pg. 10 The art of distributionstatic.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_0620.pdfSgt. Lotoa Lotoa 100-442nd IN "I want to catch up for all the time I missed here." Sgt. Rock Siufanua 100-442nd

pg. 4pg. 4pg. 4pg. 4pg. 4

Vol. 3, Issue 1 January 1, 2006

Local receives a newprosthetic eye from Army

dentist at Anaconda

Tae Kwon Do championserves country and fellow

Soldiers in Iraq

pg. 7

pg. 10

The art of distributionU.S. advisors have developed a system to teach the Iraqi army the art of distribution

Iraqi soldiers at the Taji National Depot, the Iraqi army's largest and most central supply distribution hub, download boxes at the Class II facility. Although the Iraqi soldiers do most of themoving of the material and inventorying, U.S. servicemembers are there to make sure that the receiving, inventorying and further distribution of supplies goes smoothly.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Monika Comeaux

Photo by Sgt. Ty Stafford Photo by Spc. Spencer Case

pg. 4pg. 4pg. 4pg. 4pg. 4

PAGE 2 JANUARY 1, 2006ANACONDA TIMES

Anaconda Times is authorized for publication by the3rd COSCOM for the LSA Anaconda community. Thecontents of the Anaconda Times are unofficial and arenot to be considered the official views of, or endorsedby, the U.S. Government, including the Department ofDefense or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Anaconda Times is a command information newspa-per in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1.

Anaconda Times is published weekly by the Stars

and Stripes central office, with a circulation of 5,000papers.

The Public Affairs Office is on New Jersey Ave. inbuilding 4136, DSN 318-829-1234. Anaconda Times,HHC 3rd COSCOM, APO AE 09391. Web site atwww.mnf-iraq.com/publications_theater.htm

Contact Sgt. Marshall Thompson via e-mail [email protected] or Sgt. 1st ClassJeffrey S. Mullett at [email protected]

3rd COSCOM Commanding GeneralBrig. Gen. Rebecca S. Halstead

Chief of the Anaconda Consolidated Press CenterLt. Col. Brian McNerney

Deputy Public Affairs Officer207th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment CommanderMaj. Curtis Carney

207th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment NCOICSgt. 1st Class Jeffrey S. Mullett

EditorSgt. Marshall Thompson

Staff WritersStaff Sgt. Engels TejedaStaff Sgt. Monika ComeauxSgt. Mitch ArmbrusterSgt. Jason MikeworthSgt. Ty D. StaffordSpc. Spencer Case

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25, 2005 – Servicemembers whohave served in Iraq and Afghanistan are re-enlisting inhigh numbers, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs ofStaff today said he thinks he knows why.

Marine Gen. Peter Pace spoke with Chris Wallace onthe Fox News Channel’s “Fox News Sunday,” makinghis first appearance on a Sunday talk show as JointChiefs chairman.

“(The high re-enlistment rate) shows their pride inwhat they’re doing and their understanding of howimportant it is,” the general said. “It is absolutely truethat for those units that have served overseas in Iraq andAfghanistan, that their re-enlistment rates are the highestof all of our armed forces.”

Pace said servicemembers know they’re doing impor-tant work, and also know it’s appreciated. “I think Pfc.Pace understands the value of what he or she is doing,and they know that what they’re doing is appreciated bythe Iraqis and the Afghan people. They know that thesupport here at home for the armed forces is very, verysolid and very strong. They’re proud of what they’redoing, and they want to continue to do it.”

The chairman acknowledged that waking up far fromhome on Christmas morning can be difficult for thenation’s deployed forces, but he added they can wake upwith great pride in what they’ve accomplished in 2005.

“This has been an incredible year,” the general said,“and all of our Soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, CoastGuardsmen (and) Merchant Marines have so much to beproud of, and we should all be thankful.”

Pace cited an unprecedented concentration of majorrelief efforts, including the South Asia tsunami, hurri-cane relief in the United States and earthquake relief inPakistan. He also noted that U.S. servicemembers’ effortshelped to bring about Afghanistan’s second parliamen-tary election as well as two elections and a referendumon a constitution in Iraq.

“When they wake up this Christmas Day, and they’reaway from home, they also can take enormous pride inbeing part of a really historical year,” Pace said.

The chairman also noted the contributions militaryfamilies make. “You know, when we’re overseas and weare in harm’s way, we know when we get in trouble, andwe are able to, through our training, do something aboutit,” the general said. “Our families here at home don’tknow when we’re in trouble, so they wait and they pray.

“And when we come home,” he continued, “theystand in the background and pretend that we did it allon our own. But the families that we have supportingour military are serving this country at least as well asthose who wear the uniform.”

Pace explainslevel of re-ups

Soldiers need to thinkahead about re-upsBy Spc. Spencer CaseStaff Writer

For junior enlisted Soldiers, now is thetime to plan for the future, said Staff Sgt.Brian Crist, a career counselor for the 16th

Corps Support Group.Whether Soldiers plan to stay in the

military until retirement or pursue acivilian career once their expired term ofservice dates have passed, it is best tothink a step ahead, Crist said.

“When they are about a year or a yearand a half away from their ETS dates,that’s when they need to be thinking abouttheir future,” Crist said.

If Soldiers decide early whether or notthey are going to re-enlist, they may be in abetter position to take advantage ofbonuses. This is especially true for Soldierswho are deployed to combat zones. Forinstance, an active duty Soldier who re-enlists for a $10,000 bonus in the U.S.would pay at least $2,800 in taxes, but thesame Soldier would keep the full $10,000 ifhe re-enlists in Iraq.

“It paid—literally—for me to planahead and know what I’m going to do,”said Spc. Mark Schneider, a Black Hawkrepairs specialist for the 16th CSG, who re-enlisted in Iraq on Dec. 1.

Soldiers should also be aware ofcommon myths about re-enlisting, Cristsaid. One of the most common is mistakingre-enlistments with contract extensions,which are occasionally granted to help Soldiers go tocertain schools, get assignments they want or get apromotion.

“A lot of Soldiers don’t realize that when they re-enlist, it doesn’t start at their expired term of service date,it starts immediately,” Crist said. For example, if aSoldier re-enlists for four years with eight months left oncontract, he would have four years left in service, notfour years and eight months.

Soldiers should be aware, however, that that policy isabout to change. A fragmentation order has been issuedthat states the new policy is for re-enlistments to begin atthe end of the ETS dates, though it has not yet takeneffect. The best way to make sure when a re-enlistmentstarts is to look for the words “immediate re-enlistment”in the top right hand of the re-enlistment papers.

Crist said that re-enlistment is not for everyone and

advised Soldiers who intend to leave the Army to startpreparing for a civilian career before their contractsexpire. Soldiers rely on civilian jobs that fall throughand then re-enlist because they have no other options.Crist encouraged Soldiers to start working on acivilian resume a year and a half before their ETS dateto avoid getting trapped into re-enlisting.

As a precaution, it is best for Soldiers to maintaintheir Soldier skills until their contract expires. This isbecause oftentimes, Soldiers who initially do notintend to re-enlist change their minds at the lastmoment but are then unable to re-enlist because theycannot meet standards on a physical training test orhave not maintained their weapons skills.

“Even if you know you’re going to get out, prepareas if you were not going to get out,” Crist said. “Youcan always say ‘no.’ You can’t always say ‘yes.’”

Col. Victor Maccagnan, the commander of the 16th Corps Support Group,administers the re-enlistment oath to Spc. Mark Schneider, a Black Hawkrepairs specialist of the 16th CSG at Tallil, Dec. 1.

Photo by Spc. Spencer Case

PAGE 3JANUARY 1, 2006 ANACONDA TIMES

Question of the Week

What is your New Year’s resolution this year in Iraq?

