September 21, 2005 Serving the U.S. and Coalition Forces in … · enjoy a night of Bingo with fun and prizes every other week. Soldiers from the 256th Brigade Combat Team are preparing

DESERTDESERT VOICEVOICEServing the U.S. and Coalition Forces in KuwaitSeptember 21, 2005

WarriorsfromabovePage 5

Back page Music to my ears Chaplain (Maj.) David Giammona, 160thSignal Brigade, plays the saxophone at aprayer breakfast Sept. 9. Photo by Spc.Debralee P. Crankshaw.

CFLCC Commanding GeneralLt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb

CFLCC CommandSergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Franklin G.Ashe

CFLCC Publ ic Affa irs Off icerCol. Michael Phillips

CFLCC Publ ic Affa irsOff icer , ForwardLt. Col. Debbie Haston-Hilger

Commander, 1 1th PADCapt. Chevelle Thomas

NCOIC , 1 1th PADStaff Sgt. Kerensa Hardy

Desert Vo ice Ed itorSgt. Jonathan M. Stack

Desert Vo ice AssistantEditorSpc. Robert Adams

Desert Vo ice Staff WritersSpc. Janine CooglerSpc. Debralee P. CrankshawSpc. Michael R. Noggle

1 1th PAD BroadcastersSpc. Christina BeermanPfc. Jheridiah Anderson

2 Desert Voice September 21, 2005

Volume 27, Issue 09The Desert Voice is an authorized publication for membersof the Department of Defense. Contents of the Desert Voiceare not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, theU.S. Government or Department of the Army. The editorialcontent of this publication is the responsibility of theCoalition Forces Land Component Command Public AffairsOffice. This newspaper is published by Al-Qabandi United, aprivate firm, which is not affiliated with CFLCC. All copy willbe edited. The Desert Voice is produced weekly by thePublic Affairs Office.

PPaaggee 33 383rd MCT takes over

Page 9 Taking a Bingo break

Pages 6 256th BCT going home

Page 8 Troops have options to save

Pages 4 New Victory command

Page 11 Community Events

The 383rd MCT assumes responsibly ofmoving convoys in and out of the Iraqitheater of operations.

While deployed, servicemembers aregiven lots of ways to save money. Theycan invest the extra money they make.

Servicemembers on Camp Arifjan canenjoy a night of Bingo with fun andprizes every other week.

Soldiers from the 256th Brigade CombatTeam are preparing to go home after ayear deployment to Baghdad, Iraq.

On the coverSgt. Matthew Lang

Egyptian Cpl. Waled Kaere Abd ElMouth, repacks his parachute after hislanding in the Sahara. This was forthe first Bright Star exercise.

CONTENTS 09

Page 10 K-9 deploys to EgyptBrit, a German Shepard, deployed toEgypt. He is on a force protection mis-sion in support of Bright Star.

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6

77

Camp Victory says goodbye to the 395thQM Bn. and welcomes the 206th Chem.Bn. as the new command group.

Dave Attell, Oktoberfest, Sundae and aMovie, Camp Victory Olympics, checkerstournament, unit feud, Spa Day.

DESERTVOICE

EditorCFLCC PAO/Desert VoiceCamp ArifjanAPO AE 09306

[email protected]

Find us online at www.dvidshub.net

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Pages 7 Katrina affects SoldiersSoldiers from the 377th TSC shared theirfamilies stories through Hurricane Katrinarescue and recovery efforts.

Pages 5 Paratroopers storyHundred of paratroopers participated in amultinational airfield drop in Egypt. It wasa part of Bright Star.

3Desert Voice September 21, 2005

New faces at the border; same mission

Spc. Robert AdamsA truck transporting supplies north into Iraq had to pass by one of the check points manned by 383rd MCT Soldiers. The MCT recentlytook over north and southbound operations at the Iraq and Kuwait border.

Soldiers from the 383rdMovement Control Team tookover the mission of assisting theKuwait government in movingconvoys across the Iraq andKuwait border as quickly andsafely as possible.

The 383rd MCT, an active-duty unit from Fort Polk, La.,recently took over north andsouthbound convoy movementoperations from the 532nd MCT,a reserve unit out of StatenIsland, N.Y.

