A Publication of the Task Force 49 Public Affairs OfficeVolume 1, Issue 7 July 2008

THE Desert TalonDesert Talon

Task Force 49 leaves its markSoldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Task Force 49 stand above the recently painted Task Force 49 emblem on June 12. Spc. Isaac Christensen led the paintingproject. Christensen and his crew fought sand storms and a suprisingly rough surface in order to leave a lasting image of Task Force 49’s presence at Joint Base Balad.

Photo by Master Sgt. Eric Reinhardt

BY SGT. DALE SWEETNAMTask Force 49 PAO

In a few weeks, Task Force 49 willdepart Joint Base Balad having lefttheir mark, both figuratively andliterally.

On June 11, Spc. Isaac Christensen,Headquarters and HeadquartersCompany, Task Force 49, and a smallcrew of Soldiers put the finishingtouches on a 50-foot by 60-footpainting of Task Force 49’s emblem onthe side of a hardened aircraft shelter(HAS) on the airfield.

“I’m proud of the product,”Christensen said. “It’s very big and verydistinct. It’s an eye grabber.”

Christensen organized the projectand used a crew of five Soldiers tocomplete the massive painting in onlyeight days. Christensen and his crew

worked eight hours each night to takeadvantage of the cooler temperatures.

Before starting the project,Christensen spent five days talking topersonnel from other units who hadcompleted similar projects around theairfield. After collecting information,Christensen and Task Force 49Command Sgt. Major Richard Mitchellselected a HAS to paint. Mitchell saidhe wanted to find a HAS that was bothvisible from the road and the airfield.

Christensen said that other unitscompleted their HAS paintings byusing a grid system. Task Force 49took a different approach. Christensenclimbed a forklift equipped with alaptop and a Proxima projector andshot the image on to the HAS. He thenoutlined the image in chalk. Once theimage was outlined and approved, theygot to painting.

After the painting was completed,Christensen admitted the project wasmuch more complicated than he hadoriginally anticipated. His crew had tosearch for paint, fight nightly sandstorms, work around equipmentlimitations and battle a very roughpainting surface.

Christensen said the surface wasespecially unforgiving.

“All the HASs are extraordinarilyrough,” he said. “We took a lot ofrollers expecting to do the largesurfaces and we couldn’t. It justwouldn’t work with the rough surfacesand it was also destroying our paintbrushes.”

Despite of the problems, they gotthe job done.

See HAS painting, Page 9

WatchingHigh Schoolgraduation

in Iraq- PAGE 5

‘Fat Cow’responds to

fueling needsall over thebattlefield

- PAGE 4

The Desert Talon July 2008 Page 2

This issue of The Desert Talon and back issues can be foundon the Task Force 49 website at:http://www.wainwright.army.mil/49TF/BDE_WEB/

Talon 6 sends . . . A month of transitions

Task Force 49 CommanderCol. Chandler C. Sherrell

Task Force 49 Command Sergeant MajorCommand Sgt. Maj. Richard A. Mitchell

Task Force 49 Public Affairs OfficerMaster Sgt. Eric Reinhardt

The Desert Talon EditorSgt. Dale Sweetnam

Task Force 49 PAO Contact Information

Bldg. 4022LSA AnacondaDSN: 318 483-2079eric.reinhardt@iraq.centcom.mildale.sweetnam@iraq.centcom.mil

The Desert Talon is an authorized publication for Department of Defense members. Contents of The Desert Talon are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsedby, the U.S. Government or the Department of the Army. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Task Force 49 Public Affairs Office.

One Team! Arctic Talons!Col. Chandler C. SherrellCommander, Task Force 49

Editor’s note

This is the last edition of The DesertTalon we’ll produce here at Joint BaseBalad.

It has been an honor to tell the storyof Task Force 49 and the Soldiers ofthe Multi-National Corps – Iraq CombatAviation Brigade.

It has also been an education for us -about the unique and specialized worldof Army Aviation, something neither ofus had much familiarity with before wedeployed with Task Force 49 last fall.

Thank you very much for yoursupport of the Task Force 49 PublicAffairs Office and its mission, I hopeyou will all continue to give the samesupport to the Task Force XII PublicAffairs team of Sgt. 1st ClassChristopher Seaton and Sgt. BrandonLittle as they resume their duties hereand bring The Griffin back to Balad.

Many of your stories have extendedwell beyond the scope of the 3,000-reader circulation of this newspaper,

reaching audiences Armywide andnationwide via such outlets asArmy.mil, AFN Europe, Stars & Stripes,The CBS Early Show, ParadeMagazine and local TV stations, radiostations and newspapers, large andsmall, across the United States.

