Vol. 2, Issue 36 September 11, 2005

54th Medical Companysaves lives almost on a

daily basis

Soldiers train on the newM101 Common RemotelyOperated Weapon Station

Photo by Sgt. Mitch Armbruster Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

LSA Anaconda spent over $30 million oncontracts with Iraqi companies in FY 05

pg. 8-9

pg. 11

Master Sgt. Martin S. Nemes, a member of the 100th Institutional Training Division purchases office supplies from a business in Dohuk, Iraq. Cleaning supplies are also often locally purchased.Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

pg. 6

PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 11, 2005ANACONDA TIMES

Anaconda Times is authorized for publication by the1st COSCOM for the LSA Anaconda community. Thecontents of the Anaconda Times are unofficial and arenot to be considered the official views of, or endorsedby, the U.S. Government, including the Department ofDefense or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Anaconda Times is a command information newspa-per in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1.

Anaconda Times is published weekly by the Stars

and Stripes central office, with a circulation of 5,000papers.

The Public Affairs Office is on New Jersey Ave. inbuilding 4136, DSN 318-829-1234. Anaconda Times, HHC 1st COSCOM, APO AE 09391. Web siteat www.mnf-iraq.com/publications_theater.htm

Contact Sgt. Marshall Thompson via e-mail atchokehold.thompson@us.army.mil or Sgt. 1st ClassJeffrey S. Mullett at jeffrey.mullett@us.army.mil

1st COSCOM Commanding GeneralBrig. Gen. Yves J. Fontaine

Chief of the Anaconda Consolidated Press CenterLt. Col. Virginia Zoller

Deputy Public Affairs Officer207th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment CommanderMaj. Curtis Carney

207th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment NCOICSgt. 1st Class Jeffrey S. Mullett

EditorSgt. Monika Comeaux

Staff WritersStaff Sgt. Engels TejedaSgt. Marshall ThompsonSgt. Mitch ArmbrusterSgt. Jason MikeworthSgt. Ty D. StaffordSpc. Jerome BishopPfc. Spencer Case

September 11marks thefourth anniver-sary of thedeadly terroristattack on theWorld TradeCenter in NewYork City.September 11will alwaysserve to remindus that there isevil in the worldand that those who are evilwill seek to strike at what isgood and just. America isgood and just, but we haveseen that it is not impen-etrable. There will always bea need for a ready and will-ing combat force to face eviland destroy it. Today, theseforces are comprised of youand thousands of Soldier,Sailor, Airman, and MarineWarriors who have eitherrecently redeployed or whoare preparing themselves foranother rotation to areaswhere America’s enemy livesand breeds.

Our goal here has been andcontinues to be to support thecreation of a security environ-ment that permits Iraq tomove toward democracywhile, at the same time,ridding the world of terror-ists who desire to destroy ourdemocratic way of life. YouWarriors have been, are, andwill continue to be the frontline. America depends onyou more today than it everhas and you should be proudof your accomplishments,proud of your willingness tostand up to defend our nation

and bringdemocracy toothers, andproud of eachother forvolunteeringyour lives forsuch a noblecause.

Many of youhave servedfor years,prepared toanswer the call

to support and defend theConstitution against allenemies foreign and domes-tic. Regardless of the per-sonal sacrifice you have allaccepted that we are a nationat war. You have provenyour faithfulness and devo-tion to your country and havedone spectacular things in itsname.

“Archibald Rutledge oncewrote that there can be noreal love without a willing-ness to sacrifice. Tuck thisaway in your inner minds. Itmay pay off in some crisescoming to you in the yearsnow hidden beyond thehorizon. Do you love yourcountry and its flag? Do youlove the branch in which youare serving, the men withwhom you will be privilegedto share service and to com-mand? If you do, then youwill be prepared to sacrificefor them, if your responsibili-ties or the situation de-mands.” General Matthew B.Ridgeway, ‘Leadership’, MilitaryReview, 10/1966

Airborne!

CommandingGeneral reflectson Sept. 11

By Sgt. Sara Wood,American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2005 – Iraqi secu-rity forces will provide the primary security forthe Oct. 15 constitutional referendum and theDecember elections, a U.S. commander inBaghdad, Iraq, said on Sept.2

. In a news briefing, Army Lt. Gen. JohnVines, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq,said that because Iraqis will be mainly respon-sible for security, U.S. forces in the area will beincreased only by about 2,000 troops for thereferendum and elections.

Vines said he expects insurgents to increaseattacks as the referendum approaches, butcoalition and Iraqi forces will be prepared todefend the Iraqis’ democratic process.

“Unfortunately, there are those who want todeprive them of the opportunity to determinetheir own destiny, and they’ll use violence to doit,” he said. “We’ll do everything we can tocreate the conditions so Iraqis have the oppor-tunity to be heard and make their own deci-sions.”

Iraqi security forces continue to makeprogress in their training, Vines said, and theyare closely partnered with coalition units in allaspects of their operations.

“They work together, they plan together,

and, in some cases, they fight together,” he said.On an average day, more than 30 combined

operations are conducted throughout Iraq, andcoalition and Iraqi forces are making progressagainst the insurgents, Vines said. Ultimately,though, the freedom of Iraq is not going to be wonby force, he said.

“The success of our endeavor here, in largemeasure, is not a military solution,” he said. “It isa political solution, and it is one that must beachieved by the Iraqi people, the Iraqi securityforces and the Iraqi government. We’ll do every-thing we can to help create those conditions sothey can and will succeed.

” When considering the validity of the cause inIraq, people need to remember how much progresshas been made since U.S. forces have been there,Vines said. Iraq now has a sovereign government,a transitional assembly, a draft constitution andministries of defense, electricity, oil, water andinterior, he said. These accomplishments point togreat success, he added, but do not mean thethreat has diminished.

“We’ve been successful enough that some maythink there’s no longer a threat,” he said. “I canassure you, there is. There are some evil peoplethat wish to attack us.”

The work of U.S. forces in Iraq and other partsof the world against those who wish to spreadterror has increased the safety and defended thefreedoms of all Americans, Vines said.

Iraqi Forces to ProvideBulk of Election Security

AAFES Waives Interest, Suspends Payments for Katrina VictimsAmerican Forces Press Service-From an AAFES news release

Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials announced Sept. 2 that they are waiving interest andsuspending monthly payment requirements to Exchange Credit Program cardholders displaced byHurricane Katrina.

“According to our records, there are approximately 15,000 accounts impacted in undeliverablezip codes,” said AAFES’ treasurer, Grant Morris. “No interest will be charged, and no paymentswill be due for an undetermined period of time. The interest rate and payment exclusion, will alsoapply to new purchases for an extended time period.”

AAFES determined eligibility by matching accounts to the U.S. Postal Service’s listing of im-pacted zip codes. Affected areas in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, with zip code ranges andcities and states, include:

* 365XX-366XX Mobile, AL * 396XX McComb, MS* 700XX-701XX New Orleans, LA * 369XX-393XX Meridan, MS* 703XX Houma, LA * 394XX Hattiesburg, MS* 704XX Mandeville, LA * 395XX Gulfport, MS

Exchange Credit Program cardholders displaced by Hurricane Katrina can contact CustomerService at the nearest exchange, call (877) 991-7827 or visit the AAFES Web site at www.aafes.comto update their contact information, officials said.

PAGE 3SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES

Question of the Week

What is the first thing you will do when you get home?

Sgt. Maj. Theressa FillmoreHHC, 1st COSCOM

“Find a place to live.”

Spc. Patrick Garner464th Medical Company (DS)

“I am going to do somethingwith my little girl.”

Spc. Carrie Gough211th Maintenance Company

“I came here straight fromhigh school, I am going tocollege.”

Pfc. Travis Kennedy289th Quartermaster Company

“Drink.”

Download the Anaconda Times at

www.mnf-iraq.com/publications_theater.htm

Are you funny? Can you draw?Can you draw funny?

Submit original cartoons about military life in Iraq to theAnaconda Times. If you can’t draw, just send us an idea. If youcan’t think of an idea, just send us a funny drawing. Don’t beembarrassed, we promise we’ll laugh.

send to: chokehold.thompson@us.army.mil

Soldier donates liverBy Sgt. Jennifer SmolenContributor

Imagine: eight monthsthrough your year-long deploy-ment in Iraq, you are healthy andhave adjusted well to deploy-ment life. Nonetheless, you findyourself packing personalbelongings, covering your lastextra duties this tour, workingfinal shifts with your platoon, soyou can redeploy home indi-vidually, and four months aheadof schedule. Sounds like a blast,right? Maybe, but what if you arereturning home to undergo anelective surgery to sacrifice 60percent of your liver? Welcome toSpecialist Aaron Teats’ world.

