RDML Charles Gaouette Commander, Task Force IA

A couple of days from now, after al-most two years of service as Deputy Com-mander, United States Naval Forces Cen-tral Command, I shall be departing Bah-rain. In this, my final newsletter article, I come to you with a message of farewell, and to share a few final thoughts. First though, I want to welcome aboard RDML Peter Fanta and later RDML Kevin D. Scott as your new CTF-IA command-ers. Rest assured the new CTF-IA leader-ship will continue to be your best advocate. Looking back on my nearly two years as CTF-IA, I’ve seen significant changes in the IA landscape. There have been large increases in the IA population in Afghani-stan during the surge two summers ago, followed by the ongoing surge recovery that has, and will continue to decrease the IA population in Afghanistan through the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, with the exception of a small number of IA’s working for the State Department, we saw

LCDR Jamie Ryan-Stall Fifth Fleet Deputy Chaplain

“Time always seems long to the child who is waiting - for Christmas, for next summer, for becoming a grownup: long also when he surrenders his whole soul to each moment of a happy day.” - Dag Hammarskjold How many times have we pulled away from a pier, gotten on plane as we said good bye to our loved ones, and immedi-ately starting counting the days until we returned? While this is perfectly normal, far too many times we treat our separa-tions though our lives have been put on hold. We treat our deployments as a nec-essary evil, only to have time quickly pass. When we do get home we often have regrets that we could have made better use of the time we spent instead of wishing it away. The Bible says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:33-34 While we certainly miss our families, our homes, our many hobbies and posses-sion that are uniquely us, daily we have an opportunity to find joy and purpose in the here and now. I have two young boys who certainly look forward to birthdays, Christmas, and grandparent arrivals; however they also do a great job of making the most out of each day. They seem to find the smallest of things entertaining and joyful. So let us to find a brief moment each morning to be thankful for the day, and to plan to use the time in such a way so that when we are able to reflect back we can feel good about how we have spent our time.

the end of Operation NEW DAWN in Iraq. Throughout these changes, your performance continued to be eye water-ing. America's history has been to keep the peace, to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dig-nity, and integrity among peoples and among nations. Your service to our great nation has made me immensely proud of your ac-complishments during my time serving with you in NAVCENT. Please, wher-ever you are currently stationed, continue to be conscious of your surroundings. As the weather begins to improve, we have traditionally seen an increase in kinetic activity. Trust your training and follow your procedures. Look after each other, as the person serving next to you is your brother or sister in arms and you are re-sponsible to each other for your well be-ing. Lastly, I will continue to pray that all of you return home safely to your families from your endeavors. Thank you for all your hard work and good luck in the fu-ture. Very Respectfully, RDML C.M. Gaouette

CTF-IA Monthly Newsletter Issue 21, March 2012

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER CTF-IA COMMANDER’S CORNER

Page 2 CTF-IA Monthly Newsletter Page 2

Kuwait

YN2 Katherine S. Caldwell YN2 Caldwell’s tour at Theater Field Confinement Facility (TFCF) was nothing less than extraordinary. She was hand selected to be the liaison between TFCF and ARCENT Agency Program Coordi-nator and Defense Travel Administrator. Her meticulous attention to reducing mis-sion cost saved approximately $10,000 in travel expenses for FY-11 alone. She also created a Victim and Witness Database used to manage all victim and witness contacts. While coordinating prisoner escort missions, Caldwell still found time to be a model Sailor. She volunteered countless hours with the American Red Cross, and assisted with the neutering of felines to further prevent the overpopulation of stray cats on the base. Additionally, she displayed exceptional leadership by im-plementing a command fitness enhance-ment program (FEP) and the associated training to ensure all members were within military standards. “This tour for me was challenging. Being away from my kids now that they are older, and going through two different detachment wasn’t easy either. But the senior enlisted leaders and officers made for an easy transition. I’ve made some good friends but more importantly men-tors that I know that I can always count on. “

