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Victory TimesVol. II, Issue 57 May 27, 2006Telling the Camp Victory story

In today’s Victory Times:

Page 4: Chaplain’s Corner, Letter’s from homePage 5: Man on the Street

Page 2: Firemen, Aussies feudPage 3: Faces of Freedom

Page 7: Camp Victory operating hours

Tuesday

Camp Victory Three-day forecast

Mostly SunnyHigh: 110 FLow: 81 F

Sunday

SunnyHigh: 107 FLow: 79 F

MondaySunnyHigh: 108 F Low: 79 F

Signal battalion ensures communications intact in IraqStory by Spc. Brian James AndersonMNC-I PAO

The U.S. Army has been pioneering electronic-communications technologies since 1917 with advances made each year. Today the communication systems continue to grow and adapt to fit the structure of the battlefield the Army now faces. It is 72nd Signal Battalion’s job to ensure communications are continually running and adapting to the environment in Iraq. Spread throughout Iraq, the 72nd ensures communications are intact in all regions. The 72nd, who was deployed from Mannheim, Germany, is the first Integrated Theater Signal Battalion in the Army. The Soldiers and contractors that fall under 72nd, support both tactical and strategic communications systems, and they all have the ability to be flexible with a minimum amount of notice. Some of their jobs are to man the help desks and install and wire buildings and offices for connectivity. The battalion also works to advance the ability of communication across Iraq.

“One of our major accomplishments since arriving in country was implementation of the Central Iraqi Microwave System,” said Maj. Shawn Wells, operations officer. “The equipment was already here;

we engineered it and (put it into operation in a few locations).” The CIMS system is a cost-effective solution to provide backbone connectivity, said Wells. It works off microwave signals passed from one tower to another. The system is cost efficient because it reduces the need for satellites, which can be quite expensive. “We are able to use one satellite and then distribute the signal through the towers,” said Wells. Sgt. Maj. Fredrick May, operations sergeant major, said another innovation, or

rebirth rather, was the e-pop system. see SIGNAL, page 2

Pfc. Rosa Lzuieta, Company B, 72nd Signal Battalion, cuts conduit for inside plant operations.

Courtesy Photo

Victory Times May 27, 2006

Firemen, Aussies feud with practical jokes, funStory by Spc. Curt SquiresMNC-I PAO

From the mid 1940s thru the late 80’s, two factions stood at attention, ready to fight. The Cold War was a vital time when the United States was at odds with communism. Twenty-years later, with the Cold War over, there is another war raging. It is not the Global War on Terrorism, but it is taking place in the Middle East. Nestled inside the walls of Camp Victory, the firefighters of Station Two are locked into a battle of attrition with the Australian Contingent. No shots have been fired, and none will. It is not a war of casualties, toppling dictators or saving lives. It is a war of practical jokes and good fun. Actual accounts on how the war began vary depending who is asked. It started a few months ago when one of the Aussies kept putting kangaroo stickers on the vehicles, a firefighter wishing not to reveal his identity said. Getting even proved to be a challenging task, the fireman continued. The firemen retaliated by kidnapping the Aussie’s kangaroo. The inflatable kangaroo was held for ransom and tortured. When the Aussies failed to meet the demands of the kidnappers, the firefighters sent it on an around the world vacation. The kangaroo is currently in the United

States, and will visit Italy and Spain before returning to Iraq. However, the Aussies believe it was the firefighters who started the war. During a farewell ceremony for an Australian soldier who was redeploying, one of the Aussies was preparing to leave the party when he was ambushed. The vehicle he was going to be driving home was sabotaged by a firefighter, said Lance Cpl. Luke Jones, information systems Corporal, Australian Contingent.

The firefighters then proceeded to soak the Aussie with the deck gun of the fire truck. Retaliation has been a mainstay throughout the campaign. One of the crowning achievements for the Australians was replacing the flag at the fire station, said Jones. In the middle of the night, the Aussies snuck over to the firehouse and replaced

