Jingle Bells

The Rolling Review DECEMBER 2011

233D TC

949th TC DET

821st Transportation Battalion

129th TC

1452nd TC

203rd TC DET

163D TC DET

“SAIL ARMY”

“SAND DEVILS”

ISSUE THREE

651st THOD

709 th TC DET

A Letter From The Chief Of Staff

COMMAND & CONTROL

821st Transportation Battalion The Best Gift of All

By LTC Rodney Sell Santa Claus sure does get around! He brought Christmas a little early this year with the best gift we could hope for: An end to our long war in Iraq! It was one of the great highlights of my life to be at K-Crossing on December 18 to see the last convoy roll across the berm, and a proud moment to realize that Soldiers of the 821st Transportation Battalion were among the very last to leave Iraq.

Most of you in this Battalion were children when this war started eight years ago. The fact that so many of you signed up or elected to continue serving despite certain deployment speaks volumes for this generation. But what have we gained? I hear a lot of talk out there that this war was a waste of time, treasure and blood; that it won't make a difference in the long run. Only time will tell if the pessimists will have their way.

I prefer to be optimistic and see the silver lining. For one thing, we've freed 25 million people from the rule of a brutal dictator and planted the seed of democracy in a land that has never before known it. For another, we've shown the Iraqi people, and others in this troubled region, the very best that America has to offer. Every time our Soldiers offered assistance to an elderly woman, knelt down beside a young child to treat a scraped knee, or valiantly excised insurgents from a besieged village, we put the lie to all the propaganda Saddam Hussein and his ilk say about the American people.

It's always hard to fight an enemy who doesn't play by the same rules as we do, but we never allowed them to drag us down to their level. I believe most people, regardless of their upbringing, are capable of distinguishing good from evil. What we've done here is to show them a shining example of good. We gave them truth, and in the end, truth will prevail. We threw them a lifeline to freedom, and a beacon to light the way. That beacon was the determination and compassion of American Soldiers. It's up to the Iraqi people to pull themselves out of the mire and follow the path. 25 million human beings now have hope, where there was none before.

Christmas is the hardest time of all to be a Soldier. For me, spending Christmas away from home is a small price to pay for the gift of freedom and hope to God's children in this foreign land. Now the best gift we can give are our prayers that the Iraqi people will make the right choice and follow the example we've set.

I wish you and your families the very best of the holidays. Merry Christmas.

From The Desk Of The Command Sergeant Major CSM Alma Ocasiosantiago

821st Transportation Battalion Warriors.

For the wonderful heritage we share, the traditions that are ours and all our hopes for our loved ones in the future. It's a great time to look back with love, and look forward with heart and hope. I celebrate with you the successes of all the accomplishments that have been executed, and look forward to sharing many more.

I send wishes for a rewarding and expressive Christmas season.

821st Headquarters Detachment

Capt. Jonathan Schneider The military mission in Iraq has come to a close after 8 long years. It is with great relief that we can safely welcome back all of our convoy operators from Iraq. As we all move on to what’s next, please keep in your thoughts and prayers the families and friends of the 4,474 Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Sailors that gave their lives in the process of building a better future for Iraq. I hope history remembers America as a friend of Iraq, and “greater love has no one than this, that one lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

The professional demeanor and can-do attitude of this detachment makes me proud every day. We know there will be significant changes to our mission, and no transition is comfortable. I ask for your patience and understanding as our leaders decide how best to utilize our unique skill set in the coming months.

Finally, please pass along the warmest greetings from my family to yours as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior during this Christmas season and ring in the new year!

SFC Dennis Crump, HHD, 821st Transportation Battalion Soldiers, I would like to congratulate SSG Adam Linck, SGT Quiani Miller and SGT Michael Campbell on their promotions. I wish them much success in their new grade and hope they continue to grow as NCOs. Everyone continues doing great things in support of our mission and the Soldiers within the Battalion, and I thank you for that. However, there are times in which we are required to do things that we might not fully understand, or it may seem tedious, or it might be in addition to our normal duties or MOS. Nevertheless, what is right is right and as Soldiers we must continue to do what is right and have the fortitude to give these tasks the effort and professionalism they deserve. So far everyone is doing an outstanding job in representing our unit and what it stands for and for that I again thank you.

I hope that everyone and their families have a very Merry Christmas!

“One Team, One Fight”

“SAND DEVILS”

Riding The AJ Short Bus Personal Observations from Around Camp Arifjan And Beyond

Nearly ^

How Santa Ruined My Life By CW4 Kenneth M. Wash Jr. Every year for more than forty years Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer has moved across my TV in the choppy stop motion style animation that was so common when I was young. Most people these days don’t know that the Snowman host’s pointed beard and pencil mustache is a caricature of Burl Ives, the man who voiced the image. Equally unknown by the youth of today is that every year, just as the dentist is about to venture into the abominable snow man’s cave, an event would occur that would end up, years later, ruining the show for me for the rest of my life.

Every time that darned dentist elf headed into the cave the show would break for a commercial. The ad that used to air was an ad for the “new” Norelco rotary head razor. It featured a daredevil Santa flying over snow banks, sitting in the case of the razors rotary head. He was fast and moving with the control of a formula one race car, blasting a path through the snow around trees and shrubs like an accomplished snowboarder.