After countless medical tests(during his Rest and Recupera-tion (R&R) trip and then atBalad), much consideration, anddiscussion with his unit andhigher command, Spc. AaronTeats of the 659th EngineerCompany, returned home toIdaho this week in order toundergo major surgery.

Teats is donating a substan-tial portion of his own liver tosave the live of his cousin, BrentTeats, in a simultaneous surgeryin Denver, Colo. Teats negotiatedto redeploy at the end of Augustin time for a September 20th

surgery date. Due to recentdownturns in his cousin’shealth, the surgery date has beenmoved closer, and the Armycomplied from this end, releas-ing Teats several days early,Teats said.

Teats, 23, learned in May ofhis cousin’s liver failure. Theextended family had known that

Brent was ill with an unknowncondition, but did not learn untillater that his medical conditionwas so severe, nor so hopeful –assuming an organ donor couldbe located. So Teats volunteered.For “Family, if you can, you helpthem out,” he said.

Brent Teats is Aaron’s cousin.Aaron described him as a personin his “Mid thirties, two kids,wife…. Lives less than half amile from his parents - if thattells you how close the family is.He builds rock crushers for aliving. They just built a newhouse. Things were going good,and all of a sudden….”

In liver failure, the liver nolonger filters the blood, whichresults in reduced absorption ofminerals and nutrients to thebody. It has also severely de-creased Brent’s bone mass,creating dangerously brittlebones, and already numerousunexpected breakages, Teatssaid. Toxins remaining in theblood from not being filtered outcause Brent to retain water in hissystem, which must be drainedweekly to remove that fluid from

around internal organs.Brent’s name is now first on

the list to receive a liver from adeceased donor in the Portlandarea. However, according toTeats, the chance of theoperation’s success increases 5percent or more when the patientreceives the organ from a livingdonor. Additionally, withBrent’s condition worsening as ithas been, doctors might not beable to wait for a deceaseddonor.

Since Teats’ healthy liver hasnever been exposed to alcohol,the soldier is in good physicalshape from involvement innumerous outdoor activities, andthe two blood types do notappear to be a problem, Teatsturned out to be a great providerfor his cousin’s need.

The surgery date now isdependent on Teats’ arrival backin the States. The medical facilityin Denver where the operationwill be performed has earned agood record for safe, successfuloperations of this sort. Thedoctors there use a processwhereby the healthy organ isdivided at the natural linebetween the two lobes of theliver, making a forty-sixtypercent split.

The small half is retained bythe donor, and will regenerateinto nearly the original size in amatter of two months. The largerhalf is transplanted into therecipient, where the sameregrowth is hoped to occur, andwhere, hopefully, the trans-

See Liver donor on pg. 5

Spc. Aaron Teats poses for the camerabefore taking off for the States.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Smolen

Pfc. Sean Hayden289th Quartermaster Company

“Spend as much time with myfamily as I can.”

PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 11, 2005ANACONDA TIMES

Freedom Radio Frequencies

107.7 Baghdad107.9 Sinjar105.1 Mosul, Fallujah107.3 Balad, Kirkurk, Tallil, Ar Ramadi93.3 Q-West, Tikrit, Al Asad107.1 Ridgeway102.5 Camp Taji

“Always There, on the Air!”

Soldiers should mentally prepare for reunionBy Sgt. Monika ComeauxStaff Writer

Logistical Support Area Anaconda issoon to see a magnitude of troops leavefor home. In preparation for reunitingwith their families and loved ones,Soldiers should consider some of thefollowing, as advised by Capt. Kenneth E.Reid, chaplain from the 129th CorpsSupport Battalion Logistical Task Force.

“The spouses in the rear need tounderstand that the man they had saidgoodbye to is not the same as the onecoming home. He has grown emotionally,psychologically. He was forced to sub-merge his emotions, in the combat zone.So when he comes home, he may experi-ence the awakening of all what wassubmerged. The soldier needs to bemindful of what to expect of himself,what to expect in his household, uponreturn,” said Reid.

He also explained that Soldiers need toaccept that life went on without themwhile they were gone. “Initially, when he[the Soldier] walks through that frontdoor, there is a system in place that hewas not a part of. The wife and kids havea system that has been functioningwithout him. One of the worst things hecan do is reenter that system and try totake charge of the system that was notinitiated by him,” Reid warned.

“He [the Soldier] may feel that hischildren, “the troops” have been disobe-dient, because they are used to listeningto mama. Now he is there and they arenot listening to him. That is an initialshock, particularly to a Noncommis-sioned Officer, who has been in charge,who has been in command, who has beenrunning things,” Reid explained.

He also added that parents need to beconsistent on what their children areallowed and not allowed to do.

“Before you arrive home, ask yourspouse about what system has been inplace. If there are children in the family,ask what the “No’s” are. Children tend toask the returning parent questions, towhich they know the answer is “no.”What they are trying to do is hope that thereturning parent does not know theanswer,” Reid said smiling.

Unfortunately not all Soldiers willhappily reunite with their families upontheir return. Some may have to faceseparation or divorce. Reid refers topending issues in a relationship as“thing that are swept underneath thecarpet.”

“Couples could make a joint decisionto pull those things from underneath thecarpet one by one and finally deal withthem. Oftentimes a couple does not havethe skills or the patience to deal withthose issues one by one. My advice wouldbe to get with your chaplain or a statesidecounselor,” Reid said.

“Divorce is ugly, they need a thirdparty to literally hold their hands andwalk them through this mess. Divorceoften hurts,” he said. “You definitelyneed help. Please do not try to go with italone. It may lead to greater conflict. You

need skills. Do not try to rebuild a motorwith a screwdriver and a pair of‘channalocks.’ It is going to take a longtime. The more tools you have in your toolbox, the greater success you should havein your marriage,” Reid said wisely.

Things that are swept underneath thecarpet often may be financial in nature.“Once the money is spent, that money isgone. One of the things I tell soldiers isthat the magnitude of your aggressive-ness or irritation resulting from themoney being spent is directly related toyour value system. How much attentionyou give money,” Reid said.

He highly recommends consultingsomeone who is good at handling money.He also advises to make a financial planand stick to it, outlining the amountsspent for leisure, bills and savings aswell. “The reason perhaps why you are ina conflict now is because you went totheater without a plan,” said Reid.

Single soldiers returning to homestation also need to make some readjust-ments and handle their money wisely.“They should be patient, research on theInternet and they should not be afraid topay cash for a vehicle. They shoulddecide how much they are willing to

spend on a vehicle when they get home.Finance companies take full advantage ofsoldiers who do not have excellentcredit,” Reid warned.

Other points Reid brought up includedbeing cautious when consuming alcohol,allowing time to get used to driving athome, and making sure Soldiers areproperly reacquainted with their motor-cycles before they ride it in traffic.

“There is nothing more hurtful to amom or grandparent or uncle, than thattheir son or daughter has made it back tothe States safely, and now they have beeninjured in a vehicle or motorcycle acci-dent,” Reid added.

“If 2-3 months down the road afteryour return you find yourself gravitatingtowards alcohol or any substance, to dealwith the pain that theater imposed uponyou, please go see your chaplain or seekcounseling on or off post,” said Reid.

Chaplains handle everything soldierstell them confidentially, except if thesoldier is talking about hurting himself,his family or fellow soldiers. Those arethe only circumstances when they need tobreak confidentiality and notify the chainof command and proper authorities, Reidsaid, encouraging soldiers to seek counselwhen in need.

Reid also explained that althoughsoldiers are highly encouraged to seekcounsel with the chaplain assigned totheir unit or higher echelon, they are notlimited to that option.

Depending on the nature of the crisisor issue, returning soldiers may also seekadvice and support from the ArmyEmergency Relief or the Army CommunityServices on post.

No matter what challenges the returnhome may hold, Reid advises soldiers to“Be nice and thank God that you made ithome with all of your fingers and all ofyour toes!”

“Be nice and thank Godthat you made it homewith all of your fingersand all of your toes!”

-Capt. Kenneth E. Reid

PAGE 5SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES

Story by Sgt. Monika ComeauxStaff Writer

On 26 August, the family of a deceased local contrac-tor received money for his truck and equipment that wasblown up at one of the entry points to Logistical SupportArea Anaconda as the result of a security decision. Thefamily was also given the money for the deceased’sunpaid services.