After the transfer of authority thismonth you can reach the 12th CABPAO via e-mial at:christopher.seaton@iraq.centcom.mil;and brandon.little@iraq.centcom.mil.

Thanks and farewell from Task Force 49 Public Affairs

Friends and family members ofTask Force 49:

July is shaping up to be a very busymonth for the Task Force. This month’stheme can be summed up in one word:movement. By the time most of youread this newsletter, Task Force 49 willhave sent our advance party toBaghdad International Airport (BIAP) inpreparation for the transfer ofauthority with the 3rd InfantryDivision’s Combat Aviation Brigade toTask Force 49. At the same time, theremaining members of the team arepreparing to welcome Task Force XIIHeadquarters back to Joint BaseBalad. Our close working relationshipwith Task Force XII has been integralto the success of Army Aviationthroughout the country of Iraq and it isonly fitting that I will transfercommand and control authority back tothem.

To all of the organizations in TaskForce 49: 2nd Battalion, 147th AviationRegiment (Dust Devils), 2nd Battalion,159th Aviation Regiment (Gunslingers),5th Battalion 158th General SupportAviation Regiment (Task Force Ready),244th Aviation Regiment (Task ForceHawk) and 412th Aviation SupportBattalion (Professionals), I want to givespecial thanks for your hard work andunwavering support over the last eightmonths. Your efforts and those of theSoldiers have racked up some veryimpressive statistics over the lastseveral months. Collectively, as the

Corps Combat Aviation Brigade, TaskForce 49 has flown over 10,000missions which equates to over 65,000hours flown, 202,472 personnel movedand more than 20 million pounds ofmission-essential cargo. These aretruly remarkable numbers that eachand every one of your Soldiers hadsome part in. Their role in launching,recovering and launching aircraftaround the clock was exceptional andthey did this while maintaining strictadherence to all standards and safetyprocedures. The professionalism anddiscipline your Soldiers demonstratedon a daily basis was astounding. I amtruly honored to have worked with

such exceptional battalions during thepast eight months.

To the new members of our team whowill be joining us at BIAP – Welcome.We are looking forward to workingthrough all of our future missions andchallenges that lie ahead. I know thebrigade staff has been burning themidnight oil to ensure the transition isas smooth as possible for all. To thefamily members, I want to ensure youthat your Soldier’s mission focus anddaily activities will remain much thesame for the most part. Thank you tothe families, friends and supportersback home who have been so generousin supporting our troops with thecards, letters and care packages.Please keep them coming to our newaddress forwarded though the FRGchain.

As we prepare to hand the MNC-Icombat aviation brigade back to TaskForce XII, I want to again thankeveryone for their dedication and hardwork. Your professionalism wasparamount to our successful legacy.As we enter a new phase of ourdeployment, I am confident that we willmeet the challenges ahead with thesame professionalism and dedication.

Talon 7 sends . . . Thanks for a job well doneThe Desert Talon July 2008 Page 3

Talon 7 Out!CSM Richard A. Mitchell

Command Sergeant MajorTask Force 49

Task Force 49 NCO and Soldier of the Quarter

Sgt. Elliot Gordon of BCompany, 412th AviationSupport Battalion, is TaskForce 49’s NCO of the ThirdQuarter.

This is Gordon’s second tourin Iraq. He first deployed toBalad in 2003 as an Apachemaintainer for the Fort Bragg,N.C.-based 4th Battalion, 159th

Aviation Regiment. Hecurrently serves as an ApacheSection sergeant for Task Force49’s Aviation MaintenanceCompany (B Co. 412th ASB).

Gordon is a native of Georgetown, Guyana, and grewup in New York City. He joined the Army in 1999.

His short-term goal is to be promoted to staff sergeant.His long-term goals are to get an Airframe andPowerplant license (which gives enlisted mechanics inthe military the same credentials as their civiliancounterparts), earn a bachelor’s degree in aircraftgeneral maintenance and become a command sergeantmajor.

Sgt. Elloit GordonNCO of the Quarter

Spc. John Jenkins of CCompany, 2-159 AttackReconnaissance Battalionis Task Force 49’s Soldierof the Third Quarter.

The Boaz, Ala., nativewas only nine months intohis first assignment at FortCarson, Colo., when hereceived assignment ordersfor the 2-159th. After five-months in Illesheim,Germany, he joined upwith C Company, incombat, at its forward-

deployed location in Basra.He earned the Combat Action Badge and Army

Achievement Medal during his three-month rotationthere, and moved with the company to its next forwardlocation in Talil, before returning to Balad.

Jenkins joined the Army in June 2005, following inthe footsteps of his father, a retired Marine.

