it’s not SCIENCE FICTION..

Below is an article about the J8, CJTF Troy.  MAJ Pat Stamm submitted this for the monthly newsletter or TF Troy; “The Defuse.”

BY MAJ PATRICK STAMM

Science and Technology. It’s a term that lends itself to raised eyebrows, puzzled frowns and, sometimes, a Star Trek reference. But the work we’re doing in the CJTF Troy J8 Science and Technology office isn’t far-off from the tricks and gimmicks you might see on the SciFi channel or read about in Popular Mechanics magazine. We work on the cutting edge of technology. Testing the latest gee-wiz tools of the battlefield, we’re always looking for ways to give the troops on the ground the edge against the insurgency and its weapon of choice: the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). It’s not quite science fiction but J8 has tested amazing pieces of equipment. Acquiring the latest and greatest – it’s our mission.

 The enemy learns new techniques and employs ever more clever devices every day. The charge to find and test new ways to counter and defeat those techniques and devices falls upon the competent hands of the J8 Science and Technology Team. Though I’ve been in theater for only a short while, I have full confidence that we are on track, finding new technologies and gaining the edge in an ever-advancing battlefield. We’ve got a team of assembled geniuses and I have to say, as a newcomer, I’m really excited to be working with the guys in the J8 as we move toward a smarter, more effective fighting force in the War on Terror. We said goodbye to Lieutenant Colonel Dorothy Huber and Sergeant First Class Gunderson as they rounded out their tour with Task Force Troy. Major Greg Holifield and Mr. David Thompson are still in the fight.

MAJ Greg Holifield (PhD) and Lt. Zenzen conduct field testing
 
They manage to make me feel intellectually inadequate on a daily basis. We’re still in the re-education process of exactly what we do and how we do it. There’s a shaping process that is integral to a team comprised of personnel with different skill sets. We are meshing well as a group which is important considering how lengthy a fifteen month deployment can seem when things are not going well at the workplace. I am delighted to be a part of this team. I am surrounded by the most innovative professionals who understand and are fully dedicated to the Task Force Troy J8 Science and Technology mission. In our short time together, we’ve figured out a few of each other’s quirks and personalities. David Thompson, for example, enjoys salsa. Major Holifield knows the lyrics to the ‘Milkshake’ song. As for me, my co-workers have been accusing me of being a little too preachy – not in a religious sort of way.

MAJ Pat Stamm and David Thompson (MS, EE)  making strategic decisions.
 
We are preparing to welcome another member to our team very soon. Mr. Rob Simmons comes to us with a wealth of knowledge. He will provide us with some much-needed assistance in the acquisition realm. The assets he will bring to the Troy J8 Science and Technology will be fully utilized and integrated into our mission here. Applying his knowledge to help Doc Holifield and David explore new technologies will certainly be a benefit in aiding our troops to secure the peace in Iraq. To our family and friends back home, we miss you all. We think of you often. Stay safe and keep us in your hearts and prayers as we keep you in ours. You can all be proud of the work we are all doing here at Task Force Troy.

In continuing the trend of recognizing a hero who has supported historic OIF efforts, below is a brief synopsis of Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey L. Chaney who was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11, out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., which is north of Seattle.

He and another sailor, Chief Petty Officer Patrick Wade of Key West, Fla., died during combat operations July 17, 2007 in Iraq’s Salah Ad Din province. Chaney graduated in 1990 from Bellevue West High School and was a 14-year-veteran of the Navy. His mother, Connie Chaney, said she talked to her son often and “never one time ever did he hang up without saying ‘I love you, Mom.’ ”

Jeffrey Chaney was the youngest of five children and the father of a 14-year-old girl, Brianna, who lives in Omaha. He was also survived by his father, Larry Chaney of Minneapolis; a sister; and two brothers. Her son grew up in “Air Force country” in and around Bellevue, home of Offutt Air Force Base, Connie Chaney said. “All his friends were Air Force people,” she told the Lincoln Journal Star. “He chose the Navy,” enlisting in 1993.  Jeff’s cousin said Jeff was committed to his mission in Iraq. “Jeff had the attitude that it was his job, he loved his job, and all he wanted to do was his job … even if it meant giving his life.”

