Vol. 2, No. 22 Baghdad, Iraq May 28, 2004

Inside this week ...

Airmen, Iraqis save site

Archeologists say air base has at least one

site with artifacts from before 1200 B.C. 

Page 2

Cash for guns

Cavalry Soldiers buy weapons and munitions from local Iraqis.

Page 5

School gets makeover

The Al Musafee Primary School receives

school supplies from Texas.

Page 9

Family Tradition

Father and son serve together in Iraq as

Cavalry Soldiers.

Page 14

SCIMITAR

COALITION

Spc. Ryan Chambers, from Bentonville,

Ark., applies ointment to a rash on the chin

of an Iraqi infant, while on a mission in the

Adhaimiyan district of Baghdad.

Chambers, a medic deployed with Searcy's

Headquarters and Headquarters' Company,

3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th Brigade

Combat Team, spotted the infant during a

storm-drain-project groundbreaking ceremony and stopped to offer his assistance.

The brigade, which deployed in March with

the 1st Cavalry Division in support of

Operation Iraqi Freedom II, has witnessed

a shift toward progress following the

strongest month of violence since the

beginning of coalition operations in Iraq.

U.S. Army Photo by 1st Lt. Chris Heathscott

Medic rushes to

help child’s rash

Story and photo by 

Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Unexpected visit elevates spirits

Secretary of the Navy

lifts spirits of Marines

and Sailors of 3rd

Marine Aircraft Wing

The honorable Mr. Gordon R. England (center), Secretary of the Navy, spends time with the men and women of

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Al Asad, Iraq.

During his tour of the area, the civilian leader of the Department of the Navy took photographs with the Marines

and Sailors and thanked them for their service and sacrifice.

AL ASAD, Iraq — The spirit of the

Marines and Sailors of 3rd Marine

Aircraft Wing was lifted here, May 17

and 18, during a surprise visit from the

honorable Mr. Gordon R. England,

Secretary of the Navy.

Making stops at various locations

throughout the air base, the Baltimore

native spent time speaking to, taking

photographs amongst and answering

the questions of 3rd MAW personnel,

as well as experiencing a taste of everyday life here.

“I had two purposes for coming to

Iraq,” he explained. “My primary purpose was to thank all of our great men

and women for their service to

America. This was an opportunity for 

See SEC. OF NAVY, Page 11
KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq

— An age-old mystery is being

unearthed here thanks to some

amateur archeologists serving

with the 506th Air Expeditionary

Group.

Iraqi archeologists have determined the air base has at least

one site with artifacts dating

back to between 1200 B.C. and

2600 B.C., possibly predating

the ancient Assyrians. Other

sites have been identified as

potentially containing precious

antiquities, but have yet to be

excavated. 

The mystery began unfolding

in late March when Col. Marcus

Beyerle, the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron commander, became curious about

an area that was being dug up to

fill sandbags. 

“During my (physical training) runs I noticed the mounds or

‘tels.’ Geologically, those hills

weren’t formed by nature,” said

Beyerle. “Several days later, I

was walking through the area

and I could see the different strata or layers of dirt.”

He said he knew those layers

were a strong indication that

ancient civilizations had used the

same spot in succession, covered

them up and forgot about them. 

In April, Beyerle discovered

an ancient clay jar that was nearly intact. 

“One of the workers had evidently dug it up and had left it

out lying around,” he said. “I

knew General Order 1 prohibits

taking any antiquities, and with

the limited archeological knowledge I have, I just wanted to

make sure that this history was

not wiped out.” 

The colonel turned that artifact

and another broken piece from

what was probably a jar or goblet, over to the base’s judge

advocate general for safekeeping

until they could be transferred to

the proper Iraqi authorities. 

A few days later, Maj. Mike

Larkin, 506th Expeditionary

Security Forces Squadron commander, who also has a great

interest in history and archeology, was walking through the site,

when he came upon animal

bones and shards from clay pots

and jars. 

At the time he was not quite

sure what he had found, but he

decided until the value of the

items could be determined, it

was better to err on the side of

caution. He made arrangements

to cordon off the site with concertina wire. Working with Army

Civil Affairs, he brought an Iraqi

archeological team to the site

May 12. 

Within minutes of examining

the site, more clay shards and a

set of small vessels, perhaps

shaped from alabaster and probably used to hold medicines,

were uncovered. The Iraqi archeologists became very excited. 

“This is the dawn of generations,” said Sheida Muhammad

Amin, archeological surveyor

for the Kirkuk’s department of

antiquities, through an interpreter. “This is the history of our

country. The first Kurdish states

began here.” 

Amin explained that in 1923

an American university archeological team had done some

excavations at other “tels” nearby. Those discoveries gave credence to theories that the first

Kurds had settled in the area. 

“But Saddam Hussein denied

that Kurds had settled here long

ago, because he wanted to

remove the Kurds from their

ancestral land,” Amin said.

“Now we are free to tell the

truth.”

“It was humbling to hold the

artifacts in our hands and marvel at the skill and workmanship it took to make them,”

Larkin said. “But it is more

gratifying to know we helped

save that history from being disposed of and that the artifacts

will someday be available to the

Iraqi people and their children

and their children’s children, for

them to examine and appreciate.”

Page 2 Coalition Scimitar May 28, 2004

Maj. Mike Larkin talks with Sheida Muhammad Amin at a

recently discovered archeological site here. Larkin is the

506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron commander, and Amin is an archeological surveyor for the Kirkuk's

department of antiquities.

Airmen, Iraqis dig

up ancient site

Story and photo by 

Maj. Charles Anthony

506th Expeditionary 

Group Public Affairs

— 686 Soldiers have been diagnosed with Cutaneous

Leishmaniasis in Iraq. The disease is transmitted by

sandflies, which are about one-third the size of mosquitoes.

— Leishmaniasis causes weeping sores on the skin

that do not heal as quickly as regular sores. 

— There are neither vaccines nor medication effective

for prevention of Leishmaniasis. 

— Wash and inspect your body for insects and bites

daily. Use the buddy system to check for and remove

the insects.

— Wash your uniform routinely.

— Apply permethrin clothing repellent to your BDU

uniform before putting it on using the baggie-type

"shake and bake" treatment kit, or the aerosol can

method. 

— Use a bed net treated with permethrin while sleeping. 

— Do not wear after-shave lotion, cologne or perfume.

— Apply a thin coat of long-lasting DEET insect repellent lotion to all exposed skin; avoid the eyes, lips and

any damaged skin.

—For additional information on Leishmaniasis, go to

www.cjtf7.com or consult medical personnel.

Public Service Health Watch First court

martial in 

Abu Ghraib

investigation

BAGHDAD, Iraq — On May 19, a

military judge sentenced U.S. Army Spc.

Jeremy Sivits to one year in confinement,

a bad conduct discharge and a reduction

in rank to private. 

As part of a pre-trial agreement, Sivits

pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy

to maltreat detainees, two counts of maltreatment of detainees and one count of

dereliction of duty, according to Central

Command officials. Sivits remains eligible in future trials to be called as a witness by either the prosecution or the

defense.

Information obtained from

www.defenselink.mil.
May 28, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 3

Unsung Heroes 

Marching the extra mile across Iraq

Tech Sgt. Huffines

Spc. Martinez Pvt. Goodman

Tech Sgt. Miller

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

Air Force Tech. Sgt. William G. Miller, 37,

is the data base manager for the Coalition

Provisional Authority's Office of Security

Cooperation’s J-8. 

On the Air Force four-month rotation tour

from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in

North Carolina, Miller has been in country for

a month and is an 18-year veteran of the service.

Miller is also from Louisville, Ky. and married with four children - one boy and three

girls.

He has essentially saved the day setting up

a complicated comprehensive database for,

said Lt. Col. Mark Ellington, OSC J-8 comptroller.

“It's been an honor and a pleasure and a

great experience,” said Miller.

Spc. Jeimmy Martinez is assigned to

Bravo Company, 299th Forward Support

Battalion. She has been in Iraq for two

months.

She has become a reliable source in generator repairs, to include the diagnostics and

maintenance of over ten civilian generators

and thirty military generators, which are critical for the battalion's everyday mission. 

1st Lt. Altese Cabines, B Co. executive

officer, said that “Spc. Martinez does the

work of a senior generator power mechanic

with ease and confidence. Her most recent

mission was to restore power to vital assets

in the Brigade Support Area, which she

immediately accomplished successfully.” 

