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Judge Advocate Gazette United states Forces Iraq 2d Qtr 2010 Volume 1, Issue 2 Also Inside… Letters FROM the Editors… 2 Administrative Law 6 Military Justice 7 “Why I Reenlisted” by SGT Sara Chamberlain 7 Client Services 8 “Why I Reenlisted” by SGT Corinne Ganacias 8 “TJAG vs. the Volcano” 9 Sports 12 Air Force Enlisted Feature 14 Obituaries 16 COL Pede Farewell 17 Life in the OSJA 18 USF-I OSJA Welcomes New Staff Judge Advocate! 1

USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

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Page 1: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

Judge Advocate

Gazette

United states Forces – Iraq

2d Qtr 2010Volume 1, Issue 2

Also Inside…Letters FROM the Editors…

2

Administrative Law 6

Military Justice 7

“Why I Reenlisted” by SGT Sara Chamberlain

7

Client Services 8

“Why I Reenlisted” by SGT Corinne Ganacias

8

“TJAG vs. the Volcano” 9

Sports 12

Air Force EnlistedFeature

14

Obituaries 16

COL Pede Farewell 17

Life in the OSJA 18

USF-I OSJA Welcomes

New Staff Judge

Advocate!

1

Page 2: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

It is truly an honor to be selected to

serve with the USF-I OSJA team.

While I will miss my family, there is

no other assignment in the Army

JAGC in which I would rather

serve. COL Pede and the entire

office did a phenomenal job

educating me on the history of the

organization and the current issues.

While no one can replace COL

Pede, his staff certainly did their

very best in getting me off to a

running start.

I was also lucky enough to get to all

three of the US Divisions in my first

three weeks in country. The

leadership of each Division

applauded the USF-I OSJA team for

their support. It is the true measure

of success when your subordinate

organizations find their higher

headquarters a help instead of a

hindrance. This also makes me

realize what a wonderful team I

have the pleasure of joining.

Having this assignment and joining

this team reminds me how lucky I

am. My husband, a fellow COL in

the Army JAGC, has always fully

supported my career. My

daughters, Casey (20) and Kerry

(18), also never blink an eye as we

ask them to make the sacrifices

Service members‟ families endure.

Simply stated, I look forward to the

next year working and learning from

the judge advocates and civilian and

enlisted legal professionals that

make up this great team. And I

thank all those families out there

providing the support and enduring

the hardship as we serve our great

nation and this important mission.

Flora D. Darpino

COL, U.S. Army

Staff Judge Advocate

United States Forces – Iraq

COL Darpino became

the USF-I Staff Judge

Advocate in late April.

Letters FROM the Editors…

COL Flora D. Darpino

From the Desk of the United States Forces – Iraq Staff Judge Advocate

2

Page 3: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

Letters FROM the Editors…

COL Stuart Risch (left center), CPT Elliott Potter (right) and OSJA linguist Nahrin

Kifarkis (far left) join, from the Iraqi Army JAG Corps, MAJ Najdef (left center),

Brigade General Nasir (center) and COL Ali (right center) in front of the III Corps

“Phantom Warrior” in the Al Faw Palace rotunda.

As I began to consider the comments I

would make in this second iteration of the

USF-I OSJA newsletter since our arrival in

the Iraqi Theater, one overriding thought

prevailed: the heat is on (thanks to LTC

Rob Vasquez who then suggested the

song lyrics above). The heat is on both

literally, in terms of the rapidly rising

temperatures outside, and figuratively, in

the ever-increasing amount of unique and

complex issues we address every day in a

variety of the legal disciplines in which we

practice. It has been over two months

since III Corps‟ official relief in place and

transfer of authority (RIP/TOA) from I

Corps on 13 March. The dust storms are

a little more frequent now, the days are

getting longer, the temperatures are

consistently in the triple digits, and the

USF-I command and staff is running on all

cylinders. Yeah, the heat is definitely

on…..

Most of our Corps OSJA troopers that

make up part of the USF-I team have

been here for over three months and the

workload and the pace have been, in a

word, amazing. Saying that, I‟m sure that

more than a few of you wonder exactly

what your loved ones are working on

during a typical “day in Iraq.” Glad you

asked…. Here‟s a sampling of just a few

of your soldiers‟ major accomplishments

over the last three months:

- The Detainee Operations Division

provided key support to the US Forces

(USF) transfer of the Camp Taji Detention

Facility to the Government of Iraq (GoI),

along with well over two thousand

detainees. We now have one remaining

The shadows are on the darker

side

Behind those doors, it’s a

wilder ride

You can make or break, win or

lose

It’s the chance you take, when

the heat’s on you.

- Glenn Frey, “The Heat is On”

(1984)

detention facility to turn over to the Iraqis, which will allow USF to

essentially relinquish detention operations – a huge step toward

completing our overall mission in Iraq.

- Team OPLAW supported the efforts of US and Iraqi forces that

managed to prevent countless attempts to disrupt the historic 7 March

elections, where a higher percentage of Iraqis voted than Americans in

the 2008 election. They also supported partnered operations designed

to remove the two senior leaders of AQI, and many others, helping to

throw this lethal organization into confusion and disarray.

- The Client Services Division hosted an Iraq-wide Claims Conference,

with a focus on facilitating the Retroactive Claims process, which

reimburses those Iraqi citizens whose land was occupied by USF at

some point during the last seven years. Incredibly, this relatively small

section has processed over $156 million in claims since their arrival!

- The Military Justice Division secured a conviction in a high profile and

complex court-martial involving over 30 out-of-country witnesses, and

continues to process countless justice actions designed to maintain both

the good order and discipline and health, safety, and welfare of all

forces in Iraq – a monumental task.

- The Contract and Fiscal Law Division continued to review hundreds of

funding requests, enabling USF to execute extremely critical initiatives

with the GoI and our interagency partners. Without their phenomenal

efforts to find innovative, yet authorized and appropriate, methods of

supporting these requests, many vital operations would have come to a

screeching halt. (Letter continued on next page) 3

Page 4: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

Greetings from OSJA Forward:

There's a lot happening in our huge, diverse JAG office

outside of the main office at Victory Base. Those of us

"outliers" live and work in very different and exciting locations,

running the gamut from a small "hometown-like" FOB in

Baghdad (FOB Shield) to the "Emerald Palace" (or "the

DisneyWorld") of Iraq (the US Embassy). Off of VBC, we

make up that portion of the office which practices law in the

non-traditional JAG areas--Rule of Law; the Security

Agreement Secretariat; Foreign Assistance Division; the

Central Criminal Court of Iraq Liaison Office; and the Law and

Order Task Force. These are OSJA divisions that you will not

see at any post, camp or station, and most of our efforts are

centered upon helping the Government of Iraq to create fully

functioning law and order and national security systems.

