photo by pfc. mark b. matthews rascal flatts’s day...

Vol. 2, Issue 31 August 14, 2005Proudly serving Logistics Support Area Anaconda

Rascal Flatts’s daRascal Flatts’s daRascal Flatts’s daRascal Flatts’s daRascal Flatts’s day at Anaconday at Anaconday at Anaconday at Anaconday at AnacondaPhoto by Pfc. Mark B. Matthews

Rascal Flatts arrived at the Balad Airfield and played two shows at the Sustainer Indoor Theater both of which were a full house at Logistics Support Area Anaconda August 4.

The members of the band Rascal Flatts (from left) Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox and JayDemarcus sang songs from all three of their award winning albums and took time to signautographs and take pictures with troops at the Sustainer Indoor Theater August 4.

By Pfc. Mark B. MatthewsStaff writer

A Soldier’s morale is one of theirmost powerful tools in the war againstterrorism. Long hours, extreme tem-peratures and stressful work conditionscan sometimes drop the morale ofdeployed Soldiers. However, one of thetop country music bands in the US paidLogistics Support Area Anaconda a visitto put on two concerts and show theirsupport for U.S. troops and their mis-sion to keep the Iraqi people free.

Country Music Association’s VocalGroup of the Year for 2003 and 2004,Rascal Flatts toured Iraq putting onshows for servicemembers. Their tourbegan in Baghdad and Fallujah beforevisiting LSA Anaconda August 4. RascalFlatts members Gary LeVox, lead singer,Jay DeMarcus, guitarist and vocals andJoe Don Rooney, lead guitarist andvocals, arrived at LSA Anaconda at 9:40a.m. August 4 and after dropping their

belongings off at the DistinguishedVisitors Quarters enjoyed a hot LSAAnaconda meal at Dining Facility 4. Afterlunch, the band visited the Special ForcesCompound and was greeted there byabout a hundred fans who were eager toget pictures and autographs of the band.

While Rascal Flatts visited the SpecialForces Compound, they were able to toursome of their helicopters and learn alittle about how Special Forces contrib-utes to the war on terrorism and Opera-tion Iraqi Freedom.

Rascal Flatts performed two shows forthe troops at LSA anaconda, both ofwhich were performed to a full house.The band performed songs off all three oftheir chart topping albums and a couplegreat songs from country music’s past,like “I Got Friends in Low Places.”Everyone who wanted an autographfrom the band got their chance aftereach performance.

See RASCAL FLATTS page 11

AUGUST 14, 2005ANACONDA TIMES

Anaconda Times is authorized for publication by the1st COSCOM for the LSA Anaconda community. Thecontents of the Anaconda Times are unofficial and arenot to be considered the official views of, or endorsedby, the U.S. Government, including the Department ofDefense or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Anaconda Times is a command information newspa-per in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1.

Anaconda Times is published weekly by the Stars

and Stripes central office, with a circulation of5,000 papers.

The Public Affairs Office is on New Jersey Ave.in building 4136, DSN 318-829-1234. AnacondaTimes, HHC 1st COSCOM, APO AE 09391. Web

site at www.mnf-iraq.com/coalition-news/publications/anaconda.htm

Contact Staff Sgt. Christopher Williams via e-mailat [email protected] or Spc. Laura E.Ruscio at [email protected]

1st COSCOM Commanding GeneralBrig. Gen. Yves J. Fontaine

Chief of the Anaconda Consolidated Press CenterLt. Col. Virginia Zoller

Deputy Public Affairs Officer27th Public Affairs Detachment CommanderMaj. Sean Wilson

27th Public Affairs Detachment NCOICSgt. 1st Class Jennifer K. Yancey

EditorStaff Sgt. Christopher Williams

Assistant EditorSpc. Laura E. Ruscio

Staff WritersSpc. Jerome BishopPfc. Mark B. Matthews

By Lt. Col. Mike DiederichDeputy Staff Judge Advocate

The American founding fathers createda structure of government and democracypreviously unknown. Since then, democ-racy and freedom have become the UnitedStates’ most valuable export.

The Soldiers of the 100th Battalion, 442Infantry, from American Samoa, ex-pressed this in eulogizing our fallencomrade, Staff Sgt. Frank Tiai, who waskilled on duty near LSA Anacondarecently.

Fighting for freedom and democracy isnoble.

The “100-442” is providing suchinstruction daily to Iraqis, as I canpersonally attest.

Complacency to tyranny and hatred isignoble, and fosters the brutality whichdeprives mankind of its humanity.

Just as revolutionary-era Americansfought for freedom without great experi-ence in democracy, so too do the Iraqistoday.

The outpouring of voters last Januaryrevealed the desire for freedom. Iraqishelping form a new government riskdeath.

The enemy must defeat this fight forfreedom or themselves be vanquished.

The road to freedom is not easy.WeAmericans did not get it exactly right thefirst time, as we stumbled for seven yearswith the Articles of Confederation (1781)before creating an act of genius—ourConstitution (1788)—with its three mostprofound elements being 1) its separa-tions of powers, 2) division of regionalpower through federalism, and 3) its Billof Rights (1791).

We have exported these principlesthroughout the world, with success evenin Japan, where the emperor had beensupreme.

Now it’s Iraq’s turn. The public

referendum on the Iraqi Constitution isOctober 15.

If all necessary provinces of Iraqapprove, Iraq will create in December’selections a federal government whichshares power throughout the country,allowing for peaceful governance withmajority rule, but without any one ethnicor tribal group overpowering another.

There will be struggles along the way. The transitional government has untilAugust 1 to ask for an extension inpreparing the constitution, and thedocument must be finalized by August15th.

Obstacles may intervene, including theinsurgents’ terrorism. Women mayprotest, if the drafters reduce women’srights. Some religious leaders may objectto some of the freedoms likely found inthe proposed constitution:

· Freedom of Speech & Association· Freedom of Religion· Gender equality· Property and Privacy rightsVoter approval of the constitution is

uncertain. Sunni or Kurdish voters ormembers of certain disempowered Iraqitribes could cause its defeat.

Disappointing though this will be,democracy will nevertheless have beenserved.

More work may be necessary on powersharing between regions, tribes or gen-ders, or in defining rights, but the people,not the thugs and terrorists, will havecollectively spoken.

Another iteration of the process may beneeded. We Americans are constantlyrevising our own government: with eachelection, new law, or new Supreme Courtdecision.

Freedom and democracy will create asustainable government for Iraq, and abetter and safer world.Our military willhave again changed history for the better,by bequeathing freedom and democracyto the people of Iraq.

COMMENTARY

Iraq’s creation of aIraq’s creation of aIraq’s creation of aIraq’s creation of aIraq’s creation of ademocraticdemocraticdemocraticdemocraticdemocraticgogogogogovvvvvernmenternmenternmenternmenternment

Establishing a democracy in the heartof the Middle East “will deal a seriousblow” to terrorists’ hateful ideology, Presi-dent Bush said August 3.

Bush spoke at the American LegislativeExchange Council in Grapevine, Texas. Hesaid the violence in recent days in Iraqshows what enemies of democracy are ca-pable of in pursuing their goals. Twenty-one U.S. Marines have died in Iraq sinceAug. 1.