Sgt. Lotoa Lotoa100-442nd IN"I want to catch up for all the timeI missed here."

Sgt. Rock Siufanua100-442nd IN"To spend more time with myfamily."

Spc. Nimota WhigumTF 61st MMB"To get my life right with God."

Tech. Sgt. Marc Sacco727th EACS"To quit smoking, but I probablycan't stick to it."

Sgt. Keoni EscobidoE-1-8th IN BN"To make it home alive."

Free mack packs in Iraq Download the Anaconda Times at www.mnf-iraq.com/publications_theater.htm

Are you funny? Can you draw?Can you draw funny?

Submit original cartoons about military life in Iraq to theAnaconda Times. If you can’t draw, just send us an idea. If youcan’t think of an idea, just send us a funny drawing. Don’t beembarrassed, we promise we’ll laugh.

send to: [email protected]

By Spc. Andrew OrillionStaff Writer

Soldiers on Logistical Support Area Anacondareceived an early Christmas present this year –over 16,000 120-minute phone cards. The cardswere part of the Military Assistance Communica-tions Kit, also known as mack packs, whichincluded a note pad and Christmas cards.

“We received the first shipment of 8,100 phonecards on Dec. 7,” said Sgt. Major Daniel Torres, 3rd

Corps Support Command’s G1 sergeant major.“The second shipment of 8,050 arrived on Dec 15.”

“The mack packs were donated by Wal-Mart,Sam’s Club and the VFW [Veterans of ForeignWars],” he added.

3rd COSCOM Soldiers at Anaconda got theirmack packs and there were still some to spare.

“In addition we also distributed about 500cards to the dinning facilities to give out during

lunch,” said Torres.Cards were also given to Chaplains to distribute

to Soldiers at the hospital. The Morale, Welfareand Recreation facility also received cards todistribute.

3rd COSCOM Soldiers not assigned to LSAAnaconda also received some of the donatedphone cards.

“100 boxes, with 50 cards per box, were mailedto 3rd COSCOM Soldiers who are stationed at otherbases or forward operating bases,” said Spc.Narda Joyce, Headquarters and HeadquartersCompany, 3rd COSCOM.

During the holiday season, the need to stay intouch with family is more important than ever,which makes the gift of phone cards very special,Torres said.

“I think it’s great that these organizations sentthis stuff to the Soldiers. A lot of heart went intothis and it’s great to get these things out beforeChristmas,” Torres added.

Armed Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24, 2005 – President Bushexpressed pride in the nation’s servicemembersand their families on Christmas Eve during hisweekly radio address.

“During the holiday season and throughout theyear, we think with pride of the men and women ofour armed forces, who are keeping our nation safeand defending freedom around the world,” thepresident said.

“In Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, they areprotecting our liberty by spreading liberty toothers, and all Americans are grateful to our troopsfor their courage and commitment,” he said.

Bush also noted the sacrifices of military

families. “Staying behind when a family membergoes to war is a heavy burden — and it’s particu-larly hard at Christmas,” he said. “We pray for ourmilitary families; we ask Almighty God to bestowHis protection and care on their loved ones as theyprotect our nation from grave dangers.” Thepresident also called attention to “the heroic menand women who have made the ultimate sacrificefor our nation’s freedom.”

“We pray that God will comfort the loved onesthey left behind,” Bush said. “The sacrifices ofthese brave troops have rescued millions from livesof tyranny and sorrow, and made America moresecure. We will always cherish the memory of eachof our fallen servicemen and women, and count ita privilege to be citizens of the country theyserved.”

Bush proud of servicemembers, families

During this holiday season companies teamed up with the Veterans ofForeign Wars to provide phone cards for Soldiers in Iraq and elsewhere


Freedom Radio FrequenciesFreedom Radio FrequenciesFreedom Radio FrequenciesFreedom Radio FrequenciesFreedom Radio Frequencies107.7 Baghdad107.9 Sinjar105.1 Mosul, Fallujah107.3 Balad, Kirkurk, Tallil, Ar Ramadi93.3 Q-West, Tikrit, Al Asad107.1 Ridgeway102.5 Camp Taji

“Always There, on the Air!”“Always There, on the Air!”“Always There, on the Air!”“Always There, on the Air!”“Always There, on the Air!”

Taji Depot gets new mission training planBy Staff Sgt. Monika ComeauxStaff Writer

The Taji National Depot, the Iraqi army’s largestsupply hub, is undergoing some serious changes.

With the help of a dozen Soldiers from the 4th Sustain-ment Brigade, a military transition team (MiTT) fromMulti-National Security Transitional Command Iraq,and a mission training plan (MTP) created by Maj.Timothy S. Kishel, an Iraqi Security Forces trainingcoordinator from the 3rd Corps Support Command, theIraqi soldiers working at the depot are receiving moretraining on supply transactions.

The mission training plan outlines certain goals theIraqi soldiers at the depot need to accomplish, but doesnot necessarily dictate how those goals have to beachieved.

“The intent is to give them guidelines for the tasksthey need to be able to perform,” Kishel said. He is in theArmy Reserve and has a lot of experience in warehouseoperations from his civilian career. He has also spent thepast two years on active duty, training Soldiers fordeployments, which gave him experience on how to traineffectively.

“The goal is for everybody to have the same stan-dards, use the same forms. We also coordinate with theIraqi Army Support and Services Institute, so we aremaking sure that there is some continuity there. Whatthey are teaching is melded into what we are doing,”Kishel said. “Anything that we come up with is handedback over to them as well.”

The IASSI is currently the primary training institutionfor supply specialists in the Iraqi army, and is conve-niently located in Taji.

Kishel and his co-workers are in the process ofputting a training program together that will start offwith the Taji National Depot, and then be tailored to andutilized for the Iraqi Base Support Units that will beoperational.

These base support units are smaller distributionhubs, and they are also going to be responsible for thelife support of their individual bases. There are projectedto be ten of these BSUs in the future.

“We have to think outside the box and trying to get,not necessarily an American system in place, but asystem that they can take ownership of,” Kishel said.

Before the MTP was created, the ISF training teamwent in and did an assessment of the depot.

“There are a couple of successes I saw. In one of theClass II warehouses, the warehouse manager did notwant any more stuff in his warehouse, because he wastrying to keep it organized. He understood that if he hadtoo much stuff there, it would be really hard to manage,”Kishel said.

According to him, the Iraqis do a phenomenal jobtracking everything manually in books. With the help ofCoalition Soldiers, the Iraqis also use a computer-basedsystem called EXCEEDS.

The Iraqi soldiers also do a great job running some ofthe sections on their own. There are no Coalition Soldiersworking in the Class VII section, which deals withreceipt and further distribution of over a dozen vehicles.

“The help we had from the Coalition forces here wentaway in the Class VII. We basically had to tell the Iraqis,‘look, there are no Coalition forces, handle it.’ They

Iraqi soldiers download Russian vehicles at the Taji National Depot, the Iraqi army's largest supply distribution hub. TheClass VII section, which receives and further distributes vehicles, is completely run by Iraqi soldiers.

handled it. It is very amazing how they handled it,” saidStaff Sgt. Joshua J. Holland, a unit supply clerk and theNCOIC of the Class II warehouse.

His warehouses handle uniform items and basicequipment like canteens or sleeping bags Iraqi soldiersneed.

This is Holland’s second tour to Iraq, and both timeshe had the chance to spend some time at the depot. It haschanged a lot since he was first involved in helping theIraqi army organize and handle their supplies.

“When I got back here in June, all these warehousesthat were built were starting to get jam-packed withmerchandice and OCIE [Organizational Clothing andIndividual Equipment],”he said.

Holland said that the MiTT team already had mostlyon the job training implemented in the depot.

