BALAD, Iraq — Fifty

local Iraqi children were

treated to popcorn, candy and

a movie by the United States

Army 13th Corps Support

Command and the Army and

Air Force Exchange Service

at the Sustainer Indoor

Theater on Logistics Support

Area Anaconda.

The children from the

nearby village of Bakar

viewed the Walt Disney

Pictures - PIXAR Animation

Studios Academy Award

winning hit “Finding Nemo”.

The movie is about a young

fish who gets seperated from

his father and must find

his way home.

These children are the

future of Iraq. They need

to know that its OK to

have fun, said one of

their teachers.

After the movie each child

was given a bag full of new

school supplies as they filed

out to the busses.

Events like this one are

part of a continuing effort

by the 13th COSCOM Civil

Affairs Office to promote

a free, safe and secure

environment for the people in

the Balad area.

13th COSCOM and AAFES

have already agreed to try to

host another group of children in the future.

Vol. 2, No. 15 Baghdad, Iraq Apr. 9, 2004

Inside this week ...

Joy in Abu Ghraib 

1st Armored Division celebrates the

reopening of primary school.

Page 4 

Operation Iraqi Children

Soldiers hand out school supplies from

program started by actor.

Page 8

Reserve Marines recognized

KC-130 crew members earn Combat

Aircrew Insignia.

Page 10

Karaoke Night in Baghdad

Soldiers entertain each other with song.

Page 15

SCIMITAR

COALITION

An officer of 2nd

Paratrooper Regiment

presents a sleeping bag

to a young hospital

patient. The child's gift

was part of a very large

consignment of items

donated by families in

the Battalion's home

town of Colchester.

British

hand

out love

in a bag

Photo courtesy of British Ministry of Defense

Local children treated to a movie

Story and photo courtesy

of 13th Corps Support

Command Public

Affairs Office

The United States Army 13th Corps Support Command and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service treated 50 Iraqi

children to a day of fun at the movies. The children were given snacks and watched a childrens’ movie.
BAGHDAD — In what has become almost a nightly

ritual, Soldiers from A Troop, 1st Squadron, 5th Cavalry

Regiment, lined up their vehicles on a quiet side street in

the sleepy town of Abu Ghraib just before initiating a

cordon and search mission.

This time, A Troop, part of the 1st Cavalry Division’s

2nd Brigade Combat Team, Task Force 1st Armored

Division, were part of the division-wide Operation Iron

Promise. 

Operation Iron Promise is being carried out on the

streets of Baghdad to show the Iraqi people that

Coalition forces are committed to securing the region

and are determined to eradicate cell groups that pose a

threat to a free Iraq. 

The operation consists of targeting known enemy locations and aggressively carrying out cordon and search

operations looking for insurgents, former regime sympathizers and foreign fighters.

“We are going to exploit insurgent threats in hopes of

gathering more intelligence on people and weapons

caches,” Capt. Joseph C. James, Headquarters and

Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 12th Cavalry. “We

will be part of a division-wide coordinated and simultaneous sweep.”

More than 3,000 2nd BCT Soldiers took to the

Baghdad streets for the nightlong operation. 

“We have 88 buildings to cover in our sector,” said

Capt David Perry, A Troop commander. “Sweeping the

buildings is fast, it’s the identification and interviewing

of the people that takes so much time.”

Perry, from Eufaula, Ala., said many residents in his

sector are reluctant to talk to coalition forces out of fear

of retaliation from insurgent forces. 

“We hope to change that. Maybe our efforts will help

alleviate those fears,” Perry said.

During the sweep of more than 700 houses, seven

wanted individuals were found and detained. The suspected insurgents surrendered quietly and there were no

injuries to coalition or Iraqi forces. 

Not all weapons discovered were confiscated.

Residents are allowed to possess one AK-47 or similar

rifle and no more than 200 rounds of ammunition are

allowed per household for personal protection. 

“They need these weapons because the local banks are

not too secure so it is quite common for the average Iraqi

citizen to keep all of his money in his house. We routinely run across homes that have several million Dinar

socked away,” Perry said. “We don’t confiscate the

money unless the person is on our wanted list; we usually just document who has it and where it is.” 

As the night progressed, Alpha Troop remained on the

lookout for improvised explosive devices or harassment

from small arms fire. One IED was discovered along a

side route and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was

called to remove it.

During the operation, civil affairs and psychological

operations teams settled disputes between Soldiers and

residents. The teams also interviewed civilians, assessed

damage, and processed damage claims. 

“Damage to property so far has been minimal. We will

see in the next few days what else pops up,” said Capt.

Paul McBride, 2nd Squadron civil affairs officer. 

Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division are learning how

to operate in Baghdad’s urban environment and mastering new tools in the Soldier’s trade, Perry said. 

“It is the leader’s responsibility to realize the changes

and adapt to the nature of this fight,” Perry said. “But our

Soldiers on the ground will always do the right thing in

carrying out our missions.” 

MOSUL, Iraq — After serving nearly a year in Iraq, soldiers

of the 877th Engineer Battalion

(Combat Heavy) have traded

their seats on bulldozers for seats

on an airplane that will take

them home.

The Alabama Army National

Guard unit from Hampton, Ala.,

supported Operation Iraqi

Freedom I and completed more

than 700 engineer missions for

the 101st Airborne Division (Air

Assault), Task Force Olympia

and the Army’s first Stryker

Brigade Combat Team, the 3rd

Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

“The accomplishments of this

engineer battalion are truly

extraordinary,” said Brig. Gen.

Carter Ham, Task Force

Olympia commander, during the

unit’s transfer of authority ceremony. “These events will go

down in the history of the battalion, as well as the engineer

corps, as one of the great accomplishments by American soldiers

during this operation.”

The battalion has been responsible for many projects over

the past year including the

construction of border crossings

into Iran, major upgrades to

the Irbil airport, construction

of approximately 260 kilometers

of dirt berms along the Syrian

border and the demolition of

Uday and Qusay Hussein’s hideout in Mosul. They also

improved the quality of life for

soldiers by providing amenities

and constructing means of

enhancing force protection at

forward operating bases in

northern Iraq.

“The renovation of schools

and orphanages and the building

of roadways in northern Iraq

really meant a lot to the people

living in the outlying areas,” said

Lt. Col. Randal Martin, 877th

commander. “The people came

forward and said they appreciated our work so we are glad we

could make a difference.”

One of the unit’s bigger projects included the renovation

of the Iraqi Armed Forces

training facility at Tall Afar,

which is the living quarters and

training area of the 3rd Battalion,

the first battalion of IAF in postSaddam Hussein Iraq.

“I have watched the construction of this project very closely

in past months and it is a true testament of the professionalism,

dedication and extraordinary

technical competence of the battalion leadership and soldiers,”

Ham said. “The base will stand

for years and years to come and

it is evidence of what America

and this battalion [the 877th] has

done for Iraq.”

Maine Army National Guard’s

133rd Engineer Battalion

(Combat Heavy) assumed

responsibility for engineer operations during a transfer of

authority ceremony at Camp

Freedom March 20.

Lt. Col. John Jansen, commander of the Maine Army

National Guard unit, said it

is hard to believe that in July

1863, Maine and Alabama

soldiers met on the battlefield,

not as friends, but as foes. He

believes it is a privilege and an

honor to replace the 877th and

continue in their footsteps.

“It is clear that you have made

a difference for the command

you have supported and the

country of Iraq,” Jansen said

during the ceremony, addressing

soldiers of the outgoing 877th.

“It’s amazing what you have

been through and accomplished

during your time in Iraq, and

you have set high standards

for combat engineer battalions

to follow. Your soldiers will

depart standing tall, full of pride

and knowing that their achievements are significant.”

Before the ceremony concluded, Martin jokingly handed

Jansen a shovel, described

by Martin as a ‘state of the

art, manually operated, aircooled excavator’.

“This is in the event the aged

877th equipment the 133rd is

inheriting goes below 50 percent

fully mission capable,” he said. 

Martin said he is proud of

the contributions the officers

and soldiers of the battalion

have made and has no doubts

that the engineers will be

key players and contributors

to this effort.

“Operation Iraqi Freedom I

laid a great foundation,” Martin

said. “Operation Iraqi Freedom

II, particularly soldiers and

officers of the 133rd, will build

upon this foundation and accomplish even greater things in

stabilizing and supporting the

Iraqi people.”

Page 2 Coalition Scimitar Apr. 9, 2004

Engineers returning to

‘sweet home Alabama’

Story and photo by 

Spc. Aaron Ritter

139th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Lt. Col. Randal Martin (left), commander of the outgoing

877th Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy), hands Lt. Col.

John Jansen, commander of the 133rd Engineer Battalion

(Combat Heavy), a shovel, described by Martin as a “state

of the art, manually operated, air-cooled excavator,” during a transfer of authority ceremony held March 20 at

Camp Freedom in Mosul. 

