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WASIT, Iraq – The Al-Aziziyah school held a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 27 in the province of Wasit, Iraq. It was attended by the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), Brig. Gen. Stephen Sanders, the U.S. Division - South and 36th Infantry Division deputy commander for support, as well as local officials from the city itself, eager to show their support for the completion of the project. “This is a symbol of all the projects the PRT has accomplished in Wasit,� said Samuel Madsen, Wasit PRT team leader. Madsen was one of the guest speakers at the ceremony, held in the main hall of the school. The hall was packed full of students and faculty excited to show off their new school to the visitors. “The PRT invested over 300 million Iraqi Dinars in refurbishing this school,�
Madsen continued. “This school is a gift from the American people to the people of Wasit.� After the guest speakers finished praising the work done to get the school operational, Iraqis and Americans stood side-by-side, scissors in hand, to cut the ceremonial ribbon. The ribbon-cutting was followed by a brief tour of the school. Afterwards the visitors were brought back to the main hall where the PRT presented 400 backpacks full of school supplies to be given to the students. “This accomplishment is a symbol of the cooperation between the American and the Iraqi government,� said Sanders during his remarks. He also spoke of how the Iraqi Security Forces’ role in civil projects has helped provide a more stable environment. “The future of Iraq is dependent on the education and well being of the children.�
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BABIL, Iraq – Iraqi Police officers from Babil and Karbala provinces completed training on first-response medical techniques at the Iraqi Police Academy on Contingency Operating Site Kalsu. The 239th Military Police Company, a supporting unit of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, provided comprehensive training for the officers aimed to familiarize them with the basic skills they need to save lives. “When the classes first begin, the guys are impatient and just want to get done,� said Staff Sgt. Kimberly C. Havis, the academy’s senior enlisted leader, originally from Choudrant, La. “By the end of the course, they want to train for another week.� The officers worked both in the classroom and received hands-on training, using basic medical supplies and equipment. They trained on methods for treating hemorrhages, burns, entry and exit wounds and CPR. “I think the training was very good,� said Lt. Salah Alsaedy, an investigations officer from Karbala province. “I enjoyed all of the training, especially the part on CPR. I can take that back to my colleagues and share it with them.� The trainers focused on keeping the instruction at a level consistent with what the officers would see on a daily basis, while emphasizing the importance of always working quickly when dealing with a trauma victim. “We teach them to concentrate on the treatment they give in the first five minutes,� said Staff Sgt. Daishia N. Chandler, instructor and senior medic for the company, and a native of Leesville, La. “That is part of the ‘golden hour’ rule, which dictates the time they have to provide initial care and get the patient to the next level of treatment.� The policemen rounded out the week conducting trauma lanes where they were required to demonstrate the skills they had learned. Split into separate teams, the officers took turns acting as the responder or the casualty. All of the officers successfully passed through the lanes, applauding each other as they completed them. “Some of this training they may also find useful in their own homes,� said Chandler. “I just think it’s awesome that we get the opportunity to teach them our own methods, and that will increase their ability to save lives.�
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Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Eric N. Atkisson Š Deputy PAO Capt. Brian Melanephy Š Command Information OIC 1st Lt. Adam J. Musil Š Editor Sgt. 1st Class Merrion LaSonde Š Print NCOIC Staff Sgt. Chanelcherie DeMello Š Layout & Design Sgt. Jason Kaneshiro Š Writers and Photographers Sgt. James Kennedy Benjamin, Sgt. David A. Bryant, Sgt. Raymond T. Quintanilla, Sgt. Jeremy Spires, Spc. Eve Ililau 7KH 7 3$7&+ LV D ZHHNO\ QHZVOHWWHU GLVWULEXWHG LQ HOHFWURQLF DQG SULQW IRUPDWV ,W LV DXWKRUL]HG IRU SXEOLFDWLRQ E\ WKH WK ,QIDQWU\ 'LYLVLRQ 3XEOLF $IIDLUV 2IÀFH 7KH FRQWHQWV RI 7KH 7 3$7&+ DUH XQRIÀFLDO DQG DUH QRW WR EH FRQVLGHUHG RIÀFLDO YLHZV RI RU HQGRUVHG E\ WKH 8 6 *RYHUQPHQW LQFOXGLQJ WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI 'HIHQVH 7KH 7 3$7&+ LV D FRPPDQG LQIRUPDWLRQ SXEOLFDWLRQ LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK $UP\ 5HJXODWLRQ 7KH 3XEOLF $IIDLUV 2IÀFH DGGUHVV LV WK ,QIDQWU\ 'LYLVLRQ 3XEOLF $IIDLUV 2IÀFH $32 $( &RQWDFW 6JW VW &ODVV 0HUULRQ /D6RQGH YLD H PDLO DW PHUULRQ ODVRQGH#LUDT FHQWFRP PLO
