november 16, 2005 serving the u.s. and coalition forces in...

DESERTDESERT VOICEVOICEServing the U.S. and Coalition Forces in KuwaitNovember 16, 2005

Turn it up

Page 6&7

Back page Track & FieldSpc. Robert Adams

Audrey Korang sprints ahead of LakiciaCooke in the 400-meter relay at theVeteran’s Day track and field meet.

CFLCC Commanding GeneralLt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb

CFLCC CommandSergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Franklin G.Ashe

CFLCC Publ ic Affa irs Off icerCol. Barrett King

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 November 16, 2005

Volume 27, Issue 17The 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 No excuse for complacency

Page 9 Third U.S. Army birthday

Pages 6&7 Drowning Pool plays

Page 8 Australians screen soldiers

Page 4 Navy takes over law & order

Page 11 Community Events

Command Sgt. Maj. Ashe talks about theimportance of not becoming complacent.It could lead to accidental deaths.

The Australian Force Extraction Team, amedical team of doctors, came to theMiddle East to identify Australian sol-diers with any diseases or illnesses.

Soldiers from Camp Arifjan celebratedthe Third U.S. Army 87th birthday, Nov. 7.The event was celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony.

The rock/metal band Drowning Pool per-formed for troops at three camps inKuwait with Dallas afternoon disc jockeyJessie Jessup.

CONTENTS 17

Page 10 Run tests mind, bodyLt. Col. J. Mathew Lissner completed hisvery first 50-mile ultra marathon. Hetrained for serveral months while inKuwait before going on leave.

44

6

The Army military police finish their tourand hand over Area Support Group-Kuwait law enforcement responsibilitiesto the Navy master of arms.

Here are upcoming events: Aaron Tippinshow, tree trimming, flag football league,Turkey Trot 5K run, Thanksgiving Wheelof Fortune, volleyball tournament.

DESERTVOICE

EditorCFLCC PAO/Desert VoiceCamp ArifjanAPO AE 09306

[email protected]

Find us online at www.dvidshub.net

66-77

Page 5 46th Eng. Bn. deploysThe combat-heavy engineer battalion fromFort Polk, La., and Fort Rucker, Ala.,deploys to Iraq after overcoming a chal-lenging mission on the homefront.

On the coverPhoto by Spc. Debralee P. Crankshaw

Lead vocalist of Drowning Pool, RyanMcCombs, performs with the bandduring a tour for the troops in Kuwait.j

55

As Soldiers, we engage inhigh-risk activities every daybecause of the nature of our busi-ness. It is one thing to say aSoldier died leading his troopsduring combat operations or hedied while putting the lives ofothers in front of his own, butwhen a Soldier is killed becauseof complacency and a lack ofsafety it’s unacceptable.Accidental deaths, most of thetime, are preventable.

By not wearing seatbelts intactical and non-tactical vehicles,not wearing helmets with thechinstrap fastened, not wearingreflective gear when you’re outrunning and not keeping muzzleawareness on weapons, Soldiersare putting themselves and theirbuddies in jeopardy. There is noone safety issue out there that ismore important than others, butthe commonality to all of it iscomplacency or leadership fail-ures.

Leadership and safety areunited and the two cannot be sep-arated. We don’t do safety inaddition to what we do, it’s a partof what we do. Leaders are sup-posed to accomplish the missionand take care of their Soldiers,but sometimes they get sowrapped up in the mission part,they forget about the safetyaspect.

Leaders have to make suretheir Soldiers, as well as them-selves, are conducting their busi-ness in a safe manner. One wayto do this is by conducting cor-rect troop leading procedures.We have to be careful aboutsome of our procedures, becauseif we don’t pay attention toexactly what we’re doing, wereinforce bad habits.

An example of this is clearingbarrels. The majority of negli-gent discharges occur at clearingbarrels. One of the reasons thishappens is because no leader is

present, making sure the Soldieris following the steps correctly.Another thing that happens iswe’re constantly clearingweapons in areas where theyshouldn’t be loaded anyway.Soldiers become used to clearinga weapon that doesn’t have amagazine in it, so they gothrough the steps without think-ing about it.

Safety is also part of forceprotection. Anytime we keep ourSoldiers from getting killed orinjured, we’re protecting theforce. Force protection has twomeanings in a combat zone. Onepart is keeping people healthyand alive by doing things correct-ly and safely. Even by doingsimple things like washing yourhands so you don’t get sick whenyou eat or making sure weaponsare cleared and on safe, Soldiershave a hand in force protection.

The other part of force protec-tion, of course, is the securitymeasures we take to keep theenemy from getting any type ofadvantage on us. Informationthat pertains to operational secu-rity, whether it’s when our mis-sions are, where our missions areor how we do our operations,needs to be protected, and wecan’t take that for granted either.

Force protection also includesmaking sure our host-nation sup-port personnel are wearing abadge where we can see themand they’re in the right placeswith the right escort. We alsohave to make sure that sensitiveinformation in our work spacesare properly secured and onlybeing accessed by the right peo-ple.

