MARCH 9, 2005

PROTECTEDWATERS

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2 Desert Voice March 9, 2005

Volume 26, Issue 30The Desert Voice is an authorized publication for members of theDepartment of Defense. Contents of the Desert Voice are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S.Government or Department of the Army. The editorial content ofthis publication is the responsibility of the Coalition Forces LandComponent Command Public Affairs Office. This newspaper is published by Al-Qabandi United, a private firm, which is not affiliated with CFLCC. All copy will be edited. The Desert Voice isproduced weekly by the Public Affairs Office.

Page 3 31st MEU ships home

Page 9 Multi-war veteran

Pages 6&7 Protected waters

Page 8 Korean dedication

Page 4 Blood, sweat and victory

Page 10 48-star flag over Arifjan

Page 11 Community

Back page Soldier submissions

After five months in Iraq, the 31st MEU,which had come to Kuwait in September ona training mission, returns to Japan.

The Koreans have the third most number oftroops dedicated to the reconstruction ofIraq, and the country reconfirmed its supportfor the war in a building dedication ceremo-ny in Kuwait Feb. 26.

Chief Petty Officer Larry Tentinger hasfought in three American wars, and this ishis second tour to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Before 9/11, there was the bombing of theUSS Cole in Yemen. To make sure thattragedy doesn’t repeat itself, the Navy hasdedicated a small fleet of patrol boats toguard American ships and assets at the sea-port of debarkation.

When a Marine died on Iwo Jima in 1945,there were only 48 states in the union. Feb.27, his flag was flown over Arifjan on the60th anniverssary of his death.

Comics by Lt. Col. Michael Verrett andCapt. Paul Nichols. Poem by Staff Sgt.Stephanie Johnson.

On the Cover Navy patrol boats, actingto avoid another tragedy like the 2000bombing of the USS Cole, are a stifling presence at the seaport ofdebarkation.Photo by Spc. Aimee Felix

CONTENTS 30CFLCC Commanding GeneralLt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb

CFLCC Command Sergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Julian Kellman

CFLCC Public Affairs OfficerCol. Michael Phillips

Commander 14th PADMaj. Thomas E. Johnson

NCOIC 14th PADStaff Sgt. Sheryl Lawry

Desert Voice Editor Sgt. Matt Millham

Desert Voice Staff WritersSpc. Curt CashourSpc. Brian TrappSpc. Aimee Felix

CFLCC PAO WriterSpc. Jonathan Montgomery

14th PAD BroadcastersSgt. Scott WhiteSpc. Charles Spears

Page 5 Black history finaleBlack History Month is over, but it went outwith a bang during a ceremony Feb. 27.

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A boxing tournament at Camp Doha March 1pitted American troops against one another,but it was all in fun, and more than a thou-sand troops showed up to cheer them on.

Slasa night, Sofball signup, Basketball tour-nament, Hoseshoe tournament, Bazaar.

3Desert Voice March 9, 2005

0 Story and photos by Spc. Jonathan Montgomery

During the 30-minute boat ride from acement pier of Kuwaiti Naval Base to theUSS Essex, which floated miles offshore,the Marines of the 31st Marine Expedition-ary Unit relaxed in the cool, calm breeze asthey glided over the deep sea-green waterof the Arabian Gulf.

One Marine broke out his guitar and apack of cigarettes; another cracked open aDiet Pepsi and turned up the volume on hisCD player. The scene stood in stark con-trast to the MEU’s previous five months,which were spent in Iraq dealing with insur-gents, securing borders and securing thecountry for its first democratic electionssince the overthrow of Sadaam Hussein.

The 31st MEU, a Marine Air GroundAmphibious AssaultTask Force, wasresponsible for a33,000 square-milearea of Iraq’s west-ern Al Anbarprovince. After fivemonths of fightingin some of thewar’s most pitchedbattles, like thefight for Fallujah inNovember, theMarines andSailors of the 2,200-member MEU boarded three ships of theU.S. Navy’s Essex Amphibious ReadyGroup Feb. 28 for a four-week voyagehome to Okinawa, Japan.

The 31st MEU arrived in the Arabian GulfSept. 9 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.Initially, members of MEU believed theywere going to Kuwait for a month-long train-ing event. The 31st MEU, assigned to the1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expedition-ary Force, found itself engaged in securityand stabilization operations in Iraq from lateSeptember 2004 to early February 2005.

“Five months ago, we put 31st MEUashore for what was supposed to be 30days of training and operations,” saidAmphibious Squadron 11 Commander Capt.Mark Donahue. “Now five months later, weare welcoming them back from extendedcombat operations.”

While many of the missions carried outby the MEU were important, engaging theenemy in Fallujah was an episode that test-ed the Marine’s mettle and will likely beremembered as the unit’s single biggestcontribution to OIF.

“I was scared and excited at the sametime,” said Jose Cervantes, an infantryman

who fought inFallujah. “We’dthrow a fragmen-tation grenadeinto the court-

yard, go into thehouse, and not know if anybody was inthere wanting to shoot at us. It was a rush,but I still have nightmares.”

Gunnery Sgt. James Sanders, who alsofought in Fallujah, recalled the same intensi-ty of the battle. “There was constant gunfireand explosions … It was tough telling whereanything was coming from,” he said.

While the battle for Fallujah was the high-point in terms of action for the MEU, the31st was responsible for a wide range ofmissions geared toward the long-term sta-bility of Iraq and toward stabilizing the coun-try for its landmark Jan. 30 elections.