Cavalry Soldiers search streets of Abu Ghraib

Story by Staff Sgt. James Sailer

122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Apr. 9, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 3

Unsung Heroes 

Marching the extra mile across Iraq

Maj. Langhton

Spc. Korpi Sgt. Herrera

Cpl. Lion

CJTF-7 PAO

Col. Jill E. Morgenthaler

Managing Editor

Sgt. Brian Stockhoff

Editor

Spc. Jeffrey Hillery 

Marine Cpl. Anthony Pike

CJTF-7 Commander

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez

Command Info Chief

Capt. Adam W. Hackel

Staff Writer

Sgt. 1st Class Bill Sutherland

Coalition Scimitar is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this

paper are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government or Department of Defense.

The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of the Combined Joint

Task Force-7. Stars and Stripes newspaper is not affiliated with CJTF-7 and acts only as a distributing source for

Coalition Scimitar. Questions and comments should be directed to the editor at (914)360-5067 or

cpiccmdinfo@baghdadforum.com.

Coalition Scimitar 

welcomes units to submit 

their own Unsung Heros.

Photos and short summaries

of accomplishments should 

be sent to

cpiccmdinfo@

baghdadforum.com

Cpl. Shawn Lion, 24, is a member

of the 494th Miitary Police

Detachment. He has been in Iraq one

year and has been in the Army for

more than two years..

Lion from Terre Haute, Ind., has had

many duties here. He has done personal security, escort duty and trained

Iraqi prison guards. 

Lion says he joined right after Sept.

11, “I felt that I owed duty to this

country because I came here from

Germany to live with my grandparents.” 

Capt. Errol Huffman, 494th MP

Det. finance officer, said “Cpl. Lion

has been an asset to this unit since he

joined two years ago.”

Spc. Brandon Korpi, from Lacey,

Wash., is attached as a military policeman to Command Sgt. Maj. William

Gainey’s staff. He has been in Iraq

since January.

Korpi, 27, is stationed at Fort

Lewis, Wash. He has been in the army

for eight years. 

“My dad wasn't able to join because

he was color blind,” said Korpi.

“When he was younger people weren't

allowed join if they had a color deficiency. My dad is now the Chief of

Police so now he can experience my

military experiences through me.”

Staff Sgt. Miguel Medina, supervisor, said Korpi “is serious about what

he does both technical and physically

does and outstanding job. He is a mentor to all of us."

Sgt. Silvia Herrera, from Chicago,

is the personnel administrations noncommissioned officer in charge. She

is stationed with III Corps at Ft.

Hood, Texas, where she works as the

command sgt. major’s assistant.

Herrera, 46, is a single mother with

two daughters. She has been in the

Army for more than 15 years. She

says she joined to have better opportunities and to better herself.

“I think Iraq is progressing and

changes are happening every day for

the better,” said Herrera. 

1st Lt. Yesenia Garcia, an administration aid for Maj. Gen. Ricardo

Sanchez, says that Sgt. Herrera

knows her stuff. “I ask her for guidance on administration issues all the

time and she helps me immensely.”

Air Force Maj. Mike Langhton, 52,

is the director of infrastructure for the

Coalition Provisional Authority and

is assigned to the 934th Airlift Wing

out of Minneapolis.

Langhton from Rockville, Md., has

a wife and two sons. The oldest is 19

and is in the Reserve Officer Training

Corp program. 

“I joined the Air Force because it

was something I always wanted to

do,” said Langhton. 

“I think it has been a great experience,” said Langhton. “I volunteered

to come here and am glad I did. I am

going to say goodbye to some terrific

people with whom I’ve grown a true

friendship with and I respect greatly.”
Page 4 Coalition Scimitar Apr. 9, 2004

ABU GHRAIB — Soldiers

from Headquarters and

Headquarters Company, 1st

Armored Division, the 425th

and 478th Civil Affairs

Battalions, and members of the

Abu Ghraib Municipal Council

celebrated the reopening of the

Al Anef primary school in Abu

Ghraib March 25.

Renovations initiated by the

414th Civil Affairs Battalion

four months ago were completed and classes are in session. 

The ribbon cutting ceremony

signified the accomplishments

made through American and

Iraqi cooperation in the Abu

Ghraib school district. 

The renovations made to Al

Anef school included fixing

leaking roofs, installing a water

source and providing new

school supplies. The 1st

Armored Division’s commanders’ Emergency Response

Program provided funds for the

renovations and Iraqi contractors carried out the work. 

The 414th, 425th and 478th

Civil Affairs Battalions made

periodic visits to the school to

monitor the progress of the renovations.

“I think these (events) are

great,” said Staff Sgt. William

Smith, 425th Civil Affairs

Battalion team leader.

“Everybody says that Civil

Affairs is supposed to win

hearts and minds. I think that

you have to start with the kids.

They are the ones who are

going to be the future of Iraq.”

Students gathered up in the

school’s courtyard to welcome

the soldiers to their newly renovated school. A group of boys

marched out and raised the Iraqi

flag while other children sang

the new Iraqi national anthem. 

Following speeches by Smith

and a representative from the

school, everyone was invited

inside for refreshments. 

The school was badly damaged and in poor condition

before the renovations began,

said Ali Mohammed Kareem,

Al Anef’s principal.

“(Renovations) to such a school

are very difficult,” he said. “But

it is very different now. It is

very nice.”

With the help of programs

like the renovation project at Al

Anef, Iraqi children are ensured

the possibility of a better future

for themselves, he said. At the

same time, cooperation between

local Iraqi authorities and

American soldiers can help foster relationships that will ensure

a better future for Iraq.

“I am very pleased,” said

Sheik Saad Abaidkadum, chairman of the advisory council in

Abu Ghraib and the Abu Ghraib

municipal council. “Many

schools have already been renovated by the Coalition

Provisional Authority.” 

“Our relationship is based

upon friendship,” he said. “I

hope the Iraqi people can be

good friends to the Americans,

allowing both peoples to cooperate for a democratic Iraq.”

Children raise the Iraqi flag

while their classmates sing

the Iraqi national anthem

during an opening celebration at the Al Anef primary

school in Abu Ghraib. 

Staff Sgt. Monique Kelly, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Armored

Division, sits next to some school children following celebrations at the Al Anef primary

school in Abu Ghraib. 

Story and photos by 

Spc. Andy Miller

122nd Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Happiness

comes to 

Abu Ghraib

BAGHDAD — Students of the city’s 14th of July

Girls School received an unexpected gift when

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment,

1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, handed out 500

backpacks loaded with school supplies, candy and

other items.

As part of an on-going effort to reach out and work

within those communities in their area of operations,

commanders look for locations where the United States

can best provide civil assistance. 

“We were constantly receiving emails from friends

and family members back home wanting to know what

they could do to help out,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph

Campbell, the battalion civil-military liaison NCO (S5). “We worked with the area council members and

identified an easy and affordable means by which they

(friends and families) could help.” 

Located in the Rusafa district of Baghdad, The 14th

of July School, an all girls school, is part of the battalion’s neighborhood. 

“This was a win-win type situation,” Campbell said,

“family members were able to be involved and we

were able to give something back to the community in

which we live.”

Speaking through a translator, Lt. Col. Charles

Sexton, the battalion’s commander, led the students in

a chant of “S-C-H-O-O-L” and held a competition to

see which class was the loudest. 

The class deemed the loudest received their new

backpacks first.

“We all know how important school is, and we all

know how important it is that you have the right supplies to be able to complete your studies,” said Sexton.

“And, that is why I am proud to present to you this little gift from the Soldiers of the 1-36, “Spartans,” and

the American people.”

Being the fourth visit to area schools, Soldiers of the

1-36 have delivered about 400 backpacks per school

bringing the distribution total to 1,500, Campbell said. 

The pupils often let excitement get the better of

them, much to their teachers’ dismay. Ignoring calls to

stay within their assembled groups, children asked the

Soldiers for autographs and to have their picture taken

with them.

“I love the American Soldier, they are beautiful. I

love what they do for us,” said one student as she stood

in line.

“As I look out on this group of outstanding students,

many of you reaching an age where you will soon be

going on to college, I’m happy to say that you are taking a step into a new future for Iraq,” said Col. Pete R.

Mansoor, 1st Brigade Combat Team commander, “a

future where all will be able to receive an education no

matter their race, religion, creed, or gender.”

Students at the 14th of July Girls School look

over the contents of backpacks donated by

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry

Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

Cpl. Benjamin Cossel 

122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

‘Spartans’ deliver supplies to girls school
Apr. 9, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 5

BAGHDAD — Students of

Mustansirihya University freely

exchanged ideas among themselves and

leaders from the Coalition Provisional

Authority and Task Force 1st Armored

Division during an open forum held at

Baghdad University. 

“It’s important that students are able to

talk to those individuals who can provide

them answers with their concerns about

the university, the interim constitution

and other issues they may be facing,”

said forum moderator Maj. Robert

Davis, 1st Brigade Combat Team information officer

Responding to the students’ questions

was a four-member panel: Ed White,

Coalition Provisional Authority ambassador; Maj. Gen. Martin Dempsey, 1st

Armored Division commanding general;

Col. Peter Mansoor, 1st Brigade commander; and, Lt. Col. John Kem, 16th

Engineer Battalion commander.

“I look forward to a spirited exchange

where we encourage you to ask any

questions that may be on your mind,”

Mansoor said in opening remarks to the

forum.

