MOSUL, Iraq — For the past

year, soldiers of the 107th

Battalion, Iraqi Civil Defense

Corps have worked hand in hand

with Coalition forces conducting

raids, check points and patrols.

Now, 200 ICDC soldiers from

the battalion will live with their

Coalition brothers-in-arms.

A company from the 107th

will be the main security element

at Forward Operating Base

Regular in Qayarrah, south of

Mosul. To celebrate this new

responsibility, the ICDC soldiers

and 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry

Division (Stryker Brigade

Combat Team) leaders gathered

on May 15 for an unforgettable

“cultural” exchange that will go

down in ICDC and Coalition

forces history as the day the

107th called FOB Regular home.

As the former commander of

the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry

Regiment, 3/2 SBCT, Lt. Col.

Rob Choppa helped train the

107th ICDC Battalion and welcomed them to FOB Regular.

“This house is your house,”

said Choppa, who wore Arabic

clothing to show his respect to

the ICDC soldiers. “When the

Iraqi government decides it’s

time for us to go home, this will

still be your home and it will be

your job to protect the people in

this area.”

The celebration continued

with Arabic music, dancing and

a comedian who got the crowd

laughing with an imitation of the

ICDC battalion commander.

For Coalition Soldiers, this

type of event is known as a

Morale, Welfare and Recreation

activity and is used to reward

Soldiers for their hard work. But 

Vol. 2, No. 23 Baghdad, Iraq June 4, 2004

Inside this week ...

New equipment for guards

Iraqi prison guards receive training, equipment from the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion.

Page 2

Graffiti removed from walls

1st Cavalry Soldiers, Iraqi Civil Defense

Corps soldiers work to clean the streets. 

Page 6

Job switch day

British soldiers change roles with each

other and experience different jobs. 

Page 7

Welders burning to get job done

Marine metalworkers design and build

anything a unit that a unit requests.

Page 13

SCIMITAR

COALITION

Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz,

commander of MultiNational Corps - Iraq,

and Brig. Gen. Walter J.

Natynczyk, deputy commander of MNC - I,

stand at attention at the

beginning of a promotion ceremony for

Natynczyk, promoting

him to major general.

Natynczyk, is serving

with III Corps as part of

an exchange program

between the U.S. and

Canadian militaries 

Photo by Pfc. Bryce S. Dubee

Brig. Gen. Natynczyk gets promoted

ICDC soldiers, Coalition forces

partake in cultural exchange

Story and photo by 

Sgt. Fred Minnick

139th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

See CULTURAL, Page 11

Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers dance

the night away during a cultural exchange

celebration May 18. The celebration

marked the change in security elements at

Forward Operating Base Regular from US

Soldiers to their ICDC counterparts.

See Story on Page 11
MOSUL, Iraq — Soldiers of

the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion

Public Safety Team are working

closely with members of the

Mosul Regional Confinement

Center to ensure the safety and

security of Iraqi detainees and the

guards assigned to watch over

them. 

Recognizing that the guards at

the facility had not received adequate training or equipment to protect themselves and their charges

from harm should an incident

occur at the prison, the

Norristown, Pa., - based 416th

used funds from the Commander’s

Emergency Response Program to

purchase equipment for the prison.

The team bought $150,000 worth

of equipment such as shields,

vests, riot control gas, batons and

training equipment to be used at

the prison.

“We are the first prison to have

this equipment in Iraq and we are

every proud of that,” said Capt.

Azhar Ibraham, the director of the

corrections academy and leader of

training at the prison.

The MRCC currently houses

159 male prisoners, but is undergoing a major reconstruction.

When completed, the center will

hold up to 3,000 prisoners, with

separate sections for females and

juveniles. There are 500 guards

employed by the prison and more

are being trained to accommodate

the future influx of prisoners. 

Coalition forces will work with

Ibraham to conduct Corrections

Emergency Response Team training for 40 of the prison guards next

week. After the six-day training

program, the guards will be able to

train the rest of the guards at the

prison to respond to emergencies.

The training will cover defensive tactics, riot formations, how to

use riot control gas and care for the

effects of riot control gas, basic

firefighting and cell entry. The

classes will focus on calming a

prisoner without seriously injuring

them. 

“If the guards did not have this

training and equipment, the prisoners might have the upper hand during a riot and the prison could be

overrun,” said Sgt. Patrick Bricco

of the 330th Military Police

Detachment, an Army Reserve

unit from Sheboygan, Wis. 

Bricco, who works as a prison

guard and a CERT trainer back

home, said that the classes will be

almost exactly like the ones he

teaches in the United States. 

“We use the minimum amount

of force to control any situation

here,” said Ibraham. “This equipment will allow us to look after the

safety of our guards, as well as the

safety of the prisoners.”

Prison safety is important to the

overall security of Iraq.

Maintaining the safety and security of prisoners is imperative to the

success of a democratic society.

Page 2 Coalition Scimitar June 4, 2004

(Left): Capt. Azhar Ibraham helps a prison guard to try

on a new vest designed to protect guards from direct

blows from prisoners.

(Bottom): Sgt. Patrick Bricco, a member of the 330th

Military Police Detachment, helps a prison guard into

new equipment purchased by the Coalition to safely

control riots within the prison.

New equipment helps

Iraqi prison guards

Story and photos by 

Spc. Blair Larson

139th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Iraqi police receive new cars

MOSUL, Iraq — For the first time

ever, Iraq is participating in the State

Department’s Middle East Partnership

Initiative. Secretary of State Colin

Powell established MEPI on Dec., 2002

to create educational opportunities, to

promote economic opportunities and to

strengthen civil societies throughout the

region. 

There are seven slots for students

from Iraq. Three students were selected

from the Mosul area. 

“The selection was very hard to make

because so many students wanted to go

and I wanted to send them all on this

great opportunity,” said Maj. Wayne

Bowman. “I chose the students on their

ability to speak and understand English,

their interest in their country and its

future, and their interest in the U. S.”

During each student’s six-week stay

in the United States, he or she will attend

a university, yet to be determined, to take

part in lectures on the four fundamentals

of MEPI: economic, political, educational, and women’s opportunities. They

will then conclude their stay with a visit

to the Capitol in Washington D.C. 

“I am very excited to have my daughter selected for this opportunity,” said

Abd, a father of one of the three Mosul

students. “I want her to see the technology and progress that goes on in the U.S.,

so that she can help other people see that

take place here.”

The education of Iraqi students is one

of the Coalition forces priorities. The

Coalition forces have built, remodeled,

and refurbished many schools throughout Iraq. It is an ongoing process they are

dedicated to. Through education and

technology, Iraq will progress to a more

peaceful and democratic country.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER,

Iraq — Iraqi police officers in the province of Salah

Ad Din received a gift of 24 new police cars courtesy

of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in a ceremony May

20th at Forward Operating Base Orion, Balad, Iraq.

The cars went to police officers in several cities,

including Tikrit, Balad and Samarra, which are all

included in the Salah Ad Din provincial district.

“This is a great day for the 1st Infantry Division and

the Iraqi Police,” said Col. Randall Dragon, 2nd

Brigade Combat Team commander.

Dragon, who presented the cars to the Chief of

Police for the Salah Ad Din Province, Brig. Gen.

Mazher Taha Ahmad, hoped the new vehicles would

help Iraqi police officers to be a more efficient force.

“One of the biggest challenges for a new police

force is transportation,” Dragon said. “The police

force here is far short of having enough vehicles.

Hopefully this will be a step in the right direction.”

The police cars were bought from a local contractor.

Col. Randall Dragon presents Brig.

Gen. Mazher Taha Ahmad with a

key symbolizing the 24 police cars

provided for Iraqi police in the

province of Salah Ad Din. 

Story and photo by Spc. Joe Alger

1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

Iraqi students participate in U.S.

exchange program for first time

Story by Spc. Gretel Sharpee 

139th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment
June 4, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 3

Unsung Heroes 

Marching the extra mile across Iraq

Pfc. Wallace

Staff Sgt. Tenore Spc. Newsuan

Spc. Vantu

MNF - I PAO

Col. Jill E. Morgenthaler

Managing Editor

Sgt. Brian Stockhoff

Editor

Spc. Jeffrey Hillery 

MNF - I Commanding

General

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez

Command Info Chief

Capt. Adam W. Hackel

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 Multi-National

Force - Iraq. Stars and Stripes newspaper is not affiliated with MNFI 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

Spc. Ryan Vantu, 26, is assigned to

Headquarters and Headquarters Command, III

Corps. He has been in Iraq for four months.

He is married and his wife and family live in

Ohio. 

His main duty is as the driver for the

Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Lacey of

Headquarters Command III Corps. In addition to his duties as the BCs driver, he also

works in the billeting office for the Life

Support Areas Dodge Cities North and South. 

His noncommissioned officer-in-charge,

Sgt. 1st Class Patterson said that “Specialist

Vantu does an outstanding job maintaining,

assigning and monitoring all soldiers that

move in and out of the LSAs.” “He would be

an asset to any office that he works in here or

in the rear. He strongly believes in mission

first.”

Staff Sgt. Gregory Tenore, 33, is the 555th

Engineer Company Map Depot squad

leader. Tenore, from Brownsville, Texas,

has been in Iraq since the beginning of

January and has spearheaded the only in-theater map depot. He has been in the military

for 10 years.

With an on-shelf stock of more than

400,000 map products, he fills orders for all

military Coalition forces, civilians, and federal government services. 

He is in charge of five soldiers who are

continuously moving, storing, ordering, cataloguing and updating the data base. 

“He runs a tight ship, but it's necessary to

keep the forces supplied with the latest

updated map products for navigational operations,” said Spc. Iverson, one of Tenore's

Soldier's.

