Victory TimesVol. II, Issue 89 Aug. 15, 2006g p y y

In today’s Victory Times:

Page 4: Chaplain’s CornerPage 5: Dependent ID cards

Page 2: 101st, IP’s raid homes Page 3: This week in Military

History

Page 6: Camp Victory operating hours

Currahee Soldiers and INP search, clear Al DoraStory and photos bySpc. James P. HunterMNC-I PAO

The night is calm in Al Dora. The heat from the day prior still hangs in the air,but is slowly coolingoff. It is still a couple of hoursbefore sunrise and Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 506d th

Infantry Regiment,currently attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th

Infantry Division, pass around jokes,clearing their mindsof anything that maybe going on around them. They patientlywait for the Iraqi National Policemento gather their equipment and mount their vehicles. The night skyis still upon them. “Let’s go,” the platoonsergeant says. “Get it on.” They put their gear and game face on. The jokes and stories go away and seriousness takes over. The Currahee Soldiers, along side the INP, move into the area. They cordon it off and, on foot, move through the muhallahs,searching every home, looking for weapons,caches, ammunition and explosives.

Since August 7, during OperationTogether Forward, the Currahee Soldiers and INPs worked at least 12-hour days asthe security in Baghdad heightened, clearing and searching each home in Al Dora.

The homes in Dora, all 4,284, werecompletely cleared early Friday morning. They detained 24 people, registered 339 weapons and

weapons. “Our main focus

was to remove all

illegal weapons fromAl Dora to reduce sectarian violence and improve security,”said 2nd Lt. Thomas d

B. Cotton, platoonleader, 1st platoon, t

Company B, 2nd Bn.,d

506th Inf. Reg. Cotton said three to

many. Many homes within the area were

abandoned because of the fear of sectarianviolence, he said. In one home, during a search on Thursday,

casings covering the ground. Pictures werescattered throughout the home as if thefamily raided their home for essentials and left it abandoned. While searching another home, national

police found a manual on how to performa Jihad. An interpreter said to him, “We need not to shed each others blood. We are

human beings, and I respect humans.” In each home, Iraqisare allowed one AK-47 and two magazines for protection. Currahee troops registered eachweapon kept in the Iraqi homes for accountabilityand security reasons. The national police were the main push in the operation, Cotton said.The U.S. troops were simply there to provideguidance, advice and support to the INPs. Cotton said givingthe national police the lead in the operation,basically gives them on-the-job training because“by working with us, they learn from us.” see DORA, page 4

Iraqi National Police climb down stairs from therooftop of an Iraqi home during Operation To-gether Forward, Thursday. Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, and INPs cleared homes in Al Dora, all 4,284, early Friday morning. They will continue to maintain a pres-ence in the area to reduce sectarian violence.

An Iraqi National Policeman climbs onto a rooftop dur-rring Operation Together Forward, Thursday. INPs and Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regi-iiment cleared 4,284 homes in Al Dora. They detained

Page 2 Victory Times Aug. 15, 2006

Friday

Camp Victory Three-day Forecast

Mostly SunnyHigh: 118 FLow: 90 F

WednesdayMostly SunnyHigh: 119 FLow: 90 F

ThursdayMostly SunnyHigh: 119 FLow: 91 F

Letters from homeLt. Col. Rorik Wallace Larson, SCJS, MNC-I

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of our troops. We miss you very much and can’t wait for your safe return home to Laura and the rest of the family. Stay safe !! Love, Bob and Donna Kay

101st Soldiers, IP’s raid homes in Airport VillageStory and photo by Cpl. Jessica KentMNC-I PAO

Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 320t th Field Artillery Regiment, 101h st

Airborne Division, and Iraqi policemen conducted a cordon-and-knock patrol through Airport Village, Baghdad, Saturday. Several objectives were achieved during the mission, such as

items or weapons, and interrupting plans for enemy attacks. “Based on intelligence, members of the local community were suspected of planning disruptive activities within the area of operations,” said Lt. Col. Rafael Torres Jr., commander, 1st Battalion,t

320th FAR. “Our purpose h

was to disrupt any activitiesand deny the ability to affect Victory Base Complex.” After Soldiers cleared each house, they provided outside security while Iraqi Policemen gained experience with searching the premises. “We have fantastic relationships with their Coalition trainers,” Torres said. “They said the success story is that the Iraqi Policemen understand the human dimension of the cordonand knock.” This mission is different from what Iraqi policemen have seenduring previous operations, and now they know what to do if someone aggressively tries to deny them entrance. They also learned

to isolate groups of women and children, and to talk to individuals toease tensions, Torres said. Another mission accomplished inside Airport Village was showing the enemy that armed forces have an ability to take away their meansto attack, Torres said.

The cordon and knock was coordinated through the village mayor,which showed the local population there is a civil network there.