“The story behind this family is that the husband orfather of the family used to work on the base as anindependent contractor providing cable services and

satellite dishes for soldiers and offices. He was a regularvisitor. He used to come on post in his little blue ‘bongo’truck, all the time,” explained Maj. Marc Lawton, Civil-Military Operations Office of the 29th Brigade CombatTeam.

On January 1st of this year, the explosive detectionequipment at the gate detected the presence of explo-sives. The dogs also reacted, indicating that an explosivewas present.The officer in charge at the entry point madethe decision to blow the truck in place, Lawton added.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal went out to the gate, asthey always do when something including explosiveshappens, and they checked to see what it was that wasdetected and what caused the dogs to react. Unfortu-nately they were not able to identify the reason for thealarm.

Approximately ten days later, the owner came in andtried to start the claims process at the Civil-MilitaryOperations Center (CMOC) at LSA Anaconda. “Ourpredecessors told the owner that he needed to bring indocumentation proving that it was his truck. Also toprove what other kind of equipment he had and whatwas the estimated value of the items he lost,” saidLawton.

“Before he ever came back he was murdered, presum-ably because he was working with Coalition Forces,”Lawton added with a quiet tone.

The CMOC did not hear anything from the family oranybody else for a couple of months. “Then the wife’scousin came in and started asking if the family can stillfile a claim. Also, the contractor had some unpaidcontract money. Contracting also owed the deceasedmoney,” said Lawton.

After finding out that the family was eligible to receivemoney, the cousin of the wife came in and started theclaims process. “Then we realized that we needed tomake sure that we are paying the rightful heirs of hisestate. Back in the states it is pretty cut and dry, the wifegets all the money. That is not the case here,” saidLawton.

“We had to determine if Iraqi law was the same way.We found through our JAG section, that it is not,” saidLawton.

The Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAG) advisesCMOC to have the family go through the Iraqi courts andget a document that specifies how the estate is to bedistributed.

The family brought that document back, and theCMOC put the claim in to 1st Corps Support Command’sJAG. The estate is actually broken out into parts,resutlting in seven payments; different values based onIraqi law, and the shares per person,” explained Lawton.

“The CMOC is too small to do all this and accommo-date all the family members, so we just decided to bringthem up to the conference room and do all the paper-work and payments there,” said Lawton.

The family and CMOC had attempted to meet severaltimes before 26 August, but were unable to make it toLSA Anaconda, because of transportation or securityissues. For the benefit of the family, the identification ofthe family members or the amount of money paid forthem is not being disclosed.

Claims received from Iraqi citizens generally take alittle over two months to process, but this one was aspecial case, and at the end the rightful heirs received thecompensation, Lawton said.

Heirs of deceased contractor get

paid for his vehicle, equipmentLocal laws applied on how to split up the estate of the deceased

A family member receives her share of the money that wasoriginally supposed to compensate the deceased for hisdamages. A Civil Affairs officer, 1st Lt. Keith Bishop standsby overseeing the transaction his office cordinated.

Courtesy photo by the Civil-Military Operations Center

planted liver starts working with the newbody’s systems, as Teats explained.

The cousins hope that after being releasedfrom the Intensive Care Unit, they will beassigned to share the same recovery room forthe first week in the hospital. After that, Teatsshould be released to a nearby hotel, where hecan continue to recuperate under care of hiswife and family. That way they will still benear to the hospital should there be any needfor emergency post-operation care, said Teats.

After making it through that period ofrecovery, Teats should be released to returnhome. He looks forward to getting back to hisoutdoor activities, and plans to spend sometime “kickin’ back” at his father’s remotecabin in Dixie, Idaho. Eventually, he’ll beback to his outdoor activities: mountainbiking and hiking.

When asked what his thoughts were abouthis shortened tour, he said he feels like he’sabandoning the guys. “I guess I’m going toworry about my platoon a little bit,” saidTeats.

He spent several quick days tying up looseends with the unit. Turning in TA-50, com-pleting out-processing procedures, andsaying goodbyes-for-now.

Teats was slightly unnerved, but optimisticabout the surgery. “It’s a little scary, but at thesame time I feel it’s a risk I have to take, for afamily member, for a good guy in general. Ifeel it’s definitely worthwhile in every singleway I could think of.”

Ironically, a few months after Teats joinedthe Army, he was catching up on things,conversing with Brent, and they foundthemselves to be working in the same job.

Brent is a welder who uses his skill tobuild rock crusher plants. Aaron had signedup for the Army to learn a military occupationspecialty which has a lot to do with a quarry;Quarry Specialist. Brent recently earned apromotion to plant operator, and his employeris anxious to have him back, healthy, andworking in his new role.

The Teats family is supportive of thesurgery. Teats’ wife understands the familyconnection, and told him the decision todonate was his choice. She understands thatthis surgery is just something he feels heneeds to do.

Teats was honest about his range ofthoughts on the upcoming surgery. He said,“There is always the thought that people havedied from this.” But he knows the odds are inhis favor.

Liver DonorContinued from pg. 3

“It’s a little scary, but at thesame time I feel it’s a risk Ihave to take, for a family mem-ber, for a good guy in general.”

-Spc. Aaron Teats

PAGE 6 SEPTEMBER 11, 2005ANACONDA TIMES

LSA ANACONDDining Facility

Hours of Operation

DFAC 1Breakfast 6 to 9 a.m.Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Late Night 2 to 5 a.m.

DFACs 2 & 3Breakfast 6 to 9 a.m.Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Dinner 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.Late Night: 11:30 pm. to 1 a.m.

DFAC 4Breakfast 5:30 to 8:30 a.m.Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Dinner 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.Late Night: 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The DFAC hours for all locations are seven days aweek. All patrons must be in the proper uniform and be

able to present appropriate identification.

Staff Sgt. Engels TejedaStaff Writer

Budget figures from theRegional Contracting Center(RCC) – Balad show that Iraqibusinesses significantly benefitedfrom spending by U.S. forcesduring the past eleven months.

As fiscal year 2005 comes to aclose, the RCC at LogisticalSupport Area Anaconda estimatesthat of approximately $88 millionin contracts awarded sinceOctober 2004, over $30 millionwent to companies registered inIraq.

The RCC at LSA Anacondareports to the Joint ContractingCommand – Iraq/Afghanistan,and primarily processes contractsfor 1st Corps Support Command,Army Materiel Command, the 42nd

Infantry Division, and variousspecial operations units.

Iraqi companies were awardedcontracts that covered construc-tion projects, labor services, andcommodity purchases, said Maj.Erwin Rivera, the chief of contract-ing for the RCC at Balad.

Some of the projects improvedconditions at LSA Anaconda.These included the renovation ofthe Criminal InvestigationDepartment building and anongoing installation of new airconditioner and heating units insome of the LSA’s buildings.

A significant portion of themoney was awarded through theCommanders’ Emergency ReliefProgram, which appropriatesmoney for local projects to rebuild

different things in Iraq.For example, the Balad Train

Station Water Project, which iscurrently awaiting approval, isexpected to employ 60 Iraqisduring construction and to benefitbetween 700 and 800 familiesupon completion. That project willcost approximately $620,000, andwill be awarded to an Iraqicompany. Likewise, the buildingof the Qara Tapa courthouse, a$415,000 project, went to an Iraqicompany.

Additionally, a significantamount of the Commanders’Emergency Relief Program went torebuilding local schools androads through Iraqi companies.

Iraqi businesses also benefitedfrom direct purchases through atleast two major programs.

Under the Field OrderingOfficer Program, Army unitsrequested money to purchasesmall supplies through localbusinesses. The project allowsArmy units to spend up to $2,500per purchase, per vendor, forsmall supplies if obtaining themwould be difficult or inefficientthrough the Army’s logisticssystem. According to Maj. VanAuken, 1st COSCOM’s comptrol-ler, 1st COSCOM units spentapproximately $2.5 million inFiscal Year 2005 on small sup-plies such as printer paper, printercartridges, brooms, and mops.

Similarly, U.S. troops workingwith units from the new IraqiArmy received funds through theTransition Team Initial Fund(TTIF), a program that parallels

the Field Ordering Officer Pro-gram. Under TTIF, about $130,000was appropriated to 1st COSCOMunits working with the IraqiArmy. The units have used themoney to buy from local busi-nesses small supplies such asdesks, printers, copy machines,and other office materials.

Whether through direct andsmall purchases such as the TTIFprogram, or through largercontracts, U.S. spending helped to

rehabilitate the local economy thisyear, Van Auken said. He notedthat the spending helped the warefforts in two ways.

