Vol. II, Issue 77 Telling the Multi-National Corps - Iraq story October 6, 2008

Victory Times

Rugby tournament,

Page 8

Forklift safety,

Page 6

Senior leader, 

Page 3

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason R. Krawczyk, MNC-I PAO

Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commanding general, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, samples Iraqi cuisine at the Blackhawk Conference Center in the International Zone Sept. 25. Austin and other MNC-I leaders gathered with Iraqi security personnel to dine together following a day of fasting. Fasting is part of the body and soul cleansing process that accompanies the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, which is 

observed throughout the month of September. 

Breaking fast,

See Pages 4 and 5
The cleaning crew in the building where I work does not have 

secret clearances, so they have to 

be escorted wherever they go in the 

office areas. On the doors leading 

into our office area is a sign that 

reads, “Access restricted to cleaning personnel. Escort required.” 

What I assume the sign means 

to state is that cleaning personnel are only allowed in this space 

if they are accompanied by an 

escort. What the sign actually 

says is that only cleaning perCommentary

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. Christopher M. Gaylord

Staff: Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp, Cpl. Frances L. Goch, 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 October 6, 2008

Chaplain’s Corner

Clear communication important in all aspects of life

By Chaplain Tom Walcott

MNF-I Chaplain

sonnel are allowed in the workspace and an escort is required. 

Since communication is so 

crucial to so many areas of life, it is 

important that we are clear and say 

what we mean to say. I have seen 

many times what happens when 

people don’t communicate clearly. 

There are people here really struggling because they are not communicating well with their spouses 

back home. Sometimes, out of 

frustration from being separated 

they, or their spouses, say hurtful 

things they don’t really mean.

Those of us who supervise others 

need to be sure we are communicating clearly, too. Maybe the reason 

a job was not performed to our satisfaction was that we were not clear 

about our expectations. And if our 

leadership style is to yell at people 

and use abusive language, maybe 

we need some lessons in leadership.

A phrase I learned a long time 

ago is, “Say what you mean, 

mean what you say, but don’t 

say it mean.” As you talk with 

those around you this week, say 

what you mean, be honest, tell 

people how you feel and select 

your words carefully. You can 

express frustration and disappointment without hurting others. 

What would make the Victory Times better?

“More human interest 

stories on servicemembers here.” 

“News stories from the 

states about things here.” 

“Community blurbs in 

the online version.” 

“More articles about how 

Iraq is progressing.”

Tech Sgt. Matthew 

Cobaugh, 

administration NCO, 

Secretary Combined Joint 

Satff

Lt. Col. Guy Edmondson,

West Liberty Mayor,

2145th Garrison Support 

Unit

Master Sgt. Tammy 

Taylor, 

superintendent, strength 

reporting, MNC-I

Spc. Matthew 

Cunningham, 

information management, 

C5, Multi-National Corps 

- Iraq

Victory Voices : 
October 6, 2008 Victory Times Page 3

News

 MNC-I’s senior enlisted leader shares thoughts

What do you think of the progress 

that has been made in Iraq since the 

Corps arrival?

“Every unit that comes in has the 

goal to improve on what the last one 

left behind. III Corps did a great job 

and our mission was to pick up where 

they left off and continue to improve 

the foxhole. I think that is exactly what 

we have done during our first seven 

months in Iraq. 

Without question, the surge was significant because it helped to bring down 

the attack levels in Baghdad and in the 

north and allowed the government of 

Iraq to take needed actions to move the 

country forward. When XVIII Airborne Corps arrived in February, we 

began the redeployment process for the 

surge brigades with the last one departing in June. But, as we were reducing 

the size of the force, we were also expanding our footprint. Operations from 

Basra, Sadr City, Amarah, Mosul and 

currently Diyala set the conditions and 

tone for continued success. 