The mission is to facilitatemovement of United States andCoalition Forces convoys intoand out of the Iraqi theater ofoperations, said Capt. HenryVinson, 383rd MCT commander.

“Like Fort Polk, the missionconsists of long days and shortnights,” Vinson said. “The oper-ations here still require the same

intensity … and we have to bemindful that we are operatingnear enemy action.”

The MCT works 24 hours aday, with a day and night shift atboth the north and south loca-tions.

North operations facilitatemovement of U.S. and coalitionsustainment convoys and deploy-ing troops into theater.

To cross over, convoys haveto go through a staging andauthorization process at severalcheckpoints.

At these checkpoints, docu-ments and trip tickets arechecked, vehicles are countedand inspections are made.

“We work with the Kuwaitigovernment, immigration, borderpatrol, customs and private truckcompanies to make sure this hap-pens,” said Sgt. Anna Sanders,383rd MCT movements noncom-missioned officer.

Trucks coming south have to

follow a similar process, butspend more time in the immigra-tion and inspection area.

“During the immigrationprocess, we inspect all convoysentering Kuwait for contrabandsuch as pornography, alcohol,drugs and war trophies,” Vinsonsaid.

The unit uses interpreters tocommunicate with the Kuwaitipersonnel and third-countrynationals on a daily basis tomake sure this process goessmoothly.

“These guys are real strict …and want to know what is com-ing into their country,” said StaffSgt. Christian Morales, 383rdMCT noncommissioned officerin charge. “We just enforce theirrules.”

Another aspect of the MCTmission is at the border crossing,where Soldiers direct traffic,manage conflicts and act as anextra force to security forces if a

situation occurs. They also act as the first and

last buffer and advanced eyes forthe tactical operations center forboth the north and southboundconvoys entering or exiting Iraq.

“Since we are new, at timesthings can get hectic, but wemust maintain the flow of traffic,because any disruption of trafficflow can be bad,” Morales said.

The MCT does not accom-plish its mission alone. Theyhave the help of the 559thTransportation Detachment, anArmy Reserve unit out ofFlorida, experienced Kellogg,Brown and Root employees,civilian contractors and TCNs.

“It is important the trafficflow stays constant to make sureall sustainment forces and equip-ment get down range to ourSoldiers,” Morales said. “Wemight not be down range … butwe can make sure their equip-ment is.”

Spc. Robert AdamsAssistant Editor

383rd MCT moves convoys in, out of Iraq


Camp Victory says goodbye to the 395thQuartermaster Battalion and welcomes the206th Chemical Battalion to the new unit incharge of camp operations.

The 395th QM Bn. leaves this month aftera year of rebuilding the primary redeploy-ment camp in theater while in command.

“We were able to transform Camp Victoryfrom a remote desert … making the basecamp more livable, better quality of life forthe Soldiers deploying and redeploying inand out of Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Larry Smith,Victory commander.

“We improved every aspect of life supportto include force protection … the introduc-tion of the American tents … reconstructionof the United Services Organization tent,Morale, Welfare and Recreation and com-mand tactical operations center,” he said.

The unit rebuilt the entry control point toallow for better command control and to pro-vide better convoys protection.

“It is now more than double the length ofthe previous entry point … this gets theminside the berm,” said Victory’s CommandSgt. Maj. Gary Sirois.

“It also gives us a longer time to keepvisual on anybody coming to the camp,”

he said.The 395th also transformed the motor

pool to function as the de-armor site to recy-cle armor for the uparmor mission at CampVirginia, as well as improved the FourCorners operation area, where they recyclesupplies and have saved the government mil-lions of dollars.

For many of the building projects,Soldiers volunteered their time to improvethe quality of life on the camp.

“This is not an enduring camp, so we arenot provided as much as other camps,” Siroissaid.

“We provide what we can by pulling ourresources together,” he said.

“I just happen to be blessed with a greatstaff that thinks outside the box,” Smith said.“I hope our legacy puts a mark in the sandbox.”

After a busy year, 395th QM Bn. Soldiersare eager to return home.

“I’m looking forward to going home andtaking a much-needed vacation,” said Sgt.Shawn Piercey, 395th QM Bn., material-han-dling and equipment noncommissioned offi-cer, who was training her replacement.