“These terroristsand insurgents willuse brutal tactics be-cause they’re tryingto shake the will ofthe United States ofAmerica,” Bushsaid. “They want usto retreat. They wantus, in our compas-sion for the inno-cent, (to) say we’rethrough.”

But that will nothappen, the presi-dent said. “They do not understand thecharacter and the strength of the UnitedStates of America,” he said. “They do notunderstand our desire to protect ourselves,to protect our friends, protect our allies andto spread freedom around the world.”

Bush said the Americans who have beenkilled in Iraq and Afghanistan “have diedin a noble cause and a selfless cause.” Hesaid the United States will honor their sac-rifices by completing the mission.

Bush reiterated the military strategy inIraq. He said coalition forces, includingIraqi forces, will continue to hunt down ter-rorists. Other forces will continue to trainIraqi security forces. “As Iraqis stand up,Americans and coalition forces will standdown,” Bush said. “And we’re makingprogress. More and more Iraqi units are

more and more capable of defending them-selves.”

Bush said there is no timetable for thereturn of American forces, adding that anydecision will be event-driven. “It makes nosense for the commander in chief to put outa timetable,” he said. “We’re at war. We’refacing an enemy that is ruthless, and if weput out a timetable, the enemy would ad-just their tactics.”

The presidentsaid the politicaltrack also is mov-ing forward inIraq. The country’sNational Assem-bly is working on aconstitution, andmembers havepledged to have thedocument ready byAug. 15. The Iraqipeople will have achance to vote on itOct. 15. If accepted,a new government

under the constitution would be electedDec. 15.

“At the heart of much of my policy is thisfirm belief: that freedom is the gift of an Al-mighty to every person in this world,” hesaid. “It doesn’t matter who you are. Em-bedded in your soul is the deep desire tolive in freedom. That’s what I believe.

“And if you believe that, then youshouldn’t be all that surprised when, ifgiven a chance, 8 million-plus people, indefiance of car bombers and killers and ter-rorists said loud and clear to the world, ‘Wewant to be free. We want to live in a democ-racy.

We want a government that listens to usand doesn’t tell us what to do.’”

(American Forces Press Service)

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AUGUST 14, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES

Question of the Week

Sgt. Mike WaymireC Co., 115th Inf. Regt.

“My favorite sport is footballbecause a lot of it is based onstrategy.”

Norman LyonKBR contractor

“It’d have to be fishing. I wasborn in Alaska and I just love tofish.”

Spc. Concepcion AmezquitaA Co., 3rd Forward Support Bn.

“I like soccer because most of myfamily plays.”

Spc. Jennifer Suchowski1173rd Trans. Co.

“I like rock climbing because ofthe challenge and the greatview.”

Amn. 1st Class Shawn Nunn332nd ECES

“My favorite is baseball becauseI grew up playing baseball withmy parents.”

The Anaconda Times has a dedi-cated Web site containing the cur-

rent and past issues at www.mnf-iraq.com/coalition-news/publica-

tions/anaconda.htm

What is yWhat is yWhat is yWhat is yWhat is your four four four four faaaaavvvvvoritoritoritoritorite spore spore spore spore sport and wht and wht and wht and wht and why?y?y?y?y?

The first round of “Military Idol” com-petition began on U.S. Army installationsaround the world August 5.

The program, based on Fox Television’s“American Idol” series, will select the in-augural Military Idol after a final week ofsinging competition Oct. 17 through 23 atFort Gordon, Ga.

To reach the finals, military vocalistsmust first win a competition on one of 36installations. Depending on the number oflocal competitors, that process could takefrom one to eight weeks, competition offi-cials said.

The Military Idol program is the brain-child of Coleen Amstein, who works inbusiness programs for the U.S. Army Com-munity and Family Support Center, andVictor Hurtado, artistic director for the U.S.Army Soldier Show, one of several pro-grams offered by Army Entertainment Di-vision.

“I had been working with the (‘Ameri-can Idol’) folks for a while, and in the backof my mind I had wondered how we couldput something together for our Soldiers,”Hurtado said.

While visions of Soldier Idols were form-ing in Hurtado’s head, Amstein and theCFSC business programs team were brain-storming events for Morale, Welfare andRecreation facilities.

A licensing agreement was contractedwith Fremantle Media, and the idea evolvedinto a program within a year.

“It was a matter of working with legaland business affairs, making sure that‘Idol’ leadership and the legal arm agreedthat we could go forward and do ‘Military

‘Milit‘Milit‘Milit‘Milit‘Militararararary Idol’y Idol’y Idol’y Idol’y Idol’competition beginscompetition beginscompetition beginscompetition beginscompetition beginson Armon Armon Armon Armon Army insy insy insy insy instttttallationsallationsallationsallationsallations

Idol,’” Hurtado said.During the first round of “Military Idol”

installation-level competition, contestantsmust sing without musical accompaniment.Three judges, who may include garrisoncommanders, command sergeants majorand local celebrities, will narrow the fieldof talent.

In the second round of local competition,judges and audiences will determine whoadvances. Spectators will submit writtenballots after the performers are finished andjudges have completed their critiques. Theaudience vote and judges’ vote each willcount 50 percent in determining who ad-vances.

When entering the venue, everyone willreceive a ballot to vote once. An additionalballot can be obtained with each purchaseof an appetizer or meal during the event.

Installation-level prizes for the winnerat each participating location include $500and temporary duty costs covered byUSACFSC to compete in the Armywide fi-nals. The winning vocalist’s unit also willreceive $500. Second-place contestants willreceive $250 and third-place performerswill receive $100.

Army wide finals prizes include $1,000to the winner.

During the finals, which are scheduledfor a live, 90-minute telecast on the Penta-gon Channel, the runner-up will receive$500 and the third-place performer will re-ceive $250.

Complete rules of the contest are avail-able at the competition’s Web site.



ON ON ON ON ON THE SPOTHE SPOTHE SPOTHE SPOTHE SPOTTTTT

KEEP IT LOCKED ON...KEEP IT LOCKED ON...KEEP IT LOCKED ON...KEEP IT LOCKED ON...KEEP IT LOCKED ON...Freedom RadioFreedom RadioFreedom RadioFreedom RadioFreedom Radio

Al Asad 107.3 FMAli Base 107.3 FMAr Ramadi 107.3 FMBaghdad 107.7 FMBalad 107.3 FMFallujah 105.1 FMKirkuk 107.3 FMKirkush 107.3 FMMosul 105.1 FMQ-West 93.3 FMTaji 107.3 FMTal Afar 107.3 FMTaqqadum 107.3 FMTikrit 100.1 FM

Husband, wife pilots deploy togetherHusband, wife pilots deploy togetherHusband, wife pilots deploy togetherHusband, wife pilots deploy togetherHusband, wife pilots deploy together

Photo by Spc. Jerome Bishop

1st Lt Patrick DeForest, Co. D, 1st Bn., 159th Avn. Regt., and his wife 1st Lt. RebeccaDeForest, Co. B, 1st Bn., 126th Avn. Regt., are both serving as UH-60 Blackhawk pilots.