See Taji Depot on pg. 15

Photo by Staff Sgt. Monika Comeaux


Iraqi People (18 provinces)

Legislative Branch Judiciary BranchExecutive Branch

Council ofRepresentatives

(The number of representatives isbased on the nation’s population,currently 275 members. At least25 percent of the seats arereserved for weomen.)

Presidency Council Council of Ministers Higher JudiciaryCouncil

President of theRepublic

VicePresident

VicePresident

Prime Minister

Multiple area-specificministers

Federal SupremeCourt

Court ofCassation

Court ofAppeals

CentralCriminal

CourtFederation Council (to be created)

Get to know the new Iraqi governmentBy Staff Sgt. Engels TejedaStaff Writer

As the newly-elected Iraqi Council ofRepresentatives begins official duty at thedawn of the new year, a review of the newIraqi form of government is helpful.

On Jan. 30, 2005, the Iraqi peopleelected a 275-member transitional Na-tional Assembly whose job was to orga-nize a new democratic Iraqi government.The National Assembly drafted a consti-tution, which the Iraqi people adopted bya general vote, or referendum, on Oct. 15,2005. The constitution dictates that “theRepublic of Iraq is a single, independentfederal state with full sovereignty. Itssystem of government is republican,representative parliamentary and demo-cratic.”

As a parliamentary democracy, theconstitution established a triumvirategovernment in Iraq in which federalpower is divided among the legislative,executive and judicial branches.

The legislative branch consists of 275publicly elected members, 25 percent ofwhom must be women. The Council ofRepresentatives is the main body of thelegislative branch, and another bodycalled the “Federation Council” is to becreated. Though the powers and duties ofthe Federation Council have not been

enumerated, among the powers of theCouncil of Representatives are enactingfederal laws, approving a federal budget,and consenting to the naming of a federalcabinet. The Council of Representativesalso elects from nominated candidates thePresidency Council.

The executive branch consists of thePresidency Council and the Council ofMinisters. The Presidency Councilconsists of the President of the Republicand two vice presidents. Collectively,these three officials serve as the head ofstate and symbolize the unity of thecountry. During the transitional govern-ment these offices were filled by membersof Iraq’s three major ethnic groups –Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish – and politicalanalysts expect the same distribution ofpower in the upcoming government.

While the Presidency Council exercisesmostly ceremonial duties, the Council ofMinisters, led by the Prime Minister, is incharge of running the day-to-day opera-tions of the federal government. ThePresidency Council names the PrimeMinister, who is nominated by the partyor political alliance with the highestnumber of representatives in the Councilof Representatives.

The Prime Minister then forms acabinet, which consists of deputies whowill fill ministries dealing with a range ofareas including military affairs, oil and

gas, and culture.“The Prime Minister is the direct

executive authority responsible for thegeneral policy of the State and the com-mander in chief of the armed forces,”according to the constitution.

In the event that the Prime Ministernominee is unable to form a cabinetwithin 30 days of his appointment, he isconsidered to have lost the confidence ofthe Council of Representatives and isthereby replaced by another nominee.

The third branch of the new Iraqigovernment is the judicial, which consistsof the Higher Judicial Council and thefederal courts.

The Higher Judicial Council is amanagerial organization in charge ofadministering the judicial system, includ-ing its budget and the nomination of itsjudges.

The federal courts consist of theFederal Supreme Court, which is the finalappellate body, and the Court of Cassa-tion, Court of Appeals, and CentralCriminal Court. The constitution alsoauthorizes the creation of other courts,including military courts, with limitedjurisdiction.

The courts are independent under theconstitution, and their decisions mustcomport with civil and Islamic law. Asidefrom hearing legal disputes, the FederalSupreme Court ratifies the general

election’s results for purposes of deter-mining the membership of the Council ofRepresentatives.

In addition to the three branches, theconstitution sets up several independentcommissions, the duties of which rangefrom human rights compliance oversightto federal banking. Most of these commis-sions report directly to the Council ofRepresentatives, and are meant to providean additional check on government as awhole.

The new government is one of limitedand enumerated federal powers. Theseinclude the power to regulate foreignaffairs, national security, and monetarypolicy including the creation and man-agement of a national currency. Powersnot specifically given to the federalgovernment are reserved for the country’sprovinces.

Though the elections were moresuccessful than expected, the new govern-ment is likely to experience some growingpains. Yet, for all the headlines sure tofollow, a structured government has beenset and the roots of democracy have beenplanted. Within the next few months,Soldiers serving in Iraq would be wise toobserve the fruits of their service givebirth to a full-fledged political system in anew Iraq.

[email protected]


LSA LSA LSA LSA LSA ANANANANANAAAAACONDCONDCONDCONDCONDAAAAADining FDining FDining FDining FDining Facilityacilityacilityacilityacility

Hours of OperationHours of OperationHours of OperationHours of OperationHours of OperationDFAC 1Breakfast 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Late Night 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.

DFACs 2 & 3Breakfast 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Late Night 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

DFAC 4Breakfast 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Late Night 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The DFAC hours for all locations are sevendays a week. All patrons must be in the properuniform and be able to present appropriateidentification.

Soldiers can do mental health PMCSThis is part three of a four-part series on combat stress.

By Sgt. Jason MikeworthStaff Writer

Mid-tour mental health services are as essential tomaintaining good mental health as regular PMCS is toensuring a weapon will work when it’s most needed. Forthe 883rd Medical Company, Combat Stress Control, thatmeans working with Soldiers to communicate better andimprove their job performance.

Capt. Michelle Selcke, an occupational therapist withthe 883rd restoration team, teaches several classes aimedat improving working and family relationships inaddition to one-on-one counseling.

“We see a lot of people who are having problems withtheir chain of command. Surprisingly, a lot of them are E-6s and E-7s that are having trouble communicatingeffectively.”

Selcke said they try to help Soldiers to concentrate onimproving their situation from their side rather thanhoping to force their chain of command to change.

Identifying the source of stress and finding the locusof control to reduce the impact of it are several areasSlecke helps Soldiers direct their attention to improve.She said she wants Soldiers to start the processesthrough dealing with what can be changed.

“You can only change your own behavior; you can’tforce someone else to change,” Selcke said.

There are additional benefits Soldiers will take awayfrom the classes.

“It gives them skills that help them not only here inIraq, but for their civilian jobs too,” Selcke said. “It helpsas you go up in rank, and can improve communicationwith your family.”

She also offers specialized counseling for specifictarget audiences, including women and married Sol-diers. Selcke is the only female occupational therapist onLSA Anaconda, a role she embraces.

“I feel like it’s a benefit and I take it as a personalresponsibility to help other females,” Selcke said.

Selcke has started a women’s group that is open to

women of any service branch and any rank.“They can come into an area where there isn’t any

rank, relax, and talk about what it’s like to be a femalehere,” she said.

Slecke hopes to help Soldiers overcome some percep-tions that may lead to added stress.

“There is a said challenge that women have inleadership. It’s a double-edged sword. A male is seen asassertive and a woman is a bitch,” Selke said. “Peopletend to attack a male’s behavior, but they attack afemale’s character. We’ve come a long way, but we’vegot room to grow.”

Selcke said she hears that perspective more fromSoldiers than from commanders. She said commandersand Soldiers should both focus on strengths and waysto work on limitations and treat each other with respectto overcome the issue. She doesn’t see herself as afeminist, only as someone trying to alleviate anothersource of stress for Soldiers in a combat zone.

“If I can help someone have some sort of a positiveoutlook they didn’t have before they came here, they canleave Iraq in better mental health than when they camehere,” Selcke said.

Her second target audience, married Soldiers, stand tolearn a great deal about handling reintegration withtheir families when they redeploy.

“I try to help married Soldiers look at their marriagesa little differently,” Selcke said.

Selcke said married Soldiers face a unique set ofchallenges when returning from a deployment.