The security we have protect-ing our bases provide force pro-tection also. Security forcesmake sure the bases aren’tbreached by any unauthorizedpersonnel, for whatever reason,whether it’s to attack us, to stealstuff or to gather information.

Safety and force protection arethings we do constantly and theyshould always be in a leader’s

mind as well as in the minds oftheir troops.

We should be physically com-fortable in certain areas but weshould never be mentally com-fortable in terms of thinking“nothing can happen.”

Complacency is like a cancerand it’s killing Soldiers. It canbe defined as a leadership failure,because it’s up to leaders not toallow themselves or theirSoldiers to become complacent.Leaders should realize when theythink they’ve talked about safetyor pre-checks too much, they’vebecome complacent themselves.You can’t place enough emphasison safety.

Sometimes people thinkbecause we’re in a combat zone,that makes it okay for them to dothings they wouldn’t be doingotherwise, and that’s not true.This is when it becomes moreimportant to do the right thing.You need to be going through allyour proper checklists, makingsure people are prepared to exe-cute the mission to the standardand safely. When they see some-thing isn’t quite right, leadershave the responsibility to correctit.

One of the concerns peoplehave is “Oh, we have to start atthis time” or “Oh, we have to getthis done right now.” None of itis worth killing or cripplingsomeone else. Even if you checksomething a thousand times,that’s all right. The one time youdon’t check it is when you have abreakdown. If you think you’relosing time by stopping some-thing for a brief period of time tofix it, just think about how muchtime you’re going to lose whenthat piece of equipment is com-pletely destroyed and the individ-uals using it are gone for good.It doesn’t equal out.

When I hear about Soldiersdying from a preventable acci-dent or because of an act of care-lessness, it makes me sick.

We have to ensure our youngSoldiers and young leaders don’t

get in their head “Hey, I’m notgoing to get hurt, I’ve done thisbefore and nothing happened.”The next thing you know theirmom or dad, husband or wife isgetting visited by a casualtyassistance officer and chaplainand being told their loved onewas killed in a situation that did-n’t have to happen. We’ve hadtoo many Soldiers killed in acci-dents. We don’t have to justaccept the fact all these Soldiersare dying, but what we can do ishonor their memory by doing theright thing. When you see aSoldier doing something unsafe,don’t allow it. Make sure theyunderstand how wrong that isand how important safety isthrough some type of reinforce-ment.

Everybody is responsible forsafety, regardless of their rank orposition. In fact, we’re obligatedto say something and the personwho’s on the receiving end ofthat should stop and think aboutthis. That person cares enough tocorrect you, so don’t get angryabout it, fix it.

Sometimes we have to go outof our way to stop somethingthat’s wrong and fix it. I’d ratherbe tired of stopping people fromdoing the wrong thing, than berefreshed and full of energy sit-ting in the chapel at a memorialservice because another Soldiergot killed in a needless andsenseless accident. Once aSoldier is dead, that’s it. There isno second chance.

Be safe.—PATTON’S OWN!

3Desert Voice November 16, 2005

Command Sgt. Maj. Ashe

Command Sgt. Maj.Franklin G. AsheCFLCC Command Sergeant Major

NNoo eexxccuussee ffoorr ccoommppllaacceennccyy

The police car keys are beinghanded from one service toanother as the Navy takes overprovost marshal responsibilitiesfrom the Army in Kuwait Friday.

The Navy Master of ArmsLaw and Order Detachment willtake over the Area SupportGroup-Kuwait provost marshaloffice responsibilities from the430th Military PoliceDetachment, Law and Order,which replaced the Air Force inDecember 2004.

“The mission will be the sameand the only differences will bethat they have a brassard thatsays Navy and a shoulder sleevethat says MA,” said Maj. NorbyEwing, ASG-Ku deputy provostmarshal.

The Army MPs are currentlytraining the Navy MAs on theprocedures and processes of run-ning the ASG-K PMO, whosejurisdiction includes all militarycamps as well as all places ser-vicemembers travel throughoutKuwait.

The Navy personnel areattending mandatory briefings onmilitary justice, patrol training,search and seizure and gothrough everything from basicpatrol stops and security checksto colors detail.

At the end of the month theywill have full responsibility ofroutine traffic patrols, K-9 assetsand military police investigatorduties.

“The biggest thing for theNavy is to push forward and toadapt to the changing installationenvironment,” said Lt. Col. NealFlatt, ASG-K provost marshal.

The Navy MA Det. is com-prised of Sailors from more than17 different states from coast tocoast.

About one-third have civilianlaw enforcement experience toinclude detectives, narcotics traf-fic officers, New York PoliceDepartment and California

Highway Patrol officers, federalimmigration and customsenforcement agents, drugenforcement agents and federaland state correctional officers.

“This will allow us to drawfrom civilian experience to aug-ment our mission here,” saidMaster of Arms Senior ChiefMichael Gonzalez, senior enlist-ed advisor for the MA detach-ment.

The Navy MAs have learned alot from the Army MPs, and areeager to take over and start usingwhat they have learned.