the Station Two flag with a kangaroo flag, he continued. The flag was returned the next day. In a later raid, the fire hose dummy, a mannequin made out of fire hose, was kidnapped and held for ransom. He was later returned with only minor injuries. However, the Australians have not gotten away clean in the war. Recently, all the Australian flags were removed from the contingent’s compound. The flags now hang in the bay of Fire Station Two, said a firefighter. In a war of information and practical jokes, both sides have managed to agree on a common good. It’s about gamesmanship, said Jones. “It brings everyone together as a team,” he continued. “Everyone works together, and by having this going, we bond in a way that just wouldn’t normally be possible.” Despite the practical jokes, the firefighters and Aussies remain close friends, said Jones. In the Memorial Day softball tournament, the Australians were a welcomed part of the fire house softball team, said the firefighter. The two sides remain committed to their friendship, despite the pranks. “Good people with great moral and ethical standards just end up being friends. I could never say one bad word about any firefighter,” said Jones. “Every one I have

met has had a fantastic attitude towards life and making the most of being here. “There isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do for these guys and I’m sure that works back the other way,” he continued. “A couple of the guys are really great friends; these are not the guys that are bailing you out of jail. These are the guys sitting in the cells with you saying ‘Gee…that was a lot of fun!’”

Fireman from Station Two show off their captured Australian flag. Over the last few months, the Aussies and firemen battled on the field of practi-cal jokes.

Courtesy Photo

“E-pop is a system that was already here, we just revamped it up so it covers (all our networks).” May said. “The system works by popping a message onto a user’s screen. It shows text, makes noises and flashes. It will grab the users’ attention.” The goal is to get the e-pop system to work in coordination with the big voice, said May. This will allow people working in the palace or remote locations to be notified of any possible threat to their area of operation. Wells said the commanders and Soldiers they service are the most important part of their job. “We are spread throughout Iraq, and we even have Soldiers in

Kuwait,” said Wells. “Our mission is customer service. It is about information assurance.” May said the 72nd has one of the strongest casts of personnel he has seen in a signal battalion. “The Soldiers in the 72nd have such a level of knowledge,” said May. “They truly have the ability to adapt and they use that ability to provide communication to the warfighters.” Communication is nothing new in the war zone or the Army, but it is something that continues to evolve as the demands of the modern day warfighter changes. The 72nd is Iraq’s communication tool, and they stand ready to the ever-changing needs of the commanders and Soldiers working in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

SIGNAL

May 27, 2006Victory Times

Faces of Freedom

IRAQI

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Curt Squires, MNC-I PAO

A young Iraqi girl waves as American troops pass by during a convoy to a school to deliver supplies in Baghdad Sunday.

A Soldier from the 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, holds up a symbol for peace from his newly acquired humvee from the Coali-tion Tranfer of Authority ceremony, March 2. The Iraqi Army took over a large area of operations from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, mark-ing a historical day for both the Coalition Forces and the country of Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason Jordan, 1st BCT, 10th Mountain Division PAO)

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Curt Squires, MNC-I PAO

Maj. Gen. Malik, Iraqi Police, passes out toys and school supplies to Iraqi children at the Al Naison Primary School in Baghdad Sunday.

FREEDOMIraqi children wave at U.S. troops while they delivered school supplies to students at the Al Naison Primary School in Baghdad Sunday. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Curt Squires, MNC-I PAO)

A young Iraqi girl holds toys and school sup-plies U.S. troops delivered at a primary school in Baghdad Sunday. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Curt Squires, MNC-I PAO)


Chaplain’s corner

CH (MAJ) Charles M. HerringReligious Support Operations MNC-I Chaplain Office

Letters from homeTo Maj. John Ryan Bailey, surgeon’s office, Multi-National Corps-Iraq

Ryan, Winston and I love you and miss you and wish you a wonderful 35th birthday! Love, Tammy XOXO

Where is the ski boat?

One of my favorite summer activities as a young man was water skiing. Not many warm summer days would pass without me finding myself behind a ski boat having a blast. Getting up on the skis was tricky. One of my favorite sounds was the low “burble” of the ski boat as I got set for the lift. Then with a quick thrust of the throttle, the engine would roar to life, the water would churn and the thrill began. The water would try to pull me back, and my legs would strain to hang on; the water did everything to hold me down until I got on the surface and the speed addiction slung me wide to the smooth water outside the wake. The very water that was trying to hold me back had become the agent for my speed and fun. Every day I look at the lakes all around me and ask, “Where is the ski boat?” The trials and temptations I face as a man, husband, father and soldier are just like the waters that tried to hold me down as a skier. I had to learn to take advantage of God’s power – like the power of the ski boat. In my life, there is the daily