“They’re going to face the fact that there are some rolechanges that have occurred. The person back home maybe more independent, their children will be at a differentstage of development, and discipline styles may bedifferent. There may be men at home while the womenare deployed, and the role-reversal may be difficult todeal with,” Selcke said.

She has set up a class for married Soldiers to work ontalking about emotions and breaking down barriers tocommunication with their spouses.

“I have a seven-day challenge,” Selcke said. “Basi-cally it’s to ease into intimacy, date your spouse and get

to know each other again.”Selcke said there are emotional and physical reasons

why Soldiers should ease into intimacy again.“It can be devastating to a man who views his man-

hood as his ability to be the provider,” Selcke said. “Aftera year of being away, it may not work the same rightaway.”

Setting realistic expectations for returning home is onekey to smoothing the transition from deployment lifeback to a normal life, Staff Sgt. Philip Burke, the NCOICof the restoration team, said. Hoping that a deploymentmay make a marriage stronger could be hoping for toomuch.

“They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder.It might, but it doesn’t change the behavior,” Burke said.“Be realistic about what you’re going to have when yougo back home. There are people to see, but there areproblems to solve.”

(Right to left) Staff Sgt. Philip Burke speaks with Spc. JuanQuiroz and Staff Sgt. Festus Doki, all of the 883rd MedicalCompany Combat Stress Control, at FOB McKenzie aboutthe classes they are conducting on mental health fitness.

Photo by Capt. Jeffery Cox


By Spc. Spencer CaseStaff Writer

A dentist with the 502nd Dental Company helped aninjured Iraqi man lead a more normal life by manufactur-ing a prosthetic eye and then implanting it at the AirForce Theater Hospital on Dec. 22.

Col. Arthur Bryant, the OIC of the main Anacondadental clinic as well as a prosthetics expert, said heplans to manufacture two more acrylic resin ocularimplants during the month of January.

“I think it’s important to try to make people feel wholeagain,” Bryant said. “By providing an artificial eyeyou’re making them feel more whole, which I think isimportant and esteem-building.”

The man who received the implant was injured by asuicide bomber while standing in line to apply for theIraqi police force. Though he chose to remain unidenti-fied, he expressed gratitude to Bryant and the rest of theU.S. forces who treated him after he was injured.

“I feel grateful, of course, that the Americans took careof me,” he said through the assistance of a translator.

Bryant, a boarded prosthodontist who has beenrecognized by the surgeon general of the Army, is part ofa long history the Army has had with prosthetic eyes.

The method of making an artificial eye was actuallydeveloped by the Army during World War 2 to replaceold-fashioned glass eyes, which were prone to breakingand required frequent replacement.

The modern process for replacing a lost eye with aprosthetic eye usually begins shortly after the injury,when medical responders insert a plastic conformer tomaintain the shape of the eye socket. Doctors later takean impression of the socket with a silicon-based materialand use the impression to make a custom mold for thepatient’s prosthetic eye. Once the doctor finishes theacrylic resin eye piece, he will add small black buttonsthat resemble pupils and paint each iris by hand.

Bryant brought the materials to make the eyes withhim from Fort Bliss, Texas when he was assigned to the502nd for deployment. He has since trained two Soldiersin the 502nd to fabricate the eyes so the work can con-tinue after he has redeployed.

Lt. Col. Dianne Pannes, commander of the 502nd

Dental Co., said Bryant deserves all the credit.“It’s above and beyond the call of duty. He’s excep-

tionally skilled and artistic and we’re lucky to havehim.”

She added, “I’m very proud and very glad that wecould provide such a life-changing service to anotherhuman being.”

Col. Arthur Bryant, the OIC of the main dental clinic at LSAAnaconda, inserts a prosthetic eye for an Iraqi man at theAir Force Theater Hospital on Dec. 22.

Injured Iraqi gets helpto lead a normal life

Photo by Spc. Spencer Case

UUUUU.S.S.S.S.S..... SSSSSoldieroldieroldieroldieroldiers bond with Irs bond with Irs bond with Irs bond with Irs bond with Iraqis during electionsaqis during electionsaqis during electionsaqis during electionsaqis during electionsBy Sgt. Mitch ArmbrusterStaff Writer

SINJAR, Iraq – Members of B Battery, 2-5th Field Artillery from Fort Sill, Okla.,worked with Iraqi army soldiers toprepare them to assume security opera-tions for the Dec. 15 elections.

As the sun rose on Dec. 13, trucksdriven by the 3rd Motorized Transporta-tion Regiment lined up to load ballots forthe elections. U.S. Soldiers and theirinterpreters gathered to help streamlinethe process of working with the civiliansand Iraqi army soldiers involved in theupcoming elections.

The line of trucks looked like a sea oftan waiting for the ballots and othervoting materials. U.S. Army advisorsspoke with Iraqi civilians and Iraqi armyofficers, and the trucks were loadedquickly. The trucks moved to the gate atAl Kasik in preparation for a combatlogistics patrol to Forward OperatingBase Tiger. From FOB Tiger, the vehicleswere staged to move to the 26 polling sitesin and around Sinjar.

“They are taking ballots to Sinjar, 26trucks for 26 polling sites,” said Sgt.Michael Bogle, a military transition team(MiTT) advisor to the Iraqi soldiers withthe 2-5th FA. “In October the Army wasmore hands on. We went out with theIraqi army. This time we are letting themdo it.”

Soldiers with the 2-5th FA were excited

to see all of their hard work, training andteaching pay off as soldiers in the Iraqiarmy applied their lessons to a missionthis important. But it was the Iraqisoldiers who showed the most excitementfor their chance to take on the mission.

“They want to take over. They want todo this on their own,” said Lt. MaurioSmith, a MiTT team commander with the2-5th FA. “They have a lot of pride in whatthey do.”

The elections were the perfect opportu-nity for the Iraqi soldiers to do their jobs.

The trucks rallied at FOB Tiger for thesoldiers to double-check the pollingmaterials and do preventative mainte-nance on their trucks before heading intothe local villages to drop off the votingsupplies. They left a day before theelections.

Soldiers and gun trucks from the 1/3rd

Armored Cavalry Regiment loaded theirvehicles with troops and ammunition tovisit the sites closest to FOB Tiger on Dec.14. Small children stood along theroadside waving to trucks as they droveby.

Villages were swarming with people.The blue shirts and black sweater vests ofthe Iraqi police were present at check-points and polling sites. Many of thepolice stood between the children and thegun trucks to keep them from beinginjured. The area around the polling sitesaroused curiosity from passersby andvillage children, among others. With theelections still hours away, the villages

Capt. Troy Bucher, battery commander for 1/3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, speaks withhis gunner, Spc. Gary Pitts, to have an interpreter come forward to help translate for Iraqimilitary officers and election officials.

possessed a sense of excitement for thoselooking to vote in their first election.

Capt. Troy Bucher, battery commanderfor the 1/3rd ACR, and his team went tothe local villages on Dec. 14 to make surethings were going well for the Iraqisoldiers and that the voting supplies werebeing properly delivered to their respec-tive locations.

Many of the Iraqi soldiers visited thegun trucks to say hello to their Coalitioncounterparts. Some of the Iraqi soldiers

had pictures taken of themselves withAmerican Soldiers to document thehistoric event.

As the day ended on Dec. 14, all waswell and the polling sites were ready toopen the next morning.