What I’m doing here…

It’s Friday here in Baghdad, and as they say only 2 working days left until Monday. Believe it or not, the pace has kinda picked up here my second week vice the first. I guess since I’ve learned my way around a little and now that I’m somewhat up-to-speed, my responsibilities in the office are increasing. Anyway, the group (i.e. 3 at the time of my arrival), here like many at the Camp, is dedicated to the cause, so they were doing the work of about 6 when I got here. Now with my arrival it’s down to about 5.25 (ha ha). I mentioned the role Video Teleconferencing (VTC) plays here and I think the longer I am here, the more I appreciate the power of VTC with the right equipment and technicians. I just left a VTC where we had about 30 people in the conference room in the Al Faw Palace and there were no fewer than 15 other federal agencies and commands engaged back in the United States. With the time difference the earliest meetings with the US components start around 1730.

I gained a new understanding of field testing this week as well. Through necessity, tests are executed very rapidly, reported on even faster with a next generation of test typically running a day or two after the last. Results are rapidly communicated up to leadership. As we all have read in the newspaper, the threat over here is evolving and the personnel that are deployed “forward” are certainly ready for the call. I work with three dedicated individuals, one who has a PhD in Computer Science (US Army Major), an Electrical Engineer from NAVEODTECHDIV and the J8 of Task Force Troy is MAJ Stamm. All bring a unique aspect to the fight, but the goal of all is to try to rapidly apply emerging Science and Technology to the ever changing IED threat. The best tone and/or dynamic I see that plays a significant part in making advances are personalities and cooperation. Getting along, i.e. being a team player is THE hallmark of efficiency and effectiveness here. The leadership within the Task Force practices it and promotes synergy between support codes here within the Multi-National Force-Iraq. We all are supporting the forward US Army Battalions, US Marine Corp Expeditionary Force (s) and supporting EOD Mobile Units, i.e. getting better equipment forward, faster. In this submission, I have included a couple of pictures which should give all a feel for the landscape around the J8. J8 is a designator for Science and Technology component of the Task Force.

In the first picture, above, is a snapshot of me by the TF Troy (Alamo Complex) sign. The TF Headquarters is just down the road but the Alamo Complex is where the J8 trailer is located.

The next picture (above) is that of the trailer itself, in all its glory. It is as well equipped on the inside as it is on the outside. Honestly, it is adequate, the A/C keeps it cool, relatively, since it really hasn’t heated up here yet and there are six desks and a conference table. The size of the group varies, anywhere from 2 to 4 has been the maximum assigned to the J8. The reason for the variation is basically due to personnel assignment rotations and schedules. Below are a couple additional pictures of the Camp Victory Base area.

Mosque Tower

J8 Bunker
 
Before I sign-off I would be remiss if I didn’t devote time and narrative to the memory and honor one of those fallen hero’s of Operation Iraq Freedom. I intend to include a brief description of a soldier that paid the ultimate price for the freedom and power our country enjoys. These individuals remind us that these attributes of freedom and power do not come free but at a price and sacrifice by them and their loved ones.

Take care,

Rob
 
SPC Christopher J. West
Hometown: Arlington, TX
1st Squadron
73rd Cavalry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, NC
KIA: 4 February 2008

Christopher, or CJ, as he was known to his family, was only 4 years old when he first said that he wanted to be like his dad and join the Army. When he enlisted a few years ago he became the fourth generation of his family to serve in the Army. He received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Texas A&M University, graduating with honors in 2004. After graduation, CJ still wasn’t sure about what he wanted to do with his life. He tried a variety of things and considered going to law school, but something kept pulling him toward the Army. His big sister, Lauren West said, “he felt like he had to do it”. His family remembers CJ as something of a history buff that loved his family and the country he served. One of his fellow soldiers said, that he, “brought an upbeat attitude to the platoon that spread to everyone he met.” His sister went on to say that CJ was smart and funny. She called him “the life of the party. He loved hard, he played hard, he fought hard. He loved his country. He was so proud to be an American.” “He died doing what he loved. It was the only thing in his life that he felt was challenging for him, and he loved it. He felt like he had found his life’s calling.”