“The umbrella of our operations hasincluded such things as building hospitals,improving water sanitation efforts, providingmedical care, helping Iraqis get jobs, assist-ing Iraqis in voter education and registra-tion, and building more than fifty border fortsto quell the smuggling of weapons, drugsand people trying to enter Iraq from Syria,Jordan and Saudi Arabia,” said Capt. BurrellParmer, MEU spokesman.

The 31st MEU lost 48 Marines and twoNavy corpsmen during its time in Iraq, and221 were wounded. The unit’s singlebiggest loss came Jan. 26 when a Super

Stallion helicopter crashed in western Iraqkilling 30 Marines and a sailor.

Members of the 31st paid their respectsto their fallen during a memorial serviceFeb. 20 at Camp Virginia.

“We fought all types of foreign fighters,and we fought courageously.” said Sanders.“We will always remember the Marines andSailors we lost.”

“The 31st MEU is looking forward toreturning to Okinawa,” said Parmer. “We areproud to have had the opportunity todemonstrate our expeditionary capabilities.”

“Although we are preparing to headhome for a much deserved rest and toshare time missed with our loved ones, wemust continue to be ready to serve asAmerica’s 9/11 force in the western Pacific,”he said.

The Essex ARG, home-ported in Sasebo,Japan, is comprised of USS Essex, USSJuneau, and USS Harpers Ferry. Beforearriving to pick up the 31st, the USS Essexprovided support and aid to the victims ofthe Dec. 26 tsunami in Indonesia as part ofOperation Unified Assistance.

“The 31st MEU and the Essex ARG start-ed together, stayed in the U.S. CentralCommand’s area of responsibility, and willfinish together,” said Parmer.

Editor’s note: This story contains information from a story by Navy ChiefJournalist Christina Johnson, USS EssexPublic Affairs.

Left: Marines and corpsmen of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unitcarry their gear onto Landing Craft Utility 1627, a small vessel usedto ferry troops and equipment from ship to shore and back. Above:Marines and corpsmen aboard LCU 1627 head back to USS Essex,which waits for them in the Arabian Gulf.

Out of Iraq, 31st MEU ships home

4 Desert Voice March 9, 2005

Blood, sweat and victoryStory and photos by Spc. Brian Trapp

Thirty-three troops stepped into the ring.Seventeen stepped out gods for the night.

As the house lights flickered off and thelights over the ring came up, the crowd erupt-ed in cheers and applause to kick off theCamp Doha Morale Welfare and RecreationBoxing Competition March 2 at Camp Doha.

The boxing event featured 17 bouts rang-ing from lightweight, starting at 138 pounds,to super heavy weight, topping out at 271pounds, and one surprise women’s match-up. The night played out in front of a crowdof more than a thousand troops who cheeredevery match as if it were a title-fight.

“When they raise your hand, it’s the bestfeeling in the world . . . It’s like static elec-tricity running through your body,” said 184-pound Nathaniel Reeves, 37, who was vic-torious after his three one-minute rounds inone of the light heavyweight fights. Likemany of the night’s boxers, Reeves hadbeen in only a handful of matches before

his fight night match-up.Preparations for the event started weeks

ago when Morale Welfare and Recreationsent out an invitation for amateur boxers.About 70 troops from across Kuwait signed up.

“Getting people together was easy,” saidJoe Lyon, event coordinator with MWR.“Whether they’re going up north or goinghome, they wanted to get in and fight.”

After going through a physical and match-ing up troops for the fight, 34 competitorsmade the final cut for their time in the ring.

There are a lot of guys into boxing, Lyonsaid, and there are a lot of boxing coachesin the Army. One of those coaches wasDarrell Govan, coach for the Camp Arifjanboxing team.

Six people from Govan’s team fought;five won. The sixth boxer lost in a split deci-sion, he added quickly. Govan attributed hisboxer’s wins to their conditioning, and “wewanted it more,” he said. “This was the firsttime they got to fight in the ring. They werecrazy about it, they loved it.”

Even though boxingis rarely thought of asa team sport, it was onthis night. Units cameout to support theirbuddies in the ring.

“My whole regimentcame,” said Reeves, who had the crowdchanting his name in the last round of hisfight. “It’s very exciting to have your namebeing chanted, even people who don’t knowyou chanting your name. It gives you agreat feeling.”

“The crowd was really into the fight,” Govansaid. “I thought they were outstanding.”

Lt. Col. Stan Fugate, Camp Doha com-mander, gave the opening remarks beforethe first fight kicked off. Later in the night hesaid Doha hosted the event for the moraleand espirit de corps building aspects of box-ing. Fugate summed up his feelings aboutthe sport when he said “Boxing is kinda likecombat. That’s what I like about it.”

Fugate also stressed that the boxerswere using full protective equipment andhad the Area Support Group-Kuwait oralsurgeon and doctor on hand in case of anyinjuries. The medical staff did have to takecare of some bloody faces and check a hurtshoulder, but nothing too serious.

Limiting the bouts to three one-minute

rounds helped reduce injuries as well, saidDwayne Coleman, a boxing judge for theevent.

“I’m looking for scoring good, hard, cleanpunches,” Coleman said. “Not glancingblows or the guys that swing a lot and lookbusy but don’t make any good contact.That’s why sometimes the crowd disagreeswith the judges.”

Even when the shouts were questioningthe judges’ calls on the winner of the fight,the crowd still seemed to enjoy the event,where every seat was a ring-side seat.

This event marked the last fight night atCamp Doha. The ring is scheduled to bedismantled and moved to Camp Arifjan laterthis year.