More than 100 students attended the

meeting. Their questions ranged from

security of the university, withdrawal of

American forces from Iraq, current curriculum standards and the status of basic

infrastructure services such as power and

water. 

Students spoke with zeal on each of

these issues but the absence of the Iraqi

flag provoked the most heated exchange.

“How can you not call this an occupation? How can you call us a free Iraq

when only the American flag stands

behind you?” asked one student. 

The admitted mistake would prove to

be a significant issue as several student

speakers commented on the absence of

the flag. 

After the fourth student raised the

issue, Mansoor explained the error. 

This was the third student forum held,

he said. During the previous two, the

Iraqi flag had stood next to the American

flag. The location of the forum had

moved from its originally planned location of Mustansirihya University to

Baghdad University. 

“There wasn’t an Iraqi flag at the facility,” Mansoor said. “Its absence was a

regrettable error. No offense was intended.”

While engaging the panel in discussion, students also took the opportunity

to address their peers.

“I, for one, would like to thank the

coalition for all that they have done,”

said an engineering student. “I disagree

with many (of the students) that (coalition forces) should leave Iraq immediately. We are not yet ready to stand on our

own.” 

The comment launched the student

body into a heated discussion until the

forum moderator re-established control

and got the meeting back on track.

After an hour of discussion, the forum

broke for refreshments and gave the students an opportunity for worship.

Reconvening half an hour later, a smaller audience picked up where it left off,

engaging the panel for an additional 45

minutes.

Davis, bringing the forum to a close,

thanked the students and the panel members for their attendance and time and

offered hope that forums of this nature

would continue in the future.

“There are many people who would

intimidate you to think a certain way,”

Dempsey told the students. “It is important to note, we don’t care what you

think, as long as you are free to come to

that conclusion on your own.”

Story and photo by 

Cpl. Benjamin Cossel

122nd Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment 

Students exchange ideas during forum

Students of Mustansirihya University participate in a forum held at

Baghdad University. The forum gave students the opportunity to ask

questions of an assembled panel made up of commanders from the 1st

Armored Division and a representative of the Coalition Provisional

Authority.

Fun Facts

The truth about sharks

-The Shortfin Mako shark is probably the fastest fish in

the ocean, clocked at about 60 mph. 

-Sharks can generate about six and a half tons per square 

inch of biting force. 

-A significant physical trait that separates a modern shark 

from an ancient shark is the protrusile jaw, which gives

the modern shark more biting force

-Sharks first appeared in the fossil record over 400 million 

years ago. 

-Sharks have no bones. A shark's skeleton is made up of 

cartilage. 

-More people are killed each year by dogs, pigs and deer 

than by sharks.

-Not all sharks have to be in continuous motion to breathe.

-Great White Sharks can go as long as three months without eating. 

-The average life span of a shark is 25 years, but some sharks can live to be 100. 

-Dried shark skin (shagreen) was used in the past as sandpaper. In Germany and Japan, shark skin was used on sword 

handles for a non-slip grip. 

-Some species of sharks can shed as many as 30,000 teeth in their lifetime

-New teeth are constantly being formed in rows in a shark's jaw. Shark's teeth are normally replaced every eight days. 

-Great White Sharks grow about 10 inches per year. Great Whites can grow to mature lengths of 12 to 14 feet. 
Medical threat

Page 6 Coalition Scimitar Apr. 9, 2004

TAL AFAR, Iraq — Training is the

key to the success of any military force.

Iraqi Armed Forces (IAF) soldiers are

quickly learning, with the assistance of

Coalition forces, what type of training

is required to become an effective

fighting force.

The Coalition Military Assistance

Training Team (CMATT) working in

northern Iraq, is made up of ten soldiers

from the 75th Infantry Division from

Texas. The soldiers all volunteered to

serve as advisors and liaison officers to

ensure that Iraqi soldiers will be prepared to effectively support security

operations in the region.

The CMATT team, the first of its

kind in this region, is currently working

with soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, Iraqi

Armed Forces in Tal Afar at a recently

renovated military facility referred to

as the “The Castle”. The Castle, formerly a prison, has been converted to a

military barracks housing the 3rd

Battalion.

The team advises Iraqi military leadership at Tal Afar, ensuring an effective

training program for the IAF soldiers.

Directed by IAF leadership, with the

assistance of CMATT trainers, Iraqi

soldiers learn how to conduct several

critical tasks and battle drills including

react to direct fire and improvised

explosive devices, close-quarter combat, tactical movements on patrols and

weapons training. Basic discipline and

effective physical training standards

are also emphasized. 

Maj. Mohammed Abed Yousif, commander of 2nd Company, 3rd Battalion,

IAF, said that the training has given the

Iraqi soldiers an advantage and has

given them confidence in their abilities

to perform as soldiers who will be

responsible for the safety and security

of this country in the coming weeks.

“Our training gives us the opportunity to learn from the mistakes before

they may happen when we are actually

battling the terrorists,” he said.

Maj. Robert Chandler Jr., CMATT

Battalion Advisory Support Team

Chief, said the soldiers are learning lessons and concepts that are foreign to

them. Many have never been in the

army, or served in the army years ago

under the former regime.

“Now, they’re learning how to do

things more efficiently, as opposed to

what I call the ‘old doctrine’, where

company commanders and officers ran

the whole show,” Chandler said. “All

of the soldiers are learning a valuable

lesson - that the officers make the decisions and the NCOs make it happen.”

“They are very enthusiastic about the

training and eager to learn new and better ideas,” said Capt. Dennis Swanson,

a CMATT observer-controller overseeing the training curriculum. “Training

is all they’ve been doing and they are

improving every day, not only in discipline, but the non-commissioned officers are stepping up and training their

fellow soldiers.”

The 3rd Battalion soldiers will be

conducting operations alongside soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry

Division (Stryker Brigade Combat

Team) in the coming months. This

training will aid in the transfer of

responsibility as the Iraqi soldiers

assume duties ensuring Iraq’s security.

Story and photos by 

Spc. Aaron Ritter

19th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

CMATT helps train

Iraqi Armed Forces 

Soldiers from 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion look over a qualification poster

to see if the required 25 rounds out of 40 fall on the black silhouette at the

Tal Afar Castle range.

An Iraqi soldier from 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion fires his AK-47 during a

qualification exercise at the Tal Afar Castle range. 

Pneumonia

Severe, Onset, Pneumonia is a medical threat to Service

members deployed to the CENTCOM AOR. The disease

is prevalent year round but is more prevalent as the seasons change. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs.

This can be caused by stress, heat, dust, and tobacco

smoke.

How To Protect Yourself:

—Tobacco smoke is a prime suspect because it is known to

damage lungs and increase their susceptibility to pnuemonia.

The message is simple:

-Do Not Smoke!

-If you smoke, stop.

-If you refuse to stop smoking, smoke American cigarettes

exclusively.

—Stay hydrated --- drink lots of water. ( Tea, coffee and

cokes will not hydrate you.)

—Wash hands frequently.

—Protect your lungs from paint, welding fumes, smoke, and

dust.

—Use wet mopping when cleaning dust in your area.

—Seek medical care if you have shortness of breath, tight

chest, fever, chills, sweats, or a cough.
BALAD, Iraq — The final step in the creation of an Iraqi security force for LSA

Anaconda and its surrounding areas took place

with a graduation ceremony at the base training

grounds here, March 25.

The graduation of the 210th Iraqi Civil

Defense Corps, Company D was the fourth and

last of its kind for the 210th’s 1st Battalion. 

Created by the Coalition Provisional

Authority (CPA) as a way to assist coalition

forces with internal security operations, ICDC

supports the main function of establishing a

safe and secure Iraq. Many, to include Col. (P)

James Chambers, commander of the 13th Corps

Support Command at LSA Anaconda and guest

speaker at the ceremony, have hailed the Iraqi

service members’ achievements.

“You have worked hard to learn the skills that

will make you effective guardians of a newly

freed nation,” said Chambers, addressing the

Soldiers of ICDC Company D. “Your job will

not be easy. And there are still elements that

seek to disrupt your work and to return Iraq to

the dark days of the not-so-distant past. I urge

you to stand resolute in your commitment to

freedom.”

Company D Soldiers will be joining more

than 200 thousand of their fellow service members, including 77 thousand new police officers, 20 thousand border police, 73 thousand

members of the Facility Protection Service,

three thousand soldiers in the New Iraqi Army

and the 30 thousand personnel in the entire

ICDC.

“Iraqi security forces now account for the

majority of all forces in Iraq,” said Chambers.

“Working side by side with the coalition, Iraqi

security forces have made this country a better

place to live.”

Since the conclusion of major combat operations, hundreds of schools, clinics, hospitals,

bridges, power plants and other infrastructure

have been reopened or refurbished. Health care

spending has considerably increased, as has the

Iraqi dinar in value. Security within the country

improves every day.

“The success of units such as [Company D]

has even allowed U.S. troops to rotate back to

their home stations and the coalition to

decrease the number of troops in the country,”

said Chambers. “Each of you should be proud

of the commitment you have made and proud of

your service to your country.”