First, money spent on contract-ing local labor allowed Soldiers toconcentrate on their combat dutiesas opposed to doing some of thevital but time consuming jobs.

Second, doing business withlocal Iraqis and providing em-ployment for them minimizes therecruiting market for insurgents,

who have a hard time gettingyoung Iraqis to join them if theIraqis are employed. Equallyimportant, Van Auken noted,spending on the local economyhelps get Iraq back on its feetfaster.

“If we invigorate the Iraqieconomy, businesses will thriveand Iraq will become a self-sufficient and viable member ofthe international community,”Van Auken said.

Master Sgt. Martin S. Nemes, a member of the 100th Institutional Training Division and an advisor for the IraqiArmy’s 3rd Motorized Transportation Regiment (MTR), purchases office supplies for the 3rd MTR at a localbusiness in Dohuk, Iraq. The purchases were funded through the Transition Team Initial Fund.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

Military continues to make local purchases in FY06

PAGE 7SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES

This medic is no ordinary heroAlthough he carries around a rubber chicken for good luck, this man means serious business when he is on the job

By Pfc. Spencer CaseStaff

He didn’t think twice before jumpinginto the freezing canal water.

It was the early morning of Feb. 13,2005—a day that would become a darkmark on the calendar for members of 54th

Medical Company (Air Ambulance) ofFort Lewis, Wash. A Humvee near Baladhad overturned in a canal; inside threeservicemembers were frantically givingCPR to two others who were unconscious.In response to an urgent medical evacua-tion request, the company dispatched twoBlackhawk helicopters.

On the way to the accident, onehelicopter picked up Air Force Staff Sgt.Ray Rangel, a fire fighter, to help extractthe patients from the vehicle. When theyarrived, Rangel entered the water tosecure the patients, but was havingtrouble. Staff Sgt. Peter Rohrs, the flightmedic, could have waited safely insidethe helicopter. Instead, he followedRangel into the canal—without realizinghe had not taken off his 50 pounds offlight gear. The two of them were able tosave one patient, and they were handlinganother when the current, bolstered bythe rain, swept the three of them off theirfeet and down the canal. Rohrs wassaved when a local national threw a ropeinto the water. He was rushed to theemergency room and treated for hypother-mia. The other two perished in the water.

“It’s his job as far as he’s concerned,but there’s your job and there’s doingmore than your job,” said Spc. KeithGrover, the crew chief for Rohrs’ flightteam, whose responsibility is to assist themedic and to be the expert on aircraftmaintenance. “That day is a primeexample of him doing more than his job. Itwas cold—I mean forty degree air tem-perature; the canal water was freezing.He jumped in, didn’t even think twiceabout it, just went in to help the patients.”

Rohrs is not likely to boast about hisheroism during “the canal mission”—asthe Feb. 13 incident is known to unitmembers. People who first meet thebrown-haired 29-year-old father of threeoften describe him as mellow, nice, andhumble but distant and serious at thesame time. Those who know him betterwill attest that he has a lighter side.

“To somebody that doesn’t know him,he comes off as kind of like, hard,” Groversaid, “but he’s a pretty soft, nice guy andhe’ll do anything for anyone.”

He also has a silly, sarcastic sense ofhumor that is second to none, Groveradded.

This humor is manifested throughBeauregard, a rubber chicken he keepswith him as a good-luck token. The inside

joke began with Rohrs’s father, who hada rubber chicken named Beauregardduring his military service. Beauregardwas passed to other relatives serving inthe military over a period of thirty years.During a previous deployment, Rohrsasked his mother to send him the chicken.Unfortunately, Beauregard had fallenapart over the years, so she sent himanother one which Rohrs named after theoriginal. The second Beauregard has nowbeen on three deployments with Rohrs.When other members of the unit saw himcarrying the rubber chicken with him theygave him the nickname “Rooster”—aname that has stuck among some of hisfriends. Rohrs still keeps Beauregardsuspended between the co-pilot seat andthe ceiling of his team’s helicopter. Hejokes that Beauregard has more flighthours than most flight medics.

Rohrs enlisted in the Army when hewas 20 years old. He said he cannotattribute his decision to join the militaryto any one reason, though he said hisfather’s career as an Air Force officer wasan influence. His decision was also partlybecause he felt he “needed some directionin life.” Rohrs chose the Army over otherbranches because he felt it offered himbetter career options and more opportuni-ties for promotion.

After a deployment to Bosnia as aregular medic in 2000, Rohrs underwentadditional training so that he would bequalified to do medical work on airambulances. Rohrs said he did this tohave greater autonomy to use his skills.

“As a staff sergeant in the Army, it’srare that you have your own patients thatyou work [on] without anybody else withyou. Other staff sergeants in the Armyhave people there helping them work onpatients. When we go to pick up patients,it’s just us and the patients on the air-craft… I kinda like that idea—being ableto use my skills that I’ve obtained over theyears with all the classes that I’ve taken.”

As a flight medic, Rohrs has gained areputation with his colleagues as onewho knows his business.

“I would put him with the top fourmedics I’ve ever worked with and I’d puthim with the top medics in theater,” saidCapt. Anthony Garcia, the flight platoonleader above Rohrs. “If I was hurt or Itook a round, I’d definitely want Sgt.Rohrs workin’ on me. He’s saved a lot of

lives out here. I’d probably say he’s one ofthe best medics I’ve ever known.”

Facing human death on a daily basisis not an easy job, but Rohrs said theprospect of saving a life makes the harddays—like Feb. 13—worthwhile.

“Every time we bring a guy to theemergency room and we’ve had to fight toget him there alive… and the ER doc orthe surgeon says ‘hey good job, he made itout’… it makes me feel very proud of whatI do, it makes me very proud of the medicsthat I have that work for me here on ateam. Every time I hear about one of themedics bringing in a patient or saving a

Staff Sgt. Peter Rohrs, a flight medic for the 54th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) of FortLewis, Wash., flies in a Blackhawk helicopter during a routine mission to deliver medicalsupplies and pick up patients between Logistical Support Area Anaconda and Baghdad.

Photo by Pfc. Spencer Case

“I would put him with thetop four medics I’ve everworked with and I’d put himwith the top medics in the-ater”

-Capt. Anthony Garcia

life causes the same warm fuzzy reac-tion.”

When he is not on duty, Rohrs enjoysdrinking coffee at “The Green Bean” andreading outdoor-themed magazines.When his deployment is over, Rohrslooks forward to hiking Mt. Rainier,Wash.

But Rohrs is not finished with hisArmy career just yet. One of his ambitionsis to teach privates to be medics at theiradvanced individual training.

“It’s been a fun eight and a half years,”said Rohrs about the time he has servedin the Army.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 PAGE 9PAGE 8 SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES

MEDEVAC crew responds to calls, saves hundreds of livesA day in the life of the 54th Medical Company...

Spc. Charles M. Eby, a medical transpor-tation specialist, takes a nine-lineMEDEVAC request throught the phone.

Sgt. Matthew Whitehead, a combat medic, treats a local national while aboard one of the 54th’s Blackhawk helicopters. The man had received multiple head and limb injuries and wastransported from Balad to Baghdad. If the sustained injury would result in the loss of life, limb or eyesight, the medical evacuation crew responds to and treats injured locals.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

Sgt. Shawn D. Fulton, flight medic, helps off the MEDEVAC an Iraqi female who sus-tained third degree burns to the abdomen. Though Fulton offered to place her on a litter,she preferred to walk because she was more comfortable sitting up due to the pain.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

Crew members for the 54th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) help medics unload a localnational that was transferred from LSA Anaconda to Baghdad.

Staff Sgt. Engels TejedaStaff Writer

Balad, Iraq – A green phone rings atthe tactical operation center (TOC) of the54th Medical Company (Air Ambulance).Spc. Charles M. Eby answers and ispromptly informed that the caller has anine-line medical evacuation request.

“Is it an urgent?” Eby asks.“Yeah, I’ve got three urgent litters,”

the caller reports.While the caller stands by, Eby

snatches a handheld radio and an-nounces, “First Up, First Up, report to theTOC.”

During the next six minutes, Eby’scompany begins a process that has savedhundreds of lives during Operation IraqiFreedom. “First Up” is a crew consistingof two pilots, a medic, and a crew chief.They man a Blackhawk helicopter that is

ready to go whenever a nine-lineMEDEVAC request is called into the TOC.Eby, an aviation operation specialist, is incharge of taking the calls and relaying themessages to the crew. As he puts downthe handheld radio, he bounds back tothe green phone and systematically jotsdown every detail the caller announces.

