Vol. II, Issue 70 Friday’s Online Edition September 12, 2008

victory timesonline

More than 170 senior logisticians and Iraqi advisors from across 

Iraq gathered Sept. 4 and 5 at Hope 

Chapel to discuss the best practices, 

policies and the way ahead during 

Multi-National Corps – Iraq’s second quarterly logistics symposium.

Military Transition Team commanders and advisors from the 

battalion, division and brigade levels, and G4s from each division 

and Multi-National Force – West, 

briefed on the Iraqi partnership, 

training, maintenance and issues 

occurring in their areas of operation. 

“We gathered everybody from 

Symposium brings logistics players to table

Story and photo by 

Spc. Christopher M. Gaylord

13th Public Affairs Detachment

Brig. Gen. Keith C. Walker, commanding general, Iraqi Assistance Group, provides opening 

remarks Sept. 4 during Multi-National Corps – Iraq’s second quarterly logistics symposium.

across theater to check the progress 

of our logistics partnership initiative,” said Col. Ronald Pulignani, 

G4 advisor, Military Transition 

Team, Iraqi Ground Forces Command. “All the MNDs provided an 

update on their logistics partnership 

programs.”

 “The briefings were to provide 

a common viewpoint of all the different people working with Iraqi security forces, and hopefully they’ll 

walk away with an idea of where 

we are going and how to take logistics off the table,” said Col. Edward 

Dorman, C4, MNC-I.

Taking logistics off the table as a 

primary inhibitor to Iraqi army effectiveness is a top concern for Lt. 

Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commanding general, MNC-I, Dorman said.

Brig. Gen. Keith Walker, commanding general, Iraqi Assistance 

Group, hosted the conference and 

provided Iraqi logistics partnership updates for MNC-I. Maj. Gen. 

Timothy McHale, CJ1/4/8, MultiNational Force – Iraq and the senior 

logistician in country, gave updates 

on his role in the overall partnership.

Breakout sessions occurred Sept. 

5 to hash out any concerns, and 

make clear the areas of focus and 

roles of responsibility.

“Day two consisted of ten breakout sessions where the group examined areas the Iraqi army wants to 

improve in,” Pulignani said. “We 

will work with the IA to continue to 

improve their systems.”

The symposium laid the groundwork for an Iraqi army staff exercise 

occurring in October to examine 

and improve IA logistics systems, 

during which the IA will look at its 

systems from the strategic and tactical levels.

Some of the Iraqi army’s systems 

observed included its repair parts 

system, reporting systems, standards to evaluate logistics systems, 

national requirements needed to 

maintain its army, how to develop 

mobile training teams for its divisions and how to incorporate logistics into its warfighter exercises. 

“Overall, it was an outstanding 

conference,” Pulignani said. “Everyone left better informed and 

ready to move the logistics partnership initiative forward.”
Page 2 Victory Times September 12, 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.

270th changes command, starts new chapter

Story and photos by 

Cpl. Frances L. Goch

MNC-I PAO

A change of command ceremony 

on Aug. 12, held outside of the Joint 

Visitors Bureau at Camp Victory, Iraq, 

started a new page in the history of the 

XVIII Airborne Corps.

Before Maj. Jack W. Sander III 

relinquished command of 270th Signal Company to Maj. John Meek, the 

company merged with Multi-National 

Corps - Iraq’s communications section to become Company C, Special 

Troops Battalion, Task Force Dragon.

“Leading a brand new company 

that has absolutely no history is very 

exciting,” said 1st Sgt. Adam Tweedell, first sergeant, Co. C, STB, TF 

Dragon.

This new company will provide 

efficiency and a smoother transition 

between the planning and operational 

phases to the physical execution of 

the communications mission, said Lt. 

Col. William J. Wanovich, battalion 

commander, STB, TF Dragon.

“This merging falls under the Army 

wide transformation,” he added. 

According to Wanovich, this merger will allow cross training between 

the different specialties in the unit 

because of the similar backgrounds, 

The newly formed Company C stands 

behind its first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Adam 

Tweedell, outside of the Joint Visitors Bureau at Camp Victory, Iraq Aug. 12, during the change of command portion of the 

ceremony. Maj. Jack W. Sander III relinquished command to Maj. John Meek.

Maj. Jack W. Sander III, outgoing commander, Company C, and 1st Sgt. Adam Tweedell, 

first sergeant, Co. C, Special Troops Battalion, Task Force Dragon, unfurl the guidon for 

the newly designated unit Aug 12, at Camp Victory, Iraq. Co. C is the product of the 

merging of 270th Signal Company and MNC-I’s communications section. 

which will expand the capabilities of 

the unit as a whole.

Meek, who was previously the operations officer-in-charge for the STB, 

has a wealth of signal experience on 

his side, which makes him ideal to 

take charge of the newly formed Co. 

C Wanovich said.

“Major Meek has done a great job 

working in operations for STB,” he 

added. “This will give him the chance 

to fill a key position in STB for MNCI and XVIII Airborne Corps.”

“It is really an honor to command 

this unit. There are no words,” Meek 

said.

The Corps will complete its transformation with the scheduled stand up 

of Company A in November.
News

September 12, 2008 Victory Times Page 3

Marine Maj. Gen. Paul 

E. Lefebvre, deputy commanding general, MultiNational Corps – Iraq, 

spoke with representatives 

of various veterans’ associations Aug. 22 during a 

teleconference from his 

office in Al Faw Palace. 

Lefebvre thanked the organizations for what they 

have done for Soldiers, 

sailors, airmen and Marines and updated them on 

current operations in Iraq.

Lefebvre said, “We 

have had a very strong 

presence here for the last 

five plus years and as 

you’ve followed for the 

last several months, it’s 

been a pretty tough fight.”