“I expect to represent theNavy Corps values: honor,courage and commitment andleave here with a distinction of ajob well done,” said MA PettyOfficer 1st Class Kelly Cruz,Law and Order Detachmentsquad supervisor. “I expect myjunior Sailors to be professional,courteous and responsible and totreat their fellow military coun-terparts as they would want to betreated under the same circum-stances.”

“The 430th MP Det. is leav-ing large shoes to fill,” saidEwing, who will be replacingFlatt as the provost marshal whenthe 430th MP Det. leaves.

Ewing said he wants to con-tinue to improve the PMO duringthe upcoming year.

“As camps are growing wewill have to implement new tech-nology,” Ewing said. “We willeventually have vehicle registra-tion on camps and emplace anew system to track installationaccess and identification.”

“I also want to continue todevelop the PMO and help itgrow as the mission here grows,”he added. “The ultimate goal isto have the safest and securestcamp as possible.”

Army MPs deserve greatdeal of gratitude

The 430th MP Det., a Reserveunit headquartered out of RedBank, N.J., is redeploying after asuccessful year with no injuries

or altercations.The unit began its mission a

year ago as a unit with Soldiersfrom all around the country.

“A lot of Soldiers were new tothe military police corps andjumped right into it,” said 1st Lt.Paul Headley, 430th MP Det.commander. “The Soldierslearned to work together to com-plete this mission.”

During its tour, the 430th MPDet. decided it would be benefi-cial to split the unit in two, keep-ing half at Arifjan and sendinghalf to Buehring.

“By being closer to the north-ern camps it cut down on theresponse time,” Flatt said. “TheSoldiers took ownership of thecamps they were at and tookinterest in what happened there.”

The MPs have responded toeverything from dumpster firesand suspicious packages, to evac-uating troops from dangerousareas to avoid casualties.

“The camps are always chang-ing so we had to be alert,” saidMaster Sgt. Robert Corniea,430th MP Det. operations ser-geant. “The scenarios that youcan run into here can be a mess,so you have to think on yourfeet.”

The MPs went over differentscenarios everyday so if some-thing new happened everyonewould be prepared for it in the

future.“Our job entails investigating

all crimes and incidents in accor-dance with the Uniform Code ofMilitary Justice and crimes thatAmerican civilians commit underthe United States Code,” saidStaff Sgt. Edwin Mata, 430th MPDet. day shift patrol supervisor.

“We are also entitled toenforce crimes committed in vio-lation of international andKuwaiti law,” he added.

Since the ratio of MPs totroops is 1-to-2,000, whereascivilian police officers are 1-to-500, the 430th MP Det. net-worked with unit commands tocarry out procedures to minimizecrime.

“We also got to know projectmanagers of contracting firmsand personnel with the KuwaitiCrime Investigating Division andthe Kuwaiti Ministry of theInterior,” Mata said.

“People want justice and dur-ing our time here we have donethat with 100 percent convic-tions,” Corniea said.

The Navy MAs noticed howorganized they were the momentthey started training with them.

“This is one of the best units Ihave relieved anywhere,”Gonzalez said.

He added, “The day wechecked in here they had ‘GoNavy’ all over the place.”


Army MPs finish tour, hand over law enforcement responsibilities to Navy MAsDifferent service, same missionSpc. Robert AdamsAssistant Editor

Spc. Robert Adams

The Veteran’s Day flag call, made up of Army MPs and Navy MAs,fold the colors after retreat. It is traditional for military policearound the world to conduct flag call 365 days a year.


Imagine your unit is weeks away fromdeployment. Your attention and focus is ded-icated to training and the mission that liesahead.

Then disaster strikes nearby, your unit iscalled upon to provide aid to the victims ofHurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“The Soldiers gave up a lot of trainingtime, family time and prepping mentallybecause they were tied up with anotherimportant mission on the homeland,” said Lt.Col. Carol Anderson, 46th Engineer Battalioncommander.

The unit, based out of Fort Polk, La., andFort Rucker, Ala., responded without hesita-tion as nearby communities were in need ofhelp and rescue.

“When the hurricanes hit, we had to adjustfire,” said Sgt. Corey Baker, Headquartersand Headquarters Company, 46th Eng. Bn.“People needed our help and our focusbecame the homefront.”

Without water, electricity and communica-tion lines, people filed into Polk anticipatingthose needs would be fulfilled.

“We supplied water and some emergencypower … as well as helping the post withtransportation of people, ice distribution andsetting up evacuee housing area,” said Maj.

Darren Payne, 46th Eng. Bn. operations offi-cer. “We executed several missions out in thelocal community providing assistance to alocal hospital and electrical and water assis-tance to a nearby nursing home.”

Payne also pointed out that some Soldierswent anywhere from five days to three weekswithout power or running water.

A number of people from the unit weretaking in their relatives from New Orleans,Mississippi and Alabama, he said.

“That really had an impact on our trainingin preparation to come over here, from amental standpoint,” Payne added.

The unit had more than half of the equip-ment loaded on to the ship at the ports, how-ever with Katrina approaching, all loadingoperations were ceased and the ship was sentto sea.

“Despite that and all the other drama, wegot the ship loaded and went back to focusingon the mission,” Payne said.

