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Women warriors work together
Three women from different services have come together to make a difference in the expansion and sustainment of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Naval supply officer Lt. j. g. Monica Rojas with the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, Air Force civil engineer 1st Lt. Rebecca Bucher with the 777th Expeditionary “Prime BEEF” Squadron, and Army logistics Capt. Sarah Comeau with the 45th Sustainment Brigade met each other while deployed here. The three service members have formed a bond, and now work closely in all matters regarding procurement, logistics and construction projects. “It’s rare for all the services to work together to accomplish what we are accomplishing: expansion and growth of [Regional Command - South] in a deployed environment,” said Comeau of St. Paul, Minn. “Between the three of us, we are creating, building, and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Military, Our Best: Military Women
R and R in Qatar
“I really wanted to swim in the Persian Gulf,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Mary Phillips, from Boone, N.C., enjoying her last day participating in the U.S. Central Command rest and recuperation pass program at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Nov. 28. She did swim in the Gulf waters, during three separate occasions, along with three other soldiers from the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team operating outside Baghdad, Iraq. R&R leave is a long-held military tradition. Exposure to excessive combat stress is known to significantly affect mission accomplishment. While everyone deals with stress differently, continuous exposure to enemy engagement eventually takes its toll, even on the nation’s hardest warriors. Military leaders routinely authorize subordinates reprieve from the rigors of combat in hopes of boosting unit morale, performance levels and career motivation. The goal is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Military, War on Terror
Lessons of an Afghan School House
The Afghan National Army compound in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province used to be a school for the children of surrounding villages. Even though the desks and books have been stuffed into storage to make room for the ANA soldiers who now reside there, in some ways the building still clings to the original intent of its design – lessons are still being taught and lessons are still being learned. An ANA Heavy Weapons Security Squad was assigned to the compound a little more than a year ago when insurgent activity in the area became a concern to villagers who were worried about their well being. Since then, the small squad has been the target of IED attacks and small arms fire so regularly that they speak about their combat experience … Read entire article »
Filed under: Afghanistan, Rebuilding, War on Terror
Resting at Habur Gate
As convoys escort trucks across the border between Turkey and Iraq, Soldiers take advantage of one of Iraq’s most accommodating cities to rest between missions. Service members and local nationals at Habur Gate operate a former hotel building, converted into a place where Soldiers eat, sleep, relax and recover while they wait for their next convoy mission. “[Our] mission is to provide communication for the convoys coming in and out of [Contingency Operating Location] Q-West and other parts of Iraq … [give Soldiers] a resting home for overnight stays and make sure everybody gets supplies,” said Pfc. Andre R. Taylor, a central processing mode operator with the 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), out of Fort Hood, Texas. “Convoys stop here to pick up their trucks from the [Movement Control Team] … Read entire article »
Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror
For the Boys calendar raises money for Wounded Warriors
The idea came while Tess Crosby was planning her Halloween costume as a pinup girl. Wanting to create a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project, Crosby hit upon a plan for a 1940s-style charity pinup calendar. “The idea clicked that in World War II, pinup girls were a show of support to the military and were very uplifting for morale,” she said. “And that was it.” Crosby began working on the project in September. Creating the calendar is a way to rally public support for wounded warriors, she said. “Our community and every community is impacted with the effect of these multiple deployments,” she said. “I think everybody focuses so much on supporting the troops who are deployed, and that’s a necessary thing … but what happens with the guys who come home … Read entire article »
Our Best: Seaman Tiffany Dodd
Filed under: Military, Our Best: Military Women
Sisters in the service
Spc. Julie Boggs said she was surprised her deployment allowed her to cross paths with her sister, Tech. Sgt. Miranda Minshew. “It is kind of a long shot chance with her being in the Air Force,” said the soldier assigned to the 263rd Quartermaster Company. “The chance wasn’t very big that we were going to be deployed at the same time and actually see each other with all the different bases and our jobs being completely different.” Minshew, a public health technician assigned to the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, shared her sister’s surprise and enthusiasm for the unlikely reunion. “It’s nice to have a familiar face here while you’re away from your family,” Minshew said. “It’s like a part of home is here.” When able, the sisters spent time catching up over coffee, watching … Read entire article »
Filed under: Military, Our Best: Military Women
Estonian army in action in Afghanistan
“It was well planned,” said Estonian 1st Lt. Alar Karileet, following an insurgent attack near Patrol Base Masood in late October. “The Taliban were in three positions of four to five men each.” Taliban insurgents fired on the Estonian patrol of soldiers with Company C, Expeditionary Estonian Task Force, in an open field less than a half mile from the patrol base. Marine Capt. Ryan Petersen, an artillery officer and Joint Terminal Attack Controller with 2nd Brigade Platoon, 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, sat in the Estonian Combat Operations Center at Masood as the firefight took place, receiving coordinates where enemy fighters were located. Shortly after, one high explosive artillery round landed on the insurgent position. “The rounds were effective and suppressed the Taliban attack,” said Petersen, of Mishawaka, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Afghanistan, Marines, Military, Our Allies, War on Terror
Coming Soon: Future Posts
- Declaration of War 1812 (in 130 days)
- USS President vs HMS Belvidera (in 135 days)
- General Hull Invades Canada (in 154 days)
- First Battle of Sacketts Harbor (in 161 days)
On Y!CN
- Radioactive Gravel from Japanese Nuke Disaster Used in Buildings
- Fuel Supplies Reach Nome
- Fuel Convoy Reaches Nome
- Russians Sail to Rescue of Ice Bound Alaska Community
- Pope Embraces Anglicans in U.S. with New Ordinariate
- Nebraska Nuke Plant Placed on Special Inspection Status
- Radioactive Water Leaks at Japanese Nuke Site
- Japan Damaged Nuke Plants Still Not Under Control
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