By Spc. Jerome BishopStaff writer

The separation during deploymentscan become a dangerous obstacle veryquickly when it comes to marriage, but fortwo UH-60 Blackhawk pilots on Logis-tics Support Area Anaconda, deploymentto Iraq has kept them together.

“It feels completely wonderful to bedeployed together,” said 1st Lt. RebeccaDeForest, a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot fromB Company, 1st Battalion, 126th AviationRegiment, who deployed Jan. 9, 2005 withthe South Carolina National Guard.

“We can share all of our experiencesfirst hand and we can relate to our jobsand struggles and our accomplishments.”

However, the couple almost missed theopportunity to stay together overseas, butreacting quickly to their situation allowedthe DeForests to deploy almost at thesame time.

“Last year I was in the 82nd AviationBrigade,” said 1st Lt. Patrick DeForest, aUH-60 Blackhawk pilot from D Company,1st Battalion, 159th Aviation Regimentwho deployed to LSA Anaconda on Dec.18, 2004. “Her unit got alerted for deploy-ment in May 2004 and then activated inSeptember. In September, I asked mysupervisor if there was a possibility that Icould switch over the 1-159th.

“First they said ‘We’ll look into it’,” hesaid. “Then there was a one-for-oneswitch but the 82nd didn’t want tobecause the other Soldier didn’t have theexperience they needed.”

“He swapped out with a femalelieutenant in the 159th because herhusband was in the 82nd,” RebeccaDeForest said.

“It ended up being that anothermarried couple got assigned with the82nd and that way two married couples

could be assigned in their spouse’scommand.”

“So she went over to the 82nd and Iwent over to the 159th,” Patrick DeForestadded.

Either way Patrick DeForest would bespending time in the Middle East, theonly difference between being deployedwith the 82nd in Afghanistan or the159th in Iraq is the length of separationfrom his wife.

“The way it was scheduled was I wassupposed to go to Operation EnduringFreedom in May,” Patrick DeForest said.“Had I stayed at my previous assignment,we would be facing a 20 month separa-tion.”

“It’d probably be better if we weren’tdeployed to two different areas becausecommunication would become a lot moredifficult,” Rebecca DeForest said. “I’msure we will (be separated) at somepoint.”

Although the couple has been fortu-nate in the fact that they can be with eachother every day even while deployed,neither of them forgets that other Soldiersaren’t so lucky.

“It’s difficult to relate to their experi-ence since we haven’t been separated,”Patrick DeForest said. “I always try to putmyself in their shoes.”

“I communicate with both of mySoldiers and their spouses to understandwhat they’re both going through,”Rebecca DeForest said.

The DeForests are aware that theirsituation could take a turn for the worse ifit isn’t handled correctly. Being in sepa-rate units often helps in keeping theirpersonal and professional lives separate.

“Our jobs are pretty separate which Ithink is a good thing,” Rebecca DeForestsaid. “I’d say my spare time is dividedbetween Patrick and my Soldiers.”

“We spend enough time apart because

we wouldn’t want to be put in an unpro-fessional position,” said Patrick DeForest.

Since the DeForests do not havechildren, they have one less worry thanmany other dual-military families.

“We’re lucky we don’t have kids at thispoint in our marriage,” Rebecca DeForestsaid. “I know dual-military spouses whohave had to leave their kids with otherfamily members. We don’t have any kidsbut we have a dog that we left behind.”

The couple is in agreement that theirsituation is more that good at the moment,but thier plans differ for when thier toursin Iraq come to an end.

“I’m looking to extend until May,”Patrick DeForest said. “I want to enjoy themission here and I want to help theincoming unit with their mission here.”

“I want to go back to my civilian job,”said Rebecca Deforest. “I work in invest-ments for a financial institution.”

Having the support of a spouse is a bighelp for married Soldiers serving in theGlobal War on Terror, and although theDeForests don’t need a 1,000-minutephone card and an open seat at thecalling center, they still have friends andfamily waiting at home for their safe andhealthy return.


HoHoHoHoHow mucw mucw mucw mucw much is that jach is that jach is that jach is that jach is that jackal in the windokal in the windokal in the windokal in the windokal in the window?w?w?w?w?Courtesy photo

There are many vector-related threats on Logistics Support Area Anaconda, including the jackal. Servicemembers should never attempt to approach any stray animals.

By Spc. Laura E. RuscioAssistant Editor

When servicemembers think of being injured orbecoming sick in a combat zone most think of beinginjured by our human enemies, not the local animals.

Vectors are a very serious threat to our mission ofmaintaining healthy servicemembers and civilians atLogistics Support Area Anaconda; however, manymeasures are taken to insure the safety of all.

LSA Anaconda has come a long way in the past sixmonths thanks to the help of a Kellogg, Brown and Rootemployee, Jeremy Parkinson.

Knowing how serious the situation was at LSAAnaconda, Parkinson gladly accepted the challenge tohelp keep the servicemembers safe.

Because the animal population had not been keptunder control, when he first arrived there were manyareas to be taken into consideration.

The main threats in the area were the dogs, cats andjackals, he said.

“When I first arrived, the dogs and jackals wererunning in packs of 12 to 15 and scaring a lot of people,”Parkinson said.

Parkinson also said the animals were breaking into awarehouse here, feeding off of the Meals, Ready to Eatand had become so accustomed to the people on LSAAnaconda, the dogs were no longer scared to come closeto them.

There were also issues with the servicememberskeeping some of the animals as pets, he said. “This isvery dangerous because these animals carry diseases.The troops do not realize the danger of keeping theanimals around.”

Knowing the work to be done, Parkinson wasted no

time. He began securing LSA Anaconda by setting trapsto catch the animals and speaking with theservicemembers about the preventative measures to helpbetter protect themselves.

He sets his traps around the perimeter of LSA Ana-conda, adding food to lure the vectors in. After catchingthe animals, Parkinson delivers them to the local veteri-narian for proper treatment.

After six months of hard work, he has managed to getthe pet population under control. The dogs, cats, jackals,foxes and mongooses are still a threat, but the threat isnot as serious as it was in the beginning.

There are many things the troops can do to protectthemselves from any diseases the animals may carry or

injuries they may cause.“The main thing for the troops to remember is to not

keep any pets,” Parkinson said.Also, the troops should not attempt to approach any

animal. They should keep their areas clean, disposing ofany trash or fluids.

“Another important vector control factor is sanitation.If we keep our areas clean and free of food, the animalshave no reason to hang around,” he said.

If the troops notice any animals in their area that arecausing an immediate threat, they should contact theVector Control Office, otherwise fill out a work order andthe vector control team will come to investigate theproblem.

Photo by Spc. Laura E. Ruscio

Although birds often get caught in the traps, they are not considered a threatening vector at LSA Anaconda.

AUGUST 14, 2005ANACONDA TIMESNews Briefs

U.S. Army photo

A U.S. Soldier (far right) assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team Task Force Liberty holds the 42nd Infantry Division colors while the Iraqi colors are raised over the former ForwardOperating Base Scunion in Baqubah July 31. Improved security in the Diyala Province has allowed coalition forces to transition operational control of the base to Iraqi control.