As for the mission ahead, the unit willcontinue helping those in need but in a hos-tile environment.

The battalion will conduct its horizontaland vertical construction missions and haveformed a tactical movement team to provideconvoy security, Anderson said.

The horizontal engineers are in charge ofroad repair work and route reconnaissance forany possible threat for an oncoming convoy.

The vertical team will work mainly on theforwarding operating bases, constructing bil-lets, quality offices and an efficient area ofoperation for U.S. Forces.

“Our work on the FOB … will give a bet-ter quality of life and level of comfort to theSoldiers working in Iraq,” he said. “We alsowant to provide the Iraqi forces with thebases they can operate securely from andextend their reach into other parts of thecountry to have a permanent presence.”

“The tactical movement teams are our bestSoldiers to provide security and get suppliesfrom point A to point B,” Anderson said.“It’s not far-fetched when you remind your-self engineering is the secondary mission tobeing Infantry.”

Anderson said it will be difficult losingsome of her finest general construction assetsin support of the movement teams butremains optimistic the unit will carry out themission it is required to do.

“I always tell my Soldiers to do the unex-pected,” Anderson said. “America expects usto come over here and do our jobs. Doingthe unexpected means doing that little extrato make your own mark in life.”

She posed the question, “What are yougoing to do different and how are you goingto make a difference?”

Some from Louisiana and Alabamaalready have answers.

Spc. Michael R. NoggleStaff Sgt. Leonard Phillips, HHC, 46th Eng. Bn., engages his target during a close-quarters range in preparation for his unit’s mission inIraq.

46th Eng. Bn. can’t be stopped, ready to goSpc. Michael R. NoggleCFLCC PAO/11th PAD

The group jumped around and Soldierswere lifted on shoulders and passed throughthe crowd taking photographs from theirvantage point.

The band continued to belt out roughenergetic music with a passion embraced bythe crowd.

Drowning Pool, a Dallas-based rock/metalband, visited and performed for troops atCamps Virginia, Buehring and Arifjan Nov. 1- 3.

The band is most famous for its single“Bodies” which was performed at the end ofevery show as the crowd chanted its title inanticipation.

“They put on an awesome show,” saidSpc. Matt Marcott, Morale Welfare andRecreation representative. “They had lots ofenergy. The show was just as intense on thelast night as on the first.”

They visited as part of a United ServiceOrganizations tour in partnership withArmed Forces Entertainment, accompaniedby Dallas afternoon radio station disc jockeyJessie Jessup from KDGE’s “The Edge.”

While the band performed, Jessup inter-viewed servicemembers and hosted her radioprogram during the tour.

Drummer Mike Luce said the band wasfortunate to be performing for the troopsbecause they weren’t originally slated for thetour.

“There was another band set up to do it –whether they couldn’t make it or didn’t wantto I’m not sure, but it worked out in ourfavor,” Luce shrugged.

“About the time we made the radioannouncement of Ryan joining the band waswhen the other band said they couldn’t do it.We were like, ‘Yeah, we’re on,’” he gushedas excitement spread through his face.

The band members said they were thrilledwhen D.J. Jessie asked them to join her.

“We were hoping to do something likethis so we kind of put the word out that wesupport the troops,” Guitarist C.J. Piercesaid. “We’re too old and out of shape tojoin, so we decided to play music for them.”

The group said the timing was a little offbut they were excited to come.

“The first time we heard about it, it wassupposed to be around Christmas so we said,‘Okay.’ For all the times we get to sit aroundin America and make up music and are

afforded the luxuries that we have, this willbe our Christmas present back,” Luce said.“We just happened to come a little bit earli-er.”

The troops said they felt just as elated.“I was really excited to see a well-known

alternative rock/heavy metal band,” Marcottsaid. “I was surprised and happy to see themcome.”

The band joked that it felt slightly intimi-dated playing in front of the troops, but oth-erwise it was just an everyday rock showwithout the alcohol.

“We’re sober and they’re sober – usuallyat a rock show everybody has a few drinksbut by the end of the show it’s just like anynormal show. Everyone loosens up and has agood time – everyone feels it and it gets theirminds off what’s happening,” Pierce said.

The band said it had a great time on thetour. Luce and new lead vocalist RyanMcCombs said they liked receiving patchesfrom the troops and they all enjoyed hearingthe servicemembers’ stories.

“Ryan and I have been having a competi-tion to see who can collect the most patch-es,” Luce said while giving McCombs achallenging look. “When the Soldiers firststarted giving them to us we were afraidthey’d get in trouble.”

They also said they saw more of the posi-tive aspects of the mission.

“I’ve learned about the assistance thecountry of Kuwait has given, just little thingslike that,” McCombs said. “I’ve been hear-ing more of a reality that you don’t necessar-ily get on the news. All my knowledge camefrom what I’ve seen on TV, coming intoKuwait I found out it wasn’t such a badplace.”

“The media likes to play up the trainwrecks so you can’t look away,” Luce added.“You won’t hear about the good things or thepositive efforts made through all of this.”

The band said it would like to tour for thetroops every six months to a year. They saidthe USO really made its stay a success.