Spc. Jermaine A. Newsuan was born

March 10, 1981, in Philadelphia. He

attended University City High School. He

has been in the Army for three years and

has been in Iraq since January. He plans

to make the Army a career, at least for

now. 

He is assigned to Headquarters and

Headquarters Company, III Corps as a

tracked wheeled-vehicle mechanic. His

initial duty assignment in Iraq was working in the billeting office, where he performed various duties that helped to

ensure that Soldiers where adequately

housed in the Logistic Support Areas of

Dodge Cities North and South.

He said hebelieves strongly that what

does not hurt you will only make you

stronger and he uses that philosophy every

day while deployed here in Iraq.

Pfc. Kenyada Wallace is assigned to the

555th Engineer Company, III Corps. As a

terrain analyst in the production platoon. 

She uses spatial resolution imagery to

create special map products of various

areas supporting the combined joint task

force operation. Her technical proficiency

enables her to develop products for unit

commanders to make a clear assessment

of their strategic planning.

Her supervisor, Staff Sgt. Quatrun V.

Nesbitt, said that “Pfc. Wallace paves the

way for her peers to follow.” “She exemplifies the army values in extraordinary

fashion. She strives to better herself and

anyone she comes into contact with to go

above and beyond.”

The Coalition Scimitar can also 

be viewed on the web at

http://www.cjtf7.com/coalitionnews/publications.htm
ZADAN, Iraq — The civil affairs team

with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment

recently completed the initial stages of a

project that will improve a mosque, school

and medical clinic in the city. 

The event was celebrated by a groundbreaking ceremony on the property May

19.

“Today was a big day for us,” said Sgt.

Daniel P. Carreon, an assistant team leader

for the civil affairs team. “It was one of the

first times we’ve been invited to a mosque

in the city and been welcomed by everyone.

It’s just the first step toward showing the

locals we’re here to help and improve their

quality of life.”

The project will consist of a room built

onto the mosque where the local sheikhs, or

tribal leaders, can meet to discuss community affairs, explained Carreon. In addition,

the adjacent primary school will receive

renovations along with the nearby medical

clinic.

“My strongest memory of the ceremony

was when they cut the ribbon and broke the

ground with a shovel,” said Lance Cpl.

Brian M. Gill. “Everybody shouted and an

old man raised his cane up in the air. You

could tell they were genuinely happy to

have us there.”

After the event, a lamb was sacrificed at

the mosque in accordance with Muslim tradition.

Construction is currently underway on

the improvements and everything is expected to be completed by Aug. 15, Carreon

said.

The improvements are a few of many

that are underway in the community. The

local water treatment plant, secondary and

primary schools are also receiving

improvements, spearheaded by the civil

affairs team.

“This was the first time we’ve seen the

local sheikhs working with the Coalition

forces and it’s the first time they’ve been

involved with us,” said Maj. Mark P.

DeVito, the civil affairs team leader. “It’s a

positive step for the coalition forces and the

sheikhs of Zadan.”

Outside the ceremony, many of the

Marines providing security noticed a major

difference in the attitude of the people.

“People were a little more comfortable

around us and there was a big turnout,” said

Cpl. Michael S. Edwards. “This proves to

them we are really here to help them out,

make their lives better however we can.”

Page 4 Coalition Scimitar June 4, 2004

Spc. Jackson, with the 2nd

platoon, B Company 1st

Battalion, 21st Infantry

Regiment, 25th Infantry

Division, hands out workbooks to students at Kalkalan

school in Kirkuk, Iraq May 18.

Photo by Pfc. Elizabeth Erste

Soldiers

provide

workbooks

to young

students in

Kirkuk

Marines improve mosque, school and clinic

Story by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

1st Marine Division

Maj. Mark Devito, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment looks over the building plans and talks to the Iraqi contractor after the groundbreaking cermony for a new school and mosque in Zada, Iraq.

Photo by Marine Corps Cpl. Carl A. Atherton
Symbolism of the 81st Brigade Shoulder Insignia

On a white square with rounded corners, 2 1/4 inches overall, the Pacific Northwest Indian

Tribes (Haida, Kwakiutl and Nootka) symbol of the raven, in black, red and white within a 1/8

inch red border.

The Raven represents the fact that all the units of this Brigade derive their history and background as Washington State units. The family crest of George Washington, a raven on a gold

coronet, has been traditionally used to form the crest of

Washington State Unit's insignia.

The raven design is a combination of three Northwest Indian

tribe designs of the raven. The head portion is from the Haida

tribe. The lower portion are from the Kwakiutl. The beak, eyes

and mouth are from the Nootka. Most emphasis has been

placed on the Nootka as they lived on the Washington coast and

Olympic peninsula. Both of the other tribes represented live,

for the most part, on the lower British Columbia coast and in

the vicinity of Vancouver Island.

The raven is one of the most unique types of design and is

found only in the Pacific Northwest. The raven is considered

to be of particularly good power in the legends of the

Northwest Indian tribes.

According to legends, this bird went into the supernatural

work while the earth was still in darkness and the people could

not see. The raven took the sun and escaped through a hole in

the roof of the house of the "Supernatural" while they slept.

Because the raven had to fly through the smoke to get out of the

house, it discolored him black. While flying back to earth, with the super naturals in chase, the

parts of the sun are broken off, forming the stars with the last and largest piece forming the

moon. The raven then threw the sun into the sky where it gave off light and heat back to the

earth. The raven saved the people from their darkness and gave them light and new life.

The insignia was designed by Private First Class Michael L. Burns of Headquarters and

Headquarters Company, 81st Brigade and was first officially approved for wear on 27 May

1970.

Brigade History

The federal mission of the 81st Armor Brigade is to mobilize and deploy to a theater of operations to conduct combat operations, redeploy, and demobilize. Its state mission is to be prepared

for employment in the protection of life and property, and the preservation of peace, order, and

public safety, and/or disaster relief operations as required. 

The 81st Armor Brigade, Washington Army National Guard, came into existence (as “straightleg" infantry) Jan. 1, 1968 under the command of Brig. Gen. Albert Kaye.

But its origins go back to World War I. 

In the process of mobilizing for overseas deployment in 1917, the Army

determined that it needed large maneuver formations — divisions. Divisions

were formed from existing small units; the 41st Division comprised

National Guard elements from eight western states including Washington,

Oregon, and Idaho. The combat regiments in each division were collected

into one artillery and two infantry brigades. 

The 41st was one of the earliest divisions to embark for Europe — in

December, 1917 — but once there, it was tabbed to train and process

replacements to fill out the rosters of other arriving divisions. Additionally,

it was tasked as a depot division. While many of its soldiers were reassigned

to the front, and its artillery brigade saw action and occupation duty, neither

of its infantry brigades saw combat action. 

Postwar reconstitution retained the division in the Pacific Northwest and

assigned the 81st Brigade, commanding the 161st (Washington) and 163rd

(Montana) Infantry Regiments, to Washington. The headquarters circulated

around the state to the city of the Brigade commander, moving six times in

twelve years. Not until 1936 was a headquarters company activated. 

In 1937, divisional maneuvers preceded the September, 1940 activation for World War II.

Shortly after Pearl Harbor, the division converted from a "square" (4-regiment) to "triangular"

(3-regiment) configuration, losing its 161st Infantry Regiment to the 25th Division. 

In 1971, a reorganization converted the brigade into mechanized infantry, deleted the 161st’s

Second Battalion, and added the 303rd Armor. 

Later, the 81st became an asset of I Corps (at Fort Lewis), then assigned as an organic ("roundout") brigade to its old partner the 9th Division.

ASH SHARQAT, Iraq —

A groundbreaking ceremony

was held May 26 to mark the

beginning of construction for

a new elementary school

building near Kassem Village

in Ash Sharqat. 

A bright, clear day dawned

on a small cluster of houses

200 km north of Tikrit when

Task Force 1-7 Field Artillery

conducted the ceremony to

start work on the school.

Lt. Col. Kyle McClelland,

TF 1-7 commander, spoke to

the students, parents and officials who attended the ceremony. He emphasized the

importance of the youth and

the role a quality education

will play in Iraq’s future. 

Sharqat Mayor, the

Honorable Muhsin Khalaf,

echoed McClelland’s words

and extended his appreciation

to TF 1-7 for their partnership

with the community in this

important endeavor. 

The ceremony was followed

by a small luncheon provided

by the contractor for the new

school. 

During the luncheon, TF 1-

7 Soldiers distributed school

supplies collected from

friends and relatives at home

to the excited and smiling students of Othman School,

whom the Soldiers have noted

to be “well-behaved and

learning a lot of English.” 

The project is expected to

be completed by July 1. 

Notable attendees were

Muhsin Sebhan Khalaf, Ash

Sharqat Mayor; Lt. Col. Ali

Dudah Khalaf, Ash Sharqat

Police Chief; Lt. Col.

McClelland, TF 1-7 commander and the students and

headmaster for the Othman

School. 

June 4, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 5

Groundbreaking ceremony

held for school in Ash Sharqat

Story and photos 

submitted by 1st Infantry

Division Public 

Affairs Office

(Above): Lt. Col. Kyle McClelland, TF 1-7 commander

and Sharqat Mayor, Mushin Sebhan Khalaf, break ground

at the site for the new Othman School, signifying the

beginning of construction.

(Right): 1st Lt. Jared Purcell of Task Force 1-7 Field

Artillery hand out school supplies donated by the Hyde

Park and Havilland schools of Hyde Park, N.Y. 

81st Armor Brigade’s history and insignia
Page 6 Coalition Scimitar June 4, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Graffiti

removal has become one focus for

the 1st Cavalry Division’s 3rd

Brigade Combat Team. This is one

part of the coalition’s campaign to

make Baghdad a better place to live

said Maj. Robert Cain, 3rd BCT

plans and information operations

officer.