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Once a month, a finance team with 9th Financial Management Company, 3rd Sustainment Brigade of Fort Lewis, Wash. and AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Services) personnel set up shop in the dining facilities of remote outposts in United States Division - South to serve troopers there. Recently, they traveled to Al Sheeb, Iraq to visit Soldiers with D Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. The finance team brought a suitcase of money to enable transactions with the Soldiers’ Eagle Cash Cards (a loadable debit card provided to deployed Soldiers by the military). The team also brought forms for Soldiers to open a Savings Deposit Program account. “This is important to them because they don’t have regular access to finance and they can get cash from their card, work through any pay issues they have and open a (SDP account),� said Cpl. Brad
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Mikulec, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the trip. Mikulec said the most common questions were related to leave and earnings statements but on this day, a Soldier wanted to open an SDP account. The program provides deployed Soldiers
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with a high-interest savings account while they are away from home. Soldiers may deposit up to $10,000 into their account, accruing 10 percent interest annually. The Soldier said he had never heard of the SDP so he researched it and asked around and finally made the decision to set one up. “This makes me really, really happy,� said Pfc. Emery Barr, a cavalry scout from Mason, Mich., “because $1,000 is a lot of money!� After Soldiers withdrew cash from their cards, they waited in line to browse the selection of goods AAFES brought with them. They had ordered items in advance and waited with anticipation for their items to arrive. “My (executive officer) was so happy to have his coffee maker,� said Capt. Jim Cantrell, the company’s commander. “He was like a little kid.� The team stayed until after the sun had gone down to ensure that as many Soldiers as possible were able to make purchases. Cantrell said they appreciated the visit. “It’s kind of sparse out here and there’s just something cool about being able to buy something,� he said. “We’re just happy to be able to get so much stuff !� The team plans to continue the missions for the remainder of their time in Iraq.
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – The U.S. Army prides itself on taking care of each member of the team. This commitment to take care of its own extends beyond the battlefield to include emergency financial assistance. Personnel assigned to U.S. DivisionSouth have the opportunity to make a voluntary donation to the Army Emergency Relief fund to render that assistance to those who need it. This year’s campaign runs from March 1 to May 15. “One of the biggest stressors of deployments is money,� said Staff Sgt. William Culver, the AER coordinator for U.S.-Div.-South at Contingency Operating Base Basra. “Knowing that the Army has a program in place that can provide for your emergency needs is an incredible asset.� Although some Soldiers earn more while deployed than they would back home, there is still the possibility that the unexpected could bring financial hardship upon deployed Soldiers and their families at home. They can take comfort, however, knowing that the AER would be available to them, Culver said. Contributions to the AER can be made through allotments. Locally, personnel can make donations in cash or by check. The donations will be mailed directly to the program office from here, said Culver. Personnel also have the option of making a contribution online with a credit card at the official AER website, www.aerhq.org. “Just make sure you get your DA 4908 receipt for your contributions,� Culver added. “Virtually anyone can contribute. As it stands now, a civilian is our top contributor.� The AER Program in Iraq currently has a friendly competition between bases to see which can receive the most donations, Culver explained. “Our goal is to contribute as much to the AER Fund as we possibly can. If our contributions total more than any other COB out here, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing,� said Culver. The AER fund is available to Soldiers on active duty, retirees, and their dependents. It is intended to provide
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emergency financial assistance to eligible recipients in need. There is no limit to the amount that can be given in assistance and, depending on the amount needed, assistance may be rendered the same day the request is submitted. Assistance may come in the form of a grant, an interestfree loan, or a combination of the two. The AER is nonprofit organization with the mission to support Soldiers and their families. “I would like to see all Soldiers who are at a position in their lives to donate, contribute,� said Culver. “The AER is a program for Soldiers supported by Soldiers. Our goal is to contribute as much to the AER fund as we possibly can. You never know when it could be you in need of support.� “The Army Emergency Relief Fund is a great organization that provides support for our Soldiers. None of us like to be in a financial crisis and we wouldn’t want to see a fellow Soldier in need with no support,� Culver said. “Contributing to the AER program is never leaving a fallen comrade.�
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We may need YOU to save your battle buddy’s life.
COB Basra Troop Medical Clinic Lab Department. Call Monday to Saturday for a screening appointment from 0830-1130 or 1300-1600. Walk-ins welcome!
NIPR: 858-4832 SIPR: 241-2426
“Give blood, and give the gift of life.�
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