Pvt. Akeem L. Goodman, 19, from

Waycross, Ga. He has been in the Army

for almost a year. He is a radio operator/maintainer. 

Goodman believes the Army is a great

job for him because it is very much like a

normal day job. When you are at work it

is just like you are still at home because

you live the Army. 

Goodman deployed with Headquarters

and Headquartes Company, III Corps in

January 2004 and worked for a short period in the Billeting Liaison office with Sgt.

1st Class Patterson, Billeting Office noncommissioned officer Liaison. 

Patterson said that “Goodman believes

strongly in maintaining good order and

discipline and enforcing the standards.”

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Doug Huffines,

from Edinburg, Ill., is based out of

Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. He

has been in the military 17 years and has

been in theater for three months.

Huffines is currently assigned to the

CPA's Office of Security Cooperation as

the J-6 communications technician.

“He's always looking for opportunities

to excel to do more and works outside of

the box,” said Navy Chief Petty Officer

David K. Braddock, OSC J-6 noncommissioned officer-in-charge. “He gets in there

and does whatever it takes.”

“It's been a real privilege being able to

work with my sister services,” said

Huffines. “I've got to meet a lot of great

people.”

The Coalition Scimitar can also 

be viewed on the web at

http://www.cjtf7.com/coalitionnews/publications.htm
FORWARD OPERATING BASE

WARHORSE, BAQUBAH, Iraq —

Soldiers of Multi-National Force - Iraq

recently began an operation to help pump

a little gas into the local economy in the

Diyala Province. In a cooperative effort

between Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture

and MNF-I, Iraqi pilots May 14 began

crop-dusting the date palm fields. 

It is the first time Iraqi pilots have

flown in their airspace since Operation

Iraqi Freedom began over one year

ago. This joint operation will

cover nine areas in the Diyala

province and will continue for

two weeks, the end of the date

spraying season, said Chief

Warrant Officer 4 Phil Owen,

Aviation Operations Officer for

the 1st Infantry Division. 

Owen, who coordinated initial

efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture,

said the spraying will cover an estimated

five to eight square kilometers per day. He

explained that spraying is critical to the

operation of Iraq’s date palm industry.

About 60 percent of the world’s dates

come from Iraq, and of those, about 65

percent come from the Diyala province. 

Because it is so important, the Ministry

of Agriculture requested MNF-I support

he said. 

“This is really an Iraqi operation; it’s

their equipment, their pilots, their chemicals, their mechanics”, said Owen. “The

only thing we’re providing them so far is

some fuel and lubricants, and we’re giving them a place to secure their aircraft at

night. Other than that, it’s their operation

100 percent.” 

The Ministry of Agriculture’s head

pilot, Capt. Muntadhar Mohamed, began

meeting with MNF-I representatives over

two months ago to help coordinate the

operation. An agriculture pilot for the

past 24 years and trained in the United

States, he said the MNF-I supplied the operation

with

10,000

liters of fuel.

“The most important thing is the

security,” he said. “We did a good job of

cooperating together.” 

Dr. Hussein Ali-Tahir, a pesticide

analysis specialist with the Ministry of

Agriculture, earned a PhD in chemistry

from the University of Dublin. Ali-Tahir

certified the chemicals, which he said are

not dangerous for humans or animals.

They have been spraying the crops for

more than 50 years, he added. 

“Every year we apply (the pesticide) to

use against these insects,” he said referring to the white fly and fruit fly. “All the

date palms last year were infected, so

Army support is really good, because we

needed that. It is very important to us, it

is important for the people.” 

The only real concern is that the chemicals are poisonous to bees, said Owen.

Because a lot of local residents raise bees,

they go out and notify

the local

populace

the night before, so beekeepers can take protective measures. 

1st Lt. Michael R. Adams, 1-4 Cavalry

Regiment, Aviation Liaison Officer to the

3rd Brigade Combat Team, took over the

project on May 14 and has been coordinating through military channels for airspace, flight routes, and logistical issues. 

“These pilots are heroes,” he said.

“They are risking their lives for the people of Iraq, knowing that insurgent forces

might try to disrupt this operation.” The

aircraft are Russian-made MI-2 helicopters, purchased from Poland in 1985.

While initially sent to the military, the

Ministry of Agriculture took them shortly

after for use as crop dusters. 

Two aircrafts have been pieced together from the parts of 17, said Owen. The

pilots, he added, are not military pilots. 

“All of the pilots work for the Ministry

of Agriculture, some of these pilots have

been flying 15-20 years,” he said.

“They’re all just regular crop dusters, just

like we have back in the states. That’s

their job.” Adams said the second

aircraft will perform a test

flight May 20 and anticipates that it will be ready

and in use on May 21.

He explained that the

aircraft was built in

1955 and is almost 50

years old. 

“This shows the determination of these guys to get

them up and repair them,” he said.

“The result is that the crops won’t be

destroyed and that’s extremely important

to them. The spraying is stimulating the

economy by providing farmers and merchants with jobs.” 

Following the completion of the date

palm operation, the pilots will continue to

spray other crops such as wheat, rice and

corn, said Adams. Based on the success

of the operation, they will most likely

move on to other provinces throughout

the country and continue spraying

throughout the year.

Page 4 Coalition Scimitar May 28, 2004

Iraqi pilots dust date palms fields

Story and photo by 

Spc. Kimberly Snow

196th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

TAJI, Iraq — Trust. To an Iraqi populace overly

familiar with the lies and deceits of the former regime,

trust of those in power is hard to come by. As Coalition

forces work to restore sovereignty to the Iraqi people,

cooperation from local governing councils grows more

important with each passing day.

Soldiers of A-Team 5, 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, 2-

7 Cavalry, 39th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry

Division, delivered school supplies and facilitated the

delivery of clothing and medical equipment provided by the First Team’s

Division Support Command during a

council meeting May 9. With this delivery to the Al-Taji Nahia, the equivalent to

a neighborhood area council, the CA

Team took a step towards building the

trust of the council they support.

“This delivery lets the local populace

know we (Coalition forces) care and we

are trying to make a difference,” said

Capt. Bob Fraas, civil military operations

officer, 489th CA Bn. “It also gives the

council some legitimacy. By delivering

the supplies to the council members

instead of directly to citizens and having

the council members and Imams pass the

items out, we’ve enabled the council

members to say ‘See, we are able to work

with the Coalition.’”

Wide grins were seen and appreciative words heard as

Soldiers carried 35 boxes of supplies into the building

situated between Highway 1 and Camp Cooke. Council

members rummaged through the boxes inspecting the

items, laughing as they came across stuffed animals and

plastic bottle nipples, diapers and cans of baby formula.

“For baby!”, explained Capt. Elizabeth Levitt, the

division medical logistics officer with DISCOM, as she

held up a box of formula and motioned towards her

stomach indicating the item was food.

“All of the clothing came from families back in the

United States,” said Col. Mark Hurley, DISCOM commander. “They (American families) wanted to do something for the Iraqi people, and we felt this was a really

good way for the families to be involved.”

Switching gears to talk about the medical supplies his

command had provided, Hurley took a moment to

explain some of the other areas DISCOM could be helpful in building relationships with the local governing

council.

“We bring a lot of unique skills to Iraq. We’ve got

medical skills, logistics skills, and people who’ve got

pretty big hearts,” he said. “The intent of DISCOM is to

provide services to the Iraqi people, on a small scale,

gain their trust and cooperation and build a better trust

between the two peoples.”

Capt. Elizabeth Levitt, medical supply logistics officer,

explains to a council member that the box she holds contains

food for infants. 

Civil Affairs delivers the goods

Story and photo by Cpl. Benjamin Cossel

122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
AL-UBAIDY, Iraq — Just

outside of Sadr City, in an

empty field, Company C of the

1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry

Regiment, set up a weapons

buy-back program.

In the middle of a three-day

project, Company C spent over

$6,000 buying weapons and

munitions from the local Iraqis

May 16.

“Every Iraqi citizen is

allowed one registered weapon

per household,” said Command

Sgt. Major Stanley Small, the

command sergeant major of

First Team’s 1st Brigade

Combat Team, . “Our intent is

to get all of the illegal weapons

off the streets.”

Locals turned in munitions

such as AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and

several different sized mortars

reaping rewards ranging from as

little as $20 to $200 per weapon.

The size of the reward depended

on how potentially dangerous a

weapon could be if in the wrong

hands. Many of the Iraqis

turned in multiple weapons and

one man received a reward of

$1,740.