“What we encourage all of our

patrols to do is to identify any

infrastructure problems and ... to

identify how widespread graffiti is

in our area,” Cain said.

“We [also] wanted to identify the

message that was being portrayed

... and whether or not it was anticoalition, defeating our efforts [to

encourage] the local populace to

acknowledge all the efforts we’re

putting in to rebuild this country,”

Cain said.

If the graffiti is found to be an

anti-coalition message, Iraqi Civil

Defense Corps soldiers accompanying 3rd BCT patrols paint over

the writing, and often put posters

up to inform the locals of how to

report criminal activities such as

vandalism, Cain said.

“We try to incorporate ICDC into

everything that we do,” Cain said.

“And not only ICDC, but the Iraqi

Police, local leaders and the individuals in the community. It shows

that the local populace is not happy

with the graffiti.”

Anti-coalition graffiti shows that

there is a criminal presence in the

3rd BCT area of operations and

gives the 3rd BCT an idea of where

to focus their efforts in making

contact with locals and gauging

their feelings on local criminal and

terrorist activities, Cain said.

The 3rd BCT is also planning on

painting entire walls in several

neighborhoods as a type of antigraffiti campaign to instill neighborhood pride in local residents of

Baghdad and encourage them to

paint over graffiti themselves.

“We are not only going to remove

the graffiti, we are also going to be

increasing the quality of life,” Cain

said. “We’re going to place street

lamps and park benches.”

If the people of Baghdad take

pride in their neighborhoods, Cain

said, the 3rd BCT is one step closer

to removing the insurgents who are

trying to create an unstable environment.

An Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldier paints over an anti-coalition

message marring a Baghdad residence. A new method of covering graffiti is being developed using stencils and rollers to make

the result more attractive. There are even efforts to paint entire

walls in various neighborhoods in an effort to beautify the area

and instill pride in the local populace.

Story and photo by 

Spc. Jan Critchfield

122nd Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Soldiers clean

graffiti, instill pride

MOSUL, Iraq — Raising the standard of health care

starts with building health care systems that are able to

provide adequate and consistent health care. Coalition

forces are working closely with medical professionals in

the Zakho region to provide local residents with medical

services and supplies that will enhance the region’s

health system. 

To date, the Coalition forces have provided more than

$72,000 in funding to improve the Zakho health system.

Soldiers of the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army

Reserve Unit, headquartered in Noristown, Pa., have

worked with local medical personnel to repair clinics and

buildings, expand existing structures, purchase medical

equipment and provide needed medicines on a consistent

basis unlike anything the region has experienced in the

past. 

“With the money that the Coalition forces have provided, we have been able to provide two hospitals and 17

health clinics within Zakho with medical supplies, cleanupdated facilities, and new, better health-care equipment,” said Dr. Khorshwez Said, director of Zakho

General Hospital. 

When the 416th first arrived in Zakho, they met with

the mayor, Shakh Akhr Shakh Jemal, to discuss what he

thought his city needed most. Immediately, Jemal said

that he needed to improve the health care system. 

“After talking with the mayor, we were able to go right

to the city’s general hospital and ask them what they

needed,” said 1st Lt. Tim Zeisset, of Lincoln, Neb., a

project officer in the 416th. 

After meeting with Said to find out what his hospitals

and clinics needed, Zeisset was able to submit a proposal to get the money they needed.

Over the past year, Coalition forces have spent more

than $1 million to improve the health care system in

northern Iraq. 

“If we can help the health care system, to provide consistent and quality care to the residents of Zakho, then we

can slowly raise the standard of living,” said Zeisset. 

Dr. Khorshwez Said, director of Zakho General

Hospital, points out the new equipment that was

purchased for the hospital in the Zakho region

to improve health care services in the region.

Coalition forces, medical

professionals work together

Story and photo by Spc. Gretel Sharpee 

139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division's 3rd

Brigade Combat Team hired local Iraqi

men to lay masonry and sewage pipes for

the new Al-Mansoor College in Baghdad.

The Soldiers have been helping Iraqis

restore the college. The project, which is

nearing completion, includes improvements such as a new building, renovations

to the school's bathrooms and new laboratory equipment. The total cost for the renovations for the college is approximately

$350,000. The restoration of the college is

one of 17 projects the 153rd Infantry is

overseeing. Approximately $12 million in

projects have been proposed through the

153rd for the Al-Waida and Al-Riyad districts of Baghdad. 

Al-Mansoor college

gets a helping hand

Photo by Spc. Jan Critchfield
June 4, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 7

Iraq in Brief

Marines offer support to Iraqi communities

ALANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq - Marines recently delivered supplies and provided funding in support of community improvements

throughout the Al Anbar province. 

Marines visited Al Budekil to repair damage done to a farmer’s

field after a Marine tank became bogged down in it. Marines paid

for the damages and delivered supplies, including 50 tons of fertilizer and farming tools, to help local villagers with the planting season.

They also handed out pens and pencils, soccer balls, nets and

Frisbees donated by Spirit of America, a nonprofit organization based

in Los Angeles.

Marines also met with a local sheik to plan future projects including street paving, warehouse and mosque repairs. The sheik told

Marines he was eager to work with Coalition forces to bring further

improvements to his village.

Finally, Marines in Ramadi met with the president of the Al Anbar

Province University to discuss future projects and how to improve

educational opportunities for Iraqi students. They also donated

$7,000 for a laminating machine to produce identification cards at the

university.

Informants Hand Over Munitions

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Informants turned in 100 cases of anti-aircraft

rounds and numerous other assorted munitions to coalition forces

May 23.

The other munitions included over 139 rocket fuses, 61 anti-tank

mines, 50 hand grenades, 31 sticks of explosives, 26 recoilless rifle

rounds, six rocket-propelled grenades, five RPG launchers, five rifle

grenades, four mortars, four rockets, and one .50 caliber machinegun.

Marines embark on clean water project for Ramadi

AR RAMADI, Iraq - Civil Affairs representatives from the 1st

Marine Division and Navy Seabees signed a $3.2 million contract for

the Al Jazeera Water Project in Ramadi.

The project will provide clean drinking water to 51,000 people. It

will include chemical treatment facilities and new piping, and its construction will employ at least 200 Iraqis.

In Fallujah, Navy Seabees, working with Marines from the 1st

Marine Division, began constructing two huts for Iraqi Civil Defense

Corps at the Civil Military Operations Center. Additionally, a

$30,000 paving project began after an Iraqi contractor was awarded

the project.

Marines in Fallujah received 23 bids for the Al Sakaniya apartment

improvements. The estimated cost for construction on the apartments

is more than $500,000. Additionally, 22 bids were received for school

and mosque repair projects.

Italians renovate school near An Nasiriyah

AN NASIRIYAH, Iraq - The 6th Italian Air Force detachment,

part of the Italian joint task force, recently helped renovate a school

in Al Zahiira, a village of about 3,000 people near An Nasiriyah.

The Italian civilian-military cooperation center in An Nasiriayh

financed the project, which was completed by a local contractor

under the direction of Italian Air Force engineers.

Brig. Gen. Gian Marco Chiarini, Italian joint task force commander, re-opened the school in a ceremony with village leaders. The

school now has eight large classrooms, a playground, modern conveniences, and a new roof so students can stay in class even when it

rains.

Village leaders thanked the Italians for their help, giving special

thanks to Chiarini for keeping an eye on the problems in the province.

Chiarini said promoting the children’s education is very important to

developing the community.

After the ceremony, the 6th Italian Air Force detachment distributed humanitarian goods, ranging from food to clothes, to stationery

and other school equipment, all donated by the Italian city of Catania,

and transported to Iraq by an Italian military flight.

Also, an Italian special infantry unit of the 11th “Bersaglieri”

Regiment donated 300 schoolbags to the school children. The Italians

plan to distribute other humanitarian goods to Iraqi villages in the Dhi

Gar province in the coming weeks.

TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq — More than 600

rocket-propelled grenade launchers collected by

coalition forces throughout southern Iraq, were

recently destroyed by Airmen of the 407th

Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here. 

Normally destroyed using explosives, this

amount of weapons required too much. 

“In order to destroy these launchers explosively, it would have completely exhausted our C-4

resources,” said Capt. Doug Tippet, EOD flight

commander. “With unexploded ordnance littering the ground everywhere at Tallil, it would not

have been a wise decision to deplete our entire

supply of plastic explosives.”

The cost of C-4 is $7.50 per block, but acquiring and receiving the explosive is difficult

because of current demand and manufacturing

limitations.

After some experiments with a welding torch,

structural craftsmen determined the optimum

point for demilitarizing the launchers for the

EOD flight.

The craftsmen made a work table to hold the

launchers while they were torched. 

After the weapons were rendered useless, they

were buried.

Story by Lt. Col. Dave Maharrey

407th Expeditionary Civil 

Engineer Squadron

Airmen destroy grenade

launchers, make Iraq safer

A structural craftsman from the 407th

Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron

destroys a rocket-propelled grenade

launcher. 

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Fernando Adams

As part of Learning at Work

Day, 1 Royal Highland Fusiliers

had a job swap to learn what

others in the battalion get up to.

With the unit busy on operations in Iraq, it was difficult to

organize large-scale events that

required high attendance. So it

was decided that a mini-job

swap would fit the bill, with

other events such as arrest and

restraint and ‘Understanding

Islam’ lessons. The

Commanding Officer, Lt. Col.

Paul Cartwright agreed to relinquish

power for a

few hours

to L.Cpl.

Christian

Whittle,

normally

found in

Company

B’s tent as

their clerk.

Sadly, for

the CO, a

day of

clerk’s

duties was

deemed

inappropriate so he

was dispatched to

the

kitchens to

construct

the battalion’s

evening

curry along

with the

Medical Officer, Maj. Dave

Winfield, who was on Nan

breads. Asked to describe his

experience, Winfield said it was

“sweaty, and I even managed to

burn a few of the Nans!” On a

serious note, he added, “it made

me realize the conditions the

chefs live in.” 