In real life, given that the inner workings of that component are made of several meshing gears and a series of high speed, spinning razor blades, Santa would have either been smashed between gearing or sliced to death by the rotating cutters, leaving a red trail in the snow as he disintegrated in what would have only been compared to some horrible industrial accident. Talk about your lawsuit.

But, that is not the image that ruined it for me. No, I had seen that ad so many times that one year I said to my then newlywed wife. “I want one of those.” As a good wife would, she headed out to purchase the item, wrapped it, and on Christmas day I reveled like the Nintendo kid on you tube.

Though, unlike a new pair of tennis shoes that DID make you go faster. (my sister was so wrong.) This present really amounted to nothing more than a tool, the novelty of it wore off quickly. I don’t know what I expected. I somehow thought, I guess, that each time I would use this device I would be thrust into thought, imagining that I was skiing or sledding down the Alps. Much like I thought would happen when I bit into my first Klondike Bar. Stupid misleading commercials.

Still it wasn’t the obvious bait and switch tactic that turned me sour to Rudolph and his animated heroics. It was a situation that occurred one day as I stood in front of the bathroom mirror.

I happened to notice that I had a hugely long eyebrow hair protruding about an inch from my manly brow. I saw in the mirror as I studied it, my Norelco, which had been ne-

glected for some time and in need of new blades, sitting on the shelf behind me. I thought, why not?.

I plugged in the razor and slid the switch forward. The buzz and the vibration filled me with machismo. I moved it toward the waving errant hair, blades spinning and screaming, toward my eye, closer and closer. I expected that the hair would enter through the protective covering, which by the way had some big pieces missing, and be contacted by the swirling spinning high speed blades and be chopped off a piece at a time. Gobbled and shredded by the mechanism in an instant. Just like on the ad But instead, what happened was more like running over a rope with a lawn mower. The length of the hair wrapped up in the blades and pulled the razor in suddenly. A terrible sound emanated from the device as it contacted the other sixty or so eyebrow hairs, sounding like a tree shredder somewhere distant in the neighborhood, as an overly large tree branch is fed into it.

In the blink of an eye, half, if not more, of my eyebrow was removed from my face. In one swoop I managed to turn my eyebrow into what could only be described as the little brown marking over a German Sheppard's eyes. I was stunned. “What the heck was I going to do?” I thought. I did the only thing I could do. I trimmed off the other to match.

I brushed away the evidence and put the razor back on the shelf. Quietly I walked back in the room and sat back down next to my wife who, in a fraction of a millisecond saw that there was something different about me. I believe that I have never heard my wife laugh quite as heartily as she did that evening.

My wife swears that to this day the reason I have very light eyebrows is because of that moment. I have to admit I wonder.

But I know who is really to blame.

Ho Ho Holy Cow! What happened to my eyebrow!

PAO Adventures K-Crossing The Line In The Sand In the darkness of the night our small convoy moved quickly along the dark expanse of highway, through the Kuwaiti towns and cities, to arrive at the crossing between Kuwait and Iraq. Our goal was to get there before the last vehicle would cross into Kuwait. In the first two vehicles were the Command team of the 821st Transportation Battalion, LTC Rodney Sell and CSM Alma OcasioSantiago, their drivers and the security manager, MSG Tami Donaldson. I was in the last vehicle, the PAO mobile, with SGT Odaliska Almonte and SPC Leticia Samuels, both PAO specialists. Both armed…with cameras, of course.

Story and photos by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr

solutely direct when we were told that about 0220. It was a convoy full of we were indeed not on the list. route clearance equipment. Buffalos, Huskies and RG31s that drove After a few minutes of point through the night, lights blazing, counter-point we managed to find clearing the road ahead of the main some even ground. We would not get convoy, inspecting for any IED or in anybody’s way and he would pretend that he never saw us.

Sometimes compromises have to be made. But like promises, they can also be broken.

As soon as the Major was out of site my team and I moved to a secluded set of concrete bunkers to wait for the arri-

As we stepped out into the artificial lights the first thing that we noticed were the amount of news personnel moving about, setting up their equipment on top of flatbed trailers that had been supplied for just that purpose. We were met by a Major who informed me that the area was off limits val of the convoy. It was cold, but the to anyone who was not on “The List”. bunkers provided protection from the wind, and, in reality, the position was closer to the gate, and as best I could tell, a better position altogether.

Within the hour I began moving through the crowds of reporters, gathering intel on the whereabouts of coffee and food and scouting out other vantage points. We got our only briefing of the night. Basically, record whatever we wanted to, but nothing gets released until 0730. No problem for us since we would be on site till Surely, we were on the list, I thought. well after that deadline. I ran into one After all, it was our equipment that reporter, Michael Holmes from CNN, was the object of all this attention. I at the porta john. He was just a regular told the officer who we were, half ex- Joe who put on his pants the same pecting a response such as “Oh, the way I do. Considering where I met 821st, well, by all means. We have him that wasn’t a good thought. been waiting for you.” However, the response was somewhat cold and abThe first convoy arrived at

EFP that might have been placed for a last chance attack on our Soldiers.