The drop off point for the

project was located just outside

of the village of Al-Ubaidy. It

was the first time the division

has done this kind of project and

Small said there might be more

chances for the Iraqis to sell

their weapons.

“It’s been good and it has gotten better each day,”said Lt. Col.

Tim Meredith, 1-12 Cav. commander.

In two days, 1-12 Cav. had

bought 82 mortars, four

grenades, three rocket-propelled

grenade launchers and three

AK-47s from 14 Iraqis. Some

of the Iraqis came back two or

three times. 

To inform the Iraqis of the

project, leaflets were distributed

to different portions of the city,

by ground and air, explaining

directions to the site and what

they could bring. There were

three different sites for the

weapons buy-back program.

Coalition forces also spoke to

the local Neighborhood

Advisory Councils and District

Advisory Councils to explain

the program.

The exchange was simple.

The Iraqis brought the munitions to the site, where a Navy

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

team checked them out. Then

the Iraqis were paid cash for

what the weapons were worth.

If the munitions were unstable, the EOD team would have

to destroy them with explosives. 

This was an amnesty project.

Iraqis could turn in weapons, get

the cash they earned and leave

with no suspicion.

“It goes a long way to creating

a safe and secure environment,”

Meredith said. “We would

much rather have people run

these weapons in, than have our

Soldiers and the Iraqi people

face them. The greatest thing is

that it takes weapons off of the

streets that could be used

against coalition forces, and

does it safely.”

May 28, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 5

(Top): A local Iraqi helps drop off a truck load of mortar

and tank rounds at 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment’s

weapons buy-back site.

(Bottom): 1st Lt. Chris Manglicmot, 3rd Platoon Leader of

Company C, 1-12 Cav., hands over some cash to a local

Iraqi for bringing in some munitions. 

Coalition trades

cash for weapons

Story and photos by By

Spc. Bryan D. Kinkade

1st Cavalry Division 

Public Affairs

— The U.S. Army 63rd Division Regional Support Command’s illustrious history can be traced to a secret conference that took place in

Casablanca, North Africa, in January 1943, attended by both

President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister

Winston Churchill. The Axis powers had reached their high

water mark and a plan was sought "to make the enemy

bleed and burn in expiation of his crimes." 

— Activation ceremonies for the 63D Infantry Division

were conducted on June 15, 1943, at Camp Blanding,

Fla. World War I veteran Brig. Gen. Louis E. Hibbs was

named commander. A few months later, the unit

moved to Camp Van Horn, Miss., where it would

train 17 months for its pre-ordained mission. It was

Hibbs who conceived the "Blood and Fire" slogan and

the "Flaming Blade" insignia, a bloodied sword upthrust

against a crimson flame, in keeping with the

Casablanca pronouncement.

— The 63D ID waged many memorable campaigns during

World War II, none more notable than the effort that

smashed through the dreaded Siegfried Line and crossed the Rhine,

River in Germany, leading to Allied victory in Europe and the end of

the War.

— The 63D returned home after the war and was deactivated on

September 27, 1945.

— The 63D ID's proud heritage continued in February 1952 as

the unit was reactivated and assigned to the Army Reserve.

January 1, 1968, the division was redesignated as the 63D

U.S. Army Reserve Command, encompassing Southern

California and the states of Arizona and Nevada. During

Operation Desert Shield/Storm, more than 2,500 officers

and soldiers responded to the presidential call-up of

reservists. Twenty-two units were called to active duty,

with fourteen of them deployed to the Persian Gulf.

— In April 1995, the United States Army Reserve

Command, in response to a downsized force and redefined mission, announced its largest realignment in

decades. As a result, the 63D was once again redesignated,

this time as the U.S. Army 63D Regional Support Command. 

The “Flaming Sword”
Page 6 Coalition Scimitar May 28, 2004

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq —

Their mission is anything but a

“small craft.”

Marines of Small Craft

Company, a Camp Lejeune,

N.C.-based unit, are here providing boat support to the 1st

Marine Division.

“Small Craft has only been

around for 12 or 13 years, so

this is the first time in the unit’s

history that it’s been deployed

for riverine combat operations,”

said Maj. Bennett W. Walsh,

company commander.

As the only specialized boat

company in the Marine Corps,

the unit is tasked with providing

riverine capability to I Marine

Expeditionary Force in order to

deny enemy access to waterways in Iraq. This allows I MEF

units to use the rivers and lakes

in the country as an alternate

route of transportation.

“We give any commander

added flexibility,” added Walsh,

of Springfield, Mass. “They tell

us what they need as far as

riverine operations and we

accommodate with what we

have.”

Small Craft Marines have

already worked with almost

every unit in the Al Anbar

Province since arriving here

with 1st Marine Division three

months ago. They have

patrolled all but a small portion

of the waterways in the division’s area of operations.

“We’ve done every kind of

military mission on the water

you can thing of,” Walsh said.

According to 1st Lt. Art G.

Decotiis, 2nd Platoon

Commander, the company’s

Marines, who are all trained

infantrymen, have taken part in

waterborne reconnaissance and

combat patrols, search and

recovery missions and island

raids along the rivers.

Another facet of their mission

is to provide security to important positions along waterways.

Half of the company is operating from Hadithah Dam in the

western reaches of the province.

“It’s a high-value target that is

not only an important energy

source to the citizens of Iraq but

also the Coalition Provisional

Authority, which is here to help

rebuild the country,” Walsh

added.

He said the Marines are in

their boats patrolling the area

around the dam 24-hours-a-day.

“If a member of the anti-Iraqi

forces tried to use the water

around the dam to transport

equipment or troops,” he said,

“they would be highly disappointed when they see our boats

and know they can’t get

through.”

Another detachment from

Small Craft Company is supporting operations for Marines

in the eastern region of Al

Anbar Province.

“We recently finished helping

1st Reconnaissance Battalion do

some island clearing,”

explained Decotiis, of

Asheville, N.C. “We used our

boats to insert the ground combat element so they could clear

buildings and things like that.”

Every mission requires different assets. Once a unit identifies

what equipment is needed, the

Marines of Small Craft

Company decide which of their

boats would be best suited for

the job.

“We take our Riverine Assault

Craft for patrolling missions,”

Decotiis said. Rigid Raiding

Crafts are used to insert ground

troops, and we also have

Zodiacs, or combat reconnaissance rubber crafts.”

The RACs, Raiders and

Zodiacs were split up between

the company’s two halves.

“We can tailor our boats to

whatever mission a unit is

tasked with,” Decotiis added.

Still, it’s not the boats that

make missions run smoothly.

According to both Walsh and

Decotiis, it’s the professionalism and expertise of the company’s Marines.

“This is the first time some of

these guys have ever deployed,”

Walsh said. “Many of our

Marines are young lance corporals and privates first class.

They’ve really stepped up to the

plate out here. I’ve been very

impressed with their abilities so

far.” 

Lance Cpl. Pablo Ochoa,

coxswain from Bergenfield,

N.J., has been with the company

for more than two years and

said he “never pictured Small

Craft in Iraq.”

“Normally, we go to South

America and do training and

things like that down there,” he

said. “I never thought we’d end

up in the desert, but we’re definitely an asset here because if

there’s no one to patrol the

rivers and waterways, then the

enemy could use them to transport weapons and troops. We’re

just here to block that.”

Story by Cpl. Paula M.

Fitzgerald

1st Marine Division

Marines keep waterways safe

Marines with Small Craft Company patrol one of the many waterways in Iraq's Al Anbar

province recently. The company spent time with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion conducting island-clearing operations. Small Craft Company, based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.,

is here supporting 1st Marine Division's security and stabilization mission here. 

Photo Courtesy Small Craft Company

Words of Wisdom

“If man does his best

what else is there?”

“Courage is fear holding

on a minute longer.” 

— Gen. George S. Patton

Knowledge is

Power

— Slow = Ba-tee’

— Wrong = Khat-an

— House = Beit

— Right = Ya-meen
May 28, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 7

Iraq in Brief

U.S. Soldiers help refurbish College

BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.S. Soldiers and Iraqi contractors are working together to help refurbish

Baghdad University’s College of Agriculture.

Soldiers from Company A, 15th Forward Support

Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team are getting bids

from contractors to help refurbish the college using

funds from a $950,000 donation through the U.S.

Secretary of Agriculture. In addition, Soldiers are

helping to organize a security staff for the college.

