroic actions fightingenemy forces at Fonte Hill, Guam,Mariana Islands, in World War II, and 26thCommandant of the Marine Corps, diedJune 21 at his home in Birmingham, Ala.,with his family present.

The place to access the latest MNF-I/MNC-Inews and information is online. Check out

www.mnf-iraq.com to stay informed.

ScimitarJuly 1, 2005 Page 13

SScciimmiittaarr SSllaappssttiicckkSScciimmiittaarr SSllaappssttiicckk

Art by Maj. James D. Crabtree

Art by Chief Warrant Officer Mark J. HartArt by Staff Sgt. Timothy B. Lawn

OUT OF THE PATCH

Art by Jeffery Hall

Remember...

OPSEC

Wordscan

KKIILLLL..KKIILLLL..Keep cell

phone andemail

commo freeof sensitiveinformation.

INTERNATIONAL ZONE, BAGHDAD, Iraq —Children around the world have wished their fathers thebest and prayed for their safe return as they’ve seen themoff to fight the war on terrorism. But when Sgt. James A.Crowell found out his father, Lt. Col. George J. Crowell,was being deployed to Iraq, he “volunteered” to join him.

“I thought there was no point me sitting in Korea for ayear when my dad is here. I’d rather be here with him,”said Sgt. Crowell, who was a scout sniper with the 82ndAirborne Division during the first phase of Operation IraqiFreedom, from March to December 2003.

Now a 2nd Infantry Division designated marksman and arifle team leader, Sgt. Crowell arrived last August, assignedto “Dog” Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment(Air Assault), 2nd Brigade Combat Team based at FortCorrigador, Ar Ramadi.

Deployed from the 98th Division (Institutional Training)Headquarters G-4, Rochester, N.Y., Lt. Col. Crowell, fromSayre, Pa., is an Army Reserve Soldier who spent 14 yearson active duty and another 12 in the reserve — includingservice in Iraq in Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm in1990 and 1991 with the 1st Armored Division. He arrived inSeptember and is the liaison officer for the Ministry ofDefense J-4, here.

Although serving in the same country, father and son areseparated by 100 miles of potential hostilities, but thankfully,George said, they have been able to spend a few days togeth-er and share their experiences in rebuilding Iraq. The mostrecent was here, but the first involved some hectic holidaytraveling for the elder Crowell.

“I went out there on Christmas Eve,” George recalled. “Itook a CH-46 [helicopter] flight out of Washington LandingZone. I got to [Camp] Blue Diamond, and from BlueDiamond I took a Marine convoy and went to Junction City,and from Junction City I took an M-1 Bradley convoy toCorrigador that was taking them Christmas dinner.

“It was a bit of a trip,” he admitted, “But it was actually aChristmas present to Jim. It was a surprise; he didn’t know Iwas coming.”

Jim said that Christmas present was a highlight of his tour.“It was a great time, although a bit weird — instead of

talking about the usual dad/son things, I was looking over his

equipment and helping him understand a lot of the habits andfield-craft techniques that have kept me safe,” Jim said. “Itwas great to see a familiar face though — to be with familyeven though I was over here.”

“We got to spend Christmas together; we got mortaredtogether,” George said, adding it was good for him to see hisson at his forward operating base. “It was a chance for me tosee what it is like for them.”

In a recent trip to the IZ, Jim got to see what daily life islike for his father, and meet his coworkers and Iraqi counter-parts at the MoD, where the senior Crowell is helping theIraqi Army develop their logistics and combat service support.

For every Soldier out tracking down the terrorists, othersare providing them supplies and support. The Iraqi Army hasto have the same support for their Soldiers, Lt. Col. Crowellsaid. “We’re building the Iraqi Army from the inside out.They actually watch us take care of our Soldiers, and thenthey get the chance to do it for their Soldiers.”

“I just do the regular stuff … patrols, observation points,raids — we do it all,” said the younger Crowell of hisinfantry job working “to clear Ramadi of insurgent activity.”

“There is a lot of [improvised explosive device] activity

out there, a lot of snipers, so that’s what we’re up against,”Jim continued. “There’s been an influx of not just fightingIraqis who are upset that we kicked out the old regime,we’re actually fighting insurgents with military training –people from every Arabic country in the region that want toget a stab at us — and their methods are a lot more grue-some than beforehand. … They know our tactics, they seehow we operate, and we have to develop new ones.”

There is a sense of accomplishment in his military serviceJim said, more so in his tour in Iraq with the 82nd. “I hadtaken part in history by bringing freedom to the troubledpeople of Iraq, I had helped make the world a better place.As far as this tour is concerned, I feel there is more that wecould be doing to fight the insurgency in Ramadi. It’s just sohard because we are fighting an often unseen enemy.