struggle and effort to hang on with all my might to being a man of faith. The weight of my weakness (lack of faith, self worth and fear of losing control, hitting the water like a stone and going skip, skip, skip for 50 yards) seems almost unbearable. But like the water that lifts the skis, my difficulties challenge me to draw on God’s power. In II Corinthians 4:7 Saint Paul said, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” God is the power that lifts me to the top of the spiritual water to “ski.” It is not any personal power that I have. Sometimes I have not been willing to learn this spiritual truth. Sometimes I saw the deep waters of temptation and trial as a rock

holding me under water instead of an opportunity to realize the truly mighty power that lifts me up and then carries me over those same waters. The words of the old colonial hymn are right, “For I will be with thee thy trials to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.” God lifts me from the grip of my trials so that I may spiritually ski with confidence and courage. Now where is that ski boat?

Faces of FreedomThe children of Iraq are important to the future

and fate of this country.

Do you have any photo’s of the Iraqi children?

If so, send them to [email protected] to have them published in the Victory Times.

Please provide information of who, what, when and where.


Sign up at the Ed center before June 17. SAT examinations will be by first come first serve basis. There are only 25 slots for this exam.

The Education Center Will Be Closed June 24 and 25 for Testing

SAT Scholastic Aptitude Test

The Camp Victory Education Center is offering the SAT Sunday, June 25 2006

This will be the last SAT Date offered until September

Camp Victory Education CenterBuilding 27 B Texas RD

Camp Victory, Iraq

MAY 30 8pm VICTORY STAGE

JUNE 13, 1200 – 1 pmBLIZZARD INNCAMP LIBERTY

Maj. John A. Ruibal, RDExciting Presentation!

Man on the StreetThis years NBA playoffs have been one to remember. The Cleveland Cavaliers took the Detroit Pistons to seven games before fall-ing short. The Phoenix Suns played two tough, seven-game series in a row. The rival match up of the Dallas Mavericks and San An-tonio Spurs needed seven games and an overtime to crown a winner. And talk about the Los Angeles Clippers not seeing the playoffs since the 1996-97 season and going deep into the second round, with an MVP-like performance from Elton Brand. Veteran players

have stepped up and future stars are on the rise to stardom. What will it take from the four remaining teams to get to the finals and be crowned NBA champions?

Also, who will win the 2006 finals? “It’s going to take everything (each team) has. They’ll need a lot of skills and ex-perience,” said Spc. Jefferey McDaniels, maintainer operator, 440th Signal Bat-talion.NBA Champs: Dallas

“I wish Cleveland and L.A. made it. It would have made for a better game. But as far as for these games, Suns got to stop Dirk and the Heat and Detroit are sort of evenly matched. Detroit needs to play better even though they have been winning throughout the playoffs. They are unselfish and they have the players to win it all,” said Sgt. 1st Class Timo-thy Powell, effects fire noncom-missioned officer, MNC-I. NBA Champs: Detroit

PRESENTS

UNIT FIELD SANITATION TEAM CERTIFICATION TRAINING

40 hour training course

Class Dates:

July 24-27 (30 seats available)

Seats are on a first come first serve basis.

TO RESERVE SEATS PLEASE SEND NAME, UNIT, PHONE NUMBER AND E-

MAIL ADDRESS TO:

Sgt. TIA SKERBECK

[email protected]

DSN 318-822-2851

“It’ll take tough as nails, hard-nosed basketball. The team that wins will win with bet-ter defense and good team play. I’m rooting for the Mav’s,” said Sgt. Tom Con-ning, broadcast noncommissioned officer, MNC-I PAONBA Champs: Dallas


Basic Life Support Course10 SEATS PER CLASS

1st Friday and 1st Monday of Every Month

Combat Lifesaver Certification Course17 SEATS PER CLASS

2nd and 4th Thursdays of Every Month

EMT Refresher Course10 SEATS PER CLASS3rd Monday of Every Month

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact:

Staff Sgt. Christopher J. [email protected]

DSN: 822-1230

ATTENTION ALL ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS DON’T DELAY! THE BONUS WILL

EXPIRE MAY 31 2006.

TO FIND OUT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A TAX FREE LUMP SUM BONUS UP TO $15,000. MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT YOUR RETENTION NCO

OR S1FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE CONTACT THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

THEATER CAREER COUNSELOR BELOWMaster Sgt. LISA PORILLO-BIRKHEADBLDG #135, CAMP VICTORYDSN: 318-822-3774E-MAIL: [email protected] or [email protected]

Official BolderBoulder 2006 race T-shirts to

all finishers!