Apr. 9, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 7

Iraq in Brief

Task Force detains two, collects weapons

MOSUL — Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division

(Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained two suspects wanted for

anti-Coalition activities while ongoing weapons collection operations continued Wednesday in northern Iraq. The brigade is under

the operational control of Task Force Olympia.

Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment detained two

suspects wanted for planning and conducting attacks against

Coalition forces as they tried unsuccessfully to pass through a traffic control point near Al Hadr. Once in Coalition custody, the suspects directed soldiers to a cache of weapons located in their residence that included 205 ruchnoi pulemet kalashnikova machinegun

rounds, two 9mm pistols, two AK-47s, one flare, and 22 9mm

rounds. 

Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment discovered a

weapons cache north of Quayarrah consisting of one homemade

rocket launcher, six 60mm rockets and a large improvised explosive

device.

Information regarding attacks on Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Security

Forces or Coalition forces protects your family because these forces

can then better protect you.

Anyone with information about criminal or terrorist activities

should inform the Iraqi Police, Coalition Forces, or call the Tips

Hotline 813-343 or 780-013. To turn in weapons or munitions, contact any Coalition soldier or call the Hotline (813-343) to arrange

turn-in.

Task Force Danger apprehends looters

TIKRIT — First Infantry Division soldiers from the 9th

Engineer Battalion and First Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment

detained 147 looters near an ammunition storage facility south of

Tikrit on March 31. 

Ninth Engineer soldiers were escorting an explosive ordnance

disposal team to destroy a weapons cache when they observed the

looting. Quick reaction forces from the First Battalion, 18th

Infantry Regiment and the 9th Engineer Battalion were sent to

assist and secure the storage facility. 

Nine individuals were transferred to a Coalition detention center.

Task Force, Iraqi police detain 10

MOSUL — Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division

(Stryker Brigade Combat Team) and Iraqi police detained 10 people suspected of anti-Coalition activities during several operations

in northern Iraq March 30.

In one incident, soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry

Regiment responded to a rocket attack near Hammam Al Alil,

detaining five suspects who were attempting to flee the scene. 

Elsewhere in Hammam Al Alil, soldiers captured two suspects

during a raid and detained one suspect at a traffic control point.

Finally, Iraqi police responded to shots fired at a Mosul garage

and arrested two suspects wanted in connection with a drive-by

shooting in Mosul. 

S. Korea to send new Iraq troops

SEOUL — South Korea will send nearly 3,600 troops to the

Kurdish region of northern Iraq, the military said today, two weeks

after Seoul rattled allies by scrubbing plans for a mission to the

northern town of Kirkuk. When South Korea canceled the Kirkuk

deployment, it cited concerns that the mission, and potentially

offensive operations in the area, would conflict with the troops’ parliamentary mandate for peacekeeping and reconstruction. For a new

site for South Korean troop deployment, the U.S. and South Korean

militaries have agreed to choose between Sulaymaniya and Irbil in

the Kurdish region, a Defense Ministry statement said. Twin suicide

bombings killed 109 people in Irbil in February. The statement did

not make clear when South Korea would dispatch its troops. About

460 South Korean medics and military engineers have been in the

southern Iraqi town of Nasiriya for almost a year. They will go

home after the new deployment..

Story by Spc. Blanka Stratford

13th COSCOM Public Affairs

Graduating with honor

TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq — Sweeping is

practically part of everyday life here among the

constant dust, sand and gravel that tends to

build up everywhere.

But there are other sweepers here who play a

much more critical role in keeping Tallil

“clean.”

A team of explosive ordnance disposal

experts systematically sweep the entire base to

eliminate all unexploded-ordnance hazards and

defeat improvised explosive devices to protect

U.S. forces.

Over the past two weeks, the team recovered

or destroyed more than 11,000 explosive items

found within the base’s perimeter. 

On average, the team destroys about 1,500

items per week.

“Unexploded ordnance ... (pose) a significant

risk to the people and resources within our

perimeter,” said Capt. Doug Tippet, EOD flight

chief. “Although a lot of what we find is above

ground, a larger percentage of explosives are

buried underground.

“We just recently recovered UXOs at the base

fire department, just steps from tent city,” he

said. 

The 12-person team works closely with coalition forces here to clear the area of UXOs.

“We have a strong working relationship with

our coalition partners,” said Senior Master Sgt.

Marc Savy, EOD flight superintendent. “The

Italians and the South Koreans have played a

large role in clearing Tallil of explosive hazards.”

Nearly 350,000 items have been destroyed

since the Air Force began disposing of explosives here. 

Most of the explosives are remnants of the

1991 Gulf War. Sand and dust storms have covered up much of the remaining explosives, but

Captain Tippet said, “The earth will continue to

give up new UXOs every rainfall and sand

storm for years to come.”

Story by Capt. Susan A. Romano 

407th Air Expeditionary Group 

Public Affairs

It may be buried, but

it’s not treasure

Unexploded ordnance lay partially hidden

in the sand and pose a significant risk to

people and resources here. 

Photo by Airman 1st Class Desiree Palacios
Page 8 Coalition Scimitar Apr. 9, 2004

ALBU HASSAN, Iraq —

When the glitz and glamour style

of Hollywood combines with the

blunt and practical manner of the

military, innovative ideas are

bound to hit the roof.

And they did.

In the first of many missions

to be conducted throughout the

country, 13th Corps Support

Command Civil Affairs Soldiers

distributed school supplies and

toys to children inhabiting the

village of Albu Hassan, Iraq,

March 18. 

The supply distribution was

part of a larger mission called

Operation Iraqi Children, a

humanitarian project founded by

actor Gary Sinise (Forrest

Gump, Apollo 13) and author

Laura Hillenbrand (Seabiscuit:

An American Legend). The program will make possible for

Americans to donate school supplies and Arabic translations of

Seabiscuit to Iraqi children.

Hillenbrand’s book is currently being translated into Arabic.

Thus, Operation Iraqi Children is

presently focusing on the School

Supplies Program, administered

by Sinise. 

“The School Supplies

Program was started after Gary

visited one of the schools in

Iraq,” said Maj. Julianne Doris,

schools coordinator for the 13th

COSCOM Civil Affairs. “He initially coordinated with the 4th

Infantry Division who, upon

redeployment, transferred the

responsibility to 13th COSCOM

Civil Affairs.”

Doris, who is in direct contact

with both Sinise and

Hillenbrand, said that Sinise was

deeply disturbed by the critical

condition of the schools in Iraq.

The school that he originally visited in 2003 had no floors, windows, toilets, or fans to circulate

the air. There were three children

per one desk, and all

three would be using

one notebook.

“Gary was so concerned about this

issue that he went as

far as making an

appearance on the

Tonight Show and

addressing it to the

public,” said Doris.

“He has also sent emails to numerous people

throughout the United States,

encouraging them to forward the

e-mails and spread the word. He

has been working hard to promote this generous program.” 

In a public statement made by

Sinise, the actor spoke of the

impression that Soldiers’ hard

work in Iraq has made on his

own aspiration to contribute to

humanitarian aid efforts. He was

equally motivated by the interaction between the U.S. Soldiers

and the Iraqi children.

“I have seen Iraqi kids climbing on our Soldiers and hugging

and kissing them,” said Sinise,

recounting a time when he

accompanied Soldiers to a broken down school they were renovating. “I have seen their smiling faces and their attempts to

say ‘I love you’ in broken

English. The folks I saw had

hope in their eyes and gratitude

in their hearts for what was done

for them.”

Upon his return home, Sinise

put forth his ideas and joined

forces with Hillenbrand in 2004.

Since then, the 13th COSCOM

Civil Affairs team worked diligently to employ those ideas into

a large-scale humanitarian project. 

The first 24-box shipment of

supplies arrived from the school

that the actor’s children attend.

Many more are expected.

“Every time a book or a box of

school supplies is delivered by

our troops, it will be another

small victory for them in helping

win the hearts and minds of the

Iraqis,” said Sinise. “It is a beautiful way to begin a relationship

with the future leaders of Iraq.

They have been forgotten for so

long. Now there is a chance for

them.”

Story and photo by

Spc. Blanka Stratford

13th COSCOM 

Public Affairs

Operation Iraqi

Children brings

supplies, smiles

Sgt. 1st Class Lee Inserto, the plans NCO for 13th Corps Support

Command Civil Affairs, gives a toy to an Iraqi girl in the village of

Albu Hassan, Iraq. Inserto helped distribute school supplies to Iraqi

kids during Operation Iraqi Children, a grass roots program founded

by actor Gary Sinise and author Laura Hillenbrand.

Lt. Col. Nicholas Zoeller, commander of 13th Corps Support Command Civil Affairs, poses with an Iraqi girl from the

village of Albu Hassan. Zoeller helped distribute school supplies to Iraqi kids during Operation Iraqi Children.

You have

reached

page eight.

Be sure to

drink water.
Apr. 9, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 9

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq —

One year ago Lance Cpl. Juan R. Galvez

was deployed here as an electronics maintenance technician. This year he’s back as

a trombone player turned security guard

with the 1st Marine Division Band.

The Houston, Texan and 35 of his fellow musical Marines left Camp

Pendleton, Calif., almost two months ago

for this Iraq to assist in the division’s

security and stabilization mission here.

