Vol. II, Issue 72 Friday’s Online Edition September 19, 2008

victory timesonline

Royal Tongan Marines change guard for Palace

Story and photo by 

Cpl. Frances L. Goch

The fourth contingent of Royal 

Tongan Marines to deploy to Iraq 

in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom took control of the security 

mission at the 46,000 square-foot 

Al Faw Palace during a transfer 

of authority ceremony Sept 12.

The 55-man contingent will 

take over the 24 - hour internal 

and external security of the palace and its members from the previous unit of their fellow countrymen.

“As a U.S. Marine, I hold a 

special place in my heart for 

these young men,” said Marine 

Corps Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, deputy commanding general, 

Multi-National Corps - Iraq, as 

he addressed the departing third 

contingent during the ceremony. 

“Their motivation and dedication 

is unwavering and infectious.”

No matter the time of day, the 

third Tongan contingent could be 

heard calling the entry control 

point to “attention” or “at ease” 

when general officers and command sergeants major entered or 

exited the palace grounds.

“Many times it was not my 

alarm clock waking me up at 

0300 in the morning it was the 

Tonga Marines,” said Brig. Gen. 

Nicolas Matern, coalition deputy commanding general, Coalition, MNC-I.

Tonga continues support 

of Operation Iraqi Freedom

The third contingent was also 

known for its enthusiasm while 

performing traditional Tongan songs and dances at various 

MNC-I ceremonies. The fourth 

contingent has proven it can carry on the harmonious tradition, 

which appears to be the standard 

in the Kingdom of Tonga, as they 

sang a hymn with their brothers 

in arms.

After the ceremony came the 

moment for which the gathering 

crowd was waiting, the performance of Sipitau. 

Sipitau is a Polynesian warrior’s ritual performed before 

battle, proclaiming his strength 

and ability in order to intimidate 

the opposition. The challenge 

consists of fierce chanting, chest 

beating and stomping.

In this case, the outgoing group 

uses Sipitau to challenge the incoming unit to test its commitment to assuming the task at hand. 

Each unit’s Sipitau is different. 

The reputation of the Tongan’s 

Sipitau precedes itsself in Al Faw 

Palace. Every available viewing 

area on all three floors was filled 

with onlookers and video cameras.

The old guard performed the 

ritual first, challenging the new 

guards on their readiness. The 

new guards retaliate with their 

unit’s Sipitau, showing the old 

guard that they are ready to take 

charge of the mission.

At the end of the ceremony, the 

outgoing contingent sang a song 

composed by one of the Tongan 

Marines that described their experiences while serving in Iraq at 

the Al Faw Palace.

“We are deeply honored to be 

a part of this coalition,” said Lt. 

Col Kuli Fakalolo, contingent 

commander, third Tongan Marine Contingent. “By doing so we 

have helped give the people of 

Iraq, and this part of the world, 

hope. Hope for a better life and a 

better future.”

The first Tongan contingent 

deployed to Iraq in June 2004 

with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Tongan Marines have a 

history with the U.S. Marines that 

dates back to World War II in the 

Battle of Guadalcanal.

2nd Lt. Siaosikiu Kaho from the third Tongan Marine Contingent hands Tonga’s National flag over to the next body of Tongan 

Marines to take over the mission of ensuring the security of the Al Faw Palace Sept 

12. Tonga has been a supporting coalition 

forces since World War II.
Page 2 Victory Times September 19, 2008

News

 

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 online 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 Online is an authorized 

electronic 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.

Petraeus final letter to Multi-National Force - Iraq

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Civilians of Multi-National Force – Iraq:

It has been the greatest of privileges to have been your commander for the past 19 months. During that time, we 

and our civilian and Iraqi partners have been engaged in an exceedingly complex, difficult, and important task. And in 

the face of numerous challenges, we and our partners have helped bring new hope to a country that was besieged by 

extremists and engulfed in sectarian violence.