“The USO made things a lot easier. Wethought we’d have more problems – theflight, the hotel, the travel to the bases –everything has been so breezy,” Piercesaid. “I expected it to be more of a has-sle.”

At all three shows McCombs toldthe troops this was the band’s best tour.

“It’s because of you all that we can

sit at home and write this music,” he saidinto the microphone before singingthe lyrics of the next song to thefrenzied crowd. “You give usthe freedoms and liberties weenjoy.”

Photos by Spc. Debralee P. Crankshaw

Guitarist C.J. Pierce of therock/metal band DrowningPool gets into a song whiletouring in Kuwait for thetroops. The group played atCamps Virginia, Buehring andArifjan.


Spc. Debralee P. CrankshawCFLCC PAO/11th PAD


Drowning Pool lead vocalistRyan McCombs belts out lyrics ofa song during a show on theband’s tour for troops in Kuwait.

(Above) Bassist Stevie Benton signs a shirt fora servicemember at Camp Arifjan duringDrowning Pool’s tour for the troops in Kuwait.The band signed autographs for troops atthree camps until 2 a.m. after each of its threeshows.(Left) Drummer Mike Luce beats his drums dur-ing the show at Camp Arifjan. The band wasfortunate to tour for the troops because anoth-er band had been slated. The group touredCamps Virginia, Buehring and Arifjan withDallas radio station disc jockey Jessie Jessup.Jessup interviewed the group and service-members for her show.

DJ Jessie interviews the members of DrowningPool.


Operations in the Middle East are main-tained by the effective force of troopsthroughout theater. No matter the job, allU.S. andCoalitionForces per-form a specif-ic functionthat con-tributes to the stabilization and rehabilitationof Iraq.

As part of an Australian Force ExtractionTeam, a medical team of three, came to theMiddle East to identify Australian soldierswith any diseases or illnesses and diagnoseand tag for further treatment, said AustralianMaj. Mark Slatyer, senior medical officer.

Although the medical team conductsscreening of Australian soldiers headed homefrom deployment, it relies on assistance fromU.S. troop medical clinics.

In order to maintain a strong force, thewelfare and health of troops must be up tostandard, said Australian Capt. Gavin Jones,general duty medical officer.

“If we identify someone that needs treat-ment, we send them to the local TMC, but ifthe person’s condition is more serious thenthey are taken through the American medicalsupport channels.”

During the screening all soldiers are givena post-deployment Middle East informationmedical-awareness card. The cards helpphysicians in Australia become aware of thediseases soldiers may have been exposed toand are not commonly found in Australia.

The medicalscreening isbased on ques-tions to soldiersabout theirdeployment to

pinpoint what disease or hazards to whichthey were readily exposed.

In addition to the screening the doctorsconduct a routine physical.

“This helps the soldiers when they gohome,” Jones said. “They don’t have to waitaround in Australia for check-ups. They canquickly go on leave and see their families.”

To expedite the redeployment process, theForce Extraction Team came to the MiddleEast, instead of having the soldiers completethe process in Australia.

Soldiers go through the process of turningin equipment, seeing a psychiatrist, goingthrough customs, medical screening and thelong-awaited home-going briefing.

The key to the screening is catching sol-diers with problems and providing them withtreatment in addition to making them awareto what they might have been exposed to,Slatyer said.

“This way it lessens the chance of soldiersturning up with problems months after theyreturn home,” he said.

The Australian military is quite smallwhen compared to the U.S. military. Tomaintain its small force, Australian militarytakes preventative steps like the U.S. militaryto maintain healthy soldiers, Jones said.“Anounce of prevention is better than a ton ofcure.”

Jones said the soldiers came here healthyand they need to return in the same condi-tion.

Force Extraction Team help in outgoing process

Australian doctors screen soldiers

“They don’t have to wait around in Australia forcheck-ups. They can quickly go on leave and seetheir families.”

Spc. Janine CooglerCFLCC PAO/11th PAD

Australian Capt. Gavin Jones

Spc. Janine CooglerIn a home-going ceremony at the APOD,the Japanese Defense Attaché Col.Keisuke Kawae, Japanese AssistantDefense Attaché Lt. Col. Takahiro Shimizuand the Japanese support group salutesoldiers from the 7th Support Group Nov. 5as they board their flight home.

Japanese 7th Support Group

heads home

Australia is the sixth largest nationafter Russia, Canada, China, theUnited States of America and Brazil.

Australia has a population of morethan 20 million.

Australia is the only nation to governan entire continent and its outlyingislands.

Australia’s mainland is the largestisland and the smallest, flattest conti-nent on Earth. It lies between 10° and39° South latitude.

Immigration is an important featureof Australian society. Since 1945, oversix million people from 200 countrieshave come to Australia as new settlers.

Fact from www.about-australia.com

Did you know …?


The saying “Once a Marine,always a Marine” was apparentas present and former Marines onCamp Arifjan joined together tocelebrate the Marine Corps’230th birthday Nov. 10.