Above: Bryan Stephen, in blue, is held back from Curtis Quillin by the ref-eree. Quillin won the fight, which was one of the most furious of thenight. Afr left: Francisco Gonzalez gets advice between rounds. Near left:Carlos Rodriguez, in blue, puts Timothy Walker into the ropes on his wayto victory March 2 at the Camp Doha gymnasium.

Jaun Lands, blue, exchanges blows with JoseRivera, red, during their welterweight match.Lands walked out of the ring victorious.

5Desert Voice March 9, 2005

Story and photo by Sgt. Matt Millham

During a month set aside to honor thecontributions of blacks to American society,a number of speeches and statements byAmericans of all colors echoed one particu-lar hope – that a day would come whenmonths such as Black History Month wouldno longer be necessary.

Still, the energy of celebrations duringBlack History Month are overwhelminglypositive, and the month-long recognitionbrings to light important actions, movementsand people who may never before haveenjoyed the limelight.

Celebrations at Camp Doha Feb. 26 andCamp Arifjan Feb. 27 capped off a month ofactivities across Kuwait in honor of BlackHistory Month. At Arifjan, the Zone 1 Theaterexceeded capacity for nearly two hours ofspeeches, runway modeling, dancing andsinging on the stage and in the aisles.

The keynote speaker at the Arifjan event,Col. Larry C. Boyd, commander of 3rdPersonnel Command (Provisional) based atArifjan, weaved together a short history of hislife as dozens of people, unable to find seatsin the crowded theater, listened from outsidethe theater’s open doors. “I was born in thesticks, in the country,” said Boyd. “My parentsonly had an eighth-grade education.”

He described the house he lived in untilhe was seven as a shack without runningwater. To get water, his family had to go toan outdoor well. The family’s bathroom wasan outhouse.

It was a long way to go from his meagerupbringing to his graduation with honorsfrom South Carolina State University,Orangeburg, where he earned a bachelor’sin political science and public administration.On graduating, he also received his Armycommission and was designated an ROTCdistinguished military graduate.

Though he undeni-ably had the talent tobe an officer in theU.S. Army, his accom-plishments may nothave been possiblewithout the efforts of those who were thefocus of this year’s Black History Month: TheNiagara Movement. In talking about themovement, Boyd referred to a quote thatformed the center of the philosophy of itsfounder, W.E.B. DuBois: “We want manhoodsuffrage, and we want it now.”

Nowhere is the evidence of black equalitymore prevalent than in the military, Boydsuggested as he mentioned statistics aboutthe makeup of the American armed forces.Although blacks make up about 13 percentof the population, about 21 percent of the

U.S. military is black, and blacks occupymore management positions in the militarythan in any other sector in the United States,said Boyd.

After listing off the accomplishments ofthe American military’s first black generalsand admirals and speaking of the pride hefelt in coming into the Army and meetingblack sergeant majors and field-grade offi-cers, Boyd said, “These accomplishmentsmake me proud as an American, but theyalso make me proud as an AfricanAmerican.”

“I’m thankful for those who paved the wayfor people like me,” said Boyd.

Some of the night’s biggest highlights cameafter the keynote address. Models dressed incasual clothes strutted the theater and posedfor cameras at the foot of the stage as theaudience jumped to take pictures. Later on, a

different group of mod-els hit the stagedressed in replicabaseball jerseys fromthe Negro leagueswhile the audience lis-

tened to a brief history of segregated baseball.Though the Negro leagues ended only abouthalfway through the last century and were, attheir peak, among the biggest spectatorevents in America, there isn’t a complete list ofthe teams from the leagues’ 70-year history,the audience learned.

But while the crowd got riled up by thejersey display, it was a step routine put onby brothers of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity,known as the “Ques,” that got them scream-ing. Chanting and stomping in synchronizedsteps, five Ques filed onto the stage in pur-

ple shirts without the aid of backgroundmusic.

Stepping, originally developed in theUnited States by black fraternities and soror-ities, involves performances that unite folktraditions with modern culture throughthumping body movements, singing, chanti-ng, speaking and drama. Even within thefraternity, there are variations in step stylesfrom region to region, said Capt. JohnSensley, who led the Ques’ routine.

Much like the military itself, “most of thebrothers are from all over the place,” saidSensley. The group’s routine “was actually acombination from the East Coast and theSouth.”

Mixing all the different styles took a lot oftime and practice. Sensley and the rest ofthe Que steppers began preparing for thispart of the show in December, said Sensley.

The performance drew a loud responsefrom the crowd, especially from other Ques,who chanted along and hollered to theironstage brothers.

“We’re kind of intense,” said Maj. EugeneJones, a former Que who spent most of theperformance seated on the floor in front ofthe stage cheering on his brothers.

The high intensity and turnout may, inpart, have been due to the fact that thisyear’s event involved more servicemembersthan in previous years. Rohda Caige, a CSAcontractor who has attended Kuwait’s BlackHistory Month celebrations for years, saidusually there are more contractors involvedin the show. “This one was more 100 per-cent of the Soldiers,” said Caige. “It shows,even with all they’re going through, they canstill come out for black history.”

Black History Month closes with a stomp

Members of the fraternity Omega Psi Phi closed out the year’s Black History Month recognitionwith an energetic step show, which was part of a larger event at Camp Arifjan Feb. 27

“I’m thankful for thosewho paved the way forpeople like me.” - Col. Larry C. Boyd

6 Desert Voice March 9, 2005

Protected watersInshore Boat Unit 22 Sailor Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Cox is one of two gunners on his patrol crew. Cox, whoseNavy job title is master in arms, is a Reebok footwear engineer at home.

story and photos by Spc. Aimee Felix

Oct. 12, 2000, the USS Cole was on itsway to the Arabian Gulf when it stopped forfuel in Yemen. A small inflatable boat carryingtwo suicide bombers and enough explosivesto rip a hole through the destroyer pulled upbeside the ship and detonated. What wouldhave been just a short fuel stop cost the livesof 17 Sailors while nearly 40 others were seri-ously injured.