For the past 10 out of 

11 weeks, there have been 

less than 200 attacks per 

week nationwide, Lefebvre said. “This is impressive considering that this 

same time last summer we 

were experiencing over 

800 attacks per week,” he 

said. “We are encouraged 

by the trends, but the war 

is not over. There is still a 

lot of work to do, we still 

have some pretty big tasks 

ahead of us.”

Coalition forces have 

to continue improving 

the professionalism of the 

Iraqi security force, who 

have been pretty active, 

Lefebvre said. Another 

thing Coalition forces 

MNC-I deputy commanding general holds conference

Story by 

Spc. Samuel J. Phillips

MNC-I PAO

have to do is continue 

to increase the number 

of jobs. “These jobs allow us to get into a situation where military aged 

males are not picking up 

weapons, and are pursuing peaceful resolution 

of issues to include the 

elections which are in 

front of us.”

Allen W. Dowd, American Legion Magazine, 

asked Lefebvre how his 

Iraqi counterparts felt 

about the situation in 

Iraq. Dowd especially 

wanted to know if the 

Iraqi government feels 

any anxiety, fear or eagerness about moving to 

a new stage and the eventual departure of Coalition forces.

The relationship between the Coalition forces 

and the Iraqi forces is extremely strong, Lefebvre 

said. “We are partnered 

with them at a whole 

host of levels, both in the 

planning and execution 

of operations.” The sharing of the ideas that goes 

on between Coalition and 

Iraqi forces is substantial 

and both understand their 

role in this country in 

terms of security. “It is a 

good news story in terms 

of what we are doing today and what we’re going 

to do tomorrow in terms 

of partnership to continue the great advances 

the government of Iraq 

has made over the seven 

months,” Lefebvre said.

Army stresses importance of suicide prevention

U.S. Army Press Release

In conjunction with its observance of National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 7-13, and 

the National Guard and Army 

Reserve’s month-long observation, Sept. 6 - Oct. 5, the Army is 

promoting the need for leaders at 

all levels to be more proactive and 

take greater responsibility to prevent suicides through increased 

training, intervention and access 

to behavioral health resources. 

For this year’s observance, 

the Army has chosen the theme, 

“Shoulder-to-Shoulder: No Soldier Stands Alone,” to emphasize 

the strength of the Army Family 

when it works together to tackle 

tough problems. The theme is also 

a solemn reminder that sometimes 

the toughest moments for Soldiers 

occur away from the battlefield.

“Army leaders are fully aware 

that repeated deployments have 

led to increased distress and 

anxiety for both Soldiers and 

their Families,” said Secretary 

of the Army Pete Geren. “This 

stress on the force is validated 

by recent studies of Iraq and 

Afghanistan veterans reporting symptoms of post traumatic 

stress disorder or major depresSee PREVENTION, Page 4 Photo Illustration by Pfc. Eric J. Glassey, 13th PAD
Page 4 Victory Times Online

Feature

September 12, 2008

PREVENTION, from Page 3

sion. The Army is committed to 

ensuring that all Soldiers and 

their Families receive the behavioral health care they need.”

The Army considers one suicide one too many. In 2007 there 

were 115 suicides in the active 

Army. This is an increase from 

102 suicides in 2006. To date, 

the Army has 62 confirmed suicides for 2008, with 31 pending 

confirmation of cause of death.

The 2007 suicide incidents 

include 93 active-duty Soldiers 

and 22 reserve-component Soldiers on active duty. When not on 

active duty, the National Guard 

and Army Reserve track suicide 

incidents separately, and reported 

a loss of 57 additional Soldiers.

While the suicide rate is higher 

than where the Army was last 

year at this time, the Army’s immediate actions are to enhance 

intervention skills and increase 

the awareness of leaders and 

Soldiers across the force. 

The Army is placing special 

emphasis on first line leaders to 

raise their confidence in their 

ability to prevent suicide through 

targeted training programs. Intended outcomes include better 

recognition of stressors such as 

failed relationships, legal and financial problems, and occupational and operational issues that can 

contribute to suicidal behavior.

The Army’s Suicide Prevention Program is part of a larger 

effort to effect change in how 

leaders and Soldiers view behavioral health care in general. 

This behavioral health strategy 

is centered on whole life fitness 

and is designed to better prepare 

Soldiers to cope with the challenges of daily life as well as 

during times of intense stress. 

“One key thing that will help 

Soldiers seek the care they need 

is changing the stigma associated with seeking behavioral 

health care,” said Lt. Col. Thomas 

Languirand, Chief, Army G-1 

Command Policy and Programs 

Division. “It is critical for Soldiers, Family members, and Army 

Civilians to know that seeking 

help during times of stress is a 

sign of strength, not weakness.”

As part of the effort to remove any stigma that is attached 

to behavioral health care, Soldiers no longer have to report 

counseling undertaken to deal 

with stress from combat or related to marital, family or grief 

issues when they apply for a 

security clearance unless the 

treatment was court-ordered or 

was the result of violence.

The Army’s reserve components (ARNG, USAR) are also 

coordinating education and 

training resources with local 

community agencies that support suicide prevention efforts. 

These support resources, which 

are available to active duty Soldiers as well, include Veterans 

Administration coordinators, 

primary care providers, local law 

enforcement agencies, hotlines 

and crisis centers, local churches 

and other religious organizations. 

“Suicide prevention, like 

all leadership challenges, is a 

commander’s program and every 

leader’s responsibility,” said Lt. 

Gen. Michael D. Rochelle, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 (Personnel). “However, the success of the 

Army Suicide Prevention Program 

rests upon proactive, caring, and 

courageous people who recognize 

the imminent danger and then 

take immediate action to save a 

life. Suicide prevention is everybody’s business in the Army.”

Photo courtesy of U.S. Army