Coalition Forces transferauthority to Iraqi Army in Diyala.

Cheers rang out during the closing moments of a cer-emony that transfered the security responsibility for onefifth of the Diyala province to the Iraqi Army July 31.

Improved security in the Diyala Province has allowedcoalition forces to successfully transition operational con-trol of Forward Operating Base Scunion to Iraqi control.

“Today’s ceremony is a demonstration of the IraqiArmy’s commitment to providing security for their owncountry,” said Col. Steven Salazar, 3rd Brigade CombatTeam commander.

Iraqi soldiers of the 2nd Brigade hoisted the Iraqi flagover the newly named Forward Operating Base Khamees,named in honor of an Iraqi Army major killed in actionJune 26.

Diyala Provincial Governor Ra’ad Hameed Juwad be-lieves the citizens of Iraq are gaining a sense of security.

“This is just one more example of coalition forces turn-ing over control to the Iraqi people,” said Salazar.

“It’s our responsibility to take care of our land and toprotect our people and we will do it,” said Col. Saman AsiTalibany, Commander of 2nd Brigade.

The Iraqi soldiers welcomed their new responsibility asthey assembled below the newly raised flag.

(Multinational Forces Iraq)

Former Taliban commanderjoins forces with Afghangovernment

A former Taliban sub-commander of the Paktika prov-ince has renounced violence against the government ofAfghanistan, further fragmenting the Taliban commandstructure in eastern Afghanistan, military officials said.

Mullah Hajji Jalani formally joined the Program Takhim-E-Sohl August 4.

“The fact that Mullah Hajji Jalani has joined with thegovernment of Afghanistan is a positive sign Afghanistanis moving in the right direction,” said Brig. Gen. James G.Champion, Combined Joint Task Force 76 deputy com-manding general. “It’s a sign the government of this coun-try is making real and measurable progress toward bettersecurity and a brighter future. ”

As a result of Jalani’s decision to enroll in the program,another 12 former Taliban loyalists have come forward inthat province seeking more information on the programand have expressed interest in enrolling.

The PTS program is a tool the government of Afghani-stan uses to encourage former Taliban regime members torenounce violence and join with the government to build amore secure country. During the past six months, morethen 100 former regime members have joined the program.


Security forces Airmen keepcontraband off Kirkuk

During the lunch-hour rush at a dining facility in Mosul,Iraq, a suicide bomber managed to penetrate base securityand kill 22 Americans December 21, 2004.

Since then, American bases in Iraq have successfullyincreased security measures.

Every day, 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squad-ron Airmen diligently work the search area at base entrygates to ensure the same type of attack does not take placehere.

“Our mission is to effectively search and deter personsfrom entering with, or bringing on, unauthorized contra-band and (improvised explosive devices),” said Staff Sgt.Marcos Garcia, of the 506th ESFS.

The 506th ESFS Airmen find a variety of contraband ona daily basis, ranging from knives to alcohol.

Many of the third-country nationals entering the basedo not speak English, and most 506th ESFS Airmen are notfluent in Arabic, resulting in difficulty communicating.

“You have to be able to give instructions, be able to tellIraqis to open doors and panels,” he said.

Because of the potential threat, 506th ESFS Airmen re-main vigilant to help ensure weapons and explosives donot make their way onto the base.


News BriefsPAGE 7AUGUST 14, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES

Russian mini-sub crew rescued

A Russian mini-sub and its seven crewmembers thathad been trapped on the ocean floor were successfullybrought to the surface by an international rescue team sentto free them, officials at U.S. Pacific Fleet announced Au-gust 7.

The crewmembers are alive and a U.S. medical officeraboard a Russian ship is evaluating their condition, ac-cording to a news release.

“In a period of only a few hours from the time of theincident, Russian, British, and U.S. resources were read-ied, deployed and brought to bear in a cooperative effort tofree the seven sailors trapped more than 600 feet below thesurface for two days,” the release stated.

Officials credited “close, frequent communications” be-tween navy officials in Russia, Britain, Japan, and theUnited States from the start of the operation with facilitat-ing “the prompt and cooperative rescue efforts.”

In addition to the U.S. Navy doctor, three U.S. Navydivers supported the British remotely operated vehicle teamaboard the Russian ship in the rescue effort.

The British ROV successfully cut the mini-sub free fromfishing nets, and the mini-sub was able to surface due toits own positive buoyancy.


Iraqi Prime Minister announcesnew security plan

Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Al-Jafari announced a se-curity plan building on the progress his country has al-ready made.

Jafari spoke in Baghdad following visits to Iraqi secu-rity forces training facilities August 4.

The prime minister said through a translator that thesecurity situation in the country is improving. Securityforces are increasing in both quantity and quality, he said.

Jafari said terrorist groups are trying to disrupt the po-litical process and the coming elections. “They tried to foilthe previous elections. They failed,” he said.

He pledged that Iraq will stand up to the insurgents.

The country needs to improve intelligence coordination.Gathering the intelligence and getting it to forces that canact on it is the key, he said. The Iraqi government will alsowork on improving communications, and the Ministry ofDefense will form a quick intervention force.

Finally, Jafari said, the government will work to protectthe infrastructure and improve the judiciary.


Reservist receives top honor

A reservist’s commitment to volunteer service has gar-nered a top Army and national honor.

Spc. Megan McCartney, Army National Guardsman andcombat medic-in-training from the 232nd Medical Battal-ion here, is the Army’s recipient of the American LegionSpirit of Service Award.

The prestigious award is given annually to five enlistedservicemembers.

McCartney is a part-time member of the Louisiana ArmyNational Guard and full-time emergency medical techni-cian for a civilian hospital.

“Service before self is part of the combat medic culture,and McCartney is a prime example of that commitment,”said Lt. Col. Brian Kueter, 232nd Medical Battalion com-mander.

McCartney is not only continuing a trend for combatmedics, she is starting a legacy at her Guard unit.

“I love being a Soldier,” McCartney said. “And I lovehelping people. That’s why I want to be a medic in mymilitary career as well as my civilian one.”

The American Legion is a community-service organiza-tion with nearly three million members in about 15,000American Legion posts worldwide, according to thelegion’s Web site.


Joint U.S.-Iraqi securityoperations fighting terrorists inIraq

Iraqi security forces, backed by U.S. troops, have seizedthe offensive in a series of ongoing counterterrorism op-erations in Iraq, according to U.S. military officials.

Iraqi soldiers and U.S. Marines from Regimental Com-bat Team 2 destroyed three car bombs while conductingcordon-and-search operations in the western Iraqi city ofHaqliniyah August 6.

The Soldiers and Marines are participating in Opera-tion Quick Strike and detained 24 suspected terrorists forquestioning.

Operation Quick Strike is designed to interdict and dis-rupt terrorist operations in western Iraq, near the cities ofHaditha, Haqliniyah, and Barwanah. According to theMarines, intelligence gathered by coalition forces duringrecent operations confirms that terrorists are operating inthese cities and in surrounding areas.

Civilian services, such as water and power, are not be-ing disrupted because of Operation Quick Strike, the Ma-rines said.