I believe our success is a direct result 

of the great staff and planners we have 

and General Austin (Lt. Gen. Lloyd 

J. Austin III, commanding general, 

MNC-I) having the ability and forwarding thinking to move units in and 

around the battlefield. And it’s the Soldiers out there executing every single 

day non-stop...not complaining, just 

getting at it every day that is making a 

difference. Having said that, we cannot 

sit back on our laurels...there is still a 

lot of hard work to be done, but I know 

we will accomplish the mission in typical airborne fashion...to standard.” 

They’re the ones carrying this fight and 

as the senior non-commissioned officer of the Corps, I could not be more 

proud of our NCOs and the future of 

the NCO corps.”

By Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante

13th Public Affairs Detachment

See INTERVIEW, Page 6

Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Allen is the 

command sergeant major of Multi-National 

Corps - Iraq and XVIII Airborne Corps. 

Recently, Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante sat down and 

asked him questions pertaining to progress 

within the Corps and Iraq, and to the job 

deployed troops and leaders are doing. 

What do you think of the job NCOs 

are doing here in Iraq?

“The backbone of our military has 

always been our great non-commissioned officers’ corps and it is no different in Iraq. In fact, the responsibilities 

placed upon our junior NCOs today 

are greater than it has ever been in any 

time in our military history. Our NCOs 

are leading patrols and are in the towns 

and villages interacting with the people every day and its this contact with 

the everyday Iraqi citizen that is truly 

making a difference. We place tremendous responsibility on our NCOs. This 

war has been fought, for the most part, 

by our sergeants and Soldiers. They’re 

the ones carrying the heavy rucksack. 

And what about the junior enlisted 

troops?

What would you like for the Families 

at home to know?

 “Our young Soldiers are some of 

the brightest and very best I have seen 

in my 30 year career. I had the opportunity to participate in a forum discuss 

at one of the Forward Operating Bases and was shocked at the depth and 

level of questions these young Soldiers 

were asking of me. These were questions many sergeants wouldn’t ask and 

certainly not something I would have 

asked as a young Soldier. These are 

truly some of the smartest guys and 

gals out there. If you’re a leader today, 

you will be challenged by our youngsters and that is okay, because it makes 

us better and is what separates us from 

every other army in the world.”

“We recognize their sacrifices. We 

understand the impact of multiple deployments and how hard these deployments can be on each Family member, 

but that we are committed to doing our 

very best to take care of them in our absence. A lot of times we talk about selfless service and people automatically 

assume we’re talking about Soldiers, 

but it goes for Families too. Husbands 

and wives and kids are dealing with a 

lot. People sometimes overlook their 

struggle and the sacrifices they make 

too. General Austin, our staff and I recognize these hardships, and our goal 
Page 4 Victory Times

IFTAR 

MNC-I leadership joins Iraqi sec

Multi-National Corps – Iraq leadership gathered with key 

Iraqi security personnel for an Iftar meal Sept. 25 at the Blackhawk Conference Center in the International Zone.

The Iraqi people are currently celebrating Ramadan and the 

Iftar, or “break fast” is their dinner after a day’s fasting. “[Iftar] shows an accomplishment or milestone after spending the 

day fighting all the desires inside,” said Saad Al Asadi, cultural 

advisor, Information Operations. “It’s celebrating the end of a 

day successfully resisting.”

Personnel including Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commanding general, MNC-I and Dr. Muwafaq al-Rubaie, Iraqi National 

Security Advisor, broke the fast with yogurt and dates and then 

dined on traditional Iraqi foods. “There’s the desire to show our 

cultural understanding of the Iraqis and we wanted to bring together everyone who’s helped make improvements in Iraq and 

let them get to know each other better,” said Ryan Bond, strategic consultant, Commander’s Initiative Group, MNC-I.

An Iraqi caterer grills kabobs at the Blackhawk Conference Center in 

the International Zone Sept. 25. Multi-National Corps – Iraq leadership met with Iraqi security personnel to break their daily Ramadan 

fast.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante, 13th Public Affairs Detachment

By Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante

13th Public Affairs Detachment

Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commanding general, Multi-National Corps 

at an Iftar dinner at the Blackhawk Conference Center in the Internatio
Page 5

 MEAL

October 6, 2008

curity personnel in breaking fast

“It’s important to recognize our Iraqi partners and their holidays and show that we understand their culture and honor their 

holidays like they honor ours,” said Col. John D. Harding, director, Commander’s Initiative Group, MNC-I.