“The best part of my tour has been that in all that myFire Team has been through and seen, we are all still aliveand in one piece, and of course, the chance to spendChristmas in a war zone with my Dad!” Jim exclaimed.

Although working with the MoD has been difficult,George said teaching the Iraqi officers “has been very, veryrewarding.” Finding continuity important to the trainingmission, he said he is even thinking of extending his one-year tour to 18 months, before he returns home and

resumes his job as a high school teacher and continues gradu-ate school.

As a father George said he supports his son’s decisions,including his choice to voluntarily return to Iraq. “That washis option; that was his choice. As a father, of course, youworry.

“We’re real proud of him,” George said speaking for therest of the family — his wife and two daughters at home.“We’ve just always asked that he does his best at what hedecides to do.”

Jim’s decision to join the Army in August 2000 came fromhis desire to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve hiscountry, he said. “And because ever since I was a little boy, Iwanted to be a ‘Green Beret.’”

Jim said he will pursue that beret when his unit redeploysto Fort Carson, Colo., in a couple of months and he beginsthe Special Forces Qualification Course in the fall to becomean 18C – Special Forces Demolitions and EngineeringSpecialist.

“I plan on staying in the Army because I love what I doand I’m following my dream,” Jim said. “I would like toeventually become a Special Forces Warrant Officer.”

ScimitarPage 14 July 1, 2005

Son joins father for their second tour in Iraq

Lt. Col. George J. Crowell and his son Sgt. James A.Crowell prepare to say goodbye outside the U.S.Embassy, Baghdad in the International Zone. Both areserving their second tour in Iraq.

Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Brett B. McMillanScimitar Editor

FORWARD OPERATING BASEO’RYAN, BALAD, Iraq — Soldiers fromTask Force Liberty are working to improvethe way of life for Iraqis while also teachingthem to develop reconstruction projects ontheir own.

Task Force 1/128 is helping local villagesto facilitate projects that will aid them in get-ting clean drinking water, renovating theirschools, improving their agriculture andreceiving supplies for their medical clinics.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 128th InfantryRegiment, Wisconsin Army National Guardand Troop K, 3rd Squadron, 278th ArmoredCalvary Regiment, Tennessee Army NationalGuard, make up TF 1/128 and are activelyworking to train and prepare the local IraqiSecurity Forces and government officials totake control of everyday operations in Iraq.

Helping the locals with projects of thisnature allows the Iraqis to see that Coalition

Forces are not here to occupy their country,but to assist them in improving their way oflife, said Sgt. 1st Class Jean Briggs, a civilaffairs team leader with the 411th CivilAffairs Battalion, from Danbury, Conn.

“They have been neglected for 35 years,and our job is to show them that we are hereto help them and let them know that we arenot here to dictate how they run their lives,”Briggs said. “The majority of the peopleseem to realize that we are here to help. I

would say 90 percent of them are apprecia-tive and willing to help us help them.”

The majority of projects the Soldiers doare humanitarian in nature and are gearedtowards Iraq’s future, said Capt. PaulShannon, a native of Clarksville, Tenn., andcommander of Troop K.

“The young Iraqi children are the ones whoare going to make the future of Iraq a suc-cess,” he said. “We are talking 10 to 15 yearsdown the road. The education of the ones inthe elementary, primary and high schools oftoday ... is first and foremost our priority.”

Shannon said his Soldiers are not con-ducting large reconstruction projects; theyare just trying to improve the villages a lit-

tle bit at a time.“It is not much,” he said. “I am not building

entire schools at this point. I am just fixingroofs that leak, providing fresh water tanks forthe children, small things of that nature.”

The Soldiers have been helping improve awater treatment plant, the roofs of a schooland local clinic, but soon they will be turningthese types of missions over to the city coun-cil and local security forces, Shannon said.

“I keep telling them my time here is limit-ed,” Shannon said. “They need to take advan-tage of it and help me facilitate these projectsand work with us to learn how a governmentis supposed to work, so when I am gone, theyare able to facilitate their own projects.”

Because Iraqi officials will be taking over,one thing Shannon said his Soldiers are try-ing to do is let the Iraqi people see that theirelected officials and military personnel careabout their well-being.

“I try to put somewhat of an Iraqi face onit,” Shannon said. “We are trying to get awayfrom the Coalition doing everything for theIraqi government and are trying to get theIraqi Army involved.”

Shannon said the local government offi-cials and Soldiers are doing well, but theystill have more to learn before CoalitionForces turn operations over to them.

“The Iraqi government is just not quitethere yet,” Shannon said. “They are makingleaps and bounds every day. Eventually, theywill take care of their own infrastructure.Right now we are just trying to give them alittle boost.”

Coalition Soldiers help improve way of life for IraqisStory and photo by Sgt. Jennifer J. Eidson22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

A young Iraqi girl solves a math problemon a chalkboard at an all girls schoolnear FOB O’Ryan. Soldiers from TF1/128 have helped renovate the school.

