Victory TimesVol. II, Issue 124 Nov. 2, 2006Telling the Camp Victory story

In today’s Victory Times:

Page 2: Chaplain’s Corner, Camp Victory Three- Day Forecast

Page 3: Replace unserviceable uniforms through the Army Direct Ordering Program

Page 4: This week in Military HistoryPage 5: Camp Victory Operating Hours

Iraqi Security Forces look to develop NCO corpsStory by Marine Cpl. Jessica KentMNC-I PAO

Military, National Police and Border Transition Teams embedded with Iraqi Security Forces serve as advisors to their counterparts. Working around cultural differences and language barriers, their mission is to enable Iraqi units to conduct independent counter-insurgency operations. This involves numerous classes designed to set Iraqi Soldiers and policemen up for success. One of the most significant concepts transition team members stress is the importance of a strong noncommissioned officer corps. “We’re all here as advisors,” said Maj. Michael P. Spears, senior intelligence advisor, Border Transition Team 4300, Iraq Assistance Group, Multi-National Corps-Iraq. “When we go out, we reinforce the fact that in our military, the key players we go to are not the officers.” Commanders assign a mission, Spears explained, and details filter down to a platoon leader. From the platoon leader, instructions are passed to NCOs. “The real concept is, ‘Who has the most contact time with the troops?’” Spears stated. “Usually, it’s the staff sergeant or sergeant teaching classes to privates and corporals. They’re patrolling, conducting pre-combat inspections, checking food, water and battery supplies, and making sure everyone has what they need.” While the U.S. military focuses on NCOs taking responsibility, Spears said, the Iraqi Army and Police does not place responsibility on NCOs.

“That doesn’t exist in the Iraqi Border Police,” said Spears. “They’ve got a pyramid, but it’s missing the supportive piece. In the Iraqi Army, nothing will get done right now unless an officer makes it happen.” To stress the importance of NCOs, transition team

members teach classes about the military decision-making process. “Iraqis think the military decision-making process is that we give them information and it stays with generals and colonels,” said Spears. “The general or colonel says, ‘This is how we’re going to do it.’ They end up doing tasks that should be handled at the staff sergeant level...” With a strong NCO corps, enlisted leaders may think and execute independently instead of waiting until an officer gives an order. “I always tell (Iraqis) that’s why the American military has been successful

through the years. The NCO corps makes the American military as great as we are,” said Col. Harry E. Miller Jr., team chief, BTT 4300, IAG, MNC-I. “Instructions go down to the lowest level and everyone understands the commander’s intent. That way, if the head (of the organization) is cut off, the unit won’t stagnate and die.”

As Iraqi leaders observed NCOs within transition teams in the past, they have commented to their advisors that the American military is close-knit, with officers and NCOs working together. It is this example, Spears hopes, which will help build a strong Iraqi NCO corps.

Iraqi Army Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 8th Infantry Divi-sion, prepare to enter a building during military operations in urban ter-rain training.

An Iraqi policeman mans a checkpoint outside the Baghdad Police Headquarters in Baghdad, July 26.

Photos by Spc. James P. Hunter, MNC-I PAO

Page 2 Victory Times Nov. 2, 2006

The World Series is over – for one more year. During my devotion, I remembered a poem that demonstrates the value of having an attitude of optimism, even in the face of what looks like substantial, if not hopeless, odds. “I passed a sand lot yesterday, Some kids were playing ball. I strolled along the third base line Within the fielder’s call. ‘Say, what’s the score?’ I asked. He yelled to beat the stuffing, ‘There’s no one out, the bases full, They’re winning forty-two to nothing!’ ‘You’re getting beat, aren’t you my friend?’ And then in no time flat He answered, ‘No, sir, not as yet! Our side hasn’t been up to bat!’

In the poem I found something super about the elementary faith of a child when it comes to doing the impossible. This is optimism in its purest and most powerful form. To me, it illustrated the childlike faith, the kind of faith that God best responds to. Living in a very dark and sad time, the prophet Jeremiah recorded a promise from God: “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) I understand that optimism and faith are not the same things. They are not even close. Optimism is based in the hope that something good will come out of even the toughest life situations. Faith is based in the absolute assurance that God is working to accomplish what is not humanly possible. I have to keep reminding myself that every day. When I place my faith in the God who loves me and is concerned with every part of my life, I have an attitude that assures me He’ll come through for me, even in the face of what appears impossible. Is our side up to bat yet?

