Maj. Gen. David Clary, director, Combined Forces Air Component and commander, Air Component Coordination Element, Multi-National Force – Iraq, and the most senior Air Force officer on Camp Victory; 

Airman 1st Class Jeveret Powell, intelligence analyst, interrogation operations and the youngest airmen 

on Camp Victory; and Lt. Col. Chuck Schmitz, chief, Foreign Disclosure Office and the oldest Air Force 

officer on Camp Victory cut the cake in celebration of the 61st Air Force birthday at MWR 124 Sept. 17.

Vol. II, Issue 75 Telling the Multi-National Corps - Iraq story September 29, 2008

Victory Times

9/11 run,

Page 8

Weapons safety,

Page 6

Task Force SAFE, 

Page 3

Photo by Pfc. Eric J. Glassey, 13th Public Affairs Detachment

Air Force Birthday,

See Pages 4 and 5
Commentary

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

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

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

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

Editor: Spc. Samuel J. Phillips

Staff: Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp, Cpl. Frances L. Goch, Spc. 

Christopher M. Gaylord Pfc. Eric J. Martinez and Pfc. Eric J. 

Glassey

The Victory Times welcomes columns, 

commentaries, articles and letters from our 

readers. Send submissions or comments to 

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

accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space.

The Victory Times is an authorized 

publication for members of the Department 

of Defense. Contents of this electronic 

publication are not necessarily the official 

views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Department of Defense. The 

editorial content of this publication is the 

responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of 

Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

Page 2 Victory Times September 29, 2008

Chaplain’s Corner

Learning from new culture can bring change

By Chaplain Peter Baktis

18th Military Police Brigade

See CHAPLAIN, Page 3

On Oct. 6, the Orthodox Church 

commemorates the life of St. Innocent, Enlightener of the Aleuts and 

Apostle to the Americas. He was 

born Aug. 26, 1797 in the village of 

Anginsk in the Irkutsk region. He 

began his missionary service in 1823 

and labored for 45 years in Kamchatka, the Aleutian Islands, North America Yakutsk and the Khabarov frontier. 

St. Innocent spent many hours 

studying the languages, customs 

and habits of the people among 

whom he preached. In fact, he 

gave the Aleutian people their current written language. The gospel 

he translated sits in the American 

Bible Society in New York City. 

What is the similarity of St. Innocent’s life and work to ours? First of 

all, St. Innocent worked in foreign and 

dangerous lands. He was a stranger to 

the people, the culture and their language. Although he was a missionary, 

his focus was to help bring a connectedness to isolated people, primarily 

because they did not have a means of 

written communication. He accomplished by observation and emergence 

into their world. He needed to fully 

understand not only their customs 

and language, but their world view. 

Prior to deployment, we all went 

through cultural awareness training, 

but how many of us can say that that 

training helped us to fully understand 

the world view of the Iraqi people? 

Do we have a full understanding of 

their history, culture and language? 

Have we truly set aside our preconceived notions and are willing to 

What was your favorite candy as a kid?

“Starbursts.” “Jolly rancher, green 

apple. They were sweet 

and sour.” 

“Pop rocks. You could get 

five packs for 25 cents.” 

“Skittles. I liked all the 

different flavors.”

Karen Scott,

equipping liasion officer,

C3 force modernization,

MNC-I

Flight Sgt. Norman 

Howie, 

frequency management 

officer, coalition forces, 

C6, MNC-I

Staff Sgt. 

Derek Thompson,

nightshift NCOIC, 

Joint Operations Center, 

MNC-I

Capt. Jeremy Bolin, 

infrastructure analyst, 

C5 assessments, MultiNational Corps - Iraq 

Victory Voices : 
September 29, 2008 Victory Times Page 3

News

Task Force SAFE ensuring safety of troops, civilians

While deployed to 

Iraq, one of the most 

serious non-combat 

dangers servicemembers 

and civilians face is fire 

and electrical hazards. 

Carelessness when 

dealing with electrical 

appliances, transformers and power strips can 

lead to injury or, in some 

cases death, but a newly 

created Multi-National 

Force – Iraq team, called 

Task Force Safety Actions 

for Fire and Electricity, 

has set off on a mission 

to keep servicemembers and civilians safe 

from such hazards.

“What we’re finding 

out here in theater is that 

we’re having many fires; 

about four fires a day,” 

said Maj. Gen. Timothy 

McHale, CJ1/4/8, MNF-I. 