Then the Gates were closed and again we waited.

At 0530 the place started buzzing about the final convoy’s location and began the countdown to its arrival. Those would be our vehicles, our soldiers. We set out to find the primo positions. Just as I was heading back from getting a cup of coffee I saw another familiar face. It was Geraldo Rivera. I grabbed one of the two PAOs and, off to meet him we went.

Nice guy, with a big smile who had no problem hamming it up for our cameras. We joked about Al Capone’s vault and laughed and laughed…Ok , not really, but boy did I want to.

(Continued on next page)

PAO Adventures K-Crossing The Line In The Sand

Story and photos by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr

(Continued from previous page) I decided that the guard tower was the place for one of our photographers, so I set about the task of schmoozing up to the Kuwaiti Guards. I spoke with one guy who really didn’t understand me until I told him I was here with Geraldo Rivera. Well, at least that I knew him. (He didn’t have to know that we just met.) The guards ears perked up like a Doberman’s upon hearing the word “treat.” I offered to introduce him to Geraldo. “Oh that tower, sure, go get in the tower… buddeee.” Now we were getting somewhere.

We waited another hour or so before we got word that the last convoy was a few minutes out. Again the gates slid open and the lights of the gun trucks could be seen in the dimly lit morning. I looked back over my shoulder to see the sun rising in the distance.

Another day would begin, but this one would set on the end of the war in Iraq.

The vehicles moved forward slowly amid a frenzy of professional and amateur photographers, reporters, soldiers and Kuwaitis all wanting to be there at that moment when the last vehicle crossed over. Our vehicles would not be last. At approximately 0720 Convoy Commander SSG Pearline Hill of the 1452nd Transportation Company and her team drove their Heavy Equipment Transport through the gate.

So, now SPC Samuels is in the tower, SGT Almonte is up front by the guard shack and the gates begin to open. Another route clearance team

comes through, then a small convoy of gun trucks, then some of the trucks from the 129th Transportation Company. Cameras flash, and news reporters begin to blather and blab, each one trying to talk louder than the other. Another set of gun trucks and the gate is closed, but not for the last time.

last soldier, caught only briefly, in a parting shot, just before the video wrapped up.

You see, the vehicles stopped to close in the gaps and to meet with the escorts. While the camera crews were busy I asked one of the Kuwaiti Guards if it would be possible to get a picture from the other side of the gate.

“No, that would not be possible.” He told me at first. I thought for a second, and then asked, “Do you know who Geraldo Rivera is?” He smiled and said, “Ok, but only five paces.” Five paces was good enough.

The only photo taken from outside the gate, on foot.

The last historical event, well, History would show that the historical if you ask the right person, is last five vehicles were all security gun the event captured in the photo below. trucks, the last truck with the gunner gesturing that he was it, his vehicle was the last. The cameras all captured the smiling soldier giving two thumbs up. I told one of the people next to me that his face would be the face of the end of the Iraq war. Sure enough, there he was the next day on the front page of the stars and stripes.

What the cameras didn’t catch were two events that also made history.

One event was recorded by CNN and is in a video on their website at time marker 3:52. That event was the last American Soldier to cross the Iraqi Border into Kuwait ON FOOT. The

Roh al-Fahel one of the Kuwaiti Guards (right) shakes hands with Geraldo.

821st EWO/COMMO QAQC 821st Battalion Quality Assurance Quality Control Story and photos by SPC Leticia Samuels The biggest part of the 821st Transportation Battalion mission is the moving of equipment in support of the Responsible Drawdown. One of the biggest “behind the scenes” acts that take place in support of this mission is ensuring that all of the vehicles we take “outside of the wire” are at the safest standard and are fully operational. The four man crews that work countless hours to help companies get their trucks to standard play a huge role in the safe return of our Soldiers. These Soldiers that work within the Quality Assurance Quality Control tent are the last set of eyes laid upon these trucks before leaving on mission take their jobs seriously.

Chief Warrant 2 Jeremy Bennett, the QAQC Officer In Charge, explains that the entire process of an inspection to a vehicle normally takes about an hour. A four man crew consisting of two Electronic Warfare NonCommissioned Officers, one Communication Specialist and a mechanic perform their inspection using a 10-20 technical manual to identify and repair any deficiencies found on the vehicles. CW2 Bennett says, “The most common things found on these inspections are fluid leaks and problems related to the communication and electronic warfare equipment, such as the duke systems and the rhinos.”

Staff Sgt. John Jordan, 821st Transportation Battalion, 230th Sustainment Brigade goes to each of the Heavy Equipment Transporters to perform a functions check on the rhinos and duke systems.

First, a safety briefing is given to all the Soldiers requesting an inspection.

