Vol. II, Issue 44 Telling the Multi-National Corps - Iraq story June 23, 2008

Victory Times

Scouts, 

Page 3

Sports injuries, 

Page 6

Softball opener, 

Page 8

Firefighters, 

See Pages 5-6

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

Cody Preston, firefighter, South Camp Victory Fire Station, unravels a fire-hose during a routine training 

exercise Tuesday. 
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 Goch, Pfc. Eric J. 

Martinez and Pfc. Eric J. Glassey

The Victory Times welcomes columns, 

commentaries, articles and letters from our 

readers. Send submissionsor comments to 

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

accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space.

The Victory Times 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 June 23, 2008

Chaplain’s Corner

Eye-in-sky: God watches over servicemembers

By Chaplain Tom Walcott

MNF-I Operations Chaplain

Flying over our base are a couple 

of Aerostat balloons. Technologically, 

they are very similar to the observation 

balloons used back in WWI. These 

balloons have highly sophisticated 

cameras and are used to keep an eye 

on the perimeter of the base complex. 

Unclassified reports say that these 

cameras can read the license plate 

number off of cars in downtown 

Baghdad. The balloons have been 

shot at, run into by helicopters and 

have broken free from their moorings during heavy winds. Capable 

of watching outside or inside the 

perimeter, the Aerostat sees all, and 

knows, like Santa, when soldiers 

have been “naughty or nice.”

When I go back to my trailer 

at night, I always look up to see 

if I can see the balloons. Seeing 

them up there gives me a feeling of 

comfort, because I know they are 

keeping a close eye on things. 

There are many people who think 

of God as an all-knowing eye-inthe-sky, just watching and waiting 

for them to step out of line so He 

can punish them. If you think of 

God that way, it can be a frightening 

thought. That, however, is not the 

picture of God that scripture gives. 

Psalm 139, one of my favorite Psalms, says that yes, 

God sees all and knows all.

“O LORD, you have searched 

me and you know me. You know 

when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You 

discern my going out and my lySee CHAPLAIN, Page 3

What celebrity would you like to meet?

“CeCe Winans. She is a 

gospel singer.” 

“Some of those golfer “Ryan Reynolds.”

guys like Bush Harmon.” 

“Johnny Depp.”

Tech. Sgt. Carl Weaver, 

NCOIC, Documentary 

Media Exploitation

Cpt. Roslyn Tillman, 

liaison officer, 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment 

Command. 

Petty Officer 2nd Class 

Matthew Etters, intel 

analyst, Multi-National 

Division – Iraq. 

Airman 1st Class Angelica Colon, paralegal and 

IMO, Task Force 134.

Victory Voices : 
June 23, 2008 Victory Times Page 3

news

ing down; you are familiar with all my ways.” 

The author goes on to say that wherever I 

go, be it the U.S., Germany, on a ship at sea, 

in an airplane flying over the ocean, or even in 

Iraq, God not only knows, but He is there.

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I 

flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, 

you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you 

are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle 

on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will 

Sevicemembers have 

made it their mission to mentor children that live around 

Victory Base Complex. These 

sevicemembers are using the 

guidance and knowledge 

they gained in the Boy Scouts 

and Girl Scouts to enrich the 

lives of Iraqi children. 

This group of volunteers 

with the Victory Base Council are working to start and 

support scouting in the areas 

around VBC.

“Starting Camp Victory’s 

scout troop has involved a 

whole host of things,” said 

Lt. Cmdr. Eric Fretz, chief 

of future operations, C-6, 

Multi-National Corps-Iraq. 

“We have worked hard to get 

volunteers, arrange dinner 

meetings and meetings with 

the Green Zone Council.”

The Victory Base Council 

is following the model that 

its counterpart in the International Zone have started. 

The Green Zone Council was 

established by volunteers in 

2004.

“It’s too hard for us to 

travel to the Green Zone to 

participate in their program, 

so we decided to duplicate 

what they have already done 

here,” Fretz said.