When I took command of Multi-National Force – Iraq in February 2007, I noted that the situation in Iraq was hard but 

not hopeless. You have proven that assessment to be correct. Indeed, your great work, sacrifice, courage, and skill have 

helped to reverse a downward spiral toward civil war and to wrest the initiative from the enemies of the new Iraq.

Together, Iraqi and Coalition Forces have faced determined, adaptable, and barbaric enemies. You and our Iraqi partners have taken the fight to them, and you have taken away their sanctuaries and safe havens. You have helped secure 

the Iraqi people and have enabled, and capitalized on, their rejection of extremism. You have also supported the Iraqi 

Security Forces as they have grown in number and capability and as they have increasingly shouldered more of the 

responsibility for security in their country.

You have not just secured the Iraqi people, you have served them, as well. By helping establish local governance, 

supporting reconstruction efforts, assisting with revitalization of local businesses, fostering local reconciliation, and 

conducting a host of other non-kinetic activities, you have contributed significantly to the communities in which you 

have operated. Indeed, you have been builders and diplomats as well as guardians and warriors.

The progress achieved has been hard-earned. There have been many tough days along the way, and we have suffered 

tragic losses. Indeed, nothing in Iraq has been anything but hard. But you have been more than equal to every task.

Your accomplishments have, in fact, been the stuff of history. Each of you should be proud of what has been achieved 

and of the contributions you continue to make. Although our tasks in Iraq are far from complete and hard work and 

tough fights lie ahead, you have helped bring about remarkable improvements.

Your new commander is precisely the right man for the job. General Ray Odierno played a central role in the progress 

achieved during the surge. He brings tremendous skill, experience, and understanding as he returns to Iraq for a third 

tour and takes the helm of MNF-I just seven months after relinquishing command of Multi-National Corps – Iraq. I 

have total confidence in him, and I will do all that I can as the commander of Central Command to help him, MNF-I, 

and our Iraqi partners to achieve the important goals that we all share for the new Iraq.

Thank you for your magnificent work here in the “Land of the Two Rivers.” And thank you for your sacrifices – and 

for those of your families – during this crucial phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am honored to have soldiered with 

you in this critical endeavor.

With great respect and all best wishes,

David H. Petraeus

General, United States Army

Commanding
Feature

September 19, 2008 Victory Times Page 3

“Rhino” Soldiers conduct convoy training

Soldiers from Headquarters 

Support Company, Special Troops 

Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps 

received convoy training with 

their new Mine Resistant Ambush 

Protected vehicles at the Udarri 

Range Complex near Forward 

Operating Base Hammer Sept. 7-8.

“This is the first time we really 

trained on these new MRAPs,” said 

Cpt. Robert Day, commander, HSC, 

STB, XVIII ABC. “We are building 

off of the training from Fort Bragg 

and Kuwait on the HMMWV. 

The main training objective is to 

move, shoot and communicate.”

The training included standard 

heavy weapons training with the 

M2, the .50 caliber heavy machine 

gun. Soldiers from 1st and 2nd 

platoons advanced to the convoy 

training on a mile-long maneuver range where the two platoons 

would go through, react and knock 

down enemy targets. They continued into the night with a night-fire 

using night vision goggles and 

the MRAP driver’s visual enhancers; a thermal imaging camera 

mounted on the front and displayed 

on a monitor for the driver.

“It was a perfect opportunity 

for our gunners to improve,” said 

Sgt. 1st Class Alan Sutton, platoon sergeant, 2nd PLT, HSC, 

STB, XVIII ABC. “Training like 

this reinforces the fundamentals 

and keep our Soldiers sharp.”

“The training went well,” said 

Sgt. 1st Class Edgar Soto, platoon sergeant, 1st PLT, HSC, 

STB, XVIII ABC. “Gunners 

got good hands on training, 

and got bullets on targets.” 

The Soldiers fired 2,000 rounds 

through .50 caliber machine guns, 

and a total of 16,000 for both the 

M249 Squad Automatic Weapon 

and the M240B, Day said.