Previously the unit helped out with the Veterinary

College’s chicken farm. The staff from the farm

asked if the unit could provide concertina wire to

secure the rear of the buildings from thieves who

would climb the fence behind the buildings. The unit

responded quickly and delivered the strands of wire.

Marines begin mosque repair project

AR RAMADI, Iraq — Marines recently met with

48 area Imams to discuss a project that will fund

repairs and improvements to area mosques.

The project, which began April 29, will entail the

completion of $1,200 in repairs and renovations for

each of the 48 mosques and employ nearly 500 Iraqis. 

Marines, military agencies contribute

to improvement projects around Iraq 

FALLUJAH, Iraq - U.S. Marines and Coalition

personnel are participating in numerous developmental projects in Iraqi cities in the Al Anbar Province.

One of the projects involves the contracting of crews

to clean up a main route through the center of

Fallujah.

Marines also began several large projects for Nassir

Wa Al Salaam City. They include a communications

center initiative worth $36,000, renovations to Al

Faris School valued at $35,000, a women’s clinic

project worth $25,000, repairs to Jabhat Al Shaabe

Primary School worth $8,000 and an excavation and

backfill project valued at $7,000.

Marines also delivered 20 all-purpose tool kits to

the governor of Al Anbar Province. The tool kits are

intended for Iraqi police and fire authorities for use in

their public safety vehicles.

Another developmental project is credited to a

Coalition Civil Affairs team that provided an initial

payment of $20,000 for renovations to the Jehad

School near Ar Ramadi. 

Detainees released from Abu Ghraib

BAGHDAD, Iraq — More than 450 detainees

were released from the Baghdad Central Confinement

Facility, also known as the Abu Ghraib prison, as part

of an ongoing detainee release program. 

Since January, more than 4,500 detainees have been

released from the facility.

MOSUL, Iraq — When a

mission requires a bird’s eye

view, the sniper teams of 1st

Battalion, 23rd Infantry

Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd

Infantry Division (Stryker

Brigade Combat Team), need a

roof-top position to observe the

action. Often, they look to the

rooftops of the local residents

and merchants who gladly open

their homes and businesses to

them.

“Most people are really great

about letting us into their

homes to sit on their rooftops,”

said sniper team leader Sgt.

John Brady.

The snipers’ missions usually

take them out late at night to

watch for enemy activity. They

set up observation points in different places to catch insurgents setting up mortar positions or anyone involved in suspicious activity after dark.

The snipers will knock on

doors of local residents and

with the use of broken Arabic

and hand signals assure them

they are in no trouble, but they

need access to their roof.

Sometimes a translator will be

available, but the Soldiers can

communicate fairly well on

their own.

“Sometimes, it’s 3 a.m. when

we come in and they are still

very nice to us,” said sniper

Spc. Andrew Furman. “Once

we let them know we are not

there to hurt them, they calm

down and let us do what we

need to do.”

The snipers have also met

with local hotel owners to

explain their mission and have

gotten a great response.

“The hotel owners know we

may come in at different times

during the day and night on our

patrols and they are very cooperative,” said Brady. 

These small gestures of cooperation make the jobs of the

Soldiers easier. The local residents also feel safer knowing

that Soldiers are nearby protecting their neighborhoods.

Story and photo by 

Spc. Blair Larson

139th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Locals offer homes and help

Sgt. John Brady scans from a rooftop during a raid to

catch a suspected weapons dealer.

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq — Comedians from

the Comics on Duty World Tour performed at the

new Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility at

Camp Victory on May 21.

Bob Perkell, Steve Mazan, Jeffery Steele, PJ

Walsh and Chris Alpine brought their comedic

talents up on stage to entertain the Soldiers,

Sailors, Marines and Airmen of Camp Victory as

part of their tour of Southwest Asia.

Presented by Armed Forces Entertainment, this

was the Tour’s sixth appearance in the region,

said Richard J. Davis, executive producer of the

tour. The current tour, running from May 12 to

June 3 takes the comedians throughout the

Middle East performing several times a day at

different installations, said Davis.

The comedians’ acts varied in nature, from

Jeffery Steele’s combination of slight of hand

tricks and bringing audience members on stage,

to PJ Walsh, who served five years in the Navy,

using his experiences as a sailor as a way to

relate to the everyday trials and tribulations of

the troops here. 

Regardless of their styles, all the comedians

were talented, nationally recognized performers

who have appeared in various television shows,

movies and national comedy tours, said Davis.

The purpose of the tour is to bring a hilarious,

fun-filled break from daily life to the service

members stationed here. 

The two-hour show went along smoothly, with

each comic performing about a 20 to 30 minute

sets until a power outage occurred during the

final set. Overcoming this obstacle, Chris Alpine,

the comedian onstage at the time, kept the show

going and finished out his set to the sound of

applause in the dimly lit room.

Story and photo by Pfc. Bryce S. Dubee

3rd Corps Public Affairs Office

Comics on Duty World Tour

Bob Perkell does a stand-up routine for

troops at Camp Victory. The Comics on

Duty World Tour is in the Middle East as

part of their tour of Southwest Asia.

Comics on Duty was presented by Armed

Forces Entertainment.
Page 8 Coalition Scimitar May 28, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq— Sister Benina Hurmez

Shukuana is a Catholic Nun who runs a school in

downtown Baghdad. She has taught three generations

of children, some of which have come back to teach in

the same school. 

Her legacy has seen the rise and fall of Saddam

Hussein – the persecution of Christians, Jews, and Shia

Muslims alike, yet her school has managed to flourish.

Several years ago, Mother Theresa spent 45 days

with Sister Benina in Baghdad. They were close

friends she said. And they were of the same order,

Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.

“She said every day she and the kids get together and

say a prayer to keep the coalition forces safe,” said

Staff Sgt. Jim Ellifrit, 24, of Vancouver, Wash., who

recently visited the school to meet with Sister Benina.

Despite the school’s Catholic affiliation, children of

families from all religious backgrounds attend.

Sister Benina’s school is in a sector of Baghdad that

the 1st Cavalry Division’s 39th Brigade Combat Team

is helping rebuild. Soldiers who recently went to assess

her school found there is not a real playground, only an

empty trash-ridden lot next to a bustling street filled

with cars and donkey carts.

The Soldiers are eager to get a project moving to

provide a better environment for the youngsters.

“Our mission is the children,” said Ellifrit. ‘We want

to create an environment where they can have a good

future.”

The project, now moving through the bidding

process, will include clean up for a soccer field and a

protective fence for safety.

“It will be open to the community with controlled

access,” said Staff Sgt. B. M. Hess. “It will not be used

as a parking lot so that people can just throw trash in

there.”

While at the school, Sgt. Kyle Neuenschwander, 24,

of Medford, Ore., distributed T-shirts to children.

“I expected to get rocks thrown at me but it wasn’t

the case,” Neuenschwander said. “Their country is war

stricken with forces driving around their roads armed

to the teeth with ungodly amounts of fire power and yet

they’re happy we’re here.”

After distributing T-shirts, several children playfully

lifted their shirts to show Neuenschwander they had

mischievously tucked away three or four in their pants

rather than the allotted one they were allowed.

“Hey!” yelled Neuenschwander.

They ran off laughing as if to dare him to a game of

chase. But Neuenschwander’s heart is too big. Not

only did they make off with extra T-shirts, he also

ended up giving away his rank.

“They’re very crafty but they are the same as any

kids I have ever met,” said Cpl. Matthew Mintz, 33, of

Tillamook, Ore. “It makes me miss my kids.”

Ellifrit lost track of the marriage proposals he

received as he signed

autographs for kids at

the school.

“Now I know how

all those celebrities

feel when they are trying to get back to their

dressing rooms and

people are shoving pen

and paper at them,”

said Neuenschwander.

“I got mobbed.”

As Ellifrit continued

to sign autographs he

felt a tiny hand slip

into his.

“I went to shake the

little guy’s hand but he

wouldn’t let go,” said Ellifrit. “He began pulling on

me and then I understood he just wanted help getting

outside of the school grounds.”

A swarm of youngsters sandwiched in for autographs

and T-shirts left little room for mobility, especially for

a small boy who just wanted to get home.

Ellifrit helped walk the little tike through the crowd

and sent him on his way.

Debates mount and polls tilt, but American Soldiers

brace their footing in purpose, purpose they say they

see in the faces of children. 

“They give this mission meaning,” Neuenschwander

said.

Steadying themselves in a tumultuous environment,

they understand a larger picture.

