I guess it is about time to fill you in on what is happening in Baghdad. As you probably read in this morning’s news or learned while watching your favorite, Sunday morning news show, there was an extended rocket/mortar attack in “IZ” or Green Zone as the media refers to it. About 0530 this morning there was a barrage of indirect fire for about 15 minutes. Indirect fire is what the analyst’s refer to the random rocket/mortar episode’s that harass coalition installations. We, here at Camp Victory, were not affected by a similar attack. Fortunately, it sounds like there was little to no casualties experienced for coalition forces.
Ironically enough, I was getting up at that time to attend the Easter Sunrise service on the grounds of the Al Faw Palace. The service was remarkable; not withstanding the stress experienced about 6 miles north of us in downtown Baghdad. The morning was beautiful with the sun rising above a cloud bank on the horizon. Just below is a picture of the palace. It is quite remarkable and massive.
The service included participation of 9 US Army, US Navy and Australian chaplains in total. The execution of the service was indicative of a military event, i.e. we were notified 5 minutes before the service began, 1 minute before the service began and after 59 seconds later-the service started. Approximately 200 attendees participated and it lasted about 45 minutes. This event is typical for how the command at the base brings a little bit of home and normalcy, to theater. Throughout the week, at the DFAC (i.e. chow hall) there were significant Easter decorations. All members of our office, received cards and/or care packages that contained candy, Easter baskets and other mementos that reminded us of home. The care packages and cards really make everyone feel good.
The week before we had a “Hail and Farewell” party that had a St. Patrick’s Day theme. Our office, the TF Troy (J8), had the responsibility for the decorations and MAJ Stamm’s wife, Marsha, sent boxes of decorations from home. The special event room at the DFAC looked like it had been dipped in green, it was great. To give you a feel for the work the J1 (Admin) and the J5(Resources, manning) have in support of the Task Force, there is estimated that over 2500 personnel movement actions will occur in support the next 15 months of TF Troy operations. At the “Hail and Farewell”, over 50 people were recognized for entering or departing the force. I was one of those 50. Another aspect of the experience here that really enables the personnel to work the hours and endure the conditions, was something MAJ Stamm recommended we do as an office.
After about 1900 this past Saturday, we left work and went to the other end of the base. It took us about 30 minutes of navigating the pothole infested roads to get to “North End Pizza”. Te picture of the road is shown below for your viewing pleasure. Potholes and speed bumps are the norm here at Camp Victory.
Anyway, we grabbed at couple of pizzas, a six pack of diet cokes and alcohol-free Beck’s beer and went back to the office a watched a movie, “I Am Legend” with Will Smith. While the movie wasn’t uplifting-the whole pizza, coke/beer and movie montage was nice-very nice. The four of us, enjoyed, kicking back, relaxing and being entertained. Now it didn’t compete with the troops enjoyed in Kuwait the weekend before-a visit from Jessica Simpson, but it was fun nonetheless. Another part of home that has established a foothold at Camp Victory, is Remote Control Car and Monster Truck racing. The racetrack below, was built and is operated by soldiers, sailors, Marines and Airmen here at Camp Victory, As you can see by the picture, it is very impressive. Every Saturday night and/or Sunday afternoon, they race and there are plenty of spectators. There was a big event at the track last Sunday, but we were testing, so I didn’t get to go, but I will before I leave. Both my son Sam, and daughter, Katie would enjoy going to the track-but hopefully they won’t see this track anytime too soon.
I guess, I’ll sign off, I do plan to revert back to some acquisition discussions in my next entry so for those of you that aren’t as excited about that as me-congratulations, you probably have a more exciting life than I do. Also, I wanted to highlight the details of another fallen hero in support of our country and in direct support of OIF. Please remember, routinely, just like we all see in the daily editions of USA Today, our soldiers are paying the ultimate price all too frequently. So any effort, any way, those engaged in moving technology from the laboratory to the war fighter need to feel a sense of urgency. When we read about these individuals, they put a personal reflection on what direct impact YOU may have if we can field equipment and remove them from harms way to reducing their risk in executing their assigned mission. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician First Class Luis A. Souffront, was known to his family and friends as Ariel. He loved to spend his spare time washing his truck, cleaning his boat or taking his boat out for spear fishing. One of Ariel’s cousins, Rosanna, said, “The water was his life and joining the Navy was his passion.” As a combat-support specialist, Petty Officer Souffront trained and fought shoulder-to-shoulder with SEAL team members. While the exact nature of his work and service in Iraq has been withheld, the respect that his fellow Sailors had for him is no secret. One SEAL team member that he served with explained Ariel’s place on the team, saying “explosive ordnance specialists play a critical role in special warfare missions.
They go through the same training that the SEALs do and then they work side-by-side with the SEALs in combat, assuming the same risk.” He concluded by saying, “While they may not wear the same patches and insignia, they are our brothers in arms on the battlefield.”