The Navy reacted quickly to the attack on itstroops by deploying its Inshore Boat Units, rap-idly deployable units that usually have six

armed patrol boatsmanned by fourSailors each. Theunits were created in1996, but weren’tdeployed until after theCole disaster, saidCmdr. Calvin Tanck,commanding officer ofIBU 24, one of two

such units stationed in Kuwait. Here, their mainresponsibility is to prevent another devastatingterrorist attack by protecting and escorting mili-tary ships moving through theater.

While the Sailors of IBU 22 and 24 – whoare in charge of guarding U.S. and coalition

ships coming through Kuwait’s main seaportof debarkation – generally deal with little morethan fishermen and jet skiers, these NavalReservists remain vigilant and ready to stopthe enemy.

“No ship comes in or out of here withoutbeing shadowed by one of our patrol teams,”said Tanck.

During the surge, the SPOD receives up tothree military ships a day carrying an averagetotal of 6,000 pieces of military equipment,said Maj. Alfonso Holt, port plans officer withthe 143rd Transportation Command. And IBU22 and 24 are in charge of protecting it all forat least two miles until the ships arrive ininternational waters, said Tanck.

Between the two, IBU 22 and IBU 24 havea total 12 patrol boats and more than 150Sailors who work 12 hours on and 12 hoursoff – up from 11 hours on and 22 hours off inthe lull between surges. During their shifts,Sailors are restricted to their patrol boats atsea for eight hours, requiring them to use theonboard bathroom and even get their fooddelivered to them by Sailors who aren’t onpatrol, said Tanck.

Each patrol boat has a four-man crew con-sisting of a boat captain, an engineer and twocrewmen, i.e., gunners. Aside from theirresponsibilities while on patrol, IBU Sailors

What would have beenjust a short fuel stop cost

the lives of 17 Sailorswhile nearly 40 otherswere seriously injured.

7Desert Voice March 9, 2005

From top left: A patrol boat coasts in to the dock at the seaport of debarkation. A speeding patrol boat heads out on patrol in the Arabian Gulf.A patrol boat sits in the waters of the port to intimidate would-bbe attackers. Heading back to shore for some down time, an Inshore Boat Unit24 patrol boat cuts a hard turn. Petty Officer 2nd Class Al Ablog, one of the gunners on his IBU 22 patrol crew, scouts the port.

have other duties like giving or getting pro-fessional development training, cleaningweapons or conducting maintenance ontheir boats. These responsibilities are car-ried out during their 12 hours off.

While the hours are demanding, IBU 22boat captain Petty Officer 2nd Class EdwardDouglas said the variety in this job is arefreshing change of pace from what hedoes as a civilian – he’s an accountant. “Idon’t have to think about profit/loss shareshere,” he said.

Douglas’ next Sailor in command, IBU 22engineer Petty Officer 1st Class Joe Hann,is responsible for making sure the boat isrunning well, which is fitting since backhome in Rock Island, Ill., he runs a dieselshop that works on boats, and he owns aboat himself. When he’s not on his 12-hourpatrol shift, he’ll likely be fixing one of theIBU 22 patrol boats.

The Sailors on Douglas’ crew all getalong so well that when asked what their

favorite part of the job was, all their answershad one thing in common: each other.“These guys are all great people to workwith,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class SeanCox, one of the gunners in Douglas’ crew.He added that they make up a bit for hisleast favorite part of the job, which is beinghomesick. This is Cox’s first deployment,and it happened just when the IBU deploy-ments were extended from about sixmonths to about eight months.

“Being away from family sucks, but they

know we’re here for a reason,” said PettyOfficer 2nd Class Al Ablog, the other gunneron Douglas’ crew.

One of Douglas’ least favorite parts of thejob is radioing in a trespassing boat to hishigher headquarters because “the folks upin the tower ask a lot ofquestions all at once,and they want answersimmediately.” Douglashas to answer thesequestions while at thesame time ensuring hiscrew members are han-dling the situation, hesaid.

“If it takes too long to get rid of it, every-one gets all [nervous]. That’s kind of stress-ful,” said Douglas.

If a boat comes in sight, and it isn’t part ofthe Kuwaiti port authority or any other author-ized port dweller, it’s ruled a trespasser, andthe patrol team is responsible for getting rid

of it. Although they have gone as far as firingwarning shots to get rid of unauthorizedboats, it rarely goes that far, said Tanck.

Ablog said that while he misses home,he’s happy to be playing a role in makingthe world safer.

Protecting the U.S. and coalition shipstraveling through the 20th largest port in theworld, IBU 22 has been in Kuwait sinceNovember 2004 and IBU 24, which is nowon its fourth deployment since its creation,has been here since August 2004.

If a boat comes in sight, and it isn’t partof the Kuwaiti port authority or anyother authorized port dweller, it’s ruleda trespasser, and the patrol team isresponsible for getting rid of it.

8 Desert Voice March 9, 2005

Koreans reconfirm their OIF roleStory and photos by Spc. Aimee Felix

Korea’s presence in Iraq is the thirdlargest in the coalition, after the UnitedStates and Great Britain. Their contributionsto the reconstruction of Iraq have come inthe form of a mobile clinic and base hospitalfor locals in northern Iraq, an advancedtraining program for Kurdish doctors andnurses, and a vocational school that offersclasses in computers, electronics and autorepair.