Voters and Iraqi soldiers crowded thearea around the polling sites the next day.The people lined up to cast a vote, whilethe soldiers provided security for the area.

see Elections on pg. 15

Photo by Sgt. Mitch Armbruster

‘Best‘Best‘Best‘Best‘BestUSO tourUSO tourUSO tourUSO tourUSO tourshoshoshoshoshow ew ew ew ew evvvvver’er’er’er’er’visits Anacondavisits Anacondavisits Anacondavisits Anacondavisits Anaconda

‘Best‘Best‘Best‘Best‘BestUSO tourUSO tourUSO tourUSO tourUSO tourshoshoshoshoshow ew ew ew ew evvvvver’er’er’er’er’visits Anacondavisits Anacondavisits Anacondavisits Anacondavisits Anaconda

JANUARY 1, 2006 PAGE 9PAGE 8 JANUARY 1, 2006 ANACONDA TIMES ANACONDA TIMES

By Staff Sgt. Engels TejedaStaff Writer

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Prestondelivered on his promise to bring “the bestUSO tour show ever” to Iraq on Dec. 23 atLogistical Support Area Anaconda.

The Sergeant Major of the Army’s Hopeand Freedom USO Tour hit Anaconda justtwo days before Christmas and a crowd ofstar-struck servicemembers enjoyed twoand a half hours of music, dancing andcomedy.

The show’s lineup included militaryleadership and top entertainers.

Among the leadership, Preston broughtCommand Sergeant Major of the ArmyReserve Michelle S. Jones and CommandSergeant Major of the Marine Corps John L.Estrada.

“I want to wish you a Merry Christmas,Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, FelizNavidad, or whatever holiday you cel-ebrate …. The reason we can celebrate thatis that we are Americans, and in Americawe are free to celebrate whatever holidaywe want,” Jones told the crowd.

Comedian and best-selling author Al Franken impersonates ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during a comic routine at LSA Anaconda on Dec. 23.

The entertainers included comedianand best-selling author Al Franken, TVactress Traylor Howard from “Monk,”country singers Keni Thomas, MarkWills, and Craig Morgan, the hip-hopband SoulJahz, the Dallas CowboysCheerleaders and a U.S. Army Band.

Preston said that every one of theperformers and visitors had a specialmessage for the troops despite theirpersonal views on the war.

Every performer had a unique storyabout the tour. For some the tour hasbecome an annual tradition. Frankenhas been visiting troops overseas every

Christmas since 1999, and the eventmarked the Dallas Cowboys Cheerlead-ers’ 58th USO tour in the last 27 years.Thomas, a former Army ranger whoserved in the Somali operation featured inthe movie “Black Hawk Down,” played asong he wrote about one of his fallencomrades, expressing feelings familiar tomembers of the audience. Howard, whowas not originally a part of the show, hadless than 48 hours to decide whether tojump on a plane and head for the MiddleEast.

As the show began, servicemembershoped for a revealing extravaganza.

“I came to see Mark Wills,” said SeniorAirman Kaleena Schei, a data systemstechnician with the 727th ExpeditionaryAir Control Squadron. “I’ve got to seeMark Wills. I hope he takes his shirt off,or Keni Thomas. He can take his shirt off,too.”

Wills and Thomas kept their shirts on,perhaps because of the chilly weather.Still, things did get hot on stage. Frankendevised a scheme to get an airman a kisson the lips from Howard, the cheerleaderschallenged the ability of twoservicemembers to keep their whole bodyat parade rest while they danced aroundthem, and Morgan danced at closeintervals with a fan on stage.

Meanwhile, Franken impersonatedousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein,and cracked jokes throughout the nightabout U.S. military service in Iraq.Franken warned Howard to be carefulwith what she ate while on tour because“so far I’ve had six Army MREs and noneof them have had an exit strategy.”

Anaconda was the last stop of the 12-day tour, which visited servicemembersin Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait.

I’ve got to see Mark Wills. I hope he takes

his shirt off, or Keni Thomas. He can

take his shirt off, too.

- Senior Airman Kaleena Schei

Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader challenges Pfc. Carlos Nanez to remain at parade rest whileshe performs a cheer on stage during the Sergeant Major of the Army’s Freedom and HopeUSO Tour at LSA Anaconda, Iraq, Dec. 23. Nanez is a medical maintenance specialist withthe 226th Medical Battalion out of Germany.


Rachel Washington, a signer with the hip-hop group SoulJahz, performs for a crowd ofroaring servicemembers at LSA Anaconda, Dec. 23.

Country singer Mark Wills plays one of his hits during a USO tour stop at LSA Anaconda on Dec. 23. The tour visited troopsin Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait, directly reaching approximately 6,000 servicemembers.

Country star Keni Thomas, a former Army ranger, performsa song he wrote in memory of a buddy he lost during opera-tions in Somalia. His lyrics resonated with members of theaudience who had lost fellow servicemembers while in Iraq.





Going onEmergency

Leave?

Don’t forget,

you MUSThave civilianclothes tobe able to

fly out!Also make sure you

have a copy of your

orders on you at all

times, even when

you are at home!

Sustaining Soldiers by managing stress to improve mission readiness

LSA Anaconda, BaladBldg. 4116 Ohio Street(near the Air Force Theater Hospital)DSN: (318) 829-1402e-mail: [email protected]

Patriot ClinicPatriot ClinicPatriot ClinicPatriot ClinicPatriot ClinicCombat SCombat SCombat SCombat SCombat Stress Contrtress Contrtress Contrtress Contrtress Contrololololol

Command ConsultationsCombat and operational stress supportMental Health counselingPsychoeducational briefingsPsychiatric consultation

Critical Incident Debriefings/Trauma Management

Clinic Hours: Open Sunday—Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Emergency 24 hour Service and Mobile Treatment Team Available

Please call in advance to eliminate waiting

Black belt is kicking it in Iraq

DRUGS ANDALCOHOL…

Now that we have your atten-tion, you should know that whiledeployed, the use of these sub-stances can be just as deadly asany IED, rocket or mortar. Pleasereport any use of these substancesor suspicious activities. Do YOUhave the courage to do what isright?

If so, contact our office at 829-2718.

By Sgt. Ty StaffordStaff Writer

As a roundhouse kick nears his head,he blocks and parries with his own kicklanding solidly in the midsection of hisopponent.

This wasn’t a scene from an actionmovie, but a sparring session at theLogistical Support Area Anaconda gym.

The winning fighter was 1st Lt.Punnarin Koy, who happens to be aWorld Tae Kwon Do organization certi-fied black belt and an Olympic-levelcompetitor.

Koy, who received his commission inthe U.S. Army Reserve in 2002, spent 16years as an enlisted Soldier and has beenthe unit commander for the 322nd Mainte-nance Company since January, 2004. The322nd is deployed to Anaconda and issupporting the 3rd Corps Support Com-mand.

The Cambodian-born Soldier came tothe United States in 1975 and startedmartial arts to stay out of trouble.

“I lived in a bad neighborhood,” Koysaid. He used the martial arts as an outletand to keep a sharp body.

“The martial arts are great for helpingwith stability and flexibility and learninghow to read an opponent …. It has alsohelped me with patience, a trait that isespecially useful in the military,” he said.

Koy not only trained in Tae Kwon Do,but also practiced other styles like ninjitsuand judo.

Koy explained that in martial arts youhave to have patience in order to perfectyour technique. One technique Koy favorsis from Bruce Lee.

“I grew up watching Bruce Lee. He is a

legacy. His foot work is phenomenal andwhat I’ve taken from him along withmany other fighters around the world ishis footwork,” Koy said.

“His technique has brought a wholenew level to the game,” he said.

As a master instructor and president ofthe Minnesota Tae Kwon Do Center, Koyhas been training for a comeback to thenational circuit while he is stationedhere.

On the circuit, Koy won a silver medalin sparring at the 1992 National Colle-giate Tae Kwon Do Championships andwas a bronze medalist in 1993. He was

also an Olympic trial qualifier in 2000.“I plan on going back home in better

shape and maintain or improve my skillso that when I get back home I can checkand see if they still want me to train theteam,” Koy said.

Koy was offered the job of living withand training the Army team at FortCarson, Colo., where the All Army sportsteams are maintained.