Spc. John JenkinsSoldier of the Quarter

As Task Force 49’s time at Joint BaseBalad draws to a close, I’d like to thankeach and every one of you for theoutstanding work you have done here.It has truly been a privilege to serve asyour Brigade Command SergeantMajor for the past seven months. Thisis a great unit, doing great things and Iknow it will continue to do so back inthe capable hands of the Task Force XIIcommand and staff. Even though TaskForce 49 is moving on, it’s a smallArmy and I’m sure I’ll see many of youagain down the line.

Task Force 49 is moving on to a newand challenging mission as the Multi-National Division – Center CombatAviation Brigade. As always, I know ourArctic Warriors will rise to the occasionand continue to uphold the highstandards and professionalism theyhave achieved here in Balad.

As Task Force 49 prepares to handthe reins to our counterparts in the12th Combat Aviation Brigade, we arecommitted to providing as smooth atransition as the one you gave us whenwe arrived last November. Thanks inlarge part to the skill andprofessionalism of the brigade’sSoldiers, we were able to maintain theoutstanding reputation and trackrecord the 12th CAB established here atJoint Base Balad last summer. SinceTask Force 49 arrived in November, theMulti-National Corps – Iraq CombatAviation Brigade flew more than 65,000hours, nearly 10,000 missions andmoved 202,472 passengers and morethan 20 million pounds of vitalsupplies to the fight.

Each and every Soldier’s role in thisbrigade is vital to the overall war effortin this country. Know thatcommanders and troops on the groundare grateful for the outstanding

support you provide them around theclock and that you are all making adifference in Iraq.

This month we held the 3rd QuarterBrigade Soldier and NoncommissionedOfficer of the Quarter Board. As always,I was very impressed by the quality andprofessionalism of our young Soldiersand NCOs. The competition was veryclose in both categories. The BrigadeNoncommissioned Officer of theQuarter is Sgt. Elliot Gordon of BCompany, 412th Aviation SupportBattalion. The Brigade Soldier of theQuarter is Spc. John Jenkins of CCompany, 2-159 AttackReconnaissance Battalion. Both theNCO and Soldier received ArmyCommendation Medals, certificates ofachievement and a $50 gift certificatesfrom the brigade FRG.

Only six months into the fiscal year,all Task Force 49 battalions achieved

100 percent of their retention goals -5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment,412th Aviation Support Battalion, 2nd

Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment(Attack) and Headquarters andHeadquarters Company have all metthe Army retention standards early. Asa brigade, Task Force 49 has alreadyachieved well above 100 percent in allthree reenlistment categories: initial-term reenlistments, mid-careerreenlistments and careerreenlistments. That’s an outstandingachievement and it reflects well on ourunits and the dedication of ourSoldiers. I would like to congratulateall the Task Force 49 Soldiers, andtheir families, who have made thecommitment to stay Army Strong. Yourexperience, dedication and selflessservice are proof positive that you arethe Army’s most important asset.

As Task Force 49 leaves, we haveliterally left our mark on Joint BaseBalad: a 50-foot by 60-foot painting ofTask Force 49’s emblem on the side ofa hardened aircraft shelter to be exact.Kudos to Spc. Isaac Christensen, ofHHC Task Force 49, and the Soldierswho helped him paint it – it looksgreat.

I would like to close by thanking allthe families and friends of our ArcticWarriors for the support and the carethey continue to show our Soldiers.Your packages, cards and letters bringsmiles to the faces of our Soldiers. Iask for your continued support as westart a new chapter in our deployment.May God bless you, your families, ourSoldiers and our great Nation!

The Desert Talon July 2008 Page 4

TF49 exceeds retention goals early

Retaining Soldiers can be achallenge for some units, but not forTask Force 49 elements whichcontinue to reenlist Soldiers at astaggering rate.

Only six months into the fiscal year,all Task Force 49 battalions havealready achieved 100 percent of theirretention goals. 5th Battalion, 158th

Aviation Regiment, 412th AviationSupport Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 159th

Aviation Regiment (Attack) andHeadquarters and HeadquartersCompany have all met the Armyretention standards and are nowpadding already gaudy percentages.

Task Force 49 Senior CareerCounselor, Master Sgt. Dudley Moser,said the achievement is all the moreimpressive because these unitsmanaged to meet their goals after twofiscal years in Iraq.

“Last fiscal year they were over hereand had already reenlisted a vastmajority of their Soldiers,” Moser said.“A lot of units that do that have a hardtime making it the next year.”

BY SGT. DALE SWEETNAMTask Force 49 PAO

Moser said many units struggle tomeet retention goals in deployed areasover the course of two fiscal years, butTask Force 49 elements haven’t hadany problems.