ScimitarJuly 1, 2005 Page 15

LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA,BALAD, Iraq — The Air Force Theater Hospital atLSA Anaconda appears to be no more than a confusinglabyrinth of crude temper tents at first glance, but thereis nothing simple about the mission of the health careprofessionals who work here.

Many of the approximately320 staff members heredeployed from Wilford HallMedical Center at LacklandAir Force Base, Texas. Thestaff also comprises personnelfrom the U.S. Air Force,Army, Navy and Marines,including active and reservecomponent service members,and 20 staff members hailfrom Australia.

Likewise, the patient mixincludes local nationals,Coalition Forces, IraqiSecurity Forces and enemyprisoners of war.

Behind the temper tents sitsa helipad designed to accom-modate up to four medicalevacuation helicopters, but thehospital has had as many assix aircraft on the pad at onetime, according to AustralianLt. Col. David Collins, theday shift nursing supervisor.He explained that somepatients, especially from thelocal area, come in for sur-gery. However, most patientstransferred from other combat support hospitals havealready undergone surgery and come here for stabiliza-tion. Some patients are eventually evacuated toLandstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for fur-

ther treatment, but most return to their units or homes.On June 22, the emergency department was hopping

as chopper after chopper brought in new patients, rang-ing from gunshot wounds to chest pain to broken toes.Australian Army Sgt. Tarese Heath is an ED nurse whotreated many patients that day.

“The best thing about my job is helping patients, theones we don’t think will make it, and then hearing fromthe doctors in Landstuhl that they do make it,” said the

Brisbane, Australia native.Conversely, the hardest partof her job is losing patients,especially the younger ones,and seeing badly woundedpatients. However, the widebackground of the hospital’sstaff members and the varietyof patients’ injuries and ill-nesses that come through thedoor ensures that they arealways learning new tech-niques and better ways toprovide care.

“I never would havegained these skills I learnedhere otherwise,” Heath said.“This is what I have beentraining for in my sevenyears in the AustralianRegular Army.”

The ED health care spe-cialists are ready when eachnew patient arrives afterbeing taken off the medevachelicopters. Nurses, medicaltechnicians, X-ray techs, apharmacist, doctors and otherspecialists gather aroundeach patient, doing a syn-chronized dance of assess-

ment and treatment. “It is very different here from serving in the U.S.,”

Story and photos by Maj. Patricia C. AndersonCommand Information Officer

Staff members of the emergency department at Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad, Iraq, discussthe status of a patient from the Iraqi Security Forces with the air ambulance crew June 22.

See HOSPITAL, Page 16

Anaconda multi-service hospital staffovercomes difficulties to treat patients

Coalition Corner... highlighting countries serving with MNF-Iraq

Azerbaijanlocal name: Azarbaycan Respublikasi

The Republic of Azerbaijan is located in Southwest Asia, borderingthe Caspian Sea, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russia and Turkey. Size-wise,it is slightly smaller than Maine with a population of 7.9 million.Azerbaijani is the official language here, but some Russian andArmenian is spoken in various regions.

Azerbaijan has a republic government, and the Azerbaijani manat isits official currency. Azerbaijan has a wonderful mix of history andmodern attractions. This country is believed to be one of the initial cra-dles of human culture; research suggests primitive man settled in thisarea almost two million years ago. Baku, the nation’s capital, is home toan important fire temple of the Persian religion Zoroastrianism, a preva-lent regional religion in older times. Ichari Sharhar, a medieval walledcity also known as the Inner City, is one of the oldest continuouslyinhabited areas of not only the country, but also the Middle East. TheApsheron Peninsula begins just a few miles away from Baku, and itboasts several medieval castles as well as mosques. It also is home tothe famous Atesgah Fire Temple, believed to be a sacred Zoroastriansince the 6th century. The village of Qobustan features over 39 squaremiles of rock paintings, some dating over 10,000 years. The amazingopen-aired Qobustan Museum features Neolithic rock drawings withover 4,000 inscriptions dating back 12,000 years and Latin graffiti dat-ing back 2,000 years.

Not only does Azerbaijan have brain-stimulating attractions, its popu-lar dishes have tastebud-stimulating effects. One of the most popularnational foods is plov, a rice pilaf that comes in more than 100 varieties.Another favorite is piti, a savory mutton-based soup with chickpeas,onion and potato, slow-cooked to perfection. Dovgha, a yogurt andspinach-based soup with rice and meatballs, and kutab, pastries stuffedwith spinach or pumpkin, are just two of many more deliciousAzerbaijani dishes.