“These fires are caused 

by overloading circuits, 

constant running of 

electrical equipment, 

ballasts burning out, 

putting clothes on top of 

wires or running wires 

underneath beds creating 

hazards that start fires.”

“We’re looking at 

electrical and fire safety, 

and we formed a team 

here a couple of months 

ago, and our focus is 

to minimize fires and 

electrical incidents in 

theater,” McHale said. 

Task Force SAFE consists of separate facilities, 

awareness, and standards 

and policies sections 

which focus on making 

certain the approximately 

86,000 facilities in theater 

are safe in regards to fire 

and electrical codes.

“Our facilities team is 

looking at all the facilities in country to ensure 

that they meet the appropriate electrical safety 

standards,” McHale said. 

“Our standards and policies section oversees the 

actions we’re taking to 

make sure we have the 

right standards for fire 

prevention and electrical 

standards in country.”

To help prevent electrical hazards in the 

workplace, MNF-I is 

training more professionals to ensure facilities 

are safe. “We’re getting 

master electricians in the 

facilities to make sure 

they are properly wired 

and safely grounded and 

bonded,” McHale said. 

MNF-I is also hiring 

more quality assurance 

professionals, and TF 

SAFE has developed a 

seven-day course to make 

sure they are familiar 

with the electrical and fire 

hazards in Iraq and can 

appropriately inspect and 

repair electrical systems in 

the places where we live 

and work, McHale said.

The technical course 

will include ballast training, proper grounding and 

bonding techniques, and 

written and oral exams.

“As we get more 

master electricians and 

fire protection specialists here over the next 

couple of months, we will 

be inspecting and repairing, and creating this 

electrical and fire safety 

culture,” McHale said.

The TF SAFE team is 

doing much to improve 

living and working conditions to provide a safe environment, but perhaps the 

most important part of its 

mission falls in the hands 

of the awareness section.

“The awareness team is 

working very hard at making all the Soldiers, sailStory by Spc. 

Christopher M. Gaylord

13th Public 

Affairs Detachment

See SAFE, Page 6

Photo illustration by Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord, 13th Public Affairs Detachment
Page 4 Victory Times

AIR FORCE 

Servicemembers celebrate 61 

Story and photos by Pfc. Eric J. Glassey

13th Public Affairs Detachment

The Air Force hosted several events 

in celebration of its 61st birthday. 

There was a celebration at Al Faw Palace followed with a barbecue at MWR 

124 Sept. 17. In addition, servicemembers participated in a 10k run at Sather 

Air Force Base Sept. 20.

“It was great to see so many members from our sister services and members of the coalition forces attend the 

events and enjoy themselves,” said 

Chief Master Sgt. Brenda Blonigen, 

first sergeant and senior enlisted leader, Air Component Coordination Element.

The official cake cutting was delayed until night fall so members of 

the Iraqi air force could enjoy the food 

and celebration during their month of 

Ramadan.

“I welcome our Iraqi guests here 

tonight as we celebrate our 61st birthday,” said Maj. Gen. David Clary, director, Combined Forces Air Component and commander, Air Component 

Coordination Element, Multi-National 

Force – Iraq. “In time they will be celebrating their own air force birthday.”

A special appearance was made by 

the Air Force Central Command band 

during the week of celebrations. They 

played at several locations in the Victory Base Complex area including 

Maj. Gen David Clary, director, Combined Force

– Iraq, gives a speech during the 61st Air Forc

Tech. Sgt. Dave Foster, bass player, Air Force Central Command band, plays at the 61st Air 

Force birthday ceremony at Al Faw Palace Sept. 17.

A large cake sits on a table before being cut in celebration of the 61st Air Force birthday 

at MWR 124 Sept. 17.
Page 5

E BIRTHDAY

September 29, 2008

 years of Air Force excellence

the Sports Oasis and Sather dining facilities, Al Faw Palace and the MWR 

Stage.

“Being in Iraq during the Air Force’s 

birthday is certainly a very meaningful 

thing,” Blonigen said. “Here at Victory 

Base Complex and the surrounding 

areas airmen are working very close 

with Soldiers, sailors, Marines, civilians and coalition members. They are 

a big part of the Air Force’s history in 

the making. It is a time that airmen will 

be able to reflect on in their future and 

talk with their children and grandchildren. The airmen are making history 

and it’s a wonderful thingof which to 

be a part.”

es Air Component and commander, Air Component Coordination Element, Multi-National Force 

ce birthday celebration at Al Faw Palace Sept. 17.

