the knight life - "the summer camp issue" june 2011

THE KNIGHT LIFEA CO. 640TH ASB \ JUN 2011 \ ISS. 03

MIL I TARY MERIT \ COMBAT ACT ION \ TAJ I TOUR

THE KNIGHT LIFE THE SUMMER CAMP ISSUE \ JUN 2011 \ ISS. 03

01\INTRODUCTION

A letter from the Editor and Command Team.

02\MERIT BADGES They are well deserved for the way they serve.

03\CAB AWARDEDThe Combat Action Badge (CAB) is awarded.

04\CAMPGROUNDS

A quick Taji Tour of some of our surroundings.

05\RECOGNITIONKudos to these exemplary Alpha Co Soldiers.

THE KNIGHT LIFE \ A CO 640TH ASB

01\FUN IN THE SUNCAMPING IS BETTER WITHOUT TENTS

It’s bright, it’s hot, the Summer is upon us, and I wanted to make light of this issue (pun intended). This is a special “Summer Camp” issue that is just about Camp Taji. Hopefully after this issue you will have a little bit better of an idea of the environment we live in. There is no question that we have it pretty good and as I am typing this with the full blast of A/C pushing through my office it’s hard for me to imagine the war before Taji was established, when the term “camp” was more appropriate to a remote base of tents.

As it relates to Camp this issue is also about recogni-tion. Although I was never a part of the Boyscouts, a basis of their organization is becoming proficient at certain skills and tasks resulting in merit badges of which they wear with pride. The way our Soldiers operate they would be covered from kevlar to boot. I’m honored to serve with such a professional group of men and woman and as we pass over the “half-way point” their dedication is ever more prevalent.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

1LT JOSH TERRY

THE SUMMER CAMP ISSUE \ JUN 2011 \ ISS. 03

a CALL TO ARTSWe need YOU to contribute to The Knight Life. We are accepting input and submissions of all kinds be it stories, articles, photos, drawings, designs, illustrations ideas, concepts, and just about anything you would like to be seen or read amongst these pages.

If you have or can produce any of the mentioned items we are looking for then just let us know. If you would like to be a regular contributor or think you could be a valuable part of our team then again, just let us know.

Please send in your submissions, comments, and ideas to: [email protected]

01\COMMAND COMMENTS

I feel comfortable speaking for my Soldiers when I say, we’re proudto be here in Taji and honored to be a part of the historic end of a longwar in Iraq. Going through all the trials and triumphs over the past six-months has brought us close and has given some of us first-timers our first opportunity to function as an active duty unit over an extended period of time. In general, life is good in Taji

and I can’t think of too many other places we’d rather be (other than home with our loved-ones of course). We’re conducting and succeeding in our missions and look forward to the challenges ahead. I know that once this mission is over, we’ll look back with pride at what we were a part of and what we accomplished.

COMMANDER

CPT SION DETTRA

Hello from Very Hot Iraq!!! I hope that everyone is well and in good health. The weather here is getting up in temperature something that some of us are not use to, but everyone so far are adjusting well to it. We are just pastour half way point of this deployment, I just want to say Thank You to everyone who is supporting us in whatever aspect you are.

Things here are busy, but the soldiers are taking it one day at a time. I am always saying “Everyday is Monday”. Since being here we have had some promotions and we have had some disappointments also, but through it all we are still “ALPHA STRONG”. We have had soldiers go on R&R, and they all come back refreshed. Keep in mind that “This too Shall Pass” we will be home before you know it. Keep Praying for us as we Pray for all of our Loved ones.

FIRST SERGEANT

1SG RODDRICK PULLEN


Though no badges are actually earned, it’s no question that Alpha Company Soldiers operate at a level that is worthy of award and recognition. From hot-link grilling to helicopter fueling Alpha leads the way.

It helps being the the biggest, baddest, thing on the road when navigating the chaotic motorways of Iraq. The traffic-laws seem to follow the same guidelines of a demolition derby and the sides of the road have the wrecks and trash to prove it. But all the

power and armor of a fourteen ton MRAP (Mine Re-sistant Ambush Protected) Vehicle aren’t much good without a skilled 88M to wield it. The Motor Trans-port Operators of 3rd Platoon do this with talent and ease, mauevering equipment and supplies through the


most difficult environments to successfully support the Soldiers at the other end. With military drivers license that read like a 10-year-old’s Christmas list there’s nothing the Transporta-tion Platoon can’t handle.


There is no shortage of physical activity and sports here on Camp Taji. If you like being outdoors to enjoy the fresh-air and dust then you can find Soccer, Base-ball, Rugby, Volleyball, Track and even Frisbee Golf. Our 4 gyms provide plenty of equipment to get in

shape for the next MWR Hosted Push-Up, Bench-press, Squat, Pull-up or Curling Competition twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week.


For every operation there is a vast amount of administrative work behind it. The heart of Alpha Company operations is found at it’s headquarters where Soldiers are working around the clock to manage personnel, equipment, maintenance,

missions, and supplies. This a hub of 24 hour activity serving as the lifeline to day-to-day tasks and mis-sion support. In addition to the command and supply sections, The Knight Life offices also call headquarters home.


The makings of a perfect day at Camp Taji include clear skies, warm weather, and the roar of large caliber fully-automatic machine guns. Every Soldier has plenty of opportunity to hone their MOS skills


each day by doing their job, but it is equally impor-tant to maintain the proficiencies learned in basic rifle marksmanship. Utilizing Alpha Company’s full arsenal Soldiers are able to practice reducing targets to tat-

tered heaps of paper and wood with everything from handguns to grenade launchers and they do so with intimidating accuracy.