Deployed Airmen earn patch forselfless determination

Security Forces Airmen here have earned membershipinto a unique fraternity for showing bravery in the face ofthe enemy.

The 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron’sAirmen were awarded the Army’s 18th Military Police Bri-gade Combat Patch for their role in detainee operations.

To wear the patch, servicemembers must have activelyparticipated in or supported ground combat operationsagainst hostile forces in which they are exposed to thethreat of enemy action or fire, either directly or indirectly.

The Airmen of the 447th ESFS are only permitted to wearthe 18th MP combat patch for the duration of their deploy-ment, but the significance will always be theirs.

“It’s an honor to wear the patch now and show that weare brothers in arms with the Soldiers of the 18th,” saidSenior Airman Danny Hubbard.

The 18th MP patch dates back to May 1966 when Sol-diers earned the right to wear it during the Vietnam War. Itsignifies that those awarded the patch since those datesare part of a special group of American Soldiers who lookedbravely in the face of the enemy in the name of freedom.


Team trains Iraqi troops forsecurity role

U.S. Soldiers from the 116th Brigade Combat Team aretaking an active role in preparing the Iraqi Army for theirever-increasing role in providing security in Iraq.

Several days a week, a special training team from the116th Brigade Combat Team’s Task Force 1-148 Field Ar-tillery travels to the headquarters of the Iraqi Army’s 2ndBrigade, 4th Division, near Kirkuk to train the unit’s staffsections and Soldiers.

“The whole Army’s main effort is training the IraqiArmy,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. James Lovejoy, Task Force 1-148 Military Training Team officer in charge. “I schedulethe training for both the 2nd and 3rd Iraqi Army brigades.”

Lovejoy said the Iraqi Army training includes basictraining, military specialty training, leadership trainingand staff training for both enlisted soldiers and officers.

While the training process has had to overcome chal-lenges such as language and cultural barriers, Lovejoy saidthe Iraqi Army has reached several impressive milestones.

Cultural exchange is common among the Iraqi and coa-lition Soldiers. According to Lovejoy, the more the Soldiersget to know one another, the more understanding prevails.

“We are adapting and understanding their culture,” hesaid. “It seems like every time we come they have some-thing to help us understand their culture.”


Courtesy photo

Sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Vehicle De-tachment make preparations to load “Super Scorpio,” a ro-botic rescue vehicle aboard an Air Force C-5 Galaxy aircraftAugust 5. The Navy transported two of the remotely oper-ated vehicles to assist the rescue of seven Russian sailorstrapped on the ocean floor in a mini-submarine off theKamchatka Peninsula August 7.

U.S. Army photo

1st Lt. James Lovejoy (left), a Task Force 1-148 Field Artil-lery military training team officer, discusses a problemthrough a local interpreter with 2nd Iraqi Army Brigade, 4thIraqi Army Division, operations officers at the K-1 Iraqi Armyfacility near Kirkuk July 27.

AUGUST 14, 2005 PAGE 9PAGE 8 AUGUST 14, 2005 ANACONDA TIMES


Small-arms attacks, indirect fireattacks, and improvised explosivedevices have been a danger to coalitionforces since the beginning of OperationIraqi Freedom.

In response, Explosive OrdnanceDisposal teams, like Logistics SupportArea Anaconda’s Air Force 332ndExpeditionary Civil Engineering Squad-ron, EOD Flight have been making theroads safe and keeping unexplodedordnance at bay.

“We respond to any request for anyassistance with any kind of explosivedevice, improvised or not,” said Air ForceMaster Sgt. Michael Bernard, 332nd EODoperations noncommissioned officer in-charge. “We also have teams that supportforward operating bases such as FOBO’Ryan, FOB Normandy, FOB Warhorse,FOB Caldwell, and FOB Cobra.”

Since IEDs are the highest risk toCoalition forces, a lot of focus has beenplaced on pacifying and destroying theseweapons.

“IEDs are our biggest threat out here,”said Senior Airman Eric Charlton, EODtechnician, 332nd EOD. “Basically if it

EOD Airmen serEOD Airmen serEOD Airmen serEOD Airmen serEOD Airmen servvvvve as LSe as LSe as LSe as LSe as LSA Anaconda’s eA Anaconda’s eA Anaconda’s eA Anaconda’s eA Anaconda’s explosivxplosivxplosivxplosivxplosive counte counte counte counte countermeasureermeasureermeasureermeasureermeasurelooks like an IED, we get called up. We’veresponded to things like stacks of melonson the side of the road to dead animals.An IED can be concealed in every dayitems. Basically dead animals pose athreat because if it isn’t an IED, it couldbecome one.”

EOD aren’t the only people who needto be aware of their surrounding whenout on the roads. Anyone else whohappens to encounter an IED needs toknow what to do on their end.

“If [anyone] comes across anythingthat could be an IED, follow your unit’sstandard operating procedures, Charltonsaid. “They need to cordon the area andreport up through the proper channels.

“The biggest thing is not to mess withthem,” he said. “We go out sometimeswhere people have messed with them andthought to ourselves ‘Why did you dothat?’ Thank God they haven’t hadanything happen to them. IEDs are nojoke.”

Being in close range of a powerful andoften unstable explosive can presentdangers to the EOD technicians similar tothose of a targeted convoy.

“The measures we have are our Armyprotection. We never go out without theQuick Reaction Force,” Charlton said.“We also have security on site which

gives us 360 degrees of protection. Wealways take out our weapons, bomb suitsand robots.”

EOD robots, usually equipped withsomething as simple as a few camerasand a gripping claw, have made greatadvances in the safety of EOD techni-cians.

“The robots are a means of protection,”Charlton added. “It gives us a safe stand-off distance so we can get up close to theIED without being in danger.”

Expensive and complex equipmentisn’t the only thing that keeps the job ofan EOD technician safe during missions.

“The training we do is constant,”Bernard said. “Anyone in the Departmentof Defense EOD program attends thesame inter-service EOD School. Followingthat, each service has its own unique on-the-job training. For deployment to theIraqi Theater of Operations, additional“spin-up” training is conducted thathelps prepare the EOD techs for allsituations we might encounter.”

Any mission concerning IEDs or anyother type of explosive ordnance canquickly become a disaster if not handledproperly, which is a scenario that EODtechnicians keep in mind with every taskassigned to them.

“You have a certain amount of control.There are safety measures that we followand if you follow them you should befine,” said Charlton. “When you go outand defuse or blow up something so thatit can’t kill anyone else, it makes it allworth it.”

“Our EOD motto is ‘Initial success ortotal failure’! If you mess it up, you’regone.”

“There’s a certain feeling when youknow you only get one mistake, and thatkeeps you on you toes,” Charlton added.“I wouldn’t do anything else in the AirForce. Our job is a brotherhood you can’tfind anywhere else in the Air Force. Thisjob is a blast … literally.”

While not on call, Senior Airman Eric Charlton improves his skills with an EOD robot by recovering an inactive rocket- propelled grenade.

Senior Airman Eric Charlton restocks an EOD vehicle with additional C-4 plastic exsplosive,a common tool used for the destruction of IEDs and other unexploded ordnance.

