Vol. II, Issue 45 Wednesday’s Online Edition June 25, 2008

victory timesonline

Story and photo

By Pfc. Eric J. Glassey

13th Public Affairs Detachment

The Iraq Assistance Group held 

a change-of-command ceremony at the Joint Visitor Bureau on 

Camp Victory Friday.

Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, 

commanding general, Multi-National Corps – Iraq and presiding 

officer, oversaw the change of 

command from Brig. Gen. James 

C. Yarbrough to Brig. Gen. Keith 

C. Walker.

“I can say with full confidence 

that James was a perfect fit for the 

job,” Austin said about Yarbrough’s 

position as the commander of the 

Iraq Assistance Group for the past 

year. “The progress that the Iraqi 

security forces has made in the last 

year is absolutely remarkable, and 

General Yarbrough’s extraordinary 

leadership and vision is a major 

factor in their success.”

“James, you have led the Iraq Assistance Group magnificently over 

the past year,” Walker said adding 

his own praise to Yarbrough’s commitment in building the Iraqi security forces to what they are today.

“Iraqi citizens view their security forces as the most creditable, honorable and trustworthy 

element of the Iraqi government,” 

Yarbrough said. “This is a tough 

task: fighting a determined enemy 

while building an army, police 

forces, and border forces.”

The army has added four division headquarters, eight brigade 

headquarters and 38 battalions to 

its ranks. They are now focused 

on enhancing other areas such as 

improving logistics, developing 

great leaders, and an integrated 

border defense. 

“I am struck to remember how 

it was last June and look at how it 

is now and to consider the promise that the future holds,” Yarbrough said. “Last June we averaged 120 attacks across Iraq each 

day. Twice in the past month we 

have had days with only 15 attacks all across Iraq.”

Yarbrough will be leaving the 

Iraq Assistance Group after a year 

of hard work and much improvement in Iraq’s security.

“The IAG requires an extremely 

smart warfighter, and that is exactly what we are getting with Keith,” 

Austin said. “I have known General Walker for some time, and I 

have complete confidence that even 

though he has some very big shoes 

to fill, he is more than capable to 

take the IAG to the next level.”

Walker will be taking over the 

Iraq Assistance Group as the U.S. 

continues to help Iraq develop its 

security infrastructure for a more 

stable and secure Iraq. 

“To the Iraq Assistance Group, 

I pledge my full commitment to 

our mission,” Walker said. “To 

our Iraqi partners, I look forward 

to working with you. Together we 

will increase Iraqi security forces 

capabilities to safeguard the people 

of Iraq and thus securing a stable 

and prosperous future.”

Brig. Gen. James C. Yarbrough passes the Iraq Assistance Group’s colors to presiding officer, 

Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, commanding general, during the 

change-of-command ceremony at the Joint Visitor Bureau on Camp Victory Friday.

Iraq Assistance Group under new command
 

News

MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III 

MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Col. Billy J. Buckner 

MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. Sharon Opeka

MNC-I Command Info Chief: Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante

Editor:Spc. Samuel J. Phillips

Staff: Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp, Cpl. Frances Goch, Pfc. Eric J. 

Martinez and Pfc. Eric J. Glassey

The Victory Times online welcomes columns, 

commentaries, articles and letters from our 

readers. Send submissionsor comments to 

joy.pariante@iraq.centcom.mil. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for security, 

accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space.

The Victory Times Online is an authorized 

electronic publication for members of the 

Department of Defense. Contents of this 

electronic publication are not necessarily 

the official views of or endorsed by the 

U.S. Government or the Department of Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs 

Office of Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

Page 2 Victory Times Online June 25, 2008

Press Release

MNC-I PAO 

At a court-martial Sunday, Alaa “Alex” Mohammad Ali, a contractor serving 

as an interpreter with U.S. 

armed forces in Iraq, pleaded guilty to wrongful appropriation of a knife owned by 

a U.S. Soldier; obstruction 

of justice for wrongfully 

disposing of the knife after it 

was used in a fight with another interpreter; and making a false official statement 

to military investigators. A 

military judge sentenced Ali 

to five months confinement.

Ali was originally charged 

with aggravated assault for 

allegedly stabbing another 

contractor at a combat outpost near Hit, Iraq, Feb. 23. 

After the military judge accepted his guilty plea to the 

other charges, the prosecution dismissed the assault 

charge. 

This is the first time a 

civilian has been tried by 

court-martial under a 2006 

amendment to the Uniform 

Code of Military Justice – 

Section 552 of the National 

Defense Authorization Act 

of Fiscal Year 2007 (October 17, 2006). 

This amendment states 

that civilian contractors 

working for the U.S. government can be punished for 

violations of the UCMJ. 