The 395th QM Bn. recently finished thetwo-week battle handoff with the 206thChem. Bn.

As with most unit handoffs the units per-

formed a left-seat, right-seat ride. “The first week we are in the left seat and

they shadow our movements, and the nextweek we reverse roles and we shadow themas they assume our positions,” Sirois said.

Both the incoming commander and com-mand sergeant major said they learned a lotduring the changeover.

“The best advice I’ve been given is to takethings day by day,” said Command Sgt. Maj.Donald Peyton, 206th Chem. Bn. and newVictory command sergeant major.

The two new leaders also had a positiveoutlook on the upcoming year in command.

“We are looking forward to continuing thesuccess of what the 395th QM Bn. has done,and we are going to take the lessons they’velearned and capitalize off of those,” said Lt.Col. John Edwards 206th Chem. Bn. com-mander and incoming Victory commander.

The incoming unit is made up of Soldiersfrom two chemical battalions and five chemi-cal companies from all across Kentucky.

The unit went through the CampAtterbury, In., mobilization site, where theywent through 73 days of training for thedeployment.

“I feel it adequately trained us for thismission,” Edwards said.

He added, “I’m glad to be here … andlook forward to an outstanding year.”

Victory command passes torchSpc. Robert AdamsAssistant Editor

ARMYbyMichaelVerret

LIFE


It’s “Holiday Greets” time and yourchance to say hi to friends and familyback home. We’ll be visiting the KuwaitNaval Base/Camp Patriot Sept. 26th and27th from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Come out to the Morale Welfare andRecreation theater tent and send a personalized video message back home.

For more information contact the KNBMWR office at DSN 839-1063. Keep reading the Desert Voice to see whenwe’ll be at a camp near you.

CAIRO, Egypt - The stars in the Cairoskies were replaced by hundreds of para-troopers from Egypt, Germany, Holland andthe United States, floating by parachute to theEgyptian desert at dawn.

This multinational airfield drop was one ofmany coalition-building exercises conductedas part of Central Command-directed BrightStar exercise.

American paratroopers jumped withapproximately 35 Egyptian paratroopers fromthe C-17 that flew in from Fort Bragg, N.C.These 35 Egyptians competed within theirmilitary to win the opportunity to train at FortBragg’s Airborne School.

According to Sgt. 1st Class WilliamPhelps, a master rated parachutist with the82nd Airborne, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne

Field Artillery Regiment, this was a wel-comed first for him; he had never trainedwith Middle Eastern soldiers before andenjoyed it.

The Egyptians went through the BasicAirborne Refresher Course to familiarizethem with airborne standard operating proce-dures. Then conducted several jumps,weapon training and Military Operations inUrban Terrain while at Bragg.

“The Egyptians were very well trained andprepared to perform as the primary jumpmaster ... when we hit the drop zone,” Phelpssaid.

“Typically, airborne brethren are a cutabove the rest – they operate with fewer vehi-cles and spend more time training. Soldierschoose to join airborne units because theywant to jump. And it is always a big dealwhen they get the chance to earn foreignwings,” said Maj. Brit Rosenberry, 82nd

Airborne operations planner.These Soldiers will have the opportunity

to earn airborne wings from the Netherlands,Germany, Jordan, Egypt and the UnitedStates, which is rewarding.

Rosenberry added that Coalition traininggives the Soldiers an opportunity to developan appreciation and understanding of howother nations are trained and formed. This isimportant because one day they may have theopportunity to work together again, and theywill be able to recall this experience for refer-ence in future operations.

He added, “Once you have a positive rela-tionship, it enhances the ability to cooperatein a combat situation.”

1st Lt. Veronica SaffoCFLCC/114th MPAD

Reigning from the sky

Photos by Sgt. Mathew Lang(Top) German soldiers pull perimeter security while the rest of the paratroopers decendduring the multinational airfield seizure. (Right) Egyptian Cpl. Waled Kaere Abd El Mouth repacks his parachute after landing in theSahara Desert. Soldiers from four nations jumped during the exercise, Sept. 10.


256th BCT returns to Louisiana, many to help clean up New Orleans

After a year of fighting in Iraq, the 256thBrigade Combat Team, a Louisiana NationalGuard unit, is preparing to head home.