Senior Airman Eric Charlton, an EOD technician, clears a captured AK-47 before hangingand storing it before it can be destroyed. EOD destroys captured weapons regularly.

Photos by Spc. Jerome Bishop

An unexploded rocket fired at LSA Anaconda was destroyed in a controlled detonation across the street from the post theater.The bomb suit issued to EOD technicians adds additional protection against larger explo-sives or from situations that won't allow for other clearance methods.


If you have any suggestions for Quotable Quotes contact Public Affairs at DSN 318-829-1412 or e-mail the editor [email protected]

On LDRSHIP“The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionablyintegrity. Without it, no real success is possible.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower

YYYYYou’vou’vou’vou’vou’ve got maile got maile got maile got maile got mailBy Pfc. Mark B. MatthewsStaff writer

While Soldiers are deployed, there arefew things they can truly depend on.However, even with fast paced schedulesand constant changes, there is one thingSoldiers they can count on - a letter fromhome.

Soldiers from the 394th AdjutantGeneral Postal Company conduct mailoperations seven days a week, 24 hours aday to ensure Soldiers all over LogisticsSupport Area Anaconda receive their

mail.Successfully operating a mail room is

no easy task.Operations run 24 hours a day and for

good reason.“We get anywhere from four to six 20-

foot conexes a day during the slowseason,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michelle Hart,394th Adjutant General Postal Company.“During Christmas time it will pick up toaround 10 to 12 conexes per day.”

Although the mail room seems tofunction quite smoothly and Soldiers tendto get all of their mail there are a few

things Soldiers should be aware of.“We do have some issue with alcohol

and pornography,” said Hart. “The otherbig issue is that when Soldiers redeploy,they are not updating and telling uswhere they are going so we have a hardtime forwarding their mail to them.”

In the end, the Soldiers in the mailroom seem to really enjoy playing a hugepart in the morale of Soldiers at LSAAnaconda.

“Mail is extremely important toSoldiers’ morale,” said Hart. “I believe itis a very important morale booster.”

Photo by Pfc. Mark B. Matthews

Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Aherne, 394th Adjutant General Postal Company uses a forklift to load mail onto a truck at LSA Anaconda.

Housing Area H-1 to DFAC 1/

H-4, H-3/5 & H-7 to DFAC 4:

Depart: 6 &11a.m. 5:15p.m.

Return: 7:30a.m., 12:30 &

6:45p.m.

to BLDG 7001:

Depart: 7:15p.m.

Return: 9:30p.m.

(SUNDAY)

to BLDG 7001:

Depart: 8:15a.m. , 1:30, 3:15,

7:15 & 9:30p.m.

Return: 10a.m. 2:15, 4:15, 8:15

& 10p.m.

LSALSALSALSALSAAnacondaAnacondaAnacondaAnacondaAnaconda

housing bushousing bushousing bushousing bushousing busschedulescheduleschedulescheduleschedule

**DFAC hours remain the same**DFAC hours remain the same**DFAC hours remain the same**DFAC hours remain the same**DFAC hours remain the samefor Sunday.for Sunday.for Sunday.for Sunday.for Sunday.

**BLDG 7001 is near the PX/**BLDG 7001 is near the PX/**BLDG 7001 is near the PX/**BLDG 7001 is near the PX/**BLDG 7001 is near the PX/gym, pool, stadium and theater.gym, pool, stadium and theater.gym, pool, stadium and theater.gym, pool, stadium and theater.gym, pool, stadium and theater.**Bus will depart from housing**Bus will depart from housing**Bus will depart from housing**Bus will depart from housing**Bus will depart from housing

offices.offices.offices.offices.offices.**The bus rides are non-stop to**The bus rides are non-stop to**The bus rides are non-stop to**The bus rides are non-stop to**The bus rides are non-stop tothe locations mentioned above.the locations mentioned above.the locations mentioned above.the locations mentioned above.the locations mentioned above.


RASCAL FLATTS from page 1

Most servicemembers got pictures and album coversautographed by the band. However, a few Soldiers gottheir guitars signed.

Servicemembers seemed to have a great time at theshow and really appreciated the band taking time out oftheir busy schedule to perform for them.

“It makes me feel great that (Rascal Flatts) wouldcome out and do these shows,” said Lt. Col. IvanCornielle, 301st Area Support Group.

“The Soldiers really need this to help them deal withstress and get them back in touch with some of the thingsthey have back home.”

Although the band’s track record speaks for itself themembers of Rascal Flatts still seem to be very humble.

“They are very down to earth,” Cornielle said. “Theyare here for the right reasons; they love Soldiers andwant to get to know them on a one-on-one basis. Theshows at LSA Anaconda proved that.”

Rascall Flatts Tour in Iraq came to an end, but notbefore they got a very important message out to thetroops.

“We just want you all to know how much weappreciate all of your sacrifices,” DeMarcus said.“And don’t worry we are going to tell everyone athome what an outstanding job you all are doing overhere.”

“We love y’all.”

Photos by Pfc. Mark B. Matthews

Spc. Michael Chreene, 9th Finance Battalion, had the band sign his guitar right beside all the band members from the Charlie Daniels Band at the Sustainer Indoor Theater August 4.

Spc. Michele Tarbox, 301st Area Support Group, had the oppurtunity of a lifetime singing alongside Rascal Flatts in concert.


East MWREast MWREast MWREast MWREast MWRScheduleScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule

WWWWWesesesesest MWRt MWRt MWRt MWRt MWRScheduleScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule

PilaPilaPilaPilaPilatestestestestesThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers Pilates classes at 5:45 a.m. Mon-day, Wednesday and Friday.

AerobicsAerobicsAerobicsAerobicsAerobicsThere will be an aerobics class Mon-

day, Wednesday and Friday at 6 p.m.Freestyle aerobics is Saturday at 9a.m., and today at 1 p.m.

KKKKKarararararaaaaateteteteteKarate classes will be today, Mon-

day, Wednesday and Friday at 7:15p.m.

TTTTTae Boae Boae Boae Boae BoThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers Tae Bo classes Tuesday, Thurs-day and Saturday at 5:30 a.m.

KKKKKobobobobobushi Sessen Jushi Sessen Jushi Sessen Jushi Sessen Jushi Sessen JutsuutsuutsuutsuutsuThe LSA Anaconda Fitness center

offers classes in the feudal warriorcombat art Tuesday, Thursday andSaturday at 8:30 p.m.

CaCaCaCaCapoeirpoeirpoeirpoeirpoeiraaaaaThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers capoeira classes today at 6 p.mand Monday, Wednesday and Fridayat 8:30 p.m.

Nihon Goshen AikidoNihon Goshen AikidoNihon Goshen AikidoNihon Goshen AikidoNihon Goshen AikidoThe LSA Anaconda Fitness Center

offers Nihon Goshen Aikido classes at5:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursdayand Saturday in the Sprung Gym.

BrBrBrBrBrazilian Jiu-Jitsuazilian Jiu-Jitsuazilian Jiu-Jitsuazilian Jiu-Jitsuazilian Jiu-JitsuCombaCombaCombaCombaCombatititititivvvvveseseseses

Classes will be today at 8:30 p.m.and Wednesday and Friday at 9:30p.m.