After a pretrial investigation into the allegation, the 

investigating officer, Lt. Col. 

Charles E. Febus, recommended the assault charge 

be forwarded to the general 

court-martial convening 

authority, Lt. Gen. Lloyd 

J. Austin III, commanding general, Multi-National 

Corps-Iraq, for referral to a 

general court-martial. Austin referred the charge to a 

general court-martial May 

10.

Ali has been in confinement at Camp Victory since 

Feb. 29.

Ali was afforded all 

the same rights, protections and privileges servicemembers receive in 

military court, including 

the right to counsel, right 

to speedy trial, protection 

against self-incrimination 

and presumption of innocence. He was represented 

by military defense counsel. He will continue to be 

afforded all the post-trial 

and appellate rights provided to servicemembers.

Contractor tried under UCMJ

Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Morris, , 731st EOD, member of Victory Base Open Circle, celebrates Litha, a midsummer festival 

that is one of the eight solar holidays celebrated by Wiccans, 

on Camp Liberty Sunday. Litha is celebrated on the Summer 

Solstice, or close to it. The holiday is considered the turning 

point at which summer reaches its height and the sun shines 

longest.

Litha, summer solstice

Photo by Pfc. Eric J. Martinez
June 25, 2008 Victory Times

News

Page 3

• The work/rest times and fluid replacement volumes will sustain performance and hydration for at 

least 4 hrs of work in the specified heat category. 

Fluid needs can vary based on individual differences 

(± 1⁄4 qt/hr) and exposure to full sun or full shade (± 

1⁄4 qt/hr).

• NL = no limit to work time per hr.

• Rest = minimal physical activity (sitting or standing) accomplished in shade if possible.

• CAUTION: Hourly fluid intake should not exceed 11⁄2 qts. Daily fluid intake should not exceed 12 

qts.

• If wearing body armor, add 5°F to WBGT index 

in humid climates.

• If doing Easy Work and wearing NBC (MOPP 4) 

clothing, add 10°F to WBGT index.

• If doing Moderate or Hard Work and wearing 

NBC (MOPP 4) clothing, add 20°F to WBGT index.

For additional copies, contact: U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine Health 

Information Operations Division at (800) 222-9698 or CHPPM - Health Information Operations@apg.

amedd.army. mil. For electronic versions, see http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/heat. Local reproduction 

is authorized. June 2004.
Page 4 Victory Times Online June 25, 2008

news

Military Happenings Military Happenings

Tests verify safety of lightweight helmet pads

Marine Corps News Service — Contrary to Internet statements, Marine Corps Systems Command is standing by the safety of the Marine Corps 

Lightweight Helmet. Formal tests, with strict adherence to standard and accepted test protocols, 

prove helmet pads issued for the Marine Corps 

Lightweight Helmet do not burst into flames when 

exposed to an improvised explosive device -like 

event. The test results are based on the pads being 

properly installed and worn in the helmet. 

From December 2006 until March 2007, Marine 

Corps Systems Command conducted formal, laboratory burn tests on various flame-resistant clothing systems at North Carolina State University and 

the University of Alberta, Canada. The test scenarios comprised a system of components replicating 

combat-worn items such as Lightweight Helmet 

with pads inserted and flame-resistant clothing articles including gloves, tactical vests, etc.

Army turns trash into energy in Iraq

Army News Service – A Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery, or TGER, is being tested at Camp 

Victory, Iraq, to see if it solves the trash problem 

and energy problems that plagued many forward 

operating bases. TGER is small enough to fit into 

a CONEX container, but powerful enough to power a standard 60-kilowatt generator.

Secretary of the Air Force salutes airmen

Air Force News Service - Beneath the spires of the 

Air Force Memorial erected under his watch, the secretary of the Air Force bid farewell to airmen June 

20, his last day as their senior civilian official. 

Secretary Michael W. Wynne addressed the crowd 

of airmen, civilians and media in a ceremony at the 

memorial, speaking to some of the successes and 

challenges during his tenure.

U.S. Fleet Forces Command assumes new role

Navy News Service - U.S. Fleet Forces Command 

has been designated as the executive agent for the 

Individual Augmentee Continuum. NAVADMIN 

160/08 announced the assignment of USFF as the 

executive agent and supported commander for individual augmentee and IA family support across the 

IA Continuum. 

This authority will ensure a streamlined, standardized oversight of all IA support programs and processes Navywide. USFF is also assigned responsibilities as the global force manager for IAs.

Navy leaders responded to the feedback received 

from sailors and commands, signaling a need for a 

single overarching command responsible for coordinating and administering all aspects of the IA process. USFF will improve sailor readiness by providing comprehensive, clear guidelines, in accordance 

with the policy set by Chief of Naval Personnel.