“In this day when a powerful counterattack is America’s only real answer to aggression, there can be no 

question that we need the world’s 

first Air Force. It is only through the 

global, flashing mobility of the Air 

Force that we can hold our counterattack poised...we feel, with deep conviction, that the destiny of the United 

States rests on the continued development of our Air Force,” said W. Stuart 

Symington, first secretary of the Air 

Force.

On Sept. 18, 1947, the Air Force 

was formed as a separate and equal 

service like the Army and Navy. The 

U.S. military purchased its first aircraft, the Military Flyer, in 1909 and 

air elements were part of the Aeronautical Section, Signal Corps. There 

were several title changes before becoming United States Army Air Forces, in World War II, where the value of 

air power was proven. 

“The Air Force has historically celebrated milestone birthdays, the 40th, 

50th and 60th,” Blonigen said. “We 

are, and should be celebrating every 

year because every year we make impacting contributions to the war on terrorism and the defense of the United 

States. I think it’s important for us to 

reflect upon our past and know about 

our proud heritage.”

Chaplain Warren Watties, JOC Chaplain and 

Gospel pastor, Multi-National Corps – Iraq 

plays volleyball during the celebration of the 

61st Air Force birthday at MWR 124 Sept. 17.
Page 6 Victory Times September 29, 2008

Features

By Jesse Martin

Corps Safety Office

Negligent discharges serious, but preventable

Everyone should be concerned 

about weapon safety. A round fired 

from any weapon can go anywhere. Once out of the barrel, that 

round’s destination is unknown. 

The most prevalent mistakes 

that lead to negligent discharges are 

horseplay, improper clearing procedures, incorrect weapon status, 

failure to keep the weapon on safe 

and your finger off the trigger when 

there’s no intent to fire, and lack of 

muzzle awareness. In many cases, 

the basic fundamentals of weapons 

handling were ignored or forgotten, 

due to indiscipline, overconfidence 

and/or complacency. This is a 

mistake you cannot afford to make. 

Reinforcement training emphasizes important rules such as 

muzzle awareness, trigger finger 

position and step by step clearing 

procedures. Weapons handling is 

a perishable skill and needs consistent reinforcement. For anyone 

who carries a weapon, this is a 

skill that must be maintained.

To prevent negligent discharges, 

you should treat every weapon as if 

it’s loaded, adhere to weapons clearing procedures, train for proficiency, 

always point your weapon in a safe 

direction, keep the weapon on safe, 

supervise weapons clearing and make 

on-the-spot corrections to anyone 

clearing a weapon improperly.

It is critical that everyone 

is proficient in proper weapons clearing procedures. 

In this theater of operation, we 

have had too many negligent discharges. We must improve our 

weapons clearing procedures and 

supervision. All servicemembers 

have a responsibility to set the 

example. The bottom line is, negligent discharges are preventable. 

SAFE, From Page 3

ors, airmen, Marines and civilians 

over here are aware of the hazards 

and how to prevent fire and electrical hazards in theater,” McHale said.

As part of the awareness campaign, television and radio spots 

have run on American Forces 

Network, the MNF-I commanding general and command sergeant 

major have made public service 

announcements, leaders are being informed of common risks, 

and posters and flyers are being distributed, McHale said.

Awareness of fire and electrical 

hazards on Victory Base Complex 

has significantly increased since 

TF SAFE’s initiative began.

“I really believe that the word is 

getting out, that people are identifying hazards and are taking corrective action, and that’s what we 

need people to do,” McHale said. 

“People are talking about fire and 

electrical safety a lot and they 

have their eyes open, and they’re 

reporting issues out there.”

Not only are civilian and military personnel getting the word 

out to their peers and down their 

chains of command, but safety 

inspections and training are becoming more common.

“Inspections and training are being done,” McHale said. “Unit fire 

marshals and unit safety officers are 

training people on this. This is the 

kind of safety culture we need.”

Though safety conditions on VBC 

are greatly improving, most incidents are the result of carelessness, 

and therefore servicemembers and 

civilians alike must exercise precaution to prevent electrical hazards. 