Led by the band officer, Chief Warrant

Officer 3 Michael W. Edmonson, the

group’s primary responsibility is to serve

as the division’s security element.

According to Edmonson, the band’s

role back home is to provide musical support to Camp Pendleton’s tenet commands, but that mission shifts during

times of conflict.

“Marine Corps bands have the secondary mission of serving as security when

they are directed by higher headquarters,”

Edmonson said. “When the division

deploys, so do we.”

The band has been performing its dual

mission since the early 1940s.

Members of the 1st Marine Division

Band, nicknamed the “Pride of the

Division,” took an active part during

World War II, where they functioned as

stretcher bearers. Several decades later

the musical troupe swapped instruments

for rifles and headed to Southeast Asia as

a security component during Operations

Desert Shield and Storm. 

In February 2003, the band returned to

the region with rifles and heavy machineguns in hand for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

When needed, the musicians also performed during ceremonies or “moraleboosting” concerts while overseas.

“This is nothing new for most of the

Marines out here now,” Edmonson

explained. “Almost half of them came

out for the war last year and did the same

thing.”

The band is in charge of the camp’s

guard, which includes manning lookout

towers, conducting patrols inside and outside the camp’s perimeter, protecting convoys traveling within the area of operations and escorting third-country nationals who work here.

“We provide the commanders of the

guard, sergeants of the guard and most of

the Marines for the different posts,”

Edmonson added, who also holds the billet of guard officer. “Some of the guards

are pulled from the division’s different

units to fill needed spots.” 

Providing such extensive security is a

24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week job.

Twenty-one-year-old Galvez explained

that Marines are on duty every day for

two four-hour shifts separated by eight

hours of free time.

“I use my time off to eat, sleep, shower

and do all my other personal stuff,”

Galvez said. “Then when we’re on duty

we rotate the posts. Sometimes I get to go

up in a tower. 

Other times I escort the workers or do

the roving patrols.”

He said his hectic schedule is not a burden because he is “just glad to be able to

make sure the Marines and sailors living

here have a safe place to work out of.” 

Turning the band into a combat-ready

unit took place over the course of a few

months. 

“Before we came out here, the Marines

attended heavy machinegun courses,”

said Gunnery Sgt. Yaphet K. Jones, the

guard chief here. “They also went to

classes about communications, patrolling,

convoy operations and martial arts.” 

According to Jones, the Marines had little difficulty transforming into a provisional rifle unit because they carried with

them a “combat mindset.” 

“The Marines pretty much knew what

to expect when they came out here,” he

added. “They took all the training very

seriously because they were eager to do a

good job.”

To add to the band’s laundry list of

duties while in Iraq, the unit is occasionally called upon to exhibit its musical

abilities during ceremonies.

“We still have the capabilities to perform,” Edmonson said. “In fact, as soon

as our instruments arrived here, we had to

play for the relief-in-place ceremony that

took place a few weeks ago.”

Plans are in the works for the band to

put on shows for some of the upcoming

holidays, to include Independence Day

and Easter.

However, practice time is limited

because of the demanding guard schedule.

“With all the years of practice we have,

we don’t need a lot of time to prepare for

performances,” Jones explained. “The

Marines squeeze in time to practice during their time off.”

The band is scheduled to rotate back to

California around September but not

before completing the mission at hand to

the best of the unit’s abilities.

“So far the Marines have done everything asked of them,” Edmonson said.

“They want to do well out here. As long

as they remain disciplined and willing to

work hard, I have no doubt that they will

do well.”

Story and photo by

Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

1st Marine Division

Band marches to different drum

Musicians from the 1st Marine Division Band perform during a relief-in-place ceremony here recently. The unit's

primary mission while in Iraq is to provide security to the camp. The 36-man team prepared for its role here by

schooling up on convoy operations, heavy machine guns, land navigation and first aid.

Worship is at 332nd Air Expeditionary

Wing Chapel, unless otherwise noted.

Catholic Daily Mass: Tuesday through

Friday, 6 p.m.

Vigil Mass: Saturday, 6 p.m.

Confessions: 5-5:30 p.m. in the Blessed

Sacrament Room

Sunday Mass: 8 a.m.

POC: Chaplain Martin King at 459-0038

Protestant Traditional: Sunday, 9:30

a.m

Liturgical Communion: Sunday, 10:30

Gospel Service: Sunday, 11:45 p.m.

Contemporary Choir practice: Sunday, 6 p.m.

Contemporary Worship: Sunday, 7

p.m.

POC: Chaplain Michael Warner at 459-0038

Latter-Day Saints Lay-Led Service:

Friday, 8 p.m.

POC: Chapel staff, 459-0038

Jewish Lay-Led Service: Friday, 8 p.m.

POC: Chapel staff, 459-0038

Muslim (LSA Adder Chapel) Prayer:

12:30 p.m. and sunset daily

Bible Studies

Women’s: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. (chapel)

Men’s: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. (chapel annex)

Catholic (RCIA) Thurs, 6:30 p.m. (chapel

annex)

Catholic Sunday, 6:30 p.m. (chapel annex)

Men and Women

Thursday 7:30 p.m. (chapel annex)

LDS Study Thursday, 7:30 p.m. (chapel

annex)

Tallil Air Base Religious Worship Services
BAGHDAD — Pulling guard duty is

something nearly every Soldier does at

some point during his or her deployment.

And the troopers of the Air Defense

Artillery Battery, 2nd Armored Cavalry

Regiment, based at Dragoon Forward

Operating Base are no exception. 

Whether it’s been standing watch in a

tower, manning a gate at the forward

operating base, or being part of Dragoon’s

quick response force, the troopers of the

ADA have been there.

Spc. Morgan L. Kinney and Spc. Carlos

Antoine Fields are air defender Soldiers

who have been at Dragoon Base through

the regiment’s entire deployment.

“We’ve been here doing guard duty

since mid-May 2003,” said Kinney, 22, of

Sacramento, Calif.

“When we first got here we’d have set

shifts,” said Fields, 22, of Hardeeville,

S.C. “but that didn’t last long.”

According to Kinney, the ADA troopers

who are not assigned to the QRF pull

guard duty on a regular basis. 

While many of the ADA troopers,

such as those tasked to QRF, have

responded to countless enemy attacks,

Kinney and Fields’ missions have been

relatively uneventful. 

“I’ve been pretty fortunate,” said

Fields. “I haven’t been in any engagements since I’ve been here.”

“We’ve taken the occasional round.

And two months ago, one of the towers

took an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade)

,” added Kinney. 

Guard shifts are generally slow and

uneventful, punctuated by routine radio

checks and the occasional walk-through

inspection by the sergeant of the guard.

However, despite the quiet, the guards

remain vigilant, Fields said. 

While sitting in a tower, conversation

becomes essential to keep yourself and

your tower buddy alert, said Kinney. 

“It’s easy to get bored up in the tower.

It depends on who you’re with. If you’ve

got a good conversation going, then it’ll

pass the time just fine,” Fields said.

“You’re going to get to know the guys

you’re out here with. I mean, all the skeletons I had in my closet when I came here

are gone,” said Kinney. “After two or

three months you’ll know everything

there is to know about the buddies you

pull guard with.”

Now that they’re getting ready to

receive their replacements from the 1st

Cavalry Division, Kinney and Fields say

they are relieved that they’re finally going

back to the United States.

Fields also offered some advice for

those incoming soldiers who have families back home. 

“My advice is to stay focused over

here. You’ve got a job to do, regardless of

what happens back home,” said Fields. 

“It really ain’t that bad out here. The

worst part is just being away from home

for so long. You’ve just got to stay

focused on your job,” said Fields.

AL ASAD, Iraq — Seven

reserve Marines of Marine

Aerial Refueler Transport

Squadron 234, headquartered in

Fort Worth, Texas, received their

Combat Aircrew Insignia at a

squadron formation March 31.

Many of the awardees, enlisted crewmen on Marine KC130s, flew in support of

Operation Iraqi Freedom last

year, and are proving their mettle

once again this year.

“For a KC-130 crewmember,

the Combat Aircrew Insignia

is hard to come by,” said Lt. Col.

Clarke D. Clodfelder, Al Asad

detachment squadron officer-incharge. “It wasn’t until the

last 10 years or so that Marine

KC-130s were looked at to

be employed in more of an

assault-support role instead of

just for refueling.”

A change in Marine Corps tactics opened the door for enlisted

aircrew members to begin

receiving the insignia with the

same frequency as their peers in

the aviation community, but the

change didn’t make achieving

the insignia less strenuous.

In order to be awarded the

Combat Aircrew Insignia, a

Marine has to graduate from an

aircrew school and fly combat

missions in a designated combat

zone. The wings can be awarded

for single missions during which

an enemy is engaged or for targeted missions against fortified

enemy positions, according to

the Assignment Classification

and Travel System manual. 

“As an enlisted aircrew member, the Combat Aircrew

Insignia is something that lets

everyone else know you’ve been

there, done that and participated

in the real thing,” said

Clodfelder, a native of

Highlands Ranch, Colo.

For one recipient, the Combat

Aircrew Insignia symbolizes his

transformation from the groundside of the Marine Corps to the

aviation community.