LAOTF at FOB Shield ("the best kept secret in Baghdad")

helps the Iraqi courts by assisting in the prosecution of

terrorists. CCCI-Liaison, located in the International Zone

(f/k/a the Green Zone) at FOB Union III, does essentially the

same mission, just at the special Central Criminal Court. The

Rule of Law Division at the US Embassy, Baghdad, works

closely with US Forces and Embassy personnel to help Iraq's

courts, cops, and corrections systems to succeed. The

Foreign Assistance Division at FOB Union III provides advice

to the USFI organization responsible for training, mentoring,

advising, and equipping the Iraqi military and police forces to

enable them to operate effectively without US assistance. The

Security Agreement Secretariat provides legal advice to all US

Forces on the terms of the special international agreement

(like a Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA) that we have

with the Government of Iraq. All in all, we're a very busy, very

active, and quite unique group, and we make up almost half of

the office.

Now you know what we do and where we are located. Next

month we'll introduce you to a few of our more special

personalities! To our Families and friends back home, thank

you for your commitment and all of your support. We miss

you.

God Bless.

Colonel Herb Ford

(Letter continued from previous page)

- The Administrative Law Division, in addition to its huge daily

workload on ethics, command policies, personnel, MWR, and

FOIA-related issues, continued to “slog” through an amazing

number of high-profile investigations while simultaneously

supporting USF efforts to draw down our forces and equipment

and turn over our bases to the GoI.

Each passing month also brings more farewells, as we lose

good friends and great colleagues from the USF-I OSJA team

upon their redeployment. However, we receive replacements

for some, and these individuals are highly motivated and equally

skilled, so the extraordinary work continues. The good news is

that we remain on track to reduce the number of overall forces

in Iraq from close to 95,000 to fewer than 50,000 by August 31,

along with all related equipment and support structure. We

remain cautiously optimistic over the final certification of Iraq‟s

election results and the formation of their government over the

next few months. Our advice, assistance, and support will go

far toward helping the Iraqi people establish a new and effective

government, which will allow Iraq to develop as a sovereign,

stable nation.

As you can imagine, all of these accomplishments reflect an

incredible amount of hard work, mission focus, and dedication to

duty – truly selfless service that humbles me every day. This

incredible team of OSJA Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines,

Coast Guardsmen and civilians do so much to support the

overall USF-I efforts…and I am honored and fortunate to be

among them.

As such, as the temperatures continue to rise, I am confident

that our Phantom Warrior troopers and the entire USF-I legal

team will continue to bring their own heat to the fight, not

missing one step in the process. As we pass the three and four-

month milestones in this year-long deployment, it means that R

& R leave is right around the corner for many -- so you will see

your warrior soon. Again, rest assured that all are safe, well

cared for, and continuing to achieve exceptional results in all

they do. You can be rightfully proud of them, as we are of you.

I‟ll close with the same comments I wrote in the first newsletter,

as they best capture how we feel about those we left back

home: we are grateful to you for sacrificing so much, and for

your love and support, all of which carries us through our daily

tasks. Together, we will approach the coming year mindful of

the sacrifices of those who came before us, hopeful of the

promise that the future holds for the people of Iraq, and

committed to ultimate mission accomplishment….in part

because we know that completing our mission, with honor and

success, brings us safely back home to each of you.

PHANTOM WARRIORS! VICTORY THRU JUSTICE!

Colonel Stu Risch

Letters FROM the Editors…

USF-I OSJA Forward

“Our advice, assistance, and support will go far

toward helping the Iraqi people establish a new

and effective government, which will allow Iraq

to develop as a sovereign, stable nation.”

4

Page 5: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

Command Paralegal Update

Greetings to all at the “Great Place” and other great

places, from “The Land Between The Rivers.”

First I want to thank every military Wife, Husband,

Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, Sister, Brother, Family

Member and Friend for supporting us as we serve our

nation in combat. It is a great pleasure for me to be

able to say, that even with the rapid pace of the

mission here at United States Forces-Iraq, Office of the

Staff Judge Advocate, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and

Marines within the office are in good health and spirits.

The past weeks have been fast-paced and filled with

challenges and triumphs. We hosted the Judge

Advocate General of the Army, the Command

Sergeant Major of the Judge Advocate‟s Legal Center

and School and the officer and enlisted assignment

managers; all while conducting a changeover between

Staff Judge Advocates. The visit was a great success

and we received multiple compliments as to how well

we are doing, all which is attributed to the hard work

and dedication of each member of the team.

But all that is dull. What you really want to know is

how is life different here compared to back in the U.S.

Well, the truth is that each day is filled with its own

challenges and changes. For example, one major

change or challenge, depending on your outlook, is

conducting physical fitness training (PT). When

deployed, Service members usually do not have the

usual morning formation [meeting], followed by

organized unit PT. Most Service members have the

latitude of conducting PT on their own, based on the

battle rhythm [schedule based on the mission], and this

means that most have the opportunity to tailor PT

based on their personal needs and goals.

The work ethic and commitment to taking care of each

other and the mission are truly impressive. Service

members are able to work more than 12 hours per day,

for almost seven days out of the week, and still

continue to have a positive disposition. Some have

even found time to participate in the Morale Welfare

and Recreation (MWR) fun events or to enjoy the

camaraderie of deployment while enjoying a cigar on

the balcony of Al- Faw Palace [Saddam Hussein‟s‟

former vacation palace]. We have been blessed by

teammates who care about the mission and each

other.

Special congratulations go out to Sergeant Corinne

Ganacias and Sergeant Sara Chamberlain, who both

re-affirmed their commitment to the Army and the

mission by re-enlisting for the sheer honor of serving in

our nation‟s Army during this time of war. I thank both

of them for their commitment and service to the Army.

