Vol. II, Issue 40 Friday’s Online Edition June 13, 2008

victory timesonline

Food service conference aligns goals

Story by 

Pfc. Eric J. Martinez

13th Public Affairs 

Detachment

Shock Coffee is now available for dining facilities to order as 

a result of servicemembers’ suggestions for a pre-made graband-go coffee beverage.

Photo illustration by Pfc. Eric J. Martinez

Multi-National CorpsIraq hosted a food service 

providers conference at Al 

Faw Palace Wednesday.

The purpose of the conference was to gather ideas 

from all personnel within 

the food service arena. 

“We discussed better 

ways to accommodate 

our customers by voting on items that the 

majority of the customers would like to see in 

theater,” said Sgt. 1st 

Class Teresa Snow, noncommissioned officer 

in charge, Sports Oasis 

Dining Facility. “We try 

to take into consideration 

all ideas and suggestions 

from our customers.”

“Gathering quarterly 

gives all food service 

providers chances to 

voice concerns and discuss any new changes 

being made in the area 

of operations,” said Warrant Officer Shurland A. 

Sunley, command food 

service advisor, MNC-I. 

The representatives 

also discussed standard 

operating procedures, 

and polices. Changes are 

often made within the 

Multi-National ForcesIraq or MNC-I channels 

and have to be dissimilated down to the Soldiers.

“With the new take 

out policy, servicemebers are only allowed to 

receive one to-go meal 

for them and one for another servicemember,” 

said Master Sgt. Deon 

A. Cain, food operations 

management noncommissioned officer.

“The take-out policy 

was put into place because so many people 

are abusing the system 

and taking more than 

they need,” Snow said. 

“We must place a limit 

on certain items to prevent cost and waste.” 

Several new items that 

were approved during previous conferences are expected to be available for 

servicemembers to enjoy 

at their dining facilities.

“Two flavors of sherbet ice cream were 

voted on during previous boards due to servicemembers requesting 

this,” Snow said.

“The dental community voiced a concern over 

a rise in cases of halitosis and cavities, so sugar 

free chewing gum will be 

available at dining facilities to combat these issues,” Sunley said.

The conference was 

used to better inform the 

theater of changes taking 

place now or in the near 

future. Gathering everyone helps to streamline 

the processes involved 

so that servicemembers 

can see results faster. 

“Food has always been 

a great motivator. We always take into consideration any suggestion 

Soldiers make,” Sunley said. “Just making 

simple changes to the 

menu at a dining facility 

helps morale across the 

board.”
Page 3 Victory Times June 13, 2008

information

 

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 online 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 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.
feature

June 13, 2008 Victory Times Page 3

The Iraqi police force is 

engaging with the community and is a pillar of 

support to the legal system 

to enforce the rule of law.

“They [Iraqi police] 

are the answer,” Newton 

said. “The police having 

the ability to stand on their 

own is the key to the success of Iraq’s freedom.”

Coalition forces are 

training the Iraqi police to 

be this pillar of support by 

giving them the tools to 

be an effective civil police 

force. Through the use of 

these tools, such as gathKey to Iraq’s freedom: Iraqi police

Story by Marine

Cpl. Frances L Goch

MNC-I PAO

ering evidence through 

questioning and forensics, 

the police force is helping the government of 

Iraq and coalition forces 

establish and support 

the rule of law in Iraq.

“Coalition forces have 

brought in seven internationally recognized 

standards of performance 

measures,” Newton said. 

“This sets up the systems needed for running, 

operating and maintaining 

a credible police force. 

Without these systems, 

the courts are inept and 

the police are irrelevant.”

These systems regulate what happens after 

someone is arrested and 

brought in to custody or 

how they should be arrested and brought into 

custody. They are vital to 

upholding the rule of law.

Through these systems and with the help of 

coalition forces, the Iraqi 

police are a major contributing factor in establishing 

security and enforcing 

rule of law. Soon they will 

be able to independently 

provide security so the 

citizens of their towns can 

go about day to day activities safely, Newton said.

“Everything is really 

starting to come together,” 

he said. “There are still 

tough times ahead, but 

it is coming together. 

An Iraqi national policeman assigned to 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Brigade, 2nd Division, provides security at a possible 

improvised explosive device site, Baghdad, Iraq, April 9.

The Iraqi police are trying to do the right thing 

for their country.”

So as coalition forces 

assist in the strengthening of the Iraqi police, 

they are buying them 

time to progress and 

build leadership, and 

in turn the Iraqi police 

will provide the stability and security for the 

people of Iraq and give 

the country time to heal 

and rebuild, Newton said. 

Today there are 

405,000 police and 1,191 

police stations throughout 

Iraq according to Lt. Col. 

Isaac Johnson, MNC-I 

Provost Marshal’s office, 

plans officer-in-charge.

Photo by courtesy of DVIDS Hub
Page 4 Victory Times Online June 13, 2008

U.S. news

LAKE DELTON, Wis.- Flash floods inundated a southwest Wisconsin town Monday for the 

second time in 10 months, while 60 miles away 

an embankment along a man-made lake gave 

way, unleashing a powerful current that ripped 

homes off their foundations.

WASHINGTON,D.C- Barack Obama 

ramped up his search for a running mate on 

Monday, consulting with one congressional 

ally by phone and dispatching members of his 

vice presidential vetting team to the Capitol for 

meetings. Sen. Dick Durbin said he had spoken 

with Obama, his fellow Illinois senator.

BATON ROUGE, La.-By a vote of 94-3, Louisiana’s House of Representatives passed an academic freedom bill Thursday that would protect 

teachers and school districts who wish to promote 

critical thinking and objective discussion about 

evolution and other scientific topics. Rep. Frank 

Hoffman made clear in a speech that the bill was 

about science, not religion.

 APTOS, Calif.- As consumers are being warned 

about consuming certain raw tomatoes due to possible 

contamination with salmonella, the Tomato Products 

Wellness Council (TomatoWellness.com) emphasized 

today that heat-processed tomato products such as sauces, soups, paste, ketchup and juice still remain a safe 

choice for consumers to continue enjoy. In processing 

tomato products, heat reaches at least 160 degrees.