Afterwards they are instructed to turn the equipment to be inspected on to ensure that everything is working properly, and to give them a heads up on what the four man crews will be looking for once they enter the Large Area Maintenance tent or LAM. Some of the things that Sgt Jeffrey White, the Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge, has the Soldiers do before entering the tent are applying the brake systems, tightening battery cables and turning on all their lights and communications equipment so that it will be fully operational upon entering the LAM. Once inside the large maintenance enclosure, SPC Michael Ray, along with other mechanics, perform maintenance checks following a QAQC Checklist. The litany of checks include an engine check that inspects for loose and missing bolts in the engine compartment as well as underneath, loose belts, class III (actively dripping) coolant, oil and fuel leaks which can render the truck “dead-lined” or “inoperable” says Sgt White.

Continued...

A Soldier from the Quality Assurance Quality Control crew performs tasks on the QAQC checklist in the Battalion QAQC tent.

821st EWO/COMMO QAQC (continued from last page) Sgt Thomas Santos and Staff Sgt John Jordan are the two NCOICs over the communication and Electronic Warfare equipment. Sgt Santos runs tests on various communications equipment such as radios and navigation systems. He says, “The most common problems found on the commo side are problems due to the age of the equipment, and because the vehicle operators don’t always pre-inspect their equipment or use their Company level commo sections, which puts more work on us at Battalion level. He did offer that vehicle crews that utilize the Soldiers at their company QAQC find that they do a great job catching problems before they get to the Battalion level. SSG Jordan is the EWO NCOIC and takes care of any equipment problems having to do with the duke and rhino systems. He is in charge of testing all of the equipment on the trucks by using a device called a Universal Test Set to make SSG John Jordan uses the Universal Test Set to test sure the systems in each truck operate at peak performance the output of the Duke antennae during all operational environments.

Overall, Sgt white said the biggest accomplishment between the Companies and the Battalion was getting a good working relationship going, but now that it has been accomplished, along with a good working crew in the QAQC, things are definitely running more efficiently. When asked about what they looked forward to after the Responsible Drawdown ends, They noted that it would be getting to do a lot more “wrench turning” to get the fleet of heavy trucks back to “1020 standards” so that it can be turned back in to be stocked as part of the Theater Provided Equipment.

SGT Jeffrey White, 821st Transportation Battalion, 230th Sustainment Brigade, gives a safety brief to the Soldiers of the 1452nd Transportation Company, before beginning the

SGT Jeffrey Whi te, 821st, 230th Su stainment Brigade, reviews and checks off an y last minute corrections before the vehicles head out of the QAQC tent.

“SAND DEVILS!”

Riding The AJ Short Bus Personal Observations from Around Camp Arifjan And Beyond ^

Time Travel Made Easy

By CW 4 Kenneth M Wash Jr.

Time travel is supposedly a thing of fiction. Who hasn’t seen a movie where the hero has to go back in time to stop a catastrophe or right a wrong. It’s the subject of so many stories. Yet, I offer that time travel is real. It is part of a life event that begins the day you were born.

Think back to the first birthday or special event that you can remember; when you first learned that the event was something to look forward to. Where you had cognizant thoughts about the time that had to pass before that birthday or special event would arrive again A whole year would have to pass until again you would be honored, given cake, ice cream and presents. It took sooo long for the next birthday to come, but there was always Christmas, or Chanukah, or Kwanza, or whatever holiday that you anticipated with fervor. If you were lucky, your birthday and the other significant event were equally distributed so that you only had to wait six months for something good to happen. Still, a year took a long time to pass.

Then, there was the day that you started school. Now the year could be divided into smaller chunks that could be counted off more quickly. Suddenly the Christmases and birthdays had other milestones to compete with and the years started to pass by a tad faster. The time machine began to spin.

And, maybe you had siblings. Well, they had birthdays didn’t they? Cake is cake where I come from and if you got more cake and ice cream and had more parties with grandmas and grandpas, and aunts and uncles, well, chances were, there may have even been presents in it for you too. More mile markers. The time machine starts moving faster.

Oh, don’t forget summer vacation. As hard as it was to watch the hands of the clock tick from minute to minute, everyday, waiting for the last click and the ringing of the school bell, it was sweet music to hear the last bell of the school year. Sometimes though, even summer vacation would last too long. The desire to see school friends could make the summer go by all too slowly, but even then, when the days would drag on and you couldn’t stand to watch another PBS show, the day would come and school would start again. You would ask yourself. Where did the summer go?

Soon you’ve got soccer, football, basketball homework, and band. You find that there isn’t enough time. The teachers must be crazy to think that you have time to do all of those things. High school comes and goes, you say goodbye to childhood friends and venture to college, where another four years gets kicked into high gear, and before you know it, that’s gone too.

By now, regardless of school, you’ve probably entered the workforce. Weekly paychecks remind you that another week has passed you by, then, there’s the monthly bills to pay for tuition or a car. Has a month already gone by? Christmas comes then New Year and another year flies by and soon you start to think, Easter already? Then summer vacation, then Halloween and it’s Christmas again. Whew!

Then, one day you venture into the local recruiting station and commit to a contract that goes by so fast you have to decide whether to reenlist. Wait, didn’t I just enlist?

Promotions, drill days, military schools and Annual training get added to a calendar that is already brimming with reminders of all things due by day, month and year. Just as you think you have it all figured out and you are juggling about as many balls as you can, you fall in love.