Even though Koy has missed severalamateur tournaments because of the

see Tae Kwan Do on pg. 15

Master Sgt. Miguel Machado holds a training bag as 1st Lt. Punnarin Koy works on hiskicking technique.

Photo by Sgt. Ty Stafford


New facility for medical evacueesBy Air Force Staff Sgt. TammieMoore332nd AEW Public Affairs

The new 332nd Contingency Aero-medical Staging Facility officially openedDec. 19 serving as a transitional point forthose being medically evacuated fromIraq. Construction on the $85,000 build-ing began in September

“With the move into this new semi-hardened facility, we are continuing toimprove the care we provide ourwounded warriors,” said Air Force Col.Elisha Powell, 332nd ExpeditionaryMedical Group commander.

The new facility, which is designed tohold up to 100 patients, enables the CASFto serve two critical roles in theater.

“First, the primary mission of the CASFis to hold and stage patients for aeromedi-cal evacuation,” Powell said. “It is staffedby nurses, aerospace medicine techni-cians, physicians, life skills, dietary andpharmaceutical technicians. Together,these dedicated professionals ensurepatients are prepared clinically andadministratively for flight, care for themduring their stay and then carefully loadthem onto aircraft for their journey todefinitive care or home base.”

“The second vital function of the CASFis to serve as a throughput valve for theAir Force Theatre Hospital,” Powell said.“If these patients had to stay here atBalad until fully recovered, the footprintof the hospital would be forced to growastronomically. If not for the CASF, thehospital’s capabilities would be overrunin only a few hours’ time due to thesteady influx of war casualties.”

To improve the quality of life forpatients at Balad the new buildingfeatures indoor latrines and showers. Inaddition, there is a patient breakroomwith phones for calls home, computers sopatients can communicate via e-mail, anda television.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne along with servicemembers from Balad Air Base and Logical Support Area Anaconda payrespect to the flag as Senior Airman Laquetta Broom, 332nd Expeditionary Aeromedical Squadron, sings the national anthem at theContingency Aeromedical Staging Facility opening ceremony on Dec. 19.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Chad Watkins

“The biggest improvement is thecleanliness of the facility,” said Air ForceLt. Col. Teresa Millwater, 332nd EMDGCASF chief nurse. “Patients who areinjured are in a higher risk for infection.Infection control will be easier becausethere will be less dust and we haveindoor plumbing.”

In addition, the layout is friendlier forcaring for patients.

”It is a better work environment here

because of the arrangement and thingsare centrally located,” Millwater said.“With the bay design we have eyes on ourpatients from the nurse’s station, whichwe did not have before.”

Moving from the old CASF to the newone took a large team effort.

“It took every bit of energy and sweatwe had to get this place to come together,”said Air Force Staff Sgt. Wilsondo Alteus,332nd Expeditionary Medical Group

medical technician. “We did the move intwo days and it was worth it because thiswill improve patient care.”

Powell praised the airmen whoconducted the move for their efforts.

“They persevered through rain andmud, carrying weapons and wearingbody armor as they moved their entireoperation and still managed to care forpatients and launched two missionswithout missing a step,” he said.


East MWREast MWREast MWREast MWREast MWRScheduleScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule

WWWWWesesesesest MWRt MWRt MWRt MWRt MWRScheduleScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule

PilatesPilatesPilatesPilatesPilatesThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers Pilates classes at 5:45 a.m. Mon-day, Wednesday and Friday.

AerobicsAerobicsAerobicsAerobicsAerobicsThere will be an aerobics class Mon-

day, Wednesday and Friday at 6 p.m.Freestyle aerobics is Saturday at 9a.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.

KKKKKarararararaaaaateteteteteKarate classes will be Sunday,

Monday, Wednesday and Friday at7:15 p.m.

TTTTTae Boae Boae Boae Boae BoThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers Tae Bo classes Tuesday, Thurs-day and Saturday at 5:30 a.m.

KKKKKobobobobobushi Sessen Jushi Sessen Jushi Sessen Jushi Sessen Jushi Sessen JutsuutsuutsuutsuutsuThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers classes in the feudal warriorcombat art Tuesday, Thursday andSaturday at 8:30 p.m.

CaCaCaCaCapoeirpoeirpoeirpoeirpoeiraaaaaThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers capoeira classes Sunday at 6p.m and Monday, Wednesday andFriday at 8:30 p.m.

Brazilian Jiu-JitsuBrazilian Jiu-JitsuBrazilian Jiu-JitsuBrazilian Jiu-JitsuBrazilian Jiu-JitsuCombaCombaCombaCombaCombatititititivvvvveseseseses Classes will beSundays at 8:30 p.m. and Wednes-days and Fridays at 8:30 p.m.

LSLSLSLSLSA AnacondaA AnacondaA AnacondaA AnacondaA AnacondaFitnessFitnessFitnessFitnessFitnessCenterCenterCenterCenterCenter

KKKKKarararararaokaokaokaokaoke Nighte Nighte Nighte Nighte Night

Open-mike nights willbe every Saturday at 8 p.m.

TTTTTaaaaabbbbble le le le le TTTTTennisennisennisennisennisTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament

A Table tennis tour-nament will be everySunday at 3 and 8 p.m.

8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-BallTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament

An 8-ball tourna-ment will be heldevery Monday at 3and 8 p.m.

Anaconda ChoirAnaconda ChoirAnaconda ChoirAnaconda ChoirAnaconda ChoirJoin the Anaconda Choir, nowforming.

Practice is held at the TuskegeeChapel on Wednesdays andThursdays from 7:30 p.m. to8:30 p.m.

Dedicated to providing a variety ofservices including:

Powers of Attorney and NotariesCitizenship Application Preparation and Immigra-

tion IssuesDivorce and Family Law Issues

GuardianshipsTax Services

Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act IssuesFLIPL and Reprimand Rebuttals

Personnel Claims and Wills

LSA Anaconda Soldiers’Legal CenterDSN 829-1947

Going Home?Naval Customs will be holding

briefings for returning units.

The brief will cover container andMILVAN inspections, prohibited items,and tips on how to make the process gowell. Customs inspectors will be there to

answer questions

For questions and reservations callMT1 McCreary:

829-1824

DCS Briefings

Briefings will be held at 8a.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue,across from the wash racks.

For information, call Staff Sgt. Litrena Gordon at 829-1815

• College classes online• Computer classes• GED study sessions• CLEP study sessions and testing• College entrance examination preparation (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT)• GT improvement classes• Pre-test GT predictor• Online military education (eArmyU, ACCP, Smart Force, AARTS, ACES)• Alternate Flight Aptitude Selection Test study session

DSN 829-4010

Blackjack Education Center

offers the following programs

8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-BallTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnamentTTTTTuesdauesdauesdauesdauesdays ays ays ays ays attttt

1 1 1 1 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.p.m. and 8 p.m.p.m. and 8 p.m.p.m. and 8 p.m.p.m. and 8 p.m.