The unit conducted operations throughoutthe streets of Baghdad and some will bereturning home to help out with the clean-upoperations in New Orleans, La., from theaftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The brigade played a huge role inOperation Iraqi Freedom and felt they accom-plished more than what was expected, saidSpc. Joseph Witzell, Company B, 2ndBattalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256thBCT.

“The brigade was successful in conductingsecurity for last year’s Iraq elections andtransitioning battle-space back to the Iraqiforces,” said Maj. Bruce Ellis, 256th BCToperations officer. “Transition was the maingoal and we wanted to give the fight back tothe Iraqi soldiers.”

Over the last year, the unit safeguarded theoutskirts of western and southern Baghdad.With help from two Iraqi brigades, the BCT

moved into the country’s capital, secured thecity and furnished the battle-space back to theIraqis.

“We were able to provide route securityand clearance for dignitaries that ran from theinternational zone to Baghdad InternationalAirport,” Witzell said. “Our unit wasattached to the 1st Battalion, 69th InfantryRegiment, and we worked a lot with the IraqiPolice and set up checkpoints … so any carswith weapons or explosives were stoppedbefore they caused any harm.”

Witzell recalled numerous instances wherehe had nightmares or fears of going back outfor another convoy mission.

Having lost his squad leader, platoon ser-geant and other friends while conductingsecurity for the convoy route, Witzellexplained the mission was very stressful andemotional at times for his company.

“I’ve served with some very bright, intelli-gent and courageous people,” he said.“Having lost those great people, it was a lotto adjust to for a 19-year-old straight out ofbasic training. Overall, I learned a lot aboutmyself.”

“It’s been the best of times and it’s been

the worst of times. We hated losing suchgreat men and that was the worst of times,but the friendships we developed and beingwith the 69th Infantry Regiment were thebest of times,” Witzell recited from a speechgiven by his company commander.

After this deployment, Witzell said he, aswell as others from the unit, will return totheir homes and families in south centralLouisiana and then help in New Orleans.

Soldiers who are demobilizing with theLouisiana units or are from the area can stayon active duty and help with the hurricanerelief efforts for the state, Ellis said. NoSoldier will be forced into the program whois redeploying.

Witzell stated he wants to help out anywayhe can once he gets home.

“It’s kind of the same feeling as fightingalongside with my buddies over here,”Witzell said.

He added, “It’s not about what I do as aSoldier; it’s about the guy standing next toyou and how it affects them. I’m NationalGuard and that’s our job, to take care of stateemergencies, protect our state and the country.”

Heading back homeSpc. Michael R. NoggleCFLCC PAO/11th PAD

Sgt. Lainey PocheSoldiers from the 256th Brigade Combat Team hold a formation during the morning hours in Baghdad, Iraq. The unit was successfulin completing the mission in Iraq and are ready to go home after the year-long deployment.


Soldiers share families’ hurricane storiesWhile the clean-up and recovery

efforts continue after HurricaneKatrina, Soldiers from the 377thTheater Support Command at CampArifjan shared some of their families’stories.

We’re are kind of switching roles,said Spc. Andrew Hermann, 10-yearresident of New Orleans, La. The fami-ly is worried about Hermann and hisbrother, who is serving in Afghanistanright now, but the brothers are just asworried for their family.

Hermann said that he had been incontact with his wife and family priorto the hurricane stricking a large por-tion of the southeast territory of theUnited States. His mother’s house wasdestroyed, while his house sufferedminor water damage.

Hermann feels lucky that his familywas able to evacuate the city in time;however, everyone wasn’t as fortunate.

“It’s hard for me to get to sleep atnight, thinking of those who might begone, and those who are lost,” saidSpc. Kerry Lee, 21-year resident ofNew Orleans. “I feel bad sometimes; Ican’t sit here comfortably and sayeverything is fine with me when I can’tget in contact with those that love methe most.”

While Lee was grateful his wifeand most of his family was able todepart New Orleans, he said his brotherand two nephews stayed in the city andhave not been heard from since threedays prior to the hurricane striking.“My wife is very upset right now,along with my mother,” he said. “Theyhave been doing everything to locatehim, and my mother has been in thecity looking for him.”