Now, you’ve got another birthday to remember, more presents for Christmas, and don’t forget the day you met the love of your life. Oh, then there is his or her family added to your social calendar. Just what you needed, more stuff to do.

So, you juggle and juggle and teeter on your bolo board balancing and speeding down life’s runway. You get married. Another date to remember. More gifts. What more could you possibly throw into the mix of items to keep in the air…

“Honey, I’m pregnant..” The news means more appointments and dates. And you don’t stop with just one. How about another, or two more? Life going fast enough yet?

Then, suddenly you are plucked from your life and thrown on a plane and sent to Kuwait for a year. You feel as though the brakes have been slammed to the floor. Although there is confusion and excitement about the year ahead you get a bit of a breather. One job focus. All of your efforts applied toward one main goal. Sure, there may be a bit of balancing to do, but nothing like what was going on at home.

But what about that? The spinning whirring time machine that you left running can’t wait for your return. You can’t turn it off.

Life can’t be put on hold. The people you love are still moving forward. All that you were responsible for, all of those things that you kept in the air are still in the air. For them the speed of the machine has picked up steam.

Luckily, for us the time will pass. Fast or slow, we will finish our task here to return home. We will kiss our loved ones and thank them for doing your part and then climb back into the time machine. And when we do, and everything is back to normal, whatever that means to you, you will look back at the time you spent here and wonder, “Where did the time go?”

From the 821st Transportation Battalion

Merry Christmas!

129th Transportation Company

Commander: Maj. Dwight D. Dickerson Merry Christmas, this month the last 129th convoy into Iraq returned to the unit, marking an end to the retrograde operations out of Iraq and a job well done. The 129th was there when the last vehicles rolled out of Bagdad, and the 129th was there as well as one of the last convoys rolling out of Iraq as the last chapter of a decade old conflict was written. We were fortunate enough to be featured both on the AKO homepage as well as in the national media coverage surrounding the closing days of our time in Iraq. All in all, the 129th logged more than 3.6 million road miles and more than 100 successfully completed missions.

However, there is no time to rest as the priority shifts from bringing the troops and their equipment home to preparing ourselves and our own equipment for the eventual joyous day of return. There is much work to be done to our trucks after a decade of use, and everything that was pulled out of Iraq still needs to make its way home, so the remaining months we have in theater should remain busy and we look forward to our return with our eyes always on safety and accountability.

Above and right: 129th HET transporters cross into Kuwait from Iraq early in the morning on 18 December 2011, completing their part in the Responsible Drawdown. Photos by CW4 Kenneth M Wash Jr

“Knights of the Road�

129th Transportation Company “Away From Home For the Right Reasons”

By SGT Luther Hall Leaving behind loved ones is never easy for anyone, and for Soldiers deploying for the first time it can be overwhelming. All the uncertainties, family planning, training and mental preparation can make for a tough time. It is extremely hard for Soldiers to avoid what may be considered misinformation presented by the mainstream media in comparison to the legitimate information their command leadership is putting out. This can make it difficult for Soldiers and their families who already go through so much when it comes to defending our country and its freedom’s.

Specialist Peter Martin from Shawnee, Kansas is a member of the Maintenance Platoon of the 129 th Transportation Company and is a first time deployed Soldier. SPC Martin said, “So far the deployment has been what I expected and not as bad as I heard it would be.” SPC Martin is also grateful that what he was trained to do is actually the job he is doing. “It makes me more confident in the task I am being given by my command.” When asked about some of the things he does to help manage the stresses of being deployed, SPC Martin cited that he enjoys physical training, such as weight lifting and playing basketball. He also utilizes social networking such as facebook and sky ping to stay in contact with family and friends while he is away from them. SPC Martin did add, “I enjoy my coworkers. They make a big difference in dealing with day to day operations.”

SPC Trevor Wells from Bedford, Texas is also a part of the 129th Transportation Company and part of 2 Platoon. SPC Wells said the time here has been good for him. “I really enjoy being on the road and doing the job I was trained to do.” SPC Wells also added, “It‘s cool being a part of history. Seeing where all this started and now being a part of the draw down is amazing!” SPC Wells has found new hobbies to help keep his spirits high while on this deployment. He has become an active member of Zumba fitness here at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait and enjoys weight training as well. SPC Wells also uses the power of social networking to stay in touch with family and friends back home in the United States. nd

Truth is, no matter how many times a Soldier deploys it is never easy. Leaving behind the family, the risk taken, and the unknown can be overwhelming to some. The Armed Forces, through outlets such as MWR, AFN and unit FRGs, do a great job of developing programs to help Soldiers deal with the pressures of deployment. First time deploying Soldiers and their families are encouraged to take advantage of as many of those programs as possible to help ease the transition.

SPC Wells and others like him are right to think that what we did was special. We were part of the mission known as the responsible drawdown of military personnel and equipment out of Iraq. After a ten year presence and thousands of pieces of equipment later, and to move the majority of that equipment in just under two months, during one of the largest retrograde actions of military equipment since WWII, he has that right. We are special. We are a part of history.

“Knights of the Road”

“Knights of the Road”

From the 129th Transportation Company.