“A lot of units come over here,reenlist a whole mass of Soldiers andthen they don’t do a whole lot for thenext six, sevenmonths,” he said.“These guys arestill reenlistingthem like crazy,which reflects onthe chain ofcommand and themorale of theSoldiers.”

As a brigade,Task Force 49 hasalready achieved well above 100percent in all three reenlistmentcategories: initial-term reenlistments,mid-career reenlistments and careerreenlistments.

Many factors contribute to strongretention numbers when a unit isdeployed, according to Moser. Whendeployed, there is no window forreenlistment like there is back in the

rear. Also, bonuses tend to be muchhigher and are tax free in theatre.

While many factors can influence aSoldier’s decision to reenlist, Moserclaims that there is more to retentionthan just money.

“Overall, a bonus isn’t going to bethe overriding factor in a Soldier’s

decision to stay inthe military,” hesaid. “They still haveto be satisfied withtheir job and trustthe organizationthey’re stayingwith.”

With retentiongoals already met, itseems natural thatthese units would

be inclined to rest on their laurels andenjoy their success, but Moser saidthese units don’t have any intentionof letting up and the mission is notover.

“They’ll continue to overproduce andtake care of the Soldiers who haven’tmade up their minds yet, or theSoldiers who have changed theirminds,” he said.

“These guys are stillreenlisting them like crazy,

which reflects on the chain ofcommand and the morale of

the Soldiers.”Master Sgt. Dudley Moser

‘Fat Cow’ provides aircraft fuel on the goIn the past seven months, Task Force

49 refuelers have provided coalitionaircraft with more than 6 milliongallons of fuel from the brigade’sForward Area Refueling Points (FARPs)throughout Iraq.

Thanks to some recent training on aChinook-based, portable refuelingsystem – affectionately called the “FatCow” – the brigade’s refueling reachcan now extend anywhere in theater –even where FARPs don’t exist.

The system consists of a CH-47outfitted with hardened, crash-resistant fuel tanks and all the gearneeded to conduct hot-fuelingoperations (fueling while the aircraft isstill running).

The system makes it possible to setup a fuel point anywhere a CH-47Chinook can land.

“If there’s not another securerefueling point around, it allowscommanders to place one were it’snecessary,” said 1st Lt. Rian Ingrim, ECompany, 5-158.

Soldiers from E Company, 5-158th

General Support Aviation Battalion andE Company, 2-159 AttackReconnaissance Battalion trained onthe Fat Cow system last month onJoint Base Balad.

Once thoroughly trained, theSoldiers were able to set up the systemin less than four minutes, according toIngrim.

From their training location on JointBase Balad, the Soldiers provided real-world fueling for several UH-60 BlackHawks and AH-64 Apaches during theexercise.

BY MASTER SGT. ERIC REINHARDTTask Force 49 PAO

(Top and left) Soldiers from ECompany, 5-158th General SupportAviation Battalion and E Company,2-159 Attack ReconnaissanceBattalion train on the “Fat Cow”refueling system, which enables theSoldiers to set up fuel pointsanywhere in Iraq a CH-47 Chinookcan land.

Courtesy photos

The Desert Talon July 2008 Page 5

Parents watch graduation from down rangeBY SGT. DALE SWEETNAM

Task Force 49 PAO

As “Pomp andCircumstance” playedthrough the loudspeakersand the Ansbach highschool graduates walkedwith their heads held high,parents watched with prideand smiled, not just in theschool’s auditorium inGermany, but alsothousands of miles away inIraq.

The Department ofDefense DependentsSchools, U.S. Army Europeand U.S. Army 5th SignalCommand combined assetsJune 6 to bring high schoolgraduations from all overGermany to the deployedSoldiers in Iraq.

The live graduations werepatched through to two TaskForce 49 conference roomsand came through inexcellent picture and sound.

Sgt. 1st Class ThomasIrvin, 2nd Battalion, 159th

Aviation Regiment (Attack)made it to the conferenceroom almost an hour earlyto make sure he didn’t misshis daughter Trista walkingacross the stage.

“I’m glad I could see it,” hesaid. “Of course I want to bethere, but it’s nice I get tosee it.”

Irvin said he talked to hisdaughter just a few hoursearlier, so she knew he’d bewatching.

“I talked to her thisafternoon and they we’regetting ready to go up,” hesaid. “I’m very proud of her.”

Irvin beamed while hetalked about his daughter’saccomplishments and thesupport he’s received fromhis wife Muriel while he’sbeen gone. Irvin said hisdaughter is headed toSouthern Illinois University-Edwardsville next yearwhere she’ll pursue adegree in elementaryeducation.