Now on its fourth rotation, Korea’s 3,800-soldier contribution in Iraq is supported by amuch smaller group of Korean soldiers inKuwait, and with the help of their Americanfriends, the support group is setting trendsfor other coalition forces to follow while theybrighten the days of theU.S. troops they workwith at Camp Virginia.

“These guys aregreat to work with,” saidCapt. Scott Cranford,Virginia’s officer incharge of coalition oper-ations, sharing whatseems to be a commonsentiment among theAmerican troops whohave worked or interactedwith the Koreans.

The Korean support group, roughly 20soldiers who run the show for Korean sol-diers traveling to and from Iraq, has taken astep toward independently supporting itsown troops with a new seven-trailer com-pound from which to conduct logistics anddeployment/redeployment operations. TheKorean Air Force has a similar supportoperations setup in Ali Al Salem Air Base.

The Korean support group commander,Lt. Col. Yong Kim, came up with the ideaand put in a request for the compound inDecember 2004, seeking approval fromArea Support Group-Kuwait to have thetrailers in Camp Virginia. Two weeks later,the Korean support group got theirapproval, and the last of the trailers, all builtin Korea, was brought over Feb. 12. A rib-bon cutting ceremony officially marked theopening of the compound Feb. 26.

Other coalition countries are on board todo the same. Japan will have theirs in Julyand other countries like Poland are expect-ed to follow, said Cranford.

Since they are one of the larger contribu-tors to operations in Iraq, the bigger workspace in the new compound will makethings easier for the Koreans than theywere when they worked out of tents, saidKim. Five of the trailers are for office space,

lowed a tour of the compound.“That’s the usual,” said Cranford explain-

ing that while the Koreans have one of themost professional armies he’s seen, theystill know how to have a good time. “They’repranksters too,” said Cranford who hasbeen a victim of a few of their jokes.

Soldiers from the Korean support groupinvited Cranford to a ceremonious dinnerthat is held once a year. At this dinner, theKoreans drink a foul-tasting soup. Knowinghow gross the soup is, the Koreans onlytake a spoonful of it and throw the restaway. However, they “failed” to mention thisto Cranford.

Being the diplomatic American he wastaught to be in all those pre-deploymentbriefings, Cranford took several gulps of theghastly soup as he held back from gagging.The Koreans couldn’t hold back, and theybusted out laughing, said Cranford whocouldn’t hold back from laughing himself.

The Korean troops at Camp Virginiamake an effort to integrate with the rest ofthe troops there by participating in all ofVirginia’s Morale, Welfare and Recreationevents, and they often play sports with othercoalition troops, said Cranford.

While their ground-breaking step towarda more stable support group is a steptoward self-sufficiency for their army, theU.S. liaison officers involved in helping theKoreans carry out their support operationsenjoy helping these good-spirited soldiers.

and the othertwo are living

quarters availableto any distinguished visitor traveling in the-ater, including the distinguished visitors ofother coalition partners. Those same livingquarters will also be available for Koreantroops to relax in on their four-day rest andrecuperation pass from Iraq, which is takenat Camp Virginia.

The command staff at Virginia helped getthe trailers up and running, setting up DSNlines and generators as soon as theyarrived, said Navy Lt. CommanderHyungkuk Lee about his friends in thecamp’s command cell. “We have a goodrelationship with the Americans. They’vebeen great friends and a great help,” addedLee, officer in charge of sea operations inthe Korean support group.

For Cranford, the feeling is mutual. Hehighlighted the Korean’s hospitality, a char-acteristic that was in full effect during theribbon cutting ceremony for the compund.Kim and Lee invited leaders from the U.S.and other coalition troops in theater. Theybriefed their guests on the purpose andfunction of the compound, offered a glimpseof Korean culture with a prayer chanted byone of their Buddhist priests and invitedtheir guests to participate in the actual rib-bon cutting. Following the ceremony, theKoreans offered rice cakes and otherKorean treats in a small reception that fol-

Left: A Korean Buddhist priest chants a prayer during the dedica-tion ceremony for the Korean support group compound Feb. 26.Above: The seven-ttrailer compound at Camp Virginia will serve asthe support operations center for the Korean Army’s troops serv-ing to bring democracy and stability to Iraq.

9Desert Voice March 9, 2005

Veteran of (many) foreign warsStory by Spc. Brian Trapp

At birth, he weighed in at a mere twopounds. It wasn’t an auspicious beginning.

Now, more than five decades later, ChiefPetty Officer Larry Tentinger stands 5 feet 6inches, weighs 180 pounds and can benchmore than twice as much. While this isremarkable in its own right, it’s only a smallpart of what makes up the life story of thisveteran of Vietnam and Desert Storm whohas volunteered to return to the desert for asecond tour in Operation Iraq Freedom.

“When I was in school my nickname was‘Little Larry,’” said Tentinger, chief of trans-portation and facilities with ExpeditionaryMedical Facility-Dallas. “They don’t call methat anymore.”

Now people call him professor, 2004Reserve Force Sailor of the Year and a manwith invaluable experience.

“[Tentinger’s combat experience] gives usall confidence,” said Petty Officer 2nd ClassCesar Rodriguez, who works with Tentingerat EMF-Dallas. “We look to him for guid-ance because of his experience. Hopefullywe can grow from that and be a better unitfor it.”

