Vol. 3, Issue 6 February 12, 2006

pg. 5pg. 5pg. 5pg. 5pg. 5

Servicemembers visit theruins of the ancientSumerian town of Ur

Iraqi army unit takescharge of security of area

in northern Iraq

pg. 4

pg. 5

US SoldierUS SoldierUS SoldierUS SoldierUS Soldiers trs trs trs trs train Irain Irain Irain Irain Iraqi NCOs at Q-aqi NCOs at Q-aqi NCOs at Q-aqi NCOs at Q-aqi NCOs at Q-WWWWWesesesesesttttt172nd Striker Brigade runs NCO Academy, training the backbone of the Iraqi army

Sgt. Marki Hall, an instructor at the NCO Academy from the 172nd Stryker Brigade, demonstrates how to high crawl to a group of Iraqi trainees on Jan. 31 at the Q-West Base Complex.

pg. 8pg. 8pg. 8pg. 8pg. 8

Photo by Sgt. Rachel Brune Photo by Spc. Spencer Case

Photo by Sgt. Marshall Thompson

PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 12, 2006ANACONDA TIMES

Anaconda Times is authorized for publication by the3rd 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 3rd COSCOM, APO AE 09391. Web site atwww.mnf-iraq.com/publications_theater.htm

Contact Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey S. Mullett atjeffrey.mullett@us.army.mil

3rd COSCOM Commanding GeneralBrig. Gen. Rebecca S. Halstead

Chief of the Anaconda Consolidated Press CenterLt. Col. Brian McNerney

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

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

EditorStaff Sgt. Monika Comeaux

Staff WritersStaff Sgt. Engels TejedaSgt. Ty D. StaffordSgt. Jason MikeworthSgt. Mitch ArmbrusterSgt. Marshall ThompsonSpc. Spencer Case

CG’s commentaryTraining is an essential part of mission success

Last month I wroteabout the “S” in“STEADFAST” (for“Soldiers”) and Iaddressed how themost importantresource in all of ourorganizations is thehuman resource. Thismonth, my focus is onthe “T” which standsfor “Training.”

Training is acritical ingredient tosuccess. It is all aboutpreparation,resourcing, qualityinstruction, andpractical applicationto develop competent and confident Soldiers (airmen,Marines, sailors, and civilians). Training is education, itis about learning and it is a process; a continual process.If you are too old, too good, too smart, too experienced tostill learn, then I suggest you are missing out on living.

Training is about sharing your knowledge, yourexperiences, your innovative ideas, and your vision withothers. Training is rehearsing; rehearsing the steps formission success. Training encompasses evaluation andAfter Action Reviews to capture what went right andwhat went wrong. Some of us simply think of it in termsof ups, downs and lessons learned.

Training at all levels must be quality training or youare wasting people’s most valuable resource, their time!Leaders who truly care about their organizations andtheir people will ensure that quality training is ongoing,even in a combat zone. We owe this to our Soldiers. Weowe it to their families who have entrusted us to turntheir Soldier into a competent, winning Warrior.

Professional development training programs forofficers and NCOs are critical as well, because theyinspire us to honor our military traditions, lead transfor-mation, and develop our subordinates. What we dotoday will make a difference tomorrow and in the futurefor our military. Each opportunity we have to traintoday sets us up for greater success tomorrow.

Last, but most important, is the responsibility we eachhave for individual training. Each of us ought to look atsuccess of the unit as beginning and ending withourselves. How am I better preparing myself to make amore significant contribution? Only I can max my PTtest, only I can fire expert on my weapon and properlyclear my weapon, only I can achieve a BA, BS, MS degree,and the list goes on. Each of us must be committed todoing our part. The sum of the parts is what makes ourmilitary the best in the world today, and with ourcontinued commitment to individual and collectivetraining, we will remain the best in the world.

Brig. Gen. Rebecca Halstead

By Samantha L. QuigleyAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, The Iraqi National Police Com-mando Division is on track to replicate other elitenational police units, the division’s American trainingcommander said during a briefing from Iraq.

“We think that the future is to take them to a truenational police force, to where they’re badge-carryingand qualified officers enforcing the Iraqi rule of law,”said Army Col. Jeffrey Buchanan, commander of the2nd Brigade, 75th Division, likening the force to theItaly’s Carabiniere or France’s Gendarmerie. “That’sthe future. That’s not where we are right now.”

To date, the division has been operating as urbanlight infantry rather than police, said Buchanan, whoserves as commander of the Special Police TransitionTeams for the National Police Commando Divisionand 1st Mechanized Police Brigade of the IraqiMinistry of Interior.

The division, however, is a long way from where itstarted Buchanan said.

The Iraqi commando division began as one battal-ion in August 2004, with no coalition assistance,Buchanan said. It now numbers four brigades of up to2,600 men per brigade. The total authorized end-strength for the division is 11,000, and the currenttotal force strength is about 8,900, he said.

“They’re really searching for quality rather thanquantity,” the colonel explained.

“They recruit only through word of mouth. Wedon’t have recruiting centers set up in a mall orsomething like that. And basically every guy thatcomes in is known to some of his fellow comrades,which is a way that they have of cutting downpotential infiltration.”

Throughout Iraq, the commandos are responsiblefor conducting counterinsurgency operations, gather-ing intelligence and establishing a secure environ-ment for other security forces.

“The commandos typically accomplish thatmission by conducting raids, cordon-and-searchoperations (and) reconnaissance,” Buchanan said.These operations are conducted both independentlyand in conjunction with coalition forces, he said.

Buchanan has one Special Police Transition Teamembedded in each police organization down to thebattalion level, he said.

These teams of 11 American servicemen and two to

four Iraqi interpreters are primarily responsible forcoaching, teaching and mentoring the commandosand the mechanized police brigades, he added.

This instruction includes how to handle one of thedivision’s greatest strengths: aggressiveness.Buchanan said his teams lead by example and workto ensure that the Iraqis’ aggression doesn’t go overthe top.

“They tend to be aggressive, and they will huntdown the enemy. Sometimes that aggressiveness hasthe potential to get them into trouble,” he said. “Butthe fact is that we’re addressing it and we’re beingeffective in helping to shape their behavior.”

Those behaviors were learned during SaddamHussein’s regime. Most of the commandos served inIraqi special forces units.

“The fact is, most of the people in this country havelearned and operate the way they do based on 35years of experience,” he said. “Right now we’reshaping behavior. We’re starting to affect values, butchanging values is going to take a long time.”

In hopes of truly making this Iraq’s Year of Police,police transition teams also will embed in regularpolice services throughout Iraq, Buchanan said. Thehope is that proficiency will increase by embeddingthe teams of coalition advisers with the regular policeservices.

One thing the commandos have learned is the U.S.Army’s value of selfless service and what it means tolive in a democracy, he said.

“Democracy requires individual sacrifice for thegood of society and (the Iraqis) are doing just that,”Buchanan said. “They, like their coalition teammates,put the needs of their fellow men, their units and theirnation above their own.

“It’s truly an honor to serve with all of these men,both Iraqi and American,” he said.

IrIrIrIrIraqi Security Foraqi Security Foraqi Security Foraqi Security Foraqi Security Forces Tces Tces Tces Tces TrrrrrainerainerainerainerainerSays Police on Right PathSays Police on Right PathSays Police on Right PathSays Police on Right PathSays Police on Right Path

“Democracy requires individualsacrifice for the good of society and(the Iraqis) are doing just that.”

-Col. Jeffrey Buchanan

PAGE 3FEBRUARY 12, 2006 ANACONDA TIMES

Question of the Week

What is your favorite Winter Olympics sport and why?

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: jeffrey.mullett@us.army.mil

Spc. Carlos L. Robles41st Transportation Company“I like the bobsled, because of thespeed and adrenaline rush.”

Spc. Elsa E. Lange452nd Ordnance Company“Bobsled. I like it when theycrash.”

Spc. Jeremy H. Bryson41st Transportation Company“I like speed skating. I am fromFort Carson and I believe theytrain in Colorado Springs.”

Spc. Isaiah Ward41st Transportation Company“Figure skating. It takes a lot ofskill to maneuver moves like that.”

Spc. Anthony P. Weber400th Quartermaster Company“Since I lived in Alaska, I’d saysnowboarding.”

By Spc. Spencer CaseStaff Writer

About 65 Soldiers and civiliancontractors at Logistical SupportArea Adder are striving to shedunwanted pounds in a four-month program called “Iraq’s big-gest loser.”

The program, which lasts fromJan. 15 to May 15, encourages par-ticipants to improve their dietaryand exercise habits.

“We’re looking for lifestylechange, not just for a month ortwo,” said Sgt. Jesse Stubbs, theNCOIC of the Nutrition Care Di-vision of the 10th Combat SupportHospital Task Force South, whohelps participants set realisticweight goals and diet plans. “Wejust want to encourage the rightidea of eating right every day.”

The program originated whenStarmarie Jones, who is an MWRcoordinator employed by Kellogg,Brown & Root, decided to use herbackground as a personal fitnesstrainer to help Soldiers get inshape. When the Soldiers shetrained started showing results,her manager, Evan Church, de-cided to advertise a wider programinvolving exercise, diet goals andcommunal support. The programwas dubbed “Iraq’s biggest loser”as a play on the popular TV show,“The Biggest Loser.”

Jones said she agreed to helpwith the program because shewanted to help Soldiers betterthemselves.