Congratulations are also in order to Staff Sergeant

Tasha Carnahan for completing her Associates Degree

in Paralegal Studies from the University of Great Falls.

I want to send my sincerest thank you to Sergeant

Major Rodney Gilchrist, the III Corps and Fort Hood

Command Paralegal NCO, for his unparalleled service

to our nation, soldiers and to the Judge Advocate

General Corps as he transitions to retirement. “Thank

you Sergeant Major.”

Thanks again to every Wife, Husband, Mother, Father,

Son, Daughter, Sister, Brother, Family Member and

Friend for supporting us as we serve our nation in

combat.

With Honor and Success.

Eduardo Farnum

MSG, USA

Command Paralegal Noncommissioned Officer

United States Forces – Iraq

Letters FROM the Editors…

MSG Eduardo Farnum

5

Page 6: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

NEWS

In the office of

Administrative Law,

we've welcomed

some new friends

and said goodbye to

others. Capt

Christopher Wu

recently redeployed

to Colorado. COL

Marianne Burtnett

has transferred to

work as counsel to

the Deputy

Commanding

General in charge of

training Iraqi forces,

and Col Margarete

Ashmore, recently

promoted, stepped

up to take over the

challenging and

interesting position

of Chief of

Administrative Law.

Along with changes

in leadership, CPT

Derek Leo, from the

United States Army

War College, and

Capt Kevin Burke,

from Fort Meade,

Maryland, have

joined our ranks, and

we are glad to have

them here.

The team in

Administrative Law

has been

maintaining a very

high OPTEMPO.

Commanders rely

upon us to review

every investigation

into any incident and

to provide legal

advice regarding

proposed policies.

In addition to his

normal legal work,

Administrative Law Investigates Success PFC Timothy Ludwig

almost single-

handedly set up a

high-speed

document scanning

operation that will

help catalog and

store historical

documents. LN1

Sherrell Reed works

tirelessly to keep

things running

smoothly. MAJ

Michael Harry, with

the assistance of

Capt Amber

Spurlock, just

finished trying a

murder case.

Even though we

work long hours, we

try to make sure that

we have time to

relax. For example,

staff from the office

have been trying to

win as many t-shirts

as possible by

running road races

on weekend

mornings. PT has

been a big focus,

with gym time

allowing for a much

needed opportunity

to recharge.

When not working

and even though

miles apart from

their families, the

team here in

Administrative Law

has been working to

keep in touch using

email and phone

calls to make the

distances seem

shorter.

The occasional discussion about things liked about the

deployment (history of the local culture, ease of making a

reservation at the local and only restaurant at VBC, the 24-

hour sandwich bar at aforesaid restaurant) as well as various

other topics (such as reminiscing about being able to drive

one‟s own vehicle, a certain type of food from home, why the

Yankees should win another World Series, etc.) helps to pass

the time as well.

Take care and we will provide another update soon.

ATTENTION PHANTOM WARRIORS!!!

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LN1 Sherrel Reed (bottom left), Capt Amber Spurlock

(bottom right), CPT Timothy Minter (top right) and PFC

Timothy Ludwig (top center) bid farewell to COL

Marianne Burtnett (left center) in style.

6

A simple two-in-one solution to your greatest deployment anxiety, the safety sling conveniently holds a standard-issue M9

pistol with two magazines and has a certified luminescence rating of 76% - exceeding OSHA standards!

Page 7: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

NEWSMilitary Justice Carries America’s Gavel

The courtroom must be a

dignified place because it

is a place where

something really

important happens,

something that touches

the fabric of our very

existence as social

creatures.

That is why courtrooms

are large and spacious

and have pillars in the

front. That is why a

courtroom should never

look like a suburban real

estate office. It is the

place where the sum of

the awesome and awful

power of the sovereign

comes to bear upon the

citizen. Our people and

our society have

determined, through a

long process of trial and

error, stumbling and

learning, that this

process, that due

process, is the only

process whereby a

dignified people should

be permitted to strip a

fellow citizen of his

freedom. All the

paperwork, all the double

checking memoranda and

service, all the printouts

and fly-specking charges,

all lead like a finely honed

arrowhead to the large

doors of the high-

ceilinged courtroom:

notice and opportunity to

be heard.

As CPT Hopkins and CPT

Nicholson put their final

touches on a board

notification or charge

sheet, a Phantom speaks

from the past on a

parchment document,

"...to be informed of the

nature and the cause of

the accusation.“

Maj Powell and MAJ

Harry, ready, in front of

the bar, the bar found

only in churches and

courtrooms, places where

important things happen

in front of the bar a world apart from daily life, after

endless hours of preparation, with Capt Spurlock madly

taking notes behind them. There, among rules of

evidence culled from the common law, there with

shadows of Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Thomas Moore

observing in the background, a witness, flown from a far

off place, waits to be cross-examined in the witness

box. A quill pen still wet from the ink of history yet to be

written, finishes the last stroke before the semicolon: "to

be confronted with the witnesses against him."

Then, as if following a commandment written into the

birth of our nation, "to have compulsory process for

obtaining witnesses in his favor....," SSG Carnahan

calls Mr. Todd on yet another long, late night to arrange

witnesses over the DSN phone, to get invitational travel

orders, to do the mundane and tedious things that make

the promise of compulsory process a reality. SGT

Benedict, coffee mug in hand, making the calls and

making sure the evidence gets where it needs to be,

even to a far-off Iraqi province; the inquisitive mind

raising inquisitive points.

Somewhere far from here, hidden among the antique

section of a prestigious law library, a young legal

researcher walks past rows and rows of musty books

from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with words

like "King's Bench" and Regina something or other --

why what SGT Chamberlain does is so important and so

enduring. The powder-whigged authors long dead who

penned those decisions never pictured SFC Chatman

directing, making sure it's all done, so that the promise

of "due process of law" could become a reality so far

from home. SGT Keel, SPC Smith, all our trial counsel

and paralegals throughout the theater, and they are why

I smile everyday (but not every minute or even every

twenty minutes) here in military justice. What a great

place to be.

MAJ John Gregory

Chief of Military Justice

MAJ John Gregory administers the

Oath of Reenlistment to SGT Sara

Chamberlain at her reenlistment

ceremony in early May.