The HSC got these MRAPs in 

July and went through the twoweek driving course at Camp Liberty. The Soldiers switched over 

from up-armored HMMWVs to the 

larger trucks. In addition to a higher elevation for the gunner, it has 

an increased capacity of eight additional seats for passengers. When 

using three MRAPs to provide 

security for the Rhinos during their 

trips to the International Zone and 

Victory Base Complex, they double 

their capacity to carry personnel.

These Soldiers are in charge of 

transporting servicemembers and 

civilians between VBC and the 

IZ. They transport around 721 

passengers a week with a total of 

22,000 passengers since February.

“We have not shot a single 

round in anger on any of our 

convoys,” said Day. “We 

have performed very well as 

a team in our operations.”

Story and photo by 

Pfc. Eric J. Glassey

13th Public Affairs Detachment

Soldiers from 1st Platoon, Headquarters Support Company, Special Troops Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps conduct a night-fire convoy 

run through the fire and maneuver range outside of Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq Sept. 7. Two of the four platoons from HSC 

conducted the training.
Page 4 Victory Times Online

Feature

September 19, 2008

Army emphasizes junior leaders to prevent suicides

Story by 

Elizabeth M. Lorge

With National Suicide 

Prevention Week, Sept. 7-

13, Army officials say they 

are reviewing their current 

policies and emphasizing 

the help junior leaders and 

fellow Soldiers can provide 

to a team member in crisis.

This year’s theme, 

“Shoulder-to-Shoulder: 

No Soldier Stands Alone,” 

emphasizes the strength 

and teamwork necessary to 

combat suicide, said Brig. 

Gen. Rhonda Cornum, assistant surgeon general for 

force protection. It is also 

reminiscent of the Warrior 

Ethos’ “I will never leave a 

fallen comrade.”

The announcement was 

made Thursday, the same 

day Cornum and other 

Army officials told reporters that the number of Soldier suicides in 2008 may 

exceed last year’s all-time 

high of 115. To date, the 

Army has confirmed 62 

suicides this year, with another 31 pending - higher 

numbers than at the same 

time last year, said Col. 

Eddie Stephens, deputy director for human resource 

policy for the Office of the 

Deputy Chief of Staff for 

Personnel, G-1.

“It is a potentially preventable tragedy and every effort must be made to 

inform Army personnel of 

risk factors involved and to 

train our Soldiers, families 

and civilians to actively intervene, and I think that is 

the biggest difference this 

year...We’ve done a lot of 

education previously, but 

this year, the idea is to actively intervene if necessary and to make sure that 

people are aware of what 

professional assets are 

available,” she continued.

Two groups are absolutely essential in ensuring 

Soldiers get the help they 

need, officials said.

Junior leaders have the 

most face time with their 

Soldiers and know them 

the best, so they have to 

be able to recognize risks, 

said Stephens.

“We’re targeting our 

junior officers and noncommissioned officers because that’s the face of the 

Army to those thousands 

and thousands of privates 

out there,” he said. “Building that relationship allows them to listen and be 

heard and communicate 

on a one-to-one basis with 

the troops they are leading, 

and building their trust and 

confidence...so when (their 

Soldiers) have problems, 

they will be part of the solution.”

Chaplains are also crucial to helping Soldiers find 

balance and hope, said Col. 

David Reese, director for 

ministry initiatives for Office of the Chief of Chaplains. Not only does the 

chaplaincy’s Strong Bonds 

program help invigorate 

failing relationships - one 

of the leading causes of 

suicide - chaplains provide 

safe places for Soldiers to 

go without any stigma attached.

“Our goal is to develop 

an approach that builds 

life-long resilience in our 

recruits, makes them successful Soldiers, as well 

as successful citizens, 

long after they leave the 

Army, and makes strong 

mental health as much 

of a priority as physical 

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

Army News Service