Getting more familiar

Hope all is well in D.C… Every time I look at the weather outlook for the D.C. area it appears as though it is snowing. Well we don’t have to worry about that here. It is about 70 F and a lot of dirt is in the air.

Yesterday was the first time I noticed a heavy presence of airborne dirt particles. It was very windy, i.e. probably 15-20 knot sustained winds with infrequent 25-30 knot gusts. And the grit gets on everything, computers, desks, printers, paper, me. Even if you use compressed air and/or a cloth to remove it, it seems though the grit just returns to its previous landing zone.  So I’ve found that whether one encounters rain (i.e. no dust in the air but mud everywhere) or no rain (dust but no mud), the environmental conditions can be a challenge. I’m whining and the temperature hasn’t even entered into the equation. In looking at the five-day forecast, there is projected to be a 15-degree increase in daytime high temperatures. I wonder if this is the beginning of the ramp up to the really hot times.  When I was on TDY a couple of years ago to Bahrain in July, we were typically seeing daytime highs of 120 to 130 F.

In reading operational reports, Iraq sees comparable temperatures. In front of many of the main buildings including the many complexes of hooches, there are big boards which highlight the need for hydration and rest.

I’m becoming more and more familiar with the physical layout of the base as time goes on. What was once a confounding maze of roads, buildings, concrete barriers, lay down areas and lakes are now taking the shape of a logical layout of a community and/or small city. There are tens of thousands of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and support personnel here on base. The most prevalent components are the tents, billeting trailers (dry and wet) and concrete barriers (both jersey and T-barriers). The T-barrier, made on site, is a concrete barrier shaped like an inverted “T” with two or more protruding rebar loops at the top to serve as attachment points for the crane that places them  The T-barriers serve as a force protection layer against a wide array of threats from incoming rockets, mortars and RPGs. They are everywhere.

It has been six days since it rained and the mud that built up on the roads and barriers has hardened where it is acting like concrete. It has built up on the curbs and causes traffic to move in towards the middle of the road.

One aspect of this experience has taught me a very valuable lesson, most that serve here have incredible intent and spirit, and however, we all aren’t exposed to the same risk or stress. As I have mentioned before, many women and men routinely go beyond the wire here at Camp and many others are forward deployed to Multi-National Division (MND) North, West and/or South base locations throughout the country (i.e. this list is not a comprehensive list). Along with the Route Clearance Teams, Blackhawk helicopter pilots, and numerous other special operational components these personnel are exposed to high risk, high stress operations. However, they show professionalism and spirit in getting the job done, whatever it is. At times I sit at my desk, in a meeting or conducting field testing within the camp and it is almost surreal.

Thinking that at the very instance there are many operators exposed to the IED and/or other insurgent threat doing their job. It is incredible to think about the range of experiences here in Baghdad. One only has to drive through a U.S. Army Company staging area and you will see a diverse spectrum of vehicles, from HUMVEES, Strikers, Huskys, JERRVs and other mine-resistant vehicle form factors. Any one of the vehicles could have been modified with armor or some type device to improve their survivability against roadside IEDs or other types of threats from the insurgents. This is another area where unmanned vehicles would support reducing the risk to the operators. Currently, massive logistic convoys re-supply forward bases and posts. The more we can remove the human from this function the better. While probably not totally removing the human element from this task, it is likely in the near to mid term we could augment these convoys with autonomous components or vehicles so less lives are placed in harm’s way.

R,
Rob