“We want Soldiers to gohome as happy as they canpossibly be,” she said.

One of the first people tosign up was Staff Sgt. MaryReese, a medical supplyNCO for the 10th CSH.Reese, who has partici-pated in the program forthree weeks, said she al-ways sets fitness goals forherself while on deploy-ments and thought the pro-gram would help her along.Now she works out at thefitness center six days aweek and makes sure sheeats three healthy meals aday.

“I feel good,” said Reese,who lost two percent bodyfat since she started theprogram. “I have a positiveattitude and I think thepeople who stick with itand do what the trainerssay will see progress. Iwould definitely recom-mend it for anyone whohas a goal to lose weight.”

During the initial kick-off phase between Jan. 15 and Jan.21, Stubbs helped participants takeheight and weight measurementsand set personal weight-lossgoals that did not exceed the Armystandard of 8 to 11 pounds ofweight loss per month. Each par-ticipant made a file with their pic-ture and weight measurementsthat are updated monthly as theyget closer to reaching their goal.

Stubbs said that although most

of the people have been in the pro-gram for only a little over twoweeks, 90 percent of the peoplewho started the program cameback to check their progress.

“If we show progress, even apound a week, they’re happy,”Stubbs said.

“I think the program has defi-nitely improved the morale of theSoldiers,” Jones said, adding thatso far, no one has quit.

TTTTTallil Soldierallil Soldierallil Soldierallil Soldierallil Soldiers pars pars pars pars participatticipatticipatticipatticipate ine ine ine ine inweight loss programweight loss programweight loss programweight loss programweight loss program

Staff Sgt. Mary Reese, a medical supply NCOat the 10th CSH, works up a sweat as part ofher "Iraq's biggest loser."

Photo by Spc. Spencer Case

PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 12, 2006ANACONDA TIMES

Freedom Radio FrequenciesFreedom Radio FrequenciesFreedom Radio FrequenciesFreedom Radio FrequenciesFreedom Radio Frequencies107.7 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!”“Always There, on the Air!”“Always There, on the Air!”“Always There, on the Air!”“Always There, on the Air!”

By Spc. Spencer CaseStaff Writer

LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AREAADDER, Iraq- “I feel like Indiana Jones.”

Spc. Daniel Medina, a mechanic for the148th Forward Support Battalion, de-scribed the mood perfectly with a Holly-wood reference as he and about 25 othermultinational servicemembers descendeda staircase that led to the gaping brickentrance of a 4,000-year-old royal tomb.

The tomb is one of the attractions thatbring Coalition members to the ancientSumerian city of Ur, located on LogisticalSupport Area Adder.

Staff Sgt. Arthur Washington, whohelps the religious activities center andthe 48th Brigade Combat Team organizetransportation to the site, said that thetours serve the dual purpose of educatingtroops about the country they are in andproviding them with a form of recreationto ease the monotony of the deployment.

“We’re in a spot that’s historical, it’sbiblical and it’s a good time to see thingsyou normally wouldn’t see,” said Wash-ington, who is the installation chaplainNCOIC for LSA Adder.

Though the exact dates of the tourstend to fluctuate, there are several guidedtours each week, Washington said. Thesize of the group also varies, but Wash-ington says he has seen as many as 50arrive at once to see the city.

On Jan. 28, a group of about 25 troopsarrived for the tour at 3 p.m. The troopsspent about 15 minutes at Ur’s largestattraction, a lofty pyramidal stuctureknown as the Ziggurat of Ur, climbing itsgrand staircase to the top level andsnapping pictures of the sprawlingmilitary base beneath them.

After they explored the ziggurat, thegroup gathered around Dhaif Muhsen, a

tawny-skinned, middle-aged Iraqi, whoconducts tours through the rest of the site.

Over the course of the next two hours,the troops walked into the tombs ofancient Sumerian kings, observed cunei-form writing on the walls of ruins, andnavigated the maze-like pathways on theroof of the house of Terah, the father of thebiblical figure Abraham. All the while,Muhsen spoke enthusiastically abouteach structure in accented but discernibleEnglish, giving precise dates and metricmeasurements in rapid succession.

As Muhsen explained, Ur was origi-nally built in the year 2113 B.C., and wasa very important city of the Sumerianempire, an empire credited for the inven-tion of writing, the wheel, and law.Followers of all three monotheisticreligions, Christianity, Islam and Juda-ism, also believe Ur to be the birthplace ofthe prophet Abraham.

It was finally abandoned around 500B.C. as the Euphrates River graduallyreceded to its present position in themiddle of modern-day Namaniyah.

“This is a great experience to witness,”said Medina, who visited the site for thefirst time on Jan. 28. “It took ages of hardwork to build something like this. It’struly amazing.”

Muhsen, whose grandfather helpedwith the original British excavation of thesite in the 1920s, said he has been givingtours of the site since 1995, but thatinterest has increased exponentially sincethe beginning of Operation Iraqi Free-dom.

Muhsen said he is encouraged by thefact that Coalition members have takensuch an interest in the site withoutpillaging it. He added that he hopes thatthe tours he gives will encourage large-scale tourism in the future.

“This is in Iraq, but this is for all theworld,” said Muhsen.

Coalition servicembers at Tallil tour royal tombs on Jan. 28. The tombs are part of theancient Sumerian city of Ur, considered by followers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam tobe the birthplace of the prophet Abraham.

SerSerSerSerServicemembervicemembervicemembervicemembervicemembers at Ts at Ts at Ts at Ts at Tallil eallil eallil eallil eallil explore ancient cityxplore ancient cityxplore ancient cityxplore ancient cityxplore ancient cityVisitors receive guided tours from chaplain’s assistant and local Iraqi guide

Photo by Spc. Spencer Case

PAGE 5FEBRUARY 12, 2006 ANACONDA TIMES

By Sgt. Rachel Brune101st Sustainment Brigade PAO

Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq –With musical pomp and colorful pag-eantry, the troops of another Iraqi armybattalion assumed responsibility for thesafety and security of their country in aceremony Jan. 28.

Commanded by Brig. Gen. Ali, the 1stBattalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi ArmyDivision, will now be the authority for anarea of operations stretching from west ofthe Tigris River to the Mosul-Baghdadhighway.

“The terrorists are taking their lastbreaths, and the end is near,” said Ali,through an interpreter, during his re-

marks. “They are looking for a place tohide, but there is no place for them.”

Ali spoke before an audience thatincluded such distinguished guests asDuraid Kashmoula, governor of NinevehProvince, Maj. Gen. Jamal, 2nd Iraqi ArmyDivision commander and Brig. Gen.Rickey L. Rife, 101st Airborne Divisionassistant division commander (support).

The 101st Airborne Division Bandplayed a stirring rendition of the Iraqinational anthem, as all the guests stood.A local leader, Sheik Achmed, recitedverses from the Koran, his voice ringingtunefully across the battalion paradeground.

“Today,[the Iraqi army’s] 1st Battalionis receiving complete authority over itsarea of operations,” said Lt. Col. Ebrahim,

battalion executiveofficer, after reading ashort history of the unit.

As an interpretertranslated his words,the clouds gathered,then parted to let thesun shine warmly overthe assembled troopsand guests.

“The battalion hasearned this honorthrough its greatperformance,” saidEbrahim. “[We] havegiven a number ofmartyrs to help defendthe country and achievesecurity.”

At one end of theparade field, which alsoserves as the battalionsoccer field, a blue-shirted honor guardcarried a huge Iraqiflag. When approachedfor a photo, one rank

knelt down, careful not to let the flag dragon the ground, as the other rank rippled itenthusiastically.

On the other end of the parade fieldtwo large, colorful signs proclaimedpositive messages in flowing Arabicscript.

“The twenty-eighth of January is thebirthday of the heroes of 1st Battalion,”proclaimed one of the signs. “This daywill remain a sunny day in history.”

After the opening remarks, the bandstruck up a marching tune as the honorguard led the way for a pass-in-review.Preceded by the giant Iraqi flag, six colorbearers carried six smaller Iraqi flags.

Each company passed the reviewstand, where Jamal, Rife and Ali waitedto salute the troops. Wearing colorful

The 101st Airborne Division Band plays as troops of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division,practice marching in a pass in review during a transfer of authority ceremony Jan. 28 at Q-West Base Complex.

sashes and cravats that correspondedwith the company colors, the troopsmarched by in waves of white, yellow,green, purple and red.

The ceremony marked the secondtransfer of authority in the Tigris rivervalley in as many months. On Dec. 27, theIraqi army’s 3rd Battalion, 3rd Bde., 2ndIAD, assumed control of about 4,000square kilometers at a ceremony inMakhmur.

“Congratulations to Brig. Gen. Ali andthe sergeant major, your troops lookedvery good out there today,” said Maj.Glenn Gambrell, 4th Battalion, 11th FieldArtillery Regiment, executive officer. “Youand the people of Iraq should be proud.”

Battery A and Headquarters Battery, 4-11th FA, previously owned thebattlespace Ali’s troops will now beresponsible for. Gambrell praised thetroops’ hard work, and said the transferwould not have come about without theirdedication to security.

“They have caught many who did notwant to see a new and prosperous Iraq,”said Gambrell. He later added: “Themarkets are open, and the people are notafraid to go out on the streets.”

In his final remarks, Ali quoted a versefrom the Koran, praising God and vowingnot to support any criminals.