EMF-Dallas isn’t the only place his expe-rience has helped a unit. During the start ofOperation Iraqi Freedom, Tentinger servedas a combat medic with the 2nd Battalion,23rd Marine Regiment in the push towardBaghdad, where his experience was a fac-tor separating life from death.

Tentinger knew the Marines neededsomeone who had been in battle before,someone with combat experience. He hasthat to offer to the younger troops, he said,and so he did.

When he was drafted into the Army in1969 to serve as a medic for the 1stCavlary Division in Vietnam, Tentinger hadan old first sergeant who had seen combatduring the Korean War. “He was there, andhelped us move forward under fire. I wasthere for the Marines, and I helped themmove forward like he did for me.”

Tentinger left the Army after Vietnam anddidn’t join the Naval Reserve until 1989. Hewas mobilized Aug. 25, 1990, and foundhimself on an airplane two days later on hisway to Operation Desert Storm where heserved as a medic at a field hospital inSaudi Arabia. After Desert Storm, Tentingerdecided to make a change in both of hiscareers. He started his climb into higheracademia and became an assistant profes-sor at the University of South DakotaSchool of Education.

He also switched to the Fleet MarineForce, where Navy medics attach to Marine

units as their combat medics, known ascorpsman. His choice to serve with theMarines in the FMF was influenced by hisfather’s service in the Marines during WorldWar II, said Tentinger, whose age onlyshows through in laugh lines and light hair.His path to the FMF also led him into Iraqand back into the fray.

In the beginning of OIF, he was with theMarines of the 2/23rd as they pushedtoward Baghdad on the way totoppling Saddam Hussein. Hetook care of men he “woulddeploy with again in a heart-beat.” But to Tentinger, beinga corpsman meant more thanjust keeping Marines healthy.He needed to keep their spir-its up. He did so in a way thatseems to fit in with hisintense energy, which youfeel beaming from his hard,piercing eyes.

When he would noticeMarines’ morale waveringduring the wait to invade Iraq,he would walk up and tellthem to hold out their hand. Thenhe would touch his father’s ring to theirs,and tell them, “This is my father’s ring thathe wore into combat in World War II, andthat power is now with you now,” he said.“After I would do that, they would stand a lit-tle bit taller. They were going into battle withthe heritage of the leathernecks of WorldWar II.”

Even with an experience in combat andan intimidating build that recently helpedhim earn third place in a Camp Arifjanbench-press competition, he is a friendly,positive man who radiates energy.

“He’s firm, fair and friendly,” saidElizabeth Simmons, one of Tentinger’s grad-uate students at USD. “He is a man of greatconscience, but also a man with a greatsense of responsibility. To me, he is amodel of what it means to be an American,Sailor or Soldier.”

The decision to come back to OIF waseasy for Tentinger, he said.

“I felt it was unfinished business. Afterthe initial push, going up Highway 7, I sawthe Iraqi people dancing in the streets withtears in their eyes. After Saddam was takenfrom power and the statue came down, Isaw a ray of hope in those people’s eyes.Then the insurgents came in . . . We needto stay the course.”

Both times Tentinger has deployed to OIFhe’s put his career at USD on hold. Whenhe mobilized to deploy to Kuwait with EMF-Dallas, he was in the process of submitting

his tenure packet to the university.“I volunteered to come here, even after I

just got back,” he said. “To me, service formy country outweighs dealing with the poli-cies of where I work. It’s a higher calling. Iknow in my heart it was the right thing todo. That’s why I’m not going to sweat pro-motion and tenure.”

Tentinger isn’t the only one who sees hissituation between his university and hiscountry that way either.

“I think his true career is the military,”said Dr. James Hesson, physical educationprofessor, fellow Vietnam veteran and for-mer colleague of Tentinger’s. “Universityteaching is what he has to do between con-flicts. His heart belongs to the military andto the United States of America. He is anexcellent teacher, and he is a patriot. I wasa Ranger in Vietnam, and I would havedeployed with him in a minute.”

The night before he left for OIF, the 10o’clock news showed a protest an anti-warprotest at the USD campus, his campus.

“It made me so mad, my wife had tophysically stop me from getting in the carand going down there,” said Tentinger,whose “peace through strength” viewsaren’t necessarily the most popular on cam-pus. “Because of my upbringing, when I’mdefending our country, I feel like this iswhere I belong,” he said. “In the world ofhigher education, I feel like I’m in an ivorytower. It’s OK, because I’m their diversityfactor in higher education.”

Chief Petty Officer LarryTentinger poses in Vietnam,left, and in Iraq in the firstrotation of Operation IraqiFreedom, above.

10 Desert Voice March 9, 2005

Arifjan flies 48-star flag of fallen Marine Story and photo by Sgt. Matt Millham

By Feb. 27, 1945, tens of thousands ofU.S. Marines had already been poundingthe beaches and sparse, volcanic terrain ofIwo Jima for days in an amphibious assaultthat is widely considered the archetype ofamphibious assaults. For every football-fieldsize piece of the island, one Marine waskilled and five were wounded.

One of those killed that day was Pfc.Joseph J. A’Hearn of Fox Company, 2ndBattalion, 25th Regiment of the 4th MarineDivision.

Like thousands of his comrades who diedduring the 36-day battle for Iwo Jima,A’Hearn was buried on the island. Yearslater, his remains were unearthed andreturned to the United States.

With those remains came a 48-starAmerican flag, representing the 48 states inthe union at the time. Delivered to A’Hearn’swidow, the flag was flown once within ayear of its arrival then boxed up and leftalmost forgotten until December 2003.That’s when Maj. Christopher Moretti,A’Hearn’s grandson, came across the flagwhile on leave.