Lee’s family has lived in NewOrleans almost 30 years and manyhave lost their homes or sufferedsevere damage to property.

“A lot of my family is going to haveto start over, rebuilding from theground up,” he said. “It’s kind of hardto say we’re going to move on and golive somewhere else. There’s so muchhistory, so much family backgroundthere on the streets of New Orleans.”

Some of the Soldiers from the 377thhave been sent home on emergencyleave to be with their families.

Hermann was unable to take emer-gency leave, but Lee was sent home tobe with his family.

“I’ve been very positive and prayinga lot of late,” Lee said. “When I gethome, I’m going to help my family asmuch as possible and look for mybrother.”

Both Lee and Hermann said thatwith all the destruction it will be hardto go back to a place they left only fiveweeks ago. Each will be taking restand recuperation leave in the future tohelp rebuild, restore and rescue any-thing they have left of their personnelbelongings.

“It’s going to be a smaller city andpeople aren’t going to want to comeback and help rebuild,” Hermann said.“I have been fortunate, and I will goback to a home because my wife willtake care of a lot while I’m here.”

“Every city in our nation that hasbeen damaged by something cata-strophic has bounced back,” Hermannsaid. “It may not have bounced backright away, but over time it has.”

For Soldiers and all members of theArmy family who need assistancebecause of Hurricane Katrina contactthe Well-Being Liaison Office [email protected] or callthem at 1-800-833-6622.

DoD photosA U.S. Army Humvee traverses through floodwater sur-rounding the Superdome in New Orleans, La.,September 2005.

U.S. Army National Guardsman Spc. James Meidl operates a D-7 Bulldozer to help clear theroads Sept. 5 in support of Joint Task Force Katrina. Meidl is a heavy equipment operatorassigned to the 890th Engineering Battalion in Columbia, Miss.

Spc. Michael R. NoggleCFLCC PAO/11th PAD

It isalmost amazing how quick-ly servicemembers can

spend money, even in a deployed environ-ment. Between the Post Exchange, Beauty Spa, and

all the fast food restaurants, the $10 spent here orthere can quickly add up. At the end of the year, what

can you say you did with all the extra money earnedwhile deployed?

“As servicmembers, we have a unique opportunity byvirtue of the various deployment entiltlements to wisely

invest our money,” said Maj. Lawrence Anyanwu, deputyfinance accounting officer. “Whether or not they use the

options is up to them.”By nature, many people are spenders, which results in poor

money management, Anyanwu said. “If someone has the tendency to buy something every time he

is in the PX, then he needs to reduce the amount of money he car-ries so he can not spend as much,” he said.

He advised, Instead of buying coffee every day, spend less bygetting it free at the dining facility every now and then.

People must make conscious efforts to save money, Anyanwusaid. As people age, medical conditions naturally occur and withoutprudent investment now, it will be hard to maintain such medicalexpenses. Save and invest today in order to sustain quality of lifewhen it is really needed.

Deployed servicemembers have the best opportunity to savemoney, Anyanwu said.

The extra money earned while deployed should be consideredexactly what it is: extra. Anyanwu said. Servicemembers couldput some money in long-term investments without missing itbecause their budget was formulated without deployment entitle-ments.

Deployed servicemembers in Kuwait receive combat zonetax exclusions, $100 hazard duty pay for location, $225 hos-

tile fire pay per month, $3.50 per diem and $250 family sep-aration allowance for those with permanent dependents.

But for dual military, if both servicemembers aredeployed, only one servicemember may receive the

family separation pay entitlement. Another entitle-ment for deployed servicemembers is the Savings

Deposit Program.In the SDP, deployed servicemembers whoserve in areas that qualify for combat zone

tax exclusion may deposit money andaccrue a 10 percent interest com-

pounded annually, but com-pounded quarterly at 2.5

percent. Interestaccrues on

amountsup to $10,000. Once service-members return home, theyhave 90 days to withdraw themoney.

In addition to the SDP, servicemembersmay put their money in the Thrift SavingsPlan.

In the TSP, Soldiers can choose to invest inlifetime funds. Participants may choose any of fivefunds under the TSP: government securities invest-ment fund, fixed income index, common stock indexinvestment fund, small-capitalization stock index invest-ment fund and international stock index investment fund.On August 1, TSP introduced a sixth fund called life cyclefunds

According to www.tsp.gov, lifecycle funds are target assetallocation funds.