“Information is going to win this war, not bullets,”

said Ellifrit as he sat contemplating the future of Iraq.

“Our mission here has to be the children. We can

keep capturing people but until the new generation

takes over, there will still be old religious and party

bias, and old problems.”

Story and photos by 

Staff Sgt. Rebekah-mae Bruns

39th Brigade Combat Public Affairs 

Soldiers look to future of Iraq

Children from Sister Benina Hurmez Shukuana's school hold hands. Despite

the school's Catholic affiliation, children of families from all religious backgrounds attend.

(Left:) Staff Sgt. Jim Ellifrit, 24, of Vancouver,

Wash., signed autographs for the children at the

school.

(Below:) Sgt. Kyle Neuenschwander distributed

T-shirts to children while he was visiting Sister

Benina Hurmez Shukuana’s school.
May 28, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 9

Al KUT, Iraq — The “War Eagles” of 1st

Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, moved

from Baghdad to Al Kut during the latter part of April. 

During their initial assessment of the town, the War

Eagles discovered a looted and bombed out Coalition

Provisional Authority building. 

Many of the city’s bridges, much-needed structures

in the town that are dominated by dams and reservoirs

off the Euphrates River, were damaged or rendered

unusable by Muqtada Al Sadr’s Muqtada Militia. 

Many of the other major structures in Kut had also

been looted or desecrated.

Just six weeks later, all of those buildings mentioned have been fixed. Al Kut’s streets are busy, but

remain peaceful.

The threat of Muqtada’s Militia returning has been

nullified by Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, who patrol

the streets with elements of 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor

Regiment.

The citizens of Al Kut have responded well to the

Coalition Soldiers’ presence. 

The War Eagles quickly added Civil Military

Operations missions to their agenda in Al Kut. They

are reaching out to the city’s tribal, business and

municipal leaders.

Soldiers are helping the community reopen its

schools and clean its streets.

The Coalition has focused a lot of attention on

schools in the area. Projects included cleaning and furnishing supplies, all making sure children of Al Kut

can experience a comfortable learning environment.

“We did this in Sadr City for the past year. We can

do it here too,” said Maj. George Sarabia, who serves

as the central Coalition’s civil-military relations representative in Al Kut. 

Lt. Col. Mark Calvert, the War Eagles’ squadron

commander, quickly established a positive relationship with the tribal leaders of Al Kut, meeting numerous times. Those meetings continue on a regular basis

and discussions cover issues ranging from the city’s

security to ongoing community renovation projects.

Calvert also produced several television and radio

announcements pledging assistance from Coalition

Forces. 

So far, the Coalition has spent close to $95,000 in

materials and labor for the city of Al Kut. 

“We make sure everyone gets a chance to bid on a

project. No one tribe gets any favoritism over the

other,” said Capt. Kelvin Mote, one of the officers

supervising several projects in Al Kut. 

“It is important that Iraqis do the work. We try to

contract Iraqi companies that hire local labor for each

project.”

2nd ACR, Al Kut leaders improve city

Story and photo by Capt. Sean Kirley 

2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment 

Public Affairs Office

Pupils at a girls’ school in Al Kut enjoy their

classroom, which was recently renovated by

the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

AL RASHID, BAGHDAD,

Iraq – Members from Alpha

Co. 1st Battalion, 8th

Regiment Cavalry, 1st Cavalry

Division and the 489th Civil

Affairs Battalion visited the Al

Musaffee Primary School in

the Karb Degla Muhala of Al

Rashid. The visit signifies a

kept promise between the

Soldiers, school officials and

the residents of the Muhala. 

Najim Abud the Al Musaffee

headmaster said he has often

asked for help in the past with

the school. Until now, his

efforts have proved fruitless. 

“[This] team promised

they’d do something in the

next few days, and at this time

and on this day [they kept

their promise],” Abud said. 

The plan calls for an Iraqi

contractor to completely renovate the school. New paint,

windows, furniture, electrical

and plumbing is part of the

package. In addition, Soldiers

from the 1-8 and 489th

brought school supplies sent

to them from the Fort Hood

area. 

Family, friends, church

groups, community groups

and employers in the Killeen

area have sent school supplies

for the children of Iraq,

according to Lt. Andy Forney,

the Alpha Co. executive officer. 

“We’ve got about 30 boxes

of school supplies and candy

that have come,” Forney said.

“We send it to all the different

schools in the region. It’s a

good way for the Iraqis and

the Americans back in the

states to interact with each

other.”

The school currently trains

about 450 students a session.

They deal with a leaky roof,

broken desks, faulty plumbing

and a sporadic power supply.

Helping to refurbish this

school has already improved

the relationship the 1-8 Cav.

has with residents in this

neighborhood, said 1st Sgt.

Ronald Smiley, Alpha Co. 1-8

Cavalry.

“I’ve seen the attitudes

change since we’ve been coming [here] to give out candy

and school supplies,” Smiley

said. “At first they were afraid

to talk to Soldiers. They would

run away. Now they run to soldiers. They wave at soldiers.

The people in the neighborhood are happy that we are

trying to do something positive.”

The Al Musaffee Primary

School renovation project is

just one of many school projects the 1-8 Cav. and 489th

CA Bn. are working on in the

Al Rashid area. Add these to

all the school projects the First

Team is working on throughout the Baghdad area, and the

impact on the area’s education

system is significant. 

“The children of this country are the ones who are actually going to either make or

break this country,” said Maj.

Gregg Lester, a team chief

with 489th CA Bn. “That’s

why we felt it was very important to at least show these

schoolchildren, as well as the

people who are running the

school that we support them.

That actually lends legitimacy

to their educational system,

their administrators and then it

lends legitimacy to the coalition and their efforts to try to

build a repertoire to build

trust, to try to get this country

moving forward.”

Maj. Gregg Lester, Team Chief of Three North Team, 489th Civil Affairs Battalion from

Knoxville Tenn., attached to the 1st Cavalry Division, distributes school supplies to children at the Al Musaffee primary school in the Karb Degla Muhala (neighborhood) of Al

Rashid.

Story and photo by 

Spc. Andy Miller

122nd Mobile Public

Affairs Detachment

School gets

makeover

in Al Rashid
Page 10 Coalition Scimitar May 28, 2004

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq — Far

removed from the everyday comforts of

home, the Marines and Sailors of Marine

Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine

Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine

Aircraft Wing serving at distant outposts

here were treated to the ultimate delight

recently when a variety of ice cream was

delivered to their collective doorsteps.

Dubbed “Operation 31 Flavors” by

Maj. Gen. James F. Amos, 3rd MAW

commanding general, the mission found

life during a visit with Capt. Valerie L.

Hodgson, Korean Village detachment

officer-in-charge, MWSS-374.

“(‘Operation 31 Flavors’) came about

during a trip I took to Korean Village a little more than a month ago,” the general

explained. “I was talking to the Marines

and asking them how things were going,

so I could get a read on if they were happy

or if there was anything they needed.

After talking with them, to be honest, I

didn’t get a single Marine who said anything negative.”

Ever persistent, Amos added that he

asked Hodgson numerous times during

his visit if there was anything her detachment needed, which she repeatedly

declined. Finally, as he prepared to board

his flight back to the 3rd MAW command

post, the general’s question hit bull’s-eye. 

“She looked at me and said, ‘Sir, send

us some ice cream,’” Amos recalled. “I

said, ‘Captain Hodgson, you’ve got it.

You’re talking to the right man.’”

According to Hodgson, a 35-year-old

Anaheim, Calif., native, the time frame in

which the frozen delicacy arrived was

surprisingly swift.

“When the general came out here,

it was early in spring and I figured

it would take him a good long time

to resolve any logistical hurdles with

getting it here,” she said. 

“I knew that ice cream would be a huge

morale boost in the heat of the summer, so

I figured that by the time it got here, it

would be summertime and the ice cream

would arrive just in time. I did not expect

to get the ice cream here as quickly as it

did,” she added. 

The operation was divided into three

phases and in addition to speed, it called

for massive coordination, said Chief

Warrant Officer 3 Samuel F. Pamoleras,

food services officer, 3rd MAW.

“We used resources that we have in

Kuwait to make this happen,” he said.

“We negotiated with the public warehousing company down there and received a

total of 10 pallets of ice cream, with 80

containers each.

“We were able to get it palletized, put

on dry ice, get it shipped to Al Asad,

(Iraq) and put it into cold storage within a

matter of a few days,” added the 34-yearold San Diego native. 