As part of the webcast,graduates had theopportunity to recordindividual messages to theirdeployed parents that theSoldiers could pull up prior

to the ceremony. Theparents who missed the liveceremony can also view therecorded version at any timeon the website.

This is the fifth year thatGermany high schoolgraduations have beenviewed live in Iraq. Planningfor the event began inJanuary. At that time,students who had deployedparents or anticipated theirparents being deployedwere identified through thehigh schools and themessage recordings werethen coordinated.

“I think it’s very positive,”Lt. Col. Richard Crogan,Task Force 49 deputycommander, said. “It’s a

Photo by Sgt. Dale Sweetnam

Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Irvin, 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment (Attack) watchesAnsbach High School’s graduation from a small conference room in Iraq on June 6.Irvin’s daughter, Trista was one of the 38 graduates.

great morale boost beingable to see your child goacross the stage. It’s thenext best thing to beingthere.”

Tears flowed in bothGermany and Iraq as the 38graduates received theirdegrees. The guest speakershighlighted theaccomplishments of thestudents and praised thesupport of their parents.

When deployed Soldierswere mentioned during theceremony, many in theaudience became chokedwith emotion.

Irvin sat quietly andenjoyed the ceremony.Beforehand Irvin said thiswould be the last time hehas to watch such an eventfrom afar. He plans to retireby the time his other twochildren, Dylan and Maisie,graduate.

“When it comes time fortheir graduation, I’ll bethere.”

At the conclusion of theceremony Irvin was clearlyfilled with emotion andwanted to express hisgratitude for his wife in abrief message.

“Muriel my love, all yourhard work has paid off,” hesaid. “Thank you for alwaysbeing there and keepingTrista on the right path.”

During that ceremony in adarkened conference roomin Iraq, home didn’t seemthat far away.

AwardAwardAwardAwardAwardwinnerwinnerwinnerwinnerwinner

This photo, by 1st Lt. Jeff Gaines ofA Company, 2-159th AttackReconnaissance Battalion, took 3rd

place in the Army AviationAssociation of America 2007Photography Contest. The shot wastaken Sept. 14, 2007 over the shoreof Lake Habbaniyah, south ofRamadi, during a combat patrol.

The Desert Talon July 2008 Page 6

In the world of aviation, the angle, or“attitude” of the wing or rotor blade ofan aircraft relative to the grounddetermines altitude. A “positive”attitude will result in increasedelevation. A “negative” attitudewill cause the aircraft todescend, and even crash if theattitude is not corrected.

The mindset we have whenapproaching problems,challenges, or confrontation isalso known as our attitude.Attitude is a way of thinkingor a complex mental stateinvolving beliefs, feelings,values and dispositions to actin certain ways. One of therealities of deployment is thatyour true character will berevealed to those around youin trying times. You can try tofake it, but no one can keep aperfect attitude for 15 months.The choices you make about yourcurrent situation or your life in generalwill come out in your attitude.

Another reality is that your life’scondition is the sum total of thechoices you’ve made. Few of us askedto deploy and be away from family andcomforts, but quite frankly, we all

During conflict, choose the right attitudeBY CHAPLAIN (CAPT.) PHILIP A. WINN JR.

2-147 AHB Chaplainraised our hands and joined the Armyof our own merit.

Dr. Charles Swindoll says that thelonger he lives, the more he realizesthe impact of attitude in his life.Attitude, to him, is more importantthan facts. It is more important thanthe past, than education, than money,

than circumstances, thanfailures, than successes,than what other peoplethink or say and do.

It is more importantthan appearance,giftedness or skill. It willmake or break acompany…a church…afamily. The remarkablething is that we have achoice every dayregarding the attitude wewill embrace for that day.We cannot change ourpast. We cannot changethe fact that people willact in a certain way. Wecannot change the

inevitable. He goes on to say that, “Theonly thing we can do is play on the onestring we have, and that is ourattitude…I am convinced that life is 10percent of what happens to me and 90percent of how I react to it. And so it iswith you. We are in charge of ourattitudes.”

Victor Frankl, the holocaust survivorwho went on to a successful career as awriter and psychiatrist, said of hisordeal in a Nazi prison camp,“Everything can be taken from a manbut one thing: To choose one’s attitudein any given set of circumstances, tochoose one’s way.” Victor Franklunderstood the power his attitudeplayed in his own ability to survive.

The truth is that you do what youspend the most time thinking about.This is why the Bible encourages us todwell on God’s Word day and night.Will a positive attitude make conflict oradversity disappear? Of course not.However, the right mental andemotional approach can redefine whatyou call conflict or adversity. While youwill still experience fear, confusion anddisappointment, the right approach toany situation can often make thedifference between success and failure.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a missedpromotion, conflict with a supervisor,or discord in your marriage. As youmove from where you are to whereyou’re going in the uncertainty ofArmy life, your attitude is the onething you can control. Control it well,keep it positive and oriented upward,and you will reach new heights ofsuccess, happiness, and contentmentyou never thought possible – it’s yourchoice!