The troop has held two 

official meetings. Each time 

they gather, the objective is 

for the children to have fun 

by doing team building activities, tying knots, building 

fires and at the same time, 

move toward organizing 

them into an actual scout 

troop.

 “We are building up this 

program with the Iraqis so 

that they can build the program for themselves,” Fretz 

said. “We picked one of the 

children to be the troop leader, and eventually we will 

further organize them into 

smaller groups.”

During the initial meeting with Iraqi officials the 

council didn’t expect to have 

any girls in the troop. After 

seeing the female mentors, 

slowly girls showed up.

“I didn’t expect to have 

any girls show up,” said 

Warrant Officer Denise Gilbert, information systems 

technician, C-2, MNC-I.

The council may have initially got together to teach the 

children, but it is also helping 

the volunteers.

“Working with the children makes it a little easier to 

be away from my daughter.” 

Gilbert said. “It makes my 

time here go by faster.”

For more information 

about the VBC’s scouting organization visit www.victorybasecouncil.org.

Story and photo by 

Pfc. Eric J. Martinez

13th Public Affairs 

Detachment

guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. “

Unlike our eye in the sky over here, not even dust 

keeps us out of God’s view. Is that a cause of fear? 

Not according to the writer of the Psalm. He celebrates, not only here but throughout the Psalms that 

God is with him whenever and wherever he goes. 

Not to punish or scold, but to guide and protect.

I like having an eye in the sky watching over me 

here in Baghdad. The balloon is good, and I am 

thankful for it, but God’s watchful care and provision is even better, and I am very thankful for it.

CHAPLAIN, Page 3

Servicemembers bring smiles to children’s faces

Senior Chief Katherine Filter, administrative officer, Task Force Iron Shield, helps the girls in 

the Victory Base Counsil scout troop make bracelets on June 13. 
Page 4 Victory Times

Day in the life of South C

Firefighters protect servicememb

Josh Buonadonna, firefighter, South Camp Victory Fire Station, instructs Master Sgt. Joseph McLean, operations noncommissioned officer in-cha

era, on the proper use of a fire extinguisher during a fire warden and fire extinguisher safety class Wednesday. 

The firefighters of the South Victory Fire Station stand ready to respond 

to any fire emergency on Victory Base 

Complex. They also train personnel 

on the risks of electrical fires and on 

the proper use of a fire extinguisher.

These civilian firefighters are 

from all over the United States and 

are stationed here for 12 months.

Fire warden and extinguisher safety class 

Story and photos by 

Pfc. Eric J. Martinez

13th Public Affairs Detachment

Cody Peterson and Gary Knutson, firefighters, South Camp Victory Fire Station, work to 

steady the fire hose during training Tuesday.
Page 5

Camp Victory firefighters

June 23, 2008

bers when things get hot

Michael Smith, firefighter, South Camp Victory Fire Station, uses a K-12 saw to cut into 

a burn barrel during routine training Tuesday.

arge, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, Joint Combat Cam

covers the proper storage, ratings, external conditions, and use a burn pit to give 

the participants an actual fire to put out.

The class also uses electrical equipment that has been found in actual 

workplaces and housing trailers during routine inspections, and sometimes 

after fires to illustrate how unsafe the 

electrical conditions in Iraq can be.

The fire station will exchange damaged or under-pressured fire extinguishers, as well as old or defective 

smoke detectors for new ones.

The fire warden and extinguisher safety 

class is held every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
Page 6 Victory Times June 23, 2008

features

Interview and photo by 

Cpl. Frances Goch

MNC-I PAO

Sgt. Tanishka 

Manuel-Wharton

Unit: MNC-I

Job title: 

Protocol NCO

Age: 25

Time in Service: 

5 years

Family: Mother, 

grandmother 

and brother.

Hobbies: “Sports 

and dancing.”

Person you most 

admire: “My mother.”

Why you joined: “To 

take care of my mother.”

If you weren’t in the 

military you would be: 

“A corrections officer.”

One thing you’d 

change about 

the Army: “The 

double standard.”