Christian Whittle took his job

as CO in his stride, though he

admits it’s not as easy as everyone thinks. “You have to make

some very important decisions,” he explains, “and they

can adversely affect people’s

lives.” Of course, Christian was

put under a bit of pressure and

had to brief both the press and

his Company Commanders

under the watchful eye of the

2IC. Chefs had a go as Watch

keepers in Battalion HQ, while

junior officers took a turn to

stag on the gate or in the towers. Most surprising of all was

the sight of the Padre, John

Duncan as Guard Commander!

Although intended as a bit of

fun and a change of scenery for

some, the real purpose as organiser 2Lt Dave Lambert explains,

“was an opportunity to learn

something of the role of another key person in the battalion

and generally raise awareness.”

The day passed without incident and the curry passed the

taste test.

Colonel for a day

Story and photo by 

Capt Stu Allen

1 Royal Highland Fusiliers

Lt. Col. Paul Cartwright and Maj. Dave

Winfield spend a little time cooking in the

kitchen as part of learning at work day.
Page 8 Coalition Scimitar June 4, 2004

Coalition Soldiers of the 416th Civil

Affairs Battalion provided police officers

in the Dahuk Governorate much needed

equipment May 5 to better prepare the

police department to protect its citizens

from crime and to continue the rebuilding

of Iraq’s infrastructure.

The Army Reserve unit from

Norristown, Pa. headed the project, which

included the distribution of 12 desktop

computers, three copy machines, three fax

machines, three digital cameras and two

new police vehicles. 

The $30,000 project, funded by the

Commander’s Emergency Response

Program, was identified as a priority need

by community leaders in the region.

“This equipment is important because

many of the districts are lacking the necessary vehicles and computer systems to

effectively do their jobs to the best of their

abilities,” said Sgt. Jeffrey Gliem, the

public safety team leader for the 416th in

Dahuk.

Throughout the governorate’s six districts, the police only have 25 patrol vehicles, while two districts have no vehicles

at all.

Gliem said many officers in the districts

are restricted to their posts, usually

around the thoroughfares and intersections to monitor traffic and keep their

presence known to the public. They often

have to take taxis to their posts because

the police do not have vehicles to transport them to and from their work posts.

“We wanted to help the department to

become a more mobile entity,” he said.

“An officer can’t really patrol much area

on foot, so we hope by doing this we can

at least improve the department’s

response time and increase their ability to

patrol the neighborhoods so their citizens

know they’re there to protect them.”

Besides the increased patrol capabilities, the police department also received

computers to improve their ability to track

and record criminal activity.

Brig. Gen. Nazar R. Aziz, the Dahuk

Governorate chief of police, said the

office equipment will also greatly

improve the department’s ability to coordinate with its 29 police substations

because they will be able to communicate

crimes in real-time.

“The fax machines will be used to distribute important information to other

larger cities, such as descriptions of stolen

cars or possible terrorist activities,” Aziz

said. “The computers will help us better

process information and statistics of criminal activity and form a database on the

offenders.”

Presently, the department does not have

a criminal justice information system

established to keep such information.

Training is planned in the near future to

teach officers how to create a criminal

database.

The three digital cameras provided by

Coalition forces will also assist the Dahuk

Police Department in investigating crime

scenes and traffic accidents.

The 416th is responsible for assisting

citizens in northern Iraq in rebuilding the

nation’s infrastructure and the Soldiers

hope to complete more projects in the

future to better assist the Dahuk

Governorate Police Department with their

fight against crime.

“I love to see how happy the officers

are to receive this equipment,” Gliem

said. “Doing this makes me feel like I

have done something at the end of the day

and makes me want to strive harder to get

more projects approved for these people

in the future.”

Sgt. Jeffrey Gliem, the public safety team leader for the 416th Civil Affairs

Battalion Dahuk team, hands the keys to one of two new police patrol

vehicles to Brig. Gen. Nazar Aziz, the Dahuk Governorate Chief of Police.

Story and photo by 

Spc. Aaron Ritter

139th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Civil Affairs helps Dahuk Police

BASRAH, Iraq — Partick Thistle, the Glasgowbased football club, in partnership with the Royal

Highland Fusiliers has donated a team strip to the children of an Iraqi School near Shaibah.

The Royal Highland Fusiliers, Glasgow and

Ayrshire’s own Infantry Regiment are currently stationed near Basra in Iraq. The Regiment is working out

of Shaibah Logistics Base in support of the Coalition

Forces in their task of ensuring a smooth transition of

sovereignty at the end of June. A key part of the

Coalition’s strategy is the rebuilding of essential services and infrastructure, restoring a degree of normality to

everyday life and supporting job creation. The RHF

have been working with a local school to improve conditions for the pupils, and were conscious of the Iraqis’

love of the ‘beautiful game.’ This is when the idea to

provide a football kit emerged and the Jags were the

obvious choice, as Maj. Steve Bollen explains, “1 RHF

Recruiting Team has had a long working relationship

with Partick Thistle Football Team. The Fusiliers were

one of the first Army units to support the SFA initiative

‘Scottish Striker’. The idea behind the initiative was to

encourage young men and women to take up an active

interest in sports. The Fusiliers and Partick Thistle

organise and conduct football coaching sessions followed by free access to the Jags’ home games.” Sgt.

Calum Harkiss from the RRT added, “Everyone is a

winner. The young people get a great, well structured

training program and free access to the games. Partick

also get young vocal supporters who may well become

fully fledged supporters. We are forging close links with

the local youth groups, Partick Thistle and ourselves.”

During their tour in Iraq, 1 RHF are keen to forge

their own links with local communities, building trust

and cooperation. They approached Partick Thistle who

kindly donated some of their training strips and the

Mayor of the village accepted them on behalf of the

school. The school children were clearly excited by the

prospect of playing in their new strips, though some of

the younger pupils might take some time to grow into

theirs! The battalion hopes to offer additional support to

the school through the community in their home base of

Cyprus and Brigade HQ.

Later in the summer Partick Thistle will be conducting their pre-season training in the RHF barracks in

Cyprus, and the Fusiliers will no doubt put them

through their paces. 

Story and photo by Capt. Stu Allen

1st Royal Highland Fusiliers

Above: An Iraqi boy smiles after putting on a

uniform shirt that was donated to his school.

The soccer kits were donated under a program

to improve conditions for the pupils.

Left: The Iraqi children pose for a picture in their

new soccer gear which was donated by the

Patrick Thistle football club in partnership with

the 1 Royal Highland Fusiliers.

Glasgow Club aids Iraqi school
June 4, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 9

AL-AURLOON, Iraq –

Preparing for a visit to a remote

village near the Iranian border,

Staff Sgt. Howard Branham

paused for a moment before getting into his up-armored

humvee.

“Prepare to have your heart

broken,” said the acting platoon

sergeant for 3rd platoon, Alpha

Company, 1st Battalion, 150th

Armor.

The West Virginia Army

National Guardsman from

Delbarton, W. Va., is no stranger

to a village in Al-Aurloon near

the Iranian border. In fact, the

residents there welcome him and

his fellow Soldiers with open

arms.

“They think I am an Iraqi,”

Branham said matter-of-factly.

Perhaps because over the few

months since arriving in Iraq

with A Co., 1-150th, Branham

has made a concerted effort to

learn the language and culture of

those who he is trying to help. In

return, many in the village

appear to appreciate the gesture.

The trust and rapport are evident.

As the convoy of humvees roll

into the desolate dusty and

muddy village, children stop

playing and turn their attention

to the heavy armored vehicles

approaching. As the convoy

comes to a stop, the children

instinctively make a beeline for

the Soldiers as they climb out of

the humvees.

Smiles, hugs and the thumbsup signs greet the Soldiers.

Taking their cue from the villages’ wee ones, the older residents straggle out of their sparsely furnished mud-caked huts and

welcomed the men dressed in

desert fatigues. Many are hoping

that 2nd Lt. John D. Radnoczi

has come with some good news.

Living in abject poverty, the

villagers are in desperate need of

running water among a laundry

list of other bare necessities.

Platoon leader for the 3rd platoon, Co. A, 1st-150th Armor,

Radnoczi hopes a water well can

be dug in the near future. Army

funding has already been given

the greenlight for the project.

Until then, Soldiers from the

platoon handed out bottles of

clean water. A gesture greatly

appreciated by the 30 villagers. 

“They drink out of the same

water they have to bathe in,” said

one Soldier with a look of sadness in his eyes.

There is only joy, however,

when Branham grabs a bag of

candy from the humvee and

begins doling it out to a group of

children with small outreached

hands. Squeals of delight and

giggles fill the air. 

“This place was decimated

during the Iran-Iraq War,” said

Staff Sgt. Ed Johnson, a tanker

with the unit.

Looking around the village’s

small perimeter, Johnson notes

there are no schools in any of the

villages in the southeastern

Diyala Province, which the unit

patrols.

“I’ll show you 10-year-olds

that can’t count,” he said. “Some

adults can’t tell you what month

they were born in.”

Watching a 4-year-old boy

scurry by, Johnson said with a

hint of despair in his voice that

an entire generation has gone

without the benefit of an education over the past two decades.

“They can’t even produce a

pen and pencil to write with,” he

said. 

Opening their hearts to the villagers’ dilemma, Soldiers from

the 1-150th have called back

home in an effort to have muchneeded school supplies sent over

for residents in the villages that

they visit.

Phone lines to churches and

charity organizations back in the

Mountain State have been busy.

Although it may take up to a

month to receive the care packages, the Soldiers are eager to

help out.

Rebuilding a nation is paramount here. Soldiers agree helping Iraqis become self-sufficient

is key. 