“This day is a festival for all Iraq –Kurds, Arabs and all the rest of theethnicities that make up Iraq,” said Ali.

“We will not forget the American forceswhose blood mingled with our ownmartyrs’ to free Iraq. We highly appreciatethe sacrifice of the American people,”headded.

After the speeches, Gambrell ceremoni-ously handed a plaque to Ali, symboliz-ing the transfer of authority. The bandplayed the Iraqi national anthem again,and the guests and troops adjourned tothe battalion dining facility for lunch.

Iraqi army assumes responsibility of area previouslyIraqi army assumes responsibility of area previouslyIraqi army assumes responsibility of area previouslyIraqi army assumes responsibility of area previouslyIraqi army assumes responsibility of area previouslysecured bsecured bsecured bsecured bsecured by US Army units in nory US Army units in nory US Army units in nory US Army units in nory US Army units in northern Irthern Irthern Irthern Irthern Iraqaqaqaqaq

Photo by Sgt.Rachel Brune

Headquarters of U.S. ArmyEurope and 7th Army Officeof the Chief of Public AffairsPress Release

In continuing efforts toprovide Health, Morale, andWelfare support to deployedEuropean theater personnel, U.S.Army, Europe and 5th SignalCommand are upgrading theway deployed personnel makemorale telephone calls to familymembers in Germany, Italy,Belgium, the Netherlands andLuxembourg.

The new system will allowdeployed personnel from

USAREUR units (Soldiers,Department of the Army civil-ians and U.S. governmentcontractors) to make two 15-minute calls per week to familymembers without operatorintervention.

Previously, personnel wereauthorized only one 15-minutecall per week.

Beginning Feb. 15, USAREURwill turn on the new UnitMorale-Call PIN Issuing Re-source-Europe, or UMPIRE, athttps://umpire.hqusareur.army.mil.

This Web-based system willbe accessible by deployed andrear detachment unit Telephone

Control Officers to requestunique individual PIN numbersfor deployed personnel. TCOsmust have TCO appointmentorders on file with theUSAREUR TCO. TCOs will beable to request PINs for eachdeploying person in theirorganization for a periodbeginning one month before adeployment to three months afterthe planned end of the deploy-ment. The system will enableTCOs to save PIN lists as Excelfiles, and print out cards for eachdeployed person, listing his orher unique PIN and the tele-phone number to call to processthe call.

Deployed personnel will usetheir PIN to access the Army inEurope Automated Attendants,the system available for moralecalls 24 hours a day, every day.This automated attendantcapability will allow PIN-equipped callers to connect toDSN and private telephones inthe Army in Europe region.

USAREUR policy does notallow the use of government cellphones to place or receive moralecalls.

USAREUR information (G6)officials said the primary reasonfor the new system is to ensureall authorized USAREURdeployed personnel have full,

fair and equal access to moraletelephone calls. At the same time,officials say, the system will savemoney by reducing abuse of thesystem, and will ensureUSAREUR compliance withDepartment of Defense policy.

The system will phase in overa 60-day period, from Feb. 15 toApril 17, to give all unit TCOstime to request, receive anddistribute PINs and instructpersonnel in their use. April 17,all deployed USAREUR person-nel must have a PIN in order tomake a morale call.

All USAREUR personnelshould contact their unit TCO forfurther information.

Deployed USAREUR troops get two morale calls a week

PAGE 6 FEBRUARY 12, 2006ANACONDA TIMES

LSA LSA LSA LSA LSA ANANANANANAAAAACONDCONDCONDCONDCONDAAAAADining FDining FDining FDining FDining Facilityacilityacilityacilityacility

Hours of OperationHours of OperationHours of OperationHours of OperationHours of OperationDFAC 1Breakfast 6 a.m. 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 a.m. to 5 a.m.

DFACs 2 & 3Breakfast 6 a.m. 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 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

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

The DFAC hours for all locations are sevendays a week. All patrons must be in the properuniform and be able to present appropriateidentification.

Soldiers visit Iraqi Soldiers visit Iraqi Soldiers visit Iraqi Soldiers visit Iraqi Soldiers visit Iraqi hospital patientshospital patientshospital patientshospital patientshospital patients

Spc. Tammy Mayer, a unit supply specialist from 3-101st and Maj. Leonardo Jamias, achaplain from the 29th BCT, visit an Iraqi baby boy at the Air Force Theater Hospital.

By Sgt. Marshall ThompsonStaff Writer

An 18-year-old Iraqi boy smiled upfrom his hospital bed as a group ofservicemembers and civilians surroundedhim at the Air Force Theater Hospital on

Logistical Support Area Anaconda.Every Monday at about 7:30 p.m.,

members of the Provider Chapel Latter-day Saints Servicemembers’ Group meetin front of the hospital to visit with Iraqiswho are sick or wounded.

“We need to share our humanity with

them. We try to be friends,” said Maj.Marlow Plumb, a military intelligenceofficer with the 300th Military IntelligenceBrigade, describing the goal of the weeklyvisits. He added that although visitsstarted with the LDS group, they are opento everyone.

The boy, Al Faqqar, was woundedthree weeks earlier in nearby Balad, Iraq,when a series of car bombs went off andkilled almost 40 people. He heard the firstexplosion and ran outside to see if hecould help anyone. A second bombexploded, riddling his right leg withshrapnel.

U.S. Soldiers responded to the attackand took the wounded back to LSAAnaconda. Because of security concerns,it’s hard for Iraqi civilians to get onto aU.S. military post. So although the Iraqisreceive excellent medical care, they are cutoff from their family and friends.

That’s why Murat Cakir, a Turkishtranslator working for the Department ofDefense, had the idea to organize a groupto visit the Iraqis in the hospital.

Cakir said his religious beliefs teachhim to visit the sick and afflicted.

“Also,” he added, “it’s good to makefriends.”

The group usually brings small gifts –pen lights, candy, travel chess sets, tubesof toothpaste. An Arabic translatorvolunteers her time to help the group tocommunicate with the Iraqis. One manwas wounded while on a patrol with thenew Iraqi army. One man accompaniedhis infant boy who was allowed into thehospital because of an intestine problemthat local hospitals couldn’t help.

One man was Kurdish and, being far

from home, was worried about how to getback.

Plumb talked with the attending nurseand discovered the man was scheduled tofly home in the morning on a militaryflight. When the translator told the man,he responded with a heartfelt shukran, orthank you.

The servicemembers felt interactionslike this directly help the war effort inIraq.

“The way to win this war is not to putthem into submission, but to reach acrossthe gap and let them see that we are goodpeople,” Plumb said. “We simply say ‘getbetter’ and ‘we’re thinking about you.’”

That Monday, the group cut their visitshort because a large group of U.S.casualties arrived and the hospitalhallways needed to be clear. Maj.Leonardo Jamias, a chaplain with the 29th

Brigade Combat Team, left the group toadminister to the wounded as theyarrived.

The group left the main portion of thehospital, found a small room to talk aboutthe event.

“Let’s do this again next week,” Plumbsaid. “It’s kind of draining but it brings asense of reality to all this. Our littleproblems are so insignificant.”

Cakir said he wished his children inthe United States could be there so theycould understand how lucky they are.

The weekly visits have grown in sizeand now include visits to woundedAmericans as well. Spc. Tammy Mayer, asupply specialist, 3-101st AviationRegiment explained why the visits areimportant: “I know that if I was in theirsituation, I’d want them to visit me.”

Photo by Sgt. Marshall Thompson

PAGE 7FEBRUARY 12, 2006 ANACONDA TIMES

By Sgt. Mitch ArmbrusterStaff Writer

Medical care is a necessity forthe local nationals aroundLogistical Support Area Ana-conda.

Soldiers with the C Company,205th Area Support MedicalBattalion, escort patients fromentry control points on the LSAto the hospital where theyreceive care.

“I was excited when I foundout my job was going to bepatient transport,” said Spc.Vanessa Trinidad, a dentaltechnician with the 205th. “I seechildren that have been injuredbecause of car explosions andyou realize that it is happeningright outside the gate to children,women, and Iraqi soldiers.”

Trinidad deployed with the205th under the impression shewas going to be doing dentaltechnician work or act as acombat lifesaver. She didn’tknow until she arrived atAnaconda that she would beescorting patients.

Spc. Amber Lunt, a member ofthe 205th for approximately fouryears, was originally in supply.When she arrived in Iraq, shewas assigned to do patientadministration, but became anescort because she was inter-ested in seeing another side ofthe job.

“We’ve brought in a lot ofchildren to receive medical careand it’s always rewarding when

we see how grateful the parentsare,” Trinidad said. “One of theemergency teams brought in achild who was run over by avehicle. When he finally made itout of the hospital, we had tobring in the parents to pick upthe child. They were so happyand the mother hugged us.”

The language barrier doesn’tstop the Iraqi people fromexpressing their gratitude.

“The children, when they gethappy, they will communicatesomething to their mother totranslate to us, either I love youor thank you,” Lunt said.

“The kids and the adults,when they thank us, it gives me abetter idea of what we are doinghere,” Lunt said.

Although the patient escortsdon’t provide emergency medi-cal care, they are the direct linkto the patients. The escorts arethe face of the Army the Iraqissee on the way to the hospital.

The escorts try to give thechildren little things to maketheir stay more comfortable,something as small as a blanketcan make them happy.