One thing you’d 

never change 

about the Army: 

“Combat training.”

Describe your job 

in one sentence: 

“Preparing for general 

officer events.”

Unusual fact 

about you: “I don’t 

like steak.”

Goals: “Obtain a higher 

level of education.”

Something you wish 

everyone would 

do: “Follow the 

rules and regulations 

regardless of rank.”

Words of wisdom: 

“Respect goes up and 

down the chain.”

The best thing about 

being deployed: 

“The money.”

Most exciting 

thing you’ve ever 

done: “Jumped 

out of a plane.”

Best Basic Combat 

Training memory: 

“Dumping everything 

out of my bag.”

By Jesse Martin

Corps Safety Office

It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt 

SAFETY SECTOR SAFETY SECTOR SAFETY SECTOR SAFETY SECTOR

Get to know a Soldier...

Most of us have suffered a sports injury, or we know someone who has. It 

is not surprising that active people suffer these injuries, because recreational 

and competitive sports have an inherent risk of injury. 

Knee, ankle, shoulder, and back 

injuries are the most common. While 

many of these injuries can be treated 

with rest and topical treatment, the 

more serious injuries, or moderate injuries that do not receive proper medical attention, could require surgery. 

Sports injuries are one of the leading accidental injuries sustained in this 

theater. There have been 32 including 

reported sports injuries and one death 

reported as of January 2008. 

You can minimize your risk of 

sports-related injury in the following 

ways:

- Do a total body warm-up and 

stretch routine at least 5 – 10 minutes 

before the event.

- Train for the event prior to participating. Gradually increase time and 

intensity, especially when participating 

in activities such as 5K and 10K runs, 

basketball, softball, soccer, etc.

- Remove rings, earrings and necklaces before participating.

- Listen to your body. Don’t overdo 

it. Allow injuries to heal.

- Dress properly for the event. Wear 

protective gear when appropriate.

- Cross-train to gain whole-body 

strength, endurance, and flexibility.

- Get enough rest.

- Drink appropriate quantities of 

water before, during, and after participating in sports.

In order to remain “Army Strong” 

we must strive to be free of unnecessary injuries that may take us out 

of the fight. 
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-Friday 7 a.m.-5 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)

Sunday

7 a.m.........................Collective Protestant

8:45 a.m....................Collective Protestant

10 a.m........................Catholic Confession

10:30 a.m............................ Catholic Mass

noon..............................Gospel Protestant

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

4 p.m...........................Episcopal/Lutheran

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

Saturday

11 a.m................... Seventh Day Adventist

8 p.m................................... Catholic Mass

Mini Chapel (Bldg. 24F)

Sunday

8:00 a.m................................Divine Liturgy

9:30 a.m........................Breaking of Bread

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

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

7 p.m.........................Knights of Columbus

Tuesday-Friday

11:30 p.m................................. Daily Mass

Friday

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

Warrior Chapel (Camp Liberty)

Friday

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

Worship Hours

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

AFN 

Freedom Radio

All stations are FM

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

Contact Spc. Samuel J. Phillips at samuel.phillips1@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

Smoke & Joe

Bible Study

12 p.m.

Victory

Chapel Porch

Young Adult

Bible Study

5:30 p.m.

Victory

Chapel

Men’s

Bible Study

6:30 p.m.

Bldg 24F

Foundations 

Bible Study, 

Mini Chapel 

6:30 p.m.

SeventhDay

Adventist

10 a.m.

Victory

Chapel

Men of the

Bible Study

5 p.m.

MLB Room,

Oasis DFAC

June 23, 2008 Victory Times Page 7

community

Navy Advancement Program

The Navy’s Combat Meritorious Advancement Program has been created to advance sailors in paygrades E1-E5 in recognition of uncommon valor and extraordinary 

deeds demonstrated while engaged in, or 

in direct support of combat operations. The 

Combat Meritorious Advancement Program 

is effective immediately. Recommendations 

for advancement under this program are 

submitted based on actual action/performance in combat. 