Untouched for nearly six decades, theflag was in perfect condition. Moretti, want-ing to memorialize his grandfather’s death,got permission to fly the flag at FortLeavenworth, Ka., on Feb. 27, 2004. Afterarriving in Kuwait, he decided he wanted todo something similar at Camp Arifjan, buthe’d left the flag at home. Fortunatley, hehas friends.

While on temporary duty in SouthCarolina, Maj. Erica Nelson, a friend of

Moretti, drove to Moretti’s home in NorthCarolina to pick up the flag.

After reuniting with the relic of World WarII, Moretti got permission from the com-mander of Area Support Group-Kuwait, Col.Brick T. Miller, to fly the flag at Camp Arifjan.

Sixty years to the day after his death,A’Hearn’s flag flew on a flagpole in Kuwait,thousands of miles from both Japan and theUnited States, decades removed from thesecond “war to end all wars,” at a camp thatis a base of operations for an entirely differ-ent kind of war.

The flag symbolizes more than just theMarines’ sacrifices at Iwo Jima, Morettiinsisted. “It’s a symbol really of the ultimatesacrifice,” he said, mentioning the 1,500American troops who have died inOperation Iraqi Freedom made the samesacrifice that was made at Iwo Jima.

As Moretti watched, the flag was takendown the evening of Feb. 27 by some of hisbest friends in Kuwait, including Nelson,Maj. Joel Harbaugh, Capt. Rene Ybarra,Maj. Robert Brogan and Maj. J.J. Thomas.

The flag’s flight over Kuwait is rife withsymbolism and reminiscent of the historicimage of Marines hoisting an American flagover Iwo Jima just four days into the battlefor the island. A photograph of that eventremains one of the most gripping images ofWorld War II, and was a rallying point forthe United States in its war against Japan.

Moretti says he intends to see his grand-father’s flag flown every Feb. 27 as long asit’s in his possession. While the flag is in theCentral Command Theater of Operations,Moretti is working to have it flown in Iraqand Afghanistan as well, he said.

The 48-sstar flag of Pfc. Joseph J A’Hearn,killed in combat at Iwo Jima in 1945, is low-ered at Camp Arifjan Feb. 27.

DFAC

I‘m gonna need to see some IDbefore you can get into the DFAC.

Oh, it’s OK. I had toshow my ID to the guy at the gate already, and I’min uniform. I’m secure.

Oh no you’re not. I don’t know who you are until you show me some ID.

Well in that case, I’m goingto need you to verify thatyou have the properauthority to check my ID.

Are you questioning whether ornot I’m a real American Soldier?

I‘m going to go out on alimb and guess you don’thave a lot of experiencewith irony.

Wash handsbeforeentering

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11Desert Voice March 9, 2005

Spearhead/SPOD

Navistar

Buehring

Victory

Kuwaiti Naval Base

Doha

Tae-Kwon-Do Class, 7 p.m., MWR tentSundayBazaar, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., behind PX areaMondayAerobics, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., MWR tent 4TuesdayTae-Kwon-Do Class, 7 p.m., MWR tent 1WednesdayAerobics, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., MWR tent 4For more information call 828-1340

WednesdayCountry Music Night, 7 p.m., Frosty’sFridayKaraoke Night, 7 p.m., Frosty’sTuesdayScrabble Tournament, 7 p.m., Frosty’sWednesdaySt. Patrick’s Bongo and Game Night, 7 p.m.,Frosty’sFor more information call 438-5637

For more information call 839-1063

WednesdaySoftball Tournament signup, NLT 1 p.m., withMWR repCribbage Tournament Practice, 8 a.m., Rec tentBasketball Tournament, 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., bas-ketball courtFemale Self Defense class, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.,basketball courtAerobics Class, 6 p.m., Game tentThursdaySoftball Tournament signup, NLT 1 p.m., withMWR repCribbage Tournament Practice, 8 a.m., Rec tentBasketball Tournament, 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., bas-ketball courtKarate Class, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., basketball courtFridayBazaar, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., MWR basketball courtSoftball Tournament signup, NLT 1 p.m., withMWR repCribbage Tournament Practice, 8 a.m., Rec tentBasketball Tournament, 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., bas-ketball courtAerobics Class, 6 p.m., Game tentSaturdayCribbage Tournament, 8 - 10 a.m. and 6 - 10p.m., MWR Rec tentBasketball Tournament, 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., bas-ketball courtSundayCribbage Tournament, 8 - 10 a.m. and 6 - 10p.m., MWR Rec tentBasketball Tournament, 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., bas-ketball courtMondayPoker Tournament Practice, 8 a.m.- 10 p.m.,MWR Rec tentCheckers Tournament signup with MWR rep, NLT1 p.m. Feb. 18Female Self Defense class, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.,basketball courtAerobics Class, 6 p.m., Game tentTuesdayPoker Tournament Practice, 8 a.m.- 10 p.m.,