The nine-line request is for threeSoldiers who were just hit by an impro-vised explosive devise along one of Iraq’sroads, the caller says. While unable toprovide the exact injuries, the caller givesEby the pickup site’s coordinates.

“You really become attuned to what’sbeing said,” Eby notes. “You realize thatpeople’s lives are depending on youhandling the call.”

As Eby finishes filling out the form, themembers of “First Up” blast through theTOC door. Sgt. Thomas A. Chavez, thecrew’s medic, is eating lunch at the 54th’s

dining tent when Eby’s announcementcomes over the radio. He puts down theplate and within seconds meets up withthe rest of the crew at the TOC. Hereviews Eby’s form and realizes that themission requires another helicopter.

“I can do two,” he says referring to thenumber of urgent patients he can attendwhile in the air. “But three . . . I may bepushing it.”

Within six minutes, both helicoptersare en route to the location of the incident.The 54th’s “Brewmasters” have beenanswering calls like this for the past tenmonths. According to Capt. Joshua C.Thomson, the flight operations officer, the54th has flown over 5,200 hours, and havetransported over 4,800 casualties, whoseinjuries have ranged from urgent life,limb or eyesight emergencies, to more“routine” illnesses such as a high fever.

Additionally, the Brewmasters have

conducted nearly 1,700 medical person-nel and supply transportation missions,to include hauling more than 1,100 boxesof blood. They also conduct ContingencyAeromedical Staging Facility missions,carrying about 600 patients betweenhospitals throughout Iraq.

“I’m very proud of our medical caresystem out here,” says Capt. David A.Lenzo, a forward support medical teamleader who is attached to the 54th. “Whensomeone gets hurt, I know they aregetting the best medical care available.”

Though roughly 77 percent of peopletransported aboard the 54th’s helicoptershave been American servicemembers,nearly 12 percent have been Iraqi policeand civilians, about seven percentbelonged to other coalition troops, andapproximately four percent have beendetainees. Capt. Anthony R. Garcia, aflight platoon leader, says everyone getstreated the same.

“We see it in two ways,” Garcia says.“One, it’s good practice for our medicsbecause they might learn something[while] working on these people thatcould help them save a Soldier’s life. Butmore than that, it’s the standard that isunique to the American forces –that wetake as good care of others as we wouldwant for our selves.”

Helping local Iraqis also strengthensrelationships between the local popula-tion and coalition forces. Garcia says thatin one case, local relationships betweenSoldiers and a town improved after hisunit flew a sheik’s niece to a hospital.Lenzo says that on another occasion, hisunit helped win the hearts and minds ofan Iraqi town when it provided safe andfast evacuation for a local man.

The mission today involves Americantroops, however, and within ten minutesthe two helicopters arrive at the scene.Chavez leaps off the Blackhawk andfollows a pair of waving arms from aSoldier who is standing in the middle ofthe road. As Chavez approaches, henotices three Soldiers lying on litters. Heturns to the first patient.

“He had an amputated arm and hewas motionless,” Chavez says recallingthe moment. “I asked the guys on the[scene] if anyone had put a tourniquet onhim, but they all said that he was dead. Ichecked his signs and he was pale andgrey. . . He had bled to death.”

On the second litter, Chavez finds acasualty with an open head wound. Hemoves that Soldier onto his helicopter.Chavez also finds a Soldier sitting next toa vehicle and complaining of a headconcussion. He directs that Soldier ontothe helicopter too.

On the last litter, Chavez finds apatient that has a fractured arm and a

fractured leg. He motions the medic fromthe second helicopter to take the last litterout, and the second medic puts thepatient with the fractured limbs on thesecond helicopter.

The pick up goes without a glitch, butthe 54th is not always so fortunate. Sincearriving to Iraq for this deployment, theyhave received fire while picking upSoldiers at least four times. They alsohave had to deal with Iraq’s unforgivingweather, which reaches over 130 degreesFahrenheit during the summer and turnsthe helicopters into furnaces. More thananything else, they have to deal with theloss of Soldiers’ lives – tragedies that theysay take an indescribable toll on the crew.

“Sometimes you can hear the patientsscream over the noise from rotor blades,”says Lenzo. “The kind of injuries you seehere are unlike any injuries you see backin the states.”

These injuries are sometimes shockingeven to the 54th’s trained medics. On oneoccasion, Sgt. Matthew Whitehead, amedic, had to take care of a young girlwho was injured when a vehicle bombexploded near her. Whitehead, who hasan eight-year-old son, recalls how shakenhe was by the incident.

“Children are the most difficult forme,” Whitehead says, noting that he hashad to provide medical care for at leastthree children while on this deployment.“In a way, you just think they are not theones supposed to get hurt, you know.They still have their lives ahead of them.”He pauses, and explains that the little girlsurvived. Then, somewhat timidly henotes that though the evacuations arehard at times, “you just try to focus on theinjuries and not the person . . . You just dothe job.”

Back on the helicopter, now en route toLogistical Support Area Anaconda’sTheater Hospital, Chavez struggles toincrease one of the patient’s blood oxygenlevel. The Soldier with the open headwound has reached critical condition.Dirt is obstructing his airway and Chavezhas to sedate the Soldier so that theSoldier won’t try to resist his help.Chavez has never had a patient die onboard his aircraft and this Soldier won’tbe the first.

The air ambulances arrive at thehospital and all three patients are stillbreathing. When Chavez is about to hopback on the helicopter, a nurse pulls himaside and lets him know that the Soldierwith the closed head injury would like tosee him.

When Chavez approaches, the Soldiershakes his hand and holding back tearshe says, “thank you for helping mybuddy.”

See MEDEVAC... on pg. 10

Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

PAGE 10 SEPTEMBER 11, 2005ANACONDA TIMES

Housing Area H-1 to DFAC 1/ H-4,

H-3/5 & H-7 to DFAC 4:

Depart: 6 &11a.m. 5:15p.m.

Return: 7:30a.m., 12:30 & 6:45p.m.

to BLDG 7001:

Depart: 7:15p.m.

Return: 9:30p.m.

(SUNDAY)

to BLDG 7001:

Depart: 8:15a.m. , 1:30, 3:15, 7:15

& 9:30p.m.

Return: 10a.m. 2:15, 4:15, 8:15 &

10p.m.

LSA Anaconda

housing bus

schedule

**DFAC hours remain the same**DFAC hours remain the same**DFAC hours remain the same**DFAC hours remain the same**DFAC hours remain the samefor Sunday.for Sunday.for Sunday.for Sunday.for Sunday.

**BLDG 7001 is near the PX/**BLDG 7001 is near the PX/**BLDG 7001 is near the PX/**BLDG 7001 is near the PX/**BLDG 7001 is near the PX/gym, pool, stadium and theater.gym, pool, stadium and theater.gym, pool, stadium and theater.gym, pool, stadium and theater.gym, pool, stadium and theater.**Bus will depart from housing**Bus will depart from housing**Bus will depart from housing**Bus will depart from housing**Bus will depart from housing

offices.offices.offices.offices.offices.**The bus rides are non-stop to**The bus rides are non-stop to**The bus rides are non-stop to**The bus rides are non-stop to**The bus rides are non-stop tothe locations mentioned above.the locations mentioned above.the locations mentioned above.the locations mentioned above.the locations mentioned above.

Continued from pg. 9

Chavez reassures the Soldier that thehospital staff will take care of them whiletrying to keep up his own composure.

As they return to their launchingpad, the Brewmasters try to recollect andprepare for the next mission. One Soldierdied, probably long before the helicopterswere even called to the rescue. The medicsknow that even the best doctors in theworld cannot save every one of theirpatients. Nevertheless, the death is hardto take.

The helicopters barely touch groundwhen a fueling crew rushes to their aid.

MEDEVAC, MEDEVAC, MEDEVAC...

Sgt. Shawn D. Fulton, flight medic, carefully prepares an air ambulance for the next mission.

The fueling crew is part of the “nuts andbolts” of the unit. Based out of Fort Lewis,Wash., the 54th is the largest medicalevacuation company in the history of theArmy, and it is 100 percent self -sustain-ing.

Managed by a headquarters platoon,they have their own helicopter andvehicle mechanics, their own fuel special-ists, their own food services detachment,and their own supply specialists. Eventheir housing seems secluded from thevast number of amenities that composeLSA Anaconda. After spending ninemonths in tents, they now live in a trailervillage located within the air field’s

Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

perimeter.Their independence comes with great

responsibilities. According to 1st Sgt.Ruth R. Brynes, on average, the helicop-ter mechanic shop operates 20 hours aday. Each mechanic works between 12and 14 hours daily, and the pilots areon three day rotations between flyingand maintenance testing.