Sgt. Jason T. Tauch, flight

mechanic, was deployed with

7th Marine Regiment, Marine

Corps Air Ground Combat

Center Twentynine Palms,

Calif., to Mogadishu, Somalia,

during Operation Joint Guardian

in 1994. During the operation,

Tauch earned a Combat Action

Ribbon while supporting the

United Nation’s withdrawal

from the war-torn country.

A few years after separating

from the Marine Corps, Tauch

rejoined as a reservist, but this

time, he yearned for something

different. Training as a KC-130

flight mechanic, he was ready to

take his test for full certification

prior to being deployed early

February. This deployment coming on the heels of another

deployment to Al Jabar, Kuwait,

in support of Operation Iraqi

Freedom last year.

“I was glad to be here, because

I got my qualification as a flight

mechanic, and I got the Combat

Aircrew Insignia,” said Tauch.

“Coming back to Iraq this year

really let me learn what this job

is all about.”

For the detachment, tasked

with augmenting Marine Aerial

Refueler Transport Squadron

352, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing,

Marine Corps Air Station

Miramar, Calif., this is the best

way to thank the Marines for

their hard work and dedication to

duty, according to Clodfelder. 

“When we get the chance

to do something positive,

reward someone or recognize

someone, that makes it all

worthwhile,” he said. 

Page 10 Coalition Scimitar Apr. 9, 2004

Sgt. Jason T. Tauch, flight mechanic, Marine Aerial

Refueler Transport Squadron 234, augmented to

VMGR-352, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, checks an intake on

a KC-130 'Hercules' during a pre-flight inspection in Al

Asad, Iraq, March 31. Tauch and six of his squadron

mates were awarded their Combat Aircrew Insignia later

the same day in a ceremony.

Reserve Marines receive

Combat Aircrew Insignia

Story and photo by 

Sgt. Rob Henderson 

I Marine 

Expeditionary Force

Air Defenders keeping watch over Dragoon Base

Story and photo by 

Pfc. Erik LeDrew

122nd Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Spc. Carlos Antoine Fields, Air Defense Artillery Battery, 2nd Armored

Cavalry Regiment, observes incoming vehicles during a recent guard

shift on Dragoon Forward Operating Base.
You have reached page 11

DRINK

WATER 

BABYLON, Iraq — The smiles on their

faces, the colored rings around their

mouths and the sticky fingers holding the

half-sucked lollipops as they waved goodbye makes a day of standing in the hot sun

worth it for Air Force Maj. John Pace.

Pace, an Army and Air Force Exchange

Service military liaison here spends at

least one day a week helping win hearts

and minds throughout communities in

Iraq, one bottle of Gatorade or one box of

crackers at a time.

When Pace arrived here in late January,

he noticed AAFES associates throwing

away old food and drinks. He couldn’t

believe that they had to throw away perfectly good food, even if it was over it’s

expiration date. Knowing there was a need

for food in many of the poorer villages

around Babylon, Pace decided there was a

better way to get rid of the food than throwing it away.

“My goal, before I left here, was to find

some way to help,” Pace said. It took a little research, but Pace, with the support of

Deb Jantek, AAFES’ general manger of the

Babylon area, found a way. His solution:

he’d give the food items to the coalition

civil affairs units in Babylon to hand out to

the people of Iraq. 

As a Services Commander with the

913th Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve

unit from Willow Grove, Pa., Pace didn’t

have much experience with AAFES, other

than shopping at the stores before deploying to Iraq. As an AAFES military liaison,

his main job is to assist Jantek in resolving

or deconflicting issues between AAFES

and the military. 

Pace first asked Jantek if the food could

be donated. Per AAFES regulation, once

a product has passed a certain date,

AAFES cannot sell it. It must be destroyed

and thrown away, explained Jantek.

However, under certain conditions, the

food can be donated. 

“I knew that in the states, we can sometimes donate food to the Chaplains and

other groups, but I didn’t know if it could

be done here in Iraq,” said Jantek. 

Excited about his plan, Jantek forwarded

Pace’s request up the AAFES chain of

command to Roger Perez, the AAFES

Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation

Enduring Freedom vice president.

Perez advised Jantek and Pace on the

proper procedures and gave the project

his permission.

First, the food had to be certified fit

for human consumption. Pace and Jantek

coordinated with the installation veterinary

office to inspect the food and give it a

thumbs up.

Secondly, the Chaplain here had to sign

for the food and agree that it would not be

resold, but would be donated to individuals

who truly need it. The chaplain agreed,

signed the proper paperwork, and Pace was

ready to start handing it out.

“The Multi National Division Forces

medical troops from the Philippines go into

the villages and provide medical care. After

the event, they give away food and drinks

to those who are seen,” said Jantek. The

Philippine unit was thrilled with Pace and

Jantek’s support and didn’t hesitate to

incorporate the AAFES donations into their

site surveys and mobile medical clinics.

According to Lt. Col. Fernando Felix,

Philippine Civil Battalion, the food Pace

and AAFES provide goes a long way

toward making a positive impact on the

Iraqi people.

Felix explained that his unit visits many

communities in and around the CentralSouth Iraq area to determine how to better

improve their living conditions. Most often,

Felix said, they are asked to fix the water

supply and provide medical care. 

With Pace’s food to ease the way, people

are very supportive of the Philippine

soldiers’ help.

Capt. Ben Zulueta, Philippine public

information officer agreed. “Most people

are cooperative and support the coalition.

In fact, 98 percent do. The other two percent, we must guard against,” said Zulueta.

Each week, Pace talks to the managers of

the different camps that fall under the

MND Central South’s jurisdiction. The

managers gather all expired food items and

save them for him. On the designated day,

Pace, the AAFES staff and the Philippine

soldiers load up the week’s bounty and

head for the neglected areas.

Not only is handing out the food a great

way of reinforcing a positive American and

coalition sentiment, but on one occasion, it

yielded physical support.

On one particular mission, Pace negotiated with Iraqi villagers to exchange food

for weapons that they reportedly had in

their village. At the end of the day, Pace

and the Philippine Civil Affairs soldiers

left with more than good will; they left

with a rocket-propelled grenade and a

60mm mortar tube.

“The availability of goods for distribution from your unit had really made a

difference in our efforts and in our thrust

to recover weapons. Your initiatives

further contributed to the overall efforts of

winning the hearts and minds of the populace in the neglected areas. Further,

your courage to go with my unit in these

neglected places is something worthy of

our appreciation. You really deserve

our commendation and salute,” said Col.

Joel P. Ibanez, the Philippine humanitarian

contingent commander in a letter of commendation to Pace.

For Pace, it’s all about the children and

seeing the smiles on their faces when

he hands them the snacks and treats. They

follow him around, trying out their

English, trying to wheedle one more snack

or one more drink or in some case, the

CDs in his vehicle.

“Of all the things I’ve done since I

arrived in theater, this is the most rewarding,” said Pace.

“America’s good,” Pace calls to the children racing beside his vehicle as he and the

Philippine soldiers drive away from another successful civil affairs event. And with a

Gatorade bottles stuck under their arms, big

smiles on their faces and thumbs stuck out

in the universal symbol of “you’re ok,” the

Iraqi children agree.

Apr. 9, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 11

AAFES donates food,

drinks to Iraqi communities

Air Force Maj. John Pace hands a bottle of Gatorade to a Iraqi child. Gatorade is one of the items that the Army

and Air Force Exchange Serivce stores have donated to communities throughout Iraq.

Story and photo by 

Sgt. 1st Class Amanda C. Glenn

Army and Air Force Exchange

Services Public Affairs
Page 12 Coalition Scimitar Apr. 9, 2004

Signs and symptoms Let them know you care of depression

- Change in eating and sleeping

habits

- Withdrawal from friends, family,

and regular activities

- Violent or rebellious behavior, or

running away

- Unusual neglect of personal

appearance

- Radical personality change

- Persistent boredom, difficulty

concentrating, or a decline in the

quality of school work

- Frequent complaints about physical symptoms often related to

emotions, such as stomach ache

or headache, fatigue

- Loss of interest in pleasurable

activities

Where to seek help

- Chaplain and chaplain’s assistants are all qualified to help you

- Talk to the combat stress control

team in your area of operation.

MOSUL – Soldiers from

3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry

Division (Stryker Brigade

Combat Team) and Iraqi Police

detained 10 personnel suspects

of anti-Coalition activities during operations in northern Iraq

Tuesday.

Soldiers from 5th Battalion,

20th Infantry regiment responded to a rocket attack near

Hammam Al Alil, detaining five

suspects who were leaving the

scene at a high rate of speed.

Soldiers from 5th Bn., 20th

Inf. Regt., conducted a cordon

and knock operation near

Hammam Al Alil and detained

two subjects suspected of antiCoalition activities. Also in

Hammam Al Alil, group of

Soldiers from 5th Bn., 20th Inf.

Regt., detained one suspect at a

traffic control point late Tuesday

night.

Iraqi police apprehended

two assailants wanted in connection with a drive-by shooting in

Mosul. The police responded to

shots fired at a Mosul garage and

detained the two suspects. They

are currently in a Mosul jail.