The senior Marine present forthe traditional cake-cutting cere-mony was Col. Edward Smith,Marine Forces Command CentralKuwait, accompanied by guest ofhonor, Maj. Gen. James Kelly,Third U.S. Army/U.S. Army

Forces CentralCommand/Coalition Forces LandComponent deputy commandinggeneral.

The cake was cut with the Ka-Bar, the Marine Corps’ fightingknife, to signify a band of war-riors committed to carrying armsso that the nation may live inpeace.

As part of the honored tradi-tion, the youngest and eldestMarine from the camp, LanceCpl. Venancio Rodriquez and Lt.Col. Martin W. Holdeman, wereacknowledged in front of their

fellow Marines. “It was something nice to

have and give recognition to theMarine birthday.”

“These are things Marinesdon’t forget,” said DewayneColeman, a Marine veteran since1992.

Coleman was one of a hand-ful of civilians who once spenttime in the corps.

“Once you’re a Marine,you’re a Marine for life,” he said.

“You always know that you’repart of the family,” he added.

In a letter addressing to all

Marines on their birthday, Gen.Michael W. Hagee, commandantof the Marine Corps, had this tosay:

“This past year has been oneof the most continuous combatoperations overseas and distin-guished service here at home, ayear of challenges that havebrought out the very best in ourCorps.”

Hagee wrote, “In commemo-rating our anniversary, let usstrengthen our ties to the past bypaying homage to those whohave gone before us.

Spc. Michael R. NoggleCFLCC PAO/11th PAD

Marines celebrate 230 years of history

The Third U.S. Army celebrated its 87thbirthday Nov. 7 with a cake-cutting ceremonyon the command operations information cen-ter floor.

The Soldiers of Third U.S. Army continuethe proud tradition and distinguished heritageset by its predecessors. Third Army standswatch to deter hostile and contentious gov-ernments which would disrupt peace and sta-bility, assuring Coalition Partners of itsnational resolve to end conflict whenevercalled upon to do so.

Many of the servicemembers had greatsentiments during this time of celebrationabout their mission within the organizationand their role in the War on Terror.

“I feel that without the Third U.S Armymission for logistics there would not be for-ward bases of operations, because we supportthe fight. I schedule all the video teleconfer-ences, which is one component of communi-cation assets for Third U.S. Army. Thisenables them to coordinate many of the warefforts for this theater,” said Sgt. 1st ClassGilbert Alviso, Coalition Forces LandComponent Command VTC chief for C-6.

Third U.S. Army has a proud and long-standing history stemming from Gen. GeorgeS. Patton’s accomplishments during WorldWar II. It is the same Army that orchestratedthe largest modern land battle in history,defeating the Iraqi forces during OperationDesert Storm.

“Our history is replete with the selfless

sacrifices of our Soldiers and today, our teamis rounded out by Sailors, Marines, Airmen,Coast Guardsmen, our Soldiers in Slacks andour Coalition allies…You men and women oftoday carry on the traditions of those ThirdArmy troopers who came before us…Youserve well and, by doing so, you ensure ournation’s freedom,” said Lt. Gen. R. StevenWhitcomb, Third U.S. Army/U.S. ArmyForces Central Command/Coalition ForcesLand Component commanding general.

When Third U.S. Army responded to theSept. 11 attacks, it was with great commit-ment and resolve to root out and punish ter-rorists and those who harbor, facilitate andfinance them.

With the support and command and con-trol of Third U.S. Army and CFLCC, militaryservicemembers have driven insurgents frompower, captured hundreds of detainees, creat-ed conditions that allowed schools and hospi-tals to reopen and facilitate airdrops for mil-

lions of humanitarian food rations intoAfghanistan and Iraq.

“It is to the greater good of building upthe countries here. We have always donethat. We helped to free the Iraq, Afghanistanand Kuwaiti people, through different libera-tion campaigns,” said Lt. Col. Stacie “Lee”Trueheart, Gulf Region division liaison toCFLCC C-7. “The U.S. has always goneback and helped to rebuild nations after aconflict.”

She added, “Third U.S. Army has one ofthe greatest responsibilities in the restorationof these countries and that is one of the great-est feelings, to know that you were a part ofthat cause and the team that made it happen.”

Many troops even relate the birthday tooverall career aspects in the Army.

“I think what we have done here has had ahuge impact on Army Reserve Soldiers as faras promotions, ability to transfer from theIndividaul Ready Reserve to troop programunits, which also ties into a Soldiers ability toreenlist for bonuses. I also feel that our mis-sion has had a great impact from the adminis-trative perspective,” said Sgt. 1st ClassPatrick J. Anderson, U.S. Army Reserve G-1LNO for the Army Reserve Affairs.

“The Third Army history ... it will remindyou that ours is hard work, sometimes nasty,sometimes dangerous, often lonely, butalways a noble calling because through yourefforts, your sacrifices, your dedication toduty, you are ensuring freedom for Americaand providing opportunities for freedom forothers — Happy Birthday troops,” Whitcombsaid.

Third U.S. Army celebrates heritageCapt. Chevelle ThomasCFLCC PAO/11th PAD Commander

Spc. Debralee P. CrankshawLt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb, Third U.S.Army commanding general cuts a cake incelebration of the units birthday.