And what better way then to

educate future generations that

will someday oversee the once

war-torn country. 

Remnants of poverty in the

village remind Soldiers they are

assisting a country that has yet to

catch up to the 21st Century. A

bare rusty single-frame bedspring sits abandoned in the middle of the village. There is no

indoor plumbing, nor electricity.

A telephone is unheard of. 

As Radnoczi, Branham and

Johnson enjoy tea and coffee

while sitting on a well-worn carpet with a tribal elder in his

home, SGT Chris Shamblin rests

his back against a wall in the

scarcely furnished one-room hut.

“They welcome us in every

village,” said the tanker from

Charleston, W.Va. 

Shamblin said the locals in

each village are eager to share

what little they have with the

Soldiers. Outside, many villagers – young and old mill

around looking for handouts

from the Soldiers.

As the unit’s visit comes to an

end, Radnoczi finds some plastic

packages of chocolate chip

cookies and breaks them open to

the delight of the villagers. A

small group soon converges and

huddles around him. One boy

takes an entire package of cookies and two bottles of water.

“Hey, he’s set,” one Soldier

says with a smile.

The boy gives Radnoczi a big

grin and the thumbs-up.

Mounted as a gunner atop one

of the humvees, Spc. Jason

Mann gazes around as his vehicle pulls off.

“It’s another world over here,”

Mann said.

“The Bluefield, W.Va. resident

said he doesn’t ever want to hear

about people back home complaining about not having anything. 

Branham’s words echo in the

young Soldier’s mind. 

“They just don’t know,” he

said looking away.

Story and photos by 

SPC Sherree Casper

196th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Soldiers bring

hope, happiness

During a visit to a village, 2nd Lt. John D. Radnoczi hands

out bottled water and cookies to thirsty and hungry resiI’ll show you

10-year-olds that

can’t count.

Some adults

can’t tell you

what month they

were born in. 

Staff Sgt. Ed Johnson

Staff Sgt. Howard Branham, acting platoon sergeant for

3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 150th Armor

made a friend while visiting the village.
Page 10 Coalition Scimitar June 4, 2004

Words of Wisdom

“That all our knowledge begins with

experience, there is indeed no

doubt....but although our knowledge

originates WITH experience, it does

not all arise OUT OF experience.”

Immanuel Kant 

German philosopher (1724 - 1804)

CAMP SLAYER, Iraq — In an abandoned, makeshift town referred to as the

“Chicken Farm,” Soldiers from the 1st

Armored Division’s 1st Squadron, 1st

Cavalry Regiment practice battle drills and

combat skills essential to their everyday

missions.

For most of last year, some of these

Soldiers have done this sort of mission

nightly. Others were experiencing “the

farm” for the first time. But regardless of

their background, these Soldiers needed to

come together quickly as a team to be successful during these drills. 

“We are doing refresher training on the

things we need to be very familiar with;

that we do every day,” said Capt. Jerry

Patak, B Troop commander. 

Three distinct, yet related training lanes

were set up. The first dealt with reacting to

an improvised explosive device. In the second area, Soldiers practiced gathering

intelligence during a dismounted patrol.

The last lane consisted of sets of Military

Operations on Urbanized Terrain drills like

crossing a danger zone or clearing a room.

“We need to maintain that razor’s edge

— become experts at this,” Patak said.

Throughout the farm, observer-controllers acted as graders and guides through

the scenarios. Other Soldiers, dressed in

authentic clothing, acted out parts of local

government officials, religious leaders or

police officers.

Patak said that the simulation of events

adds realism to the training and is also useful in elevating the training’s effectiveness. 

“It not only hones our everyday skills, it

allows the platoons to learn from each

other,” he said. “It is a good opportunity to

cross-pollinate our good ideas and skills

that we have learned during our actual

experience out there in the zone.”

Bringing real-world experience to the

training environment is exactly the kind of

thing the trainers are looking for. 

“It gives us more practice in a safer environment,” said Staff Sgt. Walter Milligan,

B Troop.

Milligan supervised the “React to an

IED” lane. During this training exercise, a

small group of Soldiers drove through the

dirt roads of the Chicken Farm until they

came upon a tangled mass of garbage,

wires and cloth. 

“I think we have an IED up here,” said a

lookout from the turret of the lead

Humvee. 

The convoy stopped and the Soldiers ran

through the steps they had rehearsed a few

minutes earlier. 

The soldiers were taught to recognize

and react to improvised explosive devices

“so they will know what to do if they get

attacked by one or their vehicle gets damaged by one,” Milligan said. 

The repeatable aspect of lane training

gives the students a chance to rotate

through leadership positions and try different tactics. 

“(This training) helps our younger soldiers who are not in leadership positions to

get into one and see what it is like. That

way they will know what to do if their

leader gets injured,” Milligan said. “We

alter our training to reflect what new tactics

the enemy is using.”

The troop trains here monthly for more

than those reasons, however. 

“This deployment has shown that people

can be thrown into situations that they are

not accustomed to or trained for.” said Sgt.

1st Class Pierre Thibodeaux, B Troop’s

mortar platoon section sergeant.

“This deployment has changed a lot of

people. Truck drivers are now MPs;

tankers are doing dismounted patrols,” he

said. “This (training) adds confidence and

shows a different perspective from their

normal duties.”

Thibodeaux immersed his students in a

town populated with actors who dealt with

the Soldiers much the same way Iraqis

would. The Soldiers needed translators,

patience and good boots to make it through

the 2-mile foot patrol simulation.

All three training sites were developed to

complement and build on lessons learned

in the preceding lane. Most of Baghdad

presents an urban terrain environment, so

the urban warfare tactics taught in the third

lane will be used in numerous missions. 

Assault teams practiced in a ‘glass

house’ where white engineer tape represented walls and doorways. The openness

of the structure allowed squads to practice

“stacking” and silent communication techniques within view of OCs. 

Common Soldier’s tasks like applying

first aid, communicating with radios and

reacting to indirect fire were also added to

the “street skills” to round out the training

and realism. 

“We start with the skills they learned in

basic training and add to those,”

Thibodeaux said.

This gives Soldiers a chance to practice

a wider range of combat skills.

“These Soldiers are giving up sleep and

maintenance time to get in this training,”

1st Sgt. Roy Bartnick, B Troop’s top enlisted leader said. “It is that important, to us

and to them.”

Story and photo by 

Staff Sgt. Tony Sailer

1st Armored Division Public 

Affairs Office

‘Chicken Farm’ readies Soldiers

for urban operations

Members of Bandit Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st

Armored Division, practice intelligence gathering techniques during a

mock patrol in the “Chicken Farm” training area located on Camp Slayer.

Are you in pain = Hal

ta-shaar bi-’al-em

sit = Al-ja-luus

stand = Al-na-huudh

weapons = ‘As-le-ha
CAMP VICTORY NORTH, BAGHDAD, Iraq — Early in

the morning, Maj. Peter Butts sat down in front of a special television. He was full of excitement when the screen came up and

he saw students of Salado High School, his son’s high school.

Thousands of miles away from his home and family, deployed

to Logistics Support Area Anaconda, Iraq, Butts was the first

Soldier to have the opportunity to watch a high school graduation through the 1st Cavalry Division’s video-teleconferencing

system. In fact, he was the only Soldier to have a child graduating from Salado High School, so he had the VTC system to himself.

Butts said he was very pleased to have this opportunity and

was ecstatic to be able to watch his son, Alex, graduate.

“This is one of those things that I wouldn’t miss for the

world,” said the operations officer for the 49th Movement

Control Battalion, 13th Corps Support Command.“Next to having been there, this was the next best thing,” he said.

Before Butts deployed, his family thought he would be able to

watch it over the Internet. He investigated and found out that the

1st Cavalry Division would be broadcasting, via VTC, every

high school graduation.

“It was great,” Butts said. “Towards the end, I was able to talk

to my whole family.”

Since Butts was the only Soldier at the VTC graduation, he

was allowed about 40 minutes to talk to his family.

“He was able to show me his diploma,” he said excitedly.

“This was a great opportunity, even if I wouldn’t have been able

to talk to him, just to see it.”

Butts son, Alex, plans on joining the Air Force. His father is

extremely proud of him.

“This is one step towards success, and one start to building a

future,” he said about his son’s graduation.

This VTC started the beginning of a weeklong schedule to

connect all Fort Hood-based deployed fathers and mothers to the

Bell County Exposition Center to see their children graduate this

year.

Several cameras around the Expo Center gave Butts different

views of the graduation and a camera pointed at him put his face

on a big screen in the Expo Center. 

Also attending the VTC graduation, the 1st Cav. Div. Band

performed a concert for the graduation ceremony, from the

desert via VTC. Their performance was broadcasted live

straight to the Expo Center.

“(The division) put this together to make it a reality,” Butts

said about the VTC system. “In my mind, it was as if I was

there.”

He was very thankful that he had the opportunity to watch his

son graduate, and for the division sharing the VTC system with

the rest of the Fort Hood units.

I can’t express my gratitude enough to let us partake in this

graduation, Butts said. “We have more people coming from

[LSA] Anaconda. I’m going to be able to go back and tell them

what the experience was like.”

June 4, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 11

CULTURAL

Continued from Page One

for the ICDC soldiers, it was the

first time they had gathered as a

unit to just have fun.

“Our soldiers work hard, and

it’s good to see them relax and

have fun,” said 2nd Lt. Thacker

Comma, a platoon leader for the

107th. “When the celebration is

over, I know our soldiers will

continue to work hard and make

their families proud.”

The Stryker Brigade Soldiers

who’ve worked with this battalion have no doubt the ICDC soldiers will fight hard and continue

to bring in the bad guys.