The workload takes a toll on every-one, but the they have adapted, says Lt.Col. Robert D. Mitchell, commander ofthe 36th Medical Battalion, the higherheadquarters to whom the 54th reports.

“The 54th is the most geographicallydispersed company in theater,” Mitchellsays just minutes after visiting theBrewmasters. He was visiting to pro-mote four of the unit’s lieutenants tocaptains and to present four awardsincluding two Air Medals. “Theirmissions have been difficult, and theyhave done them with skill, they havedone them with grace, and I’ve beenvery pleased and impressed with theirwork.”

Mitchell credits the unit’s success toits motivation and its experience, notingthat since most of the unit had deployedin support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I,this deployment was easier.He is quickto note, however, that 54th still faces thesame challenges they faced during theirfirst rotation to Iraq.

Of course, the 54th knows this betterthan anyone, and the green phone at theTOC keeps them aware of the war goingon around them. A few minutes before“First up” finishes its 24-hour shift, thegreen phone rings again. It’s anothernine-line, and the cycle starts all over.

PAGE 11SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES

-

By Sgt. Jason MikeworthStaff Writer

It was still dark when the soldiers of1st Platoon, 814th Engineer Companygathered at the staging area for theday’s mission. Vehicles were inspected,water stacked up by the box and icepoured into coolers.

As the first rays of the sun began tolighten the early morning sky, theSoldiers huddled for the convoy safetybrief delivered by their platoon leader,1st Lt. Harley Thomas. Staff Sgt. An-thony Polite, the noncommissionedofficer in charge, drove home pointsregarding complacency and how tocombat it. Then a chaplain asked themall to bow their heads as he gave hisversion of a safety brief. It was justanother day of bridge maintenance.

The 814th Engineer Company special-izes in bridge building. This day’smission was to conduct maintenance onthe As Sindiyah Bridge near LogisticalSupport Area Anaconda. The bridge is avital link over the Tigris River, Politesaid, the largest in a 45 mile radius. It’scapable of supporting all types ofmilitary traffic, including a HeavyEquipment Transport (HET) vehiclecarrying an M1 Abrams Tank.

“The bolts vibrate apart when thetrucks go across it,” said Spc. EdwardPowell, a bridge crewmember, as he

torqued another bolt tight. “They needto be tightened every so often.”

The soldiers moved about their workfluidly, moving in and out of the panelswith ease. Safety comes first, explainedThomas, and is considered whenselecting personnel for the mission.

“It’s usually good to bring a smallerperson to fit between the panels,” hesaid.

Polite expressed confidence in theabilities of his team. “We’ve had somuch training on this bridge,” he said“every Soldier out here can come and domy job.”

The unit returned to the river bankbriefly to allow a small convoy to crossthe bridge. The rest seemed too short,but the soldiers returned to workquickly, eager to complete their mission.

“It gets your blood pumping,”Thomas said, “these guys are pumpedup, sweating it out doing what they aresupposed to do.”

As the last droplets of sweat fell intothe Tigris, the final bolt was tighteneddown. The Soldiers packed their toolsand prepared for the return trip to LSAAnaconda with the sun still low in themorning sky. Looking back to thebridge, Thomas felt a sense of pride forhis team and a job well done.

“We’re out here doing what we’resupposed to do; helping people. It’s agood mission.”

Spc. Menchor Maslian of the 814th EngineerCompany drives a locking pin back into placeon the As Sindiyah Bridge over the Tigris.

Photo by Sgt. Jason Mikeworth

Engineers conduct bridge maintenance Going onEmergency

Leave?

Don’tforget that

you

MUST havecivilian

clothes tobe able to

fly out!Also make sure

you have a copy ofyour orders on youat all times, even

when you arealready at home!

Sgt. Mitch Armbruster

Staff Writer

Information technology andthe ever progressing world ofentertainment electronics hascreated a generation of Ameri-cans skilled in computer andconsole gaming. Now Soldiershave the opportunity to fire thenewest technology on a similarplatform.

Soldiers fired the M101Common Remotely OperatedWeapon Station (CROWS) Sept.1, 2005, at Range Hawaii, justoutside of Logistical SupportArea Anaconda during theSoldier’s last few days of train-ing with the system.

“[This is the] final stage ofnew equipment training (NET).For a two week class we bringthe Soldiers into our fielding sitehere at LSA Anaconda and trainthem on all aspects of using andmaintaining the system,” saidJohn Lowe, a NET trainer for theCROWS system and Departmentof the Army (DA) Civilianemployee at Fort Leonard Wood,Mo.

“The Soldiers are shooting atabout 1000 meters, engagingtargets on the range and thesystem is performing very well,”Lowe said.

The M101 CROWS is anautomated firing system thatallows the gunner on a vehicle touse a weapon system withoutsitting in a turret exposing areasof the body vulnerable to smallarms fire or explosive attacks.Cameras on the weapon allowthe gunner to see from inside thevehicle. A joystick and displayscreen offers the gunner theability to move the cameras backand forth to see possible enemyactivities or just the terrainsurrounding the vehicle.

“Anything to help save asoldier’s life, keeping the gunnerout of harm’s way is better,” saidSpc. Leandro Perez, an Avengersystem repair specialist takingthe course.

“The automated firing systemoffers multiple benefits, mainlyenhanced survivability andenhanced lethality,” Lowe said.

“The system is very accurate.We have two different weaponsystems that we can put on it,”

Staff Sgt. Jestin Tappenden,referring to the M249 squadautomatic weapon (SAW) andMK 19 40-mm automatic grenademachine gun. Tappenden is aconvoy escort team leaderinvolved in the CROWS training.

The CROWS offers configura-tions that allow four differentcrew-served weapon systems,although the soldiers at RangeHawaii only fired two. The fourweapon systems are: the M249squad automatic weapon, M240medium machine gun, .50-calM2, MK 19 40-mm automaticgrenade machine gun.

In the near future, the addi-tion of three more weaponsystems will bring the total toseven.

Along with weapon systems,the CROWS system has thepotential to be available on eightdifferent vehicles.

From the CROWS, a gunnercan see the terrain by traversingthe weapon back and forth,moving the camera in thedirection the gunner wants tosee. For night operations or dayswith low visibility the CROWSoffers thermal imaging.

“As a Soldier Operator Testerand Evaluator (SOTE), weprovided a soldier’s input on thesystem when it was in test phaseso the system became moresuited to the soldier,” said Lowe,a former Soldier, who hasworked with the system as aSoldier and a DA civilian.

“[Soldiers] love the system.You can see by the expressionson their faces how much of adifference this is going to maketo them on their everydaymissions,” Lowe said.

“This is geared toward thePlaystation user. The people

who are into those things tend toexcel in our class. The folks thatdidn’t grow up with these thingstend to be a little slower [learn-ing the system],” Lowe said.

Technology has createdopportunities to enhance Sol-diers’ safety. In the area of theCROWS system, Soldiers arecapable of engaging the enemywithout exposing themselves tothe dangers on the roads of Iraq.Soldiers’ lives are vulnerablewhile in the turret, but theCROWS system allows thegunner a reasonable amount ofsafety from inside the vehicle.

Two servicemembers testfire the CROWS-system at a Range Hawaii.

Photo by Sgt. Mitch Armbruster

Soldiers train on CROWS at Range Hawaii

PAGE 12 AUGUST 28, 2005ANACONDA TIMES

East MWR

ScheduleWest MWR

Schedule

PilatesThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers Pilates classes at 5:45 a.m. Mon-day, Wednesday and Friday.

AerobicsThere will be an aerobics class Mon-

day, Wednesday and Friday at 6 p.m.Freestyle aerobics is Saturday at 9a.m., and today at 1 p.m.

KarateKarate classes will be today, Mon-

day, Wednesday and Friday at 7:15p.m.

Tae BoThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers Tae Bo classes Tuesday, Thurs-day and Saturday at 5:30 a.m.

Kobushi Sessen JutsuThe LSA Anaconda Fitness center

offers classes in the feudal warriorcombat art Tuesday, Thursday andSaturday at 8:30 p.m.

CapoeiraThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers capoeira classes today at 6 p.mand Monday, Wednesday and Fridayat 8:30 p.m.

Nihon Goshen AikidoThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers Nihon Goshen Aikido classes at5:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursdayand Saturday in the Sprung Gym.

Brazilian Jiu-JitsuCombatives

Classes will be today at 8:30 p.m.and Wednesday and Friday at 9:30p.m.

