Victory Times
Vol. II, Issue 104
Telling the Camp Victory story
Sept. 16, 2006
Soldiers ensure troops zero, qualify at range
Story and photos by
Sgt. Kristopher Joseph
MNC-I PAO
Staff Sgt. Leonard Muehr, a former
military policeman turned generator
mechanic, and infantryman Sgt. Delbert
“Jay” McCool are the duo from TF Victory
“Move your selector switch from ‘safe’ who run the range week in and week
to ‘semi’ and commence firing!”
out. Both have extensive backgrounds
At the Victory
in training troops to
Base complex on
consistently and safely
the outskirts of
put rounds on target.
Baghdad, those
“I really know the
words ring out
importance of weapons
loud and clear
proficiency,” McCool
every Thursday
added. “Coming from
and Friday at the
an infantry unit we
small-arms range,
would shoot two to
as troops train to
three times a month,
bolster
that
and you learn that
most basic of
your weapon is your
Soldier skills -livelihood -- especially
marksmanship.
out here.”
The
range
Before firing begins,
is
operated
all
servicemembers
by
Soldiers
who train on the
of V Corps’
range attend Primary
Headquarters and
M a r k m a n s h i p
Headquarters
Instruction -- classroom
Company, based
instruction that teaches
in Heidelberg, Lt. Col. Tina Kracke, the MNC-I Deputy C6 (Commu- the basics of operating
nications), practices her marksmanship fundamenGermany, who tals using the Beamhit laser device Sept. 6 behind individual
weapons
are
currently Special Troops Battalion, Multi-National Corps- Iraq. and effective shooting
serving here as
techniques.
Task
The range instructors say PMI is an
Force Victory in support of all Multi- essential part of the weapons qualification
National Corps - Iraq and Multi-National process.
Force – Iraq headquarters personnel
“The PMI is where we try to reinforce
deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
the fundamentals by walking them through
Hundreds of deployed servicemembers and showing them the proper techniques
have trained, qualified and improved that will help them at the range,” said
their skills with their primary individual McCool.
weapons since the range began running
“You can really tell when troops ... from
“hot”in February.
other units come to use our range that they
didn’t go through a good PMI, or one at
all,” said Muehr. “But even in those cases,
we do take the extra time to give anyone a
quick PMI at the range before they fire, so
at least they have a little more confidence
when they go to fire.”
McCool and Muehr recently employed
a secret weapon of their own to help them
offer effective PMI -- a laser weapons
training device called the Beamhit. The
device, placed inside the barrel of a
Soldier’s unloaded weapon, emits a laser
when the troop pulls the trigger. A small
target placed to simulate firing at an
objective 300 meters away makes a noise
each time the Soldier scores a hit.
“It’s a great system,” said Muehr. “It’s
small and portable so we can set it up
quickly any time, anywhere, for anyone
who needs extra practice.”
“We’ve only had it for about a month,”
said McCool. “But I like it because it’s a
very accurate tool for troops to practice
their fundamentals.”
The firing range, located at the Camp
Slayer area of the Victory Base complex,
takes just six to eight personnel to run,
including a Combat Lifesaver-trained
Soldier, driver, ammo loader, target
handler, target scorer, range safety NCO,
and of course, Muehr and McCool.
After “zeroing” their weapons to ensure
they’re properly sighted, Soldiers fire for
qualification on paper targets. Anyone
who does not qualify the first time usually
has the opportunity to fire again.
“If anyone does not qualify at a given
range, then we have them go through the
PMI over again, so they can brush up on
their fundamentals and correct previous See RANGE, Page 3
In today’s Victory Times:
Page 2:Chaplain’s Corner, 30th Page 3: This Week in Military Med. Bde. TOA
History
Page 4: Camp Victory Operating Hours
Victory Times
Page 2
Sept. 16, 2006
Chaplain’s Corner
One at a Time by Chap. (Maj) Charles Herring
“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least
of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:40
My favorite Armed Forces Network “infomercial” is
the one with the little boy and his grandmother on the beach.
The little boy was picking up starfish and tossing them like a
Frisbee back into the sea before they died in the sunshine. The
grandmother said, “There must be hundreds of starfish here. How
can you make any difference?” The boy looked at the starfish in
his hand and gave it a good chunk towards the sea and replied, “I
made a difference to that one!”
In my morning devotion, I remembered that Jesus did not
let the crowds of people discourage or hinder him from helping
just one individual. People would crowd around Jesus wherever
he went and yet he always took time to help an individual in
need. When I find myself discouraged by all the “starfish on
the beach” I will remember the example of Jesus. He made a
difference to that one – it was me!
Every day each one of us may come upon our own
“starfish” – stranded or stuck in the sands of life. You cannot
help them all but you can make a difference to one – one at a
time. Who is the closest “starfish” to where you are right now?
Offer a hand, an encouraging word, a smile that will get them
“back into the sea”. You can make a difference - to that one!