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Forward Headquarters Kuwait (NFHK) NFHK is aligned under the organiza-tional structure of Commander Task Force Individual Augmentee (CTF-IA). The NHFK staff is currently composed of 29 dedicated Sailors charged with the responsibility of caring for and supporting Sailors forward deployed to four countries in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility (USCENTCOM AOR): Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Qatar. IA Sailors are selected from the Active Com-ponent (AC) and Reserve Component (RC) across all ranks, from Seaman to Admiral. IA Sailors deploy to a wide variety of commands to fulfill a multitude of theater mission requirements, ranging from logistics support to high level advi-sory roles. These important ground-based billets are not the conventional ship, squadron or unit deployments Sailors typically encounter. The Reception, Staging, Onward-movement, and Integration (RSO&I) line of operation serves as the inbound de-ployment portal for Sailors embarking on their respective deployments, in Kuwait and Qatar. RSO&I focuses on establish-ing a solid pre-deployment foundation for Sailors assigned to support the various contingencies within the USCENTCOM AOR. Responsibilities include travel voucher submission, AOR specific pay alliances and entitlements, travel arrange-

ments, and critical career milestone infor-mation, direction, and guidance. The LNO, located on Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, provides support to Sailors transiting through the Theater Gateway enroute to their final destinations. Typi-cally, Sailors transit forward to their op-erational assignments or return to the United States for rest and relaxation (R&R) leave, emergency leave, or emer-gency redeployment. For Sailors assigned in Kuwait and Qatar, the NFHK staff provides sustain-ment support in the form of an adminis-trative structure, including assistance with member’s pay accounts, career counsel-ing, and general health and welfare re-quirements. The NFHK staff also provides support to redeploying Sailors through Warrior Transition Program (WTP), located on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. WTP provides Sailors the opportunity to decompress and relax for three to five days in preparation for their return home. The decompression process is aided by the Sailors returning weapon(s) and military-issued gear, which facilitates their return to a normal routine. The centerpiece of WTP is the Combat Operational Stress Control (COSC) workshops that afford Sailors the opportunity to reflect on their personal deployment experiences and assist in identifying issues prior to reintegration with their families and normal routine. As the Navy’s lifeline for deploying, deployed, and redeploying Sailors, the NFHK Team continues to have a direct positive impact on the lives of thousands of Sailors each year – approximately 10,000 Sailors in 2011. Sailors taking care of Sailors – it is our only mission…a Great Team doing Great things!

Sailor in the Spotlight: Kuwait

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Afghanistan

CDR Richard Biggs, MC, USN Validation Team discussing surgical approach and technique with Dr Al Kozai, Chief of Surgery, Herat Regional Military Hospital Camp Stone

The Healthcare Validation Team from the NATO Training Mission Afghan / Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan completed their first battle-space circulation of six Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) hospitals through-out Afghanistan. The Validation Team, based out of Camp Eggers, Kabul traveled extensively throughout the country to perform site visits at Kandahar, Herat, Marsar-e-Sharif and Paktia (Gardez) Re-gional Military Hospitals. Site visits were also conducted locally at the Afghan Na-tional Army, National Military Hospital and the Afghan National Police Hospital. The Validation Team is part of a mandate to objectively measure the Afghan Healthcare system, its stewardship and the foundation for quality care that will be sustainable by 2014 and beyond. The teams’ primary mission is to provide a vigorous assessment and evaluation of all ANSF Hospitals and healthcare facilities. The Validation Team is comprised of subject matter experts from various clini-cal specialties: Preventative Medicine, Nursing, Surgery, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Physician Services. Ancillary ser-vices are also part of the validation to include Medical Logistics, Facilities, Hu-man Resource Management, Patient Ad-ministration and Biomedical Engineering along with a key leadership component

that entails an evaluation of hospital direc-torship.

Using the validation tool as a founda-tion, advisors and mentors with the support of their Afghan counterparts work to en-sure processes are linked to practice while promoting standardization across the bat-tlespace. Coalition Forces and Medical Embedded Training Team Advisors have been assigned throughout the regions to mentor Afghans within their respective specialties. Both Afghan and NATO Advi-sors have been steadfast in their efforts to mentor, educate, and equip the ANSF medical system with a comprehensive set of standards that will become the founda-tion of Afghan healthcare. During a typical survey, the Validation Team will complete an evaluation of vari-ous departments including Outpatient Clin-ics, Nursing, ICU, ER, Anesthesia, Operat-ing Theater, Pharmacy, Trauma Manage-ment and various support services with the use of a standardized tool. A criterion based system is used to assess the hospi-tals’ clinical processes and practice per-taining to the environment of care, educa-tion and training, leadership and admini-stration. The scores from the various de-partments are compiled into a metric that results in a Capability Milestone (CM) rating. CM ratings identify the level of current capabilities that serves as a forecast to when the institution will most likely be ready to transition to Afghan lead and sole source care.

USN Validation Team Reviewing the contents of the Emer-gency Supply Cart located in the ICU.