Also in attendance were Dr. Safa al Sheikh, deputy Iraqi National Security Advisor, Gen. Babakir al Zebari, chief of staff, 

Joint Headquarters Command, Maj. Gen. Richard Barrons, 

deputy commanding general, ISF, MNC-I and Brig. Gen. Michael Ferriter, deputy commanding general, operations, MNCI. Everyone involved with the dinner was chosen on the basis of 

their involvement with security development in Iraq. “Guests 

were chosen based on security, these are the people involved 

with the security of the nation along with General Austin and 

MNC-I,” Harding said. 

Guests had the opportunity to socialize and converse about 

the issues in Iraq outside the traditional office setting. “It’s a 

good opportunity to build the relationship between us and them 

and discuss the road ahead in Iraq,” Al Asadi said. “It’s a very 

good event to solve differences and it shows a working friendship. We are here as a family.”

s – Iraq, greets Dr. Muwafaq al-Rubaie, Iraqi National Security Advisor, 

onal Zone Sept. 25.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason R. Krawczyk, MNC-I PAO

Zouhair Albitar, linguist, C3, Multi-National Corps – Iraq translates 

for Maj. Gen. Richard Barrons, deputy commanding general, ISF, 

MNC-I during an Iftar dinner at the Blackhawk Conference Center in 

the International Zone Sept. 25. Iftar is the meal that breaks the 

daily fasting during Ramadan.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason R. Krawczyk, MNC-I PAO
Page 6 Victory Times October 6, 2008

Features

By Jesse Martin

Corps Safety Office

Safety paramount in forklift operations

is to get everyone home safely and 

as soon as possible. I don’t want us 

to spend one day out here that we 

don’t have to. If anybody deserves 

a salute, it’s our Families back 

home. They’re carrying a heavy 

rucksack as well and in many cases 

are the real unsung heroes.”

What’s been the biggest challenge 

for the Corps so far?

“We don’t worry about challenges, but rather look at them as 

opportunities instead. We focus on 

getting over those obstacles and 

getting the mission done. We have 

challenges every day, but we have 

the right folks in the right places 

coming up with the right solutions. 

General Austin was very smart 

when he picked the very best staff. 

It shows every day. We treat all 

challenges the same; we attack and 

overcome them.”

What are you most proud of so 

far?

“The Team! We knew we had a 

good team before we deployed and 

I see this every day. We knew we 

were good, and we have exceeded 

every expectation. Our expectations 

of our performance were high, but 

we’ve outperformed even our own 

expectations.”

Finally, what would you like Soldiers in the field to remember?

After serving 12 to 15 months 

downrange, they get home, move 

back in to the barracks and return 

to loved ones. If you feel stressed, 

wherever you can go to get counseling, go there. Whether it’s the 

chaplain, combat stress or someone you trust...talk to someone. 

Soldiers should also keep in mind 

that there’s no stigma attached to 

seeking help and it won’t affect 

your career. Everyone deals with 

stress and everyone is under a significant amount of stress during 

deployment; from the most junior 

Soldier to the most senior leader. 

Soldiers should never worry about 

their career or standing in a unit 

to be negatively effected because 

they went for help, regardless of 

rank or duty position to get help if 

they need it. 

INTERVIEW, from Page 3

Forklifts and industrial powered trucks are extremely vital 

pieces of machinery, but can be 

very dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken during their 

operation. These machines will 

allow one person to do, in a day, 

what would normally take weeks. 

When you see a forklift in operation, stay out of the way. Always 

yield to the forklift driver and give 

him or her plenty of room to conduct business. If you see a forklift 

operating in an unsafe manner, 

report it to the local Mayor cell.