Escorts work with interpretersat the gates to help Iraqis findmissing loved ones or help themto get the care that they are

looking for. In extreme cases theteam is ready to provide care ifthe situation demands it.

“This has made me want tochange my job in the military. Itmakes me want to become amedic because I want to treatpeople,” Trinidad said. “I seehow grateful they are to thepeople transporting them andit’s really rewarding but I wouldlike to switch my MOS (militaryoccupational specialty) and domore.”

Lunt explained that doing ajob like this puts life into per-spective. She said that somepeople take life for granted, butseeing the local nationals madeher appreciate the things shehas.

“The hospital receives dona-tions, so we give the kids gifts,”Lunt said. “We are winninghearts and minds.”

The patient escorts havefound something redeeming intheir work. Capt. DennisMcWherter, a platoon leaderwith C Co., said his people lovewhat they do.

“I see how much our unit hascome together to help everyone.Whether it’s the Soldiers or theIraqi citizens it gives us a reasonfor being here,” Lunt said.

Spc. Adam Schweitzer and Spc. Vanessa Trinidad, patient escorts with C Company, 205th Area SupportMedical Battalion, take a litter out of their humvee to move into the hospital on LSA Anaconda.

“We are winning hearts and minds.”-Spc. Amber Lunt

Escorts enjoy helping locals

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By Sgt. Joshua Salmons4th Sustainment Brigade PAO

LOGISTICAL BASE SEITZ, Iraq – With all the clankingmetal, showers of sparks and buzzing grinders in a metalshop, a shop foreman has to organize and make sense of all theactivity.

In the case of the 503rd Maintenance Company’s Servicesand Evacuation Section, that responsibility falls on Sgt. JemonTodman, a welder with the Fort Bragg-based unit.

“As a shop foreman my main thing is that when I project anumber to chief that we meet that number every day,” saidTodman, a 28-year-old native of Batesburg, S.C., speaking ofthe numbers of fabricated parts his boss expects the shoppersonnel to complete daily.

As customers arrive from various units of Victory BaseComplex, the shop foreman takes their order; when they return,he ensures the complete products are delivered.

“You got to constantly be moving back and forth with thepeople on the floor,” Todman explained. “I don’t just super-vise, I assist in fabricating…and I help keep track of the materi-als we have in the shop.”

“[The shop foreman] is there to make sure all customers aresatisfied,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Murphey, the S&E shopNCOIC. “It’s important to have a good foreman in case I haveto step out for any reason.”

Coordinating with both civilian and military workers, theforeman also ensures that proper and quality work is com-pleted.

The civilians have the same focus as the military – tosupport the Soldiers going out on the road, making the partsthat will keep them safer, Todman said.

As foreman, Todman has his hands in every aspect of hisshop’s operation. He works with the other shop members tosuccessfully complete unit orders and ensures quality work.

“When I’m out of the shop, I know things will keep going,”said Murphey. “When Todman’s there, I have no issueswhatsoever.”

Shop foreman putshand in quality work

Sgt. Jemon Todman points out the correct dimensions for a part toone of the civilian workers Jan. 22 on Logistical Base Seitz. Todmanis a welder with the 503rd Maintenance Company and Stone is acivilian worker, both working for the 18th Corps Support Battalion.

Photo by Sgt. Joshua Salmons

Photo by Sgt. Mitch Armbruster

PAGE 8 FEBRUARY 12, 2006 ANACONDA TIMES FEBRUARY 12, 2006 PAGE 9ANACONDA TIMES

A gunner from the 454th Transportation Company, an Army Reserve unit from Delaware,Ohio, prepares to roll out on a mission Jan. 19 at the Q-West Base Complex.

Photo by Sgt. Rachel Brune

By Sgt. Rachel Brune101st Sustainment Brigade PAO

Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq –Soldiers, start your engines!

One by one, the huge tractor trailersand tankers rumble to life, filling a muddycorner of Q-West with the sound of diesel.

It is mid-afternoon on a cloudy Januaryday, and the 454th TransportationCompany is about to get back on the road.

One large trailer, loaded with contain-ers, idles as Spc. Keith Hawkins, a truckdriver from Columbus, Ohio, tightens aload strap. Sitting on the hood of the truckcab, Sgt. Justin Jacobs, a truck driver fromSouth Amherst, Ohio, polishes an al-ready-sparkling mirror.

On the other side of the motor pool, thegun truck crews pull on their gear, make afinal check of their vehicles and makesure their weapons are ready.

At the center of activity, Staff Sgt.Daniel George, the mission commanderfrom Lansing, Mich., seems to be in threeplaces at once as he makes sure the

vehicles and personnel of the Delaware,Ohio, Reserve unit are ready to get themission rolling.

“Everything that happens on aconvoy falls back on the convoy com-mander,” said George. “Our unit seemsto work pretty well getting things done.”

Preparation for a mission begins threedays prior to a mission, said George.The commander makes sure that theright amount and types of vehicles areavailable and that Soldiers on themission are correctly manifested.

The commander is also responsiblefor preparing a risk assessment, makingsure mission personnel get enough sleepand rest, ensuring logistics such asammunition and other gear are readyand conducting pre-combat checks andinspections.

As the sun sinks closer to the horizonline, the tractor trailers begin to moveout to the Convoy Support Center, orCSC.

See Transportation Co. on pg. 15

Transportation company faces dangers of Iraqi roads dailyBelow: Sgt. 1st Class Wesley Derrick, a senior instructor at the NCO Academy from the172nd Stryker Brigade, runs with Iraqi soldiers as they do an obstacle course at the Q-WestBase Complex on Jan. 31.

Iraqi soliders going through training at the NCO Academy on the Q-West Base Complexnavigate an obstacle course on Jan. 31. Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade are work-ing hard as instructors at the NCOA to build a strong NCO corps in the new Iraqi army.

Photo by Sgt. Marshall Thompson

Photo by Sgt. Marshall Thompson

By Sgt. Marshall ThompsonStaff Writer

Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq –About 30 Iraqi soldiers are learning to beleaders as they work to graduate from theNCO Academy run by NCOs from the172nd Stryker Brigade.

Their training is especially importantbecause the old Iraqi army didn’t putmuch of an emphasis on the role ofnoncommissioned officers.

“The Iraqi NCOs aren’t respected asNCOs,” said Sgt. Marki Hall, an instruc-tor with the 172nd Stryker Bde. “We’retrying to train the NCO corps so they’llhave more respect, just like AmericanNCOs – we’re the backbone of the Army.”

During the three-week course, IraqiNCOs train on things like urban

combat, hand-to-handcombat, leadership

development,move-

ment techniques and rifle marksmanship.“I’ve seen soldiers come [out to the

range] who can’t even hit targets. At theend of the day, they’re hitting all black,”Hall said. “It’s good when you wake upevery day knowing that you’re going todo something constructive with the Iraqisoldiers.”

Although this class is about half thesize of a normal 60-soldier class, theymake up for it in their dedication. Theacademy instructors said that 100 percentof the trainees returned after a recentbreak. They said it’s a good sign that theIraqi soldiers appreciate the training.

“I like the training,” Awa, a platoonguide at the academy, said through thehelp of an interpreter. “I’m here to learnhow to train other soldiers and protect mycountry. The instructors train us hard, butthey are good instructors. They make mestrong.”

Not all of the Iraqi soldiers at theacademy come in with the same motiva-tion as Awa.

“A lot of them tell us they just joinedfor the paycheck, but a lot of them, you

can just feel they have a sense ofpride,” said Staff Sgt.

Robert E. Lee, aninstructor at

theacad-

emyfrom

the

172nd Stryker Bde.He added that the instructors work

hard to instill a feeling of patriotism in allthe Iraqi soldiers and, by the end of thetraining, they are usually successful.

“When they graduate and walk acrossthe stage, you see the big, significantchanges – the great sense of pride theIraqi army soldiers have,” said Sgt. Maj.Walter Murrell, commandant of theacademy from the 172nd Stryker Bde.

“Their sense of accomplishment andtheir motivation throughout training issomething that we were led to believethey did not have. Their pride in countryand their pride in their army are beyonddescription.”

The Iraqi NCOs’ motivation wasapparent on Jan. 31 when the two pla-toons trained on individual movementtechniques and ran an obstacle course.First platoon beat second platoon on theobstacle course with a time of just overfour minutes.

Instructors said it was the fastest timeever. Upon setting the record, all the Iraqisoldiers from first and second platoonignored their fatigue and erupted incelebration. They even lifted up Sgt. 1st

Class Wesley Derrick, a senior instructorfrom the 172nd Stryker Bde., and carriedhim around while cheering.

Murrell said that training is goingwell, but cautioned observers to bepatient with the new Iraqi army and notexpect their training to be an overnightprocess. He said that over two centuriesago, the U.S. Army was in the sameposition.

“It’s just like a little over 225 years ago

where the American military hired out aforeigner to come and teach,” Murrellsaid referring to Baron von Steuben, thePrussian officer who came to the U.S. in1778 to train the new American Army.“That’s the point we’re at right now. Itmay take them just as long as it took us tobe the powerful military that we are.”

Instructors need to be patient as well,especially when it comes to the languagebarrier. In 1778, Steuben spoke no Englishand only a little French. A few Americanswho spoke French translated his com-mands into English. Instructors at theNCO Academy today work with a team oftranslators who speak Arabic as well asKurdish. They also have two Iraqiinstructors who run many of the trainingsections.