With the focus on Afghan sustainabil-ity, plans are underway to develop and train an Afghan-led ANSF Validation

Team. Although “Shohna ba Shohna” will continue to be a collaborative effort of the Validation Team when performing quarterly re-assessments and evaluations of ANSF hospitals and regional Troop Medical Clinics, future endeavors will support the warfighter by having the Af-ghans take the lead in promoting sustain-able medical capabilities and progressive treatment. This consistency will provide standardization throughout the country and a definitive roadmap for transitioning medical care within the Afghan National Security Force.

Left to right, MA2 Richter, MA1 Rollins, MA2 Lonergan, MA1 Schectman, MA1 Terry, MA2 Knighten, MA1 Nunez-pineda, MA2 Hickerson, and MA2 Terry. These nine U. S. Navy Sailors are part of the USFOR-A Joint Visitor’s Bureau-Personnel Security Detail in Kabul, Af-ghanistan. The heart and soul of their accomplishments are evident by the work they do and the desire to serve their county. A PSD team works long hours during a visit; full battle rattle for up to 15 hours a day. They provide personnel security in and around the Kabul area for VIPs such as the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Sec-retary of Defense, and the Chairman, Joint Chiefs Staff, among other Distin-guished Dignitaries including Interna-tional Presidents. Each member received training at the Fort Leonard Wood PSD School in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, earning a Navy Enlisted Code 2009. They are trained in Weapons, Tactical Driving, Combat Life Saver skills, Esca-lation of Force, Reconnaissance Opera-tions, and Communications.

KABUL:

KABUL:

CTF-IA Monthly Newsletter Page 4

BU2 Matthew L. Bettes hails from Osh-kosh, Wis. He is currently deployed with the Infrastructure Training Advisory Group, part of NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan, and is assigned to the 443rd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron at Kandahar Airfield. The resi-dent carpenter, Bettes provides technical training to 24 Afghan Air Force Civil Engineers stationed with the Kandahar Air Wing. A Navy reservist for six years, his last four years has been assigned to NMSEABEE 25. His most recent deployment was to Ku-

wait in 2010. Bettes volunteered for this deployment to Afghanistan in order to help build independent Afghan National Security Forces. Each day he has a direct impact in the growth of the Afghan military as he proudly takes on the challenge of advising young Afghan Air Force airmen. When this deployment is over he looks forward to returning to his wife and son. His future goals include completing his undergradu-ate degree and applying his technical skills in the civilian sector.

Vice Admiral Mark Harnitchek, Di-rector, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and Rear Admiral David Baucom, Com-mander, DLA Troop Support, recently visited Afghanistan and toured DLA op-erations across the CJOA. At Bagram Airfield, (they) visited the DLA Disposi-tion Yard, the DLA Support Team, the Red Star Fuel Facility and several DLA customers. The DLA Team in Afghani-stan is made up of 54 military service members and 60 DLA Civilian employ-ees; of the 54 military service members, 34 (63%) are Navy Individual Augmen-tees.

As the Operations Department NCOIC, CSC(SW/AW) Arnold Lagat managed and provided outstanding support to KPRT "Firebirds" at Camp Nathan Smith, Kanda-har. Lagat’s expert oversight, led the depart-ment to successfully coordinate 400 com-bat patrols and 450 flights resulting in 3,900 individual personnel movements throughout the province. Lagat was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

BAGRAM, Afghanistan

Petty Officer 3rd Class Flozel Marriott, logistics specialist, a Navy reservist cur-rently deployed with ISAF Joint Com-mand, walks with children at Jawid High School in Kabul, Afghanistan. His visit was part of an Operation Outreach Af-ghanistan mission to provide school sup-plies to children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade. During this mission, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen distributed more than 200 bags of supplies donated by fam-ily members and aid organizations in the U.S.

Afghanistan

From Around the AOR

Kandahar Air Wing (KAW)

2nd Annual Open House

The 2nd annual KAW open house was hosted by MG Sherzai, Commander of Kandahar Air Wing (KAW). Also in at-tendance was MG Wahab, Afghan Air Force Commander. Approximately 600 local Afghan stu-dents were in attendance for the open house. At the end of the event, the stu-dents received a winter coat and/or a backpack filled with school supplies. The Afghan Air Force and Coalition forces presented 15 aircraft static displays for the students to observe closely—the first time for most of the children. Guests enjoyed a feast of bolani (Afghan flat bread), rice, chicken and many other traditional Afghan dishes.

A special thanks to LCDR Burrus, MSgt Snider and the 738 AEAG advisor team for their hard work and dedication in making the open house a huge success.