Why I Reenlisted

SGT Sara Chamberlain

I plan on retiring from the U. S. Army after 20

years, or more, of service. The choice to

reenlist was not a hard choice. The place to

reenlist was not a hard choice, either.

Reenlisting in a deployed environment just

strengthens my decision to make a career of

the Army.

I joined the military in July of 2001, two

months before the World Trade towers were

destroyed. Two months after, I was in

training. I trained while we went to war with

Afghanistan. To me, that was the initial point

where I decided to stay Army for as long as I

could. Serving in the Army has just reinforced

that decision.

When I reenlisted on 3 May, I raised my hand

to stay with a job I love. There is nothing

more important for me, save for my family,

than to serve my country. God has given me

the ability to do so. I love putting my uniform

on every day. When I reenlisted on 3 May, I

formally made that statement to God and

Country.

Without the support of my family, I would not

be here. Since I first enlisted, they have been

behind me 100%. I serve for my family, my

friends, my comrades-in-arms, and for myself.

When I raised my right hand, there was no

decision to be made. I was just continuing to

do a job that I love.

7

“There, among rules of evidences

culled from the common law, there

with shadows of Sir Walter

Raleigh and Sir Thomas Moore

observing in the background, a

witness, flown from a far off place,

waits to be cross-examined in the

witness box.”

Page 8: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

NEWS

In 2009, a crack legal team was sent

to prison by a military court for a crime

they didn't commit. These men

promptly escaped from minimum-

security Bell County Jail to the Camp

Victory Building 133 underground.

Today, still wanted by the government,

they survive as Soldiers (and an

Airman) of fortune. If you have a

problem...if no one else can help...and

if you can find them in the basement of

Building 133...maybe you can hire (for

free, of course)…The Client Services

A-Team...

CPT Richard "Murph" Murphy, a/k/a,

"Hannibal" Smith, SGT Sebit Deng,

a/k/a, Mr. T. "B.A." Baracus, CPT

Nathan Freeburg, a/k/a, "Howling Mad"

Murdock, CPT Joe Andrews, a/k/a,

"Face" (he spends a lot of time in the

gym), SrA David Johnson, a/k/a,

General Hunt Stockwell (because he

regularly performs duties well above

his pay grade!).

Each man has a special skill-set:

Senior Airman Johnson

SrA Johnson serves as NCOIC of

client services, a position usually

reserved for a senior NCO. He

performs brilliantly as a paralegal and

technology expert. SrA Johnson

developed a tracking and file catalogue

system for all claims handled by United

States Forces – Iraq, resulting in much

greater efficiency in processing and

quicker turnaround times. He has

catalogued, investigated, and prepared

draft legal opinions on more than 400

claims worth more than

$3,000,000.00. SrA Johnson has

assisted over 200 legal assistance

clients, drafting over 120 powers of

attorney, 80 notarizations, and

providing more than $7,000 of savings

to clients. In his spare time (that's

supposed to be a joke), SrA Johnson

served as United States Forces – Iraq

Office of the Staff Judge Advocate

webmaster, developing and

maintaining the current Secure Internet

Protocol Router Network and Non-

Secure Internet Protocol Router

Network portals. SrA Johnson has

made CPT Murphy a true believer in

"joint justice."

SGT Sebit Deng

SGT Deng is the true "face" of our

claims operation as our Arabic linguist.

By his own admission, he speaks "only

5 languages," and Arabic is one of his

best. He is always deeply respectful of

our claimants. He has a deep and

Client Services “Loves It When A Plan Comes Together”crucial understanding of the culture of the Middle East and Iraq. Originally from the Sudan, SGT Deng

became an American citizen on February 25, 2009, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Our nation, the US Army,

and Team Client Services are lucky to have him.

CPT Joe Andrews

Every day, CPT Joe Andrews serves Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. Not

many people can say that they get to make a difference in a service member's life every single day. But

CPT Andrews does. He's become a master of rebuttals and appeals of all sorts -- OERs, NCOERs,

GOMORs and FLIPLs -- family law and consumer protection. CPT Andrews takes great pride in his work.

A telling story – on one particular Sunday, another soldier showed up to work in his Army PT uniform,

noticed that CPT Andrews was in his ACU uniform, and asked, quizzically, "Hey Joe, why the

ACUs?" Joe looked back, a little confused, "Because I want to look professional for our clients." That's

the kind of guy CPT Andrews is.

CPT Nathan Freeburg

CPT Murphy believes that CPT Freeburg is the "most aggressive attorney he's met in the JAG

Corps." Back at Fort Hood, CPT Freeburg handled Federal Tort Claims Act cases. As torts attorney, he

resolved two FTCA claims for every claim the office received, an amazing feat. Here in Iraq, CPT

Freeburg continues his aggressive lawyering. Claims efficiency has sky-rocketed since the

RIP/TOA. And CPT Freeburg has taken "ownership" of the critical retroactive leasing issue. When history

looks back on Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and the crucial question of whether we were "liberators or

occupiers," our payment of retroactive leases will strengthen the view that ours was an Army of liberation,

not occupation.

CPT Richard Murphy

...loves it when a plan comes together...

Why I Reenlisted

SGT Corinne Ganacias

The U.S. Army is an amazing

institution. I reenlisted to continue my

Service to my country and to obtain my

goal of earning a college degree. The

Army has given me this opportunity with

its 100% tuition assistance to attain a

higher level of education. I intend to take

full advantage of this while deployed and

back home.

My children look to me as their role

model, they are proud of their mother

continuing her education while also

having a full-time job. I have three

children, we are all competing in who will

get their Bachelors Degree first, and I

intend to win. God Help Me.

It is an honor for me to serve the best

nation in this world and to make it a

better place for my children and

grandchildren so they may be able to live

a life of freedom, most notably a life with

the freedom of choice.

SGT Ganacias currently serves as the

NCOIC of the USF-I Detainee Operations

Division.

CPT Joe Andrews (top left), CPT Richard Murphy (top

center), SrA Richard Johnson (bottom left) and SGT

Sebit Deng (bottom right) of USF-I OSJA Client

Services.