These funds have a mix of investments of different types andcharacteristics, such as domestic stocks, international stocks andbonds.

The mix is chosen based on the date servicemembers expect touse the money. If the money is expected to be invested over a longperiod of time, the lifecycle fund will be more heavily weightedtoward stocks or stock funds.

As the expected date nears, the allocation will be weighted moreheavily toward fixed income or stable value investments like bondsor treasury securities.

The TSP accounts are professionally managed by people whounderstand the market, but servicemembers have the option to movetheir money where they want to if they are inclined, Anyanwu said.

He warned, “Always read about where you are going to putyour money and understand the level of risk.”

In addition, servicemembers should make sure they are out ofdebt and have some savings, Anyanwu said.

This will delay the possibility of withdrawing money fromthe long-term investments when it is accumulating, he said.

Although investing is good for future planning, the beststrategy is to have a mixture of savings and long-term invest-ments, Anyanwu said.

He recommends having about three to six monthsworth of funds accessible, especially if they are active-duty Soldiers transitioning to Army Reserve.

Servicemembers should be advised not to gambletheir money in investments if they don’t knowwhat they are doing, Anyanwu said. Becomeknowledgeable on investing or pay a profes-sional.

He added, “Money isn’t everything,but it will surely enable you to livecomfortably in your goldenyears. That is only possi-ble if you investnow!”

Spc. Janine CooglerCFLCC PAO/11th PAD


Dollars, sense

Troops have options to save

“Bingo!” shouts the caller. As the grouplooks dejectedly around the room searchingfor the winner the caller adds ... “is the nameof the game.”

The caller for bingo at Camp Arifjan, ReySantos, Morale, Welfare and Recreationrecreation clerk, said he likes things that keepthe game interesting and lighten the mood.

“All the players are expecting to win andare disappointed when they don’t, so I havepunch-lines to make them smile,” Santossaid.

Bingo is held every other Tuesday at theZone 1 Community Center.

The bingo system was ordered more thantwo years ago because bingo at Frosty’sMWR Center at Camp Doha was so success-ful, according to Rhea Sarver, MWR recre-ation services supervisor.

According to Santos, when he arrived intheater, more than a year ago, the bingo sys-tem was rarely being used and the turnoutwas only a handful of people.Now there are90-130 people attending..

“It’s an awaited event every month,”Santos said. “The turnout is so good that thisis the only event that has been ongoing fortwo to three times a month.”

Senior Airman Thomas Truong, a bingoregular since May, said he plays for fun andprizes.

Every bingo round is different. One isplayed for a horizontal row, another for avertical and others are even more complicat-ed patterns like the champagne glass andblack out.

Prizes are given for each of the 15 roundsof the game. The prizes, bought by Morale,Welfare and Recreation, include comforters,picture frames, beach towels, tea sets, chesssets and items from the Middle East.

Truong said he keeps coming backbecause he enjoys playing.

“I think it’s an easy game to play,” hesaid. “It’s good to kill some time. It’s also agood way to release the stress from workinghard all day.”

Playing a few times in the United Stateswasn’t as thrilling as the game here, Truongsaid.

“It’s a lot more fun here,” Truong said.“The guy who is calling makes it more inter-esting – instead of just calling the numbershe varies it.”

People also attend for reasons other thanplaying, Truong said.

“You can show up and get some free foodwhile you’re playing – sometimes they evenhave cake or ice cream,” Truong said. “You

can even make new friends. Most of the peo-ple are really friendly and happy – they seemto have a lot of fun.”

9Desert Voice September 21

On Aug. 2, 1990 Saddam Hussein'sIraqi Army invaded and brutally occu-pied the sovereign nation of Kuwait.For seven months they dominated thecountry until U. S. and Allied Forcesdefeated the Iraqi Army and forcedthem to withdraw. The Iraqis usedevery means at their disposal to maketheir departure as costly as possiblyincluding igniting oil fires throughoutthe nation.