JANUARY 1, 2006 PAGE 13ANACONDA TIMES

RRRRReligious Sceligious Sceligious Sceligious Sceligious ScheduleheduleheduleheduleheduleMovie Schedule

SustainerSustainerSustainerSustainerSustainerRRRRReel Timeeel Timeeel Timeeel Timeeel Time

TheaterTheaterTheaterTheaterTheater(schedule is subject to change)

January 13 p.m. Domino6 p.m. King Kong9 p.m. King Kong

January 23 p.m. King Kong6 p.m. History of Violence9 p.m. The Gospel

January 33 p.m. Curse of the Were-Rabbit6 p.m. King Kong9 p.m. Domino

January 43 p.m. In Her Shoes6 p.m. Elizabethtown9 p.m. King Kong

January 53 p.m. The Gospel6 p.m. King Kong9 p.m. History of Violence

January 63 p.m. North Country6 p.m. Doom9 p.m. Fun with Dick and Jane12 a.m. Fun with Dick and Jane

January 73 p.m. The Fog6 p.m. Fun with Dick and Jane9 p.m. Doom

January 83 p.m. Fun with Dick and Jane6 p.m. Doom9 p.m. The Fog

Roman Catholic MassSaturday 5 p.m. Tuskegee ChapelSunday 8:30 a.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 9 a.m. Tuskegee ChapelSunday 11 a.m. Provider ChapelSunday 8 p.m. Provider Capel AnnexMon.-Fri. 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel(Sacrament of Reconciliation30 minutes prior to each Mass)

Church of ChristSunday 2 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel

Islamic PrayerFriday 12:30 p.m. Provider Chapel

Samoan Congregational ServiceSunday 4 p.m. Provider Chapel

Spanish-speaking Worship ServiceSunday 2 p.m. Freedom Chapel

Jewish PrayerFriday 6:30 p.m. Provider Chapel Annex

Protestant-GospelSunday 11 a.m. Sustainer Indoor Theater

Sunday 11:30 a.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 7 p.m. Provider Chapel

Protestant Praise and WorshipSunday 9 a.m. Sustainer Indoor TheaterSunday 11 a.m. Eden Chapel (Bldg. 4148)Sunday 6:30 p.m. MWR Tent 29th Spt. Bn.Sunday 7 p.m. Freedom ChapelWednesday 7 p.m. Freedom Chapel

Protestant-ContemporarySunday 11 a.m. Town Hall

Protestant-TraditionalSunday 9:30 a.m. Provider ChapelSunday 10 a.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 5:30 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel

Protestant-Liturgical ServiceSunday 7:30 a.m. Air Force Hospital Chapel

Latter-day SaintsSunday 1 p.m. Provider ChapelSunday 4 p.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 7 p.m. Tuskegee ChapelWednesday 7 p.m. Provider Chapel Annex (FHE)

Movie Synopsis for Jan. 1- Jan. 8King KongPG-13, action, 188 minJack Black, Adrien Brody, Naomi Watts

While filming on location at the mysterious SkullIsland a group of filmmakers discover a giant gorillanamed Kong, living in a massive jungle wherecreatures from prehistoric times have been protectedand hidden for millions of years. It is the attention of abeautiful human woman that soothes Kong longenough for him to be subdued and shipped back toNew York, where his bleak future involves being puton display in front of humans.

The FogPG-13, horror, 100 minTom Welling, Maggie Grace

A thick fog enshrouds a coastal town. The fog isreminiscent of one 100 years earlier that wrecked aship and drowned the seamen aboard. Sure enough,the sailors are back and out to kill whomever theyfind.

DominoR, action, 120 minKeira Knightley, Mickey Rourke

Domino Harvey rejects her privileged Beverly Hillslifestyle as the daughter of a famous actor and a Fordagency model to become a bounty hunter in pursuit ofsociety’s nastiest criminals.

DoomR, sci-fi action, 100 minDwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Something has gone wrong at a remote scientificresearch station on Mars. All research has ceased.Communication has failed. A legion of nightmarishcreatures of unknown origin lurks behind every walland stalks the countless rooms and tunnels of thefacility, killing what few people remain. Sealing offthe portal to Earth, Sarge, Reaper and their team mustuse every weapon at their disposal - and some theyfind along the way - to carry out their orders: nothinggets out alive.

ElizabethtownPG-13, romantic comedy, 123 minKirsten Dunst, Orlando Bloom

After causing the Oregon shoe company he works forto lose hundreds of millions of dollars, Drew is firedfor his mistake, and promptly also dumped by hisgirlfriend, Ellen. On the verge of suicide, Drew isoddly given a new purpose in life when he is broughtback to his family’s small Kentucky hometown ofElizabethtown following the death of his father,Mitch, as it falls to him to make sure that his dyingwishes are fulfilled. On the way home, Drew meets aflight attendant, Claire, with whom he falls in love, ina romance that helps his life get back on track.

Religious schedule subject to change


Soldiers become U.S. citizensBy Sgt. Jason MikeworthStaff Writer

Members of the United States military completed thefinal step in their journey to U.S. citizenship at a cer-emony Dec. 17 at Logistical Support Area Anaconda.

About 90 servicemembers received their certificates ofcitizenship and a U.S. flag from Brig. Gen. RebeccaHalstead, commander of the 3rd Corps Support Com-mand and Brig. Gen. Joseph Chaves, commander of the29th Brigade Combat Team.

“It’s a great opportunity to be a citizen of this nation Iserve,” said Sgt. Ataata Atualevao from the 100th Battal-ion, 442nd Infantry Regiment.

Atualevao, originally from American Samoa, said heis looking forward to using the education benefitsenjoyed by some U.S. citizens.

“When I get back stateside and I’m enrolling inschool, some of the programs require you to be a citizen,and now I’m able to qualify for those benefits,”Atualevao said.

He added that he feels he has a better understandingof the freedom enjoyed in America after deploying to Iraqand helping liberate the people here.

“It’s a great feeling to help the Iraqi citizens get theirfreedom and be able to vote, and now to get my citizen-ship and be able to vote for my president,” Atualevaosaid.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Roberto Medrano, acorpsman assigned to the 2nd Marine ExpeditionaryForce and originally from Nicaragua, was equallyoptimistic about the future opportunities earning hiscitizenship will present.

“I feel very happy. I believe there are more opportuni-ties that are coming for me now,” Medrano said. “Now, Ican become a police officer if I want to, or get a federaljob. It really changes my career and my life.”

Medrano said his family, friends and unit have beensupportive of his efforts to obtain U.S. citizenship.

“My family is very supportive. They have also told meto take the chance while I’m in the military to get mycitizenship. It’s a big step for me,” Medrano said. “I alsogot a lot of support from my chief and my officer.”

Medrano said his unit took an active role in helpinghim get from Fallujah to LSA Anaconda for the cer-emony.

“It was a little hard to come from Fallujah to herebecause of transportation, but I kept talking to my boss

every time and updating him on the process,” Medranosaid. “He helped me out a lot.”

John M. Bulger, district director of the Rome, Italydistrict for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Ser-vices, part of the Department of Homeland Security, saidhe felt honored to swear in so many men and women ofthe military serving in a combat zone.

“This is the opportunity of a career for someone likeme. We’ve been working with the military to preparethese young folks for naturalization,” Bulger said. “Tocome here and see first-hand the conditions under whichthey labor to protect the United States and to free thepeople of Iraq is something that’s absolutely awe inspir-ing for us.”

Bulger said that legislation went into effect on Oct. 1,2004 that allows Soldiers to swear in while they’relocated outside of the United States. Prior to that, he said,they had to ship back home in order to be sworn in.

“It’s a unique opportunity for us to be able to come tothem, and swear them in in front of their brothers andsisters in arms,” Bulger said. “Today, to be able to makethem American citizens, is an honor and a privilege forus.”

Bulger also pointed to what he described as the proudhistory of immigrants serving in the U.S. military.

“Immigrants have served this country in every conflictthat we’ve been involved in, and it’s a proud traditionthey carry on,” Bulger said. “These people have chosento serve the United States in a very special way. They’recommitment is unmistakable and something that isincredibly strong.”

Medrano, who said he has enjoyed being a part of themilitary going back to his days in the Junior ReserveOfficer Training Corps in high school, was appreciativeof how quickly the military was able to guide himthrough the citizenship application process.

“The big difference is that being in the military speedsup the process,” Medrano said. “You still have to do thesame things as a normal permanent resident, but theprocess would be longer.”

Medrano also wanted to encourage otherservicemembers who may not be citizens to pursue theircitizenship while they are still serving.