Merry Christmas!

m

233D Transportation Company

Capt. Jonathan K. Neal HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! The HEAVY TRUCK Soldiers are beginning to get into the holiday spirit. Each platoon has used the wonderful items provided in care packages to create a very festive atmosphere. The Company has a beautiful Christmas Tree in front of the company headquarters, and stocking are hung wall to wall.

The company is organizing a basketball team to compete in the Camp Arifjan season. They are working really hard at practice and should dominate the competition. Due to the mission tempo slowing, there are more Soldiers present here on Camp Arifjan. The mission priority is changing to equipment recovery; this will allow the company to bring the trucks back up to standard in preparation for our next mission focus. HAPPY HOLIDAYS… HEAVY 6 1SG Kerstin Montoya The Soldiers of the 233D Transportation Company accumulated over 492,330 miles on 95 missions since we first arrived in theater, an accomplishment that in the literal sense will be part of history since the drawdown in Iraq is nearly coming to an end. Every Soldier has taken on every task that was asked of them without complaints and achieved mission accomplishment without fail. Despite the enormous work load, the PSG’s and Squad Leaders still managed to mentor their Soldiers for the monthly Promotion, Soldier, and NCO of the month boards. I’m proud to say that SGT Jacquez Fletcher earned his promotable status and won the Battalion level NCO of the month board for December. SPC Malik Haywood was recognized as the Battalion Soldier of the month, and he also earned his promotable status this month.

SPC Adam Popejoy and SGT Gerald Brotherton achieved the recognition of Battalion and Brigade Warrior of the week for their outstanding leadership, work performance, and dedication to duty while on mission and during FOB operations alike. It is an honor to be working with such a fine group of people; Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

821st Transportation Battalion

October Newsletter

“HEAVY TRUCK” “SAND DEVILS!”

233D Transportation Company 233D Finishes Strong By 1LT Sean Chang Even though the Responsible Drawdown of Iraq is coming to its final days, the 233rd Transportation Company, 821st Transportation Battalion, 230th Sustainment Brigade continues to run missions, albeit a different mission than normal. Sgt. Levi Sanford, a heavy wheeled vehicle operator from Ft. Benning, Ga., was tasked with leading the recovery asset to redeploy an entire battalion back to Kuwait. Not only was it a change of mission for the 233rd, it was also the last major redeployment of a Unit from Iraq to Kuwait.

Historically speaking, Sanford’s mission marks the end of largest redeployment effort in United States history since World War II. Multi-national Forces spent nearly 7 years moving equipment into Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom while the herculean task of redeploying the equipment took only a year and a half. The 233rd has been part of those seven years, deploying six times moving equipment into theater. To be part of such a strong history is a source pride for many of Soldiers, especially Sgt. Elizabeth Robinson and her husband Sgt. Kenneth Robinson, who have been with the 233rd for nearly 8 years. “We are proud to be here from the beginning to the end and see the accomplishments of where we started and where we have come to.” Said Elizabeth Robinson, a heavy wheeled vehicle operator who recently returned to 233rd from a year tour in Korea.

For some Soldiers the significance of the mission and its over-arching meaning for Operation New Dawn was largely lost due to their singular focus on accomplishing the mission. “I didn’t really think about what it all meant, the bigger picture, I was too busy making sure all the Soldiers were ready and equipment was good to go, but I guess when you really think about it all, it is amazing that this is really coming to an end.” Said Sgt Sanford.

Both Sanford and Robinson can agree that as the 233rd Transportation Company closes a chapter in United States History, it also closes a chapter in its own proud story; one that continues even while the missions north of the Kuwait Border have seemingly come to a halt. The 233rd continues to train, maintain and sustain its Soldiers so they stand ready to complete whatever mission should come next.

“HEAVY TRUCK”

“Heavy Truck”

From the 233D Transportation Company.

Happy Holidays!

1452nd Transportation Company Major Teonnie Dotson I would like to take this time to wish all the Soldiers of the 1452nd Transportation Company a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed and wonderful New Year. I want to thank you for all your hard work and dedication shown throughout the preparation phase and now the final stages of the withdrawal phase of this deployment. After returning from a previous mission, I am very appreciative of the job you do while out on the roads. It is apparent that you truly love what you do.

We still have a few more months ahead of us before returning home. Let’s continue to work together and remember our military bearing. The mission is not completely over until we return home back to the state of North Carolina. Job well done “Rough Riders”!

1SG Jeffrey Crisco During this holiday season there’s very little I can say to provide comfort for being away from your families. The powerful message below written by a Soldier sums up the life we choose to live. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

T’was the night before Christmas...A Soldier's Story T’was the night before Christmas, He lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

The Soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States Soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read? Curled up on a poncho, a floor for a bed.

I realized the families that I saw on this night, owed their lives to these Soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon ‘round the world the children would play, and grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the Soldier like the one laying here.

I couldn’t help wonder, how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, “Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice.”

“I fight for freedom; I don't ask for more. My life is my God, my Country, my Corps.”

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, and we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave on that cold, dark night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the Soldier rolled over with a voice soft and pure, whispered, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”

One look at my watch and I knew he was right.