 CISSP Exams offered

Posting of Certified Information System 

Security Professional (CISSP) Examination 

for interested military of civilian personnel. 

POC is Capt. Richard Y. Kofie, 822-5108. 

 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.

Army Reserve Reenlistment

Reenlistment bonuses are excluded from 

federal taxes in theater. Building 123 located 

next to MWR 124 at Camp Victory is the Army 

Reserve Career Counselor’s office. Points of 

contact are Sgt. 1st Class Pedro Aleman Jr., 

318-822-4622; Sgt. 1st Class Merle Swecker, 

318-822-8453; Sgt. 1st Class Jose Torres, 318-

822-8464. If you have any questions call or 

e-mail your local career counselors.

Texas Hold’em

Every Monday night at Morale, Welfare 

and Recreation Bld. 124 there are Texas 

Hold’em Tournaments starting at 8 p.m. 

Every week prizes such as t-shirts, hats, 

poker books and coins are given to the top 

players.

The Multi-National Force-Iraq and Multi-National Corps-Iraq will host the largest mass reenlistment ceremony ever. The ceremony will be on July 4, 2008 in the Al 

Faw Palace Rotunda, Camp Victory, Iraq. All active duty and reserve component Soldiers, airmen, Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen are welcome to participate. 

Gen. David Petraeus, MNF-I commanding general, will host this event by giving 

remarks and administering the oath.

Each reenlistee will receive a flag, which has flown over Al Faw Palace, with a 

Flag certificate, signed by both Petraeus and Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, MNFI command sergeant major, their choice of either the MNF-I commander or command sergeant major coin, and an individual photo with the commanding general 

as a token of appreciation for their continued service.

The point of contact for the ceremony is Sgt. Maj. Yolanda Brock at 318-822-2846.

Participate in largest reenlistment ever
Page 8 Victory Times June 23, 2008

Sports

Sam McQuade softball tournament in full swing

Story by 

Pfc. Eric J. Martinez

13th Public Affairs 

Detachment

Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin L. Hill, command sergeant major, Multi-National Forces-Iraq, throws one of the first pitches of the 

2nd Annual Sam McQuade Charity Softball Tournament, Baghdad Division, on Camp Victory June 13.

Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, commanding 

general, Multi- National Division-Center 

signs one of three balls that were thrown 

as opening pitches during the 2nd Annual 

Sam McQuade Charity Softball Tournament, Baghdad Division, on Camp Victory 

June 13.

The Sam McQuade Charity Softball 

Tournament, Baghdad Division, opener was held on Camp Victory Friday.

Sam McQuade Sr. founded the 

tournament in 1976 to help with the 

financial challenges faced by local 

charities that helped special needs 

children. The tournament has grown 

into the largest slow-pitch softball 

tournament in the United States.

The first pitch of the tournament was 

thrown by Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, 

commanding general, Multi-National 

Division-Center and was followed by 

a pitch from Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin L. Hill, command sergeant major, 

Multi-National Forces-Iraq.

The Baghdad Division of the Sam 

McQuade Charity Softball Tournament, now in its second year, is held 

in conjunction with the tournament 

in Bismarck, N.D. and personnel 

throughout Victory Base Complex 

showed up to Castle Field in support 

of the event.

“I’m just here for fun,” said Sgt. 

Manuel Rivenbark, cargo specialist, 

29th Transportation Battalion. ”It’s a 

good chance to get away from loading planes and moving supplies.” 

“Servicemembers love softball They 

play it six to seven months of the year,” 

said Robert Cook, MWR technician. 

“As long as they want to support events 

like this, we’ll keep having them.” 

The Sam McQuade Charity Softball 

Tournament is scheduled to be held 

over the weekend of June 29 in the 

states. On Camp Victory two games 

will be played each night until the 

championship scheduled for June 29.

“We will be ending our tournament the same day as the North Dakota tournament, but our championship game will take place nine hours 

earlier,” Cook said.

Photo by Sarah Hostetler

Photo by Pfc. Eric J. Martinez