“This is important becausethere has been no type of civil order in this villagein the past three years,” said Torres. Overall, the mission wasa success for Soldiers and Iraqi policemen. WhileAirport Village residentsmay have been interrupted with daily activities,Soldiers plan to make upfor the inconvenience. “Although some may havebeen upset, now we’ll go back into the schools for humanitarian missions,”said Torres. For the abandoned house that required a broken door for entrance, the team of

Soldiers will ensure the door is replaced. “Our team knows how to clear houses and interact with the

community,” said Staff Sgt. Andres Giraldo, artillery crew member,A Battery, 320th Field Artillery Regiment. “We’re good at what weh

do, so it was like a normal day for us. We’re proud to take part intraining the Iraqi policemen.”

During a cordon-and-knock patrol through Airport Village Saturday, a Soldier with 320th Field Artillery Regiment, searches for suspicious items and weapons.

Page 3 Victory Times Aug. 15, 2006

Prayer Breakfast!Non-Denominational

When: 6 am Every Wednesday Where: Oasis DFAC, Room TBA

Outline:6 – 6:30 am: Arrive, get food, Fellowship6:30 – 6:45 am: Opening Prayer, prayer requests, Prayer6:45 – 7 am: Devotion Message/Closing Prayer

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

POCs:Col. Stephen Rust, DSN 822-3150Maj. Andy Evitts, DSN 822-3835

A Medic with the 2nd Bat-tttalion, 506th Infantry Regi-iiment, treats a young Iraqi girl with burns on her face in Al Dora, Thursday dur-rring Operation Together For-rrward where U.S. troops and Iraqi National Po-lice cleared homes in Al Dora. (U.S. Army pho-to by Spc. James P. Hunter, MNC-I PAO)

Page 4 Victory Times Aug. 15, 2006

Chaplain’s corner

CH (MAJ) Charles M. HerringReligious Support Operations

This Is Not a Sprint

“The race is not to the swift,” Ecclesiastes 9:11

Chaplain (Col.) Ken Brown, chaplain, MNC-I, continues to remind our section that our mission is

sprinting through the day like the “Ricochet Rabbit” cartoon character. (If you remember Ricochet you are older than you think!) By early afternoon, Chaplain Brown’s words really change my pace. “Charlie, this is not a sprint. This is a marathon.” During my morning devotions, I could not help but think of the tortoise and the hare in Aesop’s Fables. Spiritually and physically, I found myself guilty of feeling that I was the “fastest” one around. My tortoise personality immediately stepped up to challenge the rabbit personality. (Yes, I’m a split personality!).

But off we go with my “tortoise” trailing behind from the second step! Far ahead, my “rabbit” decided to take a break, have a cigar,

drink a bottle of water and rest in the shade, but the “tortoise” just kept plodding along steadily, moving through each task drinking from his camelback. Finally my “rabbit” gets going again, and to his

line of the day. Slowly and steadily my “tortoise”

frazzled. Spiritually, like the hare in Aesop’s tale, my spiritual journey is full of stops and starts. My greatest frustration is that I feel I’m getting nowhere fast! The testimony that I wish is that I’m getting somewhere slowly! I have learned that for true spiritual growth

and stamina, slow and steady is the way for me. Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “The essential thing in... earth is that there should be long obedience in the same direction.” This

Paul, I seek to make my lifelong aim to press on toward my goal in Christ. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 3:14) This is not a sprint but a marathon. What is your pace?

The INPs were very professional throughout the operation, he said. They are well trained and thorough. Throughout the operation, the Iraqi local nationals reacted well to the presence of U.S.

troops and national police, giving security forces much needed “face time” with the local nationals, said Spc. Patrick A. Blanchard, 203 Gunner, 2nd Bn., 506th Inf.

Their cooperation was much needed to help secure the area, he said. The national police need the support and trust from the local nationals to take their mission to another level; to have

complete control and trust of their communities. “The national police need to demonstrate to these people they are an impartial enforcer of public security,” said Cotton. “The people will trust the police.” The national police and Currahee troops will continue to maintain a presence in the area, keeping sectarian violence to aminimum.

An Iraqi National Policeman kicks down a door in Al Dora during Operation Together Forward, Thursday. INPs took the lead in the operation, getting much needed “face time” with the locals nationals. Coali-tion forces will replace all doors and locks broken

An Iraqi National Policeman and a Soldier with the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regi-ment climb onto a rooftop during Operation Together Forward, Thursday. Over a

weapons, caches, ammunition and explosives.