As the saying goes “Without fuel, Pilots are Pedestri-ans.” Supporting one of the largest sources of aviation assets in Iraq without our 92Fs Taji Airbase would be nothing more than a helicopter parking lot. Working in shifts around the clock these Petroleum Special-


ists have supported over 2800 U.S. Military and Iraqi Army helicopters with close to 500,000 gallons of highly-volatile fuel.


“Supply or Die” couldn’t hold more true. Without food, water, weapons, and cloth-ing we simply would not survive. Everything in the military is a product of supply and managing all of it is an enormous task that is well carried out by our Sup-

ply Section and Platoon. Their function is the starting point of all support enabling mission success at every level from the individual soldier to the entire theater of operations.


COMBATACTION

BADGE

03\

On May 14th the Soldiers of Alpha Company and the 640th Aviation Support Battalion received the Combat Action Badge (CAB) for their fearless dedication to the success of Operation New Dawn and the United States Army.

For this action over 400 Soldiers from the 640th ASB were awarded the Combat Action Badge from Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Carmona. For some Soldiers, who were previously deployed, this was not their first but for many others they now stand proudly amongst over a thousand others who have received this decoration serving in support of Operation New Dawn.


In keeping with the spirit of the Warrior Ethos, the Combat Action Badge (CAB) provides special recognition to Soldiers who personally engage the enemy, or are engaged by the enemy during combat operations. The bayonet and grenade are associated with active combat. The oak wreath symbolizes strength and loyalty.

The Combat Action Badge may be awarded to any sol-dier after the date of September 18, 2001 performing duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized, who is personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement. Award is not limited by one’s branch of service or military occupational specialty, but is only authorized for wear on U.S. Army uniforms.

The CAB creation was approved by the U.S. Army on May 2, 2005 and can be retroactively awarded to soldiers who engaged in combat after September 18, 2001. Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker awarded the Army’s new Combat Action Badge for the first time and over 80,000 badges have been awarded since it’s creation.


THE SUMMER CAMP ISSUE \ JUN 2011 \ ISS. 03 THE SUMMER CAMP ISSUE \ JUN 2011 \ ISS. 03

Company and Battalion Headquarters


Camp Taji has the amenities of a Five-Star resort with the aesthetics of a post-apocalyptic strip mall. But when it comes to military camps in the theater of operations function takes precedence over form. Each building and section is part of a strategic layout that maximizes protection and effeciency. This aside, what matters most to Soldiers is found on the inside.

Although most our days are spent in the workplace there is no shortage of distractions to occupy the rest of the time. For an active lifestyle there are multiple gyms with a full gamet of workout equipment to accommodate aspiring bodybuilders, marathon run-ners, and everyone in between. Gym membership is

comes free with military service. Additionally there is a softball field, soccer field, track, basketball courts, volleyball courts, horeshoe pits, obstacle course and a swimming pool.If games and movies is your passion there are MWR centers that provide the latest game consoles and computers. The movie theater usually hosts a variety of “new releases” each week and there is an additional movie room where Soldiers can bring their own picks for the big screen. On the more traditional side there are pool and ping-pong tables and a handful of dif-ferent lounging and library areas where one can relax wtih some board games and books.

There are few shops that sell a variety of movies, music, video games, software and electronics as well as nov-elties. For all your supplies the PX is the place to go, which was once known for being one of the largest PX in Iraq. For food the dining facility serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a midnight meal with a cornicopia of food selections pleasing to almost any taste. Caf-feine cravers can get their fix at the newly opened Green Beans coffee shop.


The CHU (Containerized Housing Unit) is a marvel of modular modern living. Light-weight and easily manuevered they are assembled into small neighborhoods around a common bathroom. CHUs come in a variety of floorplans to accommodate multiple Soldiers, with luxury models having their own bathrooms.


Monolithic concrete blast walls surround each living area affording the privacy and protection that’s needed.


If home entertainment is what you seek the electronics store has all the latest titles of dvds, music and video games. Preceding the pulse of popular culture the shop often has titles before they’ve even been released to stores such as blockbusters, “The Hungover” and “Transfarmers.”


There are few restaurants where you can enjoy lobster, chili-fries, curry, and an oreo-cookie milkshakes all in one sitting. The DFAC (Dining Facility) has all that and more, served buffet style, with a variety and quantity enough to satisfy the most famished Soldiers. If gorging yourself 3-4 times a day isn’t enough a selection of “to go” items are available around the clock.

Passenger Terminal (Airport) MWR Center


Remnants of Iraqi military might litter the outskirts of Camp Taji.


Certificate of AppreciationS o l d i e r S o f t h e W e e k

SPC JaSSo SSG White SSG Moultrie

05\

Certificate of AppreciationS o l d i e r S o f t h e W e e k

CPt Sion S. dettra, ComPany Commander

SPC JaSSo for displaying an unwaivering sense of pride and support for her fellow Soldiers, Unit and the United States Army.

SSG White for showing exemplary improvement in passing the Army Physical Fitness Test and exceeding the standar of professional appearance and action.

SSG Moultrie for implementing a heightened sense of concern for the well-being and morale of his fellow Soldiers.

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the knight life - "the summer camp issue" june 2011

Documents

camp taji

special summer camp

term camp

issue pun

tourthe knight life

merit badges

knight lifea

quick taji tour