“I’ve seen these guys on

patrols and raids, and they are

the best that ICDC has to offer,”

said Capt. Matthew Lillibridge,

ICDC liaison officer for 5th

Battalion, 20th Infantry

Regiment, 3/2 SBCT. “I truly

believe that FOB Regular is in

good hands with the 107th ICDC

battalion providing security.”

Canadian general seeing stars

CAMP VICTORY, BAGHDAD, Iraq — Brig. Gen.

Walter J. Natynczyk was promoted to the rank of major general in the Canadian Army May

26. Currently, he is now one of

only two people holding that

rank in the Canadian Army,

however he still manages to

stay modest about that fact.

“Anytime anyone is promoted it is a big deal,” he said;

“From private to specialist or

from brigadier general to major

general. It’s a privilege just to

serve my country, Canada, and

to demonstrate our close

friendship with the U.S. ”

Natynczyk is currently the

Deputy Commanding General

of III Corps and Fort Hood, as

part of an exchange program

between the United States’ and

Canadian Armies.

A 1979 graduate of the Royal

Roads Military College and

College Militaire Royal,

Natynczyk spent the early years

of his career as an officer with

the Royal Canadian Dragoons

on NATO duty in Germany. 

This was the first of many

multi-national forces that he

would serve with.

He would later spend six

months with a United Nations

peacekeeping mission in

Cyprus. In 1994 he spent a

year serving in the former

Yugoslavia, again with the UN.

Natynczyk also served back

home in Canada in the late 90’s

where he planned his country’s

contributions to operations in

Kosovo, East Timor and

Eritrea. 

More recently, Natynczyk

graduated the U.S. Army War

College, before assuming his

duties with III Corps.

“Walt’s (Natynczyk) done it

all,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas

Metz, Commanding General of

III Corps and Multi-national

Corps-Iraq. “And he’d done it

all with III Corps.”

Currently, Natynczyk is staying with III Corps while they

continue their mission of

advancing further down the

road towards stability in Iraq.

He said he has enjoyed serving

with III Corps, and said that he

sees the unit as bringing something special to operations in

Iraq.

“III Corps is a very cohesive

unit that has trained together as

a team for some time,” he said.

Natynczyk too brings something special to III Corps.

His experiences in the

Balkans, working with NATO

and with the UN in various

multinational forces have made

Natynczyk very talented in

planning coalition operations,

said Metz.

“He gets the job done and

isn’t afraid to get down and

work,” said Metz. “You can

take your money to the bank

with Walt Natynczyk.” 

After his assignment with III

Corps, Natynczyk will head to

Kingston, Ontario, where he

will assume command of Land

Forces Doctrine and Training

Command, where he will oversee all the collective training of

the Canadian Army.

“I’m sort of looking forward

to shoveling several feet of

snow again,” he said with a

smile, but admits that he will

miss III Corps.

“It’s been great learning from

my allies south of the border in

Fort Hood and in Iraq. I’ve had

a chance to experience the hospitality of the great state of

Texas and of Fort Hood,” he

said. “I know I’ve learned a

tremendous amount here and

just hope I have contributed as

much.”

Story and photo by 

Pfc. Bryce S. Dubee

Multi National Corps - Iraq

Public Affairs Office

Maj. Gen. Walter J. Natynczyk, deputy commander of III

Corps, has the U.S. major general rank pinned on his collar by his staff NCOs during a promotion ceremony.

Natynczyk is serving with III Corps as part of an exchange

program between the U.S. and Canadian militaries. 

Father watches son graduate

Story and photo by Spc. Bryan D. Kinkade

1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
Page 12 Coalition Scimitar June 4, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade

Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, have a new mission, a new home and new quality of life programs and

services.

After a year of living and working in buildings and

palaces used by Iraq’s former dictator, Soldiers now

call “Camp Striker” a tent city located on Baghdad

International Airport, home.

Despite Spartan living conditions, the camp has a

dining facility, shower facilities and a movie theater. A

Morale, Welfare and Recreation tent is also available,

featuring Internet service, DVD movies, a pool table,

PlayStation 2 game stations and a weight room area.

“I think the MWR tent is pretty good,” said Sgt.

Kerry Kinlaw, a nuclear, biological and chemical noncommissioned officer in charge, assigned to 4th

Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, as he played “Crazy

Taxi” on PlayStation 2.

“We’ve got to make the best of the situation, and

they’ve done a good job of squaring us away here.”

Over the course of the past year, 2nd BCT Soldiers

and leaders had worked hard to build up QOL services

and facilities.

Now that they are in Iraq for a few more months, the

Soldiers have gone back a step in living conditions, but

are taking it in stride, ready to sacrifice comfort to do

their duty.

“You’ve got to get the job done. We were available

to continue the mission and we’re ready,” said Pvt.

Randall Wood, a combat engineer with 40th Engineer

Battalion. “It’s like they say: adapt and overcome.”

The Soldiers say they have adapted, and appreciate

the facilities they do have available.

“We were staying at a palace before. Considering

what we could have, the MWR tent is nice,” said Spc.

Erik W. Metcalf, a combat engineer with 40th

Engineers. “I know we appreciate it.”

Pvt. Randall Wood, a combat engineer with 40th

Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team,

1st Armored Division, lines up a shot while playing pool at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation

tent at Camp Striker.

Story and photo by 

Marine Corps Sgt. M. Trent Lowry

1st Armored Division Public Affairs Office

Striker Brigade rebuilds quality of life

ZADAN, Iraq — Sixteen year-old

Siba Ahmed, an Iraqi girl, was gravely

wounded. No one knows who fired the

weapon, but this they do know: Navy Lt.

Charles F. Youngblood was the last man

her family thought they would see offer

assistance. 

The battalion surgeon stood on her

doorstep, offering his help for the girl

wounded in the head. He wore no white

lab coat, but a desert digital-patterned

uniform. A pistol hung at his side as easily as a stethoscope from his neck.

Youngblood, a team of hospital corpsmen and Marines from 2nd Battalion,

2nd Marine Regiment, assigned to the

1st Marine Division in Iraq, visited the

girl to offer medical assistance during a

humanitarian aid mission here.

Youngblood knew there wasn’t much

he could do. The gunshot damaged her

brain, leaving her paralyzed on the right

side of her body. She was bedridden in a

rural part of Iraq, where medical care is

rarely available. 

“The girl is fed through a tube and

some of what she eats falls into her

lungs,” Youngblood said. “The family

said she had been to Baghdad to see a

doctor, but it’s very expensive and a long

drive away.”

The 34-year-old Omaha, Neb., Naval

officer discovered Ahmed was suffering

from pneumonia. 

“Unfortunately, there was nothing I

could do for her condition, but I did give

the family some antibiotics to treat her

with.”

It was the first among scores of

patients the doctors and sailors treated.

Ahmed was the worst case. With the

help of an escort from Company E, the

corpsmen traveled in their ambulance to

the house of the local sheikh who had

been complaining of pain in his back.

He already had X-rays taken of his back

in Baghdad, which showed the tissue

between his cervical disks degenerating. 

Corpsmen started with this highly visible figure to give the townspeople a

good feeling about them.

“We gave him some injections to help

with the pain, some pills to take and told

him to stop smoking,” said Navy Petty

Officer 1st Class Barry C. Gibson, the

battalion’s triage officer from Orottoes,

Va. “The corpsmen are used to working

with these athletic 19-year-olds. To treat

a variety of people, both old and young,

we become better corpsmen and show

the people we’re here to help.

“The sheikh was really happy,” added

34-year-old Gibson. “You could see the

smile stretch across his face after we

helped him.”

After taking care of the sheikh and

examining other patients, the small convoy moved to the local school where

they set up an impromptu clinic inside

one of the classrooms. Iraqis lined up

around the corner to be seen by the medical staff.

“We see a wide array of skin diseases

and small infections,” Gibson said. “A

lot of their ailments are caused from living where they do - in the dust and the

sun and without readily available medical care.”

The medical staff offered antibiotics

and medicines available at an average

American drug store. Still, they were

treatments most of these townspeople

would never normally see.

People suffering from ailments ranging from earaches to infected abscesses

stepped into the impromptu clinic and

received first-rate, sanitary medical care.

The medicines were bagged up and dispensed by the corpsmen free of charge.

Sometimes it was as simple as passing

out painkillers for the elderly.

“The people here have lived with pain

for so long in their lives. I don’t think

anything can change that, but the medications we gave will help for a little

while,” Gibson said. 

“The Marines we treat know they can

come to us 24-hours-a-day just like most

people in America can go to medical

facilities there, but these people just

don’t have that luxury,” he added. “For

us to help them really makes us feel good

about ourselves, like we really impacted

their lives with our care.”

Story and photo by 

Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

1st Marine Division

Lejeune medical team offers

care to rural community

Navy Lt. Charles F. Youngblood, 34, battalion surgeon for 2nd Battalion,

2nd Marine Regiment, examines a newborn baby in a rural villiage recently. The Omaha, Neb. surgeon and his staff of corpsmen treated more than

50 patients during a humanitarian aid recently. 
June 4, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 13

AL ASAD, Iraq - The Marines of

Marine Wing Support Squadron 273,

Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd

Marine Aircraft Wing, arrived here in

February with one thing in mind, supporting the Marines and Sailors of 3rd

MAW with anything they need.

The metalworkers of MWSS-273

maintenance are here not only to assist,

they are here to design and build anything a unit needs that requires heat,

sweat and several hundred volts of electricity to make.

The metalworkers have been busier

than almost any other group of Marines

here, despite the fact that there are only

two of them.

Sgt. Philip J. Thornton, a 24-year-old

Deltona, Fla., - native and Lance Cpl.

Jeremy A. Gray, a 19-year-old Gretna,

Va., - native, both metalworkers with

MWSS-273, are a

two-man team with

creative ideas and the

technical proficiency

of men far beyond

their age.