Lee keeps a dog-eared copy of anEnglish-Arabic dictionary on his desk.

“In junior high I never thought I wouldleave New York. Why would I need tolearn another language? But here I am,”Lee said. “I can say, ‘hurry up’ and ‘dopush-ups’ in Arabic.”

The instructors all said that they wereproud to help the Iraqis take over theircountry and they appreciate getting toknow the Iraqis better.

“You make a lot of friends when you’redone,” said Staff Sgt. Alvin Cates, thecombatives instructor from the 172nd.

“I think it’s very interesting to workwith them and know that someday, ourefforts here will be something historic,”Lee said. “Years down the road, when wesee them and they’re actually running theshow, I can look back and say I had apart in it.”

By 1st Lt. Marisha L. James400th Quartermaster Company ExecutiveOfficer

Operating and supporting Logistical Support AreaAnaconda’s Multi-Class Forward Redistribution Pointhas become the primary mission for the dedicatedSoldiers of the Kentucky based, 400th QuartermasterCompany. While the 400th QM Company does the

Quartermaster company redistributes supplies

majority of the heavy lifting at the FRP, the operation istruly a joint effort of companies assigned to LogisticsTask Force 548.

The 21st Cargo Transport Company operates materialhandling equipment and the 322nd MaintenanceCompany assists with shipping, receiving and storage.Kellogg, Brown and Root is an additional partner in theoperation. The FRP is a collaborative effort that runs24/7 to distribute needed supplies throughout thetheater.

Strategically located on LSA Anaconda, the FRPreceives serviceable excess equipment from northern andcentral Iraq supply support activities and forwardoperating bases. When a unit drops a requisition, acomputer system automatically checks to see if an ordermay be filled locally before searching other supplyoutlets. The FRP reduces customer’s wait time for partsfrom Kuwait or the continental United States. Thisallows the unit requesting the parts to get the part in atimely manner to continue with its mission.

2nd Lt. Theodore Mataxis, 400th QM Company, tookover as the Accountable Officer at the FRP in October.

“Our operation has improved drastically within thelast few months,” Mataxis said. “We’re working welltogether and we’ve increased how much we push outeach day. We’ve reduced our shipment wait time from 72to 24 hours and we are sending more supplies by airthan what was done before we got here.”

The FRP operation is divided into four differentsections: receiving, storage, shipping and qualitycontrol. They also have four specialty teams: the connex,frustrated cargo, location survey teams and stockcontrol. The connex team receives and processes theincoming containers. The frustrated cargo team handlesmis-ships and items without a stock number. Stockcontrol and location survey teams work to ensure itemsare accounted for and properly placed. All teams have agreat responsibility ensuring mission success, explainedMataxis.

Processing supplies is not the only operation occur-ring on the yard. Since the 400th QM Company took overthe mission, the FRP work site has undergone numeroussite improvements in an effort to upgrade workingconditions. Connex walls have recently been added tothe FRP site.

“We all think it’s a good idea having the connexes uphere on the front line. It gives everyone a little bit moresecurity,” said Staff Sgt. Jamie Stewart from the 400thQM Company. Numerous bunkers have been addedthroughout the site to increase force protection.

See Quartermaster company on pg. 15

Spc. Larry Carlson, receiving specilalist, and Spc. Christian Bryson, quality control specialist, unpack a box of panelmarkers at the 400th Quartermaster Company’s warehouse.

Photo by Spc. Andrew Orillion

PAGE 10 FEBRUARY 12, 2006ANACONDA TIMES

Sustaining Soldiers by managing stress to improve mission readiness

LSA Anaconda, BaladBldg. 4116 Ohio Street(near the Air Force Theater Hospital)DSN: (318) 829-1402e-mail: jeffrey.cox@us.army.mil

Patriot ClinicPatriot ClinicPatriot ClinicPatriot ClinicPatriot ClinicCombat SCombat SCombat SCombat SCombat Stress Contrtress Contrtress Contrtress Contrtress Contrololololol

Command ConsultationsCombat and operational stress supportMental Health counselingPsychoeducational briefingsPsychiatric consultation

Critical Incident Debriefings/Trauma Management

Clinic Hours: Open Sunday—Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Emergency 24-hour Service and Mobile Treatment Team Available

Please call in advance to eliminate waiting

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL…

Now that we have your atten-tion, you should know that whiledeployed, the use of these sub-stances can be just as deadly asany IED, rocket or mortar. Pleasereport any use of these substancesor suspicious activities. Do YOUhave the courage to do what isright?

If so, contact our office at 829-2718.

Going onEmergency

Leave?

Don’t forget,

you MUSThave civilianclothes tobe able to

fly out!Also make sure you

have a copy of your

orders on you at all

times, even when

you are at home!

Sgt. Joshua Salmons4th Sustainment Brigade

VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq –Taking a cue from modern commercialparcel carriers, the Centralized Receivingand Shipping Point (CRSPs) here, startedin May 2005, mirrors the “hub” concept inits cargo handling.

Personnel from the Army Reserves1011th Quartermaster Company, basedout of Farmington, Mo., run the yard andare responsible for working in tandemwith the sister CRSP in Camp Taji to pushparts and vehicles throughout the 4thSustainment Brigade area of operation.

Before CRSPs, cargo bound –for

CusCusCusCusCustttttomeromeromeromeromers at ease with cars at ease with cars at ease with cars at ease with cars at ease with cargo ‘hub’go ‘hub’go ‘hub’go ‘hub’go ‘hub’

example from Camp Taji to ForwardOperating Base Falcon, would require aspecial convoy.

A unit on Taji would choose vehiclesand personnel, form the convoy and drivethe cargo to Falcon. Meanwhile, if cargoon Falcon needed to go to Taji, a com-pletely separate convoy would be needed.

The “hub” concept allows the brigadeto form a steady flow of cargo into theCRSP from FOBs and camps throughouttheater, and then utilize trucks alreadytraveling to or near a cargo’s final desti-nation for delivery.

“Because we’re doing regularruns…we don’t have to create a convoyfor each load of cargo,” said Maj. MichaelMelendez, 4th Sustainment Brigade

transportation integra-tion officer. “Truckscome in, make a dropoff and then pick upanother load beforeheading back.”

“It decreases thenumber of convoys onthe roads.”While theidea of a centralizedyard for cargo is notnew, the notion ofdelivering cargo to thecustomer is.

“In times past thecustomers had tophysically come to thiscentral point to receivetheir cargo,” said 2ndLt. Herbert Reid,Victory Complex CRSPOIC. “With this newCRSP concept, we sendout the cargo…to thecustomers.”

Pushing out about100 containers of cargoa week and receivingabout the same, the 19

personnel from the CRSP section of the1011th’s Supply Support Activity Platoonrun the yard 24 hours a day, Reid said.

The CRSP yard on Victory Complexuses a “first-in-first-out” system tominimize the amount of time cargo sits inthe yard, he explained. The containers orpalletes are put into lanes based off ofwhat Forward Operating Base they are tobe sent to.

The CRSPs yard system increases theefficiency of cargo movement in efforts toget product to the customer more easily.

Whereas a unit that needed cargomoved or delivered could expect to waittwo weeks,the brigade hopes its effortswill trim that timeframe down to less thansix days, Melendez said.

A 1011th Quartermaster Company Soldier picks up a load of telephone poles Jan. 12 at the CentralizedShipping Receiving Point on Victory Base Complex, Iraq. The 1011th is an Army Reserve unit based out ofFarmington, Mo. The 19 Soldiers run 24-hour operations at the yard.

Photo by Sgt. Joshua Salmons

PAGE 11FEBRUARY 12, 2006 ANACONDA TIMES

SurSurSurSurSurgeons teach CLS courgeons teach CLS courgeons teach CLS courgeons teach CLS courgeons teach CLS course at Al Asadse at Al Asadse at Al Asadse at Al Asadse at Al AsadBy Spc. Andrew Orillion3rd Corps Support Com-mand PAO

Ninety percent of Soldierswho die from combat relatedinjuries die before ever reachinga medical facility, said 3rd CorpsSupport Command SurgeonSection Medical OperationsPlanner Capt. Yancy Caruthers.

In response to an expressedneed for training to combat thisgrim reality, the 3rd COSCOMSurgeons Section departedLogistical Support Area Ana-conda to teach the CombatLifesaver course to more than 59soldiers from 10 different unitsunder the 64th Corps SupportGroup in Al Asad, Iraq, Jan. 23-28. The 40-hour CLS courseteaches non-medical Soldierslifesaving first response tech-niques.

While the majority of fieldmedical clinics have the staffresources to provide the CLStraining, Al Asad’s troopmedical clinic has a limited staffand was unable to administerthe course without shutting theclinic down.

3rd COSCOM Chief SurgeonCol. Martin Christensen notedthat this was one of the firsttimes they traveled to a locationto teach the course. The goal ofthe CLS course is to teachSoldiers the trauma side ofmedicine through a series oftasks, Christensen said. Heexplained that the course usesinternational standards that areadjusted every two to four yearsdue to advances in medical

technology.Truck drivers, quartermaster

and maintenance personnel whospend much of their time inconvoys traversing dangerousroads are generally the first on-scene responders to criticalincidents. The CLS training armsthem with the basic skills andconfidence to save lives whilewaiting for team medics to arriveon scene.