Task Force Olympia continues to work with the citizens and

leaders of Iraq to make it a safe,

prosperous, and democratic

nation. Anyone with information

about criminal or terrorist activities should inform the Iraqi

Police, Coalition Forces, or call

the Tips Hotline 813-343 or 780-

013. To turn in weapons or munitions, contact any Coalition soldier or call the Hotline (813-343)

to arrange turn-in.

Pfc. Clint Wolf, of 3rd Platoon, Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd

Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), and an Iraqi Civil

Defense Corp soldier take a knee while conducting joint operations south of Mosul.

ICDC soldiers are helping the unit search people suspected of anti-Coalition activities. 

Task Force, Iraqi police detain 10

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson 

From left: Polish Army Soldiers Sgt. Marcin

Wolniewicz gets ready to throw a punch at Lt.

Thomasz Wiewior while they pass some time practicing their boxing skills on March 17, 2004. This

was on the roof of Saddam Hussein's palace at

Camp Babylon, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi

Freedom. 

Photo by Staff Sgt. Ricky A. Bloom

Sock it to ‘em ...
April 9, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 13

*Editor’s note: Historical information was taken from the United States

Military Academy Web site,

www.usma.edu.

BAGHDAD – Task Force 1st

Armored Division and other alumni

of the U.S. Military Academy at West

Point serving in Baghdad, celebrated

their alma mater’s founding on the

parade grounds Saddam Hussein’s

military forces once marched.

More than 100 graduates of the

United States Military Academy at

West Point, N.Y., gathered to celebrate the school’s 202nd birthday

March 28. 

The celebration took place at “the

crossed swords” monument in downtown Baghdad. 

The attendees spanned more than

three decades of West Point cadets.

The senior alumnus was 3rd Corps

commander Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz,

class of 1971. The junior and

youngest officer present was 2nd Lt.

Zachary Hadfield, C Company, 1st

Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment,

Class of 2003.

Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom

“is like starting over as a new cadet,

except this time it is a little more

important than memorizing the number of lights in Cullum Hall,”

Hadfield said.

Metz talked with fellow graduates

about his roots, the military’s current

state, and the importance of duty,

honor and country – words and a way

of life immortalized by General of

the Army Douglas MacArthur, Class

of 1903 and Academy superintendent

from 1919-22.

“Where I come from (a small town

in North Carolina) you wouldn’t

expect the 3rd Corps commander to

come from,” said Metz, “(Our forefathers) built a pretty good country

everything I’ve done is because the

country allowed it and I want to preserve that.”

That is why it is important that the

coalition wins this war, he added.

West Point’s history extends earlier

than the academy.

During the Revolutionary War, both

the British and Continental Armies

realized the strategic importance of

the commanding plateau on the west

bank of the Hudson River. Gen.

George Washington considered West

Point to be the most important strategic position in America and transferred his headquarters there in l779.

West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in

America.

President Thomas Jefferson signed

legislation establishing the United

States Military Academy at West

Point in 1802. 

Still, 1808 graduate Sylvanus

Thayer is considered the “father of

the Military Academy,” serving as

superintendent of the academy from

1817-1833.

Through two centuries of technological advanced the United States

Military Academy still emphasizes

the philosophy of “duty, honor, country.”

“You are measured by those three

words you heard as cadets,” Metz

said to the ceremony attendees. “As

you gain experience ... I hope those

words are impressed upon you.”

The graduates toasted to the nation

and its leadership, the Army, the 1st

Armored Division, the Corps of

Cadets and to former classmates and

friends. 

Hadfield recognized the thousands

of soldiers’ dedication to duty during

his address to the party.

“There are a lot of extraordinarily

brave men and women in the Army,”

he said. “It is a privilege for me and

my classmates to get the opportunity

to serve with you.”

Task Force 1st Armored Division commander and 1974 United States

Military Academy graduate, Maj. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, raises his

glass for a toast in honor of the Academy during the TF 1AD West Point

Founder’s Day celebration in Baghdad, Iraq, March 28. More than 100

graduates, ranging from Class of 1971 to Class of 2003 attended to celebrate the Academy’s 202nd birthday.

Story and photo by 

Sgt. Christopher Stanis, 

1st Armored Division, 

Public Affairs Office

Task Force 1 AD celebrates

West Point’s ‘Founder’s Day’

Words 

of 

Wisdom

The Chinese use

two brush strokes to

wtite the word ‘crisis’.

One brush stroke

stands for danger; the

other for opportunity.

In a crisis, be aware of

the danger- but recognize the opportunity.

Richard M. Nixon

“

”
Page 14 Coalition Scimitar April 9, 2004

BAGHDAD—When twelve members of the Terre Haute, Ind., from the

494th Military Police Detachment left last

year on deployment for Operation Iraqi

Freedom, they had no idea that they

would be helping to rebuild Iraq in such a

huge way. 

Now a year later there stuff is packed

up and ready to go. Their devotion to duty

helped them prioritize their mission and

overcome the obstacles that led them to

complete their tasks. Those tasks were to

complete and finalize systems to run the

prisons and aid in the mission of the

Ministry of Justice. There were no correction guards and no way to hire them. So

one priority was to set up a system to hire,

train, teach and put an ordering system in

place for prison use. Items that most

penaltenalies have on hand for everyday

use were not in place prior to June.

“Under the old system bribes were

made because the guards only earned

about three US dollars a day,” said Capt.

Brent Stoeling, MP and the manger of

logistics to the liaison for the Justice

Ministry. 

According to the group, under

Saddam’s regime the prisons didn’t supply a detainee with necessities such as

food, blankets, beds, soap and medical

supplies. The group readily admits that

under the old system, family members

would deliver those everyday items to the

prison, and

bribe the

guards

each Friday.

“We came to the Coalition

Provinsional Authority from the 800th

Military Police Brigade as a liaison for the

Ministry of Justice to oversee the detention facilities and to help with the training, ordering, remodeling and set up with

the reconstruction efforts,” said Stoelting.

With millions of US dollars in the

Ministry of Prison’s budget but, no central

place to place orders, the group started out

setting up and building a system that up

until June 2003 was non-existent. No purchasing programs to buy the much-needed items used to renovate and maintain

the prisons were in place. Training manuals and standard operation procedures for

handing prisoners didn’t exist and

there were no Arabic

instructors to

teach the trainees. With most of the prisons looted of sinks, beds and other normal

items, a project management system of

buying had to be put in place. 

Then the group encouraged and mentored present Iraqi employees and

instructed them how to order much needed items for the entire prison system.

“I remember some of the Iraqi

employees were timid and afraid of

spending money on one what they considered unnecessary items. They were

always asking why we need beds or even

food. In August of 2003 the Iraqi prison

system didn’t have as much as wrench to

fix a sink, and they didn’t know how to

use funds to buy one,” said Capt. Errol

Huffman, MP and finance officer and

program manager for the Ministry

of Prisons. 

Most of the group admitted that the prison system

under Saddam’s regime

was so corrupt and broken that they themselves

had to use tools from

their own toolbox

to fix some of the

sinks in the jails.

The system

was so

deprived

that they

found

they had

only four

Iraqi civilian

employees for the entire prison system for

the whole nation. 

“The entire inner structure of the justice system was broken and the 494th MP

Detachment was tasked to fix it and built

on the system. Project management was

non-existent,” said Capt Michael McTyre,

MP, senior instructor of the Iraqi

Correction Service or ICS Academy at

Kadimiyah, Baghdad. 

“Their main mission of the detachment was to not only work as a liaison for

CPA but to create a system of ordering

and a plan to hire and teach, for the

Ministry of Prisons to operate on,”

Stoelting said. 

The group took over the project management position for Baghdad’s six detention centers and two jails. The group also

was tasked to train enough prison guards

to work at all eight centers. 

“The ICS was founded and a marriage solidified the two departments

between the interior and the ministry of

justice,” said Stoelting.

“The programs were also married up

with a plan that supported the frame work

of the judicial systems from Bill Irvine

from Northern Ireland and the initial

assessment team from the United

Kingdom,” said Huffman 

According to the group the prison

budget of two million US Dollars from

June 2003 to January 2004 was spent on

the eight facilities. “The department

budget will grow to over a half billion US

dollars,” said Huffman. 

Because of the problems, with budget Huffman took over the project management From July until October set up the

system allowing ordering of needed

items. 

“Now the prison system has a stable

ordering system in place for which anyone from the Justice Ministry or the

prison department can order supplies,”

said Huffman. 

The department of prisons now has a

national management staff that handles all

the buying, controls and accounts for

funds for Baghdad’s eight facilities. 

“That system, the feeding of the prisoners, transportation, logics, is now run

by a store manager who learned financial

planning and trained to an organization

structure and now that same person has

learned confidence to run over a budget of

a $100,000,000 million US dollars,” said

Huffman. 

The group handed off their duties and

keys to the door to their civilian counterparts last March.

“We blazed the trail, now they can

attend to cutting the grass” said Stoelting. 

Story and photos by 

Sgt. 1st Class Bill Sutherland, 

Coalition Press 

Information Center

Rebuilding mission complete - MP’s leave 

left to right- Members of the 494th Military Police Detachment are all

smiles as Capt. Errol Huffman along with Cpl. Shawn Lion, Capt Michael

McTyle, Spc. Candice Madison and Capt Brent Stoelting walk one last

time the halls of the Coalition Provisional Authority. 