CPT Peter Higbie administers the Oath of

Reenlistment to SGT Corinne Ganacias at

her reenlistment ceremony in April.8

Page 9: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

COMMUNITY

You may be wondering why this article is entitled “TJAG vs. the Volcano.” Well, I‟ll tell you why. It‟s because this year‟s Army Article 6 visit

to the Iraqi Joint Operating Area (IJOA) was placed in jeopardy the moment that ill-tempered mountain in Iceland decided to start spewing

tons of itself up into the atmosphere just a few days before Army TJAG‟s flight was set to leave for Europe. MAJ James Nelson and I, CPT

Adam Bester, (the planning team) were watching weather and news reports intently to try and get some idea of whether our plans were

going to go up in smoke (or ash, depending on how you prefer your puns). TJAG‟s plane was delayed, but he and his party managed to

traverse the Atlantic and land safely in Europe just hours behind schedule. I guess we can say that, in his contest with the volcano, TJAG

was victorious.

Around noon on 19 April, after a tour of our JAG assets in Europe, LTG

Dana Chipman, COL David Diner, CW5 Richard Johnson, CSM Joseph

Lister, and MSG Joanna Shakir (collectively known as TJAG & Co.)

touched down at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) to begin the 2010

Article 6 visit to United States Forces – Iraq (USF-I) and the United States

Divisions (USD). The first stop on their tour was USD-Center (USD-C),

where they were wined and dined (as much as they could be under GO1)

for a solid twenty-four hours. That night, TJAG & Co. stayed at Victory

Base‟s prestigious Joint Visitor‟s Bureau (JVB) Hotel, once Saddam

Hussein‟s private hunting lodge.

Upon arrival at the hotel, TJAG was greeted by a gift from USF-I in the

form of a twelve pound Hershey‟s chocolate bar. Now, you may ask

yourself: how did a twelve pound Hershey bar wind up on TJAG‟s pillow?

I can neither confirm nor deny that it was carried there and hand-delivered

by an enterprising OSJA CPT who shall remain nameless. (It was over 90

degrees that day, and the bloody candy bar was melting by the second!)

After a restful night at the JVB, TJAG & Co. finished their tour of USD-C,

soaking up the last few slides of PowerPoint and shaking hands with the

last stragglers, they boarded their spacious (and remarkably clean) up-

armored Chevy Suburbans and headed for Al Faw Palace and the grand

tour of USF-I. TJAG & Co.‟s first stop was the Al Faw Palace Ballroom

(aka the Molly Hatchet Ballroom) for a group luncheon and briefing. Over

one hundred OSJA personnel from all branches of the armed services

were present to greet the official party. CPT Richard Murphy and his

Client Services team saw that the ballroom was prepared and that an

ample spread was laid out for the hungry onlookers. After a brief

introduction, the whole assembly proceeded to chow down on the best

catered food that the Sports Oasis DFAC can offer.

Once enough folks had put down their forks, TJAG delivered his annual

State-of-the-Corps address (SoC), albeit with a slight twist. This year, the

SoC was delivered to the entire Iraqi theater of operations via video

teleconference (VTC). Over two-hundred JAG personnel tuned in from

stations throughout Iraq to watch TJAG‟s address live and in color. The

SoC went off without any major technical difficulties. Following the SoC,

COL Diner, CW5 Johnson, CSM Lister, and MSG Shakir proceeded to

brief the officers and enlisted personnel on current issues in the JAG

Corps. COL Diner and MSG Shakir spent the afternoon interviewing

officers and enlisted personnel individually to discuss career paths and

future assignments. A hearty thanks are deserved by both CPT Timothy

Minter and SSG Joshua Tracy for their hard work facilitating the interviews

and briefings.

(“TJAG vs. The Volcano” continued on next page)

LTG Dana K. Chipman, Army TJAG, learns

about CPT Frankie Jr. Hopkins’ mustache as

CPT Richard Murphy tries to contain his

laughter.

COL Chuck Pede, former USF-I Staff Judge

Advocate, welcomes LTG Chipman to a

lunch in LTG Chipman’s honor.9

TJAG vs.

The Volcano

Page 10: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

(“TJAG vs. The Volcano” continued from previous page)

TJAG & Co. proceeded to tour the OSJA sections in Al Faw palace and the surrounding facilities. Making their way through the different

sections and asking plenty of questions along the way, his final stop on the tour was the MOJO (“Mother of all JAG Offices” for those who

aren‟t in the know). CPT Andrew Boysen and his supporting cast from Detainee Operations made sure the stage was set and that we had

plenty of cookout food and refreshments on hand for our dinner out on the patio. Members of the USF-I OSJA met and ate with TJAG in

this more informal setting. TJAG even engaged in the traditional MOJO past time by hitting some golf balls out into our beautiful muddy

lake. Following the dinner, a few members of the office accompanied TJAG & Co. to the palace balcony for an optional cigar social. After

a few stogies and some alcohol-free libations, TJAG & Co. returned to the JVB for the night.

The following morning, after meeting our senior leadership for breakfast,

TJAG & Co. made their way to BIAP and boarded an aircraft to USD-North

(USD-N). MAJ Nelson accompanied them, and over the next twenty-four

hours they enjoyed a multi-FOB tour of the JAG offices in USD-N and met

with many of their fine personnel. Unfortunately, a trip to USD-S was not in

the cards. After much wrangling with the schedule, it was determined that

another flight in our short timeframe just wasn‟t feasible. Still, USD-S

personnel were tuned in via VTC for the SoC, and a few USD-S CPTs

received VTC interviews with COL Diner. At the conclusion of their USD-N

tour, TJAG & Co. boarded yet another bird, this time to Kuwait to continue

on with their Article 6 quest and eventually make their way back to D.C.

The 2010 Article 6 visit was a resounding success. Despite numerous

schedule changes and a hearty helping of improvisation, TJAG & Co.

accomplished their mission and a good time was had by all. The event was

a fine example of teamwork. On behalf of those of us involved in planning

and organizing, I‟d like to extend our gratitude to all of those unnamed

persons who pitched in with setup and cleanup along the way. Although this

was the Army TJAG‟s visit, our Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast

Guard brothers and sisters all pitched in to make the visit as smooth as

possible. It was a true joint effort. Finally, credit is due to both our unsung

hero, CW4 Craig Sumner, and our lead planner, MAJ James Nelson. Chief

Sumner‟s wealth of experience and assistance behind the scenes and the

quality of MAJ Nelson‟s mentorship and guidance were reflected in how

smoothly the entire visit went.