“From there, we had to figure out

which aviation assets we were going to

use so that we could have a quick turnaround and the ice cream would be

received on the other end in a timely fashion.” 

The “other end” comprised of the three

outlying areas of Iraq known as

Mudyasis, Korean Village, and Al Qaim;

each containing personnel who knew very

little, if anything, about the special deliveries they were soon to receive.

Once the unexpected treat was distributed during evening chow however, the

Marines and Sailors of MWSS-374

seemed both shocked and thrilled.

“This is pretty nice from where I’m sitting,” commented Lance Cpl. Justin H.

Hastings, automotive mechanic, MWSS374 and 23-year-old Portland, Ore.,

native. “We haven’t had anything like this

out here before.”

“The ice cream I just ate was wonderful,” offered Pfc. Dustin M. Hawkins,

motor transportation operator, MWSS374 and 19-year-old Houston native.

“After a hard day’s work, any food is

good, but this is awesome.”

“I think it makes the troops and (noncommissioned officers) feel good about

what we’re doing out here,” added Cpl.

Michael D. Rice, nuclear, chemical and

biological specialist, MWSS-374. 

“It shows that our leaders have actually

seen a difference in what we’ve done out

here, so they’re rewarding us with the ice

cream,” said the 22-year-old from

Indianapolis.

“(Our leaders are) definitely paying

attention,” agreed Hodgson. “Being in a

remote area, I think it’s easy for people to

forget about us, but clearly they did not

because they worked so hard to get this

ice cream out to us. Having ice cream out

here is a reward for the hard work that the

Marines and Sailors put in everyday.” 

According to Lt. Col. David R.

Leppelmeier, commanding officer,

MWSS-374, reaching out to his Marines

and Sailors in remote locations is something that is enjoyable for everyone

involved. 

“They know I care about them, and

want to get out to see them more since

they have a little tougher scenario than

everyone else because of location. They

get a kick out of seeing us and they really

appreciated the general’s gesture with the

ice cream,” said the 44-year-old native of

Babylon, N.Y.

“There are two miracles in the desert

we performed: One is ice and the other

one is ice cream,” laughed the MWSS374 commander.

“It really warms my heart to do something like this for our Marines and

Sailors,” expressed Amos. “It’s only a

small gesture, but just doing it brings a

smile to my face.”

Iraq Desert no obstacle for frozen dessert 

Story and photos by 

Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.

Marine Wing 

Headquarters Squadron-3 

Cpl. Shane P. Proulx (far left), expeditionary airfield systems technician, and Pfc. Christopher M. McMillan (far

right), bulk fuel specialist, are served multiple scoops of ice cream by food service specialists, Cpl. Mark Devera

(center left), and Staff Sgt. Arthur S. Cole.

Cpl. Shane P. Proulx (left), expeditionary airfield systems technician,

devours a bowl of strawberry ice cream, alongside Pfc. Christopher M.

McMillan, bulk fuel specialist, May 14, in Mudaysis, Iraq. 
May 28, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 11

me to get eyeball-to-eyeball to thank people for their

efforts and their sacrifice.

“The second reason I came was to be on the ground

to get a better understanding of exactly what’s happening in our sector,” England added. “I get a lot of

briefings all the time, but it’s much better if you’ve

been here and can relate it to what you’ve seen.”

Maj. Gen. James F. Amos, commanding general, 3rd

MAW, expressed his appreciation for England’s visit.

“The Secretary is a great American and it was

indeed a privilege to have him here to speak to our

Marines and Sailors and give them his vision for the

Department of the Navy’s role in the war on terrorism,” he said.

According to Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, commanding general, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, the journey the secretary made into harm’s way was an

encouraging gesture that made a lasting impression.

“It’s great for him to get out with the Marines and

Sailors and let us know that we have his support, as

well as the support of the nation. I think Marines feel

that if someone comes this far to visit and shows his

kind of appreciation that it’s a positive thing and it’s

received very well from a morale perspective,” he

added. 

Many of the Marines and Sailors of 3rd MAW

echoed Conway’s sentiments. 

“First of all, he’s a civilian, and it’s always good to

see a civilian who’s in our government and is siding

with the military come over to get the word out to us.

For me it’s motivational and good to go that he can

take the time out to do this,” commented Gunnery Sgt.

Robert E. Kaup, quality assurance chief, Marine

Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, Marine Aircraft

Group 16, 3rd MAW.

“Morale is high and the people back home appreciate what we are doing,” added the 41-year-old native

of Philadelphia.

“I think it’s a great morale booster to have the

Secretary of the Navy come visit us,” said Petty

Officer 1st Class William W. Breeding, corpsman,

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, MAG-16. “It

shows that senior leadership knows what we’re doing

out here, that they care for the mission and that the

people mean something to them.”

“It’s awesome that he takes the time to talk to everybody and take questions,” remarked Lance Cpl. Deena

J. Weissberg, dynamic component mechanic, MALS16, from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. “It’s a nice reminder that

they’re still thinking of us back in the states.”

Conway also revealed that in addition to moral support, England has provided tangible sustenance to

Marine forces in Iraq. 

“He has been one of our biggest proponents for

equipment and things we need,” Conway stated. “He

figuratively poked me in the chest before we came to

Iraq, demanding to be constantly informed about

equipment needs.

“Major portions of the new equipment we have, and

a host of other equipment, is based on that man’s willingness to give us what we need to do the job,” he

emphasized. 

England’s appearance was so well protected beforehand, that his sudden presence was as much a surprise

for Marines and Sailors, as it was a treat. 

“I actually just found out an hour before we came

over to hear him speak,” recalled 21-year-old

Weissberg. “I saw the Secretary at the chow hall yesterday (May 17), but I had no idea he was going to be

talking to us today.

“I would say that in my time in the service, it would

be highly unexpected to see the Secretary of the Navy

in a forward-deployed area. For a member of the civilian leadership to come out is great and it means a lot

to us,” added Breeding, a 35-year-old from

Parkersburg, W.Va. 

Perhaps the I MEF commander summed up the

occasion best when describing both the lengths to

which the Secretary was willing to go to fulfill his

duties, as well as the value of his journey.

“(England) knew that there was a certain amount of

physical risk involved by making this trip, and yet he

made it anyway,” said Conway, “so we’re proud of

him for that.

“Visits of this nature can sometimes be painful;

other times they are very worthwhile. I definitely consider this one to be in that latter category, emphatically,” added the general. 

Secretary of the Navy, the honorable Mr. Gordon R. England,thanks the Marines and Sailors of

Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, for

their service to America in Al Asad, Iraq, May 17. The secretary visited various 3rd MAW commands during his two-day trip to the forward deployed area. 

Photo by Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.

SEC. OF NAVY

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

Continued from Page One
Page 12 Coalition Scimitar May 28, 2004

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq

— Marines with 3rd Battalion,

24th Marine Regiment visited a

local village May 15, in an effort

to develop a positive relationship with the neighboring community and attempt to help its

citizens obtain the tools they

need to escape poverty.

Reserve infantrymen and

Navy medical personnel from

the battalion, as well as other 1st

Force Service Support Group

units, assessed the people’s medical needs, delivered 2,000 gallons of fresh water and spoke

with the community’s leaders

about their concerns.

The medical crew gave checkups to as many villagers as they

could. For some locals, this was

their first visit with a doctor in

more than two years.

Problems encountered during

the exams ranged from high

blood pressure to poor vision.

The doctors and corpsmen

focused on assessing the villagers’ medical needs, rather

than treating them.

The purpose of conducting

these types of checkups was not

to administer humanitarian

assistance to the Iraqis, said Lt.

j.g. Noelle Griffith, a 31-yearold nurse with the

Surgical/Shock Trauma Platoon

here and a resident of San Diego,

Calif. Rather, it gave the doctors

an idea of what medical supplies

the village needed, so they could

try to pass the information on to

organizations with the resources

to help.

Meanwhile, outside, other

Marines and corpsmen passed

out candy and soccer balls and

played with the children.

Among other things, the village’s leadership expressed

interest in building a school closer to them, since the nearest one

is two kilometers away.

According to Lt. Col. Milton L.

Wick, 42, the battalion’s commander, such a project would

exceed 3/24’s humanitarian

assistance budget. Wick didn’t

deny the request, however. He

offered to bring the sheik’s concerns up the chain of command,

which might be able to find

funds to carry out such a plan.