“Merry Christmas my friend and to all, a good night.”

“ROUGH RIDERS”

1452nd Transportation Company Hauling, Hauling, Hauling

By Sgt Odaliska Almonte CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAITThe 1452nd Combat HET Transportation Company was going nonstop on the roads of Iraq and while the drawdown from Iraq has come to a halt, our company continues to regale the stories of our adventures to places as close as Basrah and as far as Al Asad. After 3 months in country, 22 missions, 293,734 miles logged, and 33,924.715 tons hauled, it became a challenge for our Soldiers to find a secure place to rest their heads. One such mission that included our Company Commander, Major Teonnie Dotson, Platoon Leader 2LT Samuel Pittman, SSG Tony Williams, the Convoy Commander and the Soldiers of 3rd platoon, occurred recently.

The convoy, consisting of seven Heavy Equipment Transporters systems, one HET bobtail, one wrecker and two Caimans from our company, along with six HET systems belonging to the 129th and five Caimans gun trucks from the 1/180th Calvary met up with thirty five White (Commercial) HETs to form one of the larger logistical convoys since the responsible drawdown began.

The mission was to travel to Victory Base Complex (VBC), load what was needed and to aid in facilitating the shutdown of the base. The loads were to be shipped back to Camp Buehring, but just before the convoy departed the mission had changed. SSG Williams’ convoy left Arifjan for Buehring tasked with the cartage of unexpected load of 19 ammo storage lockers that were to be delivered to the State Department at Sather Air Base. The convoy stayed overnight in Buehring and got back on the road the next morning. That was November 29th, and the last time the convoy personnel had a good night sleep, a hot shower and a hot meal.

The next morning they got back on the road and headed to VBC with their large haul, but not without encountering a few challenges. One of their HETS’ tractor had a tire blow out which took them a while to change because they were still on the busy road, but after a few hours the mission was back on track. Later, one of their wreckers broke down. The hydraulic line was busted. And just like MacGyver without any replacement parts, SSG Williams improvised a repair, making the wrecker mission capable and getting the vehicle back on the road.

When they arrived at VBC they found that the surprises didn’t stop. Because of the tempo of the operation and the time lost due to the mission changes and the trouble on the road, the convoy reached VBC as the base was closing. Only 3 Soldiers had the opportunity to shower, everyone else had to adjust and make do with moist towelettes. But that was not the only surprise. Another mission change added an additional stop, a load of 13 Max-Pro tires that needed to be dropped off with another Combat Logistics Patrol. This would be the last load of equipment to leave VBC and since the base was already turned back over to the Iraqis; they could no longer stay inside the compound, but rather had to camp outside the base, in the cold, and provide their own security.

Soldiers of the 1452nd getting ready for bed around the camp fire they created outside the grounds of VBC. Photo taken by SGT Nicholas Roig.

“ROUGH RIDERS”

1452nd Transportation Company Hauling, Hauling, Hauling (Continued from previous page.)

The Soldiers once again readjusted and worked together to start a camp fire. Some slept around the fire while others slept in their vehicles. Those that chose to sleep outside, while they were warm for some time, found themselves moving their cots closer and closer to the fire to keep warm. They ended up waking up cold to an almost nonexistent camp fire and another surprise. As Major Dotson put it, “The Soldiers in the convoy woke up the next morning to find Iraqi Soldiers awaiting their departure outside the compound. Some of them were nice enough to pose for pictures with us.” After a few friendly pictures were taken, the convoy got back on the road to drop off the containers at Sather Air Base then, on to Kalsu to drop off the 13 Max-Pro tires. After six more days on the road with little to no sleep and no opportunity to take showers, the company made it back to Camp Arifjan. They returned in surprisingly good spirits, and over all, they said they felt closer as a family.

Major Dotson summed it up when she said “I enjoyed being able to get away from the office work and spend time with my Soldiers. It felt good to sit around the camp fire and laugh and talk with my Soldiers in a relaxed atmosphere. Soldiers made me coffee, gave me a rose, and even a pink hard hat. I had the opportunity to ride in the Caimans with my gun truck crew and I was initiated into the "Truck Nuts" gang. It was one of the best experiences I could ever ask for. I got to spend time with and know Soldiers that I had hardly gotten to see since the missions started. The Soldiers love what they do and they are one big family when out on the road. I wish that I could have the opportunity to go on another mission with my Soldiers. And when you see me with my pink hard hat on, you will know I am conducting SAFETY!”

MAJOR Teonnie Dotson, Commander of the 1452nd, sporting the safety hat and holding the rose the soldiers of the 1452nd gave her along with her cup of coffee.

Soldiers of the 1452nd as they wake up the bitter cold morning as their fire dies down, but still in good spirits outside the grounds of VBC. Photo taken by SSG Tony Williams.

“ROUGH RIDERS”

Iraqi soldiers looking over at the 1452nd convoy the morning they woke up from sleeping outside VBC. Photo taken by 2LT Samuel Pittman.

“Rough Riders”

from the 1452nd Transportation Company.

and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas!