A special presentation, "Fires ofKuwait," will recount these events 7p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at CampArifjan’s Zone 1 Chapel. This 40-minute documentary chronicles the oilfires: how they were started, the ensuingenvironmental disaster and the ninemonth clean-up after the Kuwaiti libera-tion.

After the film, a panel of Kuwaiti cit-izens will discuss their experiences dur-ing the invasion, occupation and clean-up and answer questions.

Fires of Kuwait

Spc. Debralee P. CrankshawCFLCC PAO/11th PAD

Bingo brings joy to servicemembers

Photos by Spc. Debralee P. CrankshawSgt. Shavonda Bivens, Headquarters andHeadquarters Comany, Area Support Group -Kuwait administration noncommissionedofficer, searches for a number.

Senior AirmanThomasTruong,Coalition LandForceComponentCommand,engineer team,points a thankyou at the callerfor the numberhe needed dur-ing Bingo nightat Arifjan.

MUBARAK MILITARY CITY,Egypt - For many servicemembers anoverseas deployment to the desert isn’tan easy adjustment, but for a K-9 itseems like just another day in the sun.

Britt is a black on brown, tradition-al-looking, 68-pound German Shepardthat has been trained in areas of patroland detection.

He was partnered four months agowith Sgt. Aaron G. Eastman of the18th Military Police Detachment, FortHuachuca, Ariz.

Together Britt and Eastman weretemporarily attached to the 546thMilitary Police Co., Fort Stewart, Ga.,and are here in Egypt now on a forceprotection mission in support of theCentral Command / Coalition ForcesLand Component Command-directedBright Star exercise.

“We’re here on a ‘real-world mis-sion’ to protect the Soldiers out heretraining in this exercise and we’ll behere until the end,” Eastman said.

Under the guidance of Eastman,Britt is a vital asset to the UnitedStates military. With his presencealone, he is able to assist the MPs witharea patrol using psychological deter-rence.

“People see the dog and they thinktwice,” Eastmand said.

More important than deterrence arehis detection capabilities, his sense ofsmell is amazing and exceptionallysensitive, Eastman said.

On command, a K-9 can clear avehicle more effectively or sweep abuilding faster with far less risk ofcasualty than a human, Eastman said.

“They don’t even have to enter aroom,” he said. “They’re trained tosniff the doorways and they know ifsomeone’s inside.”

Among other duties at statesidemilitary installations, military dogs areroutinely put to work using their abili-ty to “sniff out” and intercept an arrayof illegal substances such as narcoticsduring bulk mail inspections.

While serving on overseas mis-sions, their ability to detect explosivedevices is another invaluable asset.This ability can be essential in severalsituations such as, here at Bright Star,during a customs check at an airportor on the ground in Iraq preventingU.S. troops from inadvertentlyencountering improvised explosivedevices.

Like most servicemembers, Brittenjoys his job even if to him the mis-sion feels like a game of hide-and-seek.

However, to the Soldiers affectedby his work it is much more than agame, and the reward for a game woncould be a life saved.


No sweat,no gain

Desert dog days

K-9 deploys to EgyptPvt. Kat BriereCFLCC PAO/114th PAD

Sgt. Whitney HughesSpc. Richard Sifers, a military police Soldier from the169th MP Co., helps Sgt. Aaron Eastmen train Britt, an MPcanine, by taking a bite while wearing a protective sleeveat the Mubarak Military City Sept. 5.

Spc. Debralee CrankshawMarine Cpl. Natalie Riley, administration

chief, Movement Coordination Cell -Kuwait, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force,follows the lead of Billy Blanks, the cre-ator of Tae Bo, during his visit at Camp

Arifjan. Blanks visited Arifjan and Ali AlSalem, giving a class, signing autographsand giving words of encourgement to ser-

vicemembers with his daughter, ShellieBlanks-Cimarosti.