“We have a trade

that does not require a

technical manual to

tell you how to do

something,” said

Gray. “But that means

we have to know our

job well enough to

not need the manuals.

We have to be creative enough to make

something out of

nothing.”

Constantly busy,

the two Marines have

completed more than

150 tasks since arriving in theater and still

have a list of assignments to complete.

“These Marines

have done everything

from gates to door

latches and plumbing

work,” said Gunnery

Sgt. Brett C. Scheuer,

maintenance chief, MWSS-273 and 35-

year-old Buffalo, N.Y., - native. “They

have everyone from around the base

coming to them for projects.”

According to Thornton, the job is

something he loves to do and having a

younger Marine to teach makes it especially meaningful.

“I have been teaching Gray fieldexpedient ways to do things and the insand-outs of the (military occupational

specialty),” said Thornton. “He is coming along pretty well and learning a lot

since we have been here.”

Gray, a young warrior with motivation to spare, said he enjoys his job and

would not trade it for anything else.

“This is the best MOS in the Marine

Corps,” he said. “The Marine Corps has

taught me a trade that I can carry with

me a long way. I can always progress

and get better.”

Thornton, an experienced and talented metalworker, has been welding for

the Marine Corps for more than six

years and is encountering obstacles here

he is not used to at his home base of

Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort,

S.C.

“The biggest difference between here

and there is the amount of adapting and

overcoming we have to do here,” he

said. “Different obstacles, like not having the right tool for the right job happens but we work our way around

them.”

Although Gray’s experience does not

extend as far as Thornton’s, Scheuer

believes the two make an excellent

team.

“If I had to pick my ‘A’ team, they

would be on it,” he said. “They are truly

the best at what they do. They are the

most proficient and technically sound

duty experts at what they do.”

Signs and symptoms 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 personnal appearance.

- Radical personality change.

- Persistant boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a 

decline in the quality of work.

- Frequent complaints about physical symptoms often 

related to emotions, such as stomach ache or 

headache, fatigue.

- Loss od interest in pleasurable activities.

Where to seek help

- Chaplain or chaplains assistants are all qualified to 

help you.

- Talk to the combat stress control team in your area.

Let them know you care

Story and photo by 

Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III

Marine Wing Headquarters

Squadron 3

Welders show their mettle

Lance Cpl. Jeremy A. Gray, metal worker with the

maintenance section for Marine Wing Support

Squadron 273, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd

Marine Aircraft Wing, welds a makeshift boiling

pot to test a thermostat in Al Asad, Iraq.

Kirkuk Airbase

Chapel

Schedule

FRIDAY

5 a.m., 7 p.m. — Islamic Prayer

9 a.m. — Catholic Mass (Sky Soldier

chapel)

SATURDAY

7 p.m. — Catholic Mass

SUNDAY

8 a.m. — Gospel Service

9 a.m. — Catholic Mass (Sky Soldier

chapel)

10 a.m. — General Protestant

11:30 a.m. — Catholic Mass

1 p.m. — Latter-Day Saints

2 p.m. — Catholic Mass (Sky Soldier

chapel)

7 p.m. — Protestant Service

TUESDAY

6:30 p.m. — Growing as a Chrsitian:

Studying the Book of James

WEDNESDAY

8 a.m. — The Bible in Light of

Current History and Local Events

5:30 p.m. — Building Your Faith:

Studying the Book of Hebrews

*All services are held at the Ten Days

From Tomorrow Chapel unless otherwise noted. Times subject to change.

Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and others

should contact chapel administration for

updates of their religious requirements

and support.
Page 14 Coalition Scimitar June 4, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Soldiers from the

1st Armored Division’s 8th Finance

Battalion, the 1AD Band, and

Headquarters and Headquarters

Company participated in equal opportunity training recently in a class held at

Baghdad International Airport.

More than 100 officers, noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted

Soldiers were present for the hour-long

class that covered fraternization and

improper relationships.

This class is an annual training requirement for all Soldiers.

“We want to make sure we educate you

on what you can and cannot do, and who

you can and cannot entertain a relationship with,” said 1st Sgt. Percy Black,

HHC first sergeant.

The class, taught by Sgt. 1st Class

Lucia Cantu, the division equal opportunity advisor, went over the different types

of relationships that are prohibited by

Army regulations. It also covered commanders’ options in dealing with improper relationships and what has changed

and not changed with Army EO policy.

Most Soldiers are aware that the Army

prohibits certain sexual relationships:

relationships between officers and enlisted Soldiers, between NCOs and junior

enlisted Soldiers in the same direct chainof-command, between married and single

Soldiers, and between two married (not

to each other) Soldiers. 

However, improper relationships are

not limited to those of a sexual nature,

Cantu said. 

Other improper relationships include: a

business relationship between officers

and enlisted Soldiers, a relationship

between Soldiers of different ranks where

preferential treatment or favoritism is

displayed or appears to be displayed, a

relationship that compromises the chain

of command or any relationship that creates an adverse impact on unit discipline,

authority, morale or mission accomplishment.

Gambling between officers and enlisted Soldiers is also prohibited.

Cantu made it clear that commanders

can stop personal relationships based on

perception and not necessarily facts or

evidence.

“Out here, your business is everyone’s

business,” she said. “Everyone in (this

class) has their own opinion of what a

professional and unprofessional relationship is. Everything starts with perception.

If perception is there, it can create conflicts and hurt the mission.” 

“Soldiers should know that perception

can lead to an investigation.” 

If a commander learns of an improper relationship, he or she has several

options. The relationship can be dealt

with by counseling or education, or a

commander can impose more extreme

punishments under the Uniform Code of

Military Justice.

“Also, if you are a sergeant first class

or above and you are investigated for

having an improper relationship, the division commanding general will know,”

Cantu said. 

Cantu told Soldiers that improper relationships should first be addressed at the

lowest level.

“Speak with your platoon sergeant,

first sergeant or commander,” she said.

“The equal opportunity office will not

pursue anything unless your chain of

command is already involved.”

Cantu also advised Soldiers to seek

guidance if they have questions. They can

also learn more about fraternization and

improper relationship policies in Army

Regulation AR 600-20 and Department

of the Army Pamphlet 600-35.

Army provides equal opportunity training in Iraq 

Story and photo by 

Sgt. Shauna McRoberts

1st Armored Division Public 

Affairs Office

Sgt. 1st Class, Lucia Cantu, 1st

Armored Division’s equal opportunity advisor, conducts EO training

with Soldiers from 1 AD’s 8th

Finance Battalion, the 1AD Band,

and HHC, 1AD. 

KHARMA, Iraq — Pfc.

James C. Cardenas has the perfect battle buddy in Iraq. He

walks just like him and talks just

like him. They’ve got everything in common. He and his

battle buddy are a mirror image

of each other.

That’s because the one person

Cardenas can always count on in

battle is his twin brother, Pfc.

Aaron Cardenas. The two are

assigned to Company A, 1st

Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment;

James as an assistant machine

gunner in 3rd Platoon’s 1st

Squad and Aaron doing the same

duty for 3rd Platoon’s 2nd

Squad.

The two 20-year-olds from

Monterrey Park, Calif., have literally had a life side-by side.

They were born minutes apart,

enlisted together and graduated

boot camp together in 2003.

They were also assigned to the

same unit together and now

serve alongside each other in

Iraq.

“We didn’t use the buddy program, but it just worked out that

we’ve been together everywhere

we go,” Aaron said.

“It was strange at first because

we’ve always been together, but

we definitely think it’s a neat

experience,” James explained.

“What makes it exciting is that

we came out here and saw combat together,” said Aaron. 

James and Aaron battled back

the enemy side-by-side when

Marines began the cordon at

Fallujah, April 5. Since then,

their respective squads have not

worked collectively on a mission. 

Sgt. Martin Vera, 3rd

Platoon’s Guide, said that while

Marines in general watch over

each other, he’s noticed the

Marine twins’ special bond is

one of a kind.

“These two really take care of

each other,” said Vera, a 28-yearold from Long Beach, Calif.

“It’s just obvious. They motivate each other, which is good

because we don’t want anything

to happen to either of them.”

That’s not to say sibling rivalry is lost on the Cardenas twins.

They’re only about one year into

their careers, but James said it’s

always been a competition to out

do the other. Being Marines has

only made that more competitive.

“He’s been getting smarter

and more disciplined,” James

said of his brother. “I’m always

trying to be better, but right now

he’s an expert rifle shooter, and

I’m a sharpshooter.”

“I can see the difference in

him too,” Aaron explained.

“Before we hit the fleet, we were

just confused all the time, but he

knows what he’s doing.” 

Aaron added he expects the

competition to stiffen after they

are promoted to lance corporal.

The Cardenas enjoy the fact

they’re sharing their Iraq

deployment, but know that some

day, they’ll part ways.

“We’re happy we’re together,

but eventually we’ll get split

up,” Aaron said. 

“We shared the same bunk in

boot camp and SOI, we live

together in the barracks, so it

doesn’t matter anymore,” James

joked. “I’m tired of him

already.”

Twins enlist, deploy to war together

Story and photo by 

Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

1st Marine Division

Twin brothers Pfcs. James and Aaron Cardenas are inseperable, even in war. The two

enlisted together, were assigned to the same battalion and deployed together to Iraq.
June 4, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 15

HADITHAH DAM, Iraq - Small

Craft Company is keeping their boats

afloat with a little bit of ingenuity, a

steady amount a sweat and healthy dose

of determination.

The Small Craft Company detachment

here, from Camp Lejeune, N.C., is operating its boats on the hard work and creativity of its Marines.

It’s no small task for the Marines maintaining and operating Zodiac Combat

Reconnaissance Raiding Crafts, Rigid

Raiding Crafts and Riverine Assault

Crafts. They’re constantly using the

boats in troop transport missions, reconnaissance patrols and supply transports.