The first task taught in theCLS class is how to evaluate acasualty. A casualty is evaluatedby checking for breathing,bleeding, fractures, burns andseveral other things.

The second task in the train-ing teaches Soldiers how toreposition a casualty.Christensen’s wife and SurgeonSection Chief Medical PlannerMaj. Cindy Christensen notedthat repositioning a victim thewrong way can result in furtherinjury.

“Even if the victim wants tomove, it is essential that theyremain still,” Maj. Christensensaid.

The third task in the course isrescue breathing on an uncon-scious victim with the use of anasopharyngeal airway tube.

“It (nasopharyngeal airwaytube) is a tube inserted throughthe nose that runs down the backof the throat used to preventblockage of the airway by thetongue,” said Caruthers.

Because blockage of theairway by the tongue is commonwith an unconscious victim, anasopharyngeal airway tube is amust, Caruthers added.

With emphasis placed on the

new Emergency Trauma Ban-dage or “Israeli Bandage,”Christensen’s team taughtSoldiers how to apply variousdressings and tourniquets.

“The Israeli Bandage is agreat piece of equipment,”Caruthers said. “It has a built-intension bar so it can act as astand-alone field dressing, sling,pressure dressing and tourni-quet. It is also great for headwounds because it can bewrapped very easily.”

Next, instructors taughtstudents how to administerfluids intravenously. Studentswatched as Maj. Christensendemonstrated the procedure onher husband’s arm.After observ-ing carefully, Soldiers practicedthe procedure on each other.

Spc. Hector Magarinos, fromthe 840th Maintenance Com-pany, who was one of the firststudents to receive an IV said, “Ididn’t feel too much pain.” Thelack of pain did not preventMagarinos from nearly passingout.“I just got a little light-headed,” Magarinos said afterpicking himself up off the floor.

Caruthers advised Soldiersadministering the IV to relax andnot force the IV into the victim. Ifforced, there is a risk of over-shooting the vein, Carutherssaid.

The instructors concluded thecourse with a field exercise and awritten exam which everySoldier passed.

Overall, Soldiers who at-tended the course were im-pressed with both the instructorsand the material.

“This was a very good

course,” said Sgt. JohnSiniscalchi, from the 840thMaintenance Company. “It waswell taught with good hands-onmaterial. I feel very confidentabout being able to perform thesetasks in the field.”

The 3rd COSCOM Surgeon

Team Dietitian Maj. PollyGraham explained that theJameson Combat MedicalTraining Center on LSA Ana-conda offers CLS training on aregular basis. Units interested inthe course should contact StaffSgt. Thomas Hayes at 829-1315.

Pfc. Stephanie West from the 64th Corps Support Group, preps Spc. Wil-liam Harris from the 64th Corps Support Group for an IV during the Com-bat Lifesaver Course. The course was taught by the 3rd Corps SupportCommand surgeons section to Soldiers at Al Asad.

Photo by Spc. Andrew Orillion

PAGE 12 FEBRUARY 12, 2006ANACONDA TIMES

East MWREast MWREast MWREast MWREast MWRScheduleScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule

WWWWWesesesesest MWRt MWRt MWRt MWRt MWRScheduleScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule

BoBoBoBoBoxingxingxingxingxingThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers Box on Monday, Wednesdayand Saturday at 7 p.m.

AerobicsAerobicsAerobicsAerobicsAerobicsThere will be an aerobics class Mon-

day, Wednesday and Friday at 5:50p.m.

Submission GrapplingSubmission GrapplingSubmission GrapplingSubmission GrapplingSubmission GrapplingSubmission Grappling on Wednes-

day, Friday and Sunday from 8:30p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

TTTTTae Boae Boae Boae Boae BoThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

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

HaHaHaHaHatha tha tha tha tha YYYYYooooogggggaaaaaThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers Hatha Yoga classes on Mondayat 11 a.m.Open CourOpen CourOpen CourOpen CourOpen Court t t t t VVVVVolleolleolleolleolleyballyballyballyballyball

The LSA Anaconda Fitness Centerruns Open Court Volleyball Gameson Saturday and Sunday evening.Check the monthly calendar for exacttimes!

LSLSLSLSLSA AnacondaA AnacondaA AnacondaA AnacondaA AnacondaFitnessFitnessFitnessFitnessFitnessCenterCenterCenterCenterCenter

KKKKKarararararaokaokaokaokaoke Nighte Nighte Nighte Nighte Night

Every Tuesday at 8 p.m.

TTTTTaaaaabbbbble le le le le TTTTTennisennisennisennisennisTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament

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

8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-BallTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament

An 8-ball tourna-ment will be heldevery Monday at 3and 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 Soldiers’Legal CenterDSN 829-1947

Going Home?Naval Customs will be holding

briefings for returning units.

The brief will cover container andMILVAN inspections, prohibited items,and tips on how to make the process gowell. Customs inspectors will be there to

answer questions

For questions and reservations callMT1 McCreary:

829-1824

DCS BriefingsBriefings are held Monday, Wednes-

day and Friday at 8 a.m. at MWREast Recreation Complex Movie

Room.For information call Sgt. Wilson at 829-1815/1817.

• College classes online• Computer classes• GED study sessions• CLEP study sessions and testing• College entrance examination preparation (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT)• GT improvement classes• Pre-test GT predictor• Online military education (eArmyU, ACCP, Smart Force, AARTS, ACES)• Alternate Flight Aptitude Selection Test study session

DSN 829-4010

Blackjack Education Center

offers the following programs

8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-BallTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnamentTTTTTuesdauesdauesdauesdauesdays ays ays ays ays attttt

1 1 1 1 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.p.m. and 8 p.m.p.m. and 8 p.m.p.m. and 8 p.m.p.m. and 8 p.m.

DarDarDarDarDartststststsTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament

A darts tournamentwill be held Sundaysat 8 p.m.

MWR and Fitness Center schedules aresubject to change. Please check the monthlycalendars published by the individual insti-

tutions for more details.

FEBRUARY 12, 2006 PAGE 13ANACONDA TIMES

RRRRReligious Sceligious Sceligious Sceligious Sceligious ScheduleheduleheduleheduleheduleMovie Schedule

SustainerSustainerSustainerSustainerSustainerRRRRReel Timeeel Timeeel Timeeel Timeeel Time

TheaterTheaterTheaterTheaterTheater(schedule is subject to change)

February 123 p.m. Annapolis6 p.m. Harry Potter 49 p.m. Derailed

February 133 p.m. Derailed6 p.m. Annapolis9 p.m. Harry Potter 4

February 143 p.m. Just Friends6 p.m. Aeon Flux9 p.m. Annapolis

February 153 p.m. Harry Potter 46 p.m. Annapolis9 p.m. Walk the Line

February 163 p.m. Annapolis6 p.m. Just Friends9 p.m. Aeon Flux

February 173 p.m. Ice Harvest6 p.m. In the Mix9 p.m. When a Stranger Calls12 a.m. When a Stranger Calls

February 183 p.m. Just Friends6 p.m. When a Stranger Calls9 p.m. Syrania

February 193 p.m. When a Stranger Calls6 p.m. In the Mix9 p.m. Aeon Flux

Movie Synopsis for Feb. 12-Feb. 19SyrianaR, 126 minGeorge Clooney, Matt Damon

Robert, a 21-year veteran of the CIA, spent his entirecareer investigating terrorists around the globe. As thedangers of terrorism increased, he watched as theCIA’s funding was cut, politics overtook judgment,and warning signs were ignored. But the strugglebecomes personal when an oil executive and his wifeare faced with a family tragedy.

Ice HarvestR, 88 minJohn Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton

In icebound Wichita, Kansas, it’s Christmas Eve, andthis year Charlie Arglist just might have something tocelebrate. Charlie, an attorney for the sleazybusinesses of Wichita, and his unsavory associate, thesteely Vic Cavanaugh have just successfullyembezzled $2 million from Kansas City boss BillGuerrard. But the real prize for Charlie is the stunningRenata, who runs the Sweet Cage strip club.

When a Stranger CallsPG-13, 83 minCamilla Belle, Katie Cassidy

While babysitting, a high school student is terrorizedby a stranger who calls her, asking “have you checkedthe children lately?” The police eventually notify herthat the calls are coming from inside the house.

Harry Potter 4PG-13, 150 minDaniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson

In his fourth year at Hogwarts, Harry faces hisgreatest challenges and dangers yet. When he isselected under mysterious circumstances as acontestant in the Triwizard Tournament, Harry mustcompete against the best young wizards from schoolsall over Europe. But as he prepares, signs begin topoint to the return of Lord Voldemort. Before long,Harry is playing not just for the Cup, but for his life.

In the MixPG-13, 97 minUsher Raymond, Emmanuelle Chriqui

When an African-American man accidentally saves amob boss’s life, his reward is a job protecting thedon’s daughter. Complications arise when the twobegin to fall in love.

Just FriendsPG-13, 88 minRyan Reynolds, Amy Smart

Chris is a selfish, womanizing and successful musicexecutive. Circumstances bring him back to his hometown and fate reconnects him with the “just friends”girl of his dreams. Can one escape the clutches of the“friend zone?” Is it possible to go from “just friend” toboyfriend?Chris is about to find out the hard way.