LSLSLSLSLSA AnacondaA AnacondaA AnacondaA AnacondaA AnacondaFitness CenterFitness CenterFitness CenterFitness CenterFitness Center

KKKKKarararararaokaokaokaokaoke Nighte Nighte Nighte Nighte Night

Open-mike nights willbe every Saturday at 8 p.m.

TTTTTaaaaabbbbble-Tle-Tle-Tle-Tle-TennisennisennisennisennisTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament

A Table-tennis tour-nament will be everySunday at 3 and 8 p.m.

DarDarDarDarDartststststsTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament

A darts tournamentwill be August 21 at 8p.m.

8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-BallTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament

An 8-ball tourna-ment will be heldevery Monday at 3and 8 p.m.

SpadesSpadesSpadesSpadesSpadesTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament

Spades tourna-ments will beToday at 8 p.m.

DOMINOESDOMINOESDOMINOESDOMINOESDOMINOES“Doubles”“Doubles”“Doubles”“Doubles”“Doubles”

TTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnamentAugust 30

at 3 and 8 p.m.

Game NightGame NightGame NightGame NightGame NightGame night will

be every Friday at8 p.m.

Games featuredwill include Risk,Battleship and

Dominoes.

8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-Ball8-BallTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament8-Ball tournaments willbe Wednesdays at

8 p.m.

PingpongPingpongPingpongPingpongPingpongTTTTTourourourourournamentnamentnamentnamentnament

Pingpong tournamentswill be Tuesdays at

8 p.m.

Dedicated to providing a variety ofservices including:

Powers of Attorney and NotariesCitizenship Application Preparation and Immigra-

tion IssuesDivorce and Family Law Issues

GuardianshipsTax Services

Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act IssuesFLIPL and Reprimand Rebuttals

Personnel Claims and Wills

LSA Anaconda SoldiersLegal Center

DSN 829-1533/1538

A NBA Live 2005 tourna-ment will be held

August 26 at 3 and 8 p.m.

A CounterStrike tourna-ment will beheld August25 at 8 p.m.

AUGUST 14, 2005 PAGE 13ANACONDA TIMES

RRRRReligious Sceligious Sceligious Sceligious Sceligious ScheduleheduleheduleheduleheduleMovie Schedule

SusSusSusSusSustttttainerainerainerainerainerRRRRReel Timeeel Timeeel Timeeel Timeeel Time

TheaterTheaterTheaterTheaterTheater(schedule is subject to change)

August 143 p.m. Deuce Bigalow II6 p.m. Batman Begins9 p.m. Stealth

August 153 p.m. Batman Begins6 p.m. Deuce Bigalow II9 p.m. Stealth

August 163 p.m. Dukes of Hazzard6 p.m. The Longest Yard9 p.m. Batman Begins

August 173 p.m. Crash6 p.m. Star Wars Episode III9 p.m. Deuce Bigalow II

August 183 p.m. Batman Begins6 p.m. Stealth9 p.m. Batman Begins

August 193 p.m. Deuce Bigalow II6 p.m. Mr. & Mrs. Smith9 p.m. Dukes of Hazzard

August 203 p.m. Mr. & Mrs. Smith6 p.m. Dukes of Hazzard9 p.m. Batman Begins

Roman Catholic MassWednesday 11 a.m. Air Force HospitalSaturday 5 p.m. Tuskegee ChapelSunday 8:30 a.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 9 a.m. Tuskegee ChapelSunday 11 a.m. Provider ChapelSunday 8 p.m. Provider Capel AnnexMon.-Fri. 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel

Sacrament of Reconciliation(30 minutes prior to each mass)

Church of ChristSunday 11 a.m. Aviation Village 1/245th ATSConference Room

Islamic PrayerFriday 12:30 p.m. Provider Chapel

Samoan Congregational ServiceSunday 4 p.m. Provider Chapel

Latter Day SaintsSunday 1 p.m. Provider ChapelSunday 3 p.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 7 p.m. Tuskegee Chapel

Jewish PrayerFriday 6:30 p.m. Provider Chapel Annex

LutheranSunday 8 a.m. Provider Chapel

Protestant-GospelSunday 11 a.m. Sustainer Indoor TheaterSunday 11:30 a.m. Freedom ChapelSunday 7 p.m. Provider Chapel

Protestant Praise and WorshipSunday 9:30 a.m. Sustainer Indoor TheaterSunday 5:30 p.m. Tuskegee ChapelSunday 6:30 p.m. MWR Tent 29th Spt. Bn.Sunday 7 p.m. Freedom ChapelWednesday 7:00 p.m. Freedom Chapel

Protestant-ContemporarySunday 11 a.m. Town Hall

Protestant-TraditionalSunday 7:30 a.m. Air Force Hospital ChapelSunday 9:30 a.m. Provider ChapelSunday 10 a.m. Freedom Chapel

Movie Synopsis for August 14 - 20Dukes of HazzardPG-13, Action/Comedy, 106 minSeann William Scott, Jessica Simpson

Set in present day, the story follows the adventuresof “good old boy” cousins, Bo and Luke Duke, who withthe help of their eye-catching cousin Daisy and moon-shine running Uncle Jesse, try and save the family farmfrom being destroyed by Hazzard County’s corrupt com-missioner Boss Hogg. Their efforts constantly find the“Duke Boys” eluding authorities in “The General Lee,”their famed 1969 orange Dodge Charger that keeps themone step ahead of the dimwitted antics of the small south-ern town’s Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane.

Batman BeginsPG-13, Action, 134 minChristian Bale, Ken Watanabe

The origins of the Batman legend and the DarkKnight’s emergence as a force for good in Gotham. Inthe wake of his parents’ murder, disillusioned indus-trial heir Bruce travels the world seeking the means tofight injustice and turn fear against those who prey onthe fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman.

Deuce Bigalow: European GigoloNot Rated, Comedy,Rob Schneider, Eddie Griffin

Deuce Bigalow is seduced back to his unlikely plea-sure-for-pay profession, when his former pimp T.J. Hicksis implicated in the murders of Europe’s greatest gigo-los. Deuce must go back to work in order to clear hisgood friend’s name. Along the way, he must compete

against the powerful European Union of prosti-dudesand court another bevy of abnormal female clients.

Mr. & Mrs. SmithPG-13, Action, 120 minBrad Pitt, Angelina Jolie

John and Jane are an ordinary suburban couple withan ordinary, lifeless suburban marriage. But each of themhas a secret — they are actually both legendary assas-sins working for competing organizations. When thetruth comes out, John and Jane end up in each other’scross-hairs.

StealthPG-13, Action, 98 minJosh Lucas, Jessica Biel

The Navy develops a fighter jet piloted by an artifi-cial intelligence computer. The jet is placed on an air-craft carrier in the Pacific to learn combat manueversfrom the human pilots aboard. But when the computerdevelopes a mind of its own, it's the humans who arecharged with stopping it before it incites a war.