LSA Anaconda

Fitness Center

Karaoke Night

Open-mike nights willbe every Saturday at 8 p.m.

Table-TennisTournament

A Table-tennis tour-nament will be everySunday at 3 and 8 p.m.

DartsTournament

A darts tournamentwill be held Sundaysat 8 p.m.

8-BallTournament

An 8-ball tourna-ment will be heldevery Monday at 3and 8 p.m.

SpadesTournament

Spades tourna-ments will be heldSundays at 8 p.m.

Game NightGame night will

be every Friday at8 p.m.

Games featuredwill include Risk,Battleship and

Dominoes.

8-BallTournament8-Ball tournaments willbe Wednesdays at

8 p.m.

PingpongTournament

Pingpong tournamentswill be Tuesdays at

8 p.m.

Dedicated to providing a variety ofservices including:

Powers of Attorney and NotariesCitizenship Application Preparation and Immigra-

tion IssuesDivorce and Family Law Issues

GuardianshipsTax Services

Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act IssuesFLIPL and Reprimand Rebuttals

Personnel Claims and Wills

LSA Anaconda SoldiersLegal Center

DSN 829-1533/1538

A NBA Live 2005 tourna-ment will be held

Friday at 3 and 8 p.m.

A CounterStrike tourna-ment will be

held Thursdayat 8 p.m.

Commander’s Cup

September 17-18With 5 km run, meldley relay,bench your own weight, fiveon five basketball and other

exciting activities.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 PAGE 13ANACONDA TIMES

Religious ScheduleMovie Schedule

SustainerReel Time

Theater(schedule is subject to change)

September 113 p.m. War of the Worlds6 p.m. The Cave9 p.m. Herbie Fully Loaded

September 123 p.m. Bewitched6 p.m. Dark Water9 p.m. Rebound

September 133 p.m. War of the Worlds6 p.m. The Cave9 p.m. Dark Water

September 143 p.m. The Cave6 p.m. Rebound9 p.m. Herbie Fully Loaded

September 153 p.m. Herbie Fully Loaded6 p.m. Dark Water9 p.m. The Cave

September 163 p.m. The Transporter 2-Premiere6 p.m. The Transporter 2-Premiere9 p.m. The Transporter 2-Premiere

September 173 p.m. The Island6 p.m. Fantastic Four9 p.m. Transporter 2

Roman Catholic MassWednesday 11 a.m. Air Force HospitalSaturday 5 p.m. Tuskegee ChapelSunday 8:30 a.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 9 a.m. Tuskegee ChapelSunday 11 a.m. Provider ChapelSunday 8 p.m. Provider Capel AnnexMon.-Fri. 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel

Sacrament of Reconciliation(30 minutes prior to each mass)

Church of ChristSunday 11 a.m. Aviation Village 1/245th ATSConference Room

Islamic PrayerFriday 12:30 p.m. Provider Chapel

Samoan Congregational ServiceSunday 4 p.m. Provider Chapel

Latter Day SaintsSunday 1 p.m. Provider ChapelSunday 3 p.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel

Jewish PrayerFriday 6:30 p.m. Provider Chapel Annex

Liturgical- ProtestantSunday 8 a.m. Provider Chapel

Protestant-GospelSunday 11 a.m. Sustainer Indoor TheaterSunday 11:30 a.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 7 p.m. Provider Chapel

Protestant Praise and WorshipSunday 9:30 a.m. Sustainer Indoor TheaterSunday 5:30 p.m. Tuskegee ChapelSunday 6:30 p.m. MWR Tent 29th Spt. Bn.Sunday 7 p.m. Freedom ChapelWednesday 7:00 p.m. Freedom Chapel

Protestant-ContemporarySunday 11 a.m. Town Hall

Protestant-TraditionalSunday 7:30 a.m. Air Force Hospital ChapelSunday 9:30 a.m. Provider ChapelSunday 10 a.m. Freedom Chapel

Movie Synopsis for September 11-17BewitchedPG-13, Comedy, 102 minNicole Kidman, Will Ferrell

When Jack accidentally runs into Isabel, he becomesconvinced she could play the witch Samantha in hisnew TV series. Isabel is also taken with Jack, seeinghim as the quintessential mortal man with whom shecan settle down and lead the normal life she so de-sires. It turns out they’re both right—but in ways nei-ther of them ever imagined.

The IslandPG-13, Action Sci-fi, 115 minEwan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson

Lincoln is a resident of a seemingly utopian butcontained facility in the mid 21st century. Like all ofthe inhabitants of this carefully controlledenvironment, Lincoln hopes to be chosen to go to the“The Island” - reportedly the last uncontaminatedspot on the planet. But Lincoln soon discovers thateverything about his existence is a lie. He and all ofthe other inhabitants of the facility are actuallyhuman clones whose only purpose is to provide“spare parts” for their original human counterparts.

The CaveRated PG-13, Horror, 89 minMorris Chestnut, Eddie Cibrian

A rescue team is sent down into the world’s largest cavesystem to try to find the spelunkers who first exploredits depths. But when the group’s escape route is cut off,they are hunted by the monstrous creatures that livedown below.

Transporter 2PG-13, Action, 120 minJason Statham, Alessandro Gassman, Amber Valletta

Frank Martin is the best in the business. The ex-Special Forces operative hires himself out as amercenary “transporter” who moves goods — humanor otherwise. Very simply, he delivers...no questionsasked. Frank has relocated from the FrenchMediterranean to Miami, Florida, where as a favor to afriend, Frank is driving for the wealthy Billingsfamily. There’s very little that can surprise TheTransporter, but young Jack Billings has done justthat; Frank has unexpectedly bonded with Jack, age 6,whom he drives to and from school. But when Jack iskidnapped, Frank must use his battle-tested combatskills to retrieve the boy and thwart the kidnappers’master plan to release a virus that will kill anyonewith whom it comes in contact.

Fantastic FourPG-13, Action-Adventure, 133 minIoan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba

When an experimental space voyage goes awry, fourpeople are changed by cosmic rays. Reed , inventorand leader of the group gains the ability to stretch hisbody, and takes the name, Mr. Fantastic. Hisgirlfriend Sue, gains the ability to turn invisible andcreate force fields, calling herself the InvisibleWoman. Her younger brother Johnny gains the abilityto control fire, including covering his own body withflame, becoming the Human Torch. Pilot Ben is turned intoa super-strong rock creature calling himself Thing.Together, they use their unique powers to explore thestrange aspects of the world, and to foil the evil plans ofDoctorDdDoctor Doom.

Religious schedule subject to change

PAGE 14 SEPTEMBER 11, 2005ANACONDA TIMES

Reserve, Guard doctors sacrifice to save lives

By Pfc. Spencer CaseStaff Writer

Doctors in the Army Reserveand National Guard haveachieved professionalism in theface of unique challenges, suchas financial sacrifice andlearning to familiarize them-selves with new roles in a

deployed military environment. “I think the support the

Reserves and Guardsmen havegiven has been seamless,” saidLt. Col. William C. Terry, thecommander of the 261st AreaSupport Medical Battalion.“They are just as capable andcompetent as an active dutyunit.”

Civilian doctors have a higher

salary than most career fields, sodoctors in the National Guard orReserve often have to cope withdrastic income reductions whendeployed, said Capt. AlvaroMaya, a dentist of 20 years whois now working for the 1016th

Area Support Medical Companyof the Puerto Rico NationalGuard.

“One tenth of what I make in

private practice is more thanwhat I’m going to be makingover here,” said Maya.

Parting with patients can alsobe difficult, Maya said.

If the doctor has enoughmoney, he or she will close theclinic for 90 days and reopen itupon return. Most Army doctors,including Maya, can’t afford thisoption. For them deploymentmeans the burden of findingsomeone to take over for theduration of their absence. Thiscan be difficult because thesubstitute must have knowledgeof individual cases and must betrusted by patients who are usedto another doctor.

For other doctors deploymentcan mean a new field of medicalpractice and even reducedcommand status.

Col. Antonio Cortes, who hadbeen a civilian obstetrician-gynecologist for 26 years, is nowa primary medical provider forthe 1016th ASMC, treatingpatients for the common cold,fractures, lacerations and evenpsychological issues such ascombat stress.

“You feel somewhat insecureat the beginning,” Cortes saidabout the transition. But he addsthat with the help of his fellowphysicians, he has becomecomfortable working outside hisspecialty.

“I have improved all of myskills as a primary medicalofficer,” Cortes said. “I havelearned a lot here.”