“Everybody is a safety officer, 

and every individual is responsible for his own actions,” McHale 

said. “It’s an individual’s responsibility to know his equipment is 

safe, that he’s not overloading his 

power strips, that he’s not keeping his lights on and his air conditioner going and televisions on.”

“One death due to a fire electrical 

accident is one too many,” McHale 

said. “The awareness campaign, I 

believe, is working very well.”

enter into the unknown? This is 

what St. Innocent did. He was 

able to build trust and bring about 

change. Like him, many of us 

are in a foreign and unknown 

place, we need to take his example 

to learn and never stop learning. This is the lesson I draw 

from the life of St. Innocent.

CHAPLAIN, From Page 2
September 29, 2008 Victory Times Page 7

Community

Coalition Cafe

Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dinner 5 - 8 p.m.

Midnight Dining 11 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Sports Oasis

Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dinner 5 - 9 p.m.

Education Center

8 a.m.-midnight

Camp Liberty Post Exchange

8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Fitness Center

Open 24 Hours

Victory Main Post Office

Monday-Sunday 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

MNC-I STB Mailroom

9 a.m. - noon

5 - 7 p.m.

Al Faw Palace Post Office

Wednesday and Sunday

1-6 p.m.

Golby Troop Medical Clinic

Sick Call

Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon

Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon

Dental Sick Call

Monday - Friday 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Saturday 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Mental Health Clinic

Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - noon

Post-Deployment Health Briefings

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 p.m.

Pharmacy

Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon; 

1 - 4:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon

Legal Assistance/Claims

Saturday-Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Operating Hours

Victory Chapel (Bldg. 31)

Thursday

7:30 p.m......... Latter Day Saints Seminary

Friday

6:30 p.m..............Jewish Shabbat Service

Saturday

11 a.m...Seventh Day Adventist Service

8 p.m. Catholic Mass

Sunday

7 a.m............. Liturgical Protestant Service

2 p.m................. Latter Day Saints Service

4 p.m............... Epicopal/Lutheran Service

Mini Chapel (Bldg. 24F)

Tuesday

7:30 p.m............ Latter Day Saints Service

Wednesday

7 p.m...............................Men’s Fellowship

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

11:30 p.m............... Roman Catholic Mass

Friday

1 p.m..................... Muslim Prayer Service

8 p.m......................... Women’s Fellowship

Sunday

8 a.m................ Eastern Orthodox Service

10 a.m.............. Protestant Sunday School

3 p.m...................Church of Christ Service

7:30 p.m............ Latter Day Saints Service

Hope Chapel (Bldg 24B)

Monday

12 p.m........... Charismatic Prayer Meeting

Sunday

8:30 a.m...... Collective Protestant Service

10 a.m.................... Roman Catholic Mass

12 p.m............................... Gospel Service

6:30 p.m............. Contemporary Protestant 

Service

Warrior Chapel (Camp Liberty)

Friday

6:30 p.m.............Victory Base Open Circle

Worship Hours

AFN 

Freedom Radio All stations are FM

Do you have an announcement about an event of interest to the Camp Victory community? 

Contact Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord at chris.gaylord@iraq.centcom.mil with the information. 

Information for community announcements needs to submitted at least two weeks prior to the 

event to allow for timely publication.

Announcements

Camp Victory Bible Studies

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.

Women’s Bible 

Study 7 p.m.

Bldg 24F;

Gospel Protestant 

Bible Study

 7 p.m. Hope 

Chapel

Women’s Bible 

Study 7 p.m. Bldg 24F

7:30 p.m. 

Purpose Driven 

Life Bible Study 

(Victory Mayor’s 

Cell, Black Forge 

Conference Room)

Young Adult

Bible Study

5:30 p.m.

Hope

Chapel

Men’s Bible Study

7 p.m. Victory 

Chapel;

Spanish Bible 

Study 7 p.m. Bldg 

24F 

7:30 Book of Matthew Bible Study 

(Victory Mayor’s 

Cell, Black Forge 

Conference Room)

Foundations 

Bible Study, 

Mini Chapel 

6:30 p.m.

SeventhDay

Adventist

10 a.m.

Victory

Chapel

Legal Services

Cooley Law School is offering servicemembers free legal consultations via video-conference with an attorney regarding 

answers to civilian legal matters from 8-11 

p.m. the first Wednesday of each month. 

For more information contact Kathryn D. 

Hudacek at khudacek@freedomcalls.org or 

(973) 290-7886.