Chaplain’s CornerBy Chaplain Charles Herring

MNC-I Chaplain Office

The Game Plan

Sunday

Camp Victory Three-day Forecast

SunnyHigh: 84 FLow: 63 F

FridaySunnyHigh: 84 FLow: 64 F

SaturdayMostly sunny High: 86 F Low: 61 F

2006 Holiday Mailing Deadlines

APO to CONUS

Priority & First Class letters/cards:

-Addressed from 093XX locations: Dec. 6, 2006

-Addressed from 098XX locations: Dec. 10, 2006

Parcel Post / Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 19, 2006

CONUS to APO

Priority & First Class letters/cards:

-Addressed to 093XX locations: Dec. 4, 2006

-Addressed to 098XX locations: Dec. 9, 2006

Parcel Airlift (PAL): Dec. 2, 2006

Parcel Post / Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 13, 2006

Page 3 Nov. 2, 2006Victory Times

Page 4 Nov. 2, 2006Victory Times

This Week in Military Historywith Lt. Tom Lewis, Australian Forces

In late 1944, 62 years ago, one of the most interesting aircraft of the century flew into action against the Allies who were invad-ing Europe in World War II. The new German jet fighter, the Messerschmitt 262, was deployed against bombing raids, devastating Germany. But at the same time, it was being used as a fighter-bomber instead of in its designed role; that of an air-to-air interceptor. Consequently, the ME 262, although effective, was used in far too small a number to make any great difference against the thousand bomber raids punishing the German home territory. If the decision by Adolf Hitler, who had no great insight into how air power should be used, had not been made to use the bomber variant of the new ‘wonder weapon’ to ‘punish’ the Allies, then would have the fighter version of this magnificent airplane changed history? The Messerschmitt 262 design first graced the drawing boards in 1939, but it was not until 1941 that a prototype flew past an assembled audience of German high command members where it impressed with its top speed of 540 mph, much faster than other aircraft yet produced. Hitler ordered that it be produced in several models, including a two-man fighter bomber, instead of solely as a one-man interceptor. Other versions were also produced: a two-seat trainer, a ground attack and a night fighter model. By the time all of the types were produced and implemented, the moment, when the ME 262 might have made an appreciable difference, was dead and gone. The ME 262 was a machine of elegance and much ability. Fitted with two jet engines, it was faster than anything else in the skies, and if this ability had been used in mass numbers, the attacks on Allied bombers might well have been successful enough to cause a re-think. The 262 would dive upon a bomber formation, using its speed to give great zooming ability to recover from its pouncing dives and allowing it to escape from the escorting Allied fighters. Nevertheless, there were enough of these guarding aircraft to ensure plenty of 262s were shot down. Many more were destroyed on the ground by the bombing raids and of the 1, 433 Messerschmitt 262s built, around 500 were lost in this way. Around 300 saw combat. While the jet had drawbacks in its short endurance of about an hour, and its engines were never the most reliable, the Messer-schmitt 262 was a definite advance in fighter technology. Britain also developed a jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor. This aircraft was also deployed in 1944. The two jets never met in combat.

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 HoursMNC-I STB MailroomMonday - Sunday 9 a.m. - noon5 p.m. - 7 p.m.Golby Troop Medical ClinicSick Call Hours:Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noonSaturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noonDental Sick Call:Monday - Friday 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.Saturday 9 - 10:30 a.m.Mental Health Clinic:Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Saturday 9 a.m. - noonPost Deployment Health Briefings:Monday - Friday 1 p.m.Pharmacy:Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon, 1 - 4:30 p.m.Saturday & Sunday 7:30 a.m. - noonLegal Assistance/ClaimsSaturday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.Friday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Personnel Service Support CentersMonday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sunday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.ID CardsMonday - Friday9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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

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

MNC-I Production Chief: Staff Sgt. Jason B. BakerLayout/Design Chief: Spc. Curt Squires

Victory Times Staff writers/ photographers: Sgt. Brian James Anderson, Spc. Curt Squires, Spc. James P. Hunter, Cpl. Jessica Kent, Spc. Sean Finch

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

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

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

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

Page 5 Nov. 2, 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 curtis.squires@iraq.centcom.mil. Ensure to include Soldiers name, rank, and unit.

New Location For Army National Guard

Retention Office

NOW LOCATED IN AREA 51GO INTO AREA 51 PAST FUEL POINT

TURN LEFT AT BUS STOPGO THROUGH FENCE ON LEFT SIDE OF MWR

LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM PBOTRAILER 51TR8

STOP BY AND CHECK OUT YOUR OPTIONSSgt. 1st Class JOHN GRAY, THEATER RETENTION NCO