Ok, so here it is. Coffee drinkers – beware! It’s hot outthere. It’s seriously hot. Yes, I know that’s obvious, butdon’t quit reading yet thinking you know it all, because I’mgoing to give you a little illustration that may entertain andenlighten you almost as much as the Ex-XO column does.

One morning this week, I woke up at 7a.m. and made a cup of hot tea. The tea wasmaking my insides really warm, but Inormally can sit by the air conditioner forawhile and cool down before getting dressedfor work. But this particular morning, rightas I was finishing the tea, the power wentout. The room got hot fast and was gettinghotter and hotter. I noticed I wasuncomfortably warm, but that didn’t seemunusual when it’s 100 degrees at 8 a.m. Ofcourse, I still had to go to work, and to dothat, I had to put on my ACU (All-CoveringUniform). Then I had to walk the hot walk tothe office. When I got there the power wasout at the office too, so no air condition wasavailable.

At first, I didn’t think anything of it. Ithought if I just sat still and drank some cooltea, water and Gatorade, I’d be fine evenwithout the air conditioner. But by 11 a.m., Iwas starting to feel dizzy. I noticed that eventhough I was really hot, I wasn’t sweating atall. I went to the DFAC thinking a little foodand the cool air would help. But after lunch I felt evenworse. My roommate walked me back to my room, and Itook off most of the All-Covering Uniform and layed down on

the floor. It was nice and cool in the room by this time and Iwas still thinking I would be fine in a minute with waterand Gatorade.

That was when I started singing little made-up songs withno tunes and shouting to my roommate that she wouldneed a crane to get me off the floor but she wouldn’t beable to get a crane because that would need a legal reviewand the legal reviewer was half-dressed on the floor. While

this behavior might not sound that crazyfor me, the fact is, I was getting a littledelirious.

Once I realized that, I got up and got anice pack out of the freezer and put it on myback and stomach and feet, and myroommate got me a cold washcloth for myneck and head. I had to lie there about 30minutes before I started to cool off. When Igot up, I still needed to sit still for awhileso I wouldn’t heat right back up.

This was all just because I drank hot teaand sat in a hot room. Think about howbad it could be if you actually have to beoutside for extended periods of time.

That was a long story, but I really wantedto give you all a reminder about watchingout for each other. Please be on thelookout for heat injuries, they sneak up onyou. I’d never had anything like thathappen before and I wasn’t expecting it.Take care of your battle buddies and besmart.

For all you Task Force 49’ers, see you atBIAP! For Task Force XII, it’s been my pleasure serving youthe past seven months. Best wishes for safe returns toGermany.

A little medical advice from the legal section

ChaplainPhilip A. Winn Jr.

CAPT. KRISTIN HANSENTask Force 49 Legal Assistance Officer

Capt. Kristin Hansen fights off the effectsof a heat injury after too much heat and teaand not enough air condition.

Courtesy photo

The Desert Talon July 2008 Page 7

Task Force XII spouses get a taste of combat

Griffin Spouses Combat Day, orOperation Better Half, began with abang May 5 when Chief WarrantOfficer 4 Ted Tomczyk, Headquartersand Headquarters Detachment, 12thCombat Aviation Brigade, delivered aspirited in-brief.

With a “Hooah” of about 110 highlymotivated spouses, the events of theday kicked-off.

By signing up for Operation BetterHalf, spouses volunteered to be aSoldier for a day.

The event took place at Urlastraining area and was designed to giveparticipants a better idea of what theirSoldiers experience during training.

The events of the day includedcombat and self defense training, apaintball grenade toss, litter carry aspart of medical training, a 50 questionhands-on test, a crate climbcompetition, tug of war, an obstaclecourse, a rucksack relay andpaintball.

Each participating spouse received asafety brief and a set of orders. Everyspouse was then assigned to a teamand had to report to their respectivedrill sergeants.

After a class on various commands,each drill sergeant and cadencecalling team of spouses made its wayto the first task.

“The brigade is sponsoring thisevent on behalf of the spouses whichallows them to come together as ateam, and in some small part, havefun and understand some of thethings that their husbands do in the

U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach PAO

military,” said Lt. Col. Guy Zero, 12th

Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) RearDetachment Commander. “It is anesprit de corps and camaraderiebuilding event.”

According to Veronica Martin, 12thCAB Family Readiness SupportAssistant, the concept worked.