KABUL, Afghanistan KANDAHAR, Afghanistan

Sailor in the Spotlight:

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan:

CTF-IA Monthly Newsletter Page 5

FY-13 COMMAND MASTER CHIEF SELECTION BOARD RESULTS 052/12 THIS NAVADMIN CON-GRATULATES THE ACTIVE COMPO-NENT (AC) MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR ASSIGNMENT AS COMMAND MASTER CHIEF FROM THE COMMAND MASTER CHIEF SELECTION BOARD.

FY-13 COMMAND SENIOR CHIEF SELECTION BOARD RESULTS 053/12 THIS NAVADMIN CON-GRATULATES THE ACTIVE COMPO-NENT (AC) MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR ASSIGNMENT AS COMMAND SENIOR CHIEF FROM THE COMMAND SENIOR CHIEF SELECTION BOARD.

PRORATION OF IMMINENT DAN-GER PAY 062/12 THIS NAVADMIN ANNOUNCES IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRORATION OF IMMINENT DANGER PAY (IDP).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO HTTP://WWW.DFAS.MIL/MILITARYMEMBERS/PAYENTITLEMENTS/SPECIALPAY/HFP_IDP.HTML

INDIVIDUALS AND COMMANDS SHOULD ADDRESS ALL QUESTIONS TO THEIR SERVICING PSD OR PER-SONNEL OFFICE.

237TH NAVY BIRTHDAY PLAN-NING ORDER 063/12 13 OCTOBER 12 WILL MARK THE NAVY'S 237TH BIRTHDAY. BEGINNING WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OUR NAVY IN 1775 AND CONTINUING TO OUR CURRENT MODERN FLEET OF 285 BATTLE FORCE SHIPS, OUR NAVY HAS BEEN READY TO ANSWER ALL BELLS FOR MORE THAN TWO CEN-TURIES. THIS ORDER PROVIDES INITIAL GUIDANCE AND TASKS FOR THE GLOBAL EXECUTION, AND PLANNING, OF THIS IMPOR-TANT COMMEMORATION.

THIS NAVADMIN IS PROMULGATED TO IMBUE OUR SAILORS WITH THE IMPORTANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE

OF OUR NAVY'S HISTORY AND HERITAGE. HONOR OUR SHIP-MATES WHO FOUGHT AND SACRI-FICED THROUGHOUT THE 237 YEARS OF THE NAVY'S EXISTENCE AND CONNECT WITH THIS YEAR'S BICENTENNIAL OF THE WAR OF1812 COMMEMORATIONS.

CNOs 97TH NAVY RESERVE ANNI-VERSARY MESSAGE 070/12 AS WE MARK THE 97TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAVY RESERVE ON 3 MARCH 2012, I EXTEND MY HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL NAVY RESERVE SAILORS WHO ARE SERV-ING OUR NATION AT HOME AND ABROAD, AND TO THE FAMILIES, EMPLOYERS, AND COMMUNITIES WHO PROVIDE THE SUPPORT WHICH ENABLES ALL OF US TO SERVE.

FROM ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1915 TO TODAY'S CRITICAL OPERA-TIONS AROUND THE GLOBE, THE NAVY RESERVE HAS CONTRIB-UTED SIGNIFICANTLY IN EVERY MAJOR CONFLICT AND CONTINUES TO PLACE WARFIGHTING FIRST. TODAY MORE THAN 5,000 NAVY RESERVE SAILORS ARE OPERAT-ING FORWARD FULFILLING KEY COMBAT SUPPORT REQUIRE-MENTS. NAVY RESERVE SAILORS HAVE CARRIED OUT MORE THAN 66,800 OF OUR 102,000 INDIVIDUAL AUGMENTEE ASSIGNMENTS - AN AMAZING CONTRIBUTION TO ON-GOING OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS.

TO OUR NAVY RESERVE SAILORS, YOUR FLEXIBILITY AND RESPON-SIVENESS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF: WARFIGHTING FIRST, OPERATING FORWARD AND BEING READY. YOUR SELFLESS DEDICATION AND CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDE STRATEGIC FLEXIBILITY AND OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES INTEGRAL TO OUR MISSION. I THANK EACH OF YOU, YOUR FAMI-LIES, AND SUPPORTING EMPLOY-ERS FOR SERVING OUR NAVY AND OUR NATION WITH HONOR, COUR-

AGE, AND COMMITMENT.

HAPPY 97TH ANNIVERSARY TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!