Register NOW via email Sgt. Julia RuckRace Director

[email protected]

BAGHDADSATELLITE EDITION - BAGHDAD, IRAQ

Race Date: Sunday, May 28

Start/Finish: Camp Victory main MWR Bldg 51 (near Slayer Tunnel)

Show Time: 5 – 5:45 a.m. Registration/Number pickup

Race Start : 6 a.m.

Race Distance: 10km run (6.2 miles)

VERY IMPORTANT -- Include in your registration email:1. Name, Gender, Date of Birth2. Branch of Service or Civilian organization and Unit 3. Nationality4. T-shirt size (Women's S/M/L/XL or Men's M/L/XL/XXL)And let us know in your email if you’ve ever run BolderBoulder in Colorado

Coalition CafeBreakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m.Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.Dinner 5:30 - 8 p.m.Midnight Dining 11 p.m. - 1 a.m.Sports OasisBreakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m.Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.Dinner 5 - 9 p.m.ShopetteOpen 24 HoursCamp Liberty Post ExchangeEveryday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.Fitness CenterOpen 24 HoursPost OfficeMonday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Saturday - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.Golby Troop Medical ClinicSick Call Hours:Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noonSaturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noonDental Sick Call:Monday - Friday 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.Saturday 9 - 10:30 a.m.Mental Health Clinic:Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Saturday 9 a.m. - noonPost Deployment Health Briefings:Monday - Friday 1 p.m.Pharmacy:Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon, 1 - 4:30 p.m.Saturday & Sunday 7:30 a.m. - noonLegal Assistance/ClaimsSaturday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.Friday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Personnel Service Support CentersMonday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sunday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.ID CardsMonday - Friday9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. Peter W. ChiarelliMNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Michelle L. Martin-Hing

MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. Paul J. StevensonMNC-I Command Info Chief: Sgt. 1st Class Laurence R. Lang

MNC-I Production Chief: Staff Sgt. Jason B. BakerVictory Times Staff writers/ photographers: Spc. Brian James Anderson,

Spc. Curt Squires, Spc. James P. Hunter, Lance Cpl. Drew Hendricks

Victory Times is an authorized electronic publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this electronicpublication are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Department of

Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of Multi-National Corps Iraq.

Victory Times welcomes columns, commentaries, articles and letters from our readers. Send submissionsor comments to [email protected].

We reserve the right to edit for security, accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space.


Operating hours

Submit letters from homeIs your loved one deployed in support of Multi-National Corps-Iraq? Would you like to write him or her a

message in the Victory Times? Send messages, three to four lines of text to [email protected]. Ensure to include Soldiers name, rank, and unit.

AL FAW PALACE POST OFFICE

HAS MOVED TO THE REAR OF THE PALACE IN THE BLUE CONNEX.

SEE DIRECTION SIGNS FOR NEW LOCATION DURING HOURS OF

OPERATIONS SUN & WED 2 – 8 pm

Contact Camp Victory Post Office for any questions. DSN 318-822-2934/4694

MNF-I/MNC-IHUMAN RELATIONS/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

OFFICE

PRESENTS

PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT(POSH) AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PROGRAM (SAPR) TRAINING

LOCATIONAL FAW PALACE BALLROOM

DATESJUNE 16, 28, & 30

TIMES10am – Noon

POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS TRAINING IS THE MNC-I HR/EO OFFICE @ 822-3532/3545

Camp VictorySexual Assault Points of Contacts

Unrestricted------Your Chain Of Command

Restricted or Unrestricted126822-2757TMC (Medical Treatment)

UnrestrictedAL FAW822-2500SJA

Restricted or UnrestrictedT-M8 & AL FAW822-2435/3532UVA

Unrestricted26822-4790MPsUnrestricted84822-2839CID

Restricted or Unrestricted2079-01927567CHAPLAIN

Restricted or UnrestrictedT-M8822-3545SARC

OPTIONBLDG #PHONERESOURCE

Victims and anyone aware of a victim of sexual assault shoulVictims and anyone aware of a victim of sexual assault should immediately d immediately seek medical treatment and report the incident to the appropriatseek medical treatment and report the incident to the appropriate agency e agency based on the victimbased on the victim’’s reporting options.s reporting options.

MNC-I SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE – 9#-914-360-0149

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