Happy Birthday Corps


Finishing in 11:03, one Soldier’s goalof completing his very first 50-mileultra marathon was completed Oct.

15.Unlike most Soldiers who use their rest

and relaxation time to take a break from therigors of work, Lt. Col. J. Matthew Lissner,Coalition Forces Land ComponentCommand, Army Reserve Affairs deputyassistant chief of staff, chose to push hisbody to the limits along the Blue RidgeMountains in Lynchburg, Va., at the 23rdAnnual Mountain Masochist Trail Run.

After several months of training in Kuwaiton the treadmill and in the hot desert sun,running an average of 60 miles a week,

Lissner said he felt he was prepared for whatlay before him.

When he arrived at the starting point ofthe race, he found himself in the midst of acrowd of approximately 300 people.

He felt himselfgetting pushed alongin the pack as every-one began to sprintfrom the start point.

As the sun startedto rise, the paved road slowly began to turninto a smaller trail and that turned into aneven smaller trail that eventually put the packof runners into one long snake-like rangerfile, said the Newport News, Va., native.

There were aid stations along the way atabout every third mile. Each aid station wasnamed after one of the many terrain featuresthat surrounded the race, like Cashaw Creek,Appalachian Trail, Mount Pleasant andPorter’s Ridge.

Some had fruits, cookies, chocolate, pota-toes, ham and cheese sandwiches, peanut but-ter and jelly sandwiches and some even hadmusic like Chariots of Fire, Lissner said. Hewent on to say that if it was a big intersectionthen you might even find yourself beingcheered on by 30 to 40 people.

Lissner took advantage of every aid sta-tion, stopping for two to three minutes to re-hydrate, take in a snack for energy or justshow the volunteers that he appreciated whatthey were doing for him and the other run-ners during the race.

Lissner found himself facing severe chal-lenges mid-way through the race due to thedifficult terrain that he had to maneuver andthe severity of the cramps he was experienc-ing.

Between the 30- and 40-mile markers, hesaid he realized that this was one of the mostmentally challenging things he had everdone.

He said he thought about his Ranger train-ing and how people would get delirious andcompared that to the challenges he faced inthe marathon.

However, he knew he had to keep going. “There were times where … I’m like,

‘Why am I doing this?’” the 48-year-old said. As he continued to talk about his race

experience at the MMTR, which is a part ofthe Lynchburg Ultra Series and also is con-sidered the Montrail Ultra CupChampionship race, he knew that the racewas a gut-check.

The race was more than just a competitionto Lissner. It was not about rivalry betweenhim and the other participants. It was notabout winning.

In the end it was about self-determinationand will power. It wasmind over matter or, inthis case, mind overpain.

As he ran the ultrahe continuously asked

himself, “Who am I going to disappoint?What am I going to tell my kids?”

He would tell himself, “It will quit hurtingas soon as I get to the finish.”

With that in mind Lissner said when hedid get cramps he would not push himself sohard to where he acquired an injury. Littleold ladies and old guys would pass him, buthe was not trying to compete with anybody.He looked at the watch and didn’t want to gethurt, which would cause him to get pulledfrom the course.

It was basically Lissner, nature and thewatch. His physical and mental stamina tocontinue the race, his ability to adapt to theweather and his drive to meet the 12-hourtime requirements were the challenges that hehad accepted for himself and determined tomeet.

As the last aid station was passed, headingfor the finish, Lissner told himself, “I’mclose.”

He said as he got closer to the finish linethe thought of relaxing and having a beercrossed his mind. He could see the countrystore on one side of the road and the finishline on the other side, and he said that was areally great sight.

“To see that store and the finish line froma half a mile away, that was an emotionalcharge, but it wasn’t like this great big adren-aline rush where I started sprinting for thefinish either,” he said.

“I just kept on trucking along, nice andeasy,” he said.

After finishing, Lissner said if he had it todo over again the only thing he would do dif-ferent is run with an Ipod because he felt thatwould have moved some of the miles away alittle easier.

However, in the end he did not need anIpod. All he needed was the self-disciplineto keep going.

Even today some troops ask Lissner whyhe did the race and his reply is, “It seemedlike a pretty good idea at the time.”

Mountain Masochist Trail Run...

Tests Soldier’s mind, body, spirit Capt. Chevelle ThomasCFLCC PAO/11th PAD Commander

Capt. Chevelle ThomasLt. Col. J. Matthew Lissner runs on a tread-mill training for a 50-mile ultra marathon.He ran this marathon while he was on R&Rin Virginia.

“To see that store and the finish line froma half a mile away, that was an emotionalcharge ...”