CrashR, Drama, 100 minSandra Bullock, Don Cheadle

A Brentwood housewife and her DA husband. A Per-sian storeowner. Two police detectives, who are alsolovers. A black television director and his wife. A Mexi-can locksmith. Two car-jackers. A rookie cop. A middle-aged Korean couple. They all live in Los Angeles. And,in the next 36 hours, they will all collide.

Religious schedule subject to change



The improvised explosive device has been a proveninsurgent method of fighting since the conflict in Viet-nam.

Soldiers serving in Iraq are still falling victims to theseprimitive killing tools, but as the days go by, new meth-ods are being devised to fight this threat.

Transportation Soldiers on Logistic Support AreaAnaconda leave the post on a regular basis and are indanger of an IED incident.

Throughout Iraq, Explosive Ordnance Disposal teamsare deployed to assist Soldiers on the roads by destroy-ing possible IEDs and keeping the roads safe.

“It’s up to the ingenuity of the creator on how he’sgoing to make, employ and detonate an IED,” said AirForce Staff Sgt. Kenneth Riley, an EOD technician fromthe 332nd Explosive Ordnance Detachment, 332ndExpeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron.

“As far as trends go, insurgents can make them out ofanything.”

“With the elections coming up, it wouldn’t hurt to bemore vigilant while out on the road,” Riley added.“They’re out there and Soldiers are finding them, theyjust need to keep an eye out.”

As IED attacks continue, new methods of training andfighting the effect of these weapons are surfacing.

Since Fall 2003, a special task force was organizedspecifically to counter IEDs.

In July 2004, the Army-led Joint IED Defeat Task Forcewelcomed support and participation from the MarineCorps, Air Force and the Navy.

“The first items that we helped with were the up-armored Humvees, the add-on armor to protect from the

blasts and the small-arms protective inserts that goinside the outer tactical vests,” said Col. Lamont Woody,deputy of the JIEDD TF.

The reoccurring problem with IEDs is the insurgents’ability to quickly adapt to make IEDs less detectable andmore effective.

“We have a way that we go and get that info back sothat we can analyze it,” Woody said.

“We’re trying to be able to be as flexible as the enemyand trying to get out in front.”

The Iraqis, who also become victims of IEDs by eitherbeing too close to a blast or by being the initial target of

Our biggesOur biggesOur biggesOur biggesOur biggest enemt enemt enemt enemt enemyyyyy: IEDs: IEDs: IEDs: IEDs: IEDs

the insurgents, are playing a larger role in the defeat ofIEDs.

“It’s giving those young Iraqis more momentum toprotect their own nation,” Woody said.

“I mean think about that, that’s their soccer field,that’s their neighborhood, that’s the places where theywant their brothers and sisters to be able to walk toschool. I think the Iraqis are making the difference.”

With IEDs on the road, situational awareness is stillthe key to preventing an IED attack.

Soldiers are trained before entering theater on how toreact to an IED if the situation ever occurs.

Courtesy photo

IEDs can be made from anything including homemade explosives to old aircraft munitions like this one found in Iraq.



Sgt. David D. Sherman, a yoga student at Logistics Support Area Anaconda’s Indoor Pool stretches alongside class instructor Misty Mann August 7.

TTTTTakakakakake a deep breath and count te a deep breath and count te a deep breath and count te a deep breath and count te a deep breath and count to to to to to tenenenenenBy Spc. Jerome BishopStaff writer

Being deployed to Iraq isn’texactly the most relaxing atmo-sphere, but Logistics SupportArea Anaconda Soldiers arefinding new ways to relax at theindoor pool’s Yoga classes.

“[Soldiers] can learn how torelax,” said Misty Mann, MWRCoordinator and Indoor PoolYoga instructor.

“In the mornings, I’ll do YogaSutra and in the evenings I’ll doYoga Nedra. Sutra is more of astretch and more of a wake up

and it tones the body. The YogaNedra is a lot more of a relax-ation thing.”

Although the Yoga doesn’tactually take place in the water,the sounds can add to theatmosphere of the day’s lesson.

“Sometimes the pool helps,”Mann said. “It helps create moreof a relaxing environment.”

The Yoga class, whichusually consists of four to fiveparticipants, varies in theroutine of the lessons to bettercater to the students.

“Sometimes I do just thestretches, or if the group wants toI can go through a routine of

stretches.”For Sgt. David D. Sherman, a

cargo specialist from 372ndTransportation Company, theclass gave him just what he waslooking for.

“I enjoy Yoga and I wanted tolearn something new. This is myfirst class and I’ve never donethe relaxation part,” he said. “Iknow what I can do now to helpmyself relax.”

Soldiers who have partici-pated in the class not only learnsomething new that they can do,but also more about their bodies,and that’s always a good thing.

“I usually get some pretty

good feedback, especially aboutthe relaxation part. When you’rehome alone and you can’t get tosleep, it really helps. It helps youto mentally control your bodyfunctions.”

The students aren’t the onlyones who benefit from the class,even the instructor takes some-thing from each lesson.

“In the mornings, I know itsounds silly, but it helps wakeme up and it helps get rid of yourproblems and relieves a lot ofbody aches,” Mann said. “I didYoga before; I’ve just never doneit this frequently.”

As of August, classes are held

Sunday mornings from 6:15 to 7a.m., but that’s about to changealong with the different types ofYoga offered.

“Every Sunday starting inSeptember the schedule willswitch from one Sunday in themorning and then the nextSunday in the evening and soon.”

The Yoga Class is open toanyone who may be interested.

“I recommend it to anyonewho has a lot of stress or tensionin their muscles,” said Sherman.“I recommend it to everyone justto keep in tune with theirbodies.”


ARARARARAROUND OUND OUND OUND OUND ANANANANANAAAAACONDCONDCONDCONDCONDAAAAA

Photo by Staff Sgt. Engels Tejeda

Swim likSwim likSwim likSwim likSwim like a be a be a be a be a butterfutterfutterfutterfutterflllllyyyyyFaraon Lopez, Tapestry Solutions, enjoys a quick swim at Logistics Support Area Anaconda’s Indoor Pool during his lunch break. The pool is open from 4:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily.


And the forcast for today is...And the forcast for today is...And the forcast for today is...And the forcast for today is...And the forcast for today is...Despite the sandstorm that hit Logistics Support Area Anaconda, Soldiers navigated throughthe thick of the dust to get to their destinations August 8.


TTTTThe incrhe incrhe incrhe incrhe incredibedibedibedibedible eale eale eale eale eatatatatatabbbbble ele ele ele ele eggggggggggA chef at Logistics Support Area Anaconda's Dining Facility 1 prepares an omelette for ahungry Soldier who patiently waits for a healthy start to a new day.

Photo by Sgt. Monika Comeaux

And thaAnd thaAnd thaAnd thaAnd that’t’t’t’t’s ws ws ws ws whahahahahat friends art friends art friends art friends art friends are fe fe fe fe fororororor Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandi Kelly, 332nd Command Post, gives Staff Sgt. Dax, 95th MilitaryPolice Battalion, some water during his security shift at the Rascal Flatts concert August 4.

photo by pfc. mark b. matthews rascal flatts’s day...

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