They’re also doing it with equipment

that’s outlived its lifespan by at least 10

years.

“These guys make it happen,” said Sgt.

Chris Cayo, a RAC boat captain from

Carthage, Texas. “Most of the time we

don’t even know anything is wrong

because they’re constantly fixing stuff.”

The company’s been busy on the water

here in western Iraq. They’re protecting

the dam here, a source of hydroelectric

power for much of Al Anbar Province.

It’s a key site to keep power flowing to

Iraqi citizens. The Marines are constantly patrolling, countering threats.

Still, the operations take a toll on the

equipment.

“It seems like every time we go out

something breaks down,” said Cpl.

Matthew B. Lupton, a boat mechanic

from Roselle, Ill. “Thankfully, though,

nothing major has happened.”

Weeks before deploying to Iraq the

maintenance platoon worked around the

clock to ensure they were ready for combat.

“This is our first combat operation

with the company,” Cayo explained.

“So, we came as prepared as we could.”

One of the biggest problems for the

water-borne Marines in Iraq has been

rocks jamming the propellers in the

engines; not allowing water flow through

the engines and keeping the boats out of

the fight.

“We’ve had a few down from blown

engines,” said Sgt. Joe Alvarez Jr., an

electronic system repair specialist from

Syracuse, N.Y. “But once we get our

equipment from Al Asad they’ll be up

and running again. We work with what

we got.”

The maintenance cycles are even more

hectic than that of their combat operations. Marines are constantly up to their

elbows in grease and are equally at ease

with a wrench in their hand as they are

with a rifle.

“We’ve been busy due to an increase in

missions,” Alvarez said. “So we’re using

our downtime to ensure they’re ready.”

Small Craft Marines are also finding

out they’re in greater demand. Combat

missions increased since they first

arrived in theater with the 1st Marine

Division. They filled in for regular

infantry forces and as situations in the

region changed, their boats became a

greater asset to area commanders.

“When we first got here we were doing

a lot of ground stuff,” Cayo said. “We

had to act as the react force and do a lot

of other things. But, now... we’ve been

able to focus more of our attention on the

water and our boats.”

According to Sgt. Johnny Bentacu,

section maintenance chief from

Albuquerque, N.M., helping keep the

boats afloat is made easier by following a

few simple rules.

“Attention to detail is essential on

these boats,” Bentacu said. “We’re doing

good with what we have. My guys are

the best for the job. We may not have all

the parts we need but we get by with

what we got.”

Story by Lance Cpl. 

Macario P. Mora Jr.

1st Marine Division

Mechanics keep mission afloat

Marines from Small Craft Company remove the engine from a Zodiac

combat reconnaissance raiding craft. The maintenance crew uses outdated equipment on boats nearly 10 years past shelf life and piece together useable crafts. The company's biggest problem since setting sail in

Iraq has been rocks jamming the propellers in the engines.

Photo by Marine Corps Sgt. Jose L. Garcia

CAMP VICTORY NORTH,

Baghdad — There are many ways

Soldiers can find a reprieve from the rigors of working in a combat zone. Some

keep their minds busy through reading,

calling home or playing video games.

Others exercise their bodies by running

or working out. But there are other

Soldiers who are looking for something

else. These Soldiers are looking for

some spiritual relaxation. And 1st Sgt.

Edwin Kerns, first sergeant for

Headquarters, Headquarters Company,

1st Cavalry Division, helps them to

achieve that.

Kerns, originally from Jacksonville,

N.C., is the major facilitator and the

teacher at a Bible study that takes place

at the division chapel on Camp Victory

North. Bible study groups are common

to have in a combat zone, Kerns said.

“I started doing this about two weeks

after I got here,” he said. “I was going to

hold off and wait to see if anyone else

was going to start one, but God put it in

my heart not to wait.”

The Bible studies are held Mondays,

Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:15 p.m.

to about 8:45 p.m.

“It’s a good way for Christians to get

together in fellowship and study the

word-of-God and stay close to God.”

Each night the Bible study group covers a variety of different subjects from

different books on Christianity. Some of

the discussion covers topics directly

related to being in a combat zone. 

Kerns uses 91st Psalms as one of the

scriptures he teaches to the Soldiers. He

said it talks about “How God protects

you. How you shouldn’t dwell or worry

everyday about something happening to

you, because you know God is watching

over you.”

Kerns welcomes questions from the

Soldiers before, during and after the

Bible study sessions. 

“If we’re talking about something and

they have a question about it, I invite

them to ask it so it can be answered

immediately,” Kerns said.

Sgt. Patrick Simon, also from HHC,

1st Cav. Div., has been in attendance

since Kerns began the Bible study sessions.

“It’s been very inspirational,” Simon

said. “It makes a big difference. Like I

tell [1st Sgt. Kerns], ‘I might be late, but

I’m going to be there.”

But Kerns doesn’t limit his Bible

study sessions to Christians only.

Soldiers of all religions are invited to

attend believers or non-believers. 

“This group is not just for believers,”

Kerns said. “Even if a non-believer

wants to come, they can come. They

never know what they might learn. The

Bible study is [also] for people of different faiths. I’ll never turn anybody away.”

Story and photo by 

Spc. Marie Whitney

122nd Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Bible study lifts spirits,

eases troops minds

One Soldier refers to his Bible during 1st Sgt. Edwin Kerns’ Bible study

session at the Division Chapel at Camp Victory North. Many of the

Soldiers present at the session had highlighted points in their Bibles and

took notes while Kerns spoke. 

Speak

1st Sg

Cavalry 

and civ

relates t

the Bibl

the Div

Victory 
Page 16 Coalition Scimitar June 4, 2004

Worship and Prayer Schedule

for 

CPA - Chapel

Daily Islamic Prayer

Tuesday

1630 — Catholic Mass

(Convention Center)

1930 — Ladies Bible Study

Wednesday

0630 — Morning Bible Study

(Chaplain’s office)

1900 — Bible Study

(Ministries Conference Room)

Thursday

1630 — Catholic Mass

Friday

1800 — Jewish (Shabbat) Services

2000 — Contemporary Christian Gathering

Saturday

1230 — Buddhist Meditation

1630 — Catholic Mass

(Convention Center

Sunday

0730 — Episcopal / Lutheran/Anglican

0930 — Choir Rehearsal

1030 — General Christian

1400 — Latter - Day Saints

1630 — Roman Catholic Mass

1800 — Contemporary Protestant

Specialist Seth Gerkin (front) and Private First Class Brian Cruz from the 303rd Armor,

attached to the 81st Brigade, Logistics Support Area Anaconda, Iraq, fire a 120mm mortar.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II 

AL ASAD, Iraq — The sergeant major of 3rd Marine

Aircraft Wing was on hand to

throw out the first pitch at

O’Douls Stadium here in commemoration of the first softball

game played on the field.

Sgt. Maj. Dennis W. Reed’s

toss officially christened Locust

Field, named for the Marines of

Marine Wing Communication

Squadron 38, Marine Air Control

Group 38, 3rd MAW. The field

was developed and pioneered by

the logistics and embarkation section of MWCS-38 and the “Sea

Bees” of Naval Mobile

Construction Battalion 14.

“We were looking for something to do as far as (physical

training) and something the

squadron could use for recreation,” said Cpl. Jason R. Moore,

logistics/embarkation specialist,

MWCS-38. “During (Operation

Iraqi Freedom) last year, we

worked with the Sea Bees and

knew they were good at helping

Marines.”

With “Damn the rockets, play

ball” adorning the score board,

the rockets were indeed being

launched, as the score escalated to

more than 20 runs for the Sea

Bees by the bottom of the sixth,

with the communication squadron

Marines trailing with only 9 runs.

“The score may have been

high, but so was the camaraderie,” said Petty Officer 2nd

Class Michael E. Kirkham, construction mechanic, NMCB-14.

“We worked a lot of hard hours

together to make this field possible. It was all excellent.”

The opening speech was given

by the commanding officer of

MWCS-38, Lt. Col. Dave P.

Olszowy, and included thoughts

about why he nicknamed the

logistics and embarkation

Marines and the softball field, the

“Locusts.”

“I see (the logistics and

embarkation Marines) all over the

base,” said Olszowy. “Picking up

(meals ready to eat), supervising

the building of fighting positions,

and one day I happened to see

them and told them they’re like

locusts, they’re everywhere.”

He added that the creation of

the field represents something

special about those who built it.

“It symbolizes everything that

is good about the Navy and

Marine Corps team,” Olszowy

said.

Olszowy stated that the field

also brings a little taste of home to

the Marines and Sailors who are

here.

“This field is designed to blow

off some steam and have a little

fun,” Olszowy explained. “But

it’s also designed to bring a little

Americana to Iraq. Baseball is our

national past time and it’s fitting

that we have a ball field here on

Al Asad Air Base.”

For Petty Officer 2nd Class

Troy K. Smith, equipment operator, NMCB-14, the game itself

was inspirational.

“The camaraderie of the two

units working together is what

made the game special,” Smith

said. “It’s what we needed for the

morale of the troops.”

For the servicemembers who

were there for the construction of

the field and the first game, the

experiences will always be something to remember.

“The commanding officer’s

words at the game sealed the deal

when he said that this ball field

and this game would be remembered for the rest of our lives,”

added Moore. “It made all our

hard work and accomplishments

worth everything.”

Olszowy presented a little more

of his inspiration towards the conclusion of his speech by saying

that the ball field also brings

hopes of playing with the people

we are here trying to help.

“I long for the day that we can

have some Iraqis here when the

security situation permits and

play them in a couple of games,”

he said.

Story and photo by 

Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Softball field opens in Al Asad

Lance Cpl. Manuel R. Aranda, wireman, Alpha Company,

Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38, Marine Air

Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes a swing

at a softball during the first game played on Locust Field

in Al Asad, Iraq.

Mortar madness