30th MED transfers responsibilities to 3rd MEDCOM
Story and photos by Spc. Sean Finch
MNC-I PAO
Heidelberg based 30th Medical Brigade
turned over command and control for all
medical services in the Iraqi theater to
the 3rd Medical Command, Thursday,
in a ceremony held at the Al Faw Palace
ballroom in Baghdad.
“The Army and the nation, today, are so
greatly proud of the 30th Medical Brigade
and our endeavors on this field of battle,”
said Col. Steven W. Swann, commander,
30th Medical Brigade, “We could not have
been successful without the assistance of
many people, too numerous to count.”
The 30th Medical Brigade departed
from Heidelberg, Germany and arrived
in Iraq on October 10, 2005 with the
responsibility of commanding all of the
subordinate medical units involved in
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Our mission was to provide
compassion and humanity in war, while
preserving the fighting strength of our
Multi-National
Silverman, commander, 3rd Medical
forces, and that
Command. “I’m confident that 3rd
is exactly what
MEDCOM will continue the trend by
we did, to the
becoming a model for other teams to
absolute highest
learn from. 30th Medical Brigade is
of standards,”
the best medical brigade in the Army,
said Swann.
and 3rd Medical Command is by far
The
3rd
the best MEDCOM in the world.”
M e d i c a l
“As we continue, we will show
C o m m a n d
the world how a vastly diverse group
arrived in Iraq
of people like you see in this room
in late August
today—different
races,
different
with the mission
religions and different beliefs—can
of continuing to
work and live together in peace,” said
improve every
Silverman.
aspect of the Maj. Gen. Ronald D. Silverman (Right)
Soldiers in Iraq can rest assured
medical system and Command Sgt. Maj. Roger B. that they will continue to get medical
(Left) uncase the 3rd Medifor Soldiers and Schulz
support from the best Medical
cal Command colors in Thursday’s
Iraqis.
transfer of authority ceremony. This Command in the United States,
“The 30th marks the second deployment of 3rd concluded Silverman.
Medical Command to support of OpM e d i c a l eration Iraqi Freedom.
The Soldiers of the 30th Medical
Brigade,
like
Brigade will redeploy to Heidelberg
the units before them, set very high in order to help maintain and support
standards, and we are proud to follow in soldiers stationed throughout Europe and
those footsteps,” said Maj. Gen. Ronald D. the Middle East.
Camp Victory Three-day Forecast
Sunday
Sunny
High: 104 F
Low: 75 F
Monday
Sunny
High: 103 F
Low: 75 F
Tuesday
Sunny
High: 104 F
Low: 75 F
Page 3
Victory Times
Sept. 16, 2006
This Week in Military History
with Lt. Tom Lewis, Australian Forces
One hundred and five years ago this month, Americans, French, Germans, Japanese, Australians, British and more, all fighting
together, caused the Chinese Boxer Rebellion to come to an end. In September 1901, a multi-national alliance finally put down
the attacks on the citizens of various nations who had been attacked, and often murdered, in the name of expelling foreigners from
China by the assailants of the Boxer society.
The ‘Righteous Harmony Society’ – what Westerners called the Boxers – was a secret society: one of many popular in China,
which believed in magic and a particular form of martial arts, hence the term ‘Boxer’. Some of these beliefs included that rituals
would make them immune to bullets and to be able to fly. In early 1900, they formed bands in the countryside and began attacking
westerners wherever they found them. Christian Missions were invaded and Christians were killed. The Boxers then marched into
the capital Beijing and besieged the estates of foreign embassies, where those inside had improvised walled defenses. The soldiers
who guarded embassies banded together to make a joint effort. One American described the scene as 20,000 Boxers ‘advanced in
a solid mass and carried standards of red and white cloth. Their yells were deafening, while the roar of gongs, drums and horns
sounded like thunder. . . . They waved their swords and stamped on the ground with their feet. They wore red turbans, sashes, and
garters over blue cloth. [When] they were only twenty yards from our gate . . . three volleys from the rifles of our sailors left more
than fifty dead upon the ground.’
The nations of the United States, Japan, Russia, Britain, Australia, France, Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary – characterized as
an ‘eight-nation relief force’ (Australia coming under British control) – sailed warships into Chinese waters and landed an expeditionary force.
The first attempt to relieve the foreign legations at Peking consisted of over 2,100 men (mostly sailors and marines) departing
the city of Tientsin on 10 June 1900. They met stiff opposition from the Boxers, who by now had been openly joined by Imperial
troops. The allied forces retired and sought reinforcements, and on 5 August marched off again with 20,000 men. After fighting
twice against huge Chinese forces, the relief army reached Peking nine days later. Over the next months, the occupying force went
out after Boxer units. On 1 February 1901, the Chinese authorities agreed to abolish the Boxer Society. The dominance of China by
foreign powers was once again intact.