Well, that‟s about all there is to tell, except for one thing: What ever became

of that giant chocolate bar…?

LTG Chipman and CW5 Richard Johnson join Team

OPLAW on an Al Faw Palace balcony.

LTG Chipman participates in the time-

honored tradition of hitting golf balls

off the roof of the “Mother Of all JAG

Offices” (MOJO).

LTG Chipman presents MAJ Michael Harry with

an award during an evening barbecue for the

TJAG at the MOJO.

COMMUNITY

TJAG vs.

The Volcano

10

Page 11: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

High Rise Condos for Sale!

Nightlife and Gaming!

Sports and Recreation!Calling all Ladies and Gentlemen of

Discriminating Tastes!

If you haven’t been to CampVictory since OIF IV . . . Youhaven’t been to Camp Victory!

Big changes are underway as wetransition this former militaryoutpost into the first great city ofthe new democratic Iraq! Thearea’s plentiful lakes andwaterways make for fun-filleddays of recreation with the familyand allow our USF-I sailors tofeel right at home. AnchorsAweigh!

And did we hear someone saynightlife? The soon-to-beopened casino at the old PerfumePalace offers a full assortment ofgaming opportunities for thesporting gentleman and his lady.

Finally, cap off the perfectevening with cocktails andfriends at your own luxury CHUin the new condominium towersnear Al Faw Palace!

Bad food and uncomfortable cotsare so 2003; a NEW DAWN isunderway at the VBCRetirement/Resort Community!

11

Page 12: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

SPORTSCinderella Story USF-I OSJA Takes Second in MWR Cup

Friends and family of USF-I OSJA:

It started in early March with a goal: "Lets hopefully

have enough people to field a team for flag football."

Then on one magical night the Phantom Legal flag

football team prevailed with a 20-7 win. Two months

later it would end with a group of 55 people, by far the

smallest organization of the entire VBC MWR Cup

Competition, taking 2nd place.

Years from now people will ask, how did we do this

with limited time and people? The answer is

consistency. That, and that MWR was more than

happy to reschedule events for us due to work

schedules, otherwise we would have forfeited the

entire competition in March.

To grasp a better context of what transpired, the

entire story begins in February when CPT Hopkins

started sending out emails to the office to improve

morale and more importantly, not hurt his own morale

by having to forfeit the entire competition (actually it

begins months ago when CPT Hopkins was in court

at Fort Hood last Fall and seriously pondered if they

had intramural sports at VBC). Well, after a court-

imposed restraining order to restrict the number of

emails he sent, word got out and attorneys and

paralegals alike started competing.

After the first four events, we were in first place. After

six events the team was still in first place, yet there

was a feeling that the entire MWR Cup was about to

take the intensity level up and we would have to ask

ourselves:

Do I mind missing work to do an event? Absolutely

not.

In life there are moments that define who we are: For

President FDR it was Pearl Harbor. For Prime

Minister Churchill it was the Miracle at Dunkirk.

There are also moments that change history forever.

For the Cold War it was Rocky's win over Ivan Drago

in Rocky IV. That, as we all learned in school,

essentially ended the Cold War. All were important

people and events, with historians alike agreeing that

no one person or moment was more important than

the other.

(“Cinderella Story…” continued on next page)

Flag-Football: 4th Place - Great effort from

COL Risch, CPTs Murphy, Nicholson,

Boysen, Andrews, Wu, Freeburg, LT Fletcher,

SrAs Mills and Brown

Karaoke: 2nd - CDR Hancock, LT DeGroot,

and CPT Boysen

Pickle Ball: 1st - Capts Golden, Temple, and

Stovall

Billards: 2nd - LCDR Luken and CPT Bester

Wii Console: 1st - Capt Krebs and SFC

Chatman

Putt-Putt: 2nd - Capts Golden, Temple, and

Stovall

Spades: 2nd - CPT Andrews and SFC

Chatman

Poker: 2nd - LCDR Luken

Relay Run: 2nd - MAJs Gregory, Harry, Maj

Scoular, and CPT Boysen

Horseshoes: 3rd - CPT Hopkins and CW4

Sumner

Darts: 2nd - Capt Spurlock and CPT Boysen

Squash: 2nd - CPT Daluz

Members of the USF-I OSJA Flag Football Team

join some of their fans for a picture after a hard-

fought game during the MWR Cup.

12

Page 13: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

SPORTSCinderella Story USF-I OSJA Takes Second in MWR Cup

(“Cinderella Story…” continued from

previous page)

Well now that list will include

Phantom Legal's 2nd Place Finish in

the MWR Cup. Again, consistency,

for while we never dominated the

competition, we certainly made sure

we were good at each event and

gave it the "good ole' College try.“

It was a pleasure organizing teams

for the office and competing with all

you ladies and gentlemen. I think the

competitions brought out the best in

everyone and allowed us all to

relieve some stress and essentially

"play ball."

While I am saddened MWR Cup is

over, I would like to point out that as I

was leaving the gym recently I

noticed an MWR Softball Tourney

coming up soon, so please let me

know if you are interested.

Thanks to every single one of you!

CPT Hopkins......

And yes.....

I am working on t-shirts for all who

played.

Team MVP: CPT Boysen -

Three 2nd Place finishes

Best Fan: Tie between CPT

Minter and SSG Tracy -

thanks to you both for

coming-out and

supporting the team

The USF-I OSJA MWR Cup Softball team

CPT Joe Andrews gets ready to block as LT

Christopher Fletcher awaits a snap during an MWR

Cup flag football game. 13

Page 14: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

FEATURE

The United States Forces-Iraq Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (USF-I OSJA) affords members from all of

the U.S. armed forces the opportunity to work together in a joint command for the good of mission

accomplishment. In many instances, working in this deployed environment may be the only opportunity for

Service members to work with individuals who are not from their own branch of service. This experience is one

of the truly unique aspects of serving in the USF-I OSJA, and it is no different for two Airmen who will soon re-

deploy.

Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Kimberly Lawrence and Senior Airman (SrA) David Johnson will take with them a

memorable experience from their service with the USF-I OSJA. Both SSgt Lawrence and SrA Johnson will be

missed, however, and theirs will be no small shoes to fill.