The meeting came to an abrupt

end when a firefight broke out

within earshot of the village. The

skirmish was originally thought

to be an engagement between

other Marines in the area and

insurgents, but it was later found

out to be Iraqi on Iraqi.

Capt. Adam T. Strickland, 32,

a platoon commander with the

battalion, said it was important

for the Marines to leave the village when the fighting started.

“On this type of mission,

[enemy] contact trumps the mission,” said Strickland, a

Richmond, Va., resident. “We

don’t want to bring fire into the

village that we’re working with

because we’re going to have

innocents hurt, which kind of

negates what we’re trying to do

out there in the first place.”

While determining if

American service members were

involved in the battle, the

Marines happened upon an old

anti-aircraft gun not found during any of the previous trips into

the area. It looked to be in the

process of being fixed, said

Strickland. The Marines confiscated the weapon on their way

out of the village and added it to

the number of weapons they had

already captured.

Two days prior, 3/24 Marines

on a routine patrol outside the

village stumbled upon what is

believed to be one of the largest

weapons caches unearthed in the

Al Anbar Province this year.

Hoping to improve the people’s quality of life by ridding

the area of numerous types of

weapons systems and removing

dangerous explosives, the battalion also hunts for and disposes

of any ammunition found in the

area.

The unit has visited several

villages in the area to deliver

school supplies, clothes and

water.

Two companies from the battalion, based in Bridgeton and

Springfield, Mo., also provide

security for the camp. The other

three companies are spread

throughout the I Marine

Expeditionary Force’s area of

operations. 

Story by Lance Cpl.

Samuel Bard Valliere

1st Force Service 

Support Group

Marines, Sailors raise quality of life

Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael J. Calin, a corpsman with 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine

Regiment, checks the blood pressure of an Iraqi man during a visit to a village near

Camp Taqaddum. Marines and Navy medical personnel from the battalion, as well as

other 1st Force Service Support Group units, visited the village in order to deliver fresh

water, assess the people's medical needs and speak with the community's leadership

about their concerns.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon

British troops help

local community

Members of the 1 Royal Highland Fusiliers visit

a local school that they plan to start renovating.

The school, that was previously unknown by

division headquarters, has suffered years of

neglect. “By raising concerns about its conditions up the chain of command, we can begin

the process of securing funds for the infrastucture improvements. In the meantime, we hope

that short-term improvments to facilities can be

made through charitable donations and uick

Impact Projects,” said Capt. Stu Allen, 1 RHF.

QIP’s consist of money from British taxpayers

intended to deliver rapid results to essential

services in a quick time frame, and benefit

forces on the ground by demonstrating good

will and alleviating hardship.

Photo courtesy of Press Information Center Basrah
Lending a helping hand

May 28, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 13

Friday’s Fun Facts

The playful River Otter

*River otters spend half of their lives sleeping. That can mean 

ten years of snoozing for many otters!

*River otters do not have tail flippers, but only webbed hind 

feet. 

*In water, otters are limited to speeds of around six miles per 

hour. 

*They can dive to depths of 60 feet and stay submerged for 

more than four minutes. 

*On land, river otters scoot along at about fifteen miles per hour 

in a combination of running and sliding.

*Although their vision is not especially good, river otters have 

well-developed senses of smell and hearing. They also use 

their whiskers to detect prey when hunting and obstructions 

when swimming. 

*River otters can discharge a strong, disagreeable scent from a 

pair of anal glands when threatened or disturbed.

Philipino soldiers give out school supplies to local Iraqi children during a Medical Civilian Assistant Provided, in Al Hillah.

Philipines troops setup MEDCAPs in their area of responsibility

as part of a Multinational Division Center-South effort to help

Iraqi civilians with food, medical and other needs.

Photo by Sgt Jose M. Hernandez

TIKRIT, Iraq — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in the City of Tikrit Saturday

to officially re-open an Olympic-sized

swimming pool that was closed at the start of

Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Sheik Kannan Al Saided of the Al Shumar

tribe hosted the event. Lt. Col. Jeffrey A.

Sinclair, commander of the 1st Infantry

Division’s 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry

Regiment, was on hand. Also present was

Falah Al Naqeed, governor of the Salah Ad

Din Province.

The citizens of Tikrit celebrated the reopening of the pool that was built in 1999,

and watched the local swim team compete in

50 and 100-meter freestyle events.

Swimmers also demonstrated their skills

by diving off each level of the three tier diving platform.

Al Saided was instrumental in the pool’s

re-opening and has been heavily involved in

rejuvenating the sports program in the Tikrit

area, Sinclair said.

“(The pool) represents peace and progress,

and a time for the people in the community

to relax and just enjoy life,” Sinclair told the

crowd. 

He showed his support for the sheik’s

cause by locally purchasing 700 soccer jerseys for the local soccer league. 

“This shows the Iraqi people that we have

a genuine interest in their quality of life,”

Sinclair said.

A member of the swim team leaps with the Iraqi flag from the three-tier platform during a ceremony, which celebrated the re-opening of an Olympic-sized

swimming pool at Tikrit.

Olympic-sized pool opens

Story and photo by 

Sgt. Roland G. Walters

196th Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment
Page 14 Coalition Scimitar May 28, 2004

When Spc. David Aron

Brown from the 1st Cavalry

Division received his Army

Commendation Medal on May

13 with other Soldiers from his

unit, he was carrying on a longstanding family tradition of military excellence like a few others. 

There was a V-Device, for

valor, on his ARCOM just like

the other Soldiers from 2nd

Troop 12th Cavalry Regiment.

But there was something different for Brown on that day. His

father, Sgt. Maj. David Howard

Brown was standing by, watching his son receive his medal. 

The similarities between

father and son go far beyond

their first and last names.

Brown, who works in the division headquarters’ operations

section and just went over 29

years in service and his son both

enlisted into the army as tankers.

“He joined as a 19K (M-1

Abrams tanker),” the elder

Brown said. “Back when I

joined it was 19E for the M60

Patton (tank).” 

“That’s ancient history for

me,” his son replied. 

Spc. Brown was raised the son

of a Soldier. His grandfather,

Stewart, on his mother’s side

was a military retiree having

served in both World War II and

in the Korean War. 

At the age of nine, as his

father began a tour in Korea,

Spc. Brown decided that he

wanted to move in with his

grandparents on the family farm

in Whitehouse, a small town

south of Tyler, Texas. It was during this time that he found that

he loved working with animals,

just like his father had years

before. He would go out with his

grandfather a couple of hours

every day to take care of the cattle. 

“Once there were twin calves

born and the mother wouldn’t

nurse one of them, so I had to

bottle feed it everyday,” the

younger Brown recalled. “The

calf died eventually of some

sickness. That really hurt.”

Five years later, his grandfather passed away, leaving his

grandmother alone with the

farm. The younger Brown,

again, decided to go back to the

family farm, but this time to take

on a much greater role. 

“I had to work the farm every

day with my uncle,” he said.

“We did everything from calving to shots, feeding, taking

them to the veterinary [clinic]

and eventually to the auction.”

During his second time living

on the family farm, Spc. Brown

spent all four of his high school

years attending Whitehouse

High School, just like his dad.

His high school superintendent

was a former classmate of his

father’s. 

Spc. Brown followed in his

family’s footsteps on high

school athletic fields, excelling

on the baseball and football

teams.

“Our family has a tradition for

putting up some really good

high school football players.”

Sgt. Maj. Brown noted. “We are

so serious about football in our

family that whenever any of us

are in Texas to this day, we

always go to high school or local

junior college football games

together.” 

The elder Brown made sure

that his whole family shared

many deep beliefs in common as

well. 

“My family has a very strong

sense for the defense of our

nation, our constitution, and

fully understands commitment

to the military,” he said, describing his son and how he was

raised. “I am really proud of

him. He is a very determined to

do things and accomplish things

in his life. He is not afraid of

anything. He and his siblings all

believe in God and have a real

strong faith. I’m really glad

about that.”

“My family stands on the

belief ‘Blessed are the peace

makers for they shall be called

the children of God.’ [Matthew

5:9],” Sgt. Maj. Brown added.

“That’s why I volunteered to

come over here. I wanted to be a

part of this. I also wanted to be

here with my son. I came here so

I could fight for what my family

believes is right.”

The father turned to his son

and asked, “if you could get a

message out to the people who

live where you do all your

patrolling, what would you say

to them?” 