INTERIM CHANGE TO OPNAVINST 5009.1, RESPONSIBILITY FOR NAVY HOUSING AND LODGING PROGRAMS 072/12 THIS NAVAD-MIN PUBLISHES CNO ASSIGNMENT AND CONSTRUCTION POLICY FOR-HOUSING E1-E4 SINGLE SAILORS IAW CNO DECISIONS IN THE CNO JUNIOR SINGLE SAILOR ASSIGN-MENT AND CONSTRUCTION POL-ICY LETTER AND THE CNO JUNIOR SINGLE SAILOR ASSIGNMENT AND CONSTRUCTION VALIDATED TIME-LINE AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

THIS INTERIM CHANGE TO OPNAV-INST 5009.1, RESPONSIBILITY FOR HOUSING AND LODGING PRO-GRAMS, PROVIDES POLICY TO IM-PLEMENT HOUSING ALL SINGLE E1-E3 SAILORS ON BASE IN SHARED SLEEPING ROOMS, TWO PER BATH; AND ALL E4 SAILORS WITH LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE, AND, BASED ON LOCAL CONDITIONS, E4 WITH MORE THAN FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE, ON BASE IN PRIVATE SLEEPING ROOMS, NO MORE THAN TWO PER BATH.

FY-13 SEAMAN TO ADMIRAL-21 (STA-21) PROGRAM ANNOUNCE-MENT 073/12 THE PURPOSE OF THIS NAVADMIN IS TO SOLICIT APPLICATIONS AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR THE FY-13 SEAMAN TO ADMIRAL (STA-21) COMMIS-SIONING PROGRAM.

New Policy/Guidance

COMMAND HOTLINE INFORMATION The mission of the DON/NAVCENT Hotline is to provide a method to receive and investigate reports of fraud, waste, mis-management and other related improprieties, when the chain of command cannot, or will not, take appropriate action. Below are ways to contact the hotline: Telephone: (DSN) 318-439-3574 (COM) 011-973-1785-3574 Fax: (DSN) 318-439-9116 (COM) 011-973-1785-9116 Email: IG.Hotline@me.navy.mil

SAPR—Sexual Assault Prevention Response Cell Phone: 011-973-3940-3906

Important Phone Numbers

CTF-IA Monthly Newsletter Page 6

Mission and Vision

We are a forward deployed Echelon IV Naval Component Command/Fleet Command of Naval Forces conducting Maritime Secu-rity Operations in support of OEF/OND; Partnership-Strength-Presence; and Struggle Against Violent Extremists within the COMUSNAVCENT Campaign Plan. We continue to provide a dedicated service component support to all IA Sailors Boots on Ground (BOG) in the COMUSCENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR) in order to optimize mission readiness and to manage mis-sion risk during deployment.

About CTF-IA

We are located on NSA Bahrain in the COMUSNAVCENT Building, and we can be contacted at the following email address: AUG-DIV@ME.NAVY.MIL. Visit our website at http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/ctf-ia/

Contact information for NAVCENT FWD HQs

NAVCENT FWD HQS AFGHANISTAN: navcentfwdafghan@afghan.swa.army.mil OIC: CAPT Dan Forney daniel.forney@afghan.swa.army.mil DSN 318-421-6205 CMDCM: CMDCM Mark Rudes cmc@afghan.swa.army.mil DSN 318-421-7498 CAREER COUNSELOR: MRC Corey McCarter corey.d.mccarter@afghan.swa.army.mil DSN 318-431-0158

NAVCENT FWD HQS KUWAIT: vrgn.niasu.det@kuwait.swa.army.mil OIC: CAPT Adrian Garcia adrian.a.garcia@kuwait.swa.army.mil DSN 318-430-7809 CMDCM: CMDCM Cheryl Cloud cheryl.d.cloud@kuwait.swa.army.mil DSN 318-430-7939 CAREER COUNSELOR: NCC Angela Keen angela.keen@kuwait.swa.army.mil DSN 318-832-2146

CTF-IA is looking for ways to tell your story. If you have a story and photographs you want published in next month’s newsletter, please send your inputs to TF-IA STAFF, BAHRAIN: AUGDIV@me.navy.mil no later than the 1st of each month. There is no better way to share your experiences with fellow IA’s than through your IA Newsletter.

We highly encourage you to share these newsletters with your friends, spouse, or significant others. NOTES: 1) The usage of your Government Travel Credit Cards (GTCC) is strictly prohibited while on R&R. 2) As you prepare to redeploy, ensure that you are in contact with your ECRC to arrange follow-on travel to your PCS destination. 3) Effective 01 FEB 2012, the rules for Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger Pay have changed. Service members will now receive

imminent danger pay only for days they actually spend in hazardous areas. (http://www.military.com/benefits/content/military-pay/special-pay/hostile-fire-and-imminent-danger-pay.html)

Command Information