651ST THOD Watercraft

CW4 Charlene Winters

AHHHH!! Turkey Day with all the trimmings; wonderful turkey, dressing, glazed ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, sweet taters (Yes, that’s right, taters – I am from Texas, after all.) The beautifully designed presentation in the DFAC was amazing. The desserts, which I don’t normally eat, especially the punkin’ pie with whipped cream, were almost just like home. The wonderful feast, along with football games, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and some Christmas movies to watch created a very festive atmosphere. . I also had my little Christmas tree lit and brought up a crackling fire place on my lap top. The above-mentioned activities provided an addition to my list of things to be thankful for. In addition to being thankful for my home, my jobs and the friends and family who are so supportive of our mission here, I am thankful for the many men and women who work to make our stay here at KNB as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. My thanks to all of you for providing all of us with a pleasant experience to remember as we continue our various missions here.

Here’s wishing a very Happy Holiday Season to All!!

Sail Army!!

SFC Darrell Bell

November marks the beginning of the Holidays which, for most of the Soldiers in the 651st, will be their first time away from their loved ones during the Holidays. We will have only two Soldiers from the unit that will actually be home for Thanksgiving. Here at KNB, I was honored to have the opportunity to serve the Soldiers and Sailors in port at the Thanksgiving meal. It is truly a great feeling to be around good friends and fellow Soldiers/Sailors when you can’t be with your family. It’s an opportunity to talk about past, present and future plans. Most of the vessels are currently underway, moving equipment from Kuwait to various destinations. We have one vessel in port, the LCU2018, which was truly in a festive mood on Thanksgiving Day. The vessel started decorating their vessel on Thanksgiving Day, stringing lights from the bow to the stern. The galley has snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and has a feeling of warmth and of being at home. Christmas stockings decorate the wall with the crew members’ names on each one. It appears that Santa may have a back up ride when traveling now, as the 2018 is ready for SANTA DUTY. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE 651ST THOD AND THE WATERCRAFT AT KNB!!!

SAIL ARMY!!!

“SAIL ARMY”

And Happy New Year from the 651st THOD

Merry Christmas!

Over the Edge Stories From The High Seas Drawdown Is Real Story and photos by SPC Yemisi Aladeselu “Iraq War Draws to a Quiet Close.”...The Washington Post “U.S. War in Iraq Declared Officially Over.”...The New York Times “Our Troops Are Coming Home!”...USA Today “US Flag Ceremony Marks Formal End of Iraq War Role.”...BBC News Those were the headlines. There in catchy, big, bold letters that adorned the front pages of our newspapers and all across the internet. Brigadier General Bradley Becker, the Deputy Commanding General for United States Division Center, said to reporters on Nov 22nd “The one thing that really stands out is that we’ve given the Iraqi people opportunities that they didn’t have in the past; the opportunity to choose their own government, a developing economy that benefits all the Iraqi people and, most importantly, an opportunity for a better future.”

Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 2018, attached to 709th Transportation Company, returned from Iraq last week. The 709th Transportation Company is an Army Reserve unit based in Washington. They’ve had several missions to Kuwait, Buehring, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates where they used Army watercraft to move cargo to and from those ports. This mission to Iraq was uniquely different, clear and concise. Move all equipment out of Iraq – both mission capable and non mission capable. Our troops are coming home! The deck officer in charge, Staff Sergeant Smith said, “Pulling into the harbor in Iraq, you could see the marked difference between this mission and other missions we’ve had.”

The LCU 2018 spent the day loading containers and vehicles into the boat for onward transfer to Kuwait- the major hub for the Middle East. We didn’t bring anything in as was customary with other missions but we left with our deck filled with equipment, cargo and vehicles. It was an exciting mission. It felt good to bring closure to the almost decade-long war.

709th Soldiers assist and supervise the loading of shipping containers onto the deck of the Five Forks LCU 2018

From the crew of the LCU-2018 Five Forks

Merry Christmas!

From the crew of the LSV-8 MG Robert Smalls

Merry Christmas!

From the crew of the LCU-2002 Kennesaw Mountain

Merry Christmas!

From the crew of the LSV-5 MG Charles P Gross

! s a m t s i r h C y r Mer

THINGS TO DO Zone 1 Events DEC 25 - Christmas 5K Run/Walk Fitness Ctr. 0600 DEC 31 - New Years Eve Celebration Countdown and Midnight Toast Comm. Ctr. 1900

Zone 6 events DEC 25 - Caroling All the Way Comm. Ctr. 1900 DEC 31 - Blast from the Past New Year’s Eve Bash comm. Ctr. 1900

Open 24/7 Come enjoy a cup of coffee and have some snacks while you watch Sports-center or a movie. Located near 821st ALOC next to the bus stop.

Serving waffles every first and third Saturday.

Zone 6 Fitness Center 430-7475 open 24/7 Zone 1 Pool - Lap Swim 0500-0700 Open Swim 1000-2200 Zone 1 Fitness Tent 430-4607 open 24/7 Zone 1 MWR 430-1205 open 24/7

The Funnies Scribbles

by Lauren Wash

Zone 6 MWR 430-7482 open 24/7 Zone 1 Fitness Center 430-1302 open 24/7 Zone 1 Library 430-1200 open 1000-2200