Besides historic lands and delicious food, Azerbaijan is also home toworld-famous people. Musa Manarov, also an Azerbaijani, was the firstcosmonaut in theworld to stay inspace for over ayear, and FaroukhBulsara, who is bet-ter known asFreddy Mercury ofthe legendary rockgroup Queen, wasborn in Tanzania toAzerbaijani parents.

Azerbaijan — yetanother piece of theMulti-NationalForce - Iraq puzzle,dedicated to rebuilding Iraq.

References: www.cia.gov, www.lonelyplanet.com, www.zerbaijan.com,www.answers.com, www.noc-aze.org, www.worldtravelguide.net,http://azer.com, http://news.bbc.co.uk.

Coalition Corner is compiled by Sgt. Misha King, assistant editor, scimitar@iraq.centcom.mil.

Australian Air Force Lt. Cdr. (Dr.) Miller listensto the breathing on an emergency departmentpatient complaining of chest pain at Air ForceTheater Hospital in Balad, Iraq.

said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cameron B.Davis, medical tech deployed from Lackland.Because of his critical care specialty, heworks in the ED and Intensive Care Unitshere. “For example, the need for various

translators is much higher, whereas atLackland we only needed Spanish translators.

“Working in a tent is a little differentatmosphere,” he added. “Climate control andelectricity are constant challenges.”

The staff in ICU 3 treats local nationalpatients. Although it normally holds 10 beds,it is staffed for and can accommodate up to20 patients. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Emily Kent-

Street is nurse manager/flight commander forthe ward, which has three nurses, five respira-tory therapists, five doctors and 10 medicaltechs. Kent-Street, an Army Reserve nurse,works in a similar capacity at a civilian hos-pital back home in Dallas.

“It is predominantly trauma-based here,”Kent-Street said. She noted that the staff hasissues dealing with the temper tents and sup-

ply shortages, “[so] we have to be very adap-tive and innovative.”

She said that not only does the staff learnfrom one another, but they are also learningArabic to help communicate with thepatients instead of relying so heavily ontranslators. “I think [joint service] is thefuture of military medicine. The world isbecoming a smaller place.”

ScimitarPage 16 July 1, 2005

Hospitalfrom Page 15

June 24 5k race standingsOverall:1) #11367 Marty Harnish 17:372) #11334 Daniel Selassil 17:513) #11324 Wes Hayes 18:38

Men 40 & over:1) #11190 Paul Aufschlager 19:232) #11173 Brendan Toth 19:403) #11302 Sidney Owens 20:36

LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, BALAD,Iraq — The Off the Wall band played a concert at theSustainer Indoor Theater June 16. They played a variety ofsongs from classic rock to today’s country.

Everyone who attended the concert seemed to have a greattime, but the band said they enjoyed themselves just as much.

“It’s unforgettable because the worst conditions producethe best crowds,” said Jevon McGlory, a lead singer for theband.

“We named this tour of ours the Elusive Comfort Tour fora reason.”

The band has toured all over the world, and they seem tohave a special place in their hearts for military crowds, espe-cially the Logistics Support Area Anaconda crowd.

“The crowds have been amazing and military crowds are

the best audiences I’ve seen,” said Sam Wright, lead gui-tarist for the band. “Anaconda’s crowd was off the hookand the venue was great.”

“The crowd’s energy fed on to us and we were all justhaving a good time,” said Wright.

The band is from Los Angeles and said that they seemto be appreciated more here than in their hometown.

“It’s great here; we don’t get this much love at home,”said Jerome Besoey, bassist for the band. “There arebands just like us all over California, and out here it justseems like we are really appreciated.”

For most of the band members this was their first tourto Iraq. However, this was the third tour for the band’sdrummer, Jon Bullock, and probably not the last.

“This is my third trip to Iraq and every trip is differ-ent,” he said.

“Every trip I have done has been a great experience,”Bullock said. “As long as there are Soldiers here I’ll becoming back to support you.”

ff the Story and photo by Pfc. Mark B. Matthews27th Public Affairs Detachment

Above, just 3.2 milesto go, runners andfitness-minded folksin the InternationalZone set their watch-es and take off on theroute. Left, winner ofthe 39 and underwomen’s category,Carney Elias, cross-es the finish line.More than 80 peopletook part in the 5krace. The next racewill be July 29.

Photos by James D. Gordon, U.S.Army Corps of Engineers

The band put on a high-energy performance with a vari-ety of songs from over the years at the Sustainer IndoorTheater at Logistics Support Area Anaconda June 16.

OO HHookookWWall is off the

Women 39 & under:1) #11394 Carney Elias 21:212) #11397 Naomi Creel 21:413) #11379 Donna Dey 25:55

Women 40 & over:1) #11391 Moira Carpenter 22:422) #11338 Lilia Fannin 30:223) #11339 Michele Hammonds 31:17

Ready?

Set ...

GO!