She said events like Combat Daybring spouses together and allow themto get to know each other. They providethe opportunity to bond as a completeunit in a competitive environment.

“There are a lot of women whonormally don’t participate (in FamilyReadiness Group events) and this isgood for them,” she said. “It gives theman idea of what their spouses do andepitomizes being the better half.”

The participants seemed to enjoy theexperience.

“I love it,” said Kelly-Anne Thompson.“The camaraderie between spouses andseeing what our husbands have gonethrough before and being able toexperience that, it is so exciting.”

From left Sarah Conners, Tamara Kisinger-Yolo, Pamela Zottes and Shari Brown prove their strength during a tugof war competition that was part of Operation Better Half, June 5, 2008 at the Urlas training area.

Courtesy Photo

Working at the car washWorking at the car washWorking at the car washWorking at the car washWorking at the car wash (Left to right) Elizabeth Pons, Jen Carter and Mindy Beddo help raise funds for the Task Force 49 Family Readiness Group with a car wash May 4 at the Fort WainwrightShoppette. “We worked our butts off,” said FRG Leader Jen Carter. The group raised more than $1,000, washing the winter dirt off about 75 cars that day.

Photo by Isabella Rosini

ON THE HOMEFRONT

The Desert Talon July 2008 Page 8

Ex-XO suffers through KuwaitBY MAJ. JAMES JONES

Former Task Force 49 Executive Officer

I am back from conquering the wild jungles and untamedterritories of Mexico. I was careful to maximize my foodintake to offset my output brought upon by Montezuma’srevenge. I am happy to report that I kickedMontezuma’s butt. While I was down in Mexico, Iwas discovered by a modeling agency called “MeJuevos”. I don’t know how posing in swimwearhelps them sell eggs but hey they seemed like areputable company and the swimwear was free. Iam anxiously awaiting the proofs that areforthcoming (Editor’s note: see censored photo).Even though leave was great, I am happy to beback here in sunny Balad where the temperaturetopped 117 degrees today. For those of you notable to pick up on sarcasm, the last sentencewas filled with it. My new job as the S3 is greatand I sit around and day all play “zuma ball”and take frequent naps (sarcasm). One goodthing is that I am back helping all of you withthose issues that need special attention.

Dear Ex-XO,I have been hearing bad stories about how long it takes to

get through Kuwait on your way back from R&R. Since youjust came back can you tell me why it is taking so long?

-SFC I.B. Gonelongtime

Dear I.B. Gonelongtime,I can’t really pinpoint one thing but I do have some theories.Theory 1: When you get back to Kuwait they put you in

those small tents with the tubes running down the middlepumping out what you think is just cold air fromthe air conditioner. What it really is, is asleeping drug that knocks you out. Then theycome in and run some tests on you to see howmuch you enjoyed your leave. It works like this;if your leave sucked or you just have no life andcan’t wait to get back to your unit, when youwake up they put you on the next flight out. Ifyour leave was great and you are not lookingforward to going back, they keep you in Kuwaitfor another day. Of course they screw with youthat entire day making you think you’re gettingout but you’re really not. They make you showup to a whole bunch of formations, put you on abus, load you on an aircraft, take you off theaircraft, put you back on, taxi down the runway,turn around and park, put you back on the bus,bus you back to the tent area, hold anotherformation, etc. This goes on for about eight to 12hours, and then they assign you back to a tentwhere they continue to test you every night. After about fourto five days of this, when your attitude finally gets to the pointwhere you hate Kuwait so much that you are looking forwardto going to your unit, they finally put you on a flight.

Theory 2: They keep all the alcoholics there until theysober up. Hence the four days I spent in Kuwait after my 18day drinking binge.

Theory 3: The process is just inefficient…Naw, that can’t beit!

Little know fact: The documentary “Super Size Me” wasactually filmed in Kuwait at Ali Al Salim and was actually aSoldier that got stuck in Kuwait for 30 days and ate at the

McDonalds until they finally got him a flight back toBalad.

Dear Ex-XO,I have noticed that COL Sherrell goes by the

name “Skip” even though that’s not his realname. Do you have any background on why hedoes this?

-CPT Ivana Seeyoufired

Dear Capt. Wowack,I have heard a couple of rumors that may or

may not be true.1.) He used to own a boat that got stranded on

a desert isle. That may be why he calls the CSM“Little Buddy.” Aye, aye “Skip”per.

2.) He was never very good at dodgeball andwhen they picked teams they always “Skip”ped him.

3.) He was named after the sound made by my crumpled upOER as it “Skip”ped across his desk and into the trash.

PS: Even if I get fired you cannot be the S3.