Air-Powered Airmen Re-Deploying Will Be Missed

SSgt Lawrence

“SSgt Lawrence is a true professional in every sense

of the word,” said Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4)

Craig Sumner, the USF-I OSJA Legal Administrator,

when asked about SSgt Lawrence. “The OSJA is

going to miss her can-do attitude and infectious

smile.”

Originally from Mt. Vernon, New York, SSgt Kimberly

Nicole Lawrence has served in the Air Force for more

than 12 years. She has been stationed at Davis-

Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, Hanscom Air

Force Base in Massachusetts, Eielson Air Force Base

in Alaska and is currently stationed at Hickam Air

Force Base in Hawaii. SSgt Lawrence is certified as

a Paralegal, Information Manager and Air Traffic

Controller in the Air Force, and is nearing completion

of a degree in Legal Studies with a minor in Criminal

Justice from the University of Maryland at College

Park.

Close to the end of her first deployment, SSgt

Lawrence said she enjoyed “meeting people I would

have never met outside of a joint environment,” but

that one of the most difficult aspects of her service

here was “understanding the complexity of the Army.”

That complexity aside, SSgt Lawrence has left a

definitive impression on her co-workers, many of

them from the Army – both U.S. and Iraqi.

“SSgt Lawrence worked in both Detainee Operations

and the Administrative Operations Divison of the

OSJA after her arrival last November,” CW4 Sumner

said. “She was instrumental in creating and

implementing the USF-I High Value Detainee

Tracking System, worked with the Iraqi and

International Law Advisor in establishing the Iraqi

Army Legal Advisor Partnership Program, served as

an Information Management Officer and provided

support to all OSJA personnel, which is more than

100 people strong. SSgt Lawrence‟s dedicated

service while deployed to Iraq has been invaluable to

the command.”

(“Air-Powered Airmen…” continued on next page)SSgt Kimberly Lawrence joins GEN Raymond

Odierno, CDR, USF-I, for a picture outside of

Al Faw Palace. 14

Page 15: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

FEATURE

(“Air-Powered Airmen…”

continued from previous page)

SSgt Lawrence said the most

memorable aspect of her

deployment was working with

the Iraqi JAG Corps at the

Iraqi Ground Forces

Command and observing

how different Corps

(commands) function in a

joint deployed environment.

For her part, SSgt Lawrence

will not miss walking to the

latrines once she returns

home, but she will miss the

good friends she‟s made

while in Iraq. Still, SSgt

Lawrence, who enjoys

cooking and volunteers at

the horse stables at Turtle

Bay on the North Shore of

Oahu, is ready to return

home and reunite with her

daughters, Ariana, age ten,

and Jessica Jae, age eight.

“I look forward to seeing my

kids‟ happy faces and then

watching them argue,” SSgt

Lawrence said. “I really just

want to hang out and do

exciting things with my girls.

I‟ve enjoyed my time here,

but I‟m ready to go home and

resume my mommy duties!”

SrA Johnson

“The Client Services Office is

going to miss him dearly”

CPT Richard Murphy, USF-I

OSJA Chief of Client

Services, said about SrA

Johnson. “They say

everyone is „replaceable‟ in

the military, but Airman

Johnson‟s departure will

challenge that principle.”

Hailing from Portland, Maine,

SrA David Christopher

Johnson, at the youthful age of

23, has been in the Air Force

for three (3) years and is one

of the few “organic” paralegals

in the Air Force, having no

prior career field. Serving his

first deployment, SrA Johnson

is based out of McGuire Air

Force Base, New Jersey, and

plans to join the 157th Air

Refueling Wing (Air National

Guard) out of Pease Air Force

Base, New Hampshire, upon

his return home.

SrA Johnson, who will be

promoted to SSgt in July, has

other big plans for his future,

including attending law school

at the University of Maine

School of Law. SrA Johnson

has a Bachelor of Arts in

Social Sciences from Rutgers

University, and hopes to get

into real estate and

development after graduating

from law school.

“I understand it‟s a niche, but it

is what I am interested in,” SrA

Johnson said. “Intellectual

property may be an alternative

due to my solid background in

technology, however.”

That solid technology

background has made SrA

Johnson a valuable asset to

the USF-I OSJA, both as an

Information Management

Officer and as the USF-I

OSJA‟s webmaster,

developing and maintaining

the OSJA webpages on USF-

I‟s classified and unclassified

websites. SrA Johnson‟s

favorite part of his

deployment, however, is

serving as the Claims

Paralegal and the experiences

that job brings him.

SrA Richard Johnson will be promoted to

SSgt in July and plans to attend law

school after re-deploying.

“My favorite part of serving in Iraq was making

a difference in the lives of the claimants whose

claims we approved,” SrA Johnson said. “The

knowledge that we helped individuals and their

families who had suffered a loss really gave

me perspective of what we in claims are doing

here.”

SrA Johnson looks forward to returning home

and reuniting with his wife, Amanda (“Mandy”),

an accountant in the greater Portland area,

and to “acting (his) age again”. SrA Johnson

will miss Iraq, however, particularly the “daily

antics of Team CSO (Client Services Office)”.

“Senior Airman Johnson served in a role

typically reserved for a senior

noncommissioned officer,” Murphy said. “Fair

notice to all our joint brothers and sisters, I‟ve

already made the “Army JAG Corps pitch”, and

I‟ll keep making it as long as he‟ll listen. We at

Client Services have been lucky to have him

as our paralegal.”

15

Page 16: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

OBITUARIES

Question: What do these three individuals have in common?

a. A popular, long-running TV series set in the future

b. A fondness for black Trans-Ams

c. Active participation in the effort to keep Austin weird

d. Wicked awesome moustaches

III Corps Mourns the Passing of Artist Frank Frazetta

Frazetta Creator of “Death Dealer” Image Upon Which III Corps Phantom Warrior is Based

Courtesy “New York Times” & “Fort Hood Sentinel”

Frank Frazetta, an illustrator of comic books, movie posters and

paperback book covers whose visions of musclebound men fighting

with swords and axes to defend scantily dressed women helped

define fantasy heroes like Conan, Tarzan and John Carter of Mars,

died recently in Fort Myers, Florida. He was 82.

III Corps made its connection with Frazetta‟s art in 1985, when then

LTG Crosbie Saint obtained Frazetta‟s permission to use “The Death

Dealer” as a symbol for III Corps. In 2009, the Frazetta Family

commissioned Deep in the Heart Foundry in Bastrop, Texas, to build a

Phantom Warrior statue.