11Desert Voice September 21

WednesdayIndoor Volleyball League, Zone 1 FitnessCenter, though Sept. 29Soccer tournament preseason, Zone 1 soccerfieldMexican Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1Community CenterCountry Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stage ThursdayDave Attell, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stageBallroom dancing, 8 p.m., Zone 1Community CenterIndoor Volleyball League, Zone 1 FitnessCenter, though Sept. 29Soccer tournament preseason, Zone 1 soccerfieldCountry Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1Community Center FridayIndoor Volleyball League, Zone 1 FitnessCenter, though Sept. 29Soccer tournament preseason, Zone 1 soccerfieldArifjan Boxing Team, 7:30 p.m., Zone 6Fitness CenterSalsa Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 CommunityCenterSaturdayOktoberfest, 7 p.m., Zone 1 CommunityCenterIndoor Volleyball League, Zone 1 FitnessCenter, though Sept. 29Soccer tournament preseason, Zone 1 soccerfieldSalsa Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 food courtCountry Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stageSundaySundae and a Movie, Rebound, 7 p.m., Zone1 Community CenterIndoor Volleyball League, Zone 1 FitnessCenter, though Sept. 29Soccer league, Zone 1 soccer fieldSalsa Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stageMondayKaraoke Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 CommunityCenterIndoor Volleyball League, Zone 1 FitnessCenter, through Sept. 29Soccer league, Zone 1 soccer fieldArifjan Boxing Team, 7:30 p.m., Zone 6Fitness Center TuesdayBingo, 7 p.m., Zone 1 Community CenterSoccer league, Zone 1 soccer fieldIndoor Volleyball League, Zone 1 FitnessCenter, through Sept. 29

WednesdayIndoor Volleyball League, Zone 1 FitnessCenter, through Sept. 29Soccer league, through Nov. 5, Zone 1 soc-cer fieldMexican Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1Community CenterCountry Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stageFor more information call 430-1205/1302

WednesdayWalking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., commandcell flagpoleThursdayWalking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., commandcell flagpoleFlag football beginsTae-Kwon-Do class, 7 p.m., MWR Tent 1FridayWalking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., commandcell flagpoleSaturdaySpa Day, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., MWR Tent 1Tae-Kwon-Do Class, 7 p.m., MWR Tent 1SundaySpa Day, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., MWR Tent 1Walking Club (10 miles), 4:30 a.m., com-mand cell flagpoleMondayWalking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., commandcell flagpoleMassage Therapy, 9:30 a.m., PSS Tent 3TuesdayWalking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., commandcell flagpoleTae-Kwon-Do class, 7 p.m., MWR Tent 1WednesdayWalking Club (5 miles), 5 a.m., commandcell flagpoleFor more information call 828-1340

For information call 839-1063

SaturdayPool tournamentSundayPool tournamentTuesdaySmoking cessation class, 10 a.m., chapelEducation awareness/prevention, 1 p.m.,chapelFor more information call 844-1137

For information call 825-1302

WednesdayTexas Holdem Tournament, 6 p.m.ThursdayAerobics, 5 a.m., MWRSaturdayCamp Victory OlympicsSundayCamp Victory OlympicsTuesdayAerobics, 5 a.m., MWRSpa Day, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.For more information call 823-1033

WednesdayBilliards tournament, 7 p.m., Sports LoungeCountry Night, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomThursdayKaraoke Night, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomFridaySpa Day, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Dusty RoomSalsa Night, 8 p.m., Dusty RoomSaturdayCheckers tournament, 7 p.m., MWR TentHip Hop Night, 8 p.m., Dusty RoomSundayOld School Jams, 8 p.m., Dusty RoomMondayHorseshoes, 4 p.m., horseshoe pitsTuesdayUnit Feud, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomWednesdayCountry Night, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomFor more information call 832-1045

Virginia

Send event listings to theDesert Voice editor’s e-mailaddress listed on page 2.

Victory

Spearhead/SPODArifjan

Buehring

Kuwait Naval Base

Navistar

Community happenings for Sept. 21 through Sept. 28

Arifjan/Ali Al Salem Shuttle Schedule

Departs Arrives6 a.m.

8:30 a.m.10:45 a.m.1:15 p.m.3:45 p.m.6:15 p.m.8:45 p.m.11:15 p.m.

8:15 a.m.10:30 a.m.

1 p.m.3:30 p.m.

6 p.m.8:30 p.m.11 p.m.

1:30 a.m.* Buses depart and arrive from both

locations at these times

Musicto myears

September 21, 2005 Serving the U.S. and Coalition Forces in … · enjoy a night of Bingo with fun and prizes every other week. Soldiers from the 256th Brigade Combat Team are preparing

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