“I would just want them to

know what we’re here for; what

we’re trying to do for them,” the

young specialist began after a

thoughtful moment. “There are

the lights and the electricity, but

there’s a lot more than that. I’d

like them to know what it’s like

just to go down to a shopping

mall and hang out. To me that’s

what freedom is: just doing

what you want when you want

to do it. I’d like them to know

that’s what we’re trying to do for

them.”

Story and photos by 

Capt. Tim Tate

122nd Mobile Public 

Affairs Detachment

Texas family has

cavalry tradition

Spc. David Brown of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry

Regiment is presented the Army Commendation Medal

(with “V” Device for valor) from is battalion commander,

Lt. Col. Tim Ryan.

There’s more than 30 years of Army experience in the Brown family from Whitehouse,

Texas. Of course, 29 years of that belongs to Sgt. Maj. David Howard Brown (right). Spc.

David Aron Brown stands by his side.

“My family has

a very strong

sense for the

defense of our

nation, our constitution, and

fully understands it’s commitment to the

military.”

Sgt. Maj. David

Howard Brown
May 28, 2004 Coalition Scimitar Page 15

Worship services are at the 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

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq — The

sounds of Latin tunes blared out the door

and the faint smell of sweat emitted from

couples dancing for hours while black

lights and glow sticks faintly lit the

room. It may sound like a normal dance

club, but there is nothing normal about

“Club Fallujah.” 

A few miles from the city where heavy

fighting took place only weeks ago,

Marines, sailors and soldiers danced into

the night while sporting their camouflage

utilities on May 1.

It is a big change to go from dodging

bullets one day just a few miles away in

Fallujah, to moving and grooving the

next. 

“We try to create an environment that

is comfortable, and is a touch of home in

a harsh environment,” said Suzanne

Raku-Williams, the area MWR manager,

from Sussex, England.

Kellogg, Brown and Root, Inc. representatives and Marines are taking care of

the service members stationed here by

improving conditions at the MWR center.

The employees of the KBR recreation

center spend much of their day providing

for permanent personnel and transient

units.

Pfc. John Gonzales, artilleryman, Echo

Company, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine

Regiment, and a Woodland, Calif., native

said, “it’s always good to have the opportunity to get in touch with family back

home and do personal business on the

internet.” 

Currently, the recreation center offers

movies, video games, a library and a full

weight room along with many other

amenities for the personnel here.

Salsa night at the recreation center was

the first in a series of weekly dance

nights scheduled this month.

“It helped to relieve a lot of the stress

we have out here, and gave a lot of us a

chance not to think about where we are,”

said Lance Cpl. Imelda Vega-Sanchez, a

cook with I Marine Expeditionary Force

Headquarters Group field mess, and a

Rexburg, Texas, native.

Meetings are being held between KBR

personnel and unit MWR representatives

to get the word out to the Marines and

sailors here on new projects like spades

tournaments, 10-kilometer runs and

dance nights starting in May, according

to Raku-Williams.

Units are pulling together resources to

support the MWR Center with items like

chairs, horseshoes and more televisions.

One unit even supplied non-alcoholic

beer for their cooler. 

“It’s nice to have something cool to

drink for the troops,” said RakuWilliams. 

The main problem facing the MWR

program has been the lack of space to set

up the kind of events and centers planned

for, said Chief Warrant Officer 3 John F.

Kauffman, the I Marine Expeditionary

Force liaison officer to MWR.

The Seabees of Navy Mobile

Construction Battalion 74 are working

on renovating the dilapidated base theater, and hope to be able to start showing

movies in the near future, according to

Kauffman.

Camp Fallujah has been deemed a

long-term base, and the units here are

trying to set up accommodations for the

troops in camp now and for future personnel. This includes planning for more

programs and activities, according to

Raku-Williams.

Shipping crates packed with sports

equipment, televisions and games have

begun to arrive, according to Kauffman. 

The plan for the next six months is to

create another gym with a full-scale basketball court, a weight room and an aerobics center, according Raku-Williams.

“We want to do a good job for the

troops,” she said.

Although far away from home, the

Marines and sailors here have a little

something to help them remember what

they’re fighting for.

“It makes me feel more comfortable,

and reminds me what peace is like,” said

Lance Cpl. Patrick McKenzie, a Dallas,

Texas native and machine gunner with

1st Reconnaissance Battalion

Headquarters and Service Company. 

Marines find peace on dance floor

Story by Lance Cpl. J. L. Bush

I Marine Expeditionary Force

Cpl. Adrienne R. Norris, a 3rd Radio Battalion Arabic linguist, and an

Albuquerque, N.M., native and Cpl. Joel E. Paula, a 3rd Radio Battalion

administration clerk, salsa dance at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, May 1. The

dance is one of several recreational events hosted by the Camp Fallujah

Morale, Welfare and Recreation department. 

Photo by Lance Cpl. J.C. Guibord
Page 16 Coalition Scimitar May 28, 2004

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq - Marines

and sailors finally took a load off their

shoulders and let off some steam

Sunday since their arrival in Iraq. 

Marines from Regimental Combat

Team 1, 1st Marine Division, enjoyed

the day’s event dubbed SundayFunday, with sports events such as

three-on-three basketball tournaments

and volleyball matches. The event

was hosted by the camp’s Rest and

Recuperation Facility here. The Rand-R center has been operating for

nearly two months but for many of

these Marines, it was their first chance

to take advantage of it.

“This is good-to-go because it definitely gets our minds off the stress of

the last three months,” said Sgt.

Steven Prieto, a motor transportation

platoon sergeant for Headquarters

Company, RCT-1.

“I hope we have more of these

because some of us will be here for 14

months,” added Prieto, a 24-year-old

from Los Angeles.

A disc jockey blared music ranging

from country to hip-hop to reggae and

Marines and sailors were served

steaks, hamburgers and beverages. A

talent show wrapped up the event, giving the Marines something a chance to

laugh and joke. 

“Everything turned out great

because everyone’s smiling,” said Cpl.

Derian J. Caudle, a 20-year-old from

Whitakers, N.C., and the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the Unit

Movement Command Center for the

regiment. 

Master Sgt. Albis Delrosario, the

facility’s staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, said the event allowed

for unit cohesion, an important factor

for the infantry Marines who have

been spread out across the Fallujah.

The facility took some time to become

operational including repairs to a

swimming pool. It was a priority for

the Col. John A. Toolan, the regiment’s commander.

“We served about 1500 people

today,” said Delrosario, a 42-year-old

from Bronx, N.Y. “Colonel Toolan

gave me the green light to make today

possible so the Marines can take a

break from working hard to playing

hard here.”

It’s more than just a place to let

Marines relax, though. It’s therapeutic, and for some, a way to keep themselves focused on the mission.

“This place helps pull units together

again by not having to work for a little

while,” said Navy Petty Officer 2nd

Class Justin G. Pearce, a 26-year-old

from of Vernal, Utah.

Pearce, a psychiatric technician for

the regiment, said the facility worked

as a haven for combat stress casualties

before determining if the Marine or

sailor would return to their unit. 

“A unit will send us a Marine for 72

hours,” Pearce explained. “So far we

have a 95 percent success rate that a

Marine goes back to his unit.”

Pearce explained the Marines need

to realize when they visit the facility,

it’s for their better mental health -

because they’re still warriors.

Delrosario said plans are in the

works to rotate company-size units

through the facility. 

“We’re going to have a company

from each battalion here for at least

three days to give them a break too,

but we’re still working on that,” said

Delrosario. 

Marines cool off, relax

on Sunday-Funday

Story by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

1st Marine Division

Cpl. Mark Baetje, a motor

tranpsportation operator for

Headquarters Company,

Regimental Combat Team 1, lobs a

horseshoe during a unit function

inside the Rest and Recuperation

Facility at Camp Fallujah.

Marines and Sailors take turns flipping hamburger patties and steaks that

were later served to Marines from Regimental Combat Team 1 during a

unit function dubbed Sunday-Funday May 16.

Photo by Pfc. Brandon E. Loveless

Photo by Pfc. Brandon E. Loveless

Asian Pacific heritage

celebrated in Baghdad

The Haka is a warrior chant created by Maori

tribesmen. Soldiers from Task Force Baghdad

recreated a bit of island lore during Camp Victory

North's Asian Pacific Heritage celebration May

15. Besides this program featuring cultures

throughout Asia and the Pacific, a 5-kilometer fun

run was held and ethnic food specialties were

served in the camp's dining facilities.

Photo by Capt. Mitchell Zornes