 Forklifts and industrial powered 

trucks are important and very useful 

pieces of equipment when moving 

pallets or large objects, but the federal government requires that all lift 

truck operators be trained and authorized by their organizations. OSHA 

federal regulation CFR1910.178 

states, “Only trained and authorized 

operators shall be permitted to operate a powered industrial truck.” 

An operator must always operate a forklift in a safe and professional manner. These machines 

have wheels and are powered 

by gas or electricity, and have 

large forks on them that can 

slide under large loads. 

The modern forklift is an amazing 

piece of machinery, but conducting operations with them safely and 

properly is paramount. When operating a forklift, use a dismounted 

ground guide and/or vehicle escot, 

travel with forks in a downward 

position when without a load, wear 

a seatbelt and conduct preventive 

checks before and after operations.

Ground guides should never stand 

directly in front of forklift and should 

use proper hand and arm signals.

A supervisor must ensure the 

driver have been trained in accordance with the OSHA federal 

regulation. Operators must re-certify training every two years.

Most importantly, whenever 

potential danger is spotted, operations must be stopped immediately.
October 6, 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 Mat- thew 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

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.

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.

Toastmasters

Improve your public speaking skills 

while having fun with creative – goal oriented people. No speaking experience necessary. Capt. Armin Reyes 318-822-7627 

Armin.reyes@iraq.centcom.mil.

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

MNC-I Chaplain’s Office:

822-7358

The Corps Report

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 September 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.
Page 8 Victory Times October 6, 2008

Sports

Story and photos by 

Pfc. Eric J. Glassey

13th Public Affairs Detachment

Rugby competition brings coalition forces together

Coalition forces and personnel 

on Victory Base Complex came together at the Liberty Morale, Welfare and Recreation field Sept. 28 

for a tournament of touch rugby.

The Tongan Warriors, members 

of the Royal Tongan Marines, were 

victorious over 11 other teams in 

the competition.

More important than who won 

the tournament, however, was its 

cause.

“The goal is to promote the sport 

of rugby and cohesion between 

the forces,” said 1st Sgt. Thomas 

Jones, Company C, Special Troops 

Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. 

Members of the Royal Tongan 

Marines, U.S. military members, 

security contractors from New 

Zealand and various other areas 

were involved in the tournament. 

“We can work hard and play hard 

together. It has worked out great. 

The goal is to keep this tradition 

going. Start having monthly tournaments. This is just the beginning.”

“It is good to meet different nationalities and hopefully expand 

the game,” said Fred Ripo, fuel 

specialist, DynCorp. 

“It is good because of all the nationalities,” said Paul Lawrenson, 

a private security contractor and 

member of Aegis Baghdad Rugby 

Club. “Rugby dominates in Europe and it gives a chance for all 

the nationalities to get involved.” 

“We would like to get kids out 

of their rooms and come out here 

and play,” Jones said. “We have 

kids who never played rugby beThe Tongan Warriors gather together Sept. 28 after winning a touch rugby tournament held at 

the Camp Liberty Morale, Welfare and Recreation field to promote appreciation of the sport. 

fore come out here and enjoy it.”

Due to personnel needing to stay 

physically healthy and mission capable, the usually violent game of 

rugby was turned down to touch.

“We are playing a touch version 

of rugby,” Jones said. “Normally 

it is a fifteen man tackle. A more 

violent sport. Here it is more of a 

conditioning.”

Approximately 120 people 

showed up in 12 teams with each 

team only allowed six players on 

the field at a time. 

“We are all playing with six 

personnel on each side,” Jones 

said. “Most of the personnel here 

are pretty experienced and have 

played touch rugby before.”

Rugby games will continue to 

be hosted at the Victory and Liberty fields with captains’ meetings 

at the beginning of each month to 

discuss how their teams are developing. There will be a tournament each month. 

Chad Brading, security contractor, Aegis Defense Services and a member of the Aegis 

Baghdad Rugby Club, catches the ball during 

the International Touch Rugby Competition 

at Camp Liberty MWR Fields Sept. 27.