WednesdayCountry Western Night, 7:30 p.m., Zone 6 MWRtentCombat Kick Boxing 5:30 a.m., Power Stretching8 a.m., Bench/Step Workout 10 a.m., Body PumpWorkout 1 p.m., Zone 1 gym tentAerobics, 6 p.m., Zone 6 gym tentAerobics, 7 p.m., Zone 2 gym tentThursdayCountry Music Night, 7 p.m., Community CenterSpinning Class, 5:30 p.m., Zone 2 gym tentOpen Mic Night, 7:30 p.m., Zone 6 MWR areaKarate Class, 7:30 p.m., Zone 6 MWR area Basketball signups begin, Zone 1 gymFridaySalsa Night, 7 p.m., Community CenterIndoor theater, 7:30 p.m., Zone 6 MWR areaLap swimming, 5 to 7 a.m., poolAerobics, 6 p.m., Zone 6 MWR tentAerobics, 7 p.m., Zone 2 gym tentSaturdayWomen’s History 5K run, 6 a.m., Fitness CenterJazz Night, 7 p.m., Community CenterR&B Night, 7:30 p.m., Zone 6 MWR tentCombat Kick Boxing 5:30 a.m., Power Stretching8 a.m., Bench/Step Workout 10 a.m., Body PumpWorkout 1 p.m., Combat Kick Boxing 3 p.m.,Zone 1 gym tentLap swimming, 5 to 7 a.m., poolSundayLap swimming, 5 to 7 a.m., poolBench/Step Workout 5:30 a.m., Super Abs 8 a.m.,Power Stretching 10 a.m., Body Pump Workout 1p.m., Bench/Step Workout 3 p.m., Zone 1 gymtentMondayCountry Western Night, 7:30 p.m., Zone 2 stageBingo Night, 7 p.m., Community Center Lap swimming, 5 to 7 a.m., poolCombat Kick Boxing 5:30 a.m., Power Stretching8 a.m., Bench/Step Workout 10 a.m., Body PumpWorkout 1 p.m., Combat Kick Boxing 3 p.m.,Zone 1 gym tentAerobics, 6 p.m., Zone 6 gym tentTuesdayLap swimming, 5 to 7 a.m., poolBench/Step Workout 5:30 a.m., Super Abs 8a.m., Power Stretching 10 a.m., Body PumpWorkout 1 p.m., Bench/Step Workout 3 p.m.,Zone 1 gym tentWednesdayTable Tennis Tournament, 7 p.m., CommunityCenterCountry Western Night, 7:30 p.m., Zone 6 MWRCombat Kick Boxing 5:30 a.m., Power Stretching8 a.m., Bench/Step Workout 10 a.m., Body PumpWorkout 1 p.m., Zone 1 gym tentFor more information call 430-1202

WednesdayAerobics, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Tent 4ThursdayKaraoke, 9 p.m., BunkerTae-Kwon-Do Class, 7 p.m., MWR tentSaturdayBazaar, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., behind PX area

Community happenings for March 9 through 16

Arifjan

Arrive

s

DohaDep

arts D

oha

Stop 2*

Arrive

s

Arifjan

Depart

s

Arifjan

Arrive

s Doha

Stop 2*

Depart

s Doha

Stop 1*

101514451900

0700102514501910

0715 104015051925

0830120016152045

0545084513001630

100014301745

Doha/Arifjan Shuttle Schedule

* Stop 1 is behind the Building 6 PAX TentStop 2 is between Buildings 28 and 31

MWR Rec tentCheckers Tournament signup with MWR rep, NLT1 p.m. Feb. 18Karate Class, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., basketball courtWednesdayPoker Tournament Practice, 8 a.m.- 10 p.m.,MWR Rec tentCheckers Tournament signup with MWR rep, NLT1 p.m. Feb. 18Female Self Defense class, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.,basketball courtAerobics Class, 6 p.m., Game tentFor more information call 844-1137

For more information call 825-1302

MondayMovie Night, 5 - 8 p.m., MWR tentTuesdayBingo Night, 8 p.m., MWR tentWednesdayBazaar, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., behind PXHip Hop Night, 8 p.m., MWR tentFor more information call 823-1033

WednesdayPing Pong Tournament, 6 p.m., MWR tentCountry Western Night, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomThursdayHorseshoe Tournament, 3 p.m., Dusty RoomKaraoke Night, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomFridaySpa Day, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., MWR tentSalsa Night, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomSaturdayBilliards-Singles Tournament, 5 p.m. MWR tentHip Hop and R&B Night, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomSundayBilliards 2-on-2 Tournament, 6 p.m., MWR tentOld School Jams, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomMondayUnit Fued, 6 p.m., MWR tentMovie Night, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomTuesdayBazaar, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Dusty RoomBingo Night, 7 p.m., Old ChapelWednesdayChess Tournament, 3 p.m., MWR tentCountry Western Night, 7 p.m., Dusty RoomFor more information call 832-1045

Send your community events to the Desert Voiceeditor at matthew.millham@arifjan.arcent.army.mil

EditorCFLCC PAO/Desert Voice Camp ArifjanAPO AE 09306matthew.millham@arifjan.arcent.army.mil

By Capt. Paul Nichols, 377th Theater Support Command

NATURE CALLS

ARMY LIFE

By Lt. Col. Michael Verrett,CFLCC C4

By Staff Sgt. Stephanie Johnson1158th Transportation Company

What will come in the next few weeks?What will come in the next few years?I wish I knew so I could tell youSo we could prepareSo we could planBut I can’t tell you because I don’t knowI can only go day to dayWatching and waitingThinking of how I will say goodbyeIf I have tooJust know that every day I am away from youI am with youWe will be under the same sky, and you will be in my heart,soul, and mindEvery moment I am awayI will close my eyes and hug you and pray for youUntil I can hold you and pray with you again

A mother’s letter

Photo by Spc. Aimee Felix

Sgt. Charlene Haux, a member of the 1106th Aviation ClassificationRepair Activity Depot, gets an autograph from former NationalFootball League and Major League Baseball star Bo Jackson March 1. “You guys are doing a great thing. This is the least I can doto give back,” said Jackson, who was in Kuwait on his secondSouthwest Asia tour.

Bo knows Kuwait