Degree for logistics personnel

Logistics personnel can become certified 

in the field of Property and Asset Management from the National Property Management Association completely online and 

receive 10% off the tuition by being a member of the NPMA. Contact Monty A. Spicer, 

256-217-2291 for more information.

Story ideas for Victory Times

Do you know of a good story on Camp 

Victory that you think should be covered 

for the Victory Times? Please submit your 

ideas to Staff. Sgt. Joy Pariante at joy.pariante@iraq.centcom.mil. Please include any 

interesting facts about the topic and point of 

contact information.

R&R Briefings

Reunion and Suicide Intervention Briefings are at the Victory Chapel, Monday at 

3 p.m., Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., Saturday 

at 3 p.m. All servicemembers who are going on leave or redeploying must attend this 

briefing.

Toastmasters

Improve your public speaking skills 

while having fun with creative – goal oriented people. No speaking experience necessary. Contact Capt. Armin Reyes at 822-

7627 or armin.reyes@iraq.centcom.mil.

The Corps Report

Al Asad ...... 107.3

Ali Base ..... 107.3

Ar Ramadi.. 107.3

Baghdad .... 107.3

Balad ......... 107.3

Fallujah...... 105.1

Kirkuk......... 107.3

Kirkush....... 107.3

Mosul......... 105.1

Q-West ........ 93.3

Taji ............. 107.3

Tal Afar....... 107.3

Taqqadum.. 107.3

Tikrit........... 100.1

The “Corps Report” is a 15 minute monthly television newscast highlighting the stories and events 

happening in the Multi-National Corps-Iraq area of operations. The program airs Sunday at 8:15 pm and 

Monday at 11:15 a.m. on the Pentagon Channel here in Baghdad. The August edition of the newscast 

will feature stories on new tigers at the Baghdad Zoo, National Airborne Day, the MNC-I naturalization 

ceremony and equal opportunity conference to name just a few. Be sure and catch the latest edition of 

“The Corps Report” and contact the broadcast team at MNC-I if you have a story idea at 485-4652.

MNC-I Chaplain’s Office:

822-7358
Page 8 Victory Times September 29, 2008

Feature

Story and photos by 

Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord

13th Public Affairs Detachment

Troops, civilians honor Sept. 11 victims during run

Approximately 600 servicemembers and civilians across Victory 

Base Complex paid tribute to the 

fallen victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 

attacks by participating in a 5k run 

around Lost Lake Sept. 21.

The event was organized by Capt. 

Wilem Wong, action officer (elections and literacy), C-9 governance, 

Multi-National Corps-Iraq and a police officer with the New York Police 

Department. Wong sought to honor 

fellow fallen law enforcement and 

first responders with this run.

“The run was to recognize the law 

enforcement and first responders 

who responded during nine-eleven,” 

Wong said. “When you’re a police 

officer, you have a tie to other brothers and sisters in blue.”

For many deployed troops, some 

of whom are also police officers back 

home, the opportunity to reflect on 

the events of Sept. 11 was a strong 

reminder of exactly why they serve 

their country.

“People think it’s just a run, but 

it’s the little things like this, just 

coming out to a run, that remind you 

why you’re here,” said 2nd Lt. Chris 

Haag, platoon leader, 535th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and 

the top finisher for the run, with a 

time of 17 minutes, 49 seconds. “I 

see the camaraderie. We’re all in this 

together.”

The run was sponsored by the 

American Legion in New York, 

which donated 800 t-shirts for participants, to show its support for deployed military members. The shirts 

also served to raise troops’ awareness 

of the organization, which provides 

veterans assistance and benefits, 

Wong said. 

Aside from a little morning exercise, participants came together for 

one very important thing: to honor 

fellow men and women who have 

given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom.

“I felt honored to put this together,” Wong said. “I was able to give 

something back to Camp Victory and 

the community at large.”

Servicemembers and civilians sprint down Sanchez Road Sept. 21 as they come to the 

end of a 5k run held to memorialize the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. 

From left: Petty Officer 3rd Class Cecilia Mitchell, the top female finisher; 2nd Lt. Kathryn Bulger, the second female finisher; Richard Zielinski, the second male finisher; and 

2nd Lt. Chris Haag, the top male and overall finisher of a 5k run Sept. 21 to honor the 

fallen victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, stand together on Victory Stage.