Since arriving in Iraq, Bleuel has become a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle driver and has been a convoy commander more than once. She has been in the Army Reserve for eight years now as an MP and became a drill sergeant in 2004, which she does during her summer breaks from teaching.
“I sometimes think about what would my life have been like if I had joined when I was 18. Then I think, I wouldn’t trade my life. I have a wonderful husband and three wonderful kids,” she said. “My girls are my biggest cheerleaders!”
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Tags: 167th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, army reserve, Contingency Operating Base Adder, female MP, mother joins the Army, Staff Sgt. Pamela Bleuel
Posted in Military, Our Best: Military Women • Comments Off
Cleveland is humble about her teaching ability, but is quick to acknowledge the importance of the subject matter.”I really enjoy teaching, but it’s not always easy keeping a student’s attention, because I’m not a dominating person,” said Cleveland. “I just keep reminding myself that what I am teaching these Soldiers will not only affect them, but also the people they may have to save. I may be helping my students save a life!”
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Tags: 28th Combat Aviation Brigade, Army medic, Contingency Operating Base Adder, Spc. Amanda Cleveland, Task Force Keystone
Posted in Medicine, Military, Our Best: Military Women • Comments Off
“After the tour, a Christian and a Jew and an agnostic were standing around talking about how amazing [the tour] was. I think it’s great that something like this can transcend all religious bounds and be a treasure to everyone,” said Staff Sgt. Jacob Hanson, 1st Sustainment Brigade liaison team non-commissioned officer.
Eventually the borders of COB Adder will pull back, allowing the Iraq ministry of tourism to assume control of the Ziggurat and the surrounding archeological area. This step will be one of many moving the Iraqi government closer to self sustainment.
In the meantime, servicemembers of COB Adder keep many of Iraq’s national treasures safe within their border. The site remains sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians, alike.
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Tags: boyhood home of the Prophet Abraham, Contingency Operating Base Adder, cuneiform, great Ziggurat, iconographics, Iraq, Iraq’s national treasures, King Shulgi, Queen Puabi, Samaria, Shulgi, Tallil, Ur of the Chaldeans, Ur-Nammu
Posted in Antiquities and Ruins, History, Military • Comments Off
Romanian, Iraqi and U.S. military leaders and several local Iraqi leaders gathered for the Romanian Army’s 341st Infantry Battalion, “White Sharks,” assumption of authority from the 151st Infantry Battalion, “Black Wolves,” at Camp Dracula, Aug. 21, 2008.
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Tags: 151st Infantry Battalion "Black Wolves", 341st Inf. Bn. "White Sharks", Camp Dracula, Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, Nasiriyah, Romanian Soldiers
Posted in Iraq, Our Allies, War on Terror • Comments Off
Members of the 542nd Support Maintenance Company work with local Iraqis to help sustain the flow of water into Contingency Operating Base Adder and Camp Cedar. Serving under the 7th Sustainment Brigade, the 542nd fuels and services generators located at nearby homes off base. Locals are hired to monitor water pumps and canals that run into the Euphrates River, so the team also practices community relations. Their efforts provide a steady water supply to the thousands of service members on COB Adder and Camp Cedar.
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Tags: Al Bathra, Camp Cedar, COB Adder, Contingency Operating Base Adder, euphrates river, Iraq, water supply to American bases in Iraq
Posted in Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror • Comments Off