Dear Ex-XO,I am being moved from Balad to Baghdad International

Airport (BIAP) in a couple of weeks and I am worried that withthe downturn in the housing market that I may not be ableto afford the same accommodations that I have here in Balad.

-PVT Ah CHU

Dear Ah CHU,My financial analyst here in Balad, (a very

knowledgeable man who works at the pastrycounter in DFAC #4,) has told me that thedownturn in the housing market here at Baladhas not affected the housing market in BIAP. Ithas actually had the reverse affect, your moneydoesn’t go as far as it did here in Balad and it isa seller’s market. For instance if you can afforda one bedroom, no roommate CHU in Balad, thebest you can hope for in BIAP is a one Bedroomunit with a roommate who smells bad, wears hisboots to bed and likes to cuddle.

If you are in a two-man CHU now, you canprobably afford an eight-man tent next to a port-a-john that gets emptied once a month. Beaware, the no smoking sign is on the port-a-johnfor a reason, the methane gas that builds up at

temperatures of 120 degrees can be deadly. The other day aSoldier lit up while doing his business, the subsequentexplosion sent the Soldier and the port-a-john spiraling into theair. As a result, several Air Force crews have received theirCombat Action Badges due to suspected “man” pad attack.Remarkably the Soldier was not injured since he landed in thepond by Al Faw Palace.

“Take the picture already, I think one of them just crapped on me!”Maj. Christopher Chapman, HHC, Task Force 49

“Ask the Ex-XO” Ca“Ask the Ex-XO” Ca“Ask the Ex-XO” Ca“Ask the Ex-XO” Ca“Ask the Ex-XO” Caption Contest Winners!ption Contest Winners!ption Contest Winners!ption Contest Winners!ption Contest Winners!

Ask the Ex-XOAsk the Ex-XOAsk the Ex-XOAsk the Ex-XOAsk the Ex-XO

Maj. James Jones in his modelingdebut. Photo printed with thepermission of Me Juevos Inc.

CENSOREDCENSOREDCENSOREDCENSOREDCENSORED

Honorable mentionHonorable mentionHonorable mentionHonorable mentionHonorable mention

WINNER!WINNER!WINNER!WINNER!WINNER!

“After seven margaritas these women are all over me!”Capt. Christopher McNutt, 412th Aviation Support Battalion

“I can’t believe how much our boys have changed in just six months!”Maj. Christopher Chapman, HHC, Task Force 49

The Desert Talon July 2008 Page 9

Continued from Page 1

HAS Painting

“There were a lot of little stumbling blocks, but weovercame all of them and just plowed through it,” he said.

Christensen said help from the 412th Aviation SupportBattalion marginalized a lot of the struggles. The 412thprovided the painting crew with the forklift, power washersand light sets so they could work at night.

“412 was a massive asset in this entire project, especially inthe planning,” he said.

When all was said and done, the crew burned through fourgallons of black paint, three gallons of yellow, two gallons ofblue and a half gallon of grey paint.

Mitchell said he was not only happy with the final product,but very proud of what the painting represents.

“It turned out better than I anticipated,” he said. “Spc.Christensen and his crew worked very hard and did a greatjob. When I first saw it after it was completed, I was veryexcited and proud to have Task Force 49’s emblem displayedfor years to come.”

Christensen said the project was a challenge, but theimage is now a permanent part of the airfield and theemblem symbolizes Task Force 49’s legacy in Iraq.

“Everybody involved is very proud of Task Force 49 and wewanted to let everybody know we’ve been here and made abig difference on this war effort,” he said. “We’re definitelyproud of that.”

Master Sgt. William Nickoloff, Task Force 49 safety NCOICput the accomplishment in more straightforward terms, “Wesaw the HAS, we conquered the HAS.”

Christensen said he is happy with the final product andhopes it stands the test of time.

“30 years from now, when Iraq is calm and a good place tovacation, I’m going to come back and see my mark out here.”

Spc. Isaac Christensen, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Task Force 49,opens up a can of paint while working on the Task Force 49 emblem on June 5.Christensen and his crew worked on the HAS painting for eight nights.

Photo by Master Sgt. Eric Reinhardt

Photo by Master Sgt. Eric Reinhardt

Photo by Sgt. Dale Sweetnam

(Top) A crew of Task Force 49 Soldiers work on the Task Force 49 emblem up atopHAS 11 on the airfield. The painting surface was more difficult to paint on than thecrew originally anticipated. The crew also encountered bad weather and equipmentfailure during the painting project.(Left) Spc. Isaac Christensen leans forward to paint the wings of the Task Force 49emblem. During the project, the crew used up four gallons of black paint, threegallons of yellow paint, two gallons of blue paint and a half gallon of grey paint. Theproject was completed on June 11.