DORA

Page 5 Victory Times Aug. 15, 2006

Multi-National Corps-Iraq Office of the Inspector General

By: Sgt. 1st Class Libbie A. Adams

A basic responsibility of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have dependents holding military ID cards is to keep their nearest uniformed service issuing activity informed about any changes to dependent data that affect eligibility for a military ID card. It is also the responsibility of the sponsor to update DEERS with changes in dependent status when new family members are gained or for dependents no longer entitled to benefits and privileges (e.g. due to a divorce or a dependentchild getting married). When a dependent is no longer entitled to benefits and privileges, a sponsor must legally retrieve ID cards from those dependents and surrender the cards to the nearest ID card issuing activity. Sponsors may not deny or revoke benefits and privileges for an eligible dependent. A sponsor cannot terminate eligibility for a spouse during a lawsuit for divorce or legal separation. Privileges are revoked after the legal process for the action is final.

Certain situations change eligibility status and privileges for dependents holding ID cards. For example, cases of a final divorce, dissolution, or annulment, ex-spouses and other dependents lose their eligibility for ID cards. Other examples include dependent children who marry, unmarried children who are no longer enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning eligibility between the ages of 21 and 23; incapacitated children who become self-supporting or marry, or when a court order terminates the sponsor's parental rights, duties, and obligations. In addition, former spouses and widows or widowers who possess ID card privileges lose their eligibility for ID card benefits and privileges if they remarry. The following measures should be taken when an individual is no longer entitled to an ID card:

– Terminate eligibility in DEERS – Recover the card legally after notifying the unit

commander. – Destroy the DD Form 1172 or if the DD Form 1172 has

more than one name, note the date of retrieval once the ID card is recovered.

– If letters from the sponsor, member's commander, or issuing activity fail to retrieve the card, report the circumstances by letter or message to the appropriate installation security authority of the military installation nearest the unauthorized cardholder's address if unable to retrieve voluntarily.

– Provide name of unauthorized card holder, description, date of birth, card expiration date, last known address, reason why the individual is no longer entitled to the card, sponsor's name, grade, branch of service, organization, and last known address.

– Send a copy of letter or message to all benefits and privileges facilities on that base.

– File the DD Form 1172 along with retrieval documentation in the unit office files.

– Destroy the DD Form 1172 and documentation 1 year after card expires.

For additional information about military identification cards, contact your local personnel office, legal assistance or refer to Army Regulation 600-8-14, Air Force Instruction 36-3026 (I), Bupers Instruction 1750.10B or Marine Corps Order P5512.11c.

Dependent ID Cards and Privileges- A Sponsor’s Responsibility

(Above) Capt. Stephen Wuensche, C-3 effects,MNC-I, gives the oath

brother David through a video teleconference, Friday. David was com-missioned to second lieutenant in the Air Force. (Right) Chief

Wuensche, medevac pilot, 4th Inf. Div., gives his brother a ceremonial

photos by Spc. Curt Squires, MNC-I PAO)

Page 6 Victory Times Aug. 15, 2006

PRESENTS

UNIT FIELD SANITATION TEAM CERTIFICATION TRAINING

40 hour training course

Class Dates:

September 25-28

Seats are on a first come first serve basis.

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

MAIL ADDRESS TO:

Staff Sgt. Jeff Noelle

jeffrey.noelle@iraq.centcom.mi

DSN 318-822-2851

Victory Base Open Circle

Spiritual philosophy and the practice of Wicca

and Pagan religions.We meet every Friday at 6:30 pm at the

Warrior Chapel on Camp Liberty.

Distinctive Faith Group Leader: Staff Sgt. Twombly frederick.twombly@iraq.centcom.milSponsoring Chaplain: Chaplain (Maj.) Stepp john.stepp@iraq.centcom.milFor more information, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VBOC_Baghdad

All are Welcome

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 Hours

Monday - 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. - noon

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. ChiarelliLt. 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, Cpl. Jessica Kent

Victory Times is an authorized electronic publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this electronic

Victory Times welcomes columns, commentaries, articles and letters from our readers. Send submissionsor comments to jason.baker@iraq.centcom.mil.

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

Page 7 Aug. 15, 2006Victory Times

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 brian.anderson@iraq.centcom.mil. Ensure to include Soldiers name, rank, and unit.

Faces of Freedom GT Improvement Course

Is your GT score under 110 and holding you back?Want to improve your GT score ASAP?

Where: Camp Victory Education Center, Building 27B When: Monday - Friday Start: August 7Time: 9 am – 3 pmGraduate: August 25ASVAB: August 26-27POC: educationcenter@iraq.centcom.mil

822- 4725822- 4640

Call 98th Maint Shop Office @ 822-4988Ask for Capt. Harris or Master Sgt. Sharpe

We’re located on Seitz Annex, 2 Min. from Camp Liberty’sCastle Gates, behind the Retail Fuel Farm

Liberty Castle Gate

• Turret “Pope” Glass

• Combat Locks

• Gunner Restraints

• Seat Belts

• Bolt Extraction

• Repairs

•DS Maintenance

•Heavy Engineer

•Communication

• Metal Fabrication