Lt. Col. J. Mathew Lissner


WednesdayPool tournament, 8-ball, 7 p.m., Zone 1Community CenterFlag football league preseason, Zone 1 soccerfieldTae Bo class, 4:30 p.m., Zone 1 tennis courtsBoxing class, 7 p.m., Zone 6 Fitness CenterCountry Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stageStep and abs, 8 a.m., Zone 6 Fitness Center ThursdayFlag football league preseason, Zone 1 soc-cer fieldBallroom dancing, 8 p.m., Zone 1Community CenterCountry Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1Community Center Tai Chi, 4 p.m., 8 p.m., Zone 1 Fitness CenterFridayFlag football league preseason, Zone 1 soccerfieldBoxing class, 8 p.m., Zone 6 Fitness CenterTotal Praise Concert, 7 p.m., Zone 6 PCB1251SaturdayFlag football league, through Dec. 24, Zone 1soccer fieldSalsa lessons, beginner, 6 p.m., intermediate,7 p.m., Zone 1 Community Center room 102Boxing class, 7 p.m., Zone 6 Fitness CenterSalsa Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 food courtCountry Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stageHip Hop step, 1 p.m., Zone 6 Fitness CenterTai Chi advanced, 4 p.m., 8 p.m., Zone 1Fitness CenterThe Ride, 6 p.m., Zone 1 Fitness CenterSundayNFL games, 6 p.m., Zone 1 and 6Community CentersSalsa Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stageStep and abs, 5 a.m., 1 p.m., Zone 1Fitness CenterAbs, 8 a.m., Zone 1 Fitness CenterMondayKaraoke Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 CommunityCenterThanksgiving Wheel of Fortune, 7 p.m., Zone6 Community CenterSalsa lessons, beginner, 6 p.m., intermediate,7 p.m., Zone 1 Community Center room 102Tae Bo class, 4:30 p.m., Zone 1 tennis courtsTuesdayBingo Night, 7 p.m., Zone 1 CommunityCenterAaron Tippin Show, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stageBallroom dancing, 8 p.m., Zone 1Community Center

WednesdayTree trimming, 7 p.m., Zone 1 CommunityCenterThanksgiving over 40 and women’s basket-ball tournament, through Nov. 27Tae Bo class, 4:30 p.m., Zone 1 tenniscourtsBoxing class, 7 p.m., Zone 6 Fitness CenterCountry Music Night, 7 p.m., Zone 6 stageFor more information call 430-1205/1302

ThursdayTae-Kwon-Do Class, 7 p.m., MWR Tent 1FridayTalent Show, 7 p.m., MWR stageHip-Hop Night, 9 p.m., Tent 1SaturdayTae-Kwon-Do Class, 7 p.m., MWR Tent 1Hip-Hop Night, 9 p.m., MWR tent 1SundaySalsa dance, 9 p.m.MondayTurkey Trot 5K run, registration 5 a.m., start6 a.m.TuesdayTae-Kwon-Do Class, 7 p.m., MWR Tent 1For more information call 828-1340

WednesdayCheckers, 7 p.m., Aerobics roomFridayBingo, 7 p.m., Fitness Center bench areaSaturdayFoosball, 1 p.m., game roomWednesdayChess, 7 p.m., Aerobics roomFor more information call 839-1063

WednesdayFoosball tournament, 8 a.m., MWR tentThursdayFoosball tournament, 8 a.m., MWR tentFridayFoosball tournament, 8 a.m., MWR tentSaturdayFun run, 6 a.m., MWR tentMondayPool tournament, 9-ball, 8 a.m., MWR tentTuesdayPool tournament, 9-ball, 8 a.m., MWR tentWednesdayPool tournament, 9-ball, 8 a.m., MWR tent

For more information call 844-1137

For information call 825-1302

WednesdayBricklayer’s free-throw contest, 3 p.m.,MWR courtsThree-point contest, 4 p.m., MWR courtsThursdayAerobics, 5 a.m., MWRGuns of steel chin-up contest, 3 p.m., gymMovie night, 6 p.m., MWR dayroomFridayFurious flag football tournament, 3 p.m.,MWR fieldsSaturdayAerobics, 5 a.m., MWRFurious flag football tournament, 3 p.m.,MWR fieldsSundayFurious flag football tournament, 3 p.m.,MWR fieldsMondayCoolhand Luke Texas Hold’em tournament, 6p.m., MWR dayroomTuesdayAerobics, 5 a.m., MWRDesert Bingo Night, 6 p.m., MFTWednesdayWhose Your Baghdaddy Arm Wrestlingchampionship, 3 p.m., MWR dayroomFor more information call 823-1033

WednesdayVolleyball tournament, 10 vs. 10, 5 p.m.,Field S of MWR tentThursdayVolleyball tournament, 10 vs. 10, 5 p.m.,Field S of MWR tentFridayPush-up, sit-up competition, 4 p.m., gymSaturdayHip-Hop Night, 8 p.m., Dusty RoomMondayBasketball tournament, 5 vs. 5, 6 p.m., bas-ketball courtsTuesdayBingo, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomWednesdayChess tournament, 7 p.m., MWR tentFor more information call 832-1045

Virginia

Arifjan

Buehring

Navistar

Victory

Spearhead/SPOD

Kuwait Naval Base

Community happenings for Nov. 16 through Nov. 23

TThhee sspprriinntt ttoo vviiccttoorryyFor the Veteran’s Day track and fieldstory see the Nov. 23 edition of theDesert Voice.

november 16, 2005 serving the u.s. and coalition forces in...

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