“I just want to say to those who are not U.S. citizensyet to get it,” Medrano said. “It’s a big step in your lifeand can really change your career.”

About 90 servicemembers swear in as U.S. citizens during a ceremony at the Sustainer Theater at LSA Anaconda.Photo by Sgt. Jason Mikeworth

Special to the AT

One Soldier on Logistical Support Area Anaconda gota head start on his citizenship when he was sworn in onDec. 16, one day before many of his fellow Soldiers weresworn in at the Sustainer Theater.

Spc. Somphone Sihavong is a member of the 525th

Transportation Detachment, Movement Control Team,stationed at LSA Anaconda. Sihavong was born inThailand and was living with his family in ChinaGrove, N.C., for the last 12 years while attending college.So far, Sihavong and his mother are the only U.S. citizensin his family.

He has a twin brother who is also in the Army Reserveserving as a medic and is in the process of becoming aU.S. citizen.

Prior to deploying to Iraq, Sihavong was the onlymember of the 525th Transportation Detachment becauseit was scheduled to deactivate. He was in the process ofseeking another MOS so he could transfer to anotherunit. When the 525th received alert orders, it was filledwith Soldiers from other units.

The unit commander, Maj. David Schwarz, immedi-ately made it a priority to assist Sihavong in obtaininghis citizenship. Sihavong started the citizenship applica-tion process when the unit was mobilized in July, 2005.Normally, the citizenship process takes a year or longer.However, as a deployed Soldier, the process is shortenedand only six months after initiating the process, he wasgranted his citizenship. Shortly after becoming a citizen,Sihavong went home on leave to spend the holidays withhis family. Because of his leave schedule, he was allowedto swear in a day early.

Spc. Somphone Sihavong, a member of the 525th Transpor-tation Detachment, Movement Control Team, stationed atLSA Anaconda receives a flag from his first sergeant afterbecoming a U.S. citizen on Dec. 16.

Photo by Capt. Benjamin Murphy

One Soldier swears in early justbefore going on mid-tour leave


New training plan put in action in Taji Depot

Tae Kwan Do champion trains, teaches at LSA Anaconda

continued from pg. 4

“We tried doing classroom with them,but because of the language barrier, theclassroom is really hard. So we starteddoing ‘on the job training’ with them,with the interpreters,” Holland said. “Itseems to help out a little bit. They under-stand much more what is going on. Onceyou find the right combination of whatthey need, they will run with it.”

The training team assigned from the 4th

Sustainment Brigade continues to trainthe Iraqis with the MiTT team in the samemanner.

“They are not doing classroom stuff. Itis pretty much on the job training becauseas we do the training, the mission contin-ues,” said Lt. Col. William F. Schiek, thecommander of Special Troops Battalion,

4th SB. “What we are there doing isproviding advice on maybe how to runthings more efficiently, and we are alsobringing a safety perspective to theorganization.”

Schiek wants to make sure the Iraqisunderstand that his Soldiers are not outthere “to put a Band-Aid on and runaway.” They are there to help fix theissues and get the job done.

Schiek found out about having toprovide personnel for the training mis-sion in late October. They chose 13 peopleacross the brigade to assist the training ofthe Iraqis at the depot.

“They range from private first class tolieutenant colonel. It is all based on theirskills in maintenance and supply andaccountable officer kind of stuff, and alittle bit of leadership with the NCOs,”

Schiek said.He said across the brigade, sections

gave up their most competent and moti-vated Soldiers who were able to operateindependently.

Capt. Salah, one of the Iraqi officers atthe depot, appreciates the help of all U.S.Soldiers.

He speaks some English, but felt morecomfortable talking through an inter-preter. He said the depot has come a longway in the past year.

“There has been great progress. A lot ofthe facilities have been renovated, and wehave many more items than before,”Salah said.

He has learned some things about theAmerican culture through working withthe Soldiers.

“They love to work,” he said. “They

taught us about responsibilities on a largescale. They take work very seriously.”

Scheik said his Soldiers assigned to thedepot are not trying to run the depot forthe Iraqis.

“We are only trying to help them. It isalways encouraging when you see themadapting some of your practices and theybelieve that you are actually there tohelp,” Scheik said.

Over 300 Iraqi soldiers will take awayknowledge and experience from theprogram. All parties seem to prosper fromworking with each other.

As Kishel noted, “The U.S. Soldierswho are getting the opportunity to trainget the opportunity to learn the cultureand many other people aren’t. They getthe opportunity to see some people dothings with very little.”

continued from pg. 10

military he said it has helped him learn about timemanagement.

“This has definitely taught me how to focus,” he said.Anytime Koy has free time, he uses it to train. During

his lunch, he works out and during the evening he hasbegun training some of his students from Minnesota whoare deployed with him.

“The cardio is the best. It’s the best thing since slicedbread,” said Staff Sgt. Kineta Lyde, Headquarters andHeadquarters Company, 322nd Main. Co.

“He does it free of charge [in the U.S.] and mainly wedid it to help train for the PT tests. We had one PFC[private first class] who dropped 40 pounds and all ofour PT scores went up,” said Master Sgt. MiguelMachado, Headquarters and Headquarters Company,322nd Main. Co.

“We are here for him and that’s why we take thebeatings,” Machado said of sparring with Koy as hetrains for the circuit.

While his students use it as an opportunity to get inshape, Koy has used martial arts to live his dream. At 39years old, he is still ready to compete against youngeropponents and his training program at Anaconda willhopefully allow him to hit the circuit once again. Staff Sgt. Kineta Lyde (left) works on drills with her instructor 1st Lt. Punnarin Koy, who is also her company commander.

Photo by Sgt. Ty Stafford

U.S. watches Iraqis run electionscontinued from pg. 7

U.S. Soldiers took up a position in the background andallowed the Iraqi troops to show they are ready and willing tostep up and perform these duties on a permanent basis.

“Iraqi soldiers see that change is good,” said Staff Sgt. KeithNardello, a MiTT team advisor and Smith’s NCOIC. “Weteach them to sustain on their own and depend on themselvesto get things done on their own.”

“They are doing a great job. Progress is always slow butthey have stepped up,” Nardello explained.

Over the three-day period, Iraqi troops took control of theirmission and performed with a vigorous desire to succeed.

Soldiers with the 2-5th FA have worked hard training theIraqi soldiers and developed a strong working relationshipwith them. The U.S and Iraqi troops solidified this bond asthey supported each other in the historic Iraqi general electionson Dec. 15.

Small Pox Vaccinations

Cobra TMC—Building 4145

DATE TIME EVENT07 JAN 06 0800-1100 Complete screening forms at TMC12 JAN 06 1330-1500 Briefing and vaccination administered20 JAN 06 0800-1100 Vaccination site checked at TMC

POC: SGT Tina HuddlestonDSN: [email protected]


AROUND 3rd COSCOM

What do you want for Christmas?

A new friend

For some Soldiers, including Pfc. Jason Garner of the 17th Field Artillery, it wasn’t too late to ask Santa for a Christmas wish Dec. 25 at LSA Anaconda’s dining facility 1. Among the topwishes that Santa simply could not grant this year were early redeployments, beer and other adult activities. But hey, there’s always next year.

Some SMAs haveall the luckA singer in SoulJahz, Rachel Washington, serenades Sgt.Major of the Army Kenneth Preston during his Hope andFreedom USO Tour at LSA Anaconda on Dec. 23.


A young boy watches a soldier from the new Iraqi army pass in Yathreeb, Iraq. The soldier is providing security during theIraqi general elections on Dec. 15.

Photo by Sgt. Marshall Thompson


Documents

pg. 10 The art of distributionstatic.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_0620.pdfSgt. Lotoa Lotoa 100-442nd IN "I want to catch up for all the time I missed here." Sgt. Rock Siufanua 100-442nd