A three-dimensional fiberglass statue of an 18-hands tall Shire draft

horse mounted by an imposing, 6-foot, 6-inch warrior was unveiled in

the Al Faw Palace rotunda at Camp Victory Base, Iraq, just outside

Baghdad, shortly after III Corps‟ arrival in theatre. An identical statue

sits in the West Atrium of the IIII Corps Headquarters at Fort Hood,

Texas. Plans are also in place for a larger warrior made of metal to

be erected outside of the III Corps Headquarters at Fort Hood.

“I take great pride in being a „Phantom Warrior‟,” Trial Counsel Brian

Nicholson said. “„The Death Dealer‟ is part of that. Mr. Frazetta will

be missed.”

16

This obituary is made in honor of our dearly departed friend, "Frankie Jr.“ Frankie Jr. lost his life just a short time ago in a tragic incident involving a razor and a can of jasmine-scented, sensitive skin shaving gel. He has moved on to a

better place, where moustaches roam free and play without fear of ridicule or clingy food particles. Frankie, you will be missed.

-“Frankie Jr.” RIP: May 1, 2010.-

Page 17: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

FAREWELL:

Team, my last note to you begins with my favorite passage:

“IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can

trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and

not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to

hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your

aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you

can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the

things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose,

and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your

heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is

nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, ' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch, if

neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can

fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and

everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!”

Rudyard Kipling wrote this for his son many years

ago, and while its quaint phrasings may not have

relevance to us today, their meaning remains just

as important for each of us.

I try and read a line every day for inspiration and

motivation, for an azimuth check and for balance.

I commend it to you, every team you'll lead in the

future and your children.

I want to thank each of you for your service, and for

your generosity upon my departure - from farewell

dinners, to very meaningful (and special and

infrequent!) gifts.

I want to thank each of you again for everything

you've done to make Operation IRAQI FREEDOM

a success. There are many thousands just like us,

who will not see another sunrise, or whose lives

have changed forever due to wounds suffered in

Iraq, that expect us to fill the unforgiving minute

with 60 seconds' worth of distance run.

I know you will not let them down. Use their

sacrifice as your motivation. You have the

absolute best leaders to succeed famously.

COL Pede re-deployed in late April after more than a

year of admirable service as Multi-National Force – Iraq

and United States Forces – Iraq Staff Judge Advocate. 17

Thanks for everything you do, every day. It has

been my privilege to serve with you.

Vr,

Chuck Pede

Colonel, U.S. Army

Page 18: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

Life in the USF-I OSJA

CW5 Richard Johnson (big) and CW4 Craig

Sumner (small) show that Army JAG Corps

Warrant Officers come in all sizes

Capt Brant Whipple (left) and CPT

Jeffrey Finucane (right) find one of the

only murals of Saddam Hussein

remaining in Iraq

Capt Amber Spurlock tries out the

new driver she bought at the Camp

Victory Bazaar... And yes it was

raining that day

LT Chris Caetano laughs about how

much fun she had starring in the MWR

Cup Skit Competition

SSG Joshua Tracy (left)

tries not to feel like a third

wheel with SSG Tasha

Carnahan (center) and her

husband, SSG Roland

Carnahan (right)

SGT Casey Pinter

(left) and LN1

Sherrell Reed

(right) debate

lessons learned

from the British

experience in post-

World War I Iraq

and their

applicability to the

current

counterinsurgency

effort

18

CPT Joe Andrews (left) asks if this

picture is going to be included in the

Newsletter… Of course not, Joe!

Page 19: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

Life in the USF-I OSJA

CPT Elliott Potter (right) doesn’t hit golf balls off the roof of

the MOJO… he shoots them

A leisurely night at Camp Victory…

Aren’t they all?

III Corps finest O-3’s (well, almost anyway)

Judge Advocates from OSJA Forward endure a barbecue at

the grueling life that is living and working at the New

Embassy Complex (NEC)

Speaking of

barbecue…

CPT

Frankie Jr.

Hopkins

and Capt

Amber

Spurlock

show how

its done

with non-

alcoholic

beer,

charcoal

and a

postcard

sunset at

the MOJO

LT Chris Caetano (left) and CPT Richard Murphy (center)

act out their roles in the MWR Cup Skit Competition while

CPT Frankie Jr. Hopkins (right) wonders if it’s a violation

of GO #1

19

COL Herb Ford (center), MAJ Sean

Mangan (right) and members of the

Iraqi Judiciary recently visited the

United States Supreme Court

Page 20: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

Life in the USF-I OSJA

Capt Brant Whipple (left) and CPT Jeff

Finucane (right) try to blend in with

their surroundings

One thing

you can do a

lot of at

Camp

Victory is run

races, just

ask SSG

Tasha

Carnahan

(center)…

…or CPT

Timothy

Minter…

…or CDR Glenn Hancock (below right)…

Late at night,

when

everyone

else has

gone home,

CW4 Sumner

likes to

pretend HE’s

the Staff

Judge

Advocate

20

COL Chuck

Pede (right)

enjoys one of

his final

evenings in

Iraq before re-

deploying

while COL

Flora Darpino

(center) and

COL Stuart

Risch (left)

look forward to

many, many,

many, many,

many, many,

many, many,

many, many,

many, many

more Iraq

evenings to

come

LTC Rob Vasquez is ready for

some action… or at least a

helicopter ride

Page 21: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

Life in the USF-I OSJA

LAOTF, proving they get to have all the fun, takes time out for

a picture after completing joint training with EODT conducting

extraction drills and cross-loading from one vehicle to the

next (did everyone get that?)

On a goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter of a close game, the

USF-I OSJA flag football team is distracted as a fan rushes the

field and is tazed on the sideline

CPT Adam Bester (back middle) is obviously interested in

something other than the person speaking that everyone else is

listening to…

Army TJAG and OSJA Forward

LT Jonathan Shumate strikes a pose on an Al

Faw Palace balcony. Sorry ladies, he’s married!

COL Marianne Burtnett with members of the Iraqi Ministry of

Justice security staff

21

Page 22: USF-I OSJA Newletter 03 June 2010

FINE

22