Leaving his field of medicalpractice is not the only awkwardtransition Cortes has faced. Hehad to adjust from being deputycommander of the MedicalCommand of the Puerto RicanNational Guard to being in anon-command position.

“You have to switch yourattitude and release the com-mand position,” said Cortes, “itcan be difficult to get used tothat.”

Cortes said he has beenthrough worse. When he wasmobilized for Desert Storm, hewent six months without practic-ing his specialty and medicaljournals were difficult to comeby.

Today, Cortes is only de-ployed for 90 days and theInternet has made it easier to

keep track of professionalarticles. He knew about thedeployment long enough inadvance that he was able to findanother doctor to take care of hiscivilian patients. Cortes has beenaway from his patients for threemonths, which is a long time fora doctor. However, for him, thesacrifice has paid off.

Cortes said his favorite part ofthe job is his ability to “givesomething positive to Soldiers.”He can recall several instanceswhere the care he providedsoldiers turned out to have alarge impact on their perfor-mance.

Once a young, female Soldiercame in complaining of non-specific symptoms. At firstglance it looked like a cold, butCortes thought it might besomething else.

“When I interviewed her Irealized there was somethingseriously wrong,” Cortes said.

As he talked to her, he foundthat she was having problems athome and referred her to acombat stress team. A week later,the same Soldier came backrelieved of symptoms to thankCortes for his diagnosis.

Another time, a sergeant camein whose family had a history ofintestinal cancer. He had a polypin that area that he feared mightbe cancerous. Cortes made thearrangements to have the Soldiersent to Germany to have thepolyp tested and, if necessary,removed. In Germany, the testsshowed the polyp was benignand the Soldier was able tofinish his mission with peace ofmind.

Despite the hardships, bothdoctors say they do not regrettheir decision to serve in themilitary.“I feel proud to partici-pate in two mobilizations toserve my country, especially thisone,” said Cortes. “I feel I amdoing my part here in the globalwar against terrorism. In sum-mary, I feel proud of being here.”

“This country has given me somany opportunities that Iwanted to give back,” said Maya,who immigrated from Columbiato Boston, Mass. to attendgraduate school. “That’s why Ijoined the Army Reserve… it iswrong when we take things forgranted.”

Maj. Oscar Troche, a dental provider for the 1065th Area Support Medical Company of the Puerto Rico NationalGuard gives a simple filling to Sgt. James Wardwell of A Co, 463rd Engineers, Aug. 30.

Photo by Pfc. Spencer Case

“I feel proud to participate in two mobiliza-tions to serve my country, especially this one”

-Col. Antonio Cortes

PAGE 15SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES

Mount Abrams Climb -- All kinds of cardio workouts are counted and designated an elevation equiva-lent. One Solider, or several working as a team, competeto be king of the mountain by doing the most cardiowork. MWR coordinators at all gyms on Anaconda chartthe progress by posting their names on a picture of amountain, at the corresponding elevation.

The winner or winners win prizes like T-shirts andwater bottles. The next challenge begins Oct. 1 at mid-night and goes until the end of the month. Sign up at aMWR facility near you.

Sports NotesHOT...HOT... HOT...

BUILD YOR OWN RAFT FROM EMPTY WATERBOTTLES AND RACE IT AT THE OUTDOORS POOL

ON 2 OCTOBER!

Sign up with your four-men team at MWR today!contact:yolanda.gaddy@halliburton.com

Commander’s Cup -- Commanders, command ser-geants major and first sergeants, sign up your unit orbattalion to compete in the Commander’s Cup on Sept.17 and 18.

Competative events include: 5 km run, medley relay,bench your own weight, five on five basketball, four onfour indoor volleyball, six on six dodge ball and a tug-of-war.

Col. David W. Fitzgerald will present the trophy tothe winners at the end of the competition. Sign up at theMain Gym.

contact: kanada.legette@halliburton.com

Sgt. Mitch ArmbrusterStaff Writer

A group of reserve infantry Soldiers gathers theirthings and sets out for the small town of Yathreeb.

Soldiers with the 100th Battalion 442nd InfantryRegiment (IR) pull security and facilitate diplomaticrelations with the local citizens, Iraqi army, and Iraqipolice in preparation for the upcoming elections in thetown.

The Soldiers of the 100th spent the morning setting upa perimeter to secure the town for the weekly city councilmeeting. The Iraqi army and Iraqi police took part in themission by helping with roadblocks, vehicle searches,and personnel searches.

1st Lt. Andre Bennett, Company B executive officerneeded to help with a dispute between the Iraqi armyand Iraqi police early in the morning. Coalition Forces

have been the negotiators for these groups when it comesto solving problems or disputes.

“The Iraqi army is getting better. They are moremotivated to do their job,” said Staff Sgt. Urban Nelson, aNoncommissioned Officer helping to run the companycommand post.

“We try to instill in them [Iraqi army and police] thatthey need to work their issues through the Iraqi govern-ment first and if they run into problems that is when theCoalition Forces try to assist,” Bennett said.

The 100th builds good relationships with localcitizens. They try to be less intimidating, while offeringanother level of diplomacy to the Iraqis in the area.

“The leaders from [Logistical Support Area] Ana-conda come here and listen to the issues that the commu-nity in the Yathreeb area have,” Bennett said.

“We are here to get a better understanding of what’sgoing on in our area because we are putting the towncouncil members in charge of their areas,” said Staff Sgt.

“The administration forYathreeb is very receptive.They know that we are here tohelp them address their issues,”

-1st Lt. Andre Bennett

James Lupo, an intelligence NCO, who is in a positionwhere he gathers information about the surroundingareas.

Lt. Col. Colbert Low, the battalion commander for the100th, and Capt. Tim McGrew, the battalion Civil AffairsOfficer, spent the beginning of the morning speakingwith a member of the mayor’s office about current andfuture projects in and around Yathreeb.

Once all of the city council members had arrived, theweekly meeting started. The sound of people fanningthemselves filled the room while the morning’s discus-sions took place. The towns people had questions andconcerns ranging from water treatment to the upcomingconstitution. Encouraged by their new found freedoms,locals took the opportunity to register to vote.

“The administration for Yathreeb is very receptive.They know that we are here to help them address theirissues,” said Bennett.

Shortly after the meeting finished, the council hadfood available for the people to eat and discuss the day’sevents.

Soldiers and townspeople thanked one another fortheir time and effort. The Soldiers then proceeded backto LSA Anaconda.

“This mission is seeing the climate of the town’speople and how they are working together,” Lupo said.

“[Our relationship with the Iraqis] is a lot better thanit used to be. Everything is coming together.” Lupo said.

Paving the way for a free Iraq has been a longprocess spanning the last couple of years for Iraqicitizens and U.S. servicemembers alike. The IraqiConstitution is a major step in the democratic process ofthe country. The local nationals are registering to vote inhigher numbers than the last election and much of this isdue to increased working relationships between theIraqis and Coalition Forces.

The 100th has been a key part in building relation-ships with the local citizens by working in and aroundthe towns and villages. While the threat of encounteringenemy resistance is still possible, the Soldiers of the100th are helping to build a foundation of freedom inIraq.

1st Lt. Andre Bennett, Company B executive officer, is given information from Iraqi police while the interpreter translatesduring a city council meeting in the town of Yathreeb.The 100th conducts weekly meetings with local leaders.

Photo by Sgt. Mitch Armbruster

100th Infantry Battalion maintains

good relations with local town leaders

PAGE 16 SEPTEMBER 11, 2005ANACONDA TIMES

AROUND ANACONDA

TTTTThehehehehey cy cy cy cy claim the flaim the flaim the flaim the flaim the fa m ea m ea m ea m ea m e...............These Soldiers from the 507th Corps Support Group collected a total of 12 medals for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places of six different eventsduring the first regional Logistical Support Area Anaconda Track and Field Championships. They had their own coach, and took preparationfor the events very seriously. This wouldn’t have happened without the help of their superstar Airman on the team.

Courtesy photo by the team

And he spikAnd he spikAnd he spikAnd he spikAnd he spikes it...es it...es it...es it...es it...Soldiers play volleyball in their downtime tospice up life at a small forward operatingbase somewhere in Iraq.

Courtesy photo from a reader

Photo by Spc. Jerome Bishop

The explosives on the left ended up in thisfireball after the technicians properly pre-pared the load with C-4.

And then there wasthe explosion...

Technicians prepare rockets for demolition.Army and Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians place C-4 explosive charges on unserviceable US munitions like AirForce rockets at an explosives range outside of Forward Operating Base O’Ryan sometime in the month of August.

Photo by Spc. Jerome Bishop