Religious schedule subject to change

Roman Catholic MassSaturday 5 p.m. Tuskegee ChapelSaturday 8 p.m. Provider ChapelSunday 8:30 a.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 9 a.m. Tuskegee ChapelSunday 11 a.m. Provider ChapelMon.-Fri. 7 p.m. Tuskegee ChapelTue.-Fri. 12 p.m. Freedom Chapel(sacrament of reconciliation30 minutes prior to each Mass)

Church of ChristSunday 2 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel

Islamic PrayerFriday 12:30 p.m. Provider Chapel

Spanish-speaking Non-denominationalSunday 2 p.m. Freedom Chapel

Non-denominationalFriday 7 p.m. Signal ChapelSunday 9 a.m Signal Chapel

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

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

Protestant Praise and WorshipSunday 9 a.m. East MWRSunday 11 a.m. Eden Chapel (Bldg. 4148)Sunday 7 p.m. Freedom ChapelWednesday 7 p.m. Freedom Chapel

Protestant-ContemporarySunday 10 a.m. Complere ChapelSunday 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 ChapelSunday 5 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel

Latter-day SaintsSunday 1 p.m. Provider ChapelSunday 4 p.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel

PAGE 14 FEBRUARY 12, 2006ANACONDA TIMES

PART II of a three-part series

By Maj. David J. Hanson3rd COSCOM SJA Client ServicesChief

II. PREPARATION BACK HOME

The one and only drawback to usingCode section 7508 to delay filing is thatyou wait to liberate your money from thegovernment. Until you file the return thegovernment uses your money withoutpaying you anything for the privilege.Let’s say that you expect that you mightget a big refund of taxes withheld fromyour paychecks. You want to file, but youdon’t have all the records you need.

Option Number Two: have a trustedperson back home assemble all yourinformation and prepare your return.This person may be your spouse, aparent, other relative, a close friend, oreven a professional tax preparer whomyou know and can provide access to yourpersonal papers.

April 1April 1April 1April 1April 15 is not t5 is not t5 is not t5 is not t5 is not tax doomsdaax doomsdaax doomsdaax doomsdaax doomsday fy fy fy fy for Soldieror Soldieror Soldieror Soldieror Soldiers in Iraqs in Iraqs in Iraqs in Iraqs in IraqServicemembers deployed to a combat zone have several options when it comes to filing their taxes

We may call this choice the “Powerof Attorney” option. You can sign aSpecial Power of Attorney, by which youdelegate your personal power and right toprepare your tax returns to this trustedindividual. That individual holds anduses your “power” to act. He representsyou, as your “attorney in fact.” Anotheradvantage of this option: if on comple-tion of the tax return you find that youwill owe taxes, then you still can takeadvantage of Code section 7508. Justdon’t file the return until your extensiontime expires.

Your tax “attorney in fact” may hirean accountant or attorney at law toprepare and file your tax returns. Hiringa professional agent to do this is usuallya good idea anyway. Hire the educatedpreparer especially when you havecomplex tax issues, such as multipleincome sources, itemized deductions,business, rental or farming operations,depreciation, or capital gains.

Having someone at home performthe tax return preparation task for you

allows reasonable opportunity to as-semble all pertinent information. Themost important part of tax preparation isgetting all the necessary info together!Around the end of each January most ifnot all of the businesses with whom youdeal must send to you—and to the IRS—”informational returns.” Your banks,brokerage houses, and real estate agentssend you “Form 1099s”. Your employerswho pay you wages (including but notlimited to the Army) issue “Form W-2s.”Your mortgage lender will issue you a“Form 1098” showing the amount ofinterest money you paid on your houseloan (usually deductible on Schedule A ofthe 1040 tax return if you itemize, andpossibly also under Schedules D, E, or F ifyou use part of your house and land forother income-generating activities).

IRS feeds the data from theseinformational returns into its computers.So when you file your 1040 form, IRS willexpect you to show at least a certainminimum amount of income. You won’thave trouble if you report more income

than the total of the informational return.But IRS will surely send you a nasty-gramif you report less than they’re expecting.And that nasty-gram will go to your homeaddress. You may not know about it untilyou return from the combat zone—too lateto resolve the issue.

The only significant disadvantage tothis option may be your attorney-in-fact’slack of knowledge of your affairs. But youcan minimize that problem. The marvelsof modern electronic communication letyou visit with your agent. Just tell himwhere the records are, or what records tolook for, or any other information he mayneed.

LSA Anaconda Legal Assistancepersonnel prepare special powers ofattorney for Soldiers who want a familymember or friend back home to preparetheir tax returns.

See PART III on how to file yourtaxes in theater in the next issue of theAnaconda Times.

By Staff Sgt. Engels TejedaStaff Writer

He has become Logistical Support Area Adder’s mostrecognized Soldier by exercising something his parentsinstilled in him as a child: kindness.

Spc. Kenneth Slade, a food services specialist with the1116th Transportation Company, is easily the most visibleperson on Adder. Standing at the entrance of the diningfacility, the 47-year-old New Yorker has become famouswhile conducting guard duty, a job that most Soldiersdread. With a smile and quick wit at hand, he is beingcalled one of the most motivated individuals the Army hasseen.

“In my 19 years in the military, I’ve never, ever, seenanybody as happy, just happy and motivated 24 hours, asSlade,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bruce Millsap, thefood services advisor for American forces in southern Iraq.

The crowd of servicemembers, coalition troops, and ci-vilians who eat breakfast and lunch at LSA Adder’s din-ing facility are noticing his enthusiasm. Slade’s command-ers have received dozens of letters commending him forhis motivation.

“Specialist Kenneth Slade’s outgoing disposition,unique brand of customer service, and willingness to gothe extra mile make coming to a meal at the DFAC a truedining experience,” wrote Air Force Col. Sharon Gann, theinstallation’s engineer. “His enthusiasm as he greets pa-trons and inquires about their day is absolutely contagiousand it is obvious he enjoys what he’s doing. My team andI look for his friendly face each day at the DFAC and arerewarded with a smile at the beginning of our day.”

“I have been dining at the DFAC for nearly elevenmonths; however, I have not seen a U.S. Soldier who is socourteous and who takes so much pride in making peoplefeel welcomed like Spc. Slade,” wrote Maj. Terri Holloway-Petty, the officer in charge of Task Force 86.

Many call his positive attitude a boost to everyone’smorale.

“In this rather austere theaterwhere we are all far from home,he brings an infectious positivesprit to everyone entering or leav-ing the dining facility, and that isgood for morale,” wrote Air ForceLt. Col. Dave A. Kolmer, deputycommander for the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineer’s Gulf RegionSouthern District.

Born in the Bronx to a mainte-nance clerk and a stay-at-homemother, Slade was the fourth of sixchildren in his household. Hismother, a devout Baptist, taughtthe kids the importance of mak-ing the most of their conditions.

“It was a beautiful life becauseour parents taught us to be close.We were raised to be kind topeople,” Slade said. “And we val-ued everything we had. If we had50 cents, we were excited, you know, it’s just all about yourattitude.”

He’s applied those principles to his military career.Shortly after graduating from Erasmus Hall High Schoolin Brooklyn, N.Y., Slade joined the Army Reserve as a can-non crew member. He spent 11 years drilling at Ft. Tilden,N.Y. Then, in 1991, he switched military occupations andbecame a cook. He deployed to Saudi Arabia in support ofDesert Storm, and his service there earned him a BronzeStar. When he returned from Saudi Arabia, he joined aSpecial Forces group out of Newport, N.Y., and he spentsome of his proudest military moments, he said, jumpingout of planes with “the elite.” By 1993, he was ready for abreak, and left the military to work for an insurance com-pany. Then, in 2000 he joined the National Guard, andwas mobilized stateside for a year in support of OperationEnduring Freedom.

In 2004 he was called to dutyin Iraq, and he arrived to Iraq inJan. 2005 with the 145th Mainte-nance Company. While with the145th, he traveled throughoutsouthern Iraq, visiting troopswith his command in at leastseven locations.

He didn’t mind the rush he gotwhile on the road, and he par-ticularly liked being exposed toIraq, but when he heard he couldextend his deployment to workat the post’s dining facility, hejumped at the opportunity andextended for another ninemonths.

“I like what I’m doing here,”Slade said about pulling guardduty and talking to people. Hesaid he knows how stress can getto people, and he hopes his jokes

and amiable attitude help people release a bit of it. “I justwant to bring joy to people. You could have had a badmeal, and I might say something humorous and might makeit better.”

Many Soldiers say that’s exactly what Slade is doing.The funny man goes home hoarse sometimes from greetingjust about anyone who enters the facility. His humor ismusic to the Soldiers’ ears.

“You have made a great contribution to the needs ofyour fellow Soldiers,” wrote Chief Warrant Officer 2 DavidAdams, a member of Utah National Guard’s 115th Mainte-nance Company.

Slade hopes he can extend for another nine monthswhen his current extension is up in the fall of 2006. Hethen plans to take a break in the United States, and returnto the Iraqi theater as a civilian contractor one day.engels.tejeda@us.army.mil

Spc. Kenneth Slade holds one of over a dozen rec-ognition coins given to him for contributing to theupkeep of the troop’s morale at Adder.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

Soldier boosts morale with kind words

PAGE 15FEBRUARY 12, 2006 ANACONDA TIMES

Continued from pg. 9

A small amount of confusion arises.The medic scheduled to ride with thecombat logistics patrol has not arrived.George tasks a gun truck to wait to see ifhe or she arrives at the motor pool.