An 200 page ICS (Iraqi Correctional Service) training syllabus was developed showing the training and the

academy policy by Capt. Michael McTyre specifically for new prison guards. 
April 9, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 15

BAGHDAD — The bright yellow

ball bounced boldly out of the box as

Iraqi children eagerly clamored to

snatch the sphere from an Air Force

chaplain’s hands.

One young Iraqi boy emerged victorious, waving the soccer ball wildly over

his head before tossing it back and forth

to a friend in the crowd gathered around

an Air Force Humvee.

Members from the chaplaincy, Air

Force Office of Special Investigations,

medical squadron and security forces

squadron of the 447th Air Expeditionary

Group here recently conducted a humanitarian relief mission to Vedgha, Iraq. 

“We want to try and make their lives

better,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Rich

Hall, the group’s head chaplain. “I think

it’s important Iraqis see [the U.S. military has] a caring side to us, just as they

have a caring side. There are many ways

for us to reach out to their society. These

visits are an excellent way for us to do

that and show we care about their families.” 

The team targeted family members

as they handed out children’s clothing,

shoes, food, medication and toys,

Colonel Hall said. 

Many of the villager’s babies do not

get clothing until they are older, so baby

clothing

is a hot

item,

Colonel

Hall said. 

“ I

saw joy

in the

women’s

faces

when

they were

given

clothes

for their

baby,” he

said. 

For

some Airman, the missions are the highlight of their time in Iraq. 

“This was the most rewarding thing

I have done since I have been here,” said

Maj. Phillip Smith, a 447th

Expeditionary Medical Squadron physician’s assistant.

“I empathize with the pain they are

in, and I want to help them,” Smith said.

“There is real joy in being able to help

somebody who truly needs it.” 

The physician’s assistant had mild

pain relievers on hand to give Iraqis with

medical problems.

Toward the end of the mission, the

crowd of Iraqis

surged forward, almost

overwhelming the chaplain in their

desire for the

materials.

The chaplain’s assistant, Tech.

Sgt. Charles

Goodrich,

and two

Arabic translators

assigned to

the AFOSI

stepped forward to restore order. 

“There is so much to be done here,”

Sergeant Goodrich said, “but this is a

small part we can do to help them with a

new beginning.”

The team said their efforts seemed to

make a difference. 

“Thank you, thank you,” said Ouaud

Mohamed, a villager, using broken

English as the team departed.

Story and photo by 

Master Sgt. Sean E. Cobb 

447th Air Expeditionary Group

Public Affairs Office

This was the most

rewarding thing I

have done since I have

been here.

— Maj. Phillip Smith

447th Expeditionary Medical

Squadron physician’s assistant

“

“

Airmen bring toys to Iraqi kids

An Iraqi child is given new shoes

by American airmen in Baghdad.

The airmen also handed out clothing, food, medication and toys as

part of a recent humanitarian releif

mission to Vedga. The airmen are

part of the 447th Air Expeditionary

Group here.

BAGHDAD—OK, let’s get

the snickering out of the way.

For amateur singers there is

nothing like belting out an

oldies hit or the latest country

song to make them feel like a

star. How many times have

most of us automatically sung

along when a familiar tune

comes on the radio?

Karaoke is now in

Baghdad. Every Tuesday night

at the CPA Fitness Center from

6 pm to 11 pm. The karaoke

evening is sponsored by the

478th Civil Affairs Group. The

MWR activity is run by Spc.

Jasmine Esquivel, a soldier

from the Miami based unit. 

“When my unit arrived in

February I was put in charge of

finding something for the unit to

do together. So I suggested

karaoke. It’s something that lets

everyone participate and no one

feels left out. Karaoke is a great

opportunity for people to feel

free,” said Esquivel. 

The plan is that it will be

every Tuesday night at the

Coalition Provincial Authority

gym next to the Post Exchange.

Anyone who thinks that karaoke

is only for high school drama

geeks who never got the lead

role would be surprised at the

crowd karaoke attracts. Like

any community at large, it’s a

mixed group, ranging in this

case from young to older solders of all services. What they

have in common is the desire to

get out and do something different and have fun singing. 

The guy, who squawked a

patriotic tune last Wednesday

night at karaoke night, still got a

standing ovation. 

Karaoke started in Japan

more than 20 years ago, let’s

people sing along to music with

suppressed vocals and the

words to the song flashing on

TV monitors. Scores of bars

stateside host karaoke nights at

least once or twice a week and

allow for amateur singers to

enjoy themselves and serious

singers to practice. In most

occasions its mock art in with a

very forgiving audience. 

Esquivel, 22, of Miami, is a

student who teaches dancing on

her off time she said she hopes

to someday also have “Latino

Night.” One of her favorite

songs is “These Days,” by

Rascal Flats.

“I love that song,” Esquivel

said. On any other given day,

Esquivel normally works as a

personnel and admin assistant

for the civil affairs group and

loves her job, she said. 

When she sings it she never

looks at the lyrics on the TV

monitor, one of two near the

back wall in the gym that holds

about 150 people. As the next

group gets ready, Sgt. Bobby

Jones, also with the 478th CA,

works as DJ Doc, patiently calls

the next singer. 

If the microphone is too

loud and the singer is off key,

then I usually try to help them

out by singing along,” said

Esquivel. 

Maj. Andre Mormite from

the 478th CA group and his

guys come to the stage, start

singing and laugh while performing. 

There are people that don’t

know how to sing and some that

just can’t. But it’s a great moral

booster. It’s a lot of fun as a

group,” said Mormite who sang

along with the four others. 

“It takes a lot of nerve for

people to get up and do it, and I

applaud everybody who has the

courage to do it,” Esquivel said. 

Remember that karaoke

isn’t just music, its entertainment — even if it’s at someone

else’s expense. 

Karaoke singers take the mic at MWR night

Story and photos by 

Sgt. 1st Class 

Bill Sutherland, 

Coalition Press 

Information Center

Members of the 478th Civil Affairs Group from Miami, Fla., karaoke together. It’s something that lets everyone participate and no one feels left out. 
You have finished reading this week’s Scimitar.

See you next week 

and make sure you 

drink water.

Officials at the Depot’s command

museum, James L. Day Hall and the

MCRD San Diego Historical Society

celebrated the opening of the Iraqi

Freedom exhibit here March 19.

The exhibit displays uniforms,

weaponry, enemy equipment and

maps of some of the areas where

Marines fought battles. It features a

giant-sized photo album that chronicles the war from deployment stages

to the capture of Saddam Hussein.

The exhibit also includes combat artwork from Sgt. Jack Carrillo, a combat illustrator here.

“The exhibit is a testament to

the museum’s and Historical

Society’s commitment to preserve

the Marine Corps’ history, past and

present,” said Barbara S. McCurtis,

museum director.

The new exhibit is significant for

two reasons, according to McCurtis.

The first is that it is an on-going

exhibit, meaning more artifacts from

Operation Iraqi Freedom are constantly being offered to the museum.

The second thing is, unlike other

exhibits, the artifacts are coming in

straight from the battlefield.

“These artifacts aren’t spending

time in people’s garages; we’re

getting them from Marines and

sailors coming straight out of Iraq,”

said McCurtis.

Some of the Marines and sailors

who brought back artifacts from

Iraq are currently stationed aboard

the Depot.

“I thought it was important to share

and help others learn,” said Chief

Petty Officer Robert E. Franzwa,

independent duty corpsman, Branch

Medical Clinic, about his part in

bringing artifacts to the museum.

With recruits passing through the

halls of the museum on training day

20, the exhibit will show them the

Corps’ present is as important and

celebrated as its past.

“This shows them this war is

as equally important as those

we fought in the past,” said Sgt.

Henry S. Lopez, photographer,

Combat Visual Information Center.

“In many ways it will help educate

and prepare them.”

For those wishing to offer artifacts

from Operation Iraqi Freedom, call

McCurtis at (619) 534-6719.

Page 16 Coalition Scimitar Apr. 9, 2004

Operation Iraqi Freedom exhibit

opens at command museum

Story and photos by 

Cpl. Shawn M. Toussaint 

Chevron Staff

Jennifer Breennan-Sparks, artist, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

Historical Society, and retired Maj. Gen. Don Fulham, shake hands after

unveiling Breenan-Sparks' painting of a Marine fighting in Iraq.

Join us for one of three Special Fulbright Information Briefings

for American military and other U.S. citizens in Iraq. Briefings

will be conducted in the Baghdad Area on three dates: April 20,

April 27 and May 4.

To sign up for a briefing contact Leslie Anderson at andersonlb@orha.centcom.mil Please specify preferred briefing date:

04/20, 04/27 or 05/04. 

Outside of Baghdad? If you are unable to attend a briefing, but

are interested in applying for a Fulbright scholarship, you may

access information and applications at: www.iie.org/fulbright/us

Application Deadline - U.S. military and civilians stationed in

Iraq may submit their applications either electronically or via regular mail. The deadline in the U.S. is October 21, 2004. 

FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP

INFORMATION BRIEFINGS IN BAGHDAD