Did you know…some Chinese troops of the 19th century wore bamboo armor. In general, Chinese military technology was centuries behind other countries for hundreds of years, reflecting Chinese separation from the rest of the world.
RANGE
on their range.
“I think the only thing we had come close to an injury is one
mistakes,” said Muehr.
of our guys accidentally stapled his thumb to one of the targets,”
“The great thing about this range is you can keep coming back McCool said.
week after week if you want to,” said McCool. “This is a great
Spc. Keith Rupe of MNCI’s operations section recently qualified
advantage for those who are
on the range, and called it
seeking promotion points
a “very fluid” process.
or who just want to remain
“The instructors kept
sharp ...”
it simple and they
“I enjoy seeing the smile
showed a high level
on their faces when they see
of professionalism out
their targets and find out that
there,” the infantryman
they qualified,” said Muehr.
said.
“And we like to do it, so they
“We’ve got a good
can keep coming whether it
system together that
be rain, sleet or snow -- we’ll
works,” said McCool.
be there.”
“It’s a great feeling to
If Muehr and McCool’s
know that we helped and
claims are on target, sleet
trained so many people
and snow are about as likely
get better at firing their
here as negative comments
weapon.”
about their range -- the two
The range will continue
sergeants say they haven’t
to be operated by V Corps
had a single complaint.
until the unit redeploys to
Sgt. Delbert “Jay” McCool (left) and Staff Sgt. Leonard Muehr (right) from Multi-National Corps
More importantly, they’ve -- Iraq’s Task Force Victory Headquarters watch troops fire at their weapons qualification range Germany, when it will be
never had any firing injuries Sept. 8 at Camp Slayer located on the Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, Iraq.
handed over to III Corps.
Sept. 16, 2006
Victory Times
Page 4
Operating hours
Coalition Cafe
Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Midnight Dining 11 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Sports Oasis
Breakfast 5:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dinner 5 - 9 p.m.
Shopette
Open 24 Hours
Camp Liberty Post Exchange
Everyday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fitness Center
Open 24 Hours
Post Office
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.
Golby Troop Medical Clinic
Sick Call Hours:
Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon
Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - noon
Dental Sick Call:
Monday - Friday 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Saturday 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Mental Health Clinic:
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - noon
Post Deployment Health Briefings:
Monday - Friday 1 p.m.
Pharmacy:
Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - noon, 1
- 4:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 7:30 a.m. - noon
Legal Assistance/Claims
Saturday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Personnel Service Support Centers
Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
ID Cards
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Worship Opportunities
Victory Chapel (Bldg. 31)
Friday:
Jumu’ah (Islamic Prayer) 1 pm
Sunday:
Traditional Protestant Service 7 am – 8:45 am
Roman Catholic Confession 10 am
Roman Catholic Mass 10:30 am
Gospel Protestant Service 12 pm
Latter Day Saints Service 2 pm
Episcopal/Lutheran Service 4 pm
Contemporary Protestant Service 6 pm
Saturday:
7th Day Adventist Service 11 am
Roman Catholic Mass 8 pm
MiniMini-Chapel (Bldg. 2)
Submit letters from home
Is your loved one deployed in support of Multi-National Corps-Iraq? Would you like to write him or her a
message in the Victory Times? Send messages, three to four lines of text to [email protected].
Ensure to include Soldiers name, rank, and unit.
Church of Christ Worship Service 3 pm
Monday – Friday
Roman Catholic Service 4 pm
Friday
Jewish Service 6:30 pm
Sunday
Church of Christ 3 pm
Latter Day Saints Service 7:30 pm
Victory Times welcomes columns, commentaries, articles and letters from our readers. Send submissions
or comments to [email protected].
We reserve the right to edit for security, accuracy, propriety, policy, clarity and space.
New Location For
Army National Guard
Retention Office
NOW LOCATED IN AREA 51
GO INTO AREA 51 PAST FUEL POINT
TURN LEFT AT BUS STOP
GO THROUGH FENCE ON LEFT SIDE OF MWR
LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM PBO
TRAILER 51TR8
STOP BY AND CHECK OUT YOUR OPTIONS
Sgt. 1st Class JOHN GRAY, THEATER RETENTION NCO
MNC-I Commanding General: Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli
MNC-I Public Affairs Officer: Lt. Col. Michelle L. Martin-Hing
MNC-I PA Sergeant Major: Sgt. Maj. Paul J. Stevenson
MNC-I Command Info Chief: Sgt. 1st Class Laurence R. Lang
MNC-I Production Chief: Staff Sgt. Jason B. Baker
Layout/Design: Spc. Curt Squires
Victory Times Staff writers/ photographers: Sgt. Brian James Anderson,
Spc. Curt Squires, Spc. James P. Hunter, Cpl. Jessica Kent, Spc. Sean Finch
Victory Times is an authorized electronic publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of this electronic
publication are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Department of
Defense. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Office of Multi-National Corps Iraq.