Soon the word comes that the medicreported to the CSC, and the gun truckheads for the CSC. At the Center, troopslisten to a brief on recent activity in theareas they will travel in.

George then takes the floor to give asafety brief. When he is done, the guntruck crews go over drills, then join theirfellow troops in helping themselves tosnacks and drinks for the road ahead.

Before leaving, George makes sure todelegate all the tasks that need to becompleted at their destination. OneSoldier is put in charge of the fuel trucks,

while another is tasked to accompany thethird country national, or TCN, drivers tothe TCN yard.

“Once we hit the gate, we split up ourseparate ways,” said George. “Nobodyneeds their hand held.”

The road is long and winding. In therear gun truck, assistant driver Sgt. StevenSeward, truck driver from Alma, Mich.,sweats with the heat turned all the wayup as gunner Spc. Tyson Todd, fromVermilion, Ohio, fights frigid winds andextremely cold temperatures from his seatin the turret.

In the driver’s seat, Sgt. Corey Malone,from Berlin Heights, Ohio, keeps his eyeson the road.

This is George’s fourth time acting asCLP commander. He has not yet had toface any serious incidents, but feelsconfident his troops would revert to their

training to successfully handle anysituation.

George relies on his Soldiers to knowtheir jobs, freeing him up to handle anymission changes. On this night, forexample, five more TCN trucks are addedto the mission.

“[My Soldiers] do all the work,” saidGeorge. “You don’t see me doing a lot ofhair pulling.”

On this night, the mission takes the454th to Forward Operation Base Warrior.The fuel trucks download their cargo, andthe trailers get new loads.

The gun truck crews head for thedining facility to get hot meals and bringthem back for the tractor trailer andtanker drivers. All drivers conductanother check of their vehicles, includingfluids and hoses.

When George returns from receiving

another intelligence brief, he conductsanother safety brief, cautioning thedrivers about staying awake on the triphome.

“They know what their jobs [are],” saidGeorge. “It makes my job a lot easier.”

The temperature drops as the trucks getback on the road and dawn draws nearer.A light rain begins to fall on the gunnersup in their turrets.

Once again, the CLP completes themission without many incidents, al-though the lead gunner fires a flare onceto alert a local national driver venturingtoo close to the CLP.

On this night, the mission makes itback before the sun rises over Q-West. AsGeorge and his Soldiers return, anothermission commander readies his troopsand trucks, and the 454th gets ready toget back on the road.

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Continued from pg. 9

“One improvement that we’ve made wasto the petroleum section. Initially we hadmany Class III packaged items that weren’tproperly accounted for or marked. We’veturned the Class III area around. We nowhave accountability of on-hand quantitiesand the petroleum is properly stored,” saidStaff Sgt. Dean Goodwin, also from the400th.

The shipping area has been completelytransformed by Sgt. James Pape. Formerlyan open area with a net covering to providesome shade, the area has now been movedunder a large maintenance tent, saidGoodwin.

Gravel is being spread throughout thesite to combat excessive amounts of mudduring the rainy season. Platforms havebeen built in work and yard areas to elevateSoldiers and equipment off the ground.Warming areas are also now provided. Theend result is a more organized work areathat provides Soldiers and civilians withbetter security and protection from the win-ter cold and summer heat, explained thecompany commander, Capt. Carl L. Dillard.

He is very proud of what his unit hasaccomplished.

“Since the transfer of authority back inOctober, we have embraced our missionhere at the forward redistribution point,”Dillard said. “We are moving forward andsetting the standards for the FRP. My FRPteam has developed a theater-wide stan-dard in receiving and shipping material tothe FRP and to our customers. Our goal isto push as much material to our customerby air in the shortest time possible. Our com-mand teams are all from different back-grounds—Army Reserve, National Guard,Active Duty and civilian—working as onet t li h th i i ”

Quartermastercompany

redistributes supplies

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By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2006 – Thewar against global terrorism is a war ofwills and ideas that’s being foughtacross newspaper front pages and theInternet, as well as on the battlefield,Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeldtold a National Press Club audience hereyesterday.

Terrorists are no match for one-on-oneaction against the U.S. military,Rumsfeld said, so they employ irregularmeans — such as improvised explosivedevices — to fight American troops inplaces like Afghanistan and Iraq.

Rumsfeld said terrorists also seek toshape public opinion. “They get up inthe morning, have committee meetingsand think about how they’re going tomanipulate the world’s press to theiradvantage,” he said.

“They have repeatedly proven to behighly successful at manipulating theworld’s media here in this country aswell as elsewhere,” the secretary contin-ued, “and they carefully plan attacks togarner headlines in their effort to try tobreak our will.”

American global might ensures thatthe terrorists cannot win a military vic-tory, Rumsfeld said.

“The United States is not going to losewars or battles with our (military) capa-bilities out across the globe,” Rumsfeldsaid. “The battle - the true battle - is a testof will and with the battleground — thebattlespace — is less Iraq and less Af-ghanistan and more here in the UnitedStates and the capitals of Western na-tions.”

The terrorists secretly operate acrossthe Internet and in schools to spread radi-cal Islamic thought and teachings,

Anti-Terror Conflict Is War of Wills, Rumsfeld SaysRumsfeld said. They also endorse charitiesthat front phony companies to gatherfunds, he said, and employ false counter-feit passports and false identities to facili-tate travel.

And “because they lurk in shadowswithout visible armies and are willing towait long periods between attacks, there’sa tendency to underestimate the threat theypose,” the secretary said.

The terrorists’ goal is to establish globaldomination, Rumsfeld said.

“They seek to take over governmentsfrom North Africa to South Asia to re-es-tablish a caliphate they hope one day willinclude every continent,” Rumsfeld said.“They have designed and distributed a mapwhere national borders are erased and re-placed by a global extremist Islamic em-pire.”

The terrorists want to turn Iraq into an-other haven and center of operations,Rumsfeld said, much like the situation theyonce enjoyed in Afghanistan as the guestsof the now-routed Taliban.

The United States is constantly employ-ing a three-pronged strategy to thwart theterrorists’ global ambitions, the secretarysaid.

“First, to use all elements of nationalpower to do everything possible to preventthem from obtaining weapons of mass de-struction - chemical, biological, nuclear,”Rumsfeld explained.

The second part of the strategy, Rumsfeldsaid, is to “defend our homeland throughsharing intelligence, law enforcement andmore integrated homeland defense.”

Thirdly, the United States will “helpfriendly nations increase their capabilitiesto fight terrorism in their own countries,”the secretary said.

Rumsfeld cited “good progress” madeagainst the terrorists over the past few yearsin Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. The

terrorists failed to prevent the election ofAfghan President Hamid Karzai and theestablishment of democratic governmentin Afghanistan, the secretary said. Ter-rorists also failed to stop the three demo-cratic Iraqi elections that were success-fully held last year, he said.

“The transformations that are cur-rently under way in Afghanistan andIraq have shown those who have beenuncertain which side to take in the waron terror that there is an alternative todictatorial regimes of the past,”Rumsfeld said.

“There’s an alternative to the kind ofregime that existed in Iraq,” the secre-tary continued, “that put literally hun-dreds of thousands of dead in massgraves under the regime of SaddamHussein.”

A recent survey demonstrates “that alarge and growing number of Muslimsbelieve freedom can work in their coun-tries,” Rumsfeld said. More than 80 per-cent of surveyed Afghans, he said, havea favorable opinion of the United States,while only 5 percent of Afghans polledlike al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

And in Iraq “a growing majoritywants a representative government,”Rumsfeld said.

The military victories against terror-ists in Afghanistan and Iraq and the en-suing movements toward democracy inthose countries, Rumsfeld said, haveopened the eyes of non-radical Muslimsworldwide and blunted the effects of ter-rorist propaganda.

“The only way terrorists can win thisstruggle,” Rumsfeld said, “is if we loseour will and surrender the fight, or thinkit’s not important enough, or in confu-sion or in disagreement among ourselvesgive them the time to regroup and re-es-tablish themselves in Iraq or elsewhere.”

PAGE 16 FEBRUARY 12, 2006ANACONDA TIMES

AROUND 3rd COSCOM

‘P‘P‘P‘P‘Poetroetroetroetroetry Nite’y Nite’y Nite’y Nite’y Nite’Sgt. Jamilla Smith,with the 408th Person-nel Services Detach-ment at LogisticalSupport Area Adder,sings “Lift Every Voiceand Sing,” a songwritten by AfricanAmerican composerJames WeldonJohnson. The song hasbeen dubbed the“Negro NationalAnthem.” In thebackground, a slidepresentation show-cases African Ameri-can history. LSA Adderwill celebrate African-American HistoryMonth with anotherrendition of ‘PoetryNite’ at the camp’sSprung Center on Feb.18 at 8:00 p.m.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

This bird has it all fig-ured out; why fly whenhe can catch a CLP?

Ride-alongRide-alongRide-alongRide-alongRide-alongStucStucStucStucStuck onk onk onk onk onAnacondaAnacondaAnacondaAnacondaAnacondaThe passengers of this vehicle learn a new meaning to “being stuck on Anaconda” as theirHumvee was not able to make it out of the deep mud. What is it about highly mobile again?Photo